Abstract: A decrypting compiler that accepts encrypted source code from a software manufacturer, decrypts the encrypted source code into plain text that is not accessible outside the compiler, and compiles the decrypted source code into linkable binary objects. Because the decrypting compiler decrypts the encrypted source code such that the plain text is not accessible outside the compiler, trade secret and proprietary information from the source code is not easily learned by third-party software developers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling a presentation device coupled to the presentation system using a user interface generated by a computing system, the user interface including one or more regions which vary in size based on whether the user interface is being displayed, the user interface accepting input from a pointing device to control the presentation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling a presentation device coupled to the presentation system using a user interface generated by a computing system, the user interface including one or more regions which vary in size based on whether the user interface is being displayed, the user interface accepting input from a pointing device to control the presentation device.

Abstract: A digital video network interface for transferring isochronous video data over an asynchronous local area network, including an isochronous interface for transmitting digital video data isochronously, a memory comprising first and second buffers for storing the isochronous video data, a network interface for transmitting video data from either the first or second buffers over the asynchronous local area network, and a memory buffer manager for controlling the output of the video data over the asynchronous local area network and for controlling the input/output of video data into/from the first or second buffers, wherein, when either the first or second buffers is filled with video data, the memory buffer manager shifts the input of data into an empty buffer and begins outputting video data to the asynchronous local area network from a filled buffer, upon receiving access to the local area network.

Abstract: Dump and debug utilities which provide mechanisms, for a network user from his or her workstation which is connected to a local area network, to remotely examine and control software executing on an interface board connected elsewhere to the network. The dump and debug facilities allow a network user to locate accessible interface boards and to issue dump and debug commands by which dump/debug network packets are constructed, and transmitted over the LAN to the interface board. Thereafter, the dump and debug utilities receive dump/debug packets generated by the interface board in response to the workstation packet, decode the packet, and display the results to the user. At the interface board side, the dump/debug packets received from the network workstation are intercepted by the data link layer of the board's interrupt handler, and are processed in an interrupt-disabled state whereby appropriate dump and debug capabilities can be carried out even if the interface board is otherwise non-operational.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multiprotocol operation of an interactive network board which ties a peripheral to a local area network and which executes first and second peripheral servers for servicing jobs from respectively different operating systems. The first server checks its operating system job queue and receives job information from the operating system according to a first protocol. The first server seizes exclusive control over the peripheral and signals to other servers that the first server has control. In coordination with the first server, the second server checks its operating system job queue and receives job information from the operating system. When the first server relinquishes control over the peripheral, the second server can seize exclusive control over the peripheral so as to send its job information to the peripheral.

Abstract: A network interface board which breaks out the functionality of a digital copier, namely scanning functionality and printing functionality, and makes that functionality available to local area network users. The functionality is made available to the local area network users in a multi-tasking environment by which different functionality is available to the different users concurrently. Specifically, a digital copier which includes a scanner part and a printer part includes an interface bus by which image data for the scanner part and the printer part is accessible. A multi-device controller is connected to the interface bus such that the multi-device controller provides interface to the scanner part and to the printer part. The multi-device controller also provides an interface to additional option boards via an MDC bus and a video bus. A network interface board is connected on one end to the MDC bus and to the video bus and is connected on the other end to a local area network.

Abstract: A fail-safe flash for an EPROM that is arranged into separately erasable sectors proceeds in a stepwise procedure. The EPROM is divided into at least three regions including a boot block region, a file region and a directory region. The boot block region stores at least two independently erasable boot blocks, only one of which is designated as a current boot block, which performs scanning of the directory region so as to determine a current directory in the directory region. The file region stores all executables, including executables designated as critical and non-critical. The directory region stores multiple directories, only one of which is a current directory, which designates which is the current boot block, which of the files stored in the file region are available for loading for execution, as well as which of the files are critical and which are non-critical. In the first step to flash the EPROM, the unused region of the boot block is updated with the new boot block.

Abstract: A network communication device has plural different connectors, each connectable to a network, and is capable of automatically selecting between the different connectors for network communication. A selector responsive to a selection signal selects one of the plural connectors, and a plurality of detectors, each associated with a corresponding connector, detects whether its corresponding connector is connected to the network. A processor executes a selection process by outputting a selection signal so as to select, in turn, each of the plural different connectors starting with a first connector, maintaining the state of the selection signal in a case where the detector associated with the selected connector indicates connection to the network, cycling to the next connector in a case where the detector does not indicate connection to the network, and repeating the selection process in a case where said processor has cycled through all of said plural connectors.

Abstract: A method of selecting one time service provider from a plurality of time service providers accessible over a local area network (LAN). The method includes a storing step which stores, in a memory, a list identifying plural time service providers accessible over the LAN, the list identifying plural time service providers in order from a highest priority time service provider to a lowest priority time service provider. A determining step determines, via a LAN interface, a highest priority time service provider which is available in the list identifying plural time service providers, and a selecting step selects, via the LAN interface, the highest priority time service provider which is available in the list identifying plural time service providers.

Abstract: In an interactive network board, method and apparatus for multi-tasking independently executable programs, makes use of a ROM, disposed on the board, for storing (i) a monitor program, and (ii) first and second independently executable programs. The first and second programs each include a relinquish command. A processor is disposed on the board for downloading the monitor program and the first and second programs from the ROM to a RAM. The processor executes the first program in RAM until the first program relinquishes control. The monitor program then begins execution and stores in the RAM information which indicates the execution state of the first program. The second program then begins execution in RAM until the second program relinquishes control. The monitor program then recommences execution to store in the RAM information which indicates the execution state of the second program.

