Abstract: A portable computer is configured to accept removable modular display panels of different types that plug into a structure hinged to the body of the computer. Each display panel has a sliding engagement means fixed along a lower edge, and the hinged structure has a mating sliding engagement means along an upper edge and parallel to the axis of the hinge, allowing a display panel to engage and disengage in the direction of the axis of the hinge. In an embodiment of the invention, display modules adaptable to the computer have a code stored in a memory device that is accessible on start-up by the computer, to identify and load a display driver routine capable of driving the display module assembled to the computer.

Abstract: A system for making display adjustments in a monitor connected to a general-purpose computer converts user inputs at the host computer to digital commands and data words, and places the commands a data as serial packets on the VSYNC line to the monitor. A controller in the monitor receives the serial packets and controls adjustment circuitry in the monitor to adjust display characteristics according to the commands a data received. Adjustments include adjustments to brightness, contrast, display position on a monitor screen, display size and aspect ratio, and commands may include commands to switch display modes, and in some cases to signal the monitor to assume alternative power-using modes, such as a standby mode.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant module with a local CPU, memory, and I/O interface has a host interface comprising a bus connected to the local CPU and a connector at a surface of the personal digital assistant for interfacing to a bus connector of a host general-purpose computer, providing direct bus communication between the personal digital assistant and the host general-purpose computer. In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant also stores a security code. The personal digital assistant according to the invention forms a host/satellite combination with a host computer having a docking bay, wherein upon docking, a docking protocol controls access by the host to memory of the personal digital assistant based on one or more passwords provided by a user to the host. In another embodiment the personal digital assistant also has an expansion port connected to the local CPU, and expansion peripheral devices may be connected and operated through the expansion port.

Abstract: Timing is set for DRAM memory access in a computer by polling the DRAM memory banks, calculating capacitive load by accessing a prestored table of capacitive load versus DRAM size, and assigning wait states according to calculated capacitive load by accessing a prestored formula. In one embodiment, wait states are assigned in increasing increments for increasing total capacitive load. In an alternative embodiment, timing is assigned bank by bank. Control routines are preferably a part of a system BIOS.

Abstract: A photovoltaic film provided with a computer allows the computer to be used as a scanner as well as a conventional computer. In a preferred embodiment the photovoltaic film is transparent, and is applied directly to the display screen of the computer system. The film is connected to signal processing means connected to the internal bus structure of the computer. A hard copy document is positioned adjacent the film, and control routines loaded to and run on the computer control pixel illumination on the computer screen in a scanning protocol. Illumination of pixels in conjunction with characteristics of the hard copy at the pixel position cause the signal generated by the photovoltaic film to alter in voltage. Signals from the film are processed and used to generate a bit pattern as the scanned image.

Abstract: A low-profile printed circuit board has discrete components mounted within openings provided in a rigid substrate forming art of the board. The components are mounted with leads soldered to mounting pads on the surface of the board, and arranged around the periphery of the openings. The stand-off design of discrete components for mounting to the surfaces of boards allows such components to be mounted within openings simply by reversing the orientation of the components relative to the board. In a preferred embodiment a DRAM card is a four-level board with circuitry on each side of a thin, flexible substrate and each side of a rigid substrate, the two substrates spaced apart by a thin, insulating layer. The rigid substrate has openings with DRAM modules mounted within the openings, and further modules are mounted on the opposite surface in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A system for lowering the power output of a video display monitor for a computer during periods of operator inactivity senses the presence or absence of horizontal synchronization (HSYNC) and vertical synchronization (VSYNC) signals, which are normally supplied by the host computer to synchronize data transfer to the video monitor with horizontal and vertical sweep circuitry. Time sensing means at the host senses inactivity, and suspends one or another of the HSYNC and VSYNC signals. Sync sensing and control means in the monitor senses the absence of one or both of the HSYNC and VSYNC signals, and controls power-using circuitry in the monitor in response. In an embodiment applicable to monitors having a microprocessor, the system may be incorporated entirely in software at the host and the monitor. In dumb monitors, the system requires add-in and/or add-on devices cooperating with software.

Abstract: A self-contained keyboard for computer transmits keystroke data to a host computer via scan codes encoded in a variable magnetic field. In a preferred embodiment the keyboard generates magnetic bursts by electrical current bursts in a loop of a electrical conductor. A receiving loop connected to demodulator circuitry in the body of the computer produces emf spikes according to the magnetic bursts transmitted from the keyboard. The demodulator circuitry reproduces digital scan codes in a register for communication to the computer CPU according to the emf spikes monitored from the receiving loop.

Abstract: A photovoltaic film provided with a computer allows the computer to be used as a scanner as well as a conventional computer. In a preferred embodiment the photovoltaic film is transparent, and is applied directly to the display screen of the computer system. The film is connected to signal processing means connected to the internal bus structure of the computer. A hard copy document is positioned adjacent the film, and control routines loaded to and run on the computer control pixel illumination on the computer screen in a scanning protocol. Illumination of pixels in conjunction with characteristics of the hard copy at the pixel position cause the signal generated by the photovoltaic film to alter in voltage. Signals from the film are processed and used to generate a bit pattern as the scanned image.

Abstract: A modular notebook computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition.

Abstract: A system using a printer with a fuser-heater has control means for turning off the fuser-heater during times when no printing is required, while leaving the rest of the printing system operable. Time between print requests is monitored, and the fuser-heater is turned off when a preset time is reached without a print request. A next request turns the fuser-heater back on again. Data is accepted at a reduced rate while a heater warms up.

Abstract: A modular notebook computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition.