Abstract: Completion times for a set of subtasks, which are performed without interaction with a main task managing execution of the subtasks, are estimated. These estimated completion times, together with actual completion times for previously performed subtasks, are employed to determine a time interval at which a progress indicator is incrementally advanced. The progress indicator is then advanced at the calculated rate concurrently with performance of a current subtask. By adjusting for actual completion times of previously completed subtasks, compensation and correction for overestimation or underestimation of subtask completion times allows the progress indicator to adapt appropriately. The advance rate may also be dynamically adjusted to compensate for underestimation of the completion time for a current subtask.

Abstract: A pointer graphics manager is operating in a data processing system under a graphical user interface. The pointer graphics manager includes a pointer graphics editor for allowing an end user to edit the appearance of any of a plurality of pointer graphics displayed by the graphical user interface. Further, the graphics manager includes a pointer graphic selector for allowing the end user to select a change any of the individual pointer graphics or any set of pointer graphics within the plurality of pointer graphics. Within the pointer graphics, each pointer graphic represents a unique system operation and changes one from another depending upon the location of the device pointer while being displayed. Typically, the plurality of pointer graphics constitutes a device pointer file and are grouped as a pointer set. Several sets of pointer graphics are selectable by the pointer graphics selector.

Abstract: Digital video data (such as full motion video and audio) is distributed over a computer network to workstations by an analog video server. The network carries digital network signal traffic. The analog video server retrieves video data from a storage device. The analog video server then decompresses the digital data and converts it into an analog signal. The analog signal is shifted to a bandwidth (such as television channels) that is different from the bandwidth of the network signal traffic, and then combined with the network signal traffic to be distributed over the network. At a workstation, the analog signal is split off of the network signal traffic and provided to a display. Plural workstations can display the same analog signal. Schedules for broadcast times are provided on the network to the workstations. Plural channels in the analog signal bandwidth can be utilized to simultaneously broadcast plural analog signals to the workstations.

Abstract: A personal computer attachment is provided for a display station of the type that communicates with a host computer (48). The display station has a display unit (10) and a keyboard (12) to which a personal computer system unit (14) is attached. The personal computer system unit typically supports floppy diskette drives (16) and a printer (18). The display unit includes a CRT (38), a regeneration buffer (42), a keyboard adapter (46) and a feature bus (44). The personal computer system unit includes a system bus, a microprocessor, memory, a keyboard adapter and I/O interface connected to the system bus. A display adapter (26 or 28) is connected to the I/O interface. An analog input switch (52) is disposed between the buffer (42) and the analog circuits driving the CRT (38). This switch has a second input from the display adapter (26 or 28) and is controlled from inputs from the keyboard (12) to selectively supply image data from the buffer (42 ) or the display adapter (26 or 28).