Abstract: A method, apparatus, and information bearing medium for merging display items in encoded form involve providing display items to be merged in an encoded format, such as a run length encoded format (e.g., modified enhanced run length encoded format). The display items are examined on the basis of item priority. A target item having a target area is defined. The display items in the target area are merged according to item priority to produce the target item. The target item is representative of the merged display items. The encoded data associated with the display items to be merged includes control data and color data. In one embodiment, tokens are produced using the encoded data associated with the display items to be merged. The display items are merged using the tokens. The tokens represent counts of repeated data or pointers to pass-thru data associated with the display items to be merged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data coding for high-density recording channels exhibiting low frequency contents is disclosed. Coding is used that satisfies both Running Digital Sum (RDS) and Maximum Transition Run (MTR) properties, which are desirable for achieving high-density recording for recording channels exhibiting low frequency components such as perpendicular magnetic recording channel.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle for transporting asphalt from a delivery truck to a paving machine includes a frame and a vehicle drive system. The vehicle also includes a turret that is rotatably mounted on the frame and a surge bin that is mounted on the turret. The surge bin has a front side and a rear side with a discharge opening therein. A truck-unloading conveyor is mounted on the frame. The truck-unloading conveyor has an inlet end, and an outlet end which is adjacent to the front side of the surge bin. A paver-loading conveyor is mounted on the turret and has an inlet end extending into the discharge opening on the rear side of the surge bin.

Abstract: A dust collection assembly includes a primary collection assembly and a secondary collection assembly and may be connected to a source of gas having dust entrained therein. The primary collection assembly includes a primary duct having an inlet end and an outlet end. A first apparatus is mounted within the primary duct imparts a swirling motion to the gas which enters through the inlet end of the duct. A second apparatus is located downstream of the first apparatus for removing a portion of the dust entrained in the gas. The secondary collection assembly is in fluid communication with the outlet end of the primary collection assembly, and it includes a plurality of filter bags. The dust collection assembly also includes a fan that is in fluid communication with the secondary collection assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for oxidizing conductive redeposition in TMR sensors is disclosed. A TMR barrier layer is etched. Redeposition material is oxidized and the barrier is healed using an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of ozone and water vapor.

Abstract: A sign assembly having a support surface including a first side frame portion, a second side frame portion and a back plate. The first side frame portion includes a longitudinal first recess having a bottom and a top, and the second side frame portion includes a longitudinal second recess having a bottom and a top. The sign assembly also includes a third side frame portion, a fourth side frame portion, a front panel and a locking pin. At least one of the third side frame portion and the fourth side frame portion includes at least one protuberance. The front panel includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The locking pin is adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal second recess.

Abstract: A spinal spacer assembly comprises spacer tubes of different cross sections including kidney shaped, oblong, oval and round. The spacer tubes have internal ribs for receiving top and bottom end caps. Such end caps are pressed into the top and bottom openings of the spacer tube so as to be supported on and frictionally engage the internal ribs. The end caps are flush with the tops and bottoms of the spacer tubes except for serrations on the end caps which may project outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for magnetic disk drive protection is provided. A stable position data storage stores stable-state information representing a magnetic disk drive in an operating environment that satisfies a certain condition. An acceleration sensor senses changes in acceleration acting on the magnetic disk drive and a rest-state measuring unit determines whether the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest based on information acquired by the acceleration sensor. An operating state determination unit, in response to a first determination by the rest-state measuring unit that the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest, determines when the state of rest corresponds to the stable-state information stored in the stable position data storage, and sets a detection sensitivity to a sign that which indicates an impending shock to the magnetic disk drive based on a result of a second determination.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for correcting a burst of errors together with a random error using cyclic or shortened cyclic codes is disclosed. The present invention solves the above-described problems by providing a received word to a syndrome register defined by a polynomial of degree n-k, said polynomial generating a cyclic or shortened cyclic code, wherein n is the length and k is the number of information bits in the codeword. The syndrome gets modified each time the received (possibly noisy) word is shifted. The contents of the syndrome register are processed to identify a random error together with an error burst of the received word. Then correction of the random error and the burst is made and a corrected codeword is generated.

Abstract: A method for publishing a customized publication including an article for a customer includes obtaining information from the customer including a topic for the article and the identity of a primary source for quotable information about the topic. The method also includes establishing and following a defined schedule for a three-step process for obtaining information about the topic prior to preparing and printing the publication.

