Showing papers on "Laptop published in 2009"

One laptop per child: vision vs. reality

Abstract: The vision is being overwhelmed by the reality of business, politics, logistics, and competing interests worldwide.

Bonfire: a nomadic system for hybrid laptop-tabletop interaction

Abstract: We present Bonfire, a self-contained mobile computing system that uses two laptop-mounted laser micro-projectors to project an interactive display space to either side of a laptop keyboard. Coupled with each micro-projector is a camera to enable hand gesture tracking, object recognition, and information transfer within the projected space. Thus, Bonfire is neither a pure laptop system nor a pure tabletop system, but an integration of the two into one new nomadic computing platform. This integration (1) enables observing the periphery and responding appropriately, e.g., to the casual placement of objects within its field of view, (2) enables integration between physical and digital objects via computer vision, (3) provides a horizontal surface in tandem with the usual vertical laptop display, allowing direct pointing and gestures, and (4) enlarges the input/output space to enrich existing applications. We describe Bonfire's architecture, and offer scenarios that highlight Bonfire's advantages. We also include lessons learned and insights for further development and use.

Laptop Programs for Students

Abstract: With the continuing decline in costs of technology, programs are proliferating worldwide to put networked laptop computers into the hands of millions of students on a routine basis. The reasons policy-makers support these programs are based on economic arguments, equity concerns, and widespread interest in education reform. Studies of laptop programs in schools report that they increase students' engagement in school, improve technology skills, and have positive effects on students' writing. However, evidence of the effectiveness of large-scale laptop programs in other learning domains is scarce. Research in many nations suggests that laptop programs will be most successful as part of balanced, comprehensive initiatives that address changes in education goals, curricula, teacher training, and assessment.

Case study of a computer based examination system

Abstract: Electronic supported assessment or e-Assessment is a field of growing importance, but it has yet to make a significant impact in the Australian higher education sector (Byrnes & Ellis, 2006). Current computer based assessment models focus on the assessment of knowledge rather than deeper understandings, using multiple choice type questions, and blocking access to more sophisticated software tools. This study explored a new system based on a customised version of an open source live CD, based on Ubuntu which was used with three groups of pre-service teachers (N=270). Students had divided opinions about using computers or paper for their examinations, but prior exposure to computer based assessment was a highly significant factor for preferring the computer medium. Reflecting upon their experience, students found the noise of computer keyboards a distraction during the eExamination and preferred fewer on-screen windows. The new system allowed eExaminations to be taken securely on student owned laptop computers and was supervised by invigilators without specialist information technology skills. The system has been made available for other researchers to use at http://www.eExaminations.org/

Power Transfer Between Devices

Abstract: Power transfer between devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, media players and other devices is described In an embodiment power transfer is achieved either from a power source at a device or to a power source at that device using a bidirectional power transfer connector In some embodiments a power management module at the device uses context, models or other information to control factors such as the power transfer direction, duration and amount In examples, user preferences are taken into account In an example, the bidirectional power transfer connector is provided as a USB connection or a wireless power transfer connection

Secure platform management with power savings capacity

Abstract: An electronic device, for example, a laptop computer includes a processor, a transceiver module, for example, a Bluetooth module and a memory. The memory includes a platform proximity agent, which may be implemented as a series of instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a Bluetooth signal from a corresponding provisioned Bluetooth device, for example, a cellular telephone. Next, determine whether the received signal exceeds both a strength threshold level and a predetermined time threshold level, where the signal strength and time threshold levels are established when the laptop and a corresponding cell phone are paired during a provisioning process. When the received signal strength and duration both exceed the corresponding policy based thresholds, the laptop enters (or remains in) a full power state with full access to the monitor and the platform. On the other hand, when the received signal strength and duration both fall below (or are less than) the corresponding policy based threshold, the laptop enters (or remains in) a reduced power, or locked state.

Stanford laptop orchestra (slork)

Abstract: In the paper, we chronicle the instantiation and adventures of the Stanford Laptop Orchestra (SLOrk), an ensemble of laptops, humans, hemispherical speaker arrays, interfaces, and, more recently, mobile smart phones. Motivated to deeply explore computer-mediated live performance, SLOrk provides a platform for research, instrument design, sound design, new paradigms for composition, and performance. It also offers a unique classroom combining music, technology, and live performance. Founded in 2008, SLOrk was built from the ground-up by faculty and students at Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). This document describes 1) how SLOrk was built, 2) its initial performances, and 3) the Stanford Laptop Orchestra as a classroom. We chronicle its present, and look to its future.

