Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of testing using a data image cache. An image server is coupled to one or more test beds to perform testing and/or debug operations on one or more components. Each test bed has one or more test slots to receive the one or more components. The test bed is preferably a motherboard. The motherboard may be in normal operation or may be placed in sleep mode during testing or debugging.

Abstract: Foldout tabs for assisting with the removal of contents from a carton. When extended, the foldout tabs provide a leverage point on which a user may place one or both feet so that while pulling the contents from within the carton, the carton does not exhibit its normal tendency to follow the contents.

Abstract: A method for preparing a printed circuit board and an apparatus are provided to decrease losses associated with high speed signal propagation. The printed circuit board has at least two conductive layers separated by an dielectric layer formed of a dielectric material. A conductive path is formed in one of the conductive layers for propagation of the high speed signal. At least a portion of the dielectric layer is removed on both sides of and adjacent to the conductive path. The removed portion extends in the dielectric layer between the conductive layers from one to the other and includes a hole shaped portion and a trough shaped portion. The removed portion does not extend beyond the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A video editing system uses simple heuristics and parameters on video footage to provide a condensed version of the footage. The editing system automatically provides either a finished condensed version of the footage or selects a plurality of clips based on the heuristics and parameters. The clips are optionally further edited by a user to produce a condensed version. The condensed version is transferable to any desired media suitable for storing video. A user interface enables the user to select heuristics to identify video clips from the footage. Parameters are also be set to automatically edit the clips in a desired manner. Temporal combinations of heuristics and parameters form templates, which are used to assemble desired clips for selected types of events.

Abstract: A system comprising a portable computer chassis having an internal speaker; openings in the chassis from which sound from the speaker can emanate, wherein the openings allow heat generated by the system to escape is provided. In one embodiment, the internal speaker is located at least a minimum distance away from the openings. By utilizing speaker grills as ventilation openings in this manner, ventilation openings on the bottom side of notebook computers can be eliminated and user comfort can be increased when the system is placed on the lap. Additionally, system reliability is improved as ventilation is also increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging resources on a computer network to view a file on a client computer written in a format unreadable by the client computer are provided. According to one method, the client computer receives a file in a source format unreadable by the client computer. The client computer broadcasts the format of the received file to a plurality of File Viewing Servers (FVSs) in the network. In response, the client computer receives from at least one of the FVSs a conversion rating, which indicates the respective FVS's ability to convert the source format of the file into a conversion format readable by the client computer. Upon receiving the conversion ratings from the FVSs, the client computer selects the FVS transmitting the highest conversion rating to convert the received file from the source format unreadable by the client computer into the conversion format readable by the client computer.

Abstract: For analog telephone service subscribers, an apparatus and a method is provided for displaying a caller's originating number and/or the current time of day on the subscriber's incoming call line identification equipment. The subscriber's originating telephone number is obtained from a database within the telephone switching system providing POTS service to the subscriber. The time of day is obtained from a real-time clock within or in communication with the telephone switching system. Data is preferably transmitted to the subscriber's equipment by analog frequency shift keyed protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for group content selection. In an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing content based on user preferences may include detecting a plurality of users at a location and identifying user profiles corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of users. At least one content characteristic common to the identified user profiles is determined and content including the determined common content characteristic output at the location.

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: A method is provided for synchronizing the playback of a digital audio broadcast on a plurality of network output devices by inserting a control track pulse in an audio stream of the digital audio broadcast. The method includes the steps of outputting a first control track pulse as part of an audio signal which has unique identifying characteristics and is regularly occurring, outputting a second control track pulse so that the time between the first and second control track pulses must be significantly greater than the latency between sending and receiving devices, and coordinating play of audio at the time of the occurrence of the transmission of the second control track pulse assuring the simultaneous output of the audio signal from multiple devices. The control track pulses have a value unique from any other portion of the audio stream. The digital audio broadcast from multiple receivers does not present to a listener any audible delay or echo effect.

