Abstract: A multi-positionable computer comprises a user interface portion and a processing portion. The user interface portion includes a path along its back surface. The user interface portion can include a slot for receiving computer peripherals. The processing portion includes a connecting member for slidably coupling the processing portion to the user interface portion, and a rolling surface for contacting an external surface. The processing portion allows the user interface portion to be oriented in one of a plurality of positions along the path. In one orientation of the user interface portion, content is automatically displayed to align with the orientation of the user interface portion. In some embodiments, a virtual keyboard is displayed when the user interface portion is oriented in a predetermined position. The processing portion includes sides adjacent to the rolling surface. In some embodiments, ports and/or connections are accessible from at least one of the sides.

Abstract: Management of power resources of an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device has multiple subsystems in communication with a power supply, and an interface in communication with the subsystems. A directive is received with the interface to perform a function with the electronic device. A subset of the subsystems needed to perform the function are identified. For each identified subsystem and in response to receipt of the directive, a predicted power-resource quantity needed to perform the function is determined. A determination is made whether sufficient unallocated resources of the power supply are available to accommodate the predicted power-resource quantity for each identified subsystem.

Abstract: Management of battery resources of an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device has a battery, a display in communication with the battery, multiple subsystems in communication with the battery, and a user interface in communication with the subsystems. On the display is presented an indication of usage of the battery resources by the subsystems in executing functions by the device. With the interface, a user directive is received to reallocate the usage of the battery resources. The usage of the battery resources are thus reallocated in accordance with the user directive.

Abstract: A multi-positionable computer comprises a user interface portion and a processing portion. The user interface portion includes a path along its back surface. The user interface portion can include a slot for receiving computer peripherals. The processing portion includes a connecting member for slidably coupling the processing portion to the user interface portion, and a rolling surface for contacting an external surface. The processing portion allows the user interface portion to be oriented in one of a plurality of positions along the path. In one orientation of the user interface portion, content is automatically displayed to align with the orientation of the user interface portion. In some embodiments, a virtual keyboard is displayed when the user interface portion is oriented in a predetermined position. The processing portion includes sides adjacent to the rolling surface. In some embodiments, ports and/or connections are accessible from at least one of the sides.

Abstract: A multi positionable portable computer is able to be set in a variety of form factors. A user display portion comprising a screen is movably coupled to a processing portion having processing circuitry by a hinge having two pivot points. The two pivot points allow for the portable computer to be placed upright for presentations and the like or flat on a surface with the user display angled toward a user for interfacing with the portable computer. A movable optics module is provided that is positionable on a top surface of the display portion whether the display portion is in a landscape position or a portrait position.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a user interface portion and a screen portion that has a substantially planar surface rotatably coupled to the user interface portion. At least one light fixture is positionably mounted to the screen portion in a stowage position or in a functional position. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a spring member. In the stowage position, the spring member is compressed, and the light fixture is flush with the substantial planar surface. In the functional position, the spring member is relaxed, and the light fixture illuminates the user interface portion. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a swivel member that enables 360° rotation of the light fixture.

Abstract: Systems for, and methods of, enabling selective control of resource of an electronic device having a display by a controlling electronic device having a display are disclosed. Selective control of the electronic device is implemented by the electronic device via a set of control permissions for a detected controlling device, based upon an identifier of the controlling device. A controlling device can be any electronic device having a processor, a memory, a display and a communication module. Enabling selective control of the display of an electronic device having a display, by a personal computer, enables the personal computer to operate as a dual screen personal computer.

Abstract: A remote control of the present invention automatically identifies one or more peripheral devices which need to be programmed with the remote control. In some embodiments, the remote control is able to visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain the configuration information for the peripheral device, and program itself in the background according to the configuration information. These tasks are advantageously performed by the remote control, without user input. The remote control can be programmed to support a plurality of peripheral devices. When the remote control is used to control a peripheral device, the remote control will first present a selection list on the display screen. The selection list includes all the peripheral devices that the remote is communicatively coupled with. Upon the user selecting the desired peripheral device to be controlled, the remote control dynamically outputs a customized user interface associated with the selected peripheral device.

Abstract: A framework for printing files from a portable computing and telecommunication device to a nearby printer. The device includes a Print Service and a Printing System, with the Print Service communicating between an Application operating on the device and the Printing System. The Printing System communicates between the Print Service and the printer. The Printing System determines what printers are nearby and what driver is needed to communicate with that printer. The Printing System can then access the internet to obtain a printer driver if the Printing System does not already contain that printer driver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a computing device using gesture inputs. The gesture inputs may be operative to move screens corresponding to applications executing on the handheld computing device from one display to another. Additionally, a multi portion gesture may be used to target different screens. For example, a first portion of the gesture may maintain or “pin” a screen in a display such that a second portion of the gesture is operative to move a different screen behind the pinned application.

Abstract: Control of a computing device using gesture inputs. The computing device may be a handheld computing device with a plurality of displays. The displays may be capable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The plurality of displays may be modified in response to receipt of a gesture input such that a hierarchical application having related GUI screens are modified in response to the gesture input. The modification may include changing the hierarchical application from being displayed in a single screen mode to being displayed in a multi screen mode or vice versa.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling one or more displays using an application manager. The application manager may be displayed in response to a received gesture input. The application manager may provide information regarding applications or screens executing in one or more physical displays on the device. Furthermore, the application manager may be manipulated to change various aspects regarding the applications or screens executing in the one or more displays. This manipulation may include changing the actively displayed screen for a display, movement of screens between displays, or other manipulation of the arrangement or status of the screens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a status of an application that is displayable on one or more displays of a handheld computing device. An icon may be provided that indicates the status and/or potential statuses of the application (e.g., whether the application is expandable and/or expanded). The icon may be changeable between a first state and a second state depending on the status of the application. The change in the icon from the first state to the second state may be animated along with an animated change of the application between display states. As such, a user may observe the icon to determine the status of the application with respect to the one or more displays (e.g., whether the application is expandable, expanded, or expanding).

Abstract: Control of a plurality of displays of a computing device in response to the change in orientation of the computing device. The computing device may be a handheld computing device with a plurality of displays that are concurrently visible by a user. The displays may be capable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The plurality of displays may be modified in response to a change in orientation of the handheld computing device. The modification may include expanding a GUI that is displayed in a single display when in a first orientation to occupy at least two of the plurality of displays in response to the change in orientation.

Abstract: Control of a computing device using gesture inputs. The computing device may be a handheld computing device with a plurality of displays. The displays may be capable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The plurality of displays may be modified in response to receipt of a gesture input such that the displays are changed from a first state to a second state. The change of the displays from the first state to the second state may include moving a GUI from a first display to a second display. Additionally, a second GUI may be moved from the second display to the first display. The gesture input may comprise multiple touches, such as a pinch gesture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a computing device using gesture inputs. The computing device may be a handheld computing device with multiple displays. The displays may be capable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be a multi screen GUI or a single screen GUI such that receipt of gesture inputs may result in the movement of a GUI from one display to another display or may result in maximization of a multi screen GUI across multiple displays.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the display of one or more drawers of a user interface. One or more displays may be provided, each of which may have a corresponding independently controllable drawer displayable therein. The drawers may be opened in response to a gesture input to display data, such as notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, etc. the drawers may be opened and/or closed individually or collectively. For instance, a characteristic of the gesture (e.g., a location of the gesture) may determine which of the drawers are opened in response to the gesture input.