Showing papers on "Laptop published in 2005"

Learning With Technology: The Impact of Laptop Use on Student Achievement

Abstract: Rapid technological advances in the last decade have sparked educational practitioners’ interest in utilizing laptops as an instructional tool to improve student learning. There is substantial evidence that using technology as an instructional tool enhances student learning and educational outcomes. Past research suggests that compared to their non-laptop counterparts, students in classrooms that provide all students with their own laptops spend more time involved in collaborative work, participate in more project-based instruction, produce writing of higher quality and greater length, gain increased access to information, improve research analysis skills, and spend more time doing homework on computers. Research has also shown that these students direct their own learning, report a greater reliance on active learning strategies, readily engage in problem solving and critical thinking, and consistently show deeper and more flexible uses of technology than students without individual laptops. The study presented here examined the impact of participation in a laptop program on student achievement. A total of 259 middle school students were followed via cohorts. The data collection measures included students’ overall cumulative grade point averages (GPAs), end-of-course grades, writing test scores, and state-mandated norm- and criterion-referenced standardized test scores. The baseline data for all measures showed that there was no statistically significant difference in English language arts, mathematics, writing, and overall grade point average achievement between laptop and non-laptop students prior to enrollment in the program. However, laptop students showed significantly higher achievement in nearly all measures after one year in the program. Cross-sectional analyses in Year 2 and Year 3 concurred with the results from the Year 1. Longitudinal analysis also proved to be an independent verification of the substantial impact of laptop use on student learning outcomes.

Turducken: hierarchical power management for mobile devices

Abstract: Maintaining optimal consistency in a distributed system requires that nodes be always-on to synchronize information Unfortunately, mobile devices such as laptops do not have adequate battery capacity for constant processing and communication Even by powering off unnecessary components, such as the screen and disk, current laptops only have a lifetime of a few hours Although PDAs and sensors are similarly limited in lifetime, a PDA's power requirement is an order-of-magnitude smaller than a laptop's, and a sensor's is an order-of-magnitude smaller than a PDA's By combining these diverse platforms into a single integrated laptop, we can reduce the power cost of always-on operation This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of Turducken, a Hierarchical Power Management architecture for mobile systems We focus on a particular instantiation of HPM, which provides high levels of consistency in a laptop by integrating two additional low power processors We demonstrate that a Turducken system can provide battery lifetimes of up to ten times that of a standard laptop for always-on operation and three times for a system that periodically sleeps

Mobile services control platform providing a converged voice service

Abstract: A mobile services control platform supports an enhanced service, Voice Forwarding to Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Voice Functionally, the service allows a subscriber to use a Wi-Fi device to receive voice calls directed to his or her mobile number In a representative example, when the user connects over a Wi-Fi network, eg, using his or her laptop or other such device, he or she selects “Wi-Fi Voice” option from a client As a result, future voice calls directed to the user's mobile number get routed to his or her laptop over Wi-Fi, without the caller being aware that the user has connected over a different network Similarly, voice calls made by the user from his or her laptop Wi-Fi (eg, through a softphone) are delivered to the recipient's device as if they originated from the mobile phone number

The collective: a cache-based system management architecture

Abstract: This paper presents the Collective, a system that delivers managed desktops to personal computer (PC) users. System administrators are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the desktop environments, or virtual appliances, which include the operating system and all installed applications. PCs run client software, called the virtual appliance transceiver, that caches and runs the latest copies of appliances locally and continuously backs up changes to user data to a network repository. This model provides the advantages of central management, such as better security and lower cost of management, while leveraging the cost-effectiveness of commodity PCs.With a straightforward design, this model provides a comprehensive suite of important system functions including machine lockdown, system updates, error recovery, backups, and support for mobility. These functions are made available to all desktop environments that run on the x86 architecture, while remaining protected from the environments and their many vulnerabilities. The model is suitable for managing computers on a LAN, WAN with broadband, or even computers occasionally disconnected from the network like a laptop. Users can access their desktops from any Collective client; they can also carry a bootable drive that converts a PC into a client; finally, they can use a remote display client from a browser to access their desktop running on a remote server.We have developed a prototype of the Collective system and have used it for almost a year. We have found the system helpful in simplifying the management of our desktops while imposing little performance overhead.

