Abstract: A data processing system and method are disclosed for protecting data stored on a device included within the system. A device key pair is established which identifies a particular device included within the system. The device key pair includes a device public key and a device private key. The device includes data stored on the device which may not be fully accessed initially. A planar key pair is established which identifies a planar board included within the system. The planar key pair includes a planar public key and a planar private key. The particular device is associated with the planar by storing the device public key only within the planar, and by storing the planar public key only within the device. Access to the data stored within the device is limited to only a planar which has the stored device public key.

Abstract: A method and system in a computer having a primary video controller for dynamically selecting an alternative video controller present within the computer. Initially, a diagnostic is performed to determine if alternative video controllers are connected to the computer system. A user is thereafter prompted to select an alternative video controller, if at least one alternative video controller is detected. The primary video controller is then temporarily disabled, in response to a selection of an alternative video controller. The alternative video controller is then automatically designated as the primary video controller, in response to the disabling of the primary video controller, such that the alternative video controller may be temporarily utilized as a primary video controller without altering internal computer system hardware settings or power cycling the computer system.

Abstract: Provided is a relatively simple PC switch circuit which performs a function for removing the residual voltage with a high reliability. The switch circuit includes a first switch 101 having a first terminal connected to the first power source, a second terminal connected to the load component and a control terminal to which a first control signal for controlling the first switch is supplied; a second switch 103 having a first terminal connected to the control terminal of the first switch, a second terminal connected to the second power source and a control terminal to which a second control signal for controlling the second switch is supplied; and a reverse current preventing element 107 connected between the load component and the first terminal of the second switch. A fault condition of the second switch is easily detected, and a flow of a wasteful current from the second terminal of the first switch to the second power source is prevented.

Abstract: A client on a network is provided with auxiliary low power logic, at the network adaptor, that is always active and simulates network traffic (e.g., Ethernet format) normally sent under control of the main client system processor(s). This logic collects client status information and reports to the network manager, irrespective of the system's CPU power level, information and provides for interaction between the user and the administration or network manager to exercise broader control and perform repair and upgrades which would otherwise require a dialog with the user and/or limit repair and reconfiguration of the client system to off-hours activity. The auxiliary logic also can receive and interpret commands from the network that conform to a predefined format.

Abstract: Provided is a system to reduce the force required for inserting a circuit board assembly including a plurality of circuit boards into the card edge connectors. A circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a coupling part. The first circuit board includes printed circuit elements and a connecting part. In the same manner as the first circuit board, the second circuit board includes printed circuit elements and a connecting part. The front edge of the connecting parts are shifted from the front edge of the other connecting part by a distance “d” along the connecting or inserting direction of the circuit boards toward the card edge connectors, so that the distance between the front edge of the connecting part of the first circuit board and the first card edge connector differs from the distance between the front edge of the connecting part of the second circuit board and the second card edge connector.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for controlling power supplied to the system. The system includes an internal power supply for receiving energy from an external source and supplying the energy to the system. The energy is full system power and is required for the system to be fully operable. The system is initially powered-off such that the energy is not initially supplied to the system. A power-on password is established. The internal power supply supplies the energy to the system only in response to a correct entry of the power-on password, wherein the system is inoperable prior to the correct entry of the power-on password.

Abstract: A pointing device makes groping manipulation possible with a single finger and comprises a stick, a vector detection mechanism placed away from the stick by a predetermined distance so as to turn around the longitudinal axis of the stick, for outputting a signal corresponding to a force vector of a force applied by the stick when the stick contacts with the mechanism, and a detector for detecting a force applied in the longitudinal direction of the stick. In response to a signal output from the vector detection mechanism, it is judged whether an evaluation value of the force vector satisfies a predetermined condition. When the evaluation value of the force vector satisfies the predetermined condition, execution of a first kind of manipulation according to the evaluation value is instructed. When the evaluation value does not satisfy the predetermined condition, execution of a second kind of manipulation is instructed.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying external electrical power to charge a battery within a data processing system by utilizing a automated remotely located power adapter is disclosed. The automated remotely located power adapter includes a state control logic circuit for determining when to supply external electrical power to charge the battery and an auto-close detection circuit for automatically shutting on and off the external electrical power in response to the state control logic. The automated remotely located power adapter is connectable between the external power supply and the data processing system for supplying external electrical power to charge the battery within the data processing system and automatically shuts off the external electrical power when the data processing system indicates that the battery is fully charged.

Abstract: An assembly verification test uses a sliding cart to transport work-in-process units from an assembly facility to a test area. The cart has a generally square frame with multiple vertical and horizontal frame members. The front end of the cart has wheels that engage the floor. The rearward end of the cart has wheels that are vertically offset from the front wheels and ride along a chassis of the test station that is located above the floor. The upper end of the cart has guide rails for slidably receiving work unit trays from assembly and offloading the trays to the test area. The wheels allow the cart to move laterally from side to side along the length of the test area so that the cart may be easily repositioned in front of any of the test slots.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically manipulating values associated with graphical elements displayed within a graphic interface of a data-processing system. Initially a pointer element associated with a pointing device is displayed within the graphic interface, such that the pointer element is capable of movement in multiple directions in response to movement of the pointing device. A trackslide element and a moveable slider are displayed within the graphic interface. The moveable slider permits users to dynamically decrease or increase values associated with the trackslide element, such that the moveable slider is constrained to move only in a first direction along the trackslide element. The pointer element is then graphically attached to the moveable slider.

Abstract: A system monitored operations test area utilizes a central feed spur to deliver assembled products to parallel rows of test stations on each of its sides. A pivotal, sliding lift gate is mounted to each side of the central spur and is movable between vertical and horizontal positions. The gate can be moved along the length of the spur as needed. When the lift gate is in place, the operator can slide a unit into a desired test slot across the horizontally disposed gate which spans the distance between the spur and the selected test station.

