Abstract: A computer system, portable electronic device, and method are provided for preventing accidental enabling of a disabled display and/or graphical user interface (GUI) of the display screen. The computer, device, and method hereof enable the display screen by first detecting the difference between an accidental or unintended touch on the display screen and a purposeful user interaction. An accidental touch actuation can cause a button to appear on the display, yet the display and GUI remain disabled or “locked”. It is not until the user actuates the button for a predetermined amount of time will the display and GUI be restored to an enabled or “unlocked” state. If purposeful user interaction is detected, the display screen is immediately transitioned from a disabled to enabled state to quickly awaken the computer system or portable electronic device.

Abstract: A portable computer, system, and method for a wired and wireless docking station are provided. The portable computer may function to connect to a docking station via either a wired or wireless channel of communication depending on the signal strength of a wireless communication as determined by a comparator, or depending on whether it has been physically connected to a docking station. The system may also be modular so that it can be acquired by a computer user as separate modules, and may provide support for charging an additional battery through a power connection that is separate from the docking connector. A process is also provided that allows a portable computer user to automatically commence and switch between wired and wireless docking sessions by either placing the computer either within range of the docking station or by connecting it to the docking station with a docking station connector.

Abstract: A portable electronic device, a peripheral expansion module and methods for assembling a peripheral expansion module onto a portable electronic device are provided herein. The portable electronic device may comprise a main housing unit having a front cover and a back cover which, when coupled together, enclose internal components of the portable electronic device. The peripheral expansion module, comprising one or more peripheral devices coupled within or on a peripheral module housing, may be securely integrated with the portable electronic device. A majority of the peripheral expansion module may be positioned outside of the main housing unit along one side of the portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the peripheral expansion module includes a pair of rails, which extend out from within an interior of the module housing for attachment via one or more mechanical fasteners to an interior surface of the main housing unit of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are provided. One method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system. The method also includes altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display. Another method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system and determining an orientation of two speakers of the system based on the orientation of the display. If a current orientation of the two speakers differs from the determined orientation of the two speakers, the method includes altering the current orientation of the speakers such that they have the determined orientation. A portable system is also provided that includes means for determining an orientation of a display of the system. The system also includes means for altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for simply and securely pairing a wireless peripheral device with a host device or system. The device, claim, and method and other peripheral devices provide for improved simplification and security of the pairing process involved with establishing a secure wireless connection between a peripheral device and a host. Simplification is improved because actions required by the user to complete the pairing process are minimized, and security is improved because of a greatly increased ability on the part of the user to ensure that pairing process is conducted in a secure environment. The pairing may be applicable to any number of host devices and peripheral devices. The host device may be a desktop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, or similar device, and the peripheral device may be a keyboard, mouse, game controller, or personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: An electronic device and method are disclosed that relate to the selection of a control algorithm for optimizing the performance of a device that is controlled by a user initiated touching of the device that creates a capacitive coupling. The device and method entail the use of a motion sensor to gather data related to the movement of the device, a means for analyzing the data to select an optimal control algorithm, and implementing the control algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the electromagnetic interference between two or more co-located antennas is described herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus is positioned proximate to a second antenna for intercepting electromagnetic energy radiated from a first antenna during transmission of a signal. To reduce interference at the second antenna, the apparatus includes a plurality of resonant circuit elements, each being configured to resonate at or near a carrier frequency of the transmitted signal for redirecting at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy away from the second antenna. A method for reducing the electromagnetic interference between two or more antennas coupled to a wireless communication device is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed herein for forming an apparatus, which is configured to reduce the electromagnetic interference between a pair of antennas coupled to a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes extracting a shape of the apparatus from a thin sheet of conductive material, and folding the shape into a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In other embodiments, the apparatus is formed within various cavities of a mold; a liquefied substance may be inserted into the mold for filling the various cavities and forming a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In all embodiments, the plurality of resonant circuit elements are each configured to resonate at (or near) a carrier frequency of a signal transmitted by one of the pair of antennas.

Abstract: A stylus input device, a stylus input device with display, and a method for entering input into a computer system are provided. The stylus is preferably used as a pointer that points to a particular region on an electronic display, and one or more buttons on the stylus can be used to scroll, modify or select that region. The buttons can be programmed in various ways to perform different functions, or one button can be programmed to perform a sequence of functions. The tip of the stylus need not contact the display surface to either render the stylus position or to select the region of the display shown by the stylus curser. The input device and system thereby operates in a contactless and wireless environment to leave the display area unencumbered to viewers of the display screen, and to allow more than one stylus to concurrently operate upon the display.

Abstract: A wireless docking system and method is provided for monitoring the use of one or more docking stations by multiple portable computers. The system and method provides for the intelligent management of docking stations and connected resources by implementing a protocol that takes into account the identity of the user insofar as one user my have priority to the use of a docking station, the length of time an inactive computer has been connected to a docking station, whether another user requests the use of the docking station, whether the strength of the communication signals between a wireless docking station and computer is adequate to support the use of the docking station, and whether a user wishes to terminate a connection with a docking station.

