Abstract: A snapshot mechanism of a data processing system is provided herein. The snapshot mechanism includes providing a snapshot storage unit for storing the data created when snapshotting the target storage units and generating a plurality of snapshot images accordingly. Two different types of address tables in the snapshot image are used for corresponding to the storage units of the snapshot storage unit and the target storage units. The status of the target storage units can be recovered to the status at a predetermined time ago according to the snapshot images. The two types of address tables are respectively used for storing the data created by the data processing system and history data so as to prevent the data stored in the target storage units to be overwritten.

Abstract: Described is a storage system and method for reducing power consumption in a storage system by shortening seek distances associated with input/output (I/O) requests to a physical disk drive. A sweep direction is set. An offset of a new I/O request is evaluated to determine whether to send the new I/O request to the physical disk drive. The new I/O request is sent to the physical disk drive if the offset is consistent with the sweep direction. Otherwise, sending the new I/O request to the disk drive is deferred until the sweep direction is set to a reverse direction.

Abstract: A nonvolatile-memory-management includes a generation unit that generates a free block list by arranging an entry including representative information of a group, of which free blocks adjacent to each other are grouped according to predetermined criteria, according to key values where the representative information are combined, a determination unit that determines parameters according to characteristics of data to be recorded, and a block-allocating unit that allocates free blocks satisfying the parameters as an area to be recorded with the data by referring to the free block list.

Abstract: A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for testing performance of a disk drive in a digital home communications terminal. One such method comprises: downloading a disk drive performance test application from a server over a communication channel; executing the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and reporting the time to the server over the communication channel. A digital video recorder comprises: a disk drive; a communication interface; memory storing executable instructions thereon; and a processor configured by the executable instructions. The processor is configured to download a disk drive performance test application from a server over the communication interface; execute the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and report the time to the server over the communication interface.

Abstract: Provided are methods for managing texture data in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). The methods include receiving, into an arbiter, a preload request configured to request processing of texture data in advance of shader processing and receiving, into the arbiter, a dependent read request configured to request processing of texture data after shader processing. The methods also include receiving, into the arbiter, a capacity signal from a texture buffer and determining, utilizing the virtual buffer capacity signal, a selected request corresponding which of the preload request and the dependent read request is granted. The methods further include processing, in a texture processor, texture data corresponding to the selected request.

Abstract: Buffer memories having hardware controlled buffer space regions in which the hardware controls the dimensions of the various buffer space regions to meet the demands of a particular system. The hardware monitors the usage of the buffer data regions over time and subsequently and automatically adjusts the dimensions of the buffer space regions based on the utilization of those buffer regions.

Abstract: A method of using contents includes the steps of setting public time information and private time information, the public time information being associated with each content and defined universally for use by a large number of unspecified users, the private time being associated with the content and defined for use by a small number of particular persons, and searching for a content according to the public time information and/or the private time information and using the content detected in the searching.

Abstract: A multi-protocol storage appliance serves file and block protocol access to information stored on storage devices in an integrated manner for both network attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN) deployments. A storage operating system of the appliance implements a file system that cooperates with novel virtualization modules to provide a virtualization system that “virtualizes” the storage space provided by the devices. Notably, the file system provides volume management capabilities for use in block-based access to the information stored on the devices. The virtualization system allows the file system to logically organize the information as named file, directory and virtual disk (vdisk) storage objects to thereby provide an integrated NAS and SAN appliance approach to storage by enabling file-based access to the files and directories, while further enabling block-based access to the vdisks.

Abstract: A method and multi-component electronic module device are provided that control the timing of output of data from a plurality of components on the multi-component module. One or more of the components are programmed to delay outputting data by a corresponding amount of time. In one embodiment, the one or more components are programmed such that all of the components output data at substantially the same time when they respond to a control signal. This is particularly useful for multi-component modules that are configured to respond to control signals in a so-called fly-by (or other) configuration that results in the control signal arriving at the components at different times causing the components to react to the control signal at different times.

