Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sawyer & Associates
  • Patent number: 5926190
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating motion in an interactive computer application wherein images of a scene are used to render views of the scene from particular viewpoints. The method and system includes registering a first image and a second image using a transformation that overlays common features of both the first and the second image. After the two images are registered, at least one intermediate image is generated by applying a first interpolated transformation to the first image and a second interpolated transformation to the second image. The first image, the intermediate image, and the second image are then sequentially rendered to simulate motion through the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Turkowski, Heng-Yeung Shum
  • Patent number: 5926628
    Abstract: A method and system for arbitrating access to a component of a computer have been disclosed the method and system include an arbitration unit for granting access to the component; and a plurality of units for executing a plurality of transactions requiring access to the component. Each transaction of the plurality of transactions has an encoded priority. Each of the plurality of units further provide the arbitration unit with the encoded priority of each of the plurality of transactions. The arbitration unit grants a predetermined number of the plurality of units access to the component in response to the encoded priority of each of the predetermined plurality of transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cang Ngoc Tran, James Allan Kahle
  • Patent number: 5926645
    Abstract: A method and system for a handling multiple store instruction completions in a processing system after a stall condition is disclosed. The processing system includes an instruction unit, the instruction unit including a dispatch unit and a completion unit, a translation unit and at least one execution unit. A load store unit comprises an instruction queue for receiving a plurality of instructions from the dispatch unit; at least one effective address (EA) unit for receiving the plurality of instructions from the instruction queue, and a store queue. The store queue is coupled to the translation unit, the at least one execution unit and the at least one EA unit. The store queue receives data and real address information relating to each of the plurality of instructions from the at least one execution unit prior to completion of each of the plurality of instructions. In so doing, the bottleneck associated with conventional systems, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Duane Williamson
  • Patent number: 5926181
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a graphical display from data describing at least one three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method and system include determining if a current position intersects a portion of the at least one three-dimensional object. The method and system further include identifying if the portion of the at least one three-dimensional object is visually obstructed and removing data relating to the portion of the at least one three-dimensional object if the portion is obstructed in response to the determination if the current position intersects the portion and without determining a precise axial position of the portion of the at least one three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Stellar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Lewis, Stephen L. Morein
  • Patent number: 5924039
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a MMDS broadcast digital video cell system on one polarization and a smaller array of cells, designed for two way services that use the orthogonal polarization in the same area. The present invention includes a method for distributing information in a MMDS network comprising the steps of providing a video signal in a first polarization to a first area, the video signal having a frequency within a predetermined set of frequencies, the method further includes providing a two-way digital signal in a second polarization to the first area, the two-way digital signal having a frequency within the predetermined set of frequencies, wherein the second polarization is orthogonal to the first polarization. The present invention also includes a system for distributing information in a MMDS network comprising a digital video signal transmitter, wherein the video signal has a first polarization. In addition, the video signal has a first frequency within a predetermined set of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Telesis Technologies Laboratory
    Inventors: Keith Hugenberg, Malcom I. Ziegler, Malik Audeh
  • Patent number: 5923852
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitates a fast transmission of packet information into the buffers without unnecessary delays, thereby increasing overall system performance. The method and system comprises sending a packet of information located in a local buffer to a media, generating an interrupt signal indicating a completed transfer of the packet to the media and availability of the local buffer for receiving a next packet, and sending the next packet of information from a queue to the local buffer in response to the interrupt signal, wherein the generation of the interrupt signal after each data packet is transmitted to the media does not affect the overall operation of the processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherman Lee, Ramkrishna Vepa, Robert Alan Williams
  • Patent number: 5920880
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method of dynamic rendering protocol for display of glyphs used in a data processor comprising the steps of listing output image formats of font scalers which can be outputted to a graphics system and listing input image formats which can be inputted to a blitter function. These input image formats and output image formats are intersected, and an ordered list of the intersecting input image formats with output image formats are generated based upon a predetermined criteria. The first of the ordered list can then be selected for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Dowdy, Alexander B. Beaman
  • Patent number: 5911693
    Abstract: A myometer is disclosed. The myometer, especially in the form of a force-sensing mitt or cuff, may be used to grasp a limb or other object, and particularly used by a clinician in evaluating the medical state of a limb. The myometer has pressure measuring means at at least two locations to provide quantitative information on pressure applied to the limb or object. Preferably, the pressure is measured by at least two pressure transducers, with especially the difference in pressure being measured. The myometer is particularly in a form capable of fitting on a person's hand, with pressure sensitive pads being located at positions corresponding to thumb and to fingers of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: University of Alberta
    Inventors: Arthur Prochazka, David Bennett
  • Patent number: 5913231
    Abstract: A system and method for high speed memory address forwarding is presented. A method according to the present invention for high speed memory address forwarding for a processing system, the processing system including at least one processor and at least one memory, the method comprises the steps of: saving a first address for a first data request from the at least one processor; providing a portion of a second address for a second data request from the at least one processor; determining if the first and second addresses are located on a common page of the at least one a memory; combining the portion of the second address with at least a portion of the first address to form a combined address, if the first and second addresses are located on the common page; and requesting data from the combined address of the common page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Don Lewis, John Steven Dodson, Ravi Kumar Arimilli
