Abstract: A logical battery partitioning approach is disclosed. In one embodiment, a power management system in a portable computing device having a plurality of subsystems can include: (i) a battery coupled to a plurality of subsystems; (ii) a first battery variable provided to a first subsystem to indicate a characteristic of a first logical battery partition; and (iii) a second battery variable provided to a second subsystem to indicate a characteristic of a second logical battery partition. A battery variable can include an accessibility control, or a percent of battery power available, for example.

Abstract: A cable is disclosed which include a first connector, a second connector, a primary flexible cable segment coupled to the first connector at a first location on the primary flexible cable segment and to the second connector at a second location on the primary flexible cable segment, and a third connector coupled to the primary flexible cable segment at a third location between the first and second locations on the primary flexible cable segment.

Abstract: A cable is disclosed which include a first connector, a second connector, a primary flexible cable segment coupled to the first connector at a first location on the primary flexible cable segment and to the second connector at a second location on the primary flexible cable segment, and a third connector coupled to the primary flexible cable segment at a third location between the first and second locations on the primary flexible cable segment.

Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cable connects a computing device to both an external power source and one or more peripheral devices. The cable may include a docking module including an AC adaptor for connecting to an external AC power source, and a DC-DC charger, coupled to the AC adaptor, for transmitting power to the computing device over a segment of the cable. The docking module may also include one or more connectors adapted to connect to one or more peripheral devices. In another embodiment, a device connects a computing device to an external power source. The device includes a first cable segment and a DC-DC charger suitable for transmitting power to the computing device over the first cable segment. The device includes a second cable segment connecting the DC-DC charger to an AC adaptor suitable for connection to an external power source.

Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing subsystems.

Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.

Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.

Abstract: A core component is disclosed which includes a processing module and a touch screen. The core component may operate by itself in a first mode to perform functions similar to that of a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA). In particular, the touch screen may both provide visual output and receive input from a user's finger when the core component operates in the first mode. When the core component is connected to another component including a display screen, the core component may operate in a second mode in which input received through the touch screen is provided to the other component. For example, the movement of a user's finger may control the position of a cursor displayed on a screen of the other component so that the core component exhibits the behavior of a trackpad when operating in the second mode.

Abstract: An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Abstract: An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Abstract: An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Abstract: A personal computing device is disclosed. The personal computing device includes a housing having a translucent portion. The housing encloses internally various components that provide computing operations for the personal computing device. The personal computing device also includes a light source disposed inside the housing. The light source is configured to produce light inside the housing so as to illuminate at least a portion of the translucent portion. The illumination of the translucent portion affecting the appearance of the housing in a non trivial manner.

Abstract: A cable is disclosed which include a first connector, a second connector, a primary flexible cable segment coupled to the first connector at a first location on the primary flexible cable segment and to the second connector at a second location on the primary flexible cable segment, and a third connector coupled to the primary flexible cable segment at a third location between the first and second locations on the primary flexible cable segment.

Abstract: A docking station is disclosed for use with a mobile computing device. The form factor of the docking station may be similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. A mobile computing device, which may have the form factor of a personal digital assistant, may be docked in the docking station by connecting connectors on the docking station and the mobile computing device. The combined docking station and mobile computing device may form a computer which has a form factor and provide functionality similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. The docking station may, for example, include a cavity into which the mobile computing device may be inserted to dock the mobile computing device in the docking station.

Abstract: Various screws and corresponding screwdrivers are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment a screwdriver having a single, circular, non-axial pin is disclosed, and a corresponding screw having a single, circular, non-axial bore is disclosed. In another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having a plurality of pins arranged asymmetrically about the central axis of the screwdriver is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having an irregularly-shaped and centrally-located pin is disclosed. Techniques for combining these and other features in various ways are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various screws and corresponding screwdrivers are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment a screwdriver having a single, circular, non-axial pin is disclosed, and a corresponding screw having a single, circular, non-axial bore is disclosed. In another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having a plurality of pins arranged asymmetrically about the central axis of the screwdriver is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having an irregularly-shaped and centrally-located pin is disclosed. Techniques for combining these and other features in various ways are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various screws and corresponding screwdrivers are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment a screwdriver having a single, circular, non-axial pin is disclosed, and a corresponding screw having a single, circular, non-axial bore is disclosed. In another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having a plurality of pins arranged asymmetrically about the central axis of the screwdriver is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a screwdriver (and corresponding screw) having an irregularly-shaped and centrally-located pin is disclosed. Techniques for combining these and other features in various ways are also disclosed.

Abstract: A core component is disclosed which includes a processing module and a touch screen. The core component may operate by itself in a first mode to perform functions similar to that of a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA). In particular, the touch screen may both provide visual output and receive input from a user's finger when the core component operates in the first mode. When the core component is connected to another component including a display screen, the core component may operate in a second mode in which input received through the touch screen is provided to the other component. For example, the movement of a user's finger may control the position of a cursor displayed on a screen of the other component so that the core component exhibits the behavior of a trackpad when operating in the second mode.