A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

An acoustic touch device able to distinguish between user finger touches and other noise-making events includes ultrasonic transmitting and receiving units, and a controller. The ultrasonic receiving unit generates low-frequency electrical signals when the acoustic touch device is touched by an external object or affected by acoustic noise. The low frequency electrical signals cause variation in the output electrical signals of the ultrasonic receiving unit. The controller is configured to power on or power off the ultrasonic transmitting unit according to such variation.

Methods and systems for augmentative and alternative communication are disclosed. An example method can comprise receiving a candidate input, classifying the candidate input as an intentional input, and generating a signal in response to the intentional input.

A structure for attaching an ultrasound sensor to a side portion of a vehicle includes a bracket via which the ultrasound sensor is attached to face the ground under the floor of the vehicle and to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane such that water drops adhering to the ultrasound sensor flow downward.

Methods and systems for augmentative and alternative communication are disclosed. An example method can comprise receiving a candidate input, classifying the candidate input as an intentional input, and generating a signal in response to the intentional input.

A household electric appliance has an acoustic touch-control system. The acoustic touch-control system contains a panel having a touch region and a printed circuit board with an acoustic sensor being disposed on the printed circuit board. The acoustic sensor is respectively allocated to the corresponding touch region. A control apparatus is arranged to receive a signal from the acoustic sensor and subject the signal to further analytical processing. An intermediate body is disposed between the printed circuit board and the panel and formed such that a sound-receiving surface of the acoustic sensor is hermetically isolated from an external environment.

An acoustic touch device able to distinguish between user finger touches and other noise-making events includes ultrasonic transmitting and receiving units, and a controller. The ultrasonic receiving unit generates low-frequency electrical signals when the acoustic touch device is touched by an external object or affected by acoustic noise. The low frequency electrical signals cause variation in the output electrical signals of the ultrasonic receiving unit. The controller is configured to power on or power off the ultrasonic transmitting unit according to such variation.

Examples apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture and methods to adjust a keyboard position are disclosed. An example keyboard position adjustment system includes a keyboard orientation detector to determine a first keyboard position of a keyboard and/or a hand position detector to determine a hand position near the keyboard. The example system also includes an adjuster to move the keyboard to a second keyboard position based on the first keyboard position and/or the hand position.

A monitoring system for determining whether an object is touched by a living body includes a receiver and a piezoelectric sensor attached to a substrate such that when the substrate is attached to the object. The piezoelectric sensor generates an output signal as a function of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object. A processor processes the output signal to determine whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object and outputs a contact information signal containing information indicative of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and object based on the determination. A transmitter transmits the contact information signal to the receiver.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.