Abstract: A system which includes a personal computer or a server adapted to be connected by way of a radio link to one or more wireless interface devices. Each of the wireless interface devices is configured to support multimedia applications and may include a speaker, as well as a microphone, for audio input. Audio input data is compressed and transmitted over a radio link to a remote computer or server.

Abstract: A flexible multimedia presentation system is configured to be releasably secured to a portable personal computer to provide additional features, such as a PCMCIA interface, a port replicator and other options. The system is configured to enable the unit to be rather easily transported as a unit. A retractable handle is provided which further facilitates transport of the unit. In order to provide enhanced flexibility of the flexible multimedia presentation system, the system includes a PCMCIA interface, as well as replicates the various I/O ports on the rear of the portable personal computer. By replicating the I/O ports on the portable personal computer, external I/O devices, such as an external monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer can be used when the portable personal computer is docked to the flexible multimedia presentation system.

Abstract: A wireless interface device is adapted to be interfaced with a host computer by way of a radio link. A wireless interface device includes one or more flash memory devices that are adapted to be updated by the host computer over the radio link.

Abstract: A system for compressing program files at a remote host computer and transmitting the compressed program files to one or more wireless interface devices using a wireless link. The received compressed files are stored in an electronically programmable storage device on the wireless interface device. The remote host includes a CPU, a storage device for running and storing one or more programs and a wireless link for communicating with the wireless interface device. The wireless interface device is able to control and access the one or more programs on the remote host using the wireless link.

Abstract: A wireless interface device is adapted to be connected to a host computer. On power-up, a list of available hosts is identified in a dialog box on the display of the wireless interface device. Once a host is selected, the node address for the selected host is stored in an EEPROM. On a subsequent power-up of the wireless interface device, a connection is automatically made to the last selected host.

Abstract: A case for a personal computer or the like is provided which includes a modular multiple drive bay unit that is removably attached to the case. The removable unit can have various drive units such as floppy disk drives, CD drives, and the like, installed in the bays. The removable attachment between the case and modular drive bay unit allows the drive unit to be removed from the case while maintaining electrical communication therewith by way of an external cable so that the case can be placed on the ground such as under a desk, and the removable drive unit can be put on the desk to provide ready access to the drive units of the modular unit.

Abstract: A cache memory is divided into two parts, a master cache memory and a slave cache memory. The slave cache memory receives data from a slow source and then sends it quickly to the master cache memory so that the master cache memory is occupied less of the time with reading or writing data to or from a mass-storage or other peripheral device and is available more of the time for reading or writing data to or from main memory and responding to CPU requests.

Abstract: A computer system includes a flash memory device for storing BIOS code. The BIOS code is stored in an unprotected area of the flash memory. A boot block, stored in a protected area of the flash memory, is used for rebooting the computer system in the event that the flash memory device becomes corrupted. During normal operation, the BIOS code is updated using a radio link. If the BIOS is corrupted while being updated, a recovery routine stored in the boot block is executed. The recovery routine permits the corrupted BIOS to be reprogrammed using a serial interface instead of the radio link.

Abstract: An interface between the host CPU and the programmably memory, providing an address, data and read/write control signals to create a non-volatile sector within the programmable memory. In an embodiment when the system reset is de-asserted immediately after power-on, the size of the protected EEPROM area is sensed on special strapping option pins and automatically configures the non-volatile sector. This allows the size of the protected area to be changed on the manufacturing line as needed for different applications. Once configured to protect a specific size and location in the non-volatile memory, the invention prevents the write control signal to the memory to be asserted when the address of the data access requested by the CPU is in the protected area of the memory. This has the effect of preventing modification of the protected area by a sector modification algorithm.

Abstract: A wireless interface device includes a display. When connected, the wireless interface device takes control of the host computer and displays everything being displayed at the host. The wireless interface device also includes a virtual on-screen keyboard (OSK). In order to prevent the host from painting over the OSK, a remote occlusion area is defined at the display of the host computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system and more particularly to a computer system which allows option controller cards for various input/output (I/O) devices to be added on the motherboard at minimum cost.

Abstract: A pen-based personal computer includes a main power switch for initial power-up. The pen-based portable personal computer includes a keyboard controller which controls power management of the battery and places the pen-based portable personal computer in a hibernate state after a predetermined period of inactivity. The system can be awakened from the hibernate state by contact of a passive stylus with the digitizer panel. In order to place the power management of the battery under the control of the keyboard controller, a wake-up signal is generated at power-up just long enough to enable the keyboard controller to take control of the power management of the battery.

Abstract: A pen-based computer system device includes a digitizer and utilizes a passive stylus as an input device. The system emulates standard two-button mouse functions by generating data packets corresponding to the x-y coordinates of the stylus for each pen-down event. In order to prevent malfunction of the system, a plurality of packets are generated for each pen-up event to prevent maloperation of the system in the event a data packet for a pen-up event is lost or garbled.

Abstract: A programmable hardware timer provides a relatively consistently measure of predetermined time intervals over a relatively wide range of performance levels. The programmable hardware timer includes a downcounter, driven by a predetermined clock frequency, that counts a preprogrammed number of preselected time intervals. The time intervals, also programmable, are written to registers which, in turn, are used to control the downcounter such that the zero flag on the downcounter goes active at the predetermined time interval. A second downcounter is used to enable multiples of the predetermined time interval to be selected.

Abstract: A pen-based portable personal computer utilizes a passive stylus. In order to conserve battery power, the system automatically goes into a low-power state after a predetermined period of inactivity. In the low-power state, minimal power is provided to a digitizer panel in order to enable the digitizer panel to sense contact by the passive stylus. Once the passive stylus comes in contact with the digitizer panel, the pen-based portable computer system is awakened and placed in a full-power state.

Abstract: A symmetric multiprocessing system with a unified environment and distributed system functions provides unified address space for all functional units in the system while distributing the execution of various system functions over the functional units of the system whereby each functional unit assumes responsibility for its own aspects of these operations. In addition, the system provides improved system bus operation for transfer of data from memory.

Abstract: A power supply system, for example, for use with a portable personal computer, includes a smart battery pack and a charging system. The smart battery pack is provided with a dedicated microcontroller for controlling the charging level of the battery charger system. In particular, the status of the battery including the voltage and temperature of the battery is applied to the microcontroller along with a signal representative of the current load demand of the computer system. The microcontroller, in turn, provides a control signal in the form of fixed frequency, variable duty cycle pulse width modulated (PWM) signal for controlling the charging level of the battery charger system. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is used to regulate the charging current supplied by the battery charger. In particular, the DC value of the PWM signal is used as a reference to control the charging current of the regulator to provide a variable output charging current with a relatively wide current range.