Abstract: A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. When running a multi-tasking operating system where an application program is being executed in a restricted mode, a suspend/resume operation can be carried out in which the system is substantially powered down and then powered back up, and will resume the interrupted application with the restricted mode back in effect. Further, set-up changes such as adjustment of the processor speed can be made without exiting the application program running in the restricted mode.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a visually impaired user to use a touch-sensitive device. The present invention provides an interface for the visually impaired (IVI) system which enables a visually impaired user to use a touch-sensitive screen. The IVI system provides an explore mode in which a visually impaired user may determine which objects are on the touch-sensitive screen by dragging a finger over the touch-sensitive screen. In particular, the IVI system announces objects as a user touches them. For example, the IVI system announces text as it is touched and announces controls, such as buttons, as they are touched. In addition, the IVI system enables a user to execute controls. A user may execute a control, such as a button, by dragging a finger onto the control, and then, without dragging the finger off of the control, lifting the finger off of the touch-sensitive screen. The IVI system further enables a user to scroll through lists on a touch-sensitive screen. In particular, the IVI system enables a user to use a scroll thumb to scroll through a list. When a user drags a finger over the scroll thumb, and then, without dragging the finger off of the scroll thumb, lifts the finger off of the touch-sensitive screen, the IVI system enters scroll mode. In the scroll mode, a user may drag a finger anywhere on the touch-sensitive screen to scroll the list. While in scroll mode if a user again lifts their finger off of the touch-sensitive screen, the IVI system returns to explore mode.

Abstract: Provided is a personal communications device having a touch sensitive display screen, in which text may be marked by a user to be used with different applications. In particular, to begin marking, a user has to maintain his touch at a location on the screen for a short predetermined period of time until the system detects that the position is held over the same character for a delayed period, at which time the system beeps to provide an indication that there has been a change of operation mode. The marking mode continues in operation until the user removes his contact from the touch screen. Thus, text over which the contact point passes after the initiation of the marking mode is marked, until the user removes his contact point from the touch screen. A second beep is sounded to alert the user of the termination of the marking mode, and the appearance of a menu of operations on the screen. The menu of operations echoes the marked text for user confirmation. The marked text may be used by the user in a number of applications, among which include a calling application whereby the marked text is used to place a call.

Abstract: A system for creation and completion of goal oriented electronic forms creates a graphical image data file which defines: a graphical image of a form for display and printing; a graphical image of tree branches, tree nodes, and conclusions in association with fields of the form; reading and writing links between form fields and data sources and destinations; and links to other forms which, with the original form, comprise a related stack of forms. The system includes a form creation mode and a run time mode. The trees are defined by an application developer using the form creation mode to establish both qualitative and quantitative relationships between the various fields on the forms thereby providing the basis for the goal oriented prompting for the application user using the run time mode.

Abstract: A PLD is operable in a variety of modes. In a first mode, the timeshare mode, the PLD remains at a single configuration for a plurality of user clock cycles. In a second mode, the logic engine mode, the PLD sequences through multiple configurations for each user cycle. In this mode, the period of time during which a configuration is active is called a micro cycle. In a third mode, the static mode, multiple configurations are programmed identically, so that the PLD performs the same function regardless of the configuration. Finally, the PLD is also operable in a combination mode, wherein part of the chip operates in one mode, for example, the static mode, and another part of the chip operates in the logic engine mode or the timeshare mode. In an alternative or co-existing embodiment, the PLD operates in one configuration mode during at least one user cycle and in another configuration mode during at least another user cycle.

Abstract: Lock management in a distributed data sharing computer system in which resources are shared by servers having local lock managers and the computer system having a global lock manager. Lock modes are defined to govern the availability of resources to the servers, including defining at least one lock mode that conflicts with at least another of the lock modes without covering any locks associated with the lock modes. Locks indicative of a specific lock mode are assigned to the resources. Requests for access to the resources are administered by a local lock manager associated with the requesting server without exposing the lock modes associated with the locks on the resources to the global lock manager unless the requests for access relate to a resource that is not covered by a lock assigned by the global lock manager.

Abstract: Power usage in a personal computer is reduced by repetitively performing the following sequence of steps: a. generate a wake-up signal in connection with a user beginning to interact with the computer; b. in response to the wake-up signal, switch at least a portion of the computer into a more fully powered mode; and c. keep the portion of the computer in the more fully powered mode only as long as the user is delivering input to the computer, and thereafter immediately switch the portion of the computer into a less fully powered mode. A detector issues a wake-up signal when a user begins to interact with the computer; and control circuitry connected to the sensor switches between the more fully powered mode and the less fully powered mode. The sensor may be mounted in a keyboard that includes an array of keys, and a sensor mounted in a position to detect use of the keyboard even when the keyboard is in an unpowered state.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) logic for enabling the selection and displaying of specific directories, subdirectories, and files. The GUI logic displays on the screen the selection and deselection options that are available. The entire hierarchical tree structure of the file system can be selected for a particular operation or any leaf or node of the tree may be selected. The logic automatically traverses the tree in response to a user's selection of a displayed object on the screen. Since the selection mode of the input device, such as a mouse, is displayed on the screen it is readily apparent to the user.

