Abstract: A pointing device has a controllable selector for sending a version compatible signal and a newer functionality signal to a computer terminal. The pointing device has an operating unit which produces a signal which can be passed directly to the computer terminal, or can be modified with a new functionality, and then passed to the computer terminal. A controller in the pointing device monitors a protocol signal line to determine whether a version compatible signal or a new functionality signal is called for. The controller can activate a new functionality circuit and the selector to send the appropriate signal to the computer terminal. The controller can also monitor the protocol signal line in a power-on state, and execute a procedure to determine the functionality requested by the protocol signal line.

Abstract: An access device to a removable digital storage medium which is connectable to a printing device and a computing device with multiple software modules. The access device includes an interface to the removable digital storage medium, a bi-directional interface to the computing device and a bi-directional interface to the printing device. The access device also includes one or more buttons, wherein software in the computing device is configured to detect button depression and to launch one or more software modules in correspondence to the depressed button.

Abstract: A peripheral storage device system and a data transfer device for use in a peripheral storage device system are disclosed, which provide for selective information transfer between a peripheral storage device, such as a disk drive, a CDROM drive, or a tape drive, and a host computer in a serial or parallel data format. A cable connector and cable assembly are disclosed for connecting the peripheral storage device system with the host computer, whereby serial data transfer may be accomplished via an ATA connector on one or both of the peripheral storage device and the host computer. In addition, a methodology is disclosed for transferring data between a peripheral storage device and a host computer in one of a serial and a parallel data format.

Abstract: A patient encounter electronic medical record system, method, and computer product includes pre-populated, diagnosis specific templates, selective, specialty-specific master databases, and anatomic specific databases and templates to achieve comprehensive, accurate and compliant medical documentation that captures patient data concurrently with the clinical patient encounter session. The system is enabled for a distributed computing environment including graphical user interfaces and voice, text, and digital image and x-ray input.

Abstract: A memory card player, designed to reproduce a variety of digital audio data files from a memory card, is disclosed. Such data files are downloaded by a computer through the Internet or through a PC communication network and are transferred from the computer to the memory card. In an embodiment, the memory card player is integrated with a conventional cassette player, thus selectively playing a cassette tape or a memory card. This player is thus thin, and so it is convenient to a user while carrying it. The memory card player installs one or more memory cards at the same time, thus having a large memory capacity. In the player, a deck body, having a cassette playing unit, is provided with an openable door. A memory card holder is set on the interior surface of the door and holds a memory card. Each of the holders has a plurality of contact terminals for coming into contact with the memory card.

Abstract: A personal computer system enables simultaneous use of a relative-coordinate-mode input device and an absolute-coordinate-mode input device, thereby allowing correct input of absolute coordinate data, such as for characters. A pad-type first input device and a stick-type second input device are provided for a notebook computer. The first input device outputs both absolute coordinate data and relative coordinate data. The second input device outputs only relative coordinate data. When the absolute coordinate data is output, the relative coordinate data format is converted into the same format as the absolute coordinate data, and ID information for distinguishing the relative coordinate data from the absolute coordinate data is added to part of the relative coordinate data format.

Abstract: A KVM switch having a uniprocessor architecture that accommodate multiple users and multiple computers—even multiple users to a single computer—via interrupt servicing provides dramatic improvements over common matrix-type KVM switches. Further, such features as hot-plugging computers, and keep alive computers (during power outages) are not inhibited by the present architecture. OSD menuing is accommodated, even as to both users, and OSD configurations are field upgradeable using flash memory downloading. The present architecture also accommodates tiered arrangements.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that has a plurality of I/O pins that are configurable to selectively output three sets of signals selected from the group consisting of (i) a read enable signal and a write enable signal, (ii) a combined read and write enable signal, (iii) a read enable signal and a pair of byte write enable signals, and (iv) a row address strobe signal, and a column address strobe signal.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a removable I/O device, where the removable I/O device is separate from a built-in cursor control device of the computer so that the computer stays functional without the removable I/O device. Consequently, if the presenter wants to return to the computer and use it directly, he does not have to place the removable I/O device back in the computer, which may disrupt the operating mode. Alternatively, the removable I/O device or both a receiver system and the removable I/O device may be designed to fit in one of PC card slots of the computer when not in use. This alternative enables the presenter to use an existing computer for presentations by simply plugging the receiver system and/or the removable I/O device in one of the computer's existing slots. The computer may further provide for automatic configuration of external video output or internal display modes once the removable I/O device is detached from the computer.

