Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a peripheral in accordance with a MIPI protocol are provided. A test system can test a peripheral by providing user-5 specified control over a test processor (which is substantially the same processor the peripheral will interface with when installed) to test, calibrate, or both test and calibrate the peripheral. The test processor can communicate with the peripheral according 10 to the MIPI protocol, thereby effectively providing an actual “in-device” environment for testing and/or calibrating the peripheral.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a peripheral in accordance with a high-speed serial interface protocol are provided. A test system can test a peripheral by providing user-specified control over a test processor (which is substantially the same processor the peripheral will interface with when installed) to test, calibrate, or both test and calibrate the peripheral. The test processor can communicate with the peripheral according to the high-speed serial interface protocol, thereby effectively providing an actual “in-device” environment for testing and/or calibrating the peripheral.

Abstract: A handheld device with a compact integrated touch panel is disclosed. A handheld device incorporating a touch panel display requiring electrical connections is reduced in size by incorporating electrical pathways within the support structure of the touch panel display, obviating the need for a flex circuit extension from the touch panel display for connection to the handheld device. A further reduction in size is obtained by providing an inherent visually homogeneous perimeter for the touch panel display by matching the colors of the conductive and dielectric materials, thereby eliminating the need for a bezel.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the life of a battery within a portable or otherwise battery operated electronic device. The method and system provide selectable display modes, e.g., from color to monochrome, that can be changed in order to enhance the life of the device's battery. The monochrome display mode can be selected by the when the battery level is detected below a predefined threshold. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a hand held computer system with a display device. When the battery level is detected as below a preselected level, a message may be generated on the computer display screen. The display mode can change from color to monochrome thereby saving power because the monochrome display. In one embodiment, color sequential techniques are used to provide a flat panel color display. Within the display, a transreflective layer provides reflective light for monochrome applications.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the life of a battery within a portable or otherwise battery operated electronic device. The method and system provide selectable display modes, e.g., from color to monochrome, that can be changed in order to enhance the life of the device's battery. The monochrome display mode can be selected by the when the battery level is detected below a predefined threshold. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a hand held computer system with a display device. When the battery level is detected as below a preselected level, a message may be generated on the computer display screen. The display mode can change from color to monochrome thereby saving power because the monochrome display. In one embodiment, color sequential techniques are used to provide a flat panel color display. Within the display, a transreflective layer provides reflective light for monochrome applications.

Abstract: A handheld device with a compact integrated touch panel is disclosed. A handheld device incorporating a touch panel display requiring electrical connections is reduced in size by incorporating electrical pathways within the support structure of the touch panel display, obviating the need for a flex circuit extension from the touch panel display for connection to the handheld device. A further reduction in size is obtained by providing an inherent visually homogeneous perimeter for the touch panel display by matching the colors of the conductive and dielectric materials, thereby eliminating the need for a bezel.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the life of a battery within a portable or otherwise battery operated electronic device. The method and system provide user selectable display modes, e.g., from color to monochrome, that can be changed in order to enhance the life of the device's battery. The monochrome display mode can be selected by the user when the battery level is detected below a predefined threshold. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a hand held computer system with a display device. When the battery level is detected as below a preselected level, a message is generated on the computer display screen. The message informs the user that the display mode of the screen can be changed to enhance the battery life. If selected, the display mode can change from color to monochrome thereby saving power because the monochrome display does not utilize a back-lighting element. In one embodiment, color sequential techniques are used to provide a flat panel color display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a peripheral in accordance with a MIPI protocol are provided. A test system can test a peripheral by providing user-specified control over a test processor (which is substantially the same processor the peripheral will interface with when installed) to test, calibrate, or both test and calibrate the peripheral. The test processor can communicate with the peripheral according to the MIPI protocol, thereby effectively providing an actual “in-device” environment for testing and/or calibrating the peripheral.

Abstract: A handheld device with a compact integrated touch panel is disclosed. A handheld device incorporating a touch panel display requiring electrical connections is reduced in size by incorporating electrical pathways within the support structure of the touch panel display, obviating the need for a flex circuit extension from the touch panel display for connection to the handheld device. A further reduction in size is obtained by providing an inherent visually homogeneous perimeter for the touch panel display by matching the colors of the conductive and dielectric materials, thereby eliminating the need for a bezel.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device comprising a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor. The flexible touch sensor is operable to register a position where contact is made with a surface of the flexible display panel, such that the position of contact registered is translated into a particular command for controlling the portable electronic device. In the present embodiment, the flexible touch sensor is disposed beneath the flexible display panel. As such, the quality of the display is not diminished. In addition, the combination of the flexible display panel and the flexible touch sensor reduces the thickness of the portable computer system.

Abstract: A display device having a display matrix (m+2x by n+2x) including an active, e.g., controllable, pixel border located around the edge locations of a frame buffer matrix for improved character viewability. The border can be several pixels wide, e.g., 1<x<5. In one embodiment, the border is two pixels wide and surrounds a liquid crystal display (LCD) matrix area having (m×n) pixels that are controlled by a frame buffer memory. In one embodiment, the pixels of the border are active pixels and each contain a red, a green and a blue subpixel. The pixel border is useful for increasing viewability, e.g., contrast, of characters that are displayed along the edge of the LCD matrix area in a frame buffer region. The invention includes a border attribute register for containing a color attribute and a brightness attribute, in one embodiment.

Abstract: An electronic device is formed at least partially from a deflectable material that generates an electrical signal in response to contact. The first material is integrated with a display module to provide a shaped feature on the exterior surface of the display module. The shaped feature detects contact with an external object on one or more contact points, where contact with the contact points corresponds to a defined input for a processor of the electronic device.

Abstract: A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors.

Abstract: A handheld computing device featuring interchangeable display units is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a processing unit and a visual display unit detachable from the processing unit. The processing unit and the detachable visual display unit include communication ports capable of communicating with each other. The processing unit further can receive information representative of the properties of the detachable visual display unit.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device comprising a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor. The flexible touch sensor is operable to register a position where contact is made with a surface of the flexible display panel, such that the position of contact registered is translated into a particular command for controlling the portable electronic device. In the present embodiment, the flexible touch sensor is disposed beneath the flexible display panel. As such, the quality of the display is not diminished. In addition, the combination of the flexible display panel and the flexible touch sensor reduces the thickness of the portable computer system.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

Abstract: A display system for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.

Abstract: A single-piece top surface display and integrated front cover for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the cover comprises a thin, flexible, transparent layer coupled with a supporting structure. The flexible layer is supported above a display screen which is coupled with pressure activated sensors located under the display screen. The cover is dust-free, waterproof, and has a flat outer surface that is free of any steps or indentations. Users input data by applying pressure on the cover which causes the display screen to deflect and activate the sensors. The pressure exerted on the sensors is triangulated to register the position of the user input. In another embodiment, the cover is transparent, rigid, and directly contacts the pressure activated sensors which are located in front of the display screen or in the housing behind it. When pressure is applied to the cover, the cover deflects and activates the sensors. In both embodiments, an accelerometer identifies valid input events.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.