Micron Technology Incorporated

Micron Electronics, Inc.

Robert R Hoffman, Jr

Eric D Anderson

Robert P Engfer

Robert A Williams

Jeffrey J Leyda

Jeffery J Leyda

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for generating write and read commands used to test hardware device models. The method is able to generate multiple write commands to a location without having to generate intervening read commands to validate the data. In addition, the method enables read commands to be generated in a different sequence from the sequence of generated write commands, having different sizes than the sizes of the write commands, and that maximize the amount of data read (verified) and minimize the amount of unnecessary reads (re-verification).

Selecting data to verify in hardware device model simulation test generation

A method and system for notifying a viewer of the arrival or presence of one or more video input signals in a video display system, such as a personal computer (PC) or television (TV) system. If a video signal is already present, the system may optionally notify a viewer of the termination or absence of the video signal. The invention further provides the viewer with the opportunity to dynamically select the video source to view. Upon sensing the presence of a new video signal, the system alerts the viewer who may then select whether to view the new video signal or maintain prior viewing status.

Method and system for displaying video signals

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method that reduces the time required to gather system configuration information during an initialization process within a computer system. The method operates by checking a chassis intrusion detection circuit within the computer system to determine whether a chassis of the computer system has been opened. If the chassis intrusion detection circuit indicates that the chassis has been opened, the method performs a normal initialization operation that gathers system configuration information by communicating directly with computer system components to determine a state of the computer system components. This system configuration information is stored in a nonvolatile storage device. If the chassis intrusion detection circuit indicates that the chassis has not been opened, the method performs an abbreviated initialization operation that retrieves the system configuration information from the nonvolatile storage device without having to communicate directly with the computer system components.

Method for saving system configuration information to shorten computer system initialization time by checking the state of a chassis intrusion detection circuit

A method to notify an operating system level application includes setting a value (while executing in the system management mode) that is visible to the operating system level application before returning control to the operating system. The operating system visible value may cause an interrupt service routine to execute. The interrupt service routine may determine various characteristics of the system management event and pass this information to the operating system and/or application.

Technique to automatically notify an operating system level application of a system management event

One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that reduces the time required to gather system configuration information during an initialization process within a computer system. The apparatus includes a chassis intrusion detection circuit that determines whether a chassis of the computer system has been opened. The apparatus also includes a system initialization mechanism that operates when the chassis intrusion detection circuit indicates that the chassis has been opened, and is configured to perform an initialization operation that gathers system configuration information by communicating directly with computer system components to determine a state of the computer system components. The system initialization mechanism saves this system configuration information in a nonvolatile storage device. The apparatus also includes an abbreviated system initialization mechanism that retrieves the system configuration information from the nonvolatile storage device without having to communicate directly with the computer system components. This abbreviated system initialization mechanism operates when the chassis intrusion detection circuit indicates that the chassis has not been opened.

Apparatus for savings system configuration information to shorten computer system initialization time

One embodiment of the present invention provides a computer system that selectively switches a plurality of peripheral devices between a plurality of buses in order to improve computer system performance. This computer system includes a number of peripheral devices, including a first peripheral device and a second peripheral device, as well as a number of buses, including a first bus and a second bus. The computer system also includes a configuration register that receives bus configuration information from a processor executing a program. This bus configuration information specifies whether the first peripheral device is coupled to the first bus or the second bus, and whether the second peripheral device is coupled to the first bus or the second bus. The computer system also includes a switching mechanism that operates under control of the configuration register. This switching mechanism couples the first peripheral device to either the first bus or the second bus, and couples the second peripheral device to either the first bus or the second bus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first bus is a shared bus coupled to more than one peripheral device and the second bus is a high-speed bus coupled to at most one peripheral device.

Apparatus for configuring bus architecture through software control

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for configuring a bus architecture under software control to selectively switch a plurality of peripheral devices between a plurality of buses. The method includes receiving bus configuration information in a configuration register. This configuration information specifies how peripheral devices are coupled to buses. If the configuration information specifies a first configuration, the system configures switching circuitry so that the first peripheral device communicates across the first bus and the second peripheral device communicates across the second bus. If the configuration information specifies a second configuration, the system configures the switching circuitry so that the first peripheral device communicates across the second bus and the second peripheral device communicates across the first bus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first bus is a shared bus coupled to more than one peripheral device and the second bus is a high-speed bus coupled to at most one peripheral device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally tracks usage of the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device to determine which peripheral device is most active. Next, the system writes configuration information into the configuration register so that the most active peripheral device is coupled to the second bus.

Method for configuring bus architecture through software control

A technique to generate a web-based presentation is described that includes obtaining an entry from a feature table (the entry having an identification portion and an installation portion), and generating at least part of the presentation based on the installation portion if the entry corresponds to a loaded feature. At least a part of the presentation may also be generated based on entries not associated with operational features of a computer system. The method may be automatically executed on initial system power-up, or on user command.

System tour generator

A method to protect against system memory configuration data loss and/or corruption includes obtaining configuration data from a computer system memory module, determining if the obtained configuration data is incorrect, and repairing the configuration data of the memory module if the obtained configuration data is incorrect. A computer system providing memory configuration data protection includes a random access memory having one or more modules (each memory module having module configuration data), a nonvolatile storage element having configuration data for each of the memory modules stored thereon, and a processor module adapted to determine if the configuration data from one of the memory modules is incorrect and, if it is, use at least a portion of the configuration data stored in the nonvolatile storage element to replace at least a portion of the configuration data of the memory module having the incorrect configuration data.

Memory configuration data protection

Techniques to notify an operating system level application that a system management event has occurred include setting a value (while executing in the system management mode) that is visible to the operating system (and applications executing thereunder) before returning control to the operating system. The operating system visible value may cause a special system management driver routine to execute. The special system management driver routine may determine various characteristics of the system management event and pass this information to an application.

Growing community of inventors

Mounds View, MN, United States of America

Robert R Hoffman, Jr