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.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a board in a connected position includes at least a first edge and a second edge, the apparatus including at least a first retention arm capable of holding in a connected position a first edge of the board, wherein the board is chosen from a plurality of circuit board cards, a heatsink thermal plate coupled to a circuit board card, and a heatsink thermal plate. A computer system includes at least one processor; a memory coupled to the processor and an apparatus for securing a board in a connected position, the device having at least a first edge and a second edge, the apparatus having at least a first retention arm capable of holding in a connected position a first edge of the board, wherein the board is chosen from a plurality of circuit board cards, a heatsink thermal plate coupled to a circuit board card, and a heatsink thermal plate.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor module having a clip mounted on a peripheral edge of the module. The clip includes a body which has an elongated channel portion for gripping the peripheral edge. On each end of the channel portion, a clamp is provided. The clamps each have ground contacts and locating dimples for engaging screw holes formed in the module. The channel portion also includes at least one leg member extending therefrom for contact with a surface of the computer chassis which houses the module. The ground contacts extend from the clamps and engage ground surfaces in the chassis.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator and a method of providing transition control therein. The regulator includes: (1) a modulation circuit for generating switching signals, (2) first and second switches coupled between a regulator output of the voltage regulator and respective first and second voltage inputs, control inputs of the switches coupled to the modulation circuit to allow the switches to couple the regulator output alternately between the voltage inputs as a function of a state of the switching signals and (3) a regulator output power waveform transition control circuit coupled to the control inputs of the switches for generating an override signal to the control inputs under a specified condition, the override signal causing the switches to couple the regulator output to the first voltage input independent of the state of the switching signals.

Abstract: The adjustable clutch hinge assembly includes a shaft, an adjustment member connected to one end of the shaft, a metal inner cone member, and a metal outer cone member. The end of the shaft to which the adjustment member is connected is inserted into an aperture in the inner cone member, which is split, to allow a decrease of the internal diameter thereof, and has protruding key features, such that a threaded portion of the adjustment member protrudes out the opposite end of the inner cone member. The inner cone member resides within the outer cone member, which has receptive features for the inner cone member and its protruding key features to prevent rotation of the inner cone member within the outer cone member. When the threaded portion of the adjustment member protruding out the end of the inner cone member is drawn through the outer cone member, an outer surface of the inner cone member is forced against an inner surface of the outer cone.

Abstract: A computer system according to which a bracket supports a computer chassis on a structure having an accessible upper edge. The bracket is formed by a plurality of support members for receiving the chassis and for engaging the chassis in a manner to prevent movement of the chassis relative to the bracket. At least one hook is connected to the support member for extending over the edge to support the support member, and therefore the chassis, relative to the structure.

Abstract: A serial storage architecture (SSA) storage subsystem which includes an SSA initiator and a series of SSA targets which include disk drives housed in a storage pod and an intelligent backplane of the storage pod which houses the other SSA targets. The intelligent backplane includes a controller, a series of status registers, each indicating status of an operating parameter for the SSA target drives, and a series of control registers, each configured to transmit a respective command to selected ones of said SSA target drives. The controller polls each of the status registers and, based on the contents thereof, determines whether an event relating to the operating parameter has occurred. If so, the controller reports the event to the SSA initiator. The SSA initiator may also control the target drives using the control registers.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for an electronics rack having a rack structure defining a plurality of holes spaced along the rack structure to define retma (U) mounting unit increments of the rack. The plurality of holes are spaced along the vertical rack structure in a pattern substantially conforming to an Electronics Industry Association (EIA) standard. The mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket body, a first alignment structure extending from the mounting bracket body, and a second alignment structure extending from the mounting bracket body. The first alignment structure and the second alignment structure each are adapted to engage a hole of the rack structure so as to align the bracket in a position along the rack structure. The first alignment structure and the second alignment structure being spaced apart such that the bracket is alignable along the rack structure both at positions corresponding to whole retma unit increments and at positions corresponding to half retma unit increments.

Abstract: A touchpad assembly capable of providing an operating surface of a touchpad in a plurality of operating positions. The operating assembly can be adjusted by changing the orientation of the operating surface of the touchpad or by changing the form of the operating surface. The touchpad assembly including a supporting device for supporting the operating surface.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a first layer of a first density is patterned to include a main body having a plurality of sides and a side member pivotably attached to the main body adjacent at least one side thereof. At least one relief is formed in the main body for decoupling a portion of the main body from the respective side member. The reliefs permit the side member to move relative to the decoupled portion of the main body in a direction generally perpendicular to the respective side of the main body. The sheet of material may further include a second layer of a second density, different than the first density. The second layer is patterned to form a hinge between the main body and each respective side member to enable each side member to be pivotable relative to the main body.

