Showing papers on "Interface (computing) published in 2000"

Brain-computer interface technology: a review of the first international meeting

Abstract: Over the past decade, many laboratories have begun to explore brain-computer interface (BCI) technology as a radically new communication option for those with neuromuscular impairments that prevent them from using conventional augmentative communication methods. BCI's provide these users with communication channels that do not depend on peripheral nerves and muscles. This article summarizes the first international meeting devoted to BCI research and development. Current BCI's use electroencephalographic (EEG) activity recorded at the scalp or single-unit activity recorded from within cortex to control cursor movement, select letters or icons, or operate a neuroprosthesis. The central element in each BCI is a translation algorithm that converts electrophysiological input from the user into output that controls external devices. BCI operation depends on effective interaction between two adaptive controllers, the user who encodes his or her commands in the electrophysiological input provided to the BCI, and the BCI which recognizes the commands contained in the input and expresses them in device control. Current BCI's have maximum information transfer rates of 5-25 b/min. Achievement of greater speed and accuracy depends on improvements in signal processing, translation algorithms, and user training. These improvements depend on increased interdisciplinary cooperation between neuroscientists, engineers, computer programmers, psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists, and on adoption and widespread application of objective methods for evaluating alternative methods. The practical use of BCI technology depends on the development of appropriate applications, identification of appropriate user groups, and careful attention to the needs and desires of individual users. BCI research and development will also benefit from greater emphasis on peer-reviewed publications, and from adoption of standard venues for presentations and discussion.

Secure online music distribution system

Abstract: A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players. The media player provides for encryption of user personal information, and for decryption and playback of purchased media data. Security of purchased media data is enhanced in part by the use of a personal, digital passport in each media player. The digital passport contains identifying information that identifies the purchaser, along with confidential information, such as credit card number, and encryption data, such as the media player's public and private keys. The media player encryption data is used to encrypt purchased media data, which is decrypted in real time by the media player. The media player also displays confidential information, such as the purchaser's credit card number, during playback.

The mental prosthesis: assessing the speed of a P300-based brain-computer interface

Abstract: Describes a study designed to assess a brain-computer interface (BCI), originally described by Farwell and Donchin in 1988. The system utilizes the fact that the rare events in the oddball paradigm elicit the P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP). The BCI presents the user with a matrix of 6 by 6 cells, each containing one letter of the alphabet. The user focuses attention on the cell containing the letter to be communicated while the rows and the columns of the matrix are intensified. Each intensification is an event in the oddball sequence, the row and the column containing the attended cell are "rare" items and, therefore, only these events elicit a P300. The computer thus detects the transmitted character by determining which row and which column elicited the P300. The authors report an assessment, using a bootstrapping approach, which indicates that an off line version of the system can communicate at the rate of 7.8 characters a minute and achieve 80% accuracy. The system's performance in real time was also assessed. The authors' data indicate that a P300-based BCI is feasible and practical. However, these conclusions are based on tests using healthy individuals.

A survey of design techniques for system-level dynamic power management : Special section on low-power electronics and design

Abstract: Dynamic power management (DPM) is a design methodology for dynamically reconfiguring systems to provide the requested services and performance levels with a minimum number of active components or a minimum load on such components. DPM encompasses a set of techniques that achieves energy-efficient computation by selectively turning off (or reducing the performance of) system components when they are idle (or partially unexploited). In this paper, we survey several approaches to system-level dynamic power management. We first describe how systems employ power-manageable components and how the use of dynamic reconfiguration can impact the overall power consumption. We then analyze DPM implementation issues in electronic systems, and we survey recent initiatives in standardizing the hardware/software interface to enable software-controlled power management of hardware components.