Abstract: A portable computer having multiple modes of connectivity is disclosed. The portable computer may be configured to communicate using several wireless transmission protocols, including WWAN, WiFi, and Bluetooth. The portable computer may also receive input from multiple devices, including a bar code scanner, camera, RFID reader, fingerprint reader, digitizer, and an audio subsystem. The portable computer may also contain an accelerometer, and may be configurable to automatically park its hard drive disk when acceleration of a predetermined magnitude is detected.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system, a heat sink, and a method for transferring heat are provided. The thermal transfer system includes a fuel cell that can produce a fluid. A wick is provided to transfer the fluid to a destination at which a heat source is present. An enclosure having a porous fluid-permeable external wall can surround the fluid at the destination. When the fluid permeates or condenses on the external wall exterior surface, air exposure of that external wall will cause evaporative cooling of the fluid, and thereby enhance the cooling effect at the heat source. The fluid is a natural byproduct of the fuel cell. Accordingly, the thermal transfer system not only cools a heat source, but produces electric current. The heat sink can be thermally coupled to the heat source, and can have a plurality of fins extending from a base. One or more fins can have a fluid-permeable external wall for evaporative cooling.

Abstract: An antenna system for an electronic device enables the device to communicate via numerous wireless communication protocols, such as wireless broadband communication protocols. The antenna is able to extend from the body of the electronic device in order to meet efficiency and specific absorption rate requirements, while retracting into the footprint of the device when not in use. The antenna is easily disassembled and reassembled from the device without the use of tools, and may automatically disassemble from the device in order to avoid sustaining damage or exposing a user to excessive electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed herein for forming an apparatus, which is configured to reduce the electromagnetic interference between a pair of antennas coupled to a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes extracting a shape of the apparatus from a thin sheet of conductive material, and folding the shape into a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In other embodiments, the apparatus is formed within various cavities of a mold; a liquefied substance may be inserted into the mold for filling the various cavities and forming a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In all embodiments, the plurality of resonant circuit elements are each configured to resonate at (or near) a carrier frequency of a signal transmitted by one of the pair of antennas.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided for sending and receiving a communication signal to and from a target, respectively. Among other components, the portable electronic device includes an antenna, a transceiver, a signal processing system and control circuitry. The signal processing system determines a distance between the target and the portable electronic device. There are various ways to determine the relative distance between the target and the device. One such methodology is to use a change in a signal that is transmitted from the transceiver and reflected from the target back to the transceiver. The change can be a frequency shift, a phase shift, a capacitive coupling change, an impedance change, or any other change which notes the presence of a target relative to the transceiver. The control circuitry may be used to change the amount of power applied to the antenna and/or to change at least one security measure of the device depending on the distance detected between the target and the device.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that is able to detect noise to which the electronic device is exposed and an internal temperature of the device. The device contains a cooling unit to cool at least a portion of the electronic device and a subsystem coupled to the microphone and/or a thermal sensor and further coupled to the cooling unit. The cooling unit adjusts according to the detected noise and internal temperature. A method for cooling an electronic device is also provided. The method comprises monitoring the noise of the device's ambient environment, monitoring an internal temperature of the device, and actuating a user interface. The method provides for cooling the device by adjusting fan speed, clock speed, or power supply voltage applied to the device based on the noise of the ambient environment, an internal temperature of the device, and actuation of the user interface.

Abstract: A portable computer that is ergonomic and solvent resistant is disclosed. The computer may have an exterior surface that is made from a soft polymer, so that it will shield a user from exposure to heat while providing a positive tactile feel and shielding the computer from impact. The computer may comprise a number of input output devices with distinct controls arranged about the body of the computer so that a user may comfortably operate each the devices with one hand. The housing of the computer may be sealed, so that it will be resistant to liquid and particulate infiltration, and may be easily wiped clean and disinfected.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically tracking the movements of an acoustic source relative to two or more microphones possibly mounted in a portable device. The microphones are mounted so that they may be separated from an acoustic source that can be more than three inches from the portable device. By automatically tracking the location of a portable device, a directional response of unidirectional microphones in a far field setting can be steered so that the radial axis of the directional response aligns with the path in which the acoustic wave travels from the source to the microphones. By tracking the source and steering the directional response of the microphones, the system can thereby properly delay and filter electrical signals added to the outputs from corresponding microphones to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the ensuing signal.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system, a heat sink, and a method for transferring heat are provided. The thermal transfer system includes a fuel cell that can produce a fluid. A wick is provided to transfer the fluid to a destination at which a heat source is present. An enclosure having a porous fluid-permeable external wall can surround the fluid at the destination. When the fluid permeates or condenses on the external wall exterior surface, air exposure of that external wall will cause evaporative cooling of the fluid, and thereby enhance the cooling effect at the heat source. The fluid is a natural byproduct of the fuel cell. Accordingly, the thermal transfer system not only cools a heat source, but produces electric current. The heat sink can be thermally coupled to the heat source, and can have a plurality of fins extending from a base. One or more fins can have a fluid-permeable external wall for evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A portable computer, such as a tablet personal computer, is provided having a display screen, a transparent input panel, and a hinge. The hinge can secure the input panel over the display screen when in a closed position, or secure the input panel away from the display screen when in an opened position. At least one of the opposed first and second planar surfaces of the input panel are contact-sensitive. At least one of the first and second surfaces can also include a resistive film or a capacitive film. Transceivers can be mounted on the computer near the lateral extents of the input panel for measuring acoustic, magnetic, electromagnetic, or optical signals transmitted across a surface of the input panel to detect where an object is placed upon or near the input panel. The input panel can also accommodate a template containing a QWERTY keyboard.