Abstract: A computer receives a schema that lacks information required by a directory access protocol (e.g. LDAP) and automatically generates information that conforms to the directory access protocol and supplies the generated information as output in a new schema. Such automatic schema transformation allows a human who is creating the schema, to enable usage of the directory access protocol to interface with a directory implementing the schema, without knowing the directory access protocol. The computer of some embodiments receives the schema being input, in a predetermined human-readable language (e.g. XML). Hence, an XML developer who lacks knowledge of LDAP can use traditional XML tools to prepare an LDAP-incompatible schema, for use in implementing a directory (e.g. address book) that is accessed by an LDAP client (e.g. cell phone) via an LDAP server. The new schema can be output in any form (e.g. text/binary) and in any language.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for detecting languishing messages of a storage operating system. Requests to access or manipulate data are received as messages by the storage operating system. The messages are processed after the acquisition of resources. If the resources cannot be acquired, then the messages wait on data structures of the storage operating system. An independent thread of the storage operating system identifies messages that are languishing. Information related to the languishing message is recorded and actions to permit messages to continue waiting or cause storage operating system downtime result.

Abstract: In an information processor system including a memory device (MEM0), a memory control device (SL0) capable of controlling an operation of the memory device, and a plurality of bus masters (MS0 to MS3) capable of giving access to the memory device through the memory control device, the memory control device includes a control circuit (SDCON) capable of giving a notice of information about a time that a data transfer from the memory device can be started to the bus master related to an access request. The bus master can cause the time information thus given to be a judgment factor as to whether an access request is given to the memory device or not. Consequently, each of the bus masters can avoid the generation of a useless access request and a data transfer to the masters to be accessed can be carried out smoothly.

Abstract: We provide exemplary systems and methods using structured markup to define objects with cache controls. Examples of structure markup include Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) and Standard Generalized Markup Language (“SGML”). A cache control structure (i.e., the XML-schema) can be added to a variety of levels or layers of granularity in the object. XML data binding, which is the process of converting XML-schema to native object code, may provide an application access to the cache controls of an object. The XML-schema may be accessed using a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”), for example, for convenient remote access.

Abstract: A snapshot copy facility responds to a request for writing new data to a block of a production dataset by saving original data of the block, and writing the new data to the block of the production dataset and keeping a record of the blocks of the production dataset have been changed since the point in time when the snapshot copy was created. For detection of corruption of the snapshot metadata and for portability of the snapshot copy software, a sparse file is used for keeping a record of the blocks of the production dataset that have been changed since the snapshot. For “copy on first write” snapshots, the sparse file is a “write once read many” (WORM) file to store old data of blocks. For “remap on write” snapshots, the sparse file is a “read-write” (RW) file to which writes to the production file are stored.

Abstract: When a free physical block where data is to be written is searched for, a search process for searching for a pair of free physical blocks is first executed using a free physical block search table. Detection of a free non-pair good block is executed only when a pair of free physical block is not detected in the search process using the free physical block search table. When there is a free physical block, two-plane write is executed. When there is no pair of free physical blocks, data is written in an adequately combined non-pair good blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method couples memory devices in a memory module to a memory hub on the module such that signals traveling from the hub to the devices have approximately the same propagation time regardless of which device is involved. Specifically, the devices are arranged around the hub in pairs, with each pair of devices being oriented such that a functional group of signals for each device in the pair, such as the data bus signals, are positioned adjacent each other on a circuit board of the module. This allows for a data and control-address busses having approximately the same electrical characteristics to be routed between the hub and each of the devices. This physical arrangement of devices allows high speed operation of the module. In one example, the hub is located in the center of the module and eight devices, four pairs, are positioned around the hub.

Abstract: The design of nonblocking linked data structures using single-location synchronization primitives such as compare-and-swap (CAS) is a complex affair that often requires severe restrictions on the way pointers are used. One way to address this problem is to provide stronger synchronization operations, for example, ones that atomically modify one memory location while simultaneously verifying the contents of others. We provide a simple and highly efficient nonblocking implementation of such an operation: an atomic k-word-compare single-swap operation (KCSS). Our implementation is obstruction-free. As a result, it is highly efficient in the uncontended case and relies on contention management mechanisms in the contended cases. It allows linked data structure manipulation without the complexity and restrictions of other solutions.

Abstract: Performing data management operations on replicated data in a computer network. Log entries are generated for data management operations of an application executing on a source system. Consistency point entries are used to indicate a time of a known good, or recoverable, state of the application. A destination system is configured to process a copy of the log and consistency point entries to replicate data in a replication volume, the replicated data being a copy of the application data on the source system. When the replicated data represents a known good state of the application, as determined by the consistency point entries, the destination system(s) may perform a storage operation (e.g., snapshot, backup) to copy the replicated data and to logically associate the copied data with a time information (e.g., time stamp) indicative of the source system time when the application was in the known good state.

Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide a system and method of operating a data storage drive using any one of one or more data storage devices. In a representative embodiment, a data storage device may be used in a data network and may be referred to as a network attached storage device. Aspects of the invention insure that a data storage drive that that is transferred from a first data storage device to a second data storage device retains the same operational functionality it had when its was operated from the first data storage device.

Abstract: A processing device disclosed herein comprises: a memory access circuit which accesses a memory and sequentially reads data from the memory based on a predetermined access pattern; storage in which the data read by the memory access circuit is stored, wherein the memory access circuit sequentially reads the data from the memory and stores the data in storage until storage is full; and a processor which acquires the data from storage.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a Device Wire Adapter (DWA) with improved buffer management and packaging of Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) isochronous packets for transmission to a host. The apparatus includes an isochronous IN endpoint that receives data segments from a device function. Memory is associated with the endpoint and includes an endpoint buffer configured in a loop and a plurality of registers. The apparatus includes an endpoint controller that stores the received data segments sequentially in the loop buffer, assigns a set of the registers to each of the stored data segments, and stores additional packet information in the registers for each of the data segments rather than in the endpoint buffer. The additional packet information includes presentation time for the stored data segment derived from a sample time of a last segment in the buffer and a time interval between two consecutive data segments in the buffer.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for processing call requests with respect to objects. A call request is received with respect to an object. Access authority for the object is require. An access authority set is read for execution of the call request with respect to the object. A determination is made as to whether the access authority is contained in the access authority set. A storage section storing execution results for a previous execution of the object is searched prior to executing the call request and in response to determining that the access authority is contained in the access authority set.

Abstract: The design of nonblocking linked data structures using single-location synchronization primitives such as compare-and-swap (CAS) is a complex affair that often requires severe restrictions on the way pointers are used. One way to address this problem is to provide stronger synchronization operations, for example, ones that atomically modify one memory location while simultaneously verifying the contents of others. We provide a simple and highly efficient nonblocking implementation of such an operation: an atomic k-word-compare single-swap operation (KCSS). Our implementation is obstruction-free. As a result, it is highly efficient in the uncontended case and relies on contention management mechanisms in the contended cases. It allows linked data structure manipulation without the complexity and restrictions of other solutions.

Abstract: A memory system is provided that enhances the memory bandwidth available through a memory module. The memory system includes a memory hub device integrated in a memory module. The memory system includes a first memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a first set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. The memory system also includes a second memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a second set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. In the memory system, the first set of memory devices are separate from the second set of memory devices. In the memory system, the first and second set of memory devices are communicated with by the memory hub device via the separate first and second memory device data interfaces.

Abstract: A memory interface subsystem including a write logic and a read logic. The write logic may be configured to communicate data from a memory controller to a memory. The read logic may be configured to communicate data from the memory to the memory controller. The read logic may comprise a plurality of physical read datapaths. Each of the physical read datapaths may be configured to receive (i) a respective portion of read data signals from the memory, (ii) a respective read data strobe signal associated with the respective portion of the received read data signals, (iii) a gating signal, (iv) a base delay signal and (v) an offset delay signal.

Abstract: A graphics processing unit can queue a large number of texture requests to balance out the variability of texture requests without the need for a large texture request buffer. A dedicated texture request buffer queues the relatively small texture commands and parameters. Additionally, for each queued texture command, an associated set of texture arguments, which are typically much larger than the texture command, are stored in a general purpose register. The texture unit retrieves texture commands from the texture request buffer and then fetches the associated texture arguments from the appropriate general purpose register. The texture arguments may be stored in the general purpose register designated as the destination of the final texture value computed by the texture unit. Because the destination register must be allocated for the final texture value as texture commands are queued, storing the texture arguments in this register does not consume any additional registers.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for load balancing in a cluster. In response to receiving a notification of an impending state change event in the server, a weight adjustment value for a server is identified to form an identified weight adjustment. An adjusted routing weight for the server is generated using the identified weight adjustment to form a current routing weight for the server. An incoming service request is routed to a selected server in the cluster using current routing weight associated with servers in the cluster.

