Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilizing system for a unit having a horizontal and vertical orientation, the chassis cover including at least one wall panel incorporating a recess and a stabilizer adapted to be located in the recess, where the recess is adapted so that in a retracted position the stabilizer is substantially contained within the recess and, in an extended position, the stabilizer extends from the recess in such a way so as to stabilize the chassis when the chassis is mounted in a vertical orientation, wherein the stabilizer is moved into and locked into the extended or stabilizing position by means of a combined extension and rotation action. The stabilizing system may be used to stabilize vertically mounted computer hardware and may be constructed in a variety of ways depending on the style, design, size and type of casing which is to be supported.

Abstract: This present invention is embodied in a system and method for ordering a consumer item (such as a product or a service) in an interactive computer environment. The system of the present invention includes a user interface that provides automatic and real-time updating of attributes and available options of the consumer item being ordered. Further, the user interface provides a true visual or audio representation of the consumer item as it is being ordered. The present invention also includes a method for ordering a consumer item using this system. The method includes separating the consumer item into intuitive portions that includes base components and categories of available options. The base components and options categories are presented to a consumer through the user interface and the consumer selects the available choices.

Abstract: A display for a computer system comprising a display screen and a support for supporting the display screen, the support comprising a base and a column attached to the base, the column being provided with a screen support part and with at least one connector to which a module of the computer system may be connected.

Abstract: A device includes an attachment means adapted to be attached to a mounting point, and a cable enclosure mounted on the attachment means. The enclosure adapted so that one or more cables can be removably constrained therein. In one embodiment, the cable enclosure is formed in the shape of a resilient flat washer having a substantially radial cut or split thereby allowing the washer to deform in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the washer while being rigid in a direction in the plane of the washer thereby allowing cables to be inserted or removed from within the washer when the washer is twisted and the split opened, but constraining the cables within the washer when the washer is flat and the split is closed.

Abstract: A support for a display screen for a computer, the support comprising a receiving part defining a bay in which a peripheral module may be removably received.

Abstract: A chassis casing for a computer comprising a retractable stabilizing device adapted to be slidably inserted into the retractable position within the chassis casing is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer that includes a computer base, a display and an articulated mechanism formed as modules with mating mechanical connectors. The mating mechanical connectors enable the computer base to be configured with the display either directly or indirectly via the articulated mechanism. The articulated mechanism configuration enables the display to be rotatable about the bottom edge of the display at any of a plurality of viewing angles and also to be oriented above the computer base in a plurality of positions. Preferably, a stabilizer mechanism stabilizes and locks the articulated mechanism to selected angular positions.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a computer casing is provided which includes at least one stabilizing member pivotally attached to the computer casing at a proximal end. The stabilizing means is attached in such a way so that when the stabilizing member is in a storage configuration it is recessed flush with, or within the surface of, the computer casing. To configure it is in a stabilizing configuration it is pivoted into a position whereby it extends from the computer casing in such a way as to increase the effective footprint of the computer casing. The angle of rotation is oriented to the vertical in such a way that when the one or more stabilizing means are pivoted outwardly, the computer casing is elevated. This enhances the stability of the computer casing and allows for the circulation of air.

Abstract: A stabilizer mechanism pivotally attached to a computer casing wall includes retractable spring loaded extension arms which, in a stabilizing position, extend to increase the effective casing footprint while the retractable extension arms are in a storage position. The stabilizer is pivotable into a retraction position within the casing. The stabilizer includes a flat panel attached so its freedom of rotation is limited to support the casing in an elevated position. The retractable extension arms include a mechanism for securing them within the stabilizer. Alternatively, a removable stabilizer is stored in a recess within the casing. In the stabilizing position, the stabilizer is released from the storage recess and oriented in the stabilizing position by rotating the stabilizer until it is at right angles to its storage position. Pressing the stabilizer into the recess locks it in position to elevate the computer casing.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a connector system for a docking station of a portable computer. The connector system includes a peripheral connector array that is removeably coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a docking station or port replicator. Since the connector array is removeably coupled to the port replicator, the connector array can be maneuvered to allow easy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. Also, the port replicator preferably has a recessed area for storing the connector array after electrical connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. This reduces clutter and tangling of the cables connected to the peripherals. In addition, the connector array can be of various sizes and shapes and can be designed to interface with specific portable computers.

