Abstract: A device is disclosed. The device comprises a substrate core having power paths through it and an input/output signal routing layer upon the core substrate. An integrated circuit may be arranged on the routing layer such that the integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the substrate core through the routing layer.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard assembly having a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section, a linkage assembly and a support plate. The linkage assembly, in one embodiment, enables the keyboard assembly to alternate between a folded and unfolded keyboard configuration. In an unfolded configuration, the keyboard assembly has first keyboard section and second keyboard section co-planar to form a full-size keyboard. The support plate aligns under the keyboard sections. In a folded configuration, first keyboard section, second keyboard section and support plate align on top of each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes one or more ceramic material layers and one or more low dielectric constant (low-K) epoxy layers on top to be electrically coupled to an integrated circuit device, such as a chip die. The resulting ceramic/organic hybrid substrate takes advantage of the thin low-cost, low-K epoxy layer, by routing the dense circuitry from the chip die to the ceramic material layer. In addition, the use of low-K epoxy layer may reduce the number of ceramic material layers required to about three layers, thus significantly reducing the cost of the substrate. Low-K epoxy material layer may be laminated onto the ceramic material layer to reduce throughput time and cost. The ceramic/organic hybrid substrate may also take advantage of the properties of ceramic materials, which have a much more rigid structure than organic materials and a low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) that works well with ultra low-K chip dies.

Abstract: A spring coupled to a multi-layered flex membrane is described. In one embodiment, the spring may be a layer coupled to the top layer of a key switch membrane. In another embodiment, the spring may be coupled to the key switch between a top layer and a spacer layer. The spring or spring layer may increase the resiliency of the key switch membrane to prevent the flex membrane from deforming.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which, in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each row contains keys bridging a two-wire bus. Each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a diode to polarize the key, and a resistor to provide a resistive load when the switch is closed and the diode is biased with the current flow. Alternatively, each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a timer with an output that goes high after a predetermined time period, and a resistor that provides an identifying load when the switch is closed and the output of the timer is high. Other features of the invention include a linear matrix coupled to a row of keys to allow the row to be scanned by sections and individual keys, and a flexible circuit that provides the electrical pathways for the linear matrix.

Abstract: A FIFO memory receives data transfer requests before data is stored in the FIFO memory. Multiple concurrent data transfers, delivered to the FIFO memory as interleaved multiple concurrent transactions, can be accommodated by the FIFO memory (i.e., multiplexing between different sources that transmit in distributed bursts). The transfer length requirements associated with the ongoing data transfers are tracked, along with the total available space in the FIFO memory. A programmable buffer zone also can be included in the FIFO memory for additional overflow protection and/or to enable dynamic sizing of FIFO depth.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each row contains keys bridging a two-wire bus. Each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a diode to polarize the key, and a resistor to provide a resistive load when the switch is closed and the diode is biased with the current flow. Alternatively, each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a timer with an output that goes high after a predetermined time period, and a resistor that provides an identifying load when the switch is closed and the output of the timer is high. Other features of the invention include a linear matrix coupled to a row of keys to allow the row to be scanned by sections and individual keys, and a flexible circuit that provides the electrical pathways for the linear matrix.

Abstract: A low cost microelectronic circuit package includes a single build up metallization layer above a microelectronic die. At least one die is fixed within a package core using, for example, an encapsulation material. A single metallization layer is then built up over the die/core assembly. The metallization layer includes a number of landing pads having a pitch that allows the microelectronic device to be directly mounted to an external circuit board. In one embodiment, the metallization layer includes a number of signal landing pads within a peripheral region of the layer and at least one power landing pad and one ground landing pad toward a central region of the layer.

Abstract: A scheduling system to schedule events with one to many people using invitations with optional dates, times and locations to determine the soonest or the best date and time along with location for the event. When scheduling meetings, it is often necessary to determine the soonest or best date, time and location to meet between multiple people using different calendar systems. The process is time consuming and requires two or more parties to coordinate the schedules of many people. With the scheduling system of this invention, invitations are sent with optional times. Invited participants are polled for the soonest or best date, time and location to conduct the event. Through a asynchronous polling mechanism, the soonest or best available time along with best location may be determined between people on different calendar systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging personal contact information with another person or group over a network. The personal information may include, but not limited to, work address, work phone, home address, home phone, cell phone numbers, email addresses, interests, hobbies, pictures or other pertinent information. Personal contact information is stored in a database and there is one to many contact profiles that a user can exchange. Using access to a network with, but not limited to, a computer, PDA, phone or other device, a person may request that one profile be sent to another party. The receiving party receives the profile in a location like a mailbox that they may attach some personal notes, set a follow up activity and then save the new contact in a database for future reference.

Abstract: A low cost technique for packaging microelectronic circuit chips fixes a die within an opening in a package core. At least one metallic build up layer is then formed on the die/core assembly and a grid array interposer unit is laminated to the build up layer. The grid array interposer unit can then be mounted within an external circuit using any of a plurality of mounting technologies (e.g., ball grid array (BGA), land grid array (LGA), pin grid array (PGA), surface mount technology (SMT), and/or others). In one embodiment, a single build up layer is formed on the die/core assembly before lamination of the interposer.

Abstract: A keyswitch is described that may include two legs interleaved together without a pivot point approximately central to the legs. The keyswitch may also include a spring to engage at least one of the bottom surfaces of the legs. In one configuration, the legs of the keyswitch may each have two lower protrusions on one of their ends and upper protrusions on their other ends with the lower protrusions of one leg disposed between the lower protrusions of the other leg. The keyswitch may also include a base having retaining clips with each of the lower protrusions of the legs pivotally engaged with a corresponding retaining clip. The keyswitch may also include a cap having tabs that may be pivotally coupled with corresponding slots in the upper protrusions of the legs.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.

Abstract: A network-based method for configuring disconnect switches includes receiving disconnect switch specification information from a user and using a server to compare the received specification information with pre-stored information. The method also includes selecting at least one disconnect switch that matches the received specification information and displaying to the user information related to the disconnect switch. A network-based method also provides for selection of various accessories for the selected disconnect switch.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.

Abstract: A computer system and method provide networked computer users with information about which other users are task proximate to the user, thereby facilitating spontaneous communications regarding task-related, or other, issues. The information about other users is displayed in a user interface window on each computer that presents a visual representation of each user who is task proximate to the user operating the computer. Task proximity to other users may change as the user context switches between applications, and the user interface window is updated accordingly. Task proximity is determined individually by different applications. One exemplary system architecture for providing the information includes a person object representing each user, and storing the visual representation of the user. An encounter window on each computer displays the visual representations. A number of encounter-aware applications may execute on each computer.

Abstract: A collapsible keyboard assembly having, in one embodiment, a plurality of keys each of the plurality of keys having a top portion and a portion of the plurality of keys displaced adjacent one another to form at least one row. A plurality of keys are coupled to a support element which is capable of being extended to a first footprint and is capable of being contracted to a second footprint. Each of the keys includes a key top which is coupled to a key base. Each key top is designed to be pressed by a user. For each key, the key top and key base rotate on a pivot point which couples the key base to the support element. Each key base rotates as the support element is extended and contracted. One embodiment also includes a plurality of scissors linkages, each linkage having a pair of diagonally opposed leg portions coupled to one another, with a portion of the plurality of scissors linkages pivotally coupled to at least one of the keys of the row.