Patents Assigned to Apple Computers Inc.
  • Patent number: 5446866
    Abstract: An arrangement for transmitting information from a first component of a computer system to a second component of the computer system including a source channel associated with the first component of the computer system; a destination channel associated with the second component of the computer system; apparatus for interconnecting the source and the destination channels; the source channel including apparatus for creating a stream of information in a prescribed format, apparatus for designating a destination channel as an address for the stream of information, and apparatus for transferring the stream of information to the apparatus for interconnecting the source and the destination channels; and the destination channel including apparatus for receiving a stream of information in the prescribed format from the apparatus for interconnecting the source and the destination channels, apparatus for receiving control signals apart from the stream of information, and apparatus for controlling the use of the stream o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Drako, Steven G. Roskowski
  • Patent number: 5444649
    Abstract: An associative memory is configurable to detect one of a plurality of relationships among a set of data, all within a number of cycles equal to the number of bits in the field of data upon which the sort is being executed. Because the memory is configurable, a single memory array can be used to accomplish a wide variety of results, either changing the relationship upon which the data is sorted on the fly, or providing a field programmable or mask programmable configuration input to adapt a given array design to a particular need. The array can be configured according to a configuration input to detect a relationship among fields of data stored in the memory selected from the group including "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "less than", "less than or equal to", "equal to", a minimum and a maximum. Further, the memory system can be adapted to detect the minimum of a first field in a given row and the maximum of a second field in a given row in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario D. Nemirovsky
  • Patent number: 5444709
    Abstract: A real-time data stream is transmitted in data packets from a data source in accordance with a predetermined protocol over a shared network. Data packets of said real-time data stream are received at a data destination connected to the local area network. The data destination then reconstitutes the real-time data stream using information included in the data packets in accordance with the predetermined protocol. More particularly, a plurality of data frames are transmitted from the data source, each including at least one data packet. Each data packet includes a sequence number S identifying the data packet as the Sth data packet transmitted in the data stream and a frame number N identifying the data packet as belonging to an Nth frame transmitted in the data stream. Data packets that are the first data packets in respective frames to which they belong and data packets that are the last data packets in respective frames to which they belong include flags identifying them as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy G. Riddle
  • Patent number: 5444445
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing inherently redundant data. A Unicode file is comprised of prefix group indicator bytes and suffix character indicator bytes and can therefore be separated into two files, one containing the prefixes and one containing the suffix characters. Then, each separate file can be separately compressed using means best suited to the characteristics of each. Because of the high degree of redundancy across the prefix group indicator bytes they can be more greatly compressed which in turn results in greater compression of the entire Unicode file. Multiple compression methodologies, equally applicable to any inherently redundant data file, can be applied to the prefix group indicator bytes to yield the best compression results. In the present invention, one commonly occurring byte, known as the master byte, is chosen and each exception to the master byte in the data file to be compressed is noted by location (l) and value (v) thus reducing the overall size of the data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Ke-Chiang Chu
  • Patent number: 5444835
    Abstract: An apparatus for combining a foreground pixel signal and a background pixel signal according to a blending factor signal to generate a composite pixel signal comprises first, second, and third registers; a signal selecting multiplier; and at least one adder. The first, second, and third registers store the foreground pixel signal, the background pixel signal, and the blending factor signal, respectively. The signal selecting multiplier uses the signal within the third register to selectively shift and add the signals within the first and second registers, resulting in a compound pixel signal. Each adder is used to combine the compound pixel signal with a correction signal, producing an approximation signal. A subset of bits within the approximation signal correspond to the composite pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Turkowski
  • Patent number: 5444781
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decryption using cache storage wherein imported ciphertext is decrypted to produce unencrypted plaintext data. As a communication sequence containing an initialization vector and a block of ciphertext is imported, the initialization vector is applied to a cache and to a decoder. The initialization vector is then compared with other initialization vectors stored in the cache to determine whether the specific initialization vector has previously been received and stored. If the specific initialization vector is found to be stored in the cache, then the PN sequence associated with that initialization vector is written to the decoder, and the stored PN sequence is used to decode the imported ciphertext.If a determination is made that the initialization vector has not been previously received, then the read cache signal instructs the multiplexer to connect the PN generator to the decoder, and the initialization vector is used to generate a new PN sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry E. Lynn, Jonathan M. Zweig, Richard W. Mincher
  • Patent number: 5442742
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Ann M. Greyson, Jeffrey D. Hokit, Marjory Kaptanoglu, Annette M. Wagner, Stephen P. Capps
  • Patent number: 5442305
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for testing devices such as computer systems, and computer system components such as disk drives or printers. The device comprises a main unit, the main unit having a central processing unit for executing instructions, issuing commands, and receiving data from a first device. The apparatus also has a first peripheral unit coupled to the main unit, the first peripheral unit having ports for interfacing with the first device, the first peripheral unit being interchangeable with a second peripheral unit for interfacing with a second device. The apparatus also comprises a first non-volatile memory unit coupled to the main unit. The first non-volatile memory unit comprising a first set of tests for the first device, the first non-volatile memory unit being interchangeable with a second non-volatile memory unit comprising a second set of tests for a second device. These interchangeable parts are provided so that the user may test various types of hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Martin, Randall O. Mooney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5440243
