Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display apparatus includes an input unit configured to input any one of display data in m-bit gradation in each color and display data in n(m>n)-bit gradation in each color, a display control unit configured to execute display control of display data inputted by the input unit in m-bit gradation in each color, a determination unit configured to determine whether the display data inputted by the input unit is in m-bit gradation in each color or in n-bit gradation in each color, and a mask unit configured to execute mask processing for making a control to display the display data in n-bit gradation in each color as the display data in m-bit gradation in each color on the display control unit, when the display data is determined to be in n-bit gradation in each color by the determination unit.

Abstract: In a computer system constituted by a portable computer and a deskstation used to expand the function of the portable computer, the portable computer has a communication connector used for communication with the deskstation, in addition to a connector for connecting a system bus in the portable computer to the deskstation. Similarly, the deskstation also has a communication connector. When the portable computer is set at a predetermined position of the deskstation, these connectors are connected to each other before the system bus is connected to an expansion device of the deskstation. By using the communication connectors to perform communication between the portable computer and the deskstation, disconnection between the system bus and an expansion connector or forced suspend processing of the portable computer is executed before the portable computer in a power ON state is mounted in the deskstation. In addition, a lock mechanism is provided to lock the portable computer with the deskstation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information-processing apparatus includes a display panel, a filter arranged to face one surface of the display panel, and driven based on a filter driving signal to control, in accordance with a value of the filter driving signal, an amount of a light headed in a predetermined direction other than a roughly normal direction of a surface of the display panel, an input section, and a control section which adjusts the value of the filter driving signal in accordance with an operation of the input section.

Abstract: An electronic system includes an electronic device having a connector to connect an external device and a cell unit having a fuel cell capable of generating power by a chemical reaction. The cell unit is connectable to the electronic device via the connector, configured to receive power for driving an auxiliary of the fuel cell in activating the cell unit from the electronic device via a first pin of the connector, and configured to supply power generated by the fuel cell to the electronic device via a second pin of the connector.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a casing, an electromotive element which is located in the casing and generates electric power through a chemical reaction, and a fuel container which is removably connected to the casing and contains a fuel to be supplied to the electromotive element. The casing has a base and a wall surface in the form of an outwardly convex curved surface.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus operates on power supplied from a fuel cell unit that generates electric power using methanol as fuel. The power supply management utility executed by the CPU acquires status information on the fuel cell unit stored in the register of a power supply controller by way of BIOS. On the basis of the status information acquired, the power supply management utility displays messages peculiar to the fuel cell unit with good timing. The messages include a message to prompt the user to install a detachable cartridge fuel tank in the fuel cell unit and a message to prompt the user to replace the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit for supplying electric power to an electronic apparatus includes a DMFC that generates electric power using methanol as fuel. A microcomputer examines whether or not the fuel cell unit has been installed in the electronic apparatus. When the fuel cell unit has been installed in the electronic apparatus, the microcomputer visually informs the user, using LEDs, of the operating state of the DMFC detected by various sensors, including an installation and removal sensor, a liquid level sensor, a temperature sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

Abstract: The power supply controller serves to distribute electric power to each part of the electronic apparatus for operation, and the electric power can be fed from the AC power source, the fuel cell unit and the secondary battery unit. The power supply controller transmits the data signal indicating from which of the AC power source, the fuel cell unit and the secondary battery unit, the electricity is fed, to the CPU via the built-in register. The CPU displays the use status of the AC power source, the fuel cell unit and the secondary battery unit on the LCD via the display controller.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus according to the invention can be powered by a fuel cell unit and secondary battery unit. Power supply management utility executed by a CPU displays the states of use of the fuel cell unit and secondary battery unit. If a predetermined operation is performed in response to the displayed states, using a pointing device, the power supply management utility permits various types of setting related to the use of the fuel cell unit and secondary battery unit to be performed.

Abstract: In a computer system constituted by a portable computer and a deskstation used to expand the function of the portable computer, the portable computer has a communication connector used for communication with the deskstation, in addition to a connector for connecting a system bus in the portable computer to the deskstation. Similarly, the deskstation also has a communication connector. When the portable computer is set at a predetermined position of the deskstation, these connectors are connected to each other before the system bus is connected to an expansion device of the deskstation. By using the communication connectors to perform communication between the portable computer and the deskstation, disconnection between the system bus and an expansion connector or forced suspend processing of the portable computer is executed before the portable computer in a power ON state is mounted in the deskstation. In addition, a lock mechanism is provided to lock the portable computer with the deskstation.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprises a circuit, such as a semiconductor circuit, a temperature detection unit provided in the circuit, and a controlling unit. The temperature detection unit detects a temperature of the circuit and outputs a signal outside of the circuit when the detected temperature exceeds a threshold. The controlling unit powers off the electronic apparatus in accordance with the signal.

