Abstract: A method and apparatus for instructing a processing system to present information. In one embodiment of the invention a server processing system on a network uses the DHCP protocol to provide network configuration information for a client processing system. The server processing system uses DHCP option code 56 to include presentation information with the configuration information sent to the client. Option code 56 allows for text messages to be presented by the client processing system and also allows URL-formatted text that may cause web pages or other internet resources to be presented by the client processing system. Because the presentation information is included with the network configuration information, information is presented when the client processing system uses the configuration information (e.g., upon network initialization).

Abstract: In a digital signal processing system, a method for selecting a transform function to apply to an input signal based on characteristics of the signal, and for self-adjusting criteria which are used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal. Characteristics are obtained from the signal. The characteristics are compared to adjustable criteria which are used in selecting a transform function. Differing criteria are maintained for the different selectable transform functions. A record is maintained of transform functions selected and the particular characteristics that caused the selection. Based on the ability of a transform function to minimally define the coded signal, an inverse transform function is selected to decode the signal. The criteria used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal are adjusted based on a quality measure of the decoded signal and the record of selected transform functions.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a digital processing system. A first stage of the power supply circuit is used to generate power for a first component of the digital processing system and to drive a second stage of the power supply circuit. The second stage of the power supply circuit supports a second component of the digital processing system. The first and second stages of the power supply circuit are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for receiving a first data stream comprising a graphic image having an aspect ratio of 16:9 into a computer system, capturing the image within a storage device of the computer system, and displaying the image on a graphical user interface of the computer system in a 16:9 aspect ratio format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering messages comprising determining a first semantic anchor corresponding to a first group of messages, for example, legitimate messages and a second semantic anchor corresponding to a second group of messages, for example, unsolicited messages. Determining a vector corresponding to an incoming message; comparing the vector corresponding to the incoming message with at least one of the first semantic anchor and the second semantic anchor to obtain a first comparison value and a second comparison value; and filtering the incoming message based on the first comparison value and the second comparison value.

Abstract: A keyed antenna apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for adapting a wireless access point (12, 12a, 12b) to an external antenna (52, 54) or an external antenna group (22). A plurality of notches (62, 64) in a keyed jack (26, 26a, 26b, 26c) accept a keyed plug (28, 28a, 28b) having thereon key projections (72, 74). The key projections (72, 74) produce signals by depressing microswitches (76), contacting electrical contacts (78), or the like. The signals selectively cause an antenna switch (18) to switch a signal path (19) between internal antennas (50, 20a, 20b) and external antennas (52, 54). Further, the signals selectively cause a wireless adapter (16) to modify radio frequency signal characteristics, such as power.

Abstract: Automatically normalizing a perceived loudness for a digitally encoded audio track formed of a number of channels during playback on a multimedia asset player is described. A number of auditory selectivity frequency bands are selected and for each channel in the track, a power value for each of the number of selectivity frequency bands is computed. Each of the power values is weighted by a sensitivity weighting factor and a sum value of all the weighted power values is then calculated. For the track, a perceived acoustic power value is calculated based upon the sum value for each of the channels and a normalization gain factor based upon the perceived acoustic power is calculated and associated with the track. During playback, the normalization gain factor is applied to the track.

Abstract: In a portable FireWire compatible device, a direct memory access (DMA) bus switch coupled by way of a DMA bus to a central processing unit (CPU), a local hard drive (HDD), and a FireWire port, provides a direct connection between the FireWire port and the HDD bypassing a main bus and the CPU when a data transfer request is received and processed by the CPU. Otherwise, until the data transfer request is received and processed, the CPU is directly connected to the HDD. In this way, a high speed data transfer between the FireWire port and the HDD is provided only when an appropriate data transfer request is received and processed.

Abstract: A method, device and computer system for creating a smooth, continuous height (scalar or vector) field are described. The described techniques permit arbitrary closed regions to be smoothly shaded without producing unnatural smoothness at the region's edges or boundaries.

Abstract: A signaling circuit may be implemented with a connection comprised of signal lines having predefined signals and/or functions. The predefined signals and/or functions may be defined by an individual entity or standards organization. The signaling circuit transmits information in addition to the predefined signals and/or functions. The information may be transmitted from a second device, such as a visual display screen, to a first device, such as a computing device, using at least one signal line in the connection. The information may include information about the state or status of the second device. The signaling circuit may, for example, place the first device in a reduced power state by generating a signal transition on at least one of the signal lines when a switch associated with the second device is asserted.

Abstract: Data tables that are required for the proper processing of font glyphs are automatically synthesized if they do not form part of an original font definition. The synthesized tables are stored in an annex file that is associated with the font, rather than being incorporated into the font definition. As a result, the integrity of the original font data is maintained, and does not adversely affect font protection systems that are based upon font data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a computer. One embodiment of the invention combines all of the prior art control panels related to networking into a consolidated Network Setup Control Panel. In addition, the invention provides for computer configuration by scripting. The configuration may be for a type of system setting or for network configurations and protocols. Through scripting, a computer may be configured locally or remotely on a network. One embodiment of the invention provides for a centralized database or Configuration Library consisting of collected data relating to available configuration settings. This database is not limited to configuration information and can be used as a general database containing information the user desires to store. To modify a configuration by scripting, the invention provides for a Scripting Interface consisting of a Scripting Server and Scripting Plug-In.

Abstract: An area within a frame is defined in which text or an image is to be generated. The text or image may also include an optional border surrounding and adjacent to the text or image. In accordance with one embodiment, in order to increase the contrast between the text or image and the background area of the frame, one or more color component values are selected for use in generating the text/image (or associated border). Specifically, a complement of one or more color component values associated with one or more pixels of the frame are determined. The complement may, for example, be obtained from an average color component value over a set of pixels. Alternatively, the complement may be obtained directly for each of a set of pixels in the frame from which an average value may then be obtained. The complemented-averaged color component value(s) may then be used to generate the text/image and/or associated border.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalance spring, a friction mechanism, and an independent pop-up element attached to a shaft. In one embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalancing spring and an independent pop-up element attaches a display assembly to a base assembly of a portable computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer readable medium containing instructions for generating random jitter test patterns by generating a sequence of maximum-size asynchronous packets according to the P1394b standard and transmitting the sequence to the device under test. The instructions are executed to generate jitter test patterns by disabling the transmitter data scrambler of the second device; clear the port_error register of the device under test; and send a test pattern to said device under test.

Abstract: A computer is disclosed. The computer includes a housing having an opening. The computer also includes a door that is movably coupled to the housing via a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism allows the door to move between a closed position where the door is placed against the housing and in front of the opening to prevent access therethrough, and an opened position where the door is placed away from the opening to allow access therethrough. The computer further includes a gimbal mechanism that allows the door to move relative to the linkage mechanism while constraining the door to the linkage mechanism. The gimbal mechanism provides a tight fit between the door and the housing when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: In the present invention, in some embodiments, an administrator assigns a total bandwidth allocation to at least one other computer system, and the computer system parcels the bandwidth among the applications running on the computer system. In the operation of one embodiment of the present invention, an administrator sends a bandwidth maximum allocation to each node on the system. Each node determines a current bandwidth being used, and limits the current bandwidth to this allocation. Thereafter, each node then reallocates its usable bandwidth among applications running on the nodes that are attempting to send messages over the network. For each application, a current bandwidth use is determined, as well as a current bandwidth demand. The current bandwidth demand is the amount of bandwidth that the application would be using if no other applications were running on the node and if there were no limitations on the amount of data the application could send to the network.