Abstract: Systems and methods for brewing coffee and producing other hot beverages are included herein. An automated coffee vending kiosk configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a coffee brewing unit for brewing coffee and a cup dispensing portion. The cup dispensing portion can include a motor and a door operably coupled to the motor. The door can be moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide access to a cup storage area having a plurality of cups. A coffee dispensing portion can be positioned to dispense the coffee into an individual cup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for brewing coffee and producing other hot beverages are disclosed herein. An automated coffee vending kiosk configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a coffee brewing unit for brewing coffee and a cup dispensing portion. The cup dispensing portion can include a motor and a door operably coupled to the motor. The door can be moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide access to a cup storage area having a plurality of cups. A coffee dispensing portion can be positioned to dispense the coffee into an individual cup.

Abstract: A rear projection display devices includes a diffusion layer having an interface surface configured to diffuse visible light, and a visible light projection subsystem configured to project a display image at the interface surface using the visible light to be diffused by the diffusion layer. The rear projection display devices may also include a light transmissive base configured to provide a support for the interface surface, and an infrared touch-sensing subsystem including an infrared light source configured to project infrared light at the base, and an infrared light detector configured to detect infrared light reflecting from the interface surface. Separation elements may be disposed between the diffusion layer and the base so as to maintain a separation between the diffusion layer and the base.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

Abstract: A computing system is equipped with one or more ports, each of which includes a plurality of coupler lines configured to engage connectors that may be associated with different types of external services and/or devices, including public switched telephone networks, Ethernet networks, ISDN networks, and/or telephone devices. Upon detecting a connection to a port, a controller evaluates at least one electrical property of the lines of the port. Based on the evaluation, the controller determines if the port is engaged with a known type of service or device. When the type of service or device is known, the controller selectively switches a plurality of port lines to appropriate communications subsystems to enable the computing system to communicate with the device or service. For example, a conventional telephone device can then be used as an audio input/output device for communication over the Internet rather than over a public switched telephone network.

Abstract: A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

Abstract: A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

Abstract: A mouse is provided with a movement sensor in a casing. The mouse includes three depressible top surfaces and two thumb button actuators.

Abstract: A mouse and a mouse driver are provided that are synchronized to each other through a process that includes the mouse driver receiving a mouse identifier from the mouse. Based on the mouse identifier, the driver determines if the mouse has a fourth button, a fifth button or a wheel that are not active. If so, the driver sends a command to activate the inactive button or wheel.

Abstract: In a computer system having a display and a keyboard, a computer readable medium includes instructions for invoking a message hook procedure based on a mouse message indicative of a mouse event. Instructions also provide for identifying at least one focus application that has a current keyboard focus and of converting the mouse message into a command for the focus application. The command is then sent to the focus application and the mouse message is prevented from being routed to any other applications. In one embodiment, the commands include the command to page forward or backward through pages of Internet documents. In other embodiments, instead of converting the mouse message into a command, the message hook procedure displays a graphical user interface based on the focus application and the mouse message. The graphical user interface includes one or more commands that the user may select.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the speed of operation of a computer consists of providing a cache memory which is faster than the computer's main memory, disabling the computer's main microprocessor, and replacing it with a microprocessor with a faster clock cycle time. A portion of the program stored in the main memory is stored in the cache memory. The addresses of the portion of the main memory stored in the cache memory are noted in a tag RAM. Upon each addressing sequence during the execution of a program, the tag RAM is examined to determine if the addressed located is stored in the cache memory. If the stored location is identified in the tag RAM, it is retrieved from the cache memory at high-speed. Otherwise, the data in the address location is retrieved from main memory at a slower speed and written into the cache memory so that subsequent accesses may be made at high-speed.