Abstract: A system and method for minimizing wireless packet delay is disclosed. As mobile nodes travel within a wireless communications network, they are transferred (or “handed off”) between zones within the network to maintain continuity of communication. Traditionally, transferring between zones requires the mobile node to notify the network upon travelling to a new zone, and handoff data is then transferred between the mobile and the network before communications can resume. Wireless networks may experience delay and latency in communications due to the mobile node being transferred between zones. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless network transmits data preemptively to multiple cells. In selecting which zones data is sent to, prediction algorithms may be employed that monitor information including location of a mobile node and which cells are operational, then a list of candidate cells that the mobile node may enter is generated.

Abstract: A multi-channel network is disclosed in which channels can be designated as “active” or “inactive” and changes can be made from one channel to another based on a metric which is a function of various channel parameters such as throughput and stability. In one form, the metric is a linear combination of factors such as the mean of the round trip time sequence of previous packets (indicating throughput) and the sample variance of the sequence of retransmission timeout values computed for previous transmission attempts (indicating stability). Regardless of the specific form of the metric or the estimation procedures for the channel parameters, these factors are combined using user-specified weights which permit the user to emphasize the relative importance of individual factors, thereby characterizing the strategy whereby “active” or “inactive” paths are used.

Abstract: A multi-port adapter and method of operation suitable for use with serial ATA devices is disclosed. An adapter includes a switch that receives input from multiple host devices and an arbiter module for assigning a priority scheme to received commands. An outstanding request table is implemented as a memory module for storing identifying information associated with commands received from multiple host devices, and a free pointers queue is maintained to track slots available in the outstanding request table. A command tracker state machine decodes incoming requests from hosts, monitors the execution by these commands by the ATA device, and updates the memory module to reflect completion of commands. Also disclosed is a storage system including an adapter of the present invention and ATA storage devices.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and related method for tracking access to digital information that involves combining biometric information of a person seeking access with the digital information and a digital signature. Each person who accesses the digital information has their biometric and digital signatures combined in this manner. Thus, the digital information itself reflects who has accessed the information. Where the digital information is a video, the combining of the biometric and digital signatures is done on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: An electronic system has at least two fans such as a first fan and a second fan. The first fan is controlled (e.g., on/off, speed) in response a system parameter (e.g., temperature, system operational state). Preferably, the second fan is controlled dependent on the operation of the first fan. The electronic system may be a computer system. In this case, the first fan preferably is a CPU fan and the second fan is a chassis fan.

Abstract: An object-oriented modeling approach is used to represent telecommunication services, parameters and calculation expressions associated with the parameters. Preferably, the Unified Modeling Language (“UML”) is used in this regard. Further still, UML “sequence diagrams” are used to represent the calculation expressions as a sequence of UML methods that accomplishes what is required by the expression. The use of UML to represent calculation expressions simplifies editing and creating the expressions and permits a visual representation of the expressions.

Abstract: The specification discloses a server system implementing hot pluggable memory boards in an architecture using X86 processors and off-the-shelf operating system, such as Windows® or Netware, which do not support hot plugging operations. Thus, the specification discloses systems and related methods for hot plugging main memory boards transparent to, and without the help of, the operating system. The operating system need only have the ability to recognize additional memory in order to use it. Moreover, the specification discloses a related set of memory error detection and correction techniques, again which are implementing transparent to, and without the help of, the operating system.

Abstract: A self-locking mechanism usable in conjunction with a printed circuit assembly (PCA). The self-locking mechanism generally comprises a central actuator, a pair of sliding members on either side of the actuator and one rotating lock member associated with each sliding member. The actuator, sliding members and rotating members preferably are mounted to a top edge of a vertically-mounted circuit board thereby forming the printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly can only be removed from its host system after the actuator is turned to an unlocked position and then the sliding members are slid toward the actuator thereby causing the rotating lock members to disengage from their locked position. Turning the actuator also causes a signal to be asserted to the host system to disable power to the PCA. Upon installing the PCA, no power is provided to the PCA until it has been fully installed and the actuator locked.

Abstract: A printer driver integrates local and remote printing. A computer is coupled to a local printer. The computer also has access via a network connection to one or more remote printers or printing services. The computer may access the remote printers via the Internet or other wide area network. Using the printer driver, a user can send print jobs either to the local printer or a remote printer. Preferably, the coordination of the local and remote printing capabilities of the computer and printer driver is transparent to the user. That is, the user can initiate a print job from any authoring application (e.g., word processor) and have that print job sent either to the local or remote printer via a common user interface provided by the printer driver.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor, an input device and a read only memory (“ROM”). One or more passwords are flashed in the ROM in encoded form. The encoding process may include any well-known encryption or hash process. The password may include a power-on password usable to change the operating state of the computer and/or an administrator password. Such configuration data preferably also is stored on the ROM in encoded form. The encoded nature of the passwords makes it difficult for an unauthorized entity to gain access to the usable form of the passwords. Further, by storing the passwords and configuration in ROM, such as the computer's main system ROM, it is possible to control write access to the ROM because a computer's ROM can generally only be flashed using SMI code which operates outside the control of the computer's operating system and requires entry of a correct password.

Abstract: A computer system implements hot mirroring for main system memory. That is, the computer system permits a user to hot plug a new memory board into the system and the system will respond by switching to a mirrored memory mode in which write cycles are performed to both memory boards (new and old). Once a new board is hot plugged into the system, the contents of the old board are copied over, in a background mode, to the new board so that both boards will have the same data. Because this background copying process may take a non-trivial amount of time and may detrimentally interfere with other system traffic, the system a user to exert control over the relative speed of the background copying so as to trade-off the time it takes to switch over to the mirroring mode versus the impact on on-going system behavior.

