International Business Machines Corporation

Teratech Corporation

Joel Gerard Goodwin

Michael Anton Barenys

Scott Harlan Isensee

Robert Allan Faust

Nicholas J Krull

Paul Phong Nguyen

Phuc Ky Do

Ricky Lee Poston

John Martin Mullaly

John Philip Bolash

Steven Paul Hartman

Douglas Michael Boecker

John Daniel Upton

Manish Misra

Stephan Otis Broyles

Curtis Ray Genz

I-Hsing Tsao

William Eldred Beebe

Forrest Clifton Gray

Tim V Angst

Wally Tuten

A method, system, and product are disclosed for isolating a defect in a memory system by determining in which particular component of the memory system the defect exists. The memory system includes multiple components. The components include a physical memory module, a memory card to which the physical memory module is attached, and a memory controller for controlling the memory card. The memory card includes one or more electrical buffers for driving or detecting the memory signals. The buffers may be used as virtual memory elements. Each component is tested separately in order to identify the defective component with the help of virtual memory system elements. The components are tested by first testing the physical memory module. If the physical memory module passes the test, the memory card is then tested. If the memory card passes its test, the memory controller is tested.

Method, system, and product for isolating memory system defects to a particular memory system component

An IC device is disclosed that includes a main IC section, bus switches, switch logic, and address logic as part of the IC device. The IC device is coupled to an IC bus for communicating with other IC devices and an IC bus controller that is also on the IC bus. The switch logic controls a current position of the switches. The IC device is coupled to the IC bus utilizing the switches. The switches control whether the main IC section, the address logic, the switch logic, or a combination of the main IC section, address logic, and switch logic is currently coupled to IC bus. The switches also can be used, if desired to remove from the buss all devices that are downstream from a given device containing switches. The address logic is used to receive and store the address of the IC device. The IC device will respond to the address that is stored in its address logic.

[object Object]

An apparatus and method for error logging on a memory module, such as a DIMM, are provided. If an error occurs in a memory module, the operating system of the computing device stores a log of the error in a storage device mounted to the memory module. The log may identify the type and quantity of errors caused by the faulty memory module and may also include defective bit identification information. The defective bit identification information may be used to identify individual memory elements on the memory module that are defective. If the errors exceed a given quality or quantity level, the operating system may store an indicator in the storage device on the memory module that the memory module is defective and take that memory module off-line to prevent problems from occurring with the programs that are running on the computing system.

Apparatus and method for error logging on a memory module

An apparatus and method for expansion of an inter-IC (I C) is provided. An expansion processor resides on a primary I C bus. The expansion processor is coupled to a plurality of I C sub-buses each of which may host a plurality of I C devices. Data is transferred between the expansion processor and the plurality of I C devices via the corresponding sub-bus according to an I C protocol. Data transfer is in response to a request initiated by a bus master on the primary I C bus. The bus master communicates with a target device residing on one of the sub-buses by addressing the expansion processor. The bus master informs the expansion processor of the target device by sending the expansion processor a number of the sub-bus on which the target device resides, and an address of the target device. A data stream bound for the target device is directed to the expansion processor which the echos it to the target device. Likewise, a data stream bound from the target device to the bus master on the primary I C bus is transmitted to the expansion processor which the echos it to the bus master.

12C bus expansion apparatus and method therefor

A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting the presence of devices, particularly hot plug devices, connected to a bus both during start-up of a computer system and while the system is running. At start-up, and periodically thereafter, all possible device connections are polled by microprocessors, called sub-bus controllers, which include logic for generating a map of components present on each bus. Each map is accessible by the master bus controller. During system run-time, periodic polling, may be continuous thereby providing a real time device status map for every available bus connection.

Method and system for detecting bus device configuration changes

A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for determining the address type of a serial EEPROM in an electronic system. The method includes reading data from at least one location of the EEPROM for a first time and saving the data for future reference. Thereafter, a sequence of transactions is executed that alters the contents of the EEPROM in a prescribed manner if the EEPROM is of a first type. The sequence of transaction leaves the EEPROM in an unaltered state if the EEPROM is of a second type. Data is then read from at least one location of the EEPROM for a second time. The location of the data read from the EEPROM the second time is the same as the location of the data read the first time if the EEPROM is of the first type. The data read the first time and the data read the second time are then compared. If it is determined that the data read the second time does not differ in the prescribed manner from the data read the first time, the type of the EEPROM is identified as the second type. In one embodiment, the indicate steps are repeated to achieve additional assurance that type of the EEPROM is the first type if it is determined that the data read the second time differs in the prescribed manner from the data read the first time. In one embodiment, reading data from the EEPROM for the first time includes, writing an initial byte to the EEPROM for a first time to set the address pointer to a known state if the EEPROM is of the first type. In one embodiment, the sequence of transactions include writing two bytes to the EEPROM, wherein the value of the first of the two bytes is the value of the initial byte written to the EEPROM. In one embodiment, the method includes, prior to reading data from the EEPROM for the first time writing two bytes to the EEPROM if is determined that the EEPROM is configured with an address type indicator field, where the two bytes comprise the 2-byte address of the indicator field in an EEPROM of the second type. In this embodiment, the two bytes of address type indicator information are read from the EEPROM. The contents of the two bytes are indicative of the address type of the EEPROM.

