Abstract: In a network of workstations implementing a grid for sharing workstation resources while maintaining local workstation workloads, grid workloads are assigned to workstations depending on how busy they are with the local workload. CPU utilization is monitored at each workstation and grid workload is only accepted if it can be handled without impacting the interactive performance of the workstation and in alignment with the workstation user's preferences. Also, grid workloads may be categorized by the extent to which they tie up workstation resources and this categorization used as further input to the grid workload assignment process.

Abstract: A flexibly interfaceable portable computing device includes a display coupled to a processor, which is coupled or selectively coupled to either or both of a keyboard and a recording unit. The display and the keyboard provide a first user interface to the processor. The recording unit is superimposable with a removable markable surface. A stylus allows user marking on the markable surface. The stylus provides a stroke signal and a stroke mark. The recording unit, the markable surface, and the stylus provide a second user interface to the processor. Optionally, the display also contributes to providing the second user interface to the processor. Switching among viewing modes for the display, and synchronization of information between the processor and a processor of the recording unit are also provided. A casing can enfold the display, the keyboard, and the recording unit to form a relatively slim profile.

Abstract: A folding keyboard for a data processing system having two or more keyboard sections, keys attached to the keyboard sections, and a keyboard housing for receiving the keyboard sections. The keyboard may be configured to assume an extended position in which each of the keyboard sections is extended, and may be further configured to assume a second position in which each of the keyboard sections are collapsed. The keyboard may be further configured to transmit in response to a change in the extension state of the keyboard, a state signal to the data processing system for directing the data processing system to transition between a wake mode and a sleep mode.

Abstract: To provide a portable computer in which a height and angle of a display can be adjusted even in a restricted installation space. In a notebook type personal computer, at an approximately middle portion in a high and low direction of an LCD unit, disposed in a lid, there is provided a hinge, which enables the LCD unit to pivot around a rotation axis crossing perpendicularly with the high and low direction of the LCD unit. This hinge is mounted so as to be movable in the high and low direction of the frame, and is disposed at a higher position than a top of the frame. Thereby, even when rear space where the notebook type PC is installed is restricted, it is possible to adjust the height and angle of the LCD unit, and to make such setting as to enable the display screen to be easily watched.

Abstract: A notebook computer with an extended keyboard base and widened display. The extended keyboard base region adjacent to the keyboard has a recessed area which contains a universal I/O connector. The recessed area is designed to fit a set of I/O devices which are designed to electrically connect to the universal I/O connector. When a I/O device is plugged into the universal I/O connector, it may be automatically sensed by circuitry internal to the notebook computer and software drivers are loaded that enables the particular I/O device to be used. The widened display gives added display capability wherein multiple pages of a document may be placed side by side for editing or viewing. I/O devices include, but are not limited to, a numeric keypad, a trackpad/digitizer, a track pad with integrated display, a WorkPad, a digital camera pad, a MP3Pad, a Fingerprint sensor, Control Pad, a PhonePad, a Cellular Pad, and a SmartCard reader/recorder.

Abstract: A personal communication device comprising a dual mode display for a user's viewing in both a direct-view mode, wherein sufficiently-sized characters are displayed in a manner visible to the user without further magnification, and in “projection-view” mode, wherein more content can be displayed over that of the direct-view mode.

Abstract: A computing system includes a companion computing device having a display and a controller for transmitting a request to a host computing device; a host computing device for providing a user interface element and language support to the companion computing device; and a communication link for providing a bi-directional communication channel between the companion computing device and the host computing device.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a computing system having an input system with local storage interfaced with a computing device, wherein input information is transferred from the digitizer input system to the interfaced computing device based on an adaptive transfer policy that extends the battery life of the interfaced computing device. The interfaced computing device may be a PC. The digitizer input system can support automated, selective transfer policies based on the power management configuration of the PC interfaced with the digitizer input system and user-selected transfer policies.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an input system for inputting information from a user, the input device system including at least one sheet of a writing medium having a unique identifier located thereon, a stylus input device for writing on the writing medium and emitting one or more signals, a detector for detecting said unique page identifier and stroke information from said emitted signal and local storage for storing said detected stroke information, in association with the unique identifier of said writing medium.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a computing system and method for extending the graphical user interface (GUI) metaphor of a computing system to the physical realm to incorporate physical paper input into a graphical user interface (GUI). The system includes a computing device input system for recording a physical writing using an input pen and, responsive to a user's input, for selecting a region of said recorded physical writing, an object creation manager device for creating a object representation of the selected region of the recorded physical writing, and an object support component of said GUI for supporting use of said created object representation by said GUI.

Abstract: A computing system includes a handwriting input device and a computing device, the handwriting input device including an electronic pen input device having a first tip that emits a signal having a first characteristic and second tip that emits a signal having second characteristic; a detector for detecting the characteristic of the emitted signal; and a controller, interfaced with the computing device, for selectively interpreting the emitted signal as handwriting or as control information for the computing device based on the detected characteristic of the emitted signal.

