Abstract: A semiconductor device and data transfer method capable of efficient DMA transfer processing. The device comprises: a sector buffer which temporarily stores data during transfer, the buffer having an I/O port used for DMA transfer with a system bus and having an I/O port used for data transfer with the I/O controller; a switching section which switches whether to connect between the system bus and the I/O controller, or to connect between the sector buffer and the I/O controller or the system bus; and a sector buffer controller which separately starts data transfer through the I/O ports and which, when detecting completion of the data transfer of a transfer unit between the sector buffer and the I/O controller, transmits to the switching section a control signal for cutting off data transfer between the sector buffer and the I/O controller and for connecting the system bus and the I/O controller.

Abstract: A method for implementing large scale parallel file I/O processing includes steps of: separating processing nodes into compute nodes specializing in computation and I/O nodes (computer processors restricted to running I/O daemons); organizing the compute nodes and the I/O nodes into processing sets, the processing sets including: one dedicated I/O node corresponding to a plurality of compute nodes. I/O related system calls are received in the compute nodes then sent to the corresponding I/O nodes. The I/O related system calls are processed through a system I/O daemon residing in the I/O node. The plurality of compute nodes are evenly distributed across participating processing sets. Additionally, for collective I/O operations, compute nodes from each processing set are assigned as I/O aggregators to issue I/O requests to their corresponding I/O node, wherein the I/O aggregators are evenly distributed across the processing set.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for suppressing redundancy in data transmission over networks are provided. Data segments are transmitted from a transmitting DPU to a receiving DPU. Initially, only signatures of the transmitted data segments are stored in a cache at the transmitting DPU. A data segment is stored in the cache only if it satisfies a redundancy-suppressing admission policy. Such a data segment is referred to as a redundant data segment. The redundant data segment is also stored in a cache at the receiving DPU. The transmitting DPU transmits the signatures of the redundant data segments to the receiving DPU, which then extracts the redundant data segments from its cache. Therefore, transmission of the redundant data segments is suppressed.

Abstract: A memory control apparatus generates a plurality of commands whose unit of transfer is smaller than the unit of data transfer of a memory access request, and when the memory access request are transmitted from a plurality of request sources, issues the plurality of commands to a memory in alternate order for each request are executed by time division and concurrently.

Abstract: A scheduling method and apparatus for use by a processor that controls storage devices of a data storage system is presented. The method allocates processing time between I/O operations and background operations for predetermined time slots based on an indicator of processor workload.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an interface device and method for command processing for commands requiring data flow in both directions on a Fiber Channel or other data transport protocol exchange. The commands can include proprietary commands, SCSI linked commands or other commands known in the art. According to one embodiment, an interface device can assign a command a data flow direction indicator. When a reply to the command is received, the interface device can determine if the reply is expected or unexpected based on the data flow direction specified by the data flow direction indicator. If the reply is unexpected, the interface device can determine whether to process the reply. According to one embodiment, the data flow direction indicator can be the exchange identification.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for a computer software timeout algorithm that reduces the amount of list manipulation needed to satisfy system or network requirements for scheduling and cancelling timeout requests to determine whether the expiration time has been reached for execution of an input/output (I/O) request, thereby requiring action to cancel the I/O operation if it has not yet been completed.

Abstract: One aspect is directed to a method for performing data migration from a first volume to a second volume while allowing a write operation to be performed on the first volume during the act of migrating. Another aspect is a method and apparatus that stores, in a persistent manner, state information indicating a portion of the first volume successfully copied to the second volume. Another aspect is a method and apparatus for migrating data from a first volume to a second volume, and resuming, after an interruption of the migration, copying data from the first volume to the second volume without starting from the beginning of the data. Another aspect is a method and apparatus for migrating to data from a first to a second volume, receiving an access request directed to the first volume from an application that stores data on the first volume, and redirecting the access request to the second volume without having to reconfigure the application that accesses data on the first volume.

