Abstract: A system for dynamically allocating buffers between components in a computer system is described. The system uses matched sets of bi-directional buffers to control data flow between the processor and the computer bus. The dynamic buffer allocation system allows simultaneous data transfer from the processor to the buffers, and from the buffers to the computer bus.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between requester and target devices in a computer having a multiple bus architecture. The system supports deferred transactions of cache line read requests over a host bus, e.g., the Pentium II or Pentium Pro (P6) bus. The system employs a host bridge to issue deferred transactions over the P6 bus without interrupting or involving the main processor. The system comprises a first device, electrically connected to the requester, which receives a request from the requester. The system further comprises a second device, electrically connected to the first device, which transmits the request with a defer enable signal over the P6 bus. The system further comprises a third device, electrically connected to the P6 bus, which communicates the request having a defer enable signal to the target.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for ensuring that attachments intended to be included with an electronic mail message are affixed to the message prior to release of the message from a sender's electronic mail program. This embodiment eliminates the need to initiate a follow-up transmission to forward the intended attachment. This saves the sender from potential embarrassment as well as eliminating unnecessary network traffic. In this embodiment, the method includes maintaining a modifiable list of keywords and phrases which, when found in an electronic mail message, indicate that the composer of the message intends to include an attachment with the message. Upon composition of a message, an attachment verifier scans the message for the keywords and phrases. In this embodiment, if a keyword or phrases is found in the message and no attachments have been specified, a user is alerted to the possibility that an attachment was overlooked.

Abstract: A fault tolerant method of downloading the contents of a server system log through either a local or remote client machine without intervention of the server operating system software. The remote machine accesses the server by use of a dial-in modem connection while the local machine accesses the server by a local serial connection. The system log may be stored in a non-volatile RAM which is powered by a remote interface if the server power is off. The downloaded information is displayed in a graphical user interface window to enable diagnosis and recovery of the server.

Abstract: A closure system useful for securing a device having a stylus. In a first embodiment, the closure system includes a housing having first and second housing members, the first housing member being configured to matingly contact the second housing member when the device is in a closed configuration. The stylus is received within a channel located in the second housing member. A latch release also located within the second member is controlled by the position of the stylus such that when the stylus is inserted within the channel, the latch release engages a latch located on the first member, thereby preventing the first and second members from separating. The latch release may also be used to block the latch such that the first and second housing members can not be mated when the stylus is removed from the channel. In another embodiment, a blocking device located within the second housing member and separate from the latch is utilized to prevent the device from being closed when the stylus is removed.

Abstract: A modular architecture for storing, addressing and retrieving graphics data from main memory instead of expensive local frame buffer memory. A graphic address remapping table (GART), defined in software, is used to remap virtual addresses falling within a selected range, the GART range, to non-contiguous pages in main memory. Virtual address not within the selected range are passed without modification. The GART includes page table entries (PTEs) having translation information to remap virtual addresses falling within the GART range to their corresponding physical addresses. The GART PTEs are of configurable length enabling optimization of GART size and the use of feature bits, such as status indicators, defined by software. The GART is implemented during system boot up by configuration registers. Similarly, the PTEs are configured using mask registers. The GART may be used in conjunction with a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to improve address remapping performance.

Abstract: The invention configures an asynchronous system to emulate a synchronous system. When an application initiates a synchronous transaction, the synchronous transaction is received by a synchronous interface. The synchronous interface, in turn, simulates a synchronous system while performing an asynchronous transaction. In one embodiment, the synchronous emulation ensures that the asynchronous transaction is completed within a configurable maximum time duration. If the asynchronous transaction has not been completed with within the defined maximum time duration, the synchronous emulation notifies the application that the desired data is not available. In another embodiment, the synchronous eumlation re-executes failed asynchronous transactions.

Abstract: A method for issuing device requests by proxy in a system using distributed control through a multi-port switch. A device issues a request to a central switch indicating the original requester as the source rather than itself. This passes responsibility for the control of the actual data transfer back to the original requester, and the device is no longer involved.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for skipping a track on a disc in a disc player. Unlike current systems, this system does not rely on identifying tracks to be skipped based upon which slot a disc is located in. Instead, one embodiment of the present invention identifies discs based upon identification data read from discs in the disc player. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for playing discs that skips a track on a disc. The apparatus includes a disc player including a sequencing mechanism that generates a sequence of tracks from discs in the disc player. The disc player also includes an identification mechanism within the disc player that reads identification information from discs in the disc player and determines from the identification information if a specific disc is in the disc player.

Abstract: A PC-based home security system for monitoring the environment surrounding a PC in order to detect suspicious or uncharacteristic events. The PC-based home security system first monitors the environment, listening and watching for a threshold event. When a threshold event is detected, the PC-based home security system then conducts close surveillance of the environment in order to detect and characterize additional events. When the accumulated detected events exceed some threshold value, the PC-based home security system determines that a suspicious or uncharacteristic set of events has occurred, diagnoses those events, and takes a remedial action appropriate to the diagnosed set of suspicious circumstances.

Abstract: A fault tolerant computer system for resetting a server through either a local or remote client machine. The remote machine accesses the server by use of a dial-in modem connection, while the local machine accesses the server by a local serial connection. The resetting operation brings the server and operating system software to a normal operational state. Reset is used after diagnostics or recovery have been performed without the use of the server operating system software or to restart the server after an unexpected crash.

