Abstract: Personal information is transferred between an old appliance and a new appliance by use of communication capabilities of the appliances. A transfer facility on the old appliance is used to select the information to transfer. A receive facility on the new appliance is provided to verify the information prior to finalizing the transfer. The personal information is translated by either facility as desired, and the information is optionally encrypted, compressed and verified. The facilities are downloaded from a network and are modified based on characteristics of the appliances exchanging personal information. The personal information includes preferences for operation of the appliance. Telephony and wireless communication methods such as cellular are employed for the exchange in various embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable user interface. A method of configuring a user interface of an information handling system based on utilization of ports included with the information handling system may include monitoring a plurality of ports included on the information handling system. Utilization by a device of a port of the plurality of ports is monitored, the device communicatively coupled to at least one port of the plurality of ports. A user-interface operating on the information handling system is configured based on the determined utilization by the device of the port of the plurality of ports.

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: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for securing an electronic component in a chassis. The apparatus includes a frame including a pair of spaced apart brackets for accepting a component therein. A securing device is mounted to at least one of the frame and a cover for providing access to the internal components. Suitable securing devices include a biased pin, and a generally arcuate lever including a pin or protrusion extending therefrom. The securing device and cover are arranged and configured such that the securing device engages an accepted component when the cover is secured to the frame and the device is released from the component when the cover is opened, therefore facilitating manufacture and repair.

Abstract: A system and a method generate a device user interface executable by an information handling system. A device database includes a list of devices for which user interface components are available to implement functions for controlling the devices, and a resource database includes the user interface components. The device to be controlled by the user interface is identified and compared to a database of devices for which user interface resource components are available. A user interface generator determines whether the device is included in the device database and retrieves the user interface components from the resource database. A layout manager assembles the user interface components into a user interface. If the device is not listed, generic device user interface components are retrieved, otherwise device specific user interface components are retrieved, and assembled into a layout matrix. The user interface is created from the layout matrix.

Abstract: The present invention assigns appropriate IP addresses to hosts in a local network depending upon the desired features for each host. A list of hosts in the network along with features available for each host may be generated, for example, by a graphical user interface displayed to a user. The user may select a desired feature for a specific host in the network. The selected feature may be analyzed to determine if it requires a static IP address for the host, and if required, a static IP address may be assigned to the host. If the specified feature requiring the static IP address is subsequently disabled, the static IP address may be returned to a pool of available IP addresses, and a dynamic IP address may be assigned to the host. The IP addresses are preferably assigned to the host in accordance with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

Abstract: An alignment device eases installation of computer assemblies, such as drives, into a corresponding chassis. The alignment device includes one or more planar areas located and oriented so as to be substantially alignable with one or more computer assemblies to be mounted to the chassis. The computer assembly has a user-visible surface which is moved until it is co-planar with a corresponding planar area of the alignment device. When positioned in this co-planar configuration, the computer assembly is correctly positioned relative to the chassis to be mounted thereto. The alignment device can be located on the computer chassis between mounting locations for two computer assemblies, such as a 5¼-inch drive and a 3½-inch drive and, in such application, can be provided with two planar areas at two different heights, one corresponding to the alignment position for one of the computer assemblies, the other corresponding to the alignment position for the other of the computer assemblies.

Abstract: A robust intuitive latching mechanism for securing an access panel to a chassis of an electronic device comprises a hook engagement member for engaging a hook coupled to the chassis to secure the access panel to the chassis. A spring member couples the hook engagement member to the access panel. The spring member is capable of flexing between a first position wherein the hook engagement member is engaged with the hook and a second position wherein the hook engagement member is disengaged from the hook. A handle assembly is mounted to at least one of the hook engagement member and the spring member for flexing the spring member. The handle assembly is actuated for flexing the spring member from the first position to the second position for disengaging the hook engagement member from the hook to allow the access panel to be removed from the chassis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a local network comprising a plurality of interconnected computing devices that dynamically assigns a new Internet gateway server for the local network when the currently assigned Internet gateway is not connected to the local network and the Internet. Each one of the computing devices capable of connecting to the Internet is given a different connection priority, which indicates the desirability of assigning the respective computing device as the Internet gateway server. When a computing device in the local network is unable to access the Internet through the currently assigned Internet gateway server, the computing device broadcasts a message to the entire local network requesting to become the new Internet gateway server. The request to become the gateway includes the connection priority of the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a device with protection from a weather event. A method for providing a device with protection from weather events may include receiving a notification of a weather event. At least one weather characteristic of the weather event is determined and whether at least one device of a plurality of devices is ascertained as susceptible to the determined weather characteristic. Protective action is taken to protect the at least one device susceptible to the determined weather characteristic from the notified weather event.

