Abstract: A client-directed pre-stage operation of a cache memory used to access data blocks from a mass data storage device attached to a host computer through a channel control processor is provided by a method and apparatus comprising a channel control processor for retrieving data blocks from the mass storage device to be pre-staged within the cache memory, a channel interface coupled between the channel control processor and the host computer, a mass storage device interface coupled between the channel control processor and the mass storage device, and a cache memory coupled between the channel interface and the mass storage interface; the cache memory is further coupled to the cache control processor to provide the cache control processor access to data stored within the cache memory. The cache control processor receives a cache bitmap from the host computer to specify the data blocks from the mass storage device to be pre-staged into the cache memory.

Abstract: The present data file storage management system for snapshot copy operations maintains a two level mapping table which enables the data files to be copied using the snapshot copy process and only having to update a single corresponding mapping table entry when the physical location of the data file is changed. The snapshot copy updates to the contents of the first level of the two level mapping table are stored on the backend data storage devices to provide a record of the snapshot copy operation which can be used to recover the correct contents of the mapping table. This record of the snapshot copy operations remains valid even though the physical location of a copied data file instance is subsequently changed. Furthermore, the physical storage space holding the updated portions of the first level of the two level mapping table can be managed using techniques like those used to manage the physical storage space holding data file instances.

Abstract: A method for modifying an information storage library. The invention includes a method for testing a new library storage module (LSM) to be added or included in the library. The method uses a portable simulated Library Management Unit (LMU) to test the new LSM prior to its incorporation into the library. Prior testing reduces down time of an existing information storage library when a new LSM is added.

Abstract: A plug inserted into the access opening of a tape cartridge to prevent movement of the reel inside the cartridge. Damage to the tape media is thus prevented by contact of the reel with the tape media. The plug may also be used to seal the access opening and eliminate environmental contamination which would otherwise enter therethrough.

Abstract: A service for screening outgoing telephone calls. The service allows a subscriber to determine the times of day and/or days of the week when she wants her outgoing calls on her telephone line to be restricted to numbers which have been approved by her. Calls to numbers other than those on the authorized list will not be completed. Incoming calls are also restricted and a privileged caller code must be entered for the outside caller to complete the call to the subscriber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the velocity of a tape in a tape transport system having a write head and a read head separated by a known distance and formatting the tape using marks. The tape transport system generates a write signal indicating when one of the marks is written to the tape by the write head and a read signal indicating when one of the marks is read from the tape by the read head. An accumulator determines the amount of time between the write signal and the read signal. A velocity detector determines the velocity of the tape based on said time determined by the accumulator and the known distance between the write head and the read head.

Abstract: A high torsional stiffness, low axial deflection stiffness, low angular deflection stiffness and low radial deflection stiffness tape drive coupling apparatus includes a base adapted for attachment to a drive motor and a driver engageable with a cassette reel. First and second pairs of parallel flexible rolling tubes are positioned between the base and driver, and the two pairs are disposed orthogonally with respect to each other. In this configuration, the driver is movable axially and angularly with respect to the base by compression and expansion of the flexible tubes. The driver is movable radially with respect to the drive axis by rolling of at least one of the pairs of tubes. The driver is relatively torsionally rigid with respect to the base to facilitate rotational driving engagement of the cassette reel when there exists axial, radial or angular misalignment between the driver and cassette reel.

Abstract: An interface which displays indicia associated with a single voice mail message on a screen. The invention is used in a visual voice messaging system to allow a user to view indicia without scrolling to another screen. A user may thus sort messages which she desires to hear more quickly and easily.

Abstract: An interface for an electronic classified advertising system. The interface includes the capability for the user to enter search criteria for an item of interest, to save the search criteria and to be notified by the system when an item matching the search criteria is entered into the system.

Abstract: A fiber optic/coaxial cable telephony network including power. Power is supplied through the coaxial cable portion of the video network to a cable network unit where the power is converted and supplied to the equipment including customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of spurious energy on a bus based network. The device identifies the subscriber location which is the source of spurious energy and includes disconnection capability to remove that subscriber location from the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to transfer protocol data units within a communication network. This transferring is accomplished with a protocol data unit processor that is operated in the communication network. The processor includes a preprocessor which establishes subsequent processing requirements of a particular protocol data unit received from the communication network to generate at least one associated directive for the particular protocol data unit. Subsequently, a synchronizing mechanism synchronizes the particular protocol data unit with the at least one associated directive to generate a synchronized protocol data unit. A restructuring device restructures the synchronized protocol data unit in accordance with the at least one associated directive for the protocol data unit to generate a restructured protocol data unit. In addition, a method of operating the protocol data unit processor in a heterogeneous communication network is provided.

Abstract: An interdiction device and method to jam or delete selected video and telephony signals. The interdiction device includes amplifiers and forward couplers to prevent the telephony signals from appearing at other undesired subscriber locations on the network.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A physical switching device for use in a communication network to switch Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network layer packets and method of use therefor is provided. The physical switching device includes at least a first and a second virtual switch. Each virtual switch includes a decision mechanism for determining an associated directive based on a destination identifier within a particular packet received at a data port. A processor is coupled to each virtual switch to insert the particular packet into an outgoing data stream on another data port to deliver the packet. Both data ports are associated with a plurality of data interfaces in the physical switching device. A management apparatus is coupled to each virtual switch to maintain information on an association between the plurality of data interfaces and the virtual switches.

Abstract: A cassette for a high performance tape drive is disclosed. A cassette shell having the same general external dimensions as an industry standard leader block tape cartridge (3480/3490) includes both a tape supply spool and a take-up spool. Two tape guides present a segment of tape to a cassette access port which can be closed by a sliding door to prevent contamination when the tape is not in use. A tape cleaning device and a spool locking device are incorporated into the cassette mechanism.

Abstract: A decision process is optimized through selectively examining only those bits of a protocol data unit received from a communication network which affect the decision process. These decision-significant bits include two non-contiguous bits of the protocol data unit. Subsequently, a portion of the received protocol data unit is compared with a predetermined tuple to validate the decision process. The predetermined tuple includes known values for a specific portion of the protocol data unit having the two non-contiguous decision-significant bits. Associated directives are generated for the protocol data unit based upon the validated decision process. Alternatively, this processing is a radix tree-type decision process in which the decision-significant bits are grouped together into decision groups and decisions are made based on decision groups rather than individual decision-significant bits.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling traffic in selected links of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the use of variable price incentives. The number of selected PSTN links which are available for use are determined at a predetermined time through the use of an appropriate traffic measurement system. Thereafter, a customer usage rate is determined for the selected PSTN links. The determined rate corresponds to the number of selected links which are available for use. An electrical signal is generated for receipt by the user and which contains information corresponding to the determined customer usage rate.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for automatically accessing and invoking existing switch-based services without going off-hook. To be operative, the Advanced Intelligent Network must be equipped with O-called-party-busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality such as in AIN release 1.0 architecture and have at least one service node or suitable switch in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via a suitable signaling protocol such as Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) protocol. The switch or service node must be operative as the home switch or virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services. In operation, the signaling protocol is monitored to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services.