Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the form factor of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.

Abstract: An expansion device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The expansion device includes a Secure Digital input/output (SDIO) card including an interface configured to be coupled to the handheld computer. The expansion device also includes an accessory device coupled to the SDIO card. Further, the expansion device includes an expansion slot coupled to the SDIO card. The expansion slot is configured to selectively couple to one of a Secure Digital (SD) card and a multimedia card (MMC).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.

Abstract: A lighting system for a portable electronic device or handheld computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a light source coupled to a light distributing element. The light distributing element is coupled to a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is coupled to a display and/or input device. The light source pulses on and off to maintain light at a display and/or input device.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.

Abstract: An on-chip debugging system emulator is disclosed. The on-chip debugging system emulator includes an on-chip debugging host processor. The on-chip debugging system emulator also includes an on-chip debugging emulator processor configured to emulate the on-chip debugging functions of a silicon chip. The on-chip debugging system emulator includes a hardware interface between the on-chip debugging host processor and the on-chip debugging emulator processor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of enabling a portable electronic device with a transparent, flexible, removable, pushbutton overlay that lays over at least a portion of the graphic touch-screen display on the portable electronic device. The pushbuttons in the overlay are designed to transmit finger pressure to the pressure-sensitive touch-screen display and also to provide a natural feeling tactile feedback to the user. At the same time, being transparent, the overlay allows the user to view the contents of the Graphical User Interface that are presented directly beneath the buttons and allow the user to respond to those contents. The buttons are, in some embodiments, enabled as magnifying lenses in order to better present the GUI contents.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for supplying power to electronic devices, comprising a housing, an electric power source connector coupled to the housing, an electronic circuit enclosed in the housing and electrically coupled to the power source connector, and a universal serial bus connector coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, wherein the connector is capable of supplying electrical power to one or more electronic devices for battery charging. The electronic circuit is capable of controlling the charging of the batteries of more than one device and can be enabled to provide data communication between data devices. The apparatus may receive power from a utility power outlet or from another electronic device through the USB connector.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a housing. The portable electronic device also includes computing electronics that are supported by the housing. The computing electronics include a processor, a display controller coupled to the processor, and memory coupled to the processor. The portable electronic device disclosed also includes an expandable display coupled with a display controller. The expandable display is expandable from a first size to a second size. The first size is different than the second size. A sensor is coupled to the processor. The sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of the size of the display.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) is disclosed. The electronic device includes a cover coupled to a computing device. The cover may include at least one of a touch panel and a lighting system.

Abstract: A display system for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.

Abstract: A wireless detachable display for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a visual display having a communications transceiver, a processing unit having a communications transceiver and sending display data to the transceiver of the visual display, a first power source for the processing unit, and a second power source for the visual display. The visual display is physically separable from the processing unit while displaying information according to communications from the processing unit between the visual display transceiver and the processing unit transceiver.

Abstract: A handheld computing device featuring interchangeable display units is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a processing unit and a visual display unit detachable from the processing unit. The processing unit and the detachable visual display unit include communication ports capable of communicating with each other. The processing unit further can receive information representative of the properties of the detachable visual display unit.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

Abstract: A method of indexing information stored on a portable electronic device. The method includes receiving an association signal by the portable electronic device the association signal providing an indication of adjacent resources, accessing a database including a table storing relationships between data stored on the portable electronic device and the association signal, and indexing the data based on the relationships accessed in the database.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is rotatable amongst a plurality of positions on an arc length that defines a path of motion for the bezel feature. The plurality of positions are distributed along the entire arc length of the path of motion. An interface or connector couples the bezel feature to the processor of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for configuring an electronic device for communications with a communications network is disclosed. The disclosure includes descriptions of establishing a wireless communications link between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The first electronic device has saved thereon a set of network parameters for enabling communications between the first electronic device and the communications network. The disclosure also includes descriptions of communicating the set of network parameters to the second electronic device, retaining the set of network parameters on the second electronic device, and establishing a communications link between the second electronic device and the communications network by applying settings to the second electronic device, where the settings are based on the network parameters.