88results about How to "Minimize distraction" patented technology

An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in the interior cabin of a vehicle is provided that includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror support adapted for attaching to a windshield or header portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview mirror casing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element. The interior rearview mirror casing is pivotally adjustable about the interior rearview mirror support whereby adjustment of said mirror casing by a driver of the vehicle adjusts the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element in order for the driver to see rearwardly when driving. A pendent accessory comprising a mirror reflector attaches to the interior rearview mirror casing by a pivot joint comprising a ball and socket mount, and the pendent accessory is adjustable by the driver of the vehicle about the pivot joint in order for the driver, when driving, to view a rear seat passenger via the mirror reflector of the pendent accessory when the interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle.

A vehicular mirror system includes a mirror assembly with a mirror casing and a reflective element with a rearward field of view when the mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle. The mirror casing includes a mounting portion that is adapted to mount the mirror casing to the vehicle. At least one user-actuatable selector element is provided at the reflective element for access by a driver of the vehicle. The mirror assembly further includes at least one display element that is actuatable to display at least one image in response to the selector element being actuated.

An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the electrode catheter. For example, a visual, audio or mechanical output can be provided via the handle set. Additionally or alternatively, the output can be provided to the physician via a navigation system. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction.

The system and method of the present invention provides a user interface for providing peripheral awareness of information to a user. The information to be provided is either determined automatically, or specified by the user. Once the information to be provided is determined or specified, it is automatically tracked or watched via at least one conventional communications interface. Current information is then automatically dynamically provided in an interactive peripheral display which minimizes any potential distraction to the user. Determining or specifying, tracking or watching, and providing the information is accomplished using at least one customizable dynamic encapsulated object, a "ticket," that when paired with a "viewer," provides peripheral awareness of information to the user. Further, in one embodiment, the tickets are sharable among users, and may be copied, cut, pasted, saved, transmitted, dragged and dropped from web pages, etc., like any other electronic file using conventional techniques.

An apparatus and method for gesture detection and recognition. The apparatus includes a processing element, a radar sensor, a depth sensor, and an optical sensor. The radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor are coupled to the processing element, and the radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor are configured for short range gesture detection and recognition. The processing element is further configured to detect and recognize a hand gesture based on data acquired with the radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor.

A method for presenting additional content for a word that is part of a message, and that is presented by a mobile communication device, includes the steps of: presenting the message, including emphasizing one or more words for which respective additional content is available for presenting by the mobile communication device; receiving an utterance that includes an emphasized word for which additional content is available for presenting by the mobile communication device; and presenting the additional content for the emphasized word included in the utterance received by the mobile communication device. These steps are performed by the mobile communication device.

A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.

The system and method of the present invention provides a user interface for providing peripheral awareness of information to a user. The information to be provided is either determined automatically, or specified by the user. Once the information to be provided is determined or specified, it is automatically tracked or watched via at least one conventional communications interface. Current information is then automatically dynamically provided in an interactive peripheral display which minimizes any potential distraction to the user. Determining or specifying, tracking or watching, and providing the information is accomplished using at least one customizable dynamic encapsulated object, a “ticket,” that when paired with a “viewer,” provides peripheral awareness of information to the user. Further, in one embodiment, the tickets are sharable among users, and may be copied, cut, pasted, saved, transmitted, dragged and dropped from web pages, etc., like any other electronic file using conventional techniques.

The visual display system of the present invention includes a visual indicator having at least first and second light emitters. A controller is connected to the visual indicator. The system further includes a device for detecting a vehicular condition and is capable of transmitting a signal to the controller in response to the vehicular condition. The controller is operable to actuate the first light emitter at a first lighting characteristic and the second light emitter at a second lighting characteristic different from the first lighting characteristic in response to the signal.

The system and method of the present invention provides peripheral awareness of information to a user. The information to be provided is either determined automatically, or specified by the user. Once the information to be provided is determined or specified, it is automatically tracked or watched via at least one conventional communications interface for accessing one or more conventional communications sources. Current information is then automatically dynamically provided in an interactive peripheral display which minimizes any potential distraction to the user. Determining or specifying, tracking or watching, and providing the information is accomplished using at least one customizable dynamic encapsulated object, a “ticket,” that when paired with a “viewer,” provides peripheral awareness of information to the user. Further, in one embodiment, the tickets are sharable among users, and may be copied, cut, pasted, saved, transmitted, dragged and dropped from web pages, etc., like any other electronic file using conventional techniques.

