| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 5268674 |
Mechanically latching mouse button |
December 7, 1993 |
| A mechanically latching button for a cursor control device such as a mouse or trackball is disclosed. The latching mechanism improves performance during dragging operations, while not affecting the button's rapid response needed for ordinary clicking. A first embodiment uses a stepped |
| 5268669 |
Sensing apparatus |
December 7, 1993 |
| A connector utilizing a number of electrical connectors wires equal to the number used to provide the static binary indications of the particular piece of equipment attached to the device, and further including diodes and direct connections between the electrical connectors arranged to |
| 5267334 |
Encoding/decoding moving images with forward and backward keyframes for forward and reverse disp |
November 30, 1993 |
| A method of removing frame redundancy in a computer system for a sequence of moving images. The method comprises detecting a first scene change in the sequence of moving images and generating a first keyframe containing complete scene information for a first image. The first keyframe is |
| 5264836 |
Three dimensional cursor |
November 23, 1993 |
| A method for controlling a three dimensional cursor's position on a display with a two dimensional control device by generating a translation signal to the display when the control device was moved in such a way as to indicate that the user intended a translation of the cursor and genera |
| 5263138 |
Method and apparatus for arbitrating access to a high speed digital video bus |
November 16, 1993 |
| An auxiliary busing arrangement for transferring real time data in a computer system including a plurality of conductors sufficient to transfer in parallel the bits of a data word and the control signals necessary to control the transfer; a plurality of components connected to utilize th |
| 5263134 |
Method and apparatus for controlling computer displays by using a two dimensional scroll palette |
November 16, 1993 |
| A computer program provides for the display of window regions on a display screen whereby the content and size of one window region is controllable in two dimensions using means provided in another window region. A cursor device and a signal generation means is used to select the two-dim |
| 5262778 |
Three-dimensional data acquisition on a two-dimensional input device |
November 16, 1993 |
| A method and apparatus for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display. A user activated input device is provided for sensing an input signal with an X value, a Y value and a Z value in the dis |
| 5261115 |
Multi-board system with shift board selection |
November 9, 1993 |
| A multi-board computer system is described which comprises a main circuit board, a first circuit board having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and a second circuit board having a fifth surface. The main circuit board further includes means for generating a |
| 5261041 |
Computer controlled animation system based on definitional animated objects and methods of manip |
November 9, 1993 |
| A computer system and method for the generation and manipulation of animated objects in a computer-controlled environment. The animated objects include state data and methods defining the behavior of the object. The animated objects also have an associated affect volume and affect ag |
| 5257385 |
Apparatus for providing priority arbitration in a computer system interconnect |
October 26, 1993 |
| A circuit which includes apparatus for determining for at each node of a multi-node interconnect the highest priority data present for transfer to that node, apparatus for storing information indicating the last node from which a transfer of data occurred at each priority level, apparatu |
| 5257350 |
Computer with self configuring video circuitry |
October 26, 1993 |
| A computer having a video circuit which is configured by a monitor identification signal is described. The self-configuring circuit permits connection to a variety of monitor types without the need for a separate video card or other dedicated circuitry compatible with the specific mo |
| 5257348 |
Apparatus for storing data both video and graphics signals in a single frame buffer |
October 26, 1993 |
| A computer subsystem for presenting both video and graphic information on a computer output display in a computer system having a central processing unit and a frame buffer including apparatus for providing a video input signal representing full frame of video interlaced data, apparatus |
| 5255213 |
Apparatus for providing selectable fractional output signals |
October 19, 1993 |
| A circuit for producing output signals which indicate a fraction of a series of input signals including apparatus for furnishing a first value equivalent to the value of a numerator of the fraction, apparatus for furnishing a second value equivalent to the value of the difference bet |
| 5254928 |
Power management system for battery powered computers |
October 19, 1993 |
| A power management system for a portable computer is disclosed. The system can determine which one of a plurality of battery packs has been coupled to the system. After determining the type of battery pack, the system recalls from storage the recommended charging pattern for the particul |
| 5253348 |
Method of arbitration for buses operating at different speeds |
October 12, 1993 |
| In a bus adapter coupling a system bus and an I/O bus which operate at different speeds and contain a plurality of devices, a method by which an arbiter in the bus adapter prevents contention for ownership of both buses by a device on either of the buses. The method includes the steps of |
| 5253053 |
Variable length decoding using lookup tables |
October 12, 1993 |
| A method and apparatus for decoding a variable length codeword (VLC) by reading a VLC, the VLC having a maximum length of X bits. The VLC is used as an index into a first table, wherein the first table contains decoded values for all possible VLC's with Y bits not equal to any value in a |
| 5252968 |
Apparatus and method for optical encoding and cursor control trackball |
October 12, 1993 |
