Abstract: A device is docked to a docking station. The docking station is coupled to a wired network. Code is obtained through the wired network. The code is executed on the device to enable the device to couple to a wireless network.

Abstract: A system and method for a virtual omni-directional camera array, comprising a video control system (VCS) coupled to two or more co-located portable or stationary information processing systems, each enabled with a video camera and microphone, to provide a composite video view to remote videoconference participants. Audio streams are captured and selectively mixed to produce a virtual array microphone as a clue to selectively switch or combine the video streams from individual cameras. The VCS selects and controls predetermined subsets of video and audio streams from the co-located video camera and microphone-enabled computers to create a composite video view, which is then conveyed to one or more similarly-enabled remote computers over a broadband network (e.g., the Internet). Manual overrides allow participants or a videoconference operator to select predetermined video streams as the primary video view of the videoconference.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to upgrade an information handling system which includes storing an application within an embedded partition during the fabrication of the information handling system and storing a smart master boot record on the information handling system which enables access to the application stored within the embedded partition of the information handling system is disclosed.

Abstract: An information handling system optical medium disc is labeled by removing portions of disc's polycarbonate material from the non-storage side of the disc to form an image. Formed images define a label in various forms including letters, Braille, dot-matrix holes or bas-relief. Another material fills in the removed polycarbonate to reinforce the image with visual effects, such as raising the image or providing color to the image, and to maintain the balance of the disc for rotation in an optical disc drive.

Abstract: A portable information handling system is provided that monitors one or more sensed conditions to determine if the system is currently placed in an unusable state. If the system determines that it has been placed in an unusable state such as being placed in the dark or upside down, then a reduced power mode is entered. Significant power savings are thus achieved because the system consumes power at a substantially reduced rate when it is determined to be in an unusable state.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) is provided which is controlled by a remote control that sends commands to a receiver in the IHS. The IHS has the ability to recover from a loss of power that occurs when the IHS has entered a reduced power state. After power loss and power return to the IHS, the IHS will still respond to a power on resume command from the remote control. The IHS is configured such that when power is returned to the IHS, a sufficient portion of the IHS is powered so that the receiver is enabled to receive a power on or resume command from the remote control and the IHS can act on that command.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a single-pass color quantization for graphic images on a computer. The computer includes a processor capable of running operating code, an input device accessible by the processor for providing a source image, and an output device for displaying a target image. Both the source image and target image include a plurality of pixels, each having red-green-blue components. However, there are fewer available colors for the target image than for the source image. A program instructs the processor to reduce the source image to the target image by reading a pixel from the target image and comparing the color of the pixel to mappings stored in a table. If the pixel color does not correspond to a mapping in the table, then the program instructs the processor to convert the pixel color into hue-whiteness-blackness (HWB) components, map the HWB components to a color of the target image, and store the mapping in the table.

Abstract: In general, a plurality of embodiments include an animated "target" icon and/or cursor for guiding a user to take a desired action. In particular, the user is guided to click on the target icon, thereby to initiate the completion of the installation of factory installed software. In one embodiment, the target icon resembles a locked padlock and the mouse cursor resembles a key, thus implying a connection therebetween. When the user places the key-shaped mouse cursor over the padlock-shaped target icon and clicks on the target icon, the appearance of the padlock-shaped icon changes to reflect its now "unlocked" state and completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated.