Abstract: A file system and method serves to create and manage content. The file system includes at least one directory having at least one file containing data, but about which at least one file has no information. A repository of metadata provides information about the data in the files. Phantom files are created which are designated by names and associated attributes, point to data in base files, without specifying a path name to the base files.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing a plurality of data images in a computer system, includes a primary image and at least one secondary image which are synchronized. A host computer issues write requests to a primary image site which is also transmitted to a secondary image site. Writing to the primary image and the secondary image at the primary image site and secondary site is conducted simultaneously. If a failure to write to the secondary image occurs, a fracture log is created which is a bitmap representative of changed regions in the primary image at the primary image site in response to the write request. When writing to the secondary image is restored, the log can be used to synchronize the primary image and the secondary image.

Abstract: A method and system for managing I/O resources for communications between a host and a target device through at least one adapter, involves setting a local resource associated with each adapter. If a target device cannot accept an I/O request, the local resource associated with each adapter is set to the number of I/O resources currently used by each adapter associated therewith. The host is configured to issue no more than the local resource number of I/O requests to any individual adapter. The local resources may be periodically rebalanced to account for changes in system needs.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring errors occurring on field replaceable units is described. At predetermined intervals, storage processors connected to a host system are identified and for each connected storage processor previous information about the storage processor and its corresponding error log is loaded. A path from the host system is connected to each unit and all units are inventoried through the connected storage processor. Each storage processor's pointer is then updated by retrieving all entries in each storage processor's corresponding error log, and new error log entries are detected and matched with its field replaceable unit so that an alert can be transmitted to a customer service center in the event an error is recorded on the error log.

Abstract: A host system, such as a server, controls a plurality of different class storage devices on a network. The operating system on the host assigns a unique identification to each storage device using a standard protocol and maintains the identification in the operating system. This allows control of the storage devices without complications even though different classes of devices, using differing identification protocols, are assembled on the same network.

Abstract: A polymer coated porous product includes a first porous substrate and a polymer coating penetrating the porous substrate. The polymer coated porous product may optionally include a second porous substrate, and the polymer coating penetrates both the first and second porous substrate. A process and an apparatus for producing polymer coated porous substrate. The process includes overlaying a film of polymer material onto a porous substrate, heating the film of polymer material, and vacuum drawing the heated film of polymer material into the porous substrate. The apparatus includes an extruder, means for producing a film of polymer material over a porous substrate, means for heating the film of polymer material and at least one vacuum unit. The vacuum unit draws the film of polymer material into a porous substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, simultaneously with distributing unmodulated digital signals and RF modulated video signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same network coaxial cables.

Abstract: A method for beneficially restructuring water and its contents for consumptions by organisms. The method involves subjecting water for a period of time to an electromagnetic field of a specific flux density varying from 10−5 to 10−21 gauss and a specific frequency varying from 0 hertz to 300 hertz, depending on the intended subsequent use of the water. The specific flux density and the specific frequency is empirically determined to restructure the water such that the water beneficially affects the organism to which the water is subsequently applied.

Abstract: A method of extracting and transforming a business rule which is a self contained section of legacy code focused on the computation of specific business policy includes identifying the business rule. Thereafter, the business rule code is located in the existing program and extracted in human readable code form. New code is generated for a new application for containing the business rule therein, and the new code is integrated into the new application. A system for extracting and transforming such business rules from existing programs such as legacy applications to a new application includes various components for achieving the various noted steps.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing superconducting magnets is described. Two conducting tapes are assembled with an insulating ceramic layer deposited between facing sides of the tapes. The tapes and the insulative refractory material are bonded together by, for example, rolling to result in a self insulating substrate tape to which superconducting composition precursors are applied for later annealing. In one aspect, the composite tape is then wound to result in a pancake coil which is exposed to high temperatures in an oxidizing environment to convert the superconducting precursors to superconducting materials. The resultant high temperature superconducting composition coil can then be used as a high temperature superconducting magnet with appropriate conducting connectors applied thereto.

Abstract: There is described a method of applying insulative coating on high temperature superconductors and low temperature superconductors from sol-gel solutions prepared from Zr, or Zr with one of Mg, Y, Ce, In and Sn based precursor materials. The solution is prepared with isopropanol as a solvent and acetyl acetone as a catalyst. The conductors are dipped into the solution and thereafter dried at a temperature effective to evaporate the solvent. Thereafter, heat treatment in the presence of oxygen is applied at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the precursors to result in a ceramic insulative coating on the conductor.