Abstract: A mobile device-based printing system and method is described. The printer system for network printing includes a communication network adapted to transfer messages between a mobile device and a printer. The printer is connectable to the communication network to receive a print message, including a reference to a document to be printed, via the communication network. The printer has a phone number for receiving print messages via said communication network. The mobile device is connectable to the communication network to transmit the print message on the communication network. A method for printing from a mobile device to a printer using a communication network includes transmitting a print message to a phone number of the printer from the mobile device where the print message includes a reference to a document to be printed.

Abstract: Large volumes of electronic documents can be printed from a network, such as the Internet, using a batch printing technique. Sizable print jobs are broken into batches, which are sent sequentially to a printer executable component at the client side. As one batch finishes printing, another batch is sent to the printer executable component. Logs are kept so that if there is an interruption in the printing, a print job can be re-started at any batch, instead of having to re-start printing in its entirety from the beginning. The electronic documents may also be downloaded for storage alternatively or in addition to printing. Stamps may be applied en masse to the electronic documents to be printed.

Abstract: A method for improving timing behavior of a processing unit in a multithreading environment is disclosed, wherein the processing unit generates data frames for an output unit by combining data from a plurality of input units, and the processed data are buffered in an output buffer between the processing unit and the output unit. The method comprises sending from the output unit to the processing unit a value corresponding to the filling of the output buffer, calculating a timer value, setting a timer with the timer value, wherein the timer calls the processing unit thread after the specified time. The timer value depends on the value corresponding to the averaged filling of the output buffer. As a result, the average filling of the output buffer is lower compared to conventional thread management, and thus the system is more flexible and reacts quicker.

Abstract: A storage control apparatus capable of reducing a power consumption in network port units, including a host communication control unit 10 which includes a plurality of network ports 18 and which controls communications with a host computer 2 that is connectable through the network ports, a storage-device communication control unit 16 which controls communications with a plurality of storage devices, a plurality of DMA portions 111 by which data to be transmitted/received between the host computer and the storage devices are transferred between the host communication control unit 10 and the storage-device communication control unit 16, a plurality of cache memories 12 in which the data to be transferred by the DMA portions 111 are temporarily stored, and a power saving control portion 110 which stops the DMA portion 111 and the cache memory 12 that are previously associated with one network port, on the basis of a connection situation of the pertinent network port with the host computer and a data rate to be i

Abstract: A method and system are provided for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer system operable to connect to a network. Software installed on the handheld computer is identified with the client computer. Moreover, information on the identified software is transmitted from the client computer to a server connected to the network. Further, updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer are transferred from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer. Still yet, the software installed on the handheld computer is updated with the updated versions transferred to the client computer.

Abstract: A peripheral equipment operating method, including: generating waiting data by a peripheral equipment; sending the waiting data to a host which communicates with the peripheral equipment; receiving the result returned by the host, after the host processed the waiting data by the peripheral equipment driving software. A method of assisting the operation of the peripheral equipment, including: the host which communicates with the peripheral equipment receives the waiting data from the peripheral equipment; the host processes the waiting data by the peripheral equipment driving software; the host sends the processed result to the peripheral equipment. A peripheral equipment and a host are also provided.

Abstract: A system that executes a long transaction in a system with limited transactional hardware resources. During operation, the system executes the long transaction in a non transactional mode, which does not use transactional hardware resources. The system defers stores generated during the long transaction so that the stores are not committed to the architectural state of a processor until the transaction is successfully completed. If the long transaction successfully completes, the system commits the long transaction, which involves performing multiple hardware transactions to commit the deferred stores to the architectural state of the processor.

