Abstract: A flexible drive carrier is disclosed. The drive carrier includes flexible elements that accommodate variations in sizes of hard drives as well as variations in computer chassis. The drive carrier forms a precise fit within a computer chassis. A drive carrier that does not accommodate a hard drive is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-state process in a computer system includes displaying a series of icons having corresponding titles representing phases in a build process. A main action message bar displays a title indicating an action which corresponds to the title of one of the icons. When the bar is activated the action indicated is performed, and the icon title corresponding to the last performed action is highlighted.

Abstract: An option card retainer (10) includes a first elongated leg member (14) and a second elongated leg member (15). The two leg members (14, 15) are aligned with their upper ends connected by a bridge structure (16). The first leg member (14) includes a first clip structure (18) at its lower end and the second leg member (15) includes a second clip structure (19) at its lower end. A biasing device (20) is located beneath the bridge structure (16) between the first and second leg members. The retainer (10) is fastened over an option card (11) with the biasing device (20) compressed between the bridge structure (16) and a top edge (26) of the option card with the clip structures (18, 19) in a gripping engagement with an underside of the option card connector (12).

Abstract: A limiting circuit for controlling overshoot in a charge current in a battery recharging system includes a current amplifier receiving input indicative of charge current in a rechargeable battery circuit and generating a current error signal, a voltage amplifier receiving input indicative of charge voltage in the rechargeable battery circuit and generating a voltage error signal, and a power amplifier receiving a first signal indicative of power in a switching voltage regulator and a second power signal indicative of power in the rechargeable battery circuit, and generating a power error signal. The limiting circuit compares the voltage error signal, the current error signal, and the power error signal to determine the error signal having the greatest value, and generates an input signal to a pulse width modulation comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for driving a cold cathode fluorescent lamp in a floating configuration with an inverter circuit having a transformer with a primary winding and two secondary windings. At least one sense resistor is coupled in series between terminals of the secondary windings. The other terminal of each secondary winding is coupled to a respective end of the fluorescent lamp. A rectifier is coupled to the secondary portion of the transformer to receive a signal indicative of the current in at least one end of the fluorescent lamp and generates a feedback signal. A control and drive circuit generates drive signals based on the feedback signal to control the current in the fluorescent lamp and outputs the drive signals to the primary transformer winding.

Abstract: A computer and a hard drive assembly for use therein according to which a drive unit is disposed on a carrier and engages a flexible wall of the carrier. The wall is adapted to flex to accommodate the drive unit when a dimension of the drive unit varies from a standard. An electomagnetic shield is connected to the carrier and the drive unit and is also adapted to accommodate dimensional variations in the drive unit.

Abstract: An inverter circuit having dual converters for driving a fluorescent lamp comprising a pulse width modulator coupled to receive a feedback signal indicative of current in the fluorescent lamp. The pulse width modulator generates driving signals that are received by a synchronously switching voltage regulator having a high side driver and a low side driver. A self-resonant converter is coupled between the synchronously switching voltage regulator and the fluorescent lamp and generates a voltage signal for illuminating the fluorescent lamp. The self-resonant converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, a capacitor coupled in parallel with the primary winding, and a full bridge circuit. The full bridge circuit may include four switching transistors, such as MOSFETs coupled in an H-configuration to the primary winding and the capacitor.

Abstract: A switching flyback regulator circuit for providing a plurality of regulated DC voltage supplies, wherein one of the regulator circuits includes a saturable reactor for regulating one of the output voltages. The flyback regulator circuit includes a primary inductive element coupled to a first switch to turn charging current flow through the primary inductive element ON and OFF, a first secondary inductive element having a first end coupled to supply a first power source and magnetically coupled with the primary inductive element, and a second secondary inductive element magnetically coupled with the primary inductive element. The second secondary inductive element has a first end coupled to produce the second power source and a second end coupled in series with the saturable reactor and a second switch to control current flow through the second secondary inductive element.

Abstract: A computer monitor stand and method according to which a lower support member receives a docking device and a portable computer to enable the computer to be docked to the docking device. An upper support member includes a plate for receiving the monitor, and one or more feet extend between the plate and the docking device. The feet are detachably connected to the plate or the docking device to enable the feet to be changed to adjust the position of the plate and therefore the monitor. This enables a preferred monitor viewing angle to be maintained despite use with different-sized docking stations.

