Abstract: A notebook computer is upgraded by providing stylus-cooperating indicia near the keyboard and an optical stylus that can recognize the indicia. The indicia includes a sketch pad area that cooperates with the optical stylus to transmit movement data to the computer. The movement data is relative in position and absolute in orientation, providing ?X and ?Y in the sketch pad's coordinate plane rather than the stylus's. Other indicia represents tool buttons recognized by both humans and the stylus. A stylus and stickers kits is used to upgraded existing notebook computers. New ones can be manufactured with the stylus-cooperating indicia in place or the indicia may be provided on a substrate that may be attached to any notebook computer, as selected and positioned by the end user. The stickers or substrate is thin enough to permit the notebook computer to be closed as usual.

Abstract: A notebook computer has tablet and stylus functionality and drawing tool selection functionality by providing indicia near the keyboard and by providing an optical stylus that can recognize the indicia. The indicia includes a sketch pad area that cooperates with the optical stylus to transmit X and Y coordinates to the computer. Other indicia represents tool buttons. These tool buttons are recognized by both human users and by the optical stylus, which causes the computer to respond with the appropriate drawing tool or mode. The notebook computer may be manufactured with the indicia in place or the indicia may be provided on adhesive stickers to be added to any notebook computer. In the latter case, the stickers may be selected and positioned as desired by the end user. The sticker are thin enough to permit the notebook computer to be closed as usual.

Abstract: A crossword puzzle maker software application provides a “Publish” button that submits an interactive crossword puzzle to a predetermined web server that is preconfigured to be a puzzle host shared by many otherwise unrelated users of the crossword puzzle maker application. It does this in a single click without requiring the user to provide website or upload information. The interactive crossword puzzle provides a “Submit” button that when clicked reports a personally identifiable solving attempt to the puzzle host. A puzzle host that accepts interactive crossword puzzles from the maker application and serves these interactive crossword puzzles to web browsers, and also accepts puzzle solving attempts and scores the attempts and prepares a report for the user of the crossword puzzle maker application.

Abstract: A computerized notetaking system that records audio and links notes to the audio and has enhancements such as: Always-on audio recording and external timestamp button that work even when the system is turned off. A “next-topic” command that prepares and timestamps a new paragraph while allowing the user to complete the current paragraph. Commands for creating callouts and sidebar boxes in the user notes. A choice of audio filters. Speech recognition for searching through and navigating an audio recording. Speech recognition accuracy enhancement based upon typed notes. Playback, including lockstep playback, that prefers starting and stopping at word boundaries without overlap when possible. A self-adjusting preplay parameter. A “repeat slower” command that replays a few seconds of audio and then resumes at normal speed. Integrated background audio that plays music or white noise when notes-related audio is not being played. Several other enhancements are disclosed.

Abstract: A notebook computer that has a keyboard, a navigation input device (e.g., a touchpad or mouse) and a sketch input device (usually an integrated sketch pad and stylus). The sketch input device operates in an absolute coordinate mapping mode and can be tracked on the display when hovering or touching. It draws digital ink when touching. Whenever the digital ink runs into existing text notes the text is reflowed around the sketch. A movement on an input device can either select text or draw digital ink depending on which input device was used. The computer can have sketch tool buttons operable with a stylus. The navigation and sketch input devices can be disjoint or overlapping. Variations of the sketch input device include a second touch pad that works with a finger and a stylus that works without a sketch pad.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for knitting patterned knitted fabrics (19) contains a preferably rotatable needle carrier (1) having knitting needles (3) distributed along a needle ring, selection devices (6) for selection of the knitting needles (3) in accordance with the pattern, a plurality of yarn guides (17) attached to the selection devices (6) to feed yarns (18) to the knitting needles (3), whereby these yarn guides (17) are arranged so that the yarns (18) are picked up by selected knitting needles (3) and tied into the knitted fabric (19) but passed over by non-selected knitting needles (3) with the formation of yarn floats, and at least one cutting device located within the needle ring for cutting through yarn floats of a given minimum length such that yarn ends on the fabric side and the yarn guide side are formed and the yarn ends on the yarn guide side remain in a position in the catchment area of the selected knitting needles that intersects with the needle ring.