Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of providing a data image cache. A system suitable for transferring data images includes an image cache suitable for being accessed locally, the image cache suitable for storing at least one data image. Image storage is connected to the image cache over a network, the image storage including a plurality of data images. Wherein, a query is received by the image cache for a data image not included in the image cache, a data image corresponding to the queried image is transferred from the image storage to the image cache over the network.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a preferred viewing library of programs are disclosed. Electronic program guide data is searched for a program satisfying a criterion, and a determination is made whether the program satisfies the criterion. The criterion may be based upon the viewing activity profile of the user or may be based upon a criterion entered into the program guide by the user. In the event a program satisfies the criterion, the recording of the program is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time. The time is monitored, and a determination whether the present time is the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the program is recorded and organized in a program library such that a user may select the program from the program library and view the recorded program at an appropriate time.

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 is also included, the actual port value suitable for being changed by a user.

Abstract: A user interface and software for enabling or performing functions on programs contained within program scheduling information. The user selects a program from the program scheduling information, and the system determines if a function can be enabled for the selected program by determining the differences between the recurring periods of the selected program and the function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for local availability of products and services on a sales user interface. Through use of the present invention, availability of goods and corresponding services offered at a location near the user may be communicated to a consumer, thereby informing the consumer of desirable services and goods. A method for identifying services corresponding to a product available to a user based on user location may include monitoring user interaction with network navigation software operating on an information handling system. A product is identified based on the monitored user interaction with the network navigation software and a service corresponding to the identified product determined, the service determination based on user location.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing suggested incentives to aid a salesperson in the close of a sale based upon a customer's user history and a business's operating information. The method and system may receive a customer's registration that includes a customer's attributes and may track the shopping patterns of the user. In addition, a business's operating information including real-time sales and inventory records may be monitored and cross-referenced against a customer's attributes and shopping history to provide suggested incentives to aid a salesperson in the close of a sale. The suggested incentives may make it more likely that a customer will close on a sale of a particular product or group of products.

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 method of performing power down of a computer monitor when a video signal is no longer present and apparatus which performs the method schedules an automatic power conservation mode after a given period of time unless an inhibiting power sustain command embedded in the video signal is received. The power sustain command is placed in the regular video signal at a regular interval. The frequency of the command may be made shorter than the power-off timeout in order to maintain the power-on state of the monitor. Multiple time lapse thresholds may be set to permit multiple power conservation modes. This method may be implemented without making hardware changes in retrofitting a monitor.

Abstract: A convergence system suitable for accepting inputs from several television or personal computing sources is disclosed. The sources can be output on a display. The convergence system is controlled by a multi-function controller suitable for providing a set of function commands. A processor is coupled to the inputs, display and operably coupled to the controller wherein the processor responds to the function commands provided by the controller. The processor also creates for output on the display a set of channel banners. At least one of the channel banners provides information on available processor functions and provides video feed-back when the processor is responding to the function commands.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for retaining expansion circuit boards in the mounting panel of a computer is disclosed. The attachment mechanism comprises a span extending between two displaced fastener openings on the mounting panel of the computer and depending therefrom a plurality of the fingers or tabs to engage the mounting bracket of the expansion circuit boards. By engaging a plurality of the expansion circuit boards with the fingers or tabs, all of the circuit boards may be clamped and reliably retained in position with substantially uniform force and the use of a minimum number of fasteners. The tabs or fingers extend generally perpendicular to the span of the bracket such that the span of the bracket provides substantial rigidity and insures substantially equal force being exerted by the tabs or fingers onto the mounting brackets of the electronic circuit boards. The use of a minimum number of fasteners shortens the time necessary for assembly and reduces the part count.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying a remote device of a low battery capacity condition in a wireless communications system is disclosed. A detector monitors the capacity of the battery in a wireless device receiving operational power from the battery for a low capacity condition. A control system coupled to the detector sends a low battery capacity status signal to the remote device upon detection a low battery capacity condition. While the battery is in a low capacity condition, communications between the wireless device and the remote device may be maintained until the low battery capacity condition is corrected.

Abstract: A computer implemented method generates installation instructions for multiple devices to be configured in a network environment. Information regarding devices to be coupled by a network is first obtained from a user and databases. Customized instructions for setting up the devices are then generated. Graphical representations, including images of the devices are included as part of the instructions indicating an order for setting up the devices.

