Abstract: An adjustably mounted infrared device for an electronic device is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is a computer. The computer has a housing and an integral infrared device. The housing has a plurality of surfaces to protect at least a processor within the housing. The integral infrared device is mounted adjustably to the housing to permit positioning of the device in a desired direction independent of movement of the housing. Other embodiments of the invention include a computer keyboard, a computer printer, and a computer monitor, each having such an integral infrared device mounted adjustably thereto to permit position of the device in a desired direction without movement of the keyboard, the printer or the monitor, respectively.

Abstract: A modular keyboard is provided which can be repeatedly and conveniently transferred between a portable computer or a desktop computer without damage to the modular keyboard. Both the portable computer and the keyboard base for the desktop computer have a cavity therein for receiving the modular keyboard. The keyboard base has a numerical keypad and arrow keys adjacent the cavity. The modular keyboard is small enough so that the portable computer can be closed and carried in the conventional manner without interference from the modular keyboard. A removal mechanism is provided on each the portable computer and the keyboard base to facilitate removal of the modular keyboard.

Abstract: An audio transmission apparatus has a primary speaker and a secondary speaker apparatus. Two primary speakers are provided to correspond with the left channel and the right channel. The secondary speaker apparatus is placed on a first surface of the primary speaker. A switching mechanism, such as a micro switch or a proximity sensor, is disposed between the primary speaker and the secondary speaker apparatus such that removal of the secondary speaker apparatus enables the secondary speaker apparatus and disables the primary speaker. Connected by wire or a wireless medium, the secondary speaker apparatus is an earphone, a head set, or an ear bud, depending on the application. The audio transmission apparatus is used in conjunction with any type of audio output device, such as a television, computer, stereo, and the like.

Abstract: A shipping container which inhibits improper orientation by its shape and also provides protection for its contents. The container has a number of side panels, a top end and a bottom end. A top closure covers the top end and a bottom closure covers the bottom end. The top closure projects above the top end to a preselected height and by it shape inhibits placing the container on the top closure. The bottom closure is recessed within the container to a depth at least as deep as the height of the top closure so that a plurality of containers may be nested together. The container may also include a crush resistant structure as an integral part of the top closure or a separate insert. The structure has outer walls and inner load-bearing walls which inhibit the structure from collapsing when a compressive force is applied.

Abstract: A computerized system and a method for generating a custom software configuration for a hard drive of a computer system according to desired software configuration defined by a purchasing customer. The computerized system and method utilizes an image builder for creating a disk image of the desired software configuration and transferring the image to a storage device. The storage device is connected to an image server that transfers the disk image directly to the hard drive during a manufacturing and assembly process of the computer system. Once the computer system is assembled, the image server broadcasts the disk image to the computer system via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: The automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms is disclosed. A computer detects the channel selected on a corresponding tuner. By referencing the channel and the time and date in which the computer is operating against an electronic program guide, the computer is able to determine the specific program currently on the channel. A unique identification code for the program is sent to a central server. The server links the computer to a computer chat room specific to the program for the unique identification code. This enables computer users viewing the same program to automatically enter the same chat room and chat to one another.

Abstract: A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.

Abstract: A pointing device provides a rotating member for rotatably adjusting a location of a cursor, a volume level, display settings, or other variables. The pointing device includes a control arm which a user can manipulate to make a button selection. The pointing device combines the button selection and rotational adjustment into a single apparatus. The device is sized to be comfortably used by one hand, and can be mounted within a mouse, a keyboard, or a monitor. The pointing device can be used alone, or can be used to augment a mouse, a trackball, or a touchpad.

Abstract: A wired modem normally plugs directly into a computer and connects to a telephone system by wired connection to a wall jack. This same modem can be used in a wireless configuration by plugging it into a single-module base station unit located near the wall jack and containing a baseband-to-wireless transceiver. A single module remote station plugs into the computer in place of the modem, and contains another baseband-to-wireless transceiver for communicating wireless data with the base station. The base and remote stations duplicate very little of the functionality performed by the modem, making the modem easily replaceable in either wired or wireless configurations.

