Abstract: Described is a connector in which a plug can be pulled out of a receptacle without producing stress in the connector itself or a circuit board on which the connector is mounted. The plug is inserted into the receptacle so that the side wall of the plug makes contact with the interior wall of the receptacle. When the plug and the receptacle are coupled, a fitting space is formed therebetween. When compressed air is injected into this fitting space, the plug will be pushed up by a rise in the air pressure and therefore the plug can be pulled out of the receptacle. The use of air pressure in the fitting space to pull out the plug is advantageous because it can be implemented without producing biased stress in the plug or the receptacle.

Abstract: Described is a torque hinge mechanism which includes a shaft and at least two ring like friction plates pressed against each other by a pressure and through which the shaft passes. A non-penetrating recess is formed on a friction surface of one of the ring like friction plates. The non-penetrating recess can be a closed type non-penetrating recess. A scatter of a lubricant can be prevented by using such friction plates. A wedge effect is increased by using such friction plates so that the torque hinge mechanism can be stably operated over a long period of time.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a computer system, by detecting a power interruption to the computer system, using power down sense logic, and generating an alert associated with the power interruption. When the computer system is networked, the alert is transmitted to a remote server. The power down sense logic sends a message to an auxiliary processor (which may be an application-specific integrated circuit, or ASIC), and the auxiliary processor creates a network transmission packet indicating that the computer system is losing power. The auxiliary processor may allow selection of a transmission mode such as uni-cast transmission, multi-cast transmission, or broadcast transmission.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently dismissing displayed message windows or dialog boxes in a data processing system which includes a graphical pointing device and a moveable cursor controlled by physical movement of the graphical pointing device. Each time a message window or dialog box is displayed, the position of the moveable cursor is monitored. A slight oscillation or “wiggle” in the position of the moveable cursor is then utilized to dismiss the message window or dialog box, eliminating the requirement that specific elements within the display be selected by the user in order to dismiss the message window.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product in which half of the storage space on a non-volatile storage device is used to maintain a copy of the last "known-good" copy of the operating system and on invocation by a user, restoring from this backup copy when, for example, the operating system has become corrupted due to changes made to settings or device drivers.

Abstract: Described is a battery switching circuit in which a first battery and a second battery are connected to a common feeding point via a first feeding circuit and a second feeding circuit each including a semiconductor switch. The switch is alternately turned on so that one of the first and second batteries supplies electric power to the feeding point at a time. The battery switching circuit includes a first temperature sensor disposed in the proximity of the switch. A temperature detector is connected to the temperature sensor for generating an operational output in response to the output of the temperature sensor when the temperature of the switch exceeds a predetermined temperature. Lastly, a circuit is connected to the switch and is responsive to the operational output of the temperature detector for turning off the switch disposed in the proximity of the temperature sensor. Because the switch is protected from being overheated, it can be mounted on a low cost nonmetallic substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for managing resources required by peripheral devices present within a computer system, the resources selected from a group of resources required for audio, video, pointing device, input, output, memory, and modem devices. A nominal selection of resources is initially associated with a peripheral device present within the computer system. Next, a minimal amount of resources required by the peripheral device to function normally within the computer system is determined, in response to associating the nominal selection of resources with the peripheral device.

Abstract: An anti-surveillance device for keyboards, particularly for the keyboards of cash dispensing machines or electronic cash devices, in order to prevent unwanted viewing of the keyboard from the side. The invention comprises at least one anti-surveillance filter (3), preferably exhibiting a lamellar or lamellar-grid structure, where only the lamellae consist of opaque material and where the anti-surveillance filter (3) is disposed above the keyboard (5).

Abstract: Described is a computer system which is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The computer system has a normally closed enclosure and is capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access. The computer system includes an erasable memory element mounted within the enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a security password when in the active state. A manually operable option switch is mounted within the enclosure. The option switch is operatively connected with the erasable memory element and manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting the erasable memory element to the active and inactive states.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) power supply supplies at least a first output and a second output having opposite voltage polarities. A protection circuit is coupled to the first and second outputs of the DC power supply, where the protection circuit includes a summing circuit that sums the voltages of the first and second outputs, an over-voltage detection circuit coupled to the summing circuit, and a shutdown latch. In the event of an overload or short circuit fault on one of the outputs of the power supply, the sum of the voltages of the first and second outputs exceeds a threshold voltage, causing the over-voltage detection circuit to output an over-voltage signal. In response to the over-voltage signal, the shutdown latch disables are at least one output of the DC power supply in order to prevent damage to its internal components.

