Abstract: Techniques for implementation of Java heaps are disclosed. The techniques can be implemented in a Java virtual machine operating in a Java computing environment. A Java heap potion comprising two or more designated portions is disclosed. Each of the designated heap portions can be designated to store only a particular Java logical component (e.g., Java objects, Java class representation, native components, etc.) A designated heap portion can be implemented as a memory pool. In other words, two or more designated heap portions can collectively represent a memory pool designated for a particular Java logical component. The memory pools allow for dynamic management of the designated heap portions. As a result, the performance of the virtual machines, especially those operating with relatively limited resources is improved.

Abstract: A system for reducing network traffic for remote file system accesses receives requests at a local computer system for access to a file on the remote server. If the request is a read operation, and the operation is directed to an unallocated region of the file on the remote server, the system returns a block of null values to the requestor without receiving the block of null values from the remote server. Otherwise, the system sends a request to the remote server to read from the file. If the request is a write operation, and the operation is directed to an unallocated region of the file on the remote server, the system sends a request to the remote server to allocate storage for the write operation. Next, the system writes the data into a local cache. Later, the system copies the data from the cache to the remote storage.

Abstract: An improved signal buffer configuration has been developed for transmitting communication signals across line traces between ICs on a printed circuit board, printed wiring board, multi-chip module, integrated circuit carrier or package, or other interconnect substrate. For example, in some realizations, multiple ICs having mismatched input and output impedances are mounted on an printed circuit board and communicate with each other via line traces. A signal buffer IC is placed in-line with the connecting line trace. The buffer is sized to fit within the pitch spacing of the line trace and contains an input impedance control circuit and an output impedance control circuit. These impedance control circuits are adapted to receive a control signal to set the input and output impedances of the buffer to correspond to the impedances of the connecting line traces. In this manner, the impedances between the ICs connected by this line trace are effectively matched and transmission line errors between them are reduced.

Abstract: A content provider manager has been develop for use in an information services such as a portal or desktop application to provide for “pluggable” content that may be modified simply through changes to the set of content provider components encoded in a repository therefor. Content providers served to clients (e.g., browsers) by an information service are dynamically loaded and instantiated within the execution environment of the information service in correspondence with changes in the repository. In some configurations, a single repository provides a mechanism for additions to, removals from and/or changes in the set of content providing components served by multiple information service installations. Although the techniques described are more generally applicable, they are particularly useful in implementations of dynamic content applications, including user customizable web portal and personalized desktop, e.g.

Abstract: A method for increasing a transition time period for an edge transition of a clock signal has been developed. The method includes detecting an edge transition of a clock signal of a computer system. Next, additional system power consumption is initiated upon detection of the edge transition. This additional power consumption will lengthen the edge transition time period of the clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for designing an integrated circuit. The design of the integrated circuit is replicated a number of times. The number of times must be odd. The input signals to the original module are also replicated. The replicated modules are configured to respectively receive the replicated input signals. A number of exclusive or gates is provided. The exclusive or gates receive the output signals from the replicated modules. The output signals from the replicated modules are compared to the output signals from the original module. The method is applicable to a bi-directional integrated circuit. Embodiments include the software to replicate the design. Another embodiment includes a computer system for replicating the design. Also, integrated circuits designed by the method described are included within the scope of the disclosure. Another embodiment includes designs produced by the method.

Abstract: A system and method for providing redundant, synchronized clocks in a computer system. Upon a failure of a master clock signal, the system switches over to a slave clock signal synchronized with the master clock signal. Switching logic is coupled to receive a first clock signal and a second clock signal. The switching logic selects either the first clock signal or the second clock signal as a local clock signal. The switching logic further monitors the first clock signal for a failure. If a failure is monitored, the switching logic accepts the second clock signal as the local clock signal in place of the first clock signal. One or more clock local loads operate according to the local clock signal. The switching logic may control the input to a phase locked loop (PLL) that provides the local clock signal to the local clock loads. The method includes a PLL synchronizing an output clock signal with the master clock signal. The output clock signal is used by at least one local clock load for timing.

