Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and using chipset built-in self-test (BIST) signatures is provided. A BIST for a chip in a data processing system may be initiated by a power-on-reset in the data processing system. The BIST signature generated during the BIST is compared with a predetermined BIST signature stored in a vital products data (VPD) module associated with the chip is read. A difference between the generated BIST signature and the predetermined BIST signature is then reported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and locating a circuit defect. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a resistance measuring device for measuring the resistance of the circuit, a heat source, and a recorder. The heat source is placed near the surface of the circuit but is not placed in physical contact with the surface. The heat source is moved about to a plurality of points in a plane parallel to and above the surface of the circuit while the resistance of the circuit is measured when the heat source is at each of the points. The recorder is functionally connected to the resistance measuring device and to the heat source, and determines and records the horizontal location of the heat source and records the resistance of the circuit at each of these locations.

Abstract: A method and system to decompose, display, modify and substitute the contents of self-describing objects is presented. A user-friendly graphical user interface is designed to facilitate the processing of these objects. Since objects can be arbitrarily complex, the presentation of information in a clear and concise manner is critically important. The user can modify the values for existing objects, and by using the copy and paste operations, the user can construct new objects. These changes are made through the graphical user interface where the contents of the object is displayed and controls are provided to modify existing objects or to create new objects. The particular embodiment deals with CORBA objects of type ANY. Objects of ANY type include a Helper class to support the insertion and extraction of information. This class is dynamically created and invoked to assist in obtaining the contents from the ANY type. There are also methods to help narrow the type of objects.

Abstract: A distributed system structure for a large-way, symmetric multiprocessor system using a bus-based cache-coherence protocol is provided. The distributed system structure contains an address switch, multiple memory subsystems, and multiple master devices, either processors, I/O agents, or coherent memory adapters, organized into a set of nodes supported by a node controller. The node controller receives transactions from a master device, communicates with a master device as another master device or as a slave device, and queues transactions received from a master device. Since the achievement of coherency is distributed in time and space, the node controller helps to maintain cache coherency. In addition, a bus arbiter in the node controller parks a data bus towards a memory subsystem. The node controller does not use data buffer reservations. The data bus grant line to the memory controller is overloaded to use it as a back-pressure, get-off-the-bus signal as well as a normal data bus grant line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data using an on-chip bus is presented. A data transaction consisting of an address and data packet is transmitted on an on-chip bus which is a two-wire serial bus consisting of an address line and a data line that connects a plurality of satellites in a daisy-chain fashion to a central source. Each on-chip satellite is associated with a unique identifier. In response to a determination that the transaction is accepted by the satellite, which is determined by the address in the address packet positively comparing to a unique identifier for the satellite, the address packet is modified to provide a positive acknowledgment of a receipt of the address packet back to the central source of the transaction. The address packet is modified by clearing the stop bit of the address packet, i.e. gating off or negating the stop bit. Alternatively, the address packet is otherwise modified to indicate the acceptance of the packet.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for optimizing logic during synthesis of a logic design. A first timing path within the logic design is identified. The first timing path has first logic to be optimized in order to improve timing in the first timing path. A determination is then made regarding whether an input node to the first timing path is a particular device. In response to the input node being the particular device, a determination is made regarding whether optimizing second logic included in a second timing path having the particular device as its output node will improve timing in the first timing path. In response to a determination that optimizing the second logic will improve timing in the first timing path, both the second logic and the first logic are selected to be optimized.

Abstract: A method and system for unattended boot sequencing is provided. A data processing system is powered on, and a boot mode menu is retrieved and displayed for a user. The user selects a boot mode from the boot mode menu, and the selected boot mode is stored in non-volatile memory. The system boot process is then initiated. At a subsequent point in time, the system boot process is able to execute the boot mode selected by the user. The selected boot mode is retrieved, and the selected boot mode process is then executed. The initial display and selection of a boot mode may be performed by a service processor or service firmware in a multiprocessor system.

