Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft navigational system including a graphical user interface that is capable of displaying navigational information in a split-screen format. The split-screen format includes displaying multiple graphical user panels, each depicting different traffic information. For example, one of the panels displays a plurality of air traffic symbols corresponding to airborne obstacles and another of the panels simultaneously displays ground traffic symbols representing ground obstacles. The obstacles can include other aircraft in the air and on runways as the pilot's aircraft approaches for a landing. The navigational system also is capable of switching between a single graphical user panel and multiple panels in response to a triggering event, such as a change in the course of the aircraft.

Abstract: A combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) that is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and that includes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic components contained therein is provided. The substantially waterproof enclosure includes first and second cooperatively mated housing sections which, when mated, form an internal compartment or chamber for enclosing electronic components of the GPS/radio unit. The waterproof enclosure may further include a cover positioned over a plurality of tubular structures which protrude from a top end wall of the second housing section. Also provided is a method of waterproofing a GPS/radio unit including a number of different techniques for waterproofing different features and elements of the enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly (100) for mounting an electronic device (D) to a surface (S). The mounting assembly (100) generally includes a base (102) including a mounting ball (110) and a socket assembly (104) operable to frictionally engage the ball (110) to removably couple the socket assembly (104) to the base (102). The base (102) may be removably coupled with the surface (S) and the socket assembly (104) may be removably coupled with the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base (102) to the surface (S), then attaching the socket assembly (104) to the base (102) and positioning the socket assembly (104) in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device (D) to the socket assembly (104).

Abstract: A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A detection mechanism indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the detection mechanism indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enabling functions of an information handling system such as startup (i.e., boot), loading of an operating system or execution of a software application, by requiring authentication of the information handling system. A client information handling system establishes a communication link with a central system or server via a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. A request for authentication is then sent to the central system by the information handling system via the communication link. The central system, upon receiving the authentication request from the information handling system, determines if the authentication request is valid, and, if valid, provides authentication of the information handling system via one or more encrypted tokens passed from the central system to the information handling system, thereby allowing the information handling system to provide or continue to provide the function, even when disconnected from the network.

Abstract: A method is provided for locating and navigating to the site home of a network site in an information network such as the Internet, an Intranet, or the like from a site page within the network site. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving a request to navigate from a site page to the site home of the network site, determining a site home for the network site, and when a site home is found for the network site, navigating to the site home in response to the received request so information provided by the site home may be communicated to a user. The method may be implemented as a program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an information handling system for causing the information handling system to perform the steps of the method.

Abstract: A tray cover for retaining optical discs within an optical disc drive capable of being vertically oriented is comprised of a cover attachable to the tray of the optical disc drive. The cover forms a pocket against the tray for receiving the optical disc so that the optical disc is generally retained against the tray as the tray is extended and retracted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of building a custom software configuration, which may include receiving a first customer order for a first information handling system and a second customer order for a second information handling system. The first customer order including a first list of hardware configuration components and a first list of software configuration components and the second customer order including second list of hardware configuration components and a second list of software configuration components. At least one of the first list of hardware configuration components is different from the second list of hardware configuration components and the first list of software configuration components is different from the second list of software configuration components.

Abstract: A flexible display extension apparatus for supporting a flexible panel display in a viewing position. The extension apparatus includes an extension member that may be collapsed for allowing the flexible panel display to be at least partially rolled upon itself when the display is not in use.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying content accessed by a client to an audience via a projector is disclosed, wherein the content includes a client version suitable for access by clients and a projector version suitable for display by a projector. The system includes a server coupled to the network capable of communication with the clients via the network and at least one projector capable of accessing the projector version of the content communicatively coupled to the server. Upon receiving a request from a client that one or more projectors display content accessed by the client, that is “follow” the display of content by that client, the server thereafter monitors the browsing activity of the client, detecting when the client is accessing content via the network. When the client accesses the client version of the content, the server notifies the following projector(s) to access the projector component of the content via the network so the content may be displayed by the projector.

Abstract: A display apparatus and computer system employing the same include a dual mode television/monitor display which is operable to provide television display output in an interlaced mode of operation and computer output in a noninterlaced computer graphics mode of operation in a visually detectable manner and further includes a communication channel for transmitting commands from the host computer system to the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a microprocessor for receiving commands from the host computer system for switching the display between the interlaced and noninterlaced modes of operation. In a further aspect, a method of transitioning the dual mode display between the television and computer graphics modes of operation via a host computer system is provided.

