Abstract: A structure is provided for a user-manipulable input device, such as an in-keyboard, joystick-type device, for allowing a user to provide input to a computer graphical user interface (GUI). The structure includes a user-manipulable, articulating member, and a plurality of stationary, electrically conductive sensors. The articulating member also has an electrically conductive member. The physical disposition of the articulating member and the sensors provides narrow gaps, across which are measurable capacitances. As the user manipulates the articulating member, the capacitances change in value. Circuitry produces signals related to the capacitances, and the signals are processed, according to a transfer function, to generate GUI input signals. The sensors are preferably sensing electrodes, incorporated into a circuit board. The articulating member is preferably a cone-shaped member, having a conductive surface which faces the sensors.

Abstract: A decentralized file system based on a network of remotely encrypted storage devices is disclosed. The file system includes a network to which a network client, a secure remotely encrypted storage device, a key manager, and a lock manager are attached. The system organizes data as files and directories. Files or directories are composed of one or more streams, which logically partition the data associated with the files or directories. The device serves as a repository of the system's data. The key manager controls data access keys while the lock manager handles consistency of the files. A network user may have read or write access to a file. Access is controlled using keys and access lists maintained by the key manager.

Abstract: A composite encoder/syndrome generating device that both computes check symbols over counterpart data symbol strings to form codewords, and derives syndromes from codewords indicative of their error state. The multistage device provides recursive processing paths at each stage of depth corresponding to the number of symbols concurrently applied to the device. The device is adapted as an encoder when the feed-forward paths between stages are enabled; it is adapted as a syndrome generator upon their disablement. The number of symbols concurrently processed may be varied from clock cycle to clock cycle by conforming the recursion paths per stage to the number of symbols applied as input to the device.

Abstract: A keyboard or keypad or other electronic assembly is adjustably suspended from an individual at waist-level and extends to a position which is comfortable and ergonomic for operation by a standing operator. Height adjustment of the keyboard assembly is provided by a band of semi-stiff material which attaches at one end to an individual's belt and attaches at the other end to a rotatable take-up roller located within the keyboard assembly; and two fold-out legs with a flexible strap stretched between them create a thigh stand-off assembly to angle the input device for better viewing during use. Extension and retraction of the band from the take-up roller, by manual operation, allows varying the height of the keyboard assembly according to to each individual's bodily requirements.

Abstract: A machine-implementable method and apparatus for automatic extension of results obtained by querying a database of relationally organized data and expressed in tabular row and column format. The method involves modifying the query by adding column variables to the query that show a high association with the initial query designated variables. The modified query is then used to access the table. This repeats until a stop condition is sensed. Tuples of values elicited responsive to the modified query are included in an extended response if they are significantly similar to tuples elicited by the original query. Several association and similarity modes are described by which the number of variables and tuples can be reiteratively extended.

Abstract: A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case includes a large flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module constructed into the case so that the case need not be stored separately during use. The case is secured for carrying by a slide fastener, and the angle between the display and the keyboard is adjustable by positioning of the slider in the open position. Crushable corners, an extending, protective lip, and a resilient, rugged material provide added protection for the computer while in use and while being transported. The two functional modules are electrically interconnected via inexpensive flex cable routed along the fold between opposed halves. The computer includes a removable, multipurpose writing pad that folds into the case serving as a protective cover for the keyboard in the open position, and is detachable and insertable between the flat display panel and the keyboard during transport.

Abstract: A computationally efficient, machine-implementable method and means for detecting and correcting errors in received codewords on-the-fly within the capacity of a linear cyclic code using ultra-fast error location processing. Each error locator polynomial of degree t over a finite Galois field derived from a codeword syndrome is mapped into a matrix representative of a system of linear simultaneous equations related to the polynomial coefficients. Roots indicative of error locations within the codeword are extracted from the matrix by a modified Gaussian Elimination process for all the roots where t≦5 and at least one root plus a subset of candidate roots from the finite field for iterative substitution where t>5. Corrected values are separately determined and correction is secured by logically combining the corrected values with the codeword values in error at the error locations represented by the roots.

Abstract: A notebook computer operable in the normal clamshell-type arrangement and also capable of being physically reconfigured to enhance heat dissipation and to improve user ergonomics by placing the main body and a pivotably attached display into a substantially vertical orientation, thereby raising the display to a higher and more convenient position. The keyboard may be lowered and pivoted downward to a horizontal support surface to further enhance user comfort. The depth of the notebook computer is minimized to facilitate use in situations where user space is limited. The main body may be used as an easel to hold reference materials for easy viewing. Means for mechanically supporting the main body and attached display in the substantially vertical orientation are also disclosed. The main body may also include a second display facing the user.

Abstract: When determining a rule associated with an objective attribute of data in a database to predict the objective attribute value of data, following steps are performed: storing values relative to data belonging to each bucket wherein the values correspond to each bucket in a plane, and the plane has two axes respectively corresponding to two predicative numeric attributes of data and is divided into N×M buckets; segmenting a bucket region that is satisfied with a predetermined condition, from the plane; performing a smoothing processing for a boundary of the segmented bucket region; and determining a rule for predicting the object attribute value of the data by the smoothed region.

