Abstract: A method and computer program product for scheduling network communication packets in a multimedia environment where different packet streams have reservations of network bandwidth to form packet flows. The present invention divides the packet scheduling function into distinct components that may be implemented as separate drivers in a layered driver environment as exists, for example, in the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. One component is called a conformer and will generate and assign to each packet in the packet flow at least one conformance time that signifies the earliest a packet may be sent and still conform to the network resource requirements associated with the flow. Many different conformance algorithms can be supported so that the best algorithm is used for a particular packet flow and the service requirements that it represents. Should it be necessary to actually hold a packet until the conformance time is met, a shaper component is used to delay the packets.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for generating and validating reference handles for consumers requiring access to resources in a multi-threaded environment of a computer system. The system of the present invention includes a resource manager having a handle administrator, a plurality of consumers, and a plurality of resources. The handle administrator includes an assignment routine, a release routine, a dereference routine, and multi-threading sub-routines enabling operation of the present invention in multi-threaded environments.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for classifying data being processed by drivers included in a stack. The computer program product is a centralized packet classifier that receives classification requests from drivers or other clients according to a defined interface. This reduces the cost for producing a driver since less code is required initially at development time as well as a corresponding reduction in maintenance costs. The present invention groups drivers or other clients that utilize a certain body of classification information into classification families. Further, reference patterns used to make classifications are stored in separate databases depending on whether they are specific or general.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for generating and validating reference handles for consumers requiring access to resources in a computer system. The system of the present invention includes a resource manager having a handle administrator, a plurality of consumers, and a plurality of resources. The handle administrator includes an assignment routine, a release routine, and a dereference routine. The assignment routine issues new handles, the release routine releases handles that are no longer required (thus rendering the handle invalid), and the dereference routine dereferences handles into a pointer to a resource, which entails verifying that the handle is valid.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for reducing the likelihood of the location conflicts in a system with a database of records having an initial size. A logical location of each record is dependent upon data contained in each record and the database size and wherein a change in the database size by a resizing factor creates a likelihood of a location conflict between two records. The present invention reduces the likelihood of the location conflict by maintaining a first list of unused records, wherein the first list contains unused records that, if used, would not have location conflicts with any record currently used and would not have location conflicts with any other records contained in the first list. Also, a second list of unused records is maintained, wherein the second list contains unused records that are not contained in the first list.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for generating and validating reference handles for consumers requiring access to resources in a computer system. The system of the present invention includes a resource manager having a handle administrator, a plurality of consumers, and a plurality of resources. The handle administrator includes an assignment routine, a release routine, and a dereference routine. The assignment routine issues new handles, the release routine releases handles that are no longer required (thus rendering the handle invalid), and the dereference routine dereferences handles into a pointer to a resource, which entails verifying that the handle is valid.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for generating and validating reference handles for consumers requiring access to resources in a computer system. The system of the present invention includes a resource manager having a handle administrator, a plurality of consumers, and a plurality of resources. The handle administrator includes an assignment routine, a release routine, and a dereference routine. The assignment routine issues new handles, the release routine releases handles that are no longer required (thus rendering the handle invalid), and the dereference routine dereferences handles into a pointer to a resource, which entails verifying that the handle is valid.

Abstract: A technique, specifically apparatus and accompanying methods, which utilizes a trie-indexed hierarchy forest ("rhizome") that accommodates wildcards for retrieving, given a specific input key, a pattern stored in the forest that is identical to or subsumes the key. The rhizome contains a binary search trie and a hierarchy forest. The search trie provides an indexed path to each unique, most specific, pattern stored in a lowest level of the hierarchy forest and also possibly to increasingly general patterns at higher levels in the pattern hierarchy. The hierarchy forest organizes the patterns into nodal hierarchies of strictly increasing generality. For use as a packet classifier, the rhizome stores wildcard-based packet classification patterns at separate corresponding pattern nodes, along with, corresponding "reference" fields associated therewith. Operationally, as each different queue is established or removed, a corresponding classification pattern is either inserted into or removed from the rhizome.

Abstract: A technique, specifically apparatus and accompanying methods, which utilizes a trie-indexed hierarchy forest ("rhizome") that accommodates wildcards for retrieving, given a specific input key, a pattern stored in the forest that is identical to or subsumes the key. The rhizome contains a binary search trie and a hierarchy forest. The search trie provides an indexed path to each unique, most specific, pattern stored in a lowest level of the hierarchy forest and also possibly to increasingly general patterns at higher levels in the pattern hierarchy. The hierarchy forest organizes the patterns into nodal hierarchies of strictly increasing generality. For use as a packet classifier, the rhizome stores wildcard-based packet classification patterns at separate corresponding pattern nodes, along with, corresponding "reference" fields associated therewith. Operationally, as each different queue is established or removed, a corresponding classification pattern is either inserted into or removed from the rhizome.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for classifying network communication packets being processed in a network stack. The computer program product is a centralized packet classifier that receives classification requests from drivers or other clients according to a defined interface. This reduces the cost for producing a driver since less code is required initially at development time as well as a corresponding reduction in maintenance costs. The present invention groups drivers or other clients that utilize a certain body of classification information into classification families. Further, reference patterns used to make classifications are stored in separate databases depending on whether they are specific or general.

Abstract: An energy conservation arrangement for a hotel guest room or other room lockable by a key (26) comprises a key reception module (10) disposed inside the room to receive a tag (24) of the key when the guest enters the room. Control means (12) is responsive to the tag (24) being received by the key reception module (10) to enable the use of room light(s) (16) and electrical power outlet(s) (18) and to allow a room air conditioner (20) to function normally. When the guest removes the tag (24) from the key reception module (10) prior to leaving the room, the control means (12) disables use of the light(s) (16) and power outlet(s) (18) and puts the air conditioner (20) into a minimum power consumption mode.