Abstract: A pointing device is provided for use in computing devices comprising a printed circuit board, a tracking device adapted to generate a tracking signal in response to a user vocal input and relay the tracking signal to the printed circuit board, and a selection device adapted to generate a selection signal in response to a user manipulation and relay the selection signal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method for limiting access to a device to a particular authorized user. The method includes; obtaining visual data related to the appearance of a user of the device; processing the visual data to determine when the particular authorized user is present; allowing initial access to the device when the particular authorized user is present; allowing continued access to the device when the particular authorized user is present; and terminating access to the device when the particular authorized user is not present.

Abstract: A monitoring pad assembly is provided for use with a graphical user interface including a monitoring pad, and a signal assembly, at least one of which may be adapted to be worn on at least one of a user's digits, wherein movement of the signal assembly relative to the touch pad housing indicates a desired movement of the pointing device. Further embodiments of the invention provide a method for tracking an on-screen pointer, including the steps of: emitting a signal from a device adapted to be worn on at least one of a user's digits, and monitoring the movement and direction of the emitted signal.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for use with a computer, including a tracking device adapted to generate a signal for use by a processor in moving a pointer on screen, and a selecting device adapted generate a selection signal for use by the processor to determine operations to execute. The tracking device and the selecting device are respectively incorporated into at least two distinct apparatuses that are separately operable by different and multiple user body parts. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the improved pointing device may be operated at least in part by, for example, several of a user's fingers, by a foot, or by a user's eyes. The pointing device thus distributes conventional mouse functions in a way that allows them to be executed by multiple body parts, thereby reducing repeated stress to any single user appendage.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for use in computing devices comprising a printed circuit board, a tracking device adapted to generate a tracking signal in response to a user vocal input and relay the tracking signal to the printed circuit board, and a selection device adapted to generate a selection signal in response to a user manipulation and relay the selection signal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling handoffs in a wireless communication system include receiving a location vector from a mobile unit, and determining whether to perform a handoff of the mobile unit based on the received vector. The vector may also include time information related to the time at which the vector was transmitted. The vector may be obtained from a GPS satellite signal or one or more terrestrial stations.

Abstract: “Look-ahead” techniques for operating a mobile unit include estimating its future location and selecting a protocol based on a future location coordinate. Thus, the mobile unit can prepare to change from a present protocol to another, selected protocol before the mobile unit is handed-off to a base station whose network operates according to the selected protocol.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of localized networks within a generic network environment provides personalized services to subscribers by allowing the subscribers to tailor services via the localized network switches and their respective local network service providers. Having a large number of localized network service providers allows the system to provide subscriber-specific services that are germane to a geographic area or to a service specialty, e.g., medical, emergency, vacation, or education, which can be quickly introduced to a community of users and monitored closely. Also, the costs and complexities associated with a localized network service provider are much lower than those associated with a global Internet service provider (ISP). A plurality of localized Internet types of services are provided in the generic fixed network type of environment by users programming these localized Internets using the cheaper network service providers.

Abstract: A smart vehicle registration plate for a vehicle have a computing unit configured to process vehicle related information, and a display, the display having one or more information display regions, for displaying the vehicle related information. The information display regions may be updateable by the computing unit as a function of changes to the vehicle related information.

Abstract: A smart vehicle registration plate for a vehicle have a computing unit configured to process vehicle related information, and a display, the display having one or more information display regions, for displaying the vehicle related information. The information display regions may be updateable by the computing unit as a function of changes to the vehicle related information.