Abstract: A method of configuring a data communications system, by changing a default communications address of a logic component to a first assigned address, and connecting the logic component to a communications bus automatically in response to the address change. The logic component may include a multiplexer having an input connected to a first communications bus, and several outputs, some of the outputs being connected to input/output (I/O) devices, and at least one of the outputs being connected to a second communications bus. The latter output is disabled when the logic component has the default communications address; the logic component is connected to the second communications bus by enabling the output of the multiplexer.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front bezel, and a rear connector assembly. The disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. The carrier also has pipes for transmitting light to the front bezel. The light pipes extend along the side wall from the front bezel to the rear connector assembly. The carrier is installed in the disk drive docking bay of a computer system. The rear end of the docking bay has a docking connector for interconnecting with the rear connector assembly, which also interconnects with the drive. The rear connector assembly is provided with a retainer for supporting the rearward ends of the light pipes. When the carrier is seated in the docking bay, the light pipes precisely align with activity lights at the back of the docking bay. The light emitted by the activity lights is transmitted through the light pipes and displayed at the front bezel for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling visual access by a user to selected broadcast commercial advertisements. A video stream which includes multiple commercial advertisements is broadcast to multiple receivers, each coupled to a video display at a user's location. Unique identifications of each commercial advertisement and an initiation/termination delimiter signal are also embedded within the video stream. Selected commercial advertisements are then stored within memory within each receiver in response to an indication that a particular video stream containing those commercial advertisements is not currently displayed at a user's location. Thereafter, these stored commercial advertisements are substituted for an alternate commercial advertisement within the video stream at a subsequent time in response to an indication that the particular video stream is once again displayed at a user's location, ensuring that the selected commercial advertisements are viewed by a user.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are disclosed for automatically recovering from an unsuccessful boot of the system. A boot of the system is initiated utilizing a first boot code stored in a first storage location. A determination is made regarding whether the boot was successful. If a determination is made that the boot was unsuccessful, a boot is reattempted utilizing a second boot code stored in a second storage device.

Abstract: To increase the effective capacity of BIOS, an initial portion of the power on system reset (POST) code that is required to enable the system memory is stored in ROM in uncompressed form, and substantially the remaining portion of the BIOS code is stored in compressed form. Upon system initialization during a cold boot, the uncompressed portion of POST is executed from the ROM to enable the system memory, and then an image of the BIOS code is written to shadow memory. As BIOS code is needed during the remainder of the boot, the code is selectively decompressed from the shadow memory to another region of the system memory to which control is transferred. Variations based upon different boot scenarios are described.

Abstract: A modular DC power distribution system. A physically discrete input conversion module is utilized for converting a source AC signal to a high voltage DC signal. Multiple universal mounting sites are provided in a power supply backplane for engaging one or more of such input conversion modules. Within the power supply backplane, the high voltage DC signal is delivered to a DC distribution bus. A physically discrete DC step-down module is utilized for converting the high voltage DC signal from the DC distribution bus to a point-of-load DC signal distributable to application boards. The power supply backplane includes multiple universal mounting sites wherein one or more DC step-down modules may be installed or removed. In another embodiment, the DC power distribution system of the present invention includes a pre-charge system for permitting the input conversion modules and the DC step-down modules to be hot plugged into the power supply backplane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching optical signals within an optoelectric computer network is disclosed. The optoelectric computer network includes multiple computers. Each of the computers includes a first fiber optic cable for sending optical signal beams and a second fiber optic cable for receiving optical signal beams. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for broadcasting optical signals within the optoelectric computer network includes a prism and a mirror array. The prism is capable of splitting an optical signal beam from a first fiber optic cable of one of the computers into multiple optical signal beams. Each of the optical signal beams is of an unique frequency within a light spectrum. The mirror array, which is formed by an array of deformable mirrors, then individually directs each of the optical signal beams to a respective second fiber optic cable of the rest of the computers.

Abstract: Control over the output of duplex or double-sided copying is facilitated by indicator pages identifying an original page which should be copied to the front side of a new copy page, even if the back side of a previous copy page must be left blank in order to do so. Special separator pages containing detectable indicia such as a bar code may be inserted within single-side originals immediately prior to a page which should be printed on the front side of a duplex copy page to serve as the indicator page. Pages with unique, detectable content such as white space followed by large-print chapter or section headings may be employed as the indicator page, identifying the respective page as a page which should be printed on the front side of a new duplex copy page.

Abstract: The present invention offers an improved method of reversibly absorbing aqueous solution penetrations into electronic equipment. The method comprises providing an absorbent structure having a certain thickness, the thickness defined by the desired or expected use of the electronic equipment such as a computer keyboard, cellular phone, ATM machine keyboard, radios, PDAs, remote controls, and other electronic devices that might be compromised by liquids and aqueous solutions, rain and the like. The absorbent structure comprises at least a water-permeable top sheet, a hydrogel-forming core, and a water-impermeable back sheet. Several layers and combinations of layers may also be provided, depending upon the desired usage.

Abstract: Described is a substrate connector assembly which includes a first circuit substrate, a second circuit substrate and a connector mounted on the first circuit substrate for connecting wiring patterns formed on the first circuit substrate with wiring patterns formed on the second circuit substrate. The first circuit substrate includes first wiring patterns capable of being connected to external wirings and second wiring patterns in a second wiring area apart from the first wiring patterns by a predetermined creepage distance to provide a sufficient isolation. The connector includes a contact array of a plurality of contacts, and a key which is formed at a position for separating the plurality of contacts of the contact array into a first contact group and a second contact group for (1) preventing a misconnection of the second circuit substrate and (2) separating the first wiring patterns from the second wiring patterns by the predetermined creepage distance.

