Abstract: The invention provides a programmable delay element and a programmable slew rate element to allow post-fabrication adjustment and programming of input delay and output slew rate to iteratively alter input delay and output slew rate without redesign and refabrication of the circuit. The invention provides programmable memory cells coupled to a capacitive load via a plurality of switches. The capacitive load is coupled to a signal path and comprises a plurality of capacitors. The programmable memory cells selectively turn on the switches coupled to the capacitive load. In one FPGA implementation, the programmable memory cells are implemented in IOBs and are loaded with appropriate data during a device configuration stage. Delay equalization can be achieved by programming the memory cells such that the delays seen by device I/O pins are equal between IOBs and pads. The invention also provides a slew rate control circuit for an inverter or a buffer to provide an optimal slew rate.

Abstract: The present invention is an insurance estimating system that presents a number of advances over the prior art. The invention enables an insurance estimator to quickly and accurately estimate damage to various parts of a vehicle. The invention allows the estimator to analyze damage to various "layers" of a vehicle. If damage to an outer layer of a vehicle is visible, the insurance estimator will quickly perform a damage estimate using the catastrophe or drill in and drill out features of the invention. Nevertheless, the estimator will be reminded to also look for damage in lower layers of the vehicle that are not readily visible. Conversely, an estimator may begin estimating damage to a vehicle by focusing on the interior of a vehicle which has significant interior damage. The invention then reminds the estimator not to overlook slight damage to outer layers of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides the capability to generate customized, inlined code or expression objects using template metaprograms. The code or expression object is created at compile time using template parameters, if specified. At compile time, these parameters are used to determine the customized, inline code that is generated by the compiler. A general algorithm is used to convert algorithms into inline pieces of code. An algorithm, or program code segment, is selected for customization. A grammar is written to define the algorithm. A grammar is comprised of a set of production rules. Production rules contain symbols of the grammar. A symbol can be a terminal or non-terminal symbol. A production rule further includes parameters that can be used to further customize an instantiation of a template metaprogram. The algorithm is expressed using the production rules that comprise the grammar. Each production rule is translated into a template class or a specialization.

Abstract: The present invention provides precise constant velocity linear motion for reading and writing information over an area. The present invention uses a multiple cylinder linear feed unit to move a reflective surface and control the deflection of one or more beams. One embodiment of the present invention involves use of a pneumatic/hydraulic linear feed unit with a three color laser based film scanner/recorder system. The system can convert a film image to a digitized image capable of being processed by a computer and can also convert a digitized image to a film image. Two-axis scanning of a film frame is accomplished using a single scan mirror attached to a galvanometer scanner. The scan mirror and galvanometer scanner are coupled to a custom controlled rotary head assembly. The galvanometer deflects the scan mirror in a fast scan direction to create a scanline of the laser beam. A pneumatic/hydraulic linear feed unit is used to rotate the galvanometer assembly.

Abstract: The invention catalogues data such as multimedia data. A catalogue is a collection of one or more catalogue elements. An index is used to access a catalogue. An element of a catalogue has one or more attributes. An attribute provides information that can be used to search for, answer questions about, and navigate through a catalogue. An attribute of a catalogue element can be an element that has attributes. A catalogue element attribute that is an element is referred to as an attribute element. Attribute elements and attributes are used to build an index that can be used to facilitate catalogue access. Within a catalogue, smaller catalogues can be created by, for example, querying and user designation.

Abstract: The invention is a digital library system that includes: 1) a data capture mechanism that includes data transfer and cataloguing mechanisms, 2) an asset management system for access and storage management of data, and 3) a distribution system for distributing the data and system functionality. A data capture system includes a transfer system and a cataloguing system. The transfer system converts multimedia material that exists in analog form to a digital format. The cataloguing system catalogues data. The cataloguing system creates a catalogue that can be used to perform content-based searches. A content-based search retrieves data based on the ideas or concepts contained in the data. An asset management system is used to access the data using the catalogue created by the cataloguing system. A distribution facility can be used to transmit the data thus giving a user access to all of the data contained in the digital library system despite the user's location.

