Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a substrate for receiving communication circuitry, and an antenna coupled to the substrate and configured to provide a signal to the communication circuitry. The electronic device also includes one or more processors, and a data storage device having executable instructions accessible by the one or more processors. Responsive to execution of the instructions, the one or more processors are configured to monitor the antenna or the communication circuitry to detect the signal, and prompt a communication related to the antenna in response to not detecting the signal or detecting a degraded signal.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a substrate for receiving communication circuitry, and an antenna coupled to the substrate and configured to provide a signal to the communication circuitry. The electronic device also includes one or more processors, and a data storage device having executable instructions accessible by the one or more processors. Responsive to execution of the instructions, the one or more processors are configured to monitor the antenna or the communication circuitry to detect the signal, and prompt a communication related to the antenna in response to not detecting the signal or detecting a degraded signal.

Abstract: A portable computer searches for preprogrammed wireless stations when it boots, and if it does not recognize any, stops booting the O.S. so that data cannot be accessed. In this way, should the portable computer be stolen and removed from its intended vicinity, data on the computer cannot be accessed by the thief.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that communicates virus information between a computer that detects a virus in a file (the detecting computer system) and the computer that sent the infected file (the infected computer system). When the infected computer system sends an infected file to the detecting computer system the detecting computer system detects the virus in the infected file, retrieves virus information corresponding to the virus (such as the name of the infected file, the identifier, or name, of the virus, the virus definitions used to identify the virus, and any instructions needed to eradicate the virus), and automatically sends the virus information back to the infected computer system over the network.

Abstract: A power adaptor for a computer discovers the power environment when it is plugged into a socket and sends a signal to the computer along the power line indicating the environment, so that the computer can configure operations accordingly.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that communicates virus information between a computer that detects a virus in a file (the detecting computer system) and the computer that sent the infected file (the infected computer system). When the infected computer system sends an infected file to the detecting computer system the detecting computer system detects the virus in the infected file, retrieves virus information corresponding to the virus (such as the name of the infected file, the identifier, or name, of the virus, the virus definitions used to identify the virus, and any instructions needed to eradicate the virus), and automatically sends the virus information back to the infected computer system over the network.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the formation of tin whiskers is presented. An assembly substrate includes whisker detectors at various locations for detecting tin whiskers in an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction relative to the assembly substrate. Each whisker detector includes sense traces and a trace bridge that produce “planar gaps” and “orthogonal gaps” that are smaller than trace gaps produced by other traces on the assembly substrate. As such, tin whiskers short across the planar gaps and orthogonal gaps before they short across trace gaps. When the assembly substrate is finished with processing steps, a system tester performs a continuity test on the whisker detectors. When the continuity test fails, an operator is notified to check for tin whiskers on the assembly substrate. Once shipped, a processor monitors the whisker detectors for shorts throughout the product's lifecycle.