Abstract: A system and method for cleaning and cooling solar panels are described. A solar tracker includes a main beam for supporting the solar panels, and nozzles coupled to the main beam. The main beam includes a water channel along its interior which supplies water to the nozzles. The nozzles are positioned to spray water on the collecting surfaces of the solar panels to clean and cool them. The solar tracker may also include gutters to reclaim used water. The solar tracker may include air ducts which direct air across the undersides of the solar panels to cool them.

Abstract: A computer monitor has an input for receiving from a general-purpose computer a video signal representing a video image, a screen, and a driver for causing the screen to display a video image represented by a video signal. The monitor further includes storage for storing video and/or picture data, a processor for retrieving video and/or picture data from the storage means and producing a video signal therefrom, and a switch for switching the monitor between (i) a first “monitor” mode in which the driver causes the screen to display the video image represented by the signal received by the input and (ii) a second “media player” mode in which the driver causes the screen to display the video and/or picture image represented by the signal produced by the processor.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device retention apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame, a control arm slidably coupled to the frame, and first and second locking arms operably coupled to the control arm. A release button is received within the frame and is in operable association with the control arm. A release trigger arm is pivotally attached to the frame and a control arm latch is connected to the control arm at a first end and is releasably coupled to the release trigger arm at a second end. An ejection mechanism is attached to a rear end of the frame. A backplane printed circuit board is also attached to the rear end of the frame and an electrical control system is coupled to the backplane printed circuit board. A solenoid assembly is coupled to the electrical control system and is releasably coupled to the control arm.

Abstract: A security system for stand alone and portable computer hosts which utilizes both a hardware key and a password key to enable-access to the computer host. The entry of the password key and the hardware key is monitored by the keyboard controller. The keyboard controller alters a status bit during the POST portion of the host code if access is granted. The host security is divided into two levels of security, a first administrative level and a second user level. The administrative level is accessible by the entry of a first password or by the hardware key and enables access to all levels of the host SET-UP configuration. The user level is accessible by the entry of a second password and only enables access to a limited portion of the setup configuration.

Abstract: An ISA-compatible computer system includes an additional function key on its keyboard. The additional function key does not have a defined function for conventional ISA-standard computers. When a conventional alphanumeric key or function key is activated on the keyboard, the computer system is interrupted using IRQ1 and the key information is communicated to the computer system so that the computer system can respond in a conventional manner using a conventional keyboard interrupt handling routine. When the additional function key and an alphanumeric key are activated in combination, a second interrupt different from the IRQ1 interrupt is activated (e.g., IRQ15). The computer system responds to the second interrupt by inputting an identification of the activated alphanumeric key and performing a selected predetermined function in response thereto.