Abstract: A dual display mode portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a flat-panel display, and a display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the flat panel display. The portable computer further includes means for receiving an external video signal, and a multiplexer for outputting the internal video signal to the flat-panel display during a first display mode, and for outputting the external video signal to the flat-panel display during a second display mode, thereby enabling the portable computer to act as a display device for an external computer.

Abstract: A dual display mode portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a flat-panel display, and a display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the flat panel display. The portable computer further includes means for receiving an external video signal, and a multiplexer for outputting the internal video signal to the flat-panel display during a first display mode, and for outputting the external video signal to the flat-panel display during a second display mode, thereby enabling the portable computer to act as a display device for an external computer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of distributed processing are disclosed. The apparatus, system, and method communicate a software process from a driver device through a peripheral input/output channel to a processing device. The driver device and the processing device execute a common instruction set. The processing device executes the software process, reducing the processing demand on the driver device. The processing device may interface with a peripheral device through the peripheral input/output channel. In addition, the processing device communicates results data through the peripheral input/output channel in an isochronous transfer to the driver device.

Abstract: A method and system for switching between windows running on a multiwindow computer system that retains the user's points of interest is disclosed. The method and system includes allowing a user to register at least one specific point of interest in each of the windows, and displaying a persistent mouse pointer on each of the registered points of interest in the inactive windows. In response to the user making one of the inactive windows active, an active mouse pointer is displayed at the location of the persistent mouse pointer in that window.

Abstract: A dual display mode portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a flat-panel display, and a display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the flat panel display. The portable computer further includes means for receiving an external video signal, and a multiplexer for outputting the internal video signal to the flat-panel display during a first display mode, and for outputting the external video signal to the flat-panel display during a second display mode, thereby enabling the portable computer to act as a display device for an external computer.

Abstract: A dual display mode portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a flat-panel display, and a display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the flat panel display. The portable computer further includes means for receiving an external video signal, and a multiplexer for outputting the internal video signal to the flat-panel display during a first display mode, and for outputting the external video signal to the flat-panel display during a second display mode, thereby enabling the portable computer to act as a display device for an external computer.

Abstract: A method and system for switching between windows running on a multiwindow computer system that retains the user's points of interest is disclosed. The method and system includes allowing a user to register at least one specific point of interest in each of the windows, and displaying a persistent mouse pointer on each of the registered points of interest in the inactive windows. In response to the user making one of the inactive windows active, an active mouse pointer is displayed at the location of the persistent mouse pointer in that window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method within a display subsystem for replacing a video image on a local display while simultaneously maintaining the first video image on an external display. The method entails configuring a first buffer address register accessible by a display controller to locally display data pointed to by the first buffer address register, and a second buffer address register accessible by the display controller to display within an external display device data pointed to by the second buffer address register. An active frame buffer stores graphic image contents for a local display. The first and second buffer address registers are programmed to point to the primary frame buffer during dual display mode. Responsive to selecting split display mode, the contents of the primary frame buffer are copied to a alternate frame buffer. Finally, the second buffer address register is set to point to the alternate frame buffer.