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: Techniques to generate partial display updates in a buffered window system in which arbitrary visual effects are permitted to any one or more windows (e.g., application-specific window buffers) are described. Once a display output region is identified for updating, the buffered window system is interrogated to determine which regions within each window, if any, may effect the identified output region. Such determination considers the consequences any filters associated with a window impose on the region needed to make the output update.

Abstract: Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus senses peripheral power consumption for system power control. In a digital processing system, an increase in current drawn by a peripheral device coupled to the digital processing system while the digital processing system is in a reduced power consumption state is sensed, wherein the increase in current drawn provides a current draw detect signal.

Abstract: An electronic device housing comprising a device enclosure with electronic components mounted inside the enclosure is disclosed. Mounted between the electronic device housing and the device enclosure is a thermally reflective electrical insulator configured to reduce external heating of the enclosure by the electronic components contained therein. Such an arrangement reflects heat generated by internal electronic components back inside the device enclosure, thereby reducing the external temperature of the electronic device housing. The electronic device housing, for example, pertains to a portable computer. Additionally, a method for reducing the external temperature of a computer housing for a portable computer is disclosed.

Abstract: Error checking and correction techniques for web based applications use an error checking routine on a server or a client station to find errors in electronic text of an E-mail message. The disclosed error checking routine detects errors such as spelling errors in the electronic text and creates a correction file of the electronic text containing tags, markers and other information allowing errors to be displayed and corrected using the user's graphical interface. The graphical interface allows the user to review all the errors concurrently in the correction file and to correct the errors in any order. In a preferred embodiment, correction is facilitated in response to the user moving a mouse pointer over an error of interest, which provides correction options to be displayed in-line with the original text. The user can then select a suitable correction to correct the error.

Abstract: A method for loop breaking includes selecting a first port of a node, transmitting a first packet containing a first identifier from the first port of the node, listening for a second packet containing a second identifier for a period of time on a second port of the node, joining the first port and the node if the second identifier meets a first criteria with respect to the first identifier and quarantining the first port when the second identifier meets a second criteria with respect to the first identifier.

Abstract: An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Abstract: A case (12) for a computer monitor (10) having a tub (16) with a case aperture (38) therein adapted for receiving a subpanel (26). The subpanel (26) has a plurality of electrical connectors 28 which are user accessible thereby. A beveled flange (40) on the subpanel (26) is received within a receiving flange (44) on the case aperture (38). A structural grid (32) within the case (12) has a flexible portion (34) which includes an electronics enclosure (33) having a screw receiving aperture (42) therein such that a screw (30) is passed through a subpanel screw aperture (48) in the subpanel (26) and secured within the screw receiving aperture (42), thereby flexing the flexible portion (34) to hold the subpanel (26) firmly within the case aperture (38).

Abstract: An electronic assembly comprises a support board, an integrated circuit chip interconnected and coupled to the support board, and a thermal-gap-filler pad placed over the integrated circuit chip and in contact with an external device to dissipate heat generated by the integrated circuit chip. The electronic assembly further comprises a standoff structure disposed adjacent the thermal-gap-filler pad and coupled to the support board, the standoff structure configured to prevent excessive force from being applied onto the thermal-gap-filler.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a state during a power load change. The apparatus of one embodiment includes a voltage controller coupled to receive a signal from a detector of current change. The detector of current change in this embodiment is coupled to detect change in the current level at a microprocessor and signal a voltage controller of such change, which in turn causes a change in the voltage supplied to the microprocessor. An embodiment of the method comprises using a current detector in detecting current change in a microprocessor, determining according to the current change the power level that is needed to be maintained and increasing the voltage level for a predetermined amount of time to compensate for (any) voltage droop. In an alternative embodiment, a change in power is determined before the change occurs and as such determines the power level needed at the microprocessor.

Abstract: Methods for embedding codes executable in a first system having a first microprocessor into codes executable in a second system having a second microprocessor are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes providing first codes having a routine, the first codes being compilable to be executed in the first system, and compiling the first codes, resulting in second codes; the second codes comprising opcodes of the routine executable by the first system, which convert the second codes into third codes automatically, the third codes being compilable to be executed by the second system; this is followed by compiling the third codes, resulting in the fourth codes being executable in the second system, and linking the fourth codes, generating an executable image and executing the executable image in the second system. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A font synchronization system ensures that fonts which are specified in the creation of a document are the same as those that are employed in the subsequent handling and printing of the document. Each font that is utilized within a document, or available in a printing system, is characterized by a font reference that unambiguously identifies significant features of the font. Font references associated with a document are compared with those available on a computer resource, to see if two fonts are the same in all significant respects. If the fonts are not the same, the comparison process identifies the areas of difference between them, so that a determination can be made whether such differences are critical to the appearance of the document. A number of font references are encapsulated within a font profile, to identify the fonts that are available for use within a particular environment, such as a service bureau.

Abstract: Prior art synthesizers often select a small interval d to detune. For example, if the nominal oscillator frequency was 1000 Hz, then applying a detune parameter of 10 cent would result in a detuned oscillator frequency of 1006 Hz. However, at the next octave, the nominal frequency would be 2000 Hz with the detuned oscillator frequency of 2012 Hz. Accordingly, a detuned oscillator has a frequency deviation which is proportional to its nominal frequency. Hence, when mixing detuned oscillators, the resulting signal has a beat frequency which varies with the pitch and doubles with each octave. An aim of the present invention is to provide a music synthesizer whereby sounds are generated with a constant optimum beat across a large range of tones.

Abstract: A hot-plugging capability for video devices is achieved by shifting the responsibility for recognizing changes in the configuration of a display environment from a computer's operating system to a device manager. When an input/output device is added to or removed from the computer system, an interrupt signal informs a device manager of the fact that a change in configuration has occurred. In response thereto, the device manager determines whether the changed component relates to the computer's display function. If so, the device manager makes a call to the computer's display manager, to inform it of the fact that the display configuration has changed. In response to this call, the display manager reconfigures the display space for the computer system and notifies clients as appropriate, to accommodate display features associated with the added component. With this change in the configuration of the display space, the added component becomes immediately available for use.

Abstract: A synthesiser to generate sounds often in a musical environment but also in a speech environment. Such synthesis of sounds is often accompanied by at least one mode of filtering or many modes. Hitherto, the application of such filtering has involved a control for each filter. This may be by way of a lever, toggle or rotatable knob. Thus, a user when applying the filters is required to adjust each control independently of the other. This enhances the complexity and a large amount of skill is involved in accurately selecting the required amount and types of filtering.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.

Abstract: White point is corrected without degrading luminance on a display device. A white point manager modifies the balance between red, green and blue according to a target white point up to a threshold gray value. As the gray scale approaches white from the threshold gray value, the white point manager blends the balance between red, green and blue from the target white point substantially towards the native white point for the display device, so as not to degrade luminance as the gray scale approaches white.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing static power consumption of a processor. During operation, the system receives a signal indicating that instruction execution within the processor is to be temporarily halted. In response to this signal, the system halts an instruction-processing portion of the processor, and reduces the voltage supplied to the instruction-processing portion of the processor. Full voltage is maintained to a remaining portion of the processor, so that the remaining portion of the processor can continue to operate while the instruction-processing portion of the processor is in reduced power mode.

Abstract: Aspects for allowing variably controlled alteration of image processing of digital image data in a digital image capture device include forming an image processing chain with two or more image processors to process digital image data, and providing one or more parametric controls within each of the two or more image processors. The aspects further include accessing chosen controls of the one or more parametric controls to modify the two or more image processors for alteration of the image processing.