Abstract: A router is provided. The router comprises a modem, a switch, a first set of connectors, a second connector, and a controller. The switch is movable between first and second operating positions. The first set of connectors is adapted to be coupled to a first plurality of external devices. The second connector is adapted to be coupled to a second external device, and the controller is adapted to route data between the first plurality of external devices and the modem in response to the switch being in the first operating position, and to route data between the second external device and the modem in response to the switch being in the second operating position.

Abstract: The specification describes a method for realizing revenue streams for computer manufacturers apart from hardware sales. More particularly, the specification discloses a method where personal computers are configured such that each user has an individual login capability, and each user may experience a different desktop theme and related overall customization. The end-user may select a particular theme, and each theme is based on the goods and/or services of a sponsor of that theme. The computer manufacturer realizes revenue initially for enabling the end-user to select particular themes, but also realizes a revenue for end-users selecting themes. Further, the specification discloses a method where computer manufacturers realize revenue by generation of internet traffic to, and electronic-commerce on, a sponsor's internet sites.

Abstract: An emulator is provided on an electronic assembly that permits external logic to communicate with test logic on the electronic assembly over an electrical interface that has fewer signals than the electrical interface associated with the test logic itself. In this way, external logic can communicate with test logic on the electronic assembly over an interface that uses fewer signal lines thereby permitting the electronic assembly's electrical connector to be smaller than it otherwise would be. In accordance with one embodiment, the test logic's interface comprises a JTAG interface having four signals (with an optional fifth signal) and the interface between the emulator and the external logic comprises a two wire SMBus communication link. In fact, the SMBus interface may already be provided to the electronic assembly for other reasons such as to provide control to and obtain status information from another component on said electronic assembly.

Abstract: A system and method of using dynamic clock control to reduce RF interference in digital equipment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the digital equipment comprises a clock module, a wireless module, and a control module. The wireless module is designed to receive RF signals, but may also receive RF interference from the digital equipment. The control module responsively adjusts the clock module to reduce the RF interference, preferably by shifting clock signal harmonics outside selected frequency regions of interest (e.g., a receive channel). The selected frequency regions may change, e.g., due to channel hopping. The control module preferably continues to shift the clock signal harmonics as needed to reduce RF interference. The control module may also adjust display scan rates, hardware states, and computational load assignments. The control module may be further configured to adaptively minimize the RF interference.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a host computer coupled to a wireless module via a digital interface. The wireless module permits the computer system to communicate with a wireless network. The host computer repeatedly polls the wireless module to determine whether it has received any incoming data from the wireless network, but preferably does not poll the wireless module all of the time. Periodic cessation of polling advantageously helps to extend battery life in the case of a host computer that operates off battery power. This concept, however, can be applied and is useful in the context of desktop electronic systems that operate from AC power.

Abstract: A power control feature in a computer system. The power control feature includes a host having a motherboard with a first connector that allows motherboard signals to be shared internal to the host. The motherboard also has a second connector separate from the first connector that supports communications with the host. An extension transmitter card is included within the host and is electrically coupled to the motherboard of the host via at least the first connector and the second connector. The extension transmitter card includes an extension transmitter device that has circuitry configured to recognize specific programmable key code combinations from a keyboard. One function of the key code combinations is to indicate powering on or off the host. An extension receiver is also included in the computer system and is connected to a plurality of user interface devices including the keyboard. The extension receiver is extensibly connected to the extension transmitter card.

Abstract: A personal computer usage enhancement system, said usage enhancement system configured to detect usage patterns and if a usage pattern satisfies a trigger threshold, the usage enhancement system suggests methods for improving computer usage that are based on the usage pattern. The usage enhancement system comprises a rules-based engine comprising individual rules for different usage patterns and a message agent for displaying the methods for improving computer usage. The trigger threshold and methods for improving computer usage reside within associated rules. All methods for improving computer usage are transmitted to the message agent to display on an output device. All components of the usage enhancement system are modular and updateable by a backend device configured to download all updates from a network connection. The rules-based engine preferably executes in a highest protection layer of a computer operating system and occupies no more than 1% of the computer system resources.

Abstract: A computer interface extension configuration that includes a host having a motherboard, an extension transmitter card, and an extension receiver. The motherboard includes a first connector that allows motherboard signals to be shared internal to the host, and a second connector separate from the first connector that supports communications with the host. The extension transmitter card is positioned within the host and is electrically connected to the motherboard of the host via at least the first connector and the second connector. The extension transmitter card includes an extension transmitter device having endpoint circuitry that provides the host with information for enumeration, manageability, and security. The extension receiver is connected to a plurality of user interface devices and is extensibly connected to the extension transmitter card.

Abstract: An availability analysis software tool for estimating the downtime and cost of downtime in an information technology network. The tool can create a computer element model of software and hardware components in the network. The elements are combinable into logical group models and element and group models are further combinable into a model tree to simulate the network. Each element is assigned a workload and the sum of element workloads determine group and model workloads. Simulated element failures reduce workload in the group and model tree. Cost per unit workload lost during an element failure are assignable, wherein the estimated cost of downtime caused by element failures is determined by multiplying the amount of workload that is lost from the simulated element failures by the cost per unit workload.