Abstract: A PCI local processing system is operated at 50 MHz using 5 V connectors for add-in boards and a 5 V signaling environment with an appropriate timing budget. Only the 5 V add-in boards may be used for 50 MHz adapters installed in the bus. The bus is backward compatible with existing 33 MHz PCI specifications and operates at 33 MHz if a 33 MHz adapter is installed, and will operate at 50 MHz if only 50 MHz adapters and/or 66 MHz adapters which utilize the universal boards are installed.

Abstract: An improved file system, file system object and method for customizing a file system object within a data processing system are disclosed. The data processing system executes an operating system and includes a storage media having contents organized according to a file system. According to the present invention, a file system object is stored within the storage media which comprises object data, a procedure, and a node that contains a number of attributes of the file system object. The attributes of the file system object contained within the node include an object data location indicator which indicates one or more locations of the object data within the storage media and a procedure location indicator which indicates one or more locations of portions of the procedure within the storage media.

Abstract: A method in system for the testing of the electrical characteristics of an electronic module mounted on a printed circuit board. The method and system monitors selected signals from the Bottom Signal Pads of the electronic module. Thus, eliminating the need for a prototype or specialized printed circuit board in order to perform desired testing of signals.

Abstract: A method for implementing a four-way least recently used cache line replacement scheme in a four-way cache memory is disclosed. The cache memory includes multiple cache lines, and each cache line includes four congruence sets. In accordance with the present disclosure, a 5-bit Least Recently Used (LRU) field is associated with each of the cache lines within the cache memory. For a particular cache line, a set number of a least recently used set among the four congruence sets is stored in any two bits of the LRU field associated with that cache line. Next, a set number of the second least recently used set among the four congruence sets is stored in another two bits of the same LRU field associated with the same cache line. Finally, a last bit of the 5-bit LRU field is set to a specific state in response to a determination of which one of the remaining two sets is the second most recently used set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a distributed implementation of an interrupt delivery controller in compliance with the OpenPIC specification. Specifically, a virtually unlimited number of interrupt source units can be supported without significant degradation of the system. This is accomplished by using a master reset bit for the interrupt delivery controller and a reset bit for each of the interrupt source units for indicating their respective current status. The master reset bit in combination with the reset bits are used to discard interrupts enroute during the resetting of the interrupt delivery controller. Thus, eliminating the requirement of an acknowledgement from each of the interrupt source units concerning their resetting status before proceeding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the execution of a procedure having multiple exit points without modifying the software via breakpoints. The starting address of the procedure is loaded into an Instruction Address Break Register (IABR). Upon execution of the starting address the IABR raises an exception. The processing of the exception is used to implement a counting routine and for loading the IABR with the address of the calling party via the Link Register. Upon execution of the address of the calling party, the IABR once again raises an exception. The processing of the second exception is used for stopping the counter and performing any related analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing a computer system to transform a plurality of data in a planning data structure into a scheduling data structure. Each entry of the scheduling data structure has at least a start date, quantity, and duration.

Abstract: An improved method and system for creating state machines in microcode. State machines are typically defined by a plurality having at least a combinations of current state, next state. Each one of the current states and next states are typically assigned unique values to distinguish them from other current states and next states, respectively. Upon an examination of the binary bit representations for the combinations, certain repetitive patterns become apparent between certain sections of the combinations. These recognized repetitive bit patterns are grouped and represented by linked lists and associated with one another to form the necessary relationship to define the represented combinations. Thus, saving memory and/or storage resources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture direct a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen, to create a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen. The method includes the steps of measuring at least a first portion of a hand placed on the touchscreen, determining if at least one measurement of the first portion substantially matches any existing measurements stored in the memory, if a substantial match exists, reading the memory for pre-defined characteristics, and building a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics.

Abstract: A method for preventing peer-to-peer access across separate Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) host bridges within a data-processing system is described. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, during an access request from a PCI device, a first determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a system memory attached to a system bus. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a system memory attached to the system bus, another determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device, denying the access request such that a PCI peer-to-peer access across separate PCI host bridges within a data processing system is prevented.

Abstract: A method for supporting peer-to-peer access across separate Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) host bridges within a data-processing system is described. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, during an access request from a PCI device, a first determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a system memory attached to a system bus. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a system memory attached to the system bus, another determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device, executing added protocols for the support of PCI peer-to-peer access request across separate PCI host bridges within the data-processing system.