Abstract: The automated splitting process begins by setting appropriate names and values for the new and old filesystems, physical volumes, and logs. Logs are updated for the split. Next, names and values are checked for validity and to see that a specified value is not contrary to the operating system's parameters. The split is performed with specified copies placed into specified logical volumes and filesystems. The automated merging process begins by setting appropriate names and values for log files, and by setting filesystem names to be merged and synchronized. Logs are updated for the merge. Next, names and values are checked for validity and to see that a specified value is not contrary to the operating system's parameters. The secondary filesystem is deleted, and the logical volumes are merged, creating the mirror out of the secondary filesystem.

Abstract: Initially, a configuration script is stored either remotely or locally on a system. The configuration script is executed based on a set of predefined execution parameters, such as time based parameters, system usage or loading parameters, or even based on the types of operations being performed on the system. Once executed, the configuration script outputs a series of current configuration parameters to a safe storage area. These current configuration parameters define the system in terms of system hardware specifics, software specifics, and firmware specifics, including mappings from logical to physical disk drives. By recording such detailed information in a methodical form and preserving it in an accessible state, a script may be written to place every logical volume, every file system, and every block of data back onto its disk of origin, even if the disk arrays stretch into terabytes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a large-way, symmetric multiprocessor system using a bus-based cache-coherence protocol is provided. The distributed system structure contains an address switch, multiple memory subsystems, and multiple master devices, either processors, I/O agents, or coherent memory adapters, organized into a set of nodes supported by a node controller. Each of the processors may have multiple caches. The address switch connects to each of the node controllers and to each of the memory subsystems, and each of the memory subsystems connects to the address switch and to each of the node controllers. The node controller receives commands from a master device and queues commands received from a master device. The node controller has a deterministic delay between latching a snooped command broadcast by the address switch and presenting the command to the master devices on the node controller's master device buses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing storage devices in communication with a computer. Logical volumes are created on each storage device. Also, a file system is created on a first storage device in the storage devices, wherein the first storage device is a current storage device. The file system is copied from the current storage device to another storage device, wherein the another storage device is a storage device that has not received a copy of the file system wherein the another storage device becomes the current storage device. The file system is copied over and over again until all of the storage devices have received a copy of the file system. At this point, a single pass through these storage devices has occurred. Different numbers of passes may be selected depending on the amount of time during which testing should occur.

Abstract: Scan codes from an input device, such as a keyboard, are intercepted before being mapped to the operating system virtual key codes and instead are mapped to virtual key codes on an Abstract Virtual Keyboard. The Abstract Virtual Keyboard (AVK) supports scan codes for every known keyboard so the operating system could support multiple instances of input devices which were heretofore incompatible. The AVK vKeyCode is then passed through a filter if one is available for the AVK vKeyNumber. Next, a country language layout is called for the appropriate country and plugged into the AVK and the AVK vKeyNumber is entered. If an operating system (OS) virtual key code is returned, the system processes the OS virtual key code into a function or a character in the conventional manner. If no OS virtual key code is returned, another filter method is called to construct a key event. After an OS virtual key code is constructed from the filter, the operating system processes that code.

Abstract: A beverage container is disclosed for keeping liquid evenly heated. The beverage container includes a cup, a heating element, and a removable battery power source. The cup has an inner sidewall surface, an outer sidewall surface, an inner bottom surface, and an outer bottom surface. The inner sidewall surface and inner bottom surface are shaped to hold liquid. The heating element is completely enclosed between the inner sidewall surface and the outer sidewall surface. The heating element heats the inner sidewall surface which then heats the liquid. An insulating layer is included between the heating element and the outer sidewall surface to keep the outer sidewall surface cool while the inner sidewall surface is heated. The battery power source is capable of being temporarily secured to the outer bottom surface of the cup and is utilized to keep the heating element energized to a predetermined level while the battery power source is secured to the cup.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting unauthorized utilization of a cable television decoder. The decoder is utilized to receive cable television signals. The decoder is one of a plurality of receivers of different types. A local oscillator frequency being utilized by the decoder to receive the channel is determined. A type is then determined for the decoder utilizing the determined local oscillator frequency. The channel being received is also determined utilizing the determined local oscillator frequency. In response to the determination of type of decoder and channel being received, a determination is made whether receipt of the channel is authorized for this decoder.

