Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for performing a customer operating system installation operation. The customer operating system installation operation includes performing a customer operating system installation operation onto an information handling system, comprising: performing a customer operating system installation operation; and, performing a UEFI boot entry operation, the UEFI boot entry operation accessing a UEFI boot entry when performing the customer operating system installation operation, the UEFI boot entry operation providing a communication abstraction between a manufacturing operating system and the customer operating system.

Abstract: As an example, a computing device having a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) may boot into a preinstallation environment (associated with a first operating system), determine that a second operating system is to be installed on the computing device, and write an image of the second operating system to the boot disk. The image may include a special partition. The computing device may write the preinstallation environment (associated with first operating system) to the special partition of the image of the second operating system, and create a boot entry in the UEFI to cause the computing device to boot into the preinstallation environment (Windows PE). After booting into the preinstallation environment, the computing device may execute one or more diagnostic tests, delete the boot entry, and reboot the computing device to install a basic input output system (Coreboot) to replace UEFI and install the second operating system (Chrome OS).

Abstract: As an example, a computing device having a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) may boot into a preinstallation environment (associated with a first operating system), determine that a second operating system is to be installed on the computing device, and write an image of the second operating system to the boot disk. The image may include a special partition. The computing device may write the preinstallation environment (associated with first operating system) to the special partition of the image of the second operating system, and create a boot entry in the UEFI to cause the computing device to boot into the preinstallation environment (Windows PE). After booting into the preinstallation environment, the computing device may execute one or more diagnostic tests, delete the boot entry, and reboot the computing device to install a basic input output system (Coreboot) to replace UEFI and install the second operating system (Chrome OS).

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamically shared documents to multiple computing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a hub and a plurality of computing devices in physical proximity with the hub. Each of the plurality of computing devices communicates with the hub via a wireless connection. The hub acts as a pass-through device receiving and transmitting requests from a requesting computing device to other computing devices and receiving and transmitting answers from the other computing devices to the requesting computing device. Each computing device translates requests and shared documents into a system independent language before transmitting the request of the document to the hub and each computing device translates received documents from the system independent language into a data format preferred by that particular computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing user input. A graphical widget is displayed on a display device within the data processing system, wherein the graphical widget is displayed using a first size. Responsive to receiving a selected user input, a display of the graphical widget is resized on the display device to a second size for receiving user input, wherein the second size is larger than the first size.

Abstract: A data processor controlled user interactive display system for displaying hypertext documents, each including a sequence of display screen pages received at a receiving display station from a communications network such as the World Wide Web. Automatic sizing of the cache for received pages at the receiving display station is provided. This cache includes portions of the station's disk storage means and random access memory means for storing data representative of received screen pages. The size of the portions of disk storage and random access storage means needed for the cache are determined by prior monitoring of the quantities of disk storage and of random access memory used in said cache during prior transmission of screen pages to said receiving display station. The size of portions of disk storage and random access memory allocated to the present cache are based upon said prior monitoring. These sizing functions are most effectively included in a network interactive browser.

Abstract: A computing system including a plurality of data processing systems and a peripheral input device. The peripheral input device includes a computer selector for selecting one of the plurality of data processing systems for interaction with the peripheral input device. The peripheral input device also includes a wireless transmitter for providing communications with any one of the plurality of data processing systems. Each of the plurality of data processing systems includes a wireless receiver for receiving wireless communications from the peripheral input device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for a drag and drop in a computer system. The method includes beginning a drag and drop on an object in a first workspace, suspending the drag and drop, activating a second workspace, and resuming the drag and drop in the second workspace. The method of the present invention provides a drag and drop for a multiple workspace environment. The drag and drop is performed in one multi-step operation. This simplifies the moving of objects between workspaces and provides a graphical operation.

