Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a computer user to implement intelligent input/output processing involves a connector adapted to receive interrupt request signals from input/output devices in a plurality of slots contained on an input/output bus. When an intelligent input/output card is inserted into the connector, the card can process certain of the interrupt requests from devices contained in slots connected to the input/output bus. This augments the processing of input/output device interrupt requests without burdening the host processor. Thus, a computer system arranged in a peer architecture may be subsequently enhanced with a intelligent input/output card, without burdening all purchasers with the cost of expensive hardware to enable the subsequent upgrade.

Abstract: A computing system provides a process for updating a management information format (MIF) database while a processor is operating in a protected mode. The BIOS accesses a protected memory space by utilizing a system management interrupt (SMI). A SMI causes the computing system to enter a system management mode (SMM) and call a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) function, such as the BIOS function 52h (Set Structure), to accomplish an update of the MIF database. An OEM string, for example, may be updated. In SMM, the system is capable of accessing the entire memory address space without risking a memory protection fault.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing system for coupling to an infrastructure of a building. The processing system comprises a processor having a plurality of processing system elements. A tray is coupled to the processor and the tray has at least one pivotal attachment member coupled to an articulating arm. A motor is coupled to a portion of the infrastructure and the articulating arm so that the motor may move the processing system between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A method to configure a device for remote management that is transparent to an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) operating system is described. The method includes configuring a device in a computer system when a transition between power states is being effected by the advanced configuration and power interface operating system including the step of causing the computer system to enter a non-ACPI mode in response to the transition being effected, configuring the device while in the non-ACPI mode, and completing the transition after the configuring of the device. The method may be stored in any media that is readable and executable by a computer system.

Abstract: A computer system implementing a distributed direct memory access architecture is disclosed. The computer system includes a re-map engine that includes control logic and a shadow register for each distributed DMA channel. Each shadow register includes 16 bytes of DMA configuration information that mirrors the current programming of the associated distributed DMA channel. When the CPU needs to program one or more DMA channels, the CPU sends a DMA master programming cycle to the control logic in the re-map engine. The re-map control logic compares the configuration data in the master cycle with the contents of the shadow registers and spawns daughter programming cycles to just those distributed channels for which a mismatch condition exists. If a match exists with respect to a particular channel, indicating that the new programming data is no different than the current programming of the channel, the control logic does not spawn a daughter programming cycle to that channel.

Abstract: A system for protection of filesystem data integrity within a computer cluster is provided. The system uses redundant data caches at client and server nodes within the computer cluster. Caching of filesystem data is controlled so that non-shared files are preferably cached at client nodes. This increases filesystem performance within the computer cluster and ensures that failures may not result in a loss of modified filesystem data without a corresponding loss to the process(es) accessing that data. Shared files are cached at the server node and a backup cache node. This protects modified filesystem data against any single node failure.

Abstract: A dual function memory device having a RAM array and a ROM array contained in a single integrated circuit package. Preferably the RAM cells are static RAM cells, and the ROM cells are flash ROM. Either the RAM cells or the ROM cells, but not both, can be accessed during a single memory transaction. The memory device includes a ROM select signal that determines selects the operating mode for the memory. When the ROM select is asserted, the ROM cells can be accessed so that the memory device operates as a ROM. When the ROM select signal is deasserted, the RAM cells can be accessed so that the memory device operates as a RAM. The RAM and ROM arrays connect to a common address bus and thus occupy separate address spaces. The RAM and ROM arrays also connect to a common data bus and may share a plurality of control signals.

Abstract: A technique for processing register instructions in a pipeline data processor in which multiple instructions may be processed concurrently, and may therefore conflict with one another. Register instructions are identified with register groups indicating which processor registers are affected by the execution of the register instruction. The progress of the execution of the register instruction is then controlled depending upon the identified register groups, in order to avoid conflicts with other concurrently processed instructions.

Abstract: A computer may be easily user re-configured between desktop and tower housing orientations, with a group of the computer's front side drive units being horizontally disposed in each orientation, using a specially designed drive unit support and latch structures. A square opening is formed in the front exterior wall of the housing, and the support apparatus includes spaced apart channel structures extending inwardly into the housing from the four sides of the wall opening, with opposing pairs of the channel structures being adapted to slidably receive corresponding projections on opposite side edge portions of the drive units. In this manner, each front side drive unit in the group thereof can be supported at the opening in a first orientation in which the drive unit will be horizontally oriented with the computer in a desktop orientation, or a second orientation in which the drive unit will be horizontally oriented with the computer in a tower orientation.

Abstract: A hard disk drive is removably insertable into a portable computer base housing through a first opening therein to position the disk drive in a side-by-side relationship with a battery pack removable from within the housing through a second opening therein. In response to the insertion of the disk drive, a security latch mechanism within the housing releasably locks the disk drive therein. The latch mechanism has a movable release portion which is disposed within the housing, with manual access to the release portion being blocked by the battery pack which must be removed to permit the release portion to be operated to allow the disk drive to be removed from the housing. A latch member is positioned on a bottom exterior side portion of the housing and is operable to permit removal of the battery pack from the housing to provide access to the interior disk drive latch mechanism release portion.

