Abstract: A switching flyback regulator circuit for providing a plurality of regulated DC voltage power supplies. The flyback regulator circuit includes a primary inductive element coupled in series with a first switch to turn charging current flow through the primary inductive element ON and OFF. A first secondary inductive element having a first end coupled to supply a first power source. A second secondary inductive element has a first end coupled to produce the second power source, and a second end coupled to a second switch to turn current flow through the second secondary inductive element ON and OFF. The first secondary inductive element and the second secondary inductive element are magnetically coupled to the primary inductive element.

Abstract: A display screen assembly apparatus and method are disclosed including a base assembly and a rotatable coupling attached to the base assembly. The rotatable coupling preferrably includes a display screen interface and a first electrical interface conductively connected to the base assembly. A display screen assembly releasably secures to the display screen interface. The display screen assembly has a second electrical interface operable to releasably engage the first electrical interface and conduct electrical signals from the base assembly through the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface to the display screen assembly.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a microprocessor mounted in the chassis, an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor, a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller, and a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. The chassis includes an elongated channel guide having openings formed therein. A slider member is movably mounted within the guide on the chassis. The slider member has a plurality of connectors thereon which are movable therewith. The connectors are positioned in the openings in the guide in response to the slider member being in a first position. The connectors are removed from the openings in response to the slider member being in a second position and an engagement member on one end of the slider member engaged with a resilient release device attached to the chassis. A cover is mounted in the chassis.

Abstract: A bracket support includes a chassis and a bracket movably mounted in the chassis. A locking tab is mounted on the bracket and is movable between an engaged position with the chassis and a released position with the chassis. A door is mounted on a surface of the chassis and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a tab securing slot. An arm extends from the door. The door urges the locking tab to the engaged position when the door is in the closed position. The arm moves the locking tab to the released position and partially extracts the bracket from the chassis when the door is moved to the open position. The tab securing slot secures the locking tab into the engaged position when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A circuit board having a transition region at its perimeter. The transition region provides a deliberate increase in impedance between the voltage and ground plane from the interior side of the transition region where the board impedance is approximately that of the board impedance at an interior region of the circuit board to the edge side of the transition region where the impedance level approximates or is slightly less than that of surrounding air. In one example, the voltage plane in the transition region has a geometric configuration that provides a decrease in plane material (such as a hole, stripe, or triangle pattern) from the interior side to the edge side of the transition region. With other examples, the distance between the voltage and ground plane increases from the interior side to the edge side of the transition region.

Abstract: A system and method which will generate power from waste heat in a data processing system in such a way that system waste heat is reduced within, and no additional power is drawn from, the data processing system. The system includes a thermoelectric regenerator having a hot junction formed between a first material and a second material and a cold junction formed between the first material and the second material; the hot junction located at a hot junction position defined by a hot junction horizontal location and a hot junction vertical location defined relative to a point on a heat source; and the cold junction located at a cold junction position defined by a cold junction horizontal location and a cold junction vertical location defined relative to the point on the heat source such that the difference between the hot junction horizontal location and the cold junction horizontal location yields a non-zero horizontal location difference.

Abstract: A flat panel display (FPD) module can be mounted into a peripheral device bay of a computer system. The peripheral device bay of a convertible computer system is rotatable, allowing the FPD module to be mounted in a horizontal orientation regardless of the computer system's orientation. Additionally, the FPD panel of the module is rotatable so that the panel can be pivoted into an orientation convenient for viewing. The FPD module includes a sled having a front panel and a pair of opposing side panels, the front panel and side panels defining an interior portion. An FPD panel, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), is mounted in a frame rotatably coupled to the sled. At least one mounting feature is located on one of the side panels for mounting the module into a peripheral device bay.

Abstract: A cooling system for a computer includes a chassis having a sidewall with an opening formed therein. A heat spreader plate is mounted in the chassis including a heat sink attached thereto adjacent the sidewall. The heat sink has a side mounted base and a plurality of fins extending laterally from the base toward the sidewall. One of the fins is attached to the heat spreader plate. A heat pipe is connected to the heat spreader plate and extends into engagement with the heat sink. Each of the fins has a terminal edge and opposed ends. The fins at one of the opposed ends are uniformly sloped at an angle toward the base and are exposed to the opening in the sidewall, thus providing the appearance of an inlet grill.

