Abstract: A method and system for encoding and decoding a sequence of K binary digits using reduced-size lookup tables. The sequence of K binary digits is separated into multiple segments (e.g., a first segment and a second segment). The first segment is used as an index into a first lookup table that contains an encoded version of all combinations of binary digits possible in the first segment. In a similar manner, the second segment is used as an index into a second lookup table that contains an encoded version of all combinations of binary digits possible in the second segment. Using the first lookup table, an encoded sequence is obtained for the first segment, and an encoded sequence is obtained for the second segment using the second lookup table. An encoded sequence for the entire sequence of K binary digits is obtained by combining the encoded sequences for the first and second segments. Two lookup tables are thus used to encode the sequence of K binary digits instead of a single lookup table having 2K entries.

Abstract: A method and system for importing and exporting selected directory and calendar information of a first format found in various electronic media to and from personal information management computer applications of a second format is described. Specifically, the present invention discloses a method and system for importing directory and calendar information that is structured in standardized vCard and vCalendar formats from a first application to corresponding electronic address book and calendar applications via clipboard and automatic translator applications. The invention includes an automatic translator that takes the standardized information from the clipboard application and translates the vCard and vCalendar information into a format that is native to the corresponding target application, e.g., electronic address book and calendar applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for communicating a scramble key (for descrambling scrambled digital signals) and service information (used in an electronic programming guide) to an intelligent transceiver (e.g., a set-top box) using a bi-directional digital broadcast system. The intelligent transceiver includes an in-band tuner adapted to receive from the digital broadcast system in-band digital signals comprising audio content and video content. The intelligent transceiver also includes a second tuner adapted to send and receive a scramble key over the World Wide Web via a cable modem. In one embodiment, the in-band digital signals received by the in-band tuner also contain service information. In another embodiment, the digital signals received by the second tuner via the cable modem also contain service information. Thus, the scramble key is sent over the World Wide Web and is received by the intelligent transceiver using a cable modem.

Abstract: An abutted-pin hierarchical physical design process is described. The abutted-pin hierarchical physical design provides solutions to the problems of the traditional hierarchical physical design and provides additional advantages and benefits. In particular, the abutted-pin hierarchical physical design does not have channels. Moreover, in the abutted-pin hierarchical physical design, components of the top-level are merged into the block-level so that the top-level netlist is reduced significantly.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating firmware of a hand-held device. To initiate the automatic update, a reset of the hand-held device is detected. Once a reset is detected, an update application is executed, wherein the update application performs the required updating steps. The update application determines whether a flag has been set in a nonvolatile memory area of the hand-held device. The flag is used to indicate a previous execution of the update application. If the flag is set, the update application terminates, otherwise, the update application performs an identification test by determining whether a device ID of the device matches a device ID stored in a table of the update application. If the device ID does not match, the update application terminates and the flag is set. If the device ID matches, the update application updates the firmware of the hand-held device, sets the flag, and terminates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating and authorizing online transactions. An authentication cookie is transmitted to a client system. The authentication cookie includes a user encryption key and an encrypted buffer that contains user identification data and a profile code. Subsequent requests for the particular service use the authentication cookie to generate a query that includes the encrypted buffer and user identification data entered by the user. Portions of the query are encrypted using the user encryption key. Queries received at each authentication and authorization server are authenticated by reconstructing the user encryption key using information transmitted in the clear and decrypting the query using both the reconstructed user encryption key and the secret key. The user identification data entered by the user is then compared with the user identification data in the encrypted buffer for further authentication. The profile code is analyzed for determining authorization.

Abstract: A digital recording and playback system with built-in voice recognition capability for concurrent text generation. In one embodiment, the system comprises an audio capturing device configured to receive a voice input. The system also comprises a high compression encoder (HCE) coupled to the audio capturing device and configured to generate digital wave data corresponding to the voice input, as well as a voice recognition engine (VRE) coupled to the audio capturing device and configured to generate text data corresponding to the voice input. In this embodiment, the HCE and VRE are selectively coupled to a memory sub-system which is configured to store the digital wave data and the text data. In this embodiment, the VRE performs voice-to-text conversion using the high quality audio input signal rather than highly compressed voice data so that high quality conversion is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a circuit for controlling current. In one embodiment, the high reference voltage input of a digital to analog converter is coupled with a reference voltage source which provides a positive reference voltage. A resistive load is coupled to an output of the digital to analog converter and to a circuit output pin. A sensing device couples the circuit output pin with the low reference voltage input of the digital to analog converter and to a reference ground input of the voltage source. The positive reference voltage, low reference voltage, and reference ground voltage are changed in response to the sensing device detecting a change in the output voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical cascade circuits using normally-off junction field effect transistors (JFETs) which have low on-resistance for low voltage and high current density applications. Proper configuration of the normally-off JFETs allows for low voltage drop, low-on resistance, high current density and high frequency operations. More particularly, these cascade circuits are configured to provide amplification of an input signal and signal switching capabilities. In general two or more normally-off JFETs are coupled together on a substrate to create a desired characteristic. For a three terminal gate-controlled cascade amplification circuit, an input signal at the first JFET can realize a signal gain of 80 dB to 120 dB at the second JFET. A four terminal gate-controlled cascade switching circuit, comprised of two JFETs, switches on or off to regulate current flow through the second JFET.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for processing data in a computer graphics system. More specifically, an anti-aliasing buffer architecture for processing fragments in a computer graphics system is described. When a new fragment for a particular pixel location is received, the fragment stack for that pixel location is read from fragment memory. The new fragment is appended to the fragment stack, and the resultant fragment stack is written back to fragment memory before it is processed in a computer graphics pipeline. Fragments stored in fragment memory are not sorted according to their distance from the view plane (the z-dimension); instead, z-ordered depth sorting is performed in the computer graphics pipeline. Using an occlude command, occluded (blocked) fragments can be deleted from the fragment stack before the fragment stack is passed to the computer graphics pipeline. The computer graphics pipeline calculates a pixel color for each pixel location.

