Abstract: An electronic apparatus that can obtain high heat transfer efficiency by ensuring close contact between heat sinks of a portable information device and a cooling device is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a portable information device having a heating body contained therein and a cooling device detachably connected to the portable information device and configured to absorb heat from the heating body. The portable information device includes a heat-dissipation heat sink disposed on a bottom surface of the portable information device and thermally connected to the heating body.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a cooling device that can reduce size and cost thereof while maintaining sufficient cooling performance of cooling a portable information apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a portable information apparatus and a cooling device. The portable information apparatus includes a heat-dissipation heat sink thermally connected to a heating body. The cooling device includes a cooling unit for absorbing heat from the heating body. The cooling unit includes a heat-receiving heat sink that is thermally connected to a heat-dissipation heat sink when the portable information apparatus is connected to the cooling device, and a radiator that dissipates heat absorbed in the heat-receiving heat sink to outside. The radiator is disposed on an exhaust path from an air outlet of the portable information apparatus while the portable information apparatus is connected to the cooling device.

Abstract: A keyboard device for a portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a main body chassis and a display chassis. The main body chassis contains the keyboard device having multiple keycaps elastically supported to be moved up and down. Coupled to the main body chassis via a hinge, the display chassis contains a display. The main body chassis also includes a key depressing mechanism having a rotating shaft member provided along each of the keycaps and a pressing piece projecting from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft member to the side of the keycap to allow a receiving part provided in the keycap to be depressed downward. The rotating shaft member rotates about the axis to cause the pressing piece to push down the receiving part and, in turn, pushing down and keeping the keycap in a depressed position.

Abstract: A input device capable of being made thinner while securing the operability of a push button is disclosed. The input device includes a touchpad configured to receive a touch operation and multiple push buttons provided adjacent to one edge of the touchpad. The input device is mounted in an electronic device such as a laptop PC. In the input device, each of the push buttons has a cantilever structure having an operation face part movable up and down to receive a depressing operation, and a hinge arm, which projects from one edge of the operation face part into the undersurface side of the touchpad and the leading edge of which is pivotally supported under the touchpad.

Abstract: A casing for electronic equipments is disclosed. The casing includes a first region and a second region. The first region is formed by a foamed layer provided between an outer rigid layer and an inner rigid layer. The foamed layer isolates the outer rigid layer from the inner rigid layer. The second region is formed by a single layer of material, and the single layer of material is joined to the outer rigid layer, the formed layer and the inner rigid layer.

Abstract: Pointing devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve manipulation of a cursor or other user interface component based on inputs from a user. In one embodiment, an image sensor captures an image of the underside of a transparent contact surface and determines whether an object (e.g., a user's finger) is present in the image. Cursor movement information comprising direction and velocity components can be calculated from a single image by equating the size of a detected object with a desired velocity and by equating the position of the detected object relative to a fixed reference point with a desired direction. Thus, detection of user motion is not required, nor is comparison of successive image frames relative to a time reference. As a result, a device having few or no moving parts can be provided while at the same time permitting continuous cursor motion without repetitive swiping by a user.

Abstract: A casing for electronic equipments is disclosed. The casing includes a first region and a second region. The first region is formed by a foamed layer provided between an outer rigid layer and an inner rigid layer. The foamed layer isolates the outer rigid layer from the inner rigid layer. The second region is formed by a single layer of material, and the single layer of material is joined to the outer rigid layer, the formed layer and the inner rigid layer.

Abstract: A supplementary cooling system is provided for cooling a computing system. An apparatus may comprise a computing system and a docking system. The computing system has a cooling area and a fan area which is partionable from the cooling area. The docking system has a fan and an airflow outlet which is operably connected to the fan.

Abstract: For connecting devices, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) connecting portion includes a conductor connected to a first EMI shield. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) contact portion electrically connects to a second EMI shield through a high-impedance element. The ESD contact portion electrically connects the EMI connecting portion to the second EMI shield through the high-impedance element as the ESD contact portion initially contacts the EMI connecting portion during hot docking. The ESD contact portion subsequently moves in response to the initial contact to contact a low-impedance element electrically connected to the second EMI shield and connect the EMI connecting portion to the second EMI shield through the low-impedance element.

Abstract: A computer system may comprise an upper housing, a processor, a display screen, a keyboard case, and a lower housing. The display screen may be attached to the upper housing. The processor may be disposed within the upper housing. The lower housing may comprise a keyboard and may be mounted to and pivotable with respect to the upper housing. The keyboard cover may be adapted to cover the keyboard.

