Abstract: Relationships between first one of a number of graphical objects, such as windows, displayed in a computer display device and several others of the graphical objects are displayed to the user in the form of a relationship window in response to an event associated with the first graphical object. The event, e.g., a resize event in a view relationships mode, is one in which the user selects the first graphical object whose relationships are of interest and specifies a position within a computer display device in which to display the relationship window in a single gesture. For example a resize gesture by the user selects a graphical object and directs display of the relationship window since resize gestures are commonly implemented in conventional graphical user interfaces and are therefore familiar and intuitive to the user.

Abstract: During burst write transactions, a memory accepts data over an address bus after an address has been received. In order to accept data over the address bus, the memory temporarily stores the data received over the address bus in an internal data buffer. The internal data buffer then transfers the data to an array upon completion of the write transaction. During burst read transactions, the memory transmits data over the address bus during one of the four clock cycles after the address is received. In this way a burst write transaction is completed in three clock cycles instead of four. Burst read transactions are completed in four clock cycles instead of five.

Abstract: A deflector shaped in cross-section like an airfoil directs a stream of fluid such as air from a source such as a fan towards a heat-generating component such as a chip to improve cooling of the component. The foil is invented as compared with an airplane wing to produce an inverse "lift" at reduced temperature to cool a heat sink thermally connected to a heat-producing component. The airfoil effect also moves air away from the component at increased velocity to cool it more rapidly. In confined areas multiple deflectors may be arranged in the manner of sails of a boat for augmented cooling.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for updating passwords in a name service system. A server includes a name service database that further includes a plurality of tables with information, including passwords and communications information, concerning users. To enforce name service system security, users are denied direct access to their passwords and password aging information. These may be updated only through a process running on the NIS+ server. The password process has write access to the password and aging information in the database and is invoked when users change their passwords. To update a password, the user's computer, the client computer, contacts the password update process and sends an encrypted version of the current password. The password update process decrypts the encrypted password and verifies that the user is authentic and the aging criteria are met.

Abstract: A computer system includes a directory at each node which stores coherency information for the coherency units for which that node is the home node. In addition, the directory stores a data access state corresponding to each coherency unit which indicates the data access pattern observed for that coherency unit. The data access state may indicate migratory or non-migratory data access patterns. If the coherency unit has been observed to have a migratory data access pattern, then read/write access rights are granted. Conversely, if the coherency unit has been observed to have non-migratory data access patterns, then read access rights are granted. The home node further detects the migratory and non-migratory data access patterns and selects transitions between the migratory and non-migratory data access states independent of the cache hierarchies within the nodes which access the affected coherency unit. In one embodiment, a pair of counters are employed for each coherency unit.

Abstract: An assembly for clamping a heat sink to an integrated circuit package that is mounted to printed circuit board. The assembly includes a pair of pin headers that are mounted to the printed circuit board. The assembly also contains a clip that is snapped onto the pin headers and presses the heat sink into the package. The pin headers each have a pair of posts that extend from a spacer. The posts are soldered to the printed circuit board to secure the headers to the board. The headers also have wire loops that extend from the spacers and capture the ends of the clip.

Abstract: A forms based browser interface system for configuring and administering a network server from a remote location. Using forms, such as hyper-text markup language forms, the system provides a graphical user interface that allows a novice user, unaware of the platform, architecture or even operating system of the network server, to transact administrative tasks on the network server. An interfacing computer, at which the novice user performs administrative tasks upon the network server, is connected to the network server via network connections. The interfacing computer is equipped with a browser program that can display and interact with the forms created by the network server. The forms allow the user to select among various administrative tasks to be performed on the server. The forms also allow the user to input parameters for administration of the server such as new account names when adding new accounts for the server.

Abstract: In a computing system utilizing redundant storage devices arranged in the RAID disk array, data is stored in the computing system using a memory cache created from system memory and the disk array. A checkpoint module detects a fault in the computing system and generates a fault indication, and a cache manager writes data and parity to the memory cache in a first mode, and writes data and parity to the storage device in a second mode. In response to the fault indication, the checkpoint module copies the data contained in the cache to the disk array, and switches the cache manager from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: Because of space limitations, a small heat sink and a fan (of about 2".times.2".times.1/2" size) is used to cool to below 105.degree. C. (at an ambient temperature of about 40.degree. C.) a CPU chip (of about 16 mm.times.16 mm size) which uses about 30 watts current and is mounted on a motherboard of considerably larger size. A heat transferring thermostrate washer covers the chip and a pad covers the washer. Soldered to the pad is a square heat slug. Studs extend upward from the slug. The studs fit through holes in the base of the heat sink. The heat sink is of the type having plural rectangular cross-section fins extending upwardly from the base. Above the heat sink is a fan attached to the motherboard by screws at its four corners extending through heat slug and into the motherboard.

Abstract: A central processing unit (CPU) is provided with a graphics execution unit (GRU), including a graphics status register (GSR), for executing a number of graphics operations in accordance to a graphics data scaling factor and an alignment address offset stored in the GSR, the graphics data having a number of graphics data formats. In one embodiment, the GRU is also used to execute a number of graphics data addition, subtraction, rounding, expansion, merge, alignment, multiplication, logical, compare, and pixel distance operations. The graphics data operations are categorized into a first and a second category, and the GRU concurrently executes one graphics operations from each category.

