Jonathan Feinstein

US Patent:

6425093, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Jan 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/225172

Inventors:

Amar Singh - Bothell WA
Richard Elmore - Kirkland WA
Jonathan Feinstein - Ithaca NY

Assignee:

Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 38, 714 48, 714 51, 714 55

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for controlling the operation of a digital processing system. In one example of a method of the invention, a first status indicator is received for a first software program which is executing on the digital processing system, and it is determined whether the first software program is in a first state. In response to determining that the first software program is not in the first state, then a first predetermined function is performed. In one embodiment, several additional status indicators may be received, one for each of several software programs which are executing on the system. For each additional status indicator, it is determined whether the corresponding software program is in the first state, and if it is not in the first state, then a corresponding, predetermined function is performed, such as (for example) relaunching the corresponding software. In one particular embodiment, the first status indicator, which indicates the first software program is not in a fault state, is provided by the first software program to another software program which is also executing on the system. In this particular embodiment, the first status indicator resets a counter which corresponds to the first software program and which is controlled by the another software program.

US Patent:

47522690, Jun 21, 1988

Filed:

May 9, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/861262

Inventors:

Jonathan Feinstein - Ithaca NY

International Classification:

A63H 3308

US Classification:

446124

Abstract:

Three-dimensional, reconfigurable playthings or blocks may be interconnected in a myriad of designs. A plurality of generally flat blocks of substantially uniform thickness in varying geometric outlines and contours are interconnected through the utilization of defined notches in one or more sides of any of the blocks to be configured. Generally, the notch is substantially equal to the thickness of the various blocks so that they may be interconnected in an orthogonal fashion. Additionally, the blocks, through the utilization of the notch, may be configured in a generally cantilevered fashion through the use of two or more points for contact friction fitting. Use of flexible materials enhances the safety of the blocks in an environment of a children's toy, and additional embodiments utilizing ribbed notches further enhance the interconnection of the blocks to allow additional exercise of imagination in configuring designs.

Author:

Jonathan Feinstein

ISBN #:

0804745730

Author:

Jonathan Feinstein

ISBN #:

0823077233