Abstract: A computer user interface and method for its operation are disclosed. The interface uses a new architecture that allows it to adapt readily to the type of input device being used to operate the computer. The look and feel of the interface depends on which input device is selected as primary. Thus, when mouse/keyboard is the primary input device, the interface-controllable elements such as scrollbars, buttons, icons, menus, lists, and dialog boxes may appear as with a conventional GUI. When a different physical input device is primary, such as pen or speech recognition, the look and feel of these elements can change to be more appropriate for that device. This change is virtually transparent to the applications utilizing the user interface.

Abstract: A USB device is coupled to a first USB communication line and a second USB communication line. Separate first and second paths are created between an external device and a controller in the USB device, with both paths including the first and second USB communication lines. The USB device detects whether a USB connection exists over the first and second USB communication lines. If a USB connection exists over the first and second USB communication lines, USB communication is routed via the first path. Otherwise, testing communication is routed via the second path. The external device can be either a USB host or a testing unit.

Abstract: A computer automatically selects a device, such as a printer, over a network for the computer to use without a user having to provide the network address of the device. The computer identifies a group of devices connected to a network that meet certain pre-determined criteria. The computer then selects the device from this group that has the lowest uptime. This device is assumed to be the device the user wishes to configure their computer to use. After the device is selected, the computer then can operate to configure itself to use the device.

Abstract: The invention transfers a data element from a device to a handheld computer. In general, the method receives a device-based data element at a docking station based co-processor, performs a driver conversion to convert the device-based data element into a bus-enabled data element, and places the bus-enabled data element on a handheld compatible bus. The method may also transform a data packet by detecting an input packet, retrieving a packet identifier (ID) from the input packet, and dispatching the input packet to a device driver based on the packet ID, the device driver capable of converting the input packet from a handheld computer packet type to a device packet type. The invention is also the systems that enable the method. As a device, the invention is an intelligent docking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating reminder messages based on a freeform input is disclosed. In one embodiment, freeform inputs are handwritten annotations on paper that are scanned into a computer system. Based on information contained in the freeform input, the system creates a reminder message and transmits it in response to a time reference contained in the freeform input. In an alternative embodiment, freeform digital ink inputs may be directly entered into a pen computer system via a stylus. Reminder messages may be delivered over a computer display, facsimile device, via email, telephone or portable paging device.

Abstract: A replay appliance for recording media containing information blocks, the appliance comprising means which are independent of the contents directory for access to files and information, and which allows replay even if the contents directory or file system is damaged. The appliance includes search means for searching for a designator of a file which is to be localized in blocks of the recording medium, evaluation means for determining the designator of following bytes which indicate a number of 2048 byte blocks from which the information block is composed, and the information block determined in this way is used for data access. The field of application of the invention extends to replay appliances for recording media containing information blocks, such as a hard disk, a digital versatile disk, which is also referred to as a DVD, a CD-ROM, floppy disk or a data tape, which have a recording format from the so-called Yellow Book.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peripheral device that integrally provides a program relating to the peripheral device, and may be connected to a computer system. The peripheral device includes a peripheral function subsystem for providing a peripheral device functionality. The peripheral device further includes a solid-state memory device storing a program relating to the peripheral device in a format used by disk drives. When the peripheral device is connected to a computer system, the program stored in the solid-state memory device is immediately available, and can be read by the computer system as though it was stored on a disk drive connected to the computer system.

Abstract: An input device for an information terminal includes an operational experience determining device for determining the operational experience of a user in accordance with the speed of inputting data by the user to a data input screen and a display control device for changing the content on the data input screen in accordance with a result of the determination by the operational experience determining device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data of a wireless keyboard device having a track-ball, which transmits track-ball data and keyboard data more effectively, and thereby simplifies the process and reduces the current consumption of the keyboard device. The data transmission method transmits a leader signal composed of five chips including three consecutive low signals followed by a high signal and a low signal, thereafter transmits data that contains track-ball data and keyboard scan data recorded in the same data format, and, instead of check-sum code, allocates the complementary value of the code value of the third byte (Byte3) into the fourth byte (Byte4) and transmits it so that the transmission error can be checked by simply comparing the third byte and the fourth byte.

