Abstract: An apparatus in a hand-held computing device for providing non-simultaneous user access to a pair of mutually exclusive electrical connectors is disclosed. The present invention includes a slidable door having three operative positions. In its closed position, the door is adapted to cover the pair of the mutually exclusive electrical connectors to prevent user access. The door can be guided to stop at a first open position where a first electrical connector of the pair is exposed for user access and the other connector remains covered. The door can also be guided to stop at a second open position where the other connector is exposed whereas the first connector is covered up. One aspect of the invention includes detents associated with the three door positions for user feedback.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating routines for controlling user actions in a computer-controlled display system. Each of a first of plurality of routines may be linked for controlling the computer-controlled display system when the system is in a first context. Each of the first plurality of routines may control different aspects of the functioning of the display system, such as the functioning of various user interface objects on the display. Further, a second plurality of routines may be linked for controlling the system when the system is in a second context. Each of the pluralities of routines are activated when the system is either in the first or second context.

Abstract: A system for extending the data capacity of a primary storage device in a computer which utilizes transparent data compression. The system utilizes a compressed memory even within the primary storage device along with a compression/decompression algorithm to extend the memory space. The system also includes a water line or limit within the primary storage device to ensure that memory space is always available.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing a component of a computer system to which data is to be written to control the order of transfer of that data including circuitry for providing a numbered signal signifying that a particular component has a set of data which is to be transferred to the destination component, circuitry associated with the destination component for choosing among all of the numbered signals to select from all sets of data a next set of data in a particular numerical order, and circuitry associated with the destination component for selecting other than the next set of data in the particular numerical order.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for improving the reliability of signal detection in signal lines used to receive information transfer signals such as the request and acknowledge signals of a small computer system interface, without degrading information transfer signals which are output from the small computer system interface and without inhibiting the use of both asynchronous and synchronous modes of information transfer. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, rather than using a filter to damp an incoming signal, a time-domain filter is used to determine when the incoming signal is expected to be valid. The time delay can, if desired, be programmed by the user so that the delay can be easily varied to account for specific signal conduits and peripheral devices. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the information transfer signals can be received via the time-domain filter during an initial asynchronous mode of information transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing visual feedback to a computer user while dragging selected text is described. As its first step, the processing logic creates a text object from the selected text once the computer user has initiated a drag. Simultaneously, the selected text is visually de-emphasized. Secondly, the processing logic snaps the text object to the cursor so that the text object follows the cursor without obscuring text at the insertion point. Finally, when the computer user selects the final insertion point, the selected text is visually zoomed from the source location to the final insertion point.

Abstract: A color calibration system comprises a processor for receiving and transmitting data. A first sensor coupled to the processor detects emissive color images for providing first color sampling data to the processor. A second sensor coupled to the processor detects reflective color images for providing second color sampling data to the processor. A color output device coupled to the processor is calibrated in response to data generated by at least one of the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A CMOS differential twisted-pair driver which utilizes CMOS switches and current sources advantageously. No alternative power supply is required, the switches do not have to be low impedance and the device is low power. The preferred embodiment driver further limits signal overshoot and common mode energy. The signal transmission facility is bi-directional so an off state is provided. It is doubly terminated to provide for symmetry, improved bandwidth and reduces reflective signal noise. The double termination also provides for faster rise and fall times which reduces the systems sensitivity to receiver offset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and indicating a collision on a wireless channel are provided. According to the method, data is transmitted over the wireless channel using pulse position modulation. The channel is monitored during each pulse position modulation frame to determine whether a pulse occurs during more than one pulse window of the pulse position modulation frame. If a pulse occurs during more than one pulse window of a pulse position modulation frame, then the devices on the wireless channel determine that a collision has occurred. A transceiver is disclosed for connecting a device to a wire-based network via a wireless connection. The device and transceiver communicate over the wireless connection using pulse position modulation. If a collision occurs on the wire-based network, then the transceiver transmits to the device a signal in which pulses are asserted during more than one pulse window of a pulse position modulation frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting end points of speech activity in an input signal using spectral representation vectors performs beginning point detection using spectral representation vectors for the spectrum of each sample of the input signal and a spectral representation vector for the steady state portion of the input signal. The beginning point of speech is detected when the spectrum diverges from the steady state portion of the input signal. Once the beginning point has been detected, the spectral representation vectors of the input signal are used to determine the ending point of the sound in the signal. The ending point of speech is detected when the spectrum converges towards the steady state portion of the input signal. After both the beginning and ending of the sound are detected, vector quantization distortion can be used to classify the sound as speech or noise.