Abstract: An insulation layer is formed on a ground layer. The insulation layer includes first and second regions for forming wiring layers. The impedance of a wiring layer formed on the second region is lower than that of a wiring layer formed on the first region. A signal line pattern is formed on the wiring layer on the first region of the insulation layer. A power supply plane is formed on the wiring layer on the second region of the insulation layer in order to feed power to the signal line pattern through a termination resistor connected to the signal line pattern.

Abstract: A power supply controller measures electrical power consumed by information processing apparatus. An embedded controller passes the data to power management utility software each time a specified length of time is elapsed. The utility software accumulates a difference as found between this consumed power level and a predetermined reference value. The utility software shifts the information processing apparatus into its power-save modes when the accumulated value becomes larger than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In this invention, serial transmission suitable for signal lines in which a transformer is inserted is realized by using existing differential buffers. Differential output buffers are connected in parallel with each other. A differential signal line pair in which a transformer is inserted is driven by these two differential output buffers. In this case, a voltage between the two lines of the differential signal line pair is determined by a combination of outputs from the two differential output buffers, and three values, i.e., “+V”, “−V”, and “zero”, can be output. By using this ternary data, serial signal transmission based on the bipolar transfer mode can be performed, and serial transmission suitable for the signal lines in which the transformer is inserted can be realized.

Abstract: A computer system in which an EEPROM incorporated in a power supply control microcomputer can be compulsorily rewritten even in case contents of the EEPROM are destroyed so that a correct power supply control cannot be effected. The EEPROM is divided into two types of blocks, that is, code blocks which are objects to be rewritten and store a power supply control program and boot blocks which are not objects to be rewritten and store a power turn-on program, a key input detection program, and a rewrite request program. When the turn-on or reset of power in the system is effected, the key input detection program stored in the boot blocks is executed to detect the absence or presence of a predetermined key input. If the predetermined key input is detected, then the rewrite request program stored in the boot blocks is executed to rewrite the code blocks.

Abstract: An insulation layer is formed on a ground layer. The insulation layer includes first and second regions for forming wiring layers. The impedance of a wiring layer formed on the second region is lower than that of a wiring layer formed on the first region. A signal line pattern is formed on the wiring layer on the first region of the insulation layer. A power supply plane is formed on the wiring layer on the second region of the insulation layer in order to feed power to the signal line pattern through a termination resistor connected to the signal line pattern.

Abstract: In a computer system constituted by a portable computer and a deskstation used to expand the function of the portable computer, the portable computer has a communication connector used for communication with the deskstation, in addition to a connector for connecting a system bus in the portable computer to the deskstation. Similarly, the deskstation also has a communication connector. When the portable computer is set at a predetermined position of the deskstation, these connectors are connected to each other before the system bus is connected to an expansion device of the deskstation. By using the communication connectors to perform communication between the portable computer and the deskstation, disconnection between the system bus and an expansion connector or forced suspend processing of the portable computer is executed before the portable computer in a power ON state is mounted in the deskstation. In addition, a lock mechanism is provided to lock the portable computer with the deskstation.

Abstract: An insulation layer is formed on a ground layer. The insulation layer includes first and second regions for forming wiring layers. The impedance of a wiring layer formed on the second region is lower than that of a wiring layer formed on the first region. A signal line pattern is formed on the wiring layer on the first region of the insulation layer. A power supply plane is formed on the wiring layer on the second region of the insulation layer in order to feed power to the signal line pattern through a termination resistor connected to the signal line pattern.

Abstract: An insulation layer is formed on a ground layer. The insulation layer includes first and second regions for forming wiring layers. The impedance of a wiring layer formed on the second region is lower than that of a wiring layer formed on the first region. A signal line pattern is formed on the wiring layer on the first region of the insulation layer. A power supply plane is formed on the wiring layer on the second region of the insulation layer in order to feed power to the signal line pattern through a termination resistor connected to the signal line pattern.

Abstract: A computer system is provided has a computer main body and an expansion unit to be attached to and detached from the computer main body. Power is input to the computer system in accordance with a plurality of factors. A power supply controller determines which factor has caused power-ON for the computer system, and writes the result of this determination into a power-ON factor register. BIOS reads the content stored in the power-ON factor register and executes processing in accordance with power-ON factors. Before the computer system is switched on, the power supply controller determines the connection, type and state of the expansion unit and writes the result of this into the state register. BIOS executes error processing, etc., in accordance with the content of the state register.