Aircraft maintenance laptop

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a portable computer, and program code stored on the portable computer. The program code is capable of being executed to establish a communications link with an aircraft network data processing system in an aircraft, obtain information about the aircraft over the communications link, display the information on a display device for the portable computer, receive user input to control a data processing system on the aircraft network data processing system in the aircraft, and send a number of commands to the data processing system in response to receiving the user input.

Internal planar WWAN laptop computer antenna using monopole slot elements

Abstract: A planar WWAN (wireless wide area network) antenna comprising two monopole slots operated at their quarter-wavelength modes for GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS operation in the laptop computer is presented. With the use of monopole slot elements, the antenna can be easily printed on an inexpensive FR4 substrate and show a planar structure for promising applications in the thin-profile laptop computer. The antenna can provide two wide operating bands at about 900 and 1900 MHz to cover all the five operating bands for WWAN operation and yet occupies a small area of 10 × 75 mm2 in the narrow spacing between the display and the laptop computer casing. The user's hand effects on the antenna performances when the touch panel or touch screen is used for the laptop computer are also studied. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1274–1279, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24336

Put the Textbooks Away: Preparation and Support for a Middle School One-to-One Laptop Initiative

Abstract: This study, conducted in the Southwestern United States, investigated teacher and student uses of tablet laptop computers in a one-to-one initiative involving fifth grade through eighth grade students and their teachers. The campus initiative led to higher than expected technology integration and student- teacher and student-student collaborations. Teacher interviews under scored that the accessibility of the technology allowed for remarkable moments of teaching. Longitudinal data in the coming years can determine the long-term success of the program, but findings strongly support the effectiveness of a one-to-one laptop/tablet initiative in a middle school. INTRODUCTION The small size and lowered cost of laptops, along with the availability of wireless internet capabilities, have increased the feasibility of school initiatives that provide laptop computers to students at a one-to-one ratio. Currently there are over 1,000 laptop initiatives in the United States alone (Johnstone, 2003). This study examined a one-to-one initiative at the campus level in a private school in the Southwest United States. Previous research has shown that teachers' beliefs about instruction and learning affect levels of adoption (Collins, 1991; Cuban, 1986, 2001; Dwyer, Ringstaff, & Sandholtz, 1991), but those studies were inconclusive about how these processes happen and what the feelings of the teachers are during transition. Interpretive studies, such as one conducted by Burns and Po I ma ? (2006), have reported that the transitions for teachers integrating computers into their instructional methods happened more smoothly and much more quickly than might be expected. The pace of technological change and the place that computer tools now hold in society make methodological change volatile (Burns & Pol man, 2006). Previous research from the 1980s and 1990s may not be reliable in the 21st Century as computer use has become an integral part of daily life. In addition, an increasing number of private and public schools are placing wireless laptop/tablet computers in the hands of students and teachers (Hill & Reeves, 2004; Rockman, 2003). The speed of this change has often been a cause of great concern. This study investigated the effects of a one-to-one laptop initiative on teaching and learning in grades 5 through 8. Data collected from teacher interviews, classroom observations, and student surveys were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. LITERATURE REVIEW Over the past decade, the United States has experienced a steady increase in interest and investment in computer technology at the national, state, and local levels in education, perhaps partly in response to the NCLB goal "to improve academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools" (U.S. Department of Education, 2001). The National Technology Standards (NETS), published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, 2007), have the similar objective of developing students' "technological competence, the ability to understand and operate technological equipment to increase productivity, enhance communication and collaboration within and outside the classroom; conduct creative research, and devise strategies for problem-solving and decision-making" (Barron et al., 2003; Fletcher, 2004; ISTE, 2007). Barron et al.( 2003) identified commonalities in the goals of the initiatives at the K-1 2 level that included (: (a) providing all students with portable laptop/notebook computers loaded with productivity software, (b) student access to wireless internet in the school, and (c) use of the laptops to complete academic tasks. Many of the advantages that were anticipated for classrooms that provided wireless technology and one or more computers for teachers and students have been realized. These include portability, flexibility, ease of use, expandability, and replication of both paper notebook and desktop computer functionality (Am i ri an, 2004; Charp, 2002; Ito, 2003). …

