Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling communications between users of an instant messaging application and a virtual world environment. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by one or more processors, including enabling a first user to navigate the virtual world environment by controlling an avatar representing the first user. The method also includes capturing a first paralinguistic indicator made by the first user, the first paralinguistic indicator configured for communications in the virtual world environment. In addition, the method includes translating the first paralinguistic indicator into a message configured for text-based communications in the instant messaging application, the message comprising at least one of a text description of the first paralinguistic indicator and a second paralinguistic indicator configured for communications in the instant messaging application.

Abstract: Providing visual indication that an item of content is associated with a collaboration environment is disclosed. It is determined that a set of content items comprising one or more items of content comprising a body of managed content are to be displayed to a user. In the event that a collaboration content item included in the set of content items is associated with a collaboration environment of which the user is a member, visual indication is provided that the content item is associated with the collaboration environment.

Abstract: An integrated circuit can have plural core circuits, each having a test access port that is defined in IEEE standard 1149.1. Access to and control of these ports is though a test linking module. The test access ports on an integrated circuit can be arranged in a hierarchy with one test linking module controlling access to plural secondary test linking modules and test access ports. Each secondary test linking module in turn can also control access to tertiary test linking modules and test access ports. The test linking modules can also be used for emulation.

Abstract: Material selection systems and methods for quickly identifying which existing material best matches a desired set of properties are described so that product development time can be minimized. Users may input the properties they desire in a material, which properties they want searched and scored, the acceptable values of those properties, and a priority value for each property. Preliminary matching materials may be retrieved from a materials database, and an index value for each property value may be calculated. One of four fuzzy membership functions may then be utilized to calculate a scored property value for each property of each material. The scored property value may then be weighted to account for the priority value assigned to each property. The results may then be sorted in descending order based on their overall match scores, and output to the user so the best matching material(s) is readily identifiable by the user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for verifying access to logical volume stored on at least one of the plurality of storage elements. The access can involve verification that the appropriate logical volume is being accessed and may also or instead include checking of authorization of a user to access that logical volume or logical entity. A database may be maintained to track users or host computers that are permitted to access the logical volume.

Abstract: A documents control apparatus includes an attribute sharing unit that shares an attribute of a document with another documents control apparatus, an edit processing unit that edits the attribute, and a switching unit that determines whether the attribute is shared with the other documents control apparatus. The switching unit switches the edit of the attribute based on the determination. If the attribute sharing unit does not share the attribute, the switching unit allows the edit processing unit to edit the attribute as requested. If the attribute sharing unit shares the attribute, the switching unit controls the operation of the edit processing unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for recording user actions includes receiving information representing a sequence of individual software application input actions taken by a user with respect to a software application, and recording the sequence as a higher level entry.

Abstract: A method for real-time automated maintenance of an electronic database. A value parameter is associated with each data component. The use history of each of the individual data components is tracked using the value parameter. A set number of points is assigned to each data component each time the component is retrieved in response to a user-entered search request. The set number of points is added to the value parameter. A minimum threshold value is established and at pre-determine time intervals a check is made to determine if any data component within the database fails to accumulate at least a minimum threshold number of points. Data components that have not accumulated the minimum number of points are removed from the database. When a new data component is added to the database, a default point value is assigned to the value parameter of the new component.

Abstract: In a questionnaire conducting apparatus, a questionnaire conducting section presents a questionnaire to a respondent terminal of a questionnaire respondent on a Web screen via a network. A questionnaire response collector collects responses to the questionnaire for analysis, and a questionnaire corrector corrects the questionnaire based on a result of collecting and analyzing the responses to the questionnaire. The questionnaire conducting section conducts a questionnaire to the questionnaire respondent based on the corrected questionnaire.

Abstract: A bit field direct manipulation device which processes data packets using a multi-threaded pipelined machine, wherein no instruction depends on a preceding instruction because each instruction in the pipeline is executed for a different thread. The multi-thread packet processor transfers a data packet from a flexible data input buffer to a packet task manager, dispatches the data packet from the packet task manager to a multi-threaded pipelined analysis machine, classifies the data packet in the analysis machine, modifies and forwards the data packet in a packet manipulator. The multi-thread packet processor includes an analysis machine having multiple pipelines, wherein one pipeline is dedicated to directly manipulating individual data bits of a bit field, a packet task manager, a packet manipulator, a global access bus including a master request bus and a slave request bus separated from each other and pipelined, an external memory engine, and a hash engine.

Abstract: An image data input device comprises a scanner, which has a SCSI driver and a connector, and a personal computer, which has a SCSI cable. The scanner is connected to the personal computer through the SCSI driver, the connector and a SCSI cable. The scanner is provided with an EEPROM, in which an application program, for processing digital image data obtained by the scanner, and an installation program are stored. The personal computer recognizes the EEPROM as an external storage, and performs an installation operation of the application program when the scanner is connected to the personal computer.

