Abstract: A system and method for multi-mode user input for a mobile device, the system including: a second portion of the mobile device; a first portion of the mobile device that is movably engaged with the second portion to move between a closed position and an open position to allow access to an open user input area; and a detent mechanism configured to allow the first portion to be held at a first mode position between the closed position and the open position to allow access to a partial user input area that is less than the open user input area. The partial user input area has predetermined functions associated therewith, which may be changed when the first portion is moved to an open position, exposing the open user input area.

Abstract: An interactive food and/or drink ordering system, in which a computer controlled projector is mounted above a surface such that a menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected onto some or all of the surface. The selection options are selectable by a user operating an interface device connected to the computer, such as a wireless track pad.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention relates a mount for mounting a device, such as a telephone cradle or a navigation device, to a surface. The mount includes a connection member for connecting the device to the mount, the connection member being arranged to allow adjustment of the orientation of the device with respect to the mount; a suction cup arranged to be attached to the surface by generating underpressure in between the suction cup and the surface; a pull member arranged to pull a central part of the suction cup substantially in a first direction from a first position to a second position, thereby generating underpressure in between the suction cup and the surface. In at least one embodiment, in the second position, the pull member is arranged to exert a friction force to the connection member to fixate the connection member.

Abstract: A navigation system is disclosed for providing navigational directions. It has a navigation device with a body provided with a receiving part. The receiving part has an inner surface provided with a connecting element of a first connection type. The navigation system further includes a docking system arranged to accommodate the navigation device. The docking system has an extending part provided with a connecting element of a second connection type. The connecting element of the second connection type is arranged for connection to the connecting element of the first connection type. The extending part further includes an outer surface with a shape similar to the inner surface of the receiving part of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the receiving part is slideable along a trajectory over the outer surface, the trajectory being determined by the shape of both the inner surface of the receiving part of the navigation device and the outer surface of the extending part of the docking system.

Abstract: A docking apparatus for a portable device, preferably a portable navigation device, is disclosed. The docking apparatus comprises at least a base and a mounting part which is connected to the base, and is characterized in that the mounting part is pivotally mounted within the base and consists of at least a cover part which in a first position lies substantially flush with the base, said cover portion capable of being pivoted to a second position wherein part of the cover portion extends substantially upwardly from the docking apparatus, said pivotal motion also revealing a fin part attached to the underside of said cover part which in said second position lies substantially flush with said lip. The apparatus is further characterized in that at least one of the part of the cover portion underside and the fin part is provided with one or more cooperating connection features which cooperate with corresponding features provided on the portable device to facilitate the connection of the latter to the former.

Abstract: A dock for a portable navigation device comprises a RF connector designed to automatically interface with a RF connector in the device in order to feed GPS RF signals from an external aerial to the device when the device is correctly mounted on the dock. RF signals from an external aerial are conventionally routed along a co-axial cable that is plugged directly into the navigation device. This means that a user has to first dock the device and then hook up the RF cable. But with the present invention, a user merely has to dock the navigation device onto the platform for an automatic connection to any external aerial connected to the dock to be made. There is no need to laboriously plug in a RF cable directly into the navigation device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device comprises a main body and a protective panel. The main body features a periphery formed by a plurality of sidewalls. The protective panel is placed over a top surface of the main body and extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the main body.

Abstract: Apparatus having a sensor unit, preferably in the form of a sensor pen, and printed material is described where the two interact in a wide variety of ways. In particular, the printing on the printed material is configured to have different properties, where the difference is not discernible to the naked eye, for example differences in infrared absorption. A variety of arrangements are described, for example for use in early learning activities, and for testing and revision activities using multi-choice question papers. By using good design engineering, the number of different types of reaction from the printed material that the sensor unit can discriminate between may be as many as several tens, or even more than 100.

Abstract: A console (10) is disclosed which comprises a console top (12), a first member (14), and a second member (16) coupled to the first member (14) via a mechanism. The mechanism (17) is movable between a first configuration in which the first member (14) closes a recess (18) in the console top (12), and a second configuration in which the first member (14) extends away from the console top (12) and the second member (16) is arranged such that it can support a load while the mechanism (17) is retained in the second configuration.