Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a fan assembly may comprise a fan hub with a plurality of blades, each blade having one or more cutouts through which laminar airflow from a front side of the blade can pass through the blade to a back side of the blade, reducing aeroacoustic noise. A cutout may be a lateral cutout, wherein the lateral cutout connects to an edge of a blade, or may be an internal cutout, wherein an internal cutout may be formed relative to a midline of the blade but does not connect to either edge of the blade.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a printed circuit board, a screw, and a processor. The printed circuit board includes a through hole via. The through hole via includes top and bottom sections plated with a conductive plating material, and a middle section without any conductive plating material. The screw is in physical communication with the top, middle, and bottom sections of the through hole via in the printed circuit board. The processor determines whether an electrical circuit is formed between the screw, the top section of the through hole via, and the bottom section of the through hole via. Based on the determination of the electrical circuit being formed, the processor provides an indication that no intrusion has been made into the information handling system.

Abstract: An information handling system includes keyboard backlights, an embedded controller, and a processor. The embedded controller communicates with the keyboard backlights. In response to an activate keyboard backlights signal, the embedded controller turns on the keyboard backlights. In response to a deactivate keyboard backlights signal, the embedded controller turns off the keyboard backlights. The processor communicates with the embedded controller. The processor determines whether an ultrasonic waveform is received. In response to the ultrasonic waveform being received, the processors provide the deactivate keyboard backlights signal to the embedded controller. In response to the ultrasonic waveform not being received, the processor provides the activate keyboard backlights signal to the embedded controller.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a printed circuit board, a screw, and a processor. The printed circuit board includes a through hole via. The through hole via includes top and bottom sections plated with a conductive plating material, and a middle section without any conductive plating material. The screw in physical communication with the top, middle, and bottom sections of the through hole via in the printed circuit board. The processor determines whether an electrical circuit is formed between the screw, the top section of the through hole via, and the bottom section of the through hole via. Based on the determination of the electrical circuit being formed, the processor provides an indication that no intrusion has been made into the information handling system.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a printed circuit board, a screw, and a processor. The printed circuit board includes a through hole via. The through hole via includes top and bottom sections plated with a conductive plating material, and a middle section without any conductive plating material. The screw in physical communication with the top, middle, and bottom sections of the through hole via in the printed circuit board. The processor determines whether an electrical circuit is formed between the screw, the top section of the through hole via, and the bottom section of the through hole via. Based on the determination of the electrical circuit being formed, the processor provides an indication that no intrusion has been made into the information handling system.

Abstract: A touch panel device includes a face plate, a bracket, and a PCB. The face plate receives a contact. The bracket includes a permanent magnet affixed to a surface of the bracket. The PCB is positioned proximate to the bracket such that a surface of the PCB is adjacent to the bracket. The PCB includes a Hall sensor collocated proximate to the permanent magnet. The touch panel circuit is coupled to the Hall sensor. When the contact is received at the face plate, the PCB moves closer to the bracket. In response, the touch panel circuit receives a voltage from the Hall sensor, determines a force associated with the contact based upon the voltage, and triggers a haptic feedback response in the bracket.

Abstract: A touch panel device includes a face plate, a force-feedback device, and a touch panel circuit. The face plate receives at a first surface a contact with the face plate. The force-feedback device includes a PCB affixed by a first surface of the PCB to a second surface of the face plate. The PCB includes a first metallic ring on a second surface of the PCB. The piezo disc includes a piezoelectric wafer and a second metallic ring. The piezo disc is adjacent to the second surface of the PCB. The touch panel circuit is coupled to the first metallic ring, the second metallic ring, and the piezoelectric wafer. The touch panel circuit determines a capacitance between the first metallic ring and the second metallic ring, determines a force associated with the contact based upon the capacitance, and triggers a haptic feedback response in the piezoelectric wafer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) with Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to a motherboard; and an Embedded Controller (EC) coupled to the motherboard, the EC configured to execute program instructions that cause the IHS to, in response to a user interface device having a second OS-specific chip being coupled to the IHS during manufacturing of the IHS deactivate the first OS-specific chip and activate the second OS-specific chip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-aligning protruding connectors in docking interfaces are described. In some embodiments, a docking interface may include a male portion comprising: a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device disposed across from the first magnetic device, and a guidepost disposed between the first magnetic device and the second magnetic device, where the guidepost comprises a third magnetic device. The docking interface may also include a female portion comprising a fourth magnetic device and a fifth magnetic device disposed across from the fourth magnetic device leaving a gap between the fourth magnetic device and the fifth magnetic device, where the gap is configured to receive the guidepost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-aligning protruding connectors in docking interfaces are described. In some embodiments, a docking interface may include a male portion comprising: a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device disposed across from the first magnetic device, and a guidepost disposed between the first magnetic device and the second magnetic device, where the guidepost comprises a third magnetic device. The docking interface may also include a female portion comprising a fourth magnetic device and a fifth magnetic device disposed across from the fourth magnetic device leaving a gap between the fourth magnetic device and the fifth magnetic device, where the gap is configured to receive the guidepost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) with Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to a motherboard; and an Embedded Controller (EC) coupled to the motherboard, the EC configured to execute program instructions that cause the IHS to, in response to a user interface device having a second OS-specific chip being coupled to the IHS during manufacturing of the IHS deactivate the first OS-specific chip and activate the second OS-specific chip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-aligning protruding connectors in docking interfaces are described. In some embodiments, a docking interface may include a male portion comprising: a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device disposed across from the first magnetic device, and a guidepost disposed between the first magnetic device and the second magnetic device, where the guidepost comprises a third magnetic device. The docking interface may also include a female portion comprising a fourth magnetic device and a fifth magnetic device disposed across from the fourth magnetic device leaving a gap between the fourth magnetic device and the fifth magnetic device, where the gap is configured to receive the guidepost.

