Showing papers by "Apple Inc. published in 1997"

Construction of adenovirus vectors through Cre-lox recombination.

Abstract: Two barriers prevent adenovirus-based vectors from having wide application. One is the difficulty of making new adenoviruses, and the second is the strong immunological reaction to viral proteins. Here we describe uses of Cre-lox recombination to overcome these problems. First, we demonstrate a simple method for constructing E1-substituted adenoviruses. Second, we demonstrate a method to construct adenovirus vectors carrying recombinant genes in place of all of the viral genes, so-called gutless adenovirus vectors. The pivotal feature in each method is the use of a negatively selected adenovirus named psi5. We engineered a cis-acting selection into psi5 by flanking its packaging site with loxP sites. When psi5 was grown in cells making a high level of Cre recombinase, the packaging site was deleted by recombination and the yield of psi5 was reduced to 5% of the wild-type level. To make a new E1-substituted virus, we used psi5 as a donor virus and recombined it with a shuttle vector via a loxP site. The resulting recombinant virus has a single loxP site next to the packaging site and therefore outgrows psi5 in the presence of Cre recombinase. To make a gutless virus, we used psi5 as a helper virus. The only viral sequences included in the gutless vector are those needed in cis for its replication and packaging. We found that a loxP site next to the packaging site of the gutless virus was necessary to neutralize homologous recombination between psi5 and the gutless viruses within their packaging domains.

What do Prototypes Prototype

Abstract: Publisher Summary Prototypes are widely recognized to be a core means of exploring and expressing designs for interactive computer artifacts. Choosing the right kind of more focused prototype to build is an art in itself, and communicating its limited purposes to its various audiences is a critical aspect of its use. Current terminology for describing prototypes centers on attributes of prototypes themselves that can be distracting. Tools can be used in many different ways, and detail is not a sure indicator of completion. This chapter proposes a change in the language used to talk about prototypes, to focus more on fundamental questions about the interactive system being designed. The goal of this chapter is to establish a model that describes any prototype in terms of the artifact being designed rather than the prototype's incidental attributes. By focusing on the purpose of the prototype—that is, what it prototypes—better decisions can be made about the kinds of prototypes to build. With a clear purpose for each prototype, prototypes can be better used to think and communicate about design. This chapter begins by describing current difficulties in communicating about prototypes: the complexity of interactive systems; issues of multi-disciplinary teamwork; and the audiences of prototypes. The chapter introduces the model and illustrates it with some initial examples of prototypes from real projects. The chapter concludes with a summary of the main implications of the model for prototyping practice.

Processing images and video for an impressionist effect

Abstract: This paper describes a technique that transforms ordinary video segments into animations that have a hand-painted look. Our method is the first to exploit temporal coherence in video clips to design an automatic filter with a hand-drawn animation quality, in this case, one that produces an Impressionist effect. Off-the-shelf image processing and rendering techniques are employed, modified and combined in a novel way. This paper proceeds through the process step by step, providing helpful hints for tuning the off-the-shelf parts as well as describing the new techniques and bookkeeping used to glue the parts together.

Object shape and reflectance modeling from observation

Abstract: An object model for computer graphics applications should contain two aspects of information: shape and reflectance properties of the object. A number of techniques have been developed for modeling object shapes by observing real objects. In contrast, attempts to model reflectance properties of real objects have been rather limited. In most cases, modeled reflectance properties are too simple or too complicated to be used for synthesizing realistic images of the object.

Method and apparatus for searching for information in a network and for controlling the display of searchable information on display devices in the network

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining information in a network of computer systems and for controlling the display of searchable information. The apparatus includes a first processor having a first display device and being coupled to an information storage device having information stored in at least one information source, where the first processor is coupled to a network. An input device is coupled to the first processor, where the input device is for selecting the information source to provide a selected information source which is to be unavailable for searching. A second processor having a second display device is coupled to the network to communicate with the first processor. The second display device is for displaying an indicia of information source, where the second display device displayed the indicia of the information source when the information source has not been selected by the input device. When the input device has selected the information source the indicia at some point in time after the information source has been selected is no longer displayed on the second display device. The method includes displaying on a first display device to a first indicia which corresponds to an information source stored on an information storage device. The method further includes displaying on the second display device a second indicia corresponding to the information source, this second indicia being displayed when the information source is not selected by the input device. When the information source is selected, at some time after selection, the second indicia is longer displayed on the second display device.

