Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for limiting failures in redundant signals. A coordination module generates a power status signal for each of a plurality of power modules. An input module receives a source signal. A signal generation module generates a plurality of output signals from the source signal and at least one power status signal. The output signals are not asserted if at least one power supply is operational. If a device of the signal generation module malfunctions, no more than one output signal is erroneously asserted.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for maximizing power system holdup time during loss of input power. An energy storage module is included to deliver energy from an output stage of a first power supply to a bus. A power loss module is included to detect loss of power transmitting capability from an input stage of the first power supply to the output stage of the first power supply. A set-point reduction module is included to reduce an output voltage of the first power supply in response to the power loss module detecting loss of power transmitting capability. An isolation module is included to prevent energy flow from the energy storage module to the bus when the output voltage of the first power supply is lower than a voltage on the bus sustained by a second power supply.

Abstract: A display case includes at least one L shaped bottom member having a bottom and an upstanding back along with an L shaped top member having a top and a depending back. A tongue is disposed on an edge of one of the backs and a groove is disposed on an edge of another of the backs for coupling the backs to one another. Back extensions are provided in order to extend a distance between the top and bottom upon assembly of the bottom member, top member and the back extension. End caps and end cap extensions are configured for engaging the bottom and top for closing ends of the bottom member and the top member.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for securely providing power supply commands. A security feature is added to the remote management of power-on and power-off sequences. The feature allows for multiple controller nodes to receive a command to initiate a power sequence. Each controller node possesses a unique identifier. The nodes compare the received command with received commands of other nodes to confirm that each node received identical power commands. The security feature prevents inadvertent power commands from being received and executed by a single controller node. The unique identifier of each node must be provided before execution of the power command occurs.

Abstract: The method forms a plurality of DMA data payloads each comprising a plurality of first sectors, and sends to a sector format conversion device one or more of those DMA data payloads. The method then overlays the (i)th DMA data payload onto part or all of a plurality of second sectors to form the (i)th converted DMA data payload, enqueues that (i)th converted DMA data payload in a data queue, transmits that (i)th converted DMA data payload to a data storage device, and writes the (i)th converted DMA data payload to an information storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting volatile computer memory based on available energy in an auxiliary power source comprises an energy monitor module configured to determine an amount of available energy in the auxiliary power source. Also provided is a memory status module configured to determine an amount of volatile computer memory allocated for use in a computer and a memory adjustment module configured to adjust the amount of volatile computer memory allocated for use in the computer based on the amount of available energy in the auxiliary power source.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for adding a fourth device to a network including a first, second, and third devices, wherein the first and second devices are directly connected to the third device. The fourth device is directly connected to the third device while the first and second devices remain connected to the third device, and wherein the first and second devices continue to have access to the third device while the fourth device is connected to the third device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing data integrity using check data and other metadata on a formatted storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage subsystem which reduces seek time, by defining a logical storage space wherein part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of a first physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of a second physical data storage device, and another part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of the second physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of the first physical data storage device. For hard disk drives having an arm assembly with a read/write head, the average seek distance for both drives reduced, since the pivoting arm assembly need not travel as far to reach each physical storage address within a primary storage area. The invention may additionally take advantage of geometric or other aspects of the storage devices which result in some portion of the device having a faster access time that another portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bridge system and method for prefetching data to return to a read request from an agent. The bridge system includes at least one memory device including a counter indicating a number of prefetch operations to perform to prefetch all the requested data, a first buffer capable of storing prefetch requests, and a second buffer capable of storing read data. Control logic implemented in the bridge system includes means for queuing at least one prefetch operation in the first buffer while the counter is greater than zero. The control logic then executes a queued prefetch operation, subsequently receives the prefetched data, and stores the prefetched data in the second buffer. The stored prefetched data is returned to the requesting agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing read/write transactions from a plurality of agents over a bus. The bridge includes at least one request buffer for each agent in communication with the bridge. The request buffer for an agent buffers transactions originating from that agent. The bridge further includes a return buffer for each agent in communication with the bridge. The return buffer for an agent buffers return data in connection with a transaction. Address translation circuitry is in communication with the bus and request and return buffers. The address translation circuitry locates a request buffer to queue the transaction, such that a transaction is stored in the request buffer corresponding to the agent that originated the transaction. Further, the address translation circuitry stores read return data for a read transaction in the return buffer corresponding to the agent originating the transaction.