Abstract: A cash settlement machine is disclosed comprising a graphics display, operator interface panels, and a controller coupling the operator interface panels to the graphics display. To provide the cash settlement machine with total flexibility in operation, the operator interface panels which provide input signals to the controller include a mechanical keyboard with fixed keys and a touch screen device mounted over the graphics display which shows display keys. The controller includes a graphics generator for displaying the display keys, memory for storing instructions associated with a plurality of operational modes accessed though the display keys, and means for executing those instructions. Preferably, the plurality of modes includes a basic operating mode, a help mode, a directory mode, a diagnostic mode, a reports mode, a screen format mode, and a set-up mode.

Abstract: A video control user interface is provided for use in an interactive television system. The video control user interface includes a remote control handset with a multi-purpose, multi-direction actuation pad and a set-top box configured to operate in different modes, including a movie-on-demand mode. In this mode, the set-top box receives digitally transmitted video data streams of a selected movie from a centralized head end server. During display of a video movie, the set-top box can cause, at the viewer's request, the television to display an icon representing a physical layout of the actuation pad on the remote control handset and one or more symbols arranged at locations relative to the icon. The symbols relate to shuttle controls for controlling viewing of the video movie. This user interface presents an intuitive visual mapping of the shuttle controls about the depicted icon onto physical actuation positions of the multi-direction pad on the remote control handset. When the viewer wishes to change the viewing mode (such as from "play" to "pause"), the viewer simply depresses the pad at an actuation position that corresponds to a desired shuttle control symbol arranged at approximately the same location relative to the pad-resembling icon that is displayed on the screen. This user interface provides intuitive video control using a multi-purpose actuator, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated shuttle control buttons on the remote control handset.

Abstract: A graphical programming application is provided that is intended to be run under a graphic user interface operating system When running the graphical programming software application, a user can select a graphic object and an associated event, and define actions that occur when the event happens, to develop or modify the graphical program as desired In addition to a graphic editor view mode, the user may optionally view a plain text listing corresponding to the graphic program, or use a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code editor in which statements corresponding to the graphic program are displayed, or activate a mode in which both code editors are visible at one time on the screen, so that changes made to the VBA statements are immediately reflected in the graphical program and vice versa Since the user is able to view the VBA code that corresponds to the graphical program steps, proficiency in programming with VBA text-based code is more rapidly developed

Abstract: The conference manager of a conferencing application is provided with an enhanced connect function for connecting the PC conferencing system to other PC conferencing systems. The connect function includes a common connect dialog box and associated logic for assisting the user in formulating the connect address to be used in attempting the connection. The common dialog box and its associated logic facilitate formulation of the connect address in at least an enter and a select mode. Under either the enter or the select mode, the user is provided with a list of validated transport types supported by the PC conferencing system. Under the enter mode, the user enters a connection number and selects a transport type from the validated transport types. Under the select mode, the user enters a desired callee name, and in response, a list of connection numbers of a matched addressee is further returned, and one of the returned connection numbers as well as one of the supported transport types are automatically selected for the user if one of a number of predetermined conditions is met.

Abstract: A method, in a digital computer having a display screen, for executing an application program in a backdrop mode that makes the application program non-removable from the display screen. The method includes the steps of designating the application program for execution in the backdrop mode and executing the application program. Further, the method includes the step of intercepting, using substitute subroutines external to the application program, selected data destined for the application program. The interception advantageously prevents the application program from responding to the selected data in a manner normally expected of the application program if the application program executes in a non-backdrop mode. The selected data that is intercepted includes data for causing the application program to quit execution. Further, the method also includes the step of disabling a close option in the display screen to prevent a user of the digital computer from issuing a command to quit execution of the application program while the application program executes in the backdrop mode. In this manner, the method permits codes in the application program to remain substantially unchanged irrespective of whether the application program executes in the non-backdrop mode or in the backdrop mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing VCR-like "trick mode" functions, such as pause, fast-forward, and rewind, in a distributed, video-on-demand program environment. Trick modes are supported by locally altering the viewing speed for each user who requests such functions, without affecting the operation of the central data source in any way. The invention thus allows a virtually unlimited number of viewers to enjoy random access to video programming -- including virtually continuous trick mode functionality -- and does so in a manner that is operable with existing telephone and cable distribution infrastructure.

