Abstract: A lift mechanism for controlled lifting and lowering, especially suitable for lifting and lowering a tray of ICs. The lift mechanism includes a horizontally movable drive wedge element having an upper inclined surface and a slave wedge element having a lower inclined surface slidingly supported on the drive wedge element upper inclined surface. Horizontal movement of the slave wedge element is constrained while vertical movement is permitted, so that horizontal movement of the drive wedge element raises or lowers the slave wedge element. A lift structure extending upwardly from the slave wedge element may be employed to engage a tray as, for example, when loading or unloading trays from a transport at a shuttle assembly. A dual-action drive mechanism may move the drive wedge element horizontally, while a dual-action stop mechanism may be employed to limit travel of the drive wedge element at a position short of full vertical extension.

Abstract: A software architecture for the hot add and swap of adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for providing hot-add and hot swap capability to a computer system with a processor, and a memory, connected to a system bus. The apparatus includes a first bus, an adapter card slot, a switchable interface unit and hot-swap hot-add program code means. The first bus is connected to the system bus. The adapter card slot has a first port and a second port. The switchable interface unit includes a primary port and a secondary port. The primary port is connected to the first bus and the secondary port is connected to the first port of the adapter card slot. The switchable interface unit is responsive to a hot-swap hot-add power-down request to disconnect the second port from the first bus. The switchable interface unit is also responsive to a power-up request to reconnect the second port to the first bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening the locks of a cassette, wherein the cassette is comprised of a plurality of structural elements, and wherein the locks have an actuation area, comprising a base, an actuation element and a plurality of positioning elements wherein at least one of the positioning elements is disposed upon the base such that when at least one structural element of the cassette abuts the positioning element, the actuation element may contact the actuation area of the locks.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly for handling trays of IC packages. The shuttle assembly is configured to accept cooperatively-configured trays in a vertically-extending tray stack volume in only a single rotational orientation. Trays are selectively released from or accepted by the tray stack volume by operation of selectively extendable and retractable tray support elements driven by actuators, which may comprise air cylinders. A lift mechanism for raising and lowering a tray in alignment with the tray stack volume may be included. A method of operation of the shuttle assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A configuration management system and method for adding or replacing devices in a bus in a computer system. The configuration system creates and maintains a memory structure having bus and device configuration information. The system includes a configuration manager which creates a memory structure containing configuration information for a bus and devices located on the bus within the computer system in which it operates. When a device on the bus is replaced, the configuration manager retrieves the configuration information for the replacement device from the memory structure and uses that information to configure the replacement device. In another aspect of the invention, when a device is added on the bus in the computer system, the configuration manager retrieves selected configuration information for the added device from the memory structure and uses that information to configure the added device.

Abstract: A method of reporting a system failure in a server system, which includes the following acts: detecting a system failure condition; transmitting failure information related to the failure condition to a system recorder; storing the failure information into a system log; sending an event signal to a system interface; and reporting an occurrence of an event to a central processing unit of the server system.

Abstract: An ergonomic work station is disclosed which is comprised of a chair, at least one keyboard section and at least one support assembly. Initially, the support assembly connects the chair to the keyboard section. The support assembly is also movable between a first orientation and a second orientation such that the keyboard section in the first orientation extends outward from the chair in a plane generally parallel to the floor, and the keyboard section in the second orientation extends downward in a plane generally perpendicular to the floor. A method of using an ergonomic work station is also disclosed comprising the acts of positioning at least one keyboard section in a first orientation, wherein the keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally horizontally outward from a user with the keys facing upwards when a user is using the workstation, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section.

