Abstract: A secure keyboard combines a human interface device (HID), application programs stored in nonvolatile memory, and encryption technologies into a single package. Like any other keyboard, the secure keyboard communicates with a computer via a communications port. A computer can load and execute an application stored in the secure keyboard. The application, however, expects encrypted inputs. The HID inputs are encrypted before being passed to the computer and thence the application. Therefore, a secure link exists from the HID to the application. Choosing strong encryption and unique encryption/decryption keys allows applications to be keyed to a specific secure keyboard. No other keyboard can supply keyboard input to the application. The secure keyboard can be implemented as a security device that does not include a keyboard. The security device can accept HID inputs from HID devices, encrypts them, and passes them to the computer and thence the application.

Abstract: A computer system uses a prefetch prediction model having energy usage parameters to predict the impact of prefetching specified files on the system's energy usage. A prefetch prediction engine utilizes the prefetch prediction model to evaluate the specified files with respect to prefetch criteria, including energy efficiency prefetch criteria, and generates a prefetch decision with respect to each file of the specified files. For each specified file for which the prefetch prediction engine generates an affirmative prefetch decision, an identifying entry is stored in a queue. The computer system fetches files identified by entries in the queue, although some or all of the entries in the queue at any one time may be deleted if it is determined that the identified files are no longer likely to be needed by the computer system.

Abstract: A computer system uses a prefetch prediction model having energy usage parameters to predict the impact of prefetching specified files on the system's energy usage. A prefetch prediction engine utilizes the prefetch prediction model to evaluate the specified files with respect to prefetch criteria, including energy efficiency prefetch criteria, and generates a prefetch decision with respect to each file of the specified files. For each specified file for which the prefetch prediction engine generates an affirmative prefetch decision, an identifying entry is stored in a queue. The computer system fetches files identified by entries in the queue, although some or all of the entries in the queue at any one time may be deleted if it is determined that the identified files are no longer likely to be needed by the computer system.