Abstract: A shock force indicating device for measuring and visually displaying the extent of a shock force received by an article during handling of the article is disclosed. The device has a cavity formed between a base member and a top member having a raised portion. A bearing is disposed within the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the top member and the base member provide a compressive force to the bearing such that the bearing is held in place until the device is subjected to a shock force greater than a predetermined threshold. The base member has a pressure sensitive material which provides a visually identifiable path which traces the movement of the bearing when the bearing moves in response to a shock force to the device. The base member may have indicating marks for representing a scale with which to measure a component of a force to the device. The top member is transparent for easy viewing of the indicating marks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel execution environment for optimizing the efficiency of the distributed object system. In one embodiment, the invention includes a compiler with ability to interpret, just-in-time compile or pre-compile any object of the distributed object system. An object is provided in a tagged file format that allows a compiler to identify critical sections of the object code for immediate one-time compiles while delaying compiling of the non-tagged, non-critical code until actually required by the system. The object code includes at least one dynamic base object which includes an interface dynamic base object and a implementation base object. The implementation dynamic base object fulfills the object system requested tasks transmitted over by the interface dynamic base object via a message bus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing viewer specific program information is described. A user of an integrated personal computer and television convergence device requests specific programming information from a remote server using an electronic program guide. The remote server performs a database search based upon the requested information and caches the results of the database search in a local storage device. The database search result information is viewer specific and appended to or integrated with the requested electronic program guide. Advanced searching techniques may be utilized to manipulate and filter the searched information to maintain the viewer specific integrity thereof. The database search result information is thereby provided to the client or convergence device along with the requested programming information. The database search result information thereby supplements and augments the viewing experience of the viewer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for allowing securing/unsecuring of an access panel from a generally opposing side of a chassis. The mechanism includes a latch for securing the panel disposed on a side of the chassis. A locking mechanism extends from the latch to a side opposite the latch. The locking mechanism provides a locking bar which may be manipulated to either positively secure the panel, via a screw or lock, or release the panel from the side opposite the latch.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enabling functions of an information handling system such as startup (i.e., boot), loading of an operating system or execution of a software application, by requiring authentication of the information handling system. A client information handling system establishes a communication link with a central system or server via a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. A request for authentication is then sent to the central system by the information handling system via the communication link. The central system, upon receiving the authentication request from the information handling system, determines if the authentication request is valid, and, if valid, provides authentication of the information handling system via one or more encrypted tokens passed from the central system to the information handling system, thereby allowing the information handling system to provide or continue to provide the function, even when disconnected from the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a business process feature for providing universal registration in an information appliance network. The business process feature includes providing user registration information to a universal registration resource, the user registration information accessible by providers of resources via the information appliance network. The business process feature further includes requesting use of a provider resource requiring the user registration information wherein the provider resource automatically retrieves the user registration information from the universal registration resource to enable the user to access the resources. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for providing universal registration, including accessing a resource, passing a registration interface dynamic base object to the resource, and interrogating the registration interface dynamic base object for registration information.

Abstract: Convergence systems, or PC-TV systems, provide the combined benefits of a computer system and a television. These systems typically include audio/video recorders, such as VCRs, for recording programs, as well as an electronic program guide (EPG) for presenting program information. The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting specific signals or markers associated with a program or channel signal, and then enabling a recording device or an EPG to perform an act, such as recording a program, based upon the detected signals or markers. In a preferred embodiment, the system receives a channel signal, detects a program start or stop marker within the signal, and controls the EPG or the recording device to perform acts corresponding to the detection of a start or stop instruction.