  • Patent number: 5910991
    Abstract: A high quality speaker for use with a personal computer is used in two modes, first as a conventional, multi-function speaker for conventional computer audio output and second as a sub-woofer for use in combination with auxiliary speakers. The input of the speaker circuitry is adjusted according to the desired use. In a third mode, the speaker is deactivated entirely. Automatic switching between modes avoids having to manually reconfigure the mode of speaker operation when activating or deactivating an auxiliary speaker system. The speaker can be integrated with the computer enclosure. For example, a separate speaker enclosure can be designed to occupy some portion of space internal to a computer enclosure at least some of which would otherwise have been merely empty space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas M. Farrar
  • Patent number: 5910453
    Abstract: An etching process for DUV photolithography is provided for etching a layer of anti-reflection coating (ARC) comprising spin-on organic ARC material which is formed beneath a layer of photoresist. After patterning the layer of photoresist, the layer of ARC is etched by employing a mixture of oxygen plasma, nitrogen plasma, and at least one inert gas. Anisotropic etching of the layer of ARC is provided with the process of the present invention. In comparison with prior art etching processes for etching a layer of ARC, the process of the present invention provides a favorable etch rate with improved selectivity over the etching of the layer of photoresist. The layer of ARC is etched without causing lateral erosion of the layer of photoresist. Faceting of the top edges of the corners of the layer of photoresist is also minimized. The profile of the layer of photoresist is essentially maintained thereby enabling for critical dimension fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Subhash Gupta, Mutya Vicente
  • Patent number: 5909693
    Abstract: A system and method for storage and continuous delivery of a plurality of data files in a data stream are disclosed. The system and method include storing at least one data file of the plurality of data files, allowing each user to select the at least one data file for delivery, and transferring data from the first disk and the second disk alternately over a bus to at least one user. The at least one data file includes a plurality of data blocks and is stored by storing the plurality of data blocks in a first disk and a second disk. The first and second disks further include a plurality of blocks. Storing the at least one data file further includes the steps of (a1) storing a data block of the plurality of data blocks in a next available block of the first disk, (a2) storing a next data block of the plurality of data blocks in a corresponding block on the second disk, and (a3) repeating steps (a1) and (a2) until the at least one data file is completely stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Digital Video Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward W. Martini
  • Patent number: 5908318
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for forming an interconnect line having low conductor line capacitance between devices formed on an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsingya Arthur Wang, David Michael Rogers
  • Patent number: 5909223
    Abstract: A method of providing text faces to a graphics display system in a data processor. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a text face from a graphics system and determining whether the requested text face has been saved. If the requested text face has been saved, then it is retrieved. If it has not been saved, then it is generated and saved for access by the graphics system. In this manner, a single generation of a text face is necessary. The storage of the generated text face saves the system from having to generate the same text face repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Dowdy, Alexander B. Beaman
  • Patent number: 5907366
    Abstract: A method and device for inserting data onto one or more lines of one or more vertical blanking intervals of a television video signal, and in particular a television signal conforming to the NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Digital Video Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Farmer, Joseph W. Davis, Galen Richard Perin
  • Patent number: 5902925
    Abstract: A digital compensation circuit for calibrating a sensor is described. The compensator circuit includes a serial communication circuit for receiving data relating to a plurality of parameters and a compensation circuit coupled to serial communication circuit for providing piece-wise linear compensation of a temperature coefficient (TC). In one embodiment, the compensation circuit further includes a detector for detecting a threshold for a digital temperature and providing an output and a plurality of registers coupled to the detector and the serial communication circuit, a first plurality of registers for providing a first value if the digital temperature is above the threshold, a second of the plurality of registers for providing a second value if the digital temperature is below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Integrated Sensor Solutions
    Inventors: Finbarr J. Crispie, Mohammad Yunus
  • Patent number: 5898626
    Abstract: Circuit, method, and system aspects for achieving redundancy circuitry programming in semiconductor memory are provided. Through these aspects, utilization of a circuit including a logic mechanism for receiving an enable signal and an address signal, a switching mechanism coupled to the logic mechanism for controlling delivery of the address signal, and a fuse mechanism coupled to the logic mechanism for allowing selective address programming responsive to the address signal in order to produce a desired logic level for a redundant address output signal occurs to form an address programming circuit. Further, selective input of an enable signal to the address programming circuit provides control of the address programming circuit to produce a desired logic level output. Additionally, integration of a plurality of the address programming circuits to form a redundancy programming circuit is achieved with each address programming circuit corresponding to one bit of an input address signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Silicon Magic Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M-Bhor Chiang, Hung-Mao Lin, Chia-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 5896502
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for allowing control of data transfer from at least one website on the Internet via a web browser on a client system are presented.A method, and client system for performing same, includes establishing limits for allowable connection links to websites, comparing a current transfer session to allowable connection links, and controlling the current transfer session according to comparison results. The allowable connection links further include a list of unallowable website, a maximum time allowed for the current transfer session, and an image data size limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny Meng-Han Shieh, John Maddalozzo, Jr., Gerald Francis McBrearty
  • Patent number: 5894487
    Abstract: A system and method for providing error detection in a directory has been disclosed. The method and system include comparing a first group of data and a second group of data to provide a comparison signal and detecting errors in response to the comparison signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Stephen Levitan
  • Patent number: D410841
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Sandra Roa Guzman