Abstract: In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with plural image processing apparatuses, the image processing apparatus satisfying a desired condition input by a user is selected from among the plural image processing apparatuses, the selected one or more image processing apparatuses are stored in a storage means, and it causes any one of the stored image processing apparatuses to perform an image process. When the image processing apparatus in question cannot continue the image process, it causes any one of the image processing apparatuses stored in the storage means and satisfying the above condition to perform a substitute process.

Abstract: Improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the other computer when the other computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method of distributing software, includes: browsing, by a hardware device, into a peripheral device that is connected to the hardware device via a medium that can be used to communicate with the hardware device by using a conventional protocol (e.g., HTTP over an Ethernet network); being redirected from the peripheral device to a backend system; providing peripheral device configuration information and hardware device install information to the backend system; and based upon the peripheral device configuration information and hardware device install information, distributing, from the backend system to the hardware device, hardware device installation and configuration software.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating data between a device and a host apparatus through a USB interface detects and corrects USB transaction phase deviation due to erroneous recognition of handshake packets. A method comprises the steps of transmitting a first packet from the device to the host apparatus, the first packet being erroneously recognized by the host apparatus as a first type of packet, receiving a second packet from the host apparatus at the device in response to the first packet, and transmitting a third packet from the device to the host apparatus, the third packet being the first type of packet, in response to receiving the second packet from the host apparatus.

Abstract: Power line monitoring is disclosed. The monitoring can be performed in conjunction with an automation system designed to control and monitor devices and sensors. Model-based power line monitoring uses a model of acceptable power line activity. Activity that does not conform to the model is tagged as indicating a potential problem. Pattern-based power line monitoring uses patterns of unacceptable power line activity. Activity that matches one of the patterns is also tagged as indicating a potential problem.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for copying storage. A request is received from a host application to copy a plurality of source storage units. A list of potential target storage units is determined based on a policy. Potential target storage units that are eligible for fast replication are selected from the determined list, wherein the selection of the potential target storage units for fast replication includes determining whether a storage unit in the list of potential target storage units is eligible for fast replication by processing an attribute associated with the storage unit.

Abstract: A low-power audio CD player for portable computers permits operation of the CD-ROM subsystem when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the computer subsystem comprises a system CPU, a digital-audio generating circuit, a digital computer bus coupling the CPU and the digital-audio generator circuit, and a digital computer bus controller. The CD audio subsystem comprises an audio device capable of playing an audio CD and coupled to the digital computer bus controller, an audio amplifier circuit coupled to the audio device, and an audio interface coupled to the digital computer bus in parallel to the digital computer bus controller and the audio device. The audio interface is adapted to generate signals to operate the audio device and play the audio CD when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem or to the CPU.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing configuration information in a plurality of data processing devices using a common system interconnect bus. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enforcing automatic updates to the configuration registers in various agents in the data processing system. A node controller is operably connected to a system interconnect bus and a switch. A plurality of interface agents are connected to the switch, with each of the interface agents comprising a configuration space register, a configuration space shadow register and a control and status register (CSR). A token ring connected to the node controller is operable to transmit data from the node controller to a plurality of interface agents connected to the token ring, thereby providing a system for updating the various configuration registers in each of the agents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for discovering a powerability condition of a computer network such as the existence of a remotely powerable device attached to a connecting medium of the computer network. Such detection can then control whether a remote power source (e.g., a data communications device such as a switch) provides remote power (e.g., phantom power) to the computer network. One arrangement of the invention is directed to an apparatus for discovering a powerability condition of a computer network. The apparatus includes a signal generator, a detector and a controller which is coupled to the signal generator and the detector. The controller configures the signal generator to provide a test signal to a connecting medium of the computer network, and configures the detector to measure a response signal from the connecting medium of the computer network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively loading and enabling software stored within firmware of an electronic device to support an input device coupled to the electronic device if a power switch is pressed and held for at least a predetermined period of time as the power switch is used to turn the electronic device on.

Abstract: A method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device includes initiating a recognition mode within the switching device during which an interrogation is carried out as to whether or not the connected expansion module is initializable. If the expansion module is not initializable, no data is exchanged between the switching device and the expansion module. If the expansion module is initializable, the switching device switches into an expansion communication mode in which data exchange takes place under the control of the operating system of the expansion module.