Abstract: A computer processor socket has a base with grounding and signal holes. Each hole contains a pin for electrical interconnection with a circuit board. The socket also contains a grounding device around its perimeter. The grounding device has a continuous ring of wiping members on its upper end. When a processor is mounted to the top of the socket, the wiping members extend slightly above the processor. The heatsink mounted on top of the processor engages the wiping members which are spring-biased against its lower surface. Since the wiping members extend completely around the perimeter of the socket, a continuous electrical ground interface is formed between the heatsink and the socket. The lower ends of the grounding device are electrically interconnected with the socket grounding pins which are grounded to the board.

Abstract: A method for performing configuration tasks prior to and including memory configuration within a processor based system is disclosed. A memory location is first reserved by a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware for each individual BIOS task. A target routine is then performed using the reserved memory location by the BIOS firmware. The target routine is designed to perform a specific BIOS task. Finally, the reserved memory location is released by the BIOS firmware, after the target routine has been successfully completed.

Abstract: A blank for closing an input/output slot in the rear panel of a personal computer has an elongated body with a tab on one end and a flange on an opposite end. The body also has a large elliptical dome that protrudes rearward. A set of spring fingers extend along each side of the dome. The blank is installed in one of the input/output slots by first inserting the tab into a pocket below the slot. The dome is then pivoted into the slot until the fingers snap onto a pair of upright edges that define the slot. The blank is removed from the slot by pushing the dome in the opposite direction out of slot to overcome the flexible retention force provided by the fingers.

Abstract: A method and system are described for deactivating a password requirement in a computer system included within a data processing system. The computer system requires the entry of a password in order to operate the computer system. A wireless signal is transmitted to the computer system such that computer system receives the signal. In response to a receipt of the wireless signal, the requirement that a password be entered is temporarily deactivated. The computer system is thus operable without the entry of the password.

Abstract: A patch antenna utilized in conjunction with an electronic apparatus, such as a notebook personal computer, is disclosed. The patch antenna includes a patch, a ground plate, and a dielectric plate. The dielectric plate is formed between the patch and the ground plate. Specifically, the dielectric plate is formed by a wall portion of a chassis of an electronic apparatus located between the patch and the ground plate such that the patch antenna is formed integrally with the chassis of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A shield for resisting the passage of electromagnetic emissions in a computer is formed from a rectangular plate having apertures for receiving various electrical connectors that insert into the computer. Each aperture in the plate has grounding members for engaging the connectors. The plate also has a row of spring-like wiping members along each of the four side edges. Two edges of the plate each have a single row of wiping members, and two edges of the plate have two opposed rows of wiping members. The opposed rows are interposed with each other in an alternating sequence. One of the two opposed rows forms a series of folds, and the other row forms a series of tabs. The shield is mounted to the side edge flanges of a rectangular opening in the wall of the computer. Two of the flanges slidingly engage the single row of wiping members. The other two flanges insert into the folds and contact with both the folds and the tabs.

Abstract: An improved printed circuit board capable of being received by two different types of connector panels is disclosed. The printed circuit board includes a main board portion, and a breakaway board portion. The main board portion includes a first connector. The breakaway board portion is coupled to the main board portion utilizing perforations. The breakaway board portion includes a second connector. The breakaway board portion is capable of being completely detached from the main board portion. The main board portion is electrically coupled to the breakaway board portion utilizing a flexible ribbon cable. The printed circuit board is capable of being received by either a first or a second type of connector panel. The first type of connector panel includes a first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle disposed in a first configuration.

Abstract: A system and method of mounting components to a frame, such as a disk drive in the mounting frame of a personal computer shaped to receive the disk drive in a releasable fashion within the frame. A tubular spring member with a z-shaped base and outwardly-extending legs is made of a spring steel and formed with flattened leg ends fits within holes in the component to secure the component to a guide member, with the guide member mounted within the mounting frame. The disk drive component with the guide member secured by the Z-spring slides into a slot on the frame of the personal computer and is secured in place to provide a releasable assembly for replacement of the disk drive as desired.

Abstract: A system and method for the electrical interconnection of the devices included in a wearable computer, so that a light cable network can be deployed that does not limit the body movements of a human being. A network is formed by attaching to clothing, as stitches, extremely fine conductive wire that is used to connect devices included in a wearable computer, wherein an I/O device and a computer system main body are separately located. As a result, conventional, complicated cabling is eliminated, which permits the free and natural movement of a human body, and reliable communications, for which a light cable network is used, are possible.

Abstract: A portfolio computer notebook has outer hardback covers with a flexible spine. A portfolio computer is mounted to the inner surface of one of the covers, and a paper notepad is mounted to the inner surface of the other cover. Each hardback cover has a fold line that bisects it into two panels. The fold lines allow the “footprint” of the open portfolio to be reduced by approximately half of the area required by conventional portfolios without having to bend the cover back over on itself. The footprint is reducible regardless of which component the user wishes to utilize. For example, to use the computer, the user creases the hardback cover of the computer at its fold line such that half of the cover rotates and the other half of the cover stays parallel to the notepad. The computer remains mounted to the parallel half. As the computer and parallel half of the cover are moved over the top of the notepad, the two halves of the computer cover form a z-like configuration with the notepad cover.