Abstract: A device that manages kitchen information, including an information storage device that stores a plurality of recipes, a display device that displays at least one of the plurality of recipes stored in the information storage device and a microcontroller that selects at least one of the plurality of recipes having a main recipe and at least one subsidiary recipe, where the subsidiary recipe being a scaled version of the main recipe. The display device can further display at least one of the plurality of recipes including a cooking time associated with the recipe and one or more timers. By selecting a timer, the microcontroller automatically sets the selected timer equal to the associated cooking time.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a secondary display system for a computer are disclosed. A secondary display system of the present invention includes a flat panel display configured such that the display is conveniently located both during and between use thereof. The system comprises a liquid crystal display module (LCDM), a corresponding display controller connected to the LCDM via an appropriate interface, and a mounting device connected to the LCDM for mounting and positioning the LCDM in close proximity to the monitor of a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises a rectangular plate, which is horizontally disposed between a chassis and a monitor of the computer, and the positioning means comprises a single axis hinge, which is connected to a front corner of the plate such that the hinge rotates on a vertical axis. In one embodiment, one edge of the LCDM is attached to the hinge so that the LCDM may be rotated on a vertical axis.

Abstract: A handheld computer has a generally rectangular housing on a front side wall of which a display screen is operatively mounted. A row of toggle switches is also mounted on the front housing side wall, adjacent the display screen, the toggle switches being operatively connected to the computer circuitry within the housing. The toggle switches are manually depressible switch members having first and second non-momentary positions. The housing may be manually grasped in two perpendicular use orientations in each of which the user may reach and operate the toggle switches to control the operation of the computer. One of the toggle switches is operative, via the internal computer circuitry, to selectively rotate, through an angle of 90 degrees, the orientation of data generated on the screen so that in either of the first and second housing use orientations the screen data is in an upright viewing orientation relative to the user of the computer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a telephone accessory and method of telecommunicating for a personal digital accessory ("PDA"). The PDA includes a chassis of particular dimensions and input/output ("I/O") circuitry on a front surface of the chassis, the chassis containing processing circuitry coupled to the I/O circuitry. The telephone accessory comprises: (1) a body portion having a concave surface adapted to receive the chassis and first and second body extensions coupled to opposite ends of the body portion and (2) communications circuitry capable of being coupled to the processing circuitry in the chassis when the chassis is received into the concave surface on the body portion, the communications circuitry including a communications transceiver capable of coupling the processing circuitry to remote processing circuitry via a communications link.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a secondary display system for a computer are disclosed. A secondary display system of the present invention includes a flat panel display configured such that the display is conveniently located both during and between use thereof. The system comprises a liquid crystal display module (LCDM), a corresponding display controller connected to the LCDM via an appropriate interface, and a mounting device connected to the LCDM for mounting and positioning the LCDM in close proximity to the monitor of a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises a plurality of clamping devices, which are disposed between a monitor of the computer, and a single axis hinge. The LCDM is attached to the hinge so that the LCDM may be rotated on a vertical axis. During use, the LCDM may be rotated such that its display screen is coplanar with the display screen of the monitor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a secondary display system for a computer are disclosed. A secondary display system of the present invention includes a flat panel display configured such that the display is conveniently located both during and between use thereof. The system comprises a liquid crystal display module (LCDM), a corresponding display controller connected to the LCDM via an appropriate interface, and a mounting device connected to the LCDM for mounting and positioning the LCDM in close proximity to the monitor of a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises a rectangular plate, which is horizontally disposed between a chassis and a monitor of the computer, and the positioning means comprises a single axis hinge, which is connected to a front corner of the plate such that the hinge rotates on a vertical axis. One edge of the LCDM is attached to the hinge so that the LCDM may be rotated on a vertical axis.

Abstract: A macro-system which includes at least one portable computer and at least one stationary computer. The stationary computer includes a docking bay into which the portable computer is physically inserted whenever the user has returned with it to his primary work area. This docking station includes contact probes which automatically make contact to a small number of contacts on the back of the portable computer whenever it is stuffed into the docking station. The portable computer preferably includes soft power switch logic, so that an activation signal, received when the portable computer is docked, can be used to wake up the portable computer and bring it up active in a slave operating mode. Appropriate software routines can then be triggered to maintain file coherency.

Abstract: A display scrolling system for a personal digital assistant (PDA) which includes a display screen disposed on a top surface of the PDA and a mouse integrated into the bottom surface of the PDA. Documents to be displayed on the screen are stored in a memory of the PDA. The PDA is placed on a work surface such that the mouse is manipulated by rolling the PDA across the surface. The work surface is regarded by the PDA as a virtual display of the document to be displayed on the display screen. As the PDA is rolled across the surface, the mouse generates translation information to a memory controller, which determines the location of the PDA with respect to the virtual document and generates viewport coordinates, which define a portion of the document to be displayed on the display screen. The viewport coordinates are input to a memory controller, which generates memory addresses to the memory indicating the location in the memory of the document portion defined by the viewport coordinates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for power management of a RAM subsystem of a computer. Blocks of data stored at various addresses throughout the RAM subsystem are packed into unallocated memory space at the lowest possible physical location within the RAM subsystem and then are compressed. The packed and compressed data is then copied into the minimum number of RAM devices comprising the subsystem needed to store such data. The remaining RAM devices are either deenergized, if they comprise static RAM, or not refreshed, if they comprise dynamic RAM, thereby reducing the power consumption of the subsystem. Upon a command to return from the reduced power consumption mode, the above steps are executed in the reverse order and the blocks of data are copied to their original memory address locations in said RAM subsystem, using a table that is compiled during the packing step.

