Abstract: A system and method for alerting a user of an electronic device such as a computer when a stylus of the computer is not properly inserted into a stylus receiver of the computer after the user has finished using the computer. The system includes: a first switch, coupled to the stylus receiver, which indicates whether the stylus is properly positioned within the stylus receiver; a second switch, coupled to the computer, which indicates when the computer is no longer being used; a detection circuit, coupled to the first and second switches, which detects when the first switch indicates that the stylus is not properly positioned within the stylus receiver and the second switch indicates that the computer is no longer being used; and an alarm circuit, coupled to said detection circuit, for alerting the user if the stylus is not properly positioned within the stylus receiver and the computer is no longer being used.

Abstract: A system for flexibly and efficiently communicating diagnostic information about an integrated ASIC device. Where the ASIC is associated with a PCI bus, the bus parking or idle state for the PCI bus is used for placing status or diagnostic information relating to or about the ASIC on the PCI bus. This information can then be observed and used in a debugging process.

Abstract: A system for verifying the accuracy of stored data in a computer system where read and write requests can pass earlier-issued read and write requests. The system monitors read and write requests for a variety of data storage locations. When the system detects the first request to write data to a particular location it creates a data structure to represent that location and stores the data. For later write requests to the same location, the system modifies the data structure to store the new data being written, maintaining storage for only the data which can possibly be returned accurately for a read request. The system also monitors responses to read and write requests. For data returned in response to satisfaction of a read request, the system uses the data structure to determine if the returned data is accurate (i.e., if it is among the stored data). If the system determines that the returned data is inaccurate, it issues an error.

Abstract: A PC-based home security system for monitoring the environment surrounding a PC in order to detect suspicious or uncharacteristic events. The PC-based home security system first monitors the environment, listening and watching for a threshold event. When a threshold event is detected, the PC-based home security system then conducts close surveillance of the environment in order to detect and characterize additional events. When the accumulated detected events exceed some threshold value, the PC-based home security system determines that a suspicious or uncharacteristic set of events has occurred, diagnoses those events, and takes a remedial action appropriate to the diagnosed set of suspicious circumstances.

Abstract: An upgradable Pentium-based mobile processor module that is forward-compatible with an enhanced Pentium II-based mobile processor module. The upgradable Pentium-based mobile processor module uses 0.5 millimeter pitch connection technology and contains a system controller that supports a single peripheral component interconnect port. The upgradable Pentium-based mobile processor module provides a PCI port for connection to a PCI bus and an AGP port for connection to an AGP bus. The AGP port is electronically connected to the PCI port so that both the AGP port and the PCI port receive data and control signals from the system controller according to the PCI protocol standard.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a portable computing device comprising a housing including a keyboard. The embodiment also includes a first pointing device coupled to the housing, as well as a second pointing device coupled to the housing between the keyboard and a first edge of the housing. The embodiment additionally includes a plurality of buttons disposed on the housing so that at least one button is located between the first pointing device and the second pointing device, and at least one button is located between the glide point and the first edge of the housing. In another embodiment, the plurality of buttons is movably disposed on the housing so that when buttons are located in a first position, at least one button is located between the first pointing device and the second pointing device, and when buttons are located in a second position, at least one button is located between the second pointing device and the first edge of the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a computer system for removal of a processor module from the computer system while the computer system is operating. This method includes receiving a command to prepare the computer system for removal of the processor module, and saving state from the processor module to a first location in the computer system. In response to this command, the method modifies parameters of an operating system in the computer system so that the computer system will continue to function without the processor module. The method also removes power from the processor module while maintaining power to other parts of the computer system. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention allows the processor module to removed, replaced and reinitialized without shutting down the computer system.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for displaying data on a video display that is controlled by a video controller, the video controller is coupled to a high-speed memory and a low-speed memory. The memories have separate data paths. A video address corresponding to a location on the video display is received. If a specified address bit is in a first state, then data is displayed from the high-speed memory. If the specified address bit is in a second state, then data is displayed from the low-speed memory. The specified address bit may be a high order address bit that is not utilized by a conventional VGA controller to transmit address information.

