Abstract: An information handling system (IHS), peripheral component interface (PCI) system and method for expanding PCI nodes in an IHS. The PCI system includes a primary PCI node. The primary PCI node has a PCI switch communicatively coupled to a processor via a system interconnect. The PCI switch is communicatively coupled to several PCI devices. A communication module is communicatively coupled to the PCI switch. A PCI expansion node is communicatively coupled to the primary PCI node via a PCI bus and a sideband bus. The IHS executes firmware that enables expansion of the IHS by configuring the primary PCI node to recognize the one or more interconnected PCI expansion nodes and integrate the functions of the interconnected PCI expansion nodes into an expanded PCI subsystem. The primary PCI node and PCI expansion node can be substantially identical IHSs, having the same motherboards and chassis.

Abstract: The dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate including an attachment surface and coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a border region proximal a periphery of the substrate and defining a cavity configured to receive an instrument, the cavity supporting the instrument in a first configuration and releasing the instrument in a second configuration; and a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and coupled to the cavity, the instrument compressing a portion of the bladder in the first configuration to displace fluid from the bladder into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate including a first transparent material and defining an attachment surface, an open channel opposite the attachment surface, and a fluid conduit intersecting the open channel and passing through the attachment surface; a tactile layer including a second transparent material and defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region bonded to the attachment surface opposite the tactile surface, and a deformable region adjacent the fluid conduit and disconnected from the attachment surface; a closing panel bonded to the substrate opposite the attachment surface and enclosing the open channel to define a fluid channel; a working fluid; and a displacement device configured to displace the working fluid into the fluid channel and through the fluid conduit to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate including a first transparent material and defining an attachment surface, an open channel opposite the attachment surface, and a fluid conduit intersecting the open channel and passing through the attachment surface; a tactile layer including a second transparent material and defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region bonded to the attachment surface opposite the tactile surface, and a deformable region adjacent the fluid conduit and disconnected from the attachment surface; a closing panel bonded to the substrate opposite the attachment surface and enclosing the open channel to define a fluid channel; a working fluid; and a displacement device configured to displace the working fluid into the fluid channel and through the fluid conduit to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate including a first transparent material and defining an attachment surface, an open channel opposite the attachment surface, and a fluid conduit intersecting the open channel and passing through the attachment surface; a tactile layer including a second transparent material and defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region bonded to the attachment surface opposite the tactile surface, and a deformable region adjacent the fluid conduit and disconnected from the attachment surface; a closing panel bonded to the substrate opposite the attachment surface and enclosing the open channel to define a fluid channel; a working fluid; and a displacement device configured to displace the working fluid into the fluid channel and through the fluid conduit to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: A composite stone panel can comprise a stone slab. A partially metallic panel backer is coupled to the stone slab and can further comprise a core material layer, a first interface layer disposed on a first surface of the core material layer, and a second interface layer disposed on a second surface of the core material layer opposite the first metal interface layer. The stone slab can further comprise a length greater than 1.2 meters (m), a width greater than 0.6 m, and a thickness in a range of 0.2-1.5 centimeters (cm). The core material layer can comprise a thickness greater than 3.75 millimeters and can further comprise polyethylene and optional fibers. The first and second interface layers can comprise a thickness of aluminum in a range of 0.21 millimeters (mm) to 0.30 mm. Accordingly, the composite stone panel can comprises a thickness in a range of 0.6-3.0 cm.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer including a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between an expanded setting and a retracted setting; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; and a spring element coupled to the substrate between the tactile layer and the substrate, arranged substantially over the fluid conduit, and operable in a first distended position and a second distended position, the spring element at a local minimum of potential energy in the expanded setting and in the first distended position and at a second potential energy greater than the local minimum of potential energy between the first distended position and the second distended position, the spring element defining a nonlinear displacement response to an input displacing the deformable region in the expanded setting

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer including an attachment surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the attachment surface at the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; a first electromagnetic element coupled to the substrate proximal the deformable region and outputting a first electromagnetic field; and a second electromagnetic element coupled to the tactile layer at the deformable region and outputting a second electromagnetic field, the second electromagnetic element attracted to the first electromagnetic element in a first setting and repelling the first electromagnetic element in a second setting.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer including an attachment surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate coupled to the attachment surface at the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; a first magnet coupled to the substrate proximal the deformable region; and a second magnet coupled to the tactile layer at the deformable region and magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet cooperating to yield a nonlinear displacement of the deformable region in the expanded setting toward the substrate in response to a force applied to the tactile surface at the deformable region.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.

