Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for using an application button on a hand-held computing device to launch a plurality of applications including a primary application and an alternate application. A primary application is associated with an application button and an alternate application is associable with the application button. Responsive to a received input requesting launching the alternate application, the primary application is temporarily disassociated with the application button and the alternate application is temporarily associated with the application button. This causes the alternate application to be launched when the application button is activated. Multiple alternate applications may be associable with an application button so that different inputs including the application button activate different applications.

Abstract: A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. Further, the hierarchy has a first level of computing modules and a second level of at least one computing module, where at least one of the computing modules in the first level is configured to receive a portion of the novel sensed input data, and where the computing module in the first level is further capable of determining a possible cause of the novel sensed input data dependent on analyzing only a subset of the portion of the novel sensed input data.

Abstract: A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. The hierarchy is further configured to associate a first pattern in the input data and a second pattern in the input data to a same possible cause of the input data.

Abstract: A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. Further, the hierarchy has a first level of computing modules and a second level of at least one computing module, where at least one of the computing modules in the first level operates on a first server, and where the at least one computing module in the second level operates on a second server. The hierarchy also includes a message manager module configured to relay information between the first server and the second server.

Abstract: A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. In some cases, the cause of the input data is visual or acoustic behavior (caused, for example, by a motor or processing circuitry). As such, the hierarchy is further configured to associate the behavior with a mechanism that generates the behavior, thereby enabling the hierarchy to later predict and cause the behavior to occur.

Abstract: A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to (i) learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and (ii) determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. The hierarchy has a first level of computing modules and a second level of at least one computing module, wherein a computing module in the first level is configured to output to the computing module in the second level a first set of values representing probabilities of possible causes of input data received by the system.

Abstract: A probe station for probing a test device has a chuck element for supporting the test device. An electrically conductive outer shield enclosure at least partially encloses such chuck element to provide EMI shielding therefor. An electrically conductive inner shield enclosure is interposed between and insulated from the outer shield enclosure and the chuck element, and at least partially encloses the chuck element.

Abstract: A probe station for probing a test device has a chuck element for supporting the test device. An electrically conductive outer shield enclosure at least partially encloses such chuck element to provide EMI shielding therefor. An electrically conductive inner shield enclosure is interposed between and insulated from the outer shield enclosure and the chuck element, and at least partially encloses the chuck element.

Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one application and a user-controllable pivoting input switch. This application has a number of selectable items. This switch has a number of operational modes. Several of these operational modes direct the operation of the application to determine a current item according to an order.

Abstract: Memory networks and methods are provided. Machine intelligence is achieved by a plurality of linked processor units in which child modules receive input data. The input data are processed to identify patterns and/or sequences. Data regarding the observed patterns and/or sequences are passed to a parent module which may receive as inputs data from one or more child modules. the parent module examines its input data for patterns and/or sequences and then provides feedback to the child module or modules regarding the parent-level patterns that correlate with the child-level patterns. These systems and methods are extensible to large networks of interconnected processor modules.

Abstract: A probe station for probing a test device has a chuck element for supporting the test device. An electrically conductive outer shield enclosure at least partially encloses such chuck element to provide EMI shielding therefor. An electrically conductive inner shield enclosure is interposed between and insulated from the outer shield enclosure and the chuck element, and at least partially encloses the chuck element.

Abstract: A method is provided to enable the person to switch use of computing devices when working with records and/or documents. A method such as described may be implemented for an individual operating two (or more) computing devices that share and synchronize sets of records. One or more operations may be performed to update and maintain correspondence between the two sets of records. A switchover event may be detected, where the event corresponds to the individual using a second computing device while already using a first computing device. Once the switchover event is detected, state of use information may be received on the second computing device. This information indicates the state of use of one or more records on the first computing device. This information may be used to affect the state of use of corresponding records on the second computing device. In particular, the corresponding records on the second computing device may be placed in a state of use, or in a selected state for subsequent use.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a mobile communication device includes a first mode element, a second mode element and a third mode element. Each mode element corresponds to a distinct operational mode associated with a particular function of the mobile communication device. A physical switch mechanism, which has a first physical positional state corresponding to the first mode element, a second physical positional state corresponding to the second mode element, and a third physical positional state corresponding to the third mode element, is movable between each physical positional state to select an operational mode and to enable the mode element corresponding to the selected operational mode.

Abstract: Sophisticated memory systems and intelligent machines may be constructed by creating an active memory system with a hierarchical architecture. Specifically, a system may comprise a plurality of individual cortical processing units arranged into a hierarchical structure. Each individual cortical processing unit receives a sequence of patterns as input. Each cortical processing unit processes the received input sequence of patterns using a memory containing previously encountered sequences with structure and outputs another pattern. As several input sequences are processed by a cortical processing unit, it will therefore generate a sequence of patterns on its output. The sequence of patterns on its output may be passed as an input to one or more cortical processing units in next higher layer of the hierarchy. A lowest layer of cortical processing units may receive sensory input from the outside world. The sensory input also comprises a sequence of patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method and technique for operating a computing device. An interface is displayed for enabling the computing device to control a voicemail system. The interface includes one or more display objects, wherein each display object is selectable by a user to enter a command input assigned to that display object. A selection is detected of any one of the one or more display objects, and the command input assigned to the display object is identified. A signal tone is generated corresponding to the command input. The signal input may be transmitted across a network to the voicemail system to communicate a command to the voicemail system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing and accessing addressing elements is herein disclosed. In many situations in use of a handheld computer, for example, it is desirable to obtain quick and easy access to addressable resources from among a list of such resources. In the case of a handheld computer including a telephone, for example, a user may wish to quickly and easily dial certain telephone numbers through use of a “speed dialing” system. An exemplary speed dialing system herein described includes a plurality of speed dial pages which can be selected by the user for display on a touch sensitive screen. Each speed dial page has an arrangement of speed dial buttons, and each speed dial button can be assigned a label, that is displayed on or adjacent the button, and a telephone number that is dialed when the button is pressed using the touch sensitive screen. The assignment of labels and telephone numbers can be arranged among the buttons by the user to aid the user in recalling where (e.g.

Abstract: A handheld computer having a housing with a midframe construction is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a midframe. The handheld computer also includes two accessory slots for a stylus or other devices on the left and right sides of the housing. The handheld computer also includes an infrared port which is an integral portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an organizer that may receive a cellular portion to form a cellular telephone is provided. An organizer comprises an organizer component, including a microphone. The organizer further includes an area for receiving an additional component. The area is designed to receive a cellular component, and a connection element is designed to mate the microphone in the organizer component with the cellular component, to use the organizer as a part of a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.

Abstract: Certain mechanisms of a plating apparatus address problems associated with interaction between plating solutions or other processing solutions and the components of the plating apparatus (such as the electrical contacts). For example, a circumferential spray skirt around the interface of a “cup” and “cone” in the plating apparatus protects these features during plating. A shield mechanism contacts the cup and/or cone at the periphery of their interface to provide a fluid resistant seal. In some cases, the cone includes an outer circumferential lip that engages a complementary surface of the cup for this purpose. Further, a mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the work piece with the cone in order to allow in situ rinsing of the work piece and/or regions of the cup.