Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a movable cursor control device is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. One exemplary cursor control device comprises a housing, an electromagnetic emitting device coupled to the housing, and an electromagnetic detector coupled to the housing. The electromagnetic detector detects reflections of signals emitted from the electromagnetic emitting device and determines when the housing has been lifted from a surface. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. The exemplary method includes holding the cursor relative to an object on the display screen using a cursor control device activated by a user, detecting that the user no longer activates the cursor control device, and detecting that the user has lifted the cursor control device from a surface when the cursor control device is no longer activated by the user.

Abstract: A system which enables battery powered devices such as notebook computers to efficiently charge smaller mobile devices such as music players, cell phones and PDAs using the power signals provided over their data connections is made more efficient by ensuring that the power to the small mobile device is not interrupted should the notebook computer otherwise go into a standby or low-power state. The presence of the small mobile device is known and any power-down capabilities of the notebook computer are limited, at least for the period where the small mobile device is being recharged. This detection can be done at any of the levels of software present in the notebook computer. This charging and not powering down can be further optimized by determining the particular device and its charging requirements or by having the device provide feedback as to its charge state.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of performing mode selection in a video compression and encoding system. The method encodes with several encoding modes from a set of encoding modes. The method computes a distortion value for each encoding mode from the several encoding modes. The method computes a bit rate value for each encoding mode from the several encoding modes. The method computes a Lagrangian value for each encoding mode from the several encoding modes, using the distortion value, the bit rate value, and a Lagrangian multiplier. The method selects an encoding mode based on the Lagrangian values. In some embodiments, computing the distortion value includes using a function that reduces the effects of outliers. In some embodiments, the Lagrangian multiplier is a slow varying Lagrangian multiplier that varies at a slower rate than a varying reference Lagrangian multiplier for a reference encoding mode. In yet some embodiments, the method clusters the Lagrangian values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preventing loops in a full-duplex bus. One method has the acts of: selecting at least two candidates to join said bus; establishing a dominant candidate from one of said at least two candidates; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Another method has the acts of: selecting a plurality candidates to join said bus; establishing at least one dominant candidate; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said at least one dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Alternative embodiments are shown that utilize unique identifiers to facilitate candidate selection and to establish dominance on the bus.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) and accompanying functionality for binding Web page definitional elements to a back-end state (e.g., client- or server-side back-end state) and custom logic is provided. In one embodiment, a template containing definitional elements, custom logic, and bindings are generated that define all or a portion of a Web page based on input received and functionality provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods and apparatuses for transmitting multimedia data using streaming media protocols such as real-time transfer protocols (RTP) and real-time streaming protocols (RTSP) in a computer network environment. In one exemplary embodiment, a request for RTP data and its associated extension is sent from the caching proxy server to the server. The request may be for one specific type of data or multiple unrelated types of data. The server responds to the request indicating its support for the requested RTP extension data. The caching proxy server determines whether to proceed or terminate the data transmission process based on the response provided by the server. If it is determined to proceed with the data transmission process, the caching proxy informs the server to send the requested and supported RTP data. The server sends the requested data in a variable and extendible header format.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic language modeling of a document are described. In one embodiment, a number of local probabilities of a current document are computed and a vector representation of the current document in a latent semantic analysis (LSA) space is determined. In addition, a number of global probabilities based upon the vector representation of the current document in an LSA space is computed. Further, the local probabilities and the global probabilities are combined to produce the language modeling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implement time compression and expansion of audio data, with dynamic tempo change during playback. Dynamic changes in tempo are implemented at specific points in the audio signal corresponding to local minimums in the fade-in and fade-out characteristics of the compression/expansion scheme. An audio signal is marked to define temporal slices of audio data. Mark positions may be selected to minimize significant transient activity midway between consecutive marks. Fade-in and fade-out functions are associated with the leading side and trailing side, respectively, of each mark, creating a series of cross-fading “mounds” with peaks at each mark. When a tempo change is requested (e.g., a user selects a new tempo value in a user interface), the tempo change is delayed until the start of the next “mound” (i.e., the next fade-in). Thus, despite the tempo change, each mound uses a contiguous set of audio data, preventing the clicks and pops associated with skips in the audio data.