Abstract: The present invention combines features of an executable process with the need for multiple application programs to share a single input device. The present invention provides an executable program implemented as a process that allows multiple applications to communicate with a single input device. This is achieved by loading the input device control executable program as a process. The executable program is a server thus allowing multiple application programs to interface with the same input device. The multi-instance input device control (MIIDC) executable program responds to each application program request as if the input device is open for the calling application program. Each application program is thus enabled to communicate with the input device instance without interrupting the operation of other application programs communicating with the input device. The input device instance keeps track of all the connections to it and multiplexes and resolves conflicting requests.

Abstract: A keyboard is programmatically adapted to enable an application in a run time environment to distinguish operator keys (ALT/CTRL), not otherwise recognizable on a standard keyboard and special keys not otherwise recognizable on a non-standard keyboard by the application, when actuated. In one embodiment, a native Dynamic Link Library (DLL) is created in memory to capture the keystroke stream and maintain state information about the keyboard. A Java Native Interface (JNI) is created in the DLL and provided to a Java application. At initialization time, the Java application loads the native DLL with extended program instructions relating to key recognition in its static constructor. The Java application receives notification when an ALT or CTRL key is actuated. At that time the Java application calls the native DLL to receive the extended program instruction to determine whether the right or left ALT or CTRL key was actuated.

Abstract: A reception apparatus or transmission and reception apparatus has a plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of apparatus are connected by a chain connection to a predetermined one of the input terminals. The input terminal at which the apparatus is to receive a signal is successively switched among the input terminals by selection operation of a user, and the apparatus connected to the predetermined input terminal are successively searched in response to the same selection operation of the user.

Abstract: A computerized method and apparatus for creating a scratch effect through a MIDI interface. In one form, timing signals are derived from a turntable whose direction and speed of rotation are manually controlled by a disk jockey. The timing signals are processed by a microcomputer into a MIDI protocol recognizable by a conventional MIDI instrument. Preferably, the microcomputer is coupled to control a computer which interprets the MIDI protocol output and uses the output to regulate speed and direction of playback of a musical and/or visual presentation.

Abstract: A terminal for data processing and/or communications technology is provided with multiply assigned input keys, having at least two language-specific word lists and having parts for assigning words to the characters which are input via the input keys. An interlinking list is also provided in which corresponding words in the language-specific word lists are listed, as a result of which a dictionary function is implemented.

Abstract: A method of integrating host application software with data collection devices (e.g., bar code scanners) located on remote, wireless terminals. A data collection object executes on the host computer, using a predetermined interface between the host application software and the data collection object. That interface, and the communications between the host application software and the data collection object, are configured so that to the host application software the data collection device appears to be local hardware on the host computer. The data collection object creates and executes threads of execution for controlling operation of the data collection device, with the threads communicating with the remote terminals via a host computer transport layer, the wireless link, and a remote computer transport layer at the remote terminals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanner with an external keyboard. The scanner comprises a scanner housing, a control circuit installed in the scanner housing for controlling operations of the scanner, a scanning module installed in the scanner housing and connected to the control circuit for scanning a document and generating corresponding document image signals, a keyboard electrically connected to the control circuit for inputting various key signals, and a display panel installed on the surface of the scanner housing and connected to the control circuit for displaying signals transmitted from the control circuit. The control circuit controls the operations of the scanner according to the key signals inputted by a user through the keyboard, and displays the key signals or instruction messages on the display panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining position using a handheld personal computer. A cradle is disclosed that that is adapted to couple to a handheld personal computer. In one embodiment, the cradle includes projecting members that capture the handheld personal computer and hold it securely in place. The cradle includes a position determining system that is adapted to determine position. Upon coupling the cradle to a handheld personal computer, the cradle is operable to determine position. Once position is determined, the determined position is displayed on the display of the handheld personal computer. The display can include a display of a moving map and an icon indicating the current position relative to the map. All required hardware and software for storing the map database and for determining position are included within the cradle.

