Abstract: A protective assembly for housing and accessing components is featured. The protective assembly has a chassis, a cover, and a flexible latch for securing the cover to the chassis. The flexible latch has a latch and the base has a catch. The base includes a fulcrum. The fulcrum is used during removal of the cover to pivot the latch so that the latch is brought free of the catch.

Abstract: A input device, such as a keyboard, having an array of unique rapid response keys for responding rapidly and conveniently to routine requests from software applications. Such routine requests include those requiring a “yes,” “no” or “cancel” response. Other routine tasks includes saving and closing files, which typically causes software to issue a save request. Instead of responding to such requests with input from a pointing device, the unique rapid response keys allow a user to respond to such routine requests without removing her hands from the keyboard. Four dedicated keys are preferably located above an escape key on the keyboard. A device driver receives scan codes from the keyboard and translates the scan codes corresponding to the response keys for providing a properly formatted response to the requesting software application.

Abstract: In a computer system having redundant SCSI controllers cards, a SCSI controller interface for receiving multiple interchangeable SCSI controller cards is configured so that the data bus paths between each of the SCSI controller slots and the controller circuitry do not cross.

Abstract: A multiple segment network device configured for a stacked arrangement via a common backplane. The device is a repeater that includes a first repeater segment, a second repeater segment and a switch device disposed between the first and second repeater segments that enables communication therebetween within a single logical network domain. The device further includes a backplane connector coupled to the second repeater segment to enable extension of the second repeater segment to a common backplane with external devices while maintaining a single repeater domain. The first repeater segment operates at a first transmission rate and the second repeater segment operates at a second transmission rate. The switch device may be a learning bridge that filters information between the first and second repeater segments. The common backplane enables two or more repeaters to be coupled within the same logical network domain or LAN.

Abstract: A method for performing an atomic read of a memory cell. A plurality of data parts of the memory cell are loaded into a respective first plurality of registers and an atomic compare and exchange operation is executed on the memory cell. The first plurality of registers is read and concatenated forming a value equal to the value of the memory cell. In a first embodiment, a low-order data part of the memory cell is loaded into registers A and B and a high-order data part of the memory cell is loaded into registers D and C. An atomic compare and exchange operation is executed on the memory cell and register A and register D are read and concatenated. In a second embodiment, the contents of register A is loaded into register B and the contents or register D is loaded into register C. An atomic compare and exchange operation is executed on the memory cell and register A and register D are read and concatenated.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing rapid and uniform cooling of a variety of objects. The cooling system utilizes a fan that cooperates with a heat sink to provide an active heat sink. Additionally, the arrangement of the heat sink and the fan provide a relatively uniform and linear airflow over the heat sink to provide uniform cooling.

Abstract: A speakerphone of a system with a digital signal processor, such as a computer, uses a filter set or network to provide acoustic coupling loss at a microphone to offset acoustic coupling gain produced by sound reflections resulting from various conditions in the system. The filter network processes an acoustic signal before the signal is provided to a digital signal processor to eliminate acoustic coupling gain that the digital signal processor is unable to cancel or offset. The filter network detects when the acoustic coupling gain in the acoustic signal at the microphone exceeds the maximum amount of acoustic coupling loss supplied by the digital signal processor. Alternatively, if acoustic coupling gain is desirable at the frequency location of the anomaly caused by the sound reflections, the filter network is used to boost the acoustic coupling gain produced by the anomaly.

Abstract: A computer system, bus interface unit, and method is provided for programmably modifying securable resources of the computer. Those resources may be devices which can be coupled to peripheral buses of the computer, or which may contain or allow access to sensitive information that must be secured against improper access. The security system thereby functions to block accesses to certain devices based on the status of the user seeking access. Passwords stored in the security system are matched against locally and distally entered passwords from either the user of that particular computer system, an administrator of a subset of localized computer systems, or a system administrator in charge of all networked computer systems. The present security system is thereby hierarchical in nature and can be programmed by the system administrator such that the assignment of unlocked signals arising from password comparisons can be programmably mapped to various securable devices.

Abstract: A modularized computer chassis for housing multiple computer modules, such as a processor module, media storage module, an I/O module, and power supplies includes a housing divided generally into four regions, with each region configured for receiving one of the modules or power supplies. A single center pluggable midplane board is positioned in the middle of the housing such that each of the modules and power supplies can be interconnected through the single midplane board. The single center pluggable midplane board includes direct pluggable connectors which correspond to connectors on each of the modules and power supplies, such that each of the modules and power supplies are directly connected to the single pluggable midplane board, and no ribbon signal and power cables are needed for the connection. The direct connection between the single center pluggable midplane board and the modules and power supplies helps to minimize the height of the chassis, thereby saving valuable rack space.

