Abstract: The techniques described herein provide a surface computing device that includes a surface layer configured to be in a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface. In the transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip having repeaters for propagating signals along relatively long wires that extend between and among lower-level physical blocks of the IC chip, wherein the repeaters are implemented as clocked flip-flops (or “repeater flops”). A method for automatically inserting and allocating such repeater flops during the logical and physical design of the IC chip is also provided.

Abstract: The example embodiments relate to a method for assisting in the translational testing of computer software. A translated panel, which may include a translatable portion and a continuously dynamic portion, may be provided. An overlay that includes only the continuously dynamic portions of the panel may be produced. The overlay may be applied to first and second versions of the panel to produce first and second iterations of the panel, respectively, wherein each iteration does not include the continuously dynamic portion of the panel. The translatable portions of the first and second iterations may be compared to determine whether the translatable portions are different. If the translatable portions are different, then the panel may be retested for translational accuracy; if the translatable portions are not different, then the program may indicate that the second iteration is not different from the first iteration.

Abstract: A system connected to an existing computer includes a unit for monitoring the screen and provides input, and a storage unit that stores data that pair screen buffer regions with authentication details. The system learns new pairs via user training and presents stored authentication details when the screen buffer matches a related stored region which is paired with a region of the screen.

Abstract: A method of automated password authentication by pattern matching regions of screen pixels against a repository of previously captured regions, and submitting a username and a password stored with the regions of the screen pixels for authentication includes triggering an autorunnable application to startup by inserting a memory stick by a user, challenging the user for a master password to access an encrypted database held on the memory stick, running the autorunnable application as a background task following a successful authorization of the user, and checking whether the user has triggered the autorunnable application by a pre-defined key sequence. If the user has triggered the autorunnable application, then the method proceeds with prompting the user to highlight at least one rectangle around a text or an image which uniquely identifies a login panel, capturing a username and a password when entered by the user, and returning the autorunnable application to a background task.

Abstract: Existing tools for organizing family memories offer few possibilities for easily integrating both physical and digital materials in order to produce a single archive for a family (or other group of users). This also applies to archiving of physical objects and digital media in general (even for applications outside the field of family use). An archiving system is described which incorporates at least one image capture device, a display, a sensing apparatus arranged to detect user input associated with the display, a processor and memory, and a receptacle for holding digital media storage devices such as mobile telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants and the like. The image capture device is operable to capture digital images of physical objects for archiving. The receptacle comprises a data transmission apparatus for automatically transferring data with the digital media storage devices and optionally also a power charging apparatus.

Abstract: A tabletop display providing multiple views to users is described. In an embodiment the display comprises a rotatable view-angle restrictive filter and a display system. The display system displays a sequence of images synchronized with the rotation of the filter to provide multiple views according to viewing angle. These multiple views provide a user with a 3D display or with personalized content which is not visible to a user at a sufficiently different viewing angle. In some embodiments, the display comprises a diffuser layer on which the sequence of images are displayed. In further embodiments, the diffuser is switchable between a diffuse state when images are displayed and a transparent state when imaging beyond the surface can be performed. The device may form part of a tabletop comprising with a touch-sensitive surface. Detected touch events and images captured through the surface may be used to modify the images being displayed.

Abstract: A user interface device with actuated buttons is described. In an embodiment, the user interface device comprises two or more buttons and the motion of the buttons is controlled by actuators under software control such that their motion is inter-related. The position or motion of the buttons may provide a user with feedback about the current state of a software program they are using or provide them with enhanced user input functionality. In another embodiment, the ability to move the buttons is used to reconfigure the user interface buttons and this may be performed dynamically, based on the current state of the software program, or may be performed dependent upon the software program being used. The user interface device may be a peripheral device, such as a mouse or keyboard, or may be integrated within a computing device such as a games device.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide a surface computing device that includes a surface layer configured to be in a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface. In the transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface.

