Abstract: A battery charge determination device including at least one battery cell voltage measurement device, at least one battery cell internal resistance measurement device, and at least one battery charge assessment device operably connected to the at least one battery cell voltage measurement device and the at least one battery cell internal resistance measurement device.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: An apparatus to allow a computer system board to automatically identify the chassis in which the system board is installed. The apparatus includes a) at least one conducting pad on the system board, b) at least one spring action grounding clip on the chassis, and in contact with the at least one conducting pad, and c) a logic circuit connected to the at least one conducting pad.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying a software image to a computer system utilize a custom-programmed compact disk (CD) ROM that is configured for a specified individual computer system and constrained to be downloaded to and operable on only the specified individual computer system. The method and system further utilize an installation procedure for restoring the specified computer system to the software state that the computer was in at the time the computer left the factory after initial configuration and downloading. The custom-programmed CD ROM 106 is delivered to a customer in combination with a bootable flexible diskette 108, and an instructional technical instruction sheet for usage by the customer to restore the computer system to a “factory new” software condition.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a plurality of dielectric substrates. Each of the dielectric substrates includes a first and a second surface and has a first conductive layer formed on the first surface of the respective dielectric substrate. A first pattern of lands is formed in the conductive layer of at least two of the dielectric substrates. The pattern of lands of each dielectric substrate is substantially the same. An opening is formed through each of the lands to expose the respective dielectric substrate. Each of the openings in a respective pattern of lands has a diameter different than at least a portion of the other openings in the same pattern. The plurality of dielectric substrates are laminated in stacked relationship.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer mounted rack system and an apparatus enabling displacement of a slide mounted chassis. The apparatus includes an elongated member having respective first and second ends and respective first and second surfaces. A handle is also included and is preferably coupled proximate the first end of the elongated member. The apparatus further includes a releasable latch preferably coupled proximate the second end of the elongated member and configured to engage a releasable latch aperture in the slide. Additionally, at least one locking member is preferably coupled to the first surface of the elongated member and is operable to engage the slide.

Abstract: A computer system includes at least one processor and at least one computer-readable drive. The at least one computer-readable drive includes at least one partition. The computer system further includes manufacturing process code having instructions for causing the processor to build prescribed internal data structures necessary to support the at least one partition subsequent an initial preparation of the at least one computer-readable drive, further without requiring a system reboot to have access to the at least one computer-readable drive.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base substrate including a reference voltage plane. A plurality of spaced apart printed circuit substrates are attached to the base substrate. Each one of the printed circuit substrates includes a reference voltage plane attached to the reference voltage plane of the base substrate. A system component is removably attached to a first side of at least one of the printed circuit substrates. The system component is electrically connected to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. A support member is attached to a second side of each printed circuit substrate. Each support member is electrically coupled to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. The support members are electrically connected to a reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate to provide a low impedance return current path for the electrical portion of the electromagnetic emissions, thereby reducing the magnitude of electromagnetic emissions.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a cover mounted to the base. The base has a first hinge groove formed in an external surface of the base, and the cover has a second hinge groove formed in an external surface of the cover. The portable computer also includes a hinge having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is seated in the first hinge groove and is substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove. The first portion is rigidly connected to the base. The second portion is seated in the second hinge groove and is substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove. The second portion is pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

Abstract: A chassis detection circuit for detecting and determining the chassis type. The chassis detection circuit detects structural differences of the chassis to determine chassis type. The chassis detection circuit provides a signal indicative of whether an electrically conductive surface such as a flange surface on a grounding clip is electrically contacting a grounded structure of a chassis such as a hook structure of a planar plate to which a circuit board is secured. The chassis detection circuit can be implemented in a computer system where the determined chassis type is used in environmental monitoring programs or operations. Also, where the chassis type is indicative of the computer system type, the determined computer system type may be used for operations requiring computer system type identification.