Abstract: A flexibly interfaceable portable computing device includes a display coupled to a processor, which is coupled or selectively coupled to either or both of a keyboard and a recording unit. The display and the keyboard provide a first user interface to the processor. The recording unit is superimposable with a removable markable surface. A stylus allows user marking on the markable surface. The stylus provides a stroke signal and a stroke mark. The recording unit, the markable surface, and the stylus provide a second user interface to the processor. Optionally, the display also contributes to providing the second user interface to the processor. Switching among viewing modes for the display, and synchronization of information between the processor and a processor of the recording unit are also provided. A casing can enfold the display, the keyboard, and the recording unit to form a relatively slim profile.

Abstract: A wireless handset phone, virtual image display coupled to the wireless handset phone and pointing device for pointing on the virtual image display are included. The communicator may also include a limited-function computer. The virtual image display uses optics to create the virtual image. The pointing device may include a virtual selector; that is, an array of sensors or switches to accommodate different users's hands.

Abstract: A flexibly interfaceable portable computing device includes a display coupled to a processor, which is coupled or selectively coupled to either or both of a keyboard and a recording unit. The display and the keyboard provide a first user interface to the processor. The recording unit is superimposable with a removable markable surface. A stylus allows user marking on the markable surface. The stylus provides a stroke signal and a stroke mark. The recording unit, the markable surface, and the stylus provide a second user interface to the processor. optionally, the display also contributes to providing the second user interface to the processor. Switching among viewing modes for the display, and synchronization of information between the processor and a processor of the recording unit are also provided. A casing can enfold the display, the keyboard, and the recording unit to form a relatively slim profile.

Abstract: To provide a portable computer in which a height and angle of a display can be adjusted even in a restricted installation space. In a notebook type personal computer, at an approximately middle portion in a high and low direction of an LCD unit, disposed in a lid, there is provided a hinge, which enables the LCD unit to pivot around a rotation axis crossing perpendicularly with the high and low direction of the LCD unit. This hinge is mounted so as to be movable in the high and low direction of the frame, and is disposed at a higher position than a top of the frame. Thereby, even when rear space where the notebook type PC is installed is restricted, it is possible to adjust the height and angle of the LCD unit, and to make such setting as to enable the display screen to be easily watched.

Abstract: Real time digitization of handwritten text and integration of digital recordation of handwritten text with traditional paper-based record making systems is achieved with a recording unit which may record a sequential data stream of strokes and associated events. The data stream may be stored in the apparatus and processed in accordance with various applications. Recordation of handwritten strokes may be accompanied by automatic detection and recordation of predefined events, and by user invoked generation of events. Recorded handwritten text may be processed to produce character strings or image data for text recorded in conjunction with predefined events.

Abstract: The invention makes the size of the apparent image of the display screen of the display screen larger than the real size. A flat optical magnifier such as a lens of the fresnel type is positioned in an optically enhancing location between the operator and the display screen so that the apparent image at the operator side of the magnifier is greater than the actual image that is present on the display screen. A mechanism is provided for a notebook type portable computer that is passive to a user, folds into the case when the display screen closes over the keyboard and positions a fresnel lens, coplanar with and at a fixed distance from the display screen, when the notebook computer is opened and remains at that fixed distance as the display screen moves to maximum travel.

Abstract: A wireless handset phone, virtual image display coupled to the wireless handset phone and pointing device for pointing on the virtual image display are included. The communicator may also include a limited-function computer. The virtual image display uses optics to create the virtual image. The pointing device may include a virtual selector; that is, an array of sensors or switches to accommodate different users' hands.

Abstract: The most likely to be used characters and controls of a soft keyboard are determined from consulting trigram tables, and enhanced and/or positioned to attract the user and to facilitate quick recognition and selection. The letters and other characters of the soft keyboard display can be arranged in a standard keyboard format, some variation of that format such as a Dvorak layout or an entirely different arrangement such as strings of letters and numbers in alphabetical and numerical order. However, regardless of the layout, an attractant, such as color intensity, or size, is used for emphasis to make a soft keyboard user cognizant of the location of the subset of characters that the user is most likely to select to standout from the other keys of the keyboard. In addition to enhancing all characters of the subset, particular emphasis can be placed on the most likely character in the subset to be selected.

Abstract: A PC Card ejection mechanism includes a common selector for selecting a PC Card for ejection. The common selector may also be capable of selecting a holding position for holding the PC Cards in place. The common selector is coupled to a spring-loaded shaft with a radial extension at the other end. The radial extension engages a pivoting actuator arm which pushes the PC Card out of the PC Card stack. In the holding position, the common selector engages a flap that holds the PC Cards in place. Optionally, the ejection mechanism could include a solenoid and electrically activated pin holding an extension on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft, thereby locking it. The ejection mechanism alone or in conjunction with a locking mechanism can also be used to hold and/or lock and unlock a removable disk drive.