Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods for performing inference into the identity of an object. For an object of a plurality of objects, the apparatus receives feature-location information identifying a feature at first location on a first object of the plurality and a feature at a second location on a second object of the plurality. The apparatus activates a first set of location cells that collectively represent the first location on the first object corresponding to a feature on an object of the plurality of objects and a second set of location cells that collectively represent the second location on the second object corresponding to a feature on an object of the plurality of objects. The apparatus activates a set of displacement cells representing displacement of the first set of location cells and the second set of location cells and identifies one or more objects by processing the displacement cells.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods for performing inference into the identity of an object. For an object of a plurality of objects, the apparatus receives feature-location information identifying a feature at first location on a first object of the plurality and a feature at a second location on a second object of the plurality. The apparatus activates a first set of location cells that collectively represent the first location on the first object corresponding to a feature on an object of the plurality of objects and a second set of location cells that collectively represent the second location on the second object corresponding to a feature on an object of the plurality of objects. The apparatus activates a set of displacement cells representing displacement of the first set of location cells and the second set of location cells and identifies one or more objects by processing the displacement cells.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. In some aspects, the mobile computing device may execute a first application using one or more processors, and may receive, during execution of the first application, a user selection of a shift key. The mobile computing device may transition a state of the shift key from an unlocked non-shift state to a shift state based on the user selection. The mobile computing device may change the execution of the first application to an execution of a second application, and clear the state of the shift key in response to changing the execution from the first application to the second application.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. In some aspects, the mobile computing device may execute a first application using one or more processors, and may receive, during execution of the first application, a user selection of a shift key. The mobile computing device may transition a state of the shift key from an unlocked non-shift state to a shift state based on the user selection. The mobile computing device may change the execution of the first application to an execution of a second application, and clear the state of the shift key in response to changing the execution from the first application to the second application.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. In some aspects, the mobile computing device may execute a first application using one or more processors, and may receive, during execution of the first application, a user selection of a shift key. The mobile computing device may transition a state of the shift key from an unlocked non-shift state to a shift state based on the user selection. The mobile computing device may change the execution of the first application to an execution of a second application, and clear the state of the shift key in response to changing the execution from the first application to the second application.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. In some implementations, the mobile computing device may receive, from a user, an input character string for presentation on a touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device, may select a replacement character string based on the input character string, and may replace the input character string with the selected replacement character string. In some aspects, the input character string may be a misspelled word and the replacement character string may be a correctly spelled version of the misspelled word. In other aspects, the input character string may be an abbreviation and the replacement character string may be a completed version of the abbreviation.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. In some aspects, the mobile computing device may execute a first application using one or more processors, and may receive, during execution of the first application, a user selection of a shift key. The mobile computing device may transition a state of the shift key from an unlocked non-shift state to a shift state based on the user selection. The mobile computing device may change the execution of the first application to an execution of a second application, and clear the state of the shift key in response to changing the execution from the first application to the second application.

Abstract: An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user's typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts.

Abstract: A computing device housing is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a mid-frame. An infrared port may be an integral portion of the housing or the mid-frame.

Abstract: An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user's typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts.

Abstract: An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user's typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts.

Abstract: An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user's typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts.

Abstract: A computing device housing is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a mid-frame. An infrared port may be an integral portion of the housing or the mid-frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated handheld computer and telephony system. Integration of the handheld computer and telephony system is at the physical and operational level. For example, the integrated handheld computer and telephony system physically integrates a handheld computer with a mobile (e.g., cellular) telephone. In addition, the handheld computer is distinct from telephony system in that they are logically separable. However, they are also operationally integrated, for example, the telephony system executes a telephone application on the processor of the handheld computer. Likewise, the handheld computer can execute applications, for example, a phone book, that can be used to launch the telephony application.

Abstract: A method is provided to enable the person to switch use of computing devices when working with records and/or documents. A method such as described may be implemented for an individual operating two (or more) computing devices that share and synchronize sets of records. One or more operations may be performed to update and maintain correspondence between the two sets of records. A switchover event may be detected, where the event corresponds to the individual using a second computing device while already using a first computing device. Once the switchover event is detected, state of use information may be received on the second computing device. This information indicates the state of use of one or more records on the first computing device. This information may be used to affect the state of use of corresponding records on the second computing device. In particular, the corresponding records on the second computing device may be placed in a state of use, or in a selected state for subsequent use.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a mobile communication device includes a first mode element, a second mode element and a third mode element. Each mode element corresponds to a distinct operational mode associated with a particular function of the mobile communication device. A physical switch mechanism, which has a first physical positional state corresponding to the first mode element, a second physical positional state corresponding to the second mode element, and a third physical positional state corresponding to the third mode element, is movable between each physical positional state to select an operational mode and to enable the mode element corresponding to the selected operational mode.

Abstract: A method is provided to enable the person to switch use of computing devices when working with records and/or documents. A method such as described may be implemented for an individual operating two (or more) computing devices that share and synchronize sets of records. One or more operations may be performed to update and maintain correspondence between the two sets of records. A switchover event may be detected, where the event corresponds to the individual using a second computing device while already using a first computing device. Once the switchover event is detected, state of use information may be received on the second computing device. This information indicates the state of use of one or more records on the first computing device. This information may be used to affect the state of use of corresponding records on the second computing device. In particular, the corresponding records on the second computing device may be placed in a state of use, or in a selected state for subsequent use.

Abstract: A computing navigation mechanism includes a scroll wheel integrated below a keyboard layout for navigation of applications displayed on a computer screen. In one embodiment, the scroll wheel is configured to direct movement in response to a context of interaction with an application visible as active on the computer screen. The scroll wheel includes intra-element scrolling for moving content within a window of the application and for moving between items within a menu of the application and inter-element scrolling for moving between enabled links in the application. Intra-element scrolling may include pane scrolling to move content in the first direction or the second direction within the window pane of an application. It also may include selection scrolling to incrementally select between items in a menu list in a menu. In addition, inter-element scrolling comprises item scrolling, which incrementally moves between links within applications such as a web browser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing and accessing addressing elements is herein disclosed. In many situations in use of a handheld computer, for example, it is desirable to obtain quick and easy access to addressable resources from among a list of such resources. In the case of a handheld computer including a telephone, for example, a user may wish to quickly and easily dial certain telephone numbers through use of a “speed dialing” system. An exemplary speed dialing system herein described includes a plurality of speed dial pages which can be selected by the user for display on a touch sensitive screen. Each speed dial page has an arrangement of speed dial buttons, and each speed dial button can be assigned a label, that is displayed on or adjacent the button, and a telephone number that is dialed when the button is pressed using the touch sensitive screen. The assignment of labels and telephone numbers can be arranged among the buttons by the user to aid the user in recalling where (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an aliased selection system with audible cues to allow a user of a handheld computer system locate a desired item from a list of item. The aliased selection system allows a user to spell out a desired item by activating an input that specifics a subset that containing a next letter. In one embodiment, two different subsets are used: A to M and N to Z. When the user has entered information on enough letters such that the number of possibilities fits entirely on a display screen then a first audible cue is given. The user may enter additional information on until a single list item is uniquely identified. Once a single item is uniquely identified, the system emits a second audible cue that informs the user that a single item has been specified. The aliased selection system allows a user to select a desired item from a list with a single hand and without looking at the display screen. However, the user may shorten the selection process by looking at the display screen.