Carroll Touch Inc.

Dell USA L P

Motion Computing, Inc.

James E Garrett

Paul B Lucas

John K Carstedt

Paul R Hunter

Timothy E Masters

Arthur B Carroll

Stewart E Hough

Sam R Shaw

Computer-implemented methods are provided. One method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system. The method also includes altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display. Another method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system and determining an orientation of two speakers of the system based on the orientation of the display. If a current orientation of the two speakers differs from the determined orientation of the two speakers, the method includes altering the current orientation of the speakers such that they have the determined orientation. A portable system is also provided that includes means for determining an orientation of a display of the system. The system also includes means for altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display.

Methods and systems for altering the speaker orientation of a portable system

A method and apparatus for identifying option modules or expansion devices coupled to an expansion bus using time domain methods. According to the present invention, each expansion device includes logic circuitry that asserts an identification signal a preset time duration after a host reset signal is pulsed. A unique preset time duration or time constant is designated for each expansion device, and the host computer identifies each expansion device by the length or duration of the identification signal. In the preferred embodiment, during the power-on sequence the computer system asserts a reset signal pulse to the identification logic in each respective expansion device which directs the expansion device to assert its identifying signal. The host computer determines the length of time between assertion of the reset signal pulse and assertion of the identification signal and uses this information to determine the type of expansion device.

System and method for identifying expansion devices in a computer system

A touch input device which continuously samples and digitally stores ambient light readings and compares these with previously stored readings is taught. Briefly stated, a phototransistor is turned on before, during and after an LED emitter energization. An ambient value is calculated which is subtracted from the value obtained during LED firing so as to develop a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the LED pulse, irrespective of ambient light fluctuations. The ambient level is stored for comparison purposes during the next sampling of the associated phototransistor.

Touch input device having digital ambient light sampling

An infrared touch input system is taught. Briefly stated, the system comprises a four-sided frame having an infrared transparent bezel along the inside thereof and having infrared emitters along the top and one side of the frame with infrared detectors along the sides opposite the emitters. Darlington transitor arrays are used as source and sink drivers for driving the LED's in an array. The I/O lines of a microprocessor in conjunction with the source and sink drivers are used to selectively energize each LED. Additional I/O lines of the microprocessor in conjunction with BCD decoders are used to selectively energize corresponding infrared detecting phototransistors before, during and after LED turn-on. A host computer supplies a clocking signal for the microprocessor with programming in the microprocessor thereby automatically performing the selection and deselection of emitters and detectors. A serial data stream is outputted from the microprocessor which indicates to the host computer the location of any broken light beams thereby indicating a stylus hit.

Touch input device

A touch entry system employing arrays of emitter and detector opto devices located around the periphery of an irradiated field detects intrusion of an opaque element such as a stylus within the field. The detector analog output is converted to a digital signal for input into a microprocessor. Digital signals input into the microprocessor can vary due to inconsistencies in conventional opto devices. A programmable amplifier responsive to the microprocessors preconditions the analog signals prior to analog to digital conversion to bring all digital signals corresponding to the unblocked emitter beam condition within a normalized range before input into the microprocessor.

Growing community of inventors

Round Rock, TX, United States of America

James E Garrett