Abstract: A multimedia solution is presented which allows a multimedia architecture to be implemented on an existing computer system. According to the invention, an expansion unit which incorporates a multimedia architecture is provided. The expansion unit is connected to an existing computer system via an expansion slot of an I/O bus of the existing computer as well as via a display device output terminal of the computer. The expansion unit is also connected to a display device. Accordingly, the expansion unit controls the presentation which is provided on the display device.

Abstract: An information handling apparatus for transferring and composing image signals including a plurality of media sources configured to provide a corresponding plurality of image signals, a media bus connected to the media sources, and a media control module coupled to the media bus. The media bus allows selective access for the plurality of image signals. The selective access enables composition of the independent image signals in response to control information. The media control module receives a composed image signal from the media bus and provides the composed image signal to a display device.

Abstract: An information handling apparatus for transferring and composing image signals for display. The apparatus includes a bus adapted to allow selective access for multiple independent image signals generated by respective independent image sources. The selective access enables composition of the independent image signals in response to control information; the composition enables real time display of a composed image signal.

Abstract: An information handling apparatus for transferring and composing image signals for display including a bus interface circuit adapted to allow selective access to a bus of an independent image signal generated by an independent image source. The selective access enables composition of the independent image signal in response to control information; the composition enables real time display of a composed image signal.

Abstract: The functions of two virtual operating systems (e.g., S/370 VM, VSE or IX370 and S/88 OS) are merged into one physical system. Partner pairs of S/88 processors run the S/88 OS and handle the fault tolerant and single system image aspects of the system. One or more partner pairs of S/370 processors are coupled to corresponding S/88 processors directly and through the S/88 bus. Each S/370 processor is allocated from 1 to 16 megabytes of contigous storage from the S/88 main storage. Each S/370 virtual operating system thinks its memory allocation starts at address 0, and it manages its memory through normal S/370 dynamic memory allocation and paging techniques. The S/370 is limit checked to prevent the S/370 from accessing S/88 memory space. The S/88 Operating System is the master over all system hardware and I/O devices.

Abstract: An I/O controller for transferring data between a host processor and one or more I/O devices. This I/O controller includes a microprocessor, a direct memory access controller and a dual port storage unit, one port of which is coupled to the host processor I/O channel bus and the other port of which is coupled to the microprocessor bus. All data transfers are by way of the dual port storage unit. The I/O controller includes an interleaving mechanism for enabling concurrent performance of two different modes of data transfer between the host processor and the I/O controller. In particular, this interleaving mechanism enables host processor direct program control (DPC) data transfers to be performed at the same time that the I/O controller is busy doing cycle steal data transfers for a block of data. These DPC data transfers are accomplished without interrupting the cycle stealing operations.