Abstract: A method of packaging a plurality of repeating commands for device command word (DCW) processing in a computer environment having an I/O link handling complex instruction chains for a processing operation is provided. Locate record information is packaged into DCW prefix parameter data. The locate record information includes an intent count argument. The plurality of repeating commands are embedded as a truncated concatenation to the first locate record information. The plurality of repeating commands are identified by redefining the intent count argument for the plurality of repeating commands as a repeat count argument using a flag argument incorporated into the locate record information. The repeat count argument indicates a number of times for a control unit in the computer environment to execute the plurality of repeating commands.

Abstract: A control apparatus system which enables reduction of costs and time for development. An image forming apparatus implementing the control apparatus system has an image output section including a plurality of functional units having different functions. The image output section has an ASIC that is provided in each of the functional units, for performing signal processing on an input signal thereto, a communication IC provided in each of the functional units, and a relay board that performs interface matching between each of the functional units and at least one driver circuit board.

Abstract: A hardware task manager for managing operations in an adaptive computing system. The task manager indicates when input and output buffer resources are sufficient to allow a task to execute. The task can require an arbitrary number of input values from one or more other (or the same) tasks. Likewise, a number of output buffers must also be available before the task can start to execute and store results in the output buffers. The hardware task manager maintains a counter in association with each input and output buffer. For input buffers, a negative value for the counter means that there is no data in the buffer and, hence, the respective input buffer is not ready or available. Thus, the associated task can not run. Predetermined numbers of bytes, or “units,” are stored into the input buffer and an associated counter is incremented.

Abstract: A system that includes a host including at least one per-connection data structure and at least one per-processor data structure, wherein the at least one per-connection data structure is associated with a connection, and an offload engine operatively connected to the host. The engine includes offload engine connection registers and functionality to update the at least one per-connection data structures in the host, wherein the offload engine is configured to send and receive network data on the connection, wherein the host and the offload engine communicate using the at least one per-processor data structure, and wherein the offload engine communicates a status of the connection to the host using the offload engine connection registers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for enhancing persistence of a message are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for storing of a message in an inbound queue, copying the message to a working queue prior to removing the message from the inbound queue, processing the message base upon the copy in the working queue, and storing a committed reply for the message in an outbound queue. Embodiments may also include a queue manager to persist the message and the committed reply after receipt of the message, to close or substantially close gaps in persistence. Several embodiments include a dispatcher that browses the inbound queue to listen for receipt of messages to process, copy the message to the working queue, and assign the message to a thread to perform processing associated with the message. Further embodiments include persistence functionality in middleware, alleviating the burden of persisting messages from applications like upperware.

Abstract: A method to update firmware in a plurality of peripheral devices and a computer using the method to reduce data transmission collisions and to reduce the time required to complete the update process. The process involves sending firmware update data from a computer that is connected to a communication network to printers or other peripheral devices that are also connected to the communication network. The computer 11 groups a plurality of peripheral devices (such as printers 13a1) connected to the communication network into separate transmission unit groups each containing up to a maximum number of peripheral devices with the maximum number determined by measuring the transmission speed of the network and thereafter deriving the maximum number by experimentation at the measured transmission speed. The update data for updating the firmware is transmitted to the peripheral devices of any one transmission unit group.

Abstract: A disk-array device includes an information managing database for acquiring link information among a server device, a switch device, and a storage device via the switch device so as to manage the link information in a combined manner, and a collection/analysis unit for retrieving and collecting desired combined information of the link information from the information managing database so as to analyze the desired combined information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a print system having an enhanced operability for printing document information transmitted/received through a network. In this system, documents stored in a database are searched for so as to obtain a search result, and a user specifies a document to be printed from among documents indicated by the search result in a browser screen. Accordingly, a printer extracts information about a storage location of the document and downloads the information of the document stored in a document server thereto.

