Abstract: A method and system for efficiently accessing desired datasets among multiple datasets which are stored at specific data addresses within multiple storage subsystems which are coupled to a host system via a storage subsystem controller and a data channel. A data request is transmitted from the host system to the storage subsystems via the data channel. The data request specifies non-address attributes for desired datasets, such as boundary addresses for large data extents including many datasets or a request for all datasets modified since the occurrence of a specified event. The data request is then processed at the storage subsystem controller to determine a data address for each dataset within the storage subsystem which possess the desired attributes. Thereafter, the desired datasets are transmitted via the data channel to the host system in association with a specific address for each dataset.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transferring a backup copy of designated datasets stored in a plurality of storage subsystems to a host system via a data channel during concurrent execution of an application. Upon receiving a request for a backup copy, execution of an application is temporarily suspended. A dataset logical-to-physical storage system address concordance for the designated datasets is formed and execution of the application is resumed thereafter. Any application initiated updates to affected portions of the designated datasets which occur prior to generation of a backup copy of the affected portions of the datasets are processed by buffering the updates, copying the affected portions to storage subsystem memory, updating the address concordance and writing the updates to the affected portions of the dataset.

Abstract: An application or terminal emulation program, which is being executed on an information processing system, is represented by the display of a first icon on a display device. If during the execution of the application or terminal emulation program, a virtual display buffer associated with the application program, is updated, a second icon is displayed on the display device to indicate to a user of the system that a change in the status of the program has occurred.

Abstract: To accomplish both fast track access and low power consumption in an apparatus for recording or reading out a signal onto or from a track of a recording medium. The actuator control apparatus uses a tracking error signal (TES), which is a signal whose level varies, with the time taken for a pickup to cross one track being used as a cycle. It detects the velocity of the pickup from the time interval (Ti) of the mean level crossing by TES, and provides an actuator with a signal having a pulse width (Tf) proportional to the time interval of the mean level crossing by TES, in synchronization with the crossing of the mean level by TES.

Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system for the efficient response to multiple different types of interrupts. The data processing system includes at least one host and a storage subsystem having storage subsystem devices and at least one storage subsystem controller. The storage subsystem controller operates in multiple different states. Interrupts of multiple different types are generated by sources of real time events and are received by the storage subsystem controller. A selected type of interrupt as a preferred next interrupt to be received by the storage subsystem controller is then determined in response to the determination of the current state of the storage subsystem controller. A particular state associated with the occurrence of the selected type of interrupt is then determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of retrieving and maintaining a document-in-folder object from an information processing system. At least one document object which is associated with an identified document filed in the system is identified. The system then builds a plurality of operands which are necessary for retrieving the at least one data object therefrom. The retrieved identified data object is then presented to an end user for viewing. Document objects can also be retrieved through a level-of-nesting associated with a folder document. If the identified document is a folder document, then the level-of-nesting must be specified. The system then retrieves the data objects associated with the identified folder and the specified level of nesting.

Abstract: This invention relates to updating a display unit associated with a remote computer system communicating with a host computer system. Information, which is currently being displayed on the display unit and information to be displayed thereon are compared to determine any differences which exist therebetween. If the differences exceed a predetermined value, a update command is generated and transmitted by the host computer system to the remote computer system along with the information to be displayed if facilitate the updating of the display unit. If the differences do not exceed the predetermined value, it is determined which of a plurality change categories should be used to transmit the differences to the remote system in the most efficient manner. An update command, which is associated with the selected one of the plurality of change categories, and data representing the differences are then enqueued for transmission to the remote system to facilitate the updating of the display unit.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape readback system for a multi-track tape player, a phase lock loop is provided for each of the channel circuits used for reading signals from the respective tracks on a multi-track tape. A common frequency determining capacitor is coupled to all of the phase lock loops such that the frequency of operation of the phase lock loops is stabilized. The capacitor has a capacitance usable in the individual phase lock loops for determining a frequency of operation and it is commonly AC connected to all of the phase lock loops. A capacitance AC couples and DC blocks each of the individual phase lock loops to the frequency determining capacitor such that the individual phase lock loops have their own reference DC levels and yet receive AC input from all of the other phase lock loops.