Abstract: A method in a computer system for retrieving data from one of multiple copies of the data is provided, referred to as the data management system. The data management system receives a request identifying at least one data object to be accessed. Then, the data management system queries a metabase to locate data copies that contain the identified at least one data object, wherein the data copies are created from similar source data, and wherein for each data copy the metabase contains an indication of the availability of the copy relative to other copies. Next, the data management system determines one of the located data copies to use to access the identified at least one data object, wherein the determination is made based on the indicated availability contained in the metabase for each of the located data copies. Then, the data management system accesses the identified at least one data object using the determined one of the located data copies.

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: A memory device and method for embedding host-identification information into content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided comprising a memory operative to store content and a controller in communication with the memory. The controller is operative to receive a credential comprising host-identification information from a host in communication with the memory device, authenticate the host using the credential, receive a request from the host to play content stored in the memory, embed the host-identification information into the content, and send the content with the embedded host-identification information to the host.

Abstract: A memory apparatus and method of operation therefore includes control by a memory controller which, in one embodiment, is configured to configure a host sector application flag table in the memory array, the flag table associating each flag value with an address in the memory array where information associated with that flag value is stored. In a second embodiment the controller is configured to (a) write at least one page of information to the memory, each page having a plurality of sectors, each of the at least one pages including a page header having a flag value associated with information written to the page, and (b) configure an exception block in memory, the exception block including exception entries, each exception entry having at least an exception flag value and address information identifying an address range in the memory array to which the exception flag value applies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an application of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology, and more particularly, to a USB apparatus with data storage and security token and control method therein. In an embodiment of the present invention, both mass storage and security token are implemented in a USB apparatus with a single controller. Thus, the host needs to enumerate the apparatus only once, and then may operate differentially in response to different commands. The mass storage is capable of swapping a mass of data, and has a file allocation table compatible with the system. The security token can be used for authenticating a person through digital certificates or biometric characteristics, maintaining the security of the computer and network applications.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for FIFO memories made up of multiple local memory arrays. These embodiments limit the number and length of interconnect lines that are necessary to join two or more local memory arrays into a single, larger functional unit. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a FIFO made up of a number of FIFO sub-blocks connected in series. Each FIFO sub-block includes local read and write address counters such that read and write addresses are not bused between the FIFO sub-blocks.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method for utilizing a memory cartridge connected to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The memory cartridge can comprise a plurality of memory segments. The method can comprise a plurality of activities comprising: providing a default identifying stamp for records in a data log file, a structure for the data log file stored separately from the data log file in the memory cartridge, and obtaining a request to provide the data log file.

Abstract: A system is composed of multiple storage control modules, which are connected to each other via interconnects. The aforesaid interconnects connecting the storage control modules may cause certain extra latency. Each storage control module may have data preservation module, which can preserve data stored by host computers. The system incorporates a latency table and provides a volume according to the latency table in accordance with a request from a host computer or an administrator. The latency table is dynamically created or statically stored in the inventive system.

Abstract: A server connectable to a client apparatus over a network is disclosed. The server includes: means for generating a file containing an address of a download server that can distribute a download file to the client apparatus over the network and a first parameter that temporally regulates access from the client apparatus to the download server; and means for distributing the file to the client apparatus in response to a request from the client apparatus.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for distributive network control. Also embodiment of a method includes receiving an indication related to recording data stored on a local cache and determining whether to remotely store at least a portion of the data. Some embodiments include sending a request for the stored data.

Abstract: A security appliance that encrypts and decrypts information is installed in each of redundant multi-paths between a host system and a back up tape storage system. The host system is arranged to detect failures in a primary path to the tape system being used. When the failure is detected, the host system enables transfers to the same tape system through an alternative path. Encryption keys and host/tape designators (identifiers) are broadcast among the security appliances in the alternative data paths. When the host system switches from the primary path to the secondary path, even though the secondary security appliance did not generate the encryption keys, the secondary path security appliance will have such keys and will properly encrypt and transfer data from the host to the tape system. The secondary will also properly retrieve encrypted data from the tape system, decrypt it and deliver it to the host. All of these operations will be transparent (invisible) to a running application in the host.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-preemptive DRAM transactions. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in non-preemptive DRAM transactions in real-time unified memory architectures. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for determining access to non-preemptive DRAM devices. This method comprises determining real time need for access to the device and prioritizing access using a rate monotonic scheduling.