Abstract: A method and management system for locating game files on a computer-based information handling system. A storage medium is searched for game files until a file is found. Whether the file is a game file is determined. If the file is not a game file, the search is continued. If the file is a game file, whether the file executes a game application is determined. If the file does not execute a game application, the search is continued. If the file executes a game application, whether an icon is associated with the file is determined. If no icon is associated with the file, an icon is assigned to the file, a copy of the icon is placed into a games file, and the copy of the icon is linked to the file. The management method and system may be embodied on a computer readable medium containing computer readable code for causing a computer-based information handling system to execute the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method of setting acceptable content rating parameters for filtering content in a ratings-enabled media wherein the acceptable content rating parameters delimit the threshold content ratings levels of content that may be accessed by an information appliance is provided. Employing the present method, a user may set the acceptable content rating parameters of a content control system by blocking or unblocking example content provided by the information appliance, in order to control future access to content similar to the example content. In this manner, specific knowledge of the content ratings scheme employed, or the meaning of specific content ratings used by such a scheme is not required.

Abstract: A card retention assembly for retaining one or more expansion cards within the chassis of an electronic device such as a computer system, server, photocopier, facsimile machine, printer, or the like includes a card retention assembly that engages the mounting bracket securing tab of an expansion card received in the chassis. In this manner, the card retention assembly at least partially restrains the tab for securing the expansion card in the chassis.

Abstract: A display and scanning assembly wherein light reflected from an image being scanned is transmitted to an optical sensor through an optical shutter assembly via a light guide assembly is disclosed. The optical shutter assembly is made substantially opaque except for one or more selected optical shutter elements that are made substantially transparent or opened. Light is then reflected from the medium containing the image to be scanned through substantially transparent shutter element or elements and transmitted to the optical sensor via a light guide assembly. The image may then be scanned by advancing selection of shutter element or elements that are opened across the medium. The optical scanning assembly may further be capable of functioning as a display assembly wherein color components for each display element or pixel of the display assembly are premixed so that the display elements provide a true color instead of separate red, green and blue components of that color.

Abstract: A keyboard support apparatus comprises a storage compartment adapted to be mounted to the undersurface of an overhead cabinet, a low ceiling, and the like. The keyboard support apparatus further comprises at least one extendable support arm pivotally coupled at one end to the storage compartment, and a keyboard platform pivotally coupled at opposite sides to the other end of the support arms. Each support arm is adapted to extend downwardly from the storage compartment to position the keyboard platform below the storage compartment in an operational configuration. Each support arm is also adapted to contract upwardly to position the keyboard platform inside the storage compartment in a storage configuration.

Abstract: An integrated docking tray assembly capable of docking a portable computer, in particular a laptop or notebook computer, comprising a tray having a docking station integrated therein for docking the portable computer. The tray is mounted underneath a work surface such as a desktop, tabletop, cabinet, shelf, or the like so that it may move between a closed position substantially retracted beneath the surface and an open position at least partially extended from the surface. Thus, when the portable computer is received in the tray and docked to the docking station, its keyboard and display may be accessed for use when the tray is in the open position and stored in the tray underneath the desktop when the tray is in the closed position. The tray may further include a support for providing support to a user's wrists while the user is typing on the keyboard of the computer.

Abstract: An EMI shield for ports providing access to expansion cards received in the chassis of an electronic device comprises a gasket suitable for being disposed between the chassis and the expansion card bracket. The gasket includes an aperture overlying each of the ports and a plurality of generally flattened U shape fingers formed in the gasket adjacent to each aperture for engaging the bracket to provide EMI grounding between the bracket and the chassis.

Abstract: A display assembly is provided with individually actuateable shutter row elements. Selected ones of the shutter row elements are actuated in a predetermined sequence, blocking and allowing pulsed of light transmitted via a light guide assembly. The shutter row elements sequentially illuminate selected groups of display elements so that the display elements provide a true color instead of separate red, green and blue components of that color. In this manner, the display assembly of the present invention is capable of providing a higher fidelity image than is possible using existing display technologies.