Abstract: The invention provides a method for a portable electronic device such as a computer to be capable of safely coping with the occurrence of a surprise removal from an external hard disk drive (HDD) connected by wireless. An HDD is connected to a portable computer by wireless via a wireless extension device. First, a wireless communication path between the HDD and the portable computer is configured. Subsequently, a file is read and edited by accessing the HDD from the portable computer. Next, removal information indicating that the portable computer is away from the HDD is produced. The removal information can be produced by detecting an acceleration generated in the portable computer, or by directly detecting the distance by the strength of the wireless signal. Data under editing is saved before occurrence of surprise removal by ejecting the HDD in response to the production of the removal information.

Abstract: An assembly can include a first component; a second component; and an interconnection mechanism for pivotable interconnection of the first component and the second component about a pivot axis where the interconnection mechanism includes a latch mechanism to latch the second component to the interconnection mechanism, an actuator to unlatch the latch mechanism, an obstruction to obstruct actuation of the actuator, and a sliding bar slidable in a first direction to move the obstruction to an obstructing position that obstructs actuation of the actuator and slidable in a second direction to move the obstruction to an unobstructing position that permits actuation of the actuator. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly can include a first component; a second component; and an interconnection mechanism for pivotable interconnection of the first component and the second component about a pivot axis where the interconnection mechanism includes a latch mechanism to latch the second component to the interconnection mechanism, an actuator to unlatch the latch mechanism, an obstruction to obstruct actuation of the actuator, and a sliding bar slidable in a first direction to move the obstruction to an obstructing position that obstructs actuation of the actuator and slidable in a second direction to move the obstruction to an unobstructing position that permits actuation of the actuator. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Associating biometric information with passwords is disclosed. If biometric information received from a user matches stored biometric information, stored passwords associated therewith are retrieved. If these stored passwords are identical to access-enabling passwords, then the user is permitted to gain access associated with the access-enabling passwords. If the biometric information matches the stored biometric information but the stored passwords do not match the access-enabling passwords or are not present, then the user is requested to manually enter passwords, which are stored. If these stored passwords are identical to the access-enabling passwords, the user is permitted to gain access. However, if the biometric information does not match the stored biometric information, or if the biometric information has not been received from the user or is not present, then the user is requested to manually enter passwords.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a portable electronic device such as a computer to be capable of safely coping with the occurrence of a surprise removal from an external hard disk drive (HDD) connected by wireless. An HDD is connected to a portable computer by wireless via a wireless extension device. First, a wireless communication path between the HDD and the portable computer is configured. Subsequently, a file is read and edited by accessing the HDD from the portable computer. Next, removal information indicating that the portable computer is away from the HDD is produced. The removal information can be produced by detecting an acceleration generated in the portable computer, or by directly detecting the distance by the strength of the wireless signal. Data under editing is saved before occurrence of surprise removal by ejecting the HDD in response to the production of the removal information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting theft of a computer. A portable device is provided to wirelessly communicate with a theft deterrent function of the computer at a set frequency. In response to an increased distance between the portable device and the computer, a scan rate controller can automatically increase the scan rate for the wireless communication signal.

Abstract: For a hard disk drive divided into a user area that is an area operating in a user environment, and a host protected area that is an area protected from a user, provided are: a basic input/output system which supports a boot from the host protected area as well as supports a validation, for a system vendor authentication, of a Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application stored in the host protected area; and a Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application access module which generates a virtual Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application area by copying the Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application onto an unoccupied area of a memory.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are disclosed that allow information to be passed between software modules in different partitions in an environment for a predetermined operating system (OS) and an area hidden from the operating system (OS) in a storage device, such as hard disk drive (HDD). The computer system may include a hard disk drive (HDD) that meets a protected area run time interface extension services (PARTIES) specification and that has an access environment for an operating system (OS) and a PARTIES partition. The PARTIES partition is an area hidden from the operating system (OS). The computers system also includes a CMOS/NVRAM that provides a work area for communication between a user mode module, operating in the access environment for the operating system (OS) in a user data management application, and a management mode module, operating in an environment corresponding to the hidden area.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting theft of a computer. A portable device is provided to wirelessly communicate with a theft deterrent function of the computer at a set frequency. In response to an increased distance between the portable device and the computer, a scan rate controller can automatically increase the scan rate for the wireless communication signal.

Abstract: Associating biometric information with passwords is disclosed. If biometric information received from a user matches stored biometric information, stored passwords associated therewith are retrieved. If these stored passwords are identical to access-enabling passwords, then the user is permitted to gain access associated with the access-enabling passwords. If the biometric information matches the stored biometric information but the stored passwords do not match the access-enabling passwords or are not present, then the user is requested to manually enter passwords, which are stored. If these stored passwords are identical to the access-enabling passwords, the user is permitted to gain access. However, if the biometric information does not match the stored biometric information, or if the biometric information has not been received from the user or is not present, then the user is requested to manually enter passwords.

Abstract: For a hard disk drive divided into a user area that is an area operating in a user environment, and a host protected area that is an area protected from a user, provided are: a basic input/output system which supports a boot from the host protected area as well as supports a validation, for a system vendor authentication, of a Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application stored in the host protected area; and a Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application access module which generates a virtual Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application area by copying the Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension Services application onto an unoccupied area of a memory.

Abstract: A robust information processing apparatus that prevents damage to an executable program for an OS due to an unintended operation by a user is provided. The apparatus includes an external storage device having a normal partition that can be referred to by a user and a hidden partition storing an executable program for an operating system and hidden from the user, a reading portion that reads the executable program for the operating system from the hidden partition to a main storage unit, and an execution portion that executes the operating system read into the main storage unit.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are disclosed that allow information to be passed between software modules in different partitions in an environment for a predetermined operating system (OS) and an area hidden from the operating system (OS) in a storage device, such as hard disk drive (HDD). The computer system may include a hard disk drive (HDD) that meets a protected area run time interface extension services (PARTIES) specification and that has an access environment for an operating system (OS) and a PARTIES partition. The PARTIES partition is an area hidden from the operating system (OS). The computers system also includes a CMOS/NVRAM that provides a work area for communication between a user mode module, operating in the access environment for the operating system (OS) in a user data management application, and a management mode module, operating in an environment corresponding to the hidden area.

Abstract: A computer apparatus in which a plurality of communication adapters 20 (20-1 to 20-4) are installed and which communicates with an external entity through the plurality of communication adapters 20 is provided. The computer includes a utility 11 for controlling the enable/disable of the communication adapters 20 and an NDIS 18 for exchanging data between the utility and the communication adapters 20. The utility 11 inquires of the NDIS 18 to obtain the number and type of available communication adapters 20 and provides a suspend event to the NDIS 18 if a communication adapter 20 to be enabled is not enabled previously or provides a resume event to the NDIS 18 if the communication adapter 20 to be enabled is enabled and requested to be disabled.