Abstract: An electronic device console is disclosed for small computers and similar electronic devices of the type that has a base and an upper assembly that raises when a unique latch is released to place computer devices such as printing, data storage and other devices mounted in the assembly into operating position. The upper assembly may be completely removed from the console without the use of tools, merely by rotating the assembly and unplugging electronic connectors. Inadvertent rotation and separation of the assembly from the console is prevented by interference between side covers and the pinion gear of a viscous motion damping element of the assembly until the side covers are removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system which includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a direct access storage device (DASD) and a random access memory (RAM). A flash memory module is coupled to the CPU and an input/output (IO) bus and includes a basic input output system (BIOS) stored therein. The BIOS is effective for responding to the energization of the computer system by initiating a power on self test (POST). The BIOS is further operative on completion of the POST for transferring a portion of BIOS from the module to the RAM and for transferring control of the of the computer system to the BIOS portion. The portion of BIOS is operative to load a protected mode operating system (OS) into RAM and transfer control to the OS. The system further includes a logic circuit coupled to the flash memory module and the IO bus for allowing the BIOS in flash memory to be accessed while the protected mode OS is running.

Abstract: A computer-controlled display provides a two dimensional simulation of a three dimensional scene while providing for relatively low computing load. Data which is used in determining scaling of figures placed against a background scene and/or used to determine, pixel by pixel, relative occlusion of a figure with respect to features of a scene (or other figures) are largely precalculated and stored so that little or no calculation of these three dimensional characteristics needs to be performed on the fly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power supplying unit for use in an electronic apparatus and includes an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An internal AC adapter is accommodated into the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An AC power source input detection circuit is provided within the internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to the internal AC adapter. The power supply unit further includes power source switching circuit responsive to the detection output of the AC power source input detection circuit for switching the power supply to the electronic apparatus from the output of the external AC adapter to the output of the internal AC adapter.

Abstract: Provided is a mechanical structure, for an information handling unit in which are included one or more exchangeable electric components, whose interior is enclosed by a box. The box has: an exchange opening formed for a replacement of an exchangeable electric component; and a lid for engaging the exchange opening and for contacting the exchangeable electric component. According to the present invention, the heat releasing effect can be enhanced with no deterioration of the ease with which a heat generating component can be exchanged. In addition, the present invention can be embodied as a relatively simple mechanical structure, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: Described is an image processing system which is operative to automatically determine a quadrilateral object such as a character frame, page mark, or position correction mark only with a mouse click. A field is automatically specified by displaying a scanned image of a form including a black frame on a display, clicking within a character frame at the left end for each recognition field, and clicking within a character frame at the right end of the same field. In this case, a field position/size determination program scans the image in the vertical and horizontal directions from the two clicked points to detect the inner wall of the black frame, and produces a histogram by establishing rectangles between two character frames to automatically detect the number of character frames in the field and the thickness of the black line between the character frames.

Abstract: Described is a personal computer system that includes a first housing coupled to a second housing with a multi-conductor cable. The first housing includes an IDE direct access storage device having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The second housing is separate from the first housing and includes a microprocessor coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus, a first IDE controller, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the local bus and a power supply. The cable is coupled to the first and second housings for electrically connecting devices in the first housing to devices in the second housing. The second housing has a first interface coupled to the expansion bus, the first IDE controller and the cable. The first housing includes a second interface coupled to the cable and the IDE device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extension device for use with a computer system which includes a memory for storing an application program which can perform at least one software function. A modem is operative to encode the at least one software function to first tone signals and transfer the first tone signals onto a telephone line. The modem is further operative to decode second tone signals received from the telephone line and transfer the first tone signals in response thereto. The second tone signals are operative to control the at least one software function. The extension device includes a user operable keypad for inputting command signals corresponding to the at least one software function. A display is included on the extension device for displaying information related to the at least one software function. The extension device also includes a controller which is coupled to and controls the keypad, display, a signal generator and a signal decoder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer system having a ring buffer arrangement which includes a plurality of sub-rings and a main ring. Each of the sub-rings includes a plurality of buffer memories and the main ring includes a plurality of the sub-rings. A main write pointer and a main read pointer are provided for the main ring in order to indicate a sub-ring for which data writing and data reading are currently being performed respectively. A sub-write pointer and a sub-read pointer are provided for each sub-ring in order to indicate, for the sub-ring, a buffer memory for which data writing and data reading are currently being executed respectively. Since the total size of the double ring buffer is large, not all of the buffer memories can be resident in physical memory. However, since the number of buffer memories included in a single sub-ring is relatively small, one sub-ring can be resident in the physical memory.