Method and apparatus for automatic generation of vocal emotion in a synthetic text-to-speech system

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic application of vocal emotion parameters to text in a text-to-speech system. Predefining vocal parameters for various vocal emotions allows simple selection and application of vocal emotions to text to be output from a text-to-speech system. Further, the present invention is capable of generating vocal emotion with the limited prosodic controls available in a concatenative synthesizer.

Motion editing with spacetime constraints

Abstract: In this paper, we present a method for editing a pre-existing motion such that it meets new needs yet preserves as much of the original quality as possible. Our approach enables the user to interactively position characters using direct manipulation. A spacetime constraints solver finds these positions while considering the entire motion. This paper discusses the three central challenges of creating such an approach: defining a constraint formulation that is rich enough to be effective, yet simple enough to afford fast solution; providing a solver that is fast enough to solve the constraint problems at interactive rates; and creating an interface that allows users to specify and visualize changes to entire motions. We present examples with a prototype system that permits interactive motion editing for articulated 3D characters on personal computers. I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism – Animation; I.3.6 [Computer Graphics]: Methodology and Techniques Interaction Techniques; G.1.6 [Numerical Analysis]: Optimization. Spacetime Constraints, Motion Displacement Mapping.

Method for emulating guest instructions on a host computer through dynamic recompilation of host instructions

Abstract: An architecture and method for emulating guest instructions with host instructions, executable on a host computer, based on a translation scheme. The architecture includes a guest instruction memory and program counter and a RAM memory storing host instructions, in which an address word stored in the program counter is mapped to the RAM memory to access the host instructions. The method constitutes dynamically recompiling (DR) host instructions including providing one memory which stores host instructions, providing in other memory having line entries for storing a fixed number of dynamically recompiled host instructions, and copying a host instruction from the one memory into a line entry of the other memory.

FAQ link creation between user's questions and answers

Abstract: A user enters input, or a question in natural language form, and information is retrieved. A questions database is coupled to the input interface and contains questions which are comparable to the input and which the source retrieves in response to an input. An information source is coupled to the input interface and contains information which is relevant to retrieved questions. A searcher is coupled to the input interface for searching the information source for information which is relevant to the input. Information is ranked according to the entered query. A user's question is stored and linked to answers in the questions database. Users may add and link new questions which are not already stored in the questions database.

How multimedia workloads will change processor design

Abstract: Workloads drive architecture design and will change in the next two decades. For high-performance, general-purpose processors, there is a consensus that multimedia will continue to grow in importance. The authors predict these processors will incorporate more media processing capabilities, eventually bringing about the demise of specialized media processors, except perhaps, in embedded applications. These enhanced general-purpose processor capabilities will arise from multimedia applications that require real-time response, continuous-media data types and significant fine-grained data parallelism.

System and method for identifying and locating services on multiple heterogeneous networks using a query by type

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for identifying and locating computer network services. The invention gives an application the ability to search for network services in a manner independent of the network communication protocol used by the network. The invention can thus operate as a layer of abstraction between the Transport and Network Layers and the Application Layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) Reference Model of network architecture and suite of protocols. The invention gives the client application the ability to browse for network services based on the type of service (such as remote file access, mail, Web, domain name registration, etc.), rather than having to know the name or location of the service or the underlying network communication protocol used by the service. Some of the contemplated service name identification protocols used to find the requested types of services include Internet-related protocols such as Domain Name Service (DNS) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), as well as Service Location Protocol (SLP), running on top of the Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

A Low-Power Wide-Linear-Range Transconductance Amplifier

Abstract: The linear range of approximately ±75 mV of traditional subthreshold transconductance amplifiers is too small for certain applications—for example, for filters in electronic cochleas, where it is desirable to handle loud sounds without distortion and to have a large dynamic range. We describe a transconductance amplifier designed for low-power (< 1 µW) subthreshold operation with a wide input linear range. We obtain wide linear range by widening the tanh, or decreasing the ratio of transconductance to bias current, by a combination of four techniques. First, the well terminals of the input differential-pair transistors are used as the amplifier inputs. Then, feedback techniques known as source degeneration (a common technique) and gate degeneration (a new technique) provide further improvements. Finally, a novel bump-linearization technique extends the linear range even further. We present signal-flow diagrams for speedy analysis of such circuit techniques. Our transconductance reduction is achieved in a compact 13-transistor circuit without degrading other characteristics such as dc-input operating range. In a standard 2 µm process, we were able to obtain a linear range of ±1.7V. Using our wide-linear-range amplifier and a capacitor, we construct a follower–integrator with an experimental dynamic range of 65 dB. We show that, if the amplifier‘s noise is predominantly thermal, then an increase in its linear range increases the follower–integrator‘s dynamic range. If the amplifier‘s noise is predominantly 1/f, then an increase in its linear range has no effect on the follower–integrator‘s dynamic range. To preserve follower–integrator bandwidth, power consumption increases proportionately with an increase in the amplifier‘s linear range. We also present data for changes in the subthreshold exponential parameter with current level and with gate-to-bulk voltage that should be of interest to all low-power designers. We have described the use of our amplifier in a silicon cochlea [1, 2].

