Abstract: A system for timing intervals in a computer. The system provides an interval timing service for processes running in a computer system. The timing service supports a potentially large number of interval timers by using "timing wheels" that "turn" at different periods. The time base for the fastest turning wheel can be an interrupt event or some other hardware or software control.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently analyzing databases. In one embodiment, the invention is used to analyze data represented in the form of attribute-value (a-v) pairs. A primary step in building the ontology is to identify parent, child and related a-v pairs of each given a-v pair in the database. A parent is an a-v pair that is always present whenever a given a-v pair is present. A child is an a-v pair that is never present unless the given a-v pair is present. Related pairs of a given a-v pair are those a-v pairs present some of the time when a given a-v pair is present. The system calculates relationships between a-v pairs to produce tables of a-v pairs presented according to the relationships. The user performs additional analysis by investigating the a-v pair relationships through a graphical user interface. Additional visualizations of the data are possible such as through Venn diagrams and animations. Plain-text data documents collected, for example, from the Internet can be analyzed.

Abstract: A system for automatically providing hypertext for character strings of a text file at a content server. A central server provides central control of the links of text files of a plurality of content servers in an information network such as the Internet. The central server intermittently updates each content server with new character strings and/or destination addresses, such as Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The content servers also update the central server with new character strings. Optionally, each content server can query the central server on a real-time basis to obtain a destination address for a character string which does not have a corresponding valid destination address. The central server responds to such queries by searching its master databases, and using a search engine if required. Hit count data is maintained at the content servers and transmitted to the central server intermittently.

Abstract: A head-mounted display includes an aperture mask between the eye and a viewfinder to mask the line artifacts resulting from visible edges of mechanisms, such as imagers, within the display. The aperture has a translucent area that matches the geometry of the edge desired to be masked. In an application where a high-resolution image is presented to one eye, centered within a lower-resolution image presented to the other eye, the aperture is positioned to mask the edges of the high-resolution image source. In an application where see-through is desired, the opaque area is sacrificed in favor of a partially transparent mask. The translucent area can be graduated so that a smooth transition area between the edges of the high-resolution display and the lower-resolution display is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the vector rate of an integrated circuit test system and simplifying the wiring of the tester to the device under test. The tester incorporates circuitry that allows the CPU to remap assignments of tester channels in the CPU address space during testing.

Abstract: AND gates are used at the inputs to logic elements in a programmable logic device. This allows more efficient configuration of the logic elements for basic functions such as a multiplier, clearable counter and multiplexer. Inputs to the AND gates are enabled by LAB-wide control signals that are distributed to several logic elements within a logic array block. The control signals can also be generated from a RAM or ROM, or by decoding existing control signals.

Abstract: Information, or data, among applications in multiple diverse computer systems is represented in a uniform way allowing the data to be easily manipulated, navigated and modified. Each piece of information is stored as a uniquely identifiable object instance of one of multiple uniquely identifiable object classes that are themselves instances of a Root class. Two object instances can be linked by a uniquely identifiable two-way navigable link of a particular links class. Each link of a links class is constrained to linking object instances of either one or two different object classes. Each link also has a corresponding object instance such that the object class of the corresponding object instance is the links class, and the unique identifier of the object instance is the same in value as the unique identifier of the link.

Abstract: A character animation system executing on a computer. The system provides a simple, efficient and powerful user interface that allows the user to specify complex animations of multi-legged characters by placing footprints on a surface. The system automatically generates a natural looking animation based on the footprints. Motions such as walking, running, jumping, etc. are easily animated depending on the way footprints are placed. The user is able to create new footprint patterns and modify existing patterns. Footprint blocks on a timeline are used to specify the time duration that each foot is in contact with a footprint. The user may specify keyframes in the animation sequence that allow more complicated body movements to be incorporated with the footprint based animation.