Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing control on a bank to bank basis of a memory subsystem having a plurality of memory banks which are installed with different types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices is presented. The present invention includes an improved DRAM controller comprises a set of configuration registers which store configuration bits corresponding to each memory bank in the main memory that is populated with the DRAM devices. The memory controller also includes a detection logic which together with a memory bank decode logic enables the memory controller determine whether a particular memory bank is populated with a page mode DRAM or an extended data out DRAM. The preferred embodiment also includes a column address strobe state machine which automatically controls timing requirements of both type of DRAM devices installed in the main memory to quickly and efficiently handle access requests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing information items. Processing comprises one of context filtering, context prioritizing, or both context filtering and context prioritizing. In some embodiments the set of context items from which processing criteria are derived includes a user's calendar of appointments, schedule changes, exceptions, and the like.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system includes nodes connected through conductors to form a ring. Messages are transmitted on the ring and at least some of the nodes each include control circuitry to receive the messages in a node reception order that is different for each node and order the messages in a global order that is the same for each node having the control circuitry.

Abstract: In a memory subsystem having a plurality of memory banks populated with up to a corresponding plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) modules, the DRAM modules being of an extended data out type DRAM module or a page mode type DRAM module, ascertaining the type of DRAM module installed in populated ones of the plurality of memory banks. The DRAM type is determined by storing a predetermined value to a predetermined location in populated ones of the plurality of memory banks, and subsequently reading data from the predetermined location of populated ones of the plurality of memory banks using a page read control signal suitable for the extended data out type DRAM modules. If the data read corresponds to the predetermined value stored, an extended data out type DRAM module is identified.

Abstract: An LRU with protection method is provided that offers substantial performance benefits over traditional LRU replacement methods by providing solutions to common problems with traditional LRU replacement. By dividing a cache entry list into a filter sublist and a reuse list, population and protection processes can be implemented to reduce associativity and capacity displacement. New cache entries are initially stored in the filter list, and the reuse list is populated with entries promoted from the cache list. Eviction from the filter list and reuse list is done by a protection process that evicts a data entry from the filter, reuse, or global cache list. Many variations of protection and eviction processes are discussed herein, along with the benefits each provides in reducing the effect of unwanted displacement problems present in traditional LRU replacement.

Abstract: Memory bus extensions to a high speed peripheral bus are presented. Specifically, sideband signals are used to overlay advanced mechanisms for cache attribute mapping, cache consistency cycles, and dual processor support onto a high speed peripheral bus. In the case of cache attribute mapping, three cache memory attribute signals that have been supported in previous processors and caches are replaced by two cache attribute signals that maintain all the functionality of the three original signals. In the case of cache consistency cycles, advanced modes of operation are presented. These include support of fast writes, the discarding of write back data by a cache for full cache line writes, and read intervention that permits a cache to supply data in response to a memory read. In the case of dual processor support, several new signals and an associated protocol for support of dual processors are presented.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system includes nodes connected through conductors. At least some of the nodes each include memory and processing circuitry to receive snoop requests in a node reception order and to initiate snoops of the memory in the node before the snoop requests are in a global order. The at least some nodes also each include an ordering buffer to receive the snoop requests and provide them at an output of the ordering buffer in the global order.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a bus bridge to a plurality of bus interfaces are disclosed. The invention allows output lines on a bus bridge to be shared so that a minimal amount of dedicated pins are utilized. Signals on the bus bridge which need to be driven and received quickly are connected directly from the bus bridge to the bus interfaces. Signals on the bus bridge which do not need to be driven and received quickly are connected from the bus bridge to the bus interfaces though buffers. The invention allows the bus bridge to interface a high speed local bus and a plurality of I/O buses while satisfying the timing requirements of each of the I/O buses.

Abstract: Memory bus extensions to a high speed peripheral bus are presented. Specifically, sideband signals are used to overlay advanced mechanisms for cache attribute mapping, cache consistency cycles, and dual processor support onto a high speed peripheral bus. In the case of cache attribute mapping, three cache memory attribute signals that have been supported in previous processors and caches are replaced by two cache attribute signals that maintain all the functionality of the three original signals. In the case of cache consistency cycles, advanced modes of operation are presented. These include support of fast writes, the discarding of write back data by a cache for full cache line writes, and read intervention that permits a cache to supply data in response to a memory read. In the case of dual processor support, several new signals and an associated protocol for support of dual processors are presented.