Abstract: A system for the combined input of data into a personal computer and for reception of wireless radio-frequency signals uses the PS/2 mouse interface for radio control in a way that does not interfere with normal mouse operation. The system includes both hardware and software. The hardware can be an integrated device with both computer mouse and radio capabilities united in one physical unit, or a non-integrated device comprised of separate mouse and radio units. In both integrated and non-integrated embodiments, the device is connected to a PS/2 port of the computer. The system uses an enhanced protocol for combined data input into the computer and for radio features, and includes a special mouse driver used for performing the enhanced protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating an event message between at least one client operatively connected to a peripheral device, the peripheral device being adapted to execute an event when selected by a user or a client. The method includes maintaining a table of event descriptors in the peripheral device, selectively adding entries to the table in response to receiving a preselected add event descriptor request from a connected client, selectively deleting entries from the table in response to receiving a preselected delete event descriptor request from a connected client, and the user selecting an entry from said table of event descriptors for executing the selected event.

Abstract: A method for supporting USB input devices via BIOS, which allows BIOS to support USB input devices when the motherboard does not have the keyboard controller (KBC). This method is especially applied to the operating systems that do not support the drivers for USB keyboard and mouse input devices, and BIOS can still support existing USB keyboard and mouse input devices. It is implemented by connecting two general purpose output pins of a south bridge (SB) on the hardware to an 8259 programmable interrupt controller (PIC) chip on the SB and revising some part of the internal program in BIOS to simulate and create hardware interruption requests IRQ1 and IRQ12. This can achieve the object of backward compatibility. and support usual chipsets on the market by merely revising the firmware.

Abstract: A device enables a joystick to be connected to a PS/2® port converts signals from the joystick to mouse-like signals so that neither the software nor the hardware needs to be changed in order to use the joystick instead of the mouse. The directional signals of the joystick are converted to mouse-equivalent signals and discrete signals from the joystick are translated by a device formed and configured to a PS/2® port.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows a user to use any desired combination of keyboard, input device, and display to operate and control either of two computer systems. The switching apparatus is in a computer system comprising a display adapter operable to output a display signal, an input adapter operable to receive a keyboard signal and a pointing device signal, a display device operable to receive a display signal, a keyboard operable to output a keyboard signal, and a pointing device operable to output a pointing device signal.

Abstract: A data storage device reads data from and/or writes data to a memory medium. The data storage device includes a storage unit for storing a first identifier, an identifier acquisition unit for acquiring a second identifier recorded on a memory medium which is set to the data storage device, and a controller for comparing the first identifier with the second identifier, and then controlling to access to the memory medium for data reading and/or writing according to a relationship between the first identifier and the second identifier. For example, when the first identifier does not match the second identifier, the controller inhibits access to the memory medium for the reading of data. But, when the first and second identifiers match, the controller permits access to the memory medium for the reading and writing of data.

Abstract: A hearing aid programming system with a host computer system including a program for programming a hearing aid. The host computer system includes a first communication interface for sending and receiving control and data signals. A hearing aid programming interface device is connected to the communication interface of the host computer system and includes a second communication interface for sending and receiving control and data signals. The hearing aid programming interface device also includes circuitry for electrically isolating the hearing aid to be programmed from the host computer. The first communication interface may be PCMCIA, USB, RS-232, SCSI or IEEE 1394 interfaces, which are arranged to send and receive serial data and control signals to the hearing aid programming interface device. The first communication interface may also be a wireless communications interface which wirelessly sends and receives control and data signals with the hearing aid programming interface device.

Abstract: A data processing unit comprises an input section 1 for inputting first data from the outside, an operation section 2 for operating the first data inputted therefrom, to generate second data, a memory section 3 for storing the second data, an output section 4 for outputting the second data stored in the memory section to the outside, and a control section 5 for controlling the memory section to enable storing and outputting of the second data.

Abstract: A low-power audio CD player for portable computers permits operation of the CD-ROM subsystem when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the computer subsystem comprises a system CPU, a digital-audio generating circuit, a digital computer bus coupling the CPU and the digital-audio generator circuit, and a digital computer bus controller. The CD audio subsystem comprises an audio device capable of playing an audio CD and coupled to the digital computer bus controller, an audio amplifier circuit coupled to the audio device, and an audio interface coupled to the digital computer bus in parallel to the digital computer bus controller and the audio device. The audio interface is adapted to generate signals to operate the audio device and play the audio CD when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem or to the CPU.

