Abstract: A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.

Abstract: A peripheral communications protocol hub includes an input device such as a keyboard or remote cursor control wirelessly connected to a host computer. The input device has a number of connectors for connection of peripherals to the input device. The connection of input device to peripheral may be wired or wireless.

Abstract: Computer keyboard control of the characteristics of a display device coupled to a computer through the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a computer, a display device, and a keyboard. The display device is responsive to at least one display control command, each command associated with a characteristic of the display device, such as contrast or brightness. The BIOS, in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard, operatively sends the display device a corresponding display control command.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for modifying print colors are described. A subset of printable information units, such as words, text, figures and drawings, which can be located within a document or file on a computer system, are displayed in a first color designation. This first color designation is then changed to a second color designation for printing. The printable information units are then printed.

Abstract: Computers are commonly connected in networks which allow interactive communications between two or more computer users. Occasionally, one user tries unsuccessfully to interactively communicate with another user who is unavailable for interactive communications. Accordingly, the inventor devised a system, method, and software to summon the unavailable user through an alternative communications device, for example, a pager, associated with the unavailable user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing a power on self test includes executing a primary subset of POST tests during initial startup of a computer, and executing a secondary subset of non-essential POST tests transparent to a user at a later time. The secondary subset of POST tests may be performed after a period of computer inactivity.

Abstract: The control of unintended actuation of a touch pad pointing device is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system comprises a touch pad pointing device capable of actuation by a user, and a pointing device driver. The pointing device driver comprises a disable component, and a censor and re-enable component. The disable component sets a disable function upon detection of a disabling event. The censor and re-enable component ignores the single-tap actuation of the touch pad pointing device upon the setting of the disable function. Finally, the censor and re-enable component resets the disable function upon detection of an enabling event.

Abstract: A distributed modem in order to achieve non-cellular cordless/wireless data communications for portable computers is provided. In one embodiment, the modem includes three components, a digital signal processor (DSP), a coder/decoder (CODEC), and a digital-access arrangement (DAA). The DSP resides within a PCMCIA card for insertion into a computer. The CODEC and the DAA reside on a base station. The PCMCIA card and the base station communicate with one another via two transceivers, one each at the PCMCIA card and the base station.

Abstract: A distributed modem in order to achieve non-cellular cordless/wireless data communications for portable computers is described. In one embodiment, the modem includes three components, a digital signal processor (DSP), a coder/decoder (CODEC), and a digital-access arrangement (DAA). The DSP resides within a PCMCIA card for insertion into a computer. The CODEC and the DAA reside on a base station. The PCMCIA card and the base station communicate with one another via two transceivers, one each at the PCMCIA card and the base station.

Abstract: Computer keyboard control of the characteristics of a display device coupled to a computer through the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a computer, a display device, and a keyboard. The display device is responsive to at least one display control command, each command associated with a characteristic of the display device, such as contrast or brightness. The BIOS, in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard, operatively sends the display device a corresponding display control command.

Abstract: An expansion device is provided having two expansion cards interconnected. While the first expansion card of the expansion device conforms to the footprint requirements of the PCMCIA, the second expansion card ranges in size. The expansion device integrates into the overall configuration that conforms with PCMCIA card architecture. A connector releasably attaches the two expansion cards together. Once attached, the expansion card acts as a slave card to the master PC card. Alternatively, the first expansion card can be used by itself as an expansion device. Guide pins are provided for guiding the attachment of the expansion cards. The guide pins, in addition, provide an electrical ground from the PC card to the expansion card. An adaptor is also provided with the expansion device for providing an electronic interface between a host computer and a transmission media line.

Abstract: A dual modem automatically switches between a wireless and wire-based communication modes using mode selection circuitry that detects when a wire-based communications network, such as a standard land-line telephone network, is coupled to the modem. When the modem selection circuitry detects the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples modem processing circuitry to a wire-based interface. When the modem selection circuitry fails to detect the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface and the wireless interface is also powered for coupling to a wireless communications network, such as a cellular phone network. The wireless interface is not powered when the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network.

Abstract: A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing access to data on a hard drive in which a first password is stored on the hard drive so that it is not accessible from a system in which the hard drive is installed, and in which a second password is provided from the system. A comparison of the two passwords is made in a processor in the hard drive to determine whether the two passwords are the same. If the result of the comparison of the first and second passwords is that the two passwords are not the same, access to the hard drive is denied.

Abstract: An expansion device is provided having two expansion cards interconnected. While the first expansion card of the expansion device conforms to the footprint requirements of the PCMCIA, the second expansion card ranges in size. The expansion device integrates into the overall configuration that conforms with PCMCIA card architecture. A connector releasably attaches the two expansion cards together. Once attached, the expansion card acts as a slave card to the master PC card. Alternatively, the first expansion card can be used by itself as an expansion device. Guide pins are provided for guiding the attachment of the expansion cards. The guide pins, in addition, provide an electrical ground from the PC card to the expansion card. An adaptor is also provided with the expansion device for providing an electronic interface between a host computer and a transmission media line.