Abstract: Instruction methods for moving data between memory and a vector register file while performing data formatting. The methods are processed by a processor having a vector register file and a memory unit. The methods are useful in the graphics art because they allow more efficient movement and processing of raster formatted graphics data. The vector register file has a number of vector registers (e.g., 32) that each contain multi-bits of storage (e.g., 128 bits). In one class of instructions, eight byte locations within memory are simultaneously loaded into eight separate 16 bit locations within a register of the register file. The data can be integer or fraction and signed or unsigned. The data can also be stored from the register file back to memory. In a second class of instructions, alternate locations of a memory qaudword are selected and simultaneously loaded in the register file.

Abstract: A multi-configurable HSTL/LVCMOS/Open-Drain output driver circuit includes push-pull and open-drain transistors that are selectively enabled/disabled depending upon the desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A modular and highly available RAID system has a fiber channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) interface coupled with a disk array. Fault-tolerant operation is assured. The system provides dual and isolated arbitrated host and storage device loop circuits for redundant, independent input/output (I/O) paths to local and/or remote host computers. Each loop includes bypass circuits which prevent the failure of any device (host computer or storage device) from affecting the operation of loop. Orthogonal data striping may be used to further assure data integrity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for solving interprocedural problems on incomplete call graphs. For a given program, the present invention constructs a standard call graph on which the edges are updated with summary information needed to solve a given interprocedural problem such as constant propagation. Each node of the call graph having an unknown incoming edge is cloned. The call graph is then updated so that the unknown incoming edges are directed to the clone nodes and the known edges are directed to the original nodes. This results in a purified call graph on which an interprocedural problem can be solved. The present invention then creates a real clone of the procedure associated with each clone node of the call graph. The real clones are optimized according to the interprocedural solution. The present invention updates the known procedure calls of the program to call the real clones.

Abstract: A system and method for merging all subsystems within a graphics system into a single control entity, referred to herein as a dependency graph. The term "dependency graph" refers to a set of dependency nodes and the information flowing between the dependency nodes. Seamless interaction is accomplished by defining a strongly typed, rigidly enforced interface to the set of dependency nodes. Any dependency node that wants to interact with another dependency node must do so through a connection. The only parts of a dependency node that another node can control must be specified by attributes. In order for connections between attributes to be valid they must use the same type of information. Lastly, dependency nodes may communicate with each other by sending or receiving messages.

Abstract: A browser for allowing a user to navigate in a three-dimensional world having a plurality of objects provides enhanced navigational capabilities. The browser allows the user to seek to an object or location in the world, navigate throughout the world using cursor inputs and select an object to follow links associated with that object. The browser differentiates between a seek command, a select command and a travel command entered by the user via a pointing device to provide the three navigational capabilities without requiring the user to change a navigational mode of the browser. A traveler viewer allows the user to travel throughout the three-dimensional world using pointing device inputs such as single click inputs, double click inputs and click and drag inputs. An examiner viewer allows the user to examine a three-dimensional object by rotating the object, zooming in and out on the object, translating the object in the x and y direction and following links associated with the object or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronized playback and control of a movie (also referred to as time-based digital media). The movie includes one or more data structures, called "tracks", containing time-based data that is intended to be played together in a synchronized manner at a given rate of speed. The system and method allows two or more participants that are operating on different playback systems at different locations to simultaneously view and control the playing of the movie. The image on each participants display is kept synchronized with the others, providing a virtual co-location.

