Abstract: A buffer cache management structure, or metadata, for a computer system such as a NUMA (non-uniform memory access) machine, wherein physical main memory is distributed and shared among separate memories. The memories reside on separate nodes that are connected by a system interconnect. The buffer cache metadata is partitioned into portions that each include a set of one or more management data structures such as hash queues that keep track of disk blocks cached in the buffer cache. Each set of management data structures is stored entirely within one memory. A first process performs operations on the buffer cache metadata by determining, from an attribute of a data block requested by the process, in which memory a portion of the metadata associated with the data block is stored. The process then determines if the memory containing the metadata portion is local to the process. If so, the first process performs the operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for allowing a multiprocessor computer system with shared memory distributed among multiple nodes to appear like a single-node environment. The single-node environment is implemented with a memory map that has a unique address for every memory location in the system. Overlapping address spaces in the multinode environment are also assigned unique representative addresses that are translated to actual addresses in conformance with the multinode environment. The apparatus and method allows a wide variety of operating systems to be run on the multinode environment. Additionally, industry standard BIOS and chip sets can be used.

Abstract: Each node of multinode computer system includes an interrupt controller, a pair of send and receive queues, and a state machine for communicating interrupts between nodes. The communication among the interrupt controller, the state machine, and the queues is coordinated by a queue manager. For sending an interrupt, the interrupt controller accepts an interrupt placed on a bus within the node and intended for another node and stores it in the send queue. The controller then notifies the interrupt source that the interrupt has been accepted before it is transmitted to other node. The interrupt has a first form suitable for transmission on the bus. A state machine within the node takes the interrupt from the send queue and puts the interrupt into a second form suitable for transmission across a network connecting the multiple nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for allowing a user process to advise or control an operating system to place a process on a particular node or a node within a set of nodes. When a user process makes a system call to the operating system to either create, execute, move, or attach a process, a specified system resource is passed to the operating system with the system call. This advises the operating system to store the process on a node containing the system resource identified in the system call. The user process can also require the operating system to store a process on a particular node.

Abstract: A method of invalidating cache lines on an SCI sharing list by forwarding an invalidate request from node to node of a multiprocessor computer, such as a distributed shared memory (DSM) or non-uniform memory access (NUMA) machine. From the node at the head of the list, an invalidate request is sent to a succeeding node on the list. In response to receiving the invalidate request, the succeeding node checks the state of its cache line to determine whether it is the tail of the list and also invalidates the cache line. If the succeeding node is not the tail of the list, it forwards the invalidate request to the next succeeding node on the list. This next succeeding and other succeeding nodes then repeat the steps of invalidating the cache line and forwarding the invalidate request until the node that is the tail of the list is reached. The tail node responds by sending an invalidate response to the node at the head of the sharing list.

Abstract: Computer-based devices, whether initiators or targets, are assured access to a bus having a fixed priority arbitration scheme (such as a SCSI bus) by assigning to each initiator a “fair share” of the bus bandwidth. This share is defined as a number of bytes per a unit of time such as a time period. The shares together total a fraction of the total bus bandwidth, with a margin of bus bandwidth left unassigned. To prevent initiator starvation, each initiator monitors its bus requests to determine if it is being prevented by higher-priority initiators from using its assigned share of the bandwidth. If not, the initiator periodically pings each higher-priority initiator to indicate that it is not being starved. So long as a higher-priority initiator continues to receive pings from all lower-priority initiators, the higher-priority initiator can continue to use as much bandwidth as it needs.

Abstract: A method for treating an tumor involves the initial identification of the tumor as one displaying a "bystander effect," whereby in vivo transfer of a gene conferring sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agent affects both transformed and non-transformed tumor cells. Into a tumor thus characterized is introduced in situ a retroviral vector containing the sensitizing gene. The retroviral vector, which may replication-defective or replication-competent, can be introduced directly (if it is replication-competent) or can be provided by means of a packaging cell line. Treatment of the patient with the chemotherapeutic agent thereafter effects tumor regression when as few as 10% of tumor cells are transformed, while normal tissue is not damaged. The anti-tumor impact of the treatment can be increased when the transducing vector also encodes an immune response-enhance substance such as IL-2 or another cytokine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice interaction between the service provider to the patient whose life signs, e.g. an electrocardiograph (ECG), concurrently are being monitored are described. Patient data, and preferably patient waveform data, and voice communication are conveyed in real-time on a single, or common, public switched telephone (PSTN) line. A life signs monitor at the patient site is connected to the patient and to a digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD) device having the ability to digitize and compress the patient's voice and having the ability to decompress and analogize the physician's voice via a standard telephone. A modem modulates and demodulates transmitted and received data over the telephone line. At a remote monitoring site a second modem receives and transmits data over the same telephone line.

Abstract: A portable multiple-vital signs monitor unit of the described apparatus is of ultra-light weight, e.g. less than one pound. In its preferred embodiment, the portable unit takes the form of a right parallelepiped enclosure the volume of which is only approximately 40 in.sup.3 having operator display and control panels and body lead jacks on its face and periphery, respectively, and providing wireless remote full-function communication with an in situ base unit with which the portable monitor may optionally be docked. The base unit communicates via a single telephone line with a remote, typically central location including a host computer and a health care provider, preferably via concurrent voice and data transmission. In its preferred embodiment, the invented apparatus includes in the portable unit the capability for diagnostic quality ECG and pulse oximetry monitoring and in its base unit the capability diagnostic quality blood pressure monitoring.

