Abstract: The present invention is directed to a configurable bracket. A configurable bracket for mounting an electronic device within a chassis of an information handling system may include a bracket adapted for mounting in a first chassis configuration, the bracket including at least one connection portion suitable for connecting an electronic device to the bracket. An extension is also included, the extension suitable for extending said bracket for mounting in a second chassis configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source.

Abstract: A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source.

Abstract: A tray cover for retaining optical discs within an optical disc drive capable of being vertically oriented is comprised of a cover attachable to the tray of the optical disc drive. The cover forms a pocket against the tray for receiving the optical disc so that the optical disc is generally retained against the tray as the tray is extended and retracted.

Abstract: A robust intuitive latching mechanism for securing an access panel to a chassis of an electronic device comprises a hook engagement member for engaging a hook coupled to the chassis to secure the access panel to the chassis. A spring member couples the hook engagement member to the access panel. The spring member is capable of flexing between a first position wherein the hook engagement member is engaged with the hook and a second position wherein the hook engagement member is disengaged from the hook. A handle assembly is mounted to at least one of the hook engagement member and the spring member for flexing the spring member. The handle assembly is actuated for flexing the spring member from the first position to the second position for disengaging the hook engagement member from the hook to allow the access panel to be removed from the chassis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of interacting with broadcast content based upon position. By providing a method and apparatus suitable for interacting with broadcast content based upon position, a user has a dynamic and flexible way of interacting with broadcast content. A method for determining availability of broadcast content to a broadcast content receiver may include determining position of a broadcast content receiver. The broadcast content receiver is suitable for obtaining broadcast content. A broadcast data is queried by the broadcast content receiver for broadcast transmittal data corresponding to the determined position of the broadcast content receiver.

Abstract: A client device, or information appliance such as a personal digital assistant, is capable of receiving multimedia data streams from a server. However, due to processing and display capabilities, the client device may not be able to present the complete data stream, or a user may elect to configure the client device not to process data that will unduly reduce the client device's performance. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for allowing a server to determine the native, or user selected, capabilities of a client device, such that the server can filter and parse the data into meaningfully presentable data and non-meaningfully presentable data, and then transmit only the meaningfully presentable data to the client device for processing and display.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for CMOS integration. A method of integrating CMOS within a product based on a received order includes receiving an order for a product having a desired configuration. The product is identified for CMOS loading, wherein the product is loaded with custom CMOS code created in accordance with the ordered desired configuration. Thus, the product corresponding to the order may be produced having the desired configuration.

Abstract: An integrated telephony and video system allows a viewer of a program to selectively accept a telephone call based on caller identification information and automatically buffer the program upon acceptance of the call. When the call is terminated, the buffered program is played from the point of interruption until the buffered program is the same as the real-time program. The system may store data about the call, such as the caller identification information and length of the call. Such data may be used to determine a compression format for the buffered program. Such data may also be used to generate a list of callers for whom the user desires to be interrupted while viewing the program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling provision of a call return service is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a method of generating telephone numbers from voice messages. The method includes the step of using speech recognition to isolate a spoken number in a voice message, and confirming to a high degree of accuracy that the spoken number represents a telephone number. The method further includes the step of converting the spoken number into a data sequence representing the telephone number. This data sequence is then made available for immediate or later use.

Abstract: An electronic recipe manager capable of merging two or more electronic recipes into a task list that can be executed to prepare a multiple dishes or food items of a complete a meal is described. Electronic recipes for preparing one or more food items are retrieved wherein each recipe includes at least one task. The recipes are then merged by combining the task(s) of each recipe to provide a task list suitable for use in preparing the food items, wherein the tasks are arranged chronologically so that the food items are completed and made ready to serve at substantially the same time. In exemplary embodiments, merging of the recipes may be accomplished by interrogating a database associating each task within the recipes with a time requirement describing the estimated time required for performing the task. When a task is performed, the actual time required for performing the task may be determined and used for updating the time requirement associated with the task.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a USB hub with soft select ports. A universal serial bus (USB) hub suitable for indicating a user-selectable number of ports may include a universal serial bus (USB) hub suitable for facilitating universal serial bus (USB) communication between a host and a device. A register suitable for storing an actual port value indicating a number of universal serial bus (USB) ports connected to the universal serial bus (USB) hub may be included, the actual port value suitable for being changed by a user.

Abstract: An electronic program guide system and a method for generating an electronic program guide are disclosed. A first information handling system obtains programming information from a program information source and generates a program guide based upon the obtained program information. A second information handling system receives the program from the first information handling system via downloading or transmission. The first information handling system searches a worldwide network for information regarding a transitory broadcast event and incorporates the transitory event information into the generated program guide prior to transmitting the program guide to the second information handling system. The transitory broadcast event information may be added to the program guide as additional, temporary channels that include links to the nodes from which the transitory broadcast event may be obtained. The program guide is thereby augmented with the additional, transitory broadcast event information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of building a custom software configuration, which may include receiving a first customer order for a first information handling system and a second customer order for a second information handling system. The first customer order including a first list of hardware configuration components and a first list of software configuration components and the second customer order including second list of hardware configuration components and a second list of software configuration components. At least one of the first list of hardware configuration components is different from the second list of hardware configuration components and the first list of software configuration components is different from the second list of software configuration components.

Abstract: A universal boot disk for a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer system comprises a computer, a removable media storage device, and a boot media. The storage device operatively couples the computer. The boot media is removably inserted in the storage device, and has an executable program stored thereon to automatically detect one of a plurality of different compact-disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM) devices and to cause installation of a corresponding driver program. In one particular embodiment, the program comprises a language selection component, a keyboard selection component, as well as a CD-ROM auto-selection component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of providing a navigational aide. In a first aspect of the present invention, a system and method of providing a navigational aide includes monitoring data displayed on a display device and detecting a marker of a section of the displayed data. A navigational aide is displayed in response to the detected marker of the section of displayed data.

Abstract: A hard disk drive is duplicated by copying a data area of a source hard disk drive to a target hard disk drive. A host protected area (HPA) of a source hard disk drive is detected if the source hard disk drive has a host protected area, and the host protected area of the source hard disk drive is copied to the target hard disk drive if a host protected area was detected on the source hard disk drive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bi-directional optical monitor interconnect. The bi-directional monitor interconnect of the present invention includes an optical conductor with a first and second end. Disposed on the first end of the optical conductor is a first optical communication device and a first optical receiving device. Disposed on the second end of the optical conductor is a second optical communication device and a second optical receiving device. The first and second optical communication devices are capable of transmitting data over an optical connection. The first optical communication device is suitable for communicating via a first wavelength and the second optical communication device is capable of communicating over a second wavelength. The first receiving device is capable converting the second wavelength into electrical signals and the second receiving device is capable of converting the first wavelength into electrical signals.

Abstract: A flexible display extension apparatus for supporting a flexible panel display in a viewing position. The extension apparatus includes an extension member that may be collapsed for allowing the flexible panel display to be at least partially rolled upon itself when the display is not in use.

Abstract: A personal computer apparatus includes a portable computer, a cellular telephone which can be connected to the portable computer, and a pager which can be connected to the cellular telephone. The portable computer, the cellular telephone, and the pager each have an independent power supply and are each detachable from the apparatus for individual functionality. When connected, the cellular telephone and pager can be coupled to the power supply of the portable computer.