Abstract: A method and apparatus for accepting a pass code such as a personal identification number (PIN) are disclosed. The method involves providing a user with a challenge, typically on some form of shielded display to prevent third party viewing. The user now enters a response which transforms the challenge into the pass code allocated to the user. The response allows the user to be validated against a stored record of the pass code allocated to the user.

Abstract: A protocol for facilitating access to a local input/output device of a remote node across a network. The local input/output device is configured according to a local communication technology (e.g., PCI—Peripheral Component Interconnect), but is accessed remotely (e.g., across a set of InfiniBand (IB) communication links). A host server or other computer (e.g., an InfiniBand host) includes a channel adapter and a nexus driver for conveying or retrieving an instruction of a device driver for the local device across the network. The remote node includes a local/remote bridge (e.g., an IB/PCI bridge). The host connects to the remote node and determines a configuration of the node's local communication bus and the local input/output device. A host memory address is mapped to a local bus address and is used by the input/output device to exchange data with the host.

Abstract: A processing unit connectable to a data communications network has a data carrier reader operable to read a network address from a hand insertable data carrier, wherein the processing unit is operable to use the network address from the data carrier for communicating via the data communications network. A processing unit forming part of a computer system may be readily replaced by a replacement processing unit, and arranged to continue communicating via the communications network, by using the same network address as the original processing unit read from the data carrier. The data carrier may be a Smart card or the like. A method of operating a computer system may therefore comprise connecting the processing unit to a communications network, loading a data carrier into the data carrier reader, arranging for the network address to be read from the data carrier, and arranging for the processing unit to use the network address read from the data carrier to communicate via the network.

Abstract: A method and computer system for bypassing load data to younger instructions are provided. The method and computer system contemplate a microprocessor that manages interlock conditions for load instructions and that supports speculative and out-of-order execution of load instructions. A freshest value for a source register is located among the entries of a load annex and one or more non-load annexes. The contents of the freshest value is bypassed to a current instruction for execution.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates performing generational garbage collection on a heap. The system operates by dividing an old generation of the heap into segments. Next, the system divides each segment into a series of cards and associates a separate card table with each segment. This card table has an entry for each card in the segment. In a variation on this embodiment, while updating a pointer within an object in the old generation, the system locates the segment containing the object and accesses the card table for the segment. The system then marks the entry in the card table associated with the card containing the object.

Abstract: In processing a source entity with a transformation entity, an action set forth in a portion of the transformation entity is executed. A portion of the source entity is the subject of this action. This action causes a particular portion of a result entity to be generated. After this portion of the result entity is generated, a set of history information is associated therewith, which comprises a reference to the portion of the transformation entity that gave rise to the action, and a reference to the portion of the source entity that was the subject of the action. Given this information, it is possible to perform backtracking at a later time, so that when this particular portion of the result entity is selected, those portions of the transformation and source entities that gave rise to the particular portion of the result entity can be indicated to a user.

Abstract: A method embodied as software or firmware code permits the adaptation of disk drives employing write-back caching to reduce the possibility of lost data from the write cache. In one embodiment, the method is integrated with the host operating system software employed by a host computer coupled to the disk drive. The method issues write requests to the disk drive as it receives them from the applications running on the host computer. The disk drive processes the issued requests as it is designed to, using write-back caching techniques. After each request is cached, the disk drive controller acknowledges the write request back to the host. The host delays communicating the acknowledgements back to their originating applications until the data has been actually written to the disk media. Because write-back caching does not commit cached requests to disk on a regular basis, the host software simply forces the disk drive to execute cached write requests on a regular basis using a CACHE_FLUSH command.

Abstract: Methods and systems of testing an operating system are described. The operating system is invoked to create a process, the process having a first thread. A test function is repetitively executed in a first thread of the process. These steps are repeated to create processes and to execute the test function in parallel and repetitively in the first thread of the created processes until a given condition is satisfied. For example, the given condition can be a condition in which the operating system resources are exhausted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a tray within a computer component rack is disclosed. The tray slidably mounted within the component rack. The tray is anchored to the component rack when in a closed position by at least one fastener. A cover is mounted a front face of the tray. The cover includes within its structure a locking mechanism, which prevents access through an access port to the at least one fastener while in a locked position, and allows access through the access port to the at least one fastener while in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An enclosure to control access to a selected portion of an enclosed electronic device is provided. The enclosure includes a plurality of access panels that are capable of being fastened in a secure position via a single fastener mechanism. The fastener mechanism is operable by an authorized individual. The fastener mechanism controls when each of the plurality of faceplates can be disengaged from the enclosure to access a portion of the electronic device.

