Abstract: An apparatus and method for expansion of an inter-IC (I2C) is provided. An expansion processor resides on a primary I2C bus. The expansion processor is coupled to a plurality of I2C sub-buses each of which may host a plurality of I2C devices. Data is transferred between the expansion processor and the plurality of I2C devices via the corresponding sub-bus according to an I2C protocol. Data transfer is in response to a request initiated by a bus master on the primary I2C bus. The bus master communicates with a target device residing on one of the sub-buses by addressing the expansion processor. The bus master informs the expansion processor of the target device by sending the expansion processor a number of the sub-bus on which the target device resides, and an address of the target device. A data stream bound for the target device is directed to the expansion processor which the echos it to the target device.

Abstract: A microprocessor, data processing system, and an associated method of executing microprocessor instructions and generating instruction fetch addresses are disclosed. The microprocessor includes an instruction fetch unit comprising and instruction fetch address register (IFAR) and an instruction processing unit (IPU). The IFAR is configured to provide an address to an instruction cache. The IPU is suitable for receiving a set of instructions from the instruction cache and for generating an instruction fetch address upon determining from the set of instructions that the program execution flow requires redirection. The IPU is adapted to determine that the program flow requires redirection if the number of branch instructions in the set of instructions for which branch instruction information must be recorded exceeds the capacity of IPU to record the branch instruction information in a single cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for controlling spin lock instrumentation for a spin lock in a system with a cache. A lock flag represents a busy state for the spin lock; a first instrumentation flag is a global variable representing an enablement state for the spin lock instrumentation. A second instrumentation flag, stored within the same cache line as the lock flag, is also maintained as an updateable indication of the first instrumentation flag. Prior to each acquirement of the spin lock, the second instrumentation flag is checked for an indication that spin lock instrumentation is enabled. Although a reading of the lock flag may generate a cache miss, the lock flag is necessarily checked upon attempting to acquire the lock; the check of the second instrumentation flag cannot generate a superfluous cache miss because the second instrumentation flag is in the same cache line as the lock flag.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and recovering from errors in trace data is provided. The trace data records selected events for executing routines, and the routines corresponding to the events are represented as one or more nodes in a tree structure. The events may be entries and exits to executing methods. A trace record identifying a routine is read, and an error condition is detected in which the identified routine does not match a routine corresponding to a current node in the tree structure. The tree structure is searched for a node that corresponds to the identified routine. Performance statistics, such as execution time, are attributed to nodes in the tree structure. In response to a determination that the current node is a root node of the tree structure, then a new node for the identified routine is added to the tree structure as a child node of the root node and spliced into the tree at the root node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically generating a log, or journal, during the deployment of software packages to client systems on a network are implemented. The logs may be used to verify the deployment and facilitate selectively deployment of components not successfully deployed. The mechanism rests on an object-oriented architecture that provides a multiplicity of actions that effects software management operations on the target system. The actions are implemented as methods within the object oriented architecture. In this way, each software element, for example, registry entries, files, directories, etc., which may be implicated in a software deployment are treated on an equal footing. The mechanism automatically generates a log file based on the actions contained within the particular deployment package.

Abstract: The field of invention relates to a method, means, and device for acquiring user input by a computer and, more particularly, a new and improved method of customizing a user interface to each specific task performed by a user such that the user interface customizes itself without the user having to modify multiple sets of preferences.

Abstract: In a system and method for displaying status of critical indicators or variables, icons representing the indicators are displayed in superposition with a reference shape. The reference shape is divided into “higher-interest” and “lower-interest” portions, such that display of an icon over the higher-interest portion of the reference shape indicates a higher-interest value of the corresponding variable. The reference shape is preferably elongated horizontally, with its upper portion designated as the higher-interest portion and its lower portion designated the lower-interest portion. Each monitored variable may be allocated a vertical “slice” of the reference shape, such that the position of the corresponding icon when the variable is in the higher-interest state is laterally aligned with the position of the icon when the variable is in the lower-interest state.

Abstract: A method of providing information about a set of interrelated objects or files on one or more servers in a computer network, such as pages on the Internet's world wide web. The method involves construction of a web links object that contains information regarding the links between the various web pages. When a user at a workstation sends a request for a specific web page (designating a particular universal resource locator), the server instead transmits the web links object to allow the user to see the hierarchy of the web site before downloading the contents of the web pages. The server can store the links object (such as one created by the web site designer), or can dynamically create a web links object upon request by analyzing the links in the various web pages. Alternatively, the workstation can perform the analysis and construct the web links object.

Abstract: A method for configuring computer-based information for display includes assigning labels to information units stored in a computer system. The labels are used in grouping the information units. This grouping, performed by a user of the computer system, may result in group arrangements which can be accessed by a display controller associated with the computer system. A method for processing configuration information for display of computer-based information includes receiving input of a group arrangement, and storing the received group arrangement in data structures or rules databases. A method for displaying computer-based information includes detecting an instruction to display an information unit, identifying a group arrangement associated with the information unit, and forwarding the information units within the group to a display device.

Abstract: A method and system for reading and propagating accurate time in a worldwide enterprise system through a hierarchical network of time servers, with a single time source at the top of the pyramid, and time source clients at the base. Single source time synchronization is assured by starting with an atomic clock receiver connected to a time source computer. Primary time servers next in the hierarchy access the source to obtain accurate time information. Clients access higher time servers to obtain time information. Time servers operate as multiple hierarchical layers between the clients and the time source, limiting the load on any single server and providing redundant paths to a valid time source. Time servers unable to verify their time through the primary, alternate, or failover servers invalidate themselves, thereby preserving system integrity.

