Abstract: A portable computer case whether in a closed state or open state permits a user to exercise control and monitor certain operating features. The user may toggle a control switch to place the computer system in a secondary operational mode, determine when a computer system is in a secondary operational mode, and adjust a digital master volume control during the secondary operational mode. The portable computer system includes a status indicator for indicating when a computer is in a secondary operational mode, digital master volume control buttons operable in a secondary operational mode, and a control switch for placing the computer system in a secondary operational mode. The status indicator, volume control buttons, and control switch are preferably provided on a top surface of the bottom shell of the portable computer for convenient access by a user.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.

Abstract: Briefly, a computer system plays audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive during an audio CD play mode in which the computer system is not fully powered. An audio CD play controller of the computer system includes a means for detecting a plurality of audio CD play buttons for playing an audio CD in the CD-ROM drive and a means for communicating a plurality of audio CD play commands corresponding to the plurality of audio CD play buttons to the CD-ROM drive. The computer system enters the audio CD play mode without a full boot-up procedure and without loading an operating system.

Abstract: A portable computer case whether in a closed state or open state permits a user to exercise control and monitor certain operating features. The user may toggle a control switch to place the computer system in a secondary operational mode, determine when a computer system is in a secondary operational mode, and adjust a digital master volume control during the secondary operational mode. The portable computer system includes a status indicator for indicating when a computer is in a secondary operational mode, digital master volume control buttons operable in a secondary operational mode, and a control switch for placing the computer system in a secondary operational mode. The status indicator, volume control buttons, and control switch are preferably provided on a top surface of the bottom shell of the portable computer for convenient access by a user.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.

Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: Briefly, a computer system plays audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive during an audio CD play mode in which the computer system is not fully powered. An audio CD play controller of the computer system includes a means for detecting a plurality of audio CD play buttons for playing an audio CD in the CD-ROM drive and a means for communicating a plurality of audio CD play commands corresponding to the plurality of audio CD play buttons to the CD-ROM drive. The computer system enters the audio CD play mode without a full boot-up procedure and without loading an operating system.

Abstract: A computer system is capable of playing audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive independent of the operating system by using an embedded CD-ROM drive application or a CD-ROM drive controller. When an audio CD mode switch of the computer system is in an “on” state and the main power switch of the computer is in an “off” state, the computer system is in an audio CD mode. When the computer is placed in such an audio CD mode, the computer either loads the embedded CD application from a non-volatile memory region such as read-only-memory (ROM) region or enables the CD-ROM drive controller of the CD-ROM drive to receive a CD selection and transmit the selections to the CD-ROM drive.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.

Abstract: A portable computer case whether in a closed state or open state permits a user to exercise control and monitor certain operating features. The user may toggle a control switch to place the computer system in a secondary operational mode, determine when a computer system is in a secondary operational mode, and adjust a digital master volume control during the secondary operational mode. The portable computer system includes a status indicator for indicating when a computer is in a secondary operational mode, digital master volume control buttons operable in a secondary operational mode, and a control switch for placing the computer system in a secondary operational mode. The status indicator, volume control buttons, and control switch are preferably provided on a top surface of the bottom shell of the portable computer for convenient access by a user.

Abstract: A computer system is capable of playing audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive independent of the operating system by using an embedded CD-ROM drive application or a CD-ROM drive controller. When an audio CD mode switch of the computer system is in an "on" state and the main power switch of the computer is in an "off" state, the computer system is in an audio CD mode. When the computer is placed in such an audio CD mode, the computer either loads the embedded CD application from a non-volatile memory region such as read-only-memory (ROM) region or enables the CD-ROM drive controller of the CD-ROM drive to receive a CD selection and transmit the selections to the CD-ROM drive.