Abstract: A system and method for simulating motion blur. Intersections of pixel sampling points with leading and trailing edges of moving polygons are identified. The intersection points define segments of coverage of the pixel sampling point by a polygon. A segment list is sorted to identify segments that are associated with visible polygons. The segments of visible polygons are passed to shading and texturing functions which individually determine the temporal sampling points for a single polygon or a group of polygons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating interactive computer graphics images using projective texture mapping. The projective texture mapping of the present invention involves the mapping of a texture map onto a scene being rendered from the perspective of an arbitrarily positioned and oriented projection light source. The visual effect is as if the texture map were a slide being displayed onto the objects comprising the scene. During this process, homogeneous texture map coordinates are generated for corresponding geometric primitive vertex points. The vertex points of the geometric primitive are defined in terms of a world coordinate system. The homogeneous texture map coordinates of the vertex points are generated using transformation matrices of world coordinates to screen/clip coordinates and world coordinates to light source/texture map coordinates.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for providing immediate feedback to the user in an interactive television system. The system presents interactive programs to a user; each program can have a "cover bundle" for "covering" the delay between user selection of the program and the program's availability. When a user requests a program having a cover bundle, the cover bundle is downloaded first. The cover bundle provides a simple presentation (e.g., a short movie, music, and the like) to keep the user engaged while the requested program downloads.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring files from a sending user to a recipient, utilizes a drag-and-drop graphical user interface. To send a file to a recipient, the user drags and drops onto the recipient's icon an icon, or set of selected icons, representing the file(s) to be transmitted. Information pertaining to the file and the recipient is captured from the icons and used to establish a session between the sender and the recipient. The file is transferred to the recipient via the established session.

Abstract: A system and method is described for processing foreign language characters. An input processor parses input language data into combinations dictated by a set of combining rules. The combining rules are application and language dependent. The data structures generated by the input processor comprises a header and one or more characters or character strings. The header further comprises a layout field that identifies the relative position of the one or more characters or character strings.

Abstract: A moving 2D cursor is mapped onto a guiding entity in a virtual 3D space displayed on a 2D surface by determining if the guiding entity has a characteristic that may yield a discontinuity in motion along the guiding entity when the moving cursor is mapped onto the guiding entity. The cursor is mapped onto the guiding entity based on a result of the determining.

Abstract: A system and method for weighting one or more vertices in a region being deformed by free-form deformation techniques assigns a weight a vertex based on the position of that vertex within the deformation lattice. The assigned weight is used to alter the amount of displacement that the free-form deformation would otherwise have on the vertex by an amount proportional to the weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for generating a differential noise between a power and ground planes in a printed wiring board (PWB). The apparatus comprises a power plane, a ground plane, and a signal transmission circuit. A plurality of cuts comprising a first pattern is formed on the power plane. The ground plane also provides a plurality of cuts comprising a second pattern. Both the power plane and the ground plane are disposed in the PWB. A signal transmission circuit transmits a signal current over the ground plane and the power plane. The signal current induces an image return current on both the power plane and the ground plane. The first and second patterns of cuts on the power plane and the ground plane, respectively, disrupt the image return current and cause a differential voltage noise to be generated between the power plane and the ground plane.

Abstract: A connection mechanism which will positively lock a disk drive storage device to a computer housing is disclosed. A cam which may rotate within a predetermined range of motion is attached to the disk drive housing. The disk drive is coupled to a computer by the insertion of the disk drive into the housing of the computer such that the disk drive housing engages a post located within the computer housing. A channel within the disk drive housing guides the disk drive housing into the housing. Alignment pins align a connector located on the disk drive housing with a connector receptacle. The cam may then be rotated such that the cam engages the post, thereby pulling the disk drive housing into the computer housing. In the engaged position, the disk drive housing is positively secured to the computer housing since the pivot point about which the cam rotates is aligned with the post such that motion of the computer housing will not dislodge the disk drive housing.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a variable delay circuit to add delay to a clock signal. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the delay is determined and fixed by a circuit employing the concept of a lock-and-leave circuit. This has the effect of fine tuning the delay determined by the lock-and-leave circuit. Mode bits allow a user to control the rate at which fine tuning occurs. Three update rates are provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. They are slow, medium, and fast.

Abstract: A high memory capacity dual in-line memory modules (DIMM) for use in a directory-based, distributed shared memory multiprocessor computer system includes a data memory for storing data and a state memory for storing state or directory information corresponding to at least a portion of the data. The DIMM allows the data and the state information to be accessed independently. The DIMM can be configured in a plurality of storage capacities.

Abstract: A system and method that maps temporal control functions into a six degree of freedom pointing device. The six degree of freedom pointing device controls both transport and view modes within a time-based media editing system and allows a user to toggle between modes without losing visual contact with graphical objects appearing on a video screen.