Abstract: An EMI shield for ports providing access to expansion cards received in the chassis of an electronic device comprises a gasket suitable for being disposed between the chassis and the expansion card bracket. The gasket includes an aperture overlying each of the ports and a plurality of generally flattened U shape fingers formed in the gasket adjacent to each aperture for engaging the bracket to provide EMI grounding between the bracket and the chassis.

Abstract: A method and a system of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source are disclosed. Usage of the battery is monitored. Based on this monitored usage, a user of the electronic device is notified of the need for performing a conditioning or deep discharge cycle on the battery. The user is provided with a user interface for scheduling the conditioning cycle on the battery. The conditioning cycle is then performed as scheduled, provided that the electronic device is coupled to an external power source and/or is in a mode appropriate for performing the conditioning cycle on the battery (e.g., shut down or standby mode). Further, the life capacity of the battery may be monitored, and the user may be notified of the need to replace the battery if the life capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An information display system is disclosed. The information display system includes a display connected to a controller and a network interface. The information display system is capable of changing the information processed by the system through a network interface or directly through an input/output device connected to the system. The present invention is directed to an information display system. An information display system for scheduling the utilization of a facility, comprising a controller connected to a display and a network interface. A method for scheduling the utilization of a facility is also disclosed. The method comprises displaying scheduling information, controlling the information on the display, and interfacing the controller with a network interface for coupling the information display system to a network to a remote device. A system for coordinating and displaying information regarding the utilization of a facility is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adapter for receiving a surplus optical storage media drive capable of stand-alone playing of optical storage media is described. The adapter provides at least the minimum level of functionality required, together with the surplus optical storage media drive, to play optical storage media in order to extend the useful life of the surplus drive. The optical storage media may include compact disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or the like type of storage media. The adapter provides the capability of connecting with external devices that improve the functionality and usefulness of the drive-adapter system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing a home network console. In a first aspect the network console provides device information for physical devices within a network. The network console is non-hierarchical in as much as all the devices within the network are indicated in a single level, thus a user does not have to click through multiple levels to access devices. In a further aspect, a network console system includes agents capable of communicating device information to the network console. Inclusion of an agent in an individual device allows for dynamic updating of device information including assisting in the connection of a new device to the network, furthermore the device agent is capable of communicating device information related to supportable network activities.

Abstract: A system for generating and loading software onto hard disk drives, particularly replacement hard disk drives without having to create a separate master disk for each unique software configuration, includes a storage assembly for storing at least one of a predefined drive image and a software component. An image builder is coupled to the storage assembly within the network for building a drive image for the hard disk drive using at least one of the predefined drive image and the software component. The created drive image is then stored to the storage assembly and downloaded to the hard disk drive via the network.

Abstract: A method of integrating setting up a residential gateway or access point and setting up a client network adapter into a single software process. The method eliminates inconsistent and confusing terminology and methods of interfacing different client adapter setups with different residential gateways and access points by using a common user interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated network address cloning. A method for cloning a network address for access of content by a router may include determining whether the router may access a service provider. A network address of a network connection device is obtained if the router is unable to access the service provider, the network connection device included in a client information handling system communicatively coupled to the router. The obtained network address of the information handling system is cloned to a router address automatically and without user intervention.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system and method for an information handling system provides an internal power storage device for supplying power to an information handling system and a detector for detecting the condition of an external power supply and/or the power level of the internal power storage device, wherein the power management system prevents the information handling system from resuming operation until the detector detects that an external power supply has been stable for a predetermined period of time and/or that the power level of the power storage device is sufficient to permit the information handling system to perform a data saving function.

