A keyboard having an improved function key section and an improved editing section. A row of keys is located behind the alphanumeric section. The row of keys includes individual predefined command keys. The groupings of the predefined command keys may be made based on the functionality of the keys, their use on common applications or programs, and/or other by other grouping techniques. Further, the keys within each group may be ordered based on chronological order of use, frequency of use, or by...

A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reachi...

A method and system for providing an optical see-through Augmented Reality modified-scale display. This aspect includes a sensor suite 100 which includes a compass 102, an inertial measuring unit 104, and a video camera 106 for precise measurement of a user's current orientation and angular rotation rate. A sensor fusion module 108 may be included to produce a unified estimate of the user's angular rotation rate and current orientation to be provided to an orientation and rate estimate module 12...

A mouse has sufficient width to support the distal phalanges of a user's ring finger and little finger while the user's middle finger is positioned over a secondary button of the mouse. The mouse also provides at least one side button positioned so that it is not contacted by the user's thumb during "pinching" of the mouse but is easily accessible by the user's thumb. In addition, the mouse provides a wheel with a large number of ribs that increase friction between the user's finger and the whee...

An active keyboard system includes a processor, a memory, and a display communicatively connected to one another. The system includes input means for inputting data and commands into the system. The input means include at least one selector, and a plurality of keys. Active keyboard system software is stored on the memory and is configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of the input means. The ac...

An expansive filler joint includes: a securing hollow body (1) embedded in a jointing end (3, 3) of forming concrete (K) or concrete segmental products (K', K'), the securing hollow body (1) made of a rigid material and having a closure means (2) disposed at a plurality of side ends of the securing hollow body (1), an expansive filler (4) filling the securing hollow body (1), and reinforcing bars (5, 5) inserted into the securing hollow body through the closure means (2) and opposed to each othe...

A roll forming apparatus includes at least one convertible roller assembly. The convertible roller assembly includes a support plate rotatably mounted on a shaft. The support plate includes at least one roller. The support plate may be toggled by an actuator from a first position for forming C shaped members to a second position for forming Z shaped members.

An electrochromic rearview mirror suitable for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The mirror includes a display device disposed behind the rear substrate.

A multimodal pointer method, comprising an elongated, graspable, control shell (301) which has a rotatable, multi-axis control ball encoder (302) positioned so that it may be used in multiple modes, with a minimum of two function keys (307, 308) that can be used in all modes. The device may either be used at various orientations in-air, or be used in-air against a surface, or may be used downward on a side on a surface and used as a mouse, or be alternately used upward on a side as a trackball, ...

A method impedes transverse relative displacements of a pipe (2) and at least one cable (3) which extends in this pipe (2), and doing so with a certain transverse play (4). The method has the steps of: selecting at least one portion (8), of a predetermined longitudinal dimension (L8), of pipe (2), and, then, with the cable (3) inserted in the pipe (2), locally constructing between the cable (3) and said pipe (2) at least one wedging element (9) adapted to suppress the transverse play (4) existin...