Abstract: A portable information display device has a backlit touch-sensitive display screen and a housing. The housing has a bezel portion which defines a perimeter of the display screen. The bezel has location identification means which identify touch-responsive icon regions on the display screen. The location identification means allow the device to be used in poor lighting conditions or by the sight-impaired. The user can trace the bezel until finding the location identification means which corresponds to the desired icon region. The desired icon region can then be touched to manipulate the displayed information.

Abstract: An electronic reading system is disclosed which allows users to download books and other types of content to a hand-held reader device for viewing. Using software which runs on a personal computer (PC), the user can download titles from Internet sites to the PC. Titles are then automatically transferred to the device when the device is placed in a cradle which is connected to the PC. Using the device's touch-sensitive display and graphical user interface, the user can access various software-implemented features associated with the display and management of the content. One feature is a user-definable hotkey that can be “dragged and dropped” onto a menu item to create a shortcut to that item. Another feature allows the user to tap twice on a displayed word to cause the device to look the word up in a pre-specified or default reference title, such as a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Abstract: An electronic reading system is disclosed which allows users to download books and other types of content to a hand-held reader device for viewing. Using software which runs on a personal computer (PC), the user can download titles from Internet sites to the PC. Titles are then automatically transferred to the device when the device is placed in a cradle which is connected to the PC. Using the device's touch-sensitive display and graphical user interface, the user can access various software-implemented features associated with the display and management of the content. One feature is a user-definable hotkey that can be “dragged and dropped” onto a menu item to create a shortcut to that item. Another feature allows the user to tap twice on a displayed word to cause the device to look the word up in a pre-specified or default reference title, such as a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Abstract: An electronic reading system is disclosed which allows users to download books and other types of content to a hand-held reader device for viewing. Using software which runs on a personal computer (PC), the user can download titles from Internet sites to the PC. Titles are then automatically transferred to the device when the device is placed in a cradle which is connected to the PC. Using the device's touch-sensitive display and graphical user interface, the user can access various software-implemented features associated with the display and management of the content. One feature is a user-definable hotkey that can be “dragged and dropped” onto a menu item to create a shortcut to that item. Another feature allows the user to tap twice on a displayed word to cause the device to look the word up in a prespecified or default reference title, such as a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Abstract: An electronic reading system is disclosed which allows users to download books and other types of content to a hand-held reader device for viewing. Using software which runs on a personal computer (PC), the user can download titles from Internet sites to the PC. Titles are then automatically transferred to the device when the device is placed in a cradle which is connected to the PC. Using the device's touch-sensitive display and graphical user interface, the user can access various software-implemented features associated with the display and management of the content. One feature is a user-definable hotkey that can be "dragged and dropped" onto a menu item to create a shortcut to that item. Another feature allows the user to tap twice on a displayed word to cause the device to look the word up in a pre-specified or default reference title, such as a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a terminal and a keyboard, the terminal comprises a central control unit for controlling the operation of the keyboard and the keyboard comprises a switch array, the switch array has a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The terminal further comprises a data output port for transmitting a command signal from the terminal central control unit and a data input port for receiving a data signal from the keyboard. The command signal comprises a keyboard initialize signal and a keyboard increment signal. The keyboard further comprises a four-wire keyboard interface for communicating with the terminal.