Showing papers on "Laptop published in 1994"

Ergonomic laptop computer and ergonomic keyboard

Abstract: A keyboard to be used on an operators lap that separates to relieve stress in an operators neck and wrists. The keyboard has a flat surface between the keyboard sides, so while being held on a persons lap, will hold reference material and a second party pointing device that can be used with either hand to keep the neck straight. A separable keyboard that is only electrically connected, so each side of the keyboard can be operated on completely different surfaces. A notebook computer with keyboards that open up on each side so the operators hands are separated. The keyboards can slide closed or fold closed, and when folded, interleave so full size keys can be used and facilitate a more compact design, and can be unfolded so the keyboards slant down below the computer to centralize the computer on a persons lap, and reduce the twist between the hand and wrist. The keyboard includes a means to turn all visual indication of computer operation off to be used in a secure no light area with a speaker to give verbal enunciated messages in response to the keyboard and from a computer.

Portable light for laptop computer

Abstract: A portable light for laptop computers comprising a battery pack and a light assembly selectively engageable in a use position with the light assembly extending perpendicular from the upper portion of the battery pack and slidably engaged within mounting clips on the battery pack, and a stored position wherein the battery pack is received substantially co-linear with the light assembly within a storage pocket in the light assembly.

Workstation for laptop-type computer

Abstract: A two section plastic resin computer stand for support at a convenient angle of a laptop computer in a permanent office or residential environment is provided with an upper section and a lower section which are rotatable with respect to each other within a certain range to increase the convenience.

Portable computer system with battery power management system - has system management RAM mapped onto main memory and accessible upon interrupt for storing driver programs for management of peripherals, and BIOS for starting drivers for control of peripheral depending upon interrupt

Abstract: The computer system for connection to a range of different peripherals has a system management RAM (14) that operates together with the main memory to store peripheral driver programs. A CPU (11) operates as an I-O control device to activate the programs when an appropriate interrupt signal is received. This enables specific items of peripheral equipment to be selected. The status data is protected by a facility that operates when the machine is in a power-down mode. USE/ADVANTAGE - Provides improved power management and control of connected peripherals. Suitable for use with laptop, pen-input or notebook computer.

Flat panels fill the color bill for laptops

Abstract: Despite a long and troubled evolution, color LCDs are now the leading display technology for laptop computers, where inventories are growing and prices are dropping. The author takes an historical look to see how this colorful menagerie is evolving technically to bring high quality displays to the laptop computer, while meeting the requirements for lower cost and power consumption. >

Portable data processing device of laptop type

Abstract: As well as a keyboard part (1), a laptop has a display part (3), which for the purpose of informing a relatively large number of people simultaneously is provided with a display (5) on its rear side as well as on the front side, which faces the operator (Fig. 2).

Active matrix LCD for notebook type personal computer

Abstract: The active matrix LCD has a rich expression ability comparable to that of a CRT device. In addition, its lightness and thickness can make new applications. Especially in the field of Personal Computer (PC), a powerful notebook type PC has been developed with adaption of multicolor active matrix LCD. NEC has been engaged in the development of active matrix LCDs and many mass-produced LCD products for notebook PCs, laptop PC, laptop WSs (Workstations), et al. On the other hand, cost reduction is an important condition to be accepted in the larger market. This paper represents abstracts of design technologies to obtain an excellent picture image and to obtain lighter weight and thicker LCD module. The basic characteristics control of thin film transistor, LCD panel design and driving scheme is an important issue to obtain an excellent picture image

Mobile device for providing a personal forecast

Abstract: To provide a mobile device (100) for providing forecasts, horoscopes, etc., based on personal data which enables a user without any special knowledge to produce forecasts at any time, it is proposed that the device (100) have the technical featues of a persionl device like a laptop or note-book computer and that, in addition, software be installed for calculating the astral constellations, performing astrological computations based on personal data, biorhythm calculations, the automatic translation of control commands into the language used by the computer and the production of predictions based on personal data, the astral constellations, biorhythms, etc., e.g. on a hard disc (17), a store chip (18) or another data substrate or store. The number of parameters to be fed in or taken into account in the calculations can be freely selected.

New york city department of transportation's telecommuting pilot program

Abstract: The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with New York Telephone (NYNEX), conducted a 10-month study of telecommuting from March 1992 through January 1993. In the project, selected DOT employees from several bureaus worked one or more days per week from their homes or another location using telecommunications rather than transportation to get to work. New York Telephone and Digital Equipment Corporation provided both in-kind services and equipment on load to the Department for use by the telecommuters (ie., telephone lines, facsimile machines, laptop computers, printers, modems and software). The objective of this paper was to determine the feasibility of telecommuting and its potential employee impacts, (i.e., absenteeism, productivity, employee morale and job retention), as well as its obstacles. The paper also addressed the potential impact of telecommuting on transportation energy consumption, pollution and telecommunications infrastructure.

