Integrated Pointing Device; E.g., Trackball, Joystick Patents (Class 361/679.1)
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Patent number: 8472173Abstract: An electric apparatus is provided in which it is possible to connect a signal line to multiple key panels which are rotatably attached to a main body chassis. The electric apparatus has multiple first hinges and multiple second hinges. The first hinge rotatably attaches a panel to the second hinge. Further, the second hinges are rotatably attached to a main body of the electric apparatus. The multiple second hinges are rotatably connected.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Mitsuru Sendoda
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Patent number: 8420246Abstract: An electronic device with sliding battery cover includes a housing, a battery holder formed in the housing, a fixing element rotatably connected to the battery holder, and a battery cover slidably connected to the fixing element to cover or uncover the battery holder. The battery holder is for placing at least one battery. The fixing element includes at least one conductive elastic element. When the battery cover covers the battery holder, each conductive elastic element contacts an electrode of one of the at least one battery placed in the battery holder, and the battery cover is locked to the battery holder; when the battery cover is to uncover the battery holder, a force applied to the battery cover makes the battery cover slide along the fixing element to unlock the battery cover from the battery holder.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Shi Lai
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Patent number: 8373977Abstract: A movable touch module and an electronic device using the same are provided. The movable touch module is disposed at a main body. The movable touch module includes a movable element, a touch unit, a plurality of elastic elements, at least four movement sensing elements, and at least two rotation sensing elements. The movable element is disposed at the main body and is movable relative to the main body on a plane. The touch unit is fastened to movable element. The elastic elements are fastened to the main body and are against the periphery of the movable element. The movement sensing elements are fastened to the main body and are located around the movable element. The rotation sensing elements are fastened to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignees: Protek (Shanghai) Limited, Pegatron CorporationInventors: Jun-Hua Shao, Kuo Hou, Wei Guo, Shih-Wei Hung, Cheng-Jun Liu
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Publication number: 20120314347Abstract: A laptop includes a main body and a touchpad. The main body includes a housing which defines a receiving groove. The touchpad is detachably received in the receiving groove. The laptop further includes an ejection mechanism to eject the touchpad up from the receiving groove to allow the touchpad to be used independently as an external mouse.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.Inventor: MING-LIANG ZHANG
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Patent number: 8331083Abstract: A battery cover assembly is using for accommodating a battery therein. The battery cover assembly comprises a housing, a battery cover, and a elastic member. The housing has a depressed portion, a space and a latching trough defined therein. The depressed portion is configured for accommodating the battery therein. The battery cover is configured for covering the depressed portion of the housing. The battery cover has a shaft and a latching portion protruding therefrom. The shaft is corresponding to the space of the housing. The shaft is rotatably held in the space to rotatably latching the battery cover with the housing. The latching portion is corresponding to the latching trough of the housing. The latching portion is latched within the latching trough. The elastic member is fixed between the housing and the battery cover. The elastic member provides an elastic force for rotating the battery cover relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Bao-Jiang Chen, De-Lin Li, Peng Jiang, Guan-Yu Zhou, Yue-Sheng Zhang
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Patent number: 8320111Abstract: In a slide/rotation attachment unit (100) having a base plate (1) with first and second axis pins (10, 10a) being spaced from each other at a predetermined distance and a movable plate (2) with first and second hook-shaped portions (20, 20a) that can engage with the first and second axis pins, respectively, the base plate and the movable plate are joined together so that the base plate and the movable plate are rotatable relative to each other. When the movable plate rotates in one direction, the first hook-shaped portion is brought into engagement with the first axis pin, and the second hook-shaped portion is disengaged from the second axis pin. When the movable plate rotates in another direction, the second hook-shaped portion is brought into engagement with the second axis pin, and the first hook-shaped portion is disengaged from the first axis pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignees: NEC Corporation, Yamamoto Precision Co., Ltd., Techno Associe Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumiyuki Kobayashi, Oh Tanaka
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Patent number: 8299375Abstract: A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument according to the invention encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan and includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover with at least one opening, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The top cover is connected at least to one of the two sidewalls and/or the front wall and/or the rear wall in an arrangement where the top cover and the walls connected thereto are vertically movable together in relation to the balance pan. In addition, the vertically movable wall(s) are vertically moveable past the adjacent border edge(s) of the floor. In any vertical position of the top cover, at least one of the sidewalls is horizontally slidable relative thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
