Abstract: A system for decoding variable length coded DVC data and methods of operating the same result in a variable length decoder engine that receives video frames having a plurality of digital interchange format (DIF) sequences and provides contiguous decoded run-length amp pairs. The variable length decode engine comprises a concatenation engine configured to contiguously format a plurality of DIF blocks of a DIF sequence to provide contiguous DCT blocks. The concatenation engine has a controller that utilizes several passes capable of running simultaneously to return the DIF blocks coded according to IEC standards to their original variable length sequences. A run-length amp pair generator coupled to the concatenation engine configured to decode the contiguous DCT blocks to provide the run-length amp pairs.

Abstract: A system and method using edge processing to remove blocking artifacts comprises an edge processor having an image converter for building an edge representation of a received image, a statistics analyzer for compiling a histogram containing edge intensities of the edge representation, a reference calculator for using the histogram to compute reference values corresponding to the blocking artifacts and an artifact remover for identifying and removing the blocking artifacts using the computed reference values.

Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.

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: In a first embodiment, multi-speed concatenated packet strings are transmitted by a first node on a serial bus. To accommodate multi-speed packets, a speed signal is transmitted immediately prior to the packet. In a second embodiment, ACK-concatenation is used to allow a node to transmit a data packet immediately after transmitting an acknowledge signal on the bus. The data packet need not be related to the ACK packet. In a third embodiment, a node which receives a first data packet followed by a data end signal on a child port, concatenates a second data packet onto the first data packet during retransmission. The second data packet is also transmitted down the bus in the direction of the node which originally transmitted the first data packet.

Abstract: A system for recovering from certain types of system software startup problems employs a user-hidden secondary startup volume stored in the computer. During a normal startup procedure, if an error is detected which would normally result in a startup failure, the computer's startup routine branches to an alternate startup application stored in the secondary volume. This startup application boots the computer from a minimal operating system stored in the secondary volume. As a result, the user is not left with a non-functioning computer. As further features of the invention, the startup application can attempt to automatically fix the detected problem, or it can suggest possible steps to be taken by the user, in order to fix the problem that resulted in the need to use the alternate startup application.

Abstract: Speech or acoustic signals are processed directly using a hybrid stochastic language model produced by integrating a latent semantic analysis language model into an n-gram probability language model. The latent semantic analysis language model probability is computed using a first pseudo-document vector that is derived from a second pseudo-document vector with the pseudo-document vectors representing pseudo-documents created from the signals received at different times. The first pseudo-document vector is derived from the second pseudo-document vector by updating the second pseudo-document vector directly in latent semantic analysis space in response to at least one addition of a candidate word of the received speech signals to the pseudo-document represented by the second pseudo-document vector. Updating precludes mapping a sparse representation for a pseudo-document into the latent semantic space to produce the first pseudo-document vector.

Abstract: A typical mouse presents great inconvenience to those who have very large hands, very small hands or those who have finger deformity. When the hands are very large, user fingers need to bend over in order to reach the button; when the hands are very small, user fingers need to stretch out in order to reach the button. None of which presents a comfortable position for these users. Furthermore, if there is any finger deformity involved, then there would be even greater difficulty in activating the mouse button for purposes such as data selection and command execution. The present invention provides an improved computer mouse that has a mouse housing having a base member and a top member. The base member is configured primarily to make moving contact with the surface of a computer pad or a table. The top member is an integrated piece having no separate mechanical button disposed thereon.

