Abstract: A data processing system includes a plurality of local hubs each coupled to a remote hub by a respective one a plurality of point-to-point communication links. Each of the plurality of local hubs queues requests for access to memory blocks for transmission on a respective one of the point-to-point communication links to a shared resource in the remote hub. Each of the plurality of local hubs transmits requests to the remote hub utilizing only a fractional portion of a bandwidth of its respective point-to-point communication link. The fractional portion that is utilized is determined by an allocation policy based at least in part upon a number of the plurality of local hubs and a number of processing units represented by each of the plurality of local hubs. The allocation policy prevents overruns of the shared resource.

Abstract: According to method of data processing in a multiprocessor data processing system, in response to a processor request to modify a target granule of a target cache line of data containing multiple granules, a processing unit originates on an interconnect of the multiprocessor data processing system a data-claim-partial request that requests permission to promote only the target granule of the target cache line to a unique copy with an intent to modify the target granule. In response to a combined response to the data-claim-partial request indicating success (the combined response representing a system-wide response to the data-claim-partial-request), the processing unit promotes only the target granule of the target cache line to a unique copy by updating a coherency state of the target granule and retaining a coherency state of at least one other granule of the target cache line.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program product of operating a data processing system that can include or be coupled to multiple processor cores. In one or more embodiments, an error can be determined while two or more processor cores are processing a first group of two or more work items, and the error can be signaled to an application. The application can determine a state of progress of processing the two or more work items and at least one dependency from the state of progress. In one or more embodiments, a second group of two or more work items that are scheduled for processing can be unscheduled, in response to determining the error. In one or more embodiments, the application can process at least one work item that caused the error, and the second group of two or more work items can be rescheduled for processing.

Abstract: A portable computer having a biometric authentication device is disclosed. The portable computer also includes a processor, a power supply unit having a first power system and a second power system, a power control circuit for controlling the power supply unit, and a start-up button for generating a startup signal for starting the portable computer. The biometric authentication device sends a power request signal to the power control circuit to activate the second power system upon a detection of a human user in a state where the second power system is deactivated and electric power is being supplied by the first power system. The biometric authentication device can perform an authentication operation while receiving electric power from the second power system, and the power control circuit causes the portable computer to transition to a power-on state in response to an authentication success by the biometric authentication device.

Abstract: A function extending apparatus for receiving a portable computer is disclosed. The function extending apparatus includes an AC/DC adapter, a second charging system and a controller. The AC/DC adapter is capable of supplying power to the portable computer equipped with a system load and a first charging system having a first charger and a first battery. The second charging system of the function extending apparatus includes a second charger and a second battery. The controller reduces power consumption of the second charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a first threshold value. The controller reduces power consumption of the first charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value.

Abstract: According to a method of data processing, a memory controller receives a prefetch load request from a processor core of a data processing system. The prefetch load request specifies a requested line of data. In response to receipt of the prefetch load request, the memory controller determines by reference to a stream of demand requests how much data is to be supplied to the processor core in response to the prefetch load request. In response to the memory controller determining to provide less than all of the requested line of data, the memory controller provides less than all of the requested line of data to the processor core.

Abstract: A method for controlling a charging system having multiple loads is disclosed. Power is supplied from an AC/DC adapter to a first charger, a second charger, and system loads. The first charger is operated at a setting value having smaller power consumption than a setting value necessary for a first battery pack when output power of a power source reaches a first threshold value during a time when the first battery pack is required to be charged in a standard charging mode. The first charger is operated at a setting value according to a specific charging mode even when the output power of the power source reaches the first threshold value during a time when the first battery pack is required to be charged in the specific charging mode. A second charger is operated at a setting value having smaller power consumption than a setting value necessary for a second battery pack when the output power of the power source reaches a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product enables manipulation of a message thread created by linking two or more messages within a messaging interface of a synchronous, collaborative messaging application. The message thread is first generated by linking the plurality of messages within the messaging interface. Then manipulation of the message thread is enabled in a separate window from the messaging interface.

Abstract: A call directing system receives an incoming call from a caller. The caller is prompted to speak, thus enabling a prosody analyzer to generate an analysis of a prosody of the caller's voice. This analysis provides a basis for generating a caller profile that describes caller preferences of the caller. Based on the analysis of the prosody of the caller's voice and the generated caller profile, the call is directed to a particular call recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting an electronic mail message to one or more intended recipients, which allows the user to designate that an electronic mail message contains a request for information which requires a reply from the one or more intended recipients, monitors electronic mail messages incoming to the sender to detect whether a reply has been received within the response period, and upon receiving a reply from any of the one or more intended recipients, presents the reply to the sender with one or more user-selectable icons which allow the sender to accept the reply as sufficient or request more information from the one or more intended recipients in response to selection of a user-selectable icon.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the apparatus comprising: a receiver, for receiving a first message associated with the first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; a generator, responsive to receipt of the first message, for generating a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and a probabilistic component for determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.

