Abstract: A coordinator in a computer system receives a request from one of a plurality of operating systems (that coexist in the computer system) to invoke a service of a management routine in the computer system. The plurality of operating systems execute in respective virtual machines of the computer system. The coordinator processes the received request to invoke the service of the management routine to prevent a conflict from occurring with respect to at least another one of the plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: A communications architecture utilizes modules arranged in a daisy-chain, each module supporting multiple input and output ports. Point-to-point links are arranged so that a first output link of each of multiple modules connects to the next module in the chain, and a second output link connects to a module after it, and inputs arranged similarly, so that any single module can be by-passed in the event of malfunction. Multiple chains may be cross-linked and/or serviced by hubs or chains of hubs. Preferably, the redundant links are used in a non-degraded operating mode to provide higher bandwidth and/or reduced latency of communication. The exemplary embodiment is a memory subsystem in which the modules are buffered memory chips.

Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller plus one or more registered memory modules, each registered memory module having a bank of memory chips and an associated register. A pre-register address/command bus connects the memory controller with the associated register. Each registered memory module has a post-register command/address bus that connects the memory chips in parallel with the associated register. The post-register command/address bus terminates with termination resistors that are connected to a voltage level that is approximately half of the supply voltage level. The memory controller provides chip select signals to the associated register of the registered memory modules. The associated registers, however, switch command/address signals to the memory chips independent of the chip select signals.

Abstract: A bank select device has a plurality of addressable locations and a plurality of storage locations correlated to each other so that each storage location is correlated to plural addressable locations and each addressable location is correlated to one storage location. Each storage location contains a respective bank select. The addressable locations and storage locations are grouped into interleave patterns such that, for each pattern, there are Q storage locations and 2A addressable locations arranged in L sequential loops each containing Q sequentially addressable locations and a remainder loop containing R sequentially addressable locations, where L·Q+R=2A. A shunt defines a non-zero offset for each interleave so that each interleave commences with a different bank select and a complete rotation of all of the interleaves addresses each of the memory banks an equal number of times. The shunt (S) may be selected as mod(2A,Q), ?Q+mod(2A,Q), ±1 or ±prime to , where ?<S<+.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package (SiP) and system-in-package (SiP) integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a processing module, a memory module and a programmable system module. The programmable system module is configured to function as an interface between the memory module and the processing module, or as an interface between the memory module and a testing device. The invention facilitates integration and testing of processor-memory units including functional components having different communication protocols.

Abstract: A memory access control apparatus includes an arbiter and a sub-arbiter receiving and arbitrating access requests from a plurality of memory masters; a memory controller; and a memory having a plurality of banks. When a bank of the memory used by an access request allowed by the arbiter and currently being executed and a bank of the memory to be accessed by an access request by the sub-arbiter are different and the type of access request allowed by the arbiter and currently being executed and the type of memory access to be performed by the sub-arbiter are identical, then it is decided that access efficiency will not decline, memory access by the arbiter is suspended and memory access by the sub-arbiter is allowed to squeeze in (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A system and method for enabling one or more memories to maintain, update, and provide counter values. In a first version a dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, is bi-directionally communicatively coupled with a processor. The DRAM is divided into a plurality of banks. In the first version a set of subcounters is established, wherein each subcounter element is separately and singly located within a different DRAM bank. The value of a counter can be derived by reading and processing, e.g., adding, all of the values of each of an assigned set of subcounter subvalues maintained within the plurality of banks. Conversely, a counter value may be updated by updating a single assigned subcounter of a single bank. The first method allows a hosting computer to select a subcounter having a shortest access time, where the subcounter is an element of a set of subcounters assigned to maintain a given counter value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device comprises a plurality of memory banks. At least two of the memory banks share the same bus. Logic is coupled to the memory banks via the different buses. The logic controls access to the memory banks. A bi-directional tri-state buffer is interposed between adjacent memory banks along the same bus so that each bus is segmented into a plurality of sections, each bus section being coupled to one or more different ones of the memory banks.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes bank overflow flag confirming means for confirming whether a bank overflow flag is set, the bank overflow flag notifying the occurrence of a bank-full state where, in a storage area including plural banks formed therein to store data, not-yet-read data is stored in all the banks, read pointer control means for, upon confirming that the bank overflow flag is set, moving a location designated by a read pointer cyclically designating each of the banks as a bank, from which the data is to be read, to a bank positioned next to a bank at a location designated by a write pointer cyclically designating each of the banks as a bank, into which the data is to be written, and reading means for reading the data from the bank designated by the read pointer after the location designated by the read pointer has been updated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to systems and methods which provide a memory module having multiple data channels that are independently accessible (i.e., a multi-data channel memory module). According to one embodiment, the multi-data channel memory module enables a plurality of independent sub-cache-block accesses to be serviced simultaneously. In addition, the memory architecture also supports cache-block accesses. For instance, multiple ones of the data channels may be employed for servicing a cache-block access. In one embodiment a DIMM architecture that comprises multiple data channels is provided. Each data channel supports a sub-cache-block access, and multiple ones of the data channels may be used for supporting a cache-block access. The plurality of data channels to a given DIMM may be used simultaneously to support different, independent memory access operations.

Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for increasing the number of ranks supported in a memory system. In one embodiment, a plurality of predefined subsets of memory chips on a memory module is selected. A chip select signal uniquely identifying the selected subset of memory chips is generated. The chip select signal is encoded as a multi-bit word having a bit width that is less than the number of predefined subsets of memory chips. Each bit of the encoded chip select signal is transmitted along a separate chip select line. The transmitted chip select signal is decoded to determine the identity of the selected subset of memory chips. The selected subset of memory chips identified by the decoded chip select signal are read or written.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for reading from a physical storage-device array including a plurality of storage devices. The physical storage-device array has a plurality of sector levels, each sector level containing one sector on each storage device in the array at corresponding addresses on across the storage devices. The apparatus includes: (1) a memory adapted to store two or more profiles, each profile defining (i) a virtual array associated with a selected set of the storage devices and (ii) one or more parameters used for accessing information from the virtual array; (2) a buffer (i) having a first portion and a second portion and (ii) coupled to receive data from the storage devices; and (3) a state machine (i) coupled to the buffer and the memory and (ii) adapted to generate two or more successive pairs of instructions.

Abstract: A memory module that includes a first group of memory devices arranged in one or more ranks and a second group of memory devices arranged in one or more ranks. The memory module also includes a first and second port, wherein the first port is operable simultaneously with and independently of the second port. The memory module further includes a first memory device bus in communication with the first port and the first group of memory devices, and a second memory device bus in communication with the second port and the second group of memory devices. The memory module further includes a hub device configured to re-drive information in a cascade interconnect system. The hub device includes logic for reading data from and writing data to the ranks of memory devices via the first and second ports and the first and second memory device buses.

Abstract: A memory bank has a plurality of memories. In an embodiment, a forward unit applies logical memory addresses to the memory bank in a forward twofold access order, a backward unit applies logical memory addresses to the memory bank in a backward twofold access order, and a half butterfly network (at least half, and barrel shifters in 8-tuple embodiments) is disposed between the memory bank and the forward unit and the backward unit. A set of control signals is generated which are applied to the half or more butterfly network (and to the barrel shifters where present) so as to access the memory bank with an n-tuple parallelism in a linear order in a first instance, and a quadratic polynomial order in a second instance, where n=2, 4, 8, 16, 32, . . . . This access is for any n-tuple of the logical addresses, and is without memory access conflict. In this manner memory access may be controlled data decoding.

Abstract: A system, memory hub device, method and design structure for providing an enhanced cascade interconnected memory system are provided. The system includes a memory controller, a memory channel, a memory hub device coupled to the memory channel to communicate with the memory controller via one of a direct connection and a cascade interconnection through another memory hub device, and multiple memory devices in communication with the memory controller via one or more cascade interconnected memory hub devices. The memory channel includes unidirectional downstream link segments coupled to the memory controller and operable for transferring configurable data frames. The memory channel further includes unidirectional upstream link segments coupled to the memory controller and operable for transferring data frames.

Abstract: A memory module including a plurality of memory channel connectors for communicating with a memory controller via a plurality of high-speed channels. The memory module also includes a plurality of memory devices arranged in one or more ranks, and a plurality of independently operable hub devices. Each hub device includes an interface for receiving signals from and driving signals to the memory controller on one of the high-speed channels via one or more of the memory channel connectors. Each hub device also includes a plurality of independently operable ports to communicate with all or a subset of the ranks of memory devices.