Abstract: Improved conversion efficiency and lower output ripple are achieved by a DC-to-DC converter that uses an H-bridge driver to alternately energize first and second inductors. By alternately energizing the first and second inductors, a higher switching frequency can be maintained allowing for the use of smaller inductors while reducing ripple in the output voltage. The reduced ripple in turn reduces the need for filtering. Additionally, the first and second inductors are wound about a common core such that a mutual inductance exists therebetween. The mutual inductance results in trapezoidal currents in each inductor instead of the typical sawtooth waveforms. This results in still lower ripple in the output voltage.

Abstract: A multi-path controller is disclosed for connecting CPU channels with DASD device subsystems. Extended channel connection time are accommodated in the polling of the devices. The request for access signals for the devices are retained for a period of time during which channel connection should be completed and then dropped. The CPU and the controller are freed to complete other work in between the polling cycles. The requests-for-access signals by the devices for connection to the channel that requested the connection does not tie up the channels and the devices while communication is being made.

Abstract: In response to a source current supply and a sink current supply, a switching circuit selectively forms a current path through which a constant source current from the source current supply flows into a laser in order to turn on the laser and a current path through which a constant source current from the source current supply flows into the sink current supply in order to turn off the laser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of establishing a staple relationship between two documents within a context of a folder document stored in an informtion processing system. An end user indicates to the system that a staple relationship is to be established between two identified documents. The end user enters a definition of the staple relationship which includes any attributes to be associated with the identified documents within the staple relationship and at least one folder document within whose context the relationship exist. The system will create the staple relationship and file the identified documents in a library within the context of the specified folder document. The system then maintains the staple relationship between the identified documents within the context of the specified folder document.

Abstract: Method for marking a document with action markers and specifying an action to be performed by a responding end user. One or more related documents may be specified which are associated with the action to be performed. Notification criteria, notify ID and a status, which are associated with the action to be performed, are also specified. Upon the completion of the action specified, the responding end user updates the status and a message is automatically generated and transmitted to a end associated with the notify ID if the updated status meets the notification criteria. Moreover, the responding end user may, as a part of the review of the document, specify a related document which is associated with the review of the document as marked with the action markers.

Abstract: An error log request is generated by a component of a communication software system. The error log request is analyzed and compared to entries in one of a plurality of records in a message look-up table. If there is a match between the fields of the error log request and selected entries of a record in the look-up table, a user message request is generated which facilitates the display of a pre-existing user friendly message as modified with data included in the generated user message request.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of establishing a staple relationship between two documents within a context of an application program. An end user indicates to the system that a staple relationship is to be established between two identified documents. The end user enters a definition of the staple relationship which includes any attributes to be associated with the identified documents within the staple relationship and the identity of at least one application within whose context the relationship is to exist. The system will create the staple relationship and file the identified documents in a library within the context of the specified application. The system then maintains the staple relationship between the identified documents within the context of the specified application.

Abstract: A method of exchanging entries on calendars being maintained by a first and a second calendar users. An event is automatically scheduled on a second calendar if a classification which is associated with the event is higher than any previous scheduled event for the same time slot. A reply is prepared and transmitted to the first calendar user which requested the scheduling of the vent regarding the status of the second user in regards to the scheduled event. Subsequently, if the status of the second user changes in regards to the event, a subsequent reply is prepared and transmitted to the first user setting forth the changed status.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of distributing documents have a directed relationship within an information processing system. The documents in the directed relationship have a one-to-one relationship. An end user indicates to the system an identification of at least one document in the directed relationship which is to be distributed to one or more recipient end user. The end user also enters system addresses of the recipient end users. The system then builds the necessary structures to transmit the document in the directed relationship to the identified recipient end users such that the directed relationship is maintained.

Abstract: This invention relates to remapping of keyboards within a computer system in a user friendly manner. A plurality of terminal emulators, which are included in the computer system, may require different keyboard inputs. A keyboard program is activated to display one of a plurality of keyboard layouts to be remapped for a selected emulator. A plurality of definitions are displayed in response to the selection of a key the displayed keyboard layout. An action is then selected to modify one or more definitions of the selected key. Thereafter, a plurality of keys and their respective definitions may be simultaneously displayed.