Abstract: A remote control system for a computer, and a corresponding method include a Web camera having an image capture unit, the image capture unit including one or more devices capable of receiving imagery from multiple, distinct sections of the electromagnetic spectrum; a detection and separation module capable of detecting and separating the imagery into at least one signal capable of cursor control, wherein the signal capable of cursor control is generated by a remote control device; and a processing unit that receives the signal capable of cursor control and generates one or more cursor control signals, wherein the one or more cursor control signals include signals indicative of movement of the remote control device, the movement capable of translation to movement of a cursor displayed on a display of the computer.

Abstract: A mixer 110 can be connected to the computing system. The mixer can include a first input 115 to receive audiovisual data on a first channel from a content provider and a second input 120 to receive computer data. The mixer can transmit through an output 130 the audiovisual data received on the first channel and the computer data received from the second input on a second channel assigned by the mixer.

Abstract: A modular computer includes a display with a docking station on its back side. A CPU module connects to the docking station. Peripheral modules connect with the resulting display/CPU assembly so that the peripheral modules contact the back side of the display screen.

Abstract: A system 101A, 101B for deriving operating electricity for an electrical appliance 100A, 100B from wasted heat of the electrical appliance 100A, 100B comprises a heat generating component 110 of the electrical appliance 100A, 100B, a thermoelectric device 120 thermally coupled with the heat generating component 110, a charge storage device 140 electrically coupled with the thermoelectric device 120, and a real-time parasitic component 157 of electrical appliance 100A, 100B that is electrically coupled with thermoelectric device 120 and charge storage device 140. Thermoelectric device 120 is configured to thermoelectrically generate electricity from waste heat of heat generating component 110. The waste heat is generated by heat generating component 110 during operation of electrical appliance 100A, 100B.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for securing data on a removable memory device, which is removably coupled to and accessible by a computing apparatus, are disclosed. Upon an attempt by a user to access the removable memory device, a manual key is recovered by a manual key interface device. This manual key is used to authenticate the identity of the user. Upon the authentication where the user identity corresponds to authorized access to the memory device, the access is enabled. Upon the authentication, where the user identity does not correspond to authorized access to the memory device, the access is prohibited.

Abstract: A remote control system for a computer, and a corresponding method include a Web camera having an image capture unit, the image capture unit including one or more devices capable of receiving imagery from multiple, distinct sections of the electromagnetic spectrum; a detection and separation module capable of detecting and separating the imagery into at least one signal capable of cursor control, wherein the signal capable of cursor control is generated by a remote control device; and a processing unit that receives the signal capable of cursor control and generates one or more cursor control signals, wherein the one or more cursor control signals include signals indicative of movement of the remote control device, the movement capable of translation to movement of a cursor displayed on a display of the computer.

Abstract: A system comprising a first battery cavity and a second battery cavity adjacent to the first battery cavity. Both of the first and second battery cavities are oriented in a common direction. The system also comprises a third battery cavity which comprises at least part of the first battery cavity and at least part of the second battery cavity. The third battery cavity is oriented in a different direction than the common direction.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining a chamber, a circuit board positioned in the chamber and having at least one integrated circuit, an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed in the housing, a fluid flow generator to generate an air flow across the circuit board in the chamber, and an electrostatic air filtration system to filter air entering the chamber from the air inlet port.

Abstract: A method and system communicate a signal correspond to a message to an input/output device, such as a messaging mouse, and activate a colored light so that a user can be notified of the arrival of an important message even when he is away from the computer desk or when the computer's screen is blanked or off. The color of the light may be associated with a certain message. If a few concurrent messages arrive, the colors associated with these messages can sequentially change in a cyclic order. The colored light continues to shine until the user activates a reset.

Abstract: A modular computer includes a display with a docking station on its back side. A CPU module connects to the docking station. Peripheral modules connect with the resulting display/CPU assembly so that the peripheral modules contact the back side of the display screen.

Abstract: A mass storage system usable with a storage device is described. The mass storage system includes a housing, a device interface, a user interface, a controller, and a connector. The device interface is operatively coupled with the housing for connecting with a storage device. The user interface is connected with the housing and operatively coupled with the device interface for accessing information about a storage device connected via the device interface. The controller operatively coupled with the device interface and the user interface for controlling the mass storage system. The connector is connected with the controller for coupling the mass storage system to an external processing device.

Abstract: A modular computer includes a display with a docking station on its back side. A CPU module connects to the docking station. Peripheral modules connect with the resulting display/CPU assembly so that the peripheral modules contact the back side of the display screen.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electronic device comprising a keyboard coupled to a power supply and a mouse coupled to the keyboard. In one embodiment the keyboard further has a docking station into which the rechargeable mouse or other input device can be mounted. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the mouse can be used while in the keyboard or when separated from the keyboard through a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A digital media receiver, method, and computer readable medium bearing instructions for transferring information from media to a connected computer system are described. The receiver includes a memory for storing instructions for execution, a first interface coupled with a processor for transmitting a signal representative of media information to a media presenting device, a reader coupled with the processor for transferring media information to the receiver, a second interface coupled with the processor and adapted to transfer information read by reader from media to a connected computer system, and the processor connected to the memory for executing the instructions enabling the processor to transfer information transferred by the reader to the connected computer system using the second interface. A method aspect includes responsive to input, reading information from media in a reader of a digital media receiver and transferring the read information from the media to a connection interface.

Abstract: A graphic object translation system is described. The graphic object translation system has an automatically retracting arcuate control component that has a rest position to which it returns after being moved and released. The graphic object translation system also has a graphic control component that is responsive to a movement of the arcuate control component and causes a graphic object to be graphically translated from its existing position.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electronic device comprises a housing defining a chamber, a circuit board positioned in the chamber and comprising at least one integrated circuit, an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed in the housing, a fluid flow generator to generate an air flow across the circuit board in the chamber, and an electrostatic air filtration system to filter air entering the chamber from the air inlet port.

Abstract: A system comprising a first battery cavity and a second battery cavity adjacent to the first battery cavity. Both of the first and second battery cavities are oriented in a common direction. The system also comprises a third battery cavity which comprises at least part of the first battery cavity and at least part of the second battery cavity. The third battery cavity is oriented in a different direction than the common direction.

Abstract: A modularly expandable data storage device receptacle includes a housing configured to receive a memory device for providing additional data storage for a computer system, in which the housing is external to the computer system. A first connector is provided for receiving data signals from the computer system for accessing the memory device. A second connector is provided for passing data signals from the computer system to a connector of another modularly expandable data storage device receptacle.

Abstract: An entertainment device that includes ventilation openings in a bottom panel of a chassis of the device to reduce the chance that the ventilation openings will be covered and that the entertainment device will overheat. The entertainment device includes a motherboard that is mounted to a top panel of the chassis so that a CPU is mounted to the motherboard upside down within the chassis.

Abstract: A computer system is provided which includes a computer configured to detect for the occurrence of an event. The computer is also configured to determine whether content related to the event should be generated by a device coupled to the computer and to provide a signal to the device if it determines that the device should generate the content related to the event. The device includes a first module which is configured to generate the content related to the event.