Abstract: Unique identifications are assigned to entities in a network and items in a database. In general, unique identifications are assigned to entities or data items within a network by a plurality of server entities, each server entity capable of obtaining a unique subset of identifications from other server entities, assigning an identification from its subset to another server entity, subdividing its own subset to form other unique subsets and assigning a unique subset to another server entity. Each server entity receives its own server entity identification when it is installed and also may request to receive a unique subset of entity identifications. A subset of entity identifications, also referred to interchangeably herein as a "block" of entity identifications, comprises one or more entity identifications. Each server entity controls the assignment of the entity identifications within the subsets it receives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing a single storage device among an arbitrarily large number of parallel processes with typically no wasted memory space and continued operations even when an error or interrupt occurs is disclosed. In a networked computer system having a communication network connecting a primary storage device between one or more computer devices and a secondary storage device, when some type of interrupt is generated or an error condition occurs or is otherwise indicated, a transfer of data from primary to secondary storage is indicated. A state indicator having at least a non-backup and a backup state may be set to the backup state to indicate that a data transfer from the primary storage device to the secondary storage device should occur. Alternatively, the transfer from the primary to the secondary storage device can begin without the use of a state indicator.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for conditionally nullifying a current instruction based on a first test value where the first test value can be set in one or more prior instructions and where the execution of the current instruction can set a second test value without affecting the first test value. The one or more prior instructions which set the first test value need not immediately precede the current instruction. In a preferred embodiment, a test value comprises multiple bits, each bit capable of representing a unique state. A mask is provided to select the bits which are being tested. Also, means are provided for specifying an logical operation to be performed on the test values. The invention permits multiple status test results to be saved and concurrently tested in a single branch instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing on centralized mass storage devices archival data from multiple computers in a networked environment. In a networked computer system having a communication network interconnecting one or more computers and a storage unit, parallel processes are created to perform repeated backup operations for disks on computer devices on the communication network. The backup operations for a disk include a backup initialization which occurs when a primary storage device does not have a full index or a backup data file for a disk but a secondary storage device does. During a backup initialization, data from the files and directories on that disk along with an index entry for each file or directory are passed to the primary storage device which directly passes that information directly through to the secondary storage device. The index entries are incorporated into a full index and the data is incorporated into a backup data file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning windows on a display screen in a computer environment in which a user perceives that multiple operations can be executed simultaneously. The method and apparatus for positioning windows is based upon the number of existing windows and the arrangement of previously-created windows. Preferably, a computer system incorporating the invention includes a one or more dam structures, herein called "window slots", each window slot retaining location information and indicating, either explicitly or implicitly, availability of the window slot. Window slots can be organized into a window slot structure. If a window is being opened, then a window slot is assigned to the window being opened and a window slot structure having zero or more window slots is updated. The assigning and updating is based upon the availability of a window slot and the number of in-use window slots in the window slot structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for automatic generation of an intuitive, logical focusing order for items in a dialog window in a computer system. The focus ordering can be generated dynamically at runtime or statically. In particular, the focusing order is based on the locations and types of the items in the dialog box and is generated as follows. A customizable spatial comparison function, called herein "comparison function", is generated such that two items can be compared and an ordering of the items determined. The spatial comparison function extrapolates or imposes on each item being compared a region which is defined by the extent of the item's bounds. The regions are then compared to determine the focus ordering of the item. The items in the dialog box are sorted using the comparison function. The items are then grouped based on their locations and their types. Items that are of a similar type and in the same horizontal or vertical line are grouped together.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for verifying compatibility between components of a system which share a client-provider relationship. Briefly, according to the invention, a current version of a provider and a compatibility range are defined for each of a version of a client and a version of a provider. A version of a provider specifies an oldest implementation provider and an oldest definition provider. When a client is linked with a particular version of a provider it stores an identification for that provider, a current indicator for that version of the provider, called a definition provider, and the oldest implementation provider. At runtime, compatibility checks are performed between a client and available versions of the provider(s), called implementation providers, with which it has been linked. For each available version of each type of provider compatibility exists with the client in three situations.

Abstract: An object-oriented audio signal processing system is disclosed. The signal processing system is capable of converting virtually any sound resource into a format which can be used by associated sound hardware to produce a sound. A signal processing system incorporating the invention comprises one or more chains formed by a plurality of sound objects serially connected. A sound object is a specialized task which performs a particular operation such as, for example, sample rate conversion of a sound resource, decompression of a sound resource, mixing multiple sound resources or retrieving sound resources from a software application. The sound objects are preferably modular and use substantially the same calling conventions and interface. A chain of sound objects processes digital audio signals into an output which can be maintained in a storage area, e.g. memory or disk or played on sound hardware.