Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof wherein a portable computer system or personal digital assistant generates a visual signal in response to an occurrence of a programmed event. For example, the portable computer system can use a light emitting diode to visually signal an alarm at a specified time. The visual signal can be varied in order to indicate the type of event associated with the alarm. In one implementation, the visual signal blinks at a particular rate depending on the type of event. In another implementation, the visual signal blinks a prescribed number of times or according to a particular pattern depending on the type of event. When enabled, the visual signal is generated in lieu of an audible signal, thus providing to the user a silent alarm that does not disturb other people in proximity, such as in a meeting, a theater, or some other gathering.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling personal digital assistants (PDAs) and protecting stored private data. Specifically, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a removable expansion card about the size of a postage stamp which plugs into a slot of a personal digital assistant. The removable expansion card, referred to as a personality card, is capable of storing all of a user's private information and data which is used within their personal digital assistant. By removing the personality card from the personal digital assistant, all of the user's private information and data may be removed from the personal digital assistant. Furthermore, the personal digital assistant may also be rendered totally or partially useless once the personality card is removed from it. There are several advantages associated with a personality card system in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A method and system utilizing both (x, y) coordinate (“spatial”) stroke data and associated pressure information for improved handwriting recognition. The method and system can also be applied to all types of handwriting-based data entry applications and also to user authentication. The digitizer pad used in the computer system gives both spatial information and associated pressure data when a stroke is being drawn thereon, e.g., by a stylus. Pressure information can be used to differentiate between different character sets, e.g., upper case and lower case characters for certain alphabetic characters. The spatial stroke data then identifies the particular character. The pressure information can also be used to adjust any display attribute, such as character font size, font selection, color, italic, bold, underline, shadow, language, etc. The associated pressure information can also be used for recognizing a signature. In this case, a user is allowed to sign a name on the digitizer pad.

Abstract: A pen-based portable personal computer can emulate the functions of a standard two-button mouse. In particular the system can emulate standard movement and clicking of a mouse buttons as well as emulate both left and right mouse buttons of a two-button mouse. In order to be compatible with various application programs, the system can also emulate the double clicking of the mouse button.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless interface device and more particularly to a wireless interface device for interfacing with a host computer connected in either a wired or wireless local area network. Once a connection is made between the wireless interface device and a host computer, the host computer is under the control of the wireless interface device. In order to provide a convenient way to return control back to the host computer, a hot icon is provided on the wireless interface device which, in response to a pen-down event, automatically returns the control back to the host computer.

Abstract: A computer system includes a flash memory device for storing BIOS code. The BIOS code is stored in an unprotected area of the flash memory. A boot block, stored in a protected area of the flash memory, is used for rebooting the computer system in the event that the flash memory device becomes corrupted. During normal operation, the BIOS code is updated using a radio link. If the BIOS is corrupted while being updated, a recovery routine stored in the boot block is executed. The recovery routine permits the corrupted BIOS to be reprogrammed using a serial interface instead of the radio link.

Abstract: A pen-based personal computer includes a main power switch for initial power-up. The pen-based portable personal computer includes a keyboard controller which controls power management of the battery and places the pen-based portable personal computer in a hibernate state after a predetermined period of inactivity. The system can be awakened from the hibernate state by contact of a passive stylus with the digitizer panel. In order to place the power management of the battery under the control of the keyboard controller, a wake-up signal is generated at power-up just long enough to enable the keyboard controller to take control of the power management of the battery.

Abstract: A pen-based portable personal computer utilizes a passive stylus. In order to conserve battery power, the system automatically goes into a low-power state after a predetermined period of inactivity. In the low-power state, minimal power is provided to a digitizer panel in order to enable the digitizer panel to sense contact by the passive stylus. Once the passive stylus comes in contact with the digitizer panel, the pen-based portable computer system is awakened and placed in a full-power state.