Abstract: The invention provides the ability to interactively select and configure a product among a set of related products based on availability and compatibility of features and options. It does not impose an order in the selection of products, features or options; only valid selections can be made at any time. To create an electronic representation of the product information to achieve the above goal, the invention provides a framework for defining a systems by defining the components of the system using elements contained in a parts catalog and defining relationships between the components of a system. A configuration system validates a configuration using the system definition, the current state of the configuration and user input.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process scheduler or dispatcher for a multiprocessor system for real time applications. This embodiment of the present invention proposes a dispatcher model that maintains a dispatch queue for each processor and a separate global dispatch queue for unbound higher priority real time threads. A processor has its own queue and a dispatcher. Each queue has a separate schedule lock associated with it to protect scheduling operations. A processor's dispatcher selects a thread for execution from one of the queues in the system as a candidate thread to execute. When a candidate thread is selected for execution, the processor proceeds to verify against threads in the global real time queue and the processor's own dispatch queue to select a highest priority runnable thread in the system. Thus, the present invention allows the dispatcher to prevent race conditions and minimize lock contention while assuring that high-priority threads are dispatched as quickly as possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning an image using a moving lens scanning system is described. The present invention moves film through a pin registered film gate, creating a projected image. A light source exposes images on the film in the film gate. The projected image passes through a lens and exposes a sensor, for example, a CCD camera. The sensor converts the section of the projected image exposed to it into electronic signals, and transfers that data out of the sensor. In one embodiment, the position of the film gate relative to the lens and sensor is adjustable to accommodate different size film formats. A rectangular sensor is used having a width narrower than the projected image width, and a height corresponding to the height of the projected image.

Abstract: The invention is a generalized solution for management of multimedia assets. Generalized interfaces are used between a browser component, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, and method player components. The generalized interface defines a communication protocol that can be used by any browser, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, or method player component. Thus, system components supplied by multiple vendors can be interconnected to form a multimedia system that communicates using the generalized interfaces of the invention. A browser component can accept input such as search requests and display multimedia data. An indexing server component includes a data catalogue that catalogues multimedia data. The catalogue can be used to identify catalogue elements associated with data that can satisfy a search request. A search mechanism is used to identify the desired multimedia data.

Abstract: The present invention improves speed and reduces complexity in a digital signature scheme that uses elliptic algebra. The signature scheme generates two points that are compared. If the points do not match, the signature is not authentic. The present invention reduces computations by comparing only the x coordinates of the two generated points. The invention provides a scheme for deducing the possible values of the x- coordinate of a sum of two points using only the x coordinates of the original two points in question. The present invention provides a scheme that limits the possible solutions that satisfy the equation to two (the authentic signature and one other). Because of the large number of possible inauthentic solutions, the chance of a false authentic signature is statistically insignificant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a secure remote password graphic interface. In an embodiment of the invention, an improved password changer provides the capability to securely change a user's password at a remote location without the necessity of the user executing commands to the remote machine. A local graphic interface is provided for entry and initial validation of the user's proposed new password. Once validated, the user's login and password data is securely stored in temporary memory allocated during operation of the invention, and communication is initiated with the remote machine. All commands necessary to change the user's password at the remote machine are handled by an embodiment of the invention without the requirement of user intervention. The present invention improves remote password updating by eliminating the user's need to understand the command structure of the operating system running at the remote machine.

Abstract: A system for the so-called "pay-per-program" is provided for viewing individual program on pay basis without signing a comprehensive contract. In response to a request for viewing a pay program executed via public telephone line from an applicant for viewing, a charging center sends a viewing permit code for viewing a pay program to a data communication device and collects a fee for the pay program. Upon receipt of the viewing permit code, a receiving device offers the pay program according to the viewing permit code. The broadcasting program is scrambled by three modes of fixed, selective and change. The request for viewing is executed in three modes by specifying time, program number and temporary number. As the viewing permit code, one of three modes is adopted: decode data, non-opened program number or decode data number.

