Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the accuracy in determining the purpose of fields in electronic forms is disclosed in which a form mapping mechanism describes the layout of a form, for example, by identifying the location of objects on a form—such as text-entry fields, drop-down menus and the like that are used to record user data—and further by specifying the purpose of those objects to a form filling client. Form mapping enables the form filling client to locate and understand the purpose of fields in a form so that it may automatically fill out forms for users in an accurate and reliable manner. Illustrative examples include a form mapping that utilizes hidden tags to describe a form layout, a form mapping service provided to a form filling client over a network, and a user interface that enables form mapping creation through user action.

Abstract: A method and system for auxiliary display of information for a computing device. An auxiliary display is integrated with a computing system to provide an area where notifications can be peripherally presented off-screen. Whenever a background task sends a notification to the main display of the system, the notification may be redirected to appear instead on the auxiliary display. A user may then glance at the notification appearing on the auxiliary display to be informed of the message without interruption from the current task onscreen. Any type of information may be presented on the auxiliary display including incoming communications, meeting reminders, system alerts, and information from Internet subscription services. The auxiliary display may be placed on the central processor chassis or on the monitor border along with LED indicator lights to provide simple peripheral-vision notification. By pressing a button, a user may obtain additional detailed follow-up information.

Abstract: A function-oriented user interface presents users with selections related to what they want to do, rather than selections related to what tool they want to use. Functions may be dragged onto elements (data objects) or elements may be dragged onto functions to initiate activity. The elements themselves may present icons representing functions that are available such as adding a voice note or addressing to another person.

Abstract: Described is an architecture by which application programs can provide data to auxiliary display devices of essentially any type for display to a user. A defined application layer (e.g., accessed via interfaces) allows programs to provide data to a service that controls the output of data to an auxiliary display device, and returns navigational data to the application upon appropriate user interaction with the device via actuators. Enumeration allows applications to discover the capabilities of a device, while arbitration determines which application has input-output rights to the device. The architecture further provides a protocol layer including pluggable protocol proxies that allow various types of displays to serve as an auxiliary display. This platform-like model allows program developers the ability provide programs that leverage auxiliary displays when available, and provides display manufacturers the ability to provide displays with extensible capabilities.

Abstract: A method and system for keeping endpoints such as speakers and displays synchronized via feedback based on the actual output of the endpoints. A source of audiovisual content transmits corresponding digital data to one or more endpoints, such as over a home network, where it may be buffered and/or decoded for playback. Microphones or the like sense actual (post-buffering/decoding) output from one or more endpoints and feed it back to a synchronization mechanism. The synchronization mechanism employs pattern matching or similar techniques to determine whether and how to adjust the timing of endpoints to synchronize their actual outputs. Synchronization may be accomplished by controllably delaying transmission and/or other processing, by controllably changing the rate of advancing in a buffer, and/or by jumping ahead in a buffer. The synchronization mechanism may adjust multiple endpoints, e.g., when limited buffer size limits the amount of adjustment a single device can provide.

Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the accuracy in determining the purpose of fields in electronic forms is disclosed in which a form mapping mechanism describes the layout of a form, for example, by identifying the location of objects on a form—such as text-entry fields, drop-down menus and the like that are used to record user data—and further by specifying the purpose of those objects to a form filling client. Form mapping enables the form filling client to locate and understand the purpose of fields in a form so that it may automatically fill out forms for users in an accurate and reliable manner. Illustrative examples include a form mapping that utilizes hidden tags to describe a form layout, a form mapping service provided to a form filling client over a network, and a user interface that enables form mapping creation through user action.

Abstract: A system and method for improved activation of a personal computer and/or other processing devices is provided. Power and security states are combined and further reduced to three activation states which may be operated by a single secure device. The system may include any number of activation states for operating the computer using only the single secure device. The secure access device handles both security and power management by authenticating physical access to the computer and the identity of the user. For this purpose, a device containing a biometric reader may be integrated with a smart card and the biometric identification used as an authentication code to secure the smartcard. The secure access device may be inserted into a locking mechanism used by the user to transition between activation states.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for power management of mobile computer displays, in which areas of the screen are selectively controlled to consume less power than other areas. For example, a foreground window having focus may receive normal brightness, while background areas are dimmed. To this end, the pixels of selected areas are controlled to vary color depth, resolution, refresh rate, brightness and/or the on/off state for any part of the display. Power settings for parts of the display not corresponding to a focused window can be gradually reduced over time. Power policy may determine which areas are given reduced power, and external mechanisms provide information useful in the determination, such as when the user last interacted with a window, where the mouse is hovering, explicit user instructions as to how to power manage a window, and sensors that detect where the user is likely to want more power.

Abstract: Multiple computing devices are connected together using a high-speed wireless link. The wireless link enables expansion of available resources to the host device, such as one or more of volatile memory resources, non-volatile memory resources, and additional processor resources.

Abstract: A method and system for auxiliary display of information for a computing device. An auxiliary display is integrated with a computing system to provide an area where notifications can be peripherally presented off-screen. Whenever a background task sends a notification to the main display of the system, the notification may be redirected to appear instead on the auxiliary display. A user may then glance at the notification appearing on the auxiliary display to be informed of the message without interruption from the current task onscreen. Any type of information may be presented on the auxiliary display including incoming communications, meeting reminders, system alerts, and information from Internet subscription services. The auxiliary display may be placed on the central processor chassis or on the monitor border along with LED indicator lights to provide simple peripheral-vision notification. By pressing a button, a user may obtain additional detailed follow-up information.

