Abstract: A thumb drive has an elongated housing enclosing an assembly of a coupled memory and male USB connector constrained on a translation mechanism in the direction of the long dimension of the housing, with an opening at a first end of the housing through which the male USB connector may extend and retract, a top cover engaged in tracks and translatable in the long direction of the housing, and gears rotating on a shaft across the housing and engaging a gear rack along edges of the top cover and along upper edges of the memory and connector assembly. Translating the top cover forward retracts the connector into the housing, and translating the top cover rearward extends the connector from the housing.

Abstract: A computerized appliance, typically configured as a pocket-portable device, has a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile data repository, a wireless transceiver, and a first code set resident and executable by the CPU in response to commands and data received at the appliance via the wireless transceiver. A first function of the first code set is to configure the appliance to execute, in response to an input signal via the wireless transceiver, a second code set resident and executable by the CPU, the second code set managing communication with one or more external wireless devices via the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A personal speaker system has one or more speakers, a wireless transceiver, and a detachable user control interface, the user control interface including a digital music player, a graphics display, and a digital medium executing software code for enabling configuration and control of system functions by a user.

Abstract: A mouse pointer device has an outer shell having a shape to accommodate a user's hand, an inner body enclosing electronic components for the mouse, and having a scrolling wheel implemented at a forward portion of the inner body, and a linear translation interface implemented between the inner body and the outer shell enabling the inner body to be positioned at any point along the translation interface within the outer shell, such that the position of the scrolling wheel is changed relative to the position of the user's hand holding the outer shell. In one embodiment a mouse pad is also provided having a substantially flat surface for engaging a portion of a mouse pointer device and a charging station comprising a pair of upward-extending electrodes for engaging electrodes of a mouse pointer device for charging a power supply in the mouse device.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an elongated housing enclosing an assembly of a coupled memory and male USB connector constrained on a translation mechanism in the direction of the long dimension of the housing, with an opening at a first end of the housing through which the male USB connector may extend and retract, a top cover engaged in tracks and translatable in the long direction of the housing, and gears rotating on a shaft across the housing and engaging a gear rack along edges of the top cover and along upper edges of the memory and connector assembly. Translating the top cover forward retracts the connector into the housing, and translating the top cover rearward extends the connector from the housing.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an elongated housing enclosing a coupled memory and male USB connector constrained on a translation mechanism in the direction of the long dimension of the housing, with an opening at a first end of the housing through which the male USB connector may extend and retract, a cover hinged at a second end opposite the first end of the housing, the cover shaped to fold over the housing when closed and having an extension that covers the opening for the connector at the first end of the housing, and a mechanism coupling the cover and the USB connector such that the cover being rotated from the closed position extends the USB connector from the opening, the connector fully extended with the hinged cover fully rotated open.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an elongated housing enclosing a coupled memory and male USB connector constrained on a translation mechanism in the direction of the long dimension of the housing, with an opening at a first end of the housing through which the male USB connector may extend and retract, a cover hinged at a second end opposite the first end of the housing, the cover shaped to fold over the housing when closed and having an extension that covers the opening for the connector at the first end of the housing, and a mechanism coupling the cover and the USB connector such that the cover being rotated from the closed position extends the USB connector from the opening, the connector fully extended with the hinged cover fully rotated open.

Abstract: A wireless headphone device has a first elongate portion having first and second opposite ends with an attachment interface at the first end, the first portion comprising an on-board power supply and a transceiver with functional circuitry, and a second elongate portion coupled pivotally to the first portion at the second end, and having an ear bud and a microphone at an end away from the pivotal coupling. The functional circuitry enables receiving and playing of audio from an MP3 player through the ear bud, and use as speaker and microphone for a wirelessly coupled telephone.

Abstract: An illuminated keyboard has at least one key carried by a support structure and operable to close an electrical contact on being depressed from above, the at least one key having a translucent top surface, a hollow space under the translucent top surface, and an opening into the hollow space other than through the top surface, and an electroluminescent illuminator comprising a region of electroluminescent material enabled to be inserted into the hollow space through the opening.

Abstract: A mobile computing device has a first detachable input device, a second removable input device, and an elevation stand integral with the computing device. In use, the first and second input devices may be used to operate the mobile computing device while the input devices are in the detached or removed state and wherein the elevation stand may be leveraged to elevate the display of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A thumb drive comprises on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth™ compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth™ compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use.

Abstract: A thumb drive comprises on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth™ compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth™ compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use.

Abstract: A hair drying and shaping system is provided and has a vacuum channel connected to a vacuum source for containing hair disposed therein for treatment; a hot air channel connected to a hot air source and having communication with the vacuum channel for measurable delivery of heated air into the vacuum channel; and a control interface for determining, setting, and activating features and parameters thereof during operation.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector and on-board memory for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. In various embodiments a light is also provided for use with finding female USB ports for connection, and as a utility light.

Abstract: A thumb drive comprises on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth™ compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth™ compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use.

Abstract: A hair drying and shaping system is provided and has a vacuum channel connected to a vacuum source for containing hair disposed therein for treatment; a hot air channel connected to a hot air source and having communication with the vacuum channel for measurable delivery of heated air into the vacuum channel; and a control interface for determining, setting, and activating features and parameters thereof during operation.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector and on-board memory for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. In various embodiments a light is also provided for use with finding female USB ports for connection, and as a utility light.

Abstract: A thumb drive has an on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector and on-board memory for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. In various embodiments a light is also provided for use with finding female USB ports for connection, and as a utility light.

Abstract: A variable-color display system has at least one area of electroluminescent material, a power supply connected to the area of electroluminescent material, providing electromotive force (emf) to the material, and variable frequency control circuitry for controlling frequency of application of the emf applied to the area of electroluminescent material, wherein by varying the frequency the apparent color of the display is changed. In some embodiments pixilated displays are provided.

Abstract: A thumb drive comprises on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth™ compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth™ compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use.