Abstract: A combination editable and fixed entry input menu field may be used to set up options and preferences for a computer system, such as in a menu for booting the computer system. The menu field provides flexibility in switching and/or selecting between various selections such as operating system(s). The menu field uses less non-volatile memory for storing strings that specify the boot path and filenames and also uses less space on the menu for displaying the strings that specify the boot path and filenames. Entry fields comprise various selections such as at least one editable selectable field and at least one fixed selectable field. The user is able to choose within the selected selectable field between various selections such as between an editable field with editable entries and a fixed field with fixed entries as being the selected entry field.

Abstract: Described is a clock circuit for supplying synchronized signals to a plurality of circuits. The clock circuit includes a clock generator and a driver for outputting the clock signals inputted from the clock generator with a delay time so that a difference among arrival times of the clock signals is minimized among the plurality of circuits.

Abstract: A system and method of improving security during power-on-self-test (POST), particularly the ROM scan portion identifying ROM adapters, while selectively allowing user input. While a user input during ROM scan may be normally locked out to prevent the user from making changes to the configuration of the system, when the ROM scan during POST detects a ROM adapter which uses an input from the user, the system can override the lockout and allows for a user input. An optional control, such as a password or other personal identifier, can provide security, allowing the user input only when the user is authorized to provide the input (in response to an appropriate password or personal identifier such as a biometric identifier).

Abstract: A method and system for determining the topology of a communications network that utilizes routing information fields contained within transmission frames for controlling routine transmissions. First, a plurality of transmission frames associated with routine data transmissions are collected. Next, a plurality of routing information fields are extracted from the plurality of transmission frames. Thereafter, the plurality of routing information frames are analyzed and parsed, thereby yielding interconnected topology data. Finally, the interconnected topology data from the plurality of routing information fields is converted and stored into programming language data objects, such that the data objects may thereafter be utilized to display the interconnected topology of the communications network.

Abstract: An article for providing a visual deterrent against theft of a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device such as a portable computer has a first portion, such as a keyboard and body part and a second portion such as a display hinged for rotation relative to the first portion. The article comprises a body arranged to prevent hinging of the second portion relative to the first portion and a lock for preventing removal of the body of the article from the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Components and circuitry, including a common microprocessor, are combined into a single motherboard that is common to both a Personal Computer (PC) and a Network Computer (NC). The motherboard is capable of receiving a riser card. Riser cards specific to either a NC or a PC are designed to provide functions that are not present on the common motherboard. Connector slots such as Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) are available on a PC riser card to accommodate additional circuit boards. Devices such as a hard drive, CD ROM drive, etc., may be installed utilizing appropriate connectors on a PC specific riser card that are not required or available on the NC. A riser card for the NC will accommodate a compact flash card connector or various other expansion cards that provide functions specific to the NC.

Abstract: A method and system for replacing substrings in file and directory pathnames with numeric tokens. A name string to be converted is first read; the current working directory and name string are canonicalized to form a pathname containing the substrings. The pathname is parsed and each substring is searched in a string dictionary to locate a corresponding numeric token. The string dictionary that is created associates token values with substrings, so that there is a one-to-one correspondence. The returned list of tokens for the parsed pathname are validated through a lookup process in a directory table. If the parsed pathname is successfully validated, the tokens are then used in subsequent file operations such as create, delete, open, rename and compare files.

Abstract: A network computer including, a chassis, a power supply affixed to an interior surface of the chassis, a motherboard powered by the power supply, the motherboard including a clock generator, a boot code storage device, a processor, and a system memory, and a network interface suitable for interfacing the network computer to a server computer via a network. The network computer lacks a disk drive, but includes local permanent storage such as a compact flash card. Preferably, the network computer includes one or more peripheral devices connected to a peripheral bus of the computer. In the preferred embodiment, the network interface provides is an Ethernet compliant connection with an RJ45 connector. In one embodiment, the power supply powers the motherboard via a single power plane. In one embodiment, the network computer includes disk drive facilities for receiving a disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are implemented to track and manage system cycles stolen from a data processor by other processors in a multiprocessor data processor system. The apparatus and method maximize data throughput and minimize unused cycle resources within the multiprocessor data processing system.

Abstract: Provided is an electrical circuit that provides a boosting circuit that all in one provides a regulated step-up voltage to a non-linear device such as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used in a liquid crystal display (LCD). The unique placement of the current sensing circuit within the boosting circuitry eliminates the need for a separate current regulating circuit, thus minimizing the circuitry needed to provide a constant back lighting LED array of constant luminosity.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a computer board including a nonvolatile storage is disclosed. The nonvolatile storage is for storing a program. The method and system include providing a peripheral controller coupled with the nonvolatile storage and coupling the peripheral controller with a host system. The method and system further include allowing the system board to be recognized by the host system as a peripheral. The method and system further include loading the program from the host system to the nonvolatile storage.

