Abstract: An embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises an e-mail method including creating an e-mail having discretionary functionality and sending the e-mail. Another embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises an e-mail server including a computer configured to create an e-mail having discretionary functionality and to send the e-mail.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for decompressing a bit stream of compressed data representing a plurality of image blocks. A plurality of bits of compressed input data relating to AC codes are retrieved from the bit stream and a first decoding operation executed to generate first output data. If sufficient space for the first output data exists, the first output data is outputted. Otherwise, a second decoding operation generates second output data. The first decoding operation includes performing a look-up in a look-up table based on the input data. A pointer is retrieved from a data segment that corresponds to the input data and a routine corresponding to the retrieved pointer is executed. The payload of the data segment is processed in the executed routine to generate the first output data.

Abstract: A cluster computer system including multiple network accessible computers that are each coupled to a network. The network accessible computers implement host computer programs which permits the network accessible computers to operate as host computers for client computers also connected to the network, such that input devices of the client computers can be used to generate inputs to the host computers, and such that image information generated by the host computers can be viewed by the client computers. The system also includes a cluster administration computer coupled to the multiple network accessible computers to monitor the operation of the network accessible computers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and article of manufacture for a computer implemented textual hyperlink. A string of text is first displayed. Upon receipt of an indication of a selection of the string of text, a link is effected to a predetermined site. The string of text is then automatically entered as a parameter of input to the site upon linking thereto.

Abstract: An embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises a computer program embodied on computer-readable media for providing web-based e-mail comprising software segments for uploading an address book from a client machine to a web server. Another embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises a method for updating recipients with a new e-mail address including sending an update e-mail to a plurality of recipients listed in an address book.

Abstract: An embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises an e-mail method including creating an e-mail having discretionary functionality and sending the e-mail. Another embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises an e-mail sever including a computer configured to create an e-mail having discretionary functionality and to send the e-mail.

Abstract: A method for diagonal processing of video data includes separating diagonally arranged data from rectilinearly arranged data in a video stream, rotating the diagonally arranged data to a rectilinear position; and compressing the rotated diagonally arranged data by a rectilinear compression algorithm. Alternatively stated, the method includes recognizing diagonally arranged data in a video stream, processing the diagonally arranged data into rectilinear data, and compressing the rectilinear data by a rectilinear compression algorithm.

Abstract: A virtual database system including multiple independent database servers is disclosed. The virtual database system uses a unified interface to query multiple independent databases, and the multiple independent database servers include appliances, general servers, etc. The system preferably includes a packet-based network, and a number of physically separated, independent database servers coupled to the network, 10 where each of the database servers has a unique address and an independent database interface. Preferably, each database server includes an database created at least in part by the passive capture of data on the network, and each of which supports database queries including at least one of metadata and text via its respective interface. Queries are distributed concurrently to a number of appliances as virtual user queries.

Abstract: A virtual database system including multiple independent database servers is disclosed. The virtual database system uses a unified interface to query multiple independent databases, and the multiple independent database servers include appliances, general servers, etc. The system preferably includes a packet-based network, and a number of physically separated, independent database servers coupled to the network, where each of the database servers has a unique address and an independent database interface. Preferably, each database server includes an database created at least in part by the passive capture of data on the network, and each of which supports database queries including at least one of metadata and text via its respective interface. Queries are distributed concurrently to a number of appliances as virtual user queries.

Abstract: A method for diagonal processing of video data includes separating diagonally arranged data from rectilinearly arranged data in a video stream, rotating the diagonally arranged data to a rectilinear position; and compressing the rotated diagonally arranged data by a rectilinear compression algorithm. An apparatus for diagonal processing of video data includes a demultiplexer receptive to a video stream and developing a plurality of separated color planes, a number of address generators associated with the plurality of color planes, and a data compressor receptive to the address generators and operative to compress the plurality of color planes with a rectilinear compression algorithm.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for decompressing a bit stream of compressed data representing a plurality of image blocks. A plurality of bits of compressed input data relating to AC codes are retrieved from the bit stream and a first decoding operation executed to generate first output data. If sufficient space for the first output data exists, the first output data is outputted. Otherwise, a second decoding operation generates second output data. The first decoding operation includes performing a look-up in a look-up table based on the input data. A pointer is retrieved from a data segment that corresponds to the input data and a routine corresponding to the retrieved pointer is executed. The payload of the data segment is processed in the executed routine to generate the first output data.