Abstract: A method, system, signal and software which maintains an electronic program guide (EPG) that includes episode identifiers associated with program information. The method includes keeping a database of selected information and using the information in the database to specify programs or actions associated with specified programs. These programs may include, but are not limited to, recording a program that has not been previously recorded, or re-recording a program of lesser recording quality or reproduction quality if a better quality recording can be made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides for the straightforward completion of preprinted forms with a word processor, or with another computer program suitable for generating text, is disclosed. The method and apparatus provide for the display of a scaled image of the form so that a user can accurately position text or other data for printing in the fields of the form. An image of the preprinted form is provided to a document having a background and a foreground. The image is displayed in the background Data is entered into the foreground. The data in the foreground is printed onto the preprinted form. The form can be scanned to create the image. The form is then provided to a printer. The image is provided to a word processing document as the background. The data is entered into the foreground with the word processor.

Abstract: A video system displays information during transition from a first video source to a second video source. During the transition, an MPEG decoder decodes a transition video signal and provides the decoded transition video signal to a video overlay which overlays the decoded transition video signal onto a display during the transition period. In one embodiment, the transition video may be a commercial video or advertisement such that the advertisement is displayed on the display during the transition. The advertisement may be related to the content of the output of one of the video sources. In the event the MPEG decoder is unavailable to decode the transition video during the transition, the video system is capable of utilizing an alternate decoder to decode the transition video.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that allows for the construction of a system wide channel map from channel maps for peripheral devices of a computer-based home entertainment system. The method includes identifying peripheral devices that are tunable, creating a channel map for each such peripheral device, and adding the individual channel maps to create a system wide channel map for the peripheral devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of mounting a device in an information handling system. A device retention mechanism suitable for mounting a device in a chassis may include a chassis and a retention member. The chassis is suitable for receiving a device and has a first side and a second side, the first side being generally perpendicular to the second side. The retention member is configured as a cam assembly and is mounted to the first side of the chassis, thereby enabling the retention member to exert a force against a device to secure the device to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method, user interface and system configured to present task bar content to a user in a menu activated through the use of a single right mouse click.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing which has a user access surface. Attached to the housing is a printer which includes a paper path. The printer also includes a paper input tray and a paper output tray. Both the paper trays are accessible from the user access surface. The user access surface also has an access panel within the user access surface. The paper path is positioned within the housing so that it is accessible through the access panel. The printer cartridges which contain the material used to make an image on the paper, such as a toner cartridge for use with a laser printer or one or more ink wells for use with an ink jet printer, are also positioned within the housing of the printer so as to be near the user access surface. The printer cartridges are accessible through the access panel. Optionally, the printer cartridges could also be accessed through a special panel in the user access surface.

Abstract: A mounting system capable of removably mounting an information handling system includes an outer case suitable for mounting to a surface and a component tray suitable for slideable movement in the outer case. A coupling device may also be provided for coupling the component tray to the outer case. The component tray is suitable for being slideable removed from the outer case to obtain access to components contained in the component tray. In an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mounting system includes a locking device. In one embodiment, the locking device prevents removal of the component tray from the outer case. In another embodiment, the locking device prevents removal of a component from a component tray.

Abstract: An electrical connector has an inner dielectric housing adapted for mounting a plurality of electrical contacts and including at least one forwardly projecting mating portion having opposite sides. The connector has a metallic shield surrounding a major portion of the inner dielectric housing. An outer dielectric cover has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The outer dielectric cover surrounds a major portion of the metallic shield and includes first and second integrally formed spring latches. The first integrally formed spring latch extends forwardly from the back along the top and the second integrally formed spring latch extending forwardly from the back along the bottom. The first and second spring latches each comprise a spring portion and a distal grip, said distal grips being constructed and arranged to compress the spring latches when a user urges them inwardly toward each other to install the connector in a computer case.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically selecting an input device from a plurality of input devices coupled to an information handling system via a plurality of inputs, each corresponding to one of the plurality of inputs are disclosed. The plurality of inputs are scanned by a signal detector for the presence of a signal provided by one of the input devices to determine whether a signal is present on one of the inputs provided by the corresponding input device. When a signal is detected, the automatic video multiplexer selects the input on which a signal is detected according to a predefined hierarchy such that the information handling system receives the input signal provided by the corresponding input device. If a signal from a new input device is detected, the input corresponding to the new input device is selected, and the input device is configured to operate in conjunction with the information handling system.