Abstract:
A method and apparatus for manipulation of data in a computer-controlled display system. A user may select data from a first application program and drag it to an area on the computer system display representing a third application program. The first application program creates a series of formats into which the data may be provided and, in some instance, the data itself. Moreover, a second process appends to that list of formats a series of formats that it can provide the data in. Then, upon receipt of the list of formats and/or data of the first item, the third process can request the data in any of the formats from either the first or second processes, if required.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for providing additional functionality to a computer system. In one embodiment a PCMCIA (PC) processing card is coupled to a computer system. The PC processing card performs a function that a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer system would otherwise need to perform. The PC processing card provides the additional functionality without requiring specialized hardware that is not already existent in contemporary computer systems. A PC processing card can perform one or more of a variety of functions. By way of example, the PC processing card may perform signal processing, graphics acceleration, audio processing, encryption, decryption or any other suitable processing function. The PC processing card could also be another central processing unit that provides the computer system with parallel processing capabilities.
Abstract:
A support is provided for a component on a substrate to minimize unacceptable bending or displacement. In a preferred embodiment, a suitable amount of a thermoplastic material is injected through a hole in a PCB under the component after the component has been affixed to the PCB. This allows the support material to fill any space between the component and the PCB yet allow for variation in lead height and for thermal expansion of the support material.
Abstract:
Processing streaming data on demand in a computer system. A service cycle is divided into a first plurality of input/output (I/O) phases for a second plurality of streams of real-time data. For each of the first plurality of I/O phases, a disk job, if any, is scheduled for one of the second plurality of streams of real-time data, and a second plurality of network jobs, each of the disk jobs corresponding with each of the second plurality of streams of real-time data.
Abstract:
A computer system includes an input pointer, a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, and a data processor coupled to the tablet and operative to receive coordinate data from the tablet. The coordinate data is preferably in absolute-mode, and the data processor processes the coordinate data such that coordinate data influenced by a first segment of the tablet surface is processed in a relative-mode fashion, and coordinate data influenced by a second segment of the tablet surface is processed in an absolute-mode fashion. In consequence, the tablet is segmented for simultaneous relative-mode and absolute-mode operation. The segments can take on a number of configurations depending upon the configuration of the computer screen, the application program running, and user preferences. A method for processing input tablet data of the present invention includes the steps of receiving coordinate data from a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, processing the coordinate data in a relative-mode if the data is influenced by proximal positioning of an input pointer with a first segment of the tablet surface, and processing the coordinate data in an absolute-mode if the data is influenced by a proximal positioning of the input pointer with a second segment of the tablet surface. The method further detects commands to change the logical segmentation of the tablet surface, and changes the logical segmentation in response to the detected commands.
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for convolution that provides both scaling and elimination of flicker when displaying computer generated or computer processed information on an interlaced, television monitor. One preferred embodiment includes a bilinear interpolation for scaling combined with a modified three line convolution for flicker reduction. In one preferred embodiment, 8 lines of a source computer image are scaled to 7 lines of a television image for display. The weighted contribution of each input line varies according to which combination of lines contribute to each output line, and the mathematically optimal weighting factors are modified for easier implementation in hardware.