Abstract: A computer-implemented object-oriented method for controlling access to a multiplicity of objects is disclosed. The method includes creating specific access control object types, each including a pre-check method for implementing a pre-defined access control policy. Each one of the multiplicity of objects to be controlled is then associated with one of the access control objects. Next, upon an attempt to invoke a feature of any one of the multiplicity of objects, a determination is made if one of the multiplicity of objects is linked to an access control object, and if yes; the pre-check method for the access control object associated with the one of the multiplicity of objects is performed to determine whether to grant access.

Abstract: Emulation of a hardware peripheral is accomplished through use of object oriented software and runs in an object oriented environment. Particular adaptation of an emulation to enable specific data storage magnetic tape drive peripheral is described. Use of emulators in general enables continued reliance on legacy hardware and software without maintaining an entire suite of legacy hardware. Simplified emulation structure enabled by object oriented programming described herein makes migration from legacy systems feasible in stages at relatively low cost. In set-up and in use, users can have control over instances of emulator objects, including association with data files that operate as virtual storage media whether initially associated with the emulator or not, using a simple window-based interface for choosing particular data files, opening them, opening new instances of emulator objects and so forth. Variations are also described.

Abstract: In particular, a system and method for receiving high speed processor bus traces for study of computer system capacity and operation uses a collection of coordinated collector system to collect trace data for a plurality of processor busses operating at the same time in a multiprocessor computer system under test. Pipelined bus communications on the processor bus are aligned, in one mode, and in another, multiple instructions on split domain busses are aligned. In both cases a time stamp is obtained to match each processor word to a time of occurrence to facilitate study of the trace data. All time stamps from the various busses being studied and from which trace data is being collected have the same values at any given time so that the data collected from each bus can be coordinated with data from the other busses of the plurality by the reading of the time stamps.

Abstract: A system and method using a timer management module for managing a circular queue having N Fixed Timer Entries (FTEs) to enable dynamic capacity increase of size M by extending the pointer array referencing the circular queue by M, copying the first “Current Timer Index” entries to the extended pointer array entries, allocating M FTEs, and linking the M FTEs within the circular queue.

Abstract: A system and method which allows the secure interchange of information a web browser based user system and an On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) enterprise server. In addition to the standards based security provided by the browser for individual data transfers, a facility enables a user to log-on to an entire transactional session. This facility provides for validation of user-id and user password.

Abstract: Heterogeneous data at a plurality of remote nodes is accessed automatically in parallel at high speed from a user site using a simple script request containing a data source object name wherein the heterogeneous data is treated as a single data source object, the script further containing at least one method to be performed on the data source object. Respective agent processes at the user site and at the remote nodes automatically generate descriptor files containing metadata corresponding to the data source object. The user site agent breaks the user-generated script into new scripts appropriate for execution at the remote nodes. A messenger process transmits the new scripts to the appropriate remote nodes where respective agent processes respond to automatically access the appropriate data and execute specified methods upon it.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for translating test vectors between a format suitable for use with a standalone integrated circuit tester and a format suitable for use with an in-circuit tester are disclosed. Methods according to the invention include: providing a first test file in a first format that is suitable for use with the standalone integrated circuit tester, and translating the first test file into a second test file in a second format that is suitable for use with the in-circuit tester. Methods according to the invention also include: providing a first test file in a first format that is suitable for use with the in-circuit tester, and translating the first test file into a second test file in a second format that is suitable for use with the standalone integrated circuit tester. Apparatus according to the invention include computer-readable media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing these methods.

Abstract: Communications between an adapter card and a host computer system are established by embedding a server program within a BIOS extension stored in a memory on the adapter card. The BIOS extension is loaded into the host memory during normal execution of the host system BIOS for execution by the host processor. When executed by the host processor, the BIOS extension code copies the server program embedded within it to a new location in host memory, and then hooks the new location of the server program to a pre-selected interrupt of the host computer system to cause the host processor to initiate execution of the server program on the host computer system upon a subsequent occurrence of that interrupt. When executed on the host computer, the server program then establishes two-way communications with a client program executing on the adapter card.

Abstract: Customer record systems for multinational companies advantageously store both Latin character set (language of the database user) and customer-local language forms of the information so that mailings to customers can be accomplished with printing in the local language. Further, web access by customers into their information can also be displayed in local language format from this system. Limiting the local language storage to that information that is needed to communicate to the customer in customer's location provides full access to all transactional information to the owner or user of the database. Translating all customer information into Unicode provides a single uniform database into which these mixed language records can be stored. Variations in signaling to the translation mechanism are provided so that use of local language terminals can be used.

