Abstract: A process for managing customizations for components in a component tree includes for each customization associated with the parent of a component, matching the pathname of the component with the customization path. The process further includes associating the customization with the component, if the matching results in a partial match. The process further includes applying the customization to the component, if the matching results in a complete match.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling power over Ethernet (PoE) for legacy devices. Legacy devices often represent a large installed base of devices. This installed base of devices (e.g., mobile computing devices) may have little or no PoE functionality. It is a feature of the present invention that an external device (e.g., dongle) can be used to retrofit such an installed base of devices for use with state of the art PoE functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing fairness in the powering of computing devices in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. Power supplies in a power sourcing equipment are often oversubscribed. This oversubscription can lead to starvation of certain computing devices that have power requests that are not granted relative to competing requests. A fairness consideration can be implemented to ensure that starvation conditions are avoided.

Abstract: A system and method for power over Ethernet (PoE) provisioning for a computing device using a network profile. Various types of power management information can be used in a process for determining a power request/priority. Power management information such as user information or device information can be stored in a profile in a network database. This network database can be accessed by a switch in determining a power request/priority for a computing device.

Abstract: Video clips are stored and converted on a website into different formats which are compatible with different cellular phones. The source for the video can be sources such as DVDs, other cellular phones, or broadcast television. The system can automatically store profiles from multiple different phones and automatically carry out a conversion based on information stored in the profile.

Abstract: A system which correlates across multiple images to find commonalities among the images and compresses according to those commonalities. The commonalities can be across multiple different images which are unrelated. The information is quantized according to the client that will display the images, and then, and luminance in common color areas are encoded as a single encoding. A WAP application may also be downloaded.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving location information across a network is disclosed. The system and method utilize a transfer protocol configured to transport an identifier/location relationship to allow one or more locations to be associated with an identifier in the location store of a location server, where the identifier represents a unique entity and the location represents a location of data pertaining to the identifier. The location server contains programming logic operative to provide responses to location queries and capable of scaling a plurality of location servers according to system performance and logistical requirements.

Abstract: A vertical translation mechanism for reconfiguring the hull form of a reconfigurable vessel having independently movably side hulls and a center hull is disclosed. The vertical translation mechanism includes a hydraulic-force actuator and a nonmetallic bearing. The hydraulic force actuator comprises a rod that is disposed within a hydraulic cylinder. Responsive to changes in hydraulic pressure in the cylinder, the rod is extended or retracted therefrom. Movement of the rod controls the vertical translation of the center hull and its rotational attitude relative to the side hulls.

Abstract: A multi-hulled vessel for upward ice-breaking is disclosed. The vessel has side hulls that are at least partially submerged while the vessel is underway. The side hulls each have a ridge on their upper surface. To break through ice at sea, the side hulls are positioned under the ice and the trim is adjusted for an upward trim angle. As the vessel moves forward, the ice is lifted and force concentrates along the ridge on the side hulls. The ice breaks along this force concentration, aided by the weight of the ice itself.

Abstract: A method for reconfiguring the hull form of a reconfigurable variable-draft vessel having a side hull and a center hull. In a method in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, ballasting and de-ballasting operations assist in the vertical translation of the center hull relative to the side hull.

Abstract: A network distributed tracking wire transfer protocol for storing and retrieving data across a distributed data collection. The protocol includes a location string for specifying the network location of data associated with an entity in the distributed data collection, and an identification string for specifying the identity of an entity in the distributed data collection. According to the protocol, the length of the location string and the length of the identification string are variable, and an association between an identification string and a location string can be spontaneously and dynamically changed. The network distributed tracking wire transfer protocol is application independent, organizationally independent, and geographically independent. A method for using the protocol in a distributed data collection environment and a system for implementing the protocol are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing data structures associated with large files are provided. With the apparatus and method, region control blocks for a data file are allocated on demand from an array of control blocks and are organized into a tree data structure. The tree data structure includes a base region control block and zero or more extended region control blocks. The base region control block includes a pointer to a root of the tree data structure and information about the data file. The extended region control blocks have pointers to the base region control block, to a successor region control block, and pointers to zero to four child region control blocks. Using this tree data structure, the operating system may perform various operations on the region control blocks with improved performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro discharge machining a passage through a work piece using a hollow electro discharge machining electrode and a corresponding flushing agent supplied via the hollow electrode. A backing member is positioned abutting the exit face of the work piece so that at break through the path of the flushing agent is not disrupted. The backing member positioned such that it forms a fluid tight seal with the work piece.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for use in hydrogenation, especially the selective hydrogenation of acetylenic compounds to olefinic compounds, which comprises palladium supported upon an alumina support material characterised in that said catalyst further comprises a compound of a lanthanide.

Abstract: A ship-to-shore interface includes a shipside ramp and a shoreside ramp. The shoreside ramp is securely fixed to the shoreline. The shoreside ramp has one or more physical adaptations that enable it to passively engage the shipside ramp. In the illustrative embodiment, the physical adaptation is a plurality of recesses that receive a lug that depends from the shoreside end of the shipside ramp.

Abstract: Production of nickel/silica hydrogenation catalyst precursors by heating a slurry of particulate silica, e.g. kieselguhr, in an aqueous nickel ammine carbonate solution for a total period of at least 200 minutes at a pH above 7.5, followed by filtration, washing, drying, and optionally calcination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro discharge machining a passage through a work piece using a hollow electro discharge machining electrode and a corresponding flushing agent supplied via the hollow electrode. A backing member is positioned abutting the exit face of the work piece so that at break through the path of the flushing agent is not disrupted. The backing member positioned such that it forms a fluid tight seal with the work piece.

Abstract: A method for converting a standard, consumer, hand held, cellular telephone into a hand held, point of sale, (POS) credit card terminal, utilizing an attachment module which plugs into the data port on the bottom or external RS-232 port of the cellular phone is described herein. The Module is comprised of: a reinforced plastic enclosure molded to the contour of the cellular phone; an internal printed circuit board containing a micro-processor unit, a memory chip, an I/R interface chip, I/R diodes; a credit card reader head that has been modified to reduce the size of the reader head thickness; a smart card reader assembly; a barcode reader and; an electronic fingerprint reader interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing data structures associated with large files are provided. With the apparatus and method, region control blocks for a data file are allocated on demand from an array of control blocks and are organized into a tree data structure. The tree data structure includes a base region control block and zero or more extended region control blocks. The base region control block includes a pointer to a root of the tree data structure and information about the data file. The extended region control blocks have pointers to the base region control block, to a successor region control block, and pointers to zero to four child region control blocks. Using this tree data structure, the operating system may perform various operations on the region control blocks with improved performance.

Abstract: Production of nickel/silica hydrogenation catalyst precursors by heating a slurry of particulate silica, e.g. kieselguhr, in an aqueous nickel ammine carbonate solution for a total period of at least 200 minutes at a pH above 7.5, followed by filtration, washing, drying, and optionally calcination.