Abstract: Program code loaded for execution by a computer can be dynamically instrumented to collect event data by inserting an instruction at a trace point within the program code as loaded in a memory space of a computer, where the trace point corresponds to the beginning of a predefined function of the program selected for event tracing. The instruction provides for the direction of the execution of said computer to a function proxy routine, which includes a call to an instance of the predefined function. Event data is collected in connection with the calling of the instance of the predefined function.

Abstract: A content and collaborative filtering system for recommending entertainment oriented content items, such as music and video, and other media content items to a user based on similarity in profile between the user and other users and between the content indexed in the user's profile and other content in the database. The system stores implicit and explicit ratings data for such content items provided by the users. Upon request of the user, the system accesses the user's profile and corresponding content interests database. The system uses the relationships between the content items to determine a subset of the content items to be referred to the user. The system also correlates a similarity between the user's ratings of the content items and other users' ratings. Based on the correlations, a subset of users is selected that is then used to provide recommendations to the user. The recommended items have a high probability of being subjectively appreciated by the user.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a first processor, which in some embodiments includes a DSP, and a first memory pool and a second memory pool. The second memory pool is primarily associated with the DSP and stores code that is available for execution by the DSP. A plurality of code modules are stored in the first memory pool, which in some embodiments is associated with a second processor. The code modules are individually and dynamically swapped into the first memory pool, which in some embodiments is not large enough to simultaneously store all of the code modules. In some instances, the dynamic code module swapping is done at the direction of a second processor, which is aware of the state of the DSP execution. In other instances, the dynamic code module swapping is done at the direction of the DSP. In each instance, dynamic code swapping is performed in a manner that minimizes or eliminates any halts in DSP instruction execution.

Abstract: A portable display tablet is operated in conjunction with a base computer system including a host processor for executing an application program with a predetermined operational function that generates predetermined graphics data and operates in response to predetermined input data. The computer system includes a wireless data transceiver coupled to the processor that is capable of communicating the predetermined graphics and input data between the computer and portable display tablet.

Abstract: A CATV transceiver is provided within an RF shield enclosure. The transceiver circuit includes a diplexer, having fixed value inductors, that is coupleable to a CATV cable plant to receive an RF input signal and to transmit an RF output signal. The RF receiver is coupled to the diplexer and includes a frequency up-converter, a first frequency down-converter and a second frequency down-converter. The up and first down-converters include voltage controlled oscillators that are responsive to a control signal generated from a single oscillator crystal. The second frequency down-converter operates to provide an output signal representative of the RF input signal within a predetermined output frequency pass-band. The RF transmitter is also coupled to the diplexer and provides for the transmission of the RF output signal in response to an input signal.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus of a graphic request management system which provides for storing in the header of bitmaps indicative of the last time a bitmap was included in a request as a destination or source bitmap. Where the system determines that a request is to be processed by a graphic coprocessor, the system updates the bitmap headers of the bitmaps included in that request when that request is stored in the queue of the graphic coprocessor. Where the system determines that a request is to be processed by the CPU, the system holds that request until the last operation on any bitmap included in that request, which could effect the results of the request, has been completed by the graphic coprocessor. The request, if only containing source bitmaps, is processed by the CPU immediately after the completion of any writing into all of the source bitmaps due to request stored in the queue.

Abstract: A portable display tablet is operated in conjunction with a base computer system including a host processor for executing an application program with an operational function that generates graphics data and operates in response to input data. The computer system includes a wireless data transceiver coupled to the processor that is capable of communicating the graphics and input data between the computer and portable display tablet. The portable display tablet includes a graphics display panel for displaying the graphical data, a low power wireless data transceiver providing short range data communication of the graphics and input data between the base computer system and portable display tablet, and a controller, embedded within the portable display tablet and coupled to the low power wireless data transceiver, that executes a control program to process the graphics data to provide the graphical display data to the graphics display panel.

Abstract: A computer operating system that can be flexibly constructed by inclusion of any of a plurality of processing components. These processing components include (1) a core component that includes a process manager that provides for co-execution of multiple processes, each such process having an associated context; (2) a first processing component that defines a predetermined processing function that is executed within the context of any of a number of multiple processes and that includes a set of import symbols and export functions; and (3) a component switch that is coupled to the core component to provide a tightly coupled connection between the core component and the first processing component such that an execution reference made within a particular context to any of the import symbols and export functions are local within that particular context.

Abstract: A kit in accordance with the invention is disclosed that allows for simultaneous connectivity of a variety of SCSI devices to a SCSI card via a SCSI bus. Such SCSI devices include internal narrow, internal wide, external narrow, and external wide devices. A kit in accordance with the invention includes a terminator-adapter. The terminator-adapter includes a first wide connector, a second narrow connector, and a wide bus including an upper and lower bus. The upper bus is coupled to the wide connector and is first and second connector as well as a soft terminator. By enabling the soft terminator, the terminator-adapter behaves as a wide bus terminator. By disabling the soft terminator, the terminator-adapter behaves as a wide-to-narrow adapter. A kit in accordance with the invention may further include a wide cable and a SCSI card. In various embodiments, the SCSI card includes a wide internal connector and a narrow internal connector.

Abstract: A log device is coupled in the logical data transfer path between a storage device, which provides for the storage of file and system data within a main filesystem layout, and a computer system. The log device provides for the storage of the file and system data within a log structured filesystem layout. A control program is executed to manage the storage of file and system data in data segments in the log device filesystem and to selectively transfer the file and system data from the log device to the storage device. The control program utilizes location data provided in the file and system data to identify a destination storage location for the file and system data within the main filesystem layout.

Abstract: A system to control and monitor telephony devices that do not digitally interface with a control device, such as a PC, is disclosed. The control device communicates with the telephony device typically via standard telephone cable using tones to convey status and control information.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A log device based data storage subsystem provides for the efficient storage and retrieval of data with respect to an operating system executing on a computer system coupled to the data storage system. The data storage system includes a storage device providing for the storage of predetermined file and system data, as provided by the computer system, within a main filesystem layout established in the storage device. The data storage system also includes a log device coupled in the logical data transfer path between storage device and the computer system. The log device provides for the storage of the predetermined file and system data within a log structured filesystem layout established in the log device.