Dell USA L P

Dell Products Inc.

Dresser Industries, Inc.

Other

Reynold L Liao

Sean P O'Neal

Damon W Broder

Clint H O'Connor

Mark A White

Jefferson Walter Wirtz

Phillip C Gilchrist

Kevin Warren Mundt

Cecilia H Sun

David William Grunow

John A Jeffries

David A Biedermann

Jay Matthew Zill

Cassius J Mullen

Scott Koester

Kurt J Lippert

Ron Langerhans

Faiza Hassan

Mohamad Afshar

Steven Wade Calvert

Michael Baseflug

An optical drive apparatus includes a drive tray including an optical drive mechanism, whereby the drive tray is operable to be inserted directly into an information handling system drive bay free of a drive chassis. An information handling system chassis may be provided that accepts the optical drive apparatus and couples the optical drive apparatus to the information handling system without the need of a drive chassis.

Method and apparatus for coupling an optical drive to a chassis

A computing product is first assembled according to a predetermined hardware configuration and placed in a shipping container thus providing a containerized computer system. The computing product has a wireless communication subsystem for wirelessly receiving configuration information. The containerized computer system is fully configured before shipping the computer system to a predetermined customer by exchanging information between the wireless communication subsystem and a wireless information network in the manufacturing facility.

Method and system for configuring a computer system via a wireless communication link

A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Method and system for manufacturing and servicing a computing product with the assistance of a wireless communication subsystem attached to a peripheral port

A method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system is disclosed. The method includes mounting an LCD in a screen portion of an information handling system. The LCD has a top layer with a particular hardness. Another step in the method is rotatably mounting a base portion of the information handling system to the screen portion such that the portions can assume a proximate position and a separated position. A material is affixed to the base portion such that at least a portion of the material is between the base portion and the LCD in the proximate position. The material has a hardness no greater than the hardness of the top layer of the LCD.

Method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system

An information handling system lock and carrying strap provides a carrying mode to transport the portable computer and a security mode to secure the portable computer to a fixed object. A cable has attachment devices coupled to each end and operable to couple to a portable computer so that the cable acts as a carrying strap. The cable further secures the information handling system to a fixed device to prevent theft by attaching one cable end to the information handling system and the other end to a fixed object. In one embodiment, the attachment device include a secured unlocked position to allow convenient use as a carrying strap and a secured locked position to allow locking of the device with a key.

Portable computer lock and carry strap

A docking station can be horizontally supported on a desk surface or can be vertically supported on a wall or a partition. The docking station includes a substantially planar base. A docking connector is included in the base. A mounting member is also attached to the base. A portable computer can be coupled to the docking connector so that the computer extends substantially parallel to the base. The mounting member can be attached to the wall or partition whereby the base and the portable computer extend in a substantially vertical orientation.

Portable computer docking station for horizontal or vertical use

A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Method and system for manufacturing a computer system with the assistance of a wireless information network

A cable docking system and method according to which a connector is secured to one end of a cable, and a docking box is connected to the other end of the cable. A terminal on the connector is engaged with a corresponding terminal on an electronic device, such as a computer, and a locking mechanism locks the connector to the device with the terminals in engagement.

Cable docking system and method for a computer

A computer touchpad includes a first portion usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel. A second portion of the touchpad is usable for cursor movement and placement functions. An overlay member is detachably mounted on the touchpad. The overlay member includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the overlay member includes several defined sections and the second part of the overlay member includes a single defined section. The first part of the overlay member mounts on the first portion of the touchpad and the second part of the overlay member mounts on the second portion of the touchpad.

Computer system having a configurable touchpad-mouse button combination

A computer includes a base having an exterior surface. A keyboard includes input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A palm rest area is adjacent the keyboard. At least one palm rest component is detachably mounted in the palm rest area. Auxiliary input components are mounted in the palm rest area adjacent the palm rest component.

Computer having an integrated gaming control pad

A system and method for detecting a mechanical component and thereby verify any warranty covering the mechanical component includes encoding a mechanical component, identifying an attribute of the mechanical component via the encoding, providing the attribute to detection logic located on a system board, the detection logic providing the attribute to a configuration diagnostic system. A method of detecting warranty violations further includes providing a mechanical component with a unique identifier and transmitting identifying data to diagnostic software that includes a log or marker capable of detecting and logging changes in the mechanical component. The method further includes transmitting the data identifying the change in the mechanical component via a network connection to warranty verification software. A computer system includes a processor coupled to a bus, at least one memory coupled to the bus, a plurality of input/output devices coupled to the bus, an operating system stored in memory, and a mechanical component encoded to identify an attribute of the mechanical component via the encoding. The computer system includes a system board including detection logic that provides the attribute to a configuration diagnostic system.

Method for internal mechanical component configuration detection

An apparatus and method for detecting seating of a medium on a media tray includes a conductive element having a first terminal and a second terminal and forming an interrupted circuit between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a spindle structurally supporting and integral with the conductive element, the spindle adapted to receive an edge of the medium, the medium causing completion of a conductive pathway of the interrupted circuit between the first and second terminal when seated upon the spindle. A plurality of switches is coupled to the outer circumference of the spindle and a tray with a circular medium receiving area mechanically and electrically coupled to the spindle and the circuit, with the plurality of switches engaged in operative relation to movable members coupled to the outer circumference of the spindle. Another apparatus and method includes a conductive element incorporated into a media tray having a first terminal and a second terminal integral with the media tray. The receipt of the circular medium upon the tray completing the electrical circuit. The apparatus includes a plurality of switches coupled to the receiving area of the media try that engage in operative relation to movable members coupled to the receiving are of the media tray.

Detection scheme for compact disk or digital video disk media proper installation

An apparatus and method are presented for making the cable connectors of a docking port more easily accessible for coupling and decoupling peripheral devices to the docking port. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides for easier accessibility with a minimum of moving parts and mechanisms by providing for the rotation of part of the docking port to make the port's connectors more easily accessible to a computer user.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Reynold L Liao