Abstract: This disclosure provides a block-based compression system which uses a variable size search window, to thereby substantially reduce the time required for compression. In a MPEG-2 system, square tiles are processed left to right in rows, beginning at the top of a frame and finishing at the bottom. The absolute value of pixel differences for already-processed “northwest,” “north,” “northeast” and “west” neighbor tiles are separately summed and compared to a threshold. If any of the sums exceeds the threshold or if any of the neighbor tiles are unavailable (e.g., the tile under consideration is in the top row or the left-most column), then a maximum size search window is used to determine the tile's “closest match” in a prior image frame and the associated motion vector. If none of the exceed the threshold, then a relatively smaller size search window is used.

Abstract: In elliptic curve processing systems, information is typically processed to yield elliptic curve data points, with X and Y coordinates each represented by N bits, N typically being 160 or more. Valid Y coordinates must satisfy a quadratic equation for any given X coordinate, such that any Y data may be represented by its corresponding X coordinate and a single additional byte or bit. In accordance with this disclosure, a vector t is chosen for which the dot product between t and any X coordinate is equal to a constant. The vector t is used in a compression mode of the preferred embodiment to select a bit position in X coordinate data with the X bit at that location being discarded and the Y coordinate information being stored in its place. As a result, an extra byte of data is not needed and any elliptic curve data point may be represented by N bits only.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a transparent load direction mechanism between multiple host computers that enables continued processing of client requests notwithstanding failure of individual host computers. A client computer system is provided with two URLs for a given web site, including a primary URL and a reference URL; the reference URL is the generic address for the web site, and is used for bookmarks and URL display, e.g., "www.website.com;" the primary URL is used for actual communication with an assigned one of several parallel servers which service the web site, i.e., "www.website4.com." The client computer normally directs communications to the assigned server, but if a failure condition is detected, i.e., server "website4" goes off-line, the reference URL is used for re-entry to the web site and a new server assigned to service the client computer (i.e., "www.website2.com").

Abstract: This disclosure provides for an image editing system that permits manipulation of compressed image formats without full decompression to the image domain. In particular, an editor manipulates discrete cosine transform ("DCT") coefficients for a dependent frame in a compressed image sequence to incorporate DCT representations of anchor frames upon which the dependent frame depends. Once converted, the frame can simply be reordered in the compressed domain without violating temporal dependencies, subject to bit rate matching. In one embodiment, an image sequence can be cut to leave remaining image frames which are then altered, so as to eliminate temporal dependencies upon eliminated frames. In another embodiment, an image sequence can be processed in the compressed domain for reverse-play. The editor provided by this disclosure permits real-time compressed domain editing applications, with reduced requirements for computational bandwidth.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a block-based compression system which uses a variable size search window, to thereby substantially reduce the time required for compression. In a MPEG-2 system, square tiles are processed left to right in rows, beginning at the top of a frame and finishing at the bottom. The absolute value of pixel differences for already-processed "northwest," "north," "northeast" and "west" neighbor tiles are separately summed and compared to a threshold. If any of the sums exceeds the threshold or if any of the neighbor tiles are unavailable (e.g., the tile under consideration is in the top row or the left-most column), then a maximum size search window is used to determine the tile's "closest match" in a prior image frame and the associated motion vector. If none of the exceed the threshold, then a relatively smaller size search window is used. The size of the smaller window is selected in dependence upon the motion vectors for the neighbor tiles, e.g.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for admission control with multiple classes of service and priority processing. An admission control system preferably admits incoming messages which are part of a session-in progress. As to messages representing new sessions, the admission control system admits such messages on the basis of priority or class assigned to them, or otherwise discriminates between messages stored in a message queue based on priority. In a preferred embodiment, if server resources become strained, the admission control system can defer messages in order of lowest priority or if allocated class resources have been exceeded. In one embodiment, messages are assigned different status for two web site providers paying for different levels of service available, such that as server resources become stretched, one web site will receive better quality of service than the second web site.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a data recording system and, in particular, an electronic digitizing clipboard and a remote computer. A stylus of the clipboard is used to write on pages, with a digitizer underneath the pages generating an electronic record of entered marks for storage and later recreation of the pages. The electronic record represents both stylus spatial coordinates, normally sampled every ten milliseconds, certain user commands such as page identification, inserted at significant locations within the aggregate data stream, or other data, for example, audio data from a built-in microphone. Data in the stream is associated with prior page identification commands, such that subsequent data may be cut or sorted based upon timing of that data relative to the page identification commands. In this manner, data may be distinguished and moved by a "splicing" mechanism, notwithstanding any spatial overlap with previous stylus data.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a handheld writing device and a related data entry system. In particular, a digital electronic clipboard is used to mount pages or forms utilized in forms processing applications, such as inventory tracking. A stylus having a writing tip at one end of the stylus and a bar code scanning mechanism at another end of the stylus is used to enter data on the pages or forms and scan bar codes appearing on the pages or forms themselves, or on a separate item to be associated with the form. The system detects whether bar code data or stylus position data is being generated and causes its CPU to responsively process entered data. In an alternative embodiment, the system also permits generation of only one of stylus position data and bar code data at any given time.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for admission control having enhanced quality of service. A server-resident admission control system implements measurement-based admission control to determine whether a requested web site is available to process a new session. If the site is not available, based upon current resources and defined load parameters, the server-based system determines when the associated server can later provide preferred access to the client, and transmits to the client an indication of that time, together with a key. One example uses a downloaded web page to automatically cause a client browser to later automatically access the host, and to display a message indicating that the client has preferred access together with a countdown time. As an alternative, a program file can be stored on the client which is effective to launch the client's web browser and to direct access to the particular host at the appointed time, irrespective of whether the client's browser is active.