Abstract: Disclosed are a personal digital assistant ("PDA") and a method of providing data to the PDA. The PDA includes: (1) a chassis having first and second noncoplanar surfaces thereon and containing computer processing circuitry therein, (2) a visual display located on one of the first and second surfaces, the visual display coupled to the circuitry to allow the circuitry to drive the visual display and (3) a plurality of momentary keys located on both of the first and second surfaces and coupled to the circuitry, the plurality cooperating to form a chord keyboard to thereby allow multiple ones of the plurality to be depressed at a time to form a chord, the circuitry interpreting the chord as a single keystroke.

Abstract: A system for refreshing selected portions of a dynamic access memory (DRAM) subsystem of a computer. A memory controller of the present invention includes a RAM device for storing a plurality of region descriptors used to inhibit the refresh of address ranges of the DRAM that do not contain valid data, thereby conserving energy required to refresh the entire DRAM. The controller includes logic circuitry connected between a refresh period timer and the RAM device for inhibiting receipt by a RAS generator of a refresh pulse when a generated refresh address falls within the refresh address range defined by the region descriptor. A refresh address output by a refresh address counter compared to the region descriptors in the RAM device, and if the region descriptors indicate that the row addressed by the refresh address does not contain valid data, the RAS generator is inhibited from producing a RAS pulse.

Abstract: A battery charging/data transfer structure is provided for use in conjunction with a handheld computer to charge its battery and serve as an infrared data exchange interface between the handheld computer and a data input/output device such as a desktop computer. The structure includes a support housing having an inset well area configured to receive and releasably hold a portion of the handheld computer in a docked orientation. With the handheld computer in this docked orientation a battery charging contact member in the well area contacts a charging area on the received computer portion and transfers battery-charging electrical energy thereto.

Abstract: A system for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device. A portable device, such as a personal digital assistant, is powered or recharged via an inductive link between the device and a support unit, thereby eliminating the need for cabling or other connections therebetween. The same inductive link is also used to transfer data signals between the device and a second electronic device, for example, a conventional desktop computer. The support unit includes a primary winding of a transformer, a power amplifier and a modulator. The portable device includes a secondary winding connected in parallel with the input of a rectifier, the output of which is connected to a battery charging circuit, and to a modem, which is further connected to the device microprocessor. Placement of the device on the support unit effects the inductive coupling when the primary and secondary windings are in proximity to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for docking a portable data processing unit is provided in which a cylindrically shaped, pivotal support member is attached to a base member for supporting the portable unit. An interface card extends from a cavity within the support member and is configured to electrically and mechanically engage within a card interface slot of the portable data processing unit. In addition to providing an electrical interface between the docking apparatus and the portable data processing unit, the interface card provides a mechanical guide for guiding the portable data processing unit into the support member and provides additional support for the portable data processing unit when engaged within the cavity of the support member. The docking unit is tiltable relative to the base member to accommodate a suitable viewing angle.

Abstract: A pen-operable computer which also functions as a fully keyboard-operable computer. The keyboard contains an independent power supply, and is linked to the main chassis only by an infrared interface. The system chassis is very compact, but includes a full-width docking bay into which the keyboard can be latched for storage. When keyboard interface is desired, the user takes the keyboard module out of its docking bay and uses it in whatever position is most comfortable. When keyboard interface is not desired, the user simply snaps the keyboard module back into its docking bay for safe storage and/or transport.

Abstract: A computer system is provided that may be easily and relatively quickly converted between a stand-alone desktop configuration and a docking station configuration. The system includes a desktop computer housing having an external opening formed therein, and a plurality of associated computer peripheral devices such as a monitor and keyboard. A first electrical connector is supported within the computer and is electrically coupled to the peripheral devices. The system also includes a first motherboard having a second electrical connector supported thereon and electrically coupled thereto, and a notebook computer having a second motherboard therein and a third electrical connector supported thereon and electrically coupled thereto. Support rail structures are removably secured within the computer housing and extend inwardly from its external opening.

Abstract: A computer system which is reconfigurable to provide separate ergonomically advantageous positions for keyboard input and for stylus input. A primary system chassis contains a bay in its underside where a detachable keyboard can be stored. For one-hand stylus input, the keyboard is left in its bay while the display is mounted flat on top of the system chassis. For keyboard input, the keyboard is mounted on the system chassis, and the display is supported at an angle which makes it easily visible to a user typing on the keyboard.