Abstract: A cellular telephone having a transceiver for making cellular telephone calls is equipped with a second transceiver for establishing communication with other devices having similar capabilities. The cellular telephone uses the second transceiver to establish a local voice channel with another communication device, and combines it with a cellular call to create a multiparty conference call. A mixer mixes voice from the call and local voice channel. The second transceiver implements a local area wireless protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining the software load process. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for determining computer system software load process may start with loading computer system software on a computer. Then a marker file may be provided in the loaded computer system software. The marker file may indicate whether the loaded computer system software was loaded in a computer manufacturer's factory, loaded by a system restoration CD (SRCD), or loaded by downloading an image. When a program running on the computer abnormally terminates and the computer is able to send the marker file to a central authority, the marker file may be sent to the central authority by the computer. When a program running on the computer abnormally terminates and the computer is not able to send the marker file to a central authority, the marker file may be sent to the central authority by the computer after the computer reboots.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for defining and redefining adynamic graphical user interface, which can control multiple applications or applets with one graphical user interface. As new applications or applets are launched, the graphical user interface determines the functionality of the newly added application. Existing functions are used if they are equal to functions required of the new application or applet. New functionality is added if required.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium that presents a station list of sources of audio in a user interface from which the user may select. The station list may include attributes of the audio, such as a channel and description. The station list may be kept on a per-user basis, so that all users may have their own list. Further, the users may access and select audio to be played from their station list anywhere in a network, regardless of where the list was created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for furnishing a user with notification of events occurring within an computer-based information handling system, convergence system, or the like is disclosed. Multiple software applications executing within the system are monitored for the occurrence of selected events, whereupon a notification of the event may be generated and displayed to the user via a single integrated user interface. The user may take action on the event by selecting the displayed notification whereupon the system communicates the desired action to the application for execution.

Abstract: A PXE boot extension is requested from a PXE boot extension server from a computer. A BIOS identifier corresponding to a desired PXE boot extension is stored on the computer, and is provided to a PXE boot extension server. The PXE boot extension server determines from the BIOS identifier which of a plurality of PXE boot extensions to provide to the computer, and provides the determined PXE boot extension to the computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of testing using a data image cache. An image server is coupled to one or more test beds to perform testing and/or debug operations on one or more components. Each test bed has one or more test slots to receive the one or more components. The test bed is preferably a motherboard. The motherboard may be in normal operation or may be placed in sleep mode during testing or debugging.

Abstract: Foldout tabs for assisting with the removal of contents from a carton. When extended, the foldout tabs provide a leverage point on which a user may place one or both feet so that while pulling the contents from within the carton, the carton does not exhibit its normal tendency to follow the contents.

Abstract: A video editing system uses simple heuristics and parameters on video footage to provide a condensed version of the footage. The editing system automatically provides either a finished condensed version of the footage or selects a plurality of clips based on the heuristics and parameters. The clips are optionally further edited by a user to produce a condensed version. The condensed version is transferable to any desired media suitable for storing video. A user interface enables the user to select heuristics to identify video clips from the footage. Parameters are also be set to automatically edit the clips in a desired manner. Temporal combinations of heuristics and parameters form templates, which are used to assemble desired clips for selected types of events.

Abstract: A method for preparing a printed circuit board and an apparatus are provided to decrease losses associated with high speed signal propagation. The printed circuit board has at least two conductive layers separated by an dielectric layer formed of a dielectric material. A conductive path is formed in one of the conductive layers for propagation of the high speed signal. At least a portion of the dielectric layer is removed on both sides of and adjacent to the conductive path. The removed portion extends in the dielectric layer between the conductive layers from one to the other and includes a hole shaped portion and a trough shaped portion. The removed portion does not extend beyond the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging resources on a computer network to view a file on a client computer written in a format unreadable by the client computer are provided. According to one method, the client computer receives a file in a source format unreadable by the client computer. The client computer broadcasts the format of the received file to a plurality of File Viewing Servers (FVSs) in the network. In response, the client computer receives from at least one of the FVSs a conversion rating, which indicates the respective FVS's ability to convert the source format of the file into a conversion format readable by the client computer. Upon receiving the conversion ratings from the FVSs, the client computer selects the FVS transmitting the highest conversion rating to convert the received file from the source format unreadable by the client computer into the conversion format readable by the client computer.

Abstract: A system comprising a portable computer chassis having an internal speaker; openings in the chassis from which sound from the speaker can emanate, wherein the openings allow heat generated by the system to escape is provided. In one embodiment, the internal speaker is located at least a minimum distance away from the openings. By utilizing speaker grills as ventilation openings in this manner, ventilation openings on the bottom side of notebook computers can be eliminated and user comfort can be increased when the system is placed on the lap. Additionally, system reliability is improved as ventilation is also increased.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for group content selection. In an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing content based on user preferences may include detecting a plurality of users at a location and identifying user profiles corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of users. At least one content characteristic common to the identified user profiles is determined and content including the determined common content characteristic output at the location.

Abstract: For analog telephone service subscribers, an apparatus and a method is provided for displaying a caller's originating number and/or the current time of day on the subscriber's incoming call line identification equipment. The subscriber's originating telephone number is obtained from a database within the telephone switching system providing POTS service to the subscriber. The time of day is obtained from a real-time clock within or in communication with the telephone switching system. Data is preferably transmitted to the subscriber's equipment by analog frequency shift keyed protocol.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing the playback of a digital audio broadcast on a plurality of network output devices by inserting a control track pulse in an audio stream of the digital audio broadcast. The method includes the steps of outputting a first control track pulse as part of an audio signal which has unique identifying characteristics and is regularly occurring, outputting a second control track pulse so that the time between the first and second control track pulses must be significantly greater than the latency between sending and receiving devices, and coordinating play of audio at the time of the occurrence of the transmission of the second control track pulse assuring the simultaneous output of the audio signal from multiple devices. The control track pulses have a value unique from any other portion of the audio stream. The digital audio broadcast from multiple receivers does not present to a listener any audible delay or echo effect.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cellular or cordless phone whereby power line networking is either integrated within its base station and/or charger or added as a module that can be installed into the base station and/or charger, providing a method of transferring network data between the cellular or cordless phone and another processing element connected to the power line without any additional cables.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated network address cloning. A method for cloning a network address for access of content by a router may include determining whether the router may access a service provider. A network address of a network connection device is obtained if the router is unable to access the service provider, the network connection device included in a client information handling system communicatively coupled to the router. The obtained network address of the information handling system is cloned to a router address automatically and without user intervention.

Abstract: A multimedia system includes an information handling system, and a plurality of multimedia devices operatively and electrically connected to a computer of the system. Software modules residing in computer memory interpret control commands. This includes receiving a high level device control command, generating a generic device control script based on a device interconnect model and the high level device control command, interpreting the generic device control script, and transmitting specific device control commands to a device through a device interface.

Abstract: A hand-held computing system includes a housing with an elongated opening for receiving a nonelectronic input device. The elongated opening has an inside surface. At least two electrical contacts are positioned on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A connector includes at least two electrical contacts for electrically contacting the at least two electrical contacts on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A cable or other electrical connector places a peripheral computing device, battery or keyboard, in communication with the microprocessor within the housing of the personal data assistant.

Abstract: A grid power mode is defined such that, when the PC is in a grid power mode, pressing the power switch of the PC retains power to the system, but restores operation of the PC to the ‘on/off/standby’ mode the user expects. Other aspects include: an indicator telling the user that a grid function is in progress; a reprogrammed power on/off/resume switch; and a notification protocol.