Abstract: An improved progress monitor or progress dialog box for a computer system that uncovers or reveals information as the progress bar indicates progress in addition to changing the colors or shades of the progress bar. The information displayed can be the text of a story, the punch line of a joke, or any other information that can inform or entertain the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting electrical power to an exposure lamp in an image scanner in response to the detection of ambient light by a light sensor located under the scanner's cover. Such an apparatus provides an apparent reduction in exposure lamp warm-up time, with associated improvement in operator productivity, while minimizing exposure lamp operational life degradation and excessive energy consumption caused by leaving the exposure lamp turned on. Once the exposure lamp is turned on, a timing circuit is used in the preferred embodiment to disconnect electrical power from the exposure lamp so that if the scanner's cover is left open or closed, the exposure lamp will not be left on for excessively long periods of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable a numeric parameter to be set on an electronic device without the need for a mechanical parameter selecting switch. An existing user interface device, e.g., a button, and an existing user signaling device, e.g., a power light, may be used to set the parameter on a non-volatile memory device which may be provided in association with the electronic device. This allows a parameter, such as an address location, to be set on an electronic device, such as a computer peripheral device, without the need for a mechanical parameter selecting switch.