Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: Methods and devices yielding an improved semiconductor device with interface circuit are disclosed. Configuring a semiconductor with parallel device features reduces process variation (e.g., lithographically-induced process variation or other defects). Embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor devices with I/O cell device features (e.g., I/O gates or core gates) laid out in parallel. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can allow patterning devices to be made to more exacting tolerances because some patterning devices may have a higher capability along one axis than another. Embodiments of the present invention also include a semiconductor device having like-functioned I/O cells arranged such that their layouts and rotational orientations with respect to their corresponding core remain constant.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of protecting RAID systems from multiple failures and such protected RAID systems are disclosed. More particularly, in certain embodiments of a distributed RAID system each data bank has a set of associated storage media and executes a similar distributed RAID application. The distributed RAID applications on each of the data banks coordinate among themselves to distribute and control data flow associated with implementing a level of RAID in conjunction with data stored on the associated storage media of the data banks. Furthermore, one or more levels of RAID may be implemented within one or more of the data banks comprising the distributed RAID system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for pressure increase which may occur in various enclosed spaces of a pumping apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention may compensate for pressure increases in chambers of a pumping apparatus by moving a pumping means of the pumping apparatus to adjust the volume of the chamber to compensate for a pressure increase in the chamber. More specifically, in one embodiment, to account for unwanted pressure increases to the fluid in a dispense chamber the dispense motor may be reversed to back out piston to compensate for any pressure increase in the dispense chamber.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for interfacing a single bus with multiple buses invisibly to devices using the single bus are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment an I/O bus may be interfaced with multiple other I/O buses of the same or different formats. Commands may be received on the first I/O bus and invisibly to a computing device or processor which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate a received command in conjunction with storage media coupled to the other I/O buses. This set of commands may also be configured to implement additional functionality in conjunction with the storage media such as RAID or data encryption.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein pertain to providing price protection programs related to the purchase of a commodity to a consumer. Embodiments of such a program may provide price protection related to the purchase of a commodity to the consumer so that when a consumer purchases the commodity, the price the consumer pays for the commodity may be determined under the provided program. Embodiments of these programs may be quite useful in incentivizing consumers in certain ways, including to seek or obtain employment from a particular employer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storage devices are presented. More specifically, in one embodiment a storage device may comprise have an enclosure comprising an interface which may be coupled to an I/O bus of a computing system with which it is being utilized. Commands may be received through the interface and, invisibly to the computing system which issues the commands, translated into a set of commands configured to effectuate the received command in conjunction with one or more storage media coupled to the interface, where this set of commands may also be configured to implement additional functionality such as RAID or data encryption in conjunction with the storage media.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating log messages into actionable incidents. Some embodiments implement a method which includes comparing a plurality of disparate log messages to a plurality of incident descriptions. The disparate log messages can be parsed. When the messages correlate with an incident description an incident case can be created. Workflow steps can be associated with the incident case and output along with the incident case. Additional disparate log messages can be compared to the incident expressions and, when additional messages correlate with the correlated incident description, the incident case can be adjusted. In some embodiments, the adjustment can include adding workflow steps to the incident case. Results of various workflow steps can be monitored and adjustments can be made accordingly. In some embodiments, the results can include out-of-bounds activities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the provisioning of price protection contracts which provide price protection against adverse fluctuations in the retail price of a commodity to a consumer are disclosed. While these price protection contracts may pertain to almost any type of commodity, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide systems and method for allowing a consumer to obtain price protection on the purchase of fuel. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may provide the ability for fleet managers to obtain a price protection contract for the purchase of fuel where the price protection contract specifies at least one lock price, quantity, locale and time period such that the price protection contract may guarantee the right to aggregately purchase the quantity of fuel in the locale at the lock price during the time period.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a fluid flow device can be calibrated using a single standard calibration fluid. The fluid flow of a first fluid through a flow meter is measured by calculating a first pressure difference between pressures sensed by two pressure sensors of the flow meter. The fluid flow of a second fluid through the flow meter is measured by calculating a second pressure difference between pressures sensed by the same two pressure sensors. A calibration coefficient is determined based upon the relationship between the flow rate, the fluid density and the calculated pressure difference for the first and second fluids. A relationship between the calibration coefficient and the kinematic viscosity of each fluid is then determined and stored.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein can facilitate delivery of a document from a source to a destination over a network where an initial delivery attempt has been unsuccessful. Actions to be taken are based upon input conditions which may include a time-variable set of input conditions such as identifying non-business days and/or hours at the destination. The document can be a fax, an email, or a voice mail. The actions may include resubmitting the document to the network for a next delivery attempt, cancelling the document, sending a request to the source or destination for additional delivery information, identifying the destination as a technical problem, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first region configured to operate at a specified first voltage, a second region configured to operate at a varying second voltage, and a memory device formed between the first region and the second region so as to straddle the first and second regions, wherein the memory device comprises a first port driven at the first voltage to transmit an output signal to and receive an input signal from the first region, a second port driven at the second voltage to transmit an output signal to and receive an input signal from the second region, and a memory cell accessed by the first and second ports.

