Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to obtain data for fees and surcharges charged by multiple providers for multiple services based on prior interactions with the service providers, and provide an estimate for fees and surcharges to be charged by one of the service providers for one of the services based on the prior interactions with the service providers. In one embodiment, the fee data is extracted from one of electronic publishing of fees, billings for services rendered, and employee expense reports. In one embodiment, the estimated fees and surcharges include restricted access to a first subset of data to a first predetermined group.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to obtain data for fees and surcharges charged by multiple providers for multiple services based on prior interactions with the service providers, and provide an estimate for fees and surcharges to be charged by one of the service providers for one of the services based on the prior interactions with the service providers. In one embodiment, the fee data is extracted from one of electronic publishing of fees, billings for services rendered, and employee expense reports. In one embodiment, the estimated fees and surcharges include restricted access to a first subset of data to a first predetermined group.

Abstract: An embedded electronic device connectivity system configured for extending functionality of a peripheral device, including at least two data connections incorporated in the peripheral device, configured to connect the peripheral device to at least two other devices simultaneously, allowing transfer of data between the said at least two devices when so connected; and, a DC power connection incorporated in the peripheral device enabling at least one of the two other devices to be powered from the peripheral device when connected.

Abstract: A network-attached peripheral appliance (NAPA), including a powered peripheral node (PPN), enabling connection of peripheral devices to a network without a computer at the node. The PPN further comprises a data connection enabling data communication between the appliance and a network, and is configured to accommodate data connection of a plurality of peripheral devices at the appliance, and a power supply configured to provide power to said plurality of peripheral devices. The appliance can include a case which can carry two or more peripheral devices, which are shareable between clients on the network via the NAPA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pedestal docking station including an upwardly extending pedestal having an upper end, a base section, and a center of mass; an upper mounting member coupled to the upper end of the upwardly extending pedestal to receive the notebook computer in an elevated, supporting relationship at least four inches above a work surface with a center of mass of the notebook computer in substantial vertical alignment with the center of mass of the upwardly extending pedestal; and port replicator components coupled to the upper mounting member, the port replicator components corresponding to input/output ports of the notebook computer and including connections for attachment to supporting peripheral components.

Abstract: A printer/powered peripheral node system, wherein a printer and at least one other peripheral device connectable thereto share a footprint and a power supply and a data bus connection, whereby one or more additional peripheral devices can be located at the location of the printer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a presentation system configured to project an image of an object to a projection surface. The presentation system includes a computer, a digital camera and a digital projector. The computer includes a processor operable to process a digital real-time image. The digital camera is operatively coupled to the computer. The digital camera is oriented toward a desired object to digitally capture a real-time image of the desired object and to transfer the real-time image to the computer to process the real-time image. The digital projector is operatively coupled to the computer. The digital projector is operable to receive the real-time image directly from the computer and to project the real-time image to the projection surface on an enlargeable scale for viewing by one or more viewers.

Abstract: A network-attached peripheral appliance (NAPA), including a powered peripheral node (PPN), enabling connection of peripheral devices to a network without a computer at the node. The PPN further comprises a data connection enabling data communication between the appliance and a network, and is configured to accommodate data connection of a plurality of peripheral devices at the appliance, and a power supply configured to provide power to said plurality of peripheral devices. The appliance can include a case which can carry two or more peripheral devices, which are shareable between clients on the network via the NAPA.

Abstract: An ultra-thin client network system includes a plurality of ultra-thin clients and a processing center including a processor, a data bus, a concurrency device, and a wireless data connection between the concurrency device and a plurality of ultra-thin clients. The system provides a capability to utilize resources of the processor and shared peripheral devices connected to the processor via the concurrency device by a plurality of users in a home, office, workgroup, or other small network environment.

Abstract: A printer/powered peripheral node system, wherein a printer and at least one other peripheral device connectable thereto share a footprint and a power supply and a data bus connection, whereby one or more additional peripheral devices can be located at the location of the printer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pedestal docking station including an upwardly extending pedestal having an upper end, a base section, and a center of mass; an upper mounting member coupled to the upper end of the upwardly extending pedestal to receive the notebook computer in an elevated, supporting relationship at least four inches above a work surface with a center of mass of the notebook computer in substantial vertical alignment with the center of mass of the upwardly extending pedestal; and port replicator components coupled to the upper mounting member, the port replicator components corresponding to input/output ports of the notebook computer and including connections for attachment to supporting peripheral components.

Abstract: A cool-down system for portable projectors including a battery configured to power a cooling fan, if power to the cooling fan is cut off before the device has cooled down sufficiently to prevent degradation of one or more components.

Abstract: A method for the design of a production process determines the assignment of operations to one or more machines where each machine has a given capacity for installing multiple parts to items in an assembly line. A list of parts of each different item to be assembled is prepared. The production demand for each different item is determined. An algorithm based on the parts list and the production demand is applied to determine an assignment of operations to the one or more machines so that total setup and processing cost is minimized. Operations are assigned to the one or more machines based on the application of the algorithm.