A prosthesis system comprises plates that can be positioned against vertebrae and a selected resilient core that can be positioned between the plates to allow the plates to articulate. The selected resilient core can be chosen from a plurality of cores in response to patient characteristics, such as age and / or intervertebral mobility, such that the prosthesis implanted in the patient is tailored to the needs of the patient. The plurality of cores may comprise cores with different resiliencies, and one of the cores can be selected such that the upper and lower plates articulate with the desired shock absorbing resiliency and / or maximum angle of inclination when the one selected core is positioned between the plates.

A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.

A control arrangement for a vehicle includes an infotainment console having a user interface with a plurality of pushbuttons. A communication device is communicatively coupled to the infotainment console and relays signals between the infotainment console and a portable computing device. The infotainment console reconfigures the user interface to enable the user to control the portable computing device via the user interface. Each of the pushbuttons is actuatable to cause operation of the portable computing device to proceed to a respective application within the portable computing device.

A method and apparatus for helping a user to locate new information displayed in a window on a computer display after scrolling the window to a new portion of a document by providing temporary visual clues distinguishing “old” information, also displayed in the window before scrolling, from information not displayed in the window before scrolling. The visual clues are displayed only if the “old” information is displayed in the window before scrolling for more than a predetermined amount of time. According to preferred embodiments the temporary visual clues are implemented to avoid user distraction from his or her main task.

A motorized venetian blind system for covering a window of a space comprising a blind drive unit having two motors to provide for independent control of a position of a bottom rail and a tilt angle of a plurality of slats of the blind system. The blind drive unit is operable to adjust the position of the bottom rail to a preset position, and to adjust the tilt angle of the slats to a preset angle in response to receiving a single digital message (e.g., a preset command). The blind drive unit is operable to automatically adjust the position of the bottom rail and the tilt angle of the slats to limit a direct sunlight penetration distance in the space to a maximum direct sunlight penetration distance, and to maximum a reflected sunlight penetration distance on a ceiling of the space, while minimizing occupant distractions.

A display system and method for presenting scrolling text on a display is provided in a manner that generally minimizes driver distraction. The system includes a display for displaying scrolling text. The system also includes a gaze monitor having an imaging camera oriented to capture images of a person, such as a vehicle driver, including at least portions of the driver's head, and determining a gaze vector or head orientation vector. The system further includes a controller for determining whether the driver is expected to be viewing the display based on the gaze vector. The controller pauses the scrolling text presented on the display when the driver is not viewing the display.

A defibrillator system is disclosed including an operational state input, a user-operated information request input, and a user guidance output. The defibrillator system can be implemented as an AED, a manual defibrillator, or as a defibrillator trainer. The defibrillator system further utilizes the state and request inputs to determine a context-sensitive rescue information which is provided to the output.

A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to control navigation of a three-dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) model in an augmented reality space. The 3D CAD model is rendered in the augmented reality space and appears as if it is present in a physical space at true scale. A virtual camera is defined as fixed to a current pose of a user's head. A virtual line segment S is constructed coincident with a ray R from a center of projection P of the virtual camera and a center pixel of the virtual camera. A check for geometric intersections between the virtual line segment S and surfaces of scene elements is conducted. Upon intersecting with a part of the model, a gaze cursor is rendered at an intersection point C closest to the center of projection P.

A text formatting system parses text and reformats it to establish optimal spacing for readability and reader comprehension. It also reduces the incidence of rivers and therefore enhances the aesthetic quality of the formatted text. The formatting applied to the text by the present invention is based on structure rules that determine key parameters of page layout including for example column width, font, font size, color, leading and kerning.

A cold-weather apparel item configured to promote breathability, provide warmth, and minimize distractions is provided herein. The cold-weather apparel item is formed from a composite fabric that is breathable and repels water. The cold-weather apparel item further comprises at least a hood lock cord system that maintains the hood of the apparel item in a secure position while not being used, inflow air ducts and outflow air ducts to provide ventilation, and a layered thumbhole assembly with overlapping panels that fits snugly around a wearer's thumbs when used.

