Abstract: A system for verifying design of a digital system. A digital system, which receives input vectors and produces output vectors, is simulated. The invention generates a sequence of synthesized input vectors, and applies them to the simulated system. These input vectors cause changes in internal variables, and the output vectors. The invention also independently computes the values which internal variables and output vectors are expected to assume. The invention then compares the simulated internal and output variables with the computed values. If they agree, the simulation is assumed to function properly.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: An encryption device. A user wishes to identify himself to a remote party, over a telephone line. The remote party provides a Transaction Number, TN, to the user. The TN is given to the encryption device. The user gives the encryption device a Personal Identification Number, PIN. The encryption device generates a random number, combines it with the PIN and TN, to form an Authorization Number, AN, and encrypts the AN into cypher text. The cypher text is transmitted to the remote party, together with the user's name. The remote party de-crypts the cypher text, to obtain the TN and PIN. Using the name received from the user, and a table of names, and their associated PINs, the remote party verifies whether the PIN obtained from the AN matches the PIN assigned to the name given by the user. If so, the user's identity is considered verified, but without requirement that the user disclose a PIN, in plain text form, over a telephone.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention concerns computer-assisted education, in which a school curriculum is stored in computer repositories. A learning profile is maintained for every student, which indicates the student's capabilities, preferred learning style, and progress. Based on the profile, an Intelligent Administrator (IA) selects appropriate material for presentation to the student during each learning session. The IA then assesses whether the student has mastered the material. If not, the material is presented in a different way. If repeated different presentations fail to instill mastery, the IA establishes a video conference between the student and a professor.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention allows computer programs to load files generated by other programs. The invention identifies the program which generated a file of interest, based on overhead data contained within the file, and translates the file into a format compatible with the user's program. The invention can also identify the language in which a text file was written, and translate the language into another language specified by the user. Each user has a profile, which specifies preferences of the user, such as preferred language, preferred output device, preferred screen colors, and so on. The invention causes files to be displayed in conformity with the user's profile.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining identity of a customer based on a single card carried by the customer. The card bears a machine-readable code, which is transmitted to a database at a remote location. The database locates a record associated with the code, which contains one or more account numbers. Associated with each account number is a Personal Identification Number, PIN. (It is possible that all PINs are identical.) The customer selects an account number, and is asked for a PIN. If the PIN given by the customer matches that of the account number, the customer is concluded to be the valid owner of the account, and a transaction is allowed to proceed.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: In a liquid-crystal display, each pixel is associated with a sensor which detects incoming light projected by a light pen. In response to the detected light, the sensor produces a signal which causes its associated pixel to darken. Thus, as a user moves the light pen along the display, the pen leaves a trail of darkened pixels, analogous to a pen leaving a trail of ink on paper.

Abstract: A predictive, adaptive interface for a computer, wherein a user's interaction with the computer is monitored, and future interactions are predicted, based on previous interactions. The invention adapts the interface to the user's preferences, using the predictions. For example, if a particular user repeatedly selects one option from a given menu, the invention detects this repeated selection, and adapts to the user's selection by eliminating other options from the menu.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites. The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource. The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.

Abstract: The invention concerns a graphical user interface for a bank's customer database. The interface allows a user to choose from several pre-defined operations upon the database, and eliminates the need for the user to use a command-line format to execute the operations.The invention allows the user to divide the database into demographic segments, and to perform computations upon the segments, as well as to export results of the computations to files, and to other programs.

Abstract: The invention concerns placing an exploratory telephone call to a party, using a first telephone channel, in order to inquire whether the party wishes to hold a video conference. If the party does, the caller then actuates the invention, which establishes an initial video conference on a second data channel, without disrupting the existing telephone call. Then, after the video conference has been established, the exploratory telephone call is terminated, and the first channel is used to carry the video conference data, along with the second channel.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention concerns a graphical user interface for a bank's customer database. The interface allows a user to choose from several pre-defined operations upon the database, and eliminates the need for the user to use a command-line format to execute the operations.The invention allows the user to divide the database into demographic segments, and to perform computations upon the segments, as well as to export results of the computations to files, and to other programs.

Abstract: A system wherein multiple computers engage in a video conference. The invention creates a common visual image which is displayed by all computers. However, the invention does not distribute a bit map of the image to all computers. Instead, the invention distributes the commands from which the image is created.Further, the distributed commands rely on data structures, which define parameters such as pen color, background color, line width, etc. The data structures are stored in each computer. When a data structure is changed, the invention does not immediately inform all other computers of the change, but waits until necessary.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites. The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource. The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.

Abstract: The invention concerns storage of data within a computer, from which a composite image may be generated on the computer's display. The data may include different types, which are normally incompatible, such as particular types of RGB data, and particular types of YUV data. As a specific example, the invention allows a user to view the image generated by an ordinary computer program, such as a word-processing program; which uses RGB data, together with a movie stored on video tape, which may use YUV data. The movie appears in a small window on the display.