Author: claimsbot

1. A computer implemented method for processing a file comprising a slide by a presentation program comprising:
reading, by a computing device, the file comprising the slide from a memory;
identifying, by the computing device, a theme family identifier value stored in the file associated with the slide;
ascertaining, by the computing device, a theme family based on the theme family identifier value, the theme family comprising a collection of themes related in a graphical manner; and
presenting, by the computing device, a graphical user interface comprising
a theme gallery comprising a plurality of theme templates, wherein each theme template represents a theme from the theme family, said theme comprising a combination of at least a color palette and at least one background graphic, and
a theme variation gallery comprising a first plurality of theme variation templates, wherein each theme variation template represents a variation in the theme family, and wherein each theme template and each theme variation template being represented by a different thumbnail image,

wherein a current theme template and a current theme variation template are determined based on the theme family identifier value, and
wherein the current theme template and the current theme variation template are presented in the graphical user interface in the theme gallery and the theme variation gallery, respectively.
2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the current theme template and the current theme variation template are associated with the theme family.
3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the theme variation gallery comprises a theme template representing a 16:9 aspect ratio.
4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the theme variation gallery comprises a theme template representing a 4:3 aspect ratio.
5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising the operations of:
receiving, by the computing device, first input selecting one of the plurality of theme templates as a current theme;
receiving, by the computing device, second input after the first input selecting one of a first plurality of theme variation templates as a current theme variation;
determining, by the computing device, the theme family identifier value associated with the current theme variation; and
recording, by the computing device, the theme family identifier value in the slide file.
6. The computer implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:
creating, by the computing device, a first component in the file comprising a theme indicator;
creating, by the computing device, a second component in the file comprising variants of the theme; and
identifying, by the computing device, a plurality of variants of the theme in the second component.
7. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein there are eight plurality of variants of the theme indicated in the second component.
8. The computer implemented method of claim 7, wherein the eight plurality of variants of the theme in the second component comprise a first theme variation with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a second theme variation with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein at least two of the eight plurality of variants referenced in the second component reference a common visual object.
10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the common visual object is stored in a third component of the file.
11. One of an optical disk, a magnetic storage device or a solid state storage device storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to:
read a file comprising a slide of a presentation program;
identify a theme family identifier value stored in the file associated with the slide;
ascertain a theme family based on the theme family identifier value, the theme family comprising a collection of themes related in a graphical manner; and
present a graphical user interface comprising
a theme gallery comprising a plurality of theme templates, wherein each theme template represents a theme from the theme family, said theme comprising a combination of at least a color palette and at least one background graphic, and
a theme variation gallery comprising a first plurality of theme variation templates, wherein each theme variation template represents a variation in the theme family, and wherein each theme template and each theme variation template being represented by a different thumbnail image,

wherein a current theme template and a current theme variation template are determined based on the theme family identifier value, and
wherein the current theme template and the current theme variation template are presented in the graphical user interface in the theme gallery and the theme variation gallery, respectively.
12. The optical disk, magnetic storage device or solid state storage device of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
receive first input selecting one of the plurality of theme templates as a current theme;
receive second input after the first input selecting one of a first plurality of theme variation templates as a current theme variation;
determine the theme family identifier value associated with the current theme variation; and
record the theme family identifier value in the slide file.
13. The optical disk, magnetic storage device or solid state storage device of claim 12, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
create a first component in the file comprising a theme indicator;
create a second component in the file comprising variants of the theme; and
identify a plurality of variants of the theme in the second component.
14. The optical disk, magnetic storage device or solid state storage device of claim 13, wherein there are eight variants of the theme indicated in the second component.
