Abstract: Mass storage system controller apparatus receives requests for access to files in a data storage system and manages access to the files in the data storage system, the data storage system having a plurality of storage devices and the requests being addressed to the data storage system as a single virtual storage device having addressable Command Regions allocated to controller commands and addressable Mapped Data Regions allocated for data storage. The apparatus includes a file system to manage access to files in the data storage system, the file system having a processor acting as a Command Region processor and acting as a Mapped Data Region processor. A disk emulator responds as a disk drive device to write/read commands and passes the write/read commands addressed to Command Regions of the virtual storage device to the Command Region processor, the write/read commands addressed to Command Regions containing controller commands for the file system.

Abstract: File operations on files in a peripheral system are controlled by an intelligent controller with a file processor. The files are accessed as if the intelligent controller were an addressable virtual storage space. This is accomplished first by communicating controller commands for the intelligent controller through read/write commands addressed to a Command Region of a virtual storage device. The controller commands set up a Mapped Data Region in the virtual storage device for use in controlling data transfer operations to and from the peripheral system. With the Mapped Data Regions set up, blocks of data are transferred between the host and the intelligent controller in response to read/write commands addressed to the Mapped Data Region of the virtual storage device.

Abstract: File operations on files in a peripheral system are controlled by an intelligent controller with a file processor. The files are accessed as if the intelligent controller were an addressable virtual storage space. This is accomplished first by communicating controller commands for the intelligent controller through read/write commands addressed to a Command Region of a virtual storage device. The controller commands set up a Mapped Data Region in the virtual storage device for use in controlling data transfer operations to and from the peripheral system. With the Mapped Data Regions set up, blocks of data are transferred between the host and the intelligent controller in response to read/write commands addressed to the Mapped Data Region of the virtual storage device. In an additional feature of the invention file operations are communicated between host and controller through a device driver at the host and a device emulator at the intelligent controller.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically repositioning and/or resizing scroll bars and other control constructs within a computer window environment. The system monitors the control constructs corresponding to open windows on the display device in order to determine if any of the control constructs are at least partially obstructed or not controllable. This monitoring may occur during each refresh of the display device. If any of the control constructs are not visible or controllable, the system automatically repositions and/or resizes the control construct so that it is visible and/or may be controlled by an operator.

Abstract: A visually aging scroll bar is associated with a window or viewport on a computer display as part of a computer system, and contains a slider to indicate relative positioning in the window of a document, such as a data file, image file, audio file, text file, or spreadsheet. The current position of the scroll bar slider is monitored by the computer system. After a first predetermined sampling period has elapsed, a first region matching the current position of the scroll bar slider is created. The visual appearance of the region is determined by a predetermined region heating rate. For example, a newly created region starts at "cold", which can be indicated by a violet-indigo color. After a second sampling period has elapsed, the computer system again checks the current position of the scroll bar slider. If the current position still matches the first region, the visual appearance of the first region symbolically "warms up" as indicated by the region heating rate.

Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system for efficiently managing a plurality of displayable objects within a display. Graphic selections of displayable objects arranged in a substantially circular formation are displayed in conjunction with a rotatable pointer or bar which is rotatable about a pivot point within the graphic selection arranged in a substantially circular formation. A moveable control element may be provided along the rotatable pointer or bar. The rotatable pointer or bar also includes one end which may be utilized for designating one of the graphic selections. The display of the displayable object may be altered in response to a selection of one of the graphic selections utilizing the end of the rotatable pointer or bar and in response to a manipulation of the moveable control element.

Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system for enhancing user efficiency in initiating a sequence of data processing system user inputs. Within the data processing system, data processing system stimulus events are identified and stored in a data base. Each sequence of data processing system user inputs which occurs in response to a subsequent occurrence of the identified stimulus event is also stored in the data base. The probability of an occurrence of a selected sequence of data processing system user inputs in response to a subsequent occurrence of the stimulus event is then calculated, utilizing the data base of stored sequences of data processing system user inputs. Upon subsequent recognition of a data processing system stimulus event, one or more selected sequences of data processing system user inputs are identified and displayed, along with an indicated probability of a user executing each identified sequence of data processing system user inputs.

Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system having a display device for efficiently managing the display of an image. The image includes a number of segments, wherein only a portion of the segments may be simultaneously displayed within the display device at a selected resolution. The method and system of the present invention provides a substantially circular control icon having a defined periphery. One or more of the segments within the image may be associated with selected points along the defined periphery. A rotatable pointer element rotatable about a point within the substantially circular control icon is also provided. The portion of the segments displayed within the display device is selectively altered in response to a rotation of the rotatable pointer element. The display of the image also may be altered in response to movement of a slider or some other control element within the rotatable pointer element.

Abstract: A method and system for visually altering characteristics of an iconic representation in response to a user's interaction with an object within a data processing system. The user initially associates an iconic representation for each object and selects the information to be monitored for each object. Parameters which may be monitored include the number of times the user interacts with the object, the amount of time the user spent interacting with the object, or the passage of time. This information is then stored in a database. The user's interaction with each object is then monitored, and the visual characteristics of the iconic representations associated with each object are then altered in response to the user's interaction with each object.

Abstract: A method and system for the automatic alteration of a display of multiple user selectable menu options. A counter is associated with each user selectable menu option. The counter associated with a user selectable menu option is then incremented in response to each selection by a user of the user selectable menu option. The display of the user selectable menu option is automatically altered in response to a state of the associated counter.

Abstract: A method and a system in a distributed data processing network for enhancing the processing of a plurality of related data packets received at a receiving station within the distributed data processing network, each of the data packets having a header associated herewith includes sequentially receiving a number of data packets at the receiving station. Next, the header associated with a first data packet is examined and predicted profile is generated for comparison with a related subsequent data packet. The next data packet received is then compared with the predicted profile to determine whether or not the two data packets may be consolidated.