Abstract: A hermetic sealing approach involves welding an Aluminum cover onto a low-cost Aluminum housing. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a metal housing having a base and sidewalls extending upward therefrom is adapted to receive and couple to an HDD arrangement. The metal housing is formed using material and processing (e.g., cold formed or die cast Aluminum) that are relatively inexpensive. A feedthrough arrangement including a plurality of communication pins extends through an opening in the base and is coupled thereto, with the communication pins adapted to pass signals between the inside and the outside of the metal housing. A metal cover is welded to an upper portion of the sidewalls and, with the feedthrough arrangement, hermetically seals the metal housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing write pre-compensation using a read timing path is disclosed. The present invention generates a first phase clock signal having a first phase and being synchronized with a read signal of a read path, generates a second phase clock signal having a second phase at a predetermined phase difference with the first clock signal and uses the first and second clock signals to shift write data to achieve write data comprising a first desired pre-compensation.

Abstract: An end gate assembly for a screed for a paving machine, where the screed is provided with a screed hinge component, includes a frame having a frame hinge portion that is adapted to mate with the screed hinge component to form a hinge having a hinge axis about which the frame may pivot. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end gate has a pair of hinges. More specifically, the preferred end gate has a first frame portion having a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion. The first hinge portion is adapted to mate with the screed hinge component to form a first hinge having a first hinge axis about which the first frame portion may pivot. This preferred assembly also includes a second frame portion having a hinge member that is adapted to mate with the second hinge portion of the first frame portion to form a second hinge having a second hinge axis about which the second frame portion may pivot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing write pre-compensation using a read timing path is disclosed. The present invention generates a first phase clock signal having a first phase and being synchronized with a read signal of a read path, generates a second phase clock signal having a second phase at a predetermined phase difference with the first clock signal and uses the first and second clock signals to shift write data to achieve write data comprising a first desired pre-compensation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for maintaining data consistency and cache coherency during communications failures between nodes in a remote mirror pair. A link between a mirror pair of storage systems is monitored. During a link failure between a first storage system and a second storage systems, reads and writes on the first and second storage systems are independently performed and write data and associated timestamps are maintained for the write data for each write in a queue on the first and second storage system. After link reestablishment, volume sets on the first and second storage systems are resynchronized using write data and associated timestamps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a pre-patterned seed layer for providing an aligned coil for an inductive head structure. The method uses an aligned process where the base plate imprint is fabricated on an electrically insulating layer and the reversed image is fabricated and etched into the coil insulation material, e.g., hard bake photoresist to alleviate the problems associated with complete ion removal of the seed layer between high aspect ratio coils. The method would also not be prone to plating non-uniformities (voids), and would not be subject to seed layer undercutting in a wet etch step process.

Abstract: A system of modular assembly comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the plurality of structural members comprises at least two slots along a lengthwise side. A first one of the at least two slots defines a first outside slot which is located nearest to a first widthwise side and a second one of the at least two slots defines a second outside slot which is located nearest to a second widthwise side. The distance between the slot axis of the first outside slot and the first widthwise side is a predetermined slot-to-side distance, and the distance between the slot axis of the second outside slot and the second widthwise side is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance. The distance between each of the slot axes of the at least two slots along one of said lengthwise sides is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance.

Abstract: A method for improving hard bias properties of layers of a magnetoresistance sensor is disclosed. Properties of the hard bias layer are improved using a seedlayer structure that includes at least a first layer of silicon and a second layer comprising chromium or chromium molybdenum. Further, benefits are achieved when the seedlayer structure includes a layer of tantalum.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a container trailer includes a longitudinal component having a plurality of locating constructions. The frame assembly also includes a plurality of cross-members, each of which includes a locating construction for mating with a locating construction of the longitudinal component. The locating constructions of the cross-members and the locating constructions of the longitudinal component are located, sized and arranged so that a locating construction of each cross-member may be mated with a locating construction of the longitudinal component to position the cross-members with respect to the longitudinal component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing thermal stability, improving biasing and reducing damage from electrical surges in self-pinned abutted junction heads. A first self-pinned layer having a first magnetic orientation is provided, wherein the first self-pinned layer has a first end, a second end and central portion. A second self-pinned layer is formed over only the central portion of the first self-pinned layer and an interlayer is disposed between the first and second self-pinned layers. A free layer is formed in a central region over the second self-pinned layer. First and second hard bias layers are formed over the first and second ends of the first self-pinned layer respectively, the first and second hard bias layer abutting the free layer, the first and second end of the first self-pinned layer extending under the hard bias layers at the first and second ends.