15. The optical disk, magnetic storage device or solid state storage device of claim 14, wherein the eight plurality of variants of the theme in the second component comprise a first theme variation with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a second theme variation with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
16. A system for presenting a slide of a presentation program comprising:
a memory storing a file comprising the slide; and
a processor executing instructions stored in the memory configured to
read the file comprising the slide of the presentation program,
identify a theme family identifier value stored in the file associated with the slide,
ascertain a theme family based on the theme family identifier value, the theme family comprising a collection of themes related in a graphical manner, and
present a graphical user interface comprising
a theme gallery comprising a plurality of theme templates, wherein each theme template represents a theme from the theme family, said theme comprising a combination of at least a color palette and at least one background graphic, and
a theme variation gallery comprising a first plurality of theme variation templates, wherein each theme variation template represents a variation in the theme family, and wherein each theme template and each theme variation template being represented by a different thumbnail image,
wherein a current theme template and a current theme variation template are determined based on the theme family identifier,
wherein the current theme template and the current theme variation template are presented in the graphical user interface in the theme gallery and the theme variation gallery, respectively, and
wherein the plurality of theme variation templates comprise a first theme variation with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a second theme variation with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor executing instructions stored in the memory is further configured to:
receive first input selecting one of the plurality of theme templates as a current theme;
receive second input after the first input selecting one of a first plurality of theme variation templates as a current theme variation;
determine the theme family identifier value associated with the current theme variation; and
record the theme family identifier value in the slide file.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor executing instructions stored in the memory is further configured to:
create a first component in the file comprising a theme indicator;
create a second component in the file comprising variants of the theme; and
identify a plurality of variants of the theme in the second component.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein there are eight variants of the theme indicated in the second component.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least two of the eight plurality of variants of the theme in the second component comprise a common visual object, the common visual object indicated in a third component in the file.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-13. (canceled)
14. Apparatus comprising:
a touch surface configured to be touched by a body member;
a detection circuitry configured to detect a presence or absence of the body member on the touch surface at a position on the touch surface;
at least one electrode;
a power source to provide power to the at least one electrode;
an insulation layer to form at least part of a capacitive coupling between the at least one electrode and the body member to produce an electrosensory sensation to the body member, the insulation layer to inhibit a flow of direct current between the at least one electrode and the body member; and
a controller configured to vary the power applied to the at least one electrode based on detection of the presence or the absence of the body member at the position so as to vary the electrosensory sensation.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a plurality of touch sensitive areas each having an associated position, the controller being configured to individually vary the electrosensory sensation in each touch sensitive area.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of touch sensitive areas are separated by a grid.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being associated with a touch sensitive area.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the detection circuitry is configured to detect a simultaneous touching at multiple touch sensitive areas, and the controller provides a different electrosensory stimulation in each of the multiple touch sensitive areas.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a touch input section including the touch surface and the detection circuitry, and a tactile output section including the at least one electrode, the touch input section and the tactile output section sharing a conductive layer.
20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the touch surface is part of a touch sensitive display, the at least one electrode being integrated within the touch sensitive display to allow the electrosensory sensation to the body member touching the touch sensitive display.
21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the detection circuitry is part of a touch sensitive display, the at least one electrode being an insulated electrode layer provided on an exposed surface of the touch sensitive display.
22. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising an electrode layer having a plurality touch sensitive areas separated from one another by a grid, the grid having a conductivity lower than a conductivity of the plurality of touch sensitive areas.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the capacitive coupling between the body member and the grid is different than the capacitive coupling between the plurality of touch sensitive areas and the body member.
24. he apparatus of claim 14, wherein a touch input section including the touch surface and the detection circuitry is galvanically isolated from the at least one electrode.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the at least one electrode forms part of a tactile output section, the tactile output section supplying power to the touch input section.
26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one electrode is an electrode layer comprising a plurality of electrically floating sections.
27. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the position corresponds to one of a plurality of touch sensitive areas and a function is assigned to the touch sensitive area to provide an input to an application program.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to provide different electrosensory stimulation in different touch sensitive areas.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the functions are programmable.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein more than one function is assignable to a single touch sensitive area.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein detecting a first touch by the body member corresponds to a first function and detecting a second touch within a time window corresponds to a second function.
32. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a plurality of key legends are displayed by the apparatus, each a key legend being at an associated position and the controller providing different electrosensory stimulation corresponding to different key legends to provide feedback based a selection of a key legend.
33. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power source is configured to provide the power with a first frequency component in a frequency range between 1 Hz and 1000 Hz.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the power source is configured to provide the power with a second frequency component having a frequency that is higher than the frequency of the first frequency component and lower than 500 kHz.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a modulator to modulate the second frequency component based on the first frequency component.
36. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power source is configured to provide the power with a peak-to-peak voltage of 500 to 100,000 Volts.
37. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the insulation layer has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 50 mm.
38. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a grounding electrode separate from the at least one electrode, the grounding electrode being positioned to be touched by a different body member distinct from the body member to be stimulated.
39. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a grounding connection is provided between a reference voltage of the power source and the grounding electrode.
40. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller varies the power applied to the at least one electrode to induce the electrosensory sensation at the position without movement of the body member.
41. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electrosensory stimulation is produced independent of any mechanical vibration of the apparatus.
42. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising:
a processor; and
memory to store instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to vary the power applied to the at least one electrode based on the detecting the presence or absence of the body member at the position.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the instructions cause the processor to assign a function associated with the position.
44. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a display layer to display information proximate the position, the information corresponding to at least one function selectable by a user.
45. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein varying the power applied to electrode includes modulating a frequency of the power.
46. A method of providing a tactile output on a touch sensitive display, the method comprising:
detecting a presence or absence of a body member on a touch surface of the touch sensitive display at a position on the touch surface;
providing power to at least one electrode to form a capacitive coupling between the at least one electrode and the body member, the capacitive coupling being provided at least in part by an insulation layer, the power being to provide an electrosensory stimulation to the body member, the insulation layer to inhibit a flow of direct current between the at least one electrode and the body member; and
varying the power applied to the at least one electrode based on the detecting of the presence or the absence of the body member at the position so as to vary the electrosensory stimulation.
47. The method of claim 46, comprising:
detecting the presence or absence of a body member in a plurality of touch sensitive areas each having an associated position; and
individually varying the electrosensory stimulation in each touch sensitive area.
48. The method of claim 47, comprising assigning one or more functions to each touch sensitive area.
49. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying instructions which, when executed by the machine cause the machine to perform the operations of:
detecting the presence or absence of a body member on a touch surface of a touch sensitive display at a position on the touch surface;
providing power to at least one electrode to form a capacitive coupling between the at least one electrode and the body member, the capacitive coupling being provided at least in part by an insulation layer, the power being to provide an electrosensory stimulation in the body member, the insulation layer to inhibit a flow of direct current between the electrode and the body member; and
varying the power applied to the at least one electrode based on the detecting of the presence or the absence of the body member at the position so as to vary the electrosensory stimulation.

1-21. (canceled)
22. A method for operating a watchdog timer associated with a microcontroller that generates refresh commands for the watchdog timer, the refresh commands being separated by a time interval within a predetermined range, the method comprising:
receiving the refresh commands by the watchdog timer; and
generating a microcontroller reset command by the watchdog timer when a time interval separating successively received refresh commands is not within the predetermined range, the generating comprising
starting a refresh countdown on each receipt of a refresh command by the watchdog timer,
starting a reset countdown if the refresh countdown has timed out, and if the refresh countdown has not timed out when a next refresh command is received, then the reset countdown is not restarted, and
generating the microcontroller reset command if the reset countdown has timed out.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the reset countdown is restarted only if the refresh countdown has timed out; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to a maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to a minimum time period of the predetermined range.
24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the reset countdown is restarted only if the refresh countdown has timed out when the next refresh command is received; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to the maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to the minimum time period of the predetermined range.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein if the refresh countdown has timed out, then the reset countdown and the refresh countdown are restarted simultaneously on receipt of the next refresh command.
26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the reset countdown is synchronized with a frequency divided clock signal.
