Abstract: A database is used to store user interface state information. The database is accessed by a key having a service ID field, a caller ID field, and a caller context ID field. The caller context ID is used to identify the context in the application program from which the user interface is called. In this manner, the system can differentiate between calls from different portions of the application program which can have different user expectations of the desirable user interface state.

Abstract: A computer system is provided comprising a support frame, a logic board mounted to the support frame, a processor on the logic board, a cathode ray tube mounted to the support frame above a plane of the logic board, and a transparent housing located over the cathode ray tube.

Abstract: Techniques for protecting and managing cables during storage and use are described. The apparatus of the invention is an integration of two functional components that are used with cables of all types. First is a protective component that protects the ends of cables, which are referred to as connectors. These connectors can be plugged into devices such as computers and peripheral devices such that the respective components can be interconnected. The second component is a cable management component, which is used to manage the length of the cable. A very common example of the second component and its use is a cable clip that secures a cable that is wound up in a coil. In a general sense, the invention is the combination of the protective component and the cable management component into a single apparatus.

Abstract: Graphics processors and methods are described that encompass numerous substructures including specialized subsystems, subprocessors, devices, architectures, and corresponding procedures. Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of deferred shading, a bled frame buffer, and multiple-stage hidden surface removal processing, as well as other structures and/or procedures. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide high-performance 3D graphics with Phong shading, subpixel anti-aliasing, and texture- and bump-mappings.

Abstract: A system for providing polymorphic image data for images in a graphical user interface on a computer system includes an operating system, and an imaging object structure, the imaging object structure included in the operating system and utilized to generate images in the graphical user interface. Additionally, the imaging object structure further comprises a subclass of imaging objects, the subclasses includes singular imaging objects and composite imaging objects. The singular imaging objects further include, but are not limited to, text imaging objects, picture imaging objects, pattern imaging objects, and icon imaging objects. Additionally, the composite imaging objects generate composite images of a desired combination of singular images generated by the singular imaging objects. Further, the imaging object structure includes a SOM object structure.

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: A system and method for interfacing index based and iterator based file management routines. In general, the disclosed system maintains an iterator cache having multiple iterators. Each active iterator is associated with a most recently used directory entry. Upon receiving an index based request, the iterator closest to the index based request is identified. If the index based request is closer to the top of the directory than it is to the closest active iterator, the directory entries are sequentially examined beginning at the top of the directory with the first entry. Otherwise, the system determines whether the index based request is located above or below the closest iterator. If the index based request is above the closest iterator, the system steps backward beginning with the directory entry associated with the closest iterator until the directory entry associated with the index based request is located.

Abstract: Copy protection techniques that utilize a watermark and a permission key are disclosed. The copy protection techniques can provide single-copy copy protection in addition to different levels of copy protection. The permission key and the watermark can also permit the invention to yield variable levels of copy protection. In one embodiment, content including a watermark is transmitted to a recipient. The recipient is allowed to read the content but not record the content unless the recipient possesses a permission key.

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 is a cryptographic system using chaotic dynamics. A set of initial conditions is generated from the private key and becomes input to the chaotic system. The chaotic system generates a set of final conditions from which the public key is derived. The public key is distributed to the public. The public key can be used to encrypt a message that is then decrypted using the private key. An adjustable back door of the invention derived from a set of interim conditions can be used in conjunction with the public key to derive the private key. The degree of difficulty involved in deriving the private key is dependent on the adjustable back door. That is the value of the back door can be adjusted to vary the difficulty involved in deriving the private key. In one embodiment of the invention, the chaotic system is based on the “N-body” problem to provide cryptographic security.

Abstract: Aspects for maintaining and providing a calibrated color environment for display devices of a computer system. In an aspect of an exemplary method, the method includes determining relevant state data, including a framebuffer driver state and a display driver state. The method further includes saving the relevant state data as calibration information for the calibrated color environment. The relevant state data includes information about a display that has an effect on color, such as a framebuffer driver state, a display driver state, and phospher characteristics of the display.

Abstract: A calibration circuit and method for a proximity/touch detector allow automatic calibration to the proximity/touch detector components, chassis affects, and ambient conditions such that initial factory calibration and periodic manual calibration are not needed. The calibration circuit switches a capacitance into the input capacitance of a Schmitt trigger free running oscillator to change the output frequency of the oscillator. A capacitive sensor forms part of the input capacitance. The change in frequency simulates the frequency shift associated with the difference in input capacitance generated when an object, such as a finger, is touching the capacitive sensor and when the capacitive sensor is free from contact with the object.

Abstract: In a multi-processor system having cache-coherent sharing list, initiating a request to obtain a read-write copy updates a head of a cache sharing list from read-only status to read-write status. If another cache joins the list before the updating transaction has been completed, the present invention allows a read-only copy and a read-write copy of the head to exist concurrently in two list locations. When prepending to each of the copies coded command sets are applied based on the different states of the copies, resulting in two prepending groups, a first group associated with the read-only copy and a second group associated with the read-write copy. The method then allows servicing the read-only group while the read-write group waits. After all services to the read-only group have been performed, the head is modified and stale cache copies are invalidated. The read-write group is then serviced.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer monitor bezel including a bezel mount, and opaque planar member, and a bezel face. The bezel mount includes a frame and a mounting formation. The frame defines a frame viewing opening entirely surrounded by the frame. The mounting formation is located on the frame to mount the frame to a sub-monitor in a position wherein a screen of the sub-monitor is viewable through the frame viewing opening. The opaque planar member is located over the bezel mount. The bezel face includes a translucent planar member and an attachment component. The translucent planar member is located over the opaque planar member. The attachment component has a first end secured to the translucent planar member, extends past a plane of the opaque planar member, and has a second, opposing end secured to the frame.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed which may adopt one of many personas, depending upon the role that its owner is currently playing. The computer system includes a central repository of extensible personas available to all applications running on the computer system. Each such persona has associated therewith a suite of parameters, or specific values for parameters, which are appropriate for conducting computer implemented transactions under a particular persona. The computer system further includes a graphical user interface which allows the user to switch from persona to persona by selecting a particular persona from a list of available personas displayed on a display screen of the computer system. By selecting such persona, the user causes the computer system to globally change the entire suite of parameter values so that subsequent transactions conducted with the computer system employ the parameter values of the current persona.

Abstract: The present invention provides post tile sorting setup in a tiled graphics pipeline architecture. In particular, the present invention determines a set of clipping points that identify intersections of a primitive with a tile. The mid-pipeline setup unit is adapted to compute a minimum depth value for that part of the primitive intersecting the tile. The mid-pipeline setup unit can be adapted to process primitives with x-coordinates that are screen based and y-coordinates that are tile based. Additionally, to the mid-pipeline setup unit is adapted to represent both line segments and triangles as quadrilaterals, wherein not all of a quadrilateral's vertices are required to describe a triangle.