Abstract: A method of securing CD-ROM data for exclusive retrieval by a specified computer system includes the steps of ordering a computer system designating a selected hardware configuration and selected software components and procuring the selected hardware. A hardware identifier is then associated to the selected hardware. The method further includes the step of producing a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) containing software program files corresponding to the selected software components. This step includes the substeps of encrypting the software program files using the hardware identifier as an encryption key and writing the encrypted software program files to the CD-ROM.

Abstract: System management mode (SMM) is utilized, despite operating system security measures, by furnishing a polled interface for SMM. When an application program is to make an XBIOS call, the application program posts an XBIOS request in a storage. SMM is activated periodically by a timer and, during activation, checks the storage for XBIOS requests. When an XBIOS request is posted, SMM processes the request XBIOS command and leaves a response from the XBIOS call in the storage. The application program, which continually loops, monitors the storage and detects replacement of the XBIOS request by the XBIOS result to realize completion of an XBIOS call.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transparently executing in a graphical operating system environment a battery gauge utility that provides accurate battery status information adaptable to different users' needs. In a preferred embodiment, a software battery gauge of the present invention utilizes the primary display of a PC on which it is executing to present information on the exact current charge status of each of one or more batteries of the PC without relying on the presence of a Microsoft/Intel Advanced Power Management driver and compatible BIOS and without continually impinging on the APM or XBIOS interfaces to derive such status information. The battery gauge interfaces with a user through a user interface comprising an animated graphical status indicator and a textual status indicator, which display battery status information continuously such that changes therein can be immediately and conveniently perceived by a user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling a suspend-to-disk (S2D) state to be associated with a hard disk to which the operations of a personal computer (PC) have been suspended, rather than with the PC itself. In a preferred embodiment, responsive to initiation of an S2D operation, a partition table stored in a partition sector of the hard disk is copied to a known address within an S2D partition of the hard disk and the copy of the partition table stored in the partition sector is altered such that the S2D partition, rather than a native operating system (OS) partition, is designated as the active partition. The S2D operations continue in a conventional manner, with the state of the PC being saved to the hard disk, at which point the PC is powered off. When the PC is subsequently powered back on, the PC boots up from the S2D partition. A resume-from-disk (RFD) program writes the copy of the partition table previously stored in the S2D partition back to the partition sector and then restores the state of the PC.

Abstract: A portable computer is provided in which the consumption of power by the I/O ports of the computer is reduced. The processor of the computer distinguishes port I/O operations that require an actual data transfer from port I/O operations that do not require an actual data transfer. The I/O ports of the computer remain off until an I/O operation involving an actual data transfer at a particular port is required. When an I/O operation which requires an actual data transfer is encountered, then the appropriate port is powered up. In this manner, power consumption by the I/O ports of the computer is significantly reduced. Advantageously, the disclosed technique for reducing power consumption by the I/O ports of the computer is operating system independent. In this manner, the power management feature functions regardless of which particular operating system or application software is installed on the computer.

Abstract: A computer system is provided with the capability of protecting portions of the mass storage media therein from unauthorized access. The mechanism employed to protect portions of the mass storage media is advantageously operating system independent. Thus, the protection mechanism functions regardless of what operating system is installed or what particular application software is presently being executed. More particularly, the computer system includes a processor configured to execute code in an operational mode and in a system management mode. A mass storage device and a memory are coupled to the processor. At least one region of the mass storage device is designated as a protected region by the user or by the manufacturer. The computer system is configured to trap mass storage device I/O operations and, in response to a trapped mass storage device I/O operation, the processor enters a system management mode.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively monitoring in situ by Raman spectrometry one or more selected constituents of a chemical composition comprises: simultaneously irradiating with a substantially monochromatic radiation source a reference material and a chemical composition containing one or more constituents, the radiation being transmitted from the source to the chemical composition by an excitation conduit connecting the source to an optical probe that interfaces with the composition; simultaneously acquiring at more than one wavelength convolved Raman spectra of the reference material and the chemical composition by means of a spectrograph, which is connected to the optical probe by a collection conduit; choosing the standard Raman spectrum of the reference material; determining the convolution function of the convolved spectra from the convolved Raman spectrum and the standard Raman spectrum of the reference material; applying the convolution function to adjust the convolved Raman spectrum of the composition to

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically increasing the visibility of an LCD during warm-up thereof is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises brightness control circuitry electrically connected to an LCD panel of a portable personal computer (PC) or other battery operated electronic device for controlling the brightness level of the LCD. The brightness control circuitry is also electrically connected to receive a signal indicative of a brightness control level selected by a user using a user-settable control means, such as a brightness control knob located on the device. In operation, on power up of the LCD, the brightness control circuitry increases the LCD brightness to a maximum level, regardless of the brightness level selected by the user. Once the LCD has warmed up, the brightness control circuitry decreases the brightness level of the LCD to the level selected by the user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing operating system independent support for mixed voltage devices, particularly PC card controllers. In one aspect of the invention, a system management mode ("SMM") of the processor of a PC is used to detect the proper voltage of a PC card inserted in a PC card slot and then to set the voltage level of the PC card controller appropriately. In one embodiment, SMM is entered responsive to detection that the operating system is setting up the registers of the PC card controller by writes to a particular I/O address. In another embodiment, SMM is entered responsive to detection of insertion of a PC card into a PC card slot. In any event, because SMM is operating system independent, the mixed voltage capability of the PC card controller will be supported regardless of whether the operating system installed on the PC supports such functionality.

