Abstract: An arrangement for storing information to be displayed in a plurality of different pixel formats on a bitmapped output display including apparatus for selecting first positions for storage of information in a first pixel format, apparatus for selecting second positions for storage of information in a second pixel format, apparatus for selecting information from first positions of storage for display in the first pixel format, and apparatus for selecting information from second positions of storage for display in the second pixel format.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 1990
Date of Patent:
August 31, 1993
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Inventors:
Anthony Masterson, William Dawson, Spencer Worley
Abstract: A power consumption reduction method and apparatus for a computer is described. The operating system running on the CPU of the computer determines when the CPU is not actively processing and generates a power-off signal to a control logic circuit. The control logic circuit then disconnects the CPU from the power supply. Pulses sent by a periodic timer or interrupts from input/output units are applied to the control logic circuit to at least periodically issue a power-on signal to the CPU. Power is supplied to the CPU for a given time period at every power-on signal. During this period, the CPU executes miscellaneous housekeeping chores including the polling of disk drives and determines when the CPU should resume normal processing. The control logic circuit also determines, at every power-on signal, whether the CPU is already on or being turned off. The control logic circuit will not issue a reset signal to enable the reset of the CPU if it is already on.
Abstract: A metal frame is fabricated from magnesium alloy and all the main components of the computer, including the logic board, the hard disk drive, the keyboard, the upper and lower halves of the computer's case, and the pivoting display screen are all directly attached to the frame. The frame thus offers a method for constructing a personal computer which will have greatly improved shock resistance, integrated electromagnetic isolation, and structural strength, without increasing the weight of the completed computer in any significant fashion. Additionally, by means of a cooling flange fabricated as part of the frame, the central processing unit of the portable computer is thermally connected to the frame, which then acts as a heat-sink for the central processing unit, greatly improving its reliability.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 1992
Date of Patent:
August 17, 1993
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Inventors:
Brion LaPointe, David Northway, Robert Riccomini, Ken Weber, Jeff Wood
Abstract: A method for determining if uncompressed color video data was previously compressed and decompressed. Each block of color video data is examined to determine if the block was previously compressed with a predetermined compression algorithm that for example, selected fewer colors than were present in the original data. If it is determined that such compression has previously occurred, on recompression, a different algorithm is used to prevent introduction of color distortions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 24, 1991
Date of Patent:
August 17, 1993
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Inventors:
Lee S. Mighdoll, Mark Krueger, Bruce A. Leak
Abstract: A self-identifying scheme which permits a variety of integrated circuit semiconductor memory modules to inform a host processor as to each individual memory accessing speed or accessing time. Pre-encoded circuits within each memory module generate a coded signal when that module is selected by the host processor. The coded signal identifies the type of memory accessed, permitting the host processor to transfer information at a rate determined by the memory accessed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 1991
Date of Patent:
August 17, 1993
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Inventors:
Rodger Mohme, Jerome Okun, R. Steven Smith, Michael De La Cruz
Abstract: A video editing system comprising a computer system having a mass storage and a display, a video source, such as a video cassette recorder (VCR), camera, or optical disc player, and a video processor/controller linking the computer to the video source. The computer system functions under the direction of standard operating software and video editing software which provide the user with an interface for controlling both playback and clip editing of video information from the video source. Upon initialization of the editing system, the user is presented with at least a video window for displaying the video information, a control window for regulating playback of the video information, and a clip list window having a number of rows of edit windows organized under begin, end, and clip columns. The user controls playback of video from the video source within the video window through manipulation of standard playback direction and speed indicators.
Abstract: The present invention selectively switches between two or more input signals while avoiding invalid output conditions, large power draws, and the resulting electromagnetic interference caused thereby. The present invention can be used to select between Dynamic Random Access Memory device column addresses and Dynamic Random Access Memory device row addresses.
Abstract: An electrostatic shield and method for shielding an electric field are presented, having particular application to the reduction of electric field emissions from a CRT display. The electrostatic shield is formed from a flexible non-conductive substrate and includes a plurality of radially disposed conductive elements. The shield is secured to the outer surface of the CRT, between the deflection yoke and screen, and the conductive elements are coupled to ground potential. In addition to a method for using the abovedescribed shield, a method is presented for shielding the electric field by applying conductive traces directly to the surface of the CRT, again between the deflection yoke and screen. These traces are coupled to the aquadag coating on the outer surface of the CRT, effectively grounding the traces and providing the desired shielding effect.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 14, 1991
Date of Patent:
July 20, 1993
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Inventors:
Larry Forsblad, Roy Askeland, David Auld
Abstract: A circuit for providing data output enable signals to a device comprising apparatus for generating an output enable signal in response to the simultaneous application of a clock signal and a second signal, and apparatus for terminating the output enable signal in response to the termination of the second signal alone.