Abstract: A mobile, hand-held personal communicator includes a casing for housing a cellular phone, modem, and data processing system. Graphics image files are stored and can be selectively displayed on a touchscreen display. A zoom function magnifies areas of a graphics image, such as a fax image, that has been received and stored in the PC. When the zoom function is selected, the user touches the screen, and a magnification frame or window appears. When the user removes his/her finger, the area within the frame is magnified. The user can also drag the frame around the screen, while still touching the screen, to select a specific area to be magnified when the user releases the screen. A pan function allows the user to shift the image within a viewing area. The user can pan the image by touching the display at an initial touch point, and moving his/her finger keeping it in contact with the screen, to shift the touch point to a new touch point.

Abstract: A field programming tool for a personal communications device, provides an automatic, capability to update computer programs stored in the device. The personal communications device includes an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), that stores the operating system programs and the applications programs to be loaded into a random access memory (RAM) for executed by a central processing unit (CPU) in the device. A reprogramming card is provided for the device, containing pre-stored new programs that are to be loaded into the EPROM of the device. A method is provided for automatically loading the new programs from the reprogramming card into the EPROM, in an accurate, foolproof manner. This is accomplished using a sequencing program stored on the reprogramming card and loaded into the RAM of the device, where it is executed. An option attach connector alerts the device that the reprogramming card is connected to the PCMCIA slot of the device.

Abstract: An option attach connector has a first indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a public switched telephone network connection has been made to it. The presence of the first indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-MAIL communications applications are to be conducted over a PSTN link. The presence of the first indicator bit combination invokes a stored computer program to provide appropriate connections between the PSTN link and the telephone, FAX, and modem hardware in the device. The connections are made by an audio multiplexer that receives control signals from the system CPU, while executing the stored computer program. The program determines the communications application selected by the user and selectively configures the PSTN link to be connected to the either the ear piece and microphone for voice communications, or to the FAX/modem for FAX communications, or to the modem alone for E-MAIL communications.

Abstract: A personal communication apparatus includes a digital processor, a memory coupled to the processor, an operating system, stored in the memory and executable by the processor, a touch-screen user interface coupled to the processor and the memory and responsive to file execution commands from the user, and a navigation utility file, executable by the processor, for initiating execution of files and for monitoring the sequence in which file executions occur. The Navigation utility maintains a stack in the memory into which the calling sequences of files are stored according to the order in which files were executed. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a modem and RF transceiver coupled to the processor for receiving and transmitting data. In another embodiment, the communicator further includes a port for receiving an external memory medium containing a plurality of executable files.

Abstract: A personal communicator has a touch sensitive overlay coupled with a liquid crystal display (LCD). The communicator has two external (non-screen) up/down buttons for adjusting the volume of a cellular phone speaker. These volume buttons are also used to allow the user to adjust contrast. In accordance with one operation, contrast is adjusted in response to the user touching a predetermined area of the screen at the same time as one of the up or down buttons is actuated. In accordance with another operation, contrast is adjusted in response to the user first pressing both speaker volume buttons to enter a contrast adjustment mode, and thereafter pressing one or the other of such buttons, to increase or decrease contrast as desired.

Abstract: Power management interrupt enabling is done after completion of POST by loading either DOS or OS/2 operating systems in accordance with whichever operating system the computer is setup to operate under. After being loaded, the operating system then enables the PMIs. This provides a very simple solution that allows the PMIs to be used in a computer operable under a plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for automatically configuring communication port assignments in dockable portable computer systems wherein a portable computer unit is operable both on a stand-alone basis and attached (docked) to a generally stationary expansion (docking) unit providing extended connectivity and power sourcing facilities. The portable computer unit may contain integral connectors (RS232, telephone jacks, parallel port connectors, etc.) and internal circuit devices operating through the connectors (modems, circuits supporting RS232 signalling, etc.). The docking unit may also have such connectors and associated circuits. The computer user may assign internal logical communication paths com x (x=1, 2, . . . ) to these connectors and their associated circuits. When the portable unit is in a docked mode, care must be taken that duplicate paths are not concurrently active in the portable and docking units leading to potentially conflicting signal processes in the units.

Abstract: A computer has two processors. A main processor operates under the control of an operating system and provides overall control of the computer for executing application programs. The main processor also assists in power management by executing certain interrupts and controlling a power control register to turn power on and off to various devices. A power management processor monitors ambient temperature and humidity, and battery conditions, and generates interrupts as a result of predetermined changes. Such processor also controls charging of the battery. Logic means are responsive to predetermined conditions to also generate interrupts.