| An apparatus for optical encoding. An electrical input circuitry is provided for providing a pulsed electrical input signal. A light source circuitry is connected to the pulsed electrical input circuitry for utilizing the pulsed electrical input signal to produce pulses of light. Lig |
| 5252950 |
Display with rangefinder |
October 12, 1993 |
| An apparatus for displaying images comprising a display capable of displaying rendered imagery. The apparatus comprises a rangefinder coupled to the display which is capable of determining the distance from a viewer to the display. The apparatus further comprises a means for displaying a |
| 5247677 |
Stochastic priority-based task scheduler |
September 21, 1993 |
| A stochastic priority based scheduler for selecting executable tasks in a computer system is disclosed. The stochastic priority based scheduler selects tasks on the basis of a random number weighted by task priority. Since every task has a nonzero finite probability of being selected, th |
| 5244294 |
Apparatus for transporting wet print media and method for same |
September 14, 1993 |
| The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for transporting print media with wet ink out of a printer without smearing the ink or requiring the user to adjust the margins of the document to avoid the smearing of the ink. The apparatus comprises a platen for holding the p |
| 5243626 |
Method for clocks synchronization for receiving pulse position encoded signals |
September 7, 1993 |
| A method for clock synchronization for receiving pulse position encoded signals in which a clock signal defines slots or windows of time in which to receive pulse signals. The signal received within a slot is measured to obtain a value representing the amount of signal received within th |
| 5241658 |
Apparatus for storing information in and deriving information from a frame buffer |
August 31, 1993 |
| An arrangement for storing information to be displayed in a plurality of different pixel formats on a bitmapped output display including apparatus for selecting first positions for storage of information in a first pixel format, apparatus for selecting second positions for storage of |
| 5239652 |
Arrangement for reducing computer power consumption by turning off the microprocessor when inact |
August 24, 1993 |
| A power consumption reduction method and apparatus for a computer is described. The operating system running on the CPU of the computer determines when the CPU is not actively processing and generates a power-off signal to a control logic circuit. The control logic circuit then disco |
| 5237674 |
Self identifying scheme for memory module including circuitry for identfying accessing speed |
August 17, 1993 |
| A self-identifying scheme which permits a variety of integrated circuit semiconductor memory modules to inform a host processor as to each individual memory accessing speed or accessing time. Pre-encoded circuits within each memory module generate a coded signal when that module is s |
| 5237648 |
Apparatus and method for editing a video recording by selecting and displaying video clips |
August 17, 1993 |
| A video editing system comprising a computer system having a mass storage and a display, a video source, such as a video cassette recorder (VCR), camera, or optical disc player, and a video processor/controller linking the computer to the video source. The computer system functions under |
| 5237573 |
Method and apparatus for selectively switching between input signals |
August 17, 1993 |
| The present invention selectively switches between two or more input signals while avoiding invalid output conditions, large power draws, and the resulting electromagnetic interference caused thereby. The present invention can be used to select between Dynamic Random Access Memory de |
| 5237486 |
Structural frame for portable computer |
August 17, 1993 |
| A metal frame is fabricated from magnesium alloy and all the main components of the computer, including the logic board, the hard disk drive, the keyboard, the upper and lower halves of the computer's case, and the pivoting display screen are all directly attached to the frame. The f |
| 5237397 |
Color video data processing |
August 17, 1993 |
| A method for determining if uncompressed color video data was previously compressed and decompressed. Each block of color video data is examined to determine if the block was previously compressed with a predetermined compression algorithm that for example, selected fewer colors than wer |
| 5229689 |
Electrostatic shield for nearfield alternating electrical field emission reduction in a CRT disp |
July 20, 1993 |
| An electrostatic shield and method for shielding an electric field are presented, having particular application to the reduction of electric field emissions from a CRT display. The electrostatic shield is formed from a flexible non-conductive substrate and includes a plurality of rad |
| 5225723 |
Circuitry for the timing data output enable pulses |
July 6, 1993 |
| A circuit for providing data output enable signals to a device comprising apparatus for generating an output enable signal in response to the simultaneous application of a clock signal and a second signal, and apparatus for terminating the output enable signal in response to the term |
| 5216326 |
Injection molded printed circuit degauss coil |
June 1, 1993 |
| An improved degauss coil for use with cathode ray display tubes is disclosed. The degauss coil is formed from conductive traces placed directly on to a plastic part attached to or adjacent the front bezel surrounding the cathode ray tube. Alternatively, the conductive traces may be p |
| 5214526 |
Pulse modulated infrared data communications link |
May 25, 1993 |
| A pulse modulated infrared data communications link including a transmitter and receiver in which the data to be sent is encoded as a biphase modulated signal having bit-cell and mid-cell transitions. Each transition is encoded as a narrow pulse in a pulse modulated signal. The pulse |
| 5213426 |
Automatic printing media feed apparatus |
May 25, 1993 |
| The present invention comprises an apparatus for feeding print media, such as paper, into a printer. The paper is stored in a stack in a movable paper tray. The tray is lifted so that the top sheet of paper is brought in contact with the feed roller. The feed roller feeds the top sheet i |