Laptop applications for retail newspaper advertising

Abstract: LAPTOPAPPLICATIONS FORRETAILNEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING PURPOSE: Thepurpose ofthis study is to identify themeans ofusing a laptop application in the creationoftargetmarket advertising fordaily newspaper independent publications.More specific purposes were : ( 1 ) how to provide a sales representativewith templates and guidelines to ensure that theprimary function, selling, ismaintained; (2) to train the sales representative on the hardware and software applications; (3) to analyze the productivity ofthe production department and the sales representative in relation to the laptop application; (4) to analyze the response to the laptop application by the customers and their involvement in the creationoftheir advertisement. PROCEDURE: Theprocedureofthis project is formulatedwithin the frameworkofconventional historical research. The following objectives wereundertaken to accomplish the goal ofthis project. Using theMulti-Ad Services application a series oftemplateswere created consisting of approximately 1 8 different advertising layouts. Four clients ofThe SyracuseNewspaper 'spublicationAuto Finderwere selected to be initial targets ofthis project. The client basewould be ex panded eachweek. Training on the hardware andMulti-Ad applicationwould take place as the same time as visits to the clients. This techniquewasused to accomplish the goal oftraining forboth the sales representative and the client. To determine the success ofthis project a questionnairewas formulated. The areas thatwere surveyed included the sales representative,members ofthe production staffresponsible for com positionofthepublication and clients.An additional surveywas distributed to the clients to deter mine iftheprojectwas a success for theirbusiness. This included questions relating to the success of the advertising, quality and othermediaused to sell the clients automobiles. FINDINGS: Themost important findingswere: 1 . A successful means ofproviding a sales representative with templates and guide lines that ensured that the primary function, selling, was maintained. 2. The training of the sales rep on the hardware and software applications must be limited to on-the-job training. It is more successful if the employee has a basic knowledge of computers, however this is not critical. 3 . The analysis ofthe productivity in the production department and the sales repre sentative in relation to the laptop application was significant in relationship to the amount of time allowed for the testing of the project. Productivity has increased as much as 20 percent with the sales representative and 10 percent in the production department. The production department anticipates further increases in productivity as this program is expanded. 4. The response to the laptop application by the customers and their involvement in the creation of their advertisement has been determined to be effective. The effectiveness is based on thecustomer' s response to a questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The following conclusionswere derived from the study 1 . A LaptopApplications forRetailNewspaperAdvertising (LARNA) is a cost effec tivemethodofincreasingproductivity in both the sales department and theproductiondepartments. 2. The LaptopApplications forRetail NewspaperAdvertising (LARNA) is a concept that can be used through out the newspaper industry in a variety ofspecific areas. 3 . The next step is to determine ameans oftransmitting the information from the sales representative onhis rounds to theproduction facility.

Product disposal and re-use for portable computer design

Abstract: Portable computers including laptops, notebooks, subnotebooks and potable digital assistants are a rapidly growing segment of the computer market. Manufacturers of portable computers have an opportunity to win public piaise and to avoid censure and liability by embracing green design and sensible product disposal systems. This paper analyzes the environmental issues associated with disposal, re-use and recycling of these machines, focusing on potential design changes to alleviate environmental burtfens. Portable computers can replace larger machines, resulting in lower energy use and lower overall material demand Since the number of portable computers purchased may be as many as 100 million over the next decade, environmental concerns become increasingly important Portable computers use batteries with toxic components, so there are disposal or recycling problems. Another significant issue in assessment of disposal and recycling processes is the expected life time of portable computers. Machine design with capability for easy upgrade can be expected to have a longer useful life. The paper uses experience gained in several generations of wearable computer designs at Carnegie Mellon University for illustration. 1.Introduction Manufacturers of portable computers have an opportunity to win public piaise and to avoid censure and liability. During the next decade, manufacturers are likely to make and sell over 100 million portable computers. Although portable machines don't contain the same toxic materials as desktop computers (leaded glass, etc.)* they have their unique challenges for health and the environment All of these machines are battery powered, and the batteries generally contain highly toxic materials. Designers can gain a great deal by attending now, before the bulk of the machines are produced* to making poraWe copyutcirs greener. We consider hoe i a p t of material use W re-use) and energy consumption. Issues of manufacturing process design, radiation and other Thane is likely to be expb»vc fpwrth in the use of personal In this category, we portable digital assistants, , enhanced cellular telephones systems (as in Fig. 1), but we and microprocessors embedded in other devkfep. b many cases, portable computers will have telecoiwtfMrtc mpulerSck«K»ai^ Visrtmg Research Scientist, Engineering Design Reseaich Center, Carnegie Mellon Uii ivei^, Pittsboi^ Research Assistant, Engmccring Design Research Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 roughly comparable to that of the 1990 computer industry, but smaller than the international motor vehicle industry. Figure 1: VuMan H, a modular wearable computer with head mounted display intended for information and blueprint display f l l ] 2. Material Use Portable computeis must be light but the sheer number of machines means that the overall material demand is considerable. Table 1 reports the weight and general material composition of some existing poitable computer configurations. With sales of 10 million units per year (see above) and uniform purchases among the different types of devices shown in Table 1, the annual output of poitable computers would be roughly 25,000 tons per year without including packaging materials, replacement batteries, manuals or waste during manufacture. Laptop Wearable Wearable Personal Computer Computer Digital