Abstract: An optical media drive contains light reflective surfaces positioned about a transparent center portion of the optical media. The light reflective surfaces reflect laser light from a laser unit of the drive which is directed toward the transparent center portions of the optical media. Defects such as cracks in the optical media disturb the reflection. The disturbance is detected by a laser lens and represented by a signal corresponding to the size of the defect. Information about the cracks is used to determine a safe spin rate for the optical media.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a control bus, a processor and a controller attached to the control bus. An error table and an audio signal table are in communication with the controller and processor. An audio output device is attached to the bus of the disk drive. The audio signal table outputs information to the audio output device to produce an audible output in response to the controller detecting a particular error in the error table. The audio output can be digital and may be directed to an interface with a computer system such as a SPDIF output. The audio output can also be converted to an analog signal and directed to a component on the motherboard of a computer system. The disk drive system can also include a software instruction set for changing the error status of an error message to the status associated with a compact disk.

Abstract: A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for determining that a tablet electronic device is docked to a docking station. Upon detection, a scratchpad application is started. When a telephone call occurs, a telephone message pad application is started. In this way, an application is automatically selected for the tablet electronic device.

Abstract: A modular information handling system includes an upper chassis having a display and a power supply, and a lower chassis having a motherboard, memory, a processor, and a number of drive bays. The upper and lower chassis are interdependent, neither capable of functioning without the other. The upper and lower chassis are separately manufacturable, separately serviceable, and separately shippable.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which meaningful or semantic portions of displayed visual information, are modified in order to improve their visual perception by a user. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is limited to a word, a plurality of words, a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph of text of the information. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is predefined. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is dynamically modified based on context of the text, and/or prior use. In some embodiments, the modification includes modifying an attribute of the text, such as size, color, and/or font.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a quicker boot for computer systems is provided. The hibernation state file content of a similar computer system is captured and sent to a unit being manufactured. As a result, the unit being manufactured may operate according to the hibernation state. When the unit is operating in such a fashion, the time required for a reboot is reduced which may provide for more efficient software installation for build to order computer systems.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having at least one micromechanical element thereon is described comprising a support substrate, a sensor element electrically connected to a logic circuit, and the logic circuit electrically connected to a semiconductor visual display element. The integrated circuit may be manufactured by a process which comprises providing a support substrate, forming at least two elements selected from a first group consisting of a micromechanical sensor element, a logic circuit and a semiconductor visual display element on said support, and manufacturing at third element on said support substrate, said third element selected from a second group consisting of a micromechanical sensor element, logic circuit and a semiconductor display element, which was not selected from the first group. In one embodiment of the process of manufacture, all three of at least three elements are constructed on the support itself, preferably by a microlithographic process.

Abstract: Many home entertainment systems include a video cassette recorder or other recording device that has an automatic recording feature. The automatic recording feature, which automatically starts a scheduled recording without user intervention, may start recording without enough recording tape to complete the scheduled recording or may inadvertently over-record a one-of-a-kind recording of a birth, marriage, or graduation. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver for receiving a channel signal which carries a plurality of programs; a recording device for recording one of the programs; and an output device for outputting a reminder signal before the recording device begins recording the one program. In preferred embodiments, the output device includes a reminder database for storing a remind time that determines when the reminder signal is output, and the reminder signal provides a message concerning recording media.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a data backup to an information handling system using software updates. The information handling system has one or more applications included thereon and is capable of being communicatively coupled to a remote server through a network connection. A data package is created based upon configuration data and application data stored on the server. The configuration data includes data previously obtained from the information handling system, such as settings and user data. The application data includes data corresponding to the applications included on the information handling system. The data package is formatted into a software update format and transmitted over the network connection to the information handling system. The data package is suitable for restoring the information handling system after failure, and may be utilized by the information handling system as a software update to restore itself.