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 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 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 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: A computer data entry includes a key frame including at least a top plate and a bottom plate, a key motion mechanism for enabling a range of vertical movement of the key, a permanent magnet producing a magnetic field affixed to the key frame, and an electromagnet affixed to the key motion mechanism. The permanent magnetic field repels the electromagnetic field when current is introduced into the electromagnet such that upon key depression, a disturbance in the electromagnetic field occurs as a result of like polarity of the magnetic fields, the disturbance analyzed to dynamically select a specific input function for the key.

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 system, method and computer program product that utilizes measurements for the authentication of users to enterprise resources. The system includes an authentication server that stores the engine and collections of data required by the system to authenticate users. The collections of data include templates, policies, groups, device IDs, user IDs, computer IDs and application IDs. In the present invention, it is the policies that determine the way or method in which a user is to be authenticated by the system. The pre-defined polices include an OR policy, an AND policy, a CONTINGENT policy, a RANDOM policy and a THRESHOLD policy, a multi-user policy, a multi-location policy, a multi-template policy, a user dependent policy, a location restriction policy, and a computer/device specific policy.

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 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 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 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 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: The invention relates to a method for optimizing signal reception for a broadcast data receiver. Broadcast Data Receivers are used to receive digital data transmitted from a remote location, process the same and then generate video, audio and auxiliary services. However the Broadcast data receiver is typically located in a household and can be susceptible to general and/or local conditions which affect the reception of the data signals at different frequencies. The present invention provides a method for optimizing the signal reception at the broadcast data receiver location by allowing the analysis of amplitude gain control levels of the broadcast data receiver and then selecting the amplitude gain control levels and/or other levels which optimize the quality of the received signal at each frequency.

Abstract: A self leveling support for a machine includes a top plate, a base, a first supporting structure, and a second supporting structure. The top plate has a surface resting substantially along a first plane before thermal expansion. The first supporting structure is connected between the top plate and the base. The second supporting structure is connected between the top plate and the base. The surface of the top plate will be in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane during thermal expansion of the machine, the first supporting structure, and the second supporting structure.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for controlling the storage of data. The data is broadcast to and received by a broadcast data receiver and the receiver is provided with or connected to memory in which the data, including video data is to be stored. At an instant decided by any or any combination of control parameters, a portion of the data held in the memory is selected, compressed/recompressed and stored in the memory in the compressed condition.