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Patent number: 8274407Abstract: A compact electric device for coding and selecting characters, symbols and/or multiple choices, includes a matrix carrying a plurality of contact or proximity sensors (1,2,3,4,5,5,7,8), an activation member (10) of sensors and a single selection key (22). This key is operated by the user for bringing in turn the activation member at least partially in coincidence with at least a first and a second of the sensors, for transmitting a selectively different coded signal for each respective different sensor. The matrix comprises a first group of sensors (1,2,3), having function of selection of respective matrix fields, and a second group of sensors (4,5,6,7,8), having function of selection of characters associated to each matrix field. The sensors are distributed on the matrix according to modular zones, having a central zone (0) and radial sector zones (A, B, C, D).Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Matrix Projects LLCInventor: Pierluigi Dell'Orto
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Patent number: 8259444Abstract: An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the portable media device can also function as a solid-state drive for data storage. The form factor of the portable media device can be hand-held or smaller, such that it is highly portable. The portable media device can use one or more status indicators. The portable media device can also include a peripheral bus connector, a rechargeable battery, and one or more input devices. According to another aspect, the portable media device has the capability to store media device status information in persistent memory before powering down. Thereafter, when the portable media device is again powered up, the stored media player status information can be retrieved and utilized. According to still another aspect, the portable media device can form and/or traverse a media asset playlist in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Jobs, Anthony M. Fadell, Jonathan P. Ive
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Patent number: 8238083Abstract: A slide mechanism includes a main plate, a slide plate, an elastic member, and two connecting members. The main plate includes two rail portions and two guide rails. Each rail portion defines a guiding slot. Each guide rail is received in one of the guiding slot and defines a slide groove. The elastic member is secured on the main plate and the slide plate. The two connecting members are secured to the slide plate and each connecting member is slideably received in one of the guiding slots.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventor: Shi-Xu Liang
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Patent number: 8213166Abstract: An electronic device includes: a casing; a detachable cover having a plate shape forming a part of a top surface of the casing; and an electrostatic touch sensor disposed on an inner surface of the cover to detect a touch location of a finger on an outer surface of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Daisuke Mihara, Ikki Tatsukami
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Patent number: 8153893Abstract: A patching system includes network equipment in a cabinet; a first patch panel cabinet; a second patch panel cabinet; a vertical patch panel mounted between the first patch panel cabinet and the second patch panel cabinet, the vertical patch panel having telecommunications connectors mounted therein; and a vertical cable manager mounted adjacent to one of the first patch panel cabinet and the second patch panel cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: The Siemon CompanyInventors: Darren McSorley, Randy J. Below, Peter Thickett, Michael Boisseau, Lyle Menard
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Patent number: 8077474Abstract: A variable equalizer apparatus for forward and/or reverse equalizers in an amplifier. The system can include a structure to allow continuous contact of the signal flow as an equalizer is removed; jumpers with fixed resistors and associated capacitors and inductors to produce a variable range over many different values; and/or variable resistance potentiometers with fixed resistors and associated capacitors and inductors to produce a variable range over separate value equalizers.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Inventors: Edward Perez, David Wallis
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Patent number: 8054616Abstract: A keyboard set includes a keyboard unit, and a micro projector. The keyboard unit has a first housing, a video signal port and a first lock structure. The video signal port and the first lock structure are disposed in the first housing. The micro projector has a second housing, a signal line, and a second lock structure. The signal line is connected to the video signal port of the keyboard unit. The second lock structure is disposed on the second housing, and capable of combining with the first lock structure, for the micro projector to be fixed to the keyboard unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Coretronic CorporationInventors: Nan-Jiun Yin, Ming-Lung Tsai
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Patent number: 8026896Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus including a main body having a display unit on a surface and a protruding holding unit. The holding unit includes a pointing device and switches that are operated by a same hand holding the holding unit. The pointing device includes one of a stick type pointing device and a trackball type pointing device that performs pointing operations including moving a cursor displayed on the display unit. The switches are for setting or canceling instructions given by the pointing device with click operations. The holding unit is also configured to be folded toward a side of the main body. When it is folded, an electric power supply is automatically turned off or put in a standby state and when the holding unit is unfolded to its original position, the electric power supply is a turned on or put in an operating state.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Makoto Kukita
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Patent number: 8024018Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: an outer case formed of a thin metal plate and having a front plate and side plates surrounding the front plate, the side plate having a protrusion formed by bending an edge of the side plates inward of the outer case to prevent exposing the edge to exterior of the electronic apparatus; a middle member formed of a resin material and formed correspondingly to an inner surface of the outer case, the middle member having a side member that confronts the side plate, the side member having a retaining portion to engage with the protrusion; and a casing having a support portion and configured to confront an inside of the side member to keep the protrusion engaged with the retaining portion by preventing the side member from deflection.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications LimitedInventors: Makoto Shibuya, Manabu Yamazaki
