Abstract: An extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system provides a platform for developing network navigation components that operate on a variety of hardware and software computer systems. These navigation components assist users in navigating from information locations quickly and accurately. Also, these navigation components may be modified or replaced with new navigation components for embedding various types of information therein. Communication among these components is achieved through novel application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows any existing component to be replaced, and allows new components to be added, without affecting operation of the network component system.

Abstract: If we assume that images to be printed will consist of a combination of natural images and computer generated images, we would like the natural images to map to the closest printable colors, and the computer generated images to map to the saturated printer colors. Usually, we cannot tell the source of a color specification, so one algorithm must suffice for both conditions. A method to combine the two is presented. First, the printable colors are measured is some device independent color sapce, such as L*a*b*. Next, the range of colors from some reference color CRT, consisting of the colors from black to monitor saturates, and the colors between, then from saturates to white, and the colors between, are calculated. The saturates are assigned colors based on what printable color a user would like to get when the user asks for a saturated CRT color. A good coice would be the color space defined by CCIR 709, but any color space could be used.

Abstract: To prevent overfitting a neural network to a finite set of training samples, random distortions are dynamically applied to the samples each time they are applied to the network during a training session. A plurality of different types of distortions can be applied, which are randomly selected each time a sample is applied to the network. Alternatively, a combination of two or more types of distortion can be applied each time, with the amount of distortion being randomly varied for each type.

Abstract: A method for the angle-independent recognition of handwritten objects including: a) receiving a handwritten stroke; b) normalizing the stroke; c) matching the normalized stroke against a stroke database to obtain at least one character part interpretation; and d) recognizing a handwritten object using one or more of the character part interpretations. Preferably, the step of normalizing the stroke includes the step of normalizing an angle of the stroke by first determining a stroke angle and then rotating the stroke by the stroke angle until the stroke is at a normalized position.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient image compression begins by segmenting an input image into a current and previous window using a loading module. An encoding module compares the current and the previous window. If the current window does not match the previous window, the encoding module alters the dimensions of the current and previous windows and repeats the comparison. If a match is found, the encoding module instructs the loading module to continue to segment the image using the altered window dimensions. In this manner, the system's segmenting is in step with the natural cycle of repetition in the input image.

Abstract: A decompression approach utilizing a single buffer to reduce working memory space decompression requirements. Loading a compressed data file into the "back end" of a buffer and progressively loading the resulting decompressed data into the "front end" of the buffer avoids allocating multiple buffers for the decompression process. Using a slop value to increase the size of the allocated buffer beyond the original uncompressed data size avoids inadvertently overwriting not yet uncompressed data still residing in the back end of the single buffer when storing just decompressed data in the front end of the single buffer.

Abstract: A display system conversion technique that provides text-mode (e.g., VGA mode) display capabilities to a computer system that lacks text-mode display hardware is disclosed. By using the display conversion technique, programs which assume or require text-mode display hardware can be made to operate properly on computer systems that lack such text-mode display hardware. According to one implementation, a display system for a computer system having an operating system, includes: a display device for displaying an image, a frame buffer for storing a bitmap of the image, a display driver for causing the bitmap to be forwarded to and displayed on the display device, and a text-mode-to-bitmap conversion system for converting text characters received from the operating system operating in a text-mode to the bitmap of the image which is stored in the frame buffer.

Abstract: An arbiter employs both an address bus arbiter and a data bus arbiter for supporting pipelined, split bus transactions. The address arbiter may be implemented using a state machine. A first through third states of the state machine grant the address bus to a respective first through third bus masters, each having a different priority associated therewith. Idle states are interposed between states. The data bus arbiter may be implemented using a circular FIFO having a plurality of pointers to keep track of present and future bus masters using the data bus.

Abstract: In a graphical user interface for computers, a scroll bar tracking and drawing procedure associates elements of the scroll bar with regions on the display. The region for the thumb can move relative to the other regions, and thereby track the movement of the cursor. Within each element's associated region, any desired pattern can be drawn. As a result, the thumb can be non-rectangular in shape. Furthermore, since the image within a region can be any arbitrary pattern, the image for the thumb can be either a complete image, to accommodate live scrolling, or a ghost image to accommodate ghost scrolling. As such, a single procedure can support both modes of operation, and permit the interface to be easily switched between the two.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly identifying the existence and location of an item in a file using an improved hash table architecture. A hash table is constructed having a plurality of hash buckets, each identified by a primary hash key. Each hash entry in each hash bucket contains a pointer to a record in a master file, as well as a secondary hash key independent of the primary hash key. A search for a particular item is performed by identifying the appropriate hash bucket by obtaining a primary hash key for the search term. Individual hash entries within the hash bucket are checked for matches by comparing the stored secondary keys with the secondary key for the search term. Potentially matching records can be identified or ruled out without necessitating repeated reads of the master file. The improved hash table system and method is employed in a contextual text searching application for determining the intersection of a text search with a hierarchical categorization scheme.

