Abstract: A digital information appliance comprises a housing having a display disposed on a first surface for displaying information to a user of the digital information appliance and an input device disposed on a second surface opposed to the first surface for imputing information. The input device is oriented with respect to the display so as to be operable by the fingers of the user's hand for input of information while holding the housing so the display is viewable.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing access to a drive opening of a disk drive or unauthorized removal of a disk from the disk drive opening. The system comprises a drive having a drive opening and a disk tray movable between a retracted position preventing access to the opening and extended position allowing access to the opening. A software or hardware security module prevents the disk tray from being moved to the extended position to prevent access to the drive opening. The method for preventing a disk from being removed from a drive includes determining whether the disk is in the drive, determining whether a correct password has been entered, and preventing ejection of the disk by an ejector based upon those determinations.

Abstract: A method and device for temporarily storing data received from a server in a distributed system. A minimum storage time for the stored data is designated by a user, and the stored data may be deleted only after the specified storage time ends. The stored data may be then retrieved during the storage time without the client being in communication with the server.

Abstract: A standalone kiosk accepts photographic data from a customer for printing one or more photographs from that photographic data. The kiosk may estimate the amount of time required to generate physical prints of the photographic data and display that time estimate to the customer. The kiosk establishes a connection with a wireless communications device carried by the customer and notifies the customer when the printed photographs are complete. The kiosk may dispense a wireless communications device; such as a pager, to the customer to allow for such a connection.

Abstract: A communication device (such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, portable computer, or other similar device) is provided with a special privacy mode for use when a user desires privacy. Upon receiving a call from a caller, the communication device immediately provides to the caller a greeting, indicating that a user of the communication device desires privacy. However, if the caller needs to immediately contact the user, the caller enters a privacy mode code to override the privacy mode, and the call is then completed and the user is signaled (e.g., the communication device rings or vibrates). Otherwise, if the caller enters no privacy mode code, the call is then routed to a message system and the caller is allowed to leave a message for the user.

Abstract: A computer system having a housing including an option bay into which a modular option device may be removably inserted is disclosed. The option bay includes a secondary access port providing access to the modular option device for uncluttered connection of lines and easy access to control functions. The secondary access port may be covered by a sliding door which opens automatically upon insertion of selected modular option devices into the option bay.

Abstract: A presentation system, method and software for displaying an image on a screen and correcting image keystoning caused by a projection lens of a projector not being centered on the screen. The presentation system comprises a computer including a processor and memory and a projector interfaced with the computer to project an image A stored in the computer's memory. A program of instructions stored in the computer's memory includes instructions configured to correct keystoning of the image projected by the projector without centering the projector on the screen. The program provides a software solution to avoid hardware modifications to the computer or projector to correct keystoning. The program also includes instructions configured to input right/left and upward/downward projection angles to correct keystoning caused by some combination of the angles being greater than or less than 90°.

Abstract: A wireless communications system for enabling an information handling system to wirelessly couple to a network is disclosed. A peripheral communications device for communicating information is sent to and by the information handling system via a wireless transmission medium. A base station couples to the peripheral communications device via the wireless transmission medium. The information handling system is enabled to communicate over a network via the network communications device. A method for communicating between an information handling system and a network via a wireless transmission medium is disclosed. Information to be transmitted is sent from the information handling system to a peripheral device, translated into a wireless data transmission format, transmitted via a wireless transmission medium to a remote device, converted into a network communications format, and sent to a modem connected to the network for transmission via the network.

Abstract: A computerized system for keyboard control of compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM) audio of a computer. The computer has a CD-ROM player, a, computer keyboard and a basic input/output system (BIOS). The CD-ROM player is receptive to an audio compact disc (CD). The keyboard has a plurality of keys for entry of one or more predetermined sequences of one or more keystrokes by a user of the computer, each predetermined sequence corresponding to an audio function of the CD-ROM player. The BIOS is operatively coupled to the CD-ROM player and the keyboard, and in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard operatively signals the CD-ROM player to execute a corresponding audio function. In a further embodiment, the system also comprises an operating system and a CD-ROM control application. The operating system receives a command sent by the BIOS in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor/memory/disk module which is selectively mated with any one of a number of associated computer base units, such as a portable PC base unit and a desktop PC base unit. The processor/memory/disk module incorporates essential elements, including a processor, a disk and a memory, of the components required for operation of a computer. The processor/memory/disk module is readily removable from a base unit so as selectively to be coupled to any desired base unit for operation of that base unit, or to be removed and put away for security purposes.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor/memory/disk module which is selectively mated with any one of a number of associated computer base units, such as a portable PC base unit and a desktop PC base unit. The processor/memory/disk module incorporates essential elements, including a processor, a disk and a memory, of the components required for operation of a computer. The processor/memory/disk module is readily removable from a base unit so as selectively to be coupled to any desired base unit for operation of that base unit, or to be removed and put away for security purposes.