A survey of design techniques for system-level dynamic power management

Abstract: Dynamic power management (DPM) is a design methodology for dynamically reconfiguring systems to provide the requested services and performance levels with a minimum number of active components or a minimum load on such components DPM encompasses a set of techniques that achieves energy-efficient computation by selectively turning off (or reducing the performance of) system components when they are idle (or partially unexploited) In this paper, we survey several approaches to system-level dynamic power management We first describe how systems employ power-manageable components and how the use of dynamic reconfiguration can impact the overall power consumption We then analyze DPM implementation issues in electronic systems, and we survey recent initiatives in standardizing the hardware/software interface to enable software-controlled power management of hardware components

Computer interface apparatus including linkage having flex

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing the motion of a user-manipulable object with an electrical or computer system includes a user object physically contacted by a user. A gimbal mechanism is coupled to the user object, such as a joystick or a medical tool, and provides at least two degrees of freedom to the user object. The gimbal mechanism preferably includes multiple members, at least two of which are formed as a unitary member which provides flex between the selected members. An actuator applies a force along a degree of freedom to the user object in response to electrical signals produced by the computer system. A sensor detects a position of the user object along the degree of freedom and outputs sensor signals to the computer system. Another embodiment includes a host computer system and a local microprocessor, separate from the host computer, for communicating with the host computer and controlling the forces output by the actuators according to a processor subroutine selected in accordance with a host command, sensor signals, and timing information. Another embodiment of the interface apparatus uses voice coil actuators that produce forces in either linear or rotary degrees of freedom using currents applied in a magnetic fields. A friction drive mechanism of the present invention can be coupled between an actuator and a gimbal mechanism. Force from the actuator is transmitted to the gimbal mechanism through frictional contact of members of the friction drive mechanism.

The Humane Interface: New Directions for Designing Interactive Systems

Abstract: "Deep thinking is rare in this field where most companies are glad to copy designs that were great back in the 1970s. The Humane Interface is a gourmet dish from a master chef. Five mice!" --Jakob Nielsen, Nielsen Norman Group Author of Designing Web Usability: The Practice of SimplicityThis unique guide to interactive system design reflects the experience and vision of Jef Raskin, the creator of the Apple Macintosh. Other books may show how to use today's widgets and interface ideas effectively. Raskin, however, demonstrates that many current interface paradigms are dead ends, and that to make computers significantly easier to use requires new approaches. He explains how to effect desperately needed changes, offering a wealth of innovative and specific interface ideas for software designers, developers, and product managers.The Apple Macintosh helped to introduce a previous revolution in computer interface design, drawing on the best available technology to establish many of the interface techniques and methods now universal in the computer industry. With this book, Raskin proves again both his farsightedness and his practicality. He also demonstrates how design ideas must be built on a scientific basis, presenting just enough cognitive psychology to link the interface of the future to the experimental evidence and to show why that interface will work.Raskin observes that our honeymoon with digital technology is over: We are tired of having to learn huge, arcane programs to do even the simplest of tasks; we have had our fill of crashing computers; and we are fatigued by the continual pressure to upgrade. The Humane Interface delivers a way for computers, information appliances, and other technology-driven products to continue to advance in power and expand their range of applicability, while becoming free of the hassles and obscurities that plague present products. 0201379376B07092001

Standard peripheral communication

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine has a plurality of “gaming peripherals,” each communicating with a master gaming controller via a standard peripheral interface such as the USB (Universal Serial Bus). Further, the gaming peripherals employ a standard peripheral controller and one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., the actual lights, bill validators, ticket printers, etc. that perform the specific functions of the gaming peripherals). Much of the hardware associated with the peripheral controller is identical from one gaming peripheral to the next. Only a portion of the peripheral controller hardware is specific to the different types of gaming peripherals.

Multi-service in-home network with an open interface

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a gateway providing an open software interface to control in-home communications and to enable in-home devices of various divergent technologies to selectively access external communication features. An in-home communication network utilizes any one or more of several available in-home digital networking media to connect the gateway to device interfaces. The gateway comprises interfaces to a plurality of external communication networks, and one or more in-home communication media, a router coupled to the various interfaces and a controller. Each device specific accessing the in-home network connects to media through a device interface. There will be different interfaces for enabling access by different types of customer premises devices. Each device interface provides physical access to the media as well as functional interfacing, to enable operation with the particular type of customer premises device. All of the device specific interfaces implement a standard software referred to as a common application program interface (API) interface, to enable communication over the media and accessing of in-home and/or external communication services through the gateway.

