Abstract: The expandable jack has first and second members attached by a pivotal connection. The members can be expanded about the pivotal connection to form a receptacle for receiving a plug and, when not in use, the members can be collapsed about the pivotal connection to fit into storage spaces of reduced size. The jack is of particular use in application interface cards for laptop, notebook and palmtop computers. In such cards, the jack is mounted on a platform which is movable between an exposed position, external of the card, and a retracted storage position within the body of the card. A plug can be inserted into the expandable jack while avoiding interference with obstructions, such as a cable extending from an adjacent card in the computer.

Abstract: By the connection of a first subcard (26) to a main modem board (10), the modem system is customized to use an external data access arrangement (DAA) (32), while the connection of a second subcard (36) instead of the first customizes the modem system to use a built-in DAA (24). The subcards connect to the main modem board through a single interface connector (18). The first subcard includes a MiniDin connector (28) for connection to the external DAA, while the second subcard includes an RJ11 connector for direct connection to a telephone line. This mechanical arrangement results in a small, compact modem system suitable for use in a small computer.

Abstract: A full screen of video data is stored in a video memory. A small block of video data to be imminently displayed on a raster scan display device is copied, two double-words (32 bits) at a time, from the video memory to a 6 by 32-bit first in, first out buffer (FIFO). A fill detection circuit determines when the fill level of the FIFO is at or above certain predetermined levels; specifically, 3, 5 and 6 double-words. The current operating mode is stored in a programmable mode register wherein each mode corresponds to a unique screen resolution. For example, one mode corresponds to a 1024 by 768 pixel resolution having 256 colors per pixel, while another mode corresponds to a 320 by 200 pixel resolution having 4 colors per pixel. A minimum fill level is selected by a level selection circuit depending on the current operating mode. Since the FIFO is emptied quickly in a high resolution mode, a higher minimum fill level is selected for high resolution modes than for low resolution modes.

Abstract: A flexible electrical contact is formed as a convex dome structure extending from one side of a surrounding structure, with the convex dome structure and the surrounding structure forming an integral metallic structure. The convex dome structure includes a central contact portion and a number of legs extending between the central contact portion and the surrounding structure. Each leg extends radially outward from the central contact portion and circumferentially around part of the central contact portion. A number of convex dome structures of this kind may be part of a removable shield in an electronic enclosure, provided to electrically ground the shield to a conductive frame, reducing the level of RFI (radio frequency interference) emissions from a device. Alternately, a number of convex dome structures may be provided along spring strips fastened to such a shield. In such spring strips, electrical contact may occur between the shield and intermediate positions along the length of the legs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a palm rest with a simple structure that can be stored in a lid of an electric device. A palm rest 10 is supported rotatable at a case assembly 14 within which a keyboard 34 is mounted. By rotating the palm rest 10 outward, an operator can rest his palms on it, thus facilitating key manipulation. When the palm rest 10 is positioned upright, it is retained within a lid 18, which covers the keyboard 34. In this case, the palm rest 10 does not project outward from the PC 12 and the PC 12 can therefore be stored without difficulty. Since a gap is defined between the palm rest 10 and the front wall of the case assembly 14 when the palm rest 10 is rotated forward, a user can slip his fingers through the defined gap and grasp the palm rest 10, which then can serve as a handle for carrying the PC 12.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a function can be added to a peripheral apparatus by making a change in only a few parts of a data processing system without making changes regarding hardware in, especially, a system unit nor an interface part between the system unit and the peripheral apparatus. A predetermined control signal, said signal being a signal for causing a peripheral apparatus such as a floppy disk drive to perform a first predetermined operation, is provided to said peripheral apparatus in a predetermined condition in order to cause said peripheral apparatus to perform a second predetermined operation which is different from said first predetermined condition.

Abstract: In a text display system facilitating the editing of text, smooth and flicker free updates to text displayed using proportionally spaced fonts are effected by interleaving the characters of an original and an updated text according to their associated cumulative character widths by sequentially storing each lesser cumulative character width and each character in buffers thereby establishing the order of display of the interleaved characters according to each original and updated cumulative character widths. The interleaved characters are then displayed according to the order of storage thereby incrementally displaying and deleting characters of the updated and original texts respectively such that an original character is deleted and replaced by an appropriate number of updated text characters resulting in a smooth text update.

Abstract: A CD-ROM drive unit includes a disk transport tray moved between an open position, in which a compact disk, exposed outside the drive unit, can be removed and replaced, and a closed position, in which data can be read. The drive unit also includes a disk reading mechanism, which rotates the disk, and which moves an optical sensor along the disk as required for reading information from the disk. Motions obtained from this disk reading mechanism are used to drive the disk transport tray between the positions. In a first version of the device, a spindle motor drive a spindle, on which a disk is placed, in a forward direction to effect reading data and in a reverse direction to effect movement of the disk transport tray. A one-way clutch is used to discriminate between driver directions, only operating a mechanism to move the tray when the spindle motor is driving in reverse.

Abstract: A battery pack has a plurality of slits located on an edge surface of the pack. Electrical terminals are positioned completely within the boundaries of the slits to protect the battery pack from electrical shorts in the event the pack comes into contact with an extraneous metal object, such as a coin or key. The slits extend all the way thorugh the battery pack, from the bottom surface to the top surface, such that the slits are open on three sides. This permits the battery pack to be attached to and detached from a mating connector in any one of three directions; specifcally, perpendicular to the upper surface of the battery pack, perpendicular to the lower surface of the pack, and perpendicular to the edge surface.

Abstract: A serial-to-parallel converter comprises a plurality of amorphous silicon thin-film transistors configured in a plurality of serial-to-parallel converter cells through which data is shifted through a plurality of amorphous silicon thin-film floating-gate transistors. In the event power is cutoff or lost, the floating gate transistors non-volatilely store the data which can be read when power is subsequently turned on. Each cell comprises two stages in which data signals are written before being input into the next stage and next cell. A clock generator receives clocking signals for controlling the shifting of data through the serial-to-parallel converter.

Abstract: A parallel-to-serial converter comprises a plurality of amorphous silicon thin-film transistors configured in a plurality of parallel-to-serial converter cells through which data is shifted through a plurality of amorphous silicon thin-film floating-gate transistors. In the event power is cutoff or lost, the floating gate transistors non-volatilely store the data which can be read when power is subsequently turned on. Each cell comprises two stages in which data signals are written before being input into the next stage and next cell. A clock generator receives clocking signals for controlling the shifting of data through the parallel-to-serial converter.

Abstract: Synchronization apparatus comprising a phase-locked loop for generating an output signal and for synchronizing the output signal to an input signal, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a controller for iteratively determining whether the output signal is synchronized to the input signal by the phase-locked loop and adjusting the frequency of the output signal to bring the output signal within the capture range of the phase-locked loop if the output signal is not synchronized to the input signal.

Abstract: A docking device for a portable computer which can be utilized with a number of portable computers having diverse sizes is disclosed. The docking device includes a body having a number of electronic components disposed therein adapted to be electrically connected to a portable computer. A surface supported by the body is adapted to slidably receive a portable computer selected from among the number of portable computers having diverse sizes. Adjacent to the surface, at least two electrical connectors are disposed, including a first connector rotatably supported by the body which is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The selected portable computer may be electrically connected to the number of electrical components via only the first electrical connector when the first electrical connector is in the first position and may be electrically connected to the number of electronic components via only the second electrical connector when the first electrical connector is in the second position.