Abstract: A pressure sensor is constructed of a plastic package. The plastic package incorporates in the same material a sensing diaphragm including tensile and compression regions. Deposited on the diaphragm are metal electrodes and a polymer film having piezoresistive properties. The electrodes and/or the polymer film are directly printed onto the plastic package without the use of a mask.

Abstract: A plurality of bridge transducers are provided in a dual arrangement. An output terminal from each transducer is coupled to differential inputs of an amplifier. Each of the other outputs from the transducers are respectively coupled together and used to control a bias for dual active loads. The transducers may be implemented within monolithic silicon integrated circuits, using bipolar technology with Hall effect, magnetoresistive or piezoresistive sensing elements for the bridge. A single Hall effect transducer may be coupled to the inputs of the differential amplifier, and a center tap terminal used to control a bias for dual active loads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved volume or share decomposition are described. A request for sales volume or share information for a particular product is sent to a database. The sales volume or share information received from the database is decomposed and casual factors are provided. In addition, the sales volume or share information, the additional decomposed sales volume or share information and the causal factors are displayed.

Abstract: A universal boot disk for a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer system comprises a computer, a removable media storage device, and a boot media. The storage device operatively couples the computer. The boot media is removably inserted in the storage device, and has an executable program stored thereon to automatically detect one of a plurality of different compact-disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM) devices and to cause installation of a corresponding driver program. In one particular embodiment, the program comprises a language selection component, a keyboard selection component, as well as a CD-ROM auto-selection component.

Abstract: A personal computer apparatus includes a portable computer, a cellular telephone which can be connected to the portable computer, and a pager which can be connected to the cellular telephone. The portable computer, the cellular telephone, and the pager each have an independent power supply and are each detachable from the apparatus for individual functionality. When connected, the cellular telephone and pager can be coupled to the power supply of the portable computer.

Abstract: A remote control device is provided with a rotatably mounted door member. The device has a main body with two, three, or more sides adapted for having selection buttons coupled therewith. The door member covers the selection buttons for the sides not in use so that the user can grasp the device or set the device on a surface without inadvertent actuation of the selection buttons. The remote control device also has a locking mechanism for preventing access to certain selection buttons on certain side surfaces.

Abstract: An air duct is provided for ventilating an electronic device having a processor. The air duct comprises one or more walls that have an irregular surface and that further have a layer of conductive material applied to the irregular surface. Further embodiments of the invention include electronic device enclosures and electronic devices having an air duct featuring an irregular interior surface and having conductive material applied to the irregular surface.

Abstract: An inspection equipment integrity system uses independent sensors and processing capabilities to determine the integrity of inspection equipment. The sensors detect the presence of packages at predetermined positions. The system further receives input from the inspection equipment regarding decisions made during inspection of the packages. The system uses the position information and inputs from the inspection equipment to determine the integrity of the inspection equipment. A further sensor determines the integrity of inspection equipment used to redirect packages based on decisions made by the inspection equipment.

Abstract: A disc operating device comprising a multi-part disc holding tray which extends and retracts from a housing, and a disc information handling mechanism. The disc holding tray further comprises a moveable tray portion for movement and support within the housing, a disc supporting portion for supporting a disc and a break-away mechanism coupling these two portions. The, break-away mechanism comprises a first coupling that allows the disc supporting portion to deflect and potentially separate from the remainder of the disc holding tray upon impact by an external force. The disc supporting portion can further comprise a second coupling allowing deflection in multiple directions upon impact by an external force. Deflection and separation by the disc supporting portion reduce the need for and cost of repair and replacement of the overall disc operating device.