Abstract: A command processing apparatus and method are provided for optimally processing commands issued asynchronously from a plurality of masters to a storage apparatus including a plurality of banks, where each master issues commands for a bank 0 and a bank 1 alternately. The command processing apparatus includes buffer units that obtain commands issued from the plurality of masters, an arbitration unit that arbitrates the obtained commands, and an issuance unit that issues commands to the storage apparatus according to the arbitration. The arbitration unit reads the commands of the plurality of masters obtained in the buffer units, and selects one command as a result of arbitration. The arbitration unit waits until a next command of a master relating to the selected command becomes readable, and reads the next command. The issuance unit consecutively issues the selected command and the read command to the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device, including a memory banks and associated local data buses, and a bus connection circuit connected to the local data buses associated with two or more of the memory banks to perform a selective data transfer between a global data bus and those local data buses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging information between components coupled with an a I2C bus via separate banks. In one embodiment, the apparatus is for use in a wireless communication system for communicating with a wireless network and comprises a host processor having an I2C interface, a transceiver having an I2C interface, a physical interface coupling the host processor and the transceiver, the physical interface having an I2C bus coupled to the I2C interface of both the host processor and the transceiver and multiple separate banks of memory accessible by the host processor and the transceiver to exchange information between the host processor and the transceiver, where the host processor and the transceiver access the plurality of banks of memory via their respective I2C interfaces.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller device, an integrated circuit buffer device and a first and second memory device. A first plurality of signal lines is coupled to the controller device. A second plurality of signal lines is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The second plurality of signal lines carries first address information from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A third plurality of signal lines is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The third plurality of signal lines carries first control information from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A first signal line is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The first signal line carries a first signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device.

Abstract: At the inputs and/or outputs, memories are assigned to a reconfigurable module to achieve decoupling of internal data processing and in particular decoupling of the reconfiguration cycles from the external data streams (to/from peripherals, memories, etc.).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a memory unit having a first and a second port and including plural banks; a bank address conversion circuit operative to convert a first bank address fed from external into a second bank address different from the first bank address and operative to supply the first bank address to one of the first and second ports and supply the second bank address to the other of the first and second ports; and a write data conversion circuit operative to convert input data fed from external into write data different from the input data and operative to supply the input data to one of the first and second ports and supply the converted write data to the other of the first and second ports.

Abstract: An electronic tag system, an electronic tag, and a controlling method thereof according to the present invention include an electronic tag that includes a memory having a divided band and a bank status that stores a status of data stored in the divided bank, a controlling circuit that reads and writes the data from and to the bank and changes the status and a controlling device that allows the controlling circuit connected through the electronic tag and an electronic tag reader/writer to transmit and receive the read and written data from and to the bank and issue an instruction to change the status.

Abstract: A data storage unit is provided in which all data are stored into a memory including a plurality of memory banks and a plurality of desired data is read simultaneously, without any load to the hardware.

Abstract: A system and a method for data storage means includes a set of data storage sub-assemblies and connectable to storage control means adapted to retrieve, for a plurality of simultaneous user applications, data stored in the data storage means. The method divides a data composition into a plurality of payload data subsets, and stores the payload data subsets in the data storage sub-assemblies. The storage control means is adapted to retrieve, for a user application, the payload data subsets in a predetermined retrieving sequence, wherein a sequence of a number of payload data subsets, which number corresponds to the number of data storage sub-assemblies in the set of data storage sub-assemblies, and which payload data subsets follow sequentially one immediately upon the other in the retrieving sequence, are stored in separate ones of the data storage sub-assemblies in the set of data storage sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A microcontroller device has a central processing unit (CPU); a data memory coupled with the CPU divided into a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of special function registers and general purpose registers which may be memory-mapped, wherein at least the following special function registers are memory-mapped to all memory banks: a status register, a bank select register, a plurality of indirect memory address registers, a working register, and a program counter high latch; and wherein upon occurrence of a context switch, the CPU is operable to automatically save the content of the status register, the bank select register, the plurality of indirect memory address registers, the working register, and the program counter high latch, and upon return from the context switch restores the content of the status register, the bank select register, the plurality of indirect memory address registers, the working register, and the program counter high latch.

