Abstract: Detecting electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) events in a computer system, includes: determining, from an ESD detector installed in the computer system, that an ESD event has occurred; identifying a component of the computer system within a predefined proximity to the ESD detector as possibly affected by the ESD event; and notifying a user of the computer system of the component possibly affected by the ESD event.

Abstract: A method of determining power fault information using a voltage regulator-down (VRD) device having a fault-pin output. The method may include receiving a fault indication from one of a plurality of fault detection devices, correlating the received fault indication with a timing signal having a predetermined time duration, applying a voltage change on the fault-pin output of the VRD device for the predetermined time duration corresponding to the timing signal, and applying the voltage change on the fault-pin output to a plurality of fuses. Based on the predetermined time duration associated with the applied voltage change, the plurality of fuses may be blown according to a binary pattern indicative of a fault type associated with the fault indication.

Abstract: Computing device interface connectors for PCI compliant devices and other devices are disclosed. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes a PCI compliant device residing on a computing device. Further, the apparatus includes another device such as a network controller sideband interface (NCSI) compliant device residing on the computing device. The apparatus also includes an interface connector being communicatively connected to the PCI compliant device and the NCSI compliant device.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and/or computer program product controls access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point in a retail establishment. A predetermined retail activity threshold is established for a retail establishment, where the retail establishment has a patron service area with a WLAN access point, and where a determination has been made that exceeding the predetermined retail activity threshold without increasing patron traffic out of the retail establishment will cause an excessive wait time for occupying the patron service area. In response to determining that the predetermined retail activity threshold is being exceeded, a secondary criterion is examined in order to determine if the mobile device should be disconnected from the WLAN access point, in order to motivate a user of the mobile device to leave the patron service area. If so, then the mobile device is disconnected from the WLAN access point.

Abstract: Detecting electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) events in a computer system, includes: determining, from an ESD detector installed in the computer system, that an ESD event has occurred; identifying a component of the computer system within a predefined proximity to the ESD detector as possibly affected by the ESD event; and notifying a user of the computer system of the component possibly affected by the ESD event.

Abstract: Computing device interface connectors for PCI compliant devices and other devices are disclosed. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes a PCI compliant device residing on a computing device. Further, the apparatus includes another device such as a network controller sideband interface (NCSI) compliant device residing on the computing device. The apparatus also includes an interface connector being communicatively connected to the PCI compliant device and the NCSI compliant device.

Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.

Abstract: A heat sink comprises a base and a fin support larger in area than the base and supporting fins that may be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the base. The base is adapted for being connected to a heat-generating electronic component on a circuit board, and the heat sink dissipates heat generated by the heat-generating electronic device and conducted through the base and the fin support to the fins supported thereon. The heat sink dissipates heat from the heat-generating electronic device in a first operable position and in a second operable position. The heat sink may be moved from the first to the second operable position to facilitate access to electrical contacts proximal the heat-generating electronic component.

Abstract: Optimizing an I2C bus frequency, the bus including signal lines coupling a master and slave nodes, a signal line coupled to a rise time detection circuit monitoring a voltage of the signal line, the voltage alternating between a logic low and logic high, where optimizing the frequency includes: detecting, during a rise in the signal line, a first voltage, the first voltage being greater than the logic low voltage; starting a counter to increment once for each clock period of the circuit; detecting a second voltage on the signal line, the second voltage greater than the first and less than the logic high; stopping the counter; calculating, in dependence upon the clock period and the counter value, a rise time; determining whether the rise time is greater than a maximum threshold; and increasing the I2C bus frequency if the calculated rise time is greater than the maximum threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides signaling control among multiple communication interfaces of an electronic device based on signal priority. According to an aspect, an electronic device includes multiple communication interfaces. The electronic device also includes a communication controller configured to determine priority of signals to be communicated on different communication interfaces among the plurality of communication interfaces. Further, the communication controller is configured to determine an order of communication of the signals among the different communication interfaces based on the priority of the signals to be communicated. The communication controller is also configured to control communication of the signals among the different communication interfaces based on the determined order of communication.

