Abstract: Detecting system component failures in a computing system, including: capturing, by a digital imaging device, a plurality of time sequenced images of a component in the computing system; comparing, by a digital imaging comparator, the plurality of time sequenced images of the component in the computing system; determining, by the digital imaging comparator, whether the plurality of time sequenced images of the component in the computing system have changed more than a predetermined threshold; and sending, by a notification system, a component alert notification upon determining that the plurality of time sequenced images of the component in the computing system have changed more than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Detecting system component failures in a computing system, including: capturing, by a digital imaging device, an image of a component in the computing system; comparing, by a digital imaging comparator, the image of the component in the computing system to a graphical template for the component in the computing system; determining, by the digital imaging comparator, whether the image matches the graphical template for the computing system within a predetermined threshold; and sending, by a notification system, a failure event notification upon determining that the image does not match the graphical template for the computing system within the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Detecting system component failures in a computing system, including: detecting, by an illumination detector, the occurrence of an illumination event in the computing system; determining, by an illumination event identifier, whether the illumination event is associated with a suspected component failure in the computing system; and sending, by a notification system, a failure event notification upon determining that the illumination event is associated with a suspected component failure in the computing system.

Abstract: A system for securing purchased items, includes: an enclosure for holding items selected by a user; a personal shopping system (PSS) further comprised of an input/output device, a scanner, software, and security features for securing the items selected by the user and placed in the enclosure; wherein the PSS is in electrical signal communication with a server; wherein the PSS is mechanically attached to the enclosure; wherein the user identifies themselves to the PSS; wherein the security features activate one of a series of visual indicators and alarms in response to various states and relationships between the enclosure, the items, and the user; and wherein the intensity, level, and duration of the series of visual indicators and alarms varies in response to the various states and relationships between the enclosure, the items, and the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling an electronic display. An activity module receives a brightness restore signal and sets a brightness level of an electronic display to a default brightness level in response to the brightness restore signal. A brightness decay module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from the default brightness level to an intermediate brightness level at a first dimming rate. The intermediate brightness level is selected from one or more intermediate brightness levels. A plateau module maintains the brightness level of the electronic display at the intermediate brightness level for a predefined period of time. A minimum brightness module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from an intermediate brightness level to a minimum brightness level at a second dimming rate.

Abstract: Data transfer with of bar codes including presenting a plurality of bar codes making up the data transfer, displaying a unique sequence identification for each bar code and the total number of bar codes making up the data transfer; reading a plurality of bar codes; reading, for each bar code read, the unique sequence identification of the bar code and the total number of bar codes making up the data transfer; determining, in dependence upon the number of bar codes read and the total number of bar codes making up the data transfer whether all of the bar codes making up the data transfer have been read; and providing to a user a positive notification if all of the bar codes have been read; or providing to the user a negative notification if all of the bar codes making up the data transfer have not been read.

Abstract: A locking connector for engaging a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) receptacle, including: a connector housing having a locking cam opening on one side of the connector housing, the connector housing split along a longitudinal axis of the locking connector forming a connector housing gap on the same side of the connector housing as the locking cam opening; a locking cam surface positioned within the locking cam opening in contact with the connector housing; and a pivotable locking cam actuating lever connected to a top of the locking cam surface, the locking cam actuating lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking cam surface in a rotated position expanding the connector housing when the cam actuating lever is in the locked position, the locking cam surface in a relaxed position with the connector housing not expanded when the cam actuating lever is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A locking connector for engaging a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) receptacle, including: a connector housing having a locking cam opening on one side of the connector housing, the connector housing split along a longitudinal axis of the locking connector forming a connector housing gap on the same side of the connector housing as the locking cam opening; a locking cam surface positioned within the locking cam opening in contact with the connector housing; and a pivotable locking cam actuating lever connected to a top of the locking cam surface, the locking cam actuating lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking cam surface in a rotated position expanding the connector housing when the cam actuating lever is in the locked position, the locking cam surface in a relaxed position with the connector housing not expanded when the cam actuating lever is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a core processor, a power supply including a first output in power communication with the core processor, and a power switch in signal communication with the power supply for controlling a state of the first output. The computer system also includes a service processor in signal communication with the sub-system and power communication with a second output of the power supply and a back up power supply. In response to activation of the power switch and a fault of the second output, the service processor uses the back up power supply and a reduced power mode to detect the fault of the second output and generate a signal representative thereof to be displayed upon a light emitting diode display.

Abstract: A system for securing purchased items, includes: an enclosure for holding items selected by a user; a personal shopping system (PSS) further comprised of an input/output device, a scanner, software, and security features for securing the items selected by the user and placed in the enclosure; wherein the PSS is in electrical signal communication with a server; wherein the PSS is mechanically attached to the enclosure; wherein the user identifies themselves to the PSS; wherein the security features activate one of a series of visual indicators and alarms in response to various states and relationships between the enclosure, the items, and the user; and wherein the intensity, level, and duration of the series of visual indicators and alarms varies in response to the various states and relationships between the enclosure, the items, and the user.

Abstract: An RFID wireless computer mouse system, comprising: a mouse having a single passive RFID circuit in signal communication with a computer having an RFID reader. The single passive RFID circuit operates the mouse such that the mouse provides signals indicative of X-Y coordinates to move a cursor on a display screen of the computer without the use of an internal or an external power source.

Abstract: An RFID wireless computer mouse system, comprising: a mouse having a single passive RFID circuit in signal communication with a computer having an RFID reader. The single passive RFID circuit operates the mouse such that the mouse provides signals indicative of X-Y coordinates to move a cursor on a display screen of the computer without the use of an internal or an external power source.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a core processor, a power supply including a first output in power communication with the core processor, and a power switch in signal communication with the power supply for controlling a state of the first output. The computer system also includes a service processor in signal communication with the sub-system and power communication with a second output of the power supply and a back up power supply. In response to activation of the power switch and a fault of the second output, the service processor uses the back up power supply and a reduced power mode to detect the fault of the second output and generate a signal representative thereof to be displayed upon a light emitting diode display.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in kiosks or other computerized devices for filtering out selected key codes transmitted between an input device, such as a keyboard, and a host computer. The apparatus includes an input port to receive key codes transmitted from a keyboard en route to a host computer or workstation. A key code filter may be used to filter out or block selected key codes, sequences of key codes, and combinations of key codes, and to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing certain functions of the host computer. Key codes blocked or filtered out may be modified in accordance with each particular system. Once selected key codes are filtered out, an output port passes the remaining unblocked key codes to a host computer.