Abstract: Arrangements for employing a system BIOS (basic input/output system) to handle email during a suspended state (such as an “S3” state as will be better understood herebelow). Preferably, the BIOS is employed to “jump” between two suspended images such that, e.g., two more powerful OS's can be employed to manage the mail function.

Abstract: An apparatus includes timing circuitry configured to initiate a timing window in response to input sensed by an optical sensor, association circuitry configured to associate the input with additional input sensed by a different optical sensor if the additional input commences during the timing window and filter circuitry configured to filter out additional input sensed by a different optical sensor if the additional input commences after expiration of the timing window and prior to a subsequent initiation of the timing window. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-sensor device includes an optical sensor portion and a capacitive sensor portion where the capacitive sensor portion borders the optical sensor portion. Various other devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes sensors configured to sense optical information, assignment circuitry configured to assign a dominant status to one of the sensors and a nondominant status to another one of the sensors and control circuitry configured to output one or more commands based on sensed optical information and status. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solutions which address a growing and compelling need recognized in connection with rendering VOIP systems on laptops, or even on other mobile devices, even more versatile and user-friendly so as to even better replicate the advantages of cell phones. Broadly contemplated herein two modes of network access and two modes of user interface, which modes can be combined in any way as deemed suitable or appropriate. Preferably, a commonality between the contemplated network access and user interface modes is the use of a low-powered secondary processor, a secondary operating system, and non volatile storage applications which could be networking applications (e.g., an Always On subsystem).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display, a communication interface, circuitry configured to receive information via the communication interface via a handshake process where the information includes identifying information for a television unit, and circuitry configured to render a graphical remote control to the display based at least in part on received identifying information for a television unit. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, apparatus, and program storage device for providing a combined tap sequence and camera based user interface. The invention provides, among other features, an apparatus comprising: an accelerometer; a laser light generating module; wherein the laser light generating module provides a plane of laser light over a surface coupled to the accelerometer; at least one camera; at least one processor; and a memory; wherein the memory stores instructions, executable by the at least one processor, enabling the apparatus to ascertain an occurrence of an input event utilizing inputs from the accelerometer and a location of the input event utilizing inputs from the at least one camera.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an apparatus, method and program storage device enabling a three-dimensional user interface for the movement of objects rendered upon a display device in a more realistic and intuitive manner. A Z distance is set whereupon a user crossing the Z distance is enabled to select an object, i.e. pick it up. As the user breaks the Z distance again, the object selected will move with the user's hand. As the user breaks the Z distance once more, the object will be released, i.e. dropped into a new position.

Abstract: A technique for controlling operation of a device with a virtual touchscreen includes defining an area of a surface, associated with the device, as the virtual touchscreen. An operation within the device is then initiated based on activity within the virtual touchscreen. An overlay may be provided, on a display screen of the device, to indicate a location of the virtual touchscreen with respect to, for example, a keyboard of the device.

Abstract: A technique for creating a virtual touchscreen includes capturing, with a first infrared camera, a first reflection from an object that is at a known position adjacent a surface associated with a device. A second reflection from the object (at the known position) is captured with a second infrared camera. The first and second reflections are correlated with the known position to provide a two-dimensional position for the object that is calibrated with respect to the surface.

Abstract: Solutions which address a growing and compelling need recognized in connection with rendering VOIP systems on laptops, or even on other mobile devices, even more versatile and user-friendly so as to even better replicate the advantages of cell phones. Broadly contemplated herein two modes of network access and two modes of user interface, which modes can be combined in any way as deemed suitable or appropriate. Preferably, a commonality between the contemplated network access and user interface modes is the use of a low-powered secondary processor, a secondary operating system, and non volatile storage applications which could be networking applications (e.g., an Always On subsystem).

Abstract: Arrangements for employing a system BIOS (basic input/output system) to handle email during a suspended state (such as an “S3” state as will be better understood herebelow). Preferably, the BIOS is employed to “jump” between two suspended images such that, e.g., two more powerful OS's can be employed to manage the mail function.

Abstract: Arrangements for permitting incoming mail to be transferred from a WAN Drive to a notebook computer hard drive under conditions that are not stressful to the hard drive. Preferably, a WAN card is configured to wake a notebook when mail capacity is full or close to full. Mail is then preferably moved from the flash drive to the hard drive, subject to verification that this will not overly stress the hard drive. In a variant embodiment, the WAN card may preferably be configured to wake a notebook when mail is received at all. Again, mail is then preferably moved from the flash drive to the hard drive, subject to verification that this will not overly stress the hard drive. Once mail is moved to the hard drive, the system preferably runs an embedded email program that allows the user to employ an existing VPN infrastructure.

Abstract: Arrangements for managing displays of ultra-mobile devices (UMD's). Automatically or manually, a small-mode interface on a UMD screen, wherein one application window is visible, is switched to a large-mode interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing communication between a key fob and a host device are provided. In one implementation, the system includes a key fob configured to operate in accordance with one of a plurality of modes, including an automatic mode and a manual mode. The system further includes a host device associated with the key fob, wherein responsive to the key fob operating in accordance with the automatic mode, the key fob is configured to page periodically, and the host device is configured to page-scan periodically to detect a page from the key fob. In one implementation, the key fob further includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust a signal strength of a communication signal between the key fob and the host device in accordance with a mode of operation selected (or desired) by the user.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for capturing information related to operational conditions are disclosed. Embodiments include volatile memory to quickly record operational parameters via, e.g., basic input output system (BIOS) code, system management interrupt (SMI) code and/or executing applications. Many embodiments provide an alternative power source and a voltage switch to protect against loss of the information between storage in the volatile memory and storage in the non-volatile memory. Some embodiments include a read controller that provides access to the volatile memory when primary power is available. The read controller may also offer direct access to the non-volatile memory in case of a catastrophic failure that renders the processing device substantially non-functional. Further embodiments include a second processing device to generate a usage model and/or to perform diagnostics with the operational parameters.