Abstract: In a CORBA distributed object system, potential object name ambiguities in the Portable Object Adapter are resolved without using variable-length object identifiers by translating the variable length identifiers into a fixed length compact identifier, such as a integer. The mapping for persistent objects is maintained on an ID server with persistent state and the mappings are ultimately written to a file. A server IDL interface is defined to the ID server which interface includes a method that accepts a variable length fully qualified name and returns the compact identifier. The method assigns an identifier if one does not exist. Another method accepts the identifier and returns the name.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing a checksumming technique to a device driver to detect silent data corruption during read requests. A storage device is reformatted to create larger data blocks where a checksum can be stored with the data. A checksum is added during a write request, and calculated and compared during a read request. If an error was detected during retrieval, an error message is generated. However, if no error is detected, the checksum is removed before returning the data blocks to the application program.

Abstract: Use of a policy object for verification in a distributed system. A machine downloads a policy object containing a reference to code governing verification of data. The machine uses the reference to obtain the code and locally verify data or other information. As particular rules for the data change, the policy object may be updated to provide a reference to the code for the new rules when it is downloaded.

Abstract: A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer and may utilize a window ID that specifies attributes of pixels on a per object basis. The window ID may specify one or more of a sample mode, filter type, color attributes, or source attributes. The sample mode may include single sample per pixel mode and multiple samples per pixel mode. The graphics system may be further operable to generate a single sample per pixel for certain windows of the screen in order to provide backwards compatibility with legacy systems.

Abstract: The signature comparison process associated with bank approval processes is automated using signature capture devices and a stored database of valid signatures. A signature is captured as part of a normal credit transaction, digitized and compared with entries in a database of known valid signatures. In an automated gas pump environment, the signature is captured, compared and approved before any gas is dispensed.

Abstract: A circuit on a semiconductor for precharging a local bitline and a global bitline. The circuit includes: a precharge input; a first switch, the gate of the first switch coupled to the precharge input, the source of the first switch coupled to a voltage source, the drain of the first switch coupled to the local bitline; a delay element, the input of the delay element coupled to the precharge input; and a second switch, the gate of the second switch coupled to the output of the delay element, the source of the second switch coupled to the voltage source, the drain of the second switch coupled to the global bitline.

Abstract: A data strobe receiver that includes a first comparator. The first comparator has a first input that is coupled to a first reference voltage. The first comparator has a second input that is coupled to a data strobe. The first comparator also has an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a delay element. The delay element has an input that is coupled to the output of the first comparator. The delay element also has an enable input and an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a second comparator. The second comparator has a first input that is coupled to a second voltage reference. The second comparator has a second input that is coupled to the data strobe. The second comparator also has an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a flip-flop. The flip-flop has a preset input that is coupled to the output of the second comparator. The flip-flop has a clock input that is coupled to the output of the delay element.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for configuring a first device based on a code associated with a second device. In accordance an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of accepting with the first device an input from the second device, providing to the first device a code associated with the second device in association with the input, determining if a configuration of the first device corresponds to a configuration corresponding to the provided code and, if not, reconfiguring the first device to a configuration associated with the provided code if the first device. In one embodiment of the invention, the first device is a computer and the second device is a keyboard connected to the computer, the input comprises the typing of a key and the configuration comprises selecting a keyboard mapping function corresponding to a keyboard code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the execution speed of virtual machine instructions for a function are provided. A portion of the virtual machine instructions of the function are compiled into native machine instructions so that the function includes both virtual and native machine instructions. Execution of the native machine instructions may be accomplished by overwriting a virtual machine instruction of the function with a virtual machine instruction that specifies execution of the native machine instructions. Additionally, the original virtual machine instruction may be stored so that the original virtual machine instructions can be regenerated.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for managing and manipulating user-defined and system databases in a computing system. A database interface, which can be a graphical user interface, accesses a database configuration file containing descriptions of the contents of each of the databases. The database interface interprets the contents of each database in accordance with the configuration file, and provides for user access and manipulation of the contents of the databases.

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.