Abstract: Explicit support for custom gadgets is provided, at a system software level, in a manner that is essentially application-transparent. Specific support is provided for the addition of one custom gadget per window. The custom gadget is identified by a specific numeric code in the same manner as the close and zoom boxes. An application simply tells the system software what the custom gadget for a particular window should look like. The code responsible for drawing that window's frame then knows where to find the image of the custom gadget and will render it appropriately. When a user clicks in the custom gadget, the system software notifies the application of the event by means of the numeric code associated with the custom gadget. More particularly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a custom interactive user-interface element is provided in a title bar of a window of an application program in a graphical, event-driven computer system having a computer display.

Abstract: An interface between two buses in different clock domains. The interface includes a master buffer which is used for both master writes and slave reads. A control logic unit for each bus receives signals from a buffer manager which straddles the clock domains to gate latch pulses to the master buffer.

Abstract: The present invention is therefore directed to enhancing the efficiency with which input/output controllers execute operations in response to requests from another device, such as a main controller. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a compact set of status information signals is communicated from an input/output controller to a main controller such that the main controller can provide error control (that is, monitor input/output controller operation) without the use of interrupts. As a result, the main controller can sequentially and continuously supply multiple commands of a transaction to the input/output controller without the use of a multiple hardware interrupts. System hardware can therefore be used more efficiently and input/output controller operation can be accelerated, thereby increasing system performance.

Abstract: A file is selected for use with a document and a file identifier for the selected file is stored in a print record. The file identifier is preferably comprised of a first identifier and a second identifier. If the document with a selected file is saved, the watermark file will "stick" to the document and will be used whenever the document is printed until the file is de-selected or a different file is selected. When the document is printed, the print record is passed to a printer driver. The printer driver selects the proper file by obtaining the first identifier and scanning all of the files for at least one match. If no match is found between the first identifier and the files, an error message is returned. If there is a single match, the document is printed using that file. If there is more than one match, the printer driver obtains the second identifier and scans all of the files again searching for a single match using the first and second identifiers.

Abstract: An integral sound module provides a novel isolation system between the display unit and the audio unit. The display unit preferably includes a cathoderay tube (CRT) and associated electronics mounted within a monitor housing. The audio unit comprises a tray member, a cover, and a pair of speakers. The speakers are mounted to the cover by the second isolation means. The first isolation means is disposed on top of the cover of the audio unit to provide for coupling with the bottom of the display unit. The first and second isolation means prevent vibrations from the speakers from being transmitted through the cover and audio unit to the display unit. The cover is also mounted on the tray member to form an audio chamber. The edges of the cover and tray member mate using joints with narrow channels to provide an audio seal that resists the movement of air from within the audio chamber to outside the chamber. The audio seal provided by the joints improves the audio performance of the speakers.

Abstract: A speech recognition system operating on a computer system, where the speech recognition system uses a language model with embedded structure and attached data values, and the speech recognition system returns recognition results as a reconstructed language model with embedded structure and attached data values. An application program can receive and traverse the embedded structure of the recognition results and use the attached data values to improve the speed and accuracy of interpretation of the speech recognition results.

Abstract: The audio system having a master clock, a serial port clocked according to a serial clock from the audio system, a programmable audio functional circuitry programmable and operable at a plurality of sample rates, and a rate selection control logic which sense a ratio between the serial clock and the master clock. The serial clock is derived from the master clock. The rate selection control logic reprograms the audio functional circuitry based on the ratio, to operate at one of the plurality of sample rates in response to a change in the clock rate of the serial clock, such that the audio functional circuitry operates at another of the plurality of sample rates.