Abstract: Available performance capacities of storage servers and storage devices in a storage infrastructure are determined using a plurality of metrics, wherein each of the storage devices is managed by one of the storage servers. Each aggregate is hosted by a storage server and includes multiple storage devices. A relationship between the plurality of metrics is analyzed. An aggregate from which to allocate storage capacity to a volume from a plurality of aggregates is selected based on the available performance capacities and the relationship between the plurality of metrics. The selection is performed without information about properties of the volume. Storage capacity of the selected aggregate is automatically allocated to the volume. After said allocation, the plurality of aggregates is approximately load balanced.

Abstract: A multiple computer system is disclosed in which n computers (M1, M2 . . . Mn) each run a different portion of a single application program written to execute only on a single computer. The local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating all computers with every change made to addressed memory locations. Contention can arise when the same memory location is substantially simultaneously updated by two or more machines because of transmission delays and latency of the communications network interconnecting all the computers. In particular a method of detecting contention is disclosed which utilizes a count value indicative of the number of the sequence of occasions on which each memory location has been updated. Contention is indicated if the currently stored count value and the incoming updating count value are the same.

Abstract: A method of managing catheter data for a catheter-based imaging system includes coupling a catheter to a control module. The catheter includes a memory structure that includes catheter management data. The control module includes a processor. The catheter management data is accessed from the memory structure using the processor. Patient tissue is imaged using control module settings that are selected based, at least in part, on the accessed catheter management data. At least one image is displayed based, at least in part, on the imaged patient tissue.

Abstract: A method for viewing a full image of a server stored original attachment on a portable electronic device including: building a graph structure within the server representing a map of the original image, downloading and displaying a re-sized image from the server to the portable electronic device, the original image exceeding an image size limit of the portable electronic device indicative of screen size of the portable electronic device, calculating width and height parameters of the full image, sending a request from the portable electronic device to the server to enlarge the image displayed on the device based on the width and height parameters, the request including the image size limit, retrieving and traversing the graph structure within the server to locate a separate image component constructed for the image size limit, collecting image binary data from the separate image component and modifying the image binary data based on the width and height parameters to create the full image of the original imag

Abstract: A method for replacing cached data is disclosed. The method in one aspect associates an importance value to each block of data in the cache. When a new entry needs to be stored in the cache, a cache block for replacing is selected based on the importance values associated with cache blocks. In another aspect, the importance values are set according to the hardware and/or software's knowledge of the memory access patterns. The method in one aspect may also include varying the importance value over time over different processing requirements.

Abstract: A RAID capacity expansion handling method and system with concurrent data access capability is proposed, which is designed for use with a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) unit for providing a capacity-expanding function that allows the RAID unit to add just a single disk to an original disk cluster for expanding the total capacity thereof, and meanwhile allows a network server to concurrently gain access to the data stored in the RAID unit. This feature allows the capacity-expanding procedure for the RAID unit to be implemented in a more simplified manner with enhanced system performance.

Abstract: A storage system for writing data sent from a computer to storage regions is described. The storage system includes storage regions configured to store data, and a controller coupled with the storage regions. The controller is configured to control writing of the data from the computer. The controller is further configured to set a first storage region for writing data sent from the computer to a second storage region. The controller then acquires a snapshot of the first storage region at a predetermined time, writes a snapshot journal for the snapshot to the second storage region, and manages a snapshot management table. The controller also acquires a recovery point journal when a recovery volume designated by the computer is made, and writes the recovery point journal to the second storage region.

Abstract: A communication method for storage device on the basis of file access is provided. When a storage controller is added with a nonstandard control function, a command file and a response file are virtually produced in the memory as the communicating interface with an application program. The virtual files can then be read and written using the standard storage control protocol. This avoids modifying the communicating interface between the driver program and the application program for the newly added nonstandard control protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for converting file-systems used for organizing and storing data on computer readable mediums are disclosed. A first file-system is converted to a second file-system while file(s) stored on the computer readable medium remain(s) virtually undisturbed in the same location. A FAT file-system (e.g., FAT32) is converted to an HFS file-system (e.g., HFS Plus) by generating HFS data structures (Catalog, Allocation File and Extents) for file(s) already stored in the HFS file-system. The number and location of the file(s) can be determined primarily based on the FAT file-system's data structures (FAT and Directory). The conversion process can be stopped before the FAT file-system indicators (partition map and boot sector) are overwritten.

Abstract: A video game system and method is described in which map scenes and battle scenes are used. A player character may move through the map scene, and upon encountering enemies to battle, an encounter area may be generated and displayed to show the user which enemies will be included in the subsequent battle scene, and which enemies will not be initially included in the battle scene.