Abstract: A hot dockable computer system comprises an enhanced expansion bus bridge for coupling the computer system to a docking station. The enhanced bus bridge includes an ACPI control unit for controlling the power state of the bridge device and associated buses. The ACPI control unit receives a docking signal from a docking connector on the computer that is asserted to indicate when a docking sequence has completed. When the docking signal is asserted, the bus bridge transmits a PME interrupt to the operating system, which activates the bus bridge. The bus bridge further includes a plurality of switches coupling the expansion bus signals in the computer system to the expansion bus signals in the dock. The ACPI control unit opens the switches when the bus bridge is deactivated, decoupling the expansion bus in the computer from the expansion bus in the dock. Similarly, the ACPI control unit deasserts the control signal to close the switches when the bus bridge is activated, connecting the expansion buses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is provided for securely configuring a programmable hardware device from a remote source. The programmable hardware device includes a plurality of programmable logic modules. A host receives configuration information from the remote source, where the configuration information defines a function of the programmable logic modules. The host encrypts the configuration information according to a cryptographic algorithm. The encrypted information is transferred to a special download engine at the programmable hardware device, which decrypts the information according to the same cryptographic algorithm. The programmable logic modules are thus configured by the decrypted configuration information, which has been securely downloaded from the remote source.

Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.

Abstract: A computer system allows devices to be unmasked so to be detected or to be masked invisible to the Plug-and-Play architecture or similar architectures. When operating under Plug-and-Play, which assigns systems resources to system devices in a predetermined order despite a limited number of such resources, a user uses software to set the switch in the device's memory such that an undesired device becomes “invisible” to a subsequent power-up configuration of the system. Device configuration proceeds in two phases. During a first configuration phase, the invisible device cannot be configured, i.e. cannot be assigned resources, including interrupt request lines. Hence, those lines remain available to other devices on the system that would not have received resource allocation during a prior-art configuration. During the first phase, the other devices can be assigned the necessary resources to operate properly. Thus, software can command a configuration that would otherwise be impossible.

Abstract: A regulated power supply in which square wave output of a switching rectifier is applied to a filter comprises a series inductor and a parallel capacitor. This filter lacks a series resistor. The ramp signal is developed across a second capacitor in series with a first resistor, and in parallel with the rectifier output. An amplifier adds the ramp signal to a signal representing the error in the DC output voltage of the power supply, producing an output that is fed to a control circuit. The control circuit in response generates a voltage control signal that controls the switching of the rectifier.

Abstract: In a computer system two integrated circuit devices are operatively mounted on the main system board using a pair of interstitial circuit boards sandwiched between the integrated circuit devices and the system board and having substantially smaller footprints than the system board. Each interstitial board has a series of terminating components, representatively resistors, interposed in its circuitry which interconnects the associated integrated circuit board with system board circuitry that, in turn, operatively couples the two integrated circuit boards. The incorporation of the terminating components in the interstitial boards instead of in the system board reduces the circuit complexity of the system board and the required number of layers therein, thereby reducing the cost of the system board and substantially simplifying its signal trace routing design.

Abstract: A computer system is used with a telephone that is operable by a user to furnish a predetermined command. The processing unit and a control circuit. The central processing unit is connected to communicate with the interface port, and the control circuit is connected to the telephone. The control circuit is configured to detect the predetermined command and in response to detection of the predetermined command, change a connection status between the telephone and the interface port.

Abstract: A connection technique for switchably and mutually exclusively coupling a plurality of device sets. The connection technique utilizes a low profile connector having multiple circuit sets, each of which is configured for mutually exclusive and removable insertion into a receptacle coupled to multiple devices. Each one of the multiple circuit sets, which is inserted into the receptacle, couples a desired set of the plurality of device sets.

Abstract: A computer system having electronic components housed in a central unit having a protective enclosure and a cover. The cover is moveable to provide access to electronic components housed in the central unit. The cover allows access to certain electronic components and prevents access to other electronic components.

Abstract: A break event in a computer system that can operate in one of a plurality of modes, such as a high performance mode and a low power mode is initiated only be logic that that detects when the transition between modes is complete. In the high performance mode, the CPU clock is faster than in the low power mode. The CPU voltage may also be higher in the high performance mode than in the low speed mode. The low power mode may be desirable for a portable computer operating from battery power in order to conserve the battery's charge. The computer system preferably transitions its CPU to a “sleep” state during the mode switch and precludes devices not associated with the mode transition from “waking” the CPU and disturbing the completion of the mode switch. Accordingly, only logic that detects the end of the mode switch can break the CPU out of its sleep state.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system and method enforces a license agreement for content on an open network by restricting the number of consumers that can concurrently access the content. A consumer initially acquires vendor scrip, either from a broker or the vendor itself. The consumer presents the vendor scrip to the vendor along with a request to access the content. In response, the vendor gathers information about the consumer to determine whether the consumer belongs to the class allowed to access the content. The information may be gathered from the scrip or from other sources. If the consumer belongs to the class, then the vendor determines if a license to access the content is available. Generally, a license is available if the number of other consumers having licenses to access the content is less than the maximum specified in the license agreement. If no licenses are available, the vendor provides the consumer with an estimate of when a license will be available.