Abstract: Isochronous data packets transmitted within a digital network having a bus architecture that complies with the IEEE-1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus are stamped with a presentation time stamp value determined according to a computed packet rate for the data. For the case where the presentation time stamp field of a first packet of a second frame of data for transmission in the digital network is set with the presentation time value, the packet rate may be computed by measuring a difference between a desired presentation time value of a first packet in a first frame of the data and an actual transmission time of the first packet of the first frame. The first frame preceding the second frame in time of transmission within the network.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a hardware graphics accelerator for use in a computer system having a data processor, a system bus, and a memory subsystem including both main memory and video memory. The hard-ware graphics accelerator includes a datapath controller connected to the system bus and to the memory subsystem for receiving data from the memory subsystem, performing an operation upon the data, and returning the data to the memory subsystem; and a memory controller connected to the system bus, to the datapath controller, and to the memory subsystem for controlling the memory subsystem such that at one time the datapath controller receives the data from the main memory and at another time the datapath controller receives the data from the video memory.

Abstract: A system and method of rendering overlapping layers in a computer display, such as a windowing system, employs front-to-back assembly of the displayed image. An arbitrary number of overlapping elements, such as windows, can be presented, without requiring temporary storage space or additional off-screen buffers. The front-to-back assembly technique minimizes the number of memory transfers performed in connection with rendering an image, and avoids unnecessary reading and processing of pixels that will not contribute to the final image. Special effects such as semi-transparency, shadows, and irregular shapes can be accommodated and processed in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Aspects for achieving enhanced glyphs of a font are presented. In a method aspect, the method includes determining a glyph layer description for a selected glyph, and accessing at least one contour for the selected glyph. The method further includes accessing at least one layer style for the at least one contour of the selected glyph, and rendering the selected glyph in accordance with the at least one layer style to produced an enhanced glyph. In a system aspect, the system includes a mechanism for providing a hinted path. A glyph layer processor is coupled to the mechanism for providing and receives the hinted path. The glyph layer processor outputs enhanced glyph data. A drawing client for receiving the enhanced glyph data from the glyph layer processor for output from a computer system is further included.

Abstract: A method and device for accessing a broad data field having a fine resolution. The user selects a scale which can be varied. The scale controls a range within the data field. By moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field, the user can scan that portion of the data field. The present invention allows the user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. Thus, the user can “zoom in” and “zoom out” of different portions of the data field. In one embodiment of the present invention, a particular piece of data within the broad data field can be accessed. First, the scale is selectively varied, thereby controlling a range within the data field. Then, the range is moved to encompass portions of the data field in which the piece of data resides. Next, the scale is successively decreased while, simultaneously, points successively closer to the location are kept with the range. The scale is decreased (i.e.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improved duration modeling of phonemes in a speech synthesis system are provided. According to one aspect, text is received into a processor of a speech synthesis system. The received text is processed using a sum-of-products phoneme duration model that is used in either the formant method or the concatenative method of speech generation. The phoneme duration model, which is used along with a phoneme pitch model, is produced by developing a non-exponential functional transformation form for use with a generalized additive model. The non-exponential functional transformation form comprises a root sinusoidal transformation that is controlled in response to a minimum phoneme duration and a maximum phoneme duration. The minimum and maximum phoneme durations are observed in training data. The received text is processed by specifying at least one of a number of contextual factors for the generalized additive model.

Abstract: Rotatable door lock with an integrated security feature is used in a housing having a lockable door panel. The housing has an opening therein. The lockable door panel includes a lock cylinder having a passage extending substantially radially therethrough. The lockable door panel further includes a door panel of sufficient size to cover the opening, the door panel having a door panel opening therein for receiving the lock cylinder, and at least one door panel recess in an outside of the door panel and leading to the door panel opening such that, when the lock cylinder is turned to a locking position relative to the door panel, the passageway is accessible through the at least one door panel recess. When the door panel is moved to a closed position to cover the opening, the lock cylinder in the door panel is received in the opening and is turnable to the locking position to lock the lockable door panel to the housing.

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: Techniques are disclosed for functionally testing integrated circuit chips for the particular design for which they are intended. The techniques operate to automatically and intelligently transform a test designed for verifying the design of a simulation model of an electronic system to test patterns for an isolated test on an Automatic Testing Equipment (ATE) system, of a particular integrated circuit chip within the simulation model.