Abstract: A caller identification callback list method and system. The system displays a callback list informing a user of a missed call received from a terminal on a central office telephone line from within an organization. The callback list includes the names and extension or branch telephone numbers for persons the user has defined exist within the organization. Once an indication that the user has missed a telephone call from within the organization appears on the user's terminal, the user may choose from a list of names and extension or branch telephone numbers and return the call without having to search outside sources for the correct number. The return call may be accomplished by either an automatic callback feature or manually using the terminal. Additionally, the caller identification callback lists allow a user to select the people and associated extension or branch telephone numbers in advance without the prospective caller first calling the user.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling an appliance including a first wireless communication port is disclosed. In one aspect, the method and system provide a portable digital device for remotely controlling an appliance. The portable digital device includes a processor, a second wireless communication port coupled with the processor, and a control program for use by the processor. Upon a query provided from the second wireless communication port to the first wireless communication port, an interface residing on the appliance is provided from the appliance to the portable digital device. This allows the control program to control the appliance using the interface. In another aspect, the method and system include providing the interface residing on the appliance. The interface is capable of being uploaded to a portable digital device including a processor, a control program, and a second wireless communication port.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a progress indicator for an application in a computer system is disclosed. The method and system includes issuing a task request to the application, and graphically indicating a current status of the task request by a progress indicator when the application is iconified. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a graphical extension of the icon representing the iconified application. In this manner, the user is informed of the current status of a task request issued to the application without the need to maximize the application. This saves both time and valuable system resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing user-defined dynamic help text which is displayed integrally with the application. The method includes utilizing a monitoring program to monitor a plurality of events for the application; determining if a current event of the plurality of events is a spy event; if the current event of the plurality of events is a spy event, then displaying a help text corresponding to the current event of the plurality of events. In the preferred embodiment, the method also determines if the current event of the plurality of events is a user event if the current event is not a spy event. If the current event is a user event, then the help text corresponding to the current event of the plurality of events is updated according to a user text update. The method of the present invention uses a monitoring program which allows users to create customized help texts for any application.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of efficiently invoking a function within a data processing system wherein the data processing system includes a processing unit, a display device that displays graphical objects in response to receipt of signals from the processing unit, and a graphical user interface (GUI) manager stored within the memory and executable by the processing unit. A graphical application is displayed within the display device. The graphical application has an associated graphical window and an associated graphical selection area. After iconizing the graphical application such that the associated graphical window and associated graphical selection area are no longer displayed, in response to a selection of the iconized graphical application, only the associated graphical selection area is opened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing the keys of a visual keyboard so that each key can perform multiple functions without the prior or simultaneous selection of differing visual keys. Each key is divided into quadrants each of which provide a different function which is well recognized and understood by the end user.

Abstract: A method and system in a computer network for the dynamic conversion of foreign language data transferred from a remote network site to a local network site into data supportive of the foreign language data, such that the data supportive of the foreign language data may be displayed at the local network site. Initially, the foreign language data at the remote network site is scanned, and individual foreign language characters are associated with the foreign language data. Next, each individual foreign language character associated with the foreign language data is mapped to a position in a table of characters capable of being transferred as data to another network site. The table and the mapping information are then transferred as data to the local network site. The characters contained in the table are subsequently automatically converted at the local network site into foreign language data. Finally, the foreign language data is displayed at the local network site.

Abstract: A wireless network and an associated communication device are disclosed. The communication device is typically mounted in a first vehicle and includes a location device, such as a global positioning system receiver, suitable for determining the first vehicle's geographic position, a wireless transceiver enabled to communicate with a wireless transceiver of a second vehicle within a wireless range of the first vehicle, and a processor connected to the wireless transceiver and the location device. The processor is able to use the wireless transceiver and the location device to broadcast travel information of the first vehicle and to identify the presence of the second vehicle. The processor may also be enabled to display the position of the second vehicle on a display screen of the communication device or to enable the first vehicle to communicate with the second vehicle.

Abstract: A computer controlled display system with a user interactive touch screen is provided with an on-screen mouse to which user input may be applied by rolling of the touch finger to thereby move displayed information: the pointer or scrolled information on the screen. Means are provided which are activated by the touching of the screen at any random position selected by the user for enabling the detection of any rolling of said placed fingertip in an orthogonal direction. Also provided are means responsive to the detection of said rolling of said placed fingertip for moving said displayed data in an orthogonal direction corresponding to the direction of said rolling. The data moved may be the cursor or pointer or, when scrolling, the whole screen of data may be moved.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of operating a graphical user interface of a data processing system are described. According to the method, a dropdown widget is displayed within the display device of a data processing system. In response to selection of the drop-down widget, a drop-down list is displayed, which contains a plurality of choices. The user is then permitted to select multiple choices from the drop-down list in response the single selection of the drop-down widget. In one embodiment, the drop-down list includes a plurality of preferences that are each displayed in association with a respective control element, such as a radio button.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for accessing television program information, particularly context sensitive information, some of which may be found through the Internet. A method and system according to the present invention is presented for interactively accessing program information on a television, the method comprising receiving a search request; generating at least one automatic search term regarding a program for television; and searching the Internet for requested information.

Abstract: A method and system in a remote computer network for allowing users to customize on-line search engines for on-line data searches. An on-line search engine is provided at a remote network site, such that the on-line search engine may be displayed at local network sites linked to the computer network. An independent user-defined search plug-in program is then designated for limiting the scope of online data searches to particular data subjects, such that the user-defined search plug-in program is called for processing by the on-line search engine during on-line data searches by the on-line search engine at a local network site utilizing search terms. The independent user-defined search plug-in program is subsequently stored at the local network site.