Abstract: A cooling system for a computer includes a heat spreader that is in thermal contact with at least one component in the computer, a frame casting, and at least one heat pipe coupled to the heat spreader and coupled to the frame casting for passively dissipating heat generated from the at least one component in the computer. By coupling the heat spreader to the frame casting via the at least one heat pipe, the conductive and convective heat transfer characteristics of the frame casting are utilized to provide additional passive cooling for the at least one component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of link devices as separate nodes within a single serial bus module by generating individual or a distinct configuration ROM image for each link device in the module. Each configuration ROM includes an entry for a distinct identifier representing the corresponding link device thereby creating a one to one mapping of link device to node via the distinct configuration ROM.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

Abstract: A system for automatic configuration and authentication of network devices is disclosed. A network base station, e.g., a wireless router, includes an RFID transceiver. A network device includes an RFID tag. Then the network device is brought into proximity with the base station, an exchange of information takes place between the RFID transceiver in the base station and the RFID tag in the device. When the network device is powered on, it reads the information in its RFID tag and uses this information to establish a limited connection to the base station. Once connected, the base station and network device exchange authentication and encryption parameters over the limited connection and thus establish a fully functional and secure network connection between the network base station and the network device.

Abstract: A lanyard for carrying or wearing portable electronic devices is disclosed. The lanyard includes a neck cord having data carrying capabilities. The lanyard also includes a harness that physically holds and operatively couples the portable electronic device to the neck cord. When a portable electronic device is coupled to the harness, the portable electronic device can be worn around a neck and communicate with an input and/or output (I/O) device (e.g., earphones) operatively coupled to the data carrying cord. That is, the I/O device can send data through the neck cord to the portable electronic device and/or receive data being carried by the neck cord from the portable electronic device. The lanyard facilitates greater ease in wearing portable electronic devices and enables better approaches for managing wires between portable electronic devices and peripheral I/O devices.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a system and method for halftoning using time-variable halftone patterns. Successive frames that are presented to the output device are individually halftoned. The halftone pattern is changed from frame to frame. The different halftone patterns can be generated in real time, or they can be calculated prior to halftoning and stored in memory. Additionally, the halftone patterns can be generated using any conventional halftoning technique. The same halftoning technique can used to create each halftone pattern, or the halftoning techniques can be varied when creating halftone patterns. The halftoned frames are then viewed in a sequence in time. Because the halftone pattern is changing from frame to frame, the visibility of the pattern is reduced when compared with the patterns produced by prior art halftoning methods.

Abstract: Fruit items are positioned between vertical pins located in the calyx and stem hole of said fruit item, thereby securing the fruit item by a compressive force through its core. A core tube surrounding the upper pin descends to meet the lower pin, thereby completely piercing the fruit item and isolating its core inside the tube. A cushioned ram pushes the edible portion of the fruit item down over the core tube, through a cassette of radial knives, creating a plurality of wedges that fall immediately into an enzyme bath. The bath seals freshness into the fruit item's cell structure by preventing contact with oxygen. The solid core is ejected and the edible outside portion of the fruit item is not touched or bruised by mechanical handling.

Abstract: A method of integrating audio information and video information, with a single pass is disclosed. In the system of the present invention, a first pass is made through a collection of audio and video information to determine certain information that will be needed to create an integrate bitstream. Specifically, a length in time of each video object unit is determined and a size of each video object unit is determined. This information is used to construct a video object unit table that will be used to create video object units. The video object unit table contains navigation information needed to navigate a DVD. The navigation information is generated from length in time of each video object unit and size of each video object unit. Once video object unit table is created, the system proceeds to recording an output file that contains integrated audio information, video information, and navigation information using.