Abstract: The shared computer system memory is partitioned between system memory and frame buffer memory. The memory controller and the graphics controller share access to the computer system memory through a single interface bus. An arbitration unit is provided to arbitrate competing usage requests to the memory from the memory controller and the graphics controller. The arbitration unit may form a portion of the memory controller or may be configured as a stand alone unit. In either case, the arbitration unit resolves competing usage requests by applying a prioritization protocol. The arbitration unit grants control of the memory to either the memory controller or the graphics controller depending upon which has asserted a higher priority request. Once the graphics controller has been granted control of the memory, the arbitration unit cannot revoke control from the graphics controller. Rather, the arbitration unit requests that the graphics controller relinquish control.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for eliminating deadlock in a multibus computer system which system includes a primary bus, and a secondary bus, a bridge circuit for joining the primary bus to a bus master, and a second bridge circuit for joining the primary bus to the secondary bus. The invention causes the second bridge circuit to generate a first signal directed to the all bridge circuits to indicate that a bus master on the secondary bus desires access to the secondary bus. All bridge circuits holding data directed to a component on the secondary bus flushes all temporary storage means holding data directed to a component on the secondary bus. The bridge circuits then generate signals to indicate that flushing is complete and the bus master on the secondary bus is granted access to the secondary bus.

Abstract: Memory bus extensions to a high speed peripheral bus are presented. Specifically, sideband signals are used to overlay advanced mechanisms for cache attribute mapping, cache consistency cycles, and dual processor support onto a high speed peripheral bus. In the case of cache attribute mapping, three cache memory attribute signals that have been supported in previous processors and caches are replaced by two cache attribute signals that maintain all the functionality of the three original signals. In the case of cache consistency cycles, advanced modes of operation are presented. These include support of fast writes, the discarding of write back data by a cache for full cache line writes, and read intervention that permits a cache to supply data in response to a memory read. In the case of dual processor support, several new signals and an associated protocol for support of dual processors are presented.

Abstract: An arbitration signaling mechanism for an intermediate bus coupled between an expansion bridge and a host bridge that manages communication over the intermediate bus. The host bridge includes a CPU posting buffer for posting transactions between a CPU and the expansion bridge, and a DRAM buffer for storing data to be written into the DRAM. The host bridge also includes an arbiter coupled to receive a request signal from the expansion bridge and any other bus agents coupled to the expansion bridge. Responsive to a request from the expansion bridge, the arbiter empties the CPU posting buffer and the DRAM buffer before asserting an acknowledge signal. A passive release method is provided, which includes signaling a passive release semantic by the expansion bridge during a communication cycle in which the expansion bridge has bus control. The host bridge can grant temporary use of the bus to another bus agent before again granting access to the expansion bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a bus bridge to a plurality of bus interfaces. The invention allows output lines on a bus bridge to be shared so that a minimal amount of dedicated pins are utilized. Signals on the bus bridge which need to be driven and received quickly are connected directly from the bus bridge to the bus interfaces. Signals on the bus bridge which do not need to be driven and received quickly are connected from the bus bridge to the bus interfaces though buffers. The invention allows the bus bridge to interface a high speed local bus and a plurality of I/O buses while satisfying the timing requirements of each of the I/O buses.

Abstract: A processor and method for delaying the processing of cache coherency transactions during outstanding cache fills in a multi-processor system using a shared memory. A first processor fetches data having a specified address by addressing a cache memory, and when the specified address is not in the cache, saving the specified address in a fill address memory, and sending a fill request to the shared memory. Before return of fill data, the first processor receives a cache coherency request including the specified address from a second processor requesting invalidation of an addressed block of data. The first processor responds by checking whether the fill address memory includes the specified address, and upon finding the specified address in the fill address memory, delaying execution of the cache coherency request until the fill data is returned, and when the fill data is returned, using the fill data without retaining a validated block of the fill data in the cache.

Abstract: A processor and method for preventing access to a locked memory block in a multiprocessor computer system. The processor has a cache memory and records a memory lock in a content-addressable memory separate from the cache memory. Preferably, outstanding cache fills are recorded in the same content addressable memory as memory locks, and a memory lock or an outstanding cache fill delays the execution of a cache coherency request upon the same memory block. When a cache coherency request is received from another processor, the address of the cache coherency request is compared to addresses stored in the content addressable memory, and when there is a match, a bit in the matching entry is set to indicate a delayed request that is executed after the lock is unlocked or the cache is refilled. In a specific embodiment, a memory lock or an outstanding cache fill also stalls a processor read or write to the same memory block.

Abstract: Writeback transactions from a processor and cache are fed to a main memory through a writeback queue, and non-writeback transactions from the processor and cache are fed to the main memory through a non-writeback queue. When a cache error is detected, an error transition mode (ETM) is entered that provides limited use of the data in the cache; a read or write request for data not owned in the cache is made to the main memory instead of the cache, even when the data is valid in the cache, although owned data is read from the cache. In ETM, when the processor makes a first write request to data not owned in the cache followed by a second write request to data owned in the cache, write data of the first write request is prevented from being received by the main memory after write data of the second request while permitting writeback of the data owned by the cache.