Abstract: A server, or other electronic device, includes a handle mated with the server. The server slides into and mates with a chassis. The handle is formed to provide a central opening through which visual and physical access is provided to a portion of the server, and preferably a portion of the server on which user interactive components are provided. Such components may one or more include status indicators, one or more user activated controls and one or more connectors. The opening permits the user to see the status indicators, which may comprise LEDs, activate the controls and connect an external cable to the server. The handle also is mated to the server via a hinge and a locking mechanism. With the locking mechanism is disengaged, the handle pivots away from the server. The user can then grip and further pivot the handle and pull the server out of the chassis.

Abstract: The specification discloses an alternating current to direct current switching power supply, with power factor correction, and having an integrated rectifying bridge and boost circuit that results in the use of fewer power semiconductor devices in the rectification and boosting process. The use of fewer power semiconductor devices translates into a power supply with greater efficiency and/or smaller size. More particularly, the diodes in a rectifying bridge that typically conduct power back to the alternating current power source are paralleled by power MOSFETs, and the boost inductor is coupled between the source and the modified bridge. Charging of the boost inductor takes place through the power MOSFETs, resulting in only a two MOSFET power dissipation. Discharging of the boost inductor (and therefore supplying power not the load) takes place through two diodes, and therefore two forward power losses (as opposed to three diodes and three forward conduction losses associated in the related art).

Abstract: A system for compensating for non-functional ink cartridge ink jet nozzles is provided. The system includes an ink jet compensation system that receives ink jet nozzle failure data, such as each nozzle that is clogged or damaged, and that generates nozzle correction data, such as a nozzle to fire instead of each failed nozzle for a given print pattern or a nozzle firing sequence that compensates for the failed nozzle, such as by printing at that location during a subsequent or previous printer head pass. An ink control system receives the nozzle correction data and image data and generates printer control data, such as by receiving image data in a standard format for printing and modifying the printer control data that would be generated if all ink jet heads were functioning properly to include the nozzle correction data.

Abstract: A plurality of asynchronous and isochronous transactions on a shared bus are scheduled such that asynchronous latency is minimized while providing a maximum latency for isochronous transactions. This is accomplished by splitting an allocated shared bus time into frames of equal length. When a bus request is received the technique determines whether the bus request in a current frame is for an asynchronous transaction or an isochronous transaction. If an asynchronous transaction bus request exists it is processed, otherwise an isochronous transaction bus request is processed. Bus requests for an isochronous transaction are queued if received while an asynchronous transaction is currently being processed. Asynchronous transactions are given priority until a current frame time has ended. In one embodiment, at the start of a new frame (which becomes the current frame) any queued isochronous transactions are processed before asynchronous transactions of the current frame are given priority.

Abstract: A computer network comprising a plurality of computing entities including a dynamic provisioning system that redeploys computer systems between resource groups. The determination as to when this transition between resource groups should occur is based on performance statistics gathered from the network. The transition from one group to the other includes, disabling the computer from a first resource group, reconfiguring the computer according to a configuration database, and redeploying the reconfigured machine to a second resource group. The second resource group can be an over utilized resource group that needs extra compute resources or it can be an idle resource group.

Abstract: Context or other functional settings are protected during a power up reset sequence in a computer system, without the need to save such context or settings in static memory. A signal, representing a change in the context, is delayed beyond a critical period of indeterminacy resulting from a power up sequence. Reliable signals, set before an application of power, negotiate the delay prior to an assertion of a power up reset signal. The context or settings are preserved by bypassing the reset signal. Unreliable signals, set during an application of power, are held by the delay to allow the reset signal to clear or initialize the context or settings. The reset function operates without prior knowledge, for example as saved in static memory, of the state of the context.

Abstract: A method for correcting the tone of an input image for display on a given output device includes the steps of generating a dither template having advantageously more threshold levels than color levels of the input image. A tone characteristic for the output device is determined by comparing actual output pixel values against expected image pixel values. The tone characteristic curve is scaled to correspond with the number of threshold values in the dither template, and is stored in a look-up table having a number of entries corresponding to the number of threshold values in the dither template. The dither template values are fed to the look-up table, which provides an adjusted dither template which reflects the tone correction required to provide an output image free of tone distortion. The adjusted dither template is then normalized in accordance with characteristics of the input and output display devices.

Abstract: An aliasing technique allows transparently connecting multiple interconnects across a shared cross-connect interconnect, allowing devices on one interconnect to communicate with devices on another interconnect as if both interconnects were connected by a single interconnect bridge. Each interconnect appears to the cross-connect interconnect as a device on the cross-connect interconnect. Transactions between devices on different interconnects are aliased by a routing engine connected to the cross-connect interconnect for transmittal across the cross-connect interconnect and are invisible to other transactions on the cross-connect interconnect. Transactions between devices on the same interconnect are invisible to other interconnects. Cache coherent requests are supported by the use of additional attribute bits.

Abstract: A cache memory controller allows hot-plug insertion and removal of cache memory modules. After detecting an insertion, the controller waits a predetermined time, then determines the size and speed of the added cache memory modules. If the inserted cache memory module is acceptable, then tag memory is reconfigured to correspond to the inserted memory. The added cache memory is initialized. After successful insertion and initialization, a status bit in the cache controller is set to indicate memory has been added. Prior to removal of a cache memory module, the cache is flushed to main memory and further cache transactions are disabled. After removal of the cache memory module, tag memory is reconfigured to mark a corresponding portion of the tag memory as unused. After successful removal of the cache memory module and reconfiguration of the tag memory, the cache memory controller enables new cache memory transactions.

