Abstract: A computing device having an improved enclosure arrangement is disclosed. One aspect of the enclosure pertains to enclosure parts that are structurally bonded together to form a singular composite structure. In one embodiment, structural glue is used to bond at least two unique parts together. Another aspect of the enclosure pertains to enclosure parts that are electrically bonded together to form a singular integrated conductive member. In one embodiment, conductive paste is used to bond at least two unique parts together. The improved enclosure is particularly useful in portable computing devices such as laptop computers.

Abstract: The invention receives a request to store a file having a filename written in a first text encoding, converts the filename into a Unicode filename and stores the Unicode filename and the file into memory. The invention then sets a flag, associated with the memory, indicating that a first text encoding has been used. To retrieve a Unicode filename, the invention receives a request to locate a Unicode filename from memory. Next, the invention uses a predetermined text encoding to convert the filename into Unicode. The invention then searches for the Unicode filename in the memory. If the Unicode filename is not found, the invention uses a next text encoding from the set of text encodings which have been used, to repeat the conversion and searches the memory until the Unicode filename is identified. Lastly, the Unicode file is retrieved.

Abstract: Standard analog modems (modulator-demodulator devices) are currently commonplace in the home and office environments, where they are used to enable electronic devices, such as personal computers, to transmit data over existing telephone lines (made of small gauge copper wire) to other electronic devices. Data is stored digitally in such devices, but is converted by an analog modem to be transmitted over the lines in analog form. A data stream is established between a sender (i.e., originating electronic device) and a receiver (i.e., receiving electronic device) by using the resources of an entire telecommunications system. In other words, data is transmitted from the sender's local loop, through the telephone switching system, and to the receiver's local loop. Because the lines used by analog modems to transmit data only use a frequency range of about 0–3400 Hz, a data transmittance limit of about 56,000 bits-per-second (bps) exists for communication through the lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods and apparatuses for transmitting multimedia data using streaming media protocols such as real-time transfer protocols (RTP) and real-time streaming protocols (RTSP) in a computer network environment. A request for RTP data is sent from the caching proxy server to the server. The request may be for one specific type of data or multiple unrelated types of data. The server responds to the request indicating its support for the requested data. The caching proxy server determines whether to proceed or terminate the data transmission process based on the response provided by the server. If it is determined to proceed with the data transmission process, the caching proxy informs the server to send the requested data. The server sends the requested data in a body of a RTP packet. The RTP packet uses a RTP Meta-Info payload format, which includes a body and a field header.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic ID allocation technique for use in AV/C device applications. The method allows ID assignment without manual user intervention. The method includes assigning an ID to an entity when called to do so upon detection of a new entity. Furthermore, old IDs are reallocated for later use upon disconnection of the associated entity.

Abstract: Techniques for providing access to databases from handheld devices are disclosed. Techniques can be used to implement a database system. The database system provides a graphical user interface which can be displayed on handheld devices. This allows users of handheld devices to conveniently by interacting with the graphical user interface. As will be appreciated, the user can access the database to perform a variety of operations. Moreover, the user can perform these operations without having to write programs and virtually in real time. Thus, the user can conveniently access the database and be provided with up-to-date information. In addition, the user can be provided with hyperlinks which allow the user to conveniently perform various tasks without having to switch between different operation modes.

Abstract: A lookup operation is carried out on a data table by logically dividing the data table into a number of smaller sets of data that can be indexed with a single byte of data. Each set of data consists of two vectors, which constitute the operands for a permute instruction. Only a limited number of bits are required to index into the table during the execution of this instruction. The remaining bits of each index are used as masks into a series of select instructions. The select instruction chooses between two vector components, based on the mask, and places the selected components into a new vector. The mask is generated by shifting one of the higher order bits of the index to the most significant position, and then propagating that bit throughout a byte, for example by means of an arithmetic shift. This procedure is carried out for all of the index bytes in the vector, to generate a select mask.

Abstract: A method for communicating between a client application and one or more servers is disclosed. In one embodiment, it is first determined whether a particular client application operation is the type of operation that requires a remote entry point. If a remote entry point is needed, the client application obtains a remote entry point file from a remote server computer and retrieves the remote entry point required by the client application operation such that it can direct the operation to the proper remote server.

Abstract: A power manager for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power manager includes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the input current limiter converts the received external voltage to a supply voltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage is provided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery.