Disk controller having sequential digital logic in a state machine for transferring data between DMA device and disk drive with minimal assistance of the CPU

Abstract: A method for transferring data between a host computer and peripheral storage including the steps of: (a) receiving data from the host; (b) determining if an escape command is present in the data; (c) writing the data to the a peripheral storage medium if a escape command is not present in the data; and (d) performing as least one command relative to the peripheral storage if a escape command is present in the data. Also disclosed is a method for controlling a disk drive unit including the steps of: (a) determining on a host computer a current action to be performed with a disk drive unit; (b) formatting a track of a disk engaged with a disk drive unit based upon output data provided by the host computer if the current action is a formatting action; (c) writing a sector on the disk based upon the output data provided by the host computer if the current action is a writing action; and (d) reading a sector of the disk and transferring input information to the host computer if the action is a reading action. Escape codes are used to distinguish "normal" data from "special" data. A disk drive controller of the present invention includes digital logic responsive to a data bus of the host computer and operative to develop a datatype bus based on the data bus, where the datatype bus is operative to specify one of a plurality of data types, and a converter responsive to the data bus and the datatype bus and operative to provide serial data to a disk drive unit mechanism.

Method of entering and using handwriting to identify locations within an electronic book

Abstract: A method for controlling a screen display of an electronic book. The contents of the book are displayed on a screen of the computer system as pages with which the user interacts by a pointer such as a pen or stylus. The content engine performs various functions including one or more of the following: (1) creating page displays for content of the book, (2) providing a navigation interface for identifying material in the book and moving to desired locations, (3) finding character strings located within the book, and (4) accepting handwritten information on pages of the book. The electronic book includes a "bookmark" button which when selected displays a bookmark icon and inserts a bookmark in the book at the page that is currently displayed. Thereafter the user can close the book or move to another page and automatically return to the marked page by selecting the bookmark icon. The user can also move to other pages by scrolling with scroll keys or other navigational devices such as tables of contents browsers and menu pages which are provided on the computer system.

Creating image-based VR using a self-calibrating fisheye lens

Abstract: Image-based virtual reality is emerging as a major alternative to the more traditional 3D-based VR. The main advantages of the image-based VR are its photoquality realism and 3D illusion without any 3D information. Unfortunately, creating content for image-based VR is usually a very tedious process. This paper proposes to use a non-perspective fisheye lens to capture the spherical panorama with very few images. Unlike most of camera calibration in computer vision, self-calibration of the fisheye lens poses new questions regarding the parameterization of the distortion and wrap-around effects. Because of its unique projection model and large field of view (near 180 degrees), most of the ambiguity problems in self-calibrating a traditional lens can be solved trivially. We demonstrate that with four fisheye lens images, we can seamlessly register them to create the spherical panorama, while self-calibrating its distortion and field of view.

Activity theory: basic concepts and applications

Abstract: This tutorial introduces participants to Activity Theory, a conceptual approach that provides a broad framework for describing the structure, development, and context of computer-supported activities. The tutorial will consist of lectures, discussion and small group exercises. A Web community will be established so attendees will be able to continue to learn about and use activity theory.

Social interaction on the Net: virtual community as participatory genre

Abstract: The phrase "virtual community" is often used to describe long term, computer-mediated conversations amongst large groups. This paper suggests that such conversations may be better viewed as instances of a participatory genre, rather than as community. A genre-oriented analysis is useful because it encourages a focus on the medium within which the discourse is embodied. As an example we analyze an online conversation from the perspective of genre: we identify its communicative purpose, regularities of form and substance (such as word play and affirmation), and the situation which gives rise to these regularities. We then examine ways in which the discourse medium supports these regularities and enables participants to establish and reinforce the conversation's underlying conventions. More generally, we believe that genre-oriented analyses such as this can play an important role in the design of participatory media.