Abstract: A data storage subsystem which reduces seek time, by defining a logical storage space wherein part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of a first physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of a second physical data storage device, and another part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of the second physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of the first physical data storage device. For hard disk drives having an arm assembly with a read/write head, the average seek distance for both drives reduced, since the pivoting arm assembly need not travel as far to reach each physical storage address within a primary storage area. The invention may additionally take advantage of geometric or other aspects of the storage devices which result in some portion of the device having a faster access time that another portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bridge system for processing read and write transactions over a bus in which in a preferred embodiment continuous read data obtained from a target device in a number of separate read operations over a secondary bus may be gathered by the bridge and assembled into a larger block of data before forwarding the data over the primary bus to the requesting agent. As a consequence, the transmission of optimal, address boundary-aligned bursts of read data over the primary bus may be increased and conversely, the transmission of fractionated, nonaligned read data over the primary bus may be reduced. Because each agent is assigned particular buffers, read data may be gathered concurrently in the assigned bridge buffers without assertion of a read request by one agent causing the flushing of the data being gathered for a different agent.

Abstract: An improved multi-bit error correction system. The inventive error correcting system performs a fast error correction operation on individual bits within multi-bit modules. In a specific implementation, the invention uses Hamming codes and divides an n times m bit data word into m modules, with each module having n bits. Next, the ith bits of each module are combined to form a set of parity bits. Syndrome bits are generated from the parity bits and used to locate errors in the bits and provide an indication of same. Finally, errors in the bits are corrected in a conventional manner to provide corrected data bits.

Abstract: A trace facility for a computer system attachment network, a method for operating that network, and trace tools in the network. The network has a plurality of the trace tools, each connected to a communication path, the trace facility providing a system wide trace. The trace facility comprises at least one trace buffer at each trace tool. Each trace tool has an address filter selecting an address range of information on the bus, the information being communicated on the bus as events, and storing the selected event information in the trace buffers, thereby conducting a trace. A breakpoint connection is provided interconnecting each of the trace tools. A trace tool control at each trace tool responds to a trace stop command addressed to the trace tool, to stop the trace at its address filter and trace buffer, and to issue a breakpoint signal on the breakpoint connection to all the interconnected trace tools.

Abstract: A device for producing a simulated snowfall is disclosed. The device comprises a display tank filled with water and a plurality of small pellets. A pump positioned on the upper side of the display tank creates water currents which flow around the perimeter of the display tank. The water is propelled out of the pump into an outflow tube extending down a first side of the display tank to a receiving trough positioned along the bottom side of the display tank. The pellets descend through the water to the receiving trough and are then carried horizontally across the receiving trough by a water current to a deflector plate which diverts the pellets and water current in an upward direction along the second side of the display tank. As the pellets reach the upper side of the display tank, they spread out uniformly and gradually descend through the water, creating a simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for handling errors. A system managed by a processor processes an error in the system. The system then generates an interrupt to the processor indicating that an error occurred and executes an error mode before the processor interprets the interrupt. As part of the error mode, the system prevents data from transferring between the system and the processor and processes a read request from the processor to the system by returning data to the processor unrelated to the requested data. The processor would then process the interrupt indicating the error and execute a diagnostic mode to diagnose the error in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for communication among a device, a first processor, and a second processor. One of a first data path and second data path is configured. The first data path comprises a bus, such as a local PCI bus, a first remote bridge, and a first local bridge. The bridges may be comprised of PCI to PCI bridges. After configuring the first data path, the device communicates to the first processor by communicating data through the bus to the first remote bridge. The first remote bridge transmits the data to the first local bridge and the first local bridge transmits the data to the first processor. The second data path comprises the bus, a second remote bridge, and a second local bridge. After configuring the second data path, the device communicates to the second processor by communicating data through the bus to the second remote bridge. The second remote bridge transmits the data to the second local bridge and the second local bridge transmits the data to the second processor.

Abstract: A device for producing a simulated snowfall is disclosed. The device comprises a display tank filled with water and a plurality of small pellets. A pump positioned on the upper side of the display tank creates water currents which flow around the perimeter of the display tank. The water is propelled out of the pump into an outflow tube extending down a first side of the display tank to a receiving trough positioned along the bottom side of the display tank. The pellets descend through the water to the receiving trough and are then carried horizontally across the receiving trough by a water current to a deflector plate which diverts the pellets and water current in an upward direction along the second side of the display tank. As the pellets reach the upper side of the display tank, they spread out uniformly and gradually descend through the water, creating a simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.

Abstract: A modular display case is disclosed. The display case comprises at least one frame member. The frame member is preferably "C"-shaped, having a front face selectively enclosed with a window. The frame member preferably includes grooves and bosses on an inside bottom surface for special use in displaying model train components. Frame members may be joined in end-to-end fashion with a tongue which slidably engages a first locking structure of each frame. In addition, each frame preferably has a second locking structure on a bottom surface and a corresponding locking structure on a top surface, whereby the frames may be arranged vertically in interlocking fashion.