    Abstract: A statically operated dynamic CMOS logic gate that includes an FET logic network for performing a predefined logic function with respect to its logic inputs, an output node, a precharge transistor, and in some embodiments an evaluate transistor. During operation, the precharge transistor is first turned on by a clock signal during a precharge phase to precharge an output node of the dynamic logic gate to a first voltage state. During the precharge phase, the evaluate transistor is turned off by the clock signal. An evaluate phase typically follows the precharge phase, and during the evaluation phase, the evaluate transistor is turned on by the control signal to allow the logic network to perform the predefined logic function with respect to its inputs, and the logic network selectively charges or discharges the output node to a second voltage state via the evaluate transistor in accordance with the predefined logic function given to the logic inputs to the logic gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5440643
    Abstract: A circuit and method for mixing signals from audio sources provide noise reduction by employing a noise gate to selectively attenuate one of the source signals. The noise gate has a low gain state and a unity gain state. The noise gate switches to its unity gain state when a control signal reaches a predefined threshold voltage. The control signal is generated by rectifying and integrating the noisy source audio signal, so that the noise gate enters the unity gain state only when a useful sound occurs. Thus, the noise in the combined audio signal is reduced, without attenuating useful components of the source signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Wilson, Lawrence F. Heyl
  • Patent number: 5438622
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the security of an electronic codebook encryption scheme comprises a transmitter unit for encoding or encrypting data and a separate authorized receiver for decoding or decrypting the data. During the encryption of the plaintext data, a randomly generated offset is introduced into the PN sequence to vary the starting point of the PN sequence as it is applied to the plaintext data. The offset is encrypted with the secret key and the unencrypted IV, encrypted offset, and ciphertext are exported by the transmitter to the receiver for decrypting.The encoded communication is imported by the receiver and the encrypted offset portion is extracted. The receiver combines the encrypted offset with the secret key to decipher the offset value. The offset and PN sequence are then combined with the ciphertext, using an XOR gate, to recover the original plain text from the ciphertext.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Normile, Ke-Chiang Chu
  • Patent number: 5434929
    Abstract: In one method for setting character style preferences according to the present invention, a character style preference area is initially activated. Then, a plurality of variant character styles are displayed for a selected character with each character style representing a distinct way of writing the selected character that is recognized by the system recognizer. Inputs are then received, which indicate and set the probability that an input character style will be in a form similar to the selected character style. Other inputs include the selection of a different character for display, selection of a variant character style from the displayed area, selection of a reset command, and selection of a probability weight for a selected variant. The method further includes the slow redrawing of a selected variant within a selected variant group to demonstrate to the user the input strokes forming the selected variant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest H. Beernink, Donna M. Auguste, Eugeny Chechetkin
  • Patent number: 5434777
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing natural language and deducing meaning from a natural language input characterized by the steps of (a) receiving an ordered string of word objects having a natural language meaning, (b) selecting a word window length, and (c) successively moving the word window along the ordered string and analyzing the meaning of a substring of word objects that fall within the word window. The substring is removed from the ordered string if the substring has a recognized meaning, until all substrings of the ordered string that fit within the window have been analyzed. In a step (d), the word window length is reduced and step (c) is repeated until only an unrecognized residual of the ordered string remains. The meaning of the substring is analyzed by mapping the substring against a database using one or more mapping routines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Luciw
  • Patent number: 5434860
    Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides for transmission and flow control of real-time data streams over computer networks. A real-time data stream is transmitted in data packets from a data source in accordance with a predetermined protocol over a shared network, for example. Data packets of said real-time data stream are received at a data destination connected to the local area network. The data destination determines a suggested data rate for the data source based in part on a number of data packets lost during a preceding interval of time and transmits the suggested data rate to the data source. The suggested data rate is received at the data source, which adjusts its data rate of the in accordance with the suggested data rate. The rate adjustment mechanism is designed such that a network segment will not be overloaded with a single isochronous data stream connection and that a disproportionate shared of the network bandwidth is not consumed by the isochronous data stream connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy G. Riddle
  • Patent number: 5430849
    Abstract: A bi-directional data path apparatus coupled between a first bus and a second bus for allowing a plurality of data transfering devices contained on either one of the buses to transfer data to the devices contained on the other bus. The data path apparatus includes latching stations designed to receive data from the first and second buses. The data path apparatus includes a plurality of byte lanes interconnecting the byte latching stations. A control mechanism directs the transfer of data along specific byte lanes and in a specific temporal order depending on the databus size of the devices sending and receiving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Banks
  • Patent number: 5428731
    Abstract: An engine for the interactive delivery and presentation of multimedia data. The delivery mechanism is premised on a topic and panel metaphor. A topic is comprised of a series of panels. Each panel further defines the multimedia data which will be used when the panel is displayed. Each panel may also contain control and qualifier elements which are used to determine the next panel to be displayed. Control elements are used to solicit information from the user. The information is then used by the qualifier elements in determining the next panel to be displayed. Each element is stored in a database as a discrete object. This allows sharing of objects amongst different panels or topics. Prior to delivery and presentation of the data, the topic must be set-up. Set-up occurs by retrieving all the necessary panel, control qualifier and data descriptor objects. The actual data associated with multimedia data objects is only retrieved when the data is to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Powers, III
  • Patent number: 5428775
    Abstract: In a computer system which includes devices capable of writing data and generating addresses to which such data is to be written, a device to which data is directed, and address, data, and control lines connecting the devices capable of writing data and generating addresses to the device to which data is directed, apparatus for placing control signals in unused bit positions of data words, apparatus for sensing the control signals placed in the data words, and apparatus responsive to the control signals placed in the data words for modifying the use made of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Drako, Steven Roskowski
  • Patent number: D359974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc van de Loo
  • Patent number: D361063
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Stewart, Timothy J. L. Parsey
  • Patent number: D361553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele De Iuliis