Abstract: An automatic method and apparatus for communicating information, such as teleconference data between teleconferencing systems. A first endpoint identifies communication capabilities to a second endpoint via a first message. The first endpoint notifies the second endpoint of the desire to connect via a second message. The second endpoint retrieves a timeout value from the second message and dynamically responds to the first endpoint according to the timeout value and a current context and notifies the first endpoint of confirmation to connect via a third message. The first and the second endpoint then establish communication according to the communication capabilities. The first and the second endpoint can optimize transfers of teleconference data according to the identified communication capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a schedule and a to-do list on a computer display. A computer implemented method of the present invention includes the steps of displaying a calendar controller on a computer display, selecting at least one date on the calendar controller, determining a display mode, and displaying a content area on the computer display. The content are preferably includes either a schedule or a to-do list for the selected date or dates, and both the content area and the calendar controller are concurrently active. A scheduling and to-do list apparatus includes a digital processor, a display coupled to the digital processor, a mechanism for determining a display mode, a mechanism for displaying a calendar controller on the display, a mechanism for selecting at least one date on the calendar controller, and a mechanism for displaying a content area or on the display.

Abstract: A molded frame for fixing optical elements in a liquid crystal shutter including a registration portion configured similar to a 35 mm slide frame for precisely registering the elements relative to one another and a mounting portion configured to mate with the outer surface of a CRT and couple the frame thereto.

Abstract: A system for updating the location of elements in a computer display, upon a change in the size and/or configuration of the display, that relocates objects originally rendered on a display device which has been moved or resized in a location which preserves the original, visual appearance of objects handled by that display device. A move vector is determined which quantifies movement of a display device origin. A scale vector is determined which quantifies changes in display device size to proportionalize movement for each object. Together, these two vectors indicate a placement position for a relocated object.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronized presentation of audio and video signals initially stored on a computer. A single composite file containing synchronized information characterizing the signals is generated. The data in the file is supplied as a stream to the input of a demultiplexer. Data characterizing each signal is output through one of a plurality of outputs of the demultiplexer, and supplied to one of a plurality of signal processors that generates the respective signal.

Abstract: Each device is represented by a node in a hierarchical tree, referred to herein as an interrupt source tree (IST). The root and intermediate nodes of the IST represent dispatching or determining points; this removes the need for the device drivers to contain dispatching code; the drivers now only need to contain interrupt handling code specific to the device itself. At these nodes code is executed to determine which branch to take down the IST. The bottom nodes are the leaf nodes; the leaf nodes identify the device interrupt handler. By moving the determination steps performed by the different device drivers to the nodes of the IST, the device drivers are modular and portable. Furthermore, changes to the computer system configuration, which in the prior art would require modification of all device drivers, can be adapted to by modification of the IST.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently switching between viewing modes in a computer system is described. The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a bounding area and a smaller reference region within that bounding area. The bounding area is typically a computer display screen or a window within that screen. The reference region is an implicitly or explicitly defined boundary within the bounding region. The system and method allows for automatic switching between two viewing techniques within the bounding area, based on the location of the cursor location relative to the defined reference region and bounding area. Switching between viewing modes occurs when the cursor passes across the reference region whether the mouse button is up or down. This allows the user to easily change between viewing methods without having to take explicit steps to switch between the two modes by making a selection from a selection palette or keyboard to initiate the switch.

Abstract: An arrangement in which a transmission line on a multilayer printed circuit board has an impedance which is set by forming apertures or windows (fenestration) in a nearest conductive reference plane.

Abstract: An extensible simulation system and graphical programming method enable a simulation user to program the behaviors of objects in a simulation while requiring no knowledge of computer programming concepts or languages. The simulation user defines each object's behaviors by creating Graphical Rewrite Rules through programming by demonstration. The user can selectively abstract a given Graphical Rewrite Rule (GRR) such that it applies to states within the simulation according to hierarchical object types and object property conditions. The extensible simulation system comprises a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an input device, an output device, an external storage device, predetermined amounts of Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM), and an extensible simulator.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating electroluminescent panels. An electroluminescent panel is driven by a voltage source feeding a modified bridge driven by a pulse width modulated signal. By using a pulse frequency above the range of human hearing and a modulating signal that is a sine wave of the proper frequency for operating the panel, a sine wave is generated across the panel without requiring bulky low frequency magnetic components.

