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: 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: 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: 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.

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: A fault tolerant method of obtaining and displaying, or updating the status of server components through a Remote Interface Board and either a local or remote client machine without intervention of the server operating system software. The remote machine accesses the server by use of a dial-in modem connection, while the local machine accesses the server by a local serial connection. The components that can be monitored include, but are not limited to, the following: Power Supplies, Temperatures, Fans, Processors, I/O Groups, I/O Canisters, Serial Numbers, and Revisions.

Abstract: A method for supporting a keyboard relative to a monitor. The method may be practiced with a base member configured to engage the second computer component and a support surface, and a support assembly having a first portion configured to support the monitor in a selected position and a second portion coupled to the base member. The first portion of the support assembly may be movable toward and away from the base member along two orthogonal axes, or may be pivotable about two orthogonal axes relative to the base member. A weight of at least one of the monitor and the base member may be sufficient to maintain contact between the base member and the support surface when the keyboard is supported by the support assembly in the selected position and the base member supports the monitor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral device in a computer system by a user that requires the CPU of the computer to be powered-on for only the short period of time needed for the CPU to translate a user-specified command into a command that the CPU then transmits to the peripheral device. Inputs are added to the computer system for direct input of user commands to the peripheral device. The BIOS power-up/reset routine of the computer is modified to detect power-on as a result of user input to the added inputs, to then transmit a corresponding command to the peripheral device, and to finally power down the CPU. The system controller of the computer is electrically shielded from the peripheral device when the system controller is powered-down and the peripheral device is operating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surface-mounting ball grid array integrated circuit (IC) devices to printed circuit boards. A thin single- or multi-layer sheet of nonconductive material having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the leads of the IC device to be mounted is interposed between the ball grid array and the circuit board prior to solder processing to facilitate solder application, device alignment, and solder retention. An assembly guide is located on the top surface of the aid to assist in the orientation and placement of the IC device during assembly. In a further aspect, the disclosed assembly aid helps compensate for non-planarity in the IC device array or circuit board, and maintains a minimum standoff distance between the IC package and the circuit board to preclude undue solder joint deformation. The assembly aid also allows for reworking of the surface mount by facilitating localized placement of the solder prior to reflow processing without masking or other additional processing steps.

Abstract: A computer system stores data according to a plurality of different error handling schemes. The computer system includes a memory controller with a plurality of different error handling modules, each of which can be selectively associated with one or more memory blocks. Each of the error handling modules is structured to write data to and read data from its associated memory block according to a different error handling scheme. A memory controller includes a separate configuration register for each of the plurality of memory blocks. Each configuration register stores an indication of the error handling module that will be employed to write data to and read data from the memory block associated with the configuration register.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing an input device for a semiconductor device assembly machine including a cover configured having a cavity. The cover is configured to be placed over the input device bearing on a support surface upon which the input device is placed. The input device enclosure may also include a support surface engaging for securing the input device and limiting access to the input device. The input device enclosure may be configured as a stand alone unit or it may be incorporated with other processing device components or features. The input device enclosure may also include a looking device for securing the cover to the support surface for securing the input device and limiting access to the input device.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the time required to access peripheral devices or to perform peripheral device operations in a multiple bus architecture or hierarchical bus structure environment. A memory device is used to remember which addresses generated responses on which busses. The memory device is accessed in subsequent operations to eliminate the procedure for determining which bus is attached to the desired peripheral.

Abstract: Circuitry is described for interfacing a software-based modem in a computer system. Memory/modem interface circuitry is integrated within a system controller coupling a main memory with a microprocessor. A dedicated region of the main memory is configured as separate transmit data and received data buffer regions. Buffer address registers included within the system controller store values pointing to address locations within the buffer regions of the memory for next data in and next data out. The values programmed in these registers are incremented responsive to associated data transfers in/out of the buffer regions, and the transmit data and received data buffer regions function as FIFOs. The frequency and duration of processor utilization imposed by software-based modems is significantly reduced, due to FIFO operations functioning at main memory access speed.

Abstract: A method of displaying a status condition of a smart battery being charged by a smart battery charger. The method includes: transmitting data from the smart battery to a computer, wherein the smart battery charger is external to the computer; processing said data in accordance with a software program being executed by a central processing unit within the computer; and displaying information obtained as a result of processing said data on a display screen coupled to the computer.

Abstract: An application specific integrated circuit has at least one standard cell, integrated circuit connection circuitry connected to the at least one standard cell and at least one programmable circuit that is selectively connectable to the integrated circuit connection circuitry. The connection is made by metal mask changes. The programmable circuit is a general-purpose logic block.

Abstract: A usage monitor circuit monitors the amount of use of various components within a computer system. The circuit includes a plurality of timers and counters that are respectively coupled to the various components to be monitored such that the counters record the number of times the components are activated and the timers record the cumulative times the components are activated. The usage monitor circuit also includes a tamper protection unit that indicates whether the circuit has been tampered with.

Abstract: Chipset or core logic for attachment of the ROM BIOS within the system architecture. Although normally attached to the ISA bus, the ROM BIOS may be attached to an alternate bus (e.g., the memory bus) located within the system, thereby potentially eliminating the ISA bus from the computer system.

Abstract: A memory fault correction system enables plural data bit errors in a single data word to be corrected in an efficient manner. The system divides each data word into a plurality of sub-words and creates a separate error correction code for each of the sub-words. Each of the error correction codes includes a plurality of check bits with check bit values based on the data bit values of the corresponding sub-word of the data word. The computer system includes a plurality of error correction modules each performing error correction on a separate sub-word of the data word. A memory controller rearranges the data bits of the data word when forming the sub-words such that consecutive data bits are arranged in separate sub-words.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for securing a computer system. A security loop or tab is attached to a computer chassis and used to engage a cover that encloses at least a portion of a side of the computer chassis. Structure is provided in embodiments of the invention to releasably engage the cover with the security tab and to provide a means of locking the cover on the chassis to prevent unauthorized access to the computer system. Additionally, the securing apparatus is place in a location not readily visible to users of the computer system.

Abstract: A method for testing an IDE controller with random constraints, the method comprising: providing an IDE controller model having a primary and a secondary channel and a host interface; transmitting data patterns to a primary and a secondary device model; receiving the data patterns from the primary and secondary device models; arbitrating the transfer of the data patterns to and from the primary and secondary device models; and determining whether the data patterns returned from the primary and secondary device models match expected values.