Abstract: Work crews temporarily operating in remote areas can be subject to dangers such as tornados, hurricanes and explosive blast waves. A re-deployable mobile aboveground protective shelter suitable for use in such environments utilizes retractable stabilizing arms and/or structures that leverage air pressure differential to resist uplift, overturning and sliding. Because the protective shelter does not rely exclusively upon excessive weight to counter wind forces, the protective shelter can be quickly, easily and inexpensively redeployed to new sites.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an animal treat dispenser includes a treat container having an aperture, an aperture adjustment mechanism that is capable of varying an effective size of the aperture to regulate passage of animal treats through the aperture, and a plush toy at least partially covering the treat container.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for selecting a primary controller for a server system based on the services offered by each controller. A primary controller designator (PCD) utility determines the relative importance of a controller based upon the services provided by the controller and the weighted importance assigned to these services. The PCD utility classifies the services provided by a system-controller according to the following: (1) the number of OS partitions a system-controller is able to communicate with; and (2) the number of hardware devices that a controller has access to. The importance of the services is determined by the host OS partition information and the degree of importance of a partition that utilizes/requires the particular service(s). The PCD utility designates a controller as a “Primary” if the designated “Primary” is capable of providing services that are required for the most important OS partitions, according to the classification of controller services.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a set of architected registers within which the processor places state and other information to communicate with the asynchronous memory mover in order to initiate and control an AMM operation. The asynchronous memory mover performs an asynchronous memory move (AMM) operation in response to receiving a set of parameters within the architected registers, which parameters are associated with an AMM store instruction executed by the processor to initiates a move of data in virtual space before placing the information in the architected registers. The architected registers are processor architected registers, defined on a per thread basis by a compiler, or memory mapped architected registers allocated for communicating with the asynchronous memory mover during a bind and subsequent execution of an application. The architected registers are also utilized to store state information to enable a restore to a point before execution of the AMM operation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for handling messages on a message transmission backbone within a distributed data processing system is disclosed. A filter module generates an allowable message types data structure, and stores the allowable message types data structure in a memory. Each entry of the allowable message types data structure includes information for identifying an allowable message type on the basis of one or more message characteristics. A change in a status of a module within a group of loaded programs, which includes multiple data processing software modules, is detected. In response to detecting the change in the status of a module within the group of loaded programs, a corresponding entry within the allowable message types data structure is modified.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for routing an incoming voice call in real time is presented. A call is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the call failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a short range wireless query signal is transmitted to determine if another wireless communication device is within a predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. If the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device receives a response from the other wireless telecommunication device indicating that the other wireless telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the other wireless telecommunication device based on preferences internal to the intended receiving wireless device.

Abstract: A method for managing a configuration of heterogeneous software artifacts uses a common central configuration representation. An artifact of an unknown type, from an initial software solution, is submitted to a solution configuration tool. The solution configuration tool sends a request to a solution architect for locations of configuration files within the artifact. For each artifact whose configuration file locations have been requested from the solution architect, the solution configuration tool determines if each corresponding configuration file is a property file or an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file. If the corresponding configuration file is an XML file, then the solution architect provides a first and second xPath for locating the names and values of the configuration parameters in the XML configuration file. The configuration file and configuration parameter locator information is then stored in a configuration locator file.

Abstract: A method for providing global notification of completion of a global shared memory (GSM) operation during processing by a target task executing at a target node of a distributed system. The distributed system has at least one other node on which an initiating task that generated the GSM operation is homed. The target task receives the GSM operation from the initiating task, via a host fabric interface (HFI) window assigned to the target task. The task initiates execution of the GSM operation on the target node. The task detects completion of the execution of the GSM operation on the target node, and issues a global notification to at least the initiating task. The global notification indicates the completion of the execution of the GSM operation to one or more tasks of a single job distributed across multiple processing nodes.

Abstract: A handgrip includes a tubular grip body adapted to be sleeved on a handlebar and having at least two angularly spaced-apart resilient clamp portions, a sleeve ring sleeved around the clamp portions and having an arc-shaped hole extending through inner and outer faces thereof and extending circumferentially proximate to one of the clamp portions, and two slots communicating respectively with two opposite ends of the arc-shaped hole, a U-shaped bolt member having a bight portion received movably in the arc-shaped hole and abutting against said one of the clamp portions, and two threaded arms extending respectively and outwardly of the slots, and two nut members each disposed outwardly of a respective slot and engaging threadedly a respective threaded arm. The nut members pull the threaded arms when tightened so that the bight portion pushes said one of the clamp portions toward the other one of the clamp portions.