Abstract: A processor bus bridge includes a buffer space disposed between a first bus and a second bus. The first bus is operated in a first mode by a first processor and the second bus is operated in a second mode by a second processor. The first bus has an electrical structure which is different from the electrical structure of the second bus. The first mode may also differ from the second mode. The processor bus bridge has a protocol logic module disposed between the first processor and the second processor for controlling data transfer across the buffer space in the first and second modes. Thus, the bus bridge enables communications between dissimilar processor buses while increasing performance and reducing CPU overhead.

Abstract: A method and a data file structure (100) for embedding a digital signature verification key (108) within a particular type of image data file enables validation of the image data (102a,b) autonomously—i.e. without consulting large external data bases of public keys or certificates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable a transport protocol executing on a first computer system to be utilized by applications executing on a second computer system which is directly interconnected and closely coupled to the first computer system. An interconnection couples an input/output (I/O) subsystem of the first computer system to an I/O subsystem of the second computer system and provides a path over which data can be transmitted between the first and second computer systems independent of a network interface card, and an interconnection messaging system executing on the first and second computer systems provides general purpose transport interfaces between said first and second computer systems.

Abstract: A matrix of AND-gates correspond to respective codes to be assigned to strings. The outputs of the AND-gates are selectively coupled to prefix code inputs of the AND-gates through a prefix code matrix switch. A plurality of characters from the input stream are fetched into an input character buffer and applied through respective character decoders and selectively through a character matrix switch to character inputs of the AND-gates. An AND-gate corresponding to a code assigned to a string that is the longest match to the plurality of fetched characters is thereby enabled. An update extended string is recorded in the AND-gate corresponding to the next code to be assigned by coupling, through the prefix code matrix switch, the output of the AND-gate corresponding to the longest matching string to the prefix code input of the AND-gate corresponding to the next code to be assigned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively providing modularity and/or hierarchy to a behavioral description of a circuit design. This is accomplished by providing a template call in the behavioral description of the circuit design. The template call provides a reference to a corresponding template behavioral description. The behavioral description of the circuit design is expanded using an expander preprocessor, wherein a command line switch is used to selectively provide modularity and/or hierarchy to the resulting behavioral description.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively injecting parity errors into instructions of a data processing system when the instructions are copied from a read buffer to a first level cache. The parity errors are selectively injected according to programmable indicators, each programmable indicator being associated with one or more instructions stored in the read buffer. The error-injection system also includes programmable operating modes whereby error injection will occur during, for example, every copy back from the read buffer to the first level cache, or alternatively, during only a selected copy back sequence. The system allows for comprehensive testing of error detection and recovery logic in an instruction processor, and further allows for comprehensive testing of the logic associated with performing a data re-fetch from a second level cache or storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The multiple file upload user request is received by a web server from the world wide web. Each of the files is stored in a different temporary file created to buffer the uploaded files until they are processed. Following processing, the temporary files are deleted. Through the use of this feature, an application developer can make efficient multiple file data transfers from a user terminal without the need to analyze the transfer in binary form.

Abstract: A computer-based administration tool migrates user's names and greetings from a first voice mail system to a second voice mail system. Illustratively, the administration tool accesses the first voice mail system for recording, or storing, each of a plurality of users names and greetings. The administration tool then sends them to the second voice mail system for use therein.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a number of electrically conductive layers. Instead of coating, or plating, a PCB through-hole with an electrically conductive material to form a via (for the purpose of connecting together signal paths across the electrically conductive layers)—the via is formed by placing a conductive stake, or conductive pin, in the through-hole.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating a telephony session on a voice messaging platform with an e-mail session on an e-mail messaging platform in an integrated universal messaging system are disclosed. The method, which is carried out by the system, comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a call on the voice messaging platform placed by a subscriber from a telephone handset and processing the call on the voice messaging platform in accordance with a first call flow; (b) invoking from the first call flow, a second call flow that initiates access to the subscriber's account on the e-mail messaging platform, the second call flow executing in parallel with, and asynchronously of, the first call flow; (c) continuing to execute the first call flow while the second call flow is executing; and (d) playing one or more prompts by the first call flow, as needed, to mask at least a portion of any delays experienced in receiving a response from the second call flow.

Abstract: A disk cache translation system for mapping data record lengths between systems having different data record lengths. Command queue (315) maps into initiation queue (305) to allow I/O manager (230) to manage I/O requests from operating system (125). I/O requests are statused by I/O manager (230) using status queue (325). Store-thru cache (280) provides a single interface to disk array (270) such that disk array write operations are reported complete only when user memory (250), I/O cache (280) and disk array (270) are synchronized. Data record length translations are performed using I/O cache (280) in order to align data record length differences between operating system (125) and I/O device (270).