Expressive typing: a new way to sense typing pressure and its applications

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new way for measuring key typing pressure when using off-the-shelf laptop computers. Accelerometers embedded in laptop computers to protect hard discs from sudden motion are becoming very common. This paper explores the concept of utilizing this accelerometer for sensing non-verbal aspects of key typing, such as key typing pressure. This possibility enables a wide variety of pressure-sensitive user interfaces through the use of software without requiring any additional hardware/sensors. Such software can be distributed easily to a substantial number of potential users. To confirm the feasibility of this idea, we compared typing finger velocities (obtained by high-speed camera images) with sensor data from an accelerometer embedded in a laptop computer. We then confirmed that there is a clear correlation between these two sets of data. We also investigated differences in typing pressure patterns among different users. By combining keystroke speeds and typing pressure, we found it is possible to distinguish among users. This feature can be used for security purposes such as preventing a laptop computer from being used by non-owners. We also present possible application ideas such as rich text expression, new types of user interface elements, and authentication.

Wireless power adapter for computer

Abstract: A wireless power adapter that mounts to the docking station port of a portable computer, such as a laptop computer, notebook computer or tablet computer. The wireless power adapter includes a docking port electrical connector selected to interface with the pre-existing docking port electrical connector on the portable computer. The adapter docking port electrical connector includes power pins to connect with the pre-existing power pins of the portable computer docking port electrical connector. The wireless power adapter may include an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from an inductive primary. The wireless power adapter may include a mechanical connector that interfaces with the pre-existing docking station mechanical connector on the portable computer. The present invention may also include a remote inductive power supply having a base adapted to support the laptop and adapter combination. The base may includes inductive power supply circuitry and an inductive primary to produce an inductive field to wirelessly provide power to the adapter and ultimately the portable computer. The remote inductive power supply may alternatively be embedded within a work surface, such as a desktop.

Implicit User Re-authentication for Mobile Devices

Abstract: Portable computers are used to store and access sensitive information. They are frequently used in insecure locations with little or no physical protection, and are therefore susceptible to theft and unauthorized access. We propose an implicit user re-authentication system for portable computers that requires no application changes or hardware modifications. The proposed technique observes user-specific patterns in filesystem activity and network access to build models of normal behavior. These are used to distinguish between normal use and anomalous use. We describe these automated model generation and user detection techniques, and explain how to efficiently implement them in a wireless distributed system composed of servers and battery-powered portable devices. The proposed system is able to distinguish between normal use and attack with an accuracy of approximately 90% every 5 minutes and consumes less than 12% of a typical laptop battery in 24 hours.

Integrating media display into computer peripherals and computing systems: the media mouse, media keboard, media monitor, media mate, media screen and mediabook

Abstract: A computer system such as a laptop or Personal Digital Assistant and a computer peripheral such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor and other new devices wherein the user can create, acquire, assemble, file and transmit media to a display enabled screen or screens on the systems, peripherals or new devices, enhancing personalization through added functionality.

Mobile wireless display software platform for controlling other systems and devices

Abstract: A wireless headset can incorporate a wireless communication controller that not only provides a video link to a host device, but also provides for control and management of a host device and other more devices. In this context, a host device may be any appropriate device that sources audio, video, text, and other information, such as a cell phone, personal computer, laptop, media player, and/or the like.

