Abstract: A computer built into an automobile displays the owner's manual for the car. The user requests more information about the automobile through the computer, and the additional information is displayed to the user. Information may include a description of a specific function or device of the car, service history, and/or real time status of a component of the car.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising storing user authentication information in a hardware structure of a computer system, the hardware structure including a security mechanism to protect the stored authentication information from unauthorized access, and authenticating a user of the computer system by comparing user input authentication information with the stored authentication information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an authentication logic to authenticate a registered caller, the authentication logic to use hashes of one or more random locations within the caller's code base to validate that the caller is registered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wireless device set-up and authentication using voice stream identification information are described. The method includes the detection of a wireless device within communication range of a host device. Once detected, the device is authenticated according to requested device identification information. However, when authentication of the detected device fails, audio authentication initialization information is requested from the detected device. As a result, the detected device is authenticated based on the requested audio authentication initialization information. In one embodiment, the audio authentication initialization information refers to a voice stream device identification code assigned to the detected device during authentication set-up by a user of the detected device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides a medium access control device. The device comprises a processor to process data packets between a data link layer and a physical layer in accordance with a communications protocol; and a physical medium independent interface coupled to the processor to send and receive data packets to and from a physical layer device, the data packets being compatible with either a wired communications medium or a wireless communications medium used by the physical layer device as a communications medium.

Abstract: Executing a program stored on a device inserted into a computer slot includes determining how to execute the program based on configuration data stored on the device, and executing the program in accordance with the configuration data. Determining may include identifying a type of operating system with which to execute the program based on the configuration data. Executing may include executing the program with the identified operating system.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing a secure-private partition on a storage device of a computer system. The secure-private partition is normally invisible to an operating system unless the partition is unlocked. The secure-private partition is configured to unlock so that it is visible to the operating system in response to an unlock request received from a software task having knowledge about a proper handshake for unlocking the partition.

Abstract: For one embodiment of the present invention, a cell phone may provide a wireless connection. The cell phone may additionally include a locator to indicate an approximate location of the cell phone. The cell phone may additionally include an output device to provide the user with a directional indicator to guide the user along a route that reduces the probability of losing the wireless connection.

Abstract: A component in a computer includes multiple functional unit blocks (FUB). Each FUB may be associated with a sensor and may be managed individually. When the sensor detects that a problem associated with a particular FUB may arise, a controller may be used to adjust operation of the FUB instead of operation of the entire component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising determining if one or more devices in a system is a conflicting device which device which conflicts with a wireless communications interface in the system by radio frequency which interferes with an operation of the wireless communications interfaces; and dynamically resolving each conflict during operation of the system. According to another embodiment, there is provided a system which includes a conflict detection unit to detect if one or more devices in the system is a conflicting device which conflicts with a wireless communications interface in the system by producing radio frequency which interferes with an operation of the wireless communications interface; and a conflict resolution unit to dynamically resolve each conflict during operation of the system.

Abstract: A system for handling messages may be adapted to handle both electronic mail and telephonic messages in substantially the same fashion. For example, telephonic messages may be converted to a textual format including both the identity of the source of the call and the substance of the call. The telephonic message may then be displayed using a graphical user interface that indicates whether the message is from a telephone source or an electronic mail source and provides information about the substance of the message in either case. Moreover, the system may handle calls differently based on the originator of the call.

Abstract: A notebook computer includes a docking port to receive a core computer. The processor of the core computer serves as the system processor for the notebook computer when the core computer is docked in the notebook computer. When the core computer is undocked, the processor serves as the system processor for the core computer. The core computer may boot a mini operating system when undocked, whereas the notebook computer may boot a full operating system when the core computer is docked. The processor of the core computer may operate at a lower voltage and at a lower frequency when serving as the system processor for the core computer than when serving as the system processor for the notebook computer. When the core computer is docked, the notebook computer memory is synchronized with the core computer memory, and a battery in the core computer is charged.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system includes an input component to receive multimedia data and a locator to provide a place stamp associated with the multimedia data. For example, a camera may include a global positioning system to provide a place stamp associated with a picture to indicate the location at which the picture was taken.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cell phone is integrated with an answering machine. Messages received by the answering machine may be locally stored in a nonvolatile memory region for later retrieval by a user. In addition, for one embodiment, a message may be remotely retrieved by the user by calling the cell phone. For one embodiment, the incoming call may be screened by the user.

Abstract: A method and device are provided to determine a location corresponding to an entry in a database stored in an electronic device; determine a current position of the electronic device; obtain navigational information from the current position to the location; and provide the navigational information to a user.

Abstract: A digital camera may include a portion that is translatable into and out of a computer system housing. The camera portion may be mounted such that when pushed inwardly into the housing from a stored position, the camera portion automatically springs outwardly from the housing and is ready for use. The camera may be operated “on” by the act of causing the camera portion to spring to its outwardly oriented position. Once outside of the computer housing, the camera portion may be rotated to adjust the direction of focus of the camera.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising determining if one or more devices in a system is a conflicting device which device which conflicts with a wireless communications interface in the system by radio frequency which interferes with an operation of the wireless communications interfaces; and dynamically resolving each conflict during operation of the system. According to another embodiment, there is provided a system which includes a conflict detection unit to detect if one or more devices in the system is a conflicting device which conflicts with a wireless communications interface in the system by producing radio frequency which interferes with an operation of the wireless communications interface; and a conflict resolution unit to dynamically resolve each conflict during operation of the system.

Abstract: A large number of vehicles may be equipped with cellular repeaters. These repeaters may receive signals from proximate towers or proximate vehicles and forward them on in order to complete communications that would not otherwise be possible. Thus, vehicles that are attempting to make or receive cellular transmissions may have those transmissions completed via a mobile repeater in other vehicles. As a result, the range of existing cellular telephone systems may be extended without the need for an increased number of cellular towers.

Abstract: A component in a computer includes multiple functional unit blocks (FUB). Each FUB may be associated with a sensor and may be managed individually. When the sensor detects that a problem associated with a particular FUB may arise, a controller may be used to adjust operation of the FUB instead of operation of the entire component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for the provision of always-on connectivity to a mobile PC using an add-in module. In one embodiment, the present invention includes receiving a wireless signal bearing data at an add-in module connected to a mobile personal computer (PC) that is turned off. The data can then be extracted from the received signal, and stored in a memory of the add-in module while the mobile PC is turned off. In one embodiment, the present invention can further include detecting that the mobile PC has been turned on, and sending the data stored in the memory of the add-in module to the mobile PC.