Abstract: A method for recreating a user interface of an existing application screen into a graphical user interface having the same functionality of the original interface includes matching the structure data in a user interface of an existing application to a pattern of data structure in the application which communicates with the screen. Portions of the existing program communicating with each screen of the user interface of the existing application, correspondence between fields of a specific screen and the portion of the program which communicates with the specific screen, and statements where the field is compared with other fields and literal values, are detected. The detected information is displayed and from that information a determination made about which fields represent events. The type of graphical user interface control to be used for each event is specified. The text appearing on the graphical user interface for each control is specified. The result of the event is specified.

Abstract: There is described a method of applying insulative coating on high temperature superconductors and low temperature superconductors from sol-gel solutions prepared from Zr or Zr with one of, Mg, Y, Ce, In and Sn based precursor materials. The solution is prepared with isopropanol as a solvent and acetyl acetone as a catalyst. The conductors are dipped into the solution and thereafter dried at a temperature effective to evaporate the solvent. Thereafter, heat treatment in the presence of oxygen is applied at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the precursors to result in a ceramic insulative coating on the conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus which facilitates attachment of objects to fabrics of various thicknesses while minimizing damage to the underlying fabric. A device is provided which includes a backing member formed from a flexible, resilient material which is shaped to surround and engage a majority of the periphery of an object to be attached to fabric. The backing member has an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall opposite the inner peripheral wall. At least one continuous discontinuity passes through both the inner and the outer peripheral walls allowing the backing member to expand in order to receive objects of various size. Another aspect of the present invention provides a tensioning device which serves to bias the backing member into contact with the fabric and the object.

Abstract: Polyols useful for preparing foamed polyurethane systems are produced by reacting a feed stock of agricultural origin with a multifunctional hydroxyl component in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst suitable to polymerize the agricultural feed stock. The reaction may further include a di basic acid, such as phthalic or adipic acid, or a diol, DEG, or PEG. The resultant polyol is then purified and blended with other ingredients to produce a formulated polyol suitable for specific polyurethane foam systems. The polyols produced in accordance with the method are also described.

Abstract: A device for supporting an item of food, comprising a base member having a center longitudinal axis and a center lateral axis, and a plurality of first support members disposed on each side of the center longitudinal axis of the base member. The first support members are attached to the base member and substantially perpendicular thereto. The first support members having a food supporting edge sloping downward toward the longitudinal axis of the base member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a battery are described in a technique wherein charge pulses are followed by discharge pulses and then first rest periods and other discharge pulses followed by second rest periods. Selected ones of the second rest periods are extended in time to enable a battery equilibrium to be established and the open circuit voltage of the battery to settle down and reflect an overcharging condition of the battery. By comparing the open circuit voltages measured during different extended second rest periods small voltage decreases can be reliably detected and used to determine an overcharging condition such as when gases are generated and affect the open circuit voltage. Once overcharging is detected the battery charging is stopped.

Abstract: A dental appliance is made up of an elongated body having a substantially longitudinal axis with opposite end portions making up substantially flat surfaces extending laterally the axis for being engaged by teeth or endentulous areas of the upper and lower jaws of a patient. A circular opening is provided with in this middle region of the elongated body to allow the tube of a saliva and debris ejector to be positioned slidably therein, and within the mouth of a patient when the apparatus is being used. The elongated body is narrower between the flat surfaces of the bite pads for maximizing the visual field of a mouth to the person performing a dental procedure. The elongated body is deformable to ensure stable engagement between the teeth or endentulous region of the upper and lower jaws of a patient and the corresponding flat surface making up the bite pads of the elongated body.

Abstract: A cervical extraction collar is constructed so that it does not require taking off of a helmet in the event of a sports injury on the field. A main portion of the collar serves to lock a helmet and shoulder pads together, such as the helmet and shoulder pads of a football player or hockey player. A substance is contained within the main portion of the collar to rigidify the collar, and can be initially drawn away from the main portion into tails extending from the collar. After the main portion is placed between the back of the helmet and the shoulder pads, the substance in the tails can then be reinserted into the main portion to expand and brace the main portion against the back of the helmet on one side, and against the shoulder pads of the player on the other side, thereby providing a cervical support without requiring removal of the helmet to attend to the injury. The materials making up the collar are preferably all transparent to x-rays.