Abstract: A software program running on a computer automatically replaces itself with a newer version in a completely automated fashion, without interruption of its primary function, and in a manner that is completely transparent to the user of the computer. This is achieved by means of a logic module that is incorporated into programs. The logic module performs the functions of locating and identifying other versions of its associated program, determining whether the other versions are older or newer than the currently running version, and replacing older versions of itself with a newer version. As part of this operation, the logic module can copy the newer version to its current location, move the older version to a secondary location, and remove older versions of itself that have been replaced by a newer version. The new version that is to replace an older version can reside on an individual computer, or can be present on a server to which a number of computers are connected via a network.

Abstract: Relocation table entries in a executable object code file are interpreted as relocation instructions rather than as individual specifications for a particular respective relocatable information item. An abstract machine is provided for interpreting the relocation instructions and performing various relocation operations and various control functions for the abstract machine, in response to the relocation instructions. The abstract machine maintains certain variables containing information which is referenced and updated in response to certain types of the relocation instructions, thereby obviating the need to include such information as part of each relocation instruction. Certain of the relocation instruction types can also specify a particular relocation operation to be performed on a run of n consecutive relocatable information items, where n is specified as part of the relocation instruction.

Abstract: Apparatus for utilizing a single paper path for printing, copying, scanning, and sending and receiving facsimiles by combining a gear box assembly and an adjustable scan head assembly with a conventional printer. The invention contemplates a first position for scanning, copying, and sending facsimiles of an image, and a second position for printing, reproducing a copied image, and receiving facsimiles. In the first position, the path of a single sheet of paper is impeded by the scan head mechanism. In the second position, a sheet of paper onto which an image has been transferred by dot matrix, ink, or laser printing, can move through the multipurpose information transfer device unimpeded. The invention contemplates a single stationary path to which information transfer functions are added and taken away, instead of multiple paths to accommodate stationary information transfer functions.

Abstract: A method for increasing the speed of a Z-buffer process. The method operates on the observation that groups of points in a scan-line of a polygon are either all visible or all obscured by existing points in the frame buffer. The method processes visible points separately from obscured points. The method only calculates changes in point intensity for the groups of visible points. In addition, the termination of the two separate processes is controlled by placing sentinels at the edge of each scan-line of the polygon so that the comparison of the point's z-values also act as a check for process termination.

Abstract: A method of correcting a text in a data processing system is described. The method includes the step of locating a first incorrect character in the text. A character list of alternative characters for the first incorrect character is then shown to the user who replaces the first incorrect character with a correct character from the character list. The change of the first incorrect character is then propagated through a remainder of the text in accordance with a matching score and a language probability score of the remainder of the text with respect to the correct character to correct any subsequent incorrect character in the text.

Abstract: A process is provided for avoiding a gap between adjacent uniform color objects in an image. First, it is first determined whether the image data contains two adjacent uniform color objects, each uniform color composed of two or fewer characteristic color components, and whether a gap would be evident between the uniform color objects. If the image data does not contain two adjacent uniform color objects with two or fewer characteristic color components or if a gap would not be evident, the image data is processed and output without adjusting the image. If, alternatively, it is determined that the image data contains two adjacent uniform color objects with two or fewer characteristic color components and a gap would be evident, at least one of the objects is examined to determine the saturation of each characteristic color component.

