Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning robot stores multiple floorplans. The robot automatically determines which floorplan it is in by localizing and trying to match its detected environment to the stored map. The best fit is the map for the current floor. If there is no match above a confidence threshold, the robot assumes it is a new floor or the floorplan has changed (e.g., furniture has moved), and the robot initiates a discovery mode to map the floorplan and add it to the robot's memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning robot stores multiple floorplans. The robot automatically determines which floorplan it is in by localizing and trying to match its detected environment to the stored map. The best fit is the map for the current floor. If there is no match above a confidence threshold, the robot assumes it is a new floor or the floorplan has changed (e.g., furniture has moved), and the robot initiates a discovery mode to map the floorplan and add it to the robot's memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.

Abstract: A modular headset and method of use comprises a headset band having a first end and a second end. The headset includes a first node coupled to the first end of the headset band in which the first node has a plurality of first jacks. Each first jack selectively receives a first plug of a peripheral device. The headset includes a second node coupled to the second end of the headset band. The second node has a plurality of second jacks. Each second jack selectively receives a second plug of the peripheral device. The headset includes circuitry coupled to the jacks at the first and second nodes, wherein signals from a peripheral device are received or transmitted to any of the first jacks in the first node and signals from the external electronic device are received or transmitted to any of the second jacks in the second node.

Abstract: A modular headset and method of use comprises a headset band having a first end and a second end. The headset includes a first node coupled to the first end of the headset band in which the first node has a plurality of first jacks. Each first jack selectively receives a first plug of a peripheral device. The headset includes a second node coupled to the second end of the headset band. The second node has a plurality of second jacks. Each second jack selectively receives a second plug of the peripheral device. The headset includes circuitry coupled to the jacks at the first and second nodes, wherein signals from a peripheral device are received or transmitted to any of the first jacks in the first node and signals from the external electronic device are received or transmitted to any of the second jacks in the second node.

Abstract: A method for software control using a user-interactive display screen feature is disclosed that reduces stylus or other manipulations necessary to invoke software functionality from the display screen. According to the method, a graphical feature having a surface area is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen is coupled to at least one processor and the graphical feature is generated by an operating system and uniquely associated with a particular software program by the operating system. To control software executing on the processor, a user-supplied writing on the surface area is received and the software is controlled responsive to the writing. In alternate embodiments, the method further controls data stored in a memory device responsive to the writing or further controls transmission of data from a radiation emitter, which may be coupled to voice and data networks.

Abstract: A method for software control using a user-interactive display screen feature is disclosed that reduces stylus or other manipulations necessary to invoke software functionality from the display screen. According to the method, a graphical feature having a surface area is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen is coupled to at least one processor and the graphical feature is generated by an operating system and uniquely associated with a particular software program by the operating system. To control software executing on the processor, a user-supplied writing on the surface area is received and the software is controlled responsive to the writing. In alternate embodiments, the method further controls data stored in a memory device responsive to the writing or further controls transmission of data from a radiation emitter, which may be coupled to voice and data networks.

Abstract: A handheld computer comprises a rechargeable battery module that outputs a source voltage to power one or more components of the handheld computer. The handheld computer includes a power monitoring module that receives the source voltage and outputs a rail voltage. The power monitoring module outputs the rail voltage to correspond to a fractional duty cycle of the source voltage when the source voltage is greater than a designated voltage. The power monitoring module outputs the rail voltage to correspond to a full duty cycle of the source voltage when the source voltage is less than the designated voltage. The handheld computer includes a power rail coupled to the power monitoring module. The power rail receives the rail voltage so as to extend power from the battery module to the one or more components of the handheld computer.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a power management method for regulating power to a handheld computer. A source voltage is received from a battery module. The source voltage is regulated to power a plurality of internal components, including a processor and a memory. If the source voltage is detected to be less than a designated threshold, the plurality of internal components powered by the source voltage are reduced to allow a charge of the battery module to increase in absence of an external charge.

Abstract: A portable computer system (e.g., a palmtop or hand-held computer system) is implemented with an interface module containing circuitry needed to connect with and operate a device such as a display device. The interface module is coupled to the display device. Additionally, the interface module may be coupled to a printed circuit (PC) board of the portable computer system. As such, PC board can thus be designed and manufactured independently of the display device. Furthermore, design variations in the display device can be independently accommodated in the interface module. Thus, the combination of the interface module, the device, and/or the PC board can be universally implemented in different designs of portable computer systems, reducing development time and manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include connector assembly for a handheld computer. The connector assembly includes a plurality of conductive elements disposed on a first side of a printed circuit board housed with the handheld computer. One or more of the conductive elements has a pointed end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include connector assembly for a handheld computer. The connector assembly includes a plurality of conductive elements disposed on a first side of a printed circuit board housed with the handheld computer. One or more of the conductive elements has a pointed end.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a power management method for regulating power to a handheld computer. A source voltage is received from a battery module. The source voltage is regulated to power a plurality of internal components, including a processor and a memory. If the source voltage is detected to be less than a designated threshold, the plurality of internal components powered by the source voltage are reduced to allow a charge of the battery module to increase in absence of an external charge.