Graphical argumentation and design cognition

Abstract: Many efforts have been made to exploit the properties of graphical notations to support argument construction and communication. In the context of design rationale capture, we are interested in graphical argumentation structures as cognitive tools to support individual and collaborative design in real time. This context of use requires a detailed understanding of how a new representational structure integrates into the cognitive and discursive flow of design, that is, whether it provides supportive or intrusive structure. This article presents a use-oriented analysis of a graphical argumentation notation known as QOC (Questions, Options, and Criteria). Through a series of empirical studies, we show that it provides most support when elaborating poorly understood design spaces, but is a distraction when evaluating well-constrained design spaces. This is explained in terms of the cognitive compatibility between argumentative reasoning and the demands of different modes of designing. We then provide an account based on the collaborative affordances of QOC in group design meetings, and extend this to discuss the evolution of QOC argumentation from short term working memory to long term group memory.

Method and apparatus for supplying power to devices coupled to a bus

Abstract: The power management system tracks the total amount of power drawn from a bus by devices connected to the bus and to the bus itself, based on the individual operational status of each device. The power manager system also tracks the total amount of power supplied to the bus. From this information the power manager system determines whether a power surplus exists sufficient to allow an additional device to operate or to allow a currently operating device to draw more power. Power usage requests received from devices connected to the bus are granted or denied by the power management system based on the determination of available power. The power management system additionally is capable of sequencing the use of several devices to allow the devices to each operate while maintaining the total power draw within an acceptable range. The system provides for efficient use of a limited amount of power to allow operation of more devices than conventionally allowed with a bus. The system also can activate power supply devices which are off-line via soft-power-on commands to increase the total amount of power available. The system is advantageously implemented with any bus system having devices drawing power from the bus from power supplies providing limited power.

System for extending functionality of a digital ROM using RAM/ROM jump tables and patch manager for updating the tables

Abstract: A system and method for extending the functionality of a digital system is disclosed. The system includes a read-only memory (ROM) for storing an extendible control application, a processing unit for executing the code stored in ROM, an imaging device for capturing optical images and converting them to digital code, random-access memory (RAM) for providing working memory for the processing unit and storage for files and images, an input-output (I/O) device for receiving user input and communicating with a host computer to transfer images and files, and an optional removable memory for providing storage for images and a means for introducing extensions into the system. The ROM image includes a patch manager and function pointers which, together, permit the redirection of the program execution sequence. New pieces of code (extensions) can, through such redirection, be incorporated into the original, non-modifiable control application, to supplement or replace routines of the original control application.

Methods and apparatuses for handwriting recognition

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handwriting recognition system for ideographic characters and other characters based on subcharacter hidden Markov models. The ideographic characters are modeled using a sequence of subcharacter models and by using two-dimensional geometric layout models of the subcharacters. The subcharacter hidden Markov models are created according to one embodiment by following a set of design rules. The combination of the sequence and geometric layout of the subcharacter models is used to recognize the handwriting character.

Method for dynamic presentation of the contents topically rich capsule overviews corresponding to the plurality of documents, resolving co-referentiality in document segments

Abstract: A method for the dynamic presentation of the contents of a plurality of documents on a display is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a plurality of documents and providing a plurality of topically rich capsule overviews corresponding to the plurality of documents. The method also includes dynamically delivering document content encapsulated in the plurality of capsule overviews. In so doing, the method in accordance with the present invention can present thematic capsule overviews of the documents to users. The capsule overviews, delivered in a variety of dynamic presentation modes, allow the user to quickly get a sense of what a document is about, and decide whether they want to read it in more detail. In a preferred embodiment, the capsule overviews include a containment hierarchy which relates the different information levels in a document together, and which includes a collection of highly salient topic stamps embedded in layers of progressively richer and more informative contextualized text fragments. The novel presentation metaphors which the invention utilizes are based on notions of temporal typography, in particular for exploiting the interactions between form and content.

Genetic evaluation of the three captive mexican wolf lineages

Abstract: The Mexican gray wolf appears to be extinct in the wild and exists now only in captivity. There are three captive putative Mexican wolf lineages: Certified, Ghost Ranch, and Aragon lineages. From pedigree analysis, the Certified lineage has the lowest level of inbreeding and has retained the most founder alleles. In contrast, the Ghost Ranch has a high level of inbreeding and fewest founder alleles. From molecular genetics data, particularly from microsatellite loci, it appears that all of the lineages consist of Mexican wolves, and none of them appear to have ancestry from dogs or coyotes. Further, the molecular data are consistent with the- Certified lineage having three founders instead of the four previously assumed. From these findings, we recommend that the three lineages be combined to increase the number of founders and to postpone any inbreeding depression. The combination of pedigree analysis and molecular genetic data allowed us to resolve several long-standing concerns in Mexican wolves. Zoo Biol