Abstract: A system of display case modules can be connected to form a display case of variable size and configuration for displaying or storing toys and toy action figures. A single display module has shelves to make variable size compartments and has a clear front panel to allow viewing of the toys, which are vertically stacked inside the display module. The shelves can be varied in position so that various sizes of toys can be displayed. In addition, the shelves are tilted slightly backward so that toys lean against a back wall of the display module, thereby resting upright. The display module also has connectors on its sides, top and bottom so that the display module can be connected to other display modules to make a larger display case. The connectors on the sides of the display modules create a hinge mechanism to link display modules side by side, such that the modules can be pivoted in various directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for using frequency domain data, such as S-parameters, in a time-based simulator. S-parameters are either input to the simulator, or are empirically measured, at selected frequencies. Preferably, the selected frequencies are related to one another by a logarithmic scale, providing for determination of a system transfer function which is accurate across a very wide range of frequencies, from near zero hertz, to frequencies on the order of a hundred gigahertz. The transfer function preferably takes the form of a fitted polynomial, obtained using FDSI techniques. In addition, recursive convolution may be employed to operate in the time domain on inverse Laplace Transforms of the fitted transfer function and time-domain simulator test signals.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a page identification system for multiple page processing systems which operates by measuring color. Detected color is compared to a look-up table that stores color characteristics for at least one known page. If a match is detected, within a tolerance selected in response to expected measurement variance, then the system produces a page identification code used in page processing. Preferably, the system is embodied in a clipboard device that automatically associates electronic data with a corresponding one of multiple pages. A stylus can be used to write on each page, and each time the stylus is used, the system automatically optically scans the page, produces a page identification code, and associates electronic data with the current page. If no match is detected in the lookup table, then the system enters a learn mode corresponding to presumed detection of a new page.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a memory system and device for synchronizing response across multiple memory devices, whether arranged serially upon a single data bus, in parallel across multiple data busses, or both. A memory controller periodically configures the system by separately placing each memory chip into a configuration mode. While in this mode, the chip is polled by the controller along the corresponding data bus, and the chip responds with a reply. The controller uses this reply to compute elapsed time between polling and the reply. Using all of the chips, the controller determines the maximum response time, in terms of elapsed clock cycles. Based on this maximum time, and the individual response times for each chip, the controller then programs each chip with a number which defines chip-based delay for responses to data read operations. In this manner, successive data reads can be performed on successive clock cycles without awaiting prior completion of earlier data reads.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a multiple chip assembly where multiple chips are stacked on top of one another using relatively low melting temperature solder balls. Preferably, the chips (either packages or flip chip attachment) are each mounted to a substrate which is larger in lateral surface area than the associated chip. Each substrate thus has a free area, not masked by the chip, which is utilized to mount a vertically-adjacent substrate. Within this free area, solder balls connect the substrates to provide for vertical logic bus propagation through the assembly and vertical heat dissipation. The solder balls are made to have a relatively low melting temperature, permitting interconnection between chip/substrate layers without affecting connection between chip and substrate or with an intervening carrier.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a novel flow device having a fourth root pressure versus flow characteristic. The flow device includes an inlet, an orifice that focusses fluid pressure, a pair of parallel plates (or other surfaces which can be modeled as parallel plates), and an outlet. Preferably, the pair of parallel plates are a pair of two flat disks, one of which has a central aperture. When the device is used as a flow restrictor, the central aperture forms a seat against which the second plate (the impeder plate) is biased to restrict fluid flow. The orifice provides fluid pressure through the aperture, which forces the second plate away from the first plate, and against the bias. Fluid flow through the plates is directly proportional to displacement between the plates, and spent fluid escapes via a radial periphery of the second plate. Preferably, the second plate is mounted to a housing by a set of springs which also contain a strain gauge, such that displacement can be electronically measured.

Abstract: A system and method for coupling acoustic energy within a waveguide provides highly efficient and sensitive acoustic energy generation and detection. In particular, an ultrasound angioplasty system is described which makes use of an end-fire array of ring transducers to produce highly directionalized sound within an acoustic waveguide. The transducers can be made circularly symmetric, and may be composed of multiple segments for generating sound waves in independent x and y spatial modes within the acoustic waveguide. Each ring transducer is optimally spaced 1/2.lambda..sub.L from its neighbor transducers, such that alternate transducers transduce 180-degrees out of phase, and may have their electrical end inverted for common drive, or for summing of transducer electrical outputs when the array is used as a detector.

Abstract: A solder bump is stenciled onto a substrate, providing bumped substrate at pitches below 400 microns. The solder is applied through stencil/mask and paste method; the mask, however, remains attached to the substrate during reflow. Pitches of greater than 400 microns may also be obtained through the invention. The invention further provides for generation of uniform, controllable volume metal balls.