Abstract: A pervasive computing network is disclosed including a group of first access controllers connected together on a first local area network, with each of the first access controllers including a radio frequency transceiver constructed to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within a range less than about 100 meters and wherein at least two of the ranges of the first access controllers overlap one another and the first access controllers are constructed to communicate with a consumer touchpoint device. The pervasive computing network further includes a group of second access controllers connected together on a second local area network, each of the second access controllers including a radio frequency transceiver constructed to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within a range less than about 100 meters, with at least two of the ranges of the second access controllers overlapping one another and the second access controllers being constructed to communicate with the consumer touchpoint device.

Abstract: An enclosure or chassis for a high-performance personal computer which is portable, provides easy access to its internal components for servicing, and provides mechanisms which allow peripheral devices such as hard disks, floppy disks and CD-ROM drives to be quickly and easily installed and removed. The chassis provides an efficient cooling mechanism so that a heat sink required for a high-performance processor can be smaller than would be the case without such efficient cooling mechanism. The chassis opens up into a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion houses the peripheral devices, and the bottom portion houses the motherboard, power supply and cooling fans. A tamper switch is provided which monitors the state of the chassis (open or closed) and reports over a network whenever the chassis is opened. However, the computer can still be operated when the chassis is opened for inspection, service and repair.