It is recognized in the disclosed technique that the way impairments on a conference call are diagnosed and handled in the prior art can sometimes be as distracting as the impairments themselves. The disclosed technique attempts to address some of the disadvantages in the prior art by monitoring the signal path quality on a conference call and, based on the quality of the signals received, performing one or more actions that are intended to minimize distractions while handling the impairments. In particular, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the technique performs a multi-threshold evaluation of media signals that are received at a conferencing server. If a measure of the impairment being considered exceeds a first threshold, but not a higher second threshold, then a first set of actions is taken to handle the impairment. If the measure exceeds the second threshold, then a more-extreme second set of actions is taken.

An armrest adapted to be pivotally mounted between a pair of rear vehicle seats includes an elongated base having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted on a suitable armrest support structure located between the seats, for movement between a deployed position between the seats or in a stowed position defining a further backrest between the seats. A lid covering at least a portion of the base's upper surface is pivotally mounted on the base proximate to its second end, for movement between a closed position and an open position revealing both the upper surface of the base and a video display screen on the underside of the lid. The video display screen, which is preferably itself pivotally supported by the lid, is preferably driven by a video source housed within the base and accessible via the upper surface of the base, as controlled by a rear seat passenger.

A communication correspondence notification and reply method is provided. The method is implemented as a software program with the objective to be less distractive and to increase work productivity compared to prior methods. In particular, a notification format for incoming communication correspondences is determined, without any guidance / input from the user, taking into account (i) monitored user activity and (ii) the type of incoming correspondence, i.e. the notification format is a function of tracked / monitored user activity and the message type with the objective to minimize distraction to the user. To further minimize user distraction, the software program determines an area on the display of the computer system where the incoming correspondence can be presented to the user. Once presented, the user then has the ability to reply with minimal effort by making a pointer-device gesture movement in reply to the presented notification.

An armrest adapted to be pivotally mounted between a pair of rear vehicle seats includes an elongated base having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted on a suitable armrest support structure located between the seats, for movement between a deployed position between the seats or in a stowed position defining a further backrest between the seats. A lid covering at least a portion of the base's upper surface is pivotally mounted on the base proximate to its second end, for movement between a closed position and an open position revealing both the upper surface of the base and a video display screen on the underside of the lid. The video display screen, which is preferably itself pivotally supported by the lid, is preferably driven by a video source housed within the base and accessible via the upper surface of the base, as controlled by a rear seat passenger.

A system for providing audio information to persons in an approach path (12) includes an interaction point (14), and an approach path (12) leading to the interaction point. A parametric sound system (18) is provided, which includes a parametric speaker (20) disposed adjacent to the interaction point. The parametric sound system is configured for limited delivery of sound in a spatially limited audio zone (24) along the approach path (12), within a decibel level above ambient noise levels in the area of the interaction point (14), and sufficiently high to be heard primarily by a person progressing along the approach path (12). The interaction point can be a cashier station, and the system can also include a video display (16) configured to provide video information to persons in the approach path along with the audio information.

A device for warning a bicycle rider of an object approaching the bicycle rider from behind a bicycle with a rear view mirror mounted to the bicycle by a mounting assembly, a detector mounted to the bicycle and capable of detecting the object and determining if the object is approaching the bicycle rider from behind the bicycle, and an alarm in electrical communication with the detector, the alarm mounted on one of the mirror or the mounting assembly.

A reduced glare projector style headlight assembly (10) comprises a light source (14), a reflector (12) and an optical lens (18). An opaque mask (16) is positioned between the lens (18) and the reflector (12) for creating an upper shadow region in the focused beam pattern (28) to shield on-coming traffic. The mask (16) includes a transition region (32) proximate its top edge (22) for allowing a limited amount of projected light to pass through the mask (16), into the upper shadow region in the focused beam pattern (28). In several embodiments, the mask (16) is applied or otherwise affixed to a transparent substrate (20) which also supports the transition region (32). To combat undesirable chromatic effects, a color filter (38) can be positioned in the light path (26) for disrupting selective wavelengths of light energy. As alternative approaches, the transparent substrate (20) and / or the lens (18′) can be doped with a color filtering material or composition.