Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least two servo readers, and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape based on a differential position value derived from relatively more current servo readback data and a second differential position value derived from relatively older servo readback data.

Abstract: A communication system, and method for creating a collaborative virtual session, including a first coupler agent connected to a first entity, a second coupler agent connected to a second entity, and a first client, coupled to the first coupler agent and a server. The first client is configured to initiate a virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a second virtual representation of the second entity, and instantiate the second virtual representation in a first collaborative virtual room. The communication system includes a second client, coupled to the second coupler agent and the server, configured to join the virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a first virtual representation of the first entity, and instantiate the first virtual representation in a second collaborative virtual room.

Abstract: A system is provided having a guide member with features, such as grid and axes, which spatially correlate to tissue with a lesion adjacent the guide member, and a template device upon the tissue aligned with the features having a first aperture over the guide member, and a second aperture over the tissue with the lesion. A microscope captures one or more images of the tissue via the second aperture at one or more locations each spatially correlated with a location selected or being mapped along the guide member in the first aperture. Prior to imaging and template device placement, marks are recorded along the guide member when, as part of a tracing sheet, it is positioned in a folded state over the lesion. When returned to an unfolded state, the guide member once removed from the tracing guide sheet is positioned for use with the template device and microscope.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least two servo readers, and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape based on a differential position value derived from relatively more current servo readback data and a second differential position value derived from relatively older servo readback data.

Abstract: An enclosure for enclosing an area including a frame and a canopy assembly. The frame includes an upper laterally-extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper support. The upper support is length-adjustable. The canopy assembly is connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area, and includes a plurality of collars removably connectable to the frame, and at least one panel holdable in a plane defined by the supports of the frame. The circumference of at least one such collar is adjustable so that when the length of the upper support is adjusted, the collar circumference can be adjusted to accommodate the change in length.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying candidate content associated with a user of a computing device, selecting, from the candidate content, cache content to be stored in cache storage of the computing device for access by the user when the computing device does not have network connectivity, and storing the cache content in the cache storage of the computing device. The cache content may be based on information associated with a user node that represents the user in a social graph. The cache content may include entities liked by the user, friends of the user, and/or entities of interest to the user. The cache content includes web pages accessed by the user and/or web pages referenced by content created by the user. The cache content may include information related to past, current, and/or predicted actions of the user, such as social network posts, travel itineraries, and geographic locations.

Abstract: A combination of components for use in making asphalt concrete from a mixture of virgin aggregate material with recycled asphalt products and/or recycled asphalt shingles encompasses a direct dryer for heating virgin aggregate material; a pre-dryer for heating recycled asphalt product and/or recycled asphalt shingles, said pre-dryer using warm exhaust gas from said direct dryer to heat the recycled asphalt product and/or recycled asphalt shingles; and means for conveying warm exhaust gas from said direct dryer to said pre-dryer.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. The differential position value is an average of differential position values for a set of samples, wherein the previously-calculated differential position value is an average of previously-calculated differential position values for a set of previously-obtained samples. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having servo readers and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: determining a reading performance of a head at a commanded lateral reading location; adjusting a location of the head relative to a medium by moving the head in a first lateral direction to an adjusted lateral reading location; determining a reading performance of the head at the adjusted lateral reading location, and determining whether the reading performance at the adjusted lateral reading location is better than the reading performance at the commanded lateral reading location. In response to determining the reading performance is better at the adjusted reading location, the method includes iteratively repeating the adjustment of the location of the head until the reading performance of the head at a current iteration is worse than the reading performance of the head at an immediately previous iteration. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bulk material storage container assembly for storing and unloading particulate material includes a storage vessel adapted to hold particulate material. A discharge port is in fluid communication with the storage vessel and with a discharge port outlet. The discharge port is also sized and shaped to facilitate bridging of particulate material. A shaft is mounted within the storage vessel adjacent to the discharge port and adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to the discharge port. A rake is mounted on said shaft and adapted to disaggregate particulate material that has bridged proximate the discharge port as the shaft is reciprocated with respect to the discharge port.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. The differential position value is an average of differential position values for a set of samples, wherein the previously-calculated differential position value is an average of previously-calculated differential position values for a set of previously-obtained samples. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having servo readers and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least two servo readers, and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape based on a differential position value derived from relatively more current servo readback data and a second differential position value derived from relatively older servo readback data.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes writing a plurality of shingled tracks using an array of writers. The array of readers is repositioned to various locations between first and second positions and data is read from the shingled tracks at the various locations. A read offset point where read performance is about the highest during the reading performed when repositioning the array of readers between the first and second positions is determined. The method includes computing, using the read offset point, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled tracks are written in a location specified by a format. As a result, methods according to the present embodiment are able to provide desirable track alignment and reduced readback error rates for data of shingled tracks written to magnetic medium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: determining a reading performance of a head at a commanded lateral reading location; adjusting a location of the head relative to a medium by moving the head in a first lateral direction to an adjusted lateral reading location; determining a reading performance of the head at the adjusted lateral reading location, and determining whether the reading performance at the adjusted lateral reading location is better than the reading performance at the commanded lateral reading location. In response to determining the reading performance is better at the adjusted reading location, the method includes iteratively repeating the adjustment of the location of the head until the reading performance of the head at a current iteration is worse than the reading performance of the head at an immediately previous iteration. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: determining a reading performance of a head positioned at a commanded lateral reading location based on one or more metrics; adjusting a lateral reading location of the head relative to a medium by moving the head in a lateral direction away from the commanded lateral reading location to an adjusted lateral reading location; determining a reading performance of the head after the adjusting; comparing the reading performance after the adjusting to the reading performance before the adjusting for determining whether the reading performance has improved; and selecting an optimal lateral reading location based on the comparing. The one or more metrics are selected from a group consisting of C1 error correction rate, and C2 error correction rate. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.

Abstract: A dryer adapted for use in an asphalt plant. The dryer comprises a drum having an inner wall and a plurality of flights, each of which is disposed on the inner wall of the drum and each of which has a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end. At least one of the plurality of flights comprises a V-shaped notch. A method for drying components of asphalt comprising drying the components of asphalt in the drum of such a dryer.

Abstract: A bulk material storage container assembly for storing and unloading particulate material includes a storage vessel adapted to hold particulate material. A discharge port is in fluid communication with the storage vessel and with a discharge port outlet. The discharge port is also sized and shaped to facilitate bridging of particulate material. A shaft is mounted within the storage vessel adjacent to the discharge port and adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to the discharge port. A rake is mounted on said shaft and adapted to disaggregate particulate material that has bridged proximate the discharge port as the shaft is reciprocated with respect to the discharge port.