Abstract: A method, signal, system, software, and user interface for selecting command sequences and saving the sequences as a macro. The invention includes sourcing input devices and graphical user interfaces for both input commands and referencing macro elements. Macro elements consist of macro keys such as hard keys and soft keys. The command sequence may be automatically detected, saved, and evaluated for both economy and threshold.

Abstract: A method and management system for locating game files on a computer-based information handling system. A storage medium is searched for game files until a file is found. Whether the file is a game file is determined. If the file is not a game file, the search is continued. If the file is a game file, whether the file executes a game application is determined. If the file does not execute a game application, the search is continued. If the file executes a game application, whether an icon is associated with the file is determined. If no icon is associated with the file, an icon is assigned to the file, a copy of the icon is placed into a games file, and the copy of the icon is linked to the file. The management method and system may be embodied on a computer readable medium containing computer readable code for causing a computer-based information handling system to execute the disclosed method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for assembly integration. A method of assembling a product based on a received order includes receiving an order for a product having a desired configuration. A parts list is generated corresponding to the desired configuration and an assembly method is applied to the parts list to derive an assembly script. The assembly script is transferred to a plurality of assembly station wherein the assembly script provides a custom instruction to the assembly stations. Thus, the product corresponding to the order may be produced having the desired configuration.

Abstract: A portable computer system has heat transfer mechanisms incorporated therein for transfer of heat to a docking station with active cooling capacity. A portable computer case has openings placed in alignment with mating openings in the docking station to provide additional active cooling capacity. The portable computer system case also has further openings and a defined air flow path to enhance airflow across a processor to cool it more effectively. A fan in the docking station pulls or pushes air from or into the portable computer system case. The mating openings and further openings in the computer system case are positioned to optimize the cooling effectiveness of the air flow with respect to the processor and other heat producing components. Other devices such as refrigeration coils, heat slugs, and heat pipes are also described. A switch detects when the portable computer is connected to the docking station and causes deactivation of processor slowing power management routines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for scannable executable design. In a first aspect of the present invention, a system and method for developing an executable includes scanning an image and identifying a representation of a user interface element included in the scanned image. An executable is then formatted to include a user interface element corresponding to the identified representation of the user interface element. In a second aspect of the present invention, a representation of a user interface element suitable for scanning includes an object capable of being positioned on a medium, the object representing the user interface element. The object is capable of being identified as corresponding to the user interface element so that when the object is scanned, a executable is formatted to include the user interface element corresponding to the identified representation of the user interface element.

Abstract: A disc operating device comprising a multi-part disc holding tray which extends and retracts from a housing, and a disc information handling mechanism. The disc holding tray further comprises a moveable tray portion for movement and support within the housing, a disc supporting portion for supporting a disc and a break-away mechanism coupling these two portions. The, break-away mechanism comprises a first coupling that allows the disc supporting portion to deflect and potentially separate from the remainder of the disc holding tray upon impact by an external force. The disc supporting portion can further comprise a second coupling allowing deflection in multiple directions upon impact by an external force. Deflection and separation by the disc supporting portion reduce the need for and cost of repair and replacement of the overall disc operating device.

Abstract: A method of setting acceptable content rating parameters for filtering content in a ratings-enabled media wherein the acceptable content rating parameters delimit the threshold content ratings levels of content that may be accessed by an information appliance is provided. Employing the present method, a user may set the acceptable content rating parameters of a content control system by blocking or unblocking example content provided by the information appliance, in order to control future access to content similar to the example content. In this manner, specific knowledge of the content ratings scheme employed, or the meaning of specific content ratings used by such a scheme is not required.

Abstract: An information handling system having an integrated internal scalable switching storage system is disclosed. The information handling system includes a housing, a processor disposed in the housing and a memory device for storing a program of instructions executable by the processor. A bus of the information handling system is disposed in the housing, and the processor and the memory are coupled to the bus. A host bus adapter is coupled to the bus and is disposed in the housing. An information storage system is in turn coupled to the host bus adapter and is also disposed in the housing. The information storage system includes a backplane for coupling at least one information storage device to the host bus adapter. The information storage system and host bus adapter are preferably compliant with a scalable, switching, mass storage system standard such as Fibre Channel.