Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user's performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user's goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user's performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user's goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for embedding a foreign data block in a host data file. In general, in one aspect, the computer-implemented method includes receiving a host data file, the host data file having a host data file format, receiving a packet to be embedded into the host data file, the packet including a foreign data block and further including a header and a trailer that delimit the foreign data block, the header including an identifier designed to be distinguishable from all other data in the host data file, a byte pattern that indicates a presence of the header, and a character encoding format of the foreign data block, the byte pattern selected based on the character encoding format of the foreign data block, and embedding the packet in the host data file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer programs, implementing a technique for creating and using marked foreign data blocks. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes receiving a host data file and a foreign data block. The host data file has a host data file format that is a native file format for a host application. The foreign data block is not native to the host data file format. The technique includes determining characteristics of the foreign data block and generating information describing the characteristics of the foreign data block, including information marking the beginning and end of the foreign data block and further including an identifier designed to be distinguishable from all other data in the host data file. The technique includes embedding the information and the foreign data block as a foreign data block packet in the host data file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus embodying techniques useful in systems for creating and modifying documents. A state history of a document for storing document states is maintained; and, whenever an interesting operation has occurred, the state of the document is automatically captured as it exists after the operation. The captured state is added to the state history. In another aspect, the techniques identify for a user on a display device a set of states that the document has been in by operation of the system; and enable the user to designate any arbitrary one of the identified states for further operations. The techniques may provide both linear and non-linear history.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer programs, implementing a technique for creating and using marked foreign data blocks. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes receiving a host data file and a foreign data block. The host data file has a host data file format that is a native file format for a host application. The foreign data block is not native to the host data file format. The technique includes determining characteristics of the foreign data block and generating information describing the characteristics of the foreign data block, including information marking the beginning and end of the foreign data block and further including an identifier designed to be distinguishable from all other data in the host data file. The technique includes embedding the information and the foreign data block as a foreign data block packet in the host data file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus embodying techniques useful in systems for creating and modifying documents. A state history of a document for storing document states is maintained; and, whenever an interesting operation has occurred, the state of the document is automatically captured as it exists after the operation. The captured state is added to the state history. In another aspect, the techniques identify for a user on a display device a set of states that the document has been in by operation of the system; and enable the user to designate any arbitrary one of the identified states for further operations. The techniques may provide both linear and non-linear history.

Abstract: Method and apparatus rendering a two-dimensional resolution-dependent raster image as applied to a three-dimensional surface modeled object. The rendering may be performed by digital electronics, a programmed computer processor, or a combination of them. Rendering includes mapping the 2-D raster image to a portion of a 2-D parametric map of a 3-D object, rendering the 3-D object as a 2-D vector resolution-independent output, and mapping the mapped raster image from the 2-D parametric map to a 2-D output space. Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The raster and vector output is mapped to a 2-D display space. A clipping path is established for the raster image and mapped to the 2-D parametric map and to the 2-D display space. The raster image is edited and masked while displayed on a display of the 2-D parametric map. The vector output and raster output are integrated to generate a final output including both vector and raster data.

Abstract: A method for rendering a graphics image of a three-dimensional graphics model is described.

Abstract: A method for rendering a graphics image of a three-dimensional graphics model is described.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently evaluating and executing unresolved data variables used as input for functional processes in a previously defined acyclic dataflow graph (or sequence of instructions which may be so represented). Embodiments of the present invention also contemplate maintaining previously computed values of data elements so that re-evaluation of the entire data flow graph or portions thereof may not be necessary.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in a digital data processing system that evaluates functional networks. A method operates to assign a unique signature to each input constant of the network, assign a unique signature to each output of a network Function, and to store each of the constants and function outputs along with their assigned signatures. The signatures operate as an access key to the associated stored constants and function outputs, thereby eliminating a requirement to reevaluate a Function if its outputs already exist. A storage element, or Dictionary (20), stores data units, such as input data, intermediate values, and/or pointers to same, each with a unique signature. The storage element, in concert with a Dictionary Controller (18), provides for the deletion of a stored data unit that is associated with a specified signature and the retrieval of a stored data unit that is associated with a specified signature.