Abstract: A password scheme wherein a node is provided a configuration message at start-up which configures a shell of the node directing a search order of network password files. The node, group, and network password files are then transparently searched in the order specified by the configuration message.

Abstract: A real-time database management system in which data generated by a producer process is buffered in a plurality of update buffers and transmitted asynchronously into a consumer process, such as a database management system, so that neither the producer process nor the consumer process has to halt operations during I/O requests and data is not lost.

Abstract: An arbitration system and method are provided for arbitrating access to a system resource such as a memory, wherein the address decode and arbitration portions of the arbitration cycle occur simultaneously thereby reducing the overall arbitration cycle time.

Abstract: Input to the system is buffered by the forms manager to determine access to the tile/region and to check entered data. The tile/region will retain various information such as data entered, user, time, changes, etc. To display a form, the forms manager obtains a list of objects to be displayed. This list of objects is then edited to remove objects which are not utilized and to place the remaining objects in a prioritized order. The forms manager then generates the display.

Abstract: Two or more memory arrays are coupled to two or more error detection and correction (EDAC). Each memory array has a plurality of memory devices each having a plurality of outputs. The outputs of each memory are divided among the EDACs such that no more than two outputs from a single memory device are coupled to a single EDAC.

Abstract: A concurrent arbitration system and method are provided wherein the most recent requester retains control of a system resource under certain conditions and is allowed access to the resource during a portion of an arbitration cycle which will result in the granting of access to the resource by another requester. This overlapping of a resource access cycle and an arbitration cycle decreases the overall arbitration time and therefore reduces the overall resource access time.

Abstract: A programmable logic device having four AND gate means defined therein is used to combine first and second inputs as well as multiplexing and latch signals. These signals are ANDed together (first input and multiplexing signals; inverted multiplexing signal and latch signal and second input; inverted multiplexing signal, second input signal and device output signal; and inverted latch signal and device output signal) to provide four output signals which are ORed together to produce the device output signal.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion module and method minimize software involvement by providing a programmable control table comprising a plurality of conversion command words (CCW's). Each CCW designates conversion parameters such as channel and reference selection, input sample time, and re-sample inhibit for one conversion operation, upon conclusion of which a digital value is stored in a corresponding result table. A set of CCW's defines one or more conversion sequences. Upon conclusion of each sequence, an interrupt can be issued and the result table may be read by an associated device, such as a CPU. If desired, the CCW sequence may be dynamically altered during operation of the conversion system.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion system module comprises a pin-limited A/D converter integrated circuit (I.C.) to which at least one multiplexer I.C. may be coupled and sampled.In one embodiment, host system software involvement is minimized by providing a sequence of sample commands, implemented by a channel sequencer or a programmable control table comprising a plurality of conversion command words (CCW's). A set of CCW's defines a conversion sequence which may be initiated and performed with minimal host system software involvement, upon conclusion of which a result table storing the converted digital values may be read by an associated device, such as a CPU.In one embodiment, some I/O pins of the A/D converter I.C. function either as analog inputs or address outputs to the external multiplexer, while other analog input pins alternatively function as single input channels or as combined channels from one or more external multiplexers.

Abstract: A requesting manager sends a message to its local configuration processor requesting notice of status changes in a general or particular, resource or node. The configuration manager establishes a record in its status monitoring file containing the information from the requesting process' message. The configuration manager receives messages: from remote configuration managers or local resource managers regarding resource status changes; and from its local network interface module regarding node changes. The configuration manager then compares these status change notifications with the records in its status monitoring file. If there is a match, the configuration manager sends a message to the requesting process reporting the status change. The status changes that are reported may be limited by the requesting process by specifying a particular status change, a particular resource, or other option.

Abstract: In a real-time data base system, data is updated by reading the data and checking an exception flag associated with a locked status. If the exception flag is not set, the data is locked and read in an updatable fashion. If the data is locked, the data may still be read if a peek-mode access is requested.

Abstract: An electronic assembly comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards residing in a chassis and a removable high frequency, multi-conductor flexible cable, having a connector at each end, the structure of said cable being such that, if positioned in a single plane, it has a plurality of substantially rigid turns, the sum of the degrees of arc of such turns in one direction being equal to the sum of the degrees of arc of such turns in the opposite direction, such that the conductors have equal lengths throughout the cable, resulting in matched signal lengths throughout the cable.To provide optimum shielding, the cable is formed of a plurality of pairs of conductors, each pair is separated by a ground conductor, and the top and bottom of the cable are ground planes.

Abstract: A hospital information system comprises a data processing system including a plurality of terminals having display means and data entry means. Patient information is entered into the system via the terminals, is organized hierarchically in the system, and may be displayed to users having proper access to the system. The system provides a time-oriented task list, which is automatically generated from data which has been entered from physicians' and nursing orders. Tasks may be charted by a system user without exiting from the task list, and all associated form(s) are automatically updated.

Abstract: A hospital information system comprises a data processing system including a plurality of terminals having display means and data entry means. Patient information is entered into the system via the terminals, is organized hierarchically in the system, and may be displayed to users having proper access to the system. The system provides a time-oriented task list, which is automatically generated from data which has been entered from physicians' and nursing orders. Tasks may be charted by a system user directly onto a system form, and the task list and any associated form(s) are automatically updated.

Abstract: In a computer human interface an adjustable "window" enables the user to view a portion of an abstract, device-independent "picture" description of information. More than one window can be opened at a time. Each window can be sized independently of another, regardless of the applications running on them. The human interface creates a separate "object" (represented by a process) for each active picture and for each active window. The pictures are completely independent of each other. That is, none is aware of the existence of any other, and any picture can be updated without reference to, and without affect upon, any other. The same is true of windows. Thus the visual entity seen on a user's screen is represented by two objects: a window (distinguished by its frame title, icons, etc.) and a picture which is (partially) visible within the boundaries of the window's frame.

Abstract: A distributed data processing system is provided comprising a plurality of processes which communicate with one another using messages. When a process is created or terminated anywhere in the system a notification message may be requested. Such requests may be made regarding different organizational levels of the system, for example the entire system, one node, or a group of related processes.

Abstract: A computer system monitor and controller is provided which, in response to certain command input signals, logic signals and sensor input signals, shuts off power to a computer either immediately or after the computer's operating system has accomplished a controlled shutdown procedure.

Abstract: A multi-processor, multi-tasking virtual machine comprises processes, messages, and contexts. Processes communicate only through messages. Processes may be grouped into contexts of related processes. Communication may be made between processes in different or related contexts or at the same context level.According to one message transmission mode, a message may be sent to each process with a given name within one context, thus ensuring that all processes with the same name at the same context level can be communicated with individually without knowing how many there are or where they are located.

Abstract: A low-cost, quickly prototyped sensor circuit assembly comprises a sensor integrated circuit and an amplifier circuit, wherein all adjustable system resistors are located on the sensor integrated circuit in the form of adjustable thin-film resistive elements whose manufacture requires no new mask layers. An assembly method comprises trimming the sensor and amplifier circuit as a matched pair.

Abstract: A data management system used by a digital computer system comprises a plurality of individual file systems which are connected together in a logical ring configuration around which file requests travel. File requests may be transmitted by the user to the "next" file system in the ring relative to the user.File requests optionally may or may not specify a file system name. If a file system name is specified, then the request is forwarded unidirectionally around the logical ring until either that file system name is found or the request returns to its starting point. If no file system name is specified, then an attempt is made to satisfy the request on each file system in turn until either the request is satisfied or the request returns to its starting point.