Abstract: A method for communication with addressable, electronically-controllable appliances using a generalized pointing device is presented. The pointing device can communicate with dissimilar types of target appliance, and each appliance is associated with an appliance interface that makes the target appliance compatible with the pointing device. Use of the method is believed to allow the convenience associated with the use of a computer's graphical user interface to be realized in communication with physical objects, i.e. the target appliances. The method includes orienting the pointing device for reception of its pointer command signals by an appliance interface of the targeted appliance, transmitting a selection signal from the pointing device to the appliance interface, and transmitting a pointer command signal to the appliance interface.

Abstract: A method of directing communication between addressable, electronically-controllable appliances using a generalized pointing device is provided. The pointing device can communicate with dissimilar types of target appliance, and each appliance is associated with an appliance interface that makes the target appliance compatible with the pointing device. Use of the method to direct communication between appliances is believed to allow the convenience associated with the use of a computer's graphical user interface (GUI) to be realized in communication with physical objects, i.e., the target appliances. In particular, the “drag-and-drop” method of using a GUI may be analogous to the pointer-mediated interaction between appliances provided herein.

Abstract: A multi-user system, method, and computer-usable medium facilitate time-shifting of television program viewing for users. Each user is identified by an associated user profile, and a program schedule, including a list of desired programs to be recorded, is maintained for each user. The television programs are recorded and stored on a hard disk, or other nonvolatile storage, for later viewing by the users. The television programs are preferably stored in a compressed format. Each user can log into the system, at his convenience, and view any of the television programs that have been recorded for him. There is no shuffling through numerous videocassette tapes or skipping over other users' recorded programs to find a desired television program. An option may be used to specify how long to save a recorded television program before it can be erased and overwritten with another program. A master user or users, such as a parent or parents, can add a new user to the system by setting up a new user profile.

Abstract: A system, method, and program of the invention enables a separating region to be displayed adjacent to at least one side of a problem menu choice within a menu list in a user interface. The problem menu choice may be any menu choice that has the potential for causing undesirable effects if it is inadvertently selected by a user, such as by overshooting a desired menu choice with a displayed pointer. The separating region creates a non-selectable area that buffers the problem menu choices from the other menu choices. The user is notified if the user moves the displayed pointer into the separating region. The notification may include any one or more of the following: i) changing the rate of movement of the displayed pointer, ii) causing the displayed pointer to change in appearance, and iii) causing an audible sound. The separating region may be partitioned into zones wherein certain characteristics of the notification is dependent upon the zone location of the displayed pointer.

Abstract: A method of configuring information for display includes assigning continuum labels to pieces of information, or information units, accessible by a computer system. The continuum labels may be used in arranging the information units into ordered sequences, or continuum arrangements. The method may include using a graphical user interface to establish sequences of icons representing information units. Forming continuum arrangements to configure information may allow display of the information in a form allowing rapid, convenient viewer access to desired pieces of information. In a method of displaying information, three axes are configured on a display screen, and selectable regions are configured in the vicinity of the axes, where each selectable region corresponds to an information unit. The position of the selectable region corresponding to an information unit is determined by a set of coordinates corresponding to x-axis, y-axis and z-axis continuum labels assigned to the information unit.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for managing multiple identities for a single user. In a preferred embodiment, a request for content from a database is received at a server. Responsive to a determination that retrieval of the content from the database requires providing the database with user information, the user's database identity is retrieved from a library of database identities. The retrieved user identity information is then inserted into the request and the request is forwarded to the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for announcing receipt of an electronic message. When a message including text is received, the message is filtered determine what will be announced. Text from the filtered message is selectively combined with announcement text to create modified announcement text in which filtered text is selectively placed into the announcement text. The modified announcement text is then transformed into synthesized speech.

Abstract: A method for providing control accesses between a device on a non-proprietary bus and a device on a proprietary bus is disclosed. A gateway controller is connected between a proprietary bus and a non-proprietary bus. A message originated from a device on the non-proprietary bus intended for a device on the proprietary bus is checked by the gateway controller to determine if a transmission of the message should be permitted according to a permitted message bitmap. The permitted message bitmap contains a list of devices on the non-proprietary bus that are previously registered as able to communicate with devices on the proprietary bus and a list of permitted messages associated with each of the devices on the non-proprietary bus. The transmission of the message to the device on the proprietary bus is denied if the message is not registered within the permitted message bitmap.

Abstract: A system and method for expediting service to a user by automatically defaulting to the typical preferences of the user for a remote point of purchase action at a facility which permits such actions is described. In one version, the user utilizes a credit or debit card to make a purchase at the facility. After the card is authorized, the user's profile of his or her routine selections at such facilities is retrieved. After the user's profile is obtained, the user is allowed to immediately complete the transaction rather than proceed through the option selection process. The system utilizes the user profile to automatically default the prompts and inquiries of the interface terminal to the typical selections chosen by the user. This feature expedites service to users by allowing them to bypass the interactive option selection process with the terminal. The user may deviate from his or her typical selections by entering alternate selections in a conventional manner at any time.

Abstract: An adaptive timeout value setting is determined for DCE applications, wherein the timeout value setting is adapted and adjusted according to environmental factors and communication conditions between a client/server pair. The adaptive timeout value setting takes into consideration the communication time between a client and a server in each client/server pair in determining and setting a timeout value for each pair. The timeout value for a client/server pair is adjusted in a dynamic fashion so that the client is able to be more adaptive to real environment changes and so that the server's performance is not degraded due to ineffective timeouts. The system and method determines an adaptive timeout value setting in distributed computing environment (DCE) applications for a client/server pair wherein each pair has a client system and a server system. A server response time of the server system is tracked to a remote procedure call from the client system.