Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for efficiently improving a dictionary used for data deduplication. Dictionaries are used to hold hash key and location pairs for deduplicated data. Strong hash keys prevent collisions but weak hash keys are more computation and storage efficient. Mechanisms are provided to use both a weak hash key and a strong hash key. Weak hash keys and corresponding location pairs are stored in an improved dictionary while strong hash keys are maintained with the deduplicated data itself. The need for having uniqueness from a strong hash function is balanced with the deduplication dictionary space savings from a weak hash function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently controlling source computers connected to a display system. A control computer is connected to one or more source computers and video output is shown on a display system. A mouse and associated input devices may operate in video processor mode or source computer mode based on mouse x-coordinate and y-coordinate position information. Other modes such as control computer mode are also possible. In particular instances, a mouse and associated input devices operate in source computer mode to control a particular source computer when the mouse pointer position resides within one of the source computer windows. A mode of operation may switch based on a change in mouse position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for virtualizing resources including peripheral components and peripheral interfaces. Peripheral component such as hardware accelerators and peripheral interfaces such as port adapters are offloaded from individual servers onto a resource virtualization switch. Multiple servers are connected to the resource virtualization switch over an I/O bus fabric such as PCI Express or PCI-AS. The resource virtualization switch allows efficient access, sharing, management, and allocation of resources.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided for sending targeted content and data to mobile devices. Location information associated with a device is determined. In some instances, the location information is manually entered. In other instances, the location information is determined automatically from characteristics associated with the device. Location information can be obtained from global positioning system (GPS) data, cell-site triangulation, Internet Protocol (IP) address detection, etc. Content and advertising can be provided in a location relevant manner to the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a programmable chip using a high-level language. Code sequences or subroutines provided in a high-level language are overloaded with information to specify the number of hardware resources such as logic elements or functional blocks used to implement the code on a programmable chip. Code sequences remain compliant with standard high-level language compilers while also being able to provide resource count information to high-level language to hardware compilers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently and intelligently communicating characteristic information in video graphics switcher environments. An intelligent video graphics switcher obtains display device characteristic information associated with multiple display devices and maintains updated characteristic information. When an event such as a connection/disconnection or switching event occurs between the video graphics switcher and a display device, the characteristic information is communicated to an appropriate host by triggering a connection/disconnection event with the host.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently controlling source computers connected to a display system. A control computer, source computers, and a video processor are connected over a control network. Input signals such as keyboard and mouse input signals are provided to the video processor and the source computers through the control network. The source computers are also connected to the video processor through a video interface, such as multiple Digital Video Interface (DVI) lines. The use of a hybrid system allows flexibility in configuring and using the control network while providing high throughput and low latency for video sent to the video processor.