Abstract: A method and system for auxiliary processing of information for a computing device. By simplifying the user managed power states to On and Standby, the computing device preserves its execution context by default when the machine is powered down. As a result, the computing device is made available for use even when it appears to be powered down. The computer hardware and software is capable of responding immediately to network or communication activity, user input, and other events. While the computer is in Standby, it is alert and able to handle background tasks that do not require user interaction. Activities such as answering phone calls, handling voice mail, displaying new e-mail, record voice messages, browsing the Internet, recording TV shows and so forth occur without the user having to turn on the computer.

Abstract: A function-oriented user interface presents users with selections related to what they want to do, rather than selections related to what tool they want to use. Functions may be dragged onto elements (data objects) or elements may be dragged onto functions to initiate activity. The elements themselves may present icons representing functions that are available such as adding a voice note or addressing to another person.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that mitigates audio interference before and/or during an audio session, and in particular, when a high quality audio session is desired. The system includes an audio component that determines whether an audio session is to commence and a control component that interfaces with the audio component and reduces activity associated with a subset of a plurality of computer components that may interfere with the audio session. The system may also include at least one power management system to facilitate reducing power consumption and activity of the computer component(s). The method involves determining that an audio session is desired and switching one or more computer components to a minimal interference mode prior to commencing the audio session. The method may also involve calling at least on API to facilitate the switching of the computer component(s).

Abstract: A computing system that incorporates an auxiliary processor to the main system processor. The auxiliary system utilizes a separate application runtime for processes and is capable of operating even when the primary system is in an off state. Methods for load-balancing are provided based on computing needs respective to power consumption requirements. Processes that are not computationally intensive are processed by a low-power, auxiliary processor. In addition, peripheral components accessible to the overall computing system are shared.

Abstract: Described is a computer display arm that couples a monitor to a base in a manner facilitates display monitor movement between various positions, including preset positions that may be generally optimized to match typical computer usage modes. In one implementation, an arm, which may be an articulating arm, includes or is otherwise associated with a mechanism that guides the user, if desired, to convenient stopping positions for different types of interaction. For example, preset stopping positions may be provided for conventional (e.g., mouse and keyboard) workstation-like interaction, video (e.g., DVD movie) playback, stand-up (walk-up) touch-screen interaction, and/or for pen input, similar to a tablet computing device. Users are able to position the monitor display screen between the preset positions if desired, and also may vary the positioning at the preset and/or other stopping points, to an extent. Software such as user interface code can change to match the current position.

Abstract: A method and system for auxiliary display of information for a computing device. An auxiliary display is integrated with a computing system to provide an area where notifications can be peripherally presented off-screen. Whenever a background task sends a notification to the main display of the system, the notification may be redirected to appear instead on the auxiliary display. A user may then glance at the notification appearing on the auxiliary display to be informed of the message without interruption from the current task onscreen. Any type of information may be presented on the auxiliary display including incoming communications, meeting reminders, system alerts, and information from Internet subscription services. The auxiliary display may be placed on the central processor chassis or on the monitor border along with LED indicator lights to provide simple peripheral-vision notification. By pressing a button, a user may obtain additional detailed follow-up information.

Abstract: Described is a method and system comprising solution modules that allow a user to compose a customized computer system configured according to a user's needs. Modules may be by simply coupling them to a base computer system. Each module contains the hardware that enables a base computer system to accomplish a limited computing task, along with supporting software that is loaded to enable the base computer system to operate the hardware. The present invention thus provides an additive model, in which each module contains one or more hardware components, drivers and application programs, operating system modules, middleware and/or services that allow a user to compose a custom computer system. Examples of solution modules include an Internet module comprising a NIC and supporting software, a module that augments a computer system with digital video recorder capabilities, modules for advanced graphics subsystems such as for games, and others.

Abstract: Multiple computing devices are connected together using a high-speed wireless link. The wireless link enables expansion of available resources to the host device, such as one or more of volatile memory resources, non-volatile memory resources, and additional processor resources.

Abstract: A method and system for keeping endpoints such as speakers and displays synchronized via feedback based on the actual output of the endpoints. A source of audiovisual content transmits corresponding digital data to one or more endpoints, such as over a home network, where it may be buffered and/or decoded for playback. Microphones or the like sense actual (post-buffering/decoding) output from one or more endpoints and feed it back to a synchronization mechanism. The synchronization mechanism employs pattern matching or similar techniques to determine whether and how to adjust the timing of endpoints to synchronize their actual outputs. Synchronization may be accomplished by controllably delaying transmission and/or other processing, by controllably changing the rate of advancing in a buffer, and/or by jumping ahead in a buffer. The synchronization mechanism may adjust multiple endpoints, e.g., when limited buffer size limits the amount of adjustment a single device can provide.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring a new device are disclosed. The method includes using a host system to create a configuration file including data useable to configure the new device. A portable storage device is interfaced to the host and the configuration file is transferred to the storage device. The storage device is then interfaced to the new device and the configuration file is transferred to the new device. The configuration file is optionally used to configure the new device for communication over a network. A method for configuring the new device using a direct connection between the new device and a system bus of the host is also disclosed.