Abstract: A desktop computer system having the capability to suspend and resume the state of the computer system. The suspended system state is saved to the system hard file such that system power may be removed, effectively allowing a system suspend requiring no power from the power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transferring data between at least one direct access storage device in a media console and devices in a system unit. The system unit is separate from the media console and includes a microprocessor coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus. An electrical connector having one end coupled to the media console and another end coupled to the system unit is used for electrically connecting device(s) in the console to devices in the system unit. The method includes the steps of monitoring the expansion bus with a first interface in the system unit to determine when a bus cycle initiated by a device in the system unit is directed to the direct access storage device and transferring data from the expansion bus to the direct access storage device via the electrical connector and a second interface in the console when a bus cycle is directed to the direct access storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system that includes a media console coupled to a system unit with a multi-conductor cable. The media console includes a direct access storage device having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The system unit is separate from the console and includes a microprocessor coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the local bus and a power supply for supplying power to the system. The cable has one end coupled to the console and another end coupled to the system unit for electrically connecting devices in the console to devices in the system unit. The system unit has a first interface coupled to the expansion bus and the cable, and the console has a second interface coupled to the cable and the direct access storage device in the console.

Abstract: A monitor and debugger routine operable on a personal computer for facilitating the design of power-on self-test (POST) and basic input and output system (BIOS) code. The monitor and debugger routine is invoked by POST code early in the system initialization process, before most of the system hardware devices have been initialized and before the operating system has been invoked. The monitor and debugger routine uses minimal system resources--lower memory and a serial communications controller--and is accessed via an external communications and display device connected via a serial communications link generated by the serial communications controller. As so invoked, the monitor and debugger routine can be used to facilitate the design and debugging of the remaining portions of the system initialization code, hardware interface code, suspend and resume code, video code, and other code that cannot be debugged using standard debuggers that require a functioning BIOS and an operating system to operate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing two analog composite video signals to be displayed to a human observer. The system includes at least a first and a second video source for generating first and second analog composite video signals respectively, and a selector coupled to the first and second video sources. The selector is operative to supply either the first or second analog composite video signal to one input of a video processor and independently and simultaneously supply either the first or second analog composite video signal to a second input of the video processor. The video processor is operative under control of a CPU to generate an output analog composite video signal comprised of a portion of the analog composite video signal supplied to the video processor's first input and a portion of the analog composite video signal supplied to the video processor's second input.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video game system for connecting to the Internet and allowing a user to transfer/receive data therefrom. The video game system includes a connector port for removably and electrically connecting a cartridge to the game console. The cartridge includes an application program stored therein, a modem and a telephone port for transferring data between the Internet and the video game system via a telephone line. A processor is electrically coupled to a system memory, the connector port and the I/O port. The processor is operative to (1) transfer the application program from the first cartridge to the system memory, execute the application program out of system memory and display an Internet graphical user interface (GUI) on the video display device and (2) execute Internet protocol programs to connect to the Internet and transfer data between the Internet and the video game system via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video game system which provides a user with text based Internet access. The video game system includes first and second connector ports for removably and electrically connecting the game console to first and second cartridges respectively. The first cartridge has a dialer/terminal application program stored therein while the second cartridge includes a modem and a telephone port for transferring data between the Internet and the video game system via a telephone line. A processor is electrically coupled to a system memory, the first and second connector ports and an input/output port. The processor is operative to transfer the application program from the first cartridge to the system memory and execute the application program out of system memory to connect to the Internet and transfer text data between the Internet and the video game system wherein the text data is displayed on a video display device as it is received from the Internet and as it is input from a control device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system that includes a media console coupled to a system unit with a multi-conductor cable. The media console contains a direct access storage device (e.g., floppy disk drive) having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The system unit is separate from the media console and includes a microprocessor coupled to a first bus, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the first bus and a power supply for supplying power to the the system. The multi-conductor cable has one end coupled to the media console and another end coupled to the system unit for electrically connecting devices in the media console to devices in the system unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a media console of a personal computer system that includes a drive housing that can be moved within a base member between an open position and a closed position. A direct access storage device (e.g., floppy disk drive) is disposed within the drive housing and has an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The open position is characterized in that the opening in the direct access storage device is accessible to a user while the closed position is characterized in that the opening in the direct access storage device is not accessible to the user.The drive housing pivots on pins which are disposed at opposite ends of a back portion of the drive housing. The pins fit within grooves which are located at each end of the base member. A spring coupled to the base member and the drive housing biases the drive housing toward the open position. A latch for latching the drive housing in the closed position is coupled to the base member and the drive housing.

Abstract: A computer system having suspend and resume capabilities using a plurality of suspend files to save multiple system states. Provision is made for use of multiple operating systems requiring multiple swap files. Also, a cross-session data file monitor prevents corruption of data files from one session to another.

Abstract: A computer system having suspend and resume capabilities using multiple suspend timers. The multiple suspend timers execute such that the computer system suspends after a longer period of time of user inactivity when the system is powered up in an attended mode and suspends after a shorter period of time of inactivity when the system is powered up in an unattended mode. If the system awakens in an unattended mode and user activity is subsequently detected, the system changes to suspend after the longer period of time of user inactivity. The multiple timers are implemented either by a single timer restarted to two different values or by two independent timers having different expiration values.

Abstract: A computer system having suspend and resume capabilities using suspend once resume many (SORM) sessions. In SORM sessions, the state of the computer system at a particular point in time is saved to the nonvolatile memory, e.g., hard drive, so that that exact system state can be resumed from the hard drive. However, the system state is discarded (not saved to the hard drive) when the user is finished with that particular session. Also, with SORM sessions, the suspend file always stays the same; therefore, a computer system resumed from a SORM suspend file is always resumed to a fixed, predetermined state. SORM sessions also facilitate operating systems executing software designed to execute on another operating system.

Abstract: A computer system having a CPU, a power management processor, a modem, and a power supply in circuit communication. The power management processor controls the regulation of power to the CPU by the power supply. Responsive to a ring signal having a frequency in a predetermined range being detected by the power management processor, the power management processor causes the power supply to provide regulated power to the computer system. Thereafter, the CPU confirms that a ring signal was present by querying the modem whether the modem also detected a ring. If so, the system remains powered. If not, the CPU causes the power management controller to cause the power supply to cease providing regulated power.