Abstract: A hardware system comprises a digital signal generator, which generates a digital electrical signal that describes a first physical state of a first device; an analog electrical signal generator, which generates an analog electrical signal that describes a second physical state of the first device; a hybrid digital state signal generator, which generates a hybrid digital state signal that comprises the analog electrical signal overlaid onto the initial digital electric signal; and a hybrid signal transmitter, which transmits the hybrid digital state signal from the first device to a second device, wherein the second device comprises a hybrid signal receiver/decoder that extracts the analog electrical signal from the hybrid digital state signal.

Abstract: Chip select (‘CS’) multiplication in an SPI system that includes an SPI master, a CS multiplier, a plurality of SPI slaves, and a fall time detection circuit, where the SPI master is coupled to the CS multiplier and the fall time detection circuit by a CS signal line, the CS multiplier includes a plurality of CS outputs with each CS output coupled to an SPI slave, and CS multiplication includes: receiving, from the SPI master, the CS signal on the CS signal line; detecting fall time of the CS signal; and, if the fall time of the CS signal is less than a predefined threshold, configuring, by the fall-time detection circuit, the CS multiplier to vary from providing a CS signal on a first CS output to providing a CS signal on a second CS output.

Abstract: Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the heat sink including TIM detection points, each TIM detection point adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink, each TIM detection point including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; and determining, by a TIM detection module in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.

Abstract: Controlling a plurality of serial peripheral interface (‘SPI’) peripherals using a single chip select in a computing system, the computing system including an SPI master, a first SPI peripheral, and a second SPI peripheral, wherein the first SPI peripheral is operatively coupled to the second SPI peripheral, including: receiving, by the first SPI peripheral, a signal from the SPI master; determining, by the first SPI peripheral, whether the first SPI peripheral is a primary SPI peripheral or a backup SPI peripheral; responsive to determining that the first SPI peripheral is the backup SPI peripheral, transmitting, by the first SPI peripheral to the second SPI peripheral, the signal; and responsive to determining that the first SPI peripheral is the primary SPI peripheral: servicing, by the first SPI peripheral, an instruction contained in the signal; and transmitting, by the first SPI peripheral to the second SPI peripheral, a response signal.

Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed predetermined threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the predetermined threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides signaling control among multiple communication interfaces of an electronic device based on signal priority. According to an aspect, an electronic device includes multiple communication interfaces. The electronic device also includes a communication controller configured to determine priority of signals to be communicated on different communication interfaces among the plurality of communication interfaces. Further, the communication controller is configured to determine an order of communication of the signals among the different communication interfaces based on the priority of the signals to be communicated. The communication controller is also configured to control communication of the signals among the different communication interfaces based on the determined order of communication.

Abstract: A system, method, and/or computer program product comprises an input/output (I/O) bus and an intelligent current bank that couples a voltage source to the I/O bus. The intelligent current bank includes an ammeter that measures a real-time flow of current to the I/O bus. In response to the current to the I/O bus exceeding a predetermined level, an intelligent Pulse-Width Modulator (iPWM) within the intelligent current bank selectively decreases current to one or more electronic devices on the I/O bus by shortening a duty cycle of voltage being received by the iPWM from the voltage source.

Abstract: Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including TIM detection points adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink and including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; determining, by a TIM detection module of the integrated circuit in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM; and responsive to determining that the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit is insufficient, controlling, in real-time by the TIM detection module, operation of the integrated circuit to reduce heat generated by the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A computer program product (CPP) for controlling a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes code for applying a test voltage to each liquid crystal element (LCE) disposed in an addressable array forming the LCD, and code for detecting an amount of light received by photosensors while applying the test voltage to the LCEs, wherein each photosensor is aligned behind and logically associated with one of the LCEs. The CPP further includes code for applying selected voltage levels to each LCE to display an image, and code for controlling an amount of backlight produced by backlighting elements in an addressable array while the image is displayed. Each backlighting element is aligned behind and logically associated with one LCE, and at least one backlighting element is controlled to compensate for a difference between the amount of light detected by the photosensor logically associated with at least one LCE and the other photosensors.