Abstract: An improved hibernation method and system, including the use of a modified DMA (Direct Memory Access) mode of transferring data to and from the disk. The use of DMA increases data transfer speed, while freeing the system processor to perform other tasks, including compressing/decompressing the data transferred to and from the disk. An improved decoder is also provided that reduces the number of bounds checks needed on average for typical compressed data by first guaranteeing that there is sufficient room to decode literals and small substrings, whereby bounds checking is not needed. A combination hibernation mode and a suspend mode is also provided that essentially maintains power to the RAM while transparently backing the RAM with the hibernation file, such that if power to the RAM is interrupted, the RAM contents are automatically restored from the hibernation file when power is restored.

Abstract: This control system for a system rendered secure by diversification comprises: a set of processors processing railway commands, arranged in parallel and each capable of receiving different sets of instructions, a component for selecting commands selected from the output data issuing from the processors. The modular applications automatic systems are identical for all sets of instructions and each set of instructions associated with a processor is specific for creating a separate sequencer for the successive activation of modular application automatic systems in a particular sequence.

Abstract: A CD on which only music information specified by the CD-DA is recorded, or a CD on which both music information specified by the CD-DA and music information to be recorded on a CD-ROM are recorded is mounted upon an information processing terminal. When the CD on which only music information specified by the CD-DA is recorded is mounted, the information processing terminal acquires, from a directory server, an ISRC number that identifies the music information recorded on the CD, and distribution server location information that identifies a content distribution server. The information processing terminal acquires content that is the music information compressed according to the MP3 and encrypted, from the content distribution server identified by the acquired distribution server location information, and the decryption key. The information processing terminal then decrypts the acquired content using the acquired decryption key and reproduces music.

Abstract: The snapshot capability moving into the SAN fabric and being provided as a snapshot service. A well-known address is utilized to receive snapshot commands. Each switch in the fabric connected to a host contains a front end or service interface to receive the snapshot command. Each switch of the fabric connected to a storage device used in the snapshot process contains a write interceptor module which cooperates with hardware in the switch to capture any write operations which would occur to the snapshot data area. The write interceptor then holds these particular write operations until the original blocks are transferred to a snapshot or separate area so that the original read data is maintained. Should a read operation occur to the snapshot device and the original data from requested location has been relocated, a snapshot server captures these commands and redirects the read operation to occur from the snapshot area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a direct memory access (DMA) controller comprises a transmit control circuit, an offload engine, and a receive control circuit. The transmit control circuit is configured to read first DMA data from an address space in a host. Coupled to receive the first DMA data from the transmit control circuit, the offload engine is configured to perform at least a first operation on the first DMA data to produce a result. The offload engine is configured to at least start performing the first operation during a DMA transfer that provides the first DMA data to the offload engine. Coupled to the offload engine to receive the result, the receive control circuit is configured to write the result to the address space in the host according to a DMA descriptor data structure that describes the DMA transfer.

Abstract: In the host, an IP issues CCW, and a CH encodes the CCW and a CCW chain by the encode program to create a code including the description of controlling a conditional branch with the DKC and transmits the code to a PORT in the DKC. In the DKC, the PORT decodes the code by the decode program, and a CP sequentially processes each command obtained by the decoding and returns a return code representing the end state of the processing. The host receives the return code to recognize the end state of the processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting data between elements of a data acquisition system are provided. The method includes receiving, at a first element, a self-describing control packet including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter controls first data acquisition by the first element, acquiring first data by the first element in accordance with the first configuration parameter, generating a self-describing data packet including an identifier for the first configuration parameter and the acquired first data, and interpreting the acquired first data using the identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing efficient memory allocation, reduced processor intervention and power consumption, and increased memory access bandwidth. One embodiment comprises a system including a plurality of memory units which are accessible in parallel, a dynamic memory unit configured to dynamically allocate and deallocate storage space in the memory units, and a plurality of direct memory access (DMA) engines configured to access the memory units in parallel through the memory management subsystem. The system may be implemented in the MAC engine of a device that communicates with other devices via a wireless communication link. This embodiment may store packets in FIFOs within the memory units as elements of linked list data structures that can be joined together without having to move the previously stored data. DMA engines access a context table to obtain DMA channel information that enables them to move data through appropriate DMA channels.

