Abstract: A man-machine interface method comprising generating physical interactions with active zones (10) belonging to an interface object (5), the active zones being associated with predetermined items of information, detecting the active zones where interactions occur by measuring at least one physical magnitude, and associating each detected interaction with the corresponding predetermined item of information. The active zones are defined for a predetermined finite length of time and they are then deactivated at the end of said predetermined length of time, and when interactions with the interface object are detected while the active zones are deactivated, the active zones are automatically redefined as a function of the first detected interactions.

Abstract: A computer device comprises a display member coupled to a base member to enable variable positioning of the display member relative to the base member. The computer device also comprises an enabling/disabling system configured to automatically disable a wireless transmitter without changing an operating state of the computer device based on a position of the display member relative to the base member.

Abstract: A data encoding pattern comprising a plurality of markings, the shape of at least one marking adapted on the basis of the data to be encoded, the or each adapted marking having a specific orientation with respect to unadjusted markings for the pattern.

Abstract: A remote control device that can increase the convenience of a user, a display processing apparatus having the same and a method of driving the same are provided. The remote control device has a moving object and a vibration member generating a vibration. If a vibration is generated as the moving object moves, the remote control generates a signal in response to a moving path of the moving object. The remote control provides the generated signal to an electric device so as to remotely control the electric device. Accordingly, a user can operate the remote control only by moving the remote control so that the user's convenience is increased.

Abstract: A method and system to detect a correlation of movements of an input device, sent from a first location, with at least one configurable movement parameter set on a remote computer at a second location remote from the first location, wherein the method includes: (a) sending first movement information from the first location to the remote computer at the second location, the first movement information corresponding to a first movement of the input device; (b) tracking a resulting movement of a cursor of the remote computer at the second location in response to the remote computer having received the first movement information and utilized the at least one configurable movement parameter; (c) calculating predicted movements utilizing at least two possible values for the at least one configurable movement parameter; and (d) determining which of the at least two possible values provides the predicted movement most closely matching the resulting movement of the cursor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of and system for evaluating tactile sensations of car seat covers using an artificial neural network, in which mechanical and thermal/physiological characteristics of the seat covers is measured with a measuring system, the physical quantity of the measured characteristics is acquired, and then the acquired physical quantity is converted into the amount of tactile qualities which a person feels using a statistical recursive model, thereby quantitatively evaluating tactile sensations of sticky, soft, elastic, coolness to the touch, and thermal and humid in case of car seat covers made of leather, and tactile sensations of soft, elastic, voluminous, smooth, coolness to the touch, and thermal and humid in case of car seat covers made of cloth, as well as quantitatively evaluating tactile sensations of sporty and high-class of the leather and cloths using an artificial neural network model.

Abstract: A mouth-operated computer input device includes a mouthpiece to be positioned in a user's mouth, and an optical device carried by the mouthpiece for emitting light from a surface area thereof. The optical device controls movement of a cursor on a computer display based upon movement of the user's tongue across the surface area. The optical device includes a light emitting device for emitting the light, and a sensor adjacent the light emitting device for sensing the light reflected from the user's tongue. A processor calculates movement of the user's tongue based upon the light reflected therefrom.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device determines a position of a user-controlled object within a virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic transmitter, spatially separated ultrasonic receivers and a processor. The ultrasonic transmitter produces an ultrasonic pulse and radiates the ultrasonic pulse into the virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic receivers receive a reflected ultrasonic pulse reflected from the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region and produce respective reflected ultrasonic signals in response thereto. The processor determines the position of the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region based on the reflected ultrasonic signals, and generates a position signal indicative of the position.

Abstract: A method of application program execution performed by a portable electronic apparatus having a display unit is provided. A moving direction of the portable electronic apparatus is detected. A graphic display function is determined according to the moving direction. The determined graphic display function is executed on the display unit of the portable electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A pointer displaying apparatus, method, and medium are provided. The pointer displaying apparatus includes a management unit which sets an event zone for an object currently being displayed on a screen, the object being referred to as the current object; a reception unit which receives the coordinates of a pointed-to-spot currently being pointed at by a direct pointing device; a control unit which determines whether the pointed-to-spot is included in the event zone; and a screen coordinate determination unit which determines screen coordinates of a location on the screen where a pointer is to be displayed based on the coordinates of the center of the current object and the coordinates of the pointed-to-spot.

