Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which a browser application animates web page construction. The animated construction involves the browser associating each web object with an animated mover character. The web object and animated mover character are moved from outside a boundary area of the web page to its programmed location within the web page wherein the movement simulates that the animated mover character is building the web page. The browser processes all of the web objects to display the entire web page with all of the web objects.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for managing the storage of compiled instructions used in interpretive programming language applications is implemented. As the applications are implemented in an interpreted programming language, the instructions are compiled into byte-codes to be used by a virtual machine and are subsequently stored in a memory. The data processing system and method recognize that a same application may be used repeatedly and periodically. Thus, the data processing system and method diminish the time required to compile the instructions of an interpretive programming language application, while preserving the compilation of interpretive programming code across sessions accessing the code. Additionally, the data processing system and method diminish the time required to download a Java application and, therefore, allow a user to more efficiently access Internet operations.

Abstract: A method for enabling a user having access to a telephone device to browse the Internet without a Web browser. The method begins by establishing a connection between the user's telephone device and a computer. The computer includes a Web browser and a text-to-speech processor. Using the telephone device, the user enters information identifying a given URL. The input information is then supplied to the Web browser, which fetches the desired page. The text portions of the Web page are then converted to speech and output to the user over the telephone device. Alternatively, the user may elect to transmit the page to a given fax destination, to e-mail the page to a given e-mail destination address, or to e-mail the URL itself. Using the telephone as an input device, the user may selectively navigate the Web page or explore links in the page.

Abstract: The invention locates store employees by receiving a set of unique signature transmissions by a set of receivers on the store. Each transmission emanates from a badge worn by a store employee. In a database, each unique signature with an employee and employee biographical information, including an expertise of an employee. The transmissions from the badges are used to locate employees in the store. Responsive to a user request for employees having a given expertise, a store map is displayed on an informational kiosk wherein showing the location of the employees having the given expertise.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and instructions for processing a datastream in a data processing system is provided. A datastream is automatically scanned and unidentifiable words are detected. The automatic scanning may be initiated in response to a spell checking operation on the datastream. A user provides an indication that an unidentified term is a correctly spelled new term, and the user provides a definition of the new term. A glossary of terms is automatically constructed for the document comprising the new term and the definition of the new term.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement for camera viewing using digital cameras across a computer network. A camera server controls a motorized gimbal which determines the viewing angle of a camera, according to signals from a client computer which is equipped with an eye movement tracking system. Movements of the viewer's eyes result in changes in viewing angle of the remote cameras. The original full-resolution image is divided into a foveal area and a peripheral area. Subsequently, if a change in the peripheral area of a field of view is detected relative to the most recently displayed image, the viewing angle of the cameras is changed to center on the detected change, and an image is captured of this anticipated future field of view. When the viewer eventually changes his or her point of interest to the area of detected change, the pre-captured image is transmitted immediately for viewing.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The invention includes three light sensors, each of which detects a separate primary color. A microprocessor in the colorimeter calculates a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements from the light sensors and then compares the composite color value with a list of color values, wherein each value corresponds to a unique color name. The colorimeter selects the color name that matches the composite color value of the object presents the color name to a user, using a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an audio speaker. Another embodiment of the present invention uses lasers emitting primary colors, rather than passive light sensors. The lasers shine on an object one at a time, and the reflected laser light from the three lasers is detected by a special light sensor. The three color measurements are then combined to produce a composite value, similar to the first embodiment.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement for camera viewing using digital cameras across a computer network. A camera server controls a motorized gimbal which determines the viewing angles of a set of cameras according to signals from a client computer which is equipped with an eye movement tracking system. Movements of the viewer's eyes result in changes in viewing angle of the remote cameras. A high resolution foveal field of view image centered on the user's point of interest is captured and overlaid on a lower resolution full filed of view image, rendering a combined image having a low resolution peripheral area and a high resolution foveal area, and being significantly reduced in size compared to a full resolution, full field of view image. This combined image is transmitted to the client for display to the user.

Abstract: A fast provisioning unit is disclosed that contains a basic unit, a duplicating unit and a control unit. The basic unit has a production computer and two or more hard drives each connected to the production computer by a first switch. The duplicating unit has a duplicator that is connected to an image disk and to a second switch. The second switch is connected to the hard drives of the basic unit. The control unit has a computer connected to the first switch, the second switch and the duplicator. The first switch permits the hard drives to be connected or disconnected from the production computer by the control computer pursuant to instructions from control software.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electronic device is enabled to detect the proximity of other electronic devices. Multiple proximity based conditions for usage of the electronic device may be provided by a manufacturer, user and other authorities at the electronic device. The proximity of other electronic devices is compared with the proximity based conditions and a level of usage of the electronic device is determined, such that the level of usage of the electronic device is conditionally adjusted according to the proximity of other electronic devices.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement for camera viewing using digital cameras across a computer network. A camera server controls a motorized gimbal to affect camera viewing angle changes according to signals from a client computer which is equipped with an eye movement tracking system. Movements of the viewer's eyes result in changes in viewing angle of the remote cameras. Prior to transmission, the server divides the original full-resolution image into a foveal area and a peripheral area. The peripheral area data is reduced in resolution, thereby reducing the image data size, required transmission bandwidth, transmission size, and image update latency. Later, the full resolution data from the peripheral area of the image may be transmitted to the client machine so that the full image may be rendered in original full resolution.

