Abstract:
The present invention provides a CD-ROM player which can be installed and used as simply as a VCR. The CD-ROM player includes a CD-ROM drive and supporting hardware and software to activate and execute a program on a CD-ROM disk. It is not necessary to explicitly issue commands to activate and use the disk. The user interface is completely intuitive and simple even for someone who is completely computer illiterate. This player allows everyone, both proficient computer users and those not so proficient, to use the vast library of CD-ROM programs that have been written for personal computers.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a cross-point switching array of the type comprising an array of cross-points (16) for selectively connecting each of a plurality of first lines (12) to any of a plurality of second lines (14), an array of control elements (18), each control element controlling the connection across a respective one of the cross-points in accordance with connection signals, and a control system for supplying respective connection signals to the control elements in order to connect selected first lines to selected second lines in a required configuration. The apparatus of the invention is characterised in that the control system comprises a first memory means (22) assocated with each cross point for storing a current connection signal, the outputs of all the first memory means currently determining the configuration, a second memory means (26) associated with each first memory means for storing a future connection signal, and means (30) for concurrently transferring the future connection signals from each second memory means to the associated first memory means so that the transferred future connection signals become current connection signals.
Abstract:
A video game cartridge that can be plugged into a video game machine to enable a user to request and play a video game for a predetermined number of video frames. The cartridge has a receiver for receiving the video game program and the predetermined frame count in response to a request from the user. The program and frame count is then stored in a memory of the cartridge. Finally, the cartridge has a counter which changes its value when the user is actively playing the video game program. The counter ceases to change its value when the user is not playing the video game program. When the counter reaches a predetermined limit, the user is no longer authorized to play the video game program.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a CD-ROM player which can be installed and used as simply as a VCR. The CD-ROM player includes a CD-ROM drive and supporting hardware and software to activate and execute a program on a CD-ROM disk. It is not necessary to explicitly issue commands to activate and use the disk. The user interface is completely intuitive and simple even for someone who is completely computer illiterate. This player allows everyone, both proficient computer users and those not so proficient, to use the vast library of CD-ROM programs that have been written for personal computers.
Abstract:
A method of switching synchronous and asynchronous data packets through a multi-stage interconnection network (MIN), so as to insure that packets with the highest assignable priority level will never be blocked at any stage of the network. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of switching voice and data packets over the MIN wherein each of the address bits in each packet determine the connection to be established at each particular stage in the network and wherein each packet has therein a priority level. In each time slot of a frame, the priority level of the packets stored in a particular originating adapter are compared and the packet with the highest priority level in each adapter is forwarded through the MIN and routed through the MIN as described above. Also, at each subswitch at each stage of the MIN, if two or more packets request the same subswitch output, only the packet with the higher priority is forwarded to the subswitch output. A packet will be assigned the highest priority only if a corresponding packet for a given circuit connection with second highest priority level was successfully transmitted through the MIN.
Abstract:
A method of switching synchronous and asynchronous data packets through a multi-stage interconnection network (MIN), so as to insure that packets with the highest assignable priority level will never be blocked at any stage of the network. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of switching voice and data packets over the MIN wherein each of the address bits in each packet determine the connection to be established at each particular stage in the network and wherein each packet has therein a priority level. In each time slot of a frame, the priority level of the packets stored in a particular originating adapter are compared and the packet with the highest priority level in each adapter is forwarded through the MIN and routed through the MIN as described above. Also, at each subswitch at each stage of the MIN, if two or more packets request the same subswitch output, only the packet with the higher priority is forwarded to the subswitch output. A packet will be assigned the highest priority only if a corresponding packet for a given circuit connection with second highest priority level was successfully transmitted through the MIN.
Abstract:
SWITCHING ARRAY WITH CONCURRENT MARKING CAPABILITY A cross-point switching array in which each cross-point of the array is controlled by the output of a first memory. Each first memory is associated with a second memory. The second memories can be sequentially set by a single controller while the cross-point connections are maintained according to the first memories. The contents of all second memories are concurrently loaded into the associated first memories to simultaneously reconfigure the cross-point array.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To directly connect an old-fashioned telephone set or facsimile to a packet network by performing transmission through at least one among an input-output unit, a network interface unit and plural interface devices from the system. SOLUTION: A hub 104 connects a network interface card(NIC) 103 in a device to a personal computer(PC) 150 and a cable modem 152 through two pieces of RJ 45 plugs. In this connection, it is possible to perform telephone voice communication through a cable line. Also, it is possible to link another network connecting medium that can transfer packet data to the hub 104. And, 1st and 2nd analog signals and 1st and 2nd data packets are received and transmission is performed from this system through at least one among an input- output T unit, a network interface unit and plural interface devices.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-termination type CD-ROM reproducing device capable of being used by easily installing same as a VCR. SOLUTION: This CD-ROM reproducing device 201 contains a CD-ROM drive 215 and supporting hardware and software, and executes by starting up a program on a CD-ROM disk 216. Since the device is used by starting up the disk, no command is required to issue specifically. A user interface is easily operated completely and intuitively by a person without the knowledge of a computer. Everybody such as a skilful or unskilled computer user uses a large library of CD-ROM programs written for a personal computer by using the reproducing device 201.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a CD-ROM player which can be installed and used as simply as a VCR. The CD-ROM player includes a CD-ROM drive and supporting hardware and software to activate and execute a program on a CD-ROM disk. It is not necessary to explicitly issue commands to activate and use the disk. The user interface is completely intuitive and simple even for someone who is completely computer illiterate. This player allows everyone, both proficient computer users and those not so proficient, to use the vast library of CD-ROM programs that have been written for personal computers.