Abstract: A server which service multiple clients according to a defined interface selectively determines whether to by-pass at least some error checks of client requests. Preferably, the client server interface uses a Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) API, there being a set of error checks associated with each type of request. For at least some error checks, the server selectively by-passes error checking. In the exemplary embodiment, the server by-passes error checking of certain error conditions at the client's request. Alternatively, the server might selectively by-pass error checking on the basis of the client's identity, or current server performance, or on a random or intermittent basis.

Abstract: The circumferential edges of glass or ceramic disks used in disk drive data storage devices are preferably finished by ductile grinding to produce an essentially fracture-free surface, which is not chemically strengthened. Preferably, the material is glass, and both the inner and outer edges of the disk are finished. Edge finishing is preferably achieved in a two-stage process, involving a coarse grind and a ductile grind, using air bearing spindles rotated at high speed for grinding wheels and workpiece. Preferably, the grinding wheels are shaped to provide a radius at the juncture of the circumferential edges and flat disk surfaces.

Abstract: A disk for a disk drive data storage device contains embedded track identifying fields which identify a track within a range of tracks, the range being less than the full range of tracks on the disk surface. The full identity of a track during a track seek operation is determined by iteratively assuming a track identity and estimating acceleration of the transducer based on the assumed track identity, until a track identity is found for which estimated acceleration meets some pre-determined threshold. Preferably, embedded servo fields are recorded at angularly spaced intervals on the disk surface, and every Nth servo field contains a Gray code full track identifier, while all servo fields in between contain abbreviated Gray code fields which identify a track within a range of tracks.

Abstract: A compiler for object-oriented programming code in a language which employs run-time static initialization semantics analyzes the static initialization code to find a subset of initialization statements which must execute under all conditions, creates an pre-initialized image of the static storage using the subset, and removes statements which were pre-initialized from the final compiled code. Preferably, the compiler is a back-end compiler for the Java language, which converts Java bytecode into machine executable instructions. A static initializer method for each class is decomposed to construct a control flow graph for the method, which is then analyzed to identify statements in the source which must necessarily execute whenever the initialization method is called. The compile-time static storage image is pre-initialized to zero, except where affected by these identified statements, which are set at compile time as if the identified statements had executed.

Abstract: A real address range check mechanism verifies real addresses generated in a computer system which translates real addresses from effective addresses, some of the effective addresses being real addresses not requiring translation. The system has at least two operating modes. In one mode, the range checking mechanism generates an error signal responsive to detecting a real address outside a predetermined range, and in the other operating mode no error signal is generated. Preferably, the computer system's hardware resources, including real address space, is logically partitioned, partitioning being managed by an ultra-privileged process called a hypervisor. Preferably, the processor supports hardware multithreading, each thread independently capable of being in either hypervisor, supervisor, or problem state, real address range checking error signals being disabled in the hypervisor state.

Abstract: The multi-processor system according to the present invention includes at least two processors, a system bus providing communication between the responses to commands on the system bus. One of the processors generates a snoop response to a command, associated with the same real address as the snooped command, which issued from the processor. In response to a command requesting invalidation of a cache line, a cache within the processor conditionally casts back the cache line to a transition cache in the processor. Based on the system response to the invalidation command, the transition cache either discards the cast back or converts the cast back into a command for writing the cache line in the main memory of the system. The processor also converts an exclusive read command requiring a reservation to a non-exclusive read command if that reservation has been lost prior to placing the command on the system bus.

Abstract: A method of accessing remote electronic documents, such as those stored on a network, by recording link information regarding one or more document links embedded in an electronic document, selecting the electronic document for retrieval by the computer system, and displaying the link information on a display screen, prior to downloading the electronic document. The link information is recorded at an earlier time when the electronic document had previously been loaded into the document viewer. The link information can thus be displayed concurrently with the issuance of a request for the electronic document, so the user can see the link information as the document is downloading, and can further select a link contained within the displayed link information, prior to downloading the document. The link information may include a universal resource locator (URL) address associated with one of the document links, or a java applet identifier associated with one of the links.

Abstract: A protection utility for compiled data in a computer system having dynamically configurable logical partitions determines the time for rebuilding compiled data, and selectively stores data in a form not requiring rebuild to meet a pre-specified recovery time limit. If the configuration changes, the protection strategy is automatically migrated to adapt to the new configuration. Preferably, the compiled data is multiple database indexes, which are selectively logged to reduce recovery time. Logging is selectively discontinued or extended responsive to changes in partition configuration, allowing a gradual migration to the target recovery time using the new set of configured resources.

Abstract: An oscillator transmission switching circuit switches between asynchronous oscillator signals with low latency. Preferably, a fast switching circuit triggers a transition from a first oscillator to a second oscillator by entering a bridge input immediately following an edge of the first oscillator, holding in the bridge input until the same edge of the second oscillator is detected, and switching to the second oscillator. Preferably, the bridge input is selectable to accommodate conditions in which the first oscillator signal is stuck at either a logic 0 or a logic 1. A change of oscillators may be triggered by a fault detection circuit or by an external signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for eliminating parasitic bipolar transistor action in a Silicon on Insulator (SOI) Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) device. In accordance with the invention a SOI electronic device and an active discharging device coupled to said SOI electronic device is provided to deactivate the parasitic bipolar transistor. The parasitic bipolar transistor action is deactivated by controlling the conduction of an active discharging device, said active discharging device being coupled to said SOI device.

