Abstract: A display interface system that uses a server-client approach. The server contains all of the necessary information regarding display information, while the client deals with the specific display type that it is connected to. The server contains generic descriptions of user interface screens which allow the server to be independent of specific display types. This allows one version of software to support many types of displays, rather than several software revisions for each display type, saving the software developer time, maintenance, and labor costs. A request-response communication system is used whereupon the client requests previous or next user display screens, system parameter requests, or updates from the server. The client requests screen information through a series of key-tag sequences, while the server controls the sequencing of the user display screens. The client is shielded from any knowledge of the contents of the screen and is only concerned with the fact that something is being displayed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for correcting gamut limitations of a color device. A method includes creating a predefined color space for use in gamut correction due to the gamut limitations of the color device, such as a color printer, and producing a set of color data values using the predefined color space. The set of color data values is for use in converting from a first color space (e.g., RGB) to a second color space (e.g., CMYK). A method in another embodiment includes creating a first color separation table, creating a predefined color space, creating a second color separation table for converting values of colors in the predefined color space to values in a colorant space, and creating a composite color separation lookup table by using a plurality of first values from the first color separation table and using a plurality of second values from the second color separation table. The predefined color space is typically based upon a set of redefined chromaticities which are used in a transformation function.

Abstract: Methods of translating a print object stream into a print job stream are claimed. The print object stream contains a succession of print objects. The print job stream contains print job objects.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting a variable that is to be measured, has at least two substantially similar sensor elements. These sensor elements each produce an output signal in response to the variable to be measured, the output signals having a Hall voltage disturbance component. The two sensor elements are orientated in relation to each other in such a way that a sensor signal can be produced by a combination of their output signals, the Hall voltage disturbance components being compensated in the sensor signal.

Abstract: A product hierarchy database organizes company market performance and stock investment information by the products and services produced and offered by each competitor. The companies that produce each product/service are relationally linked to each of their products/services through records. An investment information service includes the product/service hierarchy database and makes it accessible to investor and analyst subscribers through a query system across the Internet. Data entry personnel continually load qualitative and quantitative information about companies and their products/services through a product hierarchy generator connected to the product/service hierarchy database. Subscribers can punch-through to query individual data items, and they can find out what relationships exist between all the important aspects of the companies and the products/services being tracked.

Abstract: A transmitter pen positioning system is provided, in which a pen, having multiple output elements, is used to accurately determine the location of the pointing tip of the pen, in relation to the writing area of a surface, such as a white board. The first output element, preferably an infrared transducer, transmits a first output signal from the transmitter pen. The second output element, preferably an ultrasonic transducer, transmits a second output signal, having a lower propagation velocity than the first output signal, from the transmitter pen to two or more receivers. In a basic embodiment, the first output signal arrives at one or more receivers generally concurrently.

Abstract: The invention described herein uses minimization techniques to find a good single-channel transformation that preserves the accuracy of critical colors. The invention takes as inputs a set of critical colors and from these colors determines a set of constraints on the output device and simulated device colorants that is used for the minimization. The constraints are selected to allow the minimization step to determine a consistent single-channel transformation. Then, the color characteristics of a simulated and an output printer are used to find a transformation that minimizes color distance, given the constraints. The invention takes into account certain critical colors during the generation of the single-channel transformation. The invention consists first selecting a set of colorant values in the simulated device color space that are critical to render accurately.

Abstract: In a method of connecting a first and a second silicon wafer, the first silicon wafer is first provided with a polyimide layer on a main surface thereof. Subsequently, a plasma-induced reaction between the polyimide layer and water is performed. A plasma-induced reaction is also performed between a main surface of the second silicon wafer and chlorine. The main surface of the second silicon wafer is then subjected to a treatment with hydrolyzed triethoxysilylpropanamine. Following this, the surfaces of the two silicon wafers, which have been subjected to the plasma-induced reactions, are joined together so as connect the silicon wafers permanently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating an object-oriented programming language are provided at a hardware gate level. In a Java-compliant embodiment, a Java Application framework is implemented in hardware. The Java.AWT, Java.NET, and Java.IO application frameworks are supported in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Application framework classes are stored as libraries in a shared memory. Instances and methods of supported application framework classes that are executed by a Java program are offloaded to a hardware object management system. A software stub is provided as an interface between the hardware object management system and the central processing unit. Central processing unit processing of non-supported application framework instructions is continued during hardware accelerator execution of hardware object management system requests.