Abstract: An invention is provided for creating a mobile multimedia framework API capable of operation in mobile hardware devices is disclosed. All API component access parameters are set to utilize a synchronous programming model. Then, the API components are set to use a pull paradigm, and all master/slave functionality is removed. The resulting mobile multimedia framework API has a memory size of less than 100 kilobytes.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for maintaining cache consistency in computer systems. When a request transfers exclusive access to a cache block from an active device D1 to a second active device D2, the sending of the data from D1 terminates D1's access rights to the block and the reception of the data at D2 initiates its access rights. When a request changes exclusive access to a cache block at an active device D1 to a shared state with an active device D2, the sending of the data from D1 terminates D1's exclusive access right and the arrival of the data at D2 initiates its access rights.

Abstract: A sample filtering system and method for concurrently filtering sample data for two or more sequential pixels (in a scan-line) are disclosed. The system may include a sample cache, a control register, a read cache controller, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The read cache controller reads a first set of S samples from the sample cache, and outputs a second set of S samples to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The second set of samples may have one or more subsets of samples, with each subset of samples selected to cover the filter region for one of the sequential pixels. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may process each subset separately and concurrently.

Abstract: A vehicle mode manager that manages vehicle state information is provided. The vehicle mode manager includes a code module that registers an application program with the vehicle mode manager. Registering indicates the application program will be notified of vehicle state changes. Also included in the vehicle mode manager is a code module that receives vehicle status information, and a code module that determines a vehicle state based on both the vehicle status information and a current vehicle state. In addition, a privileged application or another manager can also set the vehicle state. The vehicle mode manager also includes a code module that provides the vehicle state to an application program. In this manner, the application program can react to the vehicle state information in a predefined manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise techniques to detect support for a given input device by a screen element of a graphical user interface (GUI). In one embodiment of the invention, a runtime version of a screen element's program code is examined to detect an ability to process a device's events. In another embodiment of the invention, a determination is made at runtime whether a screen element delegated processing of a given input device's events to other program code. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the runtime version of a screen element's program code is examined to detect a declaration of program code that is indicative of a screen element's support or non-support of a given input device. In yet another embodiment of the invention, one or more of the previously-identified embodiments can be combined.

Abstract: A method of processing a query in a system in an object oriented programming environment, includes using a code to create a condition filter in a standard query language statement, the condition filter defining properties to be satisfied by a result of the query, and the condition filter using an object to execute a precompiled query language statement, and sending the standard query language statement to a database.

Abstract: A circuit for outputting area pattern bits from an area pattern array. The circuit includes a first stage, second stage and third stage. The first stage is configured to output N adjacent scan lines from a 2N×2N area pattern array based on a first address. N is a positive integer. The second stage is configured to receive the N adjacent scanlines and to select an N×N block from the N adjacent scanlines based on a second address. The third stage is configured to (a) select an (N/2)×N region of bits from the N×N block and load bits of the (N/2)×N region into a set of pixel tag outputs in a first mode, and (b) select an N×(N/2) region of bits from the N×N block and load bits of the N×(N/2) region into the set of pixel tag outputs in a second mode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates measuring an alignment between a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The system provides a plurality of conductive elements on the first semiconductor die and a plurality of conductive elements on the second semiconductor die. The plurality of conductive elements on the second semiconductor die have a different spacing than the plurality of conductive elements on the first semiconductor die, so that when the plurality of conductive elements on the first semiconductor die overlap the plurality of conductive elements on the second semiconductor die, a vernier alignment structure is created between them. The system also provides a charging mechanism configured to selectively charge each of the plurality of conductive elements on the first semiconductor die, wherein charging a conductive element on the first semiconductor die induces a charge in one or more conductive elements on the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: A method for testing a core power distribution system for an integrated circuit chip which includes arranging a plurality of experiments for an integrated circuit chip, performing the plurality of experiments for the integrated circuit chip over a range of frequencies over a range of power distribution system impedances, generating a schmoo diagram for each of the plurality of experiments, and analyzing the schmoo diagrams to determine whether the core power distribution system functions is acceptable at a particular frequency.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for providing an asynchronous protocol framework. A registry is provided having a plurality of proxies, wherein each proxy implements a generic interface for a related to a software component. In addition, each proxy is capable of providing specific messages to the related software component based on an underlying design structure of the software component, for example, EJB specific or JMS specific messages. A first proxy is obtained from the registry, wherein the first proxy is related to a first software component, a message is sent to the first software component using the generic interface of the first proxy. In particular, the first proxy sends a specific message to the first software component based on the underlying design structure of the first software component.