Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: To compress an image, each pixel is considered. The color of each pixel, represented as an index into a color palette, is compared with the color of the pixel's upper and left neighbors and encoded to an entry in the color palette. A probability distribution is updated based on the colors of the pixel and its left and upper neighbors. Once all pixels are encoded, the color palette is optimized using the probability distribution, and the indices into the color palette for the pixels are compressed. In the preferred embodiment, the compression is achieved using a single pass over the pixels in the image, and the probability distribution is updated dynamically as each pixel is compressed.

Abstract: A system for delivering digital content on demand in a multiple unit environment includes a server local to the multiple unit environment. The server stores, in its memory, the digital content, and is capable of supporting multiple simultaneous asynchronous accesses to the digital content. A billing system tracks the bill for each unit in the multiple unit environment, based on the accessed digital content. Within each unit that supports access to the digital content, an access system (preferably a set-top box) allows a user to access the digital content.

Abstract: To compress an image, each pixel is considered. The color of each pixel, represented as an index into a color palette, is compared with the color of the pixel's upper and left neighbors and encoded to an entry in the color palette. A probability distribution is updated based on the colors of the pixel and its left and upper neighbors. Once all pixels are encoded, the color palette is optimized using the probability distribution, and the indices into the color palette for the pixels are compressed. In the preferred embodiment, the compression is achieved using a single pass over the pixels in the image, and the probability distribution is updated dynamically as each pixel is compressed.

Abstract: To compress an image, each pixel is considered. The color of each pixel, represented as an index into a color palette, is compared with the color of the pixel's upper and left neighbors and encoded to an entry in the color palette. A probability distribution is updated based on the colors of the pixel and its left and upper neighbors. Once all pixels are encoded, the color palette is optimized using the probability distribution, and the indices into the color palette for the pixels are compressed. In the preferred embodiment, the compression is achieved using a single pass over the pixels in the image, and the probability distribution is updated dynamically as each pixel is compressed.

Abstract: To compress an image, each pixel is considered. The color of each pixel, represented as an index into a color palette, is compared with the color of the pixel's upper and left neighbors and encoded to an entry in the color palette. A probability distribution is updated based on the colors of the pixel and its left and upper neighbors. Once all pixels are encoded, the color palette is optimized using the probability distribution, and the indices into the color palette for the pixels are compressed. In the preferred embodiment, the compression is achieved using a single pass over the pixels in the image, and the probability distribution is updated dynamically as each pixel is compressed.

Abstract: An architecture is shown where an execution unit is tightly coupled to a shared, reconfigurable memory system. Sequence control signals drive a DMA controller and address generator to control the transfer of data from the shared memory to a bus interface unit (BIU). The sequence control signals also drive a data controller and address generator which controls transfer of data from the shared memory to an execution unit interface (EUI). The EUI is connected to the execution unit operates under control of the data controller and address generator to transfer vector data to and from the shared memory. The shared memory is configured to swap memory space in between the BIU and the execution unit so as to support continuous execution and I/O. A local fast memory is coupled to the execution unit. A local address generator controls the transfer of scalar data between the local fast memory and the execution unit.

Abstract: An architecture is shown where an execution unit is tightly coupled to a shared, reconfigurable memory system. Sequence control signals drive a DMA controller and address generator to control the transfer of data from the shared memory to a bus interface unit (BIU). The sequence control signals also drive a data controller and address generator which controls transfer of data from the shared memory to an execution unit interface (EUI). The EUI is connected to the execution unit operates under control of the data controller and address generator to transfer vector data to and from the shared memory. The shared memory is configured to swap memory space in between the BIU and the execution unit so as to support continuous execution and I/O. A local fast memory is coupled to the execution unit. A local address generator controls the transfer of scalar data between the local fast memory and the execution unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for interfacing a processor bus or CPU to a computation engine to carry out selected tasks with improved efficiency in the computation engine. The computation engine is controlled by an MCC memory-centric controller that provides microcoded operation of the engine independently of the CPU. Essential interfacing between the processor bus and the computation engine includes storing microcode in a separate memory accessible to the MCC controller, or downloading microcode from the CPU/processor bus as needed for a specific task. The MCC controller can reconfigure the computation engine, such as memory block allocation, word size, etc. under microcode control, so that new or user-proprietary algorithms such as those used in dsp can be implemented using a standard computation engine without redesign. Execution of selected tasks on the computation engine is triggered automatically by decoding instructions that appear on the processor bus.