Abstract: A method, memory, and apparatus locate a portion (e.g., page) in a compound document. The method directs a computer, having at least a display device, to locate the specific page in the compound document. Specifically, the method creates an outline for each portion of the compound document, displays a display container (e.g., mini window) in a first position on the display (e.g., at a certain position on the scroll bar), wherein the first position corresponds to a first portion (e.g., page) of the compound document, in response to invoking a command by user controls (e.g., holding down second mouse button), scrolls the display container from the first position to at least a second position on the display, and wherein the second position corresponds to a second portion (e.g., page) of the compound document, and displays the outline of the second portion of the compound document in the display container.

Abstract: A removable keyboard cap extension apparatus for a data processing system entry keyboard having a number of data entry keys which are constructed to electronically convey data. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus includes a keyboard cap adapted to fit onto a key among a plurality of keys for use by a user of a particular data processing application among a number of data processing applications. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus has a body that includes an upper planar surface, wherein the body and its upper planar surface are elevated above the data entry keys such that the upper planar surface is enhanced larger than the data entry key. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus can be connected to an individual data entry key, or can replace the data entry key. A depression at any point on the upper planar surface will actuate only the individual data entry key which the removable keyboard cap extension apparatus is connected or replaces.

Abstract: A computer graphics apparatus connects a texture coordinate generator with fragment generators via a command bus. The generator is connected to a texture data bus through a texture memory cluster which comprises an address generator connected to a texture coordinate bus, a filter, and eight memories. In addition, the generator is connected to the texture data bus through a plurality of texture memory clusters. The texture data bus is connected to a plurality of drawing processors to which a plurality of frame memories are connected in correspondence. This configuration performs texture mapping through effective utilization of the texture memory clusters.

Abstract: An exception handler for a computer system, particularly for performance monitoring facilities, employs implementation-dependent steps executed from a kernel extension which is more application-level than kernel level. The implementation-independent kernel is involved only at very minimum level for a prologue to the exception handling routine. First a kernel extension registers an exception with the processor by storing the address of a pointer to a first-level interrupt handler; this address is stored in a location in kernel data storage, in non-paged memory. When an exception condition is reached, state is saved and the address location is checked to see if an exception has been registered. If so, the address is used to go to the first-level interrupt handler, which is at the kernel extension level. The first-level interrupt handler may access a second-level interrupt handler.

Abstract: A demountable, and thus re-usable, conductive heat sink for dissipation of excess heat of an electronic component. The heat sink uses a T-bolt and T-slot for attachment to the electronic component and the printed circuit board, respectively. This attachment eliminates the typical concerns associated with the placement of traces on the PCB to accommodate the holes placed therein for the attachment of conventional heat sinks. The improved designed also facilitates demounting of the heat sink from the printed circuit board and the electronic component without damage thereto.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying an identification associated with and stored internally in a computer system. Software can distinguish one computer system from another based upon an identification which is typically associated with the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the computer system. Problems arise, however, when the CPU or other component containing the identification fail, and are replaced with components having a new identification. These problems are alleviated via the use of modifiable memory by the replacement component for storing its associated identification, and a modifying unit which can reside in the replacement component, operating system, or take the form of an application program. The modifying unit is invoked and passed an encrypted key value comprising the failed identification and the replacement identification.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture direct a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen, to create a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen. The method includes the steps of detecting a handprint of a hand placed on the touchscreen, determining if pre-defined characteristics exist for the handprint based on the shape and size of the handprint, if pre-defined characteristics exist for the handprint, creating a virtual pointing device under at least a portion of the hand in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics, and if pre-defined characteristics do not exist, creating a generic virtual pointing device under the at least a portion of the hand.

Abstract: A method and system for sequentially addressing multiple components, having a limited number of externally available address lines, on a communication bus. The method and system employs an addressing scheme in combination with a specific interconnection of the components. This combination enables each of the components to be addressed in a sequential fashion by dynamically altering their address. Thus, allowing a virtually unlimited number of components to be coupled to the communication bus without the traditional concerns over the number of externally available address lines.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically presenting default-drop target icons displayed within a data processing system. Default-drop target icons are representative of data processing system events, and the data processing system includes containers within a graphical user interface border. An object within a container surrounded by a graphical user interface border is selected and in response to initiation of dragging the icon, default-drop target icons are identified which are representative of data processing system events appropriate for the selected object. Thereafter, if the selected object is dragged across the graphical user interface border; at least one default-drop target icon is automatically displayed at a location proximate a point where the selected object crosses the graphical user interface border, in response to the dragging, such that a data processing system event may be invoked by dropping the selected object upon the default-drop target icon.