Abstract: A contoured nursing pad for absorbing fluid from a woman's breast including a first layer having a top, a second layer having a top, bottom, and middle, a third, annular layer having an aperture, top, and bottom, and a fourth layer having a bottom. The bottom of the second layer is secured to the top of the first layer. The bottom of the third layer is secured to both the top of the first layer and the top of the second layer. The middle of the second layer is received within the aperture of the third layer. The bottom of the fourth layer is secured to the top of the third layer and the top of the second layer.In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first layer includes a first area and a second area. The second area of the first layer includes a first plurality of non-uniform gathers. The fourth layer includes a first area and a second area. The second area of the fourth layer includes a second plurality of non-uniform gathers. The first areas of the first and fourth layers do not include any gathers.

Abstract: An improved animal litter containment and filtering apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and second container for holding particulate litter, a coupler for temporarily securing the first container to the second container, and a filter. The second container may be inverted and temporarily secured to the first container utilizing the the coupler with the filter temporarily secured between the first and second containers. The coupler includes a first part secured to an end wall of the first container and a second part secured to an end wall of the second container. The coupler is secured to only the first and second containers, and not to the filter. The first and second parts may be temporarily engaged to temporarily secure the first container to the second container. The filter includes a filter having opposing ends, and an edge engager attached to each of the opposing ends.

Abstract: A cable management device is disclosed for holding a plurality of cables including a cable holding main body having a plurality of juxtaposed compartments, and an arm for enclosing the compartments. The main body is preferably pleated having a series of adjoining V-shaped compartments for receiving the cables. Each compartment includes at least one side wall and an open side. The arm includes a pivot end, a terminating end, and at least one tab located near the terminating end. The pivot end is pivotably secured to a first compartment. A second, or preferably last, compartment includes an opening through one side wall of the last compartment for releasably receiving the tab, so that the arm may be easily secured and released. The cable management device preferably includes a first plurality of compartments open on a top of the main body, and a second plurality of compartments open on a bottom of the main body.

Abstract: A leg stretching apparatus is disclosed. The leg stretching apparatus includes a pair of leg assemblies, a handle assembly, and attachment means for securing each leg assembly to the handle assembly. Each leg assembly includes a first leg including a pivot end and an opposite end, and a second leg including a first end slidingly received within the opposite end of the first leg and an opposite end for engaging a user's legs. First means for securing the second leg within the first leg are included so that movement of the second leg is prohibited. The handle assembly includes a first handle having a first and second side and a first and second end, and a second handle having a first and second end. The first end of the second handle is slidingly received within the second end of the first handle. The second end of the second handle may be grasped by a user when the leg stretching apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A removable basketball netting assembly is disclosed for use with a basketball goal which includes a backboard, a rim, and a support ledge to secure; the rim to the backboard. The assembly includes a ring having a first portion and a second portion where the first portion has two opposing sides, a top, an interior surface, and at least one opening through the top of the first portion. The second portion includes a top, one side, and an interior surface. The first and second portions are removably engaged with the rim whereby the second portion accommodates the support ledge. A plurality of protrusions integral to the interior surface of the two sides are included for temporarily securing the ring to the rim. A plurality of cutouts through the ring are provided for receiving upper cords of a net so that the net depends from the ring. A placement device is utilized for engaging and disengaging the ring with the rim.

Abstract: A louver assembly is disclosed. The louver assembly includes a louver, a pair of generally L-shaped side flanges formed on the louver, a cover overlaying the louver, and a cap secured to the cover and the louver. The side flanges are formed on either side of the louver and extend inwardly toward one another over a front face of the louver. Opposing sides of the cover are received within the side flanges, thus forming a cavity between the cover and the louver. The cap surrounds both the cover and the louver, enclosing the cavity.