Abstract: Pointing devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve manipulation of a cursor or other user interface component based on inputs from a user. In one embodiment, an image sensor captures an image of the underside of a transparent contact surface and determines whether an object (e.g., a user's finger) is present in the image. Cursor movement information comprising direction and velocity components can be calculated from a single image by equating the size of a detected object with a desired velocity and by equating the position of the detected object relative to a fixed reference point with a desired direction. Thus, detection of user motion is not required, nor is comparison of successive image frames relative to a time reference. As a result, a device having few or no moving parts can be provided while at the same time permitting continuous cursor motion without repetitive swiping by a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for switching between a regular keyboard mode and a touchpad mode for a user to input data. The keyboard may comprise a key which has a touch surface and a sensor. The touch surface may be responsive to pressing by an object to select one of selections associated with the key. The sensor may be used to detect a location where the object is positioned on the touch surface.

Abstract: For connecting devices, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) connecting portion includes a conductor connected to a first EMI shield. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) contact portion electrically connects to a second EMI shield through a high-impedance element. The ESD contact portion electrically connects the EMI connecting portion to the second EMI shield through the high-impedance element as the ESD contact portion initially contacts the EMI connecting portion during hot docking. The ESD contact portion subsequently moves in response to the initial contact to contact a low-impedance element electrically connected to the second EMI shield and connect the EMI connecting portion to the second EMI shield through the low-impedance element.

Abstract: A connecting structure reduces noise effects on an electronic device when hot docking the electronic device to mitigate against malfunctions. When a first electronic device having a first EMI shield is docked with a second electronic device having a second EMI shield, an ESD contact portion, which is connected to the second EMI shield and has higher in impedance than an EMI connecting portion, comes in contact with the first EMI shield earlier than the EMI connecting portion. Electrostatic charge carried on the first EMI shield moves slowly to the second EMI shield due to the high impedance of the ESD contact portion.

Abstract: A computer system may comprise an upper housing, a processor, a display screen, a keyboard case, and a lower housing. The display screen may be attached to the upper housing. The processor may be disposed within the upper housing. The lower housing may comprise a keyboard and may be mounted to and pivotable with respect to the upper housing. The keyboard cover may be adapted to cover the keyboard.

Abstract: A supplementary cooling system is provided for cooling a computing system. An apparatus may comprise a computing system and a docking system. The computing system has a cooling area and a fan area which is partionable from the cooling area. The docking system has a fan and an airflow outlet which is operably connected to the fan.

Abstract: A docking device for receiving a portable computer is disclosed. The docking device includes a device housing and a charging connector that is provided on a side surface of the device housing and is connected to a battery connector of a battery pack in order to charge the battery pack. The charging connector is connectable to the battery connector in a state where the battery pack and the device housing are disposed on the same plane. When the charging connector and the battery connector are in a connected state and the device housing is being moved to a position within a predetermined height from the plane, the connection state between the charging connector and the battery connector is maintained. When the device housing is being moved to a position that exceeds the predetermined height from the plane, the battery connector will be separated from the charging connector due to the weight of the battery pack.

Abstract: A protective casing structure of an electronic apparatus capable of keeping the apparatus compact and light is provided. A display-side block includes a display module and a display casing. The display casing is provided with frame edges at a periphery thereof, with projections formed on the frame edges. Grooves engaging with the projections are formed in a system casing. When the display-side block is closed, the projections engage with the grooves to increase rigidity against pressing from the outside in the closed state. The casing structure thereby increases the protective capability of the display module while keeping the apparatus compact and light.

Abstract: A connecting structure reduces noise effects on an electronic device when hot docking the electronic device to mitigate against malfunctions. When a first electronic device having a first EMI shield is docked with a second electronic device having a second EMI shield, an ESD contact portion, which is connected to the second EMI shield and has higher in impedance than an EMI connecting portion, comes in contact with the first EMI shield earlier than the EMI connecting portion. Electrostatic charge carried on the first EMI shield moves slowly to the second EMI shield due to the high impedance of the ESD contact portion.

Abstract: A connecting structure reduces noise effects on an electronic device when hot docking the electronic device to mitigate against malfunctions. When a first electronic device having a first EMI shield is docked with a second electronic device having a second EMI shield, an ESD contact portion, which is connected to the second EMI shield and has higher in impedance than an EMI connecting portion, comes in contact with the first EMI shield earlier than the EMI connecting portion. Electrostatic charge carried on the first EMI shield moves slowly to the second EMI shield due to the high impedance of the ESD contact portion.