Abstract: A multi-task structure for a software modem including a plurality of self-contained executable entities. The executable entities include at least a controller and a data pump with the controller operating as an interface between an operating system driver and the data pump when signals are passed from the operating system driver to the data pump. In addition, the data pump includes at least a scheduler and a hardware driver, the scheduler interacting with additional self-contained executable entities and enabling the data pump to operate using one or more individual ones of the additional self-contained executable entities according to the signals passed from the controller to the data pump.

Abstract: A data processing system including but not limited to a section of a first printed-circuit-board conductive element, the section of the first printed-circuit-board conductive element formed to follow at least one bent segment of a first printed-circuit-board path; a section of a second printed-circuit-board conductive element, the section of the second printed-circuit-board conductive element having at least a first part formed to follow at least one bent segment of a second printed-circuit-board path, where the at least one bent segment of the second printed-circuit-board path is substantially proximate to and has a length less than a length of the at least one bent segment of the first printed-circuit-board path; and the section of the second printed-circuit-board conductive element having at least a second part formed to follow a conductive-section-equalization feature which deviates from the second printed-circuit-board path, the at least a second part situated substantially proximate to the at least one

Abstract: A casing for enclosing a circuit board comprises pair of symmetrical halves assembled together. Each said half forms plurality of retaining means on a first longitudinal side thereof and plurality of receiving means at a second longitudinal side opposite said first longitudinal side whereby said halves are fixedly assembled together by the interlocking engagement between said retaining means and said receiving means.

Abstract: An improved battery management circuit and system are disclosed. The improved battery management system relates to the type having at least one battery cell that is connected in a circuit with battery powered components, a current sensing resistance that is located in series within the circuit, voltage measurement circuitry that measures the voltage that develops across the current sensing resistance in proportion to the current flowing through the resistance, a cutout switch that is located in series within the circuit, and means for opening the cutout switch when the measured voltage is too high. The improvement is a single circuit element which functions as the current sensing resistance and as the cutout switch, the single circuit element having first and second electrodes and a control electrode that turns the first and second electrodes "on" and "off" and wherein the current sensing resistance is an on-resistance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A signal-processing circuit has the first reference-voltage setting circuit for setting a lower-limit reference voltage and an upper-limit reference voltage for the first A/D converter, a data-storing section for storing digital data obtained by the first A/D converter, and the second reference-voltage setting circuit for setting a lower-limit reference voltage for the second A/D converter to a voltage that is lower than the voltage corresponding to the digital data stored in the data-storing section and that is higher than the lower-limit reference voltage set by the first reference-voltage setting circuit, as well as for setting an upper-limit reference voltage for the second A/D converter to a voltage that is higher than the voltage corresponding to the digital data stored in the data-storing section and that is lower than the upper-limit reference voltage set by the first reference-voltage setting circuit.

Abstract: An integrated services digital network terminator for use in an ISDN network and assosicated peripheral apparatus comprised of a first electricl connector in electrical communication with a intergrated services digital network. A second electrical connector in electrical communication with the first end of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor and the second end of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor in electrical communication with the peripheral of a integrated services digital network. The thermistor thereby preserves the termination function of the network for in fault and no fault conditions. diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic system for activating vehicle headlights upon the actuation of a windshield wiper. The windshield wipers automatically begin a wiping cycle when moisture is sensed on a windshield. In the preferred embodiment, a moisture sensing device is strategically placed in the left-hand side of the windshield, at the end of a wiper blade track. When the windshield is no longer wet, the wiping cycle will stop and the headlights will remain on for a short period of time thereafter before turning off.

Abstract: A voltage supply circuit has an energy reserve, which is charged by a voltage transformer, and a comparator circuit, which controls switching circuit components. When the supply voltage is at its nominal value, a first switching circuit component is closed, with the result, that the energy reserve is operated in open circuit and is charged by the voltage transformer. When the supply voltage drops below a threshold, the comparator circuit opens the first switching circuit component and closes a second switching circuit component with the result that, at this point, the charged energy reserve is available for the voltage supply to the circuit configuration normally supplied with voltage from the supply voltage and the voltage transformer is disconnected from the supply voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric oven with self-cleaning pyrolytic system, includes a catalyst for smoke or fumes, at least one vault resistance and one sole resistance of standard values, wherein the oven further comprises means for powering at the beginning of a pyrolysis operation, simultaneously and exclusively the vault resistance and a part of the sole resistance, so that the power supplied by this part of the sole resistance is lower than the power supplied by the vault resistance, and wherein the catalyst is produced from a material that allows its activation prior to the saturation of the oven by smoke or fumes, exclusively through the convection heat passing into a pipe housing the catalyst from the oven, and wherein means are provided for powering other resistances after the beginning of activation of the catalyst, in order to reach the pyrolysis temperature.