An antenna system for a portable computer allows communication between a portable computer and a wireless communication system to be established. The antenna is placed in a use position when the computer is opened to facilitate wireless communication and the antenna is placed in a storage position when the computer is closed. In the storage position, the antenna is placed in a storage compartment in the base unit of the computer. Additionally, the antenna has a first position in which the antenn...

The invention provides a general and flexible mechanism for a secure access control on a computer. Cryptographic checksums are applied for the identification of a program to another program. These cryptographic checksums are generated automatically for the programs. Each program has its program-specific identifier which can be regarded as a substantially unique value or name. Such a program-specific identifier can be used to verify the validity of one program to another program. Mutual trust rel...

A portable desk for a laptop computer or similar device. The desk has a rigid panel with a central cutout. Pads are provided on the top surface to receive the computer case to provide friction. Cushions on the underside of the panel engage and stabilize the desk on the user's legs in a sitting position. A mouse pad is hinged to the desk and in a stored position is received in the center cutout and may be deployed to a position adjacent the desk when in use. Heat is dissipated through the central...

A holding dock for portable computers to house a portable computer and disperse heat includes an upper lid, a holding surface, sidewalls and a hub to form a heat dissipation space. Heated air generated by the computer may enter the heat dissipation space through a heat dissipation section formed on the holding surface. The hub has a fan mounted thereon to draw the heated air to provide heat dissipation effect for the portable computer. The hub further can connect other electronic devices to the ...

A connector device is provided for coupling to connectors associated with a laptop computer. The connector device includes a generally L-shaped housing having a pair of side walls, a rear wall, and a pair of front walls wherein one of the front walls is recessed from the other front wall. The recessed front wall includes a plurality of input connectors for coupling to the connectors provided by the laptop computer. Further, at least one of the side walls includes a plurality of output connectors...

An apparatus for a network of computers is presented. A plurality of inner firewalls operate within a personal computer. The personal computer operates in a network of computers and includes at least one microprocessor and at least two memory components. The plurality of inner firewalls deny access to a first memory component of the personal computer by another computer through a network connection with the personal computer during a shared operation. The plurality of inner firewalls also allow ...

A compact, self-contained, light-weight, easily programmable, desk-top analog computer, capable of being perpetually updated as new components and improved circuits are available. Unlike other such computers, the program panel is a combination patching, switching and electronic module board and includes all of the coefficient-setting potentiometers, voltmeters, function and mode control switches, and spare terminal strips for additional passive and active analog and digital logic circuits. Becau...

A computer system uses power-consumption monitors for each of plural sets of devices. A power budget arbiter determines whether a collective power-consumption criterion is met at least in part as a function of said power-consumption data.

A fastener module for portable computers that is disposed on the host of a portable computer to fasten the LCD with the host, no matter whether the LCD is closed directly or after rotating 180 degrees; the fastener module has a pivotable eccentric hook rod biased in a normal horizontal position when not affected by magnetic effect, when the LCD closes on the host of the computer, both sides of the hook rod are affected by the magnetic effect of the magnetic component on the LCD; since the pivot ...

The present invention provides lap table for a portable computer. The lap table comprises a supple main body that has a top surface joined to a bottom surface and a sealed hollow interior for containing a filling material to give the main body a degree of rigidity sufficient to support the portable computer thereon. The filling material may be either an inflating gas or styrofoam beads. The lap table also includes a securing wall integral with the top surface that is configured to receive a foot...