Abstract: A system and method for generating compressed affinity records obtains first and second data records, generates zero or more length values representing portions of the second data record that agree with corresponding portions of the first data record, generates zero or more delta values representing portions of the second data record that differ from corresponding portions of the first data record, and combines those length and delta values to form a compressed affinity record. In an illustrative embodiment, the length and delta values are generated by exclusive ORing first and second journal records, and the compressed affinity record can be utilized to maintain mirrored data files.

Abstract: In a computer processor, a low-order portion of a virtual address for a pipelined operation is compared directly with the corresponding low-order portions of addresses of operations below it in the pipeline to detect an address conflict, without first translating the address. Preferably, if a match is found, it is assumed that an address conflict exists, and the pipeline is stalled one or more cycles to maintain data integrity in the event of an actual address conflict. Preferably, the CPU has caches which are addressed using real addresses, and a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) for determining the high-order portion of a real address. The comparison of low-order address portions provides conflict detection before the TLB can translate a real address of an instruction.

Abstract: When a search is made for information on the Internet, certain search parameters are saved in the user's system. If a subsequent related search is made, these search parameters are transferred to the internet search engine and used to reorder or otherwise modify the search results. Preferably, every time a search request is made, an entry is added to a cookie, containing the search terms and date of search. The search engine re-orders search results by dividing the results into multiple groups, including (in order of priority: (a) those URLs which are new since the last search; (b) those URLs which have been previously visited by have changed, the magnitude of change determining the ordering within this group; (c) those URLs which existed before the previous search, but have not been visited by the user; and (d) those URL's which the user has previously visited and have not changed. In the preferred embodiment, the user may optionally manually specify certain URLs to be included or excluded.

Abstract: A key click masker and method for disguising key clicks protect sensitive information by randomly varying key click echo generated by a computer system. The key click masker and method disguise the actual keystrokes by generating sounds that would confuse a listener trying to determine the actual keystrokes entered by a user while the user is inputting sensitive information on an input device.

Abstract: The ToolFrame is a code generation tooling framework. Its components form the basis of a generic tooling framework that provides a structured, consistent, and flexible method for developing tools. The ToolFrame separates functionality into components to emphasize substitution of components through common interfaces. This separation is furthered by a common complex object called Resource, used to represent any type of information shared between components.

Abstract: A service provider generates digital records of calendar events with respect to its clients using its own data, and automatically transfers these records to portable digital devices of the clients. Preferably, the service provider maintains a computer system or terminal at the point of personal contact with the client, which is also used to track service provider operations. The provider's computer system automatically generates an event record in a format for use by the client, from data in the computer system used to track service provider operations. Preferably, the service provider maintains a list of clients and their associated portable digital device interface type. The provider's computer system generates an appropriate calendar event, and formats and transmits it according to the client's interface type.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, multiple e-mails are received at a network server intended for multiple clients served by the network server. The received e-mails are analyzed to determine patterns of similarity. A selection of similar e-mails are predicted and classified as potentially undesirable e-mail according to the analysis. Upon accessing e-mails from the network server at a data processing system in association with a particular client, the accessed e-mails classified as potentially undesirable e-mail are displayed in a distinct manner from a remainder of the accessed e-mails. Thereafter, in response to a single action by the particular client, the e-mails classified as potentially undesirable e-mail are removed from display, such that the particular client is enabled to efficiently manage removal of e-mails predicted as undesirable by a network server.

Abstract: A presentation assisting tool monitors the time remaining in a presentation in real time and dynamically adjusts the presentation to fit available time constraints. Preferably, the presentation tool is a software application program. A user generates and stores multiple frames of a presentation, assigning a numerical priority and a minimum, goal and maximum time to each frame. During the presentation to an audience, the tool monitors the progress of the presentation and the time remaining. The presentation tool dynamically adjusts goal times to fit the remaining time allotted, and if necessary, deletes entire frames using the pre-assigned priorities. The tool displays visible indicia of the time remaining, goal times, and/or need to move on to another frame, to the user. The visible indicia are preferably unintelligible to, or not easily noticed by, the audience.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device within and a method processed by a Workflow Management System (WFMS) making resources/objects accessible to activities of said WFMS processing these resources/objects. The Workflow-Management-System (WFMS) according the current invention comprises a WFMS-server said WFMS-server performs navigation through a process-model and performs resolution by selecting a next-process-activity to be executed by said WFMS, and by selecting a WFMS-agent to execute said next-process-activity. The current invention teaches a stager storing, after the WFMS performing said resolution, resources required for execution of said next-process-activity from one or a multitude of source-locations onto a WMF-staging-location. Afterwards the WFMS-agent uses said resources from said WFMS-staging-location for execution of said next-process-activity.

Abstract: A method of electronically conveying information using a first electronic document having a selectable link embedded therein (e.g., a hypertext link), wherein at least one presentation attribute is associated with the link, by presenting a second (linked) electronic document using the presentation attribute, in response to selection of the link. In the illustrative embodiment, a sender of an e-mail message embeds the link in the message and associates the particular presentation attributes. The presentation attributes are encoded into the message, and are thus sent with the message across a network such as the Internet. The presentation attributes may be associated with the link by capturing current settings, or by specifying custom settings. In this manner, when the recipient of the message selects the link, a web browser is launched, and uses the appropriate environmental attributes to present the linked web page. The recipient has the ability to selectively override sender-defined attributes.