Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

Hewlett-packard Company

Michael C Ip

Yancy Chen

Peter K Lee

Shanshan Li

David R Smith

Dean L Sanderson

Elizaboth B Diaz

Rudy Widiaman

Fernando Pardo

Elizabeth B Diaz

Elizabeth Brandon Swan Diaz

Etienne H Iliffe-Moon

Samuel H Chau

Michael McCullough

Karl R Hassur

Daphne Liming Kung

Alexandra L McGill

Bong-Ki Jung

John P Romano

Man-Cheol Kim

Amear A Karim

Eric Benjamin Liu

Headset

Webcam

A variable function assembly having a power source, a computer coupled to the power source and including a power switch for allowing operative power to be provided to the computer when in an 'on' position and for terminating operative power to the computer when in an 'off' position, and a variable function device (e.g. a device having a microprocessor) having a generally fixed circuitry and receiving operative power from the computer when the power switch is in the &#x201c;off&#x201d; position. The variable function assembly also has at least one module coupled to the generally fixed circuitry so that the variable function device may provide at least one function. A method of providing a function in a variable-function device. The method comprises providing a variable-function device, transmitting operative power from a function-producing device (e.g. a computer) to the variable-function device when the function-producing device is in an &#x201c;off&#x201d; mode, removing a function (e.g. a computer function) from the function-producing device, and providing the removed function in the variable-function device.

Energy efficient variable-function or multi-function apparatus and methods

In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for a universal remote control system for controlling entertainment-related functions, includes: a remote control device configured to transmit a control signal with a command; a computer configured to translate the command into a modified command and to transmit the modified command in a modified control signal; and an electronic device configured to perform a device function, in response to the modified command. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for a universal remote control system for controlling entertainment-related functions, includes: transmitting a control signal with a command from a remote control device; translating, by a computer, the command into a modified command and transmitting, by the computer, the modified command in a modified control signal to an electronic device; and performing a device function by the electronic device, in response to the modified command.

Universal remote control device for controlling entertainment-related functions

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.

Variable-function or multi-function apparatus and methods

A cover plate for a rear panel of a personal computer (PC) is disclosed. The cover plate has openings for connectors and ports found on the rear panel of the PC. Another portion of the cover plate conceals a portion of the rear panel from view. The portion of the cover plate that conceals the rear panel of the PC has text-labels identifying the openings in the cover plate. The cover plate is removably coupled with the rear panel of the PC.

Cover plate for a personal computer rear panel

An apparatus capable of interacting with another device, includes: a module configured to provide a functionality, where the apparatus is configurable to support a second module for providing an additional functionality in order to permit variable functionality by the apparatus. The functionality may relate to an input-function and/or an output function. A method of providing functionality in a variable-function device, includes: removing a functionality from another device that can communicate with the variable-function device; and providing the removed functionality in the variable-function device.

A low-power compact computer comprises a processor having relatively low-power consumption, a supporting chipset having conventional power consumption, and a conventional random access memory storage circuit.

Low-power compact computer

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Michael C Ip