Abstract: The present invention interprets natural language input using common sense reasoning. The invention avoids the combinatorial explosion that has occurred in other natural language understanding systems. The invention uses modules for parsing, disambiguation, formal semantics, anaphora resolution, and coherence, and a naive semantic lexicon. The naive semantic lexicon is consulted by the parsing, disambiguation, formal semantics, anaphora resolution, and coherence modules to determine whether an interpretation alternative is plausible based on the world knowledge contained in the naive semantic lexicon. The parsing module employs both a top-down and bottom-up parsing strategy. The parsing module consults the naive semantic lexicon to build a structure from natural language input that has both semantic and pragmatic plausibility. The invention uses a psychologically-motivated naive semantic ontology that provides a means for classifying concepts.

Abstract: The present invention is a frequency controlled bias generator for stabilizing clock generation circuits. The invention includes a Bias VCO and a clock feedback circuit along with a Phase Frequency Detector for tracking and correcting variations in the frequencies of a High Speed VCO. According to the invention, variations in the frequency of the High Speed VCO are tracked and adjusted across process, temperature, and voltage variations. The invention compares the frequencies of an internal clock generated by Bias VCO with an external clock. When the internal clock frequency is undesirably high or low (based on undesirable variations in process, temperature, and voltage parameters), bias currents provided to the High Speed VCO and the Bias VCO are adjusted such that the frequencies of the Bias VCO and the High Speed VCO are adjusted to offset the variations in process, temperature, and voltage parameters. The bias currents provided to the Bias VCO and the High Speed VCO are matched.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for digitizing film frames. The invention utilizes different colored strobe lights housed in an integrating sphere, instead of the prior art filter and shutter mechanism. The invention's control system flashes each strobe light in sequence for a predetermined time to expose a film frame to various color components. The various color components of the film frame are projected onto a CCD array with the aid of a lens. Each strobe light is flashed at a desired frequency and for the predetermined time in order to saturate the CCD array with the component of light corresponding to that strobe light. The color data corresponding to each color component are passed to digital signal processors for processing and storage. In one embodiment of the invention, the strobe lights are red, green, and blue strobe lights.

Abstract: The present invention supports allows an emulated environment to interface with a host environment, thereby enabling drag and drop functionality of the emulated environment to function in the host environment. The look and feel of an environment's drag and drop functionality is emulated in a host environment. A drag window is created from the emulated environment's drag image. Modifier keys of the host environment are mapped to those used in the emulated environment. Windows are registered for drag and drop in the emulated environment's registered windows database. The host environment's drag and drop database is updated to identify the registered windows of the emulated environment.

Abstract: The invention is a unique high speed Programmable Logic Device ("PLD") AND array with separate nonvolatile memory. The invention utilizes a separate nonvolatile memory to isolate the effect of nonvolatile transistors from the proper operation of the PLD AND array. The invention also results in a substantial increase in the amount of current flowing through transistors charging and discharging the PLD AND array bit lines. This in turn significantly increases the speed of the invention's PLD AND array. Moreover, the invention makes the current charging or discharging the PLD AND array bit lines more predictable. These advantages of the present invention are achieved by a nonvolatile memory that is separate from the AND array itself and also by utilizing NMOS transistors in the AND array instead of using the prior art nonvolatile transistors such as EEPROM transistors in the AND array.

Abstract: The present invention provides the ability to use an existing store-and-forward messaging network such as an electronic mail system to replicate data between computer sites. The replication provided by the present invention can be used with software applications, such as workgroup applications, to replicate data located on multiple sites. Workgroup replication data is sent to other sites via electronic mail ("e-mail") messages. The present invention provides reliability features to handle errors in electronic mail transmissions. For example, the present invention provides the ability to reassemble objects at a replication site such that an object and all of its dependencies exist prior to the object's use at the site. Messages referred to as "ACK" messages are used to communicate a site's state and to provide other control information. Each site maintains latency information to determine transmission failures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing noise using a plurality of recording copies. The present invention produces a master file with lower noise than the available recording copies, and avoids the problems of losing musical content caused by prior art pop and click removers. The system comprises a recording playback unit, a computer system with a sound input capability, and a high capacity storage system such as a CD recorder. In operation, a plurality of recording copies of a single recording are played on the playback unit. These recordings are digitized by the computer and a separate recording file is formed for each copy of the recording. The recording files are then synchronized. The samples from each of the recording files are then averaged to reduce the noise components.