27. A method according to claim 22, wherein the refresh countdown is synchronized with a clock signal.
28. A method according to claim 22, further comprising programming duration of the reset countdown.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the watchdog timer comprises a refresh counter for performing the refresh countdown; and wherein the refresh command is received by the refresh counter for defining the duration of the reset countdown.
30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the watchdog timer comprises a reset counter for performing the reset countdown and is connected to the refresh counter; and wherein the refresh command comprises a word having a plurality of bits, the word being written in the reset counter for defining the duration of the reset countdown.
31. A method according to claim 22, wherein the watchdog timer comprises a reset counter for performing the reset countdown; and wherein the reset counter comprises a plurality of bits including a high-order bit, and the microcontroller reset command is generated by transition of the high-order bit to a low logic value.
32. A watchdog timer for a microcontroller that generates refresh commands for the watchdog timer, the refresh commands being separated by a time interval within a predetermined range, the watchdog timer comprising:
a refresh counter comprising a refresh input for receiving the refresh commands from the microcontroller, said refresh counter starting a refresh countdown on each receipt of a refresh command at the refresh input, and generating a refresh command on expiration of the refresh countdown; and
a reset counter comprising a refresh input and a reset output, said reset counter starting a reset countdown on receipt of the refresh command generated by said refresh counter, and generating a microcontroller reset command at the reset output when the reset countdown times out.
33. A watchdog timer according to claim 32, wherein said refresh counter only generates a refresh command for restarting said reset counter when the refresh countdown has timed out; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to a maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to a minimum time period of the predetermined range.
34. A watchdog timer according to claim 32, wherein said refresh counter only generates a refresh command for restarting said reset counter when the refresh countdown has timed out and a next refresh command is received by said refresh counter; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to the maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to the minimum time period of the predetermined range.
35. A watchdog timer according to claim 32, wherein said reset counter comprises a plurality of bits including a high-order bit connected to the reset output.
36. A watchdog timer according to claim 35, wherein said reset counter comprises a register.
37. A watchdog timer according to claim 36, further comprising an activation input, and a logic circuit having a first input connected to the activation input and a second input connected to the reset output of said reset counter.
38. A watchdog timer according to claim 37, wherein said register comprises a register activation bit connected to the activation input.
39. A watchdog timer according to claim 32, further comprising:
a timer input; and
a frequency divider having an input connected to the timer input, and an output connected to said reset counter for decrementing said reset counter when a signal is applied thereto by said frequency divider.
40. A watchdog timer according to claim 39, wherein duration of the refresh countdown is less than a time period separating two decrements of said reset counter.
41. A watchdog timer according to claim 39, wherein said refresh counter is connected to the timer input for receiving a clock signal, said refresh counter comprising a plurality of bits and being decremented when the clock signal is applied thereto.
42. A watchdog timer according to claim 32, wherein duration of the reset countdown is programmable.
43. An electronic circuit comprising:
a microcontroller generating refresh commands, the refresh commands being separated by a time interval within a predetermined range; and
a watchdog timer connected to said microcontroller for receiving the refresh commands and comprising
a refresh counter comprising a refresh input for receiving the refresh commands from the microcontroller, said refresh counter starting a refresh countdown on each receipt of a refresh command at the refresh input, and generating a refresh command on expiration of the refresh countdown, and
a reset counter comprising a refresh input and a reset output, said reset counter starting a reset countdown on receipt of the refresh command generated by said refresh counter, and generating a microcontroller reset command at the reset output when the reset countdown times out.
44. An electronic circuit according to claim 43, wherein said refresh counter only generates a refresh command for resetting said reset counter when the refresh countdown has timed out; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to a maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to a minimum time period of the predetermined range.
45. An electronic circuit according to claim 43, wherein said refresh counter only generates a refresh command for resetting said reset counter when the refresh countdown has timed out and a next refresh command is received by said refresh counter; and a duration of the reset countdown is equal to the maximum time period of the predetermined range, and a duration of the refresh countdown is equal to the minimum time period of the predetermined range.
46. An electronic circuit according to claim 43, wherein said reset counter comprises a plurality of bits including a high-order bit connected to the reset output.