Abstract: A device for reading magnetically encoded data on a document, such as a strip of characters printed in magnetic ink along the lower edge of a check, executes a subroutine to determine whether each character, as it is read, is legitimate. This error detection may be done by comparing recognized code patterns with legitimate code patterns, or by comparing a signal representing the strength of the signal derived from the output of the magnetic read head reading the data with a predetermined level. If an error is detected, the magnetically encoded data is read and checked again, as often as need up to a predetermined number of attempts to read the data.

Abstract: A computer network and network client where the network client includes a nonvolatile storage device for storing a packet replication indicator and a third party host identifier. The client further includes means for modifying the state of the packet replication indicator and the third party host identifier. The client has means for initiating a boot code sequence stored on a client boot code storage device. If the client detects a specified state of the packet replication indicator, the boot code sequence establishes a communication socket with a third party host identified by the third party host identifier and forwards copies or replicates of packets that are exchanged between the network client and a network server. In one embodiment the packets are replicated to the third party host until the boot sequence terminates. The third party host identifier is preferably comprised of an IP address portion and a third party host port identifier portion.

Abstract: An adapter circuit in power supplies utilizes a selective voltage doubler which approximately doubles an input voltage with a low line connector and does not with a high line connector. The selective voltage doubler is coupled to a switcher, which in turn is coupled to a resonant circuit. The resonant circuit is coupled to a first diode and a second diode and a filter. When a low line connector is used, the input voltage is doubled and a one diode drop is used. When a high line connector is used, the input voltage is not doubled and a two diode drop is used.

Abstract: A charge control method by which batteries can be efficiently charged, even if the charging is aborted, as well as a computer which employs such a charge control method is provided. The charge to the main battery is started and then the charge to the,main battery is stopped when the amount of electric energy in the main battery reaches a predetermined value (steps 200 to 204). Next, the charge to the second battery is started and then the charge to the second battery is stopped when the amount of electric energy in the second battery reaches a predetermined value (steps 206 to 210). Next, the charge to the main battery is restarted and then the charge to the main battery is stopped when the amount of electric energy in the main battery reaches 100%. Thereafter, the charge to the second battery is restarted and then the charge to the battery is stopped when the amount of electric energy in the second battery reaches 100% (steps 212 to 222).

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which assure access to files which are mirrored between at least a first storage device and a second storage device by controlling access to the first and second storage devices so that owners of files which are to be mirrored between the first and the second storage devices are within a common user group. A predefined set of permissions are established for the common user group and permissions of members of the common user group are forced to the predefined set of permissions. Thus, files and directories owned by members of the common user group will be forced to have the permissions of the common user group. Files and directories owned by members of the common user group are mirrored between the first and the second storage devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which allow for accessing at least one data source by intercepting a command to a standard relational database management system and determining if the intercepted command accesses the data source utilizing a logical table name. If the intercepted command accesses the data source utilizing the logical table name, then the logical table name is translated to a physical table name. The intercepted command is the provided to the relational database management system utilizing the physical table name translated from the logical table name so as to provide access the data source utilizing the logical table name. Furthermore, if the intercepted command accesses the data source utilizing a logical table name and a logical column name, then the logical table name is translated to the physical table name and the logical column name translated to a physical column name.

Abstract: A method and system for incorporating elements within a user environment into a virtual three-dimensional graphical display of a data processing system. Elements within a user environment are detected. A virtual three-dimensional graphical display of a data processing system is altered to reflect the detected elements within the user environment such that image surfaces within the virtual three-dimensional graphical display which include reflective properties reflect the elements within the user environment.

Abstract: A connector for use in a network interface including a connector housing, preferably formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. The housing includes a receptacle face that defines a receptacle opening. A receptacle of the connector is attached to an interior surface of the housing and suitable for receiving a terminus of the network cable through the receptacle opening. The connector has a connector circuit including a cable port coupled to the network cable and an interface port coupled to the network interface. The housing defines at least one conduit adapted for receiving a light pipe. Preferably, the network interface provides an Ethernet connection. In one embodiment, the connector circuit includes magnetic components. In the preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an RJ45 connector. The invention further contemplates a network interface integrated within a motherboard, a connector affixed to the mother, an LED attached to the motherboard, and a light pipe.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism of the type for interconnecting two members in a manner such that the two members may be moved and placed in various positions in relation to one another. The tilt mechanism comprising: an outer mandrel connected to a first member; an intermediate mandrel connected to a second member, the intermediate mandrel being movably disposed about a portion of the outer mandrel; an inner mandrel in functional connection with the outer and intermediate mandrel; a first spring functionally connected about a portion of the outer mandrel and the inner mandrel in a manner such that the first spring resists movement when moved in a first direction and releases tension when moved in a second direction; and a second spring functionally connected about a portion of the intermediate mandrel and the inner mandrel in a manner such that the second spring resists movement when moved in a second direction and releases tension when moved in a first direction.