Patents Examined by Angel L. Casiano
  • Patent number: 6970948
    Abstract: A method of automatic configuration of field replaceable units in a system includes steps of accessing configuration management system (CMS) class information from a field replaceable unit (FRU) and using the accessed information for deriving an initial configuration for the FRU. The FRU can contain information defining one or more configuration management system classes for the FRU. One or more management classes may be identified for managing one or more resources for the FRU. The CMS class information is then be used to derive the initial configuration information for the FRU for managing the device(s) of that FRU. The CMS class information can be held in non-volatile memory in the FRU. This information can be read on inserting the FRU into the system and can be used to establish the initial configuration prior to full integration of the FRU into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanna Susan Flanders, Karen C. Roles, Simon G. Applebaum, Roger S. Brown
  • Patent number: 6954802
    Abstract: A removable medium recording station records medical image data in a format and removable medium that are widely accepted. The removable medium recording station can be used to effectively replace an installed storage device on an existing stand-alone medical image workstation. Storage onto removable media is transformed into an outboard operation. This transformation enables a hospital to migrate existing medical imaging systems to new formats and media without sacrificing a large portion of their initial investment. Additionally, the removable medium recording station can be attached as a peripheral on an existing medical modality network. In this capacity, the removable medium recording station enables an operator on the medical modality network to store medical images in a selected format and on a selected type of removable medium regardless of the proprietary format used by the enterprise level archive server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: TDK Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sutherland, Koyo Yokoi
  • Patent number: 6948009
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for increasing processor utilization. A list of work is divided for processing among a plurality of processes, wherein a process is allocated a part of the list of work to process, and the processes execute in parallel. If a process completes the list of work allocated to the process then the process is made available on an available process queue. Before a process performs any work, the process reads the available process queue and determines if any process is available to share the work. If so, the work is split up between the examining process and the available process. In one implementation, the work involves scanning a cache and if necessary destage data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Jarvis, Steven Robert Lowe, Sam Clark Werner, William Dennis Williams
  • Patent number: 6944690
    Abstract: A storage system includes a storage controller and storage media for reading data from or writing data to the storage media in response to SCSI, NFS, CIFS, or HTTP type read/write requests. The storage controller includes SCSI, NFS, CIFS, and HTTP interface adapters for receiving the read/write requests and effecting the reading of data to or the writing of data to the storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6931449
    Abstract: A mechanism for the migration of open network connections is described herein. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an active computing environment called compute capsule is provided. Each capsule has a unique locator. Packets are used to send information between capsules using the locators. When a capsule migrates, any open network connections that existed before the migration may continue when the capsule finishes the migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Schmidt, James G. Hanko
  • Patent number: 6928492
    Abstract: Multiple applications enable communications I/O operation and an I/O interface operations simultaneously at a low cost. The process A requests an OS to allocate an area where a request to an I/O device is put. The OS also allocates an unused context ID for the I/O device to the process A, maps a memory page corresponding to the context ID as an address for accessing the pending register for the process A, and stores a pointer (a physical address) to a request storing area of the process A into an embedded memory in the I/O device. The process A writes contents of requests in its own request storing area, and the OS notifies the I/O device that there is an unprocessed request by use of the address for the pending register. The I/O device reads out the contents of the request storing area by a DMA engine, and realizes the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventor: Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6922735
    Abstract: A system including a host processor (11) operating in combination with one or more co-processors (13) is disclosed. In this system, a file storage facility (17) stores executable files (40) that are called by a server (15) in the host processor (11) by way of an application programming interface (API) (16). In the disclosed system, the executable files (40) include both a program (obj 2) together with information (obj 2 attrs) indicative of a condition needed for execution of the program. Based on the condition information, the program (obj 2) is downloaded (67) to the co-processor (13), and executed by the co-processor (13) if the the condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth Hung-Yi Chang
  • Patent number: 6920510
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to transfer data between a plurality of first ports and a second port via a single port memory in response to one or more control signals. The second circuit may be configured to generate the one or more control signals, wherein the memory is time shared among the second port and the plurality of first ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Chang, Hong-men Su
  • Patent number: 6910085
    Abstract: An information processing system comprising a computer connected to an amplifier in an audio visual (AV) system through an IEEE 1394 serial bus connection. The amplifier has various different types of external terminals for connecting to other AV devices. The computer requests, receives and displays name information on the external terminals from the amplifier. A user of the system can select various AV devices from the name information displayed on the computer. The computer then commands the amplifier to switch to the selected AV device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takaku, Mari Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 6898647
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing bytes received from a data stream includes multiple parallel byte processing engines that simultaneously process a first set of bytes received from a data channel during a first cycle and simultaneously process a second set of bytes received from the data channel during a second cycle. The method and apparatus further includes a state memory for storing byte information pertaining to the first set of bytes. When processing HDLC protocol bytes, the multiple parallel byte processing engines process the first and second set of bytes to identify at least one delineating byte contained within the data channel in accordance with a HDLC protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Redback Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Duvvuru
  • Patent number: 6898644
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for programming adapter settings in a data processing system is provided. In one embodiment, the data processing system programs a plurality of settings for each of a plurality of adapters using system based parameters. The data processing system then determines whether any of the adapters settings as programmed based on system based parameters are inconsistent with the specific requirements of the specific adapter. If one or more of the settings in any adapter are inconsistent with the adapter's requirements, those settings are reprogrammed using adapter specific parameters to ensure optimal performance of the data processing system with the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Perez
