International Business Machines Corporation

Brent A Beatty

Francis James Canova, Jr

Charles S Lanier

Debra A Johnson

James Robert Lewis

David J Allard

Raymond L Yee

Byron K Tiller

Bradley J DeBauche

William Villafana

Wayne P Whitley

Jose L Rivero

Julie F Goodwin

Neal A Osborn

Daniel Ming-Te Hsieh

Robert Bedford Ferrier

Jean Luter Stout

Connie Yudip Au

James Christian Wulf

Roger L Cox

Russell Stephen Padgett

Thomas T Murakami

Danile M Hsieh

Anthony F Corkell

Gerard D Wisgo

An option attach connector has a first indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a public switched telephone network connection has been made to it. The presence of the first indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-MAIL communications applications are to be conducted over a PSTN link. The presence of the first indicator bit combination invokes a stored computer program to provide appropriate connections between the PSTN link and the telephone, FAX, and modem hardware in the device. The connections are made by an audio multiplexer that receives control signals from the system CPU, while executing the stored computer program. The program determines the communications application selected by the user and selectively configures the PSTN link to be connected to the either the ear piece and microphone for voice communications, or to the FAX/modem for FAX communications, or to the modem alone for E-MAIL communications. The absence of the option attach connector invokes a default indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a cellular telephone network connection is desired by the user. The presence of the default indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-mail communications applications are to be conducted over a cellular network.

Selective reconfiguration method and apparatus in a multiple application

A personal communication apparatus includes a digital processor, a memory coupled to the processor, an operating system, stored in the memory and executable by the processor, a touch-screen user interface coupled to the processor and the memory and responsive to file execution commands from the user, and a navigation utility file, executable by the processor, for initiating execution of files and for monitoring the sequence in which file executions occur. The Navigation utility maintains a stack in the memory into which the calling sequences of files are stored according to the order in which files were executed. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a modem and RF transceiver coupled to the processor for receiving and transmitting data. In another embodiment, the communicator further includes a port for receiving an external memory medium containing a plurality of executable files.

Personal communicator apparatus

A personal communicator has a touch sensitive overlay coupled with a liquid crystal display (LCD). The communicator has two external (non-screen) up/down buttons for adjusting the volume of a cellular phone speaker. These volume buttons are also used to allow the user to adjust contrast. In accordance with one operation, contrast is adjusted in response to the user touching a predetermined area of the screen at the same time as one of the up or down buttons is actuated. In accordance with another operation, contrast is adjusted in response to the user first pressing both speaker volume buttons to enter a contrast adjustment mode, and thereafter pressing one or the other of such buttons, to increase or decrease contrast as desired.

Personal communicator having improved contrast control for a liquid

The invention relates to a portable, note-book, hand held or clam shell type of computer operable in multiple configurations. A modular, removable, and reversible display device with a touch screen feature is provided. With the display device disposed in a first configuration, the computer is operable in a first or open housing configuration. With the display device disposed in a second configuration, the computer is operable in a second or closed housing configuration.

Removable and reversible display device for portable computer

Growing community of inventors

Boca Raton, FL, United States of America

Brent A Beatty