Abstract: Virtual data storage cartridges are created on a data storage subsystem to/from which volume writes and reads are directed. When a number of data volumes have been written, the controller may migrate them to the tape drive, a much faster process than writing directly to tape and enabling multiple logical volumes to be written to a single physical tape. With the present invention, virtual scratch cartridges are virtually premounted in a virtual drive loader while the virtual drive is accessing another virtual cartridge. When the host calls for a new scratch cartridge, it can be mounted in the virtual drive almost immediately, having already been virtually pre-loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. A mechanism is provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: Track information decoding circuitry of a data storage device servo control system decodes binary track information in a readback servo signal by detecting opposite polarity track information pulse pairs so as to produce a track information signal "one" bit if the presence of an opposite polarity pulse pair is detected and produce a track information signal "zero" bit in the absence of an opposite polarity pulse pair, wherein a one bit is produced only if there has been detected a second pulse of a readback signal pulse pair having a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold value and having a correct polarity. The polarity of the last di-bit of the servo signal AGC field can be used to set the polarity in the pulse qualification process.

Abstract: An array controller of a log structured array dynamically defines segments as data is taken from a write buffer and recorded into disk storage units of the log structured array such that a segment includes blocks selected from the various disk storage units at the time of segment definition so as to minimize disk arm travel. Each time a segment from the write buffer must be written to disk, the new disk segment is defined in response to current disk arm position for each disk platter in a disk storage unit. The array controller maintains a segment definition table that indicates the disk storage unit locations corresponding to each segment. In addition, garbage collection of used blocks is performed in response to disk arm idle time such that garbage collection is not performed only when there are too few empty segments. Rather, garbage collection is performed when a disk arm has been idle for a predetermined time. A variety of garbage collection schemes are described.

Abstract: A hard disk drive head actuator includes a plurality of arms for holding the heads over the disks. Each arm is formed with one or more cutouts, to reduce the rotational inertia of the actuator. To prevent increased viscous dissipation, or windage losses, that would otherwise be caused by the cutouts, the cutouts are filled with lightweight plastic inserts. Advantageously, filling the cutouts improves structural damping of an arm and enhances the dynamic response of an actuator assembly that incorporates one or more such arms.

Abstract: A data storage system establishes streamlined data exchange paths between stored data and multiple system hosts, decreasing contention among the hosts and expediting host access to the data. First, one or more storage directors receive an initial host request to access a data block contained in part of a shared data resource. This part of the shared data resource may comprise a magnetic disk drive device, part of a physical device, a logical volume, a logical device or another data group. In response, the storage director performs a predetermined series of initial access steps to facilitate the data transfer. For example, the data block is copied from the shared data resource into a cache, if not already present therein. Then, a data path is formed between the host and the device containing the data block. Next, a fast path map is updated to indicate establishment of the data path between the host and the device containing the data block.

Abstract: The present method employs a first plating resist for forming circuit lines on a carrier substrate. While the plating resist is still in place a metal, such as nickel, is deposited on top of the circuit lines. A second plating resist is employed for plating solder on the circuit lines at solder sites. At this stage additional solder can be deposited at each solder site to provide or supplement the necessary low melt solder required for forming a solder joint. The first and second resists along with solder thereon are then stripped and copper foil on the carrier substrate is etched away around the circuit lines. A soldermask is then formed on the carrier substrate over the circuit lines except for circuit lines in the chip sites. The soldermask has a single large opening at each chip site which has lateral dimensions which are slightly larger than the lateral dimensions of the chip to be connected at the chip site.

Abstract: The present invention employs a ZTH defining insulation layer with a relatively long flat region along with a scheme for eliminating reflective notching from the next insulation layer on top of the ZTH defining insulation layer. This has been accomplished by providing the next insulation layer with a plurality of sloping surfaces which are oriented so that light reflected by the sloping surfaces is directed to areas remote from a pattern of a second pole tip in a photoresist layer which is employed for fabricating the second pole tip. The sloping surfaces terminate at a non-linear front edge which may include a plurality of straight edges extending in predetermined directions. The directions of these straight edges will define the orientations of the sloping surfaces. In one embodiment the straight edges may all be non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the ABS.

Abstract: A torque magnetometer employing integrated piezoresistive levers to measure magnetization of very small anisotropic samples. A sample holding platform is cantilevered from the substrate by parallel legs on which piezoresistors have been applied. A Wheatstone bridge, which includes the piezoresistors, is completely integrated on a magnetometer substrate. Specific output connections are made to the electrical conductors of the bridge in a manner to eliminate Hall effect error signals in an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: A method for partitioning programs into multi-procedure modules for efficient compilation. During interprocedural analysis, a weighted callgraph of the program is constructed in which weights on nodes represent code size of each procedure and weights on edges between the nodes represent execution counts between procedures. A coloured interference graph is built from the analysis information, and is used to induce weighted sub-graphs of the callgraph containing no interferences between procedures in each sub-graph. The procedures from a single sub-graph are combined into one or more modules; procedures with the highest weighted edges between them are combined in a module first until the cumulative node weight of the module reaches a preset limit on memory size.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing bulk articles, comprises a housing having a receptacle and a dispensing chute, an article reservoir mounted on the housing above the receptacle, and a rotatable dispensing wheel disposed between the receptacle and the dispensing chute and operative to selectively dispense articles from the receptacle to the chute, the dispensing wheel having at least one article cavity for receiving and depositing a predetermined quantity of articles in the chute, the cavity defined by walls diverging away from an upper peripheral edge.

