Abstract: A computer mouse having a base member with hold regions. A top member is pivotally coupled to the base member and covers the internal electronics of the mouse. The top member has a main surface with openings to accommodate the hold regions of the base member and leave them exposed to a user's fingers. The top member also acts as a button for the mouse. The hold regions allow a user to lift the mouse while maintaining the top member in a depressed position.

Abstract: A system and method by which users via programs on one computer may seamlessly access files remotely stored on other computers that run a well known file access protocol. All programs running on a personal computer may access remote files as easily and in the same manner as accessing files on the personal computer's file system without requiring any changes to the program's method of communicating with the computer's existing file system using http protocol and WebDAV. An operating system extension and an application level network access program are provided. The operating system extension receives file system requests for remote files from the operating system that were issued according to a well-known application program interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preventing loops in a full-duplex bus. One method has the acts of: selecting at least two candidates to join said bus; establishing a dominant candidate from one of said at least two candidates; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Another method has the acts of: selecting a plurality candidates to join said bus; establishing at least one dominant candidate; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said at least one dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Alternative embodiments are shown that utilize unique identifiers to facilitate candidate selection and to establish dominance on the bus.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved keyboard arrangement for use in the computing device. One aspect of the invention pertains to a movable keyboard that can be opened or removed to gain easy access to internal components of the computing device. Another aspect of the invention pertains to a magnetic keyboard securing system suitable for holding the movable keyboard relative to the computing device. The invention is particularly useful in computing devices such as portable computers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals, and in particular S400 signals, for IEEE Standard 1394-1995 serial bus devices. The present invention validates S400 mode immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal, or immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal following a first to S200 speed signal. The invention further provides S200 and S100 mode validation according to current implementations. Additionally, the invention does not require RX_DATA_PREFIX as a pre-requisite for signal detection.

Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces suitable for reviewing, browsing, previewing and/or purchasing media items are also disclosed. The graphical user interfaces are suitable for reviewing or browsing numerous media items. The graphical user interfaces are also suitable for previewing or purchasing media items in an on-line manner. The graphical user interfaces are particularly useful for a system that provides purchase and distribution of media in a client-server environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for the functionality of an integrated circuit. An exemplary embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention includes a ball grid array having open spaces therein. Within the open spaces, pairs of opposite polarity vias are clustered to minimize current path inductance by exploiting mutual inductance between vias of opposite current flow. In an illustrative embodiment, capacitors are coupled to the vias to further reduce current path inductance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to use semantic inference with speech recognition systems includes recognizing at least one spoken word, processing the spoken word using a context-free grammar, deriving an output from the context-free grammar, and translating the output to a predetermined command.

Abstract: A novel door for an access opening in an electronic component housing includes a bracket pivotally connected to the housing, and a cover elastically mounted to the bracket. In a particular embodiment, the bracket includes a wing spring for biasing the cover to the bracket, and the cover includes a channel for receiving the wing spring. Optionally, the cover and the bracket include an alignment feature and a complementary alignment feature, respectively, that moveably engage one another to facilitate relative movement between the cover and the bracket. The door is pivotally connected to the housing by a pair of L-shaped hinge members to rotate about an axis adjacent the opening in the housing. The bracket and the cover mount together to form the door assembly, and the assembly includes a smooth rear surface for slidably abutting devices (e.g., optical disk trays, etc.) moving through the opening.

Abstract: A computer-human interface provides a mechanism to manage the available space of a computer display in a manner that facilitates navigation among multiple windows that are overlaid upon one another. The interface includes a user-selectable mode in which the windows are rearranged, and resized if necessary, so that all open windows can be simultaneously viewed within the area of the display, thereby enabling any one of the windows to be easily selected for access. In effect, the presentation of the windows is “flattened” so that all windows appear at the same virtual depth, rather than overlapping one another. With this approach, there is no need to minimize windows in order to access one that is overlaid by another, thereby enabling the user to keep the content of all windows visible and accessible. Subsets of windows can be repositioned in the same manner, or all windows can be removed from the display area for access to desktop objects.

Abstract: A video conferencing system having video and/or audio capture device for video and audio communications is disclosed. The video and audio capture device may include one or more switches for securely activating and deactivating the device. Furthermore, an indicator may be hard-wired to the video and/or audio components so to provide a true indication of when these components are on and off. The video and audio capture device may also be integrated into a single unit.

Abstract: A computer-human interface provides a mechanism to manage the available space of a computer display in a manner that facilitates navigation among multiple windows that are overlaid upon one another. The interface includes a user-selectable mode in which the windows are rearranged, and resized if necessary, so that all open windows can be simultaneously viewed within the area of the display, thereby enabling any one of the windows to be easily selected for access. In effect, the presentation of the windows is “flattened” so that all windows appear at the same virtual depth, rather than overlapping one another. With this approach, there is no need to minimize windows in order to access one that is overlaid by another, thereby enabling the user to keep the content of all windows visible and accessible. Subsets of windows can be repositioned in the same manner, or all windows can be removed from the display area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing pickup of media content by way of user input are disclosed. These systems and methods enable desired media content to be more effectively acquired. The user input can be locally provided or remotely provided. The systems and methods for directing pickup of media content are particularly suitable for video conferencing systems. The media content being directed is, for example, video or audio.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided for remotely controlling a digital processing system, comprising a housing, a scrolling detector, a cursor positioning detector, and a transmitter. The housing has a wall having an outer scrolling surface over which a finger of a person's hand is movable in a scrolling movement. The scrolling detector is located within the housing. The scrolling detector detects the scrolling movement remotely through the wall and generates a scrolling signal. The cursor positioning detector is secured to the housing and is actuable by the hand to generate a position signal. The transmitter transmits the scrolling signal and the position signal to the digital processing system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for submitting media to a media distribution site are disclosed. The submission of media to the media distribution site is able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The submitted media can then be encoded in a largely automated manner at the media distribution site into a suitable digital form and then made available for online purchase and distribution.

Abstract: A data stream format for transmission of data frames between a computer and a video client via an interface, the data stream being a plurality of data frames transmitted sequentially, each data frame comprising: a frame header; video data, the video data following the frame header; and audio data, the audio data following the video data.

Abstract: A method of controlling transmission of data from a computer to a video client via an interface device, comprising: reading a register on the interface device to obtain a value indicating temporal proximity to an occurrence of a vertical blanking interval occurs, the value increased incrementally until a vertical blanking interval occurs, and then being reset; deriving a time value, the time value indicating the occurrence of a vertical blanking interval; sending an interrupt to a processor on the computer at the occurrence of the vertical blanking interval; and invoking code in response to an occurrence of the video blanking interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling data transmission between a computer and a video client via an interface, the method comprising: the computer polling the interface a first time to determine the size of the buffer on the interface; receiving a first buffer size value from the interface; sending a plurality of frames of video and audio data to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame; the computer polling the interface a second time to determine buffer size after the frames are sent to the interface; receiving a second buffer size value from the interface; and modifying the amount of time between the transmission of frames.

Abstract: An improved media player and a method for operating a portable computing device (e.g., media player) are disclosed. According to one aspect, a portable computing device is able to protect its disk drive when being subjected to undesired levels of acceleration. The portable computing device protects its disk drive by monitoring for such accelerations and operating to avoid usage of the disk drive during periods of acceleration. Through such protection, the likelihood of damage to the disk drive or loss of data stored on the disk drive is able to be substantially reduced. According to another aspect, a user of a portable computing device can be alerted when the portable computing device is being subjected to undesirable levels of acceleration.