Abstract: A distributed power management technique allows controlling power states of devices separated from a power management controller, such as a processor, by an interconnect. The power management controller inserts power state information into an interconnect transaction. An interconnect connected device then extracts the power state information and modifies the power state of the device responsive to the power state information. The power state information can be extracted by a processor that then controls the power state of another device responsive to the power state information.

Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus and computer program products for integrating a security protocol into existing network environments are disclosed. A method of establishing secure communication between a client and server computer on a network comprises the steps of intercepting certain calls issued by the client, and substituting a security library for a working library of the client, the security library enabling operation of the call using a predefined security protocol. The certain calls can be, for instance, calls from a client application to a common library function in the working library of the client, such as the rcmd function, to establish a conventional unsecure network connection. The calling applications could include the r*utilities (rsh, rlogin, and rcp), or other applications which call rcmd to establish network connection. The security library enables operation of the call using a predefined security protocol, such as a secure shell (SSH) security protocol.

Abstract: A battery powered computer system determines when the system is not in use by monitoring various events associated with the operation of the system. The system preferably monitors the number of cache read misses and write operations, i.e., the cache hit rate, and reduces the system clock frequency when the cache hit rate rises above a certain level. When the cache hit rate is above a certain level, then it can be assumed that the processor is executing a tight loop, such as when the processor is waiting for a key to be pressed and then the frequency can be reduced without affecting system performance. Alternatively, the apparatus monitors the occurrence of memory page misses, I/O write cycles or other events to determine the level of activity of the computer system.

Abstract: Interconnect networks are described that allow nodes having more than two ports to be interconnected. More particularly, each node interfaces with multiple and more than two, fabrics. Also, all fabrics are incomplete in that not every node interfaces with every fabric, and no fabric includes all the nodes, yet every pair of nodes appears together in at least one fabric. Nodes are used that appear together in a fabric as a class of nodes that exhibit similar interconnection properties. The present invention allows for scalable, high-performance and reliable interconnection of large numbers of end nodes while satisfying constraints on architecture of end nodes and networking equipment. Bounds for the number of fabrics and fabric size are disclosed for designing an optimized interconnection network.

Abstract: A system for characterizing color is provided. The system includes a color patch identification system that receives image data, such as image data of a color wedge, and generates color patch data, such as for two or more patches that make up the color wedge. A color patch characterization system receives the color patch data and generates color density data, such as by calculating the average color density of each color patch.

Abstract: A system for controlling a cursor is provided. The system includes a monitored system that generates user interface data and mouse position data, such as would be provided in a monitor window. A remote monitoring system receives the user interface data and mouse control data, such as for controlling the location of a cursor in a local window and a monitor window. A mouse synchronization system receives the user interface data and the mouse control data and generates mouse calibration data based on the user interface data and the mouse control data, such as by determining the actual movement of the mouse using video data and determining a correction factor related to the estimated location of the mouse, based on mouse control data.

Abstract: A system and method are described supporting secure implementations of 3DES and other strong cryptographic algorithms. A secure key block having control, key, and hash fields safely stores or transmits keys in insecure or hostile environments. The control field provides attribute information such as the manner of using a key, the algorithm to be implemented, the mode of use, and the exportability of the key. A hash algorithm is applied across the key and control for generating a hash field that cryptographically ties the control and key fields together. Improved security is provided because tampering with any portion of the key block results in an invalid key block. The work factor associated with any manner of attack is sufficient to maintain a high level of security consistent with the large keys and strong cryptographic algorithms supported.

Abstract: A computer system is adapted for indicating current operating speeds of a plurality of expansion slots. The computer system includes a set of expansion slot speed indicators to indicate the current operating speeds.

Abstract: A switching technique allows multiple interconnect bus devices to be connected to a single bus segment, even if the interconnect bus protocol only allows a one of the interconnect devices to be connected at any time. Each of the interconnect devices is connected to the interconnect bus segment with a switch, such that the interconnect device is electrically isolated from the interconnect bus segment when the switch is open. An interconnect sourcing agent connected to the interconnect bus segment controls the switches, closing the switch for one of the interconnect devices when a transaction is destined for that interconnect device, opening all of the other switches so that only one device is connected to the bus at any time.

Abstract: A system and method are described supporting secure implementations of 3DES and other strong cryptographic algorithms. A secure key block having control, key, and MAC fields safely stores or transmits keys in insecure or hostile environments. The control field provides attribute information such as the manner of using a key, the algorithm to be implemented, the mode of use, and the exportability of the key. A MAC algorithm is applied across the key and control for generating a MAC field that cryptographically ties the control and key fields together. Improved security is provided because tampering with any portion of the key block results in an invalid key block. The work factor associated with any manner of attack is sufficient to maintain a high level of security consistent with the large keys and strong cryptographic algorithms supported.

Abstract: A portable personal configuration device contains non-volatile memory and can be used to quickly and efficiently transport a user's personalized computing environment from one computer to another. The portable personal configuration device preferably is USB-compatible and thus plugs into a USB port in any computing device. In one embodiment, one or more files representing the user's computing environment are downloaded to the portable device and can then be uploaded to a different computer once connected to such new computer. Alternatively, the portable device can cause the computer's web browser to access a particular website containing the user's personalized computing environment which can then be readily downloaded to the computer. In this latter embodiment, the user's computing environment data is maintained on the web and once the portable device is plugged into a computer, the computer is caused to download the user's computing environment from the web.