Abstract: A computer method and system for allocating memory for a plurality of software routines. Before execution of the software routines, a collective buffer is allocated. Each software routine is assigned an offset within the collective buffer. Each software routine may then use the portion of the collective buffer starting at its offset as its dynamically allocated work space. To allocate the collective buffer, a collective buffer size is first determined which is sufficient to satisfy the total dynamic memory requirements of the software routines. In determining the collective buffer size, the size of a software routine buffer required by each software routine is accumulated into the collective buffer size. As each software routine buffer size requirement is accumulated, the interim total is stored as the offset for the next software routine. When the last software routine buffer size requirement is accumulated, the total indicates the collective buffer size.

Abstract: A method and system for providing intercommunication of I/O access factors between a file system and device driver, described as follows. A factor data block is provided which stores I/O access factors used by a file system and a device driver. The file system performs application program requests to access files by providing appropriate file system requests to the device driver based on the I/O access factors. The device driver performs the file system requests by controlling access to an appropriate peripheral device based on the I/O access factors. In a preferred embodiment, the I/O access factors include real time status data indicating a current status of I/O processing. The I/O access factors also include device constraint data indicating limitations of the peripheral devices.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of software routines are defined. During configuration of the software system, a plurality of the software routines are selected for inclusion in the software system. Before configuring the software system, each of the multiplicity of software routines is assigned a configuration group. When configuring the software system, each of the multiplicity of software routines is invoked, one configuration group at a time. Each invoked software routine determines whether it should be included in the software system. This determination may be based on which other software routines are already included. Thus, by changing the assigned configuration order of a software routine, the configuration of the software system can be changed.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing both operating system buffers and application program buffers to reside in expanded memory is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a page frame in conventional memory is provided through which pages in expanded memory are accessed. An application program allocates pages in expanded memory and maps pages into the page frame. An operating system also allocates pages in expanded memory. In a preferred embodiment, an application program maps its allocated pages into each page of the page frame. The application then issues a read request to read data from a file storage device into the page frame. Upon completion of the transfer from the file storage device, the operating system determines if there are system buffers that contain a more current version of the data transferred. If so, the operating system maps a system buffer into the highest page of the page frame and then transfers the more current data from the system buffer to the application buffer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for diagnosing the mechanical condition of a machine. The method of the invention includes the following steps: sensing reference vibrational characteristics of a machine in the time domain; creating a reference signature from the reference vibrational characteristics; saving the reference signature; sensing test vibrational characteristics of the same machine in the time domain; creating a test signature from the test vibrational characteristics; automatically computing a measured distance between at least one point of the reference signature and at least one corresponding point on the test signature; automatically comparing the measured distance against a threshold value to determine if the machine is operating normally or abnormally; and providing a signal when the comparison indicates abnormal operation. An apparatus is also disclosed for implementing the method of the invention.