System and method for dynamic assistance in software applications using behavior and host application models

Abstract: A Cooperative Help Assistance (CHA) system and method provide real-time user assistance for one or more windows-based Graphic User Interface (GUI) applications or a single application's different subsections such as web pages, running concurrently in any operating system. The CHA System enables the development of an informative assistance object independently from the original source code or development environment of the target Host Application. The assistance object can be selected by any number of user interfaces from sophisticated inference driven interactive interface search tools or categorized lists. By intercepting and monitoring user actions on a Host Application, the CHA system performs intelligent assistance in the context of the target host application program. Utilizing a Host Application Model, the CHA System and method dynamically assemble many elements in real-time or just-in-time to produce assistance sequences or elements very efficiently without having to code every interface path permutation. Paths can be dynamically generated from the Host Application Model, which enables a real-time module to offer intelligent, contextual assistance as well as real-time construction of automated, accelerated CHA Sequences or Procedures that require little or no user interaction. All assistance and information are processed and expressed by an extensive multitasking, multimedia subsystem for two dimensional (2D) and real-time three-dimensional (3D) application interfaces, which greatly enhances and extends the effectiveness of any explanation or material expression. The production of Assistant Sequences is facilitated by the Host Application Model and 2D and 3D GUI “drag and drop” interface tools.

Instrumentation and software for remote monitoring and programming of implantable medical devices (IMDs)

Abstract: A data communication system is provided which permits collaboration between distributed clinicians regarding distributed or remote implantable medical devices (IMDs). A central computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient device and clinician location and contact data is provided, as well as a network providing communication with the computing resource. A deployed IMD may be polled by an interface device external to the host patient, and data may be transmitted to the interface device by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a central computer for storage and distribution. The data may be distributed to various clinicians in communication with the central computer. These clinicians may use this information, either directly or indirectly, to contact remote clinicians and medical devices in communication with the network.

Interactive display interface for information objects

Abstract: A navigation interface display system generates a navigation map that organizes a plurality of information sources in an easy-to-use manner. In practical embodiments, the information sources are cable or satellite television stations, online music or video files, or the like. The navigation map employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of map items that serve as links to the various content sources. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active map items at a first magnification level and additional active map items at a second magnification level. In addition, the map items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the map, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the map changes. The navigation interface display system is deployed in a layered architecture with centralized servers, centralized databases related to the map data and the content data, and different presentation layers associated with different presentation or display devices (such as television systems, personal computers, wireless telephones, personal digital assistants, etc.). The layered architecture allows a single deployment of the display system to service multiple users, where each user can utilize any number of different presentation devices.

YAPI: application modeling for signal processing systems

Abstract: We present a programming interface called YAPI to model signal processing applications as process networks. The purpose of YAPI is to enable the reuse of signal processing applications and the mapping of signal processing applications onto heterogeneous systems that contain hardware and software components. To this end, YAPI separates the concerns of the application programmer, who determines the functionality of the system, and the system designer, who determines the implementation of the functionality. The proposed model of computation extends the existing model of Kahn process networks with channel selection to support non-deterministic events. We provide an efficient implementation of YAPI in the form of a C++ run-time library to execute the applications on a workstation. Subsequently, the applications are used by the system designer as input for mapping and performance analysis in the design of complex signal processing systems. We evaluate this methodology on the design of a digital video broadcast system-on-chip.

User device and system for traffic management and content distribution over a world wide area network

Abstract: A user interface device and system for providing a shared GTM and CDN (collectively Universal Distribution Network) for a service fee, where the customer or user does not need to purchase significant hardware and/or software features. The present interface device and system allows a customer to scale up its Web site, without a need for expensive and difficult to use hardware and/or software. In a preferred embodiment, the customer merely pays for a service fee, which can be fixed, variable, lump some, or based upon a subscription model using the present system. The present device and system are preferably implemented on a system including a novel combination of global traffic management and content distribution.

Dasher—a data entry interface using continuous gestures and language models

Abstract: Existing devices for communicating information to computers are bulky, slow to use, or unreliable. Dasher is a new interface incorporating language modelling and driven by continuous two-dimensional gestures, e.g. a mouse, touchscreen, or eye-tracker. Tests have shown that this device can be used to enter text at a rate of up to 34 words per minute, compared with typical ten-finger keyboard typing of 40-60 words per minute. Although the interface is slower than a conventional keyboard, it is small and simple, and could be used on personal data assistants and by motion-impaired computer users.

