Abstract: An audio player is constructed in an ear module fully supported by the ear. The ear module is an in ear canal device, or ear bud with a clip that securely attaches it to the ear. The ear module contains all components required for storing and playing digitized audio such as MP3, RealAudio, WMA or ASF. The ear module is coupled to a hub that is also fully supported by the ear. The hub comprises a micro controller and connectors for receiving digitized audio. The hub has a connector hub from which peripheral devices are supportable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a BIOS level and application level recovery of an information handling system. A method for recovering from a failure of an information handling system may include monitoring an information handling system, the information handling system utilizing at least one item of software. Failure of at least one item of software utilized by the information handling system is detected and an application level component of a recovery utility to correct the detected failure is initiated. The initiated application level component of the recovery utility is at least one of unsuccessful in correcting the detected failure and unavailable, a BIOS level component of the recovery utility begins a recovery process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling heat generating components within a compartment are disclosed. A cooling assembly isolates heat produced by a processor in a personal computer (“PC”) system and exhausts it from the PC prior to adversely affecting other components within the PC. A fan causes air to blow across the processor having an attached heat sink disposed within the cooling assembly, and the air exits the cooling assembly without adversely affecting the other components surrounding the processor. In one example, an alternative passage is provided for the air.

Abstract: A system for minimizing unintended cursor movement in computer display systems, using GUI operating systems or software, that can result from such things as muscle spasms, or rough travel is disclosed. A cursor control device, such as a mouse, is monitored for signals of movement. Once a signal of movement has been received, the signal is then evaluated. This evaluation involves determining whether the signal for movement is ancillary to an intended movement or it is an intended movement. If the signal for movement is determined to be ancillary, it is then corrected. If the signal for movement is an intended movement, the signal is then passed on to the operating system for processing. The correcting can be done in the analog domain by utilizing a filter of some form, such as a bandpass filter, or it can be done in the digital domain by masking out undesired portions of the signals of movement and retaining only the portions of the signal that facilitate movement along an intended path.

Abstract: An information system that determines the apparent emotional state of the user and, based upon that determination, reacts appropriately. Appropriate reactions of the system include marking user text input to convey the apparent emotional state of the user to recipients. Other embodiments incorporate reactions of the system that warn or prompt a user, prior to system execution of a user directed operation, when the system has determined that the apparent emotional state of the user merits a warning or a prompt.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced network viewing is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system and method for generating a representation of a linked site is disclosed. A user may view the contents of a linked site from an original site accessed by the user without manually accessing the linked site. One method of accomplishing this task includes the steps of accessing a first site; querying at least one of a link and a second site linked to the first site; generating a representation of the linked second site; and communicating the representation wherein the representation enables a user to preview the linked second site. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the representation may comprise a thumbnail representation of the second site so that users may preview the contents of the second site by accessing the first site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing user dynamically definable centralized notification between portable devices. A system for providing centralized notification of receipt of data over networks may include a plurality of electronic devices suitable for communicating data directly between the plurality of portable devices utilizing a first network connection. At least one of the plurality of electronic devices is suitable for communicating over additional network connections for receiving data. In which, a device of the plurality of devices is specified to receive notifications over the first network connection of data received by the at least one of the plurality of portable electronic devices, so that notifications indicating data received by the plurality of portable electronic devices are sent to the specified portable electronic device.

Abstract: Multiple audio digital to analog converters (DACs) are provided to convert multiple digital audio streams to analog audio signals concurrently in a personal computer. Different digital audio streams are routed to each DAC and audio output device depending on priority, desired quality and the source of the audio stream.

Abstract: A computerized system for integrating internet sources and television sources in a convergence system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the system integrates both television channels and internet channels in a single list of channels available on the system. The lists of channels are stored in an electronic program database. The system solves the problem of managing multiple channels from multiple sources by seamlessly integrating channels from the television with channels from the internet in a single channel list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a circuit board within a computer chassis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a standoff support mounted in a channel so that the standoff can be positioned along the length of the channel by moving or sliding the standoff within the channel. This movable standoff facilitates the mounting of a variety of circuit boards within the same computer chassis.

Abstract: A surge suppressor includes a high-pass filter configured to pass signals in the range suitable for use in a powerline network.

