Abstract: Character validation systems and methods are implemented. Characters in a data processing system may be may be represented by a set of n-bit data values, however not all n-bit values necessarily represent valid characters. Each data value corresponding to a character of a stream of characters may be validated in response to a member of a data structure corresponding to the value, in which each member of the data structure includes validity information for a corresponding data value. The member may be addressed by indexing into the structure with the data value.

Abstract: Character validation systems and methods are implemented. Characters in a data processing system may be may be represented by a set of n-bit data values, however not all n-bit values necessarily represent valid characters. Each data value corresponding to a character of a stream of characters may be validated in response to a member of a data structure corresponding to the value, in which each member of the data structure includes validity information for a corresponding data value. The member may be addressed by indexing into the structure with the data value.

Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine 14, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers 24, above a central jet engine (or engines) 12, horizontally mounted on a turntable pod 11 which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake 5 downward through a circular shaped rotor-chamber 6 to a circular vent 10 at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin 21 is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck 2 is situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit 15, which is detachable.

Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine 14, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers 24, above a central jet engine (or engines) 12, horizontally mounted on a turntable pod 11 which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake 5 downward through a circular shaped rotor-chamber 6 to a circular vent 10 at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin 21 is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck 2 is situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit 15, which is detachable.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a selectively docking and floating menu/tool bar for windows displayed on a monitor connected to a computer. The docking or floating nature of the menu/tool bar is selectable by the user, generally by selecting either a docking mode or floating mode from a menu displayed on the monitor. When floating mode is selected, the menu/tool bar automatically floats apart from the window. When docking mode is selected, the menu/tool bar automatically docks adjacent to the window. In floating mode, the selection of a window as an "active" window results in the activation of the menu/tool bar. In docking mode, the selection of a window as an "active" window results in the activation and immediate docking of the menu/tool bar to that window. Thereafter, any manipulation of the active window results in an identical manipulation of the docking menu/tool bar.