Abstract: A data carrier (1) having an electrical circuit (2) includes receiving means (6) adapted to supply input data (ID) including option control commands (O1, O2, O3, O4), and includes option control command processing means (11) adapted to process at least one pair of mutually complementary option control commands (O1, O2), (O3, O4) and to generate at least one pair of mutually complementary port control commands (GA, GB), (GC, GD), and further includes port means (12) to which the port control commands (GA, GB, GC, GD) can be applied and which are adapted to be controlled reversibly as regards their port states in dependence on the two mutually complementary port control commands (GA, GB), (GC, GD), and further includes at least one option means (13, 14, 15, 16) which is optionally accessible with the aid of the port means (12).

Abstract: A wireless mode between a scanner and an image communication apparatus is changed, in response to completion of image transmission from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of transmission via a communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop transmission via the communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, and states of the scanner and the image communication apparatus at a predetermined time and so on. For example, a low power consumption mode and communication mode of Bluetooth communication are switched to each other.

Abstract: A pointing device has a controllable selector for sending a version compatible signal and a newer functionality signal to a computer terminal. The pointing device has an operating unit which produces a signal which can be passed directly to the computer terminal, or can be modified with a new functionality, and then passed to the computer terminal. A controller in the pointing device monitors a protocol signal line to determine whether a version compatible signal or a new functionality signal is called for. The controller can activate a new functionality circuit and the selector to send the appropriate signal to the computer terminal. The controller can also monitor the protocol signal line in a power-on state, and execute a procedure to determine the functionality requested by the protocol signal line.

Abstract: An integrated processing box performs processing commonly to a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, or a plurality of storage devices. For example, the integrated processing box performs noise reduction processing on data received from an input device or a storage device or data supplied to an output device or the storage device. The integrated processing box also performs processing, for example, temporal/spatial processing or grayscale processing, variably to each type of input device, each type of output device, or each type of storage device. Accordingly, if the input device is, for example, a video camera, the video camera is formed only by a CCD, a sample-and-hold circuit for sampling and holding the output from the CCD, an AGC circuit for adjusting the gain of the output from the sample-and-hold circuit, and an A/D conversion circuit for converting the analog output of the AGC circuit into a digital output.

Abstract: A study mode processing means incorporated in a portable information terminal has a input processing means for instructing an LED to emit light in response to the inputting of a code by the user, a light-emitting signal generating means for generating and outputting a light-emitting signal to the LED according to a turn-on or turn-off instruction from the input processing means, a character converting means for converting code information based on a code entered by the user into character information, a character displaying means for displaying a reference character to be studied, a determining means for determining whether character information based on code information entered by the user matches the reference character or not, and a determined result displaying means for displaying a determined result from the determining means on the display unit.

Abstract: A pointing device has a controllable selector for sending a version compatible signal and a newer functionality signal to a computer terminal. The pointing device has an operating unit which produces a signal which can be passed directly to the computer terminal, or can be modified with a new functionality, and then passed to the computer terminal. A controller in the pointing device monitors a protocol signal line to determine whether a version compatible signal or a new functionality signal is called for. The controller can activate a new functionality circuit and the selector to send the appropriate signal to the computer terminal. The controller can also monitor the protocol signal line in a power-on state, and execute a procedure to determine the functionality requested by the protocol signal line.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a joystick in data communication with a processor and having an initial state that includes steps of varying the initial state in response to a signal from the processor; returning the joystick to the initial state after a duration of time, with the duration of time being dependent upon the position amongst a plurality of positions. A plurality of poll operations of the joystick are executed to sense the returning step. Each of the polling operations results in a data signal being transferred from the joystick indicating the state of the same, with consecutive poll operations being separated by a predetermined segment of time, defining a first interval and consecutive data signals operations being separated by a time period, defining a second interval. The second interval is increased to be greater than the first interval, the duration of time is measured by determining a number of data signals received by the processor between the varying step and the returning step.