Abstract: A controller capable of being located in a peripheral device or host, is capable of engaging in data communications with a host or peripheral device over a power line. A power line interface provides a first data communications interface over the power line. An interface controller connects peripheral device and host using the first and a second data communications interface having a protocol. A power supply supplies power associated with the second interface. The controller appears to the peripheral device as the host or as the host to the peripheral. In accordance with the protocol the power supply supplies power such that the interface is fully compliant with the protocol.

Abstract: A powerline networking adapter attaches to a power brick and includes a network data connection and two AC power connections. In another embodiment, a hybrid power brick includes both AC-DC power conversion elements and powerline networking adapter circuits in the brick.

Abstract: A data storage device activity state is sampled and used to control a remote data storage device activity indicator. A disk drive activity signal is sampled by hardware either based on an edge transition of the activity signal, or on a periodic basis. If the state of the activity signal changes, state change data is sent via a controller to a keyboard. A disk drive status light on the keyboard is controlled by the change data. The controller is a USB host controller that sends the state change data to a USB function that controls the status light.

Abstract: A multiaxial hinge assembly that enables rotation about a first axis between a clockwise limit and a counterclockwise limit and also enables rotation about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first includes a rotational direction indicator to provide an indication of a direction of rotation about the first axis to reduce the likelihood of rotation against the clockwise or counterclockwise limits and possible damage to the hinge assembly, or connected apparatus, or both. In one example, the multiaxial hinge assembly may be used for mounting the display of a hybrid notebook/tablet PC to provide an indication to a user of the direction in which the display may be counter-rotated when the hinge is positioned at either the clockwise or counterclockwise limits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling access to information based on content of the information and user identity. The apparatus includes a video display that displays the information to be viewable by one or more users. A user-recognition input device determines that an additional user is newly present in a given area having access to the display. A blocking device coupled to the user-recognition input device selectively blocks display of the information based on whether the additional user is newly present. In one embodiment, the user-recognition input device includes a video input device, and a feature recognition device operable to distinguish between two or more users based on one or more video features of the users. In another embodiment, the user-recognition input device includes an audio input device, and an audio feature recognition device operable to distinguish when an additional user arrives.

Abstract: A method, system and software for broadcasting, receiving, providing and/or configuring an electronic program guide (EPG). A broadcast station broadcasts a template to a system where program information is inserted into the broadcasted template, thereby creating a station specific EPG. The template accesses program information, service information, event information, user interface information, etc., for configuration and presentation of the EPG to the user. User interface assets and other associated information such as program information, tuning information, etc., may be accessed through a local data base or even through a broadcast signal containing the desired information. Event handling instructions are provided for selecting programs and events and accessing service information, tuning information, etc., for selected programs and events. Additionally, application program interfaces are accessible for execution, tuning, program, and scheduling information, etc.

Abstract: A method and system divides a media space, such as found in a hard drive or other mass storage device, into a portion directly accessible by all software and a portion inaccessible by all software except host Basic Input Output System (BIOS) code. A special procedure to access media space may include a special instruction or instruction set with or without a password to allow hard drive support for READ ONLY partitions, READ ONLY CD-ROM emulation, and other READ ONLY hard drive access requirements. The special procedure may user an expanded ATA command set, an expanded BIOS command set with System Management Mode, or code to temporarily unprotect at least a portion of the portion normally inaccessible by the software other than host BIOS code.

Abstract: A user interface, system, method and software for displaying a simulated three-dimensional display of menu options to a user, thereby maximizing use of a display's real estate by presenting all available options at once while at the same time presenting certain options in a more pronounced manner. The system monitors for running applications, polls the running applications for any available options, and displays the options in the simulated three-dimensional format. With this type of dynamic menu, standard means for bringing focus to a selectable target create complexities, and are thus avoided by designing the system's cursor to duplicate the appearance of the selected target's shape, preferably in a smaller size.

Abstract: This invention describes a method and apparatus to determine a safe rotational speed for a CD/DVD drive by detecting the amount of vibration of the disk by measuring the operating conditions of the spindle motor. A disk drive includes a motor for rotating the disk and an apparatus for monitoring the current or back emf in the windings of the motor. When the current or the back emf varies from a normal level, the disk is vibrating and a signal indicating a vibration condition is sent to the spindle motor driver. The maximum speed that the disk rotated is slowed until a vibrating condition is no longer detected and the rotational speed associated with a particular disk is based dynamically on the amount of vibration detected. Disks may also be identified that cannot spin a minimum rate of speed.