Abstract: A computer user station includes a support member. A monitor and a keyboard are supported on a first surface of the support member. A computer chassis is mounted in a frame. The frame includes a mounting portion attached for mounting the computer chassis to a second surface of the support member in a suspended position. A security portion of the frame secures the frame to the computer chassis. The security portion also functions as a back support for a back surface of the computer chassis which is cradled in the frame in a tilted-back position.

Abstract: A system and method for changing partition mappings to logical drives in a memory device of a computer. The computer includes a processor for running operating system code and a hard drive. The hard drive, which can be accessed by the processor, includes at least one partition. When the computer boots up, a logical reference value in the operating system code points to the partition. After the partition has been initialized or modified, a reference-updating routine is run for dynamically updating the logical reference value to correctly map to the partition. The reference-updating routine first locates and flushes any caches in the computer and closes any open files accessible by the operating system code. The routine then loads a boot record for the partition and retrieves specific data therefrom. With the retrieved data, the routine updates the logical reference value.

Abstract: A fan carrier for mounting a fan in a protective housing of electronic equipment. The fan carrier includes a frame for securing a fan having a flange with a front side and a back side. The fan carrier also includes a first securing device connected to the frame. The first securing device has a first surface. The fan carrier further includes a second securing device connected to the frame. The second securing device has a first surface movable as to the frame. When a fan is secured to the frame, the first surface of the first securing device retains the flange and the first surface of the second securing device retains the flange.

Abstract: A system and method for re-mapping a logical reference to a computer storage device to another storage device. The computer includes a processor for running operating system code, RAM, and a hard drive memory device. The computer does not, however, have a floppy disk. The hard drive, which can be accessed by the processor, includes at least two partitions. When the computer boots up, operating system code running on the processor includes a first logical reference to the first partition of the hard drive and a second logical reference to the non-existing floppy disk. The logical references are stored in a table, located in RAM. If software routines running on the processor ever use the second logical reference, an error would normally occur. However, a reference-changing routine is provided for changing the logical reference from the non-existing floppy disk to the second partition of the hard drive.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack that includes a temperature monitoring circuit a rechargeable battery, and a discharge circuit, advantageously provides a battery pack which senses when the battery pack is exposed to a harmful temperature and cause the discharge circuit to discharge electricity stored in the battery until the battery's charge level is reduced to a safe level for the particular temperature. The rechargeable battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The discharge circuit is coupled to the rechargeable battery. A controller is coupled to the discharge circuit. The temperature monitoring circuit is coupled to the controller and measures a temperature of the battery, providing a temperature indication to the controller. The controller causes the discharge circuit to discharge electricity from the battery based upon the temperature indication.

Abstract: A computer system including a bus master performs a method for automatically assigning addresses to agents on a bus. Addresses are automatically assigned so that a computer system user does not set physical or logical switches, either manually or through software programming. The system and method also automatically assign unique addresses to new devices that are inserted on the bus while the bus is operating, thereby supporting "hot pluggable" devices. Slave agents are originally configured to operate at a class address. At the beginning of the method, a master determines whether any of the slaves reside at the class address. If so, then the master determines a new unique address and issues a Get Bitwise UID command to the slaves residing at the class address. Each of the slaves receives the Get Bitwise UID and responsively transmits a hardware identification (UID) in a loop of bitwise byte transmissions.

Abstract: A personal computer system is discloses which includes a diagnostic system which uses an input/output controller to perform diagnostic functions. Such a system advantageously allows diagnostic functions to be performed on the computer system including the system processor of the computer system. The diagnostic program may be stored within nonvolatile memory which is coupled to the I/O controller, thus allowing diagnostic functions to be performed without the need for the computer system memory of the computer system.

Abstract: A button with at least one flexible cantilever and an actuating portion coupled to the button can either be integrally formed from a single piece of material or assembled into a single device so that the button can be easily and quickly installed into a button housing. Additionally, because of the simplified one-piece design of the button, the button housing is further simplified.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack that includes a controller, a temperature monitoring circuit, a rechargeable battery, and a heating circuit, can sense when the battery pack is exposed to a harmful low temperature and cause the heating circuit to heat the battery pack, particularly the battery pack's controller, so that it remains in a temperature regime compatible with normal operation. The rechargeable battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The heater circuit is coupled to the rechargeable battery and the controller is coupled to the heater circuit. The temperature monitoring circuit is coupled to the controller. The temperature monitoring circuit is capable of measuring a temperature of the battery pack and providing a temperature indication. Based upon the indication, the controller causes the heater circuit to heat the controller.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and a support member mounted on the chassis. A heat sink is mounted on the support member. A resilient retainer is captively mounted on the heat sink and a fastener member is captively supported by the resilient retainer and removably secured to the support member. The retainer is a continuous strip of resilient material including fastener guide members and a fastener retention member. The fastener guide members include a first guide member aligned with a second guide member. The fastener retention member includes a slot aligned with the fastener guide members. Gripping members are provided to snap into engagement with the heat sink. The fastener member extends through the guides and the retention member and engages the support member.

