Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.

Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface so as to be visible from the outside of the housing. The surface of the housing is able to be anodized and dyed, and the markings of the surface are able to be bleached markings of dyed anodization.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.

Abstract: An extendible stylus includes a body and an extension telescopically engaged with the body. The stylus may be extended to an open position and collapsed to a closed position, where opposite ends of the stylus are farther apart in the open position. A first, internal detent mechanism of the stylus retains the stylus in the open position. A stop mechanism preferably holds the stylus in the closed position. A receptacle, such as a hole in a case of a portable computer, is engageable with the stylus such that a second, external detent mechanism is provided between the case and the stylus to retain the stylus in engagement with the case. The case is provided with a member which engages a groove positioned on one end of the stylus to form the second detent mechanism.

Abstract: Manual actuation of a stop/eject button on a computer causes a signal to be sent to both the computer's operating system and to a wireless communication controller. The operating system interprets this signal in a manner analogous to a conventional signal to open the drawer, or door, of a compact disk drive device when a compact disk is not currently present in the drive device. If a compact disk is present in the device, the operating system ignores the signal. In this case, the communications controller operates in a normal fashion to interrupt access to the compact disk, instruct the operating system to unmount the disk, and thereafter eject the disk by opening the drive door.

Abstract: A personal computer includes an outer wall having plug receptacles adapted to receive the plug-in cables of peripheral equipment such as keyboards, modems, printers, etc. The outer wall carries a comb element which forms a row of slots into which respective cables can be inserted. The slots serve to organize the cables which otherwise would tend to lay haphazardly on the computer support surface. A cover is pivotably mounted on the outer wall to extend across the slots. A cover extension can be snapped onto the cover to cover the plug receptacles.

Abstract: An enclosure for an electrical apparatus includes a housing having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of side surfaces, and an electrical apparatus, such as a pen-based computer, disposed within the housing such that the housing and the apparatus present a user interface region proximate to the top surface. A cover coupled to the housing by a compound hinge can be moved between a closed position substantially overlaying the user interface region and an open position substantially overlaying a portion of the bottom surface of the housing. The cover protects the user interface region when in the closed position and exposes the user interface region for use when in the open position. A cover catch member coupled to the cover engages a top-surface housing catch member when the cover is in the closed position, and the cover catch member engages a bottom-surface housing catch member at the open position.