Abstract: An exemplary system for measuring operational life of a computer mouse wheel is disclosed. The system includes a computer (10), a control card (11), a stepper motor servo controller (12), a stepper motor (13), a vertical servo axle (14), and a measurement platform (15). The vertical servo axle is structured and arranged for maintaining contacting with the computer mouse wheel (16). The computer is configured for sending an instruction for controlling operations of measuring the operational life of the computer mouse wheel, and includes a file module (20), a setting module (21), and a performing module (22). The control card is configured in the computer. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Reduction of dust contamination in optical mice. Operation of the mouse is adapted to direct air past optical surfaces, removing accumulated contaminants. In one aspect, lifting and resetting the mouse directs air through a funnel-like opening to a duct at the side of the optical surface. In a second aspect, mouse button motion is coupled to displace air past optical surfaces.

Abstract: A typing aid including a keyboard and an auxiliary or integrated display screen deployed in close proximity to or within the keyboard, designed to assist the non-touch typist to enter text data into a computing device with a minimum of or no head and neck movements between keyboard and display screen. Also provided is a method of entering text data into a computing device using the typing aid and an arrangement for allowing the auxiliary display screen to follow the current cursor position for document editing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus enabling users to input/manipulate data for portable computer systems. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a segmented keyboard adapted to be coupled with a portable computer system. In the present embodiment, the segmented keyboard is comprised of a first flippable portion and second flippable portion, both of which are hinged to the fixed portion of the segmented keyboard. A compliment of input keys are disposed within those portions. In the present embodiment, a first rotatable hinge is coupled with the segmented keyboard. A second rotatable hinge is coupled with the first rotatable hinge. In the present embodiment, an electrical connector is coupled with the second rotatable hinge. The electrical connector is adapted to provide a communicative link between the segmented keyboard and a coupled portable computer system. The present invention, when in a closed position, is of a size and shape approximate to a portable computer system.

Abstract: A method, and a handheld electronic device that implements the method, for selecting a number of languages used by a text disambiguation function executed by an electronic device during a text entry session. The method comprises determining a context for the text entry session, and responsive to the determining, selecting at least some of the number of languages used by the text disambiguation function during the text entry session.

Abstract: An X-Y digitiser system is described for embedding within a host device, such as a tablet PC, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or the like. The digitiser is configurable so that it can detect and track the position of different types of position indicator. The digitiser that is described also includes novel digitiser windings and novel excitation circuitry for energising the windings.

Abstract: An electrically updatable device having a touch sensor and a flexible display is disclosed, wherein the display is between the touch sensor and a viewer. The display comprises a pressure-insensitive imaging layer of polymer-dispersed imaging material, wherein the thickness of the imaging layer is defined by the polymer.

Abstract: A method for making an electronically updatable touchscreen display having an electronically updatable display media and touch sensing capability is described.

Abstract: A key lock means set on a tablet personal computer and application method of the same are provided, wherein the key lock means comprises a graphic input device, a typing input device, and means for signal associating. The graphic input device is used for generating and transmitting a first signal to an operating system of the tablet computer. The typing input device is used for generating and transmitting a second signal to the operating system of the tablet computer. The means for signal associating is used for monitoring and controlling the transmitting process of the first and second signals. When the first signal is detected, the means for signal associating can prevent the typing input device from transmitting the second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus performing a predetermined process in accordance with an operation of a touch panel on a display, includes: display control means for displaying, on the display, an item associated with predetermined content; detection means for detecting a contact of a user with the touch panel; determination means for determining whether or not the contact of the user is released, the contact being detected by the detection means; selection means for completing, when the determination means determines that the contact of the user is released, a selection of the item displayed by the display control means on a position where the contact of the user was detected by the detection means until just before; and playback means for playing back content associated with the item whose selection is completed by the selection means.

Abstract: Improved approaches for users to with graphical user interfaces of computing devices are disclosed. A rotational user action supplied by a user via a user input device can provide accelerated scrolling. The accelerated nature of the scrolling enables users to scroll or traverse a lengthy data set (e.g., list of items) faster and with greater ease. The amount of acceleration provided can be performed in successive stages, and/or performed based on the speed of the rotational user action. In one embodiment, the rotational user action is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. The resulting acceleration effect causes the linear action to be enhanced such that a lengthy data set is able to be rapidly traversed.

