Abstract: In a device having data storage, storage space is adaptively controlled by monitoring what pre-stored instructional information is used and how the pre-stored instructional information is used. Some or all of the storage space containing the pre-stored instructional information may be overwritten with user data based on the adaptive control. However, some instructional information may be designated as not overwritable. If access to an external storage device is detected, such as via a communications network to a remote web site, then the pre-stored instructional information can be partially or completely overwritten and instructional information accessed when needed from the external storage device. If additional storage space is still required for user data after all the overwritable pre-stored instructional information has been overwritten, then user data may be transferred to the external storage device for remote storage. The overwriting may be automatic or interactive.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method and an apparatus for efficiently and accurately processing incoming connection establishment requests is disclosed. The present invention allows the signaling provider of the network interface software to determine ownership of an incoming request by accessing client-provided information in the form of call filters. Upon receiving an incoming call establishment request, the network interface software matches the request to information previously provided by the clients of the network interface software. The network interface software can thus determine the correct recipient, negotiate parameters on the owner's behalf, establish a call connection, inform the client that the connection has been established, and inform the client of specific parameters relating to the incoming call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analog testing of hot-plug circuits on an active computer backplane. A test connector is added to the computer backplane that enables an external tester to turn on each card slot present on the computer backplane. The external tester then directs a test adapter card residing in a selected card slot to apply a nominal and overcurrent load to each voltage level of the selected card slot. After each load has been applied, the corresponding voltage level is returned to the external tester. The external tester then measures the voltage level, and verifies that the voltage level falls within a predefined voltage range. The test connector uses existing unutilized bus signal lines to pass test directives and results between the card slot under test and the external tester. The same test adapter card that performs the analog test on a card slot is also used to perform digital testing on the card, thus reducing both testing time and the complexity of the testing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing data between bus devices, where each bus device is connected to a centralized switch via a point-to-point bus connection. The plurality of point-to-point bus connections collectively form a system bus. After a command is issued on the system bus, each bus device responds to the issued command by transmitting an address status response to a response combining logic module. The response combining logic module identifies which of the bus devices responded with a positive acknowledgment to the issued command, then forwards a device identifier of the bus device responding with the positive acknowledgment to the switch. The switch uses the device identifier returned via the response combining logic to route the data transfer associated with the issued command.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an intelligent reference object (IRO), which is used to encapsulate address translation between shared address space (SAS) addresses and native system addresses. The IRO works with a shared persistent virtual storage system that provides address translation between SAS addresses and the underlying system. By encapsulating these addresses translations in an IRO, the preferred embodiment provides the ability to create and share persistent objects using single level store semantics. When a client accesses the data in a persistent object, the IRO corresponding to the persistent object provides any address translation and indirection needed to perform the access.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage system includes at least one storage disk having a data surface of concentric radial tracks and at least one burnishing track, a drive for rotating the disk; and a slider having an air bearing surface for air support of the slider over the data surface, wherein the burnishing track is a dedicated track for burnishing the slider.

Abstract: A light weight, portable platform for supporting a notebook or laptop type computer elevates the computer monitor to a user friendly height above a supporting table or desk top surface. The platform back, sides and top may be interconnected using hook and loop tape and can be readily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or separate connecting parts that may be misplaced or lost. The platform stores flat for transport with the principal elements occupying less volume than the compact computer it supports in the assembled mode. The platform comprises a pair of side members, a back member and a top member, with the alternative that the bottom surface of the supported computer may serve as the top member of the platform.

Abstract: A computer system and method for use with the computer system to dynamically adapt to a data structure layout other than its own. The data may be an incoming data stream from outside or may be stored within its main memory. Between the transmitting and the receiving CPU there must be an understanding of the conceptual level and format of the data which is transferred. A prefix word in which details of the data structure layout is encoded is generated. The prefix word is appended to the data and transmitted to another CPU or used by the same CPU. Upon receipt of the data, the prefix word is read and decoded and the receiving CPU can dynamically adapt to details of the data structure layout in order to use the data which was generated and transmitted in a heretofore unknown data structure layout.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for correcting magneto-resistive head asymmetry includes a shift circuit which receives a read signal from a magneto-resistive head, and a polarity signal indicative of the polarity of any asymmetry of the read signal. Depending on the polarity of the asymmetry, the shift circuit either adds or subtracts a shift voltage to the read signal to produce a shifted read signal. The shift circuit outputs the read signal, the shifted read signal, and the shift voltage. First, second and third gain circuits are provided, which receive the read signal, the shifted read signal, and the shift voltage, respectively, and which each receive a respective control signal. The first, second and third gain circuits provide respective outputs amplified proportionally based on the respective control signals. Control circuitry provides the polarity signal to the shift circuit and the respective control signals to the first, second and third gain circuits, based on an amount of correction required.

Abstract: An apparatus for grounding network cabling prior to insertion in a network device. The apparatus includes a cable connector receptor for receiving a standardized network cable connector. The apparatus also includes a current limiting device coupled to the cable connector receptor for reducing any electrical potential present on the cable. The current limiting device is coupled to electrical ground via a ground connector which provides a discharge path for any electrical potential present on the cable. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus can exist as a standalone device, as an integrated feature of a grounding wrist strap, or as an integrated feature of a computer system or network hub.