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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A compound document in a computer, which includes a first object editor embedded in the compound document for rendering first data in a first data content area of the compound document. The compound document further includes a second object editor embedded in the compound document for rendering second data in a second data content area of the compound document, the first data content area and the second data content area being mutually exclusive. Further, there are embedded a plurality of editing controllers in the compound document for selectively editing attributes of a selection of one of the first and second data.

Abstract: Synchronization of one or more data streams comprising an electronic data connection. The synchronization of one or more data streams having inherent temporal qualities or relationships is maintained on playback so as to retain the value of these temporal relationships established at capture time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arbitrary transformation of images comprises a transformation between a source image and a destination image. Variables which define the transformation are obtained. A first value and a second value are then determined from the variables. An initial pixel is initialized and destination vectors are determined for the initial pixel. For each remaining pixel to be transformed, the first value is added to the x component and the second value is added to the y component of the destination vectors that correspond to the pixel being transformed. The method and apparatus for arbitrary transformation of images thereby reduces the number of calculations that need to be performed for such operations to two additions only.

Abstract: An appliance such as a personal computer includes a chassis, a monitor mounted to the chassis, and an outer housing encompassing the chassis. The chassis comprises a base portion, and a frame portion removably mounted to the base portion. The monitor is mounted to the frame portion in precise locational relationship thereto to form a frame/monitor unit that can be dismounted or mounted relative to a chassis base portion. The base and frame portions include mutually engageable positioning projections for precisely locating the frame portion with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: A computer operating system Text Services Manager (TSM) operates as an interface between an application and a selection of text services, enabling the user to efficiently select from among a variety of text services without regard to the specific protocol requirements of the application. The TSM architecture consists of an application program which receives user input through the input event manager of the operating system toolbox routine. The TSM receives the user input event and controls the transmission of the event to a component manager for redirection to a specific text services component, based on the instructions of the TSM. The text services component processes the input method and returns the processed input to the TSM, where the TSM directs the generation of an appropriate protocol for return of the processed input event to the application.

Abstract: A polarizing fiber-optic layer for use within a liquid crystal multilayer structure, particularly for use in a computer system having a liquid crystal display screen. The invention relates to a specially designed thin polarizing fiber-optic layer which functions both as a polarizer of light in a specific direction and as a fiber-optic material for optically resolving an image to its surface from a position optically below the fiber-optic material layer. Using this double functioning material the problems of off axis viewing, contrast (and color) distortion and parallax can be solved in flat panel displays. This inventive layer replaces several complex layers of a conventional liquid crystal display thereby greatly simplifying display manufacture and improving performance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dynamic (execution time) linking of object oriented software components is disclosed. The present invention comprises a computer system including a set of at least two software components. This invention provides a method and means for dynamically linking object oriented software components during run time execution of the program. The present includes two main features. First, a query function is provided to allow an application component to determine, during program execution time, the name and location of library classes available for use. Second, the application component can create (instantiate) instances of derived classes of an abstract base class. The application component can manipulate the instantiated object using the abstract interface provided by the base class definition. The implementation of the present invention involves processing at two steps in the software generation cycle.