Abstract: A system for continuous monitoring and autonomous detection of patterns in the main memory subsystem of a computer system. The invention can be embodied as an extension to existing memory scrubbing hardware to permit stored code pattern analysis and identification during the autonomous transparent memory scrubbing process. A library of stored target signatures is provided to which code signatures are compared during analysis. Code signatures may be derived directly from the memory subsystem data pattern or may be indirectly and more efficiently derived from the error correction code (ECC) string associated with the stored data pattern. This invention is directly applicable to computer virus detection and neutralization systems.

Abstract: An integrated manual control input device is provided for use in a computer system having a graphical user interface. The device comprises a pointing actuator mounted to a computer keyboard between preselected ones of the keys for engagement by a user's index finger. The pointing actuator includes a coil in the form of a cylinder that, when carrying a current, produces a magnetic field to drive a ferromagnetic slug to provide tactile feedback to a user of the control input device.

Abstract: A generalized method for dynamically deriving configuration information from a set of given parameters for detecting binary-valued sequences from (d, k) partial-response (PR) coded waveforms of predetermined shape, for applying the derived information to configure a processor, and for operating the configured processor as a PR detector.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a decision-tree classifier in parallel in a shared-memory multiprocessor system is disclosed. The processors first generate in the shared memory an attribute list for each record attribute. Each attribute list is assigned to a processor. The processors independently determine the best splits for their respective assigned lists, and cooperatively determine a global best split for all attribute lists. The attribute lists are reassigned to the processors and split according to the global best split into the lists for child nodes. The split attribute lists are again assigned to the processors and the process is repeated for each new child node until each attribute list for the new child nodes includes only tuples of the same record class or a fixed number of tuples.

Abstract: A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case includes a large flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module constructed into the case so that the case need not be stored separately during use. The case is secured for carrying by a slide fastener, and the angle between the display and the keyboard is adjustable by positioning of the slider in the open position. Crushable corners, an extending, protective lip, and a resilient, rugged material provide added protection for the computer while in use and while being transported. The two functional modules are electrically interconnected via inexpensive flex cable routed along the fold between opposed halves. The computer includes a removable, multipurpose writing pad that folds into the case serving as a protective cover for the keyboard in the open position, and is detachable and insertable between the flat display panel and the keyboard during transport.

Abstract: A method and means for reducing high-duty-cycle unconstrained binary signal sequences in storage and communications processes and systems by invertibly mapping such sequences into a (1, k) rate ⅔ RLL codestream constrained to a duty cycle substantially approximating one-third. That is, binary sequences ordinarily mapping into high-duty-cycle RLL-code sequences are either inhibited from repeating indefinitely or excluded.

Abstract: A two-joystick interface for use with an information processing system having a 3D virtual reality module implements a bulldozer control metaphor permitting movement in three orthogonal directions—forward-backward, up-down, left-right—and turning about a vertical axis. The pointing interface includes mode switching permitting use of the joysticks for the cursor positioning and page scrolling functions of the information processing system. The pointing system includes a frame-of-reference conversion module for transforming the pointing devices software interface to a four-degree-of-freedom three-dimensional interface, an interface with a virtual reality module including a display function. Ergonomic embodiments of the interface include locating the joysticks, e.g., two IBM TrackPoints™ along the bottom row of keys of a standard keyboard, and, alternatively, placing the joysticks and related momentary switches in a wristpad.

Abstract: A computationally efficient, machine-implementable method and means for detecting and correcting errors in received codewords on-the-fly within the capacity of a linear cyclic code using ultra-fast error location processing. Each error locator polynomial of degree t over a finite Galois field derived from a codeword syndrome is mapped into a matrix representative of a system of linear simultaneous equations related to the polynomial coefficients. Roots indicative of error locations within the codeword are extracted from the matrix by a modified Gaussian Elimination process for all the roots where t.ltoreq.5 and at least one root plus a subset of candidate roots from the finite field for iterative substitution where t>5. Corrected values are separately determined and correction is secured by logically combining the corrected values with the codeword values in error at the error locations represented by the roots.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arithmetic unit (AU) in combination with an algebraic block ECC decoder for controlling errors in an electronically recorded digital data message by performing at least one of a plurality of predetermined arithmetic operations on the data message in one or more of a plurality of subfields of a first GF(2.sup.12) or a second GF(2.sup.8) finite field. The arithmetic operations are selected either from a first group of operations associated with a first subfield GF(2.sup.4) as cubically extended to the first finite field GF(2.sup.12) or as quadratically extended to the second finite field GF(2.sup.8), or selected from a second group of operations associated with a second subfield GF(2.sup.6) as quadratically extended to the first finite field GF(2.sup.12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mining generally long patterns from a database of data records of items. An initial set C of candidates is first generated, each candidate c having disjoint sets of items c.head and c.tail. Frequent candidates from the set C are extracted and put into a set F, where the frequent candidates are those whose set {c.head .orgate. c.tail} is an itemset having a minimum support. Non-frequent candidates in C are used to generate new candidates, which are added to the set C. After any candidates having a superset in the set Fare removed from C and F, the method steps are repeated on the new candidate set C, until C is empty. The candidates remaining in the working set Fare returned as the desired patterns.