International Business Machines Corporation

Victor G Golding

Brian D Key

John D Hartley

Mark P Dyche

Ray Jepson

Mark Germain

Steven Cook

Christopher J Barnett

Gregor H Speirs

Yat H Ng

Paul D Maddison

A computer system having a power-on password stored in non-volatile memory wherein entry of the power-on password by a system manager permits access to all of the computer functions. The system also has the facility of at least one additional password held in non-volatile memory, wherein entry of the additional password by a user permits the system to boot in a manner preselected by the system manager. Preferably there are available a plurality of additional passwords providing at least two different levels of security access to the system.

Computer system security device

Apparatus for connecting data processing equipment to a communications network includes hardware for a range of different communications standards. Also included is a coupler (preferably in the form of a cable) having a particular standard communications plug which contains an identifying code associated with that particular standard plug, which code is used to configure the apparatus to that particular standard. The apparatus contains a digital signal processor controlled by control code contained in a control store having associated therewith a standard identifier code. Control logic reads the standard identifier code associated with the control code and the standard identifying code in the coupler and enables the apparatus if the two match (or disables if they do not match). The control store can either contain only the code associated with a particular standard or it can contain all the code for a range of standards: in the latter case the control logic would allow the signal processor to access only the sections of the control store containing the relevant control code. The invention is particularly useful for connecting data processing equipment through a modem to different country telephone networks.

Apparatus for connecting data processing equipment to a communication

An audio response terminal for a data processing system which provides an audio output for data that is displayed on a video display unit. The terminal has a control unit that is separate from the display controls, but receives inputs from the display buffer and a separate key pad. The control unit gives the user the ability to specify which rows or columns of a screen of data are to be spoken and also four modes of speech, spell, phonetic spell, speak with punctuation or plain speech. A microprocessor using a translator examines each alphanumeric character and provides a string of digitized phonemes which drive a speech synthesizer. The speech synthesizer provides an audio output signal to a loudspeaker or headphone socket.

Audio response terminal for use with data processing systems

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Ower. Romsey, United Kingdom

Victor G Golding