Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a system for, and method of, exploring relationships in data stored in a computer readable medium. Under one preferred set of embodiments, sets of data are maintained in a computer readable medium and include at least one intensional expression and one extensional expression of at least one set resulting from an evaluation of a first query. A second query is transformed into a set program. It is then determined whether a sub-expression of the set program is satisfied by a maintained set. If so, the sub-expression is removed from the set program and the maintained set that satisfies the sub-expression of the set program is used. Under another preferred set of embodiments, a query is received having at least one operator chosen from a set of operators that includes relational operators and having at least one input and output associated with the operator and defined as a table having at least one domain having a type associated therewith.

Abstract: A multimedia file and method for forming the same organize instances of multimedia information according to media information type (e.g., audio, video, MIDI, etc.), encoding format, media subtype, and encoding rate. Several instances of the same media information type are included, each of such instances having a different encoding format, media subtype, and/or encoding rate. A presentation application utilizes the subject multimedia file to identify, select, and present specific instances of the multimedia information, permitting the presentation application to customize a multimedia presentation based on, among other things, the rate of the connection from the presentation application to the presentation consumer and the decoding capabilities of the presentation consumer.

Abstract: System and Device for, and Method of, Communicating According to a Trellis Code of Baseband Signals Chosen from a Fixed Set of Baseband Signal Points. Signal points are chosen from a fixed set of signal points, such as exists in the baseband signal points found in PSTN companding algorithms. These signal points are assingned to subsets and transmitted according to a predefined transmitter state sequence, representable as a trellis diagram. The subsets may overlap by sharing signal points. The sharing of signal points improves the transmission performance of the arrangement in comparison to conventional disjoint sets. The signal points are selected and associated with subsets, such that the signal points transmittable from a given transmitter states maintain a minimum distance of d, even though the full combination of signal points of all subsets need not satisfy a minimum distance of d/2.

Abstract: An apparatus (101) and method for interfacing between a processor (103) and a communications channel (105), the processor operable in data terminal equipment (102) such as a computer having a communications application program, to provide for data transmission and reception over a communications channel (105), utilizing the computer processor without additional or redundant microprocessor or digital signal processor components. The apparatus and method provide for data transfer between the interface apparatus (101 ) and the communications channel (105) at a first, determinate frequency corresponding to a specific data transmission rate. The apparatus and method provide for data transfer between the interface apparatus (101) and the processor (103) at a second, indeterminate frequency, and provides for interim data storage in memory (115) between data transmission (or data reception) and data processing, such as modulation and demodulation, by the computer processor (103).

Abstract: An apparatus (101) and method for interfacing between a processor (103) and a communications channel (105), the processor operable in data terminal equipment (102) such as a computer having a communications application program, to provide for data transmission and reception over a communications channel (105), utilizing the computer processor without additional or redundant microprocessor or digital signal processor components. The apparatus and method provide for data transfer between the interface apparatus (101) and the communications channel (105) at a first, determinate frequency corresponding to a specific data transmission rate. The apparatus and method provide for data transfer between the interface apparatus (101) and the processor (103) at a second, indeterminate frequency, and provides for interim data storage in memory (115) between data transmission (or data reception) and data processing, such as modulation and demodulation, by the computer processor (103).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method in multi-access communications system for reliably receiving burst transmissions from users in the presence of narrow band interference. The adaptive interference suppresser incorporates adaptive elements that are updated using a predetermined adaptation algorithm. These adaptive elements are stored in memory at the end of the burst transmission for reuse in receiving a next burst transmission.

Abstract: A network sensitive pulse generator circuit and a method of using the circuit to quickly detect faults in a net under test are described. The novel circuit generates pulses which depend upon the transient behavior of the net under test. The stimulation of the net and the sensing of the net's response operate responsively to a feedback signal, which is also a signature signal. By connecting the net under test to the novel circuit, the combination of the novel circuit and the net under test generates a series of output pulses. The number of pulses generated in a predetermined period of time forms the signature of the net under test. A preferred embodiment is described which uses differential amplifiers to stimulate the net and to sense the net's response. The differential amplifier which senses the net's response is connected to a circuit which produces the feedback/signature signal. The feedback/signal is then provide to the differential amplifiers to adjust their behavior.