International Business Machines Corporation

Slavek Peter Aksamit

Cristian Medina

David Daniel Chudy

Aspects of the present invention include systems for reflective digital light processing (DLP). Embodiments include a light source, a plurality of optically reflective switching devices each having an optically reflective layer in contact with a substrate; a circuit means and power source; controller logic; a projection means; and a display means; wherein each of said plurality of devices is a capable of receiving light from said light source and thereafter reflecting said received light in direct response to a reflective state condition of said each device.

Device and system for reflective digital light processing (DLP)

Aspects of the present invention include a device and system for providing reflective electrochromic switching devices having an optically reflective layer with at least one electrochromic material, a substrate, and an excitation means and controller for transmitting received light in association with transmissivity of the reflective layer at a predetermined time. The devices may be used in an array or system format to provide improved display resolutions in a manner where the devices are fixedly mounted in relation to an emitting light source.

Protection is provided for optically readable media. Data may be scrambled, encrypted, or otherwise obscured by apportioning the data across multiple layers of a disc in a secret pattern. Pattern information may be supplied in the form of a key to authorized devices or users. The data can only be read by an optical drive with the proper hardware having access to this key. Switchable mirrored regions are provided on the optical medium to selectively block and unblock an optical reader head from reading the data. To read the data back, an authorized/licensed device may use the key to selectively switch the electrochromic regions so that the reader head may access the data while alternately focusing on different data layers, as needed, to obtain the data in the proper order.

Protected storage of data on optically-readable media

Systems and methods for maintaining and servicing a data processing system or 'computer system,' including rack enclosures housing multiple servers, desktop computers, and controllers for industrial automation. According to one aspect, touch-activated circuitry is configured with a computer system to control power and data flow to a component port and facilitate hot-swapping of components, such as PCI cards, fans, and hard drives. The component port, such as a PCI slot, electronically interfaces with a removable electronic component, such as a PCI card. A user activates the touch-activated circuitry by touching one or more contact points. Touching the contact points thereby initiate a shut-down sequence of a component driver or other software and then powers down the electronic port so that the electronic component may be safely removed.

System and method for performing computer system maintenance and service

An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a device and a counter system coupled thereto. The counter system provides an indication of a number of times the device is inserted into a slot. Through the use of the device disclosed above, a history and a number of insertions of a particular device within a system can be known and therefore it can be determined if the integrity of the device is threatened.

Calculating and indicating a number of times a device is inserted into a slot

A display is disclosed. The display comprises a plurality of expandable tubes and a rollable material coupled to the expandable tubes, wherein the plurality of tubes can be expanded and contracted to increase or decrease the size of the display. The user of the expandable display in accordance with the present invention would have the benefit of having a much larger display to work with, and still be able to shrink it for ease of transportation. An added benefit to the user is that the color intensity of such a design is significantly higher than that of current LCD displays. Such displays also have the benefit of not requiring backlighting to operate.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Slavek Peter Aksamit