Docking station for mobile computing device

Abstract: A docking station is disclosed for use with a mobile computing device. The form factor of the docking station may be similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. A mobile computing device, which may have the form factor of a personal digital assistant, may be docked in the docking station by connecting connectors on the docking station and the mobile computing device. The combined docking station and mobile computing device may form a computer which has a form factor and provide functionality similar to that of a conventional computer, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer. The docking station may, for example, include a cavity into which the mobile computing device may be inserted to dock the mobile computing device in the docking station.

Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method

Abstract: The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.

One Laptop Per Child

Abstract: Please find following a submission by the One Laptop per Child Foundation to the review on the future direction of Australia's aid program.

Laptops in class: What are they good for? What can you do with them?

Abstract: This chapter describes Clemson University's Laptop Faculty Development Program and its assessment, offering the program as one model for designing faculty development to successfully implement laptop mandates. The chapter also acquaints readers with the many types of in-class, laptop-based activities that meet best-practice criteria for effective teaching.

Power consumption breakdown on a modern laptop

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to obtain a component-wise breakdown of the power consumption a modern laptop. We measured the power usage of the key components in an IBM ThinkPad R40 laptop using an Agilent Oscilloscope and current probes. We obtained the power consumption for the CPU, optical drive, hard disk, display, graphics card, memory, and wireless card subsystems-either through direct measurement or subtractive measurement and calculation. Moreover, we measured the power consumption of each component for a variety of workloads. We found that total system power consumption varies a lot (8 W to 30 W) depending on the workload, and moreover that the distribution of power consumption among the components varies even more widely. We also found that though power saving techniques such as DVS can reduce CPU power considerably, the total system power is still dominated by CPU power in the case of CPU intensive workloads. The display is the other main source of power consumption in a laptop; it dominates when the CPU is idle. We also found that reducing the backlight brightness can reduce the system power significantly, more than any other display power saving techniques. Finally, we observed OS differences in the power consumption.

Evolution of a laptop university: a case study

Abstract: Technology is integral to carrying out many types of business transactions and has become entwined in the very fabric of everyday life. In the educational environment—particularly higher education—technology is underutilised as a pedagogical tool and in many cases remains largely untapped. Winona State University and its laptop programme learned some valuable lessons from the marriage between the application of the Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education and technology. The transformation into a leading laptop university was neither smooth nor easy, but it is a successful case about principle-centred technological change and improved student learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keyboard with integrated laptop stand

Abstract: A full-size keyboard with an integrated laptop stand. In one embodiment, the laptop stand is part of a cover for a portable keyboard, with the cover unfolding and including a pop-up stand for supporting a portable computer. The stand is thus connected to the keyboard rather than being a separate article. The cover includes electronics, such as a USB hub and ports, an MP3 player docking station, speakers, etc. A flexible hinge connects the keyboard and cover, with imbedded electrical flex connectors. A presence sensor, such as a PIR sensor, shuts off battery use by these electronics when the user is not around.

Local area alert system using computer networks

Abstract: A system that uses computer driven visual displays in area-defined public places to communicate public alerts to people in those places using large publicly viewable computer driven visual displays and/or computer driven visual displays in the form of hand held mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers. All of these displays can be connected via computer networks, using wireless networks for the mobile devices. With the invented system, public alert messages that are relevant to a locality are distributed via computer networks to computer driven image displays within that locality. They are displayed on all displays, all at once.

Multi-screen laptop system

Abstract: A multi-screen laptop system for providing increased laptop functionality and productivity. The multi-screen laptop system includes a laptop having a first display and a second display movably connected to one another. The first display is pivotally attached to the second display for allowing the user to view either the first display by itself or both the first display and the second display.