Abstract: A content server system includes a remote content server including content license information and a local content player coupled to the remote content server by a network, the local content player requiring verification of a license by a user of the local content player as administered by the remote content server. In an alternate embodiment the network includes a local area network. In another alternate embodiment, the network includes the Internet.

Abstract: A method for providing an e-mail system including providing a server connected to a network; inputting a message from a sender into the server to be sent as e-mail to at least one recipient mail box on the network; enhancing the e-mail message with a self-executing programmable enhancement; and delivering the e-mail over the network to the at least one recipient mail box. Optionally, the method may provide a number of e-mail boxes on the server assigned to a number of members for the receipt of e-mail addressed to the members at the server, and a menu listing a number of the self-executing programmable enhancements. An e-mail system including a server coupled to a wide area network, and a web site hosted by the server that is capable of at least temporarily storing a message to be sent as e-mail over the wide area network to at least one recipient mail box.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel.

Abstract: A cluster computer system including multiple network accessible computers that are each coupled to a network. The network accessible computers implement host computer programs which permits the network accessible computers to operate as host computers for client computers also connected to the network, such that input devices of the client computers can be used to generate inputs to the host computers, and such that image information generated by the host computers can be viewed by the client computers. The system also includes a cluster administration computer coupled to the multiple network accessible computers to monitor the operation of the network accessible computers.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a processor module, a pipe analyzer and a central processing unit. The processor module extracts a plurality of components from an input bit stream by extracting predetermined n-bits at a time from the input bit stream and analyzing the n-bits for components. The central processing unit has at least two pipelines for receiving the components derived from the input bit stream. The pipe analyzer is coupled between the processor module and the central processing unit for analyzing the components of the input bit stream and directing each of the components into a suitable pipeline of the central processing unit based on the analysis the pipe analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention permits virtually the entire functionality of a computer system to be made accessible over a network such as the Internet or an Intranet. More particularly, the present invention permits a computer system to be run as a “virtual machine” through a web page provided at a web site on the World Wide Web (WWW). The apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of computers arranged in a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet or an Intranet. At least one of the computers has at least one unique address designating a web site. A host computer system (which may or may not be one of the computers on the Internet) can be “posted” onto an “advertising” web page at the web site to permit other computers coupled to the Internet to interact directly with the host computer system. The computer “posted” on the web page is referred to as the “host” or “advertiser” computer, and computers accessing the host computer are referred to as “client” or “user” computers.

Abstract: A method for diagonal processing of video data includes separating diagonally arranged data from rectilinearly arranged data in a video stream, rotating the diagonally arranged data to a rectilinear position; and compressing the rotated diagonally arranged data by a rectilinear compression algorithm. Alternatively stated, the method includes recognizing diagonally arranged data in a video stream, processing the diagonally arranged data into rectilinear data, and compressing the rectilinear data by a rectilinear compression algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for producing a translucent image over a base image created on the display screen of a computer system by a selected first application program, and conducting image operations either on the base image created by the selected application program with reference to the translucent image produced, or conducting image operations on the translucent image with reference to the base image of the first application program. The first application program runs on a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system to produce a base image, and another application program referred to as the overlay program is run to produce the translucent image such that portions of the base image which are overlapped by the overlay image are at least partially visible through the translucent image. There is also a mechanism for blending the first video data and the second video data to produce a blended image on the screen assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for producing a translucent image over a base image created on the display screen of a computer system by a selected first application program, and conducting image operations either on the base image created by the selected application program with reference to the translucent image produced, or conducting image operations on the translucent image with reference to the base image of the first application program. The first application program runs on a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system to produce a base image, and another application program referred to as the overlay program is run to produce the translucent image such that portions of the base image which are overlapped by the overlay image are at least partially visible through the translucent image. There is also a mechanism for blending the first video data and the second video data to produce a blended image on the screen assembly.