Abstract: A bounds evaluation unit generates a bounds measurement pair corresponding to a character pattern pair determined from a handwritten word. Within the bounds measurement pair, a first bounds measurement corresponds to a first character pattern, and a second bounds measurement corresponds to a second character pattern. The first and second bounds measurements are each a bounding box that defines a left-most, a right-most, a top-most, and a bottom-most extent of the corresponding character pattern. The bounds measurement pair is compared against one or more bounds model pairs, where each bounds model pair corresponds to a hypothesized character identifier pair in which each individual hypothesized character identifier has been determined by a character recognition unit. Each bounds model pair indicates the expected size and position of a character pattern pair corresponding to the hypothesized character identifier pair.

Abstract: Connectors on a microcomputer printed circuit board backplane receive slotted insertion of a plurality of device cards containing application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Interconnection of the device card connectors is accomplished on the surface of the circuit board or internally with an electric line which interleaves the device card connectors providing increased conductor length between physically adjacent connectors, establishing an increased impedance level. The increased physical lengths of the intervening electric lines between the connectors provide increased impedance as seen by inserted device cards, which enhances the matching capabilities of the connectors.

Abstract: Unused space in a storage medium such as a read only memory is used to store additional fonts in an apparatus, thereby increasing the total number of fonts stored in the apparatus. The number of fonts made available to a user is based upon the amount of random access memory that is available for fonts. All or a portion of the fonts are made available to the user based on the amount of random access memory that is available for fonts. The number of available fonts can be increased by increasing the amount of random access memory.

Abstract: A logic module comprising a panel slidably and detachably coupled to a portion of a module housing, and a logic component detachably coupled to the panel is disclosed. The entire contents of the logic components of the logic module can be quickly and easily removed from or inserted into the module housing without disconnecting cables, connectors, plugs or cards by slidably removing or inserting the logic module into the module housing. Thus, the logic components within the logic module are quickly and easily accessible for repair, replacement, or upgrading. Further, the logic module provides simple, direct access to the logic components without the struggle to remove cables, cards, screws, or housings. In addition, the electronic signals between the logic module and the module housing are consolidated at a single location and are mated by a pivoting or floating mezzanine printed circuit board attached to the module housing.

Abstract: A system for compensating the output of an output device to eliminate reflected ambient illumination comprises a display device, a calibration memory, a reflectivity memory, a memory, a processor, an input device, a video card, and an achromatic card that serves as a standard for comparison to the output of the output device. The reflectivity memory stores the reflectivity characteristics of the output device. The calibration memory stores the optical characteristics of the output device. The memory stores the reflectivity characteristics of the achromatic card, data, and program instruction steps of the system. The output of the output device is adjusted to match the ambient illumination reflected from the achromatic card. The processor then determines the tristimulus values of the ambient illumination through the known tristimulus values of the output generated by the output device, the reflectivity characteristics of the achromatic card, and the reflectivity characteristics of the output device.

Abstract: A graphics system for use with a computer in a gray-scale mode. The graphics system utilizes a lookup table having index values to be stored in a frame buffer. The lookup table is addressed by convening color information, such as RGB color information, to a luminance value, which is then used to access the table. The index values may be used to index a second lookup table for providing luminance information. The present invention further discloses methods of insuring index values provided by the lookup table closely approximate the desired luminance value within the available gray-scale space. Further, the present invention provides methods for performing arithmetic transfer operations on gray-scales represented by indices in the frame buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving data from a queue implemented on a computer system. A queue memory structure is allocated in a memory device, the queue including a a last-in-fast-out (LIFO) and a first-in-first-out (FIFO). A data element is atomically added to the LIFO when the data element is enqueued to the queue structure, and a data element is atomically removed from the FIFO when the data element is to be dequeued from the queue, thus preventing concurrent processes from disordering the data in the queue. When the FIFO becomes empty, the LIFO is converted to a new FIFO, and this new FIFO is stored in place of the old (empty) FIFO. In one embodiment, a lock is set and the LIFO is converted to a new FIFO only when the lock is previously determined to be clear to prevent additional dequeuers from interrupting a dequeuing process. A high-priority data element can be atomically added to a head list that stores the data element at the front of the queue memory structure.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system employing a glue code for: 1) intercepting low-level device dependent information from a graphics management interpreter software tool and 2) re-construct the low-level device dependent information into a high-level object oriented data representation for each object on a given page. The interpreter software is configured such that it transmits marking request signals and associated data to a fictitious frame buffer. However, the glue code of the present invention intercepts the marking request signals and associated data and transmits back receipt acknowledgment signals to the interpreter to make it think that it is writing to a frame buffer. As a result, the interpreter software transmits all marking requests and associated data to the glue code.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for efficiently coupling an additional component to an electronic device. The invention is particularly useful in conjunction with modular electronic devices. An additional component may be mechanically and electrically coupled to a video electronic device. The added component is joined to the electronic device by a series of easy steps which include bringing the front bottom surface of the electronic device into contact with the front top surface of the added component and then rotating the rear surface of the electronic device, such that the front bottom surface of the electronic device is flush with the front top surface of the added component. The electronic device and added component include feet and receptors respectively that allow them to be easily aligned. Finally, the added component and electronic device are securely joined by a latch. Since the device and component are integral, the added device does not require a large amount of space.

