Abstract: A computer interconnect including a plurality of nodes, each node capable of joining to a component of a computer, each node including apparatus for transferring signals between the component and the node, apparatus for storing packets of data, apparatus for signalling each other node that a packet of data exists for transfer to a component associated with that node, apparatus for sensing signals from another node indicating that a packet of data exists for transfer to a component associated with that node, and apparatus for transferring packets of data stored at one node to the apparatus for transferring signals between the component and the node of another node.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a first computer system. Means for emulating user interaction on the first computer system and a means for determining the state of user interface objects on the display and the operating status of the first computer system is provided. In various embodiments, the means for emulating user interaction comprises a means for emulating keyboard and mouse input on the first computer system. The means for emulating mouse movement comprises a means for updating data structures in the first computer system, such that when the data structures are updated, user control of the keyboard and mouse is emulated. Means for determining the attributes of windows displayed on a display of the first computer system is provided, along with means for determining the attributes of menus on the displayed on the first computer system and means for determining the current position of the cursor of the first computer system, among other user interface objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for transforming pixel data from a data bus into an expected format for storage in a frame buffer has a first multiplexor, a second multiplexor and a controller. The first multiplexor includes two data inputs coupled to the data bus so that the first data input provides pass-through of received data, and the second data input provides end-for-end byte swapping of bus data. Input selection is made by a byte-swap control signal. The second multiplexor includes an output and four data inputs. The output of the first multiplexor is coupled to each of the four inputs of the second multiplexor so as to provide for end-for-end byte swapping from two of the inputs, end-for-end word swapping from another one of the inputs, and end-for-end half-word swapping from a fourth input. The second multiplexor is responsive to a reorder control signal that alternatively selects one of the first, second, third and fourth inputs of the second multiplexor to be gated to the output of the second multiplexor.

Abstract: A lens assembly, image capturing device and a method for using a lens assembly with an image capturing device. The lens assembly comprises a first lens mounted on a holder which attaches the first lens to a viewing device of an image capturing device. A marking on the first lens is observable through the viewing device when the lens is attached to the viewing device such that the marking is capable of being used to position the lens assembly a properly focused distance from a target having a specified (predetermined) size. The relationship, as seen through the viewing device between the size of the object and the size of the marking may be used to properly position the camera relative to the target object.

Abstract: A novel battery monitoring device is described. The monitoring device determines amount of battery self-discharge, determines amount of battery discharge from a monitoring circuit, determines amount of battery discharge from a host device when the host device is in a first power consumption mode, and determines amount of battery discharge from the host device when the host device is in a second power consumption mode. The first mode causes greater discharge of the battery during a given period of time than the second mode.

Abstract: A method of creating an editor that is executed on a first computer system is disclosed in which the editor is arranged to facilitate the editing of data from a first application program executed on a second computer system without requiting that the first application program run on the first computer system. The method includes the steps of creating a display info array that identifies the data fields that may be displayed in a data browser window portion of the editor and creating an edit info array that identifies the data fields may be edited in a detail window portion of the editor. In a preferred embodiment, validation scripts that define the types of data that may be accepted in each of the data fields that is set forth in the edit info array are identified, with the validations scripts forming a portion of the edit info array. This arrangement facilitates editing data using a foreign computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a translucent overlay image over a base image on the screen of a computer system. The method includes the steps of running an application program on a central processing unit (CPU) of a pen computer system to produce a base image in a screen coupled to the CPU; and running an overlay program on the CPU to produce an overlay image on the screen such that portions of the base image which are overlapped by the overlay image are at least partially visible through the overlay image. The overlay program is a computer implemented process comprising the steps of displaying an overlay image on the screen, intercepting screen inputs which contact the overlay image, processing the intercepted screen inputs in the CPU, and updating the application program based on the processed screen inputs.

Abstract: A self-configuring startup procedure for communications devices, including telecommunications adapters, provides unambiguous identification of the telecommunications adapter, or other communications device, connected to a serial port. The procedure does not interfere with the operation of other existing I/O devices that might be connected to the serial port, such as network, MIDI, or other serial I/O devices. The I/O device is connected to a computer through a serial interface and a serial link. When the I/O device exits a reset state, the I/O device sends across the serial link to the computer a "beacon" signal identifying the I/O device. In particular, during the beacon phase, the I/O device communicates identification and configuration parameters. Preferably, the beacon phase may be instigated by the computer using the same serial-link communications channel.