A low cost mobile robot for engineering education

Abstract: Robotic competitions are becoming widely used on education. The use of products from the market makes building robots possible at a very low-cost awakening the engineering nature of students and researchers. In this paper we present a low cost mobile robot which uses a normal laptop to guide itself through a track. The low cost robot involves the use of one or more cameras to control the position of the robot's position relative to the environment. Motors are from battery operated screwdrivers and the interface with the laptop is based on an USB card, recently made available from a data acquisition cards manufacturer. The goal for this work is to build a large set of these robots, lend them to the engineering students and make them participate in a local university contest. Moreover, along the years, the student integrates more and more knowledge in the robot allowing it to perform as better as their knowledge increases along the course.

Impression creating device and method for a laptop computer

Abstract: An impression creating apparatus or image display and method for a laptop computer is disclosed. The laptop computer has a cover panel with an exposed outer surface and a screen on an interior portion. The exposed outer surface of the laptop computer cover panel has a peripheral edge. The image display has a frame, a means for attaching the frame to the exposed outer surface of the laptop's cover panel, and an impression creating layer or image insert. The device can also have a translucent cover. The frame has a border at least partially surrounding a compartment. The image insert can be inserted into the compartment for creating the impression. The translucent cover can overlay at least a portion of the image insert. The method allows an individual and/or entity to attach the frame of the image display to the back side of the display housing of the laptop computer with the means for attaching, select an image insert for inserting into the frame based on a target audience that will be able to see the selected image insert within the frame on the back side of the display of the laptop after revealing the laptop to the target audience, insert the selected image insert into the frame, and display the laptop computer and the selected image insert within the frame to the target audience.

"Bring your own laptop unless you want to follow the lecture": alternative communication in the classroom

Abstract: The introduction of laptops and wireless networks in classrooms has increased the possibilities for student-teacher interaction. Here we explore the premises for this interaction by studying the use of ActiveClass, a system that enables students to ask questions electronically and anonymously in-class. The study emphasizes how the diverse prerequisites for teaching interaction separates students even more in the classroom. We then suggest a differentiated approach to the introduction of interactive technologies in the class room.

Wireless docking station

Abstract: With the rapid innovation in wireless technology, greater bandwidth is now available. This invention proposes to use the much greater wireless bandwidth available with ultrawideband (UWB) technology, to replace the current expensive solution for laptop port replication using hardwired connections. First, a wireless interface between the laptop and the port replicator will no longer require the expensive, high-pincount docking station connector currently in use in today's products. This will increase reliability of the docking system, and decrease cost of the solution. Second, a wireless dock will allow the laptop user to more quickly associate their computer with the docking station and connected peripherals merely by placing the laptop in proximity with the dock. Third, the bandwidth of the UWB wireless connection can be superior to that of a USB solution, with data rates exceeding 1 Gbps. When these advantages are combined, the UWB-powered docking station will offer a significant alternative to the current approach for laptop docking while protecting the customer investment in peripherals.

Integrated diversity antenna for laptop and PDA terminal in a MIMO system

Abstract: The paper introduces an integrated diversity antenna for MIMO application specifically in a laptop and in a PDA terminal. The design is based on a double-folded dipole antenna filled with a slab of dielectric material. With the insertion of the dielectric slab, the size is reduced significantly while still maintaining good bandwidth and gain. One of the important features of the design is that the antennas can be spatially placed close to each other (less than λ/2), while implementing polarisation diversity. This is important especially in a PDA terminal where the size of the device is relatively small compared to a laptop. The antennas are designed on a laptop and PDA with frequency of operation at 5.2 GHz for the IEEE802.11a wireless systems. For the laptop design, two different orientations of the dielectric loaded doubled-folded dipole were considered. The isolation is better than 20 dB and measured bandwidth at −10 dB is up to 400 MHz for a laptop design and up to 200 MHz for a PDA design. Experimental verifications are reported for S-parameters and radiation patterns, while the envelope cross-correlation is calculated to be much less than 0.1 and the ratio of the mean effective gain (MEG) between the antennas is close to unity for the laptops and PDA.