Abstract: In one implementation, a conference bridge connects endpoints in a media conference. The various endpoints may have a wide range of video capabilities and audio capabilities. The video conference bridge learns the video capabilities of the endpoints and formulates a media plan based on these capabilities. The media plan instructs the endpoints on the types of media streams to produce. The video conference bridge may shape a media stream received from one of the endpoints by removing one or more layers. Accordingly, each endpoint decodes only the media streams that can be encoded by another endpoint and receives the best possible media stream from each endpoint.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for detecting potential areas of inductive coupling in a high density integrated circuit design are described. The inductance mitigation process first converts the inductive analysis into a density problem. The density of wires within a region that may switch within a portion of the system clock are compared to the density of wires will not switch within that same time. Regions of the chip that have a high ratio of density of switching wires versus non-switching wires are determined to have the potential of an inductive coupling problem. Additional grounded metal is added into the problematic regions of the chip to improve the switching versus non-switching wire density.

Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automatic monitoring of fluid of a patient are disclosed, comprising a patient line, a transfer disk which receives the fluid and controllably transfers the fluid to test substrates, and a sensor disk which houses the test substrates. The sterile transfer disk may be configured to maintain the sterility of the patient sampling assembly while transferring samples to non-sterile components, such as the sensor disk.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic user interfaces are described. In embodiments, user interface devices are described that can detect the location of movement on a user-touchable portion by sensing movement of a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments sensors are arranged in a two dimensional array, and the user interface device can determine the location of the movement in a plane substantially parallel to the two-dimensional array and the acceleration of movement substantially perpendicular to the two-dimensional array. In other embodiments, user interface devices are described that can cause a raised surface region to be formed on a ferrofluid layer of a user-touchable portion, which is detectable by the touch of a user. Embodiments describe how the raised surface region can be moved on the ferrofluid layer. Embodiments also describe how the raised surface region can be caused to vibrate.

Abstract: A method of automated password authentication by pattern matching regions of screen pixels against a repository of previously captured regions, and submitting a username and a password stored with the regions of the screen pixels for authentication includes triggering an autorunnable application to startup by inserting a memory stick by a user, challenging the user for a master password to access an encrypted database held on the memory stick, running the autorunnable application as a background task following a successful authorization of the user, and checking whether the user has triggered the autorunnable application by a pre-defined key sequence. If the user has triggered the autorunnable application, then the method proceeds with prompting the user to highlight at least one rectangle around a text or an image which uniquely identifies a login panel, capturing a username and a password when entered by the user, and returning the autorunnable application to a background task.

Abstract: A volumetric display system which enables user interaction is described. In an embodiment, the system consists of a volumetric display and an optical system. The volumetric display creates a 3D light field of an object to be displayed and the optical system creates a copy of the 3D light field in a position away from the volumetric display and where a user can interact with the image of the object displayed. In an embodiment, the optical system involves a pair of parabolic mirror portions.

Abstract: Retrieval and display of digital media items is described. For example, the digital media items may be photographs, videos, audio files, emails, text documents or parts of these. In an embodiment a dedicated apparatus having a touch display screen is provided in a form designed to look like a domestic fish tank. In an embodiment graphical animated agents are depicted on the display as fish whose motion varies according to at least one behavior parameter which is pseudo random. In embodiments, the agents have associated search criteria and when a user selects one or more agents the associated search criteria are used in a retrieval operation to retrieve digital media items from a store. In some embodiments media items are communicated between the apparatus and a portable communications device using a communications link established by tapping the portable device against the media retrieval and display apparatus.

Abstract: A user interface for an information retrieval system is described. In an embodiment an output region for showing retrieved documents is displayed on an interactive surface. One or more movable user interface items, such as digital buttons or tangible objects, may be positioned in an active region. Each movable user interface item has a stored query associated with it and for example, the queries may be words or images. In an embodiment a user interface controller apparatus identifies any movable user interface items in the active region and identifies a spatial relationship between those items and the output region. In an embodiment, a query is accessed for each of the user interface items in the active region and those queries and the information about the spatial relationship are used to retrieve documents from a document database.

Abstract: The example embodiments relate to a method for assisting in the translational testing of computer software. A translated panel, which may include a translatable portion and a continuously dynamic portion, may be provided. An overlay that includes only the continuously dynamic portions of the panel may be produced. The overlay may be applied to first and second versions of the panel to produce first and second iterations of the panel, respectively, wherein each iteration does not include the continuously dynamic portion of the panel. The translatable portions of the first and second iterations may be compared to determine whether the translatable portions are different. If the translatable portions are different, then the panel may be retested for translational accuracy; if the translatable portions are not different, then the program may indicate that the second iteration is not different from the first iteration.

Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.