Abstract: A method includes sensing a local environmental condition, receiving an electronic communication message, sensing a local microphone signal level associated with the communication message, and issuing a notification if the local microphone signal level exceeds a threshold associated with the local environmental condition. In such a method, an electronic communication may be a telephone call, a video call, a text message, a message communicated via a short message service, a message communicated via a multimedia message service or other type of message. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for dynamically zoning a touch screen environment. The apparatus includes an identification module detecting a number of users around a perimeter of a display, a zoning module generating, via a processor, a plurality of user zones in response to the number of users detected, and a positioning module orienting a gesture zone, within each of the plurality of user zones, in relation to a corresponding user. The method includes detecting a number of users around a perimeter of a display, generating, via a processor, a plurality of user zones in response to the number of users detected, and orienting a gesture zone, within each of the plurality of user zones, in relation to a corresponding user.

Abstract: A device and method include detecting signal strength received at a mobile cellular communication device. A dropped call is detected between the device and another device as a function of detected signal strength. The dropped call is reconnected when detected signal strength reaches a selected first threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments provisioning various electronic devices with optical user input devices having one or more optical sensors are described. Embodiments broadly contemplate expanding the functionality of current user input devices through use of a variety of optical sensors in a variety of configurations, as described further herein.

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 method includes receiving an IP address via a non-IP protocol communication interface, the IP address associated with an operating system environment established on a computing device; storing the received IP address in memory; responsive to a cessation of communication via the non-IP protocol communication interface, accessing the IP address stored in memory and transmitting the accessed IP address via an IP protocol network interface; and receiving information via the IP protocol network interface, the information issued by the operating system environment established on the computing device associated with the IP address. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device receives a stop position tag that indicates a stop position within first electronic content which is a first sensory type. The electronic device identifies a start position within second electronic content using the stop position tag. The second electronic content is a second sensory type that is different than the first sensory type. In turn, the electronic device executes the second electronic content at the identified start position. In one embodiment, the first sensory type is an auditory sensory type and the second sensory type is an image sensory type.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes defining an environment, formulating an anti-keystoning algorithm based at least in part on the defined environment, projecting a laser image from a source to a surface of the defined environment, determining at least one vector parameter with respect to the source and the surface and correcting the laser image based on the anti-keystoning algorithm and the at least one vector parameter. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first battery assembly is in a first battery housing that is mechanically engageable with a portable computer, and a second battery assembly is in a second battery housing that is mechanically couplable to the first battery housing. A switch has a first configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the first battery assembly and a second configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the second battery assembly.

Abstract: Heat from the core of a semiconductor chip package mounted on a printed circuit board assembled into a computer system is dissipated to both sides of the printed circuit board. A pair of integrated heat spreaders are disposed at opposite sides of the core, and two heat sinks are positioned at opposite sides of the package. Each of the heat sinks is positioned in thermal communication with one of the heat spreaders to dissipated heat from the core.

Abstract: A system and method for securing data on a wireless device. A secured zone is defined by a boundary sensor. A data processing system is coupled to the boundary sensor and a wireless device. If the data processing system detects that the signal strength of the wireless device has fallen below a first predetermined value for longer than a second predetermined value, the data processing system deletes a digital certificate corresponding to the wireless device from memory. Thus, when the wireless device is reintroduced into the secured zone, in response to determining that a digital certificate corresponding to the wireless device is not stored in memory, the disabling module disables the wireless device from operation within the secured zone.

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 first battery assembly is in a first battery housing that is mechanically engageable with a portable computer, and a second battery assembly is in a second battery housing that is mechanically couplable to the first battery housing. A switch has a first configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the first battery assembly and a second configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the second battery assembly.

Abstract: A security fob periodically transmits wireless access signals that can be received by entities such as computers, buildings and the like to which access is sought. A motion detector is in the fob so that when the fob has been motionless for a threshold period non-essential components are deenergized, putting the fob in a sleep mode to conserve battery power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a “smart” AP, whereby the AP periodically checks its connection with a network and, if a determination is made that the connection between the AP and the network server has been lost, an indication of this loss of connection is made available to all wireless stations connected to the AP. In a preferred embodiment, the indication given to the wireless stations is in the form of an SSID change. When the AP detects the loss of network connection, it automatically changes its SSID from a primary SSID to an alternative SSID. The wireless stations receive the alternative SSID and, since they are configured to connect to the primary SSID, immediately and automatically begin to search for another AP in the system that is using the primary SSID, and then connect to AP having the strongest signal. In one embodiment, the alternative SSID's can be selected so as to provide diagnostic assistance to a person attempting repairs to the faulty AP/network connection.

Abstract: Heat from the core of a semiconductor chip package mounted on a printed circuit board assembled into0 a computer system is dissipated to both sides of the printed circuit board.

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.

Abstract: A computer system includes a system unit and a peripheral device connected by an electrical connection. The peripheral device includes a main power switch that turns power off within both the peripheral device and the system unit, together with a drive indicator light that is turned on to indicate when data is being written or read at a hard disk drive within the system unit. Preferably, the peripheral device is a display device including a screen and receiving a video signal from the system unit, with a power indicator light indicating whether power is on and whether the system unit is running in an operational state or in a suspended state. The peripheral device can also be used with a system unit not having these capabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing dust on components in a computer system is disclosed. Embodiments include a system that generally includes an enclosure, a component mounted with the enclosure, and a fan adapted to induce an airflow towards the component to provide cooling. The system also generally includes a dust ionizer adapted to provide an electrical charge to dust particles within the airflow and a dust reflector having an electrical charge adapted to deflect the charge dust particles away from the component. In some embodiments, the component may be a processor, heat sink, video chip, memory module, voltage regulator module, etc.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for configuring an electronics card support bracket to adaptably and readily conform to more than one computer system profile is disclosed. The bracket fits in both full height and low profile mechanical configurations. The design includes a hinged bracket that swings back from the full height configuration to the low profile configuration. The bracket hinge is placed so that a swing back portion of the bracket provides a required edge lip on one end of the bracket.