Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing confidential information in a data processing system server. Information is received from a plurality of users. The information is stored on a server for many different uses and in many different files and databases. A request is received from the client to remove specific selected information from the stored information for a user within the set of users, wherein the selected information is received in response to a transaction involving that user. In response to receiving the request, the selected information is removed from the stored information, thus maintaining the privacy requests of that user.

Abstract: A secured method of storing personal credit card information that may be used for Internet purchasing or debit exchanges on the Internet or networked computers and also for over-the-counter purchases for businesses that have computer equipment but lack credit card readers or credit card imprint machines. Credit card information is stored on a modified form of optical disc in an encrypted manner to prevent reading of the information by unauthorized persons. Validation software either at the Internet vendor's site or local to the user's computer is used to decode the credit card information in a secure manner. Methods are also provided for traditional storage of credit/debit card data on magnetic a stripe.

Abstract: A portable device having improved configurability and adaptability. The portable device has a case or chassis that can be placed in either an open or closed position, to thereby allow for insertion and removal of other devices within the portable device. When increased functionality is required or desired, the device's case is expanded by placing it in an open position, to allow additional devices to be operated in conjunction with the portable device. These devices can provide various types of electronic or computer operations, such as electronic adapters or media drives, as well as mechanical operations such as air movement with one or more additional fans or other types of heat sink. When decreased functionality is required or desired, such as to reduce the overall size and weight of the portable device, the device's case is contracted by placing it in a closed position. This allows on-demand expansion and contraction capability for the portable device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an emergency vehicle alert system transmits signals from one or more emergency vehicles to nearby commuter vehicles. When an initiation switch in the emergency vehicle is activated, a transmitter broadcasts a unique identifier for the vehicle. Information regarding other characteristics such as position, speed, route, and direction of travel can also be transmitted to provide alert information to commuter vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicles. The information is presented to occupants of the commuter vehicle and can include audio and visual displays such as lights, voice warnings, moving map display with symbols representing the vehicles' position relative to one another, and a textual display providing identification and distance information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to displayed data by determining what data should be supplied to an application when the application attempts to access data that is either not present, or not authorized to be accessed. In order to carry out the method of the present invention, a request for data of a first process is received from a second process. At the first process, a resolution to the request for data received from the second process is generated and the generated resolution is transmitted from the first process to the second process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for transmitting accessibility requirements. Content is received from a computer at a data processing system. The content is parsed for a selected indicator. The data processing system is queried to identify accessibility requirements in response to the selected indicator being present. The identified accessibility requirements are sent to the computer. These accessibility requirements are use by the computer to generate content for the data processing system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for transmitting cultural context information. A document is received from a computer. The document is parsed for a selected indicator. The data processing system is queried to identify cultural context information in response to the selected indicator being present. The identified cultural context information is sent to the computer.

Abstract: An alert transceiver in commuter vehicles in a line-of-site warning area receive line of sight (LOS) alert signals from another vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle. Upon detecting the LOS alert signal, the alert transceiver can relay the alert signals to other alert transceivers in commuter vehicles within a warning zone that are outside of LOS zone, thereby creating mobile tracking network (MTN). The alert signals can include any relevant information, such as information regarding a hazard that includes the type of hazard (emergency vehicle, fire, ambulance, etc.), the time stamped location, direction of travel, speed and planned route for the emergency vehicle; and/or the coordinates of warning zone as determined by alert transceivers.

Abstract: A portable device having improved configurability and adaptability. The portable device has a case or chassis that can be placed in either an open or closed position, to thereby allow for insertion and removal of other devices within the portable device. When increased functionality is required or desired, the device's case is expanded by placing it in an open position, to allow additional devices to be operated in conjunction with the portable device. These devices can provide various types of electronic or computer operations, such as electronic adapters or media drives, as well as mechanical operations such as air movement with one or more additional fans or other types of heat sink. When decreased functionality is required or desired, such as to reduce the overall size and weight of the portable device, the device's case is contracted by placing it in a closed position. This allows on-demand expansion and contraction capability for the portable device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing Unicode support in legacy operating systems are provided. With the apparatus and method, a focus hook module, keyboard hook module, and keystroke conversion module are registered with the legacy operating system. The focus hook module determines the currently active application and whether the currently active application is Unicode capable. The keyboard hook module receives keyboard events from an input interface and sends those keyboard events to the keystroke conversion module. The keystroke conversion module converts the keyboard events into Unicode characters which are sent back to the keyboard hook module. The keyboard hook module then stores the Unicode characters in a temporary storage memory, e.g., the clipboard. The keyboard hook module then sends a command to the application to paste the contents of the temporary storage memory to the currently active application.

Abstract: A method for selecting options for a virtual machine in a data processing system. The browser provides an interface in which the interface allows for selection of options for use by the virtual machine. A selection of an option is received for use by the virtual machine. The selection of the option is stored, wherein the selection of the option is used by the browser when initializing the virtual machine.

Abstract: According to an apparatus form of the invention, a computer system has a memory for storing settings for respective operating circumstances of the computer system, and a manually operable, externally accessible switch for indicating, by a position of the switch, at least one of the operating circumstances. The computer system further includes means for determining the switch position responsive to the computer system booting and means for selecting among the settings responsive to the switch position. In another aspect, the operating circumstances include locations for operating the computer system. Alternatively, the operating circumstances include users who operate the computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing confidential information in a data processing system server. Information is received from a plurality of users. The information is stored on a server for many different uses and in many different files and databases. A request is received from the client to remove specific selected information from the stored information for a user within the set of users, wherein the selected information is received in response to a transaction involving that user. In response to receiving the request, the selected information is removed from the stored information, thus maintaining the privacy requests of that user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing information in a data processing system. A selection of information for removal is received from a history generated by a browser, wherein the selection is received prior to a browser session. In response to a termination of the browser session, the information is automatically removed from the history using the selection without requiring a user input.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for disabling collection of history information on a browser in a data processing system. A user input is received. In response to receiving the user input, history recording processes associated with the browser are disabled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing confidential information in a graphical user interface in a data processing system. Confidential information is generated within a history generated by a browser in the graphical user interface to form a presentation. A user input is received. The confidential information is manipulated using the user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a history for a browser in a data processing system. A history is recorded for a browser. The history may be presented to the user in a fashion similar to a video or slide show presentation in which Web pages in the history are sequentially presented in the order of visitation. The presentation of the history may be manipulated through a set of controls, such as a play button, a reverse button, a fast forward button, and a stop button. Potions of the history may be deleted or selectively exported for analysis or later use.

Abstract: The invention is an optical ADD/DROP filter suitable for dense wavelength division multiplexing/de-multiplexing. It comprises an optical bench having a longitudinal V-groove into which the optical components of the ADD/DROP filter are passively aligned and bonded. The bench further includes first and second pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members at each end between which a fiber array block is inserted. In the method of constructing the ADD/DROP filter, an interference filter is bonded to a first collimating lens. Then, the first collimating lens with the interference filter attached thereto and a second collimating lens are placed in the V-groove of the bench where they are passively aligned. The two collimating lenses are then bonded to the bench. Fiber array substrates are inserted between the pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members and a UV transparent block is inserted on top of each fiber array between the corresponding pair of opposed, spaced, vertical members.