Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for data collection and/or software registration during software installation. One or more embodiments involve a computer presenting a screen or interface comprising a screen to a user through a display, during a software installation process of a software program, a web form embedded into a web screen. The web screen may be installation web screen for the software installation process. In at least one embodiment, the web form allows the user to input data. One or more embodiments further involve the computer providing the data inputted by the user to the software program after the installation process is complete. In one or more embodiments, the data is user identification data, customer information data, software registration data, software configuration data, and/or answers by the user to at least one survey.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing window transparency for a computer display, making windows wholly transparent or semi-transparent, on a window-by-window basis. Window transparency is triggered by monitoring messages exchanged between a program and an operating system, or by a user action. Upon detection of a first message indicating that a window of the display should be transparent, a layered display mode for the window is initiated. Upon detection of a second message indicating that the window should no longer be transparent, the layered display mode for the window is terminated. The layered mode can be controlled by the operating system or by a graphics processor.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling at least one aspect of a graphics hardware processor, in response to a command that is prompted by a vocal utterance.

Abstract: A method for displaying a desktop display surface. The method includes creating a render target surface having substantially the same dimensions as a desktop display surface, casting the desktop display surface as a texture, and setting the render target surface as a scanout read location. The method further includes creating a two dimensional rectangular object, rendering the two dimensional rectangular object by mapping the desktop display surface texture to the two dimensional rectangular object, storing the rendered two dimensional rectangular object to the render target surface and scanning out the rendered two dimensional rectangular object from the render target surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing window transparency for a computer display, making windows wholly transparent or semi-transparent, on a window-by-window basis. Window transparency is triggered by monitoring messages exchanged between a program and an operating system, or by a user action. Upon detection of a first message indicating that a window of the display should be transparent, a layered display mode for the window is initiated. Upon detection of a second message indicating that the window should no longer be transparent, the layered display mode for the window is terminated. The layered mode can be controlled by the operating system or by a graphics processor.

Abstract: A cable for conducting electronics signals in proximity to a source of electromagnetic interference, the cable has at least one longitudinally extending conductive wire having a diameter and an outer surface and a spacing member substantially coaxially disposed around the at least one wire and having a diameter and an outer surface, wherein the ratio of the diameters of the spacing member and the wire is about 4:1 and the spacing member contains no EMI shielding constituent.

Abstract: A real-time and portable graphical traffic information display device and method is provided. The real-time traffic information can be gathered for various agencies using multiple technologies. Real-time traffic information can be provided to a subscriber 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In a preferred embodiment, the portable display device includes a full color fixed map of a region's roadway system with LEDs (light emitting diodes) illuminating with various colors and/or blinking at different intervals to indicate traffic conditions at the locations represented by the LED.

Abstract: A cable for conducting electronic signals in proximity to a source of electromagnetic interference, the cable comprising:

Abstract: A double shouldered high torque resistance threaded connection for drill stem components having enhanced resistance to torque forces, tensile loads and material stress and fatigue is disclosed. The tool joint is provided with threads having a 75.degree. included angle between the thread flanks thereof and with generally elliptical root surfaces to minimize material stress and fatigue during operation under high torque and high tensile loads. When made up, the double intrerengaging shoulders of the threaded tool joint are in firm face to face engagement permitting torque forces and tensile loads to propagate through the tool joint in a manner that minimizes bending forces and minimizes high stress concentration so that the resulting service life of the tool joint is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: A home hearing test for use with a conventional home audio system comprising an audio player and a set of headphones connected to the audio player. The home hearing test includes an audio medium such as a compact disc playable in the audio player and containing a calibration tone recorded at a predetermined decibel level and a number of prerecorded sequences of tones. Each sequence has tones recorded at different decibel levels and decreasing by a step value. In a first sequence for obtaining a rough estimation of hearing threshold level, the tones start at 70 dB HL and decrease by 10 dB steps to 0 dB HL. In secondary sequences, tones start and end with tones from the first sequence and decrease in 2 dB steps. The home hearing system includes a calibration device for calibrating the output of the audio system to the ears of a person wearing the headphones against the predetermined decibel level of the calibration tone.

Abstract: The novel computer system (10) includes a host computer CPU (12), a first VGA graphics chip (14) associated with a first monitor (16), a second VGA graphics chip (18) associated with a second monitor (20) and a chip manager application running on the host computer CPU (12). The chips (14 and 18) are interconnected to the CPU (12) via PCI buses (24 and 26). The chip manager application manages access to shared computer system resources by the chips (14 and 18) so as to allow for multiple VGA-chip initialization and avoid conflicts. The invention thereby allows for use of multiple VGA devices in a PCI computer system.