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 and notifying the remote computer when an unauthorized access has occurred. 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 manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting the memory element to the active and inactive states.

Abstract: A computer system such as a mobile client system in which provision is made for management of flash memory. Flash memory management is done using variable block length and supports data compression. Blocks are allocated contiguously in each erase unit and each block starts with a header that contains the length of the block. Blocks are tracked using a single-level virtual address map which resides in random access memory (RAM). The mobile computer system may also include a housing, processor, random access memory, display and an input digitizer such as a touchscreen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing system with a first 1 and a second system unit 2, with a data transfer connector 4 provides a connection between the first and the second system unit, where the first system unit comprises an energy storage device 10 as a power supply and a monitor for monitoring a state of charge 11 of the energy storage device. The monitor is adapted to initialize the disconnection of the connection between the first and the second system unit when the state of charge falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: A data transmission method for transmitting data from a first processing unit having a relatively large memory capacity to a second processing unit having a relatively small memory capacity. The method has steps of (a) retrieving data stored in a first memory device, (b) storing in a temporary file only a record, from the retrieved data, relating to a predetermined time period including a current date; (c) determining whether or not the size of the temporary file is within the capacity of a second, smaller capacity, memory device; and (d) transferring the temporary file to the second processing unit in response to an affirmative result of the step (c), or not transferring the temporary file to the second processing unit in response to a negative result of the step (c).

Abstract: This invention relates to personal computer systems and, more particularly, to such a system having security features enabling control over access to data retained in such a system. The present invention protects a trusted personal computer system against a probing attack, in which an unauthorized user would attempt to overcome the security feature elements of the personal computer system by inserting some form of probe into an opening provided in the system enclosure for other, legitimate, purposes such as cooling air flow or removable media insertion. A plurality of security feature elements are mounted within the enclosure for selective activation to secure and non-secure states and are disposed at locations inaccessible to any unauthorized user of the personal computer system attempting to affect the operation of any one of the security feature elements by insertion of a probe through an opening.

Abstract: An effective mechanism for cache flushing that can be applied to a memory system operated in dual-mode is disclosed. The dual-mode is composed of two modes using two physically distinguished main memory spaces respectively at a common logical address in at least a portion of the whole address area. The interruption of the signal (SMIACT#) that represents the switching of the mode by secondary cache is provided. When SMIACT# is generated by CPU and it is detected by the system core, the system core switches the memory bank for the cache memory to write back, resulting in violating memory consistency between the cache and main memory. This invention keeps the SMIACT# from reaching the system core before the cache flushing is over, assuring the content of the cache memory to be written back to a correct memory bank where the data originally resided, since the system core believes that the mode has not yet been switched though the CPU actually generated SMIACT#.

Abstract: Disclosed is a split computer system that includes a first housing coupled to a second housing with a multi-conductor cable. The first housing includes a first direct access storage device (DASD) having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The second housing is separate from the first housing and includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the local bus, a second DASD coupled to the local bus and a power supply. The system further includes first and second DASD controllers coupled to the first and second DASDs respectively. The cable has one end coupled to the first housing and another end coupled to the second housing for electrically connecting devices in the first housing to devices in the second housing. The second housing has a first interface coupled to the expansion bus and the cable. The first housing also includes a second interface coupled to the cable and the first DASD.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing power, in a computer system, whereby it is possible to so manage power, where there are a plurality of peripheral devices which can be simultaneously operated, that the total power consumed by such peripheral devices does not exceed a predetermined capacity.

Abstract: A corrective service facility (CSF) includes improvements which allow a user to service products installed in a data processing system. CSF provides a text interface and a graphical user interface, the latter allowing a user to more readily control what products and files to update. Servicing is done by delta fixes, product feature servicing, and product specific servicing. The CSF can also be used from a local area network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system that includes a media console coupled to a system unit with a multi-conductor cable. The media console includes a direct access storage device having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The system unit is separate from the console and includes a microprocessor coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the local bus and a power supply for supplying power to the system. The cable has one end coupled to the console and another end coupled to the system unit for electrically connecting devices in the console to devices in the system unit. The system unit has a first interface coupled to the expansion bus and the cable, and the console has a second interface coupled to the cable and the direct access storage device in the console.