Abstract: A data processing system is coupled to a facsimile device which receives and transmits facsimile images between the data processing system and a telephone line. The data processing system includes the capability to receive a facsimile image, interpret certain images as specified commands for the data processor, and to retrieve, manipulate and transmit data in response to the specified commands.

Abstract: A computer method and apparatus enable object-linking-and-embedding controls to directly communicate with each other and share resources. The computer method and apparatus thereby relieve the container application containing the controls, from accessing controls and managing communications from one control to another. The invention method and apparatus employ a file in global shared memory. The memory mapped file holds pointers for controls to directly access other controls. Using the memory mapped file, a control object is able to directly call methods and access properties of desired other control objects. The memory mapped file also holds a window handle for each control, enabling another control to directly access a working screen view supported by the respective control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a computer system to reduce the size of an image, which comprises the following steps. First, data representing an image, a size of the image, and a desired size of a corresponding compressed image is received by the system. If processing of the image is finished, then data representing the compressed image is emitted, otherwise the image is partitioned into at least one strip to omit and a plurality of subimages, each represented by data representing the subimage, a size of the subimage, and a desired size for a corresponding compressed subimage. Then the above steps are repeated for each subimage.

Abstract: A data processing system provides a folder icon for holding representations of sheets of information in user desired order. The folder has a closed position in which a user generated label is viewable. The label is designed through a processor window activated through a tab portion of the closed folder icon. The folder also has an open position for viewing the sheets held in the folder. The folder is changed between its open and closed positions by activation of a main body portion of the closed icon and the tab portion of the open folder icon. The open folder icon provides addition or removal of representations of sheets of information from and to an area outside of the folder in a screen view.

Abstract: A handwritten character recognition system that includes a document scanner for generating scanned images of a previously created document containing handwritten characters, and a pen and digitizing tablet for real time entry of handwritten characters by a user. The handwritten character recognition system includes an image processor connected from the document scanner for receiving the scanned image of a previously created document and generating one or more ordered cluster arrays. The ordered cluster arrays contain spatially ordered coordinate arrays of skeletal image arcs representing and corresponding to the strokes of the handwritten characters wherein the spatial order represents an induced time ordered sequence of creation of the strokes of the handwritten characters that emulates the sequence of creation of the character strokes.

Abstract: A method for compressing and expanding source image representative data is disclosed. The method for compressing rasterized source image representative data comprises the following steps. The rasterized source image representative data is partitioned into a first plurality of sections each containing only blank lines, and a second plurality of sections each containing non-blank image representative data. Each section in the first plurality of sections is represented by a respective blank-line codeword. Each section in the second plurality of sections is further partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each having L lines of P pixels and a pattern. For each partitioned block, one of a plurality V of code vectors, each having L lines of P pixels and a predetermined pattern which most closely matches the pattern of the partitioned block, is selected. Each partitioned block is represented by a respective non-blank codeword representing the selected one of the plurality of code vectors.

Abstract: The data storage management system provides the capability to move and/or copy the placeholder files from one file server volume to another file server volume, even if the destination file server volume resides on a different file server. This is accomplished by the use of unique and immutable migration keys which are included in the placeholder entries to identify the location of the associated data file with absolute certainty. In addition, a duplicate copy of the placeholder catalog file is maintained in the system to prevent loss of file system integrity in the event that the active placeholder catalog file is corrupted. This placeholder data is maintained in a placeholder volume catalog which provides users with a file-system-like view of the placeholder files which reside on the selected volume.

Abstract: The data storage system is connected to a local area network and includes a storage server that on a demand basis and/or on a periodically scheduled basis audits the activity on each volume of each data storage device that is connected to the network. Low priority data files are migrated via the network and the storage server to backend data storage media, and the directory resident in the data storage device is updated with a placeholder entry to indicate that this data file has been migrated to backend storage. When the processor requests this data file, the placeholder entry enables the storage server to recall the requested data file to the data storage device from which it originated.

Abstract: A link manager for a computer system including data objects and application programs for performing operations on the data objects wherein container objects contain references to linked data residing in server objects and including a link mechanism for invoking a server application program for providing linked data to a presentation window. The link manager includes a reference selector selecting a single reference to linked data in a container object and a moniker generator to generate a moniker identifying a server object containing the linked data. The link mechanism responds to the moniker pointer by invoking a server application program to open the server object and provide the linked data to the presentation window. Each reference includes a file name and a path name and a search mechanism determines the server object directory path, which is used in generating the moniker.

Abstract: A method enables a dithered representation of an image to be converted to a continuous tone representation of the image. This undithering method compares the regions of dithered representation with sections of dither patterns to determine an appropriate continuous tone representation from which the dithered image could have resulted. When the continuous tone representation is found the region is converted into a continuous tone representation. This procedure may be spatially iterated on a pixel by pixel basis until all of the initial representation of the image is converted into a continuous tone representation. The procedure may also be modified to account for line art. Furthermore, the procedure may be applied to produce adjustments in the size of the picture including miniaturizations and enlargements of the original image. In accordance with this application, dithered portions of the original image are redithered in a manner to produce a alternative size output image.

Abstract: A method for workflow processing of objects stored in the memory of a computer system in accordance with the invention includes storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of a computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory, and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol with middleware; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional object event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on business rules, with the rules being comprised of at least one of the set of controls or procedures under which a computer implemented bus