Natural language interface control system

Abstract: A natural language interface control system (206) for operating a plurality of devices (114) consists of a first microphone array (108), a feature extraction module (202) coupled to the first microphone array, and a speech recognition module (204) coupled to the feature extraction module, wherein the speech recognition module utilizes hidden Markov models. The system also comprises a natural language interface module (222) coupled to the speech recognition module (204) and a device interface (210) coupled to the natural language interface module (222), wherein the natural language interface module is for operating a plurality of devices coupled to the device interface based upon non-prompted, open-ended natural language requests from a user.

System and method for providing an interactive display interface for information objects

Abstract: A navigation interface display system generates a navigation map that organizes a plurality of information sources in an easy-to-use manner. In practical embodiments, the information sources are cable or satellite television stations, online music or video files, or the like. The navigation map employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of map items that serve as links to the various content sources. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active map items at a first magnification level and additional active map items at a second magnification level. In addition, the map items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the map, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the map changes. The navigation interface display system is deployed in a layered architecture with centralized servers, centralized databases related to the map data and the content data, and different presentation layers associated with different presentation or display devices (such as television systems, personal computers, wireless telephones, personal digital assistants, etc.). The layered architecture allows a single deployment of the display system to service multiple users, where each user can utilize any number of different presentation devices.

Alarm interface for a smart watch

Abstract: A wearable mobile computing device/appliance (a wrist watch) with a high resolution display that is capable of wirelessly accessing information from a network and a variety of other devices. The mobile computing device/appliance includes a user interface that is used to efficiently interact with alarms and notifications on the watch.

Vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system

Abstract: A vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system for communicating with a remote transaction unit for transactions such as a bank transaction with a bank teller unit or a drive-through point-of-sale transaction with a drive-through point-of-sale system for the purchase of food, beverages or other goods. The interface system includes a transmitter and an input device. The transmitter is mounted to a vehicular rearview mirror assembly. The input device is in communication with the transmitter and provides input to the transmitter which modulates the signals from the input device and transmits the modulated signal for communicating with the remote transaction unit in order to engage in a transaction such as with a remote bank teller unit or machine. The input device may, for example, include one or more buttons, a display area, and/or credit/debit card reader.

Patient interactive neurostimulation system and method

Abstract: A fully automated computer controlled system is provided for adjustment of neurostimulation implants used in pain therapy and in treating neurological dysfunction which includes a patient interactive computer, and a universal transmitter interface integrally embedded in the patient interactive computer or built into the antenna which is capable of stimulating any type of implanted neurostimulation devices by imitating programming codes. The patient interacts with the system through the patient interactive computer. The universal transmitter interface includes a direct digital synthesizer, a transistor circuitry driving the antenna in ON-OFF fashion and a gating unit for driving the transistor circuitry under control of the processing means in the patient-interactive computer. Alternatively, the universal transmitting interface includes a balanced modulator for modulation of the carrier signal generated at the direct digital synthesizer.

Taming recognition errors with a multimodal interface

Abstract: My focus here is recognition errors as a problem for spoken-language systems, especially when processing diverse speaker styles or speech produced in noisy field settings. However, when speech is combined with another input mode within a multimodal architecture, recent research has shown that two modes can function better than one alone. I also outline when and why multimodal systems display error-handling advantages. Recent studies on mobile speech and accented speakers have found that:

Collection of timing and coverage data through a debugging interface

Abstract: Techniques for gathering execution information about an application, such as a distributed application, are described. Key communication points in cross execution context calls, such as remote procedure calls, are determined and control is transferred to instrumentation routines to insert and extract execution information. Outgoing remote procedure calls are intercepted on a client that inserts call origin information into the request sent to a server system. Messages received by a server are intercepted. The server system extracts the call origin information and additionally inserts other information in a response sent to the client system upon completion of a remote procedure call. In turn, the client system intercepts the response and extracts other performance information. On each client and server system, information is gathered by a reader and forwarded to a local collector. This information may be further forwarded to and correlated by a client collector from one or more remote server collectors in accordance with processes of each distributed application. Various statistics for a distributed application may be determined in addition to per process statistics. These include wire time, code coverage as related to the distributed application, remote procedure call tracing, and performance profiling. A variety of techniques are described to obtain program execution information in connection with an executing application including instrumentation techniques and use of a debugger interface to obtain profiling and other execution information. All of the program execution data may be collected and correlated at one or more particular points using other techniques described to represent coordinated application monitoring.