47. An electronic circuit according to claim 46, wherein said reset counter comprises a register.
48. An electronic circuit according to claim 47, further comprising an activation input, and a logic circuit having a first input connected to the activation input and a second input connected to the reset output of said reset counter.
49. An electronic circuit according to claim 48, wherein said register comprises a register activation bit connected to the activation input.
50. An electronic circuit according to claim 43, further comprising:
a timer input; and
a frequency divider having an input connected to the timer input, and an output connected to said reset counter for decrementing said reset counter when a signal is applied thereto by said frequency divider.
51. An electronic circuit according to claim 50, wherein duration of the refresh countdown is less than a time period separating two decrements of said reset counter.
52. An electronic circuit according to claim 50, wherein said refresh counter is connected to the timer input for receiving a clock signal, said refresh counter comprising a plurality of bits and being decremented when the clock signal is applied thereto.
53. An electronic circuit according to claim 43, wherein duration of the reset countdown is programmable.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A compression journal comprising:
at least two circularly shaped segments;
a cylindrical shaft having said circularly shaped segments positioned around said shaft; and
means, positioned around the outside of said segments, for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft.
2. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said segments comprise a silver impregnated graphite material.
3. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical shaft comprises a coin silver sleeve around an outer portion of said shaft for contacting said circularly shaped segments.
4. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said journal comprises a shield for securing said journal within a stator assembly and blocking RF signal leakage.
5. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft comprises a rubber O-ring.
6. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft comprises a conductive O-ring.
7. The compression journal as recited in claim 1 wherein said compression journal is positioned within a rotary joint.
8. A rotary joint comprising:
a rotor assembly having a housing and a shaft extending outward from a center portion thereof;
a stator assembly having a cylindrical opening for receiving said shaft of said rotor assembly, the housing of said rotor assembly being secured within a housing of said stator assembly;
a cavity in said stator assembly for receiving at least two circularly shaped segments positioned around said shaft of said rotor assembly; and
means positioned around the outside of said segments for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said shaft of said rotor assembly.
9. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said rotary joint comprises a shield, having an opening for said shaft to pass therethrough, positioned against an end of said circularly shaped segments for securing said segments within said cavity of said stator.
10. The rotary joint as recited in claim 9 wherein said shield provides a ground connection between said circularly shaped segments and said stator housing.
11. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said segments comprise a silver impregnated graphite material.
12. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said cylindrical shaft comprises a coin silver outer sleeve for contacting said segments.
13. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said shaft comprises a rubber O-ring.
14. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said shaft comprises a conductive O-ring.
15. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said cavity of said stator assembly comprises a channel having a predetermined width within said cavity for receiving said means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said shaft.
16. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said housing of said rotor assembly comprises a bearing ring positioned around an outer end portion of said housing to facilitate rotation of said rotor assembly when positioned within said stator assembly.
17. The rotary joint as recited in claim 8 wherein said rotor assembly comprises a first capacitive feed ring through which said shaft extends and said stator assembly comprises a second capacitive feed ring through which said shaft passes, said first capacitive feed ring being disposed in close relationship to said second capacitive feed ring when said rotor assembly is positioned within said stator assembly.
18. A method of providing a compression journal comprising the steps of:
providing at least two circularly shaped segments;
positioning said circularly shaped segments around a cylindrical shaft; and
providing means around the outside of said circularly shaped segments for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of providing at least two circularly shaped segments comprises the step of providing silver impregnated graphite segments.
20. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of positioning said circularly shaped segments around a cylindrical shaft comprises the step of providing a coin silver sleeve around an outer portion of said shaft for contact with said circular shaped segments.
21. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of providing means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft comprises the step of providing a rubber O-ring.
22. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of providing means for maintaining electrical contact between said segments and said cylindrical shaft comprises the step of providing a conductive O-ring.
23. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said method comprises the step of attaching a metal shield over an end of said circularly shaped segments for blocking RF signal leakage.