Abstract: A method and system for providing arbitration within a ringlet-type interconnect of a computer system are described. By providing different arbitration values as part of out-of-band information and introducing asymmetry at a scrubber node, fair allocation of interconnect bandwidth is achieved. The number of arbitration values can be extended from a basic set to provide additional functionality to handle specialized traffic situations.

Abstract: A user interface having a plurality of user interface elements for marking, finding, organizing, and processing data stored in a computer system. Each element typically has an appearance which is related to the data or function the element is designed to represent or perform. The elements may simply mark data within the document, or may be programmed to cause the computer to perform some function in association with the marked data. Methods of marking data and searching the memory for marked data by use of switches or buttons is disclosed. Further, useful elements for systems such as computerized camera systems, portable multimedia systems, and remote controls are also described. Some of the user interface elements of the present invention may have an appearance and/or functionality dependent upon the context in which the element is used, and/or dependent upon the user's identity.

Abstract: A system for controlling memory accesses in a memory device in a multi-processor computer system comprises a memory controller and a data storage. The data storage comprises a plurality of memory lines. Each memory line has a check field for storing a GONE code that indicates that the data is held in a cache, a g bit field for storing a G bit for confirming the code in the check field, a tag field for storing an identification of the processor in whose cache the data is held, and a d bit field for storing the true value of the G bit in rare situations. The memory controller comprises a data buffer, an address buffer, and a memory sequencer. The memory sequencer is a state machine for controlling the functions of the memory device.

Abstract: A multicast network system comprises a data network which provides a medium for data transfer. A media source having a control packet and media packets coupled to the data network broadcasts the control packet and the media packets to the data network and rebroadcasts the control packet in conjunction with the media packets to the data network. A media receiver is coupled to the network and receives the control packet and the media packets from the data network to process the control packet and the media packets to produce a media output.

Abstract: A special bridge device provides a level of isolation between two independent but compatible bus environments such that only addresses and transactions directed to the other environment are passed through, together with associated data and control information. The device includes address and transaction remapping between the two environments.During an initialization phase, this device presents itself to the host system as a simple bus device. In one preferred embodiment, the special bridge presents itself as a mass storage or memory device. The host computer performs the minimal setup for such a device. During initialization of the second bus environment, the special bridge device again presents itself only as a simple device, and preferably is not presented as a bus device to the second system at all.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the number of entities that can be serviced by a file server. The file server includes a plurality of server session sockets (SSSs), and means for assigning an entity identification number and one of the plurality of SSSs to a request from one of the number of entities, wherein each SSS can support a plurality of entities.

Abstract: An extendible stylus includes a body and an extension telescopically engaged with the body. The stylus may be extended to an open position and collapsed to a closed position, where opposite ends of the stylus are farther apart in the open position. A first, internal detent mechanism of the stylus retains the stylus in the open position. A stop mechanism preferably holds the stylus in the closed position. A receptacle, such as a hole in a case of a portable computer, is engageable with the stylus such that a second, external detent mechanism is provided between the case and the stylus to retain the stylus in engagement with the case. The case is provided with a member which engages a groove positioned on one end of the stylus to form the second detent mechanism.

Abstract: A computer system including a first component operated in response to the timing of a first clock, apparatus for storing information, apparatus for transferring information from the first component to the apparatus for storing information utilizing the clock of the first component, a second component operated in response to the timing of a second clock, apparatus for utilizing the clock of the second component to transfer information from the apparatus for storing information in a condition in which it is synchronized for use by the second component whereby the information may be immediately utilized by the second component without the need for storage by the second component.

Abstract: A power management scheme for the sound system of a computer is flexible, low-cost, and effective, both to minimize power consumption and to avoid any attendant audio artifacts. More particularly, a mix of relatively simple hardware functions are manipulated by host computer software to change the power management state of an audio codes. Because changing the audio codec power management state can cause annoying artifacts to be coupled to the audio outputs, circuitry is provided to preclude these artifacts, switched in concert with the power control circuitry. The rate at which the audio codec's internal analog reference voltage equilibrates when power is applied or removed is controlled. This prevents coupling of a step to the audio outputs, which otherwise would make a large "pop." The rate at which the analog output capacitors are charged when power is applied is also controlled, preventing a "pop" from being coupled to the analog outputs.