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Patent number: 8000091Abstract: An electrophoretic display apparatus includes a display module and a case. The display module includes a flexible array substrate, a front plane laminate, a driving circuit and a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible array substrate has a display area and a peripheral circuit area adjacent to the display area. The front plane laminate is disposed on the display area. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the flexible array substrate. The flexible printed circuit board is electrically connected to the driving circuit. The case contains the display module and has an opening exposing at least a part of the front plane laminate.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.Inventors: Ted-Hong Shinn, Yu-Sheng Lin, Hung-Pin Su, Yi-Ching Wang
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Patent number: 7999792Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a coordinate input device which inputs coordinate data, a disabling range setting module which sets a disabling range in which the coordinate data, which is input by the coordinate input device, is disabled, a determination module which determines whether the coordinate data, which is input by the coordinate input device, is included in the disabling range which is set by the disabling range setting module, and a process module which executes a process corresponding to the coordinate data, which is input by the coordinate input device, in accordance with a determination result of the determination module.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroyuki Tsuji, Kazuhito Oonuma
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Patent number: 7965282Abstract: An operation device for a vehicle is provided that enables switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for in-vehicle equipment displayed on a monitor by tilting of an operating knob (30) in eight directions, pivoting of the operating knob (30) around its axis, and operation of a main switch (31) and a sub switch (32) provided on the operating knob (30). In this process, since the operating knob (30) is not pivoted around its axis without limit but it is restricted so that pivoting is possible only in a predetermined angle range, it is not necessary to change the grip on the operating knob (30) when pivoting the operating knob (30), the burden on the wrist is lessened, and the operability is improved. Moreover, since the main switch (31) and the sub switch (32) are provided on the operating knob (20), they can be operated without detaching the hand from the operating knob (30), thus further improving the operability.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hajime Yamada
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Publication number: 20110141668Abstract: An AC/DC power supply and platform for a military radio has been developed. The apparatus includes a base that supports at least one SINCGARS RT-1523 radio. The base is connected to an AC power supply and at least one DC power supply. The AC supply and DC power supply are configured to switch automatically to the DC power supply should the AC power supply fail.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Frank N. Perkins, III, Jeffrey K. Taylor, Bruce C. Weddendorf, Lloyd W. Childs
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Patent number: 7948741Abstract: A portable computer includes a main body having a top surface, a keyboard, a touchpad, an ejector assembly, and a latching assembly. A receiving recess and a receiving hole are defined in the top surface. The receiving hole is positioned between the receiving recess and the keyboard and communicates with the receiving recess to form a connecting portion. The touchpad is detachably received in the receiving recess and includes a touchpad body and an engaging member with an engaging portion protruding from the touchpad body adjacent to the keyboard. The ejector assembly includes at least one elastic member. One end of the elastic member is fixed to a side of the receiving recess, and the other end abuts the touchpad body. The latching assembly includes a first restricting member connected to the connecting portion and a second restricting member fixed to the receiving hole and exposed from the receiving hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gang-Tao Fan
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Patent number: 7944684Abstract: A notebook computer that has a document holding function includes an upper cover and a base. The upper cover includes a screen and an image pickup device. The base includes a keyboard and a touchpad. A touchpad chassis is disposed under the touchpad and connected with a bottom surface of the touchpad. A fixing recess is formed in an edge surface of the touchpad chassis for holding the document. A rotatable frame is disposed under the touchpad for overturning the touchpad chassis. As such, a shooting angle is defined between the image pickup device and the document held in the fixing recess.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventor: Chien-Nan Yu
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Publication number: 20110102470Abstract: A portable computer with an improved scrolling mechanism preferably includes: a display panel through which an image is displayed; an image processing unit configured to process an image displayed through the display panel; a casing configured to accommodate the image processing unit; a manipulation knob which is slidably arranged on the casing; a sensing unit configured to sense a movement of the manipulation knob; and a controller configured to control the image processing unit such that a screen displayed through the display panel is moved according to the movement of the manipulation knob, sensed by the sensing unit. With this configuration, the portable computer permits intuitive movement of a screen displayed through a display panel with ease and precision.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Seung-hwa LEE
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Patent number: 7920125Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a pointing device having a flat input surface and located in the housing with the input surface on the inner surface of the housing, an operation area provided in a position on the outer surface of the housing corresponding to at least a part of the pointing device, and a display section which illuminates at least a part of an outline of the operation area and displays a position of the operation area.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Akira Imamura