The Dark Side of the Laptop University

Abstract: Earlier discussions of computer labs versus classroom computers, specialist computer teachers versus subject matter instructors have been leapfrogged. The technological juggernaut has overwhelmed us to present the "Laptop University." Now the attention of the academic community is firmly fixed on hailing the laptop as the worthy successor to white boards (no more chalk dust on blue suits), the overhead projector, the single concept projector, film, TV and the cafeteria's apple pie in plastic wrap. The technical matters such as short battery life and long logon times will be addressed in the coming years with instant logon, infrared connections, as well as other minor matters, such as the inappropriate electronic sharing of information (cheating).When the students activate their laptops, they are presented with choices: pay attention to the teacher or answer Instant Messenger, check the email on Yahoo, surf the net for music, stare at their favorite movie star's picture, or boyfriend or girlfriend or catch up with the homework from some class. These are matters that need other than technological solutions. We have provided students with a multimedia contraption, a magic lantern and an unspoken challenge: do you have the strength to avoid "amusing yourself to death," as Neil Postman put it, and the courage to step around this self destructive aspect of the dark side: recognition and self discipline are needed.Another aspect of the unanticipated is the social detachment of the learner. Unless there is a specific group assignment, the student with a few clicks is exploring the activities on his own. One only has to look into any computer lab or room full of students to see the intensity of attention displayed by the student. The laptop has exacerbated the devotion of the student to the computer to the exclusion of social interaction. Even email, chat rooms, and instant messages are elements that separate the individual from the social sphere. It is in front of the screen that social interaction occurs, sending and receiving short bursts of words. Body language and facial clues are eliminated from the dialogue. Attempts are made to put them back by developing symbols, e.g., ?, which with use become cliches. Students have discarded the art of conversation: the well-turned phrase, the wink, the hand gesture, and the accepting smile. It is this dual sense of isolation and community, tribalism and globalism, that produces the tyranny of the anonymous email writer who with one click addresses a universe.Amusement and social detachment are unlooked for components of the "Laptop University," since the computer's "raison d'etre" is its use as a tool: a communication device, a calculator, a paintbrush, a typewriter, or a library. How these tools are being used and how they a∂ect the mindset of the users constitutes the major area of the "reaction side" of the "Laptop University." Many students are dependent on a calculator, trusting in its authority and reliability to see them through; without the calculator they are often not able to work with fractions or decimals and standard deviations are devilish. …

System and method for remote diagnostics for an in-flight entertainment system

Abstract: A remote diagnostics kit is provided to permit an in-flight entertainment system of an aircraft to be diagnosed remotely by an operator who is not on-site with the aircraft. The kit includes a remote computer, such as a laptop, that is connected to the IFE or a unit to be diagnosed. A technician operating a base computer accesses the remote computer over an appropriate communications network or series of networks. For example, in an embodiment, the remote computer includes a wireless modem, such as a cellular telephone modem, which the base computer accesses over the Internet. The base computer and remote computer are equipped with appropriate software to permit communication between the base and remote computers. Accordingly, through the base computer, the technician can command operation of a diagnostics program running at the remote computer, and output from the diagnostics program is transmitted to the base computer for display.

Hand tracking for low powered mobile AR user interfaces

Abstract: Mobile augmented reality systems use general purpose computing hardware to perform tasks such as rendering computer graphics, providing video overlay, and performing vision tracking. Our current Tinmith-Metro modelling system implements a user interface which is based on tracking the motions of gloves worn by the user, but is implemented inefficiently in a mobile laptop carried on a backpack by the user. This paper describes how we have developed a tracking algorithm which is suitable for implementation in a field programmable gate array. This implementation uses minimal power and will allow future miniaturisation of our mobile backpack equipment. We present the results of studies conducted outdoors to find the most appropriate marker type to use, and also the overall results that were achieved during testing.

Triple Screen Video Arcade Circuit

Abstract: Triple Screen Arcade is a video circuitry design that provides a low cost method for creating three video outputs that span a single large video bitmap area. The method uses low cost video controller chips intended for dual screen applications of Laptop PCs (personal computers) combined with an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and other electronic parts. Further a video driver methodology is used to make the process work well in common operating systems. The video product is used for three screen video arcade games, three screen flight simulators and three screen business applications. Three screen spanning using the single large memory map is possible with off-the-shelf high speed gaming and graphics computer programs. All three display data flows are vertically phased locked to reduce eye fatigue and to make frame to frame timing the same for all three displays, thus improving animations that span all three displays.

