Abstract: The present invention provides a method for program installation that is eliminates the need to download the required program to a host computer as an intermediate step to sending the program to the client processor. In the method disclosed, the client processor has the capability of emulating the configuration of a host computer disk interface and so be in a position to receive the requested program directly. After the program is downloaded and installed on the client processor, the emulation is deactivated and normal operating resumes. The invention provides substantially mirror image functionality so that peripheral devices of the host server can be configured to emulate components of the client processor.

Abstract: An illumination structure includes an operation button having a front face on which is formed an identifying indication of ‘AUTO’ made by exposing an opalescent synthetic resin to easily penetrate light and the other parts are painted in black. It also includes an illuminating part provided on a back of the operation button, which illuminates a back of the identifying indication, and plural protrusions in a shape of ribs that regulate an intensity of light penetrating through the identifying indication. In this structure, the plural protrusions obstruct and diffuse the light beams that advance from the illuminating part toward the back of the identifying indication, thereby achieving uniform emission of the light beams from the whole identifying indication. Further in the manufacturing process of the operation button, contraction of a front face of the operation button accompanied with coagulation of the synthetic resin is dispersed by the plural protrusions.

Abstract: A computer system comprises plural single board computers that utilized shared physical storage. The computers boot from and run applications located remotely. In a preferred embodiment, a hierarchy of such computers is utilized, and the order in which they boot is set such that an optimum sequence is achieved. The computer bus serves as both a network for intercomputer communications, and a bus for intra computer communications.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a processor, a first bus for conducting signals in accordance with a first bus protocol that does not support I/O address signals; a second bus for conducting signals in accordance with a second bus protocol that supports input/output (I/O) address signals; and a bridge circuit for coupling the first bus to the second bus. The processor includes a circuit for emitting address signals and an address type signal directed to a selected peripheral device. The bridge circuit comprises a filter for determining whether the address signal emitted by the processor corresponds to a peripheral device coupled to a bus subordinate to the bridge circuit; and a translation circuit, coupled to the filter, for translating signals in accordance with the first bus protocol to signals in accordance with the second bus protocol for transmission to the selected peripheral device.