Abstract: A detector for use with a data encoding pattern, the pattern comprising a plurality of markings, wherein the detector is operable to generate pattern data representing a portion of the pattern imaged by an image capture device of the detector, process the pattern data in order to generate a model representing a form of the markings for the pattern, and use at least one of the pattern data and model data representing the generated model to determine a position for the detector, a corresponding method and apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimode display device (101) comprising a display area, where said display device is, in a first mode, adapted for displaying displayfocused applications on the display area, where said display device is, in a second mode, adapted for displaying audio-specific information on the display area describing audio being played back and where the display device is, in a third mode, adapted for simultaneously displaying independent display-focused applications and audio-specific information on the display area, the device comprises: receiving means (307) adapted for receiving audio data comprising said audio-specific information; processing means (309) adapted for displaying said audio-specific information on said display area. Thereby the user can choose to view the audio-specific information on the display device, while listening to the audio.

Abstract: A display device includes a display unit, a state detecting unit, and a setting unit. The display unit includes a display screen on which an image is displayed. The state detecting unit detects a light emission state of a pixel of the display screen. The setting unit sets the pixel to any one of a display mode and a charge mode based on a result of detection by the state detecting unit.

Abstract: In a display control apparatus, a detecting unit detects a bend in a flexible display having a flex sensor, a determining unit determines, based on detected bend, a command to the flexible display, and a control unit controls the flexible display to display an image of pages being sequentially turned based on the display command.

Abstract: A projector for selectively connecting to a number of computers is disclosed. The projector includes an access-point module and a projection module. The access-point module is for issuing a display authority token to one of the computers connected to the projector in response to a computer request for the display authority token. The project module is for projecting a video data of the computer with the display authority token.

Abstract: To provide a display device and a driving method thereof, where variations in the threshold voltage of transistors can be compensated and thus variations in luminance of light-emitting elements can be suppressed. In a first period, initialization is performed; in a second period, a voltage based on the threshold voltage of a first transistor is held in first and second storage capacitors; in a third period, a voltage based on a video signal voltage and the threshold voltage of the first transistor is held in the first and second storage capacitors; and in a fourth period, voltages held in the first and second storage capacitors are applied to a gate terminal of the first transistor to supply a current to a light-emitting element, so that the light-emitting element emits light. Through the operation process, a current obtained by compensating variations in the threshold voltage of the first transistor can be supplied to the light-emitting element, thereby variations in luminance can be suppressed.

Abstract: A plasma display device and a power supply thereof having a fewer number of power sources in the plasma display device is disclosed. The power supply generates a voltage corresponding to a Ve power source by using a variable resistance through a voltage distribution principle without including a Ve power source. In addition, since a power supply circuit including a thermistor is used in order to correspond to a discharge firing voltage which is changed by a temperature, a sustain discharge is stably generated by adjusting a Ve voltage without including a Ve power source.

Abstract: A method and system for determining surface topology of a three-dimensional (3D) structure, based on a structured pattern that is projected onto the surface structure, and images of the pattern superposed on the structured surface are analysed to provide surface coordinates of the structure. The pattern comprises a plurality of unique color edges defined between pairs of differently-colored stripes, which substantially overcomes ambiguity problems. In one embodiment, a calibration method is provided enabling the surface coordinates to be obtained from a single image of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of adjusting path data for a motive body includes identifying four consecutive points of the path data. The four consecutive points include a first point, a second point, a third point and a fourth point. It is determined whether the second point is suitable for smoothing. If the second point is suitable for smoothing, then a first arc and a second arc are located, and the second point is moved into an area between the first arc and the second arc. The first arc is defined by the first point, the second point and the fourth point. The second arc is defined by the first point, the third point and the fourth point. A line move associated with the second point is replaced with at least one arc move associated with the second point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of simulating a dynamic object comprising a plurality of vertices. The method comprises defining a current position and a current velocity for a vertex “V” among the plurality of vertices, generating an estimated next position for vertex “v” based on the current position and current velocity, updating the estimated next position based on a plurality of constraints, and after updating the estimated next position, computing a next position and a next velocity for vertex “v” based on the current position and estimated next position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-chip but multi-output graphic system which provides identical or different graphic images on two display screens. The graphic system comprises at least a multimedia database, a first input process router, a second input process router, a first graphic processing unit and a second graphic processing unit. The first input process router selects the backdrop graphics and the moving object graphics (which are both provided by the multimedia database), feeds them into the first graphic processing unit and then outputs the processed graphics onto either the first display unit or the second display unit. Similarly, the second graphic processing units processes the backdrop graphics and the moving object graphics selected by the second input process router and then outputs the process graphics onto either the first display unit or the second display unit.

