Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for performing remote system administration upon a standalone computer system, using a controlling computer system. A remote communication sequence is started. The remote communication sequence is used to initiate an HTTP request to a computer destination address. Communications between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system is established by decoding the computer destination address. A diagnostic application on the standalone computer system is initiated using the established communication between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to layout planar magnetic coils on a PCB consists of maximizing the layer to layer overlap, and consequently maximizing total inductance for the given layout area, by spiraling alternating layers inward and outward. A further benefit of the matching opposite spirals is the ability to make the layer to layer electrical contacts within the magnetic field area, thus reducing leakage inductance, and minimizing the wasted extra conductor line length needed to make the connections outside the magnetic field. The reduced conductor line length results in reduced conductor line resistance. The method is applicable to voltage transformers and isolation transformers as well as simple inductors and other magnetic devices. In the transformer case the odd numbered layers are typically connected together in series to provide a larger turn ratio, and the even numbered layers are typically single turns (i.e., no spiral) connected together in parallel to provide more current capability.

Abstract: A data communications isolation transformer uses an E—E core structure within an integrated circuit package. Two E-shaped core sections of the transformer fit together to form a core structure having a center portion and two outer portions. The center portion has twice the cross-sectional area of either of the outer portions. About the center portion fits a bobbin upon which a primary winding, a secondary winding and an electromagnetic interference shield are located. The shield lies between the two windings and attenuates common mode noise in the transformer. The shield is grounded to either the “chassis” side or the “logic” side of the apparatus. The shield may be a strip of conductive material, such as copper, or a thin conductive wire wound across the space between the primary winding and the secondary winding.

Abstract: An object detection system for detecting instances of an object in a digital image includes an image integrator and an object detector, which includes a classifier (classification function) and image scanner. The image integrator receives an input image and calculates an integral image representation of the input image. The image scanner scans the image in same sized subwindows. The object detector uses a cascade of homogenous classification functions or classifiers to classify the subwindows as to whether each subwindow is likely to contain an instance of the object. Each classifier evaluates one or more features of the object to determine the presence of such features in a subwindow that would indicate the likelihood of an instance of the object in the subwindow.

Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.

Abstract: A computer interface extension configuration that includes a host having a motherboard, an extension transmitter card, and an extension receiver. The motherboard includes a first connector that allows motherboard signals to be shared internal to the host, and a second connector separate from the first connector that supports communications with the host. The extension transmitter card is positioned within the host and is electrically connected to the motherboard of the host via at least the first connector and the second connector. The extension transmitter card has an audio controller that interfaces with the second connector independent from communications that occur on the first connector. The extension receiver is connected to a plurality of user interface devices and is extensibly connected to the extension transmitter card.

Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.

Abstract: A 3-D effect is added to a single image by adding depth to the single image. Depth can be added to the single image by selecting an arbitrary region or a number of pixels. A user interface simultaneously displays the single image and novel views of the single original image taken from virtual camera positions rotated relative to the original field of view. Depths given to the original image allow pixels to be reprojected onto the novel views to allow the user to observe the depth changes as they are being added. Functions are provided to edit gaps or voids generated in the process of adding depth to the single image. The gaps occur because of depth discontinuities between regions to which depth has been added and the voids are due to the uncovering of previously occluded surfaces in the original image.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of managing conditions in a network of network devices. A management system identifies conditions on the network by periodically polling the network devices or in response to a message from a network device. The management system maintains an event list that keeps track of the network conditions. The event list is automatically updated (entries added or removed) by the management system as conditions appear or become resolved.

Abstract: A computer security system whereby access is controlled by remote enablement or disablement. The system can be coupled with third-party products to accommodate satellite transmissions for long-distance access control.

Abstract: A technique provides data from an information signal. The technique involves receiving the information signal in the forwarded clock device synchronously with a forwarded clock signal. The technique further involves recovering data contained within the information signal synchronously with a recovery clock signal such that the data is recovered with (i) a particular cycle latency when the recovery clock signal has an optimal rate for the forwarded clock device, and (ii) a different cycle latency when the recovery clock signal has a sub-optimal rate. The particular cycle latency may include more cycles than the different cycle latency. As such, the time latency may be shorter when the recovery clock signal has the sub-optimal rate.