Abstract: A programmable analog I/O circuit for use in an industrial control system has a first mode of operation as an input circuit and a second mode of operation as an output circuit. In the first mode of operation, a device-side I/O terminal is adapted for receiving an analog input status signal from an analog input device. In the second mode of operation, the device-side I/O terminal is adapted for transmitting an analog output control signal to an analog output device. According to another aspect, a programmable I/O circuit that drives an output device in an industrial control system comprises a plurality of configurable gain stages and a plurality of programmable isolating links. The plurality of programmable isolating links are coupled to the plurality of configurable gain stages and are programmable to determine a series or parallel arrangement of the plurality of configurable gain stages.

Abstract: A reduced keyboard disambiguating system. The keyboard has twelve to sixteen keys, nine of them labeled with numerous letters and other symbols, and those nine plus one more are associated each with one of the ten digits. Textual entry keystrokes are ambiguous. The user strikes a delimiting “Select” key, or a key with an unambiguous character interpretation, at the end of each word, delimiting a keystroke sequence that could match any of a plurality of words associated with the same keystroke sequence. Each input keystroke sequence is processed with a complete vocabulary, and words which match the sequence of keystrokes are presented to the user in order of decreasing frequency of use. The vocabulary is stored in a special format that supports significant data compression without requiring additional processing. In addition, stems of longer words whose initial letters match the sequence of keystrokes are also presented to the user in order of decreasing frequency of use.

Abstract: A microcontroller (12) provides the address bit and device data start bits for the first peripheral device (PD) in a string of PDs (20-24 or 30-34). Each PD includes a string of flipflops (72-86). If the complete address matches, then the first PD (20) shifts out the device data start bits for the next PD (22) in that string. The address bit for the next PD is provided by the pull-up or pull-down device (52) hard-wired on the SI of the next PD. The device data start bits for the next PD are provided by right-most flipflops of the previous PD. If the address bit and device data start bits match the contents of the device registers of next PD, then that next PD enables SYSCLK to shift out the contents of flipflops.

Abstract: An electronic device for receiving infra-red inputs from remote units and propagating the inputs to an intelligent controller circuit. In one embodiment, the present invention receives the infra-red energy emitted from different remote units in a single infra-red receiver circuit. This embodiment then generates digital data signals responsive to the infra-red energy, and propagates the digital data signals through a single external single-pin bus to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit contains circuitry therein to decode control signals from a variety of different remote units. In this embodiment, the integrated circuit's internal bus is coupled to the single external single-pin bus. The internal bus is commonly coupled to all remote control decoder circuits within the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Information systems which provide access over a variety of devices (e.g. telephones, automated banking machines, computers) typically require that passcodes be numeric to allow entry on all device types. Alphabetic characters are associated with the numeric digits on both telephones and automated banking machines, allowing users to use mnemonic words to remember their numeric passcodes. Computer terminals do not have this association, creating user difficulties. The invention translates text entry on a computer keyboard into the equivalent numeric digits according to an appropriate mapping.

Abstract: A wallet for a personal information device in the form of a PCMCIA card such as an PCMCIA-card electronic organizer. The wallet includes an input device separate from the input device of the personal information device and two halves that may be folded together in a wallet-like fashion. One of the halves generally includes a touch panel input to allow a user to enter information, commands, instructions, etc., thereto. A personal information device is mounted to the second half of the wallet. When mounted, the wallet supplies via an electrical connection or induction communication the user-supplied information entered into the touch panel input to the personal information device. The wallet display may be powered by the personal information device via the electrical connection or self-powered. Upon coupling the personal information device to the wallet, the personal information device may supply a wake signal to wake up or automatically turn on the input device of the wallet.

Abstract: An interface apparatus is inserted into a floppy disk drive unit so as to establish an infrared data communication between a desk top type personal computer and a digital still camera even when this desk top type personal computer is not equipped with an infrared communication port.

Abstract: A removable user interface panel for a peripheral device such as a scanner or copier is disclosed. The removable user interface panel may control or communicate with the peripheral device by means of a cable, a Universal Serial Bus device or hub, infrared or other known telecommunications means. The removable interface panel may also be attached to the end user's computer, monitor or keyboard for greater utility.