Abstract: Described is a computer system which is operable to allow configuration to occur on the system unit without removing the system unit from its packaging. The computer system is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The system is operative to detect whether it is in a configuration mode when a power source and a network connection are made through the packaging. If the configuration mode is detected by the system, the system powers on and places itself in the configuration mode to allow (1) the remote computer to transfer signals to the system via the communication link to set up data transfers to the memory of the system, and (2) the remote computer to transfer data to the memory of the system for storage therein, whereby the system is configured at least in part in its packaging.

Abstract: Various services within a computer system are automatically set up as users are added to the system through a directory service. A user template is selected that already contains default settings for each of the services available on a system such as e-mail and a web service. Various user templates exist and contain different default settings for each available service depending upon the user. Default settings from each service are copied onto a new user form. Next, default settings from the selected user template are copied to the new user form and override any conflicting default settings from the services. The default settings from the new user form are used to automatically set up and enable each service for the new user. The data from the new user form is copied into a central account database that contains rows of user information, with columns corresponding to a particular service. Each user is automatically enabled for use with available services including an e-mail account and a generated web page.

Abstract: A (DVD) drive unit for a variety of optical media including DVD discs or CD-ROM discs is capable of eliminating vibration while rotating and reading the optical media at either a constant linear velocity (CLV) or a constant angular velocity (CAV). In CAV mode, the drive unit uses ball bearings which are movable within a cavity in the turntable to counterbalance an unbalanced disc. In CLV mode, the drive unit utilizes a series of electromagnets to capture and symmetrically array the ball bearings within the cavity around the turntable.

Abstract: A lift spring assembly is disclosed for small computers and similar electronic devices of the type that has a base and an upper component assembly that raises when a release is pressed to provide access to computer devices such as printing, data storage and other devices mounted in the assembly. The lift spring is a closed linkage that is held into the base between supports and stops so that the assembly may be removed for service without disconnecting or otherwise disassembling the lift spring mounting.

Abstract: The battery accepting unit for a battery operated electric/electronic apparatus includes a plurality of positive terminals and a plurality of negative terminals. The battery accepting unit has a first position whereat a battery is connected by a pair of positive and negative terminals; a second position whereat a battery is connected by another pair of positive and negative terminals; a third position that can serve as both said first and said second positions; and a fourth position whereat a battery is connected by all positive and negative terminals. According to the battery accepting unit of the present invention, a battery pack can be exchanged without halting the power supply to an electric/electronic apparatus. Since an auxiliary power source, such as a sub-battery, is not required for an electric/electronic apparatus, a single power system, including a DC/DC converter and a charging circuit, can be provided.

Abstract: Described is a computer system which is coupled to a remote computer via a network cable. The computer system has a normally closed enclosure and is capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access. The computer system includes an erasable memory element mounted within the enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a security password when in the active state. A manually operable option switch is mounted within the enclosure. The option switch is operatively connected with the erasable memory element and manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting the erasable memory element to the active and inactive states.

Abstract: Described is a system which includes at least one computer system connected to a main computer system via a data transmission network. The at least one computer system has a network connector for communicating data with the main computer. The network connector is supplied with auxiliary power and is operative to communicate with the main computer regardless of whether the at least one computer system is in a normal operating state. The main computer includes a program for detecting when the at least one computer system has been disconnected from the data transmission network. The program sends a first packet to the at least one computer system via the network. The at least one computer system is operative to receive the first packet and respond by sending a second packet to the main computer. The second packet includes data which specifically identifies the at least one computer system.

Abstract: An Internet access device uses an automatic configuration process to handle the task of configuring the Internet access device at a customer site for communication with the Internet. Once configured, the customer has electronic mail and other access to the Internet from his local area network. A not yet configured Internet access device is shipped directly to a customer without having to be manually configured first. The customer enters a registration identification number and a telephone number onto the Internet access device. The Internet access device then automatically connects to the Internet, downloads configuration data from a configuration server containing customer site specific configuration data, and then automatically configures itself for communication with the Internet. The Internet access device is simple to install for a customer and provides valuable features such as a router, firewall, e-mail gateway, web server, and other servers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an IC card having a connector wherein a socket or a jack can be inserted in a direction that is parallel to the face of the IC card. The connector includes a connector body having a rotatable housing attached thereto. The housing has an opening by which a socket or a jack can be fitted and secured to the connector body. When a socket or a jack is not connected to the IC card, the housing member can lie level along the face of the IC card but when a socket is to be connected, the housing can be raised such that it is almost perpendicular to the face of the IC card. The socket or the jack can therefore be inserted parallel to the face of the IC card.