Abstract: Circuit and method for hiding peer devices from a computer host are provided. The devices and host share a common electrical bus, e.g., a PCI bus. The method allows to generate a signal indicative of the presence of a first peer device. The method further allows to hide a second peer device from the host so that the second device is controlled by the first peer device whenever the signal indicates the presence of the first device.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the integrity of a communication link in a wireless optical communication network. The system and method include monitoring the communication link on at least two levels and enabling or disabling signaling over the communication link appropriately depending on events reported through the system.

Abstract: An error detection mechanism is provided for detecting sequential and distributed errors in a device I/O stream. The sensitivity of the errors is user definable. The result of the error detection is fed back into the path management software, which may use the error information to decide whether a device path should be disabled. The error detection mechanism sets a time span for a time window and counts the number of errors that occur during the time window. Each time a time window ends with at least one error, the sequential error count and the distributed error count are incremented. However, if an I/O returns without an error, the sequential error count is cleared. If the sequential error count reaches a predetermined limit, the path is disabled. After a predetermined number of time windows, if the distributed error count reaches a predetermined limit, the path is disabled.

Abstract: A core component is disclosed which includes a processing module and a touch screen. The core component may operate by itself in a first mode to perform functions similar to that of a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA). In particular, the touch screen may both provide visual output and receive input from a user's finger when the core component operates in the first mode. When the core component is connected to another component including a display screen, the core component may operate in a second mode in which input received through the touch screen is provided to the other component. For example, the movement of a user's finger may control the position of a cursor displayed on a screen of the other component so that the core component exhibits the behavior of a trackpad when operating in the second mode.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for diagnosing, controlling and collecting information from devices. Information regarding events of each one of a plurality of target applications executing in an application unit is collected and formatted into one of multiple data formats for transmission through one of multiple communication protocols at the request of each of the target applications, through an interface. The event information for a particular target application is formatted and transmitted according to a combination of a data format and communication protocol requested by the target application. The transmission of data representing the event information is handled in at least two levels of software classes, with at least one abstract software class having a declared virtual function and two or more software classes derived from the at least one abstract class and having definitions of the function for communicating the event information through specified communication protocols.

Abstract: An IrDA control method enabling communication by an optimum procedure without command collision even in an environment where plural host devices and plural peripheral devices exist. The plural host devices respectively have a unique back-off value, and the plural peripheral devices respectively have a unique back-off value. The respective devices perform an Enumeration procedure and a Bind procedure in accordance with the back-off value. Especially when another device is currently performing a series of Enumeration processing, transmission of response command is inhibited. Accordingly, command collision can be avoided, and as a result, communication efficiency and communication stability can be improved.

Abstract: The operation of automation components is to be configured conveniently. Consequently, use is made of generally available IT units, for example PDA or mobile radio telephones, as simple HMI (Human Machine Interface). In this case, the nearest automation component can be displayed visually to the operator. The processing of conversion processes or service routines can be controlled by workflows. Furthermore, personalized or unit-specific access rights can be awarded.

Abstract: A method for identifying Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) compatible serial interface memory devices. A microprocessor sends a single command requesting identification information to an SPI device installed on the SPI bus. A byte string, including the JEDEC manufacturer ID, device ID, and any extended device information, is sent back to the microprocessor. The byte string may include one or more continuation codes when the manufacturer ID exceeds 1 byte. The byte string also includes one byte indicating how many bytes of extended device information should be read by the microprocessor. The identification process, issuing the command and receiving the reply, is completed in one operation.

Abstract: Input/output (I/O) measurement facilities are provided. An extended I/O measurement block facility is provided that enables measurement blocks to be stored in discontiguous areas of main storage and to be accessed directly via addresses. In a further aspect, an extended I/O measurement word facility is provided that facilitates the obtaining of measurement data for single I/O operations.

Abstract: An operating system that provides for the capability to accept input from a number of devices, and transfer the data to the appropriate application without using an application to perform routing tasks, thus freeing up more processor time and memory space for the applications. The operating system includes data format translator applications that may be called by the operating system in order to convert the data to the proper format. The decision as to which data format translator application should be called may be made by using information on the input device which the data came from, as well additional information, to determine if a conversion application or other application is required.