Abstract: A controller, in particular an Ethernet controller has a control unit operable to receive commands and data through an I/O interface; a plurality of registers arranged in a register block which is divided into a plurality of register banks, wherein at least one register controls a function of the controller; a register address unit having logic for accessing one of the plurality of registers by a plurality of addressing schemes, wherein the addressing schemes at least has a direct address provided by received data, a combined address provided by a partial address from a received command and a bank address stored in a bank register, and an address selected form a plurality of predetermined addresses through a received command.

Abstract: A memory controller (MC) is associated with a remapping table to enable access to content in a memory system that includes asymmetric memory. The MC receives a request for a memory read or an Input/Output (I/O) write from a central processing unit (CPU) for a physical address specified by the system's memory management unit (MMU). The CPU uses the MMU to manage memory operations for the CPU, by translating the virtual addresses associated with CPU instructions into physical addresses representing system memory or I/O locations. The MC for asymmetric memories is configured to process the MMU-specified physical addresses as an additional type of virtual addresses, creating a layer of abstraction between the physical address specified by the MMU and the physical memory address with which that address is associated by the MC. The MC shields the CPU from the computational complexities required to implement a memory system with asymmetric components.

Abstract: From among identical modules stored on a module storage 112 and a module storage 212, an authenticated printing management module 130 selects the module with higher level information. For example, an ID authentication module 132 is stored in both the module storage 112 of an MFP 10 and the module storage 212 of a network interface card 11. The authenticated printing management module 130 selects the ID authentication module of the network interface card 11, in accordance with level information that represents an ID authentication module selection hierarchy. By so doing, where modules necessary for executing authenticated printing are included on both the MFP 10 and the network interface card 11, modules present on either the MFP 10 or the network interface card 11 are able to be selected appropriately for use.

Abstract: An interleaved addressing technique for addressing a plurality of memory banks (12, 72) uses a plurality of abbreviated interleaves (0, 1, . . . 2B?1) each addressing more than one and less than all of the memory banks. The interleaves are offset (S) from each adjacent other as to address all of the memory banks equally. An intelligent memory bank for use with interleaved memories storing plural vectors comprises setup apparatus (96) receives an initial address (B+C+V+NMSK) and spacing data (D) for each vector. Addressing logic (90) associates a memory cell select (C) to each initial and subsequent address of each of the plurality of vectors. Cell select apparatus (98) accesses a memory cell (in 92) using a memory cell select (C) associated to a respective one of the initial and successive addresses of each vector.

Abstract: A memory arrangement comprises a first memory module and a second memory module. An item of information to be written to the memory arrangement is written with a first address both to the first memory module and to the second memory module. When reading, the item of information is read either from the first memory module by means of the first address or from the second memory module by means of a second address differing from the first address. Subsequently a check is made as to whether the item of information is defective. If this is the case, the item of information is read from the respective other memory module.

Abstract: A computing device incorporating memory such as mobile SDRAM, which is capable of conserving energy by being operated in a low-power self-refresh mode, is enabled to identify those regions of memory which are allocated but inactive. These regions are collected into specific banks of memory so as to create banks of memory containing only inactive data and which can then be placed in self-refresh. This reduces the power consumed by the computing device, and improves the energy efficiency of the device.

Abstract: A data storage system includes at least one first storage device and at least one second storage device, and a storage controller coupled to the first storage device and the second storage device. The storage controller is configured to emulate a virtual storage device by grouping the first storage device and the second storage device. Each of the first storage device and the second storage device includes a plurality of blocks for storing data. The storage controller is also configured to expand a capacity of the virtual storage device by adding at least one third storage device to the first storage device. Each block of the third storage device has a 0 or 1 formatted in it, and a capacity of the virtual storage device is increased by a capacity of the third storage device.

Abstract: An image file format and a method of creating and restoring an image file is provided by the present invention. The image file format includes a plurality of streams such as a control stream, a data stream, a bitmap stream, and a cluster map stream. An audit trail stream, properties stream and fix-up stream may also be provided. The present invention allows the contents of a storage media to be captured and stored as an image file. The image file is used to restore the storage media to a previous state or allows multiple computers to be provided with a common configuration. The plurality of streams further allow the image file to be viewed, edited or otherwise manipulated.