Abstract: A slide snap-in bobbin for a flex cable assembly on a portable computer is described. In one embodiment, the slide snap-in bobbin includes a tubular portion in which the flex cable is housed and a C-shaped portion connected to the tubular portion via a fin that holds the C-shaped portion past one end of the tubular portion. An elongated slot in the tubular portion is provided for permitting one end of the flex cable to be passed out of the tubular portion for connection to an LCD. The C-shaped portion includes a small, e.g., 1 millimeter, opening having arcuate lead-in features disposed on either side thereof for entry access to a mounting screw boss disposed on the display housing. The opening enables the bobbin to deflect the width of the boss until the opening is wide enough to accommodate the entire diameter of the boss, at which point the bobbin is snapped onto the boss and the C-shaped portion returns to its normal state.

Abstract: A software system facilitates the translation of text strings into multiple languages. The software system includes a macro which substitutes for a text string and a message collection and source update utility which scans the source code, locates the macro in the source code, derives a key relating to the text string and updates a database with the text string and key. The macro is included into a source code.

Abstract: A computer system includes a backplane printed circuit board and a peripheral device. The peripheral device is coupled to the backplane printed circuit board. The peripheral device is cradled within a chassis carrier. A grounding conductor is associated with the chassis carrier and peripheral device. A frame structure supports the chassis carrier. The frame structure includes peripheral device bays and split lances. The peripheral device bays are for receiving peripheral devices. One of the peripheral device bays includes the peripheral device and chassis carrier. The split lances are located on opposite internal sides of the frame structure for each peripheral device bay. Mounting rails may be coupled to the opposite internal sides of the frame over the split lances such that the split lances project through the mounting rails. The split lances electrically couple installed peripheral devices to ground, and locate and support the mounting rails and/or peripheral devices.

Abstract: A shared data storage subsystem having a system controller embedded in a backplane of the shared data subsystem. The system controller monitors the TERMPWR signals of SCSI server busses physically coupled to the shared data subsystem to operably couple and isolate a server SCSI bus with the share data subsystem SCSI bus provides. The system can be used to isolate a server from a data storage subsystem without affecting the operation of other servers operably coupled to the data storage subsystem. The servers and shared data subsystem are implemented in a cluster system. The system controller also monitors environmental conditions of the shared data subsystem. The shared data subsystem includes a plurality of data storage devices such as hard disk drives which can be organized in a RAID configuration.

Abstract: A drive bay for an alternately orientable computer chassis includes a first pair of parallel opposing side panels and a second pair of parallel opposing side panels, each side panel having an interior side surface and an exterior side surface, and a plurality of drive mounting features on the interior side surface of each side panel. The first pair of parallel opposing side panels and the second pair of parallel opposing side panels arranged to form an enclosure with a rectangular aperture. The drive bay allows drives to be mounted horizontally in the drive bay, whether the chassis is in a tower or a desktop/rack orientation, and without having to ever change the orientation of the drive bay with respect to the chassis. Because the drive bay need not be re-mounted when the orientation of the chassis is changed, the drive bay can provide additional structural support to the chassis.

Abstract: A foldable cable management apparatus for holding cables in a rack mounted system. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments pivotally attached to one another. One or more of the plurality of segments include cable trays for holding the cables and include cable fasteners. One or more of the plurality of segments is adapted to nest with other segments so that the combined depth of the apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the individual segments.

Abstract: A surface mount pad and a component to be soldered onto the pad includes a main portion and two extension portions coupled to the main portion. The surface mount pad has an indentation which is defined by the extension portions. The portions extend from the main portion on opposing sides of the indentation. The extension portions are positioned to extend from underneath the component lead. The indentation extends underneath the component lead.

Abstract: A docking device includes a latch for secured engagement with a portable notebook computer. A computer release and eject arm is pivotably mounted in the docking device. The arm includes an elongated body having a handle on one end. A single manual movement of the handle causes the arm to move about a pivot mount on the arm. A first cam surface formed on the arm moves the latch to an unlatch position. A second cam surface maintains the latch in position as the arm continues to pivot. An eject finger extending from the arm, engages the notebook computer and urges the computer away from the docking device for separating engagement of the computer connector and the docking device connector.

Abstract: In general, a plurality of embodiments include an animated "target" icon and/or cursor for guiding a user to take a desired action. In particular, the user is guided to click on the target icon, thereby to initiate the completion of the installation of factory installed software. In one embodiment, the target icon resembles a locked padlock and the mouse cursor resembles a key, thus implying a connection therebetween. When the user places the key-shaped mouse cursor over the padlock-shaped target icon and clicks on the target icon, the appearance of the padlock-shaped icon changes to reflect its now "unlocked" state and completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated.

Abstract: A peripheral device carrier including a rotatable lever that can be selectively engaged by a clip coupled to the carrier advantageously provides for one-handed insertion and extraction of the carrier by a user while still allowing for peripheral device bay optimization. Such a carrier can accommodate a variety of different types of peripheral devices. Additionally, because the rotatable lever of the carrier is widened to allow easy one-handed operation, the lever includes a more robust engagement portion, thereby providing smoother insertion and extraction of the carrier, as well as more secure engagement with the peripheral device bay.