Abstract: An inheritance context is created for a graphics primitive object that is a property of a visual element. The inheritance context can be used to make some element information (e.g., information in resource dictionaries, name dictionaries, and inheritable properties that reside in the element tree containing the visual element) available to the graphics primitive object.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for computing a desktop picture. Instead of loading a file that contains the desktop image from memory, the present invention provides for a system and method for opening and retaining a procedural recipe and a small set of instructions that can be executed to compute a desktop picture. The desktop picture can be computed very quickly using a GPU (graphics processing unit), and can be made to move on demand. When a part of the desktop image is needed to composite, that part is computed using a fragment program on the GPU using the procedural recipe and a specially written fragment program into a temporary VRAM buffer. After it is computed and composited, the buffer containing the result of the fragment program may be discarded.

Abstract: Construction and use of an inner shell for a multi-shelled gamut boundary descriptor (GBD) for a source device based on a predesignated outer shell for the source device, for use in gamut-mapping from the gamut of the source device to a gamut of a destination device. An inner shell and outer shell for the destination device is accessed, and a determination is made of an amount by which the inner shell of the destination device is smaller than the outer shell of the destination device. The inner shell of the source device is thereafter constructed by reducing the outer shell of the source device based at least in part on the amount by which the inner shell of the destination device is smaller than the outer shell thereof. The construction can be performed on the entirety of the GBD or only on parts thereof, such as a hue slice.

Abstract: Color adjustment includes dividing a color space into m tints, and then dividing each tint into n small areas. A chromaticity of a first color is adjusted by a first predetermined amount. An amount smaller than the first predetermined amount is generated according to the first predetermined amount. A chromaticity of a color close to the first color is adjusted by the amount smaller than the first predetermined amount. The adjusted amount of each small area decreases progressively. Similarly, a gain of a second color is adjusted by a second predetermined amount. An amount smaller than the second predetermined amount is generated according to the second predetermined amount. A gain of a color close to the second color is adjusted by the amount smaller than the second predetermined amount. Similarly, the adjusted amount of each small area decreases progressively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively filtering an input image are provided. The method includes dividing an input image into a plurality of color domains according to a distribution of colors in the input image, respectively calculating a plurality of filter coefficients for the color domains, and adaptively filtering the color domains using the respective filter coefficients. The apparatus includes a domain classification unit which divides an input image into a plurality of color domains according to a distribution of colors in the input image, a filter coefficient calculation unit which respectively calculates a plurality of filter coefficients for the color domains, and a filtering unit which respectively filters the color domains using the filter coefficients. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance picture quality by addressing the problem of limited texture representation capabilities of existing filtering methods and apparatuses especially for memory color domains.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method and program allows a user to efficiently and quickly select predetermined content such as content to play and content to purchase. When it is instructed to turn on power, key information and additional information stored in a key/additional information storing unit is read. The read key information and additional information is transmitted to an Internet server and a home server, and it is requested to perform a content search based on the key information and additional information. Information representing search results is acquired by a display data generating unit, and a screen based on display data generated from the search results is displayed on a display. A user selects predetermined content from a list displayed on the display to view it. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and various home electronic appliances capable of playing content.

Abstract: An optical navigation device that is capable of performing pattern detection. An optical navigation device according to the present teachings includes a image sensor that acquires a series of images of a surface and an image buffer for holding a template and a processor that detects a pattern on the surface by comparing the series of images to the template. The form factor of an optical navigation device enables its use as a pattern detection device for a wide variety of patterns on a wide variety of surfaces having a wide variety of forms.