Abstract: A wideband power driver having separate settings to delay a falling edge and rising edge of an output signal according to the present invention comprises an input node for receiving input signals and an output node for supplying output signals. A pulldown circuit is connected between the output node and a first supply voltage potential, the pulldown circuit having an input. A pullup circuit is connected between the output node and a second supply voltage potential, the pullup circuit having an input. A leakage current circuit is connected between the output node and the second supply voltage potential. A NOR gate has a first input, a second input connected to the input node, and an output. A first non-inverting delay element has an input connected to the output node and an output connected to the first input of said NOR gate.

Abstract: A computer chassis cover that pushes an electronic card into a motherboard. The cover is pivotally connected to the chassis and can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. The cover encloses an electronic card that is plugged into a motherboard. When in the closed position, the inner surface of the cover is separated from the motherboard by a distance that is approximately equal to the distance between the motherboard and a top edge of the electronic card. When the cover is in the closed position the card is pushed into a fully mated position when the card is in a fully mated position. If the electronic card is higher than the fully mated position, the cover will engage and push the card into the motherboard. To install an electronic card, the card is initially partially plugged into a connector mounted to the motherboard. The cover is then rotated into the closed position to engage and push the electronic card further into the motherboard connector to the fully mated position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating scheduled events with other scheduled events and with electronic documents is provided. A user interacts with user interface controls on a computer display to specify a plurality of scheduled events. The user interface controls allow the user to specify that one or more electronic documents are related to each event, and that one or more other events are related to each event. Data representing the events and the associations between the events and electronic documents is stored on a storage device. User interface controls are provided which allow a user to see a list of the events and/or the documents that are related to a particular event. When a user changes the schedule of an event that has related events, a warning indication is generated to remind the user that the schedules of the related events may also have to be changed.

Abstract: A power short pulse generator for generating a pulse on a rising edge and falling edge of an input signal according to the present invention comprises an input node for receiving the input signal and an output node for supplying an output signal. A first pulldown circuit and a second pulldown circuit are connected in series between the output node and a first supply voltage potential, the first pulldown circuit and the second pulldown circuit each having an input. A third pulldown circuit and a fourth pulldown circuit are connected in series between the output node and the first supply voltage potential, the third pulldown circuit and the fourth pulldown circuit each having an input. A pullup circuit is connected between the output node and a second supply voltage potential, the pullup circuit having an input. A leakage current circuit is connected between the output node and the second supply voltage potential.

Abstract: A client workstation provides a login address as an anonymous ftp (file transfer protocol) request, and a password as a user's e-mail address. A destination server compares the user's e-mail address provided as a password to a list of authorized users' addresses. If the user's e-mail address is located on the list of authorized users' addresses maintained by the destination server, the destination server generates a random number (X), and encrypts the random number in an ASCII representation using encryption techniques provided by the Internet Privacy Enhanced Mail (PEM) procedures. The encrypted random number is stored in a file as the user's anonymous directory. The server further establishes the encrypted random number as one-time password for the user. The client workstation initiates an ftp request to obtain the encrypted PEM random number as a file transfer (ftp) request from the destination server.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed that automatically expands the computer displayed information that interests a computer user. Thus making the information easier for the user to see. The computer detects which area on a display device has the user's interest by using a gaze-tracking device to monitor where the user looks on the display. After determining which area interests the user the invention expands the display of the information in that area.

Abstract: A virtual device driver registry for use in connection with a computer system for providing virtual device driver call information to a program operating in said computer system in response to a call information request. The virtual device driver registry maintains a registration database including a plurality of entries, each entry including a virtual device driver identifier and virtual device driver call information. The registry establishes the entries in the registration database in response to receipt of virtual device driver registration requests from the virtual device drivers as they are initialized. The registry responds to call information requests from the programs to provide call information for the registered virtual device drivers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing the shape of a computer mouse to an individual's hand uses a pliable body, typically a pliable body with an elastomer skin enclosing a pliable material. The pliable body is shaped into a customized configuration. A bonding agent may be used with the pliable material to form a hardened, customized configuration. The pliable body is connected to an electronic base assembly, which includes electronic circuitry to generate a mouse output signal for application to a computer.

Abstract: A leading 0/1 anticipator (LZA) generates a signal representing the exact number of leading non-significant binary digits in the significand of the result of an addition of two floating point numbers. The exact number is provided because the LZA takes into account all the carries of the addition operation providing the significand of the result. The signal generated by the LZA is used for normalization as a shift amount by which the significand of the result is shifted. The signal is generated as a binary number, that is, as a plurality of binary signals each of which represents one binary digit of the number of the leading non-significant digits. In some floating point addition operations, the LZA receives a signal representing a maximum value of the number of non-significant digits that can be eliminated. The shift amount generated by the LZA does not exceed this maximum value. Taking into account the maximum value does not create an additional delay.