Address type determination for an I2C EEPROM

A key assembly includes a cover disposed over a transducer which is connected to a key acutator/interface disposed between the key transducer and a CPU. A tactile signal generator generates control signals from the CPU to activate the actuator/interface. The actuator/interface provides a signal appropriate to the particular transducer causing it to produce tactile feedback response to the key cover and user's touch. The key assembly may include a larger key cover disposed over a plurality of key transducers whereby the CPU causes texture and fine detail sensations variable over the key cover area by selective, variable actuation of the transducers. The end-user may thereby sense by physical contact with the large key cover electronically generated sensations of irregular surfaces or textures. Tactile profiles either user-specified or automatically invoked by a corresponding application vary the keyboard touch and feel as defined by the selected profile.

Tactile feedback keyboard

A data processing system has a reader device adapted to read information residing on a first type of storage article (such as a floppy diskette), and a holder is provided which is substantially identical in size and shape to the first type of storage article, but allows the reader device to read a card which bears machine-readable information, such as a credit card. The holder can have a slot therein for receiving the card, which is aligned within the holder to position a portion of the information medium at an access area of the holder. The machine-readable information can be, for example, encoded on a magnetic strip on the card. The system allows network-based transactions which read from the card as well as write to it.

Credit card reader for internet-based commerce

Polling of devices on an inter-IC (I.sup.2 C) is provided. An expansion processor resides on a primary I.sup.2 C bus. The expansion processor is coupled to a plurality of I.sup.2 C sub-buses each of which may host a plurality of I.sup.2 C devices. Data is transferred between the expansion processor and the plurality of I.sup.2 C devices via the corresponding sub-bus according to an I.sup.2 C protocol. Data transfer is in response to a request initiated by a bus master on the primary I.sup.2 C bus. The bus master communicates with a target device residing on one of the sub-buses by addressing the expansion processor. The bus master informs the expansion processor of the target device by sending the expansion processor a number of the sub-bus on which the target device resides, and an address of the target device. A data stream bound for the target device is directed to the expansion processor which then echos it to the target device. Likewise, a data stream bound from the target device to the bus master on the primary I.sup.2 C bus is transmitted to the expansion processor which then echos it to the bus master. Each of the target devices on the sub-bus can be polled to determine if they have failed. Failure of a device only affects operation of its sub-bus.

Polling of failed devices on an I.sup.2 C bus

A vehicle trip recording apparatus collects trip data for manipulation by a separate computer. The computer software contains all the required controls and data manipulation programs for the trip recording device. The trip recording device contains only the hardware to collect and save distance pulses, current time and date, to talk with the computer, and a two button command interface. Of the two button command interface, one of the buttons selects between automatic or manual mode. The second button is a push type and performs the start/stop trip function when the first button is in the manual position. When the first button is in the automatic position, the second button preforms the start/stop calibrate function. Once the trip data has been downloaded into the computer, the trip data can be formatted, printed and saved with the separate computer.

Apparatus and method for recording motor vehicle travel information

The invention is for an improved method and apparatus of driving a stepper motor with multiple voltages. A first voltage is applied to the step motor winding for a driving phase, and a second higher voltage is applied to the same motor winding during the same driving phase just prior to and substantially until the time that the winding is de-energized.

Method and apparatus for driving a stepper motor with multiple voltages

A method and apparatus for loading a web into a printer is disclosed. The apparatus has a normal mode for moving the web in normal operation and a load assist mode for operating at a slower than normal rate for loading the web into the printer. The printer comprises means for recording information on the web including a platen attached to the printer and a print head for generating characters. The print head is disposed in a predetermined spaced relationship from the platen to define a print station therebetween. A means for engaging and moving the web through the print station and signal means for generating normal and load assist mode signals are provided. Means for driving the means for engaging and moving the web is responsive to the normal mode signal from the signal means for operating during normal printing operation and responsive to the load assist mode signal from the signal means for operating at a slower than normal rate to facilitate alignment and engagement of the web with the means for engaging and moving the web during web loading operations.

Method and apparatus for loading of a web into a printer

This invention relates to a mechanism for positioning an output member of a mechanical system and in particular a mechanical system that has backlash present. The mechanism has a step motor, regulated by control means, connected to the output member by a mechanical transmission. The control means delivers units of electrical energy to the step motor in response to a number of steps specified to be moved. The control means also has means for detecting whether the step to be performed by the step motor is a single remaining step or single step only. The control means responds to detection of the single remaining step or detection of the single step only by applying a unit of energy to the step motor at a rate that is substantially slower than the rate that would be applied for the other steps.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Joel Gerard Goodwin