Abstract: A symmetric multi-processing system for processing exclusive read requests. The system includes a plurality of cell boards, each of which further includes at least one CPU and cache memory, with all of the cell boards being connected to at least one crossbar switch. The read-latency reducing system includes write-through cache memory on each of the cell boards, a modified line list on each crossbar switch having a list of cache lines that have been modified in the cache memory of each of the cell boards, and a cache coherency directory on each crossbar switch for recording the address, the status, and the location of each of the cache lines in the system. The modified line list is accessed to obtain a copy of a requested cache line for each of the exclusive read requests from the cell boards not containing the requested cache line.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with (de)compressing data at a time and in a location that facilitates increasing memory transfer bandwidth by selectively controlling a burst-mode protocol used to transfer data to and/or from a memory are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a memory controller configured to (de)compress memory, to manipulate size data associated with compressed data, and to selectively manipulate a burst-mode protocol employed in transferring compressed data to and/or from random access memory.

Abstract: A transaction logging system for performing log writes in a database management system. The transaction logging system has an associated operating system and a target storage system to which are written log records representing complete database transactions. The system includes non-volatile memory accessible by the database management system and directly addressable by the operating system. Each time a log record is written from the database management system to non-volatile memory, an acknowledgement is sent to the database management system, to allow a lock corresponding to the log record to be released. Log records are subsequently written from non-volatile memory to the target storage system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for designing a computer system comprises selecting an amount of internal memory for the computer system and providing the amount of internal memory to a non-linear exponential function to calculate a minimum input/output (I/O) transaction rate for transactions associated with a non-volatile memory subsystem appropriate for the amount of internal memory.

Abstract: A reflective surface behind an image to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. Preferably, the reflective surface has a reflectance less than 90% with a preferred reflectance range of 60% to 75%. This reflective surface is substantially integral with the scanner, copier or facsimile lid surface and substantially reduces image bleed-through while resulting in an acceptable level of color shift and an acceptable loss of dynamic range relative to a white surface. In a second embodiment, the reflective surface is interchangeable by the end user in order to optimize the reflectance of the reflective surface for any given document to be scanned, copied, or faxed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for accurately sizing a computer system and its component subsystems. The present invention requires only limited benchmark analysis to design varying subsystem configurations, having varying numbers of users, and accounting for varying ramp-up periods. Moreover, the severe undersizing and oversizing errors inherent in previous systems are avoided without requiring repeated trial and error benchmark trials.

Abstract: A method for removing artifacts from a bitmap of image data produced by scanning a halftone image may comprise the steps of: (a) calculating a weighted average intensity value for a target pixel based on a weight factor for the target pixel and on weight factors for neighboring pixels in the bitmap of image data; (b) repeating step (a) for each pixel in the bitmap of image data; and (c) replacing the intensity value of each pixel in the bitmap of image data with the weighted average intensity value for each such pixel.

Abstract: A method for removing artifacts from a bitmap of image data produced by scanning a halftone image may comprise the steps of: (a) calculating a weighted average intensity value for a target pixel based on a weight factor for the target pixel and on weight factors for neighboring pixels in the bitmap of image data; (b) repeating step (a) for each pixel in the bitmap of image data; and (c) replacing the intensity value of each pixel in the bitmap of image data with the weighted average intensity value for each such pixel.