Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. One improvement pertains to a multi-axis ventilation system. Another improvement pertains to a push button latch for a portable computer. Still another improvement pertains to a media bay ejection system provided with a dampener. These improvements can be provided separately or in any combination in a given computing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling power consumption in a digital processing system. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes using a non-volatile memory of the digital processing system (DPS) as a virtual memory of a volatile random access memory (RAM) of the DPS, determining a selection of a reduced power consumption state, storing, in response to the selection and through a virtual memory process, data from the volatile RAM to the non-volatile memory, and reducing power to at least one element of the data processing system after the storing, wherein the storing includes determining whether to store the data to the non-volatile memory by determining if first data previously stored as virtual memory in the non-volatile memory is valid (not dirty) after the selection.

Abstract: A low-level portion of the operating system of a computer system is separated from an intermediate-level portion of the operating system. The low-level portion, including hardware-specific code, is stored in a relatively small read-only memory (ROM), while at least part of the intermediate-level portion is stored as a compressed ROM image on a disk or other mass storage device, which may be located remotely from the computer system. Upon power-up or reset of the computer system, the code in the ROM is executed to read the compressed ROM image into random access memory (RAM) of the computer system. The compressed image is then decompressed and executed as part of the boot sequence. Once decompressed, the portion of RAM storing the intermediate-level code is write-protected in the memory map, and the code in boot ROM is deleted from the memory map. Memory space in RAM that is allocated to the intermediate-level code but not used is returned to the operating system for use as part of system RAM.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for creating high quality virtual reality panoramas is disclosed that yields dramatic improvements during the authoring and projecting cycles, with speeds up to several orders of magnitude faster than prior systems. In a preferred embodiment, a series of rectilinear images taken from a plurality of rows are pairwise registered with one another, and locally optimized using a pairwise objective function (local error function) that minimizes certain parameters in a projective transformation, using an improved iterative procedure. The local error function values for the pairwise registrations are then saved and used to construct a quadratic surface to approximate a global optimization function (global error function). The chain rule is used to avoid the direct evaluation of the global objective function, saving computation.

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 test 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 in to 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: A system and method for utilizing generic computer operating system software for computer hardware systems designed subsequent to the operating system software. The system and method of the present invention employ a separate modular software file called a System Enabler that has all patches, code, data and resources needed to make a particular computer system operational. The System Enabler file is matched to a particular hardware system and may be bundled with that hardware system. During computer system start up the System Enabler file modifies the generic operating system software for optimum operation with the particular computer hardware system.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) and accompanying functionality for binding Web page definitional elements to a back-end state (e.g., client- or server-side back-end state) and custom logic is provided. In one embodiment, a template containing definitional elements, custom logic, and bindings are generated that define all or a portion of a Web page based on input received and functionality provided by the invention.

Abstract: The invention allows a functional object in a dynamic language to be efficiently used as both a directly-invoked function and as a method in a generic function. This allows a language to combine the two concepts, simplifying the language semantics. As a preferred embodiment, a method object when created comprises as contiguous fields a header, a method-information section, a function prolog, and the method body. When called as a component of a generic function, one entry point is at the method body or at the method-information field. When called directly, another entry point exists at the function prolog field.

Abstract: A computer system user interface provides a document summary which allows the user to more easily identify the contents and subject matter of the document.

Abstract: A method for processing a first error message to produce a second error message in a component-based architecture. The component-based architecture includes a framework which is associated with a first lookup handler and is capable of embedding a first component associated with a first executable unit for handling data of the first component. The method includes the step of generating a hierarchy of lookup handlers, the hierarchy including the first lookup handler and a second lookup handler associated with the first executable unit when the first component comes into focus. Further, the method includes the step of processing the first error message through the hierarchy of lookup handlers to generate the second error message. Through the hierarchy, the first error message is first processed through the second lookup handler. If the second lookup handler is unable to process the first error message, the first error message is then processed through the first lookup handler.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a portable computer having a base and a lid. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved locking system for securing the base relative to the lid. One aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is placed in a recess when the lid is opened so as to eliminate unsightly and harmful protrusions. Another aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is automatically extracted from the recess when the lid is closed so as to secure the lid to the base. For example, a magnetic actuator may be used to automatically extract the latch when the lid is closed. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a button for releasing the secured latch so as to allow the lid to be opened.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube (CRT) is housed in an enclosure by using four clamp devices, two wedges and a housing. The clamp devices are located at the corners of the CRT and are secured to the enclosure with screws. The CRT rests on the housing, which is preferably comprised of fixed posts that the CRT rests on top of. The wedges, preferably made of rubber, are placed between the CRT and the enclosure and usually located at the top of the CRT. The clamp devices, housing and wedges are used to secure the CRT in the enclosure.

Abstract: An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

Abstract: A cycle master in a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus is calibrated by first computing a clock offset representing a difference between a first time synchronized to each of a plurality of packet arrival events and a second time synchronized to periodic ones of said plurality of packet arrival events; and then adjusting a frame rate of said packet arrival events to compensate for said clock offset.