System and method for capturing images of screens which display multiple windows

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing images on screens which display multiple windows. Exemplary embodiments eliminate unnecessary reading and writing of information pertaining to display data that is not visible. A user designates an arbitrary region of a screen to be captured, which can cross windows that are displayed at different layers within the image. A snapshot of the selected region is obtained by retrieving data for each of the pixels in the region, converting them into standard values, and storing them in an off-screen pixel map. Before the data for the pixels is obtained, a listing is made of all windows that are encompassed by the designated region. For each window a record is made of the portion of the window that is visible within the designated region. If no portion is visible, the window is removed from the list. After all of the windows within the region have been examined in this manner, only the pixels pertaining to the recorded visible portion of each window need to be read and stored in the pixel map. With this approach, redundancy is eliminated, since only the visible pixel data is retrieved and written to the pixel map.

Projective registration with difference decomposition

Abstract: Current methods for registering image regions perform well for simple transformations or large image regions. The author presents a new method that is better able to handle small image regions as they deform with nonlinear transformations. He introduces difference decomposition, a novel approach to solving the registration problem. The method is a generalization of previous methods and can better handle nonlinear transforms. Although the methods are general, he focuses on projective transformations and introduces piecewise-projective transformations for modeling the motions of non-planar objects. He concludes with examples from a prototype implementation.

Flat panel display with integrated electromagnetic pen digitizer

Abstract: An electromagnetic pen digitizer is integrated into a flat panel display assembly using “bent TAB” active electronics. Integration is performed by placing a discrete electromagnetic pen digitizer further inside the flat panel display assembly itself behind the diffuser backlight component, but in front of the “bent TAB” active electronics. Interference from the active electronics is avoided because they are not in between the digitizer and the pen operating upon the flat panel display. The electromagnetic pen digitizer is integrated into the flat panel display assembly by inserting the digitizer into the flat panel display assembly behind the diffuser backlight during the routine manufacture of the flat panel display assembly. Alternatively, the discrete electromagnetic pen digitizer is bonded to the diffuser backlight earlier in the manufacturing process; the combined diffuser backlight/digitizer component is placed into the flat panel display assembly during the routine manufacture of the complete flat panel display assembly. By integrating such a digitizer into the routine manufacturing process of a flat panel display, a standard “off-the-shelf” flat panel display may be used. The digitizer may be directly coated onto the diffuser backlight through an indium tin oxide (ITO) coating on the backlight itself. Also, an electromagnetic digitizer may be fabricated onto the front of the diffuser backlight by using a thin-film etched flexible circuit technique or a silk screen printed thin-film technique. Integrating an electromagnetic pen digitizer in this fashion allows for greater use of “off-the-shelf” display panels with only slight modifications.

Designing a graphical user interface for healthcare workers in rural India

Abstract: This paper describes the research and development of an interface for a mobile computing device to be used by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in rural India. We describe the insights of the team from Apple Research Lab (ARL), who have had the privilege of working in a very different culture from the ones they are used to. We show how our observations of the healthcare workers performing their caring and administrative functions informed the design of the user interface. We illustrate how we developed the graphical language, navigational structure and data entry techniques. We provide a summary of the feedback we received from early field trials and some thoughts on the appropriateness of our approach to design in this environment.

Merging multiple teleconferences

Abstract: An automatic method in a teleconferencing system for merging at least two ongoing teleconferences. A first endpoint transmits a merge request message to the at least two teleconferences to a second endpoint. The merge request message includes a list of members in one of the at least two ongoing teleconferences. The second endpoint receives the merge request message and transmits join request messages to each member in the list of members. The first endpoint, the second endpoint and each member in the list of members then establish one teleconference.

System and method for stopping updates at a specified timestamp in a remote duplicate database facility

Abstract: A primary computer system has a database, application programs that modify the local database, and a transaction manager that stores audit records in a local audit trail reflecting those application program modifications to the local database. A plurality of parallel backup systems are used to provide "triple contingency protection" of the data on the primary computer system. However, if the primary system suffers a sudden catastrophic failure, the parallel backup systems will generally be left in inconsistent states. To restart the application programs on one of the backup system, the parallel backup are first synchronized with each other, and then transaction processing is restarted with one of the backup systems as the new primary system, and the other backup systems as the backups to the new primary system. In addition, in order to enable any single backup system's database to be brought into a self consistent state, backup volume Updaters are stopped after database updates for all transactions committed on the primary system before a specified time have been completely applied to the backup system's database. After any reports requiring a self consistent database have been generated, operation of the Updaters is resumed.