Abstract: A remotely controllable computing and multimedia entertainment system includes a personal computer (24) having an entertainment circuit (12) made up of a radio frequency circuit (48), a television circuit (46), and an audio multimedia circuit (18). A remote control circuit (50) provides programmable control of the entertainment circuit (12) to select among computer function operation, television and radio operation, and audio operation. An analog mixing circuit (70) within the audio multimedia circuit (18) provides mixing for a plurality of analog audio signals. A telephone circuit (44) integrates data, fax, and voice telephone signals in the entertainment circuit (12). A volume control circuit (318) within the audio multimedia circuit (18) provides varying volume, bass, and tone levels for each audio signal received by the analog mixing circuit (70). The analog audio signals received by analog mixing circuit (70) may include monaural and stereo audio signals.

Abstract: A personal computer workstation (10) for processing and communicating data which comprises, in combination, a personal computer chassis (20). Chassis (20) includes host computer (24) with memory (42) and a plurality of ports for communicating data signals. Telecommunications circuitry (12) within chassis (20) processes telecommunications data and communicates telecommunications data to host computer (24) and ports. Audio multimedia circuitry (18) within chassis (20) processes audio multimedia data and communicates audio multimedia data to host computer (24) and ports. An interface bus (300) within chassis (20) and associated with telecommunications circuitry (12) and audio multimedia circuitry (18) integrates telecommunications data and audio multimedia data to produce multimedia telecommunications data for processing and storage within host computer (24) and communication of the integrated multimedia telecommunications data external to chassis (20).

Abstract: A computer tower chassis (10) has a base system unit (20) and a main circuit board subassembly (30). The base system unit (20) includes base system frame (200) having a front panel (21) and rear panel (26) and supporting frame (201, 202, 203, 204, and 205) therebetween. Disk (22), control panel (23), power supply (24), and floppy drives (29) mount to the base system unit (20). The main circuit board subassembly (30) includes main circuit board (31), input/output board and cable (32), speaker and cable (33), fan assembly and cable (35), keyboard cable (36), expansion card (37) and expansion card guides (38) and (39). Main circuit board subassembly (30) fits within and adjacent to base system unit (20), with chassis cover (40) surrounding both modules. The modular design allows for safer and more efficient manufacturing and handling.

Abstract: A chassis for a counter-top touch-screen interface terminal associated with a central processing unit has a lower housing and an upper housing. The upper housing engages and rests on the lower housing and includes a touch-screen for communicating information that is with the central processing unit, a customer display for displaying information that is communicated through the touch-screen, and a swipe reader for receiving a card having information usable by the central processing unit A socket pluggably receives a terminal cable for carrying power to the terminal and communicating signals with the central processing unit The socket is positioned within a recess of the upper housing From the chassis, a slide bar protrudes to slidably engage the upper housing with the lower housing. Also, a slide guide protrudes from the upper housing to restrict side translational movement of the upper housing relative to the lower housing.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a computer memory system substitutes faster memory for a certain portion of the main memory. The substituted memory section automatically assumes a predesignated portion of the main memory and allows the main memory to become sequentially reorganized. Using this arrangement, for example, all the DOS applications that reside in the first 640 Kbytes of memory can be resident in the faster memory and the original main memory can then be used for other applications.

Abstract: A multipurpose computerized television system generates a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer. A television circuit associates with the personal computer and is within the personal computer chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing the signals to the monitor for the monitor to display. An audio multimedia circuit associates with the personal computer and the television circuit and is also located within the chassis for receiving and processing audio data from the television circuit. The audio multimedia circuit also communicates the audio multimedia data to the personal computer. Control circuitry associated with the television circuit and the personal computer within the chassis controls the operation of the television circuit through the personal computer. The control circuitry comprises a remote control circuit for remotely and independently controlling the television circuit and the personal computer.

Abstract: A computer tower chassis (10) has a base system unit (20) and a main circuit board subassembly (30). The base system unit (20) includes base system frame (200) having a front panel (21) and rear panel (26) and supporting frame (201, 202, 203, 204, and 205) therebetween. Disk (22), control panel (23), power supply (24), and floppy drives (29) mount to the base system unit (20). The main circuit board subassembly (30) includes main circuit board (31), input/output board and cable (32), speaker and cable (33), fan assembly and cable (35), keyboard cable (36), expansion card (37) and expansion card guides (38) and (39). Main circuit board subassembly (30) fits within and adjacent to base system unit (20), with chassis cover (40) surrounding both modules. The modular design allows for safer and more efficient manufacturing and handling.

Abstract: A controller (10) for use with a hard disk (38) or other mass storage medium provides a memory cache (36). A block descriptor table (40 ) is divided into a plurality of sets (42), depending upon the size of the memory cache (36). Each set is similarly indexed to define memory groups (44) having tag, cache address, and usage information. Upon a read command, an index is generated corresponding to the address requested by the host computer, and the tag information is matched with a generated tag from the address. Each set is checked until a hit occurs or a miss occurs in every set. After each miss, the usage information (50) corresponding to the memory group (44) is decremented. When reading information from the storage device (32) to the memory cache (36), the controller (10) may selectively read additional sectors. The number of sectors read from the storage device may be selectively controlled by the user or the host processor. Further, a cap may be provided to provide a maximum number of sectors to be read.

Abstract: A personal computer CPU chassis (10) is sealed from the emission of radio frequency (RF) through the expansion slots (24) in the rear panel (18). An expansion slot seal (37) is dimensioned to fit over the edges or strips (32-34) of the slots (24) and is held in place by a slot cover (26). The seal (37) has a flat portion (46) for direct contact with the strips (32-34) and an angled portion (48) for direct contact with the cover (26). The cover (26) is held in place by a screw (54) and a retaining device (60) which forces the cover (26) into the seal (37). Thus a metal-to-metal seal is formed around the expansion slots (24) to inhibit the emission of RF therefrom.