Abstract: A user interface device for intuitive sequencing through displayed information comprises a cue block 10 with a top smooth curved control surface 12 and downwardly inclined ribbed or textured control surfaces 14, which suggest the smooth surfaces of the exposed pages of an open book, and the ribbed edges of the page edges to either side, respectively. The device detects the location or movement of a user's finger on or near the control surfaces and maps this to appropriate page turning commands to control the speed, direction and/or mode of sequencing.

Abstract: A CPU architecture is provided having a user mode (User32), a plurality of exception modes (IRQ32 etc) and a system mode (System) entered via one of the exception modes. The system mode re-uses the same set of registers (16) as the user mode and yet has access to a set of privileged resources compared to the standard resources of the user mode. Interrupt of the same type are disabled when the system is already in that exception mode, but are re-enabled when the system is moved into the system mode. Branch instructions may be used in the user and system modes, but not the exception modes.

Abstract: System and methods for generating written reports based on succinct input from a user A method of the present invention comprises entering a first mode for initialization; defining menus; entering a second mode for receiving information; entering information using the defined menus; interpreting the entered information; and generating a written report in response to the interpreting step A system (100) of the present invention comprises a portable computer system having a memory (102), a processor (101), a detachable keyboard (107), a screen (104), and a pen (105) Ancillary information is entered with the keyboard which is then detached Subsequent information is documented by selecting appropriate items from the defined menus; alternatively, the information can be written on the screen with the pen The processor is programmed to interpret the inputs and generate a report The report may be printed on a printer (108), stored on a storage device, and/or transferred to another system

Abstract: A system for creation and completion of goal oriented electronic forms creates a graphical image data file which defines: a graphical image of a form for display and printing; a graphical image of tree branches, tree nodes, and conclusions in association with fields of the form; reading and writing links between form fields and data sources and destinations; and links to other forms which, with the original form, comprise a related stack of forms. The system includes a form creation mode and a run time mode. The trees are defined by an application developer using the form creation mode to establish both qualitative and quantitative relationships between the various fields on the forms thereby providing the basis for the goal oriented prompting for the application user using the run time mode.

Abstract: A transparent system management interrupt (SMI) handler equipped with system security functions is provided to a personal computer (PC) for providing system security to the PC. Additionally, the keyboard controlling facility of the PC is enhanced to cooperate with the SMI handler to deliver system security under the direction of the SMI handler. The SMI handler's system security functions include a number of functions for handling a number of security related events detected by the keyboard controlling facility. The keyboard controlling facility is enhanced to operate in one of three modes, a normal mode, a sleuth mode, and a secured mode, under which the keyboard controlling facility allows "unrestricted" keyboard operations, communicates exclusively with the SMI handler, and allows only "restricted" keyboard operations respectively.

Abstract: An environmental control system for the severely disabled provides a "pass through" mode that allows a system output to mimic or emulate a user controlled switch input. The pass through mode permits a single user controlled switch to be shared among multiple systems for the disabled. In the normal mode, the user controlled switch controls various control functions provided by the environmental control system. In the "pass through" mode, the environmental control system operates "transparently" and passes the switch closures through to an electronically-controlled switch that appears electrically like a manually actuated switch to control other equipment for the disabled. The pass through mode is exited upon user actuation of the user controlled switch for more than a programmed time period and/or automatically upon occurrence of certain events (e.g., telephone ringing detection).

Abstract: The invention inputs a single timing clock. Through procedure of mode setting, the invention generates the required timings corresponding to the display mode selected. In the invention, a programmable mode register, a mode decoder, a pixel timing generator, a horizontal timing generator, a vertical timing generator, a composite timing generator, AND gate, EXCLUSIVE NOR gate, and a selector are provided. The invention may generate the required timings for NTSC interlace mode, NTSC non-interlace mode, PAL interlace mode, PAL non-interlace mode, VGA 60 Hz progressive mode and VGA 50 Hz progressive mode.

Abstract: A reconfigurable video game/simulator system including a personal computer, a video display, a keyboard, and one or more game controllers including a throttle controller. The keyboard is coupled to the throttle controller as are the other game controllers. The throttle controller is coupled to the computer through a keyboard interface port. During a functional mode, the throttle controller receives inputs from the controllers and the keyboard and transmits a corresponding input keycode. During a reconfiguration mode, the user inputs the desired keycodes into the computer, either by inputting them by the keyboard or selecting a preexisting configuration file stored on the computer. The reconfiguration keycodes are then downloaded to the throttle controller over the keyboard interface. The throttle controller receives the reconfiguration keycodes and stores them in a non-volatile memory located within the controller. During a subsequent functional mode, when one of the input devices is actuated, the corresponding reconfiguration keycode is transmitted to the computer.