Abstract: A cover/shield assembly for an electronic component such as a computer system. The assembly includes a cover and relatively strong and rigid metal shield which shields against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference and which is attached to the inner surface of the cover, yet can easily be separated from the cover for recycling purposes. The shield is formed by a plate and a reinforcing beam connected to the plate. A series of hooks and tabs on the cover extend through slots in the shield and the shield is provided with tabs which engage ribs on the cover, all for the purpose of quick-detachably connecting the shield to the cover.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and a hard disk drive mounting bracket rotatably attached to the chassis. A portion of the bracket includes a resilient surface formed therewith and extending into sliding engagement with the chassis. An alignment tab is attached to the bracket and extends therefrom into engagement with a groove in the chassis for guiding the bracket to a secured position. A securing tab is attached to the bracket and extends therefrom for engaging the chassis and securing the bracket in the secured position.

Abstract: A computer system includes a motherboard to which a selected one of various processor boards can be coupled via an adaptor. The boards include a CPU and a heat transfer member. The adaptor includes core logic such as a Northbridge module and power control circuitry. The adaptor is pin connectable to the motherboard and the various processor boards are each pin connectable to the adaptor. Alternatively, the adaptor and processor boards can be replaced with a processor module including features of the processor boards and the adaptor. The processor module is also pin connectable to the motherboard at the same connection used by the adaptor.

Abstract: A portable computer in which a single switch is positioned to be closed when the case is closed, and also to be readily operable by the user's finger. Software polls the switch. If the switch is briefly depressed, the software detects that the user is requesting entry into standby mode, and accordingly powers down certain input/output functions until new stimulus is received. If the switch is held down for a long time by the user closing the case cover, or manually holding the button down for a long time, the software causes the system to enter sleep mode (its lowest power mode).

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection. A flex circuit is connected to an electrical device in the base and an electrical device in the top. A bobbin is mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection. The flex circuit is engaged with the bobbin and has a portion wrapped around the bobbin. The bobbin includes a core member and a removable cover member mounted on the core member. The cover member covers an exposed protruding edge of the flex circuit for limiting contact wear between the flex circuit and the exposed edge thereof.

Abstract: In a computer including two buses, a main memory, a write back cache, and a peripheral device, a method and apparatus for providing an inter-bus buffer to support successive main memory accesses from the peripheral device is disclosed. The buffer is included in a bridge device for interfacing the two computer buses and controlling when the peripheral device may access the main memory. When the peripheral device attempts to read data from the main memory that is duplicated in the cache and that has become stale, the bridge device initiates a write back operation to update specific data portions of the main memory corresponding to the read request. The bridge device uses look-ahead techniques such as bursting or pipelining to streamline the data coming from the cache to the main memory and to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A computer having a peripheral device emulator capable of emulating peripheral devices, thereby allowing a mouse to be physically connected to the computer system and function normally despite not being initialized at the time of system startup or reset. The peripheral device emulator, implemented in the computer system's keyboard controller, operates in conjunction with a password lock mode and also operates at the time of system startup or reset. The peripheral device emulator accepts commands, status requests, and other control signals directed from the CPU and responds appropriately. Initialization commands sent from the CPU are stored for transfer to the emulated peripheral device when the device is physically connected to the computer system.

Abstract: A computer system includes a plate for mounting in a chassis. The plate slides into the chassis and is retained therein by a snap-in connection. An interlock device is provided for interlocking the plate and chassis. The device includes a first portion having a first end engaged with the plate and a second portion connected to a second end. The second portion extends angularly relative to the first portion and is engaged with the plate. An interlock member extends from the first portion and through an opening formed in the plate for engagement with the chassis. A pinch and pull motion removes the plate from the chassis.

Abstract: A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Abstract: In a computer, an overload protection circuit for protecting the computer's power supply from overload over a wide ambient temperature range. The overload protection circuit, which compares two voltage signals in order to shut off the computer power supply when certain limits are exceeded, is implemented without any pots or other trim circuits. Instead, a resistive temperature device is utilized to counter the effects of increasing ambient temperature on the overload protection circuit.

Abstract: A multimedia carousel for use in video conferencing and multimedia presentation applications is disclosed. The multimedia carousel includes a cube-shaped media unit rotatably disposed on a stationary base. Each of the four outwardly facing sides of the media unit is equipped with an active color matrix display, a voice-activated charge coupled device ("CCD") camera and a microphone. A single high fidelity speaker is disposed on the top side surface of the cube for producing high quality audio output.