Abstract: A mouse pointing device and a method of providing movement data and position data with a mouse pointing device. The device comprises: (1) a mouse body adapted to traverse a substantially planar surface, (2) a mouse movement tracking mechanism, coupled to the mouse body, for producing movement data regarding movement of the mouse body relative to the substantially planar surface and (3) a user position tracking mechanism, having a substantially planar mechanism surface occupying a portion of a surface of the mouse body, for producing contact data regarding contact between the mechanism surface and a user, the contact data including location data regarding a location of a contact point, on a plane of the mechanism surface, between the mechanism surface and the user.

Abstract: A computer chassis has an exterior wall on the inner side of which a metal EMI shield wall is mounted, the shield wall having a grounding portion that projects outwardly through the chassis wall. A selected one of a plurality of circuit boards may be operatively installed within the chassis, the circuit boards having mutually different through-chassis component connection access opening requirements. Circuit board component connection access openings are formed through the exterior chassis and EMI shield walls to accommodate the circuit board having the maximum access opening requirement. To modify the effective chassis connection opening pattern as required for the other circuit boards, without having to redesign the chassis for each of the other circuit boards, a plurality of metal cover grounding plates are provided. Each of the plates is associated with one of the circuit boards and has connection openings formed therein to match the chassis opening requirements of the associated circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for the expansion of computer chassis input/output connections is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a computer chassis with an exterior wall having a rectangular access opening therethrough. Four ledges extend inwardly from the exterior wall, one ledge on each side of the access opening, with two ledges on opposite sides of the access opening each having two spaced slots. A card having at least one connector disposed thereon is connectable to an edge connector disposed on the system planar in the chassis. A rectangular panel having a base, with at least one aperture therethrough to receive the connector, and four walls extending perpendicular to the base, one wall on each side, is provided. Two of the walls on opposite sides of the panel each have two spaced hooks engageable with the slots in the ledges, such that the panel may be removably secured to the exterior wall on the interior of the chassis and permit access to the connector through the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides lap table for a portable computer. The lap table comprises a supple main body that has a top surface joined to a bottom surface and a sealed hollow interior for containing a filling material to give the main body a degree of rigidity sufficient to support the portable computer thereon. The filling material may be either an inflating gas or styrofoam beads. The lap table also includes a securing wall integral with the top surface that is configured to receive a footprint of the portable computer and exert a positive securing force against the portable computer, to thereby secure the portable computer to the top surface when the hollow interior is filled with the filling material. The securing wall may comprise four spaced-apart opposing right angled projections, the projections spaced to receive four opposing bottom corners of the portable computer.

Abstract: The system includes (1) a sensor for detecting a separation of the portable computer from an object, the sensor transitioning from an inactivated state to an activated state when the portable computer is separated and (2) an alarm circuit coupled to the sensor and having a disarmed state and an armed state, the alarm circuit detecting when the sensor is in the activated state and issuing a notification when the alarm circuit is in the armed state and the sensor is in the activated state.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a computer chassis containing a substantially planar removable expansion card therein, the computer chassis having an opening therein allowing access to the expansion card, a plane of the expansion card substantially parallel with a plane of the opening, a support structure for the expansion card and a method of supporting the expansion card.

Abstract: A webbed boss is integrally formed on and projects outwardly from the nominal surface of a wall portion of an injection molded plastic part and has a specially designed cross-section along its length that increases the strength of the boss, in both bending and twisting modes, without increasing the tendency of creating a sink mark on the cosmetic side surface of the wall portion beneath the boss. Representatively, along its length the boss has a generally cross-shaped cross section defined by four webs that meet, at inner cross-sectional ends thereof, at a square junction area of the boss. Each boss has an outer side edge portion with a thickness at the nominal wall side surface of about 60% of the wall portion thickness. From such outer side edge portion, the opposite sides of each of the bosses taper inwardly to the junction area in a manner such that the maximum thickness of the junction area parallel to the nominal side surface is about 60% of the wall portion thickness.