Abstract: A computer system including a CPU, a screen assembly coupled to the CPU, a pointer assembly coupled to the CPU, an application program running on the CPU, a recognizer routine running on the CPU, and a recognition editor and interface (REI) routine running on the CPU and providing an interface between the application program and the recognition routine. The REI routine is operative to display an interface image on the screen of the CPU, receive ink inputs made on the interface image by the pointer mechanism, send ink inputs to the recognition routine, receive recognized objects from the recognition routine, and to send recognized objects to the application program. Preferably, the REI routine also permits recognized objects to be edited on the interface image. By making the user interface of the REI routine separate from the operating system, the application program, and the recognition routine, a consistent user interface is developed for a multiplicity of application programs and recognition routines.

Abstract: In a computer including an operating system, an event producer for generating an event and detecting that an event has occurred in the computer and an event consumer which need to be informed when events occur in the computer, a system for distributing events including a store for storing a specific set of events of which the at least one event consumer is to be informed, an event manager control unit for receiving the event from the event producer, comparing the received event to the stored set of events, and distributing an appropriate event to an appropriate event consumer, and a distributor for receiving the event from the control unit and directing the control unit to distribute an appropriate event to an appropriate event consumer.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a bus interface should immediately acknowledge a read request. In one embodiment, devices connected to a plurality of buses are assigned addresses from a first set of addresses or a second set of addresses depending upon whether the device will accept a read request within a predetermined period of time. The bus interface immediately acknowledges a read request directed toward a device with an address in the first set of addresses and delays the acknowledgement for a read request directed toward a device with an address in the second set of addresses.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a metallic main chassis section and a metallic subchassis hinged thereto. The subchassis includes a side wall and a floor forming a corner therebetween. The corner is formed by integral pieces of the subchassis extending between the side wall and floor, the pieces being spaced in a longitudinal direction. The pieces are bent to form first pockets opening transversely to the longitudinal direction. First tabs extend from the side wall in the transverse direction. The main chassis section includes an edge having second tabs spaced longitudinally and bent into U-shaped pockets. To assemble the hinge, the second pockets are inserted into spaces formed between the first pockets and first tabs, so that the first and second pockets become aligned. A hinge pin is inserted into the pockets so as to lie in the longitudinal direction. The first and second tabs are bent around the hinge pin.

Abstract: A method for manipulating notes on a screen of a computer display characterized by: (a) generating an initial note area; (b) dividing the initial note area into a plurality of note areas in response to at least one division gesture implemented by a pointing device, where each division gesture creates a header bar, including function buttons, on the computer display which visually separates two adjacent note areas; (c) modifying the size of a selected note area in response to a sizing gesture made to a header bar; and (d) scrolling in at least one note area in response to a scrolling command. Step (b) includes the steps of detecting a division gesture made on the computer screen by a pointing device, and then creating a header bar at a location indicated by the division gesture. Step (c) includes the steps of detecting the selection of a header bar with a pointing device, detecting a subsequent sizing gesture made by the pointing device, and moving the header bar as indicated by the sizing gesture.

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 multicast network system comprises a data network which provides a medium for data transfer. A media source having a control packet and media packets coupled to the data network broadcasts the control packet and the media packets to the data network and rebroadcasts the control packet in conjunction with the media packets to the data network. A media receiver is coupled to the network and receives the control packet and the media packets from the data network to process the control packet and the media packets to produce a media output.

Abstract: A method and system for formatting characteristic CRT information into a standardized format to provide a dynamic CRT characteristic profile to enhance presently used methods of recalibrating CRTs is disclosed. Present CRT parameters are measured and combined with previously acquired calibration parameters in order to create updated characteristic information for the profile. The characteristic information includes the CRT color gamut, the white and black point of the CRT and the gamma of the CRT. In addition, ambient lighting conditions may be included in the profile. This characteristic information is stored in a CRT characterization profile in a standardized format. The profile is updated whenever the CRT is recalibrated or whenever the operating conditions of the CRT are changed. Further, the profile may be employed to recalibrate a destination CRT based on a source CRT's profile.