Abstract: A method in distributed data processing system for optimizing execution of a class. A frequency of execution of paths in bytecodes for methods that are in the class is identified within the distributed data processing system. A portion of the paths is compiled into precompiled native machine code for the data processing system using the frequency of execution of paths. The class is sent to a client in the distributed data processing system.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of non-uniformly spaced pixels having a plurality of overlaid pixel sets for avoiding moiré patterns in digital images by avoiding producing an inherent “frequency” or pattern that may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, thereby eliminating the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove Moiré patterns. A first set of pixels, (imaging sensors or display elements) are arranged along a two axes according to a non-uniform predictable process. The first set pixels spacing inherently produces non-uniformly spaced and sized “gaps”, in which additional sets of pixels potentially having a different characteristics from the first set, may be placed, thereby yielding an array comprised of multiple overlaid arrangements of non-uniformly spaced pixels. As such, images samples from or displayed on the additional sets of pixel sensors also avoid production of Moiré patterns.

Abstract: A navigation device includes accelerometers for measuring movement. Given a beginning location and orientation, the device determines current location and orientation based on the information from the accelerometers. A user enters a list of items, such as a shopping list, into the device and the device determines a path to the items. The device then generates and presents directions for navigation. The path may be calculated to avoid hazards; such as shelves being stocked, congested checkout lines, and spilled items. The item list may be loaded into the device, using the bar code reader, optical character recognition, or through a store computer or the Internet. Planes of infrared beams are arranged within the environment such that a navigation device is likely to or must pass through a plane. A path may be computed to ensure that the navigation device passes through an IR plane. The navigation device has a plurality of IR sensors arranged in a tetrahedron.

Abstract: A method of automatically exchanging a presentation among a set of computers. A first presenting computer is positioned relative to at least one receiving computer to facilitate a communication link between the computers. Upon display of a presentation page on the first computer, data representing a given portion of the presentation page is repeatedly broadcast over the communication link. At the receiving computer, the data is received and displayed, and stored for later use. Preferably, the broadcast medium is an infrared communications channel. The data representing the given portion of the presentation page is broadcast in packets, with each packet having a checksum associated therewith. The receiving computer uses the checksum to verify the integrity of the data packet. If data packet integrity is in question, a message is output to the user indicating that the receiving computer should be repositioned relative to the transmitting computer.

Abstract: A display with inherent means for avoiding moiré patterns in displayed digitized images having a two-dimensional array of non-uniformly spaced display elements such as LEDs, LCD, or TFT. Pixels within the display are non-uniformly spaced such that a fundamental pattern or “frequency” is not established, thereby avoiding the possibility of display physical characteristics interfering with image features, avoiding apparent moiré patterns and other display artifacts. If the source data for the image is a standard data set which represents data samples at uniformly-spaced pixels, the method interpolates the pixel values for the non-uniformly spaced display elements of the new array.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) has an electro-mechanical structure over the surface of the display that enables the light from individual picture elements (pixels) to be directed by X and Y control signals. The electro-mechanical structure provides individual prism/lense elements over each pixel. The prism/lense element is configured so that light from the LCD may be directed towards each eye of a viewer. The prism/lense elements have a piezoelectric material integrated on a beam supporting the prism/lense element which may be energized with control signals to alter the angle of the prism/lense element so that the light may be selectively directed towards each eye of the viewer. Each piezoelectric element (PZE) has a positive and negative voltage terminal. One of the voltage terminals is “addressed” with an X line and the other with a Y line creating a matrix selection of each PZE. The voltage level of the X line may be varied to add further control of the PZE.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The colorimeter includes several light emitters, each with distinct color spectra, wherein the emission of each color is modulated at a specific frequency. These light emitters may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or lasers. The colorimeter also contains at least one light sensor which samples light reflected from an object illuminated by the light emitters. The rate of sampling is at least twice the modulation frequency of the emitted light. A microprocessor computes the fourier transform of the intensity of the reflected light over time, wherein the fourier transform provides the light intensity at each possible modulation frequency and determines the relative contribution of the reflected light from each light emitter, as well as the contribution of ambient light. A color value is calculated and a color name is selected and presented to the user.

Abstract: A device and process which eliminates potential moiré patterns in digitized images by employing a one-dimensional sensor array and a sampling method of the sensor signals which produces a data set of non-uniformly spaced sensor positions. This allows the spacing of the sensors to avoid having a strong “harmonic” which may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, which eliminates the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove moiré patterns. Sensors are non-uniformly spaced along a first axis according to a predetermined scheme or function. Sensors are sampled during scanning according a non-uniform function in order to realize a non-uniform sampling scheme in a second dimension. Linear interpolation is applied to the non-uniformly spaced data set, synthesizing a uniformly-spaced data set for use in common imaging formats and processing.

Abstract: A two-dimensional sensor array of non-uniformly spaced sensors for using in digitizing images and avoiding moiré patterns within those images. The non-uniform distribution of the sensors allows the array to avoid having an inherent “frequency” that may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, thereby eliminating or reducing the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove moiré patterns.