Abstract: A system for booting a computing device with a windowing operating system obtained from an external memory media via an external interface includes an initialization module stored in a read-only memory in the computing device, the module being executed in a processor in the computing device and establishing a data connection to the external memory media through the external interface, and an external device in which the external memory media is disposed, the media storing a windowing operating system image at an external location, and sending the image from the media to the computing device via the external interface in response to a request from the computing device based on memory geometry information of the media, the image being received by the computing device, loaded into a runtime memory in the computing device and then executed by the processor to boot the windowing operating system in the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple client control are provided. In an aspect of the disclosure, a multiple client system is provided. The multiple client system comprises a master client and one or more slave clients. The master client comprises a remote access module configured to receive session data from a server via a remote access connection and a multi-client control module configured to deliver all or a portion of the session data received from the server to the one or more slave clients. Each of the one or more slave clients comprises a remote access module configured to connect to the master client via a communication network connection that is separate from the remote access connection between the master client and the server.

Abstract: A process and system for upgrading firmware in a thin client in a network environment. The process may proceed on an automated basis during boot-up by using one or more FTP addresses stored in the thin client. Multiple FTP servers may be accessed. The same firmware upgrades may be stored on more than one FTP server. Different firmware upgrades may instead or in addition be stored on different FTP servers.

Abstract: A process and system for upgrading firmware in a thin client in a network environment. The process may proceed on an automated basis during boot-up by using one or more FTP addresses stored in the thin client. Multiple FTP servers may be accessed. The same firmware upgrades may be stored on more than one FTP server. Different firmware upgrades may instead or in addition be stored on different FTP servers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for specifying and executing computing tasks in a preboot execution environment in general, and, in particular, a method and system for generalized imaging utilizing a language agent and encapsulated object oriented polyphase preboot execution and specification language. The target customization is advantageously accomplished by encapsulating target dependent parameters in specification files. The target specific parameters are resolved at appropriate execution time when the parameter information becomes available. Such approach simplifies specification of complex tasks to a merely few lines of code. The approach of the present invention nevertheless affords reliable, robust, and accurate performance, because the pertinent parametric information are resolved only when they can be accurately ascertained. Furthermore, the specification encapsulations are themselves a part of the image set, providing self-describing images with self-contained imaging methods.

Abstract: A process and system for upgrading firmware in a thin client in a network environment. The process may proceed on an automated basis during boot-up by using one or more FTP addresses stored in the thin client. Multiple FTP servers may be accessed. The same firmware upgrades may be stored on more than one FTP server. Different firmware upgrades may instead or in addition be stored on different FTP servers.

Abstract: A system for virtualization of a local device includes a proxy configured to report, to a remote system, a status of a local Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) device of the system, and to receive a transaction request designated for the local device from the remote system. The system further includes a generic device driver configured to receive the transaction request for the local device, and to provide a result of the transaction request. The proxy is further configured to provide the result of the transaction request to the remote system. The local device is remote to the remote system, which is configured to include a device-specific driver for the local device. A system for utilizing a local device of a remote system is also provided. The system may include an agent and a virtual bus driver. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A system for redirecting a local device to a remote system includes a proxy configured to communicate with a remote access module. The remote access module is configured to establish a remote access connection between a system and a remote system. The proxy is configured to receive socket connection information for establishing a socket connection between the system and the remote system. The proxy is also configured to receive, from the remote system over the socket connection, at least one device transaction designated for a virtual device local to the remote system. The virtual device may correspond with a Universal Serial Bus device locally connected to the system. A system for automatically redirecting a local device to a remote system, as well as a system for utilizing a local device of a remote system, are also provided. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method for configuring a thin client connected to a communications network includes the thin client sending a request for a network address to an address server. The address server sends an assigned network address back to the thin client together with a location of a configuration server. The thin client sends a request for configuration information to the configuration server. The request for configuration information includes information on the thin client. The configuration server generates a configuration file containing configuration information based on the received thin client information. The configuration file is then sent by the configuration server to the thin client, which uses the configuration file for configuration.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a device is disclosed. The system includes a client configured to issue a request. The request represents an operation that the client wishes to have the device perform. The system further includes a server configured to receive the request from the client and translate the request into a format that is decipherable by the device, establish a logical connection with the device via the client, and forward the translated request to the device via the logical connection. The device acts on the translated request to effect the operation.