Abstract: A portable data processing system and method are disclosed for improving cooling of a microprocessor included within the system. The portable data processing system includes a base housing for housing a CPU and a display housing for housing a display. A heat sink is established within the base housing. The heat sink is formed from a highly conductive composite material. A heat dissipater is established within the display housing. The heat dissipater is comprised of a highly conductive composite material. The heat dissipater and heat sink are capable of receiving a heat pipe. Heat is transferred from the heat sink to the heat dissipator utilizing the heat pipe. In a second embodiment, the portable system is docked with a docking station, and a heat probe is included which is utilized to dissipate additional heat from the microprocessor to a large fan sink included within the docking station.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are disclosed for efficiently maintaining security during a booting of the system. The system includes a plurality of boot devices. One of a plurality of password requirements are specified separately for each of the plurality of boot devices. In response to an attempt to boot the system utilizing one of the plurality of boot devices, a determination is made regarding whether a first of the plurality of password requirements is specified for the one of the plurality of boot devices. In response to a determination that the first of the plurality of password requirements is specified for the one of said plurality of boot devices, a correct entry of a password is required prior to permitting the system to boot utilizing the one of the plurality of boot devices.

Abstract: A secondary power supply with a battery charging circuit for use with a primary power supply having an AC power relay coupled to a AC power source and a DC/DC power converter is disclosed. The secondary power supply includes a battery bank having positive and negative terminals, wherein the negative terminal is coupled to a negative power rail of the primary power supply. An auxiliary switch in the AC power relay, having first and second contacts coupled to the positive terminal of the battery bank and a positive power rail of the primary power supply, respectively, is closed in response to a loss of the AC power source. A battery charger circuit, coupled to the auxiliary switch and the battery bank, utilizes a voltage output from the DC/DC power converter to regulate charging of the battery bank. The battery charger circuit, in one embodiment, includes a regulation circuit that senses a plurality of electrical characteristics of the battery bank and, in response thereto, generates a control signal.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the maximum allowable current limit for each of a plurality of parallel power supplies within an N+1 power supply system in response to dynamic variations in the total supply current capacity of the N+1 power supply system. A plurality of parallel supplies make up the N+1 power supply which provides power to a load. A sensor within each of the parallel power supplies determines an operating status of each of the parallel power supplies. A detector circuit in communication with the sensors translates the operating status determination into a supply current capacity signal. Finally, a current limit adjustment circuit generates a current limit signal in response to the supply current capacity signal, such that the maximum allowable current limit for each parallel power supply is adjusted while maintaining the overall power supply VA limit for the N+1 power supply.

Abstract: Devices for use in highly integrated radio frequency transceivers utilize micro-electro-mechanical systems, or wobble motors, to form superior switches and to select and vary components that determine different frequencies of operation. Each device has a substrate with concentric rings of electrodes and contacts. A circular rotor is centrally pivoted or wobbled to engage the contacts along its circumferential edge. The rotor may be mechanically or materially modified to create symmetric or asymmetric forms which interact with one or more stationary capacitor electrodes on the substrate. The positioning of the rotor forms in terms of rotation, overlap and separation, relative to the capacitor electrodes, varies the capacitance.

Abstract: A computer system is described that is capable of transmitting and displaying files containing variable locale selectors, that is, language, territory and coded character set identifiers. The system contains a code that is transmitted as part of the files, and includes information defining the language and the territory, which are alphanumeric variables normally encoded in binary format, and the coded character set, which is normally encoded as a numeric decimal format. The discrete values of known combinations of these codes are listed, preferably in a lookup table, and each known set of coded values is given a unique hexadecimal value. The hexadecimal value is retained with the subject file and used by a user interface adapter to display the information in the file according to the desired set of locale selectors.

Abstract: Devices for use in highly integrated radio frequency transceivers utilize microelectro-mechanical systems, or wobble motors, to form superior switches and to select and vary components that determine different frequencies of operation. Each device has a substrate with concentric rings of electrodes and contacts. A circular rotor is centrally pivoted or wobbled to engage the contacts along its circumferential edge. The rotor may be mechanically or materially modified to create symmetric or asymmetric forms which interact with one or more stationary capacitor electrodes on the substrate. The positioning of the rotor forms in terms of rotation, overlap and separation, relative to the capacitor electrodes, varies the capacitance.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus with which power saving is enabled for the sound function in accordance with the activities of individual peripheral devices that output audio signals. A check is performed to determine whether or not the individual peripheral devices for outputting audio signals are in the muted state, and the mixer circuit is attenuated only when all the devices are in the muted state. The unused state of the sound function of the information processing apparatus is precisely detected, and power consumption can be reduced when the sound function is not in use. In addition, the "power control flag" in the I/O register of the audio controller is monitored, as well as the muted states of the individual peripheral devices. Therefore, even when the system software (e.g.

Abstract: Provides management tools for a System Owner to assure that a personal computer system is secured against access by an unauthorized user by foreclosing the possibility of circumventing a system's security protection during an adapter ROM scan. If security function, such as that for C2 functionality, is enabled, prior to the adapter ROM Scan for the system, the POST code detects whether or not disabling of the keyboard during adapter ROM Scan is enabled. If enabled, the keyboard is disabled or locked prior to adapter ROM Scan. On some systems, the security function may not be used and, the system does not consider password protection for the adapter utilities. If however, the security functionality of the system is enabled, the POST code will continue to enable the password protection for the adapter ROM Scan. Once the input device, e.g., keyboard, is disabled the adapter ROM scan will begin. Upon completion of the adapter ROM scan, the input device will be enabled and progress will continue through POST.