Low cost ECG monitor for developing countries

Abstract: Cardiac or cardiovascular disease (CSD) will become the leading cause of death worldwide by the year 2010. To help doctors in developing countries make an accurate diagnosis, an electrocardiogram (ECG) of low cost has been built and fully tested. Though primarily designed for cardiac diagnosis, respiratory rates and other vital health information such as Sleep Apnea can be extracted from ECG signals. There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers in the developing world which has seen mobile phones used in ways not seen in the developed world. Mobile phones can be used to display the patient's ECG, thus dramatically reducing the cost, and to provide doctors stationed on site a means of diagnosis before the need for any medical evacuation. Electricity outages, remoteness of location, poor maintenance and consumable shortages mean that commercial electrocardiograms (ECGs) used to diagnose such diseases in developing nations, if present, are left unused. This project aims to design and construct at least two of the four main components in a basic modern ECG data logging system — the patient's electrodes and the amplifier. Problematic issues in implementing the ECG system are addressed by ensuring that costs are minimised and that all components are reusable. Three electrodes made from scrap material will connect to a low power amplifier of high gain which will easily run off batteries. As nearly all mobile phones have USB and bluetooth ports, low cost interfaces built using microcontrollers can be used which convert the analog ECG signals to a digital stream suitable for display on a phone. The resulting digital signals are intended to be sent from the interface to the phone via a USB cable connected to the phone's USB port, and displayed on the phone's screen. The ECG data on a PDA have been displayed after successful testing using firmware written which passes the ECG signals to the PDA as a digital stream through the PDA's bluetooth port via a laptop through its USB port. The ECG signals have also been graphed and displayed successfully on a laptop running Windows XP.

AirMouse: Finger Gesture for 2D and 3D Interaction

Abstract: This paper presents AirMouse, a new interaction technique based on finger gestures above the laptop's keyboard. At a reasonably low cost, the technique can replace the traditional methods for pointing in two or three dimensions. Moreover, the device-switching time is reduced and no additional surface than the one for the laptop is needed. In a 2D pointing evaluation, a vision-based implementation of the technique is compared with commonly used devices. The same implementation is also compared with the two most commonly used 3D pointing devices. The two user experiments show the benefits of the polyvalent technique: it is easy to learn, intuitive and efficient by providing good performance. In particular, our conducted experiment shows that performance with AirMouse is promising in comparison with a touchpad and with dedicated 3D pointing devices. It shows that AirMouse offers better performance as compared to FlowMouse, a previous solution using fingers above the keyboard.

Wrapped Microstrip Antennas for Laptop Computers

Abstract: The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive and unified description of the authors' work on the development of wrapped microstrip antennas for laptop applications. The first contribution is the introduction of quasi-omnidirectional wrapped-microstrip antenna elements to be integrated into the display rim of laptops. Single- and dual-band antennas are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of wrapped microstrip antenna elements in wireless communications. The prototyping and measurements of these antennas are highlighted in an appendix. The most common internal and external laptop antenna structures are also described, to give a broader overview of laptop antenna-design approaches. The second and third contributions are a methodical analysis of housing effects, and a general study of electromagnetic human interaction with laptop antennas from the antenna-performance-degradation and user-illumination perspectives. These studies have been performed systematically for several classes of internal and external antennas, with different locations and screen-opening angles. With this approach, a general overview of laptop-antenna integration aspects is given, along with unified guidelines for the design of the wireless interface used in modern laptops. An application of the novel elements to capacity-preserving MIMO arrays is also presented.

Combined laptop case and laptop stand

Abstract: The present invention is a multifunction carrying case that is capable of carrying a laptop computer and converting into a laptop stand. The height of the laptop stand is telescoping, allowing for use in different situations. The case-stand combination comprises a housing similar to a hard-sided briefcase. The bottom compartment of the housing comprises a platform with a stand assembly beneath it. The stand assembly comprises a top base, telescoping risers and a bottom base. Until deployed, the bottom base is contiguous with the exterior surface of the bottom compartment. When deployed, the stand assembly is a “Z”-type shape to counterbalance the weight of the housing and a laptop computer.

Pickup Usability Dominates: A Brief History of Mobile Text Entry Research and Adoption

Abstract: Text entry on mobile devices (e.g. phones and PDAs) has been a research challenge since devices shrank below laptop size: mobile devices are simply too small to have a traditional full-size keyboard. There has been a profusion of research into text entry techniques for smaller keyboards and touch screens: some of which have become mainstream, while others have not lived up to early expectations. As the mobile phone industry moves to mainstream touch screen interaction we will review the range of input techniques for mobiles, together with evaluations that have taken place to assess their validity: from theoretical modelling through to formal usability experiments. We also report initial results on iPhone text entry speed.