Abstract: Computing device deployment and configuration using a mass storage device is provided. A generic computing device is provided to a customer or end user. A mass storage device is used to distribute configuration information to the generic computing device. The configuration information includes customer-specified or ordered software applications or other features. The configuration information can also include updates to the computing device system software. The customer or end user couples the mass storage device to the generic computing device in order to load the configuration information into the computing device. After the configuration information is loaded, the computing device is configured for the customer's use. Further features, such as creating customized images, are also provided.

Abstract: Computing device deployment and configuration using a mass storage device is provided. A generic computing device is provided to a customer or end user. A mass storage device is used to distribute configuration information to the generic computing device. The configuration information includes customer-specified or ordered software applications or other features. The configuration information can also include updates to the computing device system software. The customer or end user couples the mass storage device to the generic computing device in order to load the configuration information into the computing device. After the configuration information is loaded, the computing device is configured for the customer's use. Further features, such as creating customized images, are also provided.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a device is disclosed. The system includes a client configured to issue a request. The request represents an operation that the client wishes to have the device perform. The system further includes a server configured to receive the request from the client and translate the request into a format that is decipherable by the device, establish a logical connection with the device via the client, and forward the translated request to the device via the logical connection. The device acts on the translated request to effect the operation.

Abstract: A video display terminal capable of operating with a graphical user interface such as Windows provides windowing functionality to permit use of popular applications programs resident on a server, without requiring more than application data to be transmitted from the server, and keyboard and mouse information to be transmitted from a terminal to the server. A terminal for communicating with a server includes a network interface for communicating with a server and a processor coupled to the network interface for operating with the network interface and for accessing a windows application resident on the server without executing locally the windows application resident on the server. The processor provides windowing functionality to permit use of a windows application resident on the server without requiring more than windowing information of the windows application to be transmitted from the server, wherein the windowing information includes application data.

Abstract: A method for configuring a thin client connected to a communications network includes the thin client sending a request for a network address to an address server. The address server sends an assigned network address back to the thin client together with a location of a configuration server. The thin client sends a request for configuration information to the configuration server. The request for configuration information includes information on the thin client. The configuration server generates a configuration file containing configuration information based on the received thin client information. The configuration file is then sent by the configuration server to the thin client, which uses the configuration file for configuration.

Abstract: A mounting system for a device encasement, including an elongated, T-shaped tenon rail, the T-shaped tenon rail being affixed to the device encasement. One or more detachable mounts may be detachably affixed to the T-shaped tenon rail. The T-shaped tenon rail is permanently affixed or detachably affixed to the device encasement. The device encasement encases a computing device. The T-shaped tenon rail is comprised of plastic or metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for booting an intelligent device with an embedded-type operating system obtained through an external interface disposed in the intelligent device, wherein the system includes an initialization module stored in a read-only memory provided in the intelligent device, the initialization module being executed in a processor disposed in the intelligent device and connecting to an external location through the external interface, and a server having a memory media which stores a boot agent module and an embedded-type operating system at the external location, the server sending the boot agent module to the intelligent device through the connection in response to a request from the initialization module, wherein the boot agent module is loaded into a runtime memory in the intelligent device and executed by the processor, the boot agent module then retrieving an embedded-type operating system image from the external location in the sever, whereupon the embedded-type operating s

Abstract: A system for booting an computing device with a windowing operating system obtained from an external memory media via an external interface, wherein the system includes an initialization module stored in a read-only memory provided in the computing device, the initialization module being executed in a processor disposed in the computing device and establishing a data connection to the external memory media through the external interface, and an external device in which the external memory media is disposed, the external memory media storing a windowing operating system at an external location, the external device sending the windowing operating system image from the external memory media to the computing device via the external interface in response to a request from the computing device, the request being based on memory geometry information of the external memory media, wherein the windowing operating system image is received by the computing device, loaded into a runtime memory in the computing device and

Abstract: A video display terminal capable of operating with a graphical user interface such as Windows provides windowing functionality to permit use of popular applications programs resident on a server, without requiring more than application data to be transmitted from the server, and keyboard and mouse information to be transmitted from a terminal to the server. The terminal includes processing means, not fully compatible with personal computer BIOS or disk operating systems and incapable of executing windowing applications locally, adapted to receive windowing information supplied by programs executing on a remotely located application server. The terminal also includes a display for windowing information supplied by programs executing on the remotely located application server. The invention provides FTP and SNMP capabilities along with a number of user interface enhancements, DHCP and SHMP enhancements. File information is transferred to and from the terminal using a communications protocol.