Abstract: An external modem providing for the increased throughput of a serial device of a computer by de-multiplexing data over a pair of physical serial channels of the computer in a predetermined manner is disclosed. A communications port allows for communicatively coupling the computer to an external communications system, such as ISDN. A driver de-multiplexes data received from the logical serial device for transmission over the pair of physical serial channels. A controller then receives the data from the pair of serial channels for transmission over an existing communications system. Communication throughput from the computer to the existing communications system therefore exceeds the maximum throughput of a particular serial channel. The controller also is capable of receiving data from the external communications system for transmission over the pair of serial channels, the driver also capable of multiplexing the data received from the pair of serial channels for transmission over the logical serial device.

Abstract: A dual tape drive system is described for accepting either a digital data tape cartridge for data backup or a standard audio cassette tape for audio play and record. A single dual purpose tape head may be utilized for interfacing with both digital data tape cartridges and audio cassette tapes. In an alternative embodiment of the dual tape drive system, separate tape heads may be utilized such that an "audio" head is dedicated to cassette tapes while a "data" head is dedicated to digital tape cartridges. The dual tape drive system may exist as a stand alone device or may be integrated into a computer system whereby the tape drive is controlled through a keyboard operatively coupled to the computer system.

Abstract: A portable computer system having a shutter for protecting a display screen. The shutter device is disposed integrally within the bezel of a portable computer. The shutter device can be disposed proximate the two sides of a display within the bezel. In addition, the shutter device is disposed above the display screen. The device may be fabricated from paper, paper with a plastic coating, plastic, and similarly substantially rigid materials. Alternatively, other non-rigid materials can be used in conjunction with a support member for the shutter. The shutter device has a variety of forms including an accordion type structure, a fan structure. Alternatively, the shutter device comprises a plurality of panels which are hingedly coupled with support panels. The shutter device also can be in the form of a shade which coils around a coiling rod. A fastener is provided with the shutter device to maintain the device in an open and/or closed position.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a computer body. The computer body has speaker panels rotatably coupled to side portion to cover side surfaces of the computer body. Alternatively, the computer body includes a top speaker panel rotatably coupled to a front portion of the portable computer to cover a front surface of the computer body. The speaker panels have a speaker mounted therein. A variety of speakers, including an array of speakers, can also be mounted within the speaker panels. The speaker panels can have a cutout therein, and provide a protective cover to components disposed along the sides or the front surface of the computer body.

Abstract: A multimedia system has multiple media sources switchable under user control to a common set of output presentation devices. A table stores parameter values for each media source separately, so that selection of a source changes the parameters of the displayed media to values appropriate for that source. A user input device has selection keys, and also has keys for modifying the values of the parameters. The modified parameter values are stored in the table, so that they persist when the same media device is selected at a later time.

Abstract: A stabilization assembly is used in computer housings to limit deflection of the I/O panel during handling and transit. The device has a lost motion connection permitting deflection of the I/O panel in one direction and preventing deflection in a second direction, thus both avoiding disconnection problems commonly incurred by I/O cards and their connections to the motherboard during handling or shipping and simplifying assembly.

Abstract: An easily and conveniently attachable/detachable carrying handle and insert is disclosed which may be used with a portable computer. The insert has a retention member and is engageable by a latch mechanism of the computer housing and may be attached to the computer housing or substituted for a removeable device bay unit.

Abstract: A mass storage device having a transmitter and receiver and a computer having a transmitter and receiver allows for a computer system capable of wireless transmissions of data to and from the computer. The transmitter and receiver of the computer is linked to a data and command bus which is electrically connected to the central processor or microprocessor of the computer. The transmitter and receiver of the mass storage device is electrically connected to the data channel of the mass storage device. A cache memory may also be included to meter the data before transmission or after receiving the transmission. The transmitter and receivers transmit information within a selected range within the full range of electromagnetic radiation. A cradle or nest for holding a mass storage unit and providing power to the mass storage provides stand alone capability to the mass storage unit.