Abstract: A device includes: a first component and a second component coupled to one another by a pivot member and being movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first component and the second component are in the same plane and a folded position; a first slider coupled to the first component and a second slider coupled to the second component; and a flexible membrane coupled to the first slider and the second slider, the flexible membrane being exposed in the folded position; wherein the first component and the second component are coupled to one another to maintain the flexible membrane at a constant length when the flexible membrane is moved between the open position and the folded position.

Abstract: A device includes: a housing having a first component and a second component coupled to one another by a pivot member and movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first component and the second component are in the same plane and a folded position; a first slider slidably received in the first component and a second slider slidably received in the second component, the first slider and the second slider being movable toward the pivot member when the first component and the second component move from the open position to the folded position; and a flexible membrane coupled to the first slider, the second slider and the pivot member; wherein, in the folded position, the flexible membrane is located between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a hinge assembly comprising an axle, the hinge assembly coupling a first mating end of a first housing to a second mating end of a second housing, the second housing being movable relative to the first housing from an open position in which the axle is in a first position near to the first mating end and the second mating end and a folded position in which the axle is in a second position spaced from the first mating end and the second mating end such that the first mating end and the second mating end are movable toward one another to move the portable electronic device to a partially open position for clipping to an object; and a processor in electrical communication with electrical components in one of the first housing and the second housing.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and either the modified base image or modified overlay image is moved by the user. A security level requirement is assigned and positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image after the moving in a manner that meets the security level requirement.

Abstract: A keyboard comprises a plurality of keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments that are hingeably coupled to one another. When in a non-deployed configuration, the keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments are disposed on a back side of a corresponding housing such that the keys face outwardly away from that back side of the housing. When in a deployed configuration, the keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments are disposed substantially planar with respect to that same housing and face outwardly away from a front side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and movement of either the modified base image or modified overlay image is permitted if a criterion for movement is met. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image.

Abstract: A housing has a front surface and a back surface. A keyboard and a corresponding bottom surface move between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration. A tray slides in and out of the housing along one or more slots that are formed internal to the housing. This tray can include an internal surface having a first side that contacts the keyboard and an opposing second side that contacts the aforementioned bottom surface when the latter components are non-deployed. When moving to the deployed configuration the keyboard and bottom surface first move substantially parallel to the housing and then move substantially perpendicular to the housing. Projections on these components can interact with corresponding tracks formed in the housing to direct at the least this perpendicular movement.

Abstract: A keyboard portion is configured to move (with respect to a housing) between a deployed position and a non-deployed position. A cover pivotally couples to the housing and is configured to at least partially cover the keyboard portion when the keyboard portion is in the non-deployed position and to reveal the keyboard portion when the keyboard portion is in the deployed position. By one approach the cover is configured to move the keyboard portion between the deployed position and the non-deployed position as the cover pivots with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a hinge assembly comprising an axle, the hinge assembly coupling a first mating end of a first housing to a second mating end of a second housing, the second housing being movable relative to the first housing from an open position in which the axle is in a first position near to the first mating end and the second mating end and a folded position in which the axle is in a second position spaced from the first mating end and the second mating end such that the first mating end and the second mating end are movable toward one another to move the portable electronic device to a partially open position for clipping to an object; and a processor in electrical communication with electrical components in one of the first housing and the second housing.

Abstract: Carts, trolleys, luggage or like load-carrying apparatus, are disclosed which incorporate two wheels which rotate about separate axes of rotation which are coplanar fixed relative to one another, and inclined to one another, preferably at an angle between 50° and 100°. They are mounted in such a way that when the apparatus rests with its wheels on horizontal ground, the plane containing the axes of rotation of the wheels may be moved to be vertical to allow the wheels to turn easily as the apparatus is moved along the ground, and moved away from vertical to cause the apparatus to be braked (as the wheels then try to travel in different directions). The assembly of wheels may be able to swivel over a narrow angular range relative to a base structure or frame. This principle may also be applied to three and four-wheeled load-carrying apparatus.

Abstract: Gravity powered electrical energy generators, particularly for producing lighting is disclosed. The apparatus has a support frame (1, 30) in which a series of gears and a gear-driven generator (20) are mounted. The power to drive the most upstream gear (2) is provided by a weight suspended from a point to one side of the axis of rotation of gear (2). The drive gear of the furthest downstream gear has no teeth so that the final contact between the drive gear and the shaft of the generator (20) is frictional. The gear ratio of the final downstream gear is at least 25. When used for lighting, the apparatus may include one or more high brightness LEDs (40) mounted on the housing (30). By suitable choice of gear ratios, the device may produce thirty minutes of illumination while allowing a 10 kilogram weight to fall through a distance of 1.8 metres.

Abstract: Carriers for loads are disclosed, especially beach use, e.g. as beach carriers or for transporting kayaks or canoes. A foldable assembly of two elongate members (1, 2) forms a frame, the two members being pivotally connected at one end (3), and their other ends carrying wheels (10, 11). A support strap (6) or foldable support between the elongate members, and the members themselves, forms a stable base for the load, and the wheels (10, 11) enable it to be pushed or pulled along. Preferably the wheels (10, 11) are hemispherical with their axes of rotation inclined downwardly and outwardly with respect to the elongate load.

Abstract: A computing device with a graphical authentication interface in which the device displays a base image and authenticates a user when a pre-selected element in a secondary image overlying the base image is aligned with a pre-selected element in the base image.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and movement of either the modified base image or modified overlay image is permitted if a criterion for movement is met. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and either the modified base image or modified overlay image is moved by the user. A security level requirement is assigned and positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image after the moving in a manner that meets the security level requirement.

Abstract: A computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display is disclosed in which the position of the fully opened display has been designed in order that the torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis. The computer is therefore stable even when the display is being touched by pen or finger, unlike conventional clam shell designs.

Abstract: Carts, trolleys or like load-carrying apparatus, for example a wheelbarrow, are disclosed. They incorporate two wheels (2, 3) which rotate about separate axes of rotation (4, 5) which are coplanar but inclined to one another, preferably at an angle (?) between 50° and 100°. They are mounted on a base structure or frame (1) in such a way that when the apparatus rests on horizontal ground, the plane containing the axes of rotation of the wheels (4, 5) may be moved to be vertical to allow the wheels to turn easily as the apparatus is moved along the ground, and moved away from vertical to cause the entire apparatus to be braked (as the wheels then try to travel in different directions across the ground). This principle may be applied to three and four-wheeled load-carrying apparatus.