Abstract: A method and system for transitioning the operating mode and networking components of a network workstation from one mode of operation to another is described herein. In a disclosed embodiment, a method and system is described for transitioning a workstation from operating under a real mode operating system (with real mode network components) to operating under a protected mode operating system (with protected mode network components). A transition program preserves the state of the workstation before the real mode network components are loaded therein and enabled. The real mode network components are then enabled and utilized to transfer to the workstation memory the protected mode operating system and protected mode network components from the network. After the transfer, the transition program disables the real mode network components, restores the pre-real mode state of the workstation, and enables the protected mode network components. The memory allocated for the real mode network components may then be reclaimed.

Abstract: A desktop computer power controller uses the keyboard controller of the computer to time the duration of keyboard or other input device inactivity and to assert a power control signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A power control unit coupled to the keyboard controller interrupts power to a peripheral device such as a video monitor when the duration of inactivity exceeds the threshold value. In an alternative embodiment, the power control unit switches the peripheral device into a low-power mode when the duration of inactivity exceeds the threshold value. Once in low-power mode, the keyboard controller switches the device back to normal mode upon detecting resumed activity on the keyboard or other input device.

Abstract: A computer keyboard unit (20) is provided with a card interface (15) for receiving an integrated circuit card (smartcard). Normally the keyboard operates in standard manner with the keyboard controller (21) outputting key codes to an associated host computer (11) in correspondence to the keys pressed by a user. However, when the user is required to input a PIN code for passing to a smartcard (16) inserted in the card interface (15), the keyboard controller (21) is set into a special mode in which it passes the key codes of the pressed keys directly to the card interface (15) for transmission to the smartcard. The passing of the PIN code directly to the smartcard and not via the host computer, eliminates the possibility of the PIN code being copied and/or substitued for in passage through the host computer.

Abstract: This invention provides a key-code outputting apparatus for a data processor of the type wherein two or more kinds of characters are assigned to each key of a keyboard connected to the data processor, and different kinds of characters can be inputted from one key by using a character input mode or by using conjointly a function key and a shift key. The key-code outputting apparatus includes a memory for managing a correspondence for each character input mode so that a key-code generated by a key address of the same character inputted from a keyboard of a different kind becomes the same as a key-code generated by the key address inputted from a keyboard having a key arrangement assumed by a data processing program. The key-code outputting apparatus judges the kind of the keyboard, then judges the character input mode used by the data processing program, reads out the key-code in the key arrangement assumed by the data processing program and indicated by the key address inputted from the keyboard on the basis of the judgement result and the correspondence and outputs it to the data processing program. As a result, a correct key-code can be applied to the data processing program even when the key arrangement of the keyboard connected to the data processor is different from the key arrangement assumed by the data processing program inside the data processor.

Abstract: A method for switching between a first mode and a second mode of a processor is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer system includes the processor coupled to a storage device storing a number of instructions. In response to a first interrupt, a first information is stored in the storage device for switching to processing in the first mode starting at a first of the number of instructions. In response to a second interrupt occurring subsequent to the storing of the first information, said processor switches from processing in the first mode to processing in the second mode. Also in response to the second interrupt, a second information is storm in the storage device for returning to processing in the first mode starting at a second of the number of instructions. In response to said processor switching from said first mode to said second mode, said processor switches from processing in the second mode to processing in the first mode starting at the first instruction using the first information if processing starting at the first instruction is required.

Abstract: Computer users vary greatly in their abilities to use a software interface efficiently. One factor that apparently affects users’ efficiency in using an interface is the changes in their skill levels. In this study, an adaptive interface (of menu and command) is presented that dynamically adjusts to users’ changing skill levels. The mechanism of an adaptive interface is described and discussed. The validity and usability of the adaptive interface is tested with 40 participants in an experiment that used a between‐subject experimental design for interface style. The independent variables were interface style (menu, command, hybrid, and adaptive) and skill level (starting session and ending sessions). The dependent variables were task completion time, number of steps used, ratio (of using menu mode over menu and command modes), perceived memory load, and satisfaction with the interface styles. The task‐completion time and ratio data indicate that the adaptive interface produced significantly better performa...

Abstract: The receiver allows individual programme information selection from the programme information signals transmitted with the digital television signals, via a TDM mode. An operating device (2) is coupled to a microprocessor (4), receiving the programme information signals from a demultiplexer (3), coupled to the receiver (1), with selection of appropriate programme information in accordance with the user's individual interest profile, held in a read-only memory (10). Pref. the operating device is used to enter data corresponding to the individual interest profiles for a number of different user's and/or the microprocessor evaluates the television viewing habits of the user to provide the interest profile data for the read-only memory.