Abstract: A computer system has a keyboard storage portion and carrier. The computer system may be a personal computer capable of generating a control signal. A keyboard holding carrier slides in and out of a processing housing. This enables selective positioning of a keyboard within the processing housing. A drive mechanism imparts reciprocal movement to the carrier and a drive control system is responsive to the control signal from the personal computer. Also included is a sensor connected to the drive mechanism that determines a position of the carrier relative to the personal computer.

Abstract: A control panel unit for a computing device includes buttons having characteristics that define individual button states. Upon actuation of a button, the viewable states of the buttons may change. A portion of the button may be illuminated to represent the state and/or include an icon depicting an application controlled by the button. The control panel unit may include a display for displaying plural soft labels corresponding to the buttons and representing the current context that will be initiated when the corresponding button is actuated. The soft labels may identify users or applications available to one user. Upon actuation of an application, the soft labels can change to represent various actions or functions available in the application. In the user interface, each user may be assigned a specific color scheme. The color schemes allow a person to visually determine who is logged into the system and/or which individual has new information.

Abstract: A computer system is provided including a host computer such as a PC and one or more remote peripheral devices controlled by the host computer for providing status/notification information, applications, system messages, and the like. Software can track the activities/commands of a user. The sequence of activities/commands can be saved and translated into a format that the host computer understands. Responsive to actuation of a button by a user on the remote peripheral device, the host computer can launch directly into the context currently being presented to the user at the remote peripheral device.