Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include at least one controllable light emitting source (110) linked to an item (120); and a processor (140) configured to turn on the controllable light emitting source (110) in response to user selection of the item (120). The controllable light emitting source (110) may be embedded in a mat (210) or a strip (430). The mat (210) may include a matrix of photo detectors or pressure sensors configured to detect the base or footprint of the item (120) when placed on the mat (210). The periphery of the product or the footprint may be illuminated upon selecting the product. Alternatively or additionally, a background surface behind the product may be illuminated upon selection thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuration of a physical control panel (120). In some embodiments at least one property (128) of a physical control panel (120) is detected at a mobile device (150); a plurality of events (122, 124, 126) that can be generated by the physical control panel (120) are identified; one or more control actions (154) are associated with one or more of the identified events, at the mobile device (150); and those associations are transmitted (159) to a controller (130).

Abstract: An interface device (100) for controlling light sources (110) includes a target region (205); and a controller (120) that associates a preset with an illumination region, and controls a light source (110) in the illumination region when an indicator (215) associated with the preset and illumination region is moved into the target region (205). The controller (120) associates the preset with the illumination region when the preset is moved to an area of the interface device (100) associated with the illumination region. The controller (120) is further configured to change light attributes of light emitted from the light source (110) when the indicator (215) is moved across the target region (205), such as providing maximum intensity when the indicator (215) is at the center of the target region (205). The light attributes include intensity, color, hue, saturation, beam direction and/or beam width of the light.

Abstract: A light condition recorder system and method including a light condition recorder (104) responsive to a lighting environment (102) and generating an environment signal (112), a light simulator (106) responsive to the environment signal (112) and generating a lamp control signal (114), and a lamp system (108) responsive to the lamp control signal (114) and generating a simulated lighting environment (110).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing staining of a display screen by a user's fingers, by encouraging a user not to touch the surface of a display screen while using a graphic user interface associated with the display screen includes determining a first threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's finger may be detected, determining a second threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's fingers may be detected, the second threshold distance being shorter than the first threshold distance, first detecting when a user's finger is within the first threshold distance, indicating to the user, upon a detection in the first detecting step, that the user's finger has entered a zone proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, the GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user's finger, second detecting when a user's finger is within the second threshold distance, and indicating to the user, upon a det

Abstract: A hand held device for generating commands and transferring data between the hand-held device and a base device (including consumer electronic equipment). The hand-held device detects the motion of the device itself, interpreting the motion as a command, and executing or transferring the command. The motion of the device can include gestures made by the user while holding the device, such as the motion of throwing the hand-held device toward a base device. The commands generated by the user range from basic on/off commands to complex processes, such as the transfer of data. In one embodiment, the user can train the device to learn new motions associated with existing or new commands. The hand-held device analyzes the basic components of the motion to create a motion model such that the motion can be uniquely identified in the future.

Abstract: A light condition recorder system and method including a light condition recorder (104) responsive to a lighting environment (102) and generating an environment signal (112), a light simulator (106) responsive to the environment signal (112) and generating a lamp control signal (114), and a lamp system (108) responsive to the lamp control signal (114) and generating a simulated lighting environment (110).

Abstract: A control (410) for adjusting (420) the color output of a white light (430) provides an interface (210, 220, 301) that does not refer to, or depend upon an understanding of, color-temperature. The user interface control (210, 220, 301) uses the analogy (260, 270) of the light produced on cloudy days and the light produced on sunny days to distinguish between a low color-temperature output and a high color-temperature output. Using this cloudy-sunny description (260, 270) of the range of control (155, 255) of the light output, the terms “color” or “color-temperature” need not be introduced in the description of the output of a “white” light source (430).

Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include at least one controllable light emitting source (110) linked to an item (120); and a processor (140) configured to turn on the controllable light emitting source (110) in response to user selection of the item (120). The controllable light emitting source (110) may be embedded in a mat (210) or a strip (430). The mat (210) may include a matrix of photo detectors or pressure sensors configured to detect the base or footprint of the item (120) when placed on the mat (210). The periphery of the product or the footprint may be illuminated upon selecting the product. Alternatively or additionally, a background surface behind the product may be illuminated upon selection thereof.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting the location, size and shape of an object, or multiple objects, placed on a plane within the touch sensor boundaries of a touch screen (10).

Abstract: An interface device (100) for controlling light sources (110) includes a target region (205); and a controller (120) that associates a preset with an illumination region, and controls a light source (110) in the illumination region when an indicator (215) associated with the preset and illumination region is moved into the target region (205). The controller (120) associates the preset with the illumination region when the preset is moved to an area of the interface device (100) associated with the illumination region. The controller (120) is further configured to change light attributes of light emitted from the light source (110) when the indicator (215) is moved across the target region (205), such as providing maximum intensity when the indicator (215) is at the center of the target region (205). The light attributes include intensity, color, hue, saturation, beam direction and/or beam width of the light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing staining of a display screen by a user's fingers, by encouraging a user not to touch the surface of a display screen while using a graphic user interface associated with the display screen includes determining a first threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's finger may be detected, determining a second threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's fingers may be detected, the second threshold distance being shorter than the first threshold distance, first detecting when a user's finger is within the first threshold distance, indicating to the user, upon a detection in the first detecting step, that the user's finger has entered a zone proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, the GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user's finger, second detecting when a user's finger is within the second threshold distance, and indicating to the user, upon a det

Abstract: A hand held device fur generating commands and transferring data between the hand-held device and a base device (including consumer electronic equipment). The hand-held device detects the motion of the device itself, interpreting the motion as a command, and executing or transferring the command. The motion of the device can include gestures made by the user while holding the device, such as the motion of throwing the hand-held device toward a base device. The commands generated by the user range from basic on/off commands to complex processes, such as the transfer of data. In one embodiment, the user can train the device to learn new motions associated with existing or new commands. The hand-held device analyzes the basic components of the motion to create a motion model such that the motion can be uniquely identified in the future.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for operating with different types of media content, the system being arranged to enable a user to use a first content of a first type. The system comprises identifying means (120) for identifying that the user concurrently uses a second content of a second type, said second content being unrelated with the first content, and associating means (210) for associating said second content with the first content. The invention also relates to the method of operating with the different types of media content.

Abstract: A mobile hand held device (1) comprises IR motion detectors (8,9). The motion detection enables to detect whether the someone is present, and take an action, e.g. to adapt the timing of presenting events to this detected presence. The motion detection system comprises two preferably 180 degrees infrared motion detection elements (8,9) placed opposite to each other to detect together movement (preferably in 360 degrees) around the device. Preferably the IR detectors are placed at the top (6) and bottom (7) surface of the device. This configuration leavesroom for other sensors, such as touch sensors (10), on the side(s) (4,5) of the device.

Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus (1) comprises an audio input (3) for an entered audio signal, an audio output (5) for outputting an outgoing audio signal, and a processor (9) for performing a transformation (2) to improve the intelligibility of speech present in the entered audio signal. The transformation (2) transforms the entered audio signal into the outgoing audio signal, by modeling at least one aspect of the Lombard effect, based upon a noise level value (7). The Lombard effect is a specific way in which people change their speech, when speaking in noisy environments. The audio signal processing apparatus can be applied in a television receiver and a radio program receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (200) for controlling and mixing signals, each having their individual control member (212, 213, 214, 215). In known mixer apparatuses (100), the direct transfer of the level of the input signal to the output signal cannot be seen directly. Therefore, it is proposed that the control members (212, 213, 214, 215) corresponding to the respective input signals show the direct transfer of the input signal to the output signal. It is proposed to control the level of the output signal as a whole by means of one main control member (211). When the main control member (211) is moved and controls the level of the output signal, the control members (212, 213, 214, 215) corresponding to the respective input signal move along with it and preserve the relationship between the control levels of the individual input signals in the output signal. The invention also relates to a method and a record carrier (510).