  • Patent number: 6892248
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for enabling a hidden port in a computing device. A determination is made as to whether the computing device has a hidden port, which is a port that is externally inaccessible to a user of the computing device and is not dedicated for general input/output (I/O) purposes. If the computing device has a hidden port, then the computing device is configured to use the hidden port for general I/O purposes and possibly also for debugging purposes. The user may optionally specify a data value that can be used to indicate whether the user chooses for the hidden port to be enabled for general I/O purposes and/or for debugging purposes. The hidden port optionally may or may not be enabled based on whether the computing device is a legacy-free device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Thayer
  • Patent number: 6892232
    Abstract: A local networking system includes a memory to store local address numbers of registered local terminals; a specified number checking unit to check, when the system receives a first dial number from an unregistered local terminal, whether the first dial number is the same as a specified number; a registration checking unit to receive, when the first dial number has been found to be the same as a specified number, a second dial number from the unregistered terminal, and to check whether a local address number corresponding with the second dial number is stored in a memory; a non-registration checking unit to receive, when such a local number has been found to be stored in memory, a third dial number from the unregistered terminal and to check whether a local address number corresponding with the third dial number is stored in memory; and a registration unit to allocate, when a local address number corresponding with the last third dial number is not stored in memory, the third dial number to the unregistered t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Telecom Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Hiroki Yabe
  • Patent number: 6889280
    Abstract: A riser card with a corresponding interface on a motherboard can reduce the overall cost of an electronic system as well as simplify upgrading the features provided by the riser. Implementation costs can be reduced, for example, for audio components that may otherwise require shielding in order to prevent electromagnetic interference if the audio component were located on the motherboard. Other components can also be simplified if located on a riser rather than the motherboard. Upgrading of features supported by the riser card is simplified because the riser card can be replaced. The riser card described herein provides Plug-and-Play functionality so that an operating system controlling the electronic system in which the riser card is included can load the appropriate driver software thereby simplifying operation of the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Brad A. Barmore
  • Patent number: 6886050
    Abstract: A communication terminal device autonomously activates a specific function predetermined by a host device even when the communication terminal device is off-line when the power turns on. The specific function is a function such as an offline response function or auto-status back (ASB) function for automatically reporting a status of the communication terminal device to the host device. A status monitoring command is provided. During normal operation, the host device sends this status monitoring command to the communication terminal device to store specific data in nonvolatile memory in the communication terminal device. When power turns on, the communication terminal device reads the content of this nonvolatile memory to automatically initialize the particular functions indicated by the stored content, such as an ASB or off-line response function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Takamizawa, Atsushi Yamaji, Kazuko Fukano
  • Patent number: 6877049
    Abstract: An integrated data controller that utilizes a first-in first-out (FIFO) management system that compensates for the unpredictable nature of latency associated with requesting data from memory and enables the timing of data requests to be determined based on the number of pending requests and the amount of data currently residing in the buffer. The FIFO management system includes a FIFO controller and a FIFO buffer that monitor a credit value and a trigger value to determine when to make data request bursts upon a memory unit. The trigger value is an indication of whether there is a sufficient amount of free space for it to be beneficial to make a data request burst and the credit value is a number that indicates the number of a data blocks that should be requested in the data request burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew Myers
  • Patent number: 6874040
    Abstract: Data is moved between zones of a central processing complex via a data mover located within the central processing complex. The data mover moves the data without sending the data over a channel interface and without employing processor instructions to perform the move. Instead, the data mover employs fetch and store state machines and line buffers to move the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6868460
    Abstract: An apparatus for a compact disk with an independent audio functionality is disclosed. The apparatus includes a logic core, an IDE controller, and a pass-through module, which are coupled to a micro-controller core. The logic core receives and sends signals to and from a system interface in response to the micro-controller core. The logic core disables sending signals to the system interface in response to the micro-controller core. The IDE controller core receives and sends signals to and from a CD drive interface in response to the micro-controller core. The IDE controller core also disables sending signals to the CD drive interface in response to the micro-controller core. The pass-through module is coupled to the system interface and to the CD drive interface. The pass-through module passes signals between the system interface and the CD drive interface when the computer is in power on mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Wallace C. Kou
  • Patent number: 6859825
    Abstract: A network interface configures a plurality of physical layer devices and a corresponding plurality of network interface devices to allow for the communication of network data between the physical layer devices and corresponding link partners. At least one of the network interface devices is configured as a master device that communicates management information and autonegotiation results with the physical layer devices, while the other network interface devices do not. A configuration source, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or electronic erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), receives the autonegotiation results from the physical layer devices, through the master device, and configures the media access controllers (MACs) of each of the network interface devices in accordance with the autonegotiation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Williams
  • Patent number: 6842803
    Abstract: A communications system includes physical layer hardware and a processing unit. The physical layer hardware is adapted to communicate data over a communications channel in accordance with a plurality of control codes. The physical layer hardware is adapted to demodulate an incoming analog signal to generate a digital receive signal and modulate a digital transmit signal to generate an analog transmit signal. The processing unit is adapted to execute a privileged driver for interfacing with the physical layer hardware. The privileged driver includes program instructions for implementing a protocol layer to decode the digital receive signal, encode the digital transmit signal, and configure the physical layer hardware for receipt of the digital receive signal and transmission of the digital transmit signal based on the plurality of control codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Schmidt, Geoffrey S. Strongin, David W. Smith, Brian C. Barnes, Terry L. Cole, Michael Barclay