In a data protection apparatus for a multiple CPU system having a common or multiported bulk memory, an interface structure is associated with each of the CPU's. The interface structure cooperates with a firmware engine which is, in turn, a part of the interface control means which controls the transfer of data between the common bulk memory apparatus and each of the several CPU's in the system. Signals generated by the individual CPU's indicative of an emergency situation are applied as input signals to the interface structure. The interface structure then translates those signals into an attention flag signal and signals identifying the source or nature of the emergency. The firmware engine then responds to those signals and effects the necessary measures to protect the data relative to the affected CPU.
A high-performance dual-ported shared memory that interconnects two 32-bit PCI buses with a RAM memory that provides an address space of 64-bit words. The high-performance dual-ported shared memory provides two independent channels for reading from, and writing to, the RAM memory. By interleaving 64-bit read and write operations directed to the RAM memory with 32-bit PCI bus data transfer operations, and by internally buffering data, the high-performance dual-ported shared memory can independently provide data access at PCI data transfer rates to both PCI buses without introducing wait states.
A method for transfer of data between multiple tasks in a host computer and multiple tasks in an intelligent controller. One or more memory buffers for holding the data to be transferred are allocated to each task. Each connection between corresponding tasks in the host and the controller is provided with a set of queues for controlling access by the controller to the memory buffers. An output queue contains descriptions of output buffers holding data for transfer from the host to the controller. A buffer queue contains descriptions of input buffers available for transfer of data from the controller to the host, a return queue contains descriptions of output buffers available for transfer of data from the host to the controller, and an input queue contains descriptions of input buffers holding data that has been transferred from the controller to the host. The queues contain pointers to extended control blocks, each containing a virtual data pointer and a physical data pointer to a specified buffer. When data is to be transferred, a description of a selected buffer is provided to the controller. When the controller has resources available, the host is notified and a description of the selected buffer is provided to the host. The host maps the selected buffer to an I/O segment of virtual memory, and the transfer of data is performed through the I/O segment. After completion of the data transfer, the description of the buffer is placed on the appropriate queue for reuse in a subsequent data transfer.
A process for producing a photographic paper is described, comprising coating a composition containing an unsaturated organic compound capable of being polymerized by irradiation with electron beams and an inorganic white pigment on the surface of a web support, and, after hardening the coated layer by irradiation with electron beams, coating thereon a photographic emulsion, wherein the improvement comprises performing the irradiation with electron beams while pressing the web support on a roll having a curvature radius of from 25 cm to 250 cm with the coated layer with said layer in a convexly curled state, and coating the photosensitive emulsion on the convexly curled surface of the web support.
Power failure protection for data processing apparatus is provided by the use of a standby power module which supplies power to the data processing apparatus when the normal supply is interrupted. Since damage to the data processing apparatus may result in the event of a sudden power failure, power failure protection software controls the data processing apparatus to cause periodic sampling of the state of the standby power module. During the time that the standby power module is operating, a timer in the data processing apparatus operates to measure the total time that said standby power module has operated since its last recharge. When said total time exceeds a predetermined amount which is based upon the minimum time during which the standby power module can supply power to the data processing apparatus, the power failure protection software initiates an orderly power shutdown of the data processing apparatus, in order to avoid a sudden power loss which might result in damage.
The data-recording device comprises: a temporary safety electronic-technology medium (MEM), on which the data (D) coming from the interface (IT) are recorded temporarily, in succession, as they are received. Particular means (AC, TH) acquire at least one selected quantity relating to a predetermined environmental or operating condition of the recording device or of at least one its constituent components and supply a datum (A0, T0) representative of the said quantity acquired. The control unit (UT) comprises a recording mode in which the quantity (A0, T0) acquired is compared with at least one predetermined value (A2, T2) and, when a quantity acquired is greater than the said predetermined value, access to the recording medium of magneto-optical technology (DIS) is not authorized, whereas, when a quantity acquired is less than or equal to the said predetermined value, the data stored temporarily on the temporary safety medium (MEM) are recorded on the recording medium (DIS), as long as access to the said recording medium is authorized.