Abstract: A stabilizer mechanism pivotally attached to a computer casing wall includes retractable spring loaded extension arms which, in a stabilizing position, extend to increase the effective casing footprint while the retractable extension arms are in a storage position. The stabilizer is pivotable into a retraction position within the casing. The stabilizer includes a flat panel attached so its freedom of rotation is limited to support the casing in an elevated position. The retractable extension arms include a mechanism for securing them within the stabilizer. Alternatively, a removable stabilizer is stored in a recess within the casing. In the stabilizing position, the stabilizer is released from the storage recess and oriented in the stabilizing position by rotating the stabilizer until it is at right angles to its storage position. Pressing the stabilizer into the recess locks it in position to elevate the computer casing.

Abstract: A display assembly for use with data processing apparatus, the assembly having a display part and a support therefor, the display part being moveable relative to the support so as to allow adjustment of the display part's orientation, the display part having a connection element whereby a releasable connection may be effected to a signal or power cable, the support having a guide through which the cable may be routed away from the display part.

Abstract: A display for a computer system comprising a display screen and a support for supporting the display screen,

Abstract: A support for a display screen for a computer, the support comprising a receiving part defining a bay in which a peripheral module may be removably received.

Abstract: Prescribed areas of a track pad surface are dedicated to one or more prescribed or programmable pointing, clicking, scrolling or hot-key functions. These specialized touch sensing areas are adjacent to a main touch sensing area, and include a tactile cue such as a textured border or textured surface. A visual indication such as a label also may be used to identify the specialized function. A visual cue, such as a light, also may be generated when the user's finger is in a specialized touch sensing area. One specialized touch sensing area is dedicated to correspond to a window scrolling function adding convenience for scrolling web pages, word processing documents, tables and other content windows displayed on a computer screen. An on-off button is included to activate or deactivate the track pad operations.

Abstract: A display assembly for use with data processing apparatus, the assembly having a display part and a support therefor, the display part being moveable relative to the support so as to allow adjustment of the display part's orientation, the display part having a connection element whereby a releasable connection may be effected to a signal or power cable, the support having a guide through which the cable may be routed away from the display part.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a connector system for a docking station of a portable computer. The connector system includes a peripheral connector array that is removeably coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a docking station or port replicator. Since the connector array is removeably coupled to the port replicator, the connector array can be maneuvered to allow easy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. Also, the port replicator preferably has a recessed area for storing the connector array after electrical connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. This reduces clutter and tangling of the cables connected to the peripherals. In addition, the connector array can be of various sizes and shapes and can be designed to interface with specific portable computers.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for securing cables. To this end, a device is described including an attachment means adapted to be attached to a mounting point, and a cable enclosure mounted on the attachment means. The enclosure adapted so that one or more cables can be removably constrained therein. In one embodiment, the cable enclosure is formed in the shape of a resilient flat washer having a substantially radial cut or split thereby allowing the washer to deform in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the washer while being rigid in a direction in the plane of the washer thereby allowing cables to be inserted or removed from within the washer when the washer is twisted and the split opened, but constraining the cables within the washer when the washer is flat and the split is closed.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a connector system for a docking station of a portable computer. The connector system includes a peripheral connector array that is removeably coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a docking station or port replicator. Since the connector array is removeably coupled to the port replicator, the connector array can be maneuvered to allow easy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. Also, the port replicator preferably has a recessed area for storing the connector array after electrical connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. This reduces clutter and tangling of the cables connected to the peripherals. In addition, the connector array can be of various sizes and shapes and can be designed to interface with specific portable computers.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a computer casing is provided which includes at least one stabilizing member pivotally attached to the computer casing at a proximal end. The stabilizing means is attached in such a way so that when the stabilizing member is in a storage configuration it is recessed flush with, or within the surface of, the computer casing. To configure it is in a stabilizing configuration it is pivoted into a position whereby it extends from the computer casing in such a way as to increase the effective footprint of the computer casing. The angle of rotation is oriented to the vertical in such a way that when the one or more stabilizing means are pivoted outwardly, the computer casing is elevated. This enhances the stability of the computer casing and allows for the circulation of air.