Abstract: In a computerized distributed mail system, a plurality of client computers are connected to each other via a network. Each client computer is configured to execute client mail application programs. A mail service system is also connected to the network. The system is for executing server mail programs on server computers. The mail service system includes an index server for storing mail messages in message files, and for storing a full-text index of the mail messages. In addition, the system includes means for accessing the mail messages by the plurality of client computers by searching the full-text index using queries.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection technique protects a semiconductor device against electrostatic discharge events. The technique uses an ESD protection circuit that includes Darlington-connected clamps between the protected I/O pad and a reference voltage conductor with circuitry to prevent leakage. A control signal that is used to control the clamps is derived from another pad.

Abstract: In a computerized method a continuous signal is segmented in order to determine statistically stationary units of the signal. The continuous signal is sampled at periodic intervals to produce a timed sequence of digital samples. Fixed numbers of adjacent digital samples are grouped into a plurality of disjoint sets or frames. A statistical distance between adjacent frames is determined. The adjacent sets are merged into a larger set of samples or cluster if the statistical distance is less than a predetermined threshold. In an iterative process, the statistical distance between the adjacent sets are determined, and as long as the distance is less than the predetermined threshold, the sets are iteratively merged to segment the signal into statistically stationary units.

Abstract: In a computer system, a method enables an application program to interact aurally with a user. The application program including calls to perform input and output. The calls include parameters. The method identifies functions of an input/output driver. The functions are called by the calls of the application program. The functions are augmented to process the parameters according to an execution context of the application program. The augmented functions are linked to speech processing modules. The speech processing modules generating aural output dependent on the parameters of the calls and the execution context of the application program. The speech processing modules include speak line, speak word, speak letter, speak icon modules for generating the aural output as spoken lines, words, and letters. In addition, the aural output can be modified by voice, personality, and background modules. Graphic icons can be rendered as distinctive sounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling heat generation within a battery-powered portable computer. One aspect is directed to a computer including a battery, a battery charging circuit operatively connected to the battery to charge the battery at a charging rate, and a temperature detection and control circuit, coupled to the battery charging circuit, that detects a temperature within the computer and provides a control signal to the battery charging circuit having a control value based on the temperature detected. The battery charging circuit is responsive to the control value of the control signal to alter the charging rate. Another aspect is directed to a method for controlling heat dissipation within a portable electronic device having a battery and a battery charging circuit.

Abstract: A method for locating a particularly relevant position within a multimedia steam includes identifying a multimedia stream based upon a query. The locations relevant to the query within the multimedia stream are also identified. The relevance of each of the identified locations is ranked and a particularly relevant one of the identified locations within the multimedia stream is determined based upon the ranking.

Abstract: A computer implemented method adjusts a Web page including multimedia content according to the effective bandwidth and/or latency monitored on a network path connecting a server computer storing the Web page, and a client computer requesting the Web page. In response to receiving a request for the Web page in the server computer from the client computer, the server computer, or some other computer closely connected to the server computer monitors the effective bandwidth and/or latency of the network path. Using the measured effective bandwidth and/or latency, the content of the Web page is dynamically adjusted by the server computer while sending the Web page to the client.

Abstract: In a computerized method for messaging, a Web page includes an embedded tag specifying a message extension program. The Web page is requested from a Web server by a Web browser of a first client computer connected to the Web server computer by a communications network. The extension program corresponding to the message tag is retrieved. A multimedia message is recorded as digital signals in a file of the client computer using the extension program. The file is sent to a second client computer as an electronic mail message.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus determine a color for pixels in a graphics system in which images are defined by pixels. Multiple fragments of an image may be visible in any given pixel. Each visible fragment has a fragment value that includes the color of that fragment. For such given pixel, up to a predetermined number of the fragment values are stored. When a new fragment is visible in the given pixel, one of the fragment values is discarded to determine which fragment values are stored and subsequently used to generate the color of the pixel. The discarded fragment value may be the new fragment value or one of the stored fragment values. Various strategies can be used to determine which fragment value is discarded. One such scheme selects the stored fragment value with the greatest Z-depth. Another scheme selects the stored fragment value that produces the smallest color difference from the new fragment value.

Abstract: A computing apparatus has a mode selector configured to select one of a long-bus mode corresponding to a first memory size and a short-bus mode corresponding to a second memory size which is less than the first memory size. An address bus of the computing apparatus is configured to transmit an address consisting of address bits defining the first memory size and a subset of the address bits defining the second memory size. The address bus has N communication lines each configured to transmit one of a first number of bits of the address bits defining the first memory size in the long-bus mode and M of the N communication lines each configured to transmit one of a second number of bits of the address bits defining the second memory size in the short-bus mode, where M is less than N.

