Intel Corporation

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Jiming Sun

Robert A Dunstan

Kai Cheng

Kelan Craig Silvester

Marion H Shimoda

Jon G Lloyd

Massoud Khederzadeh

Philip Park

Albert Tsang

Dennis L Holmbo

Described herein are technologies related to a method of initializing and configuring a display pipeline for a graphic support in a pre-operating system (pre-OS) environment.

Display pipeline and frame buffer initialization for pre-operating system environment

A method and apparatus for implementing ink data communication between multiple parties using computing and/or communication devices on a network is disclosed. An electronic chat system comprising a hardware interface layer for receiving raw ink data from an input device, an ink management layer for processing the raw ink data into a form useable by a chat interface layer, and a network interface layer for transferring the processed ink data across a network to a chat interface layer on a remote computer.

Transmitting new data format under existing infrastructure

A method, system, apparatus, and program product for moving a pointer on a display screen. A ring capable of being worn by a user contains a sensor unit having multiple sensors. When the user activates one of the sensors, the pointer on the display screen moves in a corresponding direction.

Ring pointing device

Firmware for a computer system reduces boot time utilizing the multi-tasking capabilities of a processor to perform at least two boot tasks simultaneously. The boot tasks can be divided into groups which are executed in parallel. To accommodate certain boot tasks which must be performed in sequence, the boot tasks can be arranged in groups which are executed sequentially. The tasks within each group are performed simultaneously. The boot time is also reduced by only enumerating hardware if the system hardware has been changed since the previous boot. The firmware determines if hardware has been changed by checking an electrical hardware latch which signals whether the computer case has been opened.

Multi-tasking boot firmware

A method includes filling a cache memory with a test pattern and forcing a write-back of the cache memory to a region of memory. The cache memory is refilled with the contents of the region of memory, and the contents of the cache memory are compared with the test pattern.

Method and apparatus to test memory

A computer user interface and method for its operation are disclosed. The interface uses a new architecture that allows it to adapt readily to the type of input device being used to operate the computer. The look and feel of the interface depends on which input device is selected as primary. Thus, when mouse/keyboard is the primary input device, the interface-controllable elements such as scrollbars, buttons, icons, menus, lists, and dialog boxes may appear as with a conventional GUI. When a different physical input device is primary, such as pen or speech recognition, the look and feel of these elements can change to be more appropriate for that device. This change is virtually transparent to the applications utilizing the user interface.

Input device-adaptive human-computer interface

A chipset in a computer system is initialized without intervention by the processor, thereby reducing the time required to boot the computer system. The system includes a nonvolatile storage device for storing configuration data for the chipset. Logic circuitry loads the configuration data into configuration registers in the chipset. The storage device and logic circuitry can be integrated into the chipset. A data pump can be used to load the configuration data into the configuration registers by serially pumping configuration data onto a scan line coupled to the configuration registers. In a system having more than one chipset, the chipsets can be initialized simultaneously to further reduce the amount of time required to boot the system. The configuration data can be downloaded into the storage device when the system is manufactured, or it can be downloaded from the processor the first time the system is powered up.

Self-initializing chipset

Power is managed in a computer system that includes a power-using device. The power used by the device is regulated based on a measured rate of communications with the device.

Computer power management

A system and method for enabling a computer user to switch between a higher resolution display and a lower resolution display, or to display simultaneously with both displays, while the operating system is active, the higher resolution display displaying with a higher resolution than the lower resolution display. More particularly, video device drivers are provided with the resolution characteristics of the two displays. The system management BIOS generates an event in response to a user pressing a predetermined keyboard 'hot key'. The operating system detects the event and broadcasts the event to video device drivers. The video device drivers then adjust the resolution, resize and move an application or applications under execution to properly fit on the display.

Computer video display switching system

A power management system and interface providing a flexible and uniform protocol for controlling power management within a computer system including various software layers and add-in components. Clients (registered system elements) requiring power management notification and control become registered (via an associated software component) with a power management coordinator (PMC). The PMC provides information routing functions and address translations to facilitate communication (including power consumption information) between clients at registered identifiers. A programmable power policy manager allows a user to define a performance/economy setting for the system that is communicated to all registered devices so that dwell and decay times are appropriately set by the device. A programmable event sequencer maintains an event notification sequence and control sequence for power events. A programmable power budgeter maintains and allocates power on a request basis for system elements. A programmable thermal budgeter maintains and allocates energy based on thermal considerations. A BIOS interlace couples for communication between an APM BIOS (if present) to send commands and poll for and receive event notification. Registered extensions may be used to provide alternate functionality for the sequencer, the power policy manager, and the thermal and power budgeters. The PMC provides for communication of power status, events, and other information between registered devices and allows registered software applications to originate power events. Other extensions may register to enhance power management.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Jiming Sun