Abstract: Following the constant-current portion of a rechargeable battery charging scheme with repeated current pulses having a lower current value than that of the constant current portion, for at least part of the period of the pulse, can increase the amount of time that elapses before the voltage of the rechargeable battery is at or above a threshold voltage, thereby decreasing the total charge time for the rechargeable battery. Various current pulse shapes can be used to reduce the total charge time for the rechargeable battery, including, for example, a ramped pulse that begins at a low current level and increases over some or all of the period of the pulse, and a constant current pulse whose current level is reduced from that of the constant-current portion of the rechargeable battery charging scheme by a specified amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a component in a computer system. The component is mounted in the chassis of the computer system. The apparatus includes a retaining bracket connected to the chassis of the computer system and a handle connected at a first end thereof to the component. The handle has a first and a second protrusion formed at the first end and has a recess formed between the first and second protrusions. The first protrusion engages the retaining bracket at a first surface thereof to limit the component to a first insertion depth in response to the component being removably inserted into the chassis with the handle in an open position. The second protrusion engages the retaining bracket at a second surface thereof and translates the component to a second insertion depth in response to the handle being moved to a closed position. The recess is configured to establish a clearance between the recess and the retaining member during movement of the handle between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A computer system including a chassis and a microprocessor mounted in the chassis. An input device is coupled to provide input to the microprocessor and a mass storage device is coupled to the microprocessor. A display is coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller and a system memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A bezel is mounted on the chassis and a bezel door is pivotally mounted to the bezel. A latch is mounted to the bezel door. The latch is movable between a first position and a second position. A resilient member is operatively mounted between the bezel door and the latch. The resilient member is biased to maintain the latch in the first position.

Abstract: A laptop computer includes a base member and a lid member pivotally attached to the base member. A latch member is mounted in the lid member. The latch member includes a top, a bottom, and opposite sides. A hook member protrudes from the top of the latch member. A spring retaining member is positioned adjacent the bottom of the latch member. A pair of flexible snap-in members are positioned on the opposite sides. A first one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a first one of the sides and a second one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a second one of the sides. The spring retaining member is positioned between the flexible snap-in members. The base member includes a receiver for receiving the hook member.

Abstract: A portable computer housing includes a base having a top member and a bottom member clamped together and reinforced by a one-piece end cover member. Peripheral edge portions of the end cover member engage peripheral edge portions of the top member and bottom member. The top member includes a first flange on opposite ends thereof and the bottom member includes a second flange on opposite ends thereof. The first and second flanges form interrupted base end flanges when the top and bottom members are clamped together. The end cover member includes a cover end flange at opposite ends thereof. Each cover end flange overlappingly engages the base end flanges at each opposite end of the base.

Abstract: An adaptive battery charger for charging batteries used in portable electronic devices. The battery charger monitors power provided from an AC adapter to the portable electronic device, and adaptively utilizes all available power from the AC adapter for charging the batteries, both when the portable electronic device is off, and when it is in use. As the power required for the portable electronic device increases, the power provided to the batteries decreases. As the power required to power the portable electronic device decreases, the power available to charge the batteries increases.

Abstract: A method of correcting identification data stored in an EEPROM is described. Identification data stored in an EEPROM of a device such as a NIC is programmed into a flash ROM in which the host computer's BIOS is stored. During boot up of the host computer, the BIOS checksums the identification data stored in the EEPROM to determine whether it is valid. If the identification data is determined to be invalid, the EEPROM is reprogrammed with the identification data stored in the flash ROM. Optionally, a flag is set in a CMOS RAM for use by a network administrator to monitor the health of the EEPROM.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a desk side computer system component within a housing. The mounting system includes a component chassis that defines an interior space, a mating slot formed in the component chassis that provides access to the interior space, an adaptive mounting ear and an insertion tab associated with the adaptive mounting ear. The adaptive mounting ear may be operable to simultaneously couple with both the housing and the component chassis. When coupling the adaptive mounting ear to the component chassis, the insertion tab is inserted through the mating slot associated with the component chassis and into the interior space defined by the component chassis. The insertion tab remains within the interior space when the adaptive mounting ear is coupled to the component chassis.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a chassis having a heat producing electronic component mounted therein. A heat sink is mounted in the chassis adjacent the component. A heat pipe has a first end rotatably connected to the heat sink and extends to a second end engaged with the component. The heat pipe is rotatable so as to move the second end into and out of engagement with the component.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base portion having a hard disc drive bay formed therein and defined by first and second support surfaces. A hard disc drive is mounted on the first support surface of the bay. The drive has a first height and the bay has a second height, greater than the first height. A spacer is provided to engage surface portions of the hard disc drive and also to engage the second support surface of the bay for limiting flexing of the hard disc drive in response to an impact shock acting on the portable computer.

Abstract: A computer system includes a motherboard mounted in a chassis. An EMI shield member is mounted on the motherboard. A processor module is connected to the motherboard and has peripheral edge contact with the EMI shield member. A cap member is mounted on the processor module and is engaged with the EMI shield member. A heat sink is connected to the cap member. A heat pipe has a first end attached to the cap member and a second end attached to the heat sink. A fan is mounted in the chassis adjacent the heat sink for drawing cooling air across the heat sink.

Abstract: A computer system utilizing the Advance Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Standard to notify an ACPI compliant operating system of a detected correctable error. The computer system includes and error check circuit that detects correctable and non correctable errors in computer information flowing between the processor and a RAM. The error correction circuit provides a CE signal in response to detecting a correctable error. The computer system includes a register block circuit, that when enabled, generates an SCI to the processor in response to receiving the SCI. The processor accesses a status register of the SCI to determine that the error signal was sent. An ACPI driver of the operating system interprets ACPI control methods to direct the processor to perform the functions of the control method to obtain an address and syndrome of the information unit having the detected correctable error.