Abstract: A sink apparatus receives stream data outputted from a source apparatus connected to a predetermined network. When the source apparatus or an other apparatus connected to the network transmits a command to configure a data input section of the sink apparatus to input data outputted from the source apparatus, data are prepared to indicate that a configuration of the data input section is at least temporarily disabled as a response from the sink apparatus. When the apparatus that transmitted the command receives the data indicating that the configuration is at least temporarily disabled corresponding processing may be executed. When stream data are transmitted through a network it can be easily determined by an other apparatus on the network whether the sink apparatus is ready to input data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for managing a complex, the system comprising a discovery and monitoring subsystem, a reference model store subsystem, a reference model transcription subsystem, a reference model generation subsystem, a model comparator subsystem, a reference model update subsystem, a nonconformance visualization subsystem, a conformance monitoring subsystem, a change procedure generator subsystem, and a change automation subsystem.

Abstract: An embedded controller includes a central processing unit, a memory interface for interface with an external memory, and a function block or peripheral device with a register for storing operation state information. The peripheral device includes a detection circuit, a storage unit, for example in the form of a FIFO, a multiplexer, and a direct memory access (DMA) controller. The state detection circuit activates a flag signal whenever the operation state information of the register is varied, and the FIFO stores the operation state information from the register in response to the flag signal. The multiplexer is controlled by the DMA controller and transmits the operation state information of the FIFO to an internal bus. As a result, the operation state information of the FIFO is stored in the external memory through the memory interface.

Abstract: A power off method for a wireless device is proposed. A battery is installed in the wireless device as the power supply. When the power source is connected to the wireless device, an identification process is conducted between the wireless device and the wireless receiver connected to a computer. After the completion of successful identification process, the control chip within the wireless device stores a set of ID code that can be identified by the wireless receiver. In order to prevent wireless devices from being inadvertently reactivated, these devices are usually turned off during traveling. The present invention provides a power off method that terminates power to all parts of the wireless device except the control chip by a certain operation on the connect button. Therefore, an individual power switch is not required while the device can be turned off, and resume the normal operation on the next power on.

Abstract: A communications system is arranged for serially chaining multiple portable pendant peripherals to a portable host device. The system enables multiple low power input/output peripherals to communicate over a bi-directional data line with a portable host device such as a PDA or cellular phone. Fixed-length data packets are employed in a store-and-forward approach between the host device and the pendant peripherals. An upstream pendant system component controls a unidirectional clock signal that regulates data transfers to or from the host device and a downstream pendant peripheral. A device identification field associated with the data packet is incremented or decremented as the data packet is forwarded along the pendant bus chain until it reaches its destination.

Abstract: The invention provides a bus system comprising a controller; a high speed data transfer bus, the data transfer bus being subject to one or more inherent physical-layer configuration constraints for proper electrical operation; and a separate control bus. Several devices are connected to the controller through the control bus and the data transfer bus. The controller is arranged to communicate with devices using the control bus in order to verify whether or not one or more of the physical-layer configuration constraints are satisfied. If such configuration constraints are not satisfied, the controller modifies the operation of some of the devices using control signals transmitted on the control bus in order to bring the data transfer bus to an operable condition. The invention makes it possible to use the bus system, even though physical-layer configuration constraints are violated.

Abstract: An optical disk drive control apparatus, which enables the operation of the optical disk drive during the power-off state or a power-saving mode (low-power suspend mode), is provided. The notebook computer comprises an other-function chip with idle pins. The idle pins are connected to the optical disk drive via signal lines to control the operation of the optical disk drive. Moreover, in order to detect control signals transmitted from the other-function chip, a signal-processing device can be used to converting the control signals to be compliant with the ATAPI standard. Alternative ways, like setting up a protocol for the other-function chip and the optical disk drive and table lookup, also enable the control signals from the standard interface to be detected without an additional signal transformation procedure.

Abstract: A determination is made as to whether input/output constraints exist for controllers (e.g., control units) of a computing environment. To facilitate this determination, an I/O velocity is calculated. The I/O velocity represents a relationship between an amount of time waiting to use one or more resources of the controller and an amount of time using the one or more resources.

Abstract: A module to perform system management for a computer. The module includes a memory to store management event information and a controller to operate in an active central management controller mode and in a standby central management controller mode. In both modes the controller sends system event information to another controller to duplicate the management event information.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for increasing processor utilization. A list of work is divided for processing among a plurality of processes, wherein a process is allocated a part of the list of work to process, and the processes execute in parallel. If a process completes the list of work allocated to the process then the process is made available on an available process queue. Before a process performs any work, the process reads the available process queue and determines if any process is available to share the work. If so, the work is split up between the examining process and the available process. In one implementation, the work involves scanning a cache and if necessary destage data.

