Abstract: A computer having one or more components is assembled utilizing a friction fastener that is formed by use of a screw that bears on a surface attached to a cage adjacent a component to create a friction fit to retain the component in a secure manner within the cage in the computer. The surface is a substantially flat portion of a shim or finger tab that is attached to the cage. The surface fits into an opening in the cage having a backed-off portion screw support having a threaded opening opposite the surface from the component. The screw is installed in the screw support to provide force against the surface of the tab to press it into the component in a friction fit manner to prevent movement of the component relative to the cage.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for a palmtop information appliance comprises a socket disposed in the housing of the appliance for receiving an end of the stylus used for inputting information into the appliance via a digitizer, touch screen, or the like. The socket includes a detector for detecting movement of the stylus received in the socket and controlling indicia displayed by the appliance in response thereto. In this manner, the stylus can be used as a joystick for controlling functions of the palmtop information appliance.

Abstract: A computer system having a housing including an option bay into which a modular option device may be removably inserted is disclosed. The option bay includes a secondary access port providing access to the modular option device for uncluttered connection of lines and easy access to control functions. The secondary access port may be covered by a sliding door that opens automatically upon insertion of selected modular option devices into the option bay.

Abstract: A user interface using program scheduling information for selecting programs and determining whether to schedule an event based on the program scheduling information associated with the selected program. The event is scheduled if the program name is in a predetermined time slot of the program scheduling information. Accordingly, if the program name is not in the predetermined time slot, the interface will not schedule an event, such as a recording or a program reminder, for the selected program. Further, if the interface determines the program name resides in a different time slot within the program scheduling information, the event will be rescheduled using the new time slot associated with the selected program within the program scheduling information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for protecting a digital information appliance from an environmental influence. The digital information appliance is capable of detecting an environmental influence, such as motion, and determining if the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful. If the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful, the digital information appliance is capable of protecting the digital information appliance.

Abstract: A method, signal, system, interface, and software for creating a database containing information across all media source types are disclosed. The database contains preprocessed links established on the basis of being “like” in some manner. The pre-processed links are created giving regard to the media source type and are stored in a database based on whether a link has a basis in the same media type or for all media types. The information and links contained within the database are accessed by a search tool via a multimedia user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preliminary communication identification is disclosed. An apparatus for preliminary communication identification includes a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote source and a communicator for communicating the received signal. The communicator is suitable for communicating the received signal without indicating reception of the received signal to the remote source. The signal may include an image of a second user utilizing the remote source so as to enable a first user utilizing the apparatus to view the remote second user. A method for preliminary communication identification is also disclosed, including receiving a signal by a host system from a remote source and communicating the signal by the host. The signal is suitable for being communicated without indicating reception of the signal by the host to the remote source.

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 Fiber Channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved circuit board support. The present invention provides for quick-assembly, limits circuit board flex, and supports a heat sink. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus suitable for supporting a circuit board, includes a support suitable for attachment to a chassis of an information handling system, wherein a heat sink may be attached through a printed circuit board to the support so as to enable the heat sink to be supported by the chassis.

Abstract: An electronic mail system and method which allows an originating user to customize text for a specific recipient in a multiple recipient electronic mail system. The system recognizes embedded processing codes based on a code specific to each recipient's message. Upon recognizing the embedded processing codes, the system and method generates separate, properly formatted electronic mail messages for each recipient.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the settings of an information handling system based on the individual user preferences of one or more users is disclosed. An individual user preference profile is retrieved for each identified user of the information handling system. A combined user preference profile is negotiated based on the individual user preference profiles retrieved for each identified user. The settings are then adjusting based on the combined user preference profile. A user interface identifies users of the information handling system. A system controller retrieves an individual user preference profile for each identified user, negotiates a combined user preference profile based on the individual user preference profiles retrieved for each identified user, and adjusts the settings of the information handling system based on the combined user preference profile.

Abstract: A distributed modem in order to achieve non-cellular cordless/wireless data communications for portable computers is provided. In one embodiment, the modem includes three components, a digital signal processor (DSP), a coder/decoder (CODEC), and a digital-access arrangement (DAA). The DSP resides within a PCMCIA card for insertion into a computer. The CODEC and the DAA reside on a base station. The PCMCIA card and the base station communicate with one another via two transceivers, one each at the PCMCIA card and the base station.

Abstract: A method, system, signal, and software program for handling search through the use of a page index. Searches are performed across a plurality of content information sources and content types. For every search that returns unique search results, the page index is updated to include links to those pages. Accessing the same page multiple times does not cause multiple entries in the page index, and no search results nor page index entries are deleted as a result of additional searches performed.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for magnifying a display of video data. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for magnifying a display of data includes a receiver for receiving a first set of video data including video data formatted for display in a first resolution. A translator is also included for translating the first set of video data formatted for display in the first resolution to a second set of video data formatted for display in a second resolution, the second resolution being a lower resolution than the first resolution. A magnifier is also included for magnifying a display of video data by formatting the first set of video into a third set of video data. The third set of video data is capable of display on a display device capable of displaying video data in the second resolution and incapable of displaying video data in the first resolution. The third set of video data is in an enlarged format with respect to the second set of video data.

Abstract: A method for inputting an access code via temporal variations in the amount of pressure applied to a touch interface is disclosed. The method facilitates the input of access codes such as passwords, personal identification codes, and the like in a manner that is indiscernible (via either sight or sound) to third parties thereby reducing the possibility that the access codes may be copied or stolen and used a third party to gain unauthorized access to a system or function.

Abstract: A media scanner scans information disposed on a media such as a business card or envelope. The media scanner requires no moving parts and may be incorporated in a portable, hand held, battery powered information handling system such as an electronic address book or personal digital assistant. The scanner includes a scanning element such as a linear CCD element for scanning the information stored on the medium, which is converted into a graphical image or text file. As the medium is fed past the scanning element, a detector detects the movement of the medium as the medium is fed through the scanner. Any variation of the movement of the medium, for example due to inconsistent movement or pausing caused by hand scanning, etc., is detected by detector, and scanning is executed according to the detected movement so that optimal scanning is maintained.

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: An input control device (21, 121, 221) includes a touchpad (25, 125, 225) located near an associated keyboard (23, 123) for use with a computer-related apparatus (120). The touchpad (25, 125, 225) is positioned so that it can be reached by the user's thumbs (40) during normal operation of the associated keyboard (23, 123). The location of the touchpad (25, 125, 225) is such that a ridge (39, 139) protruding near the edge of the touchpad (25, 125, 225) is encountered by the user's thumbs (40) both when moved inadvertently during normal typing operations and when intentionally moved toward the touchpad (25, 125, 225). In this way, the ridge (39, 139) signals the boundary with the touchpad (25, 125, 225) so that the user can proceed to activate it if desired, or can avoid activating it if not desired.

Abstract: A controller on a card in a personal computer or set top box controls routing of multiple audio or video signals to multiple outputs concurrently. Also provided is the ability for the user to configure the controller via software or hardware controls, such as a multi-position switch located on the external surface of the computer hardware. Multiple different formats of video and audio are properly converted and routed.