Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for memory accesses. The invention uses on an object referred to as a MemoryContainer object that contains the location and length of each memory transfer segment. An object referred to as a MemoryDescriptor object contains an index that locates the current position of the transfer and references one or more MemoryContainers. This separates the scatter-gather list and the processing information into two, independent, objects that are optimized for their particular task. Having separate containers and descriptors permits combining containers and descriptors into larger collections. When a client wants to start a memory operation, it provides the memory location. A MemoryDescriptor and a MemoryContainer are instantiated and returned to the server. The MemoryDescriptor asks the MemoryContainer for the number of ranges that the container has (usually one or more ranges).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for transmitting data representing different views of an object and for receiving and using data representing different views of an object. In one method according to the present invention for transmitting data, the method stores a predetermined order of views of the object according to a viewing preference of a viewer and transmits the data representing the different views in the predetermined order. In another method according to the present invention for receiving and using data representing different views of an object, the method receives a first set of views which represent at least one first predetermined view of the object and receives a second set of views which represent at least one second predetermined view of the object. The second set is received after the first set is received according to a predetermined order which is based on a viewing preference of a viewer.

Abstract: Improved techniques for charging batteries within portable computing devices are disclosed. The improved techniques operate to charge a battery at dynamically determined power levels. The power levels for charging the battery are dynamically determined by monitoring the power consumption of the portable computing device. When subsystems of the portable computing device are determining to be consuming less power than has been allocated thereto, higher levels of power from a power source are made available for charging the battery. As a result, the battery is able to be charged at a rate that is significantly faster than previously performed. Also, by dynamically monitoring the power consumption of the portable computing device, the improved techniques also ensure that the portable computing device will not be starved for power during its operation even as its subsystem's switch between normal (active) modes and low power modes.

Abstract: Relocation table entries in a executable object code file are interpreted as relocation instructions rather than as individual specifications for a particular respective relocatable information item. An abstract machine is provided for interpreting the relocation instructions and performing various relocation operations and various control functions for the abstract machine, in response to the relocation instructions. Certain variables contain information which is referenced and updated in response to certain types of the relocation instructions, thereby obviating the need to include such information as part of each relocation instruction. Certain of the relocation instruction types can also specify a particular relocation operation to be performed on a run of n consecutive relocatable information items, where n is specified as part of the relocation instruction.

Abstract: A method for labeling the pixels within a selected visual area of at least one image frame containing that visual area from a sequence of image frames stored in memory and operative to be displayed on an interactive display so that a user may subsequently select the selected visual area on a pixel accurate, frame accurate basis. To label the selected visual area within an image frame, the scene within that image frame is segmented to identify the selected visual area, each pixel within that selected visual area is then labeled with an area identifier which is unique to that selected visual area, and the pixels containing the area identifiers are mapped into an item buffer. The item buffer is then compressed and stored within a labeled portion of memory linked with the stored frame image from which the item buffer was derived.

Abstract: A floating mount for attaching a device to a chassis, and for facilitating alignment of the device with respect to another structure fixed relative to the chassis. The floating mount includes a biasing member fixed to the chassis and a carrier adapted to mount to the device. The carrier includes an engaging portion for engaging the biasing member and receiving a retaining force exerted by the biasing member. The carrier also includes an aligning surface for abutting the other structure and for receiving an aligning force sufficient to overcome the retaining force and displace the carrier and the device into proper alignment with the other structure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pen digitizer is integrated into a flat panel display assembly using “bent TAB” active electronics. Integration is performed by placing a discrete electromagnetic pen digitizer further inside the flat panel display assembly itself behind the diffuser backlight component, but in front of the “bent TAB” active electronics. Interference from the active electronics is avoided because they are not in between the digitizer and the pen operating upon the flat panel display. The electromagnetic pen digitizer is integrated into the flat panel display assembly by inserting the digitizer into the flat panel display assembly behind the diffuser backlight during the routine manufacture of the flat panel display assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing digital audio data comprises remapping channel status information in an input digital audio bit stream into a uniform format. The channel status information in the uniform format contains a super-set of data included in the channel status block of the original data and comprises a “higher level” form of presentation than the original status information, thereby reducing the amount of processing required by the application program in interpreting the audio data. The translation of audio data between different formats is performed in an interface unit. The interface unit strips the channel status information from the incoming digital audio data, translates the channel status information into a desired form, and then presents the audio data and the translated channel status information to a host computer for further processing or storage. The translation and routing functions performed by the interface unit are controlled by data stored in one or more registers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.

Abstract: An extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system provides a platform for developing network navigation components that operate on a variety of hardware and software computer systems. These navigation components include key integrating components along with components configured to deliver conventional services directed to computer networks, such as Gopher-specific and Web-specific components. Communication among these components is achieved through novel application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows any existing component to be replaced, and allows new components to be added, without affecting operation of the network component system.

