Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spreading and concentrating information to constant-weight encode data words on a parallel data line bus while allowing communication of information across sub-word paths. In one embodiment, data transfer rates previously obtained only with differential architectures are achieved by only a small increase in line count above single ended architectures. For example, an 18-bit data word requires 22 encoded data lines for transmission, where previously, 16 and 32 lines would be required to transmit un-coded data with single-ended and differential architectures respectively. Constant-weight parallel encoding maintains constant current in the parallel-encoded data lines and the high and low potential driver circuits for the signal lines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating with writeable media. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes inserting a writeable media into a drive system which is coupled to a data processing system, instructing the data processing system to write or erase first data on the writeable media, and instructing the data processing system to eject the writeable media from the drive system, wherein upon the instructing of the data processing system to eject, the data processing system writes or erases the first data on the writeable media. The present invention includes other methods and apparatuses which perform at least one of these methods, including data processing systems which perform at least one of these methods and computer readable media which when executed on data processing systems cause the systems to perform at least one of these methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing file extensions in a processing system. An exemplary method of managing file extensions in a digital processing system involves a user interface and a plurality of files, each file having a name that comprises a filename and an extension. The method includes associating a file with an indicator which is user selectable for a single file in a plurality of files in said digital processing system and which indicates how to display an extension of the file, and assigning a value to the indicator, and displaying a displayed name of the file in the user interface in a style determined by the indicator.

Abstract: A foot assembly includes a foot including a snap and a first alignment feature, the snap and the alignment feature are coupled to a base, and the first alignment feature extending a greater distance from the base than an engagement of the snap. The assembly also includes a foot socket coupled to the foot, the socket including an undercut and a second alignment feature. In one aspect, the second alignment feature interfaces with the first alignment feature. In another aspect, the socket is coupled to an enclosure of a portable computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals, and in particular S400 signals, for IEEE Standard 1394-1995 serial bus devices. The present invention validates S400 mode immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal, or immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal following a first S200 speed signal. The invention further provides S200 and S100 mode validation according to current implementations. Additionally, the invention does not require RX_DATA_PREFIX as a pre-requisite for signal detection.

Abstract: A DC connector arrangement is disclosed. The DC connector arrangement includes a DC plug and a DC receptacle that are configured to engage one another at more than one position. The DC plug and DC receptacle are also configured with a small contact distance to minimize the insertion and extraction forces that occur between the DC plug and the DC receptacle.

Abstract: A system and method using edge processing to remove blocking artifacts comprises an edge processor having an image converter for building an edge representation of a received image, a statistics analyzer for compiling a histogram containing edge intensities of the edge representation, a reference calculator for using the histogram to compute reference values corresponding to the blocking artifacts and an artifact remover for identifying and removing the blocking artifacts using the computed reference values.

Abstract: A cooling system, the system comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a liquid to be flown from the inlet into the housing and out of outlet to exit the housing. The housing further has an interior portion for an electronic device to reside therein and a vibration transducer coupling to the housing. The liquid is flown across the electronic device to dissipate heat from the electronic device. The vibration transducer causes turbulent or agitation in the liquid as the liquid is flown across the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for supplying a reliable and maintainable operating system in a net-booted environment. According to one embodiment, a network computer (NC) system including an NC server and multiple NC clients is managed by an NC client causing the remainder of the NC clients that are subsequently booted to receive operating system software that is configured differently than that currently in effect by replacing one or more system volumes on the NC server containing the operating system software with one or more different system volumes.

Abstract: A user operated input device is disclosed. The user operated input device includes a housing and a rotary dial positioned relative to an external surface of the housing. The rotary dial provides a control function.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed which may adopt one of many personas, depending upon the role that its owner is currently playing. The computer system includes a central repository of extensible personas available to all applications running on the computer system. Each such persona has associated therewith a suite of parameters, or specific values for parameters, which are appropriate for conducting computer implemented transactions under a particular persona. The computer system further includes a graphical user interface which allows the user to switch from persona to persona by selecting a particular persona from a list of available personas displayed on a display screen of the computer system. By selecting such persona, the user causes the computer system to globally change the entire suite of parameter values so that subsequent transactions conducted with the computer system employ the parameter values of the current persona.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for color correction that includes gamma correction. One embodiment of the present invention pre-processes the native device information of a color device (e.g., a color display device) to generate pseudo-native device information such that when a single, unique function is applied on the pseudo-native device information, a customized look up table for gamma correction in a video card is generated. The customized look up table is calibrated for the optimization of color rendering for skin tone in one region in a color space while maintaining the gray colors for the user interface elements in another region in the color space.

Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.

Abstract: Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use with a 1394-compliant network of devices is disclosed. The protection circuit comprises a power source, a switch connecting the protection circuit to power supplied by another device, a transceiver having at least one outbound data line, the at least one data line connected to an electrostatic discharge line, and a diode connected between the at least one outbound data line and the electrostatic discharge line.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate comprises an imaging device for capturing raw image data, a frame buffer for receiving the image data, a first RAM spooler for transferring the raw image data to a RAM disk, a first flash spooler for transferring the raw image data from the RAW disk to a flash memory, an image processor for processing and compressing the raw data, a second RAM spooler for storing the compressed image data into the RAM disk, and a second flash spooler for transferring the compressed image data from the RAM disk to the flash memory.