Abstract: A variable data print job system that reduces the master and variable jobs into a single job sent from the client to the printer that does not require indefinite disk storage on the printer. The first part of the job contains the master data pages and the second part of the job contains the variable data. The print job is assembled and sent to the printer which detects that the job is a two part job. It places the master data in the page buffer and copies it to another area of the page buffer so a page of the variable data can be overlaid onto the page buffer and is then sent to the print engine for printing. This process is repeated for each page of variable data. The invention expands upon this concept and handles multiple masters with a print job that contains variable data grouped with the associated master data. The single print job is assembled with the sequential variable data pages placed immediately after their associated master pages in a serial fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing background and foreground display images. Graphics memory for images which are rendered in software is referenced by a processor using an MMU (memory mapping unit) having MMU tables. The graphics memory includes a portion for on-screen display, and a portion which can be written into but which is not displayed. When a background image is overlaid by a foreground image, the portion of the background image overlaid is copied to a save-away area, and the MMU tables are altered so that software rendering of the background image automatically occurs in the save-away area. However, the foreground image is written directly into the on-screen display area by rendering hardware. This allows the software-rendered image to be kept up to date, and allows data for the software-rendered image not to be lost during the time the background image is covered up.

Abstract: A transmitter device is disclosed for use with a conventional pen in which the ultrasound transmitter is a cylindrical element lying coaxial with the pen and adjacent to its tip, and a jointed eraser structure. Conventional triangulation techniques are used to track the position and motion of a writer or eraser. An encoding facility associated with the pen provides the ability to distinguish whether the pen is used for marking or an as erasing implement, as well as determining the nature or character of written line width or eraser swath. A data stream thus generated can be used in a variety of ways, such as for example, to feed information into the memory of a digital computer, and/or to feed information for transmission to remote stations.

Abstract: An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibrated target, such as a Kodak® gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. The target is thin and has a width or length of platen of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the strip is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner/printer system.

Abstract: A mechanism, referred to as MSS spoofing, intercepts and modifies the MSS value specified in a TCP SYN packet containing a TCP MSS option. As a result, the local TCP protocol stack is “spoofed” (i.e. made to believe) such that it appears to the local stack that the remote station has an MSS value that is different from its actual MSS value. MSS spoofing allows the local TCP protocol stack to use an MSS value that is derived solely from its own MTU. The interface changes the received MSS value to a value that is at least as large as the local MTU before passing the packet up the protocol stack. This forces the TCP protocol stack to use a larger MSS value than it would otherwise use. In this way, the TCP protocol stack always uses a TCP segment size that is based on the MTU of the local interface.

Abstract: A color data inversion and reconversion system provides improved systems, methods, and data structures for processing and printing color data which convert colorant amounts (c, m, y, k) for pixels into corresponding color amounts (r′, g′, b′) for the pixels and to accurate colorant amounts (c′, m′, y′, k′) for the pixels. This supports accurate printing of such pixels even where the colorant amounts (c, m, y, k) are inacurate, and can be used where the colorant amounts (c. m. y. k) were determined via a substantially reversible process in response to a set of color amounts (r, g, b).

Abstract: A continuous stream of formatted digital data, such as a video segment, audio segment, or information stream, appears to be a fixed length segment under certain circumstances, defining a virtual segment within the continuous stream which moves forward in time in synchrony with the continuous stream. The virtual segment thus defined can be explored in a non-linear fashion at arbitrary playback rates. For instance, concepts such as rewind, pause, frame advance, and fast forward become meaningful even though the continuous stream never ceases.

Abstract: A multiple raster image processor (RIP) system which enables faster system performance over multiple processors includes a zero RIP feature consisting of a language interpreter sub-RIP that interprets a print instruction file but does not process the graphics rendering steps or the post-language processing operators. The zero RIP discovers page related attributes for individual pages within a multipage job and reports any potential errors or warnings with the file. A thumb RIP consists of a very low resolution RIP that is used specifically for the creation of thumbnail images. A skip RIP interprets selected pages in a way that skips all or most of the processing for that page. Pages to be skipped are scheduled for a different processor, thereby saving processing time and enabling the provision of a multiple processor RIP. A rules based scheduler on an page/face or machine characteristic basis supports a dynamic assignment and assessment algorithm.

Abstract: A compromise rail is formed of a single length of stock rail. One end of the rail is forged over a distance of 19-48 inches to reduce the height of the forged portion, which is then machined to match the running rail to which that end is to be attached. The invention avoids the expense and inconvenience of flash butt welding a forged section to a uniform profile rail as is done in prior art compromise rails.

Abstract: A portable video conference module supporting a network-based video conference comprising a processor, a video camera, and audio input device and several interfaces coupled to the processor. The processor includes a local instruction processor accessing a local non-volatile memory. The interfaces include a wireless data capture interface, a video display interface, an audio output interface and a network interface.