Abstract: Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. The improved housings are provided with a movable keyboard (e.g., removable keyboard) that can be opened or removed to gain easy access to internal components of a computing device. The movable keyboard can be secured to the computing device using a keyboard securing system. An actuator can also be used to dislodge the movable keyboard from the computing device when the movable keyboard is to be opened or removed. A lock arrangement can additionally be used to lock the movable keyboard to the computing device.

Abstract: A method involving computer-mediated linguistic analysis of online technical documentation to extract and catalog from the documentation knowledge essential to, for example, creating a online help database useful in providing online assistance to users in performing a task. The method comprises stripping markup tags from the documentation, linguistically analyzing and annotating the text, including the steps of morphologically and lexically analyzing the text, disambiguating between possible parts-of-speech for each word, and syntactically analyzing and labeling each word.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly identifying the existence and location of an item in a file using an improved hash table architecture. A hash table is constructed having a plurality of hash buckets, each identified by a primary hash key. Each hash entry in each hash bucket contains a pointer to a record in a master file, as well as a secondary hash key independent of the primary hash key. A search for a particular item is performed by identifying the appropriate hash bucket by obtaining a primary hash key for the search term. Individual hash entries within the hash bucket are checked for matches by comparing the stored secondary keys with the secondary key for the search term. Potentially matching records can be identified or ruled out without necessitating repeated reads of the master file. The improved hash table system and method is employed in a contextual text searching application for determining the intersection of a text search with a hierarchical categorization scheme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for command recognition using data-driven semantic inference includes recognizing a sequence of words received as the voice command. Data-driven semantic inference is then used with the recognized sequence of words to recognize the voice command. Thus, the command is identified on the basis of the semantics of words of the spoken command rather than the particular grammar of each of predetermined different ways the command could be worded.

Abstract: A method and system for providing cyclic redundancy check (CRC) functions within a ringlet-type interconnect of a computer system are described. By time multiplexing CRC checking and generating functions, the number of CRC units can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for attaching a letter to a contact in an organizer contact list. The method includes the operations of selecting a contact from the organizer contact list that is controlled by an organizer program. The method then stores a plurality of identifying information associated with the selected contact into a temporary memory location. Next, a letter is selected from a plurality of standard letters provided by the organizer. The plurality of identifying information associated with the selected contact is then integrated into the selected letter.

Abstract: A suppression layer made from material that reduces EMI is placed between an circuit board and a heat sink. At least one opening in the suppression layer allows the top surface of at least one electronic component to be thermally coupled to the heat sink. In addition to reducing EMI, the suppression layer fills in the space created between the various components on the circuit board. Filling in the gaps prevents the heat sink from rocking and moving, thereby protecting the at least one component coupled to the heat sink from damage. Filling in the gaps with the suppression layer also allows the heat sink to achieve and maintain secure thermal contact with the at least one electronic component on the circuit board.

Abstract: A media ejection system includes a peripheral unit having a housing, an ejection mechanism, and a memory wire coupled to the ejection mechanism. The system further includes a digital processor for issuing ejection commands, and a controller responsive to the ejection command for controlling a current flow through the memory wire. When sufficient current flows through the memory wire, it contracts to activate the ejection mechanism, thereby ejecting a removable medium (such a PCMCIA card) from the housing of the peripheral unit. A method of the invention includes the steps of receiving an ejection request, issuing a ejection command in response to the ejection request, where the ejection command includes parameters for controlling current flow through the metal alloy, and electrically energizing the memory alloy in accordance with the parameters such that the memory alloy undergoes a dimensional change to activate a removable medium ejection mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques to converting source text (e.g., Unicode text) to multiple different encodings are disclosed. The disclosed techniques operate without any font or style information that could suggest the original encoding types. For a given source text, the techniques intelligently determine which of a variety of available target encodings are most appropriate. The determination of the most appropriate target encodings is flexible enough to accommodate different criteria or tolerance levels in performing the conversion as may be desired. The conversion out of Unicode into multiple different encodings also requires the determination of where and when to switch between the available target encodings. Also disclosed is a technique to automatically identify those target encoding that are available.

Abstract: Information presented to a user via an information access system is ranked according to a prediction of the likely degree of relevance to the user's interests. A profile of interests is stored for each user having access to the system. Items of information to be presented to a user are ranked according to their likely degree of relevance to that user and displayed in order of ranking. The prediction of relevance is carried out by combining data pertaining to the content of each item of information with other data regarding correlations of interests between users. A value indicative of the content of a document can be added to another value which defines user correlation, to produce a ranking score for a document. Alternatively, multiple regression analysis or evolutionary programming can be carried out with respect to various factors pertaining to document content and user correlation, to generate a prediction of relevance.