Abstract: A method and system provides for increasing the throughput of serial data in a computer system when a data packet is of unknown length. The method and system includes initializing a first count register to count a length field of the data packet, the length field including a value indication of the length of the data packet. The method and system further includes storing a count for a minimum data portion in a second count register and receiving the data packet from a serial device of the computer system. The method and system further provides for transferring the length value to the RAM of the computer system and loading the count for the minimum data portion into the first count register to provide primary chaining of the first count register to the second count register. The method and system finally provides for comparing a minimum data packet length to the length value in the RAM to determine whether to utilize secondary chaining of the first count register with the second count register.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating-plate connector assembly which includes a mounting plate on which are mounted a combined power and signal pin connector, an alternating current connector and a pair of guide pins. The mounting plate is in turn mounted on the rear panel of a power supply module so that the connector plate may move within predetermined limits in two axes. The floating-plate connector assembly blind mates with a printed circuit board located within a power supply chassis. The present invention also provides a power supply system having means for securing power supply modules to the chassis that includes a handle which is pivotably connected to the power supply. The handle includes a cam and teeth which respectively engage a notch and apertures located on the base of the chassis when rotated in a first direction. The power supply module is disengaged from the chassis when the handle is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A first memory associated with a system for halftoning stores a threshold array, wherein the threshold array is comprised of threshold array values. When the pixel display values in an image are to be halftoned, a subset of the threshold array values stored in the first memory is transferred to a buffer. When all of the portions of pixel display values that correspond to the subset of threshold array values stored in the buffer have been halftoned, a new subset of threshold array values are stored in the buffer. Portions of pixel display values that correspond to the new subset of threshold array values stored in the buffer are then halftoned by repeatedly using the new subset of threshold array values stored in the buffer. This process continues until all of the pixel display values in the image have been halftoned. When the portion of pixel display values are halftoned, they can be output to an output device on the fly, i.e.

Abstract: A data structure and associated data management methods for highly flexible storage of data for a wide variety of application programs. Data is stored as a plurality of Blops, each of which has a list of Properties associated with it. Each Property contains zero or more elements. Elements can be Values, each of which has a Basic Type and consists of a variable length sequence of bytes. The Basic Type can define the format of the Value, as well as meta-information such as compression and encryption. Elements can also be Compound Types, which nestably refer to another list of Properties. Blops are stored in Containers, which map to the physical medium on which the data is stored. Containers can associate respective Container Handlers which are specific to the Container's physical medium. Related Blops in a Container can be organized into Pools of Blops. Each Container may contain one or more Pools, each Pool having a unique name within the Container. A Pool may contain multiple versions of a Blop.

Abstract: A method for filtering data to be compressed by frame differencing is disclosed. In applications where large amounts of data must be either stored or transmitted, such as, for example, digital image data, various techniques are used to compress the data. One such technique is frame differencing wherein after a reference frame or key is encoded, only the differences between each frame and the immediately preceding frame in the sequence are encoded. The present invention operates as a pre-process or in conjunction with such a technique by determining which of the changed data points can be disregarded without significantly affecting, for example, the stored image, thereby reducing the amount of data which must be stored or transmitted. The determination is made in the present invention by comparing the pattern of changed data points in the vicinity of the data point under consideration with a set of pre-determined patterns.

Abstract: A signal delay apparatus delivers synchronous signals over long and short traces. For a signal that needs to be delayed because it will be carried on a relatively short trace, passing the signal through a clocked device such as a flip flop will delay the output by a selected number of clocks. If a relatively longer trace is longer than the shorter trace by the distance a signal travels during the selected number of clock cycles, then clock signals over the respective paths will be synchronized. In a preferred embodiment, the signals are clock signals from a clock generator.

Abstract: A master agent and a slave agent are interconnected over a two-conductor bus system. One conductor is utilized to transfer data signals between the agents and the second conductor is utilized to transfer a clock signal between the agents. The master agent includes a single data port for both input and output. The slave agent includes two data ports: an input port and an output port. The input port and the output port are coupled to a single conductor, thereby allowing data to be input to and output from the slave agent on a single line. An open collector device is situated between the output port of the slave agent and the data conductor. Data is transferred between the master and slave agents by first synchronizing the agents. The agents are synchronized by first allowing the data conductor to obtain a high state. Upon sensing the data conductor high, the master agent drives the clock conductor to a low state. The slave agent responds by driving the data conductor low if the agent is ready for a transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering using band by band depth adjustment preferably begins by recording extents for each object on a page. An extent indicates where color or non-color ink begins and ends on a page. Extent blocks are then created. An extent block is comprised of at least one extent of the same ink type. Next, a band is created for each extent block. The bit depth for each band is adjusted based upon the ink type associated with each extent block. If the ink is black or white, a band having a bit depth of one is created. If the ink is color or gray scale, the bit depth is adjusted to the proper depth for that band. An object or portion of an object is then rendered into a band having the necessary bit depth for that object.