Abstract: A document-centered user interface architecture for a computer system employs parts as the fundamental building blocks of all documents. All data is stored in the system as a part, which is comprised of contents and an associated editor. The contents and the functionality of the editor are available to the user wherever the part is located, whether in a document, on a desktop or in a folder. Parts function as containers for other parts, thereby facilitating the compilation and editing of multimedia or compound documents. When material from one part is inserted into another part, the computer system automatically determines whether the added material is incorporated into the intrinsic contents of the receiving part or embedded as a separately identifiable part.

Abstract: An interpretive language comprises instructions making up part of the first sequence of instructions (a test "script"). The first language comprises a first set of instructions, the first set of instructions causes a first computer system (a "host" in a preferred embodiment) to issue a series of commands to a second computer system (a "target") in order to cause the second computer system to emulate user activity on the second computer system. User activity includes emulating typing text and/or moving a mouse cursor position. The language further comprises a second set of instructions which cause the first computer system to issue a series of commands to the second computer system in order to cause the second computer system to respond to the first computer system with its state. This state includes user interface objects, and applications running in the target, etc.

Abstract: An address selective address mapping system comprises an address translation circuit, a central processing unit (CPU), a data cache, and a memory. The address outputs of the CPU are coupled to a first address bus, while the address inputs of the data cache and memory are coupled to a second address bus. The address translation circuit's inputs are coupled to the first address bus, and the address translation circuit's outputs are coupled to the second address bus. The CPU sends a pointer address via the first address bus to the address translation circuit. The address translation circuit determines whether the pointer address indicates that the next source instruction is within the subset of the most frequently executed source instructions. If so, the address translation circuit maps the pointer address to an address within the data cache. If not, the pointer address is routed through the address translation circuit unchanged.

Abstract: A circuit enabling simultaneous independent charging, sequential charging and sequential discharging of multiple batteries within a computer system and a method for charging the batteries independent of their technology or chemistry. Each battery of the multiple batteries in incorporated within a battery pack. The battery pack includes at least the battery, but may also include a module for supplying information regarding the battery to a system micro-controller unit to assist the system micro-controller unit in charging of the battery. For such battery packs, the method for charging each battery, regardless of its technology or chemistry and without hardware modification or software downloading of information, includes a monitoring phase, a charging phase and an error phase.

Abstract: A data input technique for a computer that provides the user with a historical list of potential choices for the data input is described. A historical list is displayed to the user so that the user can input data by selecting an item from the historical list being displayed. The historical list contains the most recently and/or frequently used data values for the data field that the user is inputting data. Preferably, the historical list is displayed over a form also being displayed that requires the data input into its one or more of its fields. By using the historical lists a user is able to enter data with a greater ease of use than previously obtainable. The historical can also be shared between different applications that execute on the computer system concurrently or at different times. By sharing the data between applications, the historical list becomes more useful and valuable to the user and thereby further improves the ease of use of the computer system.

Abstract: A means and method for directly manipulating text on a computer display screen. A selected block of text is first identified for manipulation. After being identified, the selected block of text is highlighted on the display screen using contrasting colors or a reverse video. A text manipulation handle associated with the selected text block is displayed. The user may then directly manipulate the selected text block by positioning a cursor within the text manipulation handle and activating a signal generation device. When this occurs, the selected text block may be moved around the display screen while remaining visible using the cursor control device as long as the signal generation device remains active. A shadow image and insertion marker associated with the selected text block is displayed while the selected text block is moveable. A cutting or copying operation may be selected when the signal generation device is activated.

Abstract: A computer system and method capable of handwriting recognition and user identification are presented. The computer system includes a CPU, a dual-function display assembly and a stylus. The dual-function display assembly senses the relative position of the stylus with respect to the dual-function display. When an appropriate prompt is displayed, a user responds by application of the stylus to the dual-function display to enter user identity, handwriting, handwriting style, handwriting preferences, and other input to the computer system. Using user-specific handwriting preferences and data, improved handwriting recognition for the user is enabled.

Abstract: A drawer-like apparatus for storing objects for use with a data set in an application window on a digital computer. The drawer is advantageously associated with a user data set instead of with an application program or an application window. The drawer further includes a visible drawer handle displayed in the application window and a drawer storage area coupled to the visible drawer handle. Unless accessed via the visible drawer handle, at least a majority of the drawer storage area is visually hidden. The drawer storage area is capable of storing a plurality of objects, at least one of the plurality of objects stored within the drawer storage area is represented upon access by a symbolic representation within the drawer storage area. There are two types of drawers, default and customizable. Default drawers are read-only storage devices and store an unalterable number of default objects.