Abstract: A method and a system of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source are disclosed. Usage of the battery is monitored. Based on this monitored usage, a user of the electronic device is notified of the need for performing a conditioning or deep discharge cycle on the battery. The user is provided with a user interface for scheduling the conditioning cycle on the battery. The conditioning cycle is then performed as scheduled, provided that the electronic device is coupled to an external power source and/or is in a mode appropriate for performing the conditioning cycle on the battery (e.g., shut down or standby mode). Further, the life capacity of the battery may be monitored, and the user may be notified of the need to replace the battery if the life capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides for the straightforward completion of preprinted forms with a word processor, or with another computer program suitable for generating text, is disclosed. The method and apparatus provide for the display of a scaled image of the form so that a user can accurately position text or other data for printing in the fields of the form. An image of the preprinted form is provided to a document having a background and a foreground. The image is displayed in the background Data is entered into the foreground. The data in the foreground is printed onto the preprinted form. The form can be scanned to create the image. The form is then provided to a printer. The image is provided to a word processing document as the background. The data is entered into the foreground with the word processor.

Abstract: An electrical connector has an inner dielectric housing adapted for mounting a plurality of electrical contacts and including at least one forwardly projecting mating portion having opposite sides. The connector has a metallic shield surrounding a major portion of the inner dielectric housing. An outer dielectric cover has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The outer dielectric cover surrounds a major portion of the metallic shield and includes first and second integrally formed spring latches. The first integrally formed spring latch extends forwardly from the back along the top and the second integrally formed spring latch extending forwardly from the back along the bottom. The first and second spring latches each comprise a spring portion and a distal grip, said distal grips being constructed and arranged to compress the spring latches when a user urges them inwardly toward each other to install the connector in a computer case.

Abstract: A computer having one or more components is assembled utilizing a friction fastener that is formed by use of a screw that bears on a surface attached to a cage adjacent a component to create a friction fit to retain the component in a secure manner within the cage in the computer. The surface is a substantially flat portion of a shim or finger tab that is attached to the cage. The surface fits into an opening in the cage having a backed-off portion screw support having a threaded opening opposite the surface from the component. The screw is installed in the screw support to provide force against the surface of the tab to press it into the component in a friction fit manner to prevent movement of the component relative to the cage.

Abstract: A distributed modem in order to achieve non-cellular cordless/wireless data communications for portable computers is provided. In one embodiment, the modem includes three components, a digital signal processor (DSP), a coder/decoder (CODEC), and a digital-access arrangement (DAA). The DSP resides within a PCMCIA card for insertion into a computer. The CODEC and the DAA reside on a base station. The PCMCIA card and the base station communicate with one another via two transceivers, one each at the PCMCIA card and the base station.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.

Abstract: A set of tools provides the ability to generate computer-based representations of three-dimensional pieces and produce a representation of a combination of such pieces in a container such as a bowl. Tools such as the puff tool and flake tool change two-dimensional curves into three-dimensional pieces. Further tools are provided to bend, twist and shear three-dimensional pieces. A coating tool is used to create and modify a variety of coatings that are applied on top of cereal pieces to create frost, glaze and particulates. A container tool allows placement of pieces into a bowl. Pieces are randomized prior to dropping them into the bowl. Further tools continue to drop each piece and rotate them if necessary to avoid overlap. A computer rendered image is photorealistic but contains subtle differences that can be discerned upon close inspection.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.

Abstract: A detachable keyboard provides options to a computer user between a complete keyboard and a partial keyboard. The detachable keyboard comprises two sections, a docking station having a set of functions and a partial keyboard having a different set of functions. The partial keyboard is removed from the docking station when the partial keyboard is desired. If the complete keyboard is desired, then the partial keyboard section is mated with the docking station to provide a user both sets of functions. The detachable keyboard and the partial keyboard section are operable in either a wireless or wired configuration with each other and a computer system.

Abstract: The back edge of a disk drive slider is used to remove debris from disk media by slowly sweeping it from the inner diameter of the disk to the outer diameter of the disk while the disk is rotating backwards from normal. The sweeping operation is completed while the disks are still gaining rotational speed so that liftoff velocity is not achieved. Material accumulated on the back edge of the slider is either dumped at the outer diameter of the disk, or remains on the back edge of the slider as normal operation is commenced.