Abstract: An occipital plate for use in an occipito-cervico-thoracic (OCT) construct is mounted to a patient's occipital bone. The occipital plate includes an elongate central section aligned with a midline of the base and a pair of angled sections that project away from the central section and include attachment assemblies for securing a rod to the occipital plate. The attachment assemblies have multi-adjustability features. At least a portion of the attachment assemblies is rotatable with respect to the base so that the rods may be coupled to the occipital plate at a variety of angles with respect to the midline. The angular adjustability may accommodate any misalignments in the rods. Additionally, the position of the attachment assemblies relative to the midline of the occipital plate is adjustable to thereby provide for medial-lateral adjustability when attaching the rods to the occipital plate as part of the OCT construct.

Abstract: An automated rule-based system for facilitating delivery of a fax document from a source to a destination over a network where an initial delivery attempt has been unsuccessful. Actions to be taken are based upon a time-variable set of input conditions which may be determined from one or more of the destination, the source, a database of past delivery attempts, and a human analyst. The actions may include one or more of resubmitting the fax document to the network for a next delivery attempt, cancelling the document, sending a request to the source or destination for additional delivery information, and identifying the destination as a technical problem. The input conditions may include an identification of non-business days and non-business hours.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for a storage system are disclosed. More particularly, in certain embodiments desired locations of storage devices may be zeroed out during operation of the storage system and areas that have been zeroed out allocated to store data when commands pertaining to that data are received. Specifically, in one embodiment a distributed RAID system comprising a set of data banks may be provided where each data bank in the set of data banks may execute a background process which zeroes areas of the storage devices of the data bank. When a command pertaining to a logical location is received a zeroed area of the physical storage devices on the data bank may be allocated to store data associated with that logical location.

Abstract: An ad is placed in a movie, by analyzing inherent characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewed characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewer characteristics of a viewer of the movie, obtaining advertiser preferences for placement of the ad in the movie, determining costs of placing the ad in the movie based on the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics and the advertiser preferences, and placing the ad in the movie in accordance with the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics, the advertiser preferences and the determined costs.

Abstract: An ad in a movie can be a static ad having a position in the movie that cannot be moved, or a dynamic ad having a position in the movie that can be changed. When a viewer of the movie wishes to skip a portion of the movie containing the ad, the playback system determines whether the ad is static or dynamic. If the ad is static, then only the portion of the movie preceding the static ad can be skipped, that is, the ad is unskippable; this technique is referred to as “bounceback” since the end of the skip bounces back to the start of the static ad. If the ad is dynamic, then the ad is moved to after the end of the skip; this technique is referred to as “slip-ad” since the ad slips to later in the movie. When a movie has multiple ads, some can be static and some can be dynamic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed provide a distributed RAID system comprising a set of data banks. More particularly, in certain embodiments of a distributed RAID system each data bank has a set of associated storage media and executes a similar distributed RAID application. The distributed RAID applications on each of the data banks coordinate among themselves to distribute and control data flow associated with implementing a level of RAID in conjunction with a volume stored on the associated storage media of the data banks. Migration of volumes, or portions thereof, from one configuration to another configuration may be accomplished according to a priority associated with the volume.

Abstract: Bulk operations on a large number of items may be processed by a computer with a reduced likelihood of exceeding a timing or hardware limitation of a system. An instruction or its related information can be examined to determine if the instruction may potentially involve a large number of items. If so, the instruction may be passed to a bulk operations manager software component to determine the number of items involved. The bulk operations manager software component can break down the operation into smaller groups of items. Operations can be performed on each of the smaller groups of objects. The changes can be transparent to a developer writing code or a computer generating code to perform a specific operation.