Abstract: A system for configuring peer devices without unnecessary delay in boot up time by using a compatibility bridge. Upon initiating a configuration cycle, a BIOS initialization scans all peer devices located on the host bus. A watchdog timer times out after a predetermined duration when the intended device fails to respond to the configuration cycle. A bit associated with the particular device is set in a scorecard register. The compatibility bridge responds to the configuration cycle after the time-out period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for installing and grounding a motherboard in a chassis of a computer. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer chassis includes a movable cover plate having a grounding contact. The cover plate is releasably attachable to a panel of the chassis and covers an input/output aperture in a chassis panel. The cover plate is movable to a first position in which the cover plate closes the input/output aperture in the panel and the grounding contact on the cover plate engages a ground contact on a motherboard installed in the chassis. The cover plate is also moveable to a second position in which a fastening portion of the cover plate is disengaged from the panel and the grounding contact is disengaged from the ground contact on the motherboard. When the cover plate is in the disengaged position, the motherboard can pass into or out of the component cavity of the chassis without contacting the grounding contact of the cover plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a component in a computer chassis. The apparatus provides a tray that may be made from a resilient material in which the computer component is encased. The computer component is thereby isolated from physical shock applied to the chassis, and sound from the component is dampened from escaping the confines of the apparatus. Embodiments of the tray are particularly constructed to be placed near the top of a tower configuration computer and encased by a cover that keeps the component secured. The cover is removable and therefore allows for ready access to the component.

Abstract: A system for estimating the total usage of computer system resources by all users with access to those resources, performed in such a way that desired demographic information is available and computer users are not deterred from using the resource by the usage estimation techniques.

Abstract: A method for generating a printable report is disclosed. The method includes executing program instructions obtained from a host computer on a client computer remote from the host computer to generate reportable data; creating a report document including the reportable data on the client computer; and creating a virtual address corresponding to the location of the report on the client computer.

Abstract: Minitower computers and housings for protecting the internal and external hardware components of minitower computers. In one embodiment, a minitower computer housing includes a component panel, an under section extending rearwardly from the component panel, and a cover section connected to the component panel and the under section. The housing of this embodiment also includes a first tilt member depending from the under section to tilt the front panel. The first tilt member includes a vent to provide airflow through the computer housing. The first tilt member, for example, can have a front surface extending downwardly from the component panel to a bottom region and a back surface extending upwardly from the bottom region to the under section. The vent can be an opening in the back surface of the tilt member to direct sound waves rearwardly away from a user.

Abstract: A software architecture for the hot add and swap of I2O compliant input/output platform and adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.

Abstract: A method of communication between requester and target devices in a computer system having a multiple bus architecture. The method supports deferred transactions of cache line read requests over a host bus, e.g., the Pentium II or Pentium Pro (P6) bus. The method employs a host bridge to issue deferred transactions over the P6 bus without interrupting or involving the main processor. The method comprises the act of establishing a handshake with a host master and issuing a request over the host bus. The method further comprises the act of acknowledging the request and transmitting a deferred response to the requester.

Abstract: The invention configures an asynchronous system to emulate a synchronous system. When an application initiates a synchronous transaction, the synchronous transaction is received by the synchronous interface. The synchronous interface, in turn, simulates a synchronous system while performing an asynchronous transaction. In one embodiment, the synchronous interface ensures that the asynchronous transaction is completed within a configurable maximum time duration. If the asynchronous transaction has not been completed with within the defined maximum time duration, the synchronous interface notifies the application that the desired data is not available. In another embodiment, the synchronous interface can be configured to re-execute failed asynchronous transactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pin deforming apparatus for deforming a normally straight pin for use in an electrical connection, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a die coupled to the frame and an operating member coupled to the frame and die, whereby moving the operating member moves the die into contact with the pin sufficiently to bend at least a part of it. The invention encompasses a method of deforming a pin, as well as a method of making an electrical connection using a deformed pin.

Abstract: A power management apparatus includes a power source, a detection circuit to generate a first signal indicating the power transferred to a portion of a computer system from the power source, and a control circuit to generate at least one control signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal. A program storage device (readable by a programmable control device) includes instructions to manage power in a computer system. The program storage device includes instructions to receive a power signal from a power source (the power signal furnishing power to a portion of the computer system), generate a first signal indicating the power transferred from the power source to the portion of the computer system, and generate a second signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal.

Abstract: A method for creating an on-line book with an animated cover. The method includes a process for inserting an animation sequence at the beginning of an on-line book which is compiled into the M14 format. The method includes modifying a plurality of control files for an on-line book compiler so as to provide an animated display object upon the opening of the on-line book which is compiled with the computer.