Abstract: A layered graphical display is provided. The layered graphical display comprises a plurality of graphics, wherein one or more of said plurality of graphics is overlaid onto one or more other graphics of said plurality of graphics. The layered graphical display also comprises a shaded region behind each of said one or more overlying graphics which distinguishes the one or more overlying graphics from the one or more other graphics.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (200) includes a liquid crystal panel (210) having a first substrate (211), a second substrate (212), a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, and a brightness detector (214) provided at a blank edge area of the second substrate, the blank edge area having driving circuits. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A display device includes a first sub-pixel formed by a blue-type-hue colored area included in a visible light region whose hue changes in accordance with wavelength, a second sub-pixel formed by a red-type-hue colored area included in the visible light region, a third sub-pixel and a fourth sub-pixel formed by colored areas of two types of hues included in the visible light region, the two types of hues being selected from a hue range of from a blue hue to a yellow hue, and a plurality of pixels regularly disposed horizontally and vertically and each including the first to fourth sub-pixels. At least two of the four sub-pixels have different areas, and two of the four sub-pixels having smaller areas among the four sub-pixels are disposed so as not to be adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An image display device displays an image by using a plurality of display pixels, each display pixel including four sub-pixels corresponding to different colors. The four sub-pixels forming each of the display pixels are located such that a sub-pixel having a smallest level of chroma is located at an edge of the display pixel and such that two sub-pixels having a smallest difference in color components are not adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Provided is an ink-jet recording apparatus equipped with an ink set comprised from n types (n is an integral number where n?2), wherein the ratio of viscosity of ink of the minimum viscosity/viscosity of ink of the maximum viscosity in the ink set is 0.6 or less; wherein viscosity at 20° C. of the respective inks of the ink set is set to V1, V2, . . . , Vi, . . . , Vn (where V1 is the maximum viscosity); wherein the nozzle resolution of a discharge nozzle allocated to the respective inks is set to R1, R2, . . . , Ri, . . . , Rn; and wherein when coefficient ki=Vi/V1, (i is an arbitrary integral number of 1 to n), 0.8×ki×R1?Ri?1.2×ki×R1, and 0.2?ki?1.0 is realized for every i.

Abstract: The mounting structure for mounting the piezo-electric device (106) used to detect the consumption condition of the liquid in the liquid container (1) to the liquid container (1), having the receiving portion (363) to which the piezo-electric device (106) is to be mounted and the mount portion (363) to be mounted to the liquid container (1). The mounting structure can appropriately mount a piezo-electric device (106) for detecting the consumption condition of a liquid in a liquid container (1) to the liquid container (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for a defective nozzle in an inkjet image forming apparatus are provided, in which a defective nozzle of a nozzle unit is detected, ejecting statuses of nozzles of the nozzle unit are checked which eject ink at a compensation position on a printing medium corresponding to the defective nozzle and nozzles of the nozzle unit which eject ink at positions adjacent to the compensation position when the defective nozzle is detected, and at least three pieces of image data to be printed at the compensation position and the adjacent positions are swapped and printed according to the ejecting statuses of the nozzle. Accordingly, the image data are swapped for each other in order to be printed or divided and then printed. Thus, image quality degradation such as a visible white line can be prevented.

Abstract: In an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid droplets, vibration is generated in a direction connecting two nozzles, of the nozzles, by the discharge operation performed at least one of the nozzles. In particular, when the printing frequency is in the vicinity of the secondary mode frequency (for example, 27.5 kHz) of the proper vibration of the ink-jet head, the crosstalk easily arises. The crosstalk is hardly caused when the ratio of the secondary mode frequency of the ink-jet head to the printing frequency is any one of a value of not more than 0.85, a value in a range of 1.25 to 1.96, and a value of not less than 4.59.

Abstract: A drive device drives a liquid ejection head that ejects recording liquid droplets from nozzles as a result of drive signal voltages being applied to drive elements. The drive device includes a transfer unit that transfers and outputs printing data and an output unit that outputs the result of a comparison where the plural printing data are compared. A liquid ejection apparatus is disclosed with the liquid ejection head drive device.

Abstract: An image processing method performs processing to generate image data based on input data and output the image data to an image forming device. The image forming device includes a printing head in which first nozzles for ejecting color ink drops are arranged in a symmetrical formation to forward and backward scanning directions and second nozzles for ejecting black or gray ink drops are arranged in an unsymmetrical formation with respect to the first nozzles. The image forming device is adapted to perform a uni-directional printing or a bidirectional printing with the printing head. In the image processing method, a black generation processing to the input data is performed, and when performing the black generation processing, a black-generation start level for the bidirectional printing is delayed to a shadow-side gradation level from a black-generation start level for the uni-directional printing.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for measuring the volume of an ink-jet droplet or the relative volumes of a plurality of ink-jet droplets using their electrical properties. In a preferred embodiment a single small capacitor or an array of capacitors is used to measure the dielectric properties of ink-jet droplets and the absolute drop volumes are derived. In an alternative preferred embodiment the relative differences in drop volumes are determined. A feedback circuit, such as one using lock-in technique, may be used to automatically adjust subsequent drop volumes.