Abstract: A computing system having expansion modules. One of the expansion modules is identified as a master module. The other modules act as slaves to the master module. The central processing unit routes a task to either the master module for portioning out or to all of the expansion modules. The master module then receives completion signals from all of the active slave modules and then provides only one interrupt to the central processing unit for that task.

Abstract: Processor-based systems which may include non-volatile write-back cache and a disk drive may flush cache when the processor-based system is shut down. Flushing large cache to a disk drive may consume large amounts of time. Sequentially writing dirty cache lines during a system shutdown may alleviate the need to flush dirty cache lines and may require much less time.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory module. The module includes a nonvolatile memory array and a connector allowing the array to make connection with a host system. A memory controller operates to either create an image of a nonvolatile intermediate memory in response to an imaging request or populate a nonvolatile intermediate memory in response to an installation request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for traversing a schedule with a bus master, the schedule having a plurality of elements, each element having information pertaining to one of a plurality of endpoints; executing transactions on a bus in accordance with the information pertaining to the plurality of endpoints; counting flow control events issued by individual endpoints; and skipping elements in the traversal of the schedule, the elements being skipped corresponding to endpoints which have issued a threshold number of flow control events.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for communicating data using a hub. The method includes determining a first estimated unused capacity left in a first frame in which a second transaction is to be performed between a hub and an agent. The method then includes determining an amount of a first data that can fit into the estimated unused capacity and that is to be sent to the hub during a first transaction and then sent by the hub to the agent during the second transaction. The method also includes sending the first data to the hub during the first transaction.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system includes a memory array. The memory array comprises a first layer of memory cells overlying a second layer of memory cells and bit lined coupled to at least one memory cell in the first layer of memory cells and to at least one memory cell in the second layer of memory cell.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the time for system initializations is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, data accessed during a system initialization is loaded into a non-volatile cache and is pinned to prevent eviction. By pinning data into the cache, the data required for system initialization is pre-loaded into the cache on a system reboot, thereby eliminating the need to access a disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making changes to an active schedule being processed by a host controller is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes examining a transaction descriptor, determining a current state for a transaction based on the transaction descriptor, and preventing the transaction from starting if the current state indicates the transaction has not already started.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed providing for broadened time constraints under USB 2.0 protocol, enabling extended cable spans, in addition to other benefits. The present invention in one embodiment utilizes ‘split transactions’ to take advantage of the relaxed latency requirements of this scheme, in addition to utilizing the 80/20 transaction ratio for USB 2.0 microframes. Another embodiment of the present invention improves timing constraints by providing a delay between start splits and complete splits equal to some number, ‘N’, of microframes. A further embodiment takes advantage of the fact that under USB 2.0, no transaction can span from one frame to the next, freeing one extra microframe per frame by virtue of phase shifting a slave device into appropriate synchnronization. Lastly, an embodiment of the present invention improves timing constraints by providing a delay between start splits and complete splits equal to a full frame (eight microframes).

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory module. The module includes a nonvolatile memory array and a connector allowing the array to make connection with a host system. A memory controller operates to either create an image of a nonvolatile intermediate memory in response to an imaging request or populate a nonvolatile intermediate memory in response to an installation request.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for communicating between a host and an agent. The method includes the step of performing a first transaction between a host controller and a hub. The hub is operable to perform a single transaction with an agent based on the first transaction. The method then includes the step of performing a second transaction between the host controller and the hub. The second transaction is based on the single transaction.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for communicating data using a hub. The method includes the step of buffering a single transfer request received at a hub during a transaction between the hub and a host controller, where the single transfer request is to be performed between the hub and an agent to generate a result. The method then includes the step of determining whether a transfer inquiry received at the hub from the host controller corresponds to the result.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for power management that reduces computer power consumption by causing a low power state (‘suspend’ mode) to be entered by specific, peripheral device-related computer components, wherein the components enter the suspend mode after a short period of peripheral device inactivity and are able to resume to an ‘active’ mode quickly without losing information entered into the peripheral device during the transition from the suspend mode to the active mode. To prevent loss of information during the transition, a peripheral memory device is utilized to store the information inputted during the transition and to deliver the information upon reaching the active mode.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for communicating data using a hub. The method includes determining a first estimated unused capacity left in a first frame in which a second transaction is to be performed between a hub and an agent. The method then includes determining an amount of a first data that can fit into the estimated unused capacity and that is to be sent to the hub during a first transaction and then sent by the hub to the agent during the second transaction. The method also includes sending the first data to the hub during the first transaction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method to select a desired configuration parameter for an option read-only memory (ROM) coupled to a system; obtain a code module corresponding to the desired configuration parameter; and provide the code module to the option ROM to dynamically change a portion of code stored in the option ROM. More so, in certain embodiments the present invention permits an option ROM to monitor disk requests in a pre-boot environment.

Abstract: A device is presented including a host controller capable of attaching a quantity of queue heads to a frame list. The quantity of queue heads are attached to the frame list before any transaction descriptors where split-isochronous transaction descriptors are supported.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system includes a memory array. The memory array comprises a first layer of memory cells overlying a second layer of memory cells and bit lined coupled to at least one memory cell in the first layer of memory cells and to at least one memory cell in the second layer of memory cell.

Abstract: A disk cache may include a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory and a nonvolatile memory such as a polymer memory. When a cache line needs to be allocated on a write, the polymer memory may be allocated and when a cache line needs to be allocated on a read, the volatile memory may be allocated.

Abstract: A device is presented including a host controller capable of attaching a quantity of queue heads to a frame list. The quantity of queue heads are attached to the frame list before any transaction descriptors. Further presented is a method including determining whether a queue head has less than or equal to a predetermined packet size and whether a period is one of greater than and equal to a predetermined schedule window. The method includes storing contents of a current entry in a frame list in a next pointer in the queue head. Also replacing the current entry in the frame list with a pointer to a new queue head. Many queue heads are directly coupled to the frame list.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for communicating data using a hub. The method includes determining a first estimated unused capacity left in a first frame in which a second transaction is to be performed between a hub and an agent. The method then includes determining an amount of a first data that can fit into the estimated unused capacity and that is to be sent to the hub during a first transaction and then sent by the hub to the agent during the second transaction. The method also includes sending the first data to the hub during the first transaction.