Abstract: A system for automatic subcharacter unit and lexicon generation for handwriting recognition comprises a processing unit, a handwriting input device, and a memory wherein a segmentation unit, a subcharacter generation unit, a lexicon unit, and a modeling unit reside. The segmentation unit generates feature vectors corresponding to sample characters. The subcharacter generation unit clusters feature vectors and assigns each feature vector associated with a given cluster an identical label. The lexicon unit constructs a lexical graph for each character in a character set. The modeling unit generates a Hidden Markov Model for each set of identically-labeled feature vectors. After a first set of lexical graphs and Hidden Markov Models have been created, the subcharacter generation unit determines for each feature vector which Hidden Markov Model produces a highest likelihood value.

Abstract: A method and system for highlighting typography along a geometric path by a graphics system that includes a dashing feature is disclosed. The dashing feature is first used to determine the shape of the geometric path along a segment on which the typography is positioned. The dashing feature is then used to dash the segment with a non-repeating pattern. After dashing, the segment is outset from the geometric path to create an upper path, and inset from the geometric path to create a lower path. The method and system further includes connecting the upper and lower paths to create a new shape, and then filling-in the new shape to provide a field of continuous highlighting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending first and second images stored in respective first and second VRAM buffers for production of a combined image on a computer display screen. The method includes storing a first image to be blended in a first VRAM buffer and storing a second image to be blended in a second VRAM buffer. The blending mechanism includes the process of loading the respective VRAM buffers with component 4 bit contributions of information representing first and second gray levels or color tones pixelwise representative of corresponding pixel portions of the respective first and second images to be combined. The output of the VRAM buffers combines these contributions of the respective first and second images to produce an address to a look-up table which produces at that particular address location a blended gray level or color tone representative of a blending of the two gray levels or color tones.

Abstract: A multi-level image output device performs correction of pixel values which have undergone halftone processing to compensate for non-linearities. This correction is carried out by means of a tonal reproduction transfer function, which linearizes the output values from a halftone processor before they are applied to an image generator, such as a laser modulator. By rectifying non-linear intensity of individual pixels, images can be generated with a smoother grayscale gradient. The function of the post-halftone correction can be combined with a modulator, to achieve an economy of components which make up the output device. As a further feature, a plurality of post-halftoning correction devices can be provided. One of these devices is selected to correct the data values produced by halftone processing, in dependence upon the values of neighboring pixels in an image.

Abstract: An architecture for a network printing system is provided that allows the network printer to achieve and enhance two-way communication between the host computers and the printer connected to the network. The architecture layers provide a normalized interface to the layers below so that all of the protocol/ports interact in the same way. More particularly, an imaging device protocol (IDP) and an IDP emulator enable various network service protocol/ports, both IDP and non-IDP ports, to communicate with the network printer by "seamless plug and play" connectivity. Furthermore, this architecture allows host computers to request network printer services through a client service connection protocol (CSCP) and IDP when these protocols are supported and emulates CSCP/IDP interactions when the network services do not support the CSCP/IDP protocols so that print job requests may be executed from the same print queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved user interaction and feedback on a computer system display. Interapplication dragging upon a user interface display is provided allowing a user to select a first item in a first window and move that first item to a second window which is under control of second process. Feedback is provided in the second window under control of the second process if the second application program can accept the data. In addition, other improved user interface actions are described, such as improved selection feedback, improved navigation, and improved completion feedback.