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Patent number: 7889497Abstract: An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the portable media device can also function as a solid-state drive for data storage. The form factor of the portable media device can be hand-held or smaller, such that it is highly portable. The portable media device can use one or more status indicators. The portable media device can also include a peripheral bus connector, a rechargeable battery, and one or more input devices. According to another aspect, the portable media device has the capability to store media device status information in persistent memory before powering down. Thereafter, when the portable media device is again powered up, the stored media player status information can be retrieved and utilized. According to still another aspect, the portable media device can form and/or traverse a media asset playlist in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Jobs, Anthony M. Fadell, Jonathan P. Ive
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Patent number: 7880731Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a touchpad and a touchpad cover apparatus for covering an operating surface of the touchpad. The touchpad is fastened to a bottom plate of the base. An opening is defined in the shell for revealing the operating surface of the touchpad. The touchpad cover apparatus includes a rail guide extending from a bottom surface of the shell and a touchpad cover. A pair of parallel guiding channels is defined in the rail guide. The touchpad cover is slidably inserted between the pair of parallel guiding channels, being slidable between a first position such that the operating surface of the touchpad is revealed through the opening of the shell, and a second position such that an operating surface of the touchpad is covered by the touchpad cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co. Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Peng Wang, Wen-Haw Tseng, Shih-Fang Wong
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Patent number: 7738241Abstract: An auxiliary mounting device includes a mounting seat mounted with an electronic device thereon and having an upright rear wall formed with a through hole that is aligned with a rear opening unit in a housing of the electronic device. An upright reflecting plate is connected to a rear surface of the rear wall, is disposed adjacent to the through hole, is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the rear wall, and is operated at a used position, where a desired angle is formed between the reflecting plate and the rear surface of the rear wall such that sound waves of an audio output reproduced by a loudspeaker of the electronic device propagate rearwardly from the electronic device through the through hole in the mounting seat and are then reflected by the reflecting plate so as to propagate sidewardly and frontwardly.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Che Hsieh, Shih-Feng Lo, Chi-Chao Fang, Jui-Chun Shyur
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Patent number: 7671837Abstract: Scrolling input arrangements are presented including: a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a number of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Larry Forsblad, Steve Hotelling, Brian Lynch, Benjamin Lyon, Jan Moolsintong, Doug Weber, Steve Zadesky
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Patent number: 7639482Abstract: An adjustable member allows a docking connector for a portable electronic device to accommodate devices having different dimensions. The docking connector is designed to physically and electrically couple to the portable electronic device. The adjustable member alters a distance between a supporting sidewall of the docking connector and an electrical connector that couples to the portable electronic device. The adjust member is preferably a threaded shaft having a support pad for supporting a surface of the portable electronic device. A rotating knob allows a user to extend or retract the support pad on the shaft to engage the side of the portable electronic device. Thus, the docking connector can accommodate devices having different dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Griffin Technology, Inc.Inventor: Paul Griffin
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Publication number: 20090244820Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a functional component contained in a first housing and a camera module contained in a second housing. The second housing is swingable with respect to the first housing. The second housing includes an opening part through which a display screen is exposed to the outside. The camera module includes an end portion configured to project beyond the opening part toward the first housing. The functional component is exposed to the outside of the first housing and located in a position configured to be opposed to the end portion of the camera module. The functional component is provided on a level one step lower than an upper surface of the first housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Hiroyuki Kusaka, Jun Watanabe
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Patent number: 7567432Abstract: A full-size keyboard with an integrated laptop stand. In one embodiment, the laptop stand is part of a cover for a portable keyboard, with the cover unfolding and including a pop-up stand for supporting a portable computer. The stand is thus connected to the keyboard rather than being a separate article. The cover includes electronics, such as a USB hub and ports, an MP3 player docking station, speakers, etc. A flexible hinge connects the keyboard and cover, with imbedded electrical flex connectors. A presence sensor, such as a PIR sensor, shuts off battery use by these electronics when the user is not around.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Alain Tabasso, Patrick Monney, Alexis Richard, Diarmuid Macmahon, Peter Sheehan, Keith Tritschler, Brian Stephens, Linus Chien
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Patent number: RE41637Abstract: A handheld computer system includes a housing, a processor coupled to the housing, a stylus coupled to the housing, and a light source coupled to the housing. The light source lights up the stylus.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Sean O'Hara, Brian Torrey, Patricia E. Torrey