Abstract: A data auto backup system and method is proposed, applicable in a computer system connected with an external storage device for backing up data of the external storage device to the computer system during a power-off state of the computer system. The computer system includes a bus interface, a storage module, an input/output interface, and a power module. The data auto backup system includes: an input unit for inputting a predefined signal; a memory unit for storing a backup program; a detection unit for detecting whether the external storage device is connected with the bus interface and generating a corresponding signal; a processing unit for receiving and processing the corresponding signal so as to generate a first driving signal, and executing the backup program according to the predefined signal so as to generate a second driving signal; and a control unit for receiving the first and second driving signals.

Abstract: An Extended Input/output (I/O) measurement block facility is emulated. The facility provides for the collection of relevant I/O measurement data, and the storing for later efficient retrieval of that data in an extended measurement block. The stored data relates to the performance of an I/O subchannel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for redundancy in machine or process control systems provide redundant communication adapters located with the groups of I/O modules, so that if the first communication adapter faults or becomes unavailable, a second communication adapter will perform all of the necessary functions of the first adapter. The adapters are connected to a multiplexing module for communicating input data from the I/O modules to the communication adapters, for exchanging initialization data with the first communication adapter and the second communication adapter to initialize the redundant mode of operation and for monitoring communication of the first communication adapter and the second communication adapter on the network to start up the second adapter as the primary adapter for communicating both input data and output data with the I/O modules.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data packets from a memory hub to a memory controller is disclosed. The system includes an upstream reception port coupled an upstream link. The upstream reception port receives the data packets from downstream memory hubs. The system further includes a bypass bus coupled to the upstream reception port. The bypass bus transports the data packets from the upstream reception port. The system further includes a temporary storage coupled to the upstream reception port and configured to receive the data packets from the upstream reception port. The system further includes a bypass multiplexer for selectively coupling an upstream transmission port to either one of a core logic circuit, the temporary storage, or the bypass bus.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing dismount time for a peripheral device connected to an external host device are presented. Instead of waiting for a dismount procedure to complete, a reply message indicating that dismount operations have been completed is sent to the external host device. This triggers a message from the external host device that the peripheral device is ready to be safely removed. The peripheral device completes the dismount operations including cache and memory cleanup after the reply message indicating that dismount operations have been completed is sent to the external host device. The dismount operations may be completed under battery power if necessary. This enables quicker unplugging of the peripheral device from the external host device and can allow the peripheral device to transition from a first mode into a second mode faster.

Abstract: A network processor, disposed on an integrated circuit can include an ingress unit having a dual port block random access memory and an egress unit having a dual port block random access memory. The network processor further can include a network interface configured to write packetized data to the ingress unit and read packetized data from the egress unit as well as a coordination processor configured to coordinate movement of data between the network interface, the ingress unit, and the egress unit.

Abstract: An image processing system includes: a receiving section that receives print information including at least a first control command indicating a first print setting and a second control command embedded in a document to be printed and indicating a second print setting; an interpreting section that interprets the first control command and the second control command; and a controller that performs a control so as to prohibit execution of processing based on one of the first control command and the second control command when the interpreting section determines that both of the first control command and the second control command cannot be concurrently executed.

Abstract: A circuit receives a clock signal, a data word which is emitted from a control device and has information about a read or write access to the circuit, and an enable signal which is at a predetermined value during the transmission of the data word. A determination unit uses the number of clock cycles of the clock signal during which the enable signal is at the predetermined value to determine the digital interface standard on which the data word transmitted during these clock cycles is based.