Abstract: A display device interface creates surface structures to represent regions in system or video memory. These surface structures enable application programs to access video memory directly. A flipping structure includes a front buffer and one or more back buffers. In response to an application's request to flip a flipping structure, a flipping function changes the reference to underlying surface memory, but the flipping structure remains unchanged with respect to the application. Surface structures are implemented using surface objects that represent pixmaps, Z buffers, or alpha buffers stored in video or system memory. Complex surface structures including two or more surfaces are implemented by attaching surface objects to each other.

Abstract: Audio-visual user interface controls provide audio and a visual feedback in response to user input events in a graphical user interface environment of a computer. A variety of audio and visual responses of a control assist the user in understanding its operation.

Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency (VSCF) system utilizes a doubly-fed machine (DFM) to maximize the output power of the system. The system includes a power converter that provides a frequency signal and a current signal to the DFM. The power converter is controlled by an adaptive controller. The controller signals the converter to vary its frequency signal and thereby the rotor speed of the DFM until a maximum power output is sensed. The controller also signals the converter to vary its current signal and thereby the portions of power carried by the respective windings until a maximum power output is sensed. The control can be augmented to not only maximize power and efficiency, but also provide for harmonic and reactive power compensation.

Abstract: Contraction and expansion of video images are important capabilities for multi-media, television picture-in-picture functionality, digital video archiving, browsing, and video transmission. A video image expansion process is used to expand contracted images. The video image expansion process uses a non-linear median filter to interpolate the original pixel values of the contracted image. The non-linear median filter provides good approximations of the original pixel values including pixel values in high contrast regions, such as boundary regions. The video image expansion process is fast, and provides excellent results for low bitrate video coding used for contracting and expanding video images. The video compression image expansion scheme is used with video compression encoding schemes such as MPEG to produce high quality expanded video images from contracted video images.

Abstract: A polygon block matching method includes defining a preliminary quadrilateral reference pixel block of multiple pixels about a selected reference pixel in an image object of a video image frame. The pixels of the preliminary quadrilateral pixel block not in the interior of the image object are identified and omitted to establish a reference pixel block that conforms to the image object. If it encompasses the perimeter of the image object, the reference pixel block frequently is of a non-quadrilateral polygonal configuration. A search or sample pixel block of multiple sample pixels is defined in another video image frame and represents a region over which a selected sample pixel corresponding to the selected reference pixel is sought. The search includes determining and storing for the pixels in the sample pixel block correlations to the pixels in the reference pixel block, and identifying from the correlations the selected sample pixel corresponding to the selected reference pixel.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating panel layout and wiring harness specifications for vehicles. The panel layout system receives as input a list of parts including switches, gauges, connectors, circuit breakers, etc., and automatically places these parts in a control panel (e.g. dash panel or electrical panel) within the vehicle. To place these parts automatically, the system extracts potential panel locations for each part from a database, and then attempts to place the parts in their corresponding potential panel locations. The system can also generate a wiring specification for the vehicle. Once panel locations are assigned, the system attempts to assign circuits in the wiring harness to electrical contact locations associated with panel locations.

Abstract: A video compression error signal in a video compression scheme is affected by random and high frequency impulse noise. An error signal suppressor containing two filters is applied to the video compression error signal. The first filter reduces or eliminates random noise. The second filter eliminates high frequency impulse noise. Random and high frequency noise is reduced or eliminated from frequencies that are unimportant to human visual perception. The error signal suppressor reduces the overall video compression bitrate by up to between 10% and 20% which provides corresponding increases in video compression and transmission efficiency. The error signal suppressor is used in video compression encoding schemes such as MPEG to reduce random and high frequency noise.

Abstract: A truck cab ventilation system and method which includes an air exhaust channel that extends from an upper channel portion adjacent the ceiling at the rear of the cab and through a lower channel portion to an exhaust vent mounted adjacent the floor of the cab over an exit opening in such floor. An inlet vent in the front of the cab produces a positive pressure within the cab which causes flow-through ventilation air flow from the front to the rear of the cab when the truck is moving. As a result, air flows into the upper channel portion of the exhaust channel and out of the exhaust vent through the exit opening to the exterior of the cab. The exhaust vent includes flexible louvers of elastomer which are held by gravity in a closed position and are moved into an open position when air flows out through the exhaust system.

Abstract: A portable microwave measurement instrument is disclosed for measuring an unknown property of a test material, such as moisture content, by generating and transmitting two microwave beams of different frequency through such material so a portion of the beam energy is absorbed by the moisture. The corresponding attenuated received signals are compared in order to compensate for the presence of a component in the test material, which is not being measured but which also absorbs microwave beam energy. A temperature compensation circuit using two thermistors is connected to the PIN diode attenuators to adjust their attenuation characteristics in compensation for changes in temperature. To determine the density of the test material, one of the microwave signals is used to measure the phase shift of the corresponding received signal and produce a phase shift output signal.

Abstract: A method for interactively correcting text and providing user guidance includes monitoring user input to identify predefined events. In response to identifying predefined events, the predefined events in a rule-base are scheduled for evaluation. Evaluation of events causes dependent events and rules to be scheduled. Evaluation of a rule includes determining whether the conditions for the rule are satisfied, and if so, scheduling further events or rules dependent on the rule, or triggering actions to automatically correct text or display helpful tips to the user.