Abstract: A system for running in, in which multiple PCI bus connections are each bridged to multiple boards-under-test. The presence or absence of power in each of these bus connections is monitored, and the boards-under-test are correspondingly powered up (or not). Multiple test-bed subboards are preferably used, each with multiple sockets for receiving boards-under-test with high-insertion-force connectors, and the independent power control permits the boards-under-test on one subboard to be powered off and swapped while the boards-under-test on the other subboard are still being exercised. Preferable a single movable extractor mechanism is mounted on each subboard, and can be positioned (with respect to any one of the high-insertion-force connectors) for linear extraction of the board-under-test without any torque.

Abstract: A sense amplifier for sensing an input voltage level of a data signal. Such a sense amplifier pre-charges, and subsequently discharges, a pair of nodes through a respective pair of discharge paths. Each of those discharge paths is capable of performing the discharge operation at a rate that is related to either a system voltage supply or an input logic level of the data signal. Because the discharge path that is associated with the data signal includes a greater amount of conductance, it can perform the discharge operation at a faster rate, even where the input logic level does not exceed the voltage of the system voltage supply. A determination is made as to which of the discharge is the faster and, responsively, a rail-to-rail output signal having the same polarity as the data signal, is generated.

Abstract: A method for aiding use of a computer includes receiving a home base signal, and in response to the home base signal, transferring control of the computer to a user home base application.

Abstract: A dynamic search result refinement for refining a general search query into a more specific search query. For a general search query, a user is presented with a list of more specific queries. The entries in the list selected from a log-file of queries according to the index frequency of each query. The user can choose a new query from the list of more specific queries and run a database search. The user also has the option to be presented with a list of even more specific queries based on the chosen query and to have a database search run with one of these queries.

Abstract: A method controls a Web search for server computer resources by an end-user Web crawler. Each resource, such as a Web page, is located by a resource address specified as a character string. The end-user defines a scope for an initial Web search by settings. The settings are used to search the Web for resources limited by the scope. The set of resources located during the search are rendered on output device, and positive and negative examples are selected from the set of resources to infer a rule. The rule is displayed, as well as a subset of resources that match on the rule. The selecting, inferring, and rendering steps are repeated while searching until a final rule is obtained. The rule matches resources that the crawler should process and does not match resource that it should avoid.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing video data in a computer has video processing that is distributed between preprocessing hardware in a video capture/controller card and a central processing unit of the computer. Frames of video data are passed to a motion estimation unit of the preprocessing hardware. This unit generates motion information describing inter-frame changes in the video data. Next, motion-compensated temporal filtering is performed on the frames of video data using the motion information. A video frame processing unit of the controller card, used for processing video data to the monitor, is reused for the temporal filtering of the input video data. Finally, the temporally-filtered video data is passed to the central processing unit, which performs inter-frame and/or intra-frame compression with reference to the motion information.

Abstract: A self-repair method for a random access memory (RAM) array comprises writing a value to the memory array, reading a value from the memory array and comparing the read and write values to identify faulty memory cells in the memory array. An address of a newly-discovered faulty memory cell is compared to at least one address of at least one previously-discovered faulty memory cell. The address of the newly discovered faulty memory cell is stored if a column or row address of the newly-discovered faulty cell does not match any column or row address, respectively, of a previously-discovered faulty memory cell. Flags are set to indicate that a spare row or a spare column must replace the row or column, respectively, identified by the address of the previously-discovered faulty memory cell, if the row or column address of the newly-discovered memory cell matches the respective row or column address of the previously-discovered faulty memory cell.

Abstract: Undesirable behavior patterns of computers on a network impact network performance. A system and method are provided for limiting the impact of undesirable behavior of computers on the network. The network, through which packets of data are interchanged between the computers, includes one or more forwarding devices that are controlled or instructed by one or more packet traffic monitors. Each of the packet traffic monitors is configured for monitoring the packets; for determining if the information about the pattern of behavior from any of the computers is trustworthy; for determining, upon discovering that one or more of the patterns of behavior is undesirable, a type of the undesirable pattern behavior; and for determining a proper action for mitigating that type of undesirable behavior. The proper action is performed by mitigation means controlling the one or more forwarding devices.

Abstract: A built-in integrated connector module for a portable computer includes a support plate that attaches to a mini-PCI card and two communication jacks. Electronic interconnection such as a flex cable or wiring is provided between the jack and the mini-PCI card. The entire module is secured in supporting structures provided within the housing of a portable computer such that the module may be installed reliably and conveniently.