Abstract: Disclosed is a support architecture that facilitates use of display device drivers containing a minimum of hardware-specific software code. A driver need support only a relatively few common functions, which act as building blocks for the larger, more complex operations typically requested by graphics engines. In order to mediate between the limited-instruction-set device driver and the various higher-level graphics engines, the invention includes a series of translation modules that simplify engine-originated instructions into simpler graphic components. A video manager supervises routing of instructions to the specific drivers they designate, and serializes access to hardware components so that graphic commands execute atomically (i.e., without interruption). The invention can accommodate multiple device drivers in parallel or serial configurations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assigning memory space addresses of a computer, for example, a personal computer (PC), to memory contained on computer interface boards interfaced to the computer wherein the computer controls the memory space addresses assigned and wherein multiple computer interface boards can be assigned to the same memory space addresses.

Abstract: A Structured External Storage (SES) processor is linked by a communication means to one or more general purpose processors. Two or more applications executing on the one or more general purpose processors communicate function request messages to a message processor within the SES to effect serialized sharing of data within the SES. Within the message processor, a predicate function means executes unconditionally on receipt of one of the function request messages, and a data function means executes conditionally and atomically with respect to the predicate function means following a "successful" condition produced by the predicate function means.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a hardware Window Storage Protection Controller (WSPC) and an Object Encapsulation Enforcement Manager (OEEM) to limit access to object data to only those methods which are encapsulated by the object. All of the objects of the computer system which require protection are stored in protected storage by a base storage protection mechanism so that only the mechanisms of the present invention can deny or permit access to the data encapsulated by the objects.

Abstract: A multitasking, graphical windowing operating system for an office machine supporting real time processing, including a method for supporting real time processing in the operating system. The operating system includes a kernel having a non-preemptive scheduler for scheduling windowing applications and a preemptive scheduler for scheduling real time applications. The kernel includes a messaging subsystem for communication among process in the system including both the real time and windowing applications, and further includes an event semaphore maintained by the kernel to manage scheduling. The method includes grouping windowing applications together for scheduling purposes and scheduling windowing applications non-preemptively. The method further includes determining priority of real time applications and scheduling real time applications preemptively with the windowing applications based on priority.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for generating directory information to manage a file using directories, includes a first generator for generating first directory information including first identification information to identify one of the directories and second identification information indicative of which directory the one of the directories belongs to. A recorder records the first directory information generated by the first generator on a recording medium and a reader reads the first directory information recorded on the recording medium. A second generator generates second directory information including the first and second identification information and third identification information indicative of which directory belongs to the one of the directories, on the basis of the first and second identification information of the first directory information read by the reader.

Abstract: A compiling method includes a step of performing lexical analysis by entering a source program, a step of performing analysis of the initial value of variables described in the source program, and a step of generating a code according to the result of the analysis of the initial value and outputting an object program. The step of performing analysis of the initial value includes a step for dividing variables described in the source program into those without an initial value and those with an initial value, a step of judging whether prescribed members of elements configuring the array of structure have one and the same initial value, and a step of arranging the divided variables into different segments, and arranging the variables of the array of structure where the prescribed members have the same initial value into the segments with the same initial values omitted.

Abstract: A method and system for referring to and binding to objects using a moniker object is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a moniker object contains information to identify linked source data and provides methods through which a program can bind to the linked source data. A binding method is provided that returns an instance of an interface through which the linked source data can be accessed. The moniker object can identify source data that is stored persistently or nonpersistently. In addition, moniker objects can be composed to form a composite moniker object. A composite moniker object is used to identify linked source data that is nested in other data. In a preferred embodiment, the moniker object provides other methods including a reducing method that returns a more efficient representation of the moniker object; equality and hash methods for comparing moniker objects; and inverse, common prefix, and relative-path-to methods for comparing and locating moniker objects from other moniker objects.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for generating, from a source signal defining a subject class to be tested, an inspection signal defining an inspection class that has one or more members for (i) generating a test object as an instantiation of the subject class or a class derived therefrom, (ii) invoking one or more selected method members of the test object, and (iii) generating a reporting signal based upon an outcome of invocation of those members. he inspection class, as defined by the inspection signal, can include one or more method members, referred to as "inspection members," for testing corresponding method members of the test object (and, therefore, in the subject class). So-called "test suite members," that are also defined as part of the inspection class, exercise the inspection members. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for responding to an inspection signal to create an inspection object instantiating the inspection class.

Abstract: A method and system for independently resetting primary and secondary processors 20 and 120 respectively under program control in a multiprocessor, cache memory system. Processors 20 and 120 are reset without causing cache memory controllers 24 and 124 to reset.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing the functions of electronic mail in a computer system which is integrated within a display or a window under control of a first application program which does not support electronic mail functionality. A set if mail routines displays a mailer on a first portion of the application program's display with application program data displayed in a second portion of the application program's display. The mail routines allow the user to modify the data in the application program via functionality of the application program and modify the mailer via the functionality of the mail routines. The mail routines further allow the user to perform electronic mail functions provided by the mail routines, wherein the electronic mail functions include using the application program data as content of mail messages processed by the mail routines.