| 5212742 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image data |
May 18, 1993 |
| An apparatus and method for processing video data for compression/decompression in real-time. The apparatus comprises a plurality of compute modules, in a preferred embodiment, for a total of four compute modules coupled in parallel. Each of the compute modules has a processor, dual |
| 5209589 |
Apparatus and method for minimizing printer scan error |
May 11, 1993 |
| In a printer assembly including a printhead which moves in a first direction for printing on a sheet of paper, roller means having an outer cylindrical periphery that engages the sheet of paper at successive tangent points on the periphery for moving the paper in a second perpendicul |
| 5209134 |
Synchronous bidirectional gearing mechanism |
May 11, 1993 |
| A bidirectional synchronous gearing mechanism includes a first gear with a first and second gear profile and a second gear identical to the first gear and with identical first and second gear profiles. The teeth of the two gears are meshed together and the gears are rotatably secured abo |
| 5202961 |
Sequential information controller |
April 13, 1993 |
| A sequential information controller for use in combination with a computer comprising a slider bar, integrating standard velocity and direction indicators, and a control icon. The user controls the playback velocity and direction of the sequential information, such as video information, |
| 5202828 |
User interface system having programmable user interface elements |
April 13, 1993 |
| A user interface element having a plurality of user interface elements for marking, finding, organizing, and processing data within documents stored in an associated computer system are described. Each element typically has an appearance which is uniquely related to the data or the funct |
| 5197049 |
Head and media for optical data storage |
March 23, 1993 |
| A head and media for optical data storage with a media in which a partially light transmissive recording layer and a reflective layer are located on opposite faces of a transparent substrate layer. The head emits a light beam which passes through the recording layer, transits the substra |
| 5196838 |
Intelligent scrolling |
March 23, 1993 |
| A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more ite |
| 5191653 |
IO adapter for system and IO buses having different protocols and speeds |
March 2, 1993 |
| A bi-directional bus adapter coupling a system bus, which operates at a first speed using a first protocol, and an IO bus, which operates at a second speed using a second protocol, and allowing data transfering devices on either bus to transfer data to or from devices on the other bu |
| 5190365 |
Backlighting for liquid crystal displays |
March 2, 1993 |
| An improved backlighting system for electronic displays that require such backlighting is disclosed. The system comprises a fluorescent lamp with improved visible light generating means and a reflector means for channeling the light generated by the lamp into the electronic display. In |
| 5187791 |
Microprocessor with improved interrupt response with data saving dependent upon processor status |
February 16, 1993 |
| A method for reducing interrupt processing overhead is applied in situations when it is not necessary to preserve processor state information. A flag is provided to indicate whether or not the processor is available. Upon recognition of an interrupt, an interrupt vector address is co |
| 5185865 |
System for simulating block transfer with slave module incapable of block transfer by locking bu |
February 9, 1993 |
| Interface ciruitry for accomplishing a block transfer of information over a NuBus protocol bus having associated therewith a plurality of individual computer modules through the steps of testing to determine whether an addressed module is capable of accomplishing a NuBus protocol block |
| 5175750 |
Application specific integrated circuit for a serial data bus |
December 29, 1992 |
| An application specific integrated circuit is disclosed for use with a device locatable on a serial data bus of a data communication system. Attention and synch receiving circuitry is provided for receiving an attention and synch signal being transmitted on the serial data bus for sy |
| 5168268 |
Optically transmissive armature for cursor control device |
December 1, 1992 |
| An optically transmissive armature is presented for use with an optical encoder mechanism in a cursor control device. The armature includes a substantially planar rectangular base, a plurality of supports, and a plurality of optical wave guides. An encoder mechanism is rotatably secu |
| 5167024 |
Power management for a laptop computer with slow and sleep modes |
November 24, 1992 |
| A power manager within a portable laptop computer provides power and clocking control to various units within the computer in order to conserve battery power. Transistor switches controlled by the power manager control the distribution of power and/or clock signals to the various units w |
| 5165024 |
Information transfer and receiving system with a ring interconnect architecture using voucher an |
November 17, 1992 |
| A computer system interconnection including a plurality of nodes each such node being associated with at least one of a plurality of computer system components. Transmission apparatus connects each of said nodes to a node which is a source of information and to a node which is a recipien |
| 5165019 |
Ring interconnect system architecture |
November 17, 1992 |
| In an improved computer system ring interconnection including a plurality of nodes such nodes being connected by transmission apparatus to a source node of information and a recipient node of information and being associated with at least one of a plurality of computer system components; |
| 5163836 |
Integrated connector module with conductive elastomeric contacts |
November 17, 1992 |
| An electrical conductor that electrically couples a circuit board to another electrical device. The connector has a flexible circuit board with at least one electrical conductor that is attached to a flexible dielectric sheet. Attached to the electrical conductor is an electrically c |
