摘要:
A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.
摘要:
Computers are commonly connected in networks which allow interactive communications between two or more computer users. Occasionally, one user tries unsuccessfully to interactively communicate with another user who is unavailable for interactive communications. Accordingly, the inventor devised a system, method, and software to summon the unavailable user through an alternative communications device, for example, a pager, associated with the unavailable user.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for executing a power on self test includes executing a primary subset of POST tests during initial startup of a computer, and executing a secondary subset of non-essential POST tests transparent to a user at a later time. The secondary subset of POST tests may be performed after a period of computer inactivity.
摘要:
A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.
摘要:
A distributed modem in order to achieve non-cellular cordless/wireless data communications for portable computers is provided. In one embodiment, the modem includes three components, a digital signal processor (DSP), a coder/decoder (CODEC), and a digital-access arrangement (DAA). The DSP resides within a PCMCIA card for insertion into a computer. The CODEC and the DAA reside on a base station. The PCMCIA card and the base station communicate with one another via two transceivers, one each at the PCMCIA card and the base station.
摘要:
Computer keyboard control of the characteristics of a display device coupled to a computer through the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a computer, a display device, and a keyboard. The display device is responsive to at least one display control command, each command associated with a characteristic of the display device, such as contrast or brightness. The BIOS, in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard, operatively sends the display device a corresponding display control command.
摘要:
Computer keyboard control of the characteristics of a display device coupled to a computer through the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a computer, a display device, and a keyboard. The display device is responsive to at least one display control command, each command associated with a characteristic of the display device, such as contrast or brightness. The BIOS, in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard, operatively sends the display device a corresponding display control command.
摘要:
A dual modem automatically switches between a wireless and wire-based communication modes using mode selection circuitry that detects when a wire-based communications network, such as a standard land-line telephone network, is coupled to the modem. When the modem selection circuitry detects the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples modem processing circuitry to a wire-based interface. When the modem selection circuitry fails to detect the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface and the wireless interface is also powered for coupling to a wireless communications network, such as a cellular phone network. The wireless interface is not powered when the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network.
摘要:
A peripheral communications protocol hub includes an input device such as a keyboard or remote cursor control wirelessly connected to a host computer. The input device has a number of connectors for connection of peripherals to the input device. The connection of input device to peripheral may be wired or wireless.
摘要:
Methods and apparatuses for modifying print colors are described. A subset of printable information units, such as words, text, figures and drawings, which can be located within a document or file on a computer system, are displayed in a first color designation. This first color designation is then changed to a second color designation for printing. The printable information units are then printed.