Abstract: Prescribed areas of a track pad surface are dedicated to one or more prescribed or programmable pointing, clicking, scrolling or hot-key functions. These specialized touch sensing areas are adjacent to a main touch sensing area, and include a tactile cue such as a textured border or textured surface. A visual indication such as a label also may be used to identify the specialized function. A visual cue, such as a light, also may be generated when the user's finger is in a specialized touch sensing area. One specialized touch sensing area is dedicated to correspond to a window scrolling function adding convenience for scrolling web pages, word processing documents, tables and other content windows displayed on a computer screen. An on-off button is included to activate or deactivate the track pad operations.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer contains a platform and a movable guide bar connected to the docking station and extending over the platform. The guide bar is capable of guiding the portable computer into proper alignment with the docking station when the portable computer is placed on the guide bar and pressed downwardly into the platform. The guide bar may contain a thermally conductive guide protrusion capable of mating with a heat sink on the portable computer. Heat is transferred from the heat sink on the portable computer to the guide protrusion on the guide bar. The guide bar itself may also be thermally conductive, providing a further avenue for heat to be transferred from the portable computer to the docking station.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an input device are described. In one exemplary embodiment, the input device can comprise a housing and a deployable input device attached to the housing. The deployable input device can be deployed from a stowed position to an extended position without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device.

Abstract: A key, which may be used in a user interface, including indicia formed at least in part from UV reactive material.

Abstract: A docking station that accepts a portable computing device is disclosed. The docking station comprises a first surface that supports a bottom surface of the portable computing device. The first surface includes a means for restricting the movement of the portable computing device. The docking station additionally includes a body or a trunk that interfaces the portable computing device with an external device. The docking station additionally includes a hinge which joins the first surface to the body or trunk, in which the hinge permits the portable computing device to be rotated between a horizontal and a vertical orientation as well as various acute angles.

Abstract: A label display system includes a deployable label base to display labels, such as regulatory and/or certification marking labels, for an electronic and/or portable computing device. The deployable label base moves between a first position and a second position, where the labels are viewable in the first position, and where at least some of the labels are concealed from view in the second position. The deployable label base includes a first side to display labels and at least a second side to display labels. The deployable label base can be flexible and include or encase a security cable to secure the electronic and/or portable computing device.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer contains a platform and a movable guide bar connected to the docking station and extending over the platform. The guide bar is capable of guiding the portable computer into proper alignment with the docking station when the portable computer is placed on the guide bar and pressed downwardly into the platform. The guide bar may contain a thermally conductive guide protrusion capable of mating with a heat sink on the portable computer. Heat is transferred from the heat sink on the portable computer to the guide protrusion on the guide bar. The guide bar itself may also be thermally conductive, providing a further avenue for heat to be transferred from the portable computer to the docking station.

Abstract: This invention describes an electronic device having a pointing device consisting of a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the pointing device is separable from the first and is configured to be stored in an opening formed in the electronic device. The opening formed in the electronic device is configured to receive the second portion of the pointing device once the second portion of the pointing device is separated from the first. Additionally, a method for configuring the pointing device and storing the second portion of the pointing device inside of the electronic device is described.

Abstract: An electronic device has a case and a screen attached to the case. The screen indicates a cursor position. The electronic device further has an input device mounted to the case. The input device includes a curved surface for detecting an object disposed on the curved surface using a light path that transfers an image of the object to an optical sensor. The optical sensor detects the movement of the object across the curved surface and in response, the input device manipulates the cursor position.

Abstract: A docking station that accepts a portable computing device is disclosed. The docking station comprises a first surface that supports a bottom surface of the portable computing device. The first surface includes a means for restricting the movement of the portable computing device. The docking station additionally includes a body or a trunk that interfaces the portable computing device with an external device. The docking station additionally includes a hinge which joins the first surface to the body or trunk, in which the hinge permits the portable computing device to be rotated between a horizontal and a vertical orientation as well as various acute angles.

Abstract: A port replicator is disclosed. The port replicator includes a substantially horizontal surface configured to accept the underside of a portable computing unit. The port replicator also includes a first connector, located on the horizontal surface, facing in an upward direction, and being positioned to couple with a connector located on the underside of the portable computing unit. The port replicator also includes a main body that is attached to the horizontal surface, wherein a portion of the horizontal surface is either recessed into the main body or otherwise brought towards the main body when not in use.

Abstract: A portable computer has a base housing attached to a top housing. A latch secures the top housing to the base housing. The portable computer has a card reader coupled to an electro-mechanical actuator which is further coupled to the latch. The card reader is capable of disengaging the latch to allow access to the portable computer.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer contains a platform and a movable guide bar connected to the docking station and extending over the platform. The guide bar is capable of guiding the portable computer into proper alignment with the docking station when the portable computer is placed on the guide bar and pressed downwardly into the platform. The guide bar may contain a thermally conductive guide protrusion capable of mating with a heat sink on the portable computer. Heat is transferred from the heat sink on the portable computer to the guide protrusion on the guide bar. The guide bar itself may also be thermally conductive, providing a further avenue for heat to be transferred from the portable computer to the docking station.

Abstract: A label display system includes a foldable label base to display labels, such as regulatory and/or certification marking labels, for an electronic and/or portable computing device. The foldable label base moves between a first position and a second position, where the labels are viewable in the first position, and where at least some of the labels are concealed from view in the second position. The foldable label base includes a first side to display labels and a second side to display labels.

Abstract: An electronic device has a case and a screen attached to the case. The screen indicates a cursor position. The electronic device further has an input device mounted to the case. The input device includes a curved surface for detecting an object disposed on the curved surface using a light path that transfers an image of the object to an optical sensor. The optical sensor detects the movement of the object across the curved surface and in response, the input device manipulates the cursor position.

Abstract: A port replicator includes a substantially horizontal surface configured to accept the underside of a portable computing unit. The port replicator also includes a first connector, located on the horizontal surface, facing in an upward direction, and being positioned to couple with a connector located on the underside of the portable computing unit. The port replicator also includes a main body that is attached to the horizontal surface, wherein a portion of the horizontal surface is either recessed into the main body or otherwise brought towards the main body when not in use.