Abstract: A system and method for identifying free registers within a program. A depth first search of a flow diagram representing the execution of a program is performed. The search proceeds simultaneously for all the registers and identifies the free registers from the search. The free registers may then be utilized for various applications without saving and restoring the contents of these registers to memory. The system may limit the amount of time spent searching for free registers with a timer.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the compile time in a top-down rule based system by identifying the complexity of a query prior to applying a rule to an expression. If the complexity of the query is above a threshold, the present invention determines whether the rule should be applied based upon several factors including the type of rule and the position of the node in the search space. Those rules that need not be applied are randomly pruned at a determined rate that prevents search space explosion and prevents the elimination of large contiguous portions of the search space. Pruned rules are not applied, while those rules that are not pruned are applied.

Abstract: A computer system allows resuming from Power-On Suspend (POS) mode by generating an interrupt. The interrupt generates a System Management Interrupt (SMI), which a controller uses to produce a POS resume event signal to resume the system from the Power-On Suspend mode. The system allows use of chipsets such as the VIA VT82C586B that are incapable of directly causing a resume from POS mode in response to an interrupt.

Abstract: A housing for a central processing unit including a body capable of supporting and enclosing the central processing unit. The body has a front side including an upper portion and a lower portion. A first decorative faceplate is for detachably engaging with at least a portion of the upper portion of the front side of the body. A first-faceplate-quick-connect-device extends from the first decorative faceplate for readily attaching and removing the first decorative faceplate to the body. Also described herein is a housing for a central processing unit including a body capable of supporting and enclosing the central processing unit. The body has a front side including an upper portion and a lower portion. A first decorative faceplate is detachably engagable with at least a portion of the upper portion of the front side of the body. A second decorative faceplate is for detachably engaging with at least a portion of the lower portion of the front side of the body.

Abstract: A distributed computing system environment includes multiple CPUs, multiple non-shared memory spaces and a means for implementing system calls and interprocess communications. The system is both fault-tolerant and scalable in that agents exist independently in each non-shared memory space to handle interprocess connections between memory spaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for performing remote system administration upon a standalone computer system, using a controlling computer system. A remote communication sequence is started. The remote communication sequence is used to initiate an HTTP request to a computer destination address. Communications between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system is established by decoding the computer destination address. A diagnostic application on the standalone computer system is initiated using the established communication between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system.

Abstract: A technique for locating objects within an image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by obtaining an image and then identifying an object within the image based upon an orientation of the object within the image. The image can be a representation of a plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels are arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, and wherein at least some of the plurality of pixels are enabled to represent the object.

Abstract: A multiplier including a processor that generates at least one N by M array of partial products. The processor includes a first section that performs a first operation that generates an N by M array of partial products representing low order bits, and a second section that performs a second operation that generates an N by M array of partial products representing high order bits. The multiplier also includes a compressor that compresses the N by M array of partial products representing low order bits after the first operation and generates a plurality of carry bits that are utilized in the second operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing latency caused by cumulative point-to-point messaging associated with network performance monitoring in SAN-attached I2O architectures. In a computer system, a performance monitoring OSM associated with a first node generates status request messages to a first multicast ISM residing on a first governor IOP associated with a first node for requesting the status from all nodes. The first multicast ISM generates status request messages to all node 1 devices and node 1 IOPs and to a second multicast ISM residing on a node 2 governor IOP. The second multicast ISM generates status request messages to all node 2 devices and node 2 IOPs. One or more “unhealthy” device response messages may be sent to the performance monitoring OSM containing the TID of the “unhealthy” device to allow a subsequent point-to-point detailed status request message to be issued.

Abstract: Schemes for customization of content presentation relating to a Digital Versatile/Video Disc source, which source is preferably integrated into a convergence device system. A user preferences or settings database is provided that is automatically maintained or supported by a computer subsystem, wherein records containing user preference values are indexed to a DVD title or volume having an identity tag. Changed values are also stored and applied during the next playback of the title. The present invention also provides a censor block database structure containing individualized viewing sequences from a title for different users with different levels of censorship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to layout planar magnetic coils on a PCB consists of maximizing the layer to layer overlap, and consequently maximizing total inductance for the given layout area, by spiraling alternating layers inward and outward. A further benefit of the matching opposite spirals is the ability to make the layer to layer electrical contacts within the magnetic field area, thus reducing leakage inductance, and minimizing the wasted extra conductor line length needed to make the connections outside the magnetic field. The reduced conductor line length results in reduced conductor line resistance. The method is applicable to voltage transformers and isolation transformers as well as simple inductors and other magnetic devices. In the transformer case the odd numbered layers are typically connected together in series to provide a larger turn ratio, and the even numbered layers are typically single turns (i.e., no spiral) connected together in parallel to provide more current capability.

