Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods for managing user data in a plurality of storage appliances coupled to a wide area network. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods that allow users to view and manipulate files in a shared virtual container. In other embodiments, the present invention also relates to systems and methods that allow users to access virtual containers located on storage appliances that are owned by other users.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods for managing user data in a plurality of storage appliances coupled to a wide area network. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods that allow users to view and manipulate files in a shared virtual container. In other embodiments, the present invention also relates to systems and methods that allow users to access virtual containers located on storage appliances that are owned by other users.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.

Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a water circulator that connects to the pressurized water inlet in a swimming pool. Water from the pool is pumped through the pool's filter system and into the water circulator through the pool inlet. The water circulator includes a jet tube that is vertically oriented and proximate to the pool's side wall. The pressurized water exits the jet tube through several nozzles in the jet tube. The nozzles direct the pressurized water along the side wall to thereby direct debris toward the pool outlet. The pool outlet carries the debris and water to the pool's filter system. The nozzles direct the water away from the pool outlet so that the water current travels along the majority of the side wall before reaching the pool outlet. Thus, more debris may be picked up in the current and slower moving water passes the pool outlet. The jet tube further includes one or more outlets proximate to the pool floor.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning individuals for illicit objects include the ability to scan a wheeled user transport device and an individual being transported thereby for metallic objects and to determine whether an illicit object may be present, without activating an alarm for the user transport device while detecting illicit objects on the individual.

Abstract: In a computer system, a method and an apparatus for generating hatch fills within a contour of a vector graphic. The method of the present invention includes the steps of reading vector graphic data defining a contour of a vector graphic, creating a series of intersection lines overlaying the vector graphic, defining intersection points that indicate where the intersection lines intersect the contour of the vector graphic, and wherein the intersection points create an array having a row corresponding to each intersection line, connecting with connection lines the intersection points of each row, and verifying that each of the connection lines are contained within the contour of the vector graphic, and removing portions of any connection lines not contained within the contour of the vector graphic.

Abstract: In a computer system, a method and an apparatus for varying contour widths of a vector graphic. The method including the steps of reading vector shape data having a contour, control points, a bulge position, a bulge width, and a base position, determining new border control points along the contour, and drawing a new variable width contour using the new border control points from the base control point to a bulge position control point. The apparatus of the present invention includes a processor, an operating system memory coupled to the processor, a vector shape database memory coupled to the processor for storing data that defines the vector shape, a routines memory coupled to the processor for controlling the operating system memory and the processor, and a control variables memory coupled to the processor for storing control variables that direct the routines memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus read an existing computer vector shape and modify that vector shape to be scribble filled. The method includes the steps of receiving data defining a vector shape, creating a series of intersection lines overlaying the vector shape, generating intersection points that indicate where the intersection lines and the vector shape intersect, connecting by lines the intersection points at consecutive intersection line locations, and verifying that all the connecting lines are located within a boundary defined by the vector shape.