Abstract: A method for handling or manipulating microelectronic components in manufacturing assembly processes. In one embodiment of handling microelectronic components, a microelectronic component handling system may have a base or a support member, a track or platform attached to the base to rotate about a rotational axis, and a linear drive assembly to rotate the track about the rotational axis. The track may have a first end, a second end spaced apart from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the track, a top surface facing away from the base, and a bottom surface facing toward the base. Additionally, the linear drive assembly may have an actuator and a rod driven by the actuator along a displacement axis spaced apart from the rotational axis. In operation, the actuator moves the rod along the displacement axis to rotate the track about the rotational axis to a raised position at an inclination sufficient to slide a microelectronic component down the track.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing when an external pointing device is connected to a portable computer system detects the device's power consumption and automatically switches to it without requiring that the computer system to be power cycled or reset. Further, the circuit can detect when an external pointer device is disconnected and, in response, automatically switch to the computer system's internal pointer device. The sensor comprises a small resistor in series with the power supply for the external device. When the external device is attached, the power consumption of the external device results in a voltage drop across the resistor, which may be detected with a voltage comparator. In one embodiment, when the sensor detects that an external pointer device has been connected it generates a static signal to control the operation of a switch. Based upon input from the sensor, the switch routes all appropriate signals from either the internal or external pointer device to a standard microcontroller device.

Abstract: An IDE controller having an IDE interface that includes a primary channel for transmitting primary data from a primary device and a secondary channel for transmitting secondary data from a secondary device; a primary CRC circuit for receiving the primary data, performing an operation on the primary data and generating primary CRC values; a secondary CRC circuit for receiving the secondary data, performing an operation on the secondary data and generating secondary CRC values, wherein the primary data and the secondary data are transmitted to their respective CRC circuits concurrently; and a compare circuit for comparing the primary CRC values with the secondary CRC values and generating compare values.

Abstract: A computer component carrier isolates components from vibration, reduces noise, reduces assembly time, improves airflow to critical components, and reduces EMI. The component carrier is fabricated from a vibration damping material such as urethane foam. The component carrier contains cavities to accommodate electronic components. These cavities are interconnected via airways that direct airflow between the cavities. The component carrier includes two or more pieces. Components are placed in the cavities of the component carrier designed to accommodate the components and the pieces of the component carrier are mated and secured. In this manner, the components are firmly held in position by the component carrier. The component carrier can be fabricated with a hard exterior finish that replaces a computer casing or cabinet. The component carrier can also be fabricated from a recyclable and/or recycled material.

Abstract: A system for efficiently testing and diagnosing memory arrays. One embodiment of the testing system efficiently identifies faulty memory cells in a memory chip, and subsequently removes the memory chip containing the faulty memory cells from the testing process. The system includes a testing module and an active port list which includes an identifier for each of a plurality of memory chips.

Abstract: A data management method supports hot plug operations on a computer by defining, organizing, and maintaining hot plug variables which identify components of a computer that may be involved in hot plug operations, and which also identify capabilities and operational states of those components as well as control their operation and interface to the computer. The hot plug variables identify a component as well as represent states and capabilities of a component, and thus the hot plug variables advantageously operate as commands to predetermined components. The method generally selects a plurality of variables to support adding a component to or exchanging components of a computer while the computer runs, and collects in a computer readable medium, hot plug variable data representing capabilities, characteristics or states of components of the computer, the hot plug variable data is related to the plurality of variables.

Abstract: A method interfaces a plurality of bus requesters with a computer bus. The method apportions the bus bandwidth among the bus requesters by assigning to each bus requester a bus bandwidth portion that is based on the bandwidth of the bus requester. The method identifies a requester bandwidth for each of the bus requesters and sums the requester bandwidths to obtain a total bandwidth. The method determines, for each of the bus requesters, a weighting value representing the ratio of the bus requester bandwidth to the total bandwidth. The method apportions the bus bandwidth among the bus requesters by assigning each bus requester a bus bandwidth portion that reflects the weighting value of the bus requester. Apportioning the bus bandwidth based on the weighting values causes the requester bandwidth of each bus requester to be reduced by the same percentage when the bus saturates.

Abstract: An adaptor tool for mounting components on printed circuit boards. The adaptor tool has two capture members that define an opening sized to receive the component. The capture members are linked together such that the application of torque to the adaptor tool by a torque tool via a connector results in the two capture members frictionally engaging the component and transferring the torque to the component. This allows the component to be mounted to the printed circuit board to a desired degree of torque. The adaptor tool can be sized so as to be able to mount a cylindrical heat sink to a bracket on a printed circuit board to a desired degree of torque.

Abstract: A bi-directional buffer circuit for transferring data between clock boundaries in a computer system is described. The circuit is divided into halves, with one half being controlled by a first clock and the second half being controlled by a second clock. The incoming data that is synchronized to the first clock is compiled into data blocks and stored into registers before being synchronized and transferred to the other half of the circuit. The data blocks that are stored in the register sent across a the clock boundary the then synchronized into matched registers within the second half of the circuit. In addition, the signals that control the synchronization of data blocks between the halves of the circuit are synchronized by two stages of registers to avoid the problem the metastability.