Abstract: A system and method for securing access to memory modules includes a memory module, a virtual memory module, a boot module, and a gatekeeper. The boot module accepts a key and requests for the memory module and provides the requests and the key to the virtual memory module. The virtual memory module is externally accessible by the boot module and accepts the provided key and the requests from the boot module and transmits the requests and the provided key from the boot module to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper regulates access to the memory module allowing no other components to directly access the memory module. The gatekeeper receives the provided key from the virtual memory module and the gatekeeper authenticates the provided key by comparing it with a stored key stored in secure location. Upon proper authentication of the provided key, the gatekeeper executes the request in the memory module.

Abstract: A computing product is first assembled according to a predetermined hardware configuration and placed in a shipping container thus providing a containerized computer system. The computing product has a wireless communication subsystem for wirelessly receiving configuration information. The containerized computer system is fully configured before shipping the computer system to a predetermined customer by exchanging information between the wireless communication subsystem and a wireless information network in the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration. An order is placed on an order entry system which generates a hardware list and a software list from the order. In one embodiment, the hardware list is checked to verify that the selected hardware components are compatible with each other. In another other embodiment, the software list is checked to verify that the software components on the list are compatible with one another. In another embodiment, the software and hardware lists are cross checked to verify compatibility of the hardware components with the software components. The software components are recorded on a storage device to enable a user to restore the software components at a later time should that ever become necessary.

Abstract: The present invention presents a system and method for the vendor of a primary software program (“primary vendor”) to limit the use of a secondary software program with its primary software program, under a specific set of limiting preconditions, and to retain control over the issuance and duration of the limiting preconditions, where a primary software program is an operating system and a secondary software program is an application software program or a peripheral driver, and where a primary software program is an application software program and a secondary software program is a plug-in.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for strategic power reduction in a computer system. The system and method includes a plurality of processing resources that process data. Associated with the processing resources are a plurality of power supplies that provide power for the processing resources. A resource management engine determines the demand on the computer system and scales the processing resources to conserve and reduce power consumption. The resource management engine brings online additional processing resources to meet additional demand or brings offline or to a lower power state processing resources to meet a decreased demand. In addition, the resource management engine predicts future demand requirements and adjusts the processing resources in advance to meet the predicted demand levels and allows for dynamic adjustment of the processing resources based on current demand events.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: The present invention presents a system and method for the vendor of a primary software program (“primary vendor”) to limit the use of a secondary software program with its primary software program, under a specific set of limiting preconditions, and to retain control over the issuance and duration of the limiting preconditions, where a primary software program is an operating system and a secondary software program is an application software program or a peripheral driver, and where a primary software program is an application software program and a secondary software program is a plug-in.

Abstract: A computing product is first assembled according to a predetermined hardware configuration and placed in a shipping container thus providing a containerized computer system. The computing product has a wireless communication subsystem for wirelessly receiving configuration information. The containerized computer system is fully configured before shipping the computer system to a predetermined customer by exchanging information between the wireless communication subsystem and a wireless information network in the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A portable computer including a chargeable battery and an AC line adapter controls the battery and adapter to emulate a full UPS-class device. A controller of the portable computer with the chargeable battery and the AC line adapter emulates the conventional operation of an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and a serial cable connecting the UPS to the portable computer. The controller includes a software driver and Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) program code to emulate signals to and from the internal battery and the AC charger.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration, utilizes a CD-ROM writer connected to a manufacturing system network to select and write a custom software configuration to a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is used to install the selected software configuration onto a custom hardware configuration and to subsequently serve as a permanent backup copy of the software configuration. The CD-ROM is written with an identifier of the specific computer hardware assembled in the manufacturing process and the identification written to the CD-ROM is checked when the software is loaded from the CD-ROM onto the computer so that the software is only accessible to the specified computer hardware.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromechanically locking a docking station to a computer using an electromagnetic attractive force is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the docking station includes a latching mechanism with a ferromagnetic handle, and an electromagnet proximately located to the latching mechanism. The latch mechanically secures the docking station to the PC. The electromagnet is positioned such that, when electrically energized, the electromagnetic field produced thereby attracts the handle with sufficient force to prevent the handle from being used to disconnect the PC from the docking station. Alternatively, the electromagnet can be located in the docking station so that it is near a ferromagnetic plate in the PC when the PC is docked.

Abstract: A mouse pointing device and a method of providing movement data and position data with a mouse pointing device. The device comprises: (1) a mouse body adapted to traverse a substantially planar surface, (2) a mouse movement tracking mechanism, coupled to the mouse body, for producing movement data regarding movement of the mouse body relative to the substantially planar surface and (3) a user position tracking mechanism, having a substantially planar mechanism surface occupying a portion of a surface of the mouse body, for producing contact data regarding contact between the mechanism surface and a user, the contact data including location data regarding a location of a contact point, on a plane of the mechanism surface, between the mechanism surface and the user.

Abstract: A compact disk includes a processor and a transmission element under control of the processor. A laser in a compact disk read head illuminates a photosensitive array disposed on the compact disk to generate a current in a charging array. The current generated in charging array is supplied to a storage element. The storage element supplies the processor with power. The processor controls a transmission element electrically coupled to the processor and optically coupled to the compact disk reader to impart an informational signal to the compact disk reader such as a cryptographic key to control utilization of the contents of the CD. The CD can be written to by the CD controller by having the CD read circuit control the light provided to the photosensitive array to impart an information signal to the photosensitive sensitive array.

Abstract: A method of securing CD-ROM data for exclusive retrieval by a specified computer system includes the steps of ordering a computer system designating a selected hardware configuration and selected software components and procuring the selected hardware. A hardware identifier is then associated to the selected hardware. The method further includes the step of producing a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) containing software program files corresponding to the selected software components. This step includes the substeps of encrypting the software program files using the hardware identifier as an encryption key and writing the encrypted software program files to the CD-ROM.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration, utilizes a CD-ROM writer connected to a manufacturing system network to select and write a custom software configuration to a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is used to install the selected software configuration onto a custom hardware configuration and to subsequently serve as a permanent backup copy of the software configuration. The CD-ROM is written with an identifier of the specific computer hardware assembled in the manufacturing process and the identification written to the CD-ROM is checked when the software is loaded from the CD-ROM onto the computer so that the software is only accessible to the specified computer hardware.