Abstract: A method of dynamically avoiding defective cache lines in a cache used by a processor of a computer system is disclosed. A repair mask is used, having an array of bit fields each corresponding to a cache lines in the cache, and certain bit fields in the repair mask array are initially set to indicate that a group of corresponding cache lines are defective. Thereafter the repair mask is updated by setting additional bit fields in the repair mask array to indicate that an additional group of corresponding cache lines are defective. Access to all defective cache lines is prevented based on the corresponding bit fields in the repair mask array. The initial setting of certain bit fields can take place at fabrication of the cache chip in response to testing of the cache lines. Additionally, the repair mask may be updated each time the computer system is booted in response to testing by the boot procedure.

Abstract: A financial institution customer is permitted to create an uncleared transaction record within the financial institution's account ledger for the customer in anticipation of actually making the transaction. Although maintained within the financial institutions electronic records for the account and appearing on monthly statements or printed transaction histories, uncleared transaction records are treated as account comments but the financial institution and are not employed in any manner to modify the account balance for the corresponding account. The uncleared transaction record may include a detailed description of the transaction as well as a unique transaction identifier, created by the customer or preprinted on a banking form such as a deposit slip. When the transaction is actually made, the real transaction record is annotated with the transaction identifier.

Abstract: A system for efficiently transferring heat from a cold sink to a hot source utilizing thermoelectric cooling effects is disclosed. A plurality of thermoelectric elements are coupled in a series configuration with a power source. The plurality of thermoelectric elements are coupled in a parallel configuration with the cold sink and the hot source. The surface area of the hot source is greater than the surface area of the cold sink such that the plurality of thermoelectric elements can effectively transfer heat from the cold sink to the hot source in response to the power source. The plurality of thermoelectric can be fabricated on an integrated circuit with analog or digital circuity and effectively cool hot spots.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system to generate a detailed repair request utilized to a remote client computer system. The server and client computer systems are coupled together utilizing a local area network. In response to an error in operation of the client caused by a malfunctioning part included within the client, the client identifies the malfunctioning part. The client automatically transmits a notification of the error and an identification of the part to the server without requiring a user's presence at the client. The server generates a detailed repair request which includes the identification of the part. The repair request is detailed including an identity of the malfunctioning part to be repaired and is generated remotely by the server without a user's presence at the client being required.

Abstract: A method and construction for providing thermal management and vibration isolation to a component that requires a controlled temperature during operation. The component (e.g., a hard disk drive) is mounted within an enclosure such that the component is substantially isolated from mechanical vibrations, and the isolation mechanism further provides a thermal path from the component to the enclosure. An elastomeric article which supports the component may be attached to the interior of the enclosure, the elastomeric article being loaded with thermally conductive fillers (fibers or non-directional particulates molded within the elastomer material). Alternatively, a wire rope which supports the component may be attached to the interior of the enclosure, the wire rope having at least one support strand and at least one heat transfer strand that has a higher thermal conductivity than the support strand.

Abstract: A method and system in a superscalar data processing system are disclosed for the temporary designation of a physical register as a particular general register. The data processing system is capable of processing multiple instructions during a single clock cycle. Physical registers are established. None of the physical registers are initially designated as a particular general register. No general registers exist which are initially designated as particular general registers. For each of the multiple instructions, a determination is made as to whether the instruction is a load register instruction. If the instruction is a load register instruction, a determination is made as to whether the instruction is associated with a logical register name. Each one of the logical register names identifies a different general register.

Abstract: A computer network provides distribution of a multithread process among different data processing stations in the network. In one embodiment, a global name server is used to distribute the threads and update values associated with the threads. When the process is created, the global name server establishes a distributed process context by dividing logical addresses used by the process among physical addresses corresponding to respective portions of the system memory devices (RAM) in different data processing stations. The global name server assigns a universally unique identification number (UUID) to each process, and uses the UUID to manage the distributed threads. When the data in the distributed process context is updated, the changes are apparent to all threads executing in the distributed process. This approach simplifies access and retrieval of shared process context information, and may be implemented using current thread models, making it easier to incorporate into existing networks.

Abstract: A downhole tool containing instruments and a pulser is landed within a string of drill pipe. The pulser has a pulser body and an orifice on a lower end. A piston slides within a bore in the body and has a signal poppet on a lower end. In an extended position, the signal poppet extends into and obstructs the orifice to reduce the flow of drilling fluid. In an open position, the signal poppet does not obstruct the orifice to increase the flow of drilling fluid. A bidirectional solenoid valve is located above the piston and has upper and lower electromagnetic coils and an axially moveable rod. The rod is movable between a closed position in an opening in the body and an open position away from the opening. The rod is moved to both positions in response to the instruments which sends signals to the coils. The mud pulser also has an on/off flow switch which is actuated by the commencement of mud circulation. Initially, the rod is in the closed position.

Abstract: Configuration changes are dynamically applied to a cluster multiprocessing system by enqueuing a configuration change event. When the configuration change event is processed, the prior configuration is backed up and each software component applies a relevant portion of a configuration change transaction in an ordered, synchronized manner. Each software component applies its portion of the transaction either by reinitialization or a logged transition operation. If the configuration change transaction fails, the software components roll back the portions, of the configuration change already applied in an ordered, synchronized manner to restore the prior configuration. Multiple events for different configuration changes may be enqueued.