Abstract: An image processing system provides a single interface between the application program and the operating system, through which all image processing services are accessed. This interface includes a dispatcher which directs a call for a particular image processing function, as well as calls that require color matching, to the appropriate components which perform the desired services. Various functions such as color modeling, image compression, image format translation, and standard image processing are available to all application programs through the computer's operating system, in addition to color matching. This approach supports such operations as process scripting and hardware acceleration, to thereby enhance the features and efficiency of functions that are available to the user.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of event bounds adjustment methods and systems. The bounds of the event are defined by event parameters including an event start boundary, an event stop boundary, and an event duration, wherein the event start boundary and the event stop boundary may be tied to one another such that an event parameter interdependence exists.

Abstract: A method, in a digital computer having a display screen, for executing an application program in a backdrop mode that makes the application program non-removable from the display screen. The method includes the steps of designating the application program for execution in the backdrop mode and executing the application program. Further, the method includes the step of intercepting, using substitute subroutines external to the application program, selected data destined for the application program. The interception advantageously prevents the application program from responding to the selected data in a manner normally expected of the application program if the application program executes in a non-backdrop mode. The selected data that is intercepted includes data for causing the application program to quit execution.

Abstract: A computer bus bridge interconnects first and second buses, the first bus being big-endian and the second bus being little-endian. First address and size signals received from the first bus during a first bus cycle are converted into second address and data unit enable signals for transmission on the second bus during a second bus cycle. The first address comprises a low-order address portion and a remaining upper-order address portion. The data unit enable signals are generated from the low-order address portion and the size signals of the first bus. An address offset is generated from the data unit enable signals. The remaining upper-order address portion of the first address are then concatenated with the address offset and a predetermined lower address portion for use as the second address. The data unit enable signals may designate, say, up to 4 possible data bytes being transferred during a single beat on the second bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing shapes characterized by a stroke grouper receptive to a plurality of strokes formed on a screen of a pen-based computer system; a shape recognition engine receptive to a stroke group produced by the stroke grouper; and a knowledge base coupled to the shape recognition engine, where the knowledge base includes, at a minimum, knowledge concerning closed polygons and closed curves. Preferably, the closed curves of the knowledge base include both circles and ellipses. A method for recognizing digitized shapes in a computer system includes the steps of receiving at least one user-initiated stroke; grouping the user-initiated stroke with related strokes to form a stroke group; and analyzing the stroke group to make a best-guess shape represented by the stroke group. Preferably, the method also looks for other shapes which are related to the best-guess shape and modifying at least one of the location, size, or shape of the best-guess shape to conform with the other shapes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for audio signal conversion using frequency band division. By making use of the statistical properties of an audio signal, the system and method achieves significant coding efficiency, on the order of twice that achieved by linear PCM. Quantization is performed on multiple frequency bands of audio data which have different power density characteristics and sample rate requirements.

Abstract: A telecommunications adapter interfaces computing devices to the analog telephone network, achieving a tightly integrated digital telecommunications link with the analog telephone network. The telecommunications adapter takes advantage of certain host resources including, preferably, the computer's signal processor, the computer's power supply and a computer/peripheral serial interface. System cost for digital communications over the analog network is therefore reduced. Furthermore, the telecommunications adapter is able to accept and deliver a digitized representation of the analog (voice) data stream in real time, supporting both existing and future voice-band communications technologies. Finally, the invention facilitates rapid and inexpensive adaptation to the various international telephone standards. Instead of replacing an entire modem, a relatively inexpensive satellite processor (i.e., the telecom adapter) may be replaced instead.

Abstract: A bus arbitration scheme is implemented in a system where an arbitrary assembly of nodes on a system bus have been resolved into an acyclic directed graph. The hierarchical arrangement of nodes has one node designated a root while all other nodes have established parent/child relationships with the nodes to which they are linked. Each node may have a plurality of connected child ports with a predetermined acknowledgment priority scheme established. Fair bus access arbitration provides for bus granting in a sequence corresponding to the predetermined port priorities allowing all nodes a turn on the bus. The root node may always assert its priority access status to gain bus access which is useful for accommodating a root node which requires isochronous data transfer. Alternatively, a token passing arbitration scheme may be implemented where the token for bus access is passed around the nodes according to the above-described predetermined port priority scheme.