Abstract: A computing device that includes a housing, an accessory interface, and a self-closing enclosure mechanism for the accessory interface. The self-closing enclosure mechanism is positioned over the accessory interface and is pivotable to move between a closed and open position.

Abstract: A cable spool that has a body including a perimeter façade. An opening extends a thickness of the body. A track structure is formed with the perimeter façade to retain a cable. The opening is dimensioned to retain a terminal that connects to one end of the cable.

Abstract: A power adapter for extending power from an electrical power source to a electrical device. The power adapter includes an adapter body, including an exchange surface, having one or more sets of interior electrical contacts. The power adapter further includes an end section that is attachable and detachable from the body. The end section includes (i) a set of end section interior electrical contact elements that make contact with the at least one set of interior electrical contacts, and (ii) a plug connector, electrically connected to the set of end section interior electrical contacts, and adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive display screen is enhanced by a touch-sensitive control area that extends beyond the edges of the display screen. The touch-sensitive area outside the display screen, referred to as a “gesture area,” allows a user to activate commands using a gesture vocabulary. In one aspect, the present invention allows some commands to be activated by inputting a gesture within the gesture area. Other commands can be activated by directly manipulating on-screen objects. Yet other commands can be activated by beginning a gesture within the gesture area, and finishing it on the screen (or vice versa), and/or by performing input that involves contemporaneous contact with both the gesture area and the screen.

Abstract: Techniques to manage audio settings are described. For example, a mobile computing device may comprise an audio management module to receive information from a sensor and automatically adjust at least one audio setting based on the information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A computing device includes a communication port, memory resources, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to combine with the memory resources to operate one or more of the plurality of modules. The plurality of modules are operative in order to handle exchange of communications with a primary computer over the communication port. The one or more modules include a first module that is operative in a first communication mode in enabling exchange of communications with the primary computer over the communication port. The exchange of communications causes the primary computer to access and execute one or more autorun files from the computing device. The one or more modules may also include a second module that is operative in a second communication mode to be operative in enabling an alternative function to be performed with or for the primary computer over the communication port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to make a determination as to whether a device is being held in a hand. In response to determining that the device is being held, the device transitions itself, or one or more of its hardware or software component, into a particular state of operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: A portable computing device has an upper housing segment and a lower housing segment pivotably connected to each other to move between a closed position and an extended or open position. A first inward edge formation is formed along the exterior edge of the upper housing segment. A second inward edge formation is formed along the exterior edge of the lower housing segment. When the portable computing device is in a closed position, the space between the first and second inward edge formations defines a groove formation around the periphery of the portable computing device. The groove formation is dimensioned to receive a user's finger for carrying or opening the portable computing device.

Abstract: A hand-held device that provides communication services and symbol processing is described. The device includes a case having a front side comprising a display and a lid having a transparent portion through which the display can be seen in a lid-closed state. In one version, the hand-held device comprises a QWERTY keyboard including an arrangement of digits as in a touch-tone area telephone keypad arrangement. In another version, the display includes a handwriting area for data entry using a stylus or other screen data entry device. In a closed position, the lid extends over the display and the keyboard, leaving another user input device physically accessible to touch for receiving input wherein the device performs processing responsive to receiving input from the physically accessible user input device in the lid closed state.

Abstract: A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a variation is detected in light that is cast over a display interface of a computing device. A characteristic of the light variation is identified. From this characteristic, a determination is made as to whether the variation in light is to be interpreted as an input or to be ignored.

Abstract: A computing device is provided comprising a keypad having a plurality of key structures, and a sensor mechanism. The sensor mechanism is positioned with respect to the keypad to provide a sensor detection region that overlays at least a portion of the keypad. The sensor mechanism is configured to detect an object in the sensor detection region and provide an output indicating the detected. The computing device further includes one or more processors that are programmed, instructed or otherwise configured to (i) receive an input signal that corresponds to the output of the sensor mechanism; and (ii) perform an operation in response to the input signal.