Abstract: Reliability is added to RTP by having a client acknowledge to the server each of the RTP packets received by the client, and retransmitting from the server to the client any of the packets that remain unacknowledged subsequent to expiration of a predetermined time duration subsequent to the timestamp. The server continuously determines a maximum number of bytes that may be contained in the RTP packets streaming into the network and, in the event a number of bytes in the RTP packets exceeds the maximum number, discontinues streaming of the RTP packets until it is determined that the number of bytes is less than the maximum number. The server also continuously determines a present streaming rate at which the RTP packets are streamed into the network wherein the present streaming rate exceeds the normal streaming rate.

Abstract: A method for sharing information between users of a media management application is disclosed. In one embodiment, a server computer receives a media information share request, retrieves artist or album information according to the media information share request, constructs a media message form containing artist or album information according to the media information share request and blanks boxes for the user to enter a plurality of recipient e-mail addresses, the user's name and e-mail address, and a message to the recipients, and sends the completed media message form to the client computer. The server computer then receives a completed media message form from a client computer, constructs a media message containing artist or album information according to the media message form, extracts a list of e-mail addresses from the media message form, selects an e-mail address from the list of e-mail addresses and sends a media message to each e-mail address in the list of e-mail addresses.

Abstract: A keyboard and methods of making the same. The keyboard comprises of a bottom conducting base plate, an illumination layer, a transparent top conducting layer, a light transmissive keyboard membrane, and a plurality of input keys. The illumination layer is deposited on the bottom conducting base plate. The transparent top conducting layer is deposited on the illumination layer. The light transmissive keyboard membrane is disposed on the transparent top conducting layer. And, the plurality of input keys is disposed on the light transmissive keyboard membrane wherein each of the plurality of input keys has a keyswitch mechanism and a keycap including an upper strike surface attached to the keyswitch mechanism.

Abstract: An integrated sensing display is disclosed. The sensing display includes display elements integrated with image sensing elements. As a result, the integrated sensing device can not only output images (e.g., as a display) but also input images (e.g., as a camera).

Abstract: During Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video encoding a two-dimensional discrete cosine transform (DCT) is performed on data representing an original image. The resulting coefficients are then quantized, which typically results in many zero coefficients. Because of the nature of most video data, most higher-order coefficients are typically zero and the lower-order coefficients (i.e., those grouped towards the upper left of the matrix) are more likely to be non-zero. To reduce the lengths of runs among the lower-order coefficients, the coefficients can be encoded in a zig-zag pattern. In one embodiment, the zig-zag pattern is maintained and one or more masks are generated based on the output of the quantization phase. The one or more masks are used to identify the coefficients within the matrix that are non-zero. This reduces the number of accesses to memory required to encode the non-zero coefficients and runs of zero coefficients.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing loops in a high performance serial bus is disclosed. One aspect includes selecting an untested connection by at least one of the plurality of nodes to the bus; establishing dominance of the bus by one of the nodes which selected the untested connection; testing for loops through the connection by the nodes; and joining the untested connection to the bus if no loops are found in the bus.

Abstract: Techniques to effect arbitrary visual effects using fragment programs executing on a programmable graphics processing unit are described. In a first technique, visual effects are applied to a buffered window system's assembly buffer prior to compositing a target window. In a second technique, visual effects are applied to a target window as it is being composited into the system's assembly buffer. In a third technique, visual effects are applied to a system's assembly buffer after compositing a target window. Finally, in a fourth technique, visual effects are applied to the system's assembly buffer as it is transmitted to the system's frame-buffer.

Abstract: A Gaussian blur approximation is applied to an image by repeated down-sampling operations followed by an up-sample operation. By using a truncated Gaussian filter as the down-sample filter, the frequency spectrum removed during down-sampling operations closely approximates the frequency spectrum lost during a true Gaussian blur operation. While any “good” up-sample filter may be used, up-sampling via linear interpolation may be especially beneficial in systems having a dedicated graphics processing unit. One benefit of the described technique is that it is computationally less costly to implement than a Gaussian blur. Another benefit is that this computational benefit increases as the size of the blur increases—becoming significant even for small blurs. Yet another benefit of the invention is that a judicious selection of pixel address to convolve with the filter leads to substantially reduced number of texture lookups required to effect a convolution.

Abstract: A specified collection of computationally expensive functions are identified and polynomial approximations thereto are determined. In the context of a graphical processing application in general, and image filters in particular, certain characteristics of the specified collection of computationally expensive functions (e.g., range, accuracy and allowable error) permit highly efficient (computationally low cost) approximations to be determined a priori. The substitute polynomial approximations may be compiled into filter programs that can execute on a computer system's central processing or graphical processing units.