Abstract: A hand-held communication control device which, when coupled to a process control system communication bus, controls communication occurring on the bus using a communication schedule that dictates when each of the devices coupled to the bus will be permitted to communicate on the bus. The hand-held communication control device further uses a probing algorithm to detect devices, including other communication control devices, that are coupled to the bus. The probing algorithm causes the hand-held communication control device to select an address from one of a set of three address lists to which a probe node message is then transmitted to detect the presence of a device at that address. One of the address lists is reserved for communication control devices and uses only a limited number of maximum possible addresses.

Abstract: A standby card is powered after an active card. A connection command is received by the standby card from the active card. The connection command is associated with a logical connection number (LCN) for a connection. The LCN is used as a first index to a location in a first memory area to retrieve a second index to a location in a second memory area. The second index is used to access the connection from the location in the second memory area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accepting and producing various I/O. The systems can include a plurality of input connectors and/or output connectors integral to a board, a circuit to disable the output connectors, and a programmable logic controller modular to the board and electrically coupled to the plurality of input connectors and the plurality of output connectors. The programmable logic controller can be associated with a computer readable medium that incorporates instructions executable by the programmable logic controller to configure one or more of the input and/or output connectors, and/or to at least partially control an output timeout state.

Abstract: A management subsystem and method for discovering management device functions. A management subsystem includes a system controller coupled to a plurality of devices each configured to monitor system resources and a non-volatile storage device via a first communication path. The non-volatile storage device may store a plurality of functions associated with the devices. The system controller may access the non-volatile storage device during initialization and create a function list including assigning a unique identifier to each of the functions. The system controller may transmit the function list via a second communication path in response to receiving a request for the function list. Further, the system controller may obtain system management information from one of the devices by invoking a particular one of the functions in response to receiving a request including a particular unique identifier corresponding to the particular one of the functions.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a processor mounted in the chassis, a memory coupled to the processor, and an optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drive comprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive being configurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response to receiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media; to receive a second command, wherein the second command generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and to receive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurable to stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.

Abstract: A configuration notification unit monitors internal messages generated by an operating system of a computer related to a device configuration process for plug and play devices coupled to the computer via a serial bus interface. The configuration notification unit outputs a real time warning to the user when it is unsafe to change the number of devices coupled to the computer. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration notification unit include a message handler coupled to an indication unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a USB peripheral device belonging to a model line of identical peripheral devices. The peripheral device includes a USB interface enabling connection of the peripheral device to a USB port of a host device. The peripheral device also includes a memory for storing a USB device identifier. The USB device identifier comprises a standard USB device identifier that is the same for all the peripheral devices of the model line. The standard USB device identifier identifies each peripheral device in the model line to the host device as identical devices, thereby preventing device driver reinstallation and communication port reassignment when swapping one peripheral device for another peripheral device from the same model line. This enables identical peripheral devices to be “hot-swappable” such that they can be interchanged on the host device, even when the host device is powered up and running. Corresponding methods are also provided.

Abstract: A bridging system for a communication system comprises a first gateway (107) and a second gateway (108) arranged to communicate with each other. Each gateway (107, 108) is connectable to a different bus (100, 105) of the communication system. The first gateway (107) is operative to communicate details of available devices (102, 103) on its respective bus (100) to the second gateway (108). The second gateway (108) is operative to generate at least one proxy element corresponding to each of said available devices (102, 103). Each proxy element is operative to communicate data and messages between devices (130) on the bus (105) of the second gateway (108) and the device on the first gateway (100) corresponding to the proxy element.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a Fibre Channel adapter is disclosed. When a close request is received by the Fibre Channel adapter, the adapter is set to a quasi-open state. In a quasi-open state, the adapter keeps the link to the Fibre Channel network open, releases extended resources, and maintains minimal resources in order to keep the link open. When a request is received by the adapter while in a quasi-open state, the request is rejected thereby preventing other devices from logging into the quasi-opened device and informing other devices that the quasi-opened device is not currently communicating across the Fibre Channel network. An information handling system and a computer program product for implementing the Fibre Channel adapter quasi-open state are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the dynamic generation of a user interface (UI) based on detected devices and on capabilities of the detected devices. The UI including one or more selection options corresponding to detected devices and at least one selection option that is selectable to cause at least two of the detected devices to function so as to provide an identified collective capability that combines the capabilities of two or more of the detected devices, wherein the collective capability is available in the UI when the two or more detected devices are present, and unavailable when one or more of the device is absent.