Abstract: A discharge control circuit for a power supply switching converter that, in response to a cessation of current from an AC power source, makes conductive a main switching element of the switching converter to discharge the bulk filter capacitor through the main switching element to a charge level that meets safety standards. The discharge control unit includes a current limiting circuit for limiting the discharge current through the main switching element in which the rate of rise of the discharge current is controlled with the use of an RC circuit. The discharge control unit also includes a state machine that activates the current limiting circuit in response to a cessation of the modulation mode of the switching converter. The discharge control circuit also includes a reset circuit for placing the state machine in a known state during the startup of the switching converter.

Abstract: An inadvertent invocation of power management is avoided by having an application program set a storage location to a predetermined value. The application program then calls a BIOS software interrupt from the application program. The BIOS software interrupt routine determines if the storage location contains the predetermined value and if so, resets the power management timers, thus preventing power management from being inadvertently invoked.

Abstract: A video monitor including logic circuitry which superimposes a high frequency periodic wave on the vertical positioning provided by the monitor's vertical deflection plates in low resolution modes. The waveform operates to slightly and periodically adjust the electromagnetic output of the vertical deflection plates, enabling the electron beam to pass through the shadow mask in a plurality of locations. In low resolution modes, the electron beam passes through additional holes in the shadow mask line that formerly presented a black stripe, thus enabling additional pixels to be struck and causing the black lines to disappear. This creates the appearance of a larger electron beam without changing the electron gun or adding additional deflection hardware.

Abstract: A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file. At least one component descriptor describes a respective component of the computer system. A plurality of steps are retrieved from a database, at least one step being associated with a respective component descriptor. A step also includes a respective sequence number. The plurality of steps are sequenced in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence. The step sequence includes commands for installing and/or testing software upon the computer system.

Abstract: A docking station structure is used to operatively connect a notebook computer to desktop computer peripheral devices. The docking station has an internal receiving chamber into which the portable computer may be manually inserted, an electrical connector positioned within the receiving chamber, a travel plate movably carried within the receiving chamber, a motorized drive system operative to drive the travel plate toward and away from the electrical connector, and a latch structure carried by the travel plate for movement therewith. With the travel plate in a wait position thereof, the portable computer is rearwardly inserted into the receiving chamber. In response to such insertion, the latch structure automatically locks the computer to the travel plate, and the drive system rearwardly moves the travel plate to mate the electrical connector with a corresponding connector on the computer, thereby operatively linking the computer to the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed for indicating that a computer card is installed in an expansion slot of a computer. A conductive strip attaches to an end wall of the slot and deforms when a computer card is installed. A conductive contact is provided in the wall of the slot to complete an electrical connection when the conductive strip is deformed. The strip connects electrically to a conductor that is passively driven high by a voltage source and pull-up resistor. The contact connects electrically to ground, so that when the computer card causes the strip to touch the contact, the voltage on conductor is driven low, providing an indication to associated circuitry that a card is present in the slot. A pair of switches may be used to provide repetitive signals indicating a card is present. If only one switch is closed, the computer may indicate to the user that a card has been installed improperly, or contaminants are present in the slot.

Abstract: A transactional event management structure is implemented in a network computer system. A dynamic system controller resolves proprietary and standard event and message structures into a common format for use by a system for many management purposes. A dynamic system controller in a computer is connected with a plurality of subsystems in the computer for receiving messages from the subsystems, analyzing the messages and determine an effective utilization of the messages as directed by a user or network administrator. The dynamic system controller receives messages in different message formats, organizes the messages, and converts the messages into a common format that assists a user, system administrator, or network administrator in utilizing the information contained in the messages.

Abstract: Electronic systems such as computer systems often utilize regulated voltage to meet system requirements such as accurate logic levels and predictable performance. A switching voltage regulator implements a pulse width modulator using two timer circuits, such as 555 class timers, configured in a master/slave relationship to provide modulation signals to control current flow to a voltage regulator output filter. The switching regulator employing the pulse width modulator may be arranged as a buck switching voltage regulator, and the pulse width modulator alternately turns switches in a switch bank ON (low impedance current path) and OFF (high impedance current path) to facilitate current flow to energy storage elements configured as an averaging filter. Furthermore, additional timer circuitry may be implemented to ensure nonoverlap of current flow in the switches.

Abstract: A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system having a plurality of components includes a plurality of elements. The computer system has an associated step sequence. The step sequence includes a plurality of steps where each step includes at least one command and a step is associated with a respective component descriptor. A component descriptor corresponds to a respective component of the computer system. The method includes accessing a command within the step sequence; creating a file including a start of execution indication; executing the command; deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

Abstract: A device connected to a network operates in a plurality of states including an execution state and a low-power state. During operation in the low-power state, the device is activated to an execution state in response to standard messages such as Ethernet messages. A receiving device connected to a network is activated from a suspended or low-power state by the receipt of a message from a sending device. The message necessarily includes a unique Ethernet address identifying the destination device in accordance with a standard specification, such as the IEEE 802.3 specification. The receiving device reads the unique Ethernet address of the message, determines a type classification of the message content, and determines whether to become activate or remain in the low-power state on the basis of the Ethernet address and the message type.