Wireless communication module

Abstract: A PCB mountable module includes logic circuitry that translates between serial and wireless communication protocols. Supported standards include I2C, CAN, ProfiBus, SPI, and USB, IP, ARP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, Telnet, TFTP, AutoIP, DHCP, HTTP, and SNMP. Modules can optionally provide security, MILARRS functionality, and web related services such as email alert. The novel modules can be used wherever a device designer wants a plug-in (or “drop-in”) system that obviates the need for independent development and maintenance of wireless capability. Examples include servers, desktop and laptop computers, and even devices such as kitchen appliances with relatively simpler electronics.

Wireless virtual docking

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless computer docking system wherein a computer with a UWB wireless transceiver forms a wireless connect with UWB-enabled peripheral devices without the need for a physical docking station. The computer may a laptop, notebook, or tablet computer, or PDA-type device. A device driver for a UWB chipset in the computer can arbitrate data streams and data rates for multiple wireless peripheral devices and can maps the peripheral device to an operating system (OS) on the computer, wherein the OS has visibility of the peripheral device and can handle both control and data operations for the peripheral device. The computer maintains configuration information for each peripheral device and applies this information when a peripheral device is within UWB radio range.

Designing for all in the house

Abstract: The elderly population in the world is increasing rapidly and consequently so is demand for new technologies that allow them to live independently. Facilitating the control of household appliances and the home environment through various devices that encompass multimodal and ambient interfaces seems a way to achieve this. We tested three modalities of output - audio, visual and multimodal - using two different devices - palmtop and laptop - as realistic prototypes of household appliance controllers. Through experimental design the applicability of using icons and musical earcons as a medium to transmit information to the user and its suitability to the home was investigated. Results showed participants performed markedly better using the multimodal and visual interfaces than with the audio interface. In addition both groups performed better using the palmtop as compared to the laptop.

Work In Progress - Providing Interactivity in a Technology-Rich Classroom

Abstract: In increasing numbers, universities are providing wireless access to the Internet in classrooms and are requiring entering freshmen to have laptop computers. Moreover instructors are requiring students to bring their laptop computers to class and are designing lectures with the assumption that their students have access to computing and the Web. What is currently lacking is software that can support teaching and learning. This short paper briefly describes an ongoing effort at Clemson University to develop a Web-based tool, MessageGrid, whose primary objective is to support interactivity in a technology-rich classroom. We give an overview of the tool and how instructors are currently using it in their lectures and outline plans for future development

Teaching statistics by taking advantage of the laptop's ubiquity

Abstract: This chapter reports on a mathematics professor's experience leveraging laptops in a required intermediate statistics course with a challenging student population. Use of laptops streamlined course delivery, enhanced classroom interaction, and improved both his students' and his own overall course experience.

Man in a Briefcase: The Social Construction of the Laptop Computer and the Emergence of a Type Form

Abstract: Dominant design discourse of the late 1970s and early 1980s presented the introduction of the laptop computer to be the result of ‘inevitable’ progress in a variety of disparate technologies, pulled together to create an unprecedented, revolutionary technological product. While the laptop was a revolutionary product, such a narrative works to dismiss a series of products which predated the laptop but which had much the same aim, and to deny a social drive for such products, which had been in evidence for a number of years before the technology to achieve them was available. This article shows that the social drive for the development of portable computing came in part from the ‘macho mystique’ of concealed technology that was a substantial motif in popular culture at that time. Using corporate promotional material from the National Archive for the History of Computing at the University of Manchester, and interviews with some of the designers and engineers involved in the creation of early portable computers, this work explores the development of the first real laptop computer, the ‘GRiD Compass’, in the context of its contemporaries. The consequent trajectory of laptop computer design is then traced to show how it has become a product which has a mixture of associated meanings to a wide range of consumers. In this way, the work explores the role of consumption in the development of digital technology.