Abstract: A low-power audio CD player for portable computers permits operation of the CD-ROM subsystem when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the computer subsystem comprises a system CPU, a digital-audio generating circuit, a digital computer bus coupling the CPU and the digital-audio generator circuit, and a digital computer bus controller. The CD audio subsystem comprises an audio device capable of playing an audio CD and coupled to the digital computer bus controller, an audio amplifier circuit coupled to the audio device, and an audio interface coupled to the digital computer bus in parallel to the digital computer bus controller and the audio device. The audio interface is adapted to generate signals to operate the audio device and play the audio CD when power is not being supplied to the computer subsystem or to the CPU.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for enabling a hidden port in a computing device. A determination is made as to whether the computing device has a hidden port, which is a port that is externally inaccessible to a user of the computing device and is not dedicated for general input/output (I/O) purposes. If the computing device has a hidden port, then the computing device is configured to use the hidden port for general I/O purposes and possibly also for debugging purposes. The user may optionally specify a data value that can be used to indicate whether the user chooses for the hidden port to be enabled for general I/O purposes and/or for debugging purposes. The hidden port optionally may or may not be enabled based on whether the computing device is a legacy-free device.

Abstract: An image processing device detects errors within its functions, and reports these errors to a client device. The client device then instructs the image processing device to disable problem functions, while allowing functions that are properly working to still be used.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a single resource (e.g., a serial port) to be shared by multiple applications in a cooperative manner. The first application to use the resource defines a yield callback that is invoked when a second application makes a request for the serial port. The callback allows the first application to decide whether or not it will yield the resource to the second application. If the first application grants the request, the second application is allowed to use the resource; otherwise, the first application continues to use the resource and the second application receives an error message. The first application can be notified when the second application is finished with the resource so that the resource can be returned to the first application for use.

Abstract: An application IC that can be applied in the control system of a memory storage device for the USB device for communicating with a server for receiving, reading and writing commands from the server and to access to the data stored in various memory storage devices is provided. Alternatively, the application IC can support the server, including IDE portable information product for data transmission. The data transmission having these two different specifications can share the same data source in certain mechanism. In this mechanism, the USB server is in the first priority transfer mode, the IDE server will take action only when the USB server is unavailable or discharged. When the IDE server is in operation mode, the interruption demand from the USB server is denied and after the IDE server completes the assignment, the interruption command from the USB server is executed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that translates host names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This system includes a plurality of name servers that are configured to translate host names into corresponding IP addresses. This system also includes a plurality of load balancers coupled to the plurality of name servers. Each of these load balancers is configured to receive requests for host name translations, and to distribute these requests between the plurality of name servers in order to balance load across the plurality of name servers. Note that these load balancers are configured to operate in parallel in distributing requests between the plurality of name servers. A variation on the above embodiment provides a system that performs failovers between a plurality of load balancers that are configured to balance requests for host name to IP address translations between a plurality of name servers.

Abstract: A method for controlling the status of a drive of an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to recording media is proposed. According to the method, a plurality of drive states are reported to a controller of the apparatus by applying drive state signals to an interface. To ensure that no drive state remains unnoticed by the controller, the drive state signals are applied to the interface for at least a predetermined period of time, even if one or more drive state actually lasts for a shorter period of time. To guarantee that the drive state reported to the controller is identical to the real state of the drive, one or more of the drive states, which last shorter than the predetermined period of time are artificially extended.

Abstract: A method and system allows a device driver to obtain the status of a device that may exhibit one of two distinct behaviors in responding to status requests that designate a plurality of event types associated with a device. Devices exhibiting the first behavior respond to the status requests by providing the status for the highest priority event type designated in the status request. Device exhibiting the second behavior respond to the status requests by providing the status for the highest priority event type that has undergone a status change. In one implementation, the device driver transmits a series of distinct status requests such that the status of all event types can be determined. In a related aspect of the invention, the device driver also analyzes the response message to determine if the device exhibits the second behavior type. When the second behavior type is detected, only a single type of status request is sent to obtain the status of all event types.