Abstract: In an interactive network board, method and apparatus for forming an operational configuration of the board coupled to a LAN printer makes use of a RAM and an NVRAM disposed on the board. The NVRAM stores configuration information. Use is made of a PROM, also disposed on the board, for storing a loader module, and a plurality of configuration modules capable of setting the board in a plurality of different operational configurations when predetermined configuration modules are arranged in different combinations. A processor is also disposed on the board for reading the configuration information from the NVRAM to the RAM, and executing the loader module to provide a configuration mask which corresponds to the read configuration information. The processor applies the configuration mask to the configuration module stored in PROM, and selects those configuration modules which correspond to the configuration mask.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a peripheral to a local area network with an interactive network board connected to the peripheral via a bi-directional peripheral interface and connectable to the local area network via a local area network interface. The interactive network board executes an access management program such as a socket server to monitor the local area network for communications from a network client directed to a proprietary socket. In response to communications detected by the access management program, the access management program establishes direct communication between the network client and itself and executes commands requested by the network client, such as commands to obtain or to alter the status of the network peripheral, or commands to obtain or to alter the status of the interactive network board itself. The interactive network board may also execute a peripheral server program such as a print server in a multitasking environment with the access management program.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing a Local Area Network (LAN) printer in a default configuration includes a printer non-volatile memory for storing a default configuration code, and a printer device for rendering print. A Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is coupled to the printer device, for transmitting print data to the printer device. The SCSI is also coupled to the printer non-volatile memory for transmitting the default configuration code from the printer non-volatile memory. A LAN interface is provided for receiving print data from the LAN, and a RAM is coupled to both the SCSI and the LAN interface, for storing the print data and the default configuration code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a printer to a local area network includes the use of an interactive network board coupling the printer to the LAN. A bi-directional printer interface is disposed on the board and transmits print data to the printer, and receives printer status data from the printer. ALAN interface is disposed on the board for receiving print job information and printer status requests from the LAN, and for transmitting printer status information to the LAN. A ROM is disposed on the board and stores (i) application programs which receive the print job information and transmit the print data to the printer, and (ii) status and control programs which receive the printer status requests from the LAN, receive printer status data from the printer, transmit the printer status information to the LAN, and receive control information from the LAN and transmit it to the printer. A processor disposed on the board executes both the application programs and the status and control programs.

Abstract: A serial port which transmits a start bit of a serial transmission to a non-maskable interrupt terminal of a microprocessor so as to be certain that the microprocessor responds to serial communication. The serial port includes a microprocessor-writable transmit bit connected to the transmit terminal of the serial port, a microprocessor-readable receive bit connected to the receive terminal of the serial port, and an NMI enable switch connected between the receive terminal and the NMI pin of the microprocessor. In a receive mode, the NMI enable switch which initially is in a conductive state, transmits the start bit of serial transmissions directly to the NMI pin of the microprocessor causing the microprocessor to interrupt on-going processes. The microprocessor disables the NMI enable register and, after waiting for serial transmission periods between transmitted bits, reads all eight data bits received at the receive terminal from the received bit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for advertising two network servers from a single network node in a LAN communication system which supports advertising only a single network server from any one node. A surrogate server is configured at the network node to listen for network broadcasts to a proprietary socket and then interleavedly advertises that the services of the first and second network servers (the "client" servers) are available from the node. When a network broadcast request addressed to the proprietary socket is received, the surrogate server responds to the request if directed to one of its clients, thereby permitting direct communication to be established with the designated one of the first or second network servers, for example, over the communication socket which is different from the proprietary socket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a printer to a local area network utilizes a circuit board coupled to the printer. A Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is disposed on the board for transmitting print data to the printer and for receiving printer status data from the printer. A RAM is also disposed on the board, for storing the print data, the printer status data, and a plurality of application programs. A Local Area Network (LAN) interface is also disposed on the board, for receiving the print data from the LAN, and for transmitting the printer status data to the LAN. A processor is disposed on the board, for executing the plurality of application programs to cause the print data to be transmitted to the printer and the printer status data to be transmitted to the LAN. Preferably, printer control data may also be transmitted over the LAN to control printer functions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for logging status information of a printer using an interactive network board coupled between the printer and a Local Area Network, includes the use of a Small Computer Systems Interface coupled to the board and having a data channel and a status channel, for transmitting print data to the printer over the data channel, transmitting printer status requests to the printer and receiving printer status data from the printer over the status channel. A memory is coupled to the board and is used for storing the received printer status data. A processor is also coupled to the board for adding beginning and end of print job indicia to the print data prior to transmission to the printer, and for causing the printer status requests to be transmitted to and received from the printer at a first predetermined interval (e.g. every minute). Furthermore, the processor calculates, at a second predetermined interval (e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a binary image file to be loaded into a PROM installable on an interactive network board includes the use of a memory for storing (i) a configuration file, (ii) a utility program for forming the binary image file, and (iii) a plurality of independently executable application programs for the board. A PROM is used for storing the application programs. A processor reads the configuration file from the memory, and selects a subset of the independently executable application programs from the memory in accordance with the read configuration file. The processor then orders the selected programs in accordance with the read configuration file and writes, into each selected program, data which identifies that program and points to an immediately succeeding program. Finally, the processor loads the ordered programs, with their identification data, into the PROM.