Abstract: A multi-track density direct access storage device is disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a direct access storage device for data storage within a data processing system comprises a housing, a rotatable spindle, at least one disk, and several heads. The disk is fixedly mounted to the rotatable spindle, and the rotatable spindle is rotated by a motor within the housing. A first disk surface of the disk has a first track density and a second disk surface of the disk has a second track density; wherein the second track density is preferably greater than the first track density. Each of the several heads contains a transducer to read and write information from and to the disk during the disk rotation.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for the determination of performance characteristics of a cache design by simulating cache operations utilizing a cache output trace. A first plurality of references are input into a cache during a specified period. In response to the inputs, the cache generates an output which includes a second plurality of references. The output is stored as a trace. The trace may be modified by specifying at least one of the second plurality of references as a particular type of reference. A quantity of the first plurality of references input into the cache during the specified period is determined. Cache operation is simulated utilizing the trace by inputting the trace into a cache simulator. A result of the simulation is determined. Performance characteristics of the cache design are determined utilizing the result of the simulation and the quantity of the first plurality of references.

Abstract: An information processing system that can reduce the operating frequency of a CPU, or halt the operation of the CPU, at an adequate timing, even when the system is engaged in exchanging data with another independent apparatus (e.g., another PC) via a communication port (a serial port or a parallel port), or when a communication application is being executed.

Abstract: A method of providing programmable congruence classes in a cache used by a processor of a computer system is disclosed. Program instructions are loaded in the processor for modifying original addresses of memory blocks in a memory device to produce encoded addresses. A plurality of cache congruence classes is then defined using a mapping function which operates on the encoded addresses, such that the program instructions may be used to arbitrarily assign a given one of the original addresses to a particular one of the cache congruence classes. The program instructions can modify the original addresses by setting a plurality of programmable fields. Application software may provide the program instructions, wherein congruence classes are programmed based on a particular procedure of the application software which is running on the processor, that might otherwise run with excessive "striding" of the cache.

Abstract: A single scrolling control mechanism is provided for any active display window in a graphical user interface. As a different display window becomes active, a determination is made of whether the display data fits within the display window. A graphical device representing the scrolling mechanism is displayed with scrolling indicators denoting directions in which additional data may be revealed by scrolling. The scrolling indicators provide a user control for the scrolling mechanism, such that actuation of a scrolling indicator causes the display window to scroll in the indicated direction. The scrolling mechanism may be an object utilizing existing object classes and API calls for an existing operating system. The display of the scrolling indicators may be persistent (i.e. always shown) or may be contingent on whether the currently active window is scrollable. The display of scrolling indicators may be varied to visually indicate the states, including active, inactive, and in use.

Abstract: The personal communication system of the present invention includes one or more mobile stations which operate in conjunction with a Private/Residential Base Station and a Mobile Station Emulator to provide seamless rerouting of existing telephone connections between the Private/Residential Base Station and a cellular telephone system. The Mobile Station Emulator associated with the Private/Residential Base Station communicates with either a cellular network or a personal communications service (PCS) over a digital channel to enable hand-in and hand-out, control the emissions of the Private/Residential Base Station, and provide control and monitoring functions to other devices connected to the Private/Residential Base Station.

Abstract: A dictionary based technique for accessing elements of a data structure used by an object oriented program involves creating a dictionary for the elements which compose the data structure including location information for each element. Responsive to a request for a particular data structure element, the dictionary is interrogated to return a pointer to a desired instance of a particular data structure element to the requesting process. The dictionary finds particular application in dynamic and complicated Internet programs written in JavaScript, where a typical data structure is a response/request based database structure which parallels a request and a response in an Internet protocol. Object constructors which utilized to initialize properties on an object are also generated from the dictionary. Once a request is recieved to generate object constructor code for an object in the object oriented program, rule data for naming properties of the object are retrieved from a rule database.

Abstract: Existing modems and phone lines are employed to allow two or more data processing systems to communicate. The data processing systems communicate utilizing weak signals on top of existing phone line voltage levels. The signals are sufficiently small so as not to be interpreted as a receiver being lifted off hook. The weak signals may automatically adapt to changes in the phone line voltage due to a receiver be lifted off hook or an incoming call being signaled. At a sufficiently high frequency, the data processing systems may communicate while the phone lines are being simultaneously employed for conversation.

Abstract: A method and system in a wireless communications network for restricting certain communication transactions to specific geographic areas in order to reduce the risk of communications fraud are presented. Initially, a list of communication transactions is stored such that the list includes communication transactions permitted to occur at each of a number of geographic locations. Thereafter, a communications transaction is initiated. In response to an initiation of the communications transaction, a geographic location of an originator of the communications transaction is determined. Next, the list of communication transactions is automatically scanned for communication transactions permitted to occur at the geographic location. If the communications transaction is not found among the list, the initiation of the communications transaction is thereafter terminated. Alternatively, if the communications transaction is found among the list, the communications transaction is thereafter permitted to continue.

Abstract: A processor and method of interrupt handling in a processor which has a native instruction set and emulates guest instructions within a guest instruction set are described. According to the method, in response to occurrence of an interrupt during emulation of a current guest instruction, an indication of a location in memory of the current guest instruction, an indication of a location in memory of a next guest instruction to be emulated, and an indication of a particular native instruction are stored. After an interrupt handler is executed, emulation is resumed by executing native instructions beginning with the particular native instruction. In response to execution of a native instruction of a first type before execution of a native instruction of a second type, the current guest instruction is fetched from memory.

Abstract: A method to logically serialize a plurality of independent system events in a virtual memory data processing system. Each event causes interrupt servicing routines to be executed and requires data structures that record the status of virtual pages to be updated. The system events include the interrupt that is generated as a result of a page fault, the interrupt that is generated as a result of a paging I/O completion operation that resolves a page fault, and lastly interrupts generated in response to a supervisory call to a paging service.