Abstract: Systems are provided for saving register data in a pipelined data processing system, and for restoring the data to the appropriate register in the event of an exception condition. One embodiment concerns a latch feedback assembly, such as a SRL, which includes multiple series-connected latches having a feedback connection between last and first latches. The latches are clocked to temporarily reserve a delayed backup copy of data from the first latch on the last latch. Upon detection of an exception, the backup copy is first preserved by disabling writes to the last latch; then the backup copy is copied to the first latch to restore the first latch to its state prior to occurrence of the exception. Another embodiment involves a register file save/restore mechanism, in which an additional bank of registers, called a "backup register", is coupled to a register file. When data is stored in an address of the register file, the address and its data content are also stored in the backup register.

Abstract: The method provides for treating an embedded static SQL program that resides with the CLI application (rather than at the database manager) in an analogous manner to stored procedures. When the CLI application sends a SQL CALL statement syntactically identical to a stored procedure call, the CLI implementation can intercept the call and, instead of invoking the stored procedure, invoke the embedded static program.

Abstract: A mechanically operated cleaning apparatus is provided for a magnetic tape drive of the type which has a tape cartridge transport device. Reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device actuates movements of the cleaning apparatus which causes a cleaning device, such as a brush, to wipe multiple times across the ABS of a magnetic head to remove debris therefrom. A frame is provided for mounting the magnetic head and the cartridge transport device. A guide apparatus is mounted on the frame and supports the cleaning device for guiding the cleaning device between the first and second lateral locations so that the cleaning device wipes across the ABS as it moves between said locations. An actuator device is mounted on the frame and is connected to the guide apparatus. The actuator device is actuated by reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device for moving the cleaning device across the ABS to remove debris therefrom.

Abstract: A computationally efficient system spatially filters a digital input image to sharpen the image. A process is disclosed to spatially filter pixels of an RGB image by applying a high pass filter to the image. First, signals representative of luminance are extracted from the input image. Then, the extracted luminance signals are filtered. Quotient signals are then developed, representing the ratio between each filtered luminance signal and the corresponding original luminance signal. Quotient signals are multiplied by the corresponding pixels of each plane of the original image to provide an output image. The invention may also be embodied by an image editor to implement the spatial filtering process of the invention, where the image editor includes stored programming instructions executed by a processor, discrete circuit components, an ASIC, or another suitable hardware device.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the available energy and system runtime of battery powered electric devices which use non-rechargeable cells as an energy source. The present invention employs techniques for using energy from both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries in a manner which discharges each of the different cells within their optimal discharge rate. In particular, the non-rechargeable batteries are used for a low rate of system discharge and rechargeable cells supplement the non-rechargeable batteries for a higher system loads. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the system load is at a very low level, the rechargeable battery is recharged using power from the non-rechargeable battery. The result of the techniques of the present invention is the lowering of discharge rate and hence increasing the capacity of the non-rechargeable cell.

Abstract: The present invention uncouples the dependence between the zero throat height and the flare point of a write head by recessing the first insulation layer within the first pole piece layer. The first pole piece layer and the first insulation layer have planar surfaces which preferably lie in a common plane, the zero throat height being defined at the point where the planar surface of the first pole piece layer first meets the planar surface of the first insulation layer within the head. It is also at this point that the first and second pole piece layers separate from one another. Accordingly, the zero throat height can be accurately placed relative to the stripe height of a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor. Further, when a photoresist layer is spun onto the partially completed head for the construction of the pole tip of the second pole piece light directed into the photoresist layer for photo-imaging the pole tip does not reflect into the photoresist layer adjacent the pole tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated sectionalization of a DS1/DS3 data path based upon information received at a single location along the path. A test and monitor device is located at a point of demarcation between an LEC and an IEC. A Remote Module is located at a point of demarcation between the LEC and CPE. The test and monitor device is fully ANSI compatible. The information that is received is processed in a three step process in order to generate a "Sectionalizer Report". In preparing the Sectionalizer Report, the information output from a filter is used to determine where particular Events originated. A Remote Alarm Indication-Customer Installation signal is generated to enhance the ability to sectionalize the data path.

Abstract: A golf swing training device configured to be coupled to the grip of a golf club by the fingers of the golfer and to project beams of light parallel to the axis of the club shaft. The training device is so configured that it can accommodate substantially any golf club grip and can be moved from club to club at will. It selectively projects a light on the ground to provide real time feedback to the golfer as to the correct position of the club during both the backswing and the downswing.

Abstract: A finite field multiplier in GF2.sup.mn is formed from a pair of m celled shift registers and an m celled accumulating cell. Logical connections are established to generate grouped terms in respective cells of the accumulating cell upon retention of the vector of the subfield elements in each shift register. Each cell contains a subfield element in the form of an n-tuple and the logical connections perform arithmetic operations in accordance with the inherent subfield arithmetic to provide an n-tuple in each cell of the accumulating register. A product of two vectors can be obtained in m clock cycles. By mapping between registers, squaring of a vector can be obtained in one clock cycle.