Abstract: A customer support system enhanced with virtual world features to make the support experience more interactive and pleasant. The system includes a web user interface for web-based customers and an optional voice interface for voice-based customers, a support server and a virtual world component for enhancing the interaction between a customer and the support center. A routing server with virtual world targets route the customer to appropriate support center contacts in the virtual world. The virtual world targets include a “Greeter” avatar for greeting and prompting the customer with support-related questions. The customer is routed to a “CSR” avatar once support information is obtained. Other avatars like “Expert” avatars, “Advisor” avatars, and “Friend” avatars may also join the support session to assist the customer on specific support items, depending on the customer needs.

Abstract: Channel marking is provided in a memory system that includes a memory channel with a plurality of memory devices. The memory devices are arranged into a first group of memory devices and a second group of memory devices. The memory system is configured to perform a method that includes determining that more than a threshold number of memory devices in the first group are failing. An error correction code (ECC) is configured to compensate for errors associated with memory devices in the first group on the memory channel and to perform error correction on errors associated with memory devices in the second group on the memory channel.

Abstract: A system including multiple application servers for accessing shared data and a centralized control unit for centrally controlling a lock applied to the shared data by each of the application servers. Each application server includes a distributed control unit for controlling a lock applied to the shared data by the application server and a selection unit for selecting any one of distributed mode in which a lock is acquired from the distributed control unit or a centralized mode in which a lock is acquired from the centralized control unit.

Abstract: A barbeque grill brush including a handle with the head portion attached thereto, multiple metal bristles embedded in the bottom of the head portion, a pair of spaced L-shaped arms attached to the bottom of the head portion, and an elongated bumper spaced from the head portion and end being interconnected to the L-shaped arms.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for synchronously debugging a software program using a plurality of virtual machines are provided. Embodiments include controlling, by a master debugging module operating on a first virtual machine, execution of the software program within the first virtual machine; controlling, by a slave debugging module operating on a second virtual machine, execution of the software program within the second virtual machine including delaying execution of the software program within the second virtual machine relative to the execution of the software program within the first virtual machine; detecting, by the master debugging module, an error in the execution of the software program within the first virtual machine; and in response to the detection of the error, capturing, by a hypervisor, a snapshot of the second virtual machine.

Abstract: Channel marking is provided in a memory system that includes a first memory channel, a second memory channel, and error correction code (ECC) logic. The memory system is configured to perform a method that includes receiving a request to apply a first channel mark to the first memory channel and determining a priority level of the first channel mark. A request is received to apply a second channel mark to the second memory channel, and a priority level of the second mark is determined. It is determined that the priority level of the first channel mark is higher than the priority level of the second channel mark. The first channel mark is supplied to the ECC logic while blocking the second channel mark from the ECC logic.

Abstract: A memory configured to provide a write requestor with a direct write programming interface to a disk device. A first persistent memory is configured for designating at least a portion its memory locations as central processing unit (CPU) load storable memory. The first persistent memory is also configured for receiving write data from the write requestor, for storing the write data in the CPU load storable memory, and for returning a write completion message to the write requestor in response to the storing completing. The memory also includes a second persistent memory that includes the disk device, and a controller in communication with the first and second persistent memories. The controller is configured for detecting the storing of the write data to the CPU load storable memory and for copying the write data to the second persistent memory in response to detecting the storing of the write data.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a computer-implemented system, comprising a plurality of computer entities and multiple resources, one of the computer entities may request a multi-resource lock to one of the multiple resources; the one resource determines whether a resource lock is available at the one resource and, if so, the one resource communicates with all peer resources to determine whether a resource lock is available; if the peer resources indicate a resource lock is available, lock all of the resources to the requesting computer entity, and the one resource communicates the lock of the resources to the requesting computer entity; and if any the resource indicates contention for the multi-resource lock, the one resource communicates the contention to the requesting computer entity, and the requesting computer entity backs off the multi-resource lock request and, after a random time interval, repeats the request.

Abstract: Selecting a network connection for data communications with a networked device, including: identifying a plurality of networks available for data communications with the networked device, each network having network connection attributes; and selecting one of the plurality of networks in dependence upon the network connection attributes and the direction of data transfer.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for voice transformation are provided. The method includes transforming a source speech using transformation parameters, and encoding information on the transformation parameters in an output speech using steganography, wherein the source speech can be reconstructed using the output speech and the information on the transformation parameters. A method for reconstructing voice transformation is also provided including: receiving an output speech of a voice transformation system wherein the output speech is transformed speech which has encoded information on the transformation parameters using steganography; extracting the information on the transformation parameters; and carrying out an inverse transformation of the output speech to obtain an approximation of an original source speech.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, article of manufacture, and computer system for optimization of a manufacturing process of an integrated circuit or IC layout. The method includes: receiving input; organizing IC patterns; selecting IC patterns amongst the organized IC patterns; and optimizing a design of a manufacturing process of the IC layout based on the selected IC patterns.

Abstract: A method for providing frame start indication that includes receiving a data transfer via a channel in a memory system. The receiving is in response to a request, and at an indeterminate time relative to the request. It is determined whether the data transfer includes a frame start indicator. The data transfer and “n” subsequent data transfers are captured in response to determining that the data transfer includes a frame start indicator. The data transfer and the “n” subsequent data transfers make up a data frame, where “n” is greater than zero.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes defining a new encryption band with a length that is consistent with a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) parity strip; freeing a working extent in a working stride on the RAID. In an iterative process until each stride in a source band is depleted of data: marking a source extent in a source stride from which to gather data to be re-encrypted; marking parity inconsistent in the working stride in the new encryption band; performing a second iterative process; and freeing the working extent. The second iterative process is performed until each extent in a source stride is depleted of data. Additional systems, methods and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus for plating a magnetic film on a substrate includes: a track including a plurality of stopping points along the track; a permanent magnet placed on the track such that the permanent magnet can be moved along the track towards and away from the stopping points; at least one plating tank positioned on the stopping point; and a removable high permeability iron flux concentrator inserted into gaps between the substrate and inside walls of the plating tank, substantially surrounding the substrate and extending around and under the substrate.