Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for affording virus-related services utilizing a network browser toolbar. Initially, a request for virus-related services is received over a network from a network browser associated with a computer. In response thereto, virus-related information is transmitted to the computer for being used in conjunction with the network browser to provide virus-related services. In use, the virus-related services are administered utilizing the virus-related information and a toolbar associated with the network browser.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for analyzing a network utilizing an agent/host controller interface. Initially, an agent is sent an interval setting from a host controller. Such agent is adapted to transmit network traffic information based on the interval setting. Such network traffic information is then received from the agent in accordance with the interval setting.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for updating security software on a client. Initially, a parameter indicating a difference between a security update file and a previous security update file is identified. Next, a security program is conditionally updated with the security update file based on the parameter.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture are provided for sequencing graphics processing in a transform or lighting operation. A plurality of mode bits are first received which are indicative of the status of a plurality of modes of process operations. A plurality of addresses are then identified in memory based on the mode bits. Such addresses are then accessed in the memory for retrieving code segments which each are adapted to carry out the process operations in accordance with the status of the modes. The code segments are subsequently executed within a transform or lighting module for processing vertex data.

Abstract: A process, computer program product, and apparatus for detecting and quantifying crosstalk instability in a read/write mechanism are provided. A write current is varied in a write circuit for exciting the write head. Measurements are taken of a magnetoresistive impedance of a read current of a read circuit. Measurements are also taken of a signal amplitude in the read circuit. A bit error rate of the overall system is also measured. The read/write mechanism is failed if the signal amplitude changes by a predetermined amount during the varying of the write current. Likewise, the read/write mechanism is failed if the error rate changes by a predetermined amount during the varying of the write current. The write-to-read signal coupling of HGA (Head Gimbal Assembly) and HSA (Head Stack Assembly), including GMR sensor, suspension and flex cable on the actuator arm, can be evaluated at component design level. The methodologies successfully simulate GMR cross talk instability inside a drive on magnetic testers.

Abstract: A graphics processing system is provided. The graphics processing system includes a front end module for receiving pixel data. A setup unit is coupled to the front end module and generates parameter coefficients. A raster unit is coupled to the setup unit and generates stepping information. A virtual texturing array engine textures and colors the pixel data based on the parameter coefficients and stepping information. Also provided is a pixel engine adapted for processing the textured and colored pixel data received from the virtual texturing array engine.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for depth clamping in a hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, a depth value is identified. It is then determined as to whether a hardware graphics pipeline is operating in a depth clamping mode. If the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in the depth clamping mode, the depth value is clamped within a predetermined range utilizing the hardware graphics pipeline.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for determining whether software is likely to exhibit malicious behavior by analyzing patterns of system calls made during emulation of the software. The system operates by emulating the software within an insulated environment in a computer system so that the computer system is insulated from malicious actions of the software. During the emulation process, the system records a pattern of system calls directed to an operating system of the computer system. The system compares the pattern of system calls against a database containing suspect patterns of system calls. Based upon this comparison, the system determines whether the software is likely to exhibit malicious behavior. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the software is determined to be likely to exhibit malicious behavior, the system reports this fact to a user of the computer system.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for efficient storage of texture data in memory for use with a computer graphics pipeline. Provided is a data structure including at least one compressed sub-block representing a group of texels in a predetermined image plane and at predetermined locations in a first and a second dimension in a texture map. A number of the sub-blocks is based on a depth of texture data in the texture map.

Abstract: Z-buffer rendering of three-dimensional scenes is made more efficient through a method for occlusion culling by which occluded geometry is removed prior to rasterization. The method uses hierarchical z-buffering to reduce the quantity of image and depth information that needs to be accessed. A separate culling stage in the graphics pipeline culls occluded geometry and passes visible geometry on to a rendering stage. The culling stage maintains its own z-pyramid in which z-values are stored at low precision (e.g., in 8 bits). The efficiency of hierarchical z-buffering is improved through hierarchical evaluation of line and plane equations.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting an unwanted message. First, an electronic mail message is received. Text in the electronic mail message is decomposed. Statistics associated with the text are gathered using a statistical analyzer. A neural network engine coupled to the statistical analyzer is taught to recognize unwanted messages based on statistical indicators. The statistical indicators are analyzed utilizing the neural network engine for determining whether the electronic mail message is an unwanted message.

Abstract: An analyzer for a wireless network is configured for surfing a plurality of channels, each for an individually selectable period of time, for monitoring each channel to obtain packet information for analysis, to detect any defects in communication over each respective channel.

Abstract: An Internet network protocol stack, along with special logic, is embedded with a modem, thereby enabling a modem to become Internet-ready. As a result, the modem offloads much of the network protocol processing from the main CPU and improves the overall performance of the communication system.

Abstract: A computer program for checking user configurable security settings operates as either an on-demand application or a memory resident application. The security checking program may enforce the recommended settings or may generate a report to the user as to where the recommended settings are not in place.

Abstract: Clip-less rasterization is provided by a plurality of operations. First, a primitive is received that is defined by a plurality of vertices. Each of such vertices includes a W-value. Thereafter, an area is identified based on the W-values. Such area is representative of a portion of a display to be drawn corresponding to the primitive.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating a vector map in a hardware graphic pipeline. Initially, one of a plurality of transforms is selected in a hardware graphic pipeline. Further, input is processed in order to generate a vector map utilizing the selected transform in the hardware graphics pipeline. Subsequently, a plurality of pixel color values is rendered utilizing the vector map.

Abstract: A system and method update client computers of various end users with software updates for software products installed on the client computers, the software products manufacturered by diverse, unrelated software vendors. The system includes a service provider computer system, a number of client computers and software vendor computer systems communicating on a common network. The service provider computer system stores in an update database information about the software updates of the diverse software vendors, identifying the software products for which software updates are available, their location on the network at the various software vendor computer systems, information for identifying in the client computers the software products stored thereon, and information for determining for such products, which have software updates available. Users of the client computers connect to the service provider computer and obtain a current version of portions of the database.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for executing a cellular automata program in a hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, cell values are received in a hardware graphics pipeline. Next, the cell values are rendered to generate a condition value utilizing the hardware graphics pipeline. A cell value result for the subsequent generation is read from a rule map according to the condition value utilizing the hardware graphics pipeline. Still yet, additional cell values are stored based on the rule map value.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for analyzing a network. Initially, network traffic information relating to network traffic is collected. Next, the network traffic information is encrypted. In use, the network traffic information is capable of being analyzed by a network analyzer adapted for decrypting the network traffic information.

Abstract: It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a shield and pole material with reduced magnetostriction while preserving good magnetic characteristics. This material is used in recording heads in tape and disk drives. The material is a repeating sequence of three layers. One layer is FeX(N) where the (N) indicates a nitrogenated film and the additional element, X, is preferentially Ta but can be selected from a group of elements. Another layer is made from a NiFe alloy. The third layer, disposed between the FeX(N) and NiFe layers is tantalum. The sequence of three layers is repeated to build the required thickness for the final material.