Abstract: A streaming media presentation system is described. The system employs a fast method to detect a plurality of aspects about the operating environment, including bandwidth, and selects a media presentation optimized to afford the best user experience based on a plurality of streaming characteristics. The detection method is a staged method, which improves speed. In response to detected capabilities (e.g., bandwidth), the system selects an optimal stream with particular quality characteristics suited to the detected capabilities, including such features as frame rate, sharpness and frame size. The system is adaptable to existing systems that provide multiple versions of streaming presentations, whether currently automated or dependent upon user selection.

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 computer system includes a display control apparatus for preventing the display of certain characters during the bootup sequence prior to transfer of control to an operating system. The control may be instituted without significantly augmenting the basic input/output system memory requirements using a terminate and stay resident driver to cause certain interrupts which would otherwise result in screen displays to cache the screen display characters. The screen display characters maybe displayed upon user command if elected. The computer system is sensitive to a variety of conditions which require restoration of the screen display including situations which require user key input and the failure of the operating system to initiate within a certain period of time.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The system includes a scanner which produces an RGB signal corresponding to a scanned image. The RGB signal is compressed in accordance with a tone curve which is built in reliance upon input provided by the user. The resultant compressed RGB signal is conveyed to a computer. The RGB signal may be modified by a number of interface controls. The RGB signal is driven through a separation engine to produce individual CMYK signals. The separation engine relies upon the interface controls in converting the signal. Image sharpening, or unsharp masking, is performed on resultant CMYK signals to produce a sharp printed image. The image sharpening procedure includes sharpening pixels, calculating T-sums for pixels, calculating gradients for pixels, and smoothing pixels in response to the T-sums and gradient calculations. The resultant CMYK signals may be exported for further data processing, such as integration with text, or they may be sent to a printer to produce high-quality prints.