Abstract: A heuristic learning algorithm uses an ALS to determine display brightness settings based on a stored response curve for display brightness for a user. When the user overrides the response curve value for display brightness at a given ALS output, the display brightness setting based on the user input is used to modify the response curve for the ALS output to lesser extent than the user input. Over time the response curve will approach desired user settings for each value of the ALS output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-aligning protruding connectors in docking interfaces are described. In some embodiments, a docking interface may include a male portion comprising: a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device disposed across from the first magnetic device, and a guidepost disposed between the first magnetic device and the second magnetic device, where the guidepost comprises a third magnetic device. The docking interface may also include a female portion comprising a fourth magnetic device and a fifth magnetic device disposed across from the fourth magnetic device leaving a gap between the fourth magnetic device and the fifth magnetic device, where the gap is configured to receive the guidepost.

Abstract: A heuristic learning algorithm uses an ALS to determine display brightness settings based on a stored response curve for display brightness for a user. When the user overrides the response curve value for display brightness at a given ALS output, the display brightness setting based on the user input is used to modify the response curve for the ALS output to lesser extent than the user input. Over time the response curve will approach desired user settings for each value of the ALS output.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detachable easel is provided for supporting a portable electronic device in a substantially upright position at a desired viewing angle when the easel is in an open position, and for stowing a wireless keyboard module onto a back surface of the portable electronic device when the easel is in a closed position. In one preferred embodiment, the detachable easel consists of a 3-bar linkage mechanism comprising a first link configured to provide a retaining frame for magnetically adhering to a back surface of the portable electronic device, a second link configured to provide a support frame for supporting the portable electronic device at a number of different viewing angles when the easel is in the open position, and a third link configured to provide a keyboard tray for stowing the wireless keyboard module onto the back surface of the portable electronic device when the easel is in a closed position.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a docking station for a portable device is provided with an improved latching mechanism for securing the portable device within the docking station. In general, the latching mechanism may comprise a pivotable lever and a larch assembly that operate together as a cam-follower mechanism. The pivotable lever may have a curved lower surface and contoured upper surface, and may be generally configured to rotate about a rotational axis when a back surface of the portable device contacts and pushes against the curved lower surface of the pivotable lever. The latch assembly may be generally configured to translate a rotational motion of the pivotable lever into a linear motion, which causes a hidden latch portion of the latch assembly to extend out of the docking station for securing the portable device within the docking station.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a docking station is provided with a support surface configured for supporting a back surface of a portable electronic device, a rotating cradle configured for receiving a base of the portable electronic device, and a floating docking connector that extends out of a recess of the rotating cradle for connecting to a docking connector of the portable electronic device. According to one embodiment, the support surface of the docking station may include one or more magnetic structures, which are positioned to align with one or more magnetic structures on the back surface of the portable electronic device and configured to provide a magnetic force to retain the portable electronic device on the support surface.

Abstract: A portable electronic device, a peripheral expansion module and methods for assembling a peripheral expansion module onto a portable electronic device are provided herein. The portable electronic device may comprise a main housing unit having a front cover and a back cover which, when coupled together, enclose internal components of the portable electronic device. The peripheral expansion module, comprising one or more peripheral devices coupled within or on a peripheral module housing, may be securely integrated with the portable electronic device. A majority of the peripheral expansion module may be positioned outside of the main housing unit along one side of the portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the peripheral expansion module includes a pair of rails, which extend out from within an interior of the module housing for attachment via one or more mechanical fasteners to an interior surface of the main housing unit of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device and method are disclosed that relate to the selection of a control algorithm for optimizing the performance of a device that is controlled by a user initiated touching of the device that creates a capacitive coupling. The device and method entail the use of a motion sensor to gather data related to the movement of the device, a means for analyzing the data to select an optimal control algorithm, and implementing the control algorithm.