Abstract: A Simultaneous Information Release Application (SIRA) controls the exchange of information between two or more participants via an exchange of information when the participants satisfy rules regarding mutuality. SIRA runs a questionnaire module, an offer module, and a match module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for handling communications between an application and a device through a device driver. Calls or commands are used by the device driver to access the hardware that are common to a number of different types of devices that are to be handled by the device driver. These calls or commands are used to store or save away information in the device when an application accessing the device shifts into a background state from a foreground state. These commands are used to restore information to the device when the application shifts back into the foreground state from the background state. In addition, a range of I/O ports used to access the devices are identified and predicted. For example, with video adapters, port address ranges are trapped for addresses identified through both PCI and VESA BIOSES.

Abstract: The implementation of the invention involves a conventional display window and a system for displaying a portion of said hierarchical tree within the borders of the window in combination with an implementation enabling a user to expand each nested displayed category into a displayed list of items in said category, and to collapse said displayed list back to each displayed category. There are means for scrolling said displayed hierarchy through said window. This invention provides for a set of displayed indicators, each representing a hidden expanded category in the hierarchical chain of a list of items displayed within said window. There is a further implementation associated with each displayed indicator enabling a user to select the indicator to collapse the hidden category represented by said indicator and thereby enable the display of the collapsed category within said window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for handling communications between an application and a device through a device driver. Calls or commands are used by the device driver to access the hardware that are common to a number of different types of devices that are to be handled by the device driver. These calls or commands are used to store or save away information in the device when an application accessing the device shifts into a background state from a foreground state. These commands are used to restore information to the device when the application shifts back into the foreground state from the background state. In addition, a range of I/O ports used to access the devices are identified and predicted. For example, with video adapters, port address ranges are trapped for addresses identified through both PCI and VESA BIOSES.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for handling communications between an application and a device through a device driver. Calls or commands are used by the device driver to access the hardware that are common to a number of different types of devices that are to be handled by the device driver. These calls or commands are used to store or save away information in the device when an application accessing the device shifts into a background state from a foreground state. These commands are used to restore information to the device when the application shifts back into the foreground state from the background state. In addition, a range of I/O ports used to access the devices are identified and predicted. For example, with video adapters, port address ranges are trapped for addresses identified through both PCI and VESA BIOSES.

Abstract: The implementation of the invention involves a conventional display window and a system for displaying a portion of said hierarchical tree within the borders of the window in combination with an implementation enabling a user to expand each nested displayed category into a displayed list of items in said category, and to collapse said displayed list back to each displayed category. There are means for scrolling said displayed hierarchy through said window. This invention provides for a set of displayed indicators, each representing a hidden expanded category in the hierarchical chain of a list of items displayed within said window. There is a further implementation associated with each displayed indicator enabling a user to select the indicator to collapse the hidden category represented by said indicator and thereby enable the display of the collapsed category within said window.