Abstract: The dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate including an attachment surface and coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a border region proximal a periphery of the substrate and defining a cavity configured to receive an instrument, the cavity supporting the instrument in a first configuration and releasing the instrument in a second configuration; and a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and coupled to the cavity, the instrument compressing a portion of the bladder in the first configuration to displace fluid from the bladder into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer defining a first region and a deformable region adjacent the first region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer at the first region, defining a variable volume adjacent the deformable region and defining a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the variable volume; a set of rigid structures distributed across the tactile layer defining an anti-reflective coating over the tactile layer; and a displacement device fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, the displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting, the set of rigid structures conforming to the tactile layer, each rigid structure in the set of rigid structures shifting relative to an adjacent rigid structure in the set of rigid structures.

Abstract: A translucent composite stone panel can comprise a translucent stone slab of onyx or travertine. The composite stone panel can comprise a length greater than or equal to 1.2 m, a width greater than or equal to 0.6 m, and a thickness in a range of 0.2-1.5 cm. The translucent stone slab can further comprise a length greater than or equal to 2.4 m and a width greater than or equal to 1.2 m. The translucent composite stone panel can further comprise a translucent honeycomb panel backer comprising a length greater than or equal to 1.2 m, a width greater than or equal to 0.6 m, a thickness in a range of 0.2-1.5 cm that is coupled to the translucent stone slab. The translucent honeycomb panel backer can further comprises a length greater than or equal to 2.4 m and a width greater than or equal to 1.2 m.

Abstract: A composite stone panel can comprise a stone slab. A partially metallic panel backer is coupled to the stone slab and can further comprise a core material layer, a first interface layer disposed on a first surface of the core material layer, and a second interface layer disposed on a second surface of the core material layer opposite the first metal interface layer. The stone slab can further comprise a length greater than 1.2 meters (m), a width greater than 0.6 m, and a thickness in a range of 0.2-1.5 centimeters (cm). The core material layer can comprise a thickness greater than 3.75 millimeters and can further comprise polyethylene and optional fibers. The first and second interface layers can comprise a thickness of aluminum in a range of 0.21 millimeters (mm) to 0.30 mm. Accordingly, the composite stone panel can comprises a thickness in a range of 0.6-3.0 cm.

Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) enables delivery of audio-visual content and associated metadata to storage devices. The PVR is configured to access a plurality of services using a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module is dedicated to a single designated content provider. One or more of the storage modules are removably coupled to the PVR. A disconnected storage module can be reconnected to another PVR different from the PVR from which the storage module was disconnected. Where authorization is required to access content stored on the storage module, authentication is performed each time the removable storage module is reconnected to a PVR.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: A composite stone panel can comprise a stone slab. A partially metallic panel backer is coupled to the stone slab and can further comprise a core material layer, a first interface layer disposed on a first surface of the core material layer, and a second interface layer disposed on a second surface of the core material layer opposite the first metal interface layer. The stone slab can further comprise a length greater than 1.2 meters (m), a width greater than 0.6 m, and a thickness in a range of 0.2-1.5 centimeters (cm). The core material layer can comprise a thickness greater than 3.75 millimeters and can further comprise polyethylene and optional fibers. The first and second interface layers can comprise a thickness of aluminum in a range of 0.21 millimeters (mm) to 0.30 mm. Accordingly, the composite stone panel can comprises a thickness in a range of 0.6-3.0 cm.