Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed for a power supply adapted to receive power from an outlet, the power input having a property, such as amperage, frequency or voltage. An indicator is provided on the connector to the power cord to indicate a value for the property to the power supply, wherein the power supply adapts to the value for the property. By providing an indication of the property the system is capable of reducing functionality to meet the capabilities of the power supply. A power cord may be provided with a male plug at one end capable of being inserted into a socket with a minimum value for a property, and the other end of the power cord may have a connector with an indicator to identify the minimum value for the power cord.

Abstract: Option cards—one or more as may be installed in a particular computer system—are retained in position against possibly dislodgement due to handling by a frame and cooperating cross bar and depending member elements which may be variously positioned relative to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed for a power supply adapted to receive power from an outlet, the power input having a property, such as amperage, frequency or voltage. An indicator is provided on the connector to the power cord to indicate a value for the property to the power supply, wherein the power supply adapts to the value for the property. By providing an indication of the property the system is capable of reducing functionality to meet the capabilities of the power supply. A power cord may be provided with a male plug at one end capable of being inserted into a socket with a minimum value for a property, and the other end of the power cord may have a connector with an indicator to identify the minimum value for the power cord.

Abstract: Option cards—one or more as may be installed in a particular computer system—are retained in position against possibly dislodgement due to handling by a frame and cooperating cross bar and depending member elements which may be variously positioned relative to the frame.

Abstract: A method and system that permit a modular computer and a data storage device to interface through common pins whether the data storage device is a parallel or serial device. The serial data lines and some of the parallel data lines from the computer are routed through a switching circuit to common pins at the interface, which is attached to the data storage device. If data from the computer is sent in parallel form through parallel data lines to a parallel storage device, most of the parallel data lines are connected to dedicated parallel pin connectors, while the remainder of the parallel data lines are routed through the switching circuit to common interface pins. If the storage device is a serial device, the switching circuit sends the serial data from the computer to the serial data storage device via the common interface pins.

Abstract: The display of a notebook computer includes a privacy filter extending over the display screen to limit the viewing angle within which the image on the screen can be discerned. To allow for normal viewing when the privacy feature is not required, the privacy filter is movable from the screen by sliding into a cavity extending from one side of the screen to be rolled onto a roller or to be stored partly behind the screen. Alternately, a privacy filter is provided that is electrically switchable between a mode in which the viewing angle is limited and a mode in which normal viewing is permitted. The movable privacy filter includes closely spaced louvers surrounded by clear plastic or, alternately, a polarizer. The switchable privacy filter includes a liquid crystal device and a polarizer.

Abstract: A folding keyboard for a data processing system having two or more keyboard sections, keys attached to the keyboard sections, and a keyboard housing for receiving the keyboard sections. The keyboard may be configured to assume an extended position in which each of the keyboard sections is extended, and may be further configured to assume a second position in which each of the keyboard sections are collapsed. The keyboard may be further configured to transmit in response to a change in the extension state of the keyboard, a state signal to the data processing system for directing the data processing system to transition between a wake mode and a sleep mode.

Abstract: A data processing system-based password protection system protects a resource with an access password that may be user selected. The access password and an encryption key unique to the resource are stored in non-volatile storage at a data processing system, where the encryption key is at least partially derived from unique information associated with the resource. In response to receipt of an attempted access password at the data processing system, access to the resource is permitted if the attempted access password matches the stored access password. However, in response to an indication that the access password has been forgotten, an encrypted access password generated at the data processing system from the stored access password utilizing the encryption key is output from the data processing system. The access password can thereafter be recovered from the encrypted access password and the unique information.

Abstract: A computing system includes a pivoting mounting structure for mounting one or more electronic devices. The mounting structure is itself mounted to pivot between an operating position, within the computing system, and a service position, with the pivoting mounting structure extending outside the computing system for the installation or removal of electronic devices. A support member, mounted to pivot on the mounting structure, is manually moved between an extended position, in which the frame of the computing system is contacted to prevent movement of the mounting structure away from the service position past the operating position, and a retracted position, in which the mounting structure can be moved between the operating and service positions without contact between the support member and an adjacent structure.

Abstract: A computing system includes a pivoting mounting structure for mounting one or more electronic devices. The mounting structure is itself mounted to pivot between an operating position, within the computing system, and a service position, with the pivoting mounting structure extending outside the computing system for the installation or removal of electronic devices. A support member, mounted to pivot on the mounting structure, is manually moved between an extended position, in which the frame of the computing system is contacted to prevent movement of the mounting structure away from the service position past the operating position, and a retracted position, in which the mounting structure can be moved between the operating and service positions without contact between the support member and an adjacent structure.

Abstract: A folding keyboard for a data processing system having two or more keyboard sections, keys attached to the keyboard sections, and a keyboard housing for receiving the keyboard sections. The keyboard may be configured to assume an extended position in which each of the keyboard sections is extended, and may be further configured to assume a second position in which each of the keyboard sections are collapsed. The keyboard may be further configured to transmit in response to a change in the extension state of the keyboard, a state signal to the data processing system for directing the data processing system to transition between a wake mode and a sleep mode.

Abstract: A method and system that permit a modular computer and a data storage device to interface through common pins whether the data storage device is a parallel or serial device. The serial data lines and some of the parallel data lines from the computer are routed through a switching circuit to common pins at the interface, which is attached to the data storage device. If data from the computer is sent in parallel form through parallel data lines to a parallel storage device, most of the parallel data lines are connected to dedicated parallel pin connectors, while the remainder of the parallel data lines are routed through the switching circuit to common interface pins. If the storage device is a serial device, the switching circuit sends the serial data from the computer to the serial data storage device via the common interface pins.

Abstract: The display of a notebook computer includes a privacy filter extending over the display screen to limit the viewing angle within which the image on the screen can be discerned. To allow for normal viewing when the privacy feature is not required, the privacy filter is movable from the screen by sliding into a cavity extending from one side of the screen to be rolled onto a roller or to be stored partly behind the screen. Alternately, a privacy filter is provided that is electrically switchable between a mode in which the viewing angle is limited and a mode in which normal viewing is permitted. The movable privacy filter includes closely spaced louvers surrounded by clear plastic or, alternately, a polarizer. The switchable privacy filter includes a liquid crystal device and a polarizer.

Abstract: A computer, and particularly a mobile client computer system, in which flexibility in use of the system is enhanced by a capability of receiving and dynamically recognizing a variety of what are here called docking options. Docking options are peripheral devices, such as radio transceivers, which can be selectively connected to and used with a mobile client system. A docked option is identified by an exchange of signals between the system and the option, accomplished through a plurality of input/output ports which together define an interface to the option.

Abstract: A modular electronic apparatus, in particular a mobile client system, in which a fully functional handheld computing system can be selectively integrated with a fully functional handheld communications system. Each system is provided with battery supported power supply, to enable the separate functionality of each system, and a particular cooperation between the power supplies of the two systems, when integrated, is achieved. Optimization of the battery supported power supplies for two systems (here, the computer and communications systems) is thus achieved, while accommodating the integrated use of the systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system that includes a media console coupled to a system unit with a multi-conductor cable. The media console contains a direct access storage device (e.g., floppy disk drive) having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The system unit is separate from the media console and includes a microprocessor coupled to a first bus, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the first bus and a power supply for supplying power to the the system. The multi-conductor cable has one end coupled to the media console and another end coupled to the system unit for electrically connecting devices in the media console to devices in the system unit.