Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond.

Abstract: A system and computer system for improving data integrity and memory performance using non-volatile media. A system includes a non-volatile mass storage unit, e.g., a flash memory device and/or a hard drive unit for instance. A memory device is used as a high speed data buffer and/or cache for the non-volatile storage unit. The memory device may be non-volatile, e.g., magnetic random access memory (MRAM) or volatile memory, e.g., static dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). By buffering and/or caching the write data, fewer accesses are required to the mass storage device thereby increasing system performance. Additionally, mechanical and electrical degradation of the mass storage device is reduced. Certain trigger events can be programmed to cause data from the memory device to be written to the mass storage device. In one embodiment, the write buffer contents are preserved across reset or power loss events. In one embodiment, the mass storage unit may be a data transport layer, e.g.

Abstract: Methods for controlling performance enhancement systems by a media display system include displaying performance information on the media display system, determining a state of the media display system, and controlling one or more performance enhancement systems based on the state of the media display system.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions.

Abstract: A system and computer system for improving data integrity and memory performance using non-volatile media. A system includes a non-volatile mass storage unit, e.g., a flash memory device and/or a hard drive unit for instance. A memory device is used as a high speed data buffer and/or cache for the non-volatile storage unit. The memory device may be non-volatile, e.g., magnetic random access memory (MRAM) or volatile memory, e.g., synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). By buffering and/or caching the write data, fewer accesses are required to the mass storage device thereby increasing system performance. Additionally, mechanical and electrical degradation of the mass storage device is reduced. Certain trigger events can be programmed to cause data from the memory device to be written to the mass storage device. In one embodiment, the write buffer contents are preserved across reset or power loss events. In one embodiment, the mass storage unit may be a data transport layer, e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond.

Abstract: Initially, a hardware inventory device is provided within the data processing system. UIC that uniquely identifies the data processing system is stored in a non-erasable memory of the hardware inventory device. An encrypted hash generated by combining the UIC and a BIOS hash is stored in the non-erasable memory of the hardware inventory device. In response to a loading of a software program previously installed within a direct access storage device of the data processing system, the following steps are performed: i. the encrypted hash is obtained from the non-erasable memory of the hardware inventory device; ii. the encrypted hash is decrypted; iii. a new hash is generated by using the UIC and a BIOS from the data processing system, and the decrypted hash is compared with the new hash; and iv. the software program loading is allowed to continue when the decrypted hash matches the new hash.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond.

Abstract: A networked invitation order environment is disclosed which includes an invitation order system, an invitee computing device, and inviter computing device. The invitation order system provides invitation order services for a restaurant. An inviter uses the inviter computing device to define an invitation order for the restaurant. The invitation order system sends an invitation to each invitee associated with the invitation order. Each invitee receives their invitation via an invitee computing device. Each invitee via an invitee computing device communicates with the invitation order system to obtain a menu for the restaurant and to update the invitation order with their selected items from the restaurant menu. The invitation order system provides a communication device of the restaurant with details of the invitation order including the menu items selected by each invitee. The restaurant prepares the selected menu items and fulfills the invitation order.

Abstract: Using recorder technology for finding defects in software applications by capturing software and/or user-driven events in a computing system. In one implementation, recorder technology is employed in a software defect reporting tool for reporting customer feedback related to software defects or bugs. The recorder can be utilized to capture events and defects for reporting such information to application vendors for defect resolution. A record file can be played back to reproduce the software defect and the steps leading up to the defect, and convert the information into a human readable file format. The recorder can also be used to create regressions scripts. When employed in a beta testing client reporting tool, customers are now able to record reproduce steps automatically, and ship the output file to the software vendor for more comprehensive reporting and hence, effective triage of the software defect.

Abstract: Apparatus and a corresponding method for the diagnosis and alleviation of symptoms of visually induced physiological defects and/or pathological conditions is provided. A plurality of narrow-band light sources are combined to constitute a color controllable lamp. A method for adjusting the settings of this lamp permits the optimum illumination for a particular subject to be found, whilst the latter carries out a task such as reading or writing. By use of the lamp to simulate the expected visual stimulus, to which the subject would be exposed if provided with viewing aids such as tinted spectacles and the like, an optimal selection from a database of such aids may be made or a new formulation defined. Inter alia, the symptoms of visual dyslexia, macular degeneration and visually induced migraine may be alleviated.

Abstract: A customizable, portable, object-oriented expression parser and evaluator provides the ability to customize syntactic and semantic elements of expression parsing and evaluation via class inheritance and interface implementation. The customizable expression parser/evaluator provides independence from a fixed variable resolution process, provides flexibility in the data types used for representing numbers and other values, and provides notifications that allow inspection and validation during expression parsing and evaluation. The customizable expression parser/evaluator utilizes a class library that supports mathematical expression parsing according to rules that can be customized by developers using object orientated programming. The customizable expression parser/evaluator class library provides a set of classes to parse and evaluate mathematical and logical expressions. The class library supports the evaluation of expressions having varying degrees of complexity.

Abstract: Techniques to create a portable wireless network are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a first transceiver to communicate with a fixed wireless device, and a second transceiver to communicate with multiple wireless devices. The mobile computing device may also include a network access management module to manage communications between each wireless device and the fixed wireless device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Golf bags including a single, off-axis strap arrangement or a dual, off-axis strap arrangement are disclosed. In single, off-axis arrangements, the strap is arranged such that each end of the strap is connected to the golf bag on opposite sides of a spinal axis, wherein one end of the strap is connected proximate an open top end and the other strap is connected intermediate the open top end and a closed bottom end. In dual, off-axis strap arrangements, each end of each strap is connected on opposite sides of the spinal axis, wherein each strap has one end connected proximate an open top end and one end connected intermediate the open top end and a closed bottom end. In addition, the end of each strap that is connected proximate the open top end is connected asymmetrical to each other with respect to a spinal axis of the golf bag.

Abstract: A hood including one or more straps for connecting the hood to a golf bag is disclosed. In general, the straps are formed of an elastic material (e.g., bungee, rubber, or the like) suitable for connecting a bottom portion of the hood to the golf bag. The hood is formed of either a woven material (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, or the like) and/or a non-woven material (e.g., plastic, metal, and the like) such that the hood is capable of protecting golf clubs from the environment and/or abuse during travel.

Abstract: A low noise H-bridge driver for EL lamps is described herein. The H-bridge controls switching transistors to create an AC voltage across the EL lamp. To reduce audible noise of the EL lamp when driven by an H-bridge, the current through the switching transistors is limited while the voltage across the EL lamp is rising and falling. This reduces the ramp rate of the voltage across the EL lamp and, as a result, reduces vibrations to an inaudible level. The rise time and fall time may each constitute 5%-50% of a half waveform. The rise and fall portions are substantially linear and symmetrical for the half waveform. Current may be limited by using two or more MOSFETs in the H-bridge that have relatively small gate widths.