Abstract: Circuits are described that permit the efficient supply of power from a backplane such as that contained in a motherboard. In one embodiment, the power supply stores charge at a relatively high potential to permit a last transmission from a daughterboard when power is interrupted to the motherboard.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying data locations or uniform resource locators associated with physical observations in the real world. The method and system includes selecting certain physical parameters based upon an observation of real world objects and events and associating such physical parameters with data locations on the Internet or other computer network. When the real world object is observed or a real world event occurs, physical parameters relating to the object or event are sensed and recorded. These stored physical parameters are then communicated to a database, which returns a data location corresponding to the observed physical parameters. Thus, the present invention allows a user to “click” on objects or events in the real world in order to find data locations related to the objects or events in the on-line world.

Abstract: A joystick that detects position and movement using a capacitive sensor. The joystick has a stick mounted to allow movement within a housing, a conductive element at a first end of the stick, and a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may be a capacitive touchpad. It determines position by measuring the change in capacitance on a set of conductive traces. The capacitive sensor may be shaped as a plane or may be hemispherically-shaped. The conductive element may also be triangular or other distinctive shape to allow detection of movement. An advantage of such a joystick is that absolute positioning may be determined, along with relative positioning.

Abstract: An antenna for wireless communication into a touchpad module. A touchpad module, which can be inserted into an aperture in a laptop computer, includes a touch sensor for detecting touch in a touch sensor circuit for processing signals from the touch sensor. The antenna is connected to a port (input or output) on the touchpad module. The touchpad provides an open aperture for the antenna to communicate with the outside world, without being blocked by the shielding used in a laptop computer.