Single Cable Antenna Module for Laptop Computer and Mobile Devices

Abstract: Implementations and examples of wireless communication systems based on multi-frequency antennas each operating at different frequency bands for wireless communications, including multi-frequency antennas based on metamaterial structures.

Inflatable laptop desk

Abstract: An inflatable laptop desk includes an inflatable base and a horizontal platform mounted to the base for supporting a laptop computer or other device. The base includes one or more valves that allow the base to be selectively inflated for mounting upon a user's lap and deflated for transportation and storage. An optional storage case may be incorporated into the desk.

Photo realistic talking head creation, content creation, and distribution system and method

Abstract: A system and method for creating, distributing, and viewing photo-realistic talking head based multimedia content over a network, comprising a server and a variety of communication devices, including cell phones and other portable wireless devices, and a software suite, that enables users to communicate with each other through creation, use, and sharing of multimedia content, including photo-realistic talking head animations combined with text, audio, photo, and video content. Content is uploaded to at least one remote server, and accessed via a broad range of devices, such as cell phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and cellular smartphones. Shows comprising the content may be viewed with a media player in various environments, such as internet social networking sites and chat rooms via a web browser application, or applications integrated into the operating systems of the digital devices, and distributed via the internet, cellular wireless networks, and other suitable networks.

Laptop computer with hardware security protection

Abstract: A laptop computer with hardware security protection includes a lid near the image capture module. The lid can move to shield the image capture module to avoid the image captured by the image capture module transmitting to another computer. Therefore, the hardware security protection is achieved by the real lid to prevent the hacker attacking and increase the security protection.

Enhancing the Accessibility for All of Digital Comic Books.

Abstract: Comic books are very popular all over the world, among the readers of all ages. They are even sometimes referred to as the ninth art. In our increasingly digital world, comics still remain creature of print and paper and ink. Despite its convenience in many aspects, this media does not completely fulfil the needs of a large segment of public such as mobile users, motor-impaired people, and low-sighted people. In this paper, we explore how a digital version of comic books can be optimally accessed using a computer based interface. Among the supported reading modes, an automated mode provides a segmentation-based detection of panels and their display in the relevant reading order. This enables accessibility with minimal user interaction and maximal image size. An open-source prototype was implemented and validated in different operational contexts such as PC desktop, PC laptop, a PC controlled through voice, remote-controlled TV and mobile devices.

Enhancing user experience at museums using smart phones with RFID

Abstract: With the advancement in cell phone technologies and its increased use as a multimedia platform, we can extend its application to enhance the experience of museum visitors. Smart phones can be used to provide full personalized multimedia presentations in a museum environment. This design proposal is aimed at increasing museum visitors and, boosting profits, and greatly reducing maintenance costs for museum operators. We propose a new technique to interface a museum's artifact specific multimedia files on the network to smart phones. Our design offers an RFID based interface that can be used for educational purposes in museums or conference settings. The design aims at the interaction between the user and specific artifacts by providing additional data sent wirelessly through the museum or conference database to a portable device such as the Motorola Q smart phone. The smart phone will contain the RFID reader and a tag that will store its MAC address. A central RFID reader will be used to provide internet access to each user by scanning the MAC address on the smart phone tag and allowing wireless access for it. The RFID reader on the smart phone will read the tags embedded in the artifacts and corresponding data will be fetched from the network and transmitted to the device via WiFi or other wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth. We will first demonstrate the functionality of our design using an RFID reader interfaced with a laptop, which has wireless internet connectivity. Different tags will be used as artifact identifiers and appropriate information from the internet will be obtained and displayed on the laptop. This will include programming the reader to retrieve data matched to the artifact. The next step in the design would be to implement it using the MC9090, which is a handheld mobile device with an integrated RFID reader and WiFi. The program for the design implementation will be loaded on this device and the system functionality will be verified.

Dustproof structure for laptop

Abstract: A dustproof structure for a laptop includes a gate, a motor and a controller. The laptop includes a shell having an air vent defined therein. The gate is movably mounted on the shell. The motor is mounted on the shell and connected to the gate. The controller is installed inside the laptop and configured for controlling the motor to drive the gate to open the air vent of the shell when the laptop is powered on, and to close the air vent of the shell when the laptop is being powered off.