Abstract: A computer system includes memory modules, a central processing unit and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to access the memory modules in response to interaction with the central processing unit and define a fault tolerant memory array with the memory modules. Each memory module stores first data represented by second data stored by the other memory modules.

Abstract: A data communications isolation transformer uses an E—E core structure within an integrated circuit package. Two E-shaped core sections of the transformer fit together to form a core structure having a center portion and two outer portions. The center portion has twice the cross-sectional area of either of the outer portions. About the center portion fits a bobbin upon which a primary winding, a secondary winding and an electromagnetic interference shield are located. The shield lies between the two windings and attenuates common mode noise in the transformer. The shield is grounded to either the “chassis” side or the “logic” side of the apparatus. The shield may be a strip of conductive material, such as copper, or a thin conductive wire wound across the space between the primary winding and the secondary winding.

Abstract: A network switch includes a plurality of first network ports coupled to a first bus, a plurality of second network ports coupled to a second bus, a bridge interface enabling data transfer between the buses, a switch manager controlling the flow of network data, and a processor for performing supervisory and control functions. The first and second network ports operate according to different network protocols, and the first and second buses operate according to different bus standards. During packet data transfers across the first bus, the bridge interface emulates a first network port. During packet data transfers across the second bus, the bridge interface primarily acts as a slave to the second network ports by storing control lists for execution by the second network ports, thus relieving the processor of performing overhead functions associated with data transfers across the second bus.

Abstract: An object detection system for detecting instances of an object in a digital image includes an image integrator and an object detector, which includes a classifier (classification function) and image scanner. The image integrator receives an input image and calculates an integral image representation of the input image. The image scanner scans the image in same sized subwindows. The object detector uses a cascade of homogenous classification functions or classifiers to classify the subwindows as to whether each subwindow is likely to contain an instance of the object. Each classifier evaluates one or more features of the object to determine the presence of such features in a subwindow that would indicate the likelihood of an instance of the object in the subwindow.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for sorting very large data sets using a parallel merge sort. Given sorted work files S1, . . . , Sp, produced by P processes, the described embodiment of the method effectively implements a parallel merge onto respective output partitions O1, . . . , Op of the processes P. Because each of these output partitions O has a finite size, the invention must quickly determine “splitting keys” for each output partition O in such a way that the data in the work files will be split between the multiple output partitions O without overrunning the size of any of the partitions O. Once the splitting keys for each partition are determined, the processes exchange data so that the output partitions of each process contains data between the splitting keys associated with that output partition.

Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.

Abstract: A computer interface extension configuration that includes a host having a motherboard, an extension transmitter card, and an extension receiver. The motherboard includes a first connector that allows motherboard signals to be shared internal to the host, and a second connector separate from the first connector that supports communications with the host. The extension transmitter card is positioned within the host and is electrically connected to the motherboard of the host via at least the first connector and the second connector. The extension transmitter card has an audio controller that interfaces with the second connector independent from communications that occur on the first connector. The extension receiver is connected to a plurality of user interface devices and is extensibly connected to the extension transmitter card.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system and method includes a broker computer system having a database of scrips, a vendor computer, and a consumer computer system having a wallet protected by a pass phrase. To strengthen the pass phrase, the wallet adds a nonce and a random phrase having a length determined by the processing speed of the computer system. The internal phrase is hashed with another nonce to form a checksum, which is stored in the wallet. A portion of each scrip is encrypted by hashing a unique nonce and the internal pass phrase. XORing the scrip with the hash, and storing the encrypted portion and nonce in the wallet. The wallet adds another nonce and random string to form an internal pass phrase. To use the scrip, the user provides the pass phrase, The wallet verifies that the phrase is correct, and if so, decrypts the scrip.

Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.