Abstract: A local electrical signal and a remote electrical signal are received for switching. When destinations of the local and remote electrical signals are the same local signal input device, only one of them is allowed to be transmitted to the destined local signal input device. When destinations of the local and remote electrical signals are at least one remote signal input device, only one of them is allowed to be transmitted to the destined remote signal input device.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for mapping programming interfaces. A synchronous request for reading data is received. An asynchronous request to fill selected buffers of a plurality of buffers is sent. The synchronous request is responded to with the data from at least one buffer of the plurality of buffers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for providing indirect data addressing at an I/O subsystem of an I/O processing system. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a control word for an I/O operation. The control word includes an indirect data address for data associated with the I/O operation. The indirect data address includes a starting location of a list of storage addresses that collectively specify the data, the list spans two or more non-contiguous storage locations. Data is gathered responsive to the list. The gathered data is transmitted to a control unit in the I/O processing system.

Abstract: Described is a system and system by which application programs provide data to auxiliary display device (that is associated with a main computer system) for display, including at times when the main computer system is powered down. The cache maintains the user data in association with structured navigational information, to allow navigation within the data via the structure. When online, the main computer system prepares the data cache from program data in combination with navigational information, and transfers the cache to an offline medium such as auxiliary storage in firmware. The cache may be arranged as a tree structure, such that navigation commands result in output according to data in the tree. Other events such as time-based events can change the auxiliary device output.

Abstract: A system and method operable to automatically disable input/output signal processing based on the required data format is provided. The need for an input/output module, such as an encoder, required to process input signal having a first data format (i.e. multimedia format) and produce an output signal having a second format (i.e. multimedia format) is determined. When the input/output module is not required to produce the output signal in the second format, the input/output module is disabled.

Abstract: The snapshot capability moving into the SAN fabric and being provided as a snapshot service. A well-known address is utilized to receive snapshot commands. Each switch in the fabric connected to a host contains a front end or service interface to receive the snapshot command. Each switch of the fabric connected to a storage device used in the snapshot process contains a write interceptor module which cooperates with hardware in the switch to capture any write operations which would occur to the snapshot data area. The write interceptor then holds these particular write operations until the original blocks are transferred to a snapshot or separate area so that the original read data is maintained. Should a read operation occur to the snapshot device and the original data from requested location has been relocated, a snapshot server captures these commands and redirects the read operation to occur from the snapshot area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for reliable receipt of data packets by a network device. The present invention also provides a receive thread for receiving data packets. The present invention also provides a drainer thread for processing packets according to an applicable protocol. As a result, the network device is capable of receiving and processing data packets at an increased rate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a portable electronic device such as a computer to be capable of safely coping with the occurrence of a surprise removal from an external hard disk drive (HDD) connected by wireless. An HDD is connected to a portable computer by wireless via a wireless extension device. First, a wireless communication path between the HDD and the portable computer is configured. Subsequently, a file is read and edited by accessing the HDD from the portable computer. Next, removal information indicating that the portable computer is away from the HDD is produced. The removal information can be produced by detecting an acceleration generated in the portable computer, or by directly detecting the distance by the strength of the wireless signal. Data under editing is saved before occurrence of surprise removal by ejecting the HDD in response to the production of the removal information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a multiprocessor system to simultaneously process multiple data write command issued from one or more peripheral component interface (PCI) devices by controlling and limiting notification of invalidated address information issued by one memory controller managing one group of multiprocessors in a plurality of multiprocessor groups. The method and apparatus permits a multiprocessor system to almost completely process a subsequently issued write command from a PCI device or other type of computer peripheral device before a previous write command has been completely processed by the system. The disclosure is particularly applicable to multiprocessor computer systems which utilize non-uniform memory access (NUMA).

Abstract: An information terminal disclosed herein includes a data storage in which data is stored; an internal controller which accesses the data storage by a request from inside the information terminal; and an external controller which accesses the data storage by a request from outside the information terminal. If a request that the internal controller access the data storage is generated while the external controller is accessing the data storage, then the external controller repeatedly transmits a negative reply that data has not been properly received in response to access from the outside and the internal controller accesses the data storage while the external controller repeatedly transmits the negative reply.

Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.