Abstract: A volume control handler allows users to dynamically alter the volume level of an audio device when the device is under control of a DOS mode application. The dynamic volume adjustment is performed without pausing or halting the DOS mode application. A system incorporating the volume control handler allows users of DOS mode applications to control a device's volume output in a manner similar to that provided by WINDOWS-compliant applications.

Abstract: A method for providing secure remote control commands in a distributing computer environment. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a network administrator or network management software creates a shutdown record, including an index or time stamp, for powering down a specified network computer(s). Prior to broadcast over the network, a secure one-way hash function is performed on the shutdown record. The result of the one-way hash function is encrypted using the network administrator's private key, thereby generating a digital signature that can be verified by specially configured network nodes. The digital signature is appended to the original shutdown record prior to broadcast to the network. Upon receiving the broadcast message, the targeted network computer(s) validates the broadcast message by verifying the digital signature of the packet or frame. The validation process is performed by decrypting the hash value representation of the shutdown record using the network administrator's public key.

Abstract: A purchaser of DVD unit establishes a list of users who may access the DVD unit, and corresponding restrictions that apply to each user. When a user attempts to play a DVD disc, the unit examines the DVD disc for parental management information. If the DVD disc does not contain the parental management information, then the unit will only permit access if the user has no content restrictions. If the DVD disc does contain the parental management information, then the unit will compare it to the restrictions applicable to the user. Where the parental management information indicates that the material exceeds the restrictions applicable to the user, the unit will not play the DVD disc.

Abstract: A circuit and method for charging batteries while a power supply also powers a dynamically varying load. All power in excess of that required by the load is used by a power converter to charge the batteries. The circuit advantageously allows the load to change from external power to battery power without switching delays.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for scanning documents, and creating holographic and panoramic images. The apparatus provides two sets of prisms, one set of which is made of electro-optical material. The prisms are arranged in alternating rows to form a sheet. The prism sheet can be laid flat or rolled into a cylinder. A sequencer is used to activate individual electro-optical prisms so that the image is reflected into the sheet. A second prism is used to reflect the image into an image receptor such as a camera. By sequentially activating the electro-optical prisms, successive image portions of an object or objects can be presented to the image receptor. If the image receptor accepts digital input, the sequential images can be post-processed in a microprocessor to create a holographic or panoramic image. Similarly, images of documents can also be scanned and the images received can be digitized for processing, storage and/or transmission.

Abstract: A TV/PC convergence device, operable in a television mode, a computer mode and a combination television/computer mode, includes a display, a computer and an interface coupled between the display and the computer. The display receives and displays images in all three modes. The computer executes programs and is operable in the computer mode and the combination television/computer mode. The interface includes a access control device for selectively controlling the switching between the television mode, the computer mode and the combination television/computer mode.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: The read head portion of a chip card reader is compactly mounted on the rear side of a front device bay faceplate in a computer in a manner permitting a peripheral device, representatively a hard disk drive, to be mounted in the device bay immediately behind the read head. To permit this installation of both the card read head and the peripheral device at the same computer drive bay, the read head is installed on the rear side of the faceplate at an acute angle relative thereto, with the card entry opening in the read head being aligned with a card insertion slot formed in the faceplate and being inclined at the read head installation angle. The electronics associated with the read head are also compactly mounted on the rear side of the faceplate. The angling of the read head relative to the device bay faceplate substantially reduces the rearward projection thereof toward the associated drive bay to an extent permitting the read head to be disposed entirely forwardly of the disk drive within the drive bay.

Abstract: Heat generating components in the base housing of a portable computer are thermally communicated with a longitudinal evaporator portion of a thermosyphoning heat pipe. A longitudinal condenser portion of the heat pipe is flattened, bent to a circular shape, and secured in thermal communication to the periphery of a metal housing base plate of an axial fan to form the shroud portion of the fan housing. With its axis vertically disposed, the fan is placed in a plenum area within the base housing beneath a cooling air inlet depression in the top base housing side which permits ambient air to flow into the fan even when the display housing portion of the computer is closed.

Abstract: A multi-boot apparatus allows a portable computer to boot from a predetermined list of bootable data storage devices, even if the data storage devices have been relocated during operation. The computer system has a hard disk bay and multi-bay for accepting one or more data storage devices and/or battery packs. During initialization, the invention retrieves a previously entered IPL sequence from a configuration setup table stored in the nonvolatile RAM of the portable computer. Next, the invention queries each bay and determines the device connected to each bay, including the data storage device and the battery pack, if one is present. The invention then determines if a remapping of the data storage drives is necessary to ensure that the device at the beginning of the IPL order is the first drive in the BIOS boot sequence. If so, the invention remaps the drives such that the device is at the first drive in the BIOS boot sequence.