An enabling framework for master-worker applications on the Computational Grid

Abstract: Describes MW (Master-Worker) - a software framework that allows users to quickly and easily parallelize scientific computations using the master-worker paradigm on the Computational Grid. MW provides both a "top-level" interface to application software and a "bottom-level" interface to existing Grid computing toolkits. Both interfaces are briefly described. We conclude with a case study, where the necessary Grid services are provided by the Condor high-throughput computing system, and the MW-enabled application code is used to solve a combinatorial optimization problem of unprecedented complexity.

Accessing network-based electronic information through scripted online interfaces using spoken input

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for navigating an electronic data source that has a scripted online interface by means of spoken input. When a spoken request is received from a user, it is interpreted. A navigation query is constructed based on the interpretation of the speech input and a template extracted by scraping an online scripted interface to the data source. The resulting interpretation of the request is thereupon used to automatically construct an operational navigation query to retrieve the desired information from one or more electronic network data sources, which is then transmitted to a client device of the user.

Portable browser device with adaptive personalization capability

Abstract: A mobile information network browser device with audio feedback and adaptive personalization capability that is capable of transmitting a request for information via a wireless communication interface from one or more servers in an information network. The browser device further includes an audio interface capable of receiving data from the wireless communication interface that is responsive to the request for information. The browser device interfaces with a wireless communication network so that it may be used in a mobile vehicle, such as an automobile. The order in which individual pieces of content in the requested information is presented to the user is modified based on indicators of the user's interest in a topic during previous sessions. Such indicators can include whether the user input a command to skip, fast-forward, rewind, or request more detail about a category, subcategory, or topic of information. The adaptive personalization capability can also prevent redundant content from being presented.

Comparative Tracking Error Analysis of Five Different Optical Tracking Systems

Abstract: Objective: Effective utilization of an optical tracking system for image-based surgical guidance requires optimal placement of the dynamic reference frame (DRF) with respect to the tracking camera. Unlike other studies that measure the overall accuracy of a particular navigation system, this study investigates the precision of one component of the navigation system: the optical tracking system (OTS). The precision of OTS measurements is quantified asjitter. By measuring jitter, one can better understand how system inaccuracies depend on the position of the DRF with respect to the camera.Materials and Methods: Both FlashPoint™ (Image Guided Technologies, Inc., Boulder, Colorado) and Polaris™ (Northern Digital Inc., Ontario, Canada) optical tracking systems were tested in five different camera and DRF configurations. A linear testing apparatus with a software interface was designed to facilitate data collection. Jitter measurements were collected over a single quadrant within the camera viewing volume, as s...

A Scalable Cross-Platform Infrastructure for Application Performance Tuning Using Hardware Counters

Abstract: The purpose of the PAPI project is to specify a standard API for accessing hardware performance counters available on most modern microprocessors. These counters exist as a small set of registers that count “events”, which are occurrences of specific signals and states related to the processor's function. Monitoring these events facilitates correlation between the structure of source/object code and the efficiency of the mapping of that code to the underlying architecture. This correlation has a variety of uses in performance analysis and tuning. The PAPI project has proposed a standard set of hardware events and a standard cross-platform library interface to the underlying counter hardware. The PAPI library has been or is in the process of being implemented on all major HPC platforms. The PAPI project is developing end-user tools for dynamically selecting and displaying hardware counter performance data. PAPI support is also being incorporated into a number of third-party tools.

IEEE 1451: A standard in support of smart transducer networking

Abstract: The IEEE 1451 smart transducer interface standards provide the common interface and enabling technology for the connectivity of transducers to microprocessors, control and field networks, and data acquisition and instrumentation systems. The standardized TEDS specified by IEEE 1451.2 allows the self-description of sensors and the interfaces provide a standardized mechanism to facilitate the "Plug and play " of sensors to networks. The network-independent smart transducer object model defined by IEEE 1451.1 allows sensor manufacturers to support multiple networks and protocols. Thus, transducer-to-network interoperability is on the horizon. The inclusion of P1451.3 and P1451.4 to the family of 1451 standards will meet the needs of the analog transducer users for high-speed applications. In the long run, transducer vendors and users, system integrators, and network providers can all benefit from the IEEE 1451 interface standards.