Abstract: A semiconductor die mounted between an X-lead frame and a support structure without bonding wires or straps. A power enhancement mode junction field effect transistor (JFET) die having a top surface defining a drain, and a bottom surface having a first metalized region defining a source and a second metalized region defining a gate, is positioned on a support structure. An X-lead frame is bonded to the support structure such that electrical contact is made with an external lead. Angular projections from the X-lead frame make contact with the top surface of the JFET, hold the die in place on the support structure, and form electrical continuity between the JFET drain and the external lead. A construction on the surface of the support structure is positioned directly under the source region on the bottom of the JFET die and forms electrical continuity between the JFET source and a second external lead.

Abstract: An integrated removable functional faceplate for a portable computer system. The removable functional faceplate employs specially located electrical contacts or pads that mate with similarly located electrical contacts mounted on the portable computer system, e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other electronic device. The electrical contacts of the functional faceplate carry signals that are responsive to the pressing of physical buttons which may be placed in any location on the functional faceplate. This allows individual faceplates to be developed that are specialized for a particular purpose, e.g., extended keyboards, adapted for gaming, adapted for music playing, etc. The functional faceplates may have specialized button types that are adapted for a particular use and are also located in custom positions that reflect the particular use employed. When the functional faceplate is removed from the portable computer system, it may have no buttons or it may provide a standard PDA button group.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a “plug-in” button module for a personal digital assistant (PDA). Specifically, the “plug-in” button module includes a button frame module having a membrane layer (e.g., thermo-plastic urethane or thermo-plastic elastomer) molded over it. The plug-in module can be snapped into the PDA over its button array. In this manner, the plug-in button module provides a seal for the buttons of the PDA that restricts dirt, grim, and other foreign particles from getting underneath them. Furthermore, since the plug-in button module is modular, it can be manufactured separately from the rest of the PDA in a wide variety of ways. For example, the membrane layer of the plug-in button module can be fabricated with different shapes, colors, hardnesses, decorations, textures, and opacities. In this manner, a user is able to personalize their PDA by snapping in a particular plug-in button module.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a leadframe which is cup-shaped and holds a semiconductor die. The leadframe is in electrical contact with a terminal on one side of the die, and the leads of the leadframe are bent in such a way that portions of the leads are coplanar with the other side of the die, which also contains one or more terminals. A plastic capsule is formed around the leadframe and die.

Abstract: A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication.

Abstract: A dynamically and independently reconfigurable multi-mode device, and a method thereof. The device can include a controller for selecting a mode of operation. The device is configured according to the mode of operation. The configuration information corresponding to the mode of operation resides on the device such that the configuring is accomplished independent of a host device. The device also can include interface circuitry for simulating disconnection of the device from, and reconnection of the device to, the host device. The selected mode of operation is implemented between the simulated disconnection and reconnection.

Abstract: A palmtop computer utilizes SD memory modules or other types of memory modules to provide expansion memory. The expansion memory module plugs in to the palmtop computer via an external slot or compartment that is easily accessed by the user. This provides additional memory to the palmtop computer. To facilitate use of expansion devices such as sled or cradle based devices, a connector is provided on the palmtop computer that not only includes conventional power, ground and serial communication terminals, but also provides direct access to the memory module for use by the expansion device. This provides the advantage that the sled or cradle based device can directly access the palmtop computer's memory without using the palmtop computer's processing resources.

Abstract: The present invention is an intelligent assistant for use with a local computer and with the Internet. The invention's intelligent assistant process includes various menus and training options for training the intelligent assistant to respond to various text, voice, and mouse gesture commands. In its preferred embodiment, the invention's intelligent assistant is represented by an animated character. The character can communicate back to the user through text, voice, and its own animated gestures. The invention's intelligent assistant automatically and constantly communicates with Internet sites of interest to a user and collects information of interest from those Internet sites. The collected information and updates to the collected information, including information that may not be displayed by a browser, are then communicated to the user in a variety of ways, including changing the behavior and the knowledge base of the intelligent assistant.

Abstract: Methods for generating a padring layout design are described. These methods utilize automation while still allowing customization. Automation is emphasized as much as possible so that more time can be used to solve the various problems that make each padring layout design unique. A framework in which regular patterns can be described, replicated, and tailored is provided. The padring is broken down into zones in which slots having bumps/bond pads areas, I/O cell areas, and/or edge logic cell areas are laid out in a regular pattern through an instantiation process. Edge logic, which is comprised of standard cells, is pulled from the core of the chip because these cells couple directly to I/O cells and are critical for timing.

Abstract: A method of performing memory operations of a memory device having precharge, read and write states is disclosed. The method includes refreshing the memory device provided a refresh timer expired and the memory device is in the precharge state. The method further includes entering the precharge state, refreshing the memory device and returning to the read state provided the memory device is in the read state for a predetermined period of time. The memory device is refreshed provided the memory device is transitioning from the read state to the write state and the refresh timer has expired.