Abstract: A control module includes a control module having a body and a jack portion extending from the body for being received in a mating receptacle. The jack portion carries a plurality of contacts. A wireless communication portion is attached to the body. A switch portion is attached to the body. The switch portion is electrically connected to at least a portion of the contacts. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A lock assembly for retaining computer peripheral devices in a housing. The lock assembly includes a spring-loaded lock bar that is movable between an unlock and a lock position. The lock bar is secured in the lock position by engaging a lock pin in one end of the lock bar. The lock pin is coupled for linear movement to a rotateable lock cylinder. A key is used to rotate the lock cylinder between lock and unlock positions. The key may be removed and stored in a secure place after locking the lock assembly to prevent unauthorized removal of peripheral devices from the housing. Brackets are mounted on opposing sides of the housing to retain the lock bar and to provide guide slots for controlling movement of the lock bar between lock and unlock positions.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base substrate and a plurality of spaced apart end brackets attached to the base substrate. A plurality of spaced apart side panel assemblies are removably mounted between a mounting portion of each end bracket. A first edge of each side panel assembly positioned adjacent to the base substrate. A shroud is pivotally attached to each one of the side panel assemblies adjacent to a second edge of the respective side panel assembly. Each shroud is movable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position with respect to the respective side panel assembly. A shroud engaging portion is attached to each end bracket adjacent to each shroud. A engagement member of each shroud engages a corresponding shroud engaging portion when the respective shroud is moved from the open position to the closed position for moving the respective printed circuit substrate from an inserted position to a seated position with respect to the base substrate.

Abstract: A self-contained flowable thermal interface material module includes a carrier having opposite sides and a continuous peripheral edge. A thermal interface material is mounted on the carrier. A portion of the interface material is exposed on each of the opposite sides. A continuous gasket is mounted on the carrier and is also exposed on each of the opposite sides. The gasket is positioned between the interface material and the peripheral edge. The module may be positioned between a heat generating component and a heat sink so that a portion of the gasket seals with the heat generating component, and a portion of the gasket seals with the heat sink to form a reservoir for retaining the heated flowable interface material. In this manner, the gasket contains a reservoir of the thermal interface material in contact with the heat generating component and with the heat sink throughout continuous periods of thermal cycling.

Abstract: An electronic system housing with offset wheels located generally outside of a perimeter of the base of the housing. In one example the wheels are mounted to brackets that extend across the base of the housing chassis with a first end of the bracket being horizontally offset from the second end of the bracket. A caster is attached to each end portion of the bracket. The horizontal offset in the wheels allows two electronic system chassis to be located adjacent to each other in an aligned configuration with wheels of the first electronic system located under the chassis of the second electronic system and the wheels of the second electronic system located under the chassis of the first electronic system. An example of an electronic system is a computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base substrate and a plurality of spaced apart end brackets attached to the base substrate. A pivotable one of the end brackets is movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the base. A plurality of spaced apart side panel assemblies are removably mounted between each end bracket when the pivotable one of the end brackets is in the extended position. A first edge of each side panel assembly is positioned adjacent to the base substrate. A shroud assembly extends between the two side panel assemblies adjacent to a second edge of each side panel assembly. The shroud assembly, the base substrate and the side panel assemblies define an air duct. A fan is mounted adjacent to at least one of the end brackets for directing air through the air duct. The part count of the apparatus is reduced such that cost and assembly time are also reduced.

Abstract: A computer system including an enclosure having a bay formed therein for receiving a peripheral device. A microprocessor is mounted in the enclosure, and an input is coupled to provide input to the microprocessor. A mass storage is coupled to the microprocessor, and a display is coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller. A system memory is coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A carrier is provided for removably mounting the peripheral device in the bay. The carrier includes a plurality of walls forming a cavity for receiving the peripheral device. The cavity has a first end and a second end. A first one of the walls has an opening formed therein. The opening has contoured edges adjacent the first and second ends of the cavity. A recessed portion is adjacent the opening in the first wall and the recessed portion extends at least partially between the first and second ends of the cavity.

Abstract: A test device for a computer system includes a burn rack including a plurality of workcells. A simple network management protocol enabled network device is provided adjacent the burn rack. The network device includes a plurality of ports. Cables provide an interconnection between a respective port and a respective workcell. A monitor is connected to a port of the network device and is also connected to a burn rack database. A display on a screen of the monitor provides a visual occupancy representation of each workcell.

Abstract: A system for use in testing and/or installing software onto a personal computer system unit includes a pallet for supporting the system unit and a rack having at least one docking station for removably accommodating the pallet. The pallet has data and power sockets for the system unit and a set of data and power contacts each connected to a respective contact in one of the data and power connectors. The docking station has a complementary set of data and power contacts adapted for one-to-one engagement with the set of data and power contacts of the pallet when the pallet is located in the docking station.