Abstract: A method and system divides a media space, such as found in a hard drive or other mass storage device, into a portion directly accessible by all software and a portion inaccessible by all software except host Basic Input Output System (BIOS) code. A special procedure to access media space may include a special instruction or instruction set with or without a password to allow hard drive support for READ ONLY partitions, READ ONLY CD-ROM emulation, and other READ ONLY hard drive access requirements. The special procedure may user an expanded ATA command set, an expanded BIOS command set with System Management Mode, or code to temporarily unprotect at least a portion of the portion normally inaccessible by the software other than host BIOS code.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a self-ejecting cover for externally accessible electronic components. The system of the present invention includes a panel with an aperture for accepting an externally accessible component such as a communication connection. A self-ejecting cover with an engaging tab is disposed in the aperture. Upon connecting the panel to a device with a corresponding component the cover is ejected, if an external component is not included the cover remains in place.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the interconnection of peripheral devices in an information handling system and generating a model of the interconnection of the devices is disclosed. The system identifies devices in the information handling system, builds device objects in the model representing each identified device, and builds interconnect objects in the model representing the interconnection of the devices with each other and the information handling system. The model may then be used to control operation of the peripheral devices of the information handling system.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and utilizing a profile of a user of a computer-based information handling system is disclosed. The information handling system is searched by a profiler for files stored thereon that have been edited by the user. A located file is searched for words contained in the file, and a list of words contained in the file is compiled and added to a profile database. Descriptive information to be matched is received and compared to words stored in a profile database. If one or more words in the profile database matches the descriptive information, a match is recorded, and a score is calculated and returned.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wireless supplemental mouse interface for interacting with a wireless supplemental mouse are disclosed. The wireless supplemental mouse operates in addition to a primary mouse. In one aspect, the wireless supplemental mouse interface is physically integrated within a computer system such as a personal computer, server, or workstation. In another aspect, the wireless supplemental mouse interface is not physically integrated with a computer system, but instead is a remote interface that is coupled with a plurality of computer systems via a network. The remote wireless supplemental mouse interface receives signals from one or more wireless supplemental mice and determines which system to send the signals to for further processing.

Abstract: A method is provided for locating and navigating to the site home of a network site in an information network such as the Internet, an Intranet, or the like from a site page within the network site. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving a request to navigate from a site page to the site home of the network site, determining a site home for the network site, and when a site home is found for the network site, navigating to the site home in response to the received request so information provided by the site home may be communicated to a user. The method may be implemented as a program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an information handling system for causing the information handling system to perform the steps of the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for modifying print colors are described. A subset of printable information units, such as words, text, figures and drawings, which can be located within a document or file on a computer system, are displayed in a first color designation. This first color designation is then changed to a second color designation for printing. The printable information units are then printed.

Abstract: Computers are commonly connected in networks which allow interactive communications between two or more computer users. Occasionally, one user tries unsuccessfully to interactively communicate with another user who is unavailable for interactive communications. Accordingly, the inventor devised a system, method, and software to summon the unavailable user through an alternative communications device, for example, a pager, associated with the unavailable user.

Abstract: An information handling system case is disclosed which has a chassis suitable for containing an electronic component, an access door removably mounted to the chassis, the access door suitable for permitting access to an electronic component contained in the computer chassis, and a release mechanism adjacent to the access door, wherein the release mechanism is manually operable by a single hand of a user to release the access door from the chassis, the access door separating from the chassis upon manipulation of the release mechanism by the user. The quick release mechanism is preferably a squeezable handle. EMI shielding is accomplished through EMI clips.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a circuit board within a computer chassis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a standoff support mounted in a channel so that the standoff can be positioned along the length of the channel by moving or sliding the standoff within the channel. This movable standoff facilitates the mounting of a variety of circuit boards within the same computer chassis.

Abstract: A method for extending the warranty on a first good by purchasing additional, related goods, involves a determination of the cost per unit time of the warranty extension for the first good based on information received about such first good. Information about at least one good which is related to the first good is received, and in a dollar amount corresponding to such related good is determined based on such information. The method can be incorporated into a computer-implemented system or a software program, and is particularly suitable for use when the goods are computer systems, and the additional goods relate to such computer systems. Still another purchased goods about extended warranty offers. Such a warranty reminder is presented to a customer without the customer having to actively seek out information that would otherwise trigger a warranty offer.

Abstract: A joystick designed to be used primarily in a mobile computing environment. The joystick is designed to attach to the side of a notebook computer in such a way that the support of the notebook computer becomes the support of the joystick. The interface the joystick uses to communicate with the computer is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. A pass-through port has also been included to allow the joystick to participate in the daisy chain capabilities of USB technology.