Abstract: A subroutine execution time tracer that is able to trace execution times of software subroutines regardless of whether the subroutines are invoked or exited using standard or non-standard subroutine calling conventions is described. A head patch is placed at the beginning of a software subroutine, and a tail patch is placed at the end of the software routine. The invention uses the head patch to examine the return address on the system stack before replacing the return address with the address of a tail patch. If the return address on the system stack already corresponds to a tail patch, then a counter associated with the tail patch is incremented. The counter serves to notify the tail patch that when invoked it must log an additional exit event. This allows subroutines which "jump" to other subroutines (i.e., non-standard subroutine calls) to be properly traced. The invention also configures the tail patch as an internal code stack.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with a preferred embodiment enable objects from two or more heterogeneous object systems in a digital computer to interoperate and be combined in the creation of a larger object-oriented software project, as well as uses of such system and method. Objects from a foreign object system are unmodified, yet appear to be native to the object system in which they are used or accessed. A native proxy object (indistinguishable from other native objects) is constructed for the real foreign object. The proxy object contains an identifier to the real object, as well as a pointer to a software description of how to access and manipulate the object--e.g. how to call its methods, set its properties, and handle exceptions. When the proxy object is manipulated, it follows the instructions in the software description which, in turn, results in the corresponding manipulation of the foreign object.

Abstract: Data defining pages and objects of a multimedia work are transferred in the background to minimize delays that would otherwise be incurred. In playing a multimedia work that is recorded on a CD-ROM, a personal computer (10) that includes a central processing using (CPU) (23) transfers data for selected pages and for objects on a page of the multimedia work into a cache, using free CPU cycles, so that the data are available when needed. This technique is particularly useful in transferring data for animation objects of a multimedia work, since it enables two animations to play concurrently without incurring a delay to load the data for the second animation when the page is loaded and avoids interrupting the execution of the first animation at the time that the second animation must start executing. An authoring program used to create the multimedia work enables the author to select the pages and objects on a page that are to be prewarmed in this manner.

Abstract: A software program running on a computer is automatically managed, monitored and updated with a newer version in a completely automated fashion, without interruption of its primary function, and in a manner that is completely transparent to the user of the computer. This is achieved by means of a control module that performs the functions of locating and identifying other versions of its associated program, determining whether the other versions are older or newer than currently stored versions, and downloading a newer version. Multiple versions of the program can remain accessible on the computer, and the control module manages the launching of a particular version that may be required. Statistical data relating to the launching and operation of the program is collected, and uploaded to a central location on a regular basis.

Abstract: A computer application stored on a storage medium (e.g., a portable storage medium such as a compact disk) is automatically launched. Initialization information expressed in accordance with a predefined syntax is stored on the storage medium. Also stored in the computer is "launching" information sufficient, together with the initialization information, to enable the computer to launch the application. The application is automatically launched, without user intervention, by reading the initialization information and using it in connection with the launching information stored in the computer.

Abstract: A program for monitoring computer system performance includes a collection of source code modules in the form of a high level language. Each of the source code modules is compiled into a corresponding object code module. The object code modules are assembled into machine dependent code. The machine code is translated into a program module in the form of a machine independent register translation language. The program module is partitioned into basic program components. The basic program components include procedures, basic blocks within procedures, and instructions within basic blocks. Fundamental instrumentation routines identify, locate, and modify specific program components to be monitored. The modified basic program components are converted to an instrumented machine executable code to be executed in the computer system so that performance dam can be collected while the program is executing in the computer.

Abstract: A data access system wherein users specify questions to be asked of a data source independent of the actual storage mechanism for the data source. Queries are stored in the relational structures of a meta dictionary using a common query definition. From the common query definition, the system parses the user question, selects a target language determined by the actual storage mechanism of the data, and generates the language syntax for the target language to obtain the answer to the query. The target language may be any well-defined syntax used for accessing data. Because of the language independence, the source of the data may be a relational database, flat file or other data structure that has an access language.

Abstract: A system and method for fast context switching between tasks by tracking task utilization of shared system resources and optimizing swapping the shared system resources to backing store by computing the difference between the current task's utilization of the system resources and the incoming task's utilization of the shared system resources and only swapping to backing store the difference between the current task's utilization, the available system resources, and the incoming task's needs.

Abstract: Configuration data indicative of interface requirements for interfacing to a host adapter card are automatically serially loaded on reset from an external device on the card into host adapter integrated circuit on the card. A driver program can then read the configuration data from the host adapter integrated circuit and thereby determine how to interface with the host adapter card.