Abstract: A multiple docking system allows multiple dock units to be connected to the bus of a primary unit notebook computer. This is accomplished using multiple bridges between the primary bus of the primary unit and secondary buses in each of the dock units. Importantly, the system allows for hot docking or docking of the multiple dock units to the primary unit while the primary unit is operational. It accomplishes this, however, without the latency impact associated with buffers on the primary bus. Instead, a docking signal is generated to a bridge in first dock unit as the second dock unit is docked. This causes the bridge to complete bus transactions between the primary bus and the first dock unit's secondary bus. The bridge also generates a float request signal to the primary unit and then floats the secondary bus only after receiving a float grant signal back.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sense amplifier that incorporates a logic function. Specifically, that logic function is incorporated into the sense amplifier such that the propagation time of the logic function is avoided and the effective data set-up time of the sense amplifier is reduced. The sense amplifier includes a pair of discharge paths having a true or a complementary version of the logic function associated therewith. When the true or complementary version of the logic function is asserted, one of the discharge paths is turned-on. The output signal that is associated with that discharge path is discharged to a logic low level and the other output signal is pulled to a logic high level. Accordingly, the resulting logic level of the logic function is generated and latched using only the sense amplifier circuit.

Abstract: In a computer implemented method an address book is dynamically generated in a distributed mail service system. The distributed mail service system includes a plurality of client computers connected to a mail service system via a network. Mail messages are stored in message files of the mail service system. Each mail message is parsed and indexed to generate a full-text index of the mail service system. An address book mail message is generated, each address book mail message including address information. The address book mail messages are stored in the message files, and parsed and indexed into the full-text index file. A query is composed using a particular one of the plurality of client computer systems to search the full-text index to locate and retrieve selected ones of the address book mail messages as the dynamic address book.

Abstract: In a computerized distributed mail system, a plurality of client computers are connected to each other via a network. Each client computer is configured to execute client mail application programs. A mail service system is also connected to the network. The system is for executing server mail programs on server computers. The mail service system includes an index server for storing mail messages in message files, and for storing a full-text index of the mail messages. In addition, the system includes means for accessing the mail messages by the plurality of client computers by searching the full-text index using queries.

Abstract: A file system is distributed over a plurality of computers connected to each other by a network. The plurality of computers execute user programs, and the user programs access files stored on a plurality of physical disks connected to the plurality of computers. The file system includes a plurality of file servers executing on the plurality of computers as a single distributed file server layer. In addition, the file system includes a plurality of disk servers executing on the plurality of computers as a single distributed disk server layer, and a plurality of lock servers executing on the plurality of computers as a single distributed lock server to coordinate the operation of the distributed file and disk server layers so that the user programs can coherently access the files on the plurality of physical disks.

Abstract: A technique for accessing an item of interest within a particular one of a plurality of stored representations of data is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by having a processing device searching a plurality of stored annotations corresponding to different items within the plurality of stored representations to locate an annotation of interest corresponding to the item of interest. The annotation of interest has an associated search identifier and an associated location identifier corresponding to a location of interest within the particular one of the plurality of stored representations. The processing device then searches a plurality of stored search identifiers associated with the plurality of stored annotations to locate the search identifier and an address identifier corresponding to a location of the particular one of the plurality of stored representations within the plurality of stored representations.

Abstract: A system and method for managing memory in a network. In a computer network in which multiple computers (nodes) are interconnected by a network, the primary memory on one node may be used to store memory data (pages)from other nodes. The transfer of a data page over the network from the memory of a node holding it to the memory of another node requesting that data gives improved performance when compared to the transfer of the same data from disk, either local or remote, to the requesting node. Global information about the disposition of the nodes and their memories in the network is used to determine the nodes in the network that should best be used to hold data pages for other nodes at a particular time. This information is exchanged by the nodes periodically under command of a coordinating node.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is provided, which includes: a motion sensor fixed to the device sensing an orientation of the device and a mounting structure for mounting the device on a superior dorsal aspect of the hand. The device can include an enclosure shaped to conform to the superior dorsal aspect of the hand. The enclosure can be triangular-shaped with rounded vertices. The device can include a display screen for display of data. The mounting structure can include a glove.

Abstract: A document management apparatus has a scripting language which controls documents by setting the attributes of documents. Attributes are pieces of data within a document. A script engine reads a script from a cache memory and launches the processes to accomplish the desired action of the script. A scheduler controls the script engine and an active queue and a blocked queue in order to carry out multi-threaded execution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the providing of conditioned AC power, with the conditioned AC power being capable of being provided on a continuous basis. Unconditioned AC voltage is received by transverters. The transverters convert the unconditioned AC voltage into a transverter AC output voltage. The transverter AC output voltage is monitored by current and voltage sensors. A transverter control signal is developed in response to changes in the current and voltage sensing in comparison with a reference signal. The transverter control signal then regulates conversion of the transverter AC output voltage into the desired conditioned AC output voltage. In multi-phase AC voltage systems conditioned AC voltages for each phase are provided.