Abstract: A system for reducing the amount of power consumed by a battery operated computer device is disclosed. A microcontroller continuously monitors the activity of at least one I/O device and sets an activity state variable (ASV) associated with the I/O device accordingly. Upon each the expiration of a preselected time period, the microcontroller examines the state of the ASV to determine whether the I/O device was active during the expired time period. If so, the I/O device is caused to operate in a full power mode; otherwise, the I/O device is caused to operate in a reduced power consumption mode. In one embodiment, the I/O device is capable of operating in more than one reduced power consumption mode, in which case, responsive to a determination that the I/O device was not active during the expired time period, the I/O device is caused to operate in the next lowest power consumption mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns acid derivatives of formula IR.sup.1 --CON(R.sup.2)--N(R.sup.3)CO--X.sup.1 --Q--X.sup.2 --GIand pharmaceutically acceptable metabolically labile esters or amides thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, X.sup.1, Q, X.sup.2 and G have the meanings given in the specification. The invention also concerns processes for the preparation of the acid derivatives of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as inhibitors of the binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing S2D functions using a dedicated S2D partition of a fixed, minimum size, in combination with an extended partition of adjustable size are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a hierarchy of pointers is constructed for indicating the location of the blocks of disk space comprising the extended partition, which may be located in a native OS partition of the hard disk, some other available space on the hard disk, or both, and may or may not comprise contiguous hard disk space. A root block stored in the S2D partition comprises a plurality of pointers, each of which indicate the location of a pointer block. Each pointer block comprises a plurality of pointers, each of which point to a data block.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyester oligomers are converted to linear polyesters by contact at a temperature of about 160.degree.-300.degree. C. with a cyclic titanium catalyst such as di-(1-butyl)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dioxytitanate, bis(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene) titanate or 1-(1-butoxy)-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxa-1-titanabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Such catalysts have high activity and produce linear or branched polyesters of very high molecular weight.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula(M.sup.1).sub.n --Q--(M.sup.2).sub.1-n --L--A Iwherein:n is 0 or 1;M.sup.1 is an amino group;Q is an aromatic heterocyclic group containing a basic nitrogen atom;M.sup.2 is an imino group;L is a template group; andA is an acidic group, or an ester or amide derivative thereof, or a sulphonamide group;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and pro-drugs thereof, for use in the treatment of a disease in which platelet aggregation mediated by the binding of adhesion molecules to GPIIb-IIIa is involved. Novel compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## and metabolically labile esters and amides thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which R.sup.13, M.sup.2, X.sup.1, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.1a, X.sup.2 and A.sup.1 have the meanings given in the specification. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of the binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Intermediates are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing a checksum technique for verifying the integrity of hard disk space reserved for use in implementing S2D capabilities is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a root block stored in a dedicated, fixed-size S2D partition comprises a plurality of entries each of which contains a pointer to the location of a corresponding pointer block located and a checksum for use in verifying the integrity of the pointer block. Similarly, each pointer block comprises a plurality of entries each of which contains a pointer to the location of a corresponding data block and a checksum for use in verifying the integrity of the data block.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyester oligomers are converted to linear polyesters by contact at a temperature of about 160.degree.-300.degree. C. with a cyclic titanium catalyst such as di-(1-butyl)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dioxytitanate, bis(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene)titanate or 1-(1-butoxy)-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxa-1-titanabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Such catalysts have high activity and produce linear or branched polyesters of very high molecular weight.

Abstract: A jitter generating device for use in a data communication system. The device has a repeating unit with an input and an output connected in use to receive data from the data communication system and to repeat the data onto the data communication system respectively. A clock signal generator generates a clock signal which is fed to the repeating unit to control the rate at which data is output onto the data communication system. A clock phase (jitter) modulating unit modulates the phase of the clock signal output by the clock signal generator.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyester oligomer compositions comprising alkylene isophthalate or terephthalate units or the like are prepared by the reaction of a diol with a diacid chloride in the presence of at least one amine characterized by substantially no steric hindrance around the basic nitrogen atom. The reaction is conducted under substantially anhydrous conditions and at a temperature from about -25.degree. to about +25.degree. C. The resulting macrocyclic oligomers may be converted to linear polyesters by contact with catalysts including basic reagents, stannous alkoxides, organotin compounds, titanate esters and metal acetylacetonates.

Abstract: Whey protein fractions, especially alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, are produced by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) treating the whey to achieve a reduction in the specific gravity and ionic strength of the whey to levels which should not be less than 25% of their original values; (b) adjusting the pH of the whey to a value in the range 3.80 to 5.50 by the addition of acid; the above steps being carried out in any order; (c) heating the pH-adjusted whey to a temperature in the range 55.degree.-70.degree. C., and maintaining the whey at that temperature for a period greater than 30 seconds and sufficient to permit aggregation of a portion of the protein content of the whey; (d) cooling the whey to a temperature less than 55.degree. C.