Abstract: A grid power mode is defined such that, when the PC is in a grid power mode, pressing the power switch of the PC retains power to the system, but restores operation of the PC to the ‘on/off/standby’ mode the user expects. Other aspects include: an indicator telling the user that a grid function is in progress; a reprogrammed power on/off/resume switch; and a notification protocol.

Abstract: A hand-held computing system includes a housing with an elongated opening for receiving a nonelectronic input device. The elongated opening has an inside surface. At least two electrical contacts are positioned on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A connector includes at least two electrical contacts for electrically contacting the at least two electrical contacts on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A cable or other electrical connector places a peripheral computing device, battery or keyboard, in communication with the microprocessor within the housing of the personal data assistant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cellular or cordless phone whereby power line networking is either integrated within its base station and/or charger or added as a module that can be installed into the base station and/or charger, providing a method of transferring network data between the cellular or cordless phone and another processing element connected to the power line without any additional cables.

Abstract: A multimedia system includes an information handling system, and a plurality of multimedia devices operatively and electrically connected to a computer of the system. Software modules residing in computer memory interpret control commands. This includes receiving a high level device control command, generating a generic device control script based on a device interconnect model and the high level device control command, interpreting the generic device control script, and transmitting specific device control commands to a device through a device interface.

Abstract: An audio player is constructed in an ear module fully supported by the ear. The ear module is an in ear canal device, or ear bud with a clip that securely attaches it to the ear. The ear module contains all components required for storing and playing digitized audio such as MP3, RealAudio, WMA or ASF. The ear module is coupled to a hub that is also fully supported by the ear. The hub comprises a micro controller and connectors for receiving digitized audio. The hub has a connector hub from which peripheral devices are supportable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a BIOS level and application level recovery of an information handling system. A method for recovering from a failure of an information handling system may include monitoring an information handling system, the information handling system utilizing at least one item of software. Failure of at least one item of software utilized by the information handling system is detected and an application level component of a recovery utility to correct the detected failure is initiated. The initiated application level component of the recovery utility is at least one of unsuccessful in correcting the detected failure and unavailable, a BIOS level component of the recovery utility begins a recovery process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling heat generating components within a compartment are disclosed. A cooling assembly isolates heat produced by a processor in a personal computer (“PC”) system and exhausts it from the PC prior to adversely affecting other components within the PC. A fan causes air to blow across the processor having an attached heat sink disposed within the cooling assembly, and the air exits the cooling assembly without adversely affecting the other components surrounding the processor. In one example, an alternative passage is provided for the air.

Abstract: A system for minimizing unintended cursor movement in computer display systems, using GUI operating systems or software, that can result from such things as muscle spasms, or rough travel is disclosed. A cursor control device, such as a mouse, is monitored for signals of movement. Once a signal of movement has been received, the signal is then evaluated. This evaluation involves determining whether the signal for movement is ancillary to an intended movement or it is an intended movement. If the signal for movement is determined to be ancillary, it is then corrected. If the signal for movement is an intended movement, the signal is then passed on to the operating system for processing. The correcting can be done in the analog domain by utilizing a filter of some form, such as a bandpass filter, or it can be done in the digital domain by masking out undesired portions of the signals of movement and retaining only the portions of the signal that facilitate movement along an intended path.

Abstract: An information system that determines the apparent emotional state of the user and, based upon that determination, reacts appropriately. Appropriate reactions of the system include marking user text input to convey the apparent emotional state of the user to recipients. Other embodiments incorporate reactions of the system that warn or prompt a user, prior to system execution of a user directed operation, when the system has determined that the apparent emotional state of the user merits a warning or a prompt.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced network viewing is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system and method for generating a representation of a linked site is disclosed. A user may view the contents of a linked site from an original site accessed by the user without manually accessing the linked site. One method of accomplishing this task includes the steps of accessing a first site; querying at least one of a link and a second site linked to the first site; generating a representation of the linked second site; and communicating the representation wherein the representation enables a user to preview the linked second site. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the representation may comprise a thumbnail representation of the second site so that users may preview the contents of the second site by accessing the first site.