Abstract: A data management system supports hot plug operations on a computer by defining, organizing, and maintaining hot plug variables, stored on a computer readable medium, which identify components of a computer that may be involved in hot plug operations, and which also identify capabilities and operational states of those components as well as control their operation and interface to the computer. The hot plug variables identify a component as well as represent states and capabilities of a component, and thus the hot plug variables advantageously operate as commands to predetermined components of a computer which support hot plug operations on the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a device as being a first device type or a second device type, includes a fixture for coupling at least one device to be identified to the system; and a processor coupled to the fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of releasably attaching a ribbon cable to a hardware device. In one embodiment, the method comprises attaching the ribbon cable to a ribbon cable connector having an internal retaining mechanism, coupling the ribbon cable connector to a mating connector on the hardware device, and actuating the internal retaining mechanism so that the internal retaining mechanism engages the mating connector to thereby inhibit the mating connector from uncoupling from the hardware device. The method allows a user to easily and securely attach a ribbon cable to a hardware device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for updating wallpaper for computer display including a server coupled to a network. The apparatus also includes a wallpaper database in communication with the server, for storing a collection of wallpapers for computer display, and a user database for storing personal profiles of system users. The apparatus employs a fetching mechanism within the server for retrieving the wallpaper from the wallpaper database based upon a personal profile of a user stored in the user database. This personal profile may specify an interest of the user and may also keep track of previous accesses of the user. In one embodiment, the server includes a website through which clients can navigate and access the wallpaper database. In a variation on this embodiment, the website includes a public portion, which is accessible to any registered user via the Internet, and a private portion, which is accessible only to users who are registered to access the private portion.

Abstract: A closure system useful for securing a device having a stylus. In a first embodiment, the closure system includes a housing having first and second housing members, the first housing member being configured to matingly contact the second housing member when the device is in a closed configuration. The stylus is received within a channel located in the second housing member. A latch release also located within the second member is controlled by the position of the stylus such that when the stylus is inserted within the channel, the latch release engages a latch located on the first member, thereby preventing the first and second members from separating. The latch release may also be used to block the latch such that the first and second housing members can not be mated when the stylus is removed from the channel. In another embodiment, a blocking device located within the second housing member and separate from the latch is utilized to prevent the device from being closed when the stylus is removed.

Abstract: A personal computer monitoring device includes a reporting device and a processing unit. The reporting device is adapted to take a fail action responsive to a first signal. The processing unit is adapted to receive the first signal from an under test personal computer and to send the first signal to the reporting device when the processing unit does not receive a new result signal from the under test computer system during a preselected time period. One illustrative use of the monitoring device is during the assembly and pre-sale testing of personal computers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method for designing a circuit that facilitates sharing of design parameters between separately designed modules of the circuit. The method includes receiving module information, including parameters relating to design of a module of the circuit, and storing the module information in a database. The method also includes retrieving the module information from the database, and generating automatically a constraint file from the module information. In one embodiment, this constraint file includes constraints in a format suitable for use by a synthesis tool to synthesize circuitry for the module.

Abstract: A report generation method and system in a networked computer system. The networked computer system has a shared modem pool, networked computers, and a server computer that is connected to the modems through physical ports and that is connected to the networked computers through a local area network. The reporting system produces reports about incoming calls received by the modems and transmitted to the server computer, about outgoing calls collected by the server computer from the networked computers and transmitted by the server computer to the modems, and about error conditions that arise in the system from modem-associated activities.

Abstract: A method for positioning a workpiece comprises the steps of providing a pedestal having a chamfered portion and a generally circular portion having a first diameter and providing a table having a hole therein and a chamfered portion, the hole having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The inventive method further includes the steps of supporting the pedestal with the table, the chamfered portion of the table contacting the chamfered portion of the pedestal and placing the workpiece on the pedestal. Next, the chamfered portion of the pedestal is urged away from the table. Subsequent to the step of urging the chamfered portion of the pedestal away from the table, the pedestal is moved in at least one of X-, Y-, and theta directions while the generally circular portion of the pedestal extends into the hole in the table.

Abstract: A work station for assembling equipment comprises a rotatable work surface, a fixed work surface and a support frame. The rotatable work surface is rotatably mounted to the fixed work surface which is, in turn, mounted to the support frame. The work station includes a locking mechanism positioned between the rotatable work surface and the fixed work surface for adjusting the rotational orientation of the rotatable work surface. The rotatable work surface and the fixed work surface are both made of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a foot operated device, which may be used by an operator, for inputting information into an electronic device. The foot operated device comprises a sensing pad support assembly, a sensing pad housing operably connected to the sensing pad support assembly and a sensing pad secured within the sensing pad housing for sensing a foot motion indicator, wherein the orientation of the sensing pad relative to the operator may be adjusted. The device may further comprise at least one actuator partially secured within the sensing pad housing for inputting information into the electronic device. The sensing pad may be a touch sensitive pad or a proximity sensitive pad. The sensing pad may be a capacitance-based sensing pad, a resistance-based sensing pad or an optical-based sensing pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, and a plurality of legs connected to the handle. At least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures. The device further comprises a plurality of support members attached to the portion of the plurality of legs and sized to fit within the apertures in object. Each of the support members have a support edge and are movable to an extended position wherein the support edges collectively define a surface supporting the at least one object. The device facilitates carrying of the objects.