Abstract: A desktop manager application (20) manages graphical object creation, repositioning, resizing and related object placement functions in the context of a multi-monitor or other enhanced desktop environment. In a preferred implementation, the program manager (20) manages multi-pass window creation by allowing a graphical user interface operating system (16) to fill in a window structure in a hidden form and thereafter analyzing the window's coordinates relative to selected display criteria such as avoiding monitor splits. Based on this analysis, the program manager (20) selectively repositions the window under consideration in accordance with the display criteria. The program manager (20) thus provides a more user friendly interface between a GUI operating system (16) and applications in the enhanced desktop environment.

Abstract: A circuit for coupling a 2- or 4-channel audio deck to 2- or 4-speakers in a car stereo audio system to increase the signal level output without raising the supply voltage or increasing the noise. The circuit comprises unity gain inverting and non-inverting amplifiers each connected in one of four channels, with the outputs combined to provide left and right channel outputs for series connection, respectively, to the left and right channel speakers.

Abstract: A closed loop, high-speed tape transporter (10) includes a vacuum supply (11A), a first vacuum column (40) operatively connected to the vacuum supply (11A) and positioned upstream from a pick-up head (100) and downstream from a tape bin (64) for receiving the loop of tape and exerting a vacuum-induced holdback tension thereon, a second vacuum column (50) operatively connected to the vacuum supply (11A) and positioned downstream of head (100) and upstream of the tape bin (64) for exerting a vacuum-induced pull forward tension on the tape in opposition to the holdback tension exerted on the tape by the first vacuum column (40). A motor-driven capstan (60) is positioned intermediate the pick-up head (100) and the second vacuum column (50). Capstan (100) is driven at a constant speed equal to the ideal reference tape duplication speed. Tape drive capstans (62A) and (70A) cooperate with the first and second vacuum columns (40) and (50) for moving the tape.

Abstract: As tape moving at high speed through a closed loop tape transporter (10) is conveyed into a storage bin (64) the tape is directed against a curved tape deflecting surface opposite and in spaced-apart relation to the bin entrance (63). A plurality of vacuum ports (96) are positioned in spaced-apart relation generally along the path of tape movement on the tape deflecting surface (64A). As the tape moves along the tape deflecting surface (64A), vacuum-induced drag is applied to the tape to create a progressive breaking force which slows the tape and causes the tape to form into loops. The loops assist the tape is accumulating in the bottom of the bin in a controlled manner.

Abstract: As tape moves through a closed loop, high-speed tape transporter (10) loops of the tape are accumulated and stored in a tape bin (64). The capacity of the tape bin (64) is increased by extracting air from and lowering the air pressure in the region of the bin (64) occupied by the loops of accumulated tape and inside the loops of tape sufficient to cause the accumulated tape to compress into tighter loops which occupy less space in the tape bin (64). Air extraction takes place through a vacuum port (95) which communicates with the interior of the tape bin (64) and which is connected to a vacuum supply (11A).

Abstract: A vacuum column (34) is used in a closed loop, high-speed tape transporter (10) to maintain constant tension on a moving loop of tape as it is delivered to a pick-up head (20) of the transporter (10). A motor driven capstan (35) intermediate a tape storage bin (23) and the vacuum column (34) pulls the loop of tape from bin (23) and delivers it to the vacuum column (34). A servo-control (39), (40), (41) senses changes in the position of the tape within the vacuum column (34) caused by tension changes of the tape within the bin (23) and sends a signal responsive to the change of position of the tape in the vacuum column (34) to the capstan motor (31), thereby changing its speed sufficient to maintain the position of the tape within capstan (34) at a relatively constant level. Sensing can be by means of a vacuum slot (34), an ultrasonic proximity indicator (42) or a series of photo-optical sensors (44), (45).

Abstract: An integrally formed ratchet (90) and star wheel (95) is disclosed which rotates in unison with a tape applicator wheel (85). Eccentrically formed fingers (96a-d) cooperate with a downwardly facing wall to align and position applicator wheel (85) into correct position after each reciprocation of the splicer (30). Correct alignment is essential because a cutter blade 127 cuts the tape on the applicator wheel into pre-determined lengths by passing through a notch (104) in applicator wheel (85). Misalignment of the applicator wheel (85) may cause blade (127) to impact the applicator wheel (85) itself, damaging or destroying it.

Abstract: An audio tape cassette winder (10) is disclosed which includes a splicer (30) which winds splicing tape ("T") onto a cassette ("C"). Tape ("T") is applied by means of a square applicator wheel 85 which simultaneously translates and rotates into and out of tape applying contact with two tape ends ("L" and "A") to be spliced. Application of tape ("T") to tapes to be spliced ("L" and "A") is assisted by positive air pressure through ports (106a-d) on respective tape carrying surfaces (85a-d) as each tape carrying surface successively applies tape ("T") to the tapes to be spliced ("A" and "L"). The positive air pressure is applied only for a very short period of time concurrent with physical impact of successive tape carrying surfaces (85a-d) with the tapes to be spliced ("A" and "L"). The invention proceeds substantially as described above with reference to the apparatus.