Abstract: A horizontal combined head is provided which has both a thin film write and an MR read element located at an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element can be formed with a track width that is independent of the track width of the write element. The MR sensor or the read element is separated from one of the first and second pole pieces of the write element by an insulation layer. Accordingly, the shields for the read element remain more stable after a write operation. In one embodiment of the present invention a single stripe MR sensor is employed while in a second embodiment a dual stripe MR sensor is employed. A method of the invention includes forming the dual MR stripe in a single process step so that the dual MR stripes of the dual MR sensor are near identical for implementing near absolute common mode rejection of noise.

Abstract: A digital access storage device comprises a first disk drive, at second disk drive smaller than the first disk drive, the drives are physically mounted on a common chassis, and an electronic control system interconnecting said first and second disk drives. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device has a system interface and the electronic control system is structured to transfer data between the device interface, the first disk drive, and the second disk drive using the first drive's internal data paths and processor speeds, electronic control system comprises a shared system control processor is structured to provide overall control of the first and second disk drives.

Abstract: In a database system with linkage between data in the database system and files in a system for filing data which is external to the database system (“the filing system”), backup and restoration of the database are coordinated with the filing system. Backup of a referenced file is initiated when the file is linked to the database system. The file backup is asynchronous to the linking process. When database backup occurs, all unfinished file backups are accelerated and completed before the database backup is declared successful. When a database is restored to a state with reference to files in a file manager, the database system causes the file manager to ensure that referenced files are linked to the database system.

Abstract: An object oriented framework provides a set of objects that perform computer system server functions and that permit a framework user to add extensions for defining a Server Process category of objects that perform service processes for the network and exchange implicit data with remote processes of the network, and also define an Implicit Data Handler Registry (IDHR) class of objects that receive registration information from Provider objects of the Server Process category.

Abstract: Conductive devices and tools to provide electrical conduction with a generally planar conductor which is covered with an insulation substance such as paint, rust or dust, by scraping a portion of the conductor and removing the insulation substance. A conductive device includes a conductive metal serration means and a tool utilizes such a serration device. Such a serration device can be a bolt device, nut device or washer device, or washer-incorporated threaded device. A connector device is also disclosed to provide electrical conduction between a conductor and a conductor plate covered with an insulation substance.

Abstract: In a multiprocessing system, multiple concurrently operating task execution units are operated to perform an aggregate task by using incremental and on-demand sub-task allocation. A command is received to perform a machine-executed task divisible into multiple sub-tasks, i.e., an “aggregate task”. A granularity is then established, for dividing the aggregate task into sub-tasks. Preferably, the granularity is not too large to permit potentially uneven sub-task allocation, and not too small to incur excessive overhead in allocating sub-tasks. Having established the granularity, multiple task execution units are independently operated on-demand to sequentially self-allocate and execute sub-tasks of the aggregate tasks. Each sub-task is sized according to the established granularity. Operating “on-demand”, each task execution unit sequentially allocates and executes one sub-task at a time, then proceeding to the next unexecuted sub-task.

Abstract: Conductive devices and tools to provide electrical conduction with a generally planar conductor which is covered with an insulation substance such as paint, rust or dust, by scraping a portion of the conductor and removing the insulation substance. A conductive device includes a conductive metal serration means and a tool utilizes such a serration device. Such a serration device can be a bolt device, nut device or washer device, or washer-incorporated threaded device. A connector device is also disclosed to provide electrical conduction between a conductor and a conductor plate covered with an insulation substance.

Abstract: A system for continuous monitoring and autonomous detection of patterns in the main memory subsystem of a computer system. The invention can be embodied as an extension to existing memory scrubbing hardware to permit stored code pattern analysis and identification during the autonomous transparent memory scrubbing process. A library of stored target signatures is provided to which code signatures are compared during analysis. Code signatures may be derived directly from the memory subsystem data pattern or may be indirectly and more efficiently derived from the error correction code (ECC) string associated with the stored data pattern. This invention is directly applicable to computer virus detection and neutralization systems.

Abstract: Apparatus for quantitatively measuring groups of magnetic particles. The particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus incorporating a binary function correlation of run edges for compressing periodic halftoned digital images while increasing compression ratios over currently known one- and two-dimensional and adaptive arithmetic methods and decreasing the time required to perform the operation. In one embodiment, the invention horizontally encodes an image's run edges located at or near least &tgr; pixels ahead of a reference run edge in raster sequential image data. After the image is divided into lines of digital bits containing digital information indicative of binary values, the lines are encoded. A value for &tgr;—where &tgr; is independent of the width of the image and represents the periodicity for an edge of a run—is selected. Thereafter, run edges located &tgr;±n pixels ahead of a designated run edge of a reference run are encoded.

Abstract: A framework for use with object-oriented programming systems includes one or more objects of a class called “Socket” that receive and process packets of work. As various applications execute, they require servicing of tasks, which correspond to the packets of work mentioned above. The packets of work are represented in the framework by objects of a class called “WorkUnit”. When a WorkUnit object is generated by an application, it in turn generates an object of a class called “Retriever” which is associated with the appropriate Socket object needed for servicing the WorkUnit. The Retriever object retrieves the Socket object to service the WorkUnit from an object of a class called “SessionInfo”. The SessionInfo object is a single object for maintaining registries of Socket objects and objects of a class called “ApplicationInfo”.

Abstract: An automated optical character recognition method is provided for use in conjunction with a programmable digital processing device. The method inputs a sequence of values representing one or more characters in an array of characters to be optically recognized. The values define one or more dimensional characteristics of the characters. From the input values, a standard dimensional value is determined from a frequency distribution of a selected one of the character dimensional characteristics. For each of the input characters, a set of normalized values is determined from the standard dimensional value. The normalized values correspond to the one or more character dimensional characteristics. Optical character recognition is thereafter performed using the normalized values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a moveable object relative to another object employing an optical sensing system and pattern or structure recognition. Also included is apparatus for controlling the movement of one object with respect to the other, having drive and control elements for at least one of the objects. The movement controlling apparatus has a pattern memory device and a pattern recognition device.

Abstract: Assistance for breathing is provided for both humans and animals by providing for a member to adhere along only one or separately both sides of a nose and having a shape so that a part of the member can adhere over a bone of the nose and then in cantilever fashion adhere to and thereby support soft flesh forming an outer side of a nasal passage so as to keep this open even with heavy breathing.

Abstract: An instrument removal tool includes a hollow tube defining a lumen having a bottom end, a top end, and a cutout spaced from the bottom end; the hollow tube having an outer diameter sized to be received in the root canal, an inner diameter sized to admit an instrument into the lumen, and a wall width at the bottom of the tube sized to allow the bottom end of the hollow tube to pass over the top of the instrument such that at least the top of the instrument is received in the lumen of the tube, and an elongated shaft sized to be received in the hollow tube from the top end of the tube; the shaft having a length sufficient to extend beyond the cutout in the hollow tube, the shaft having a bottom end and a top end; the bottom end of said shaft being tapered and having a rounded end to urge a top end of the instrument into the cutout; the shaft and tube cooperating to grasp the instrument.

Abstract: A security case for small valuables, comprises an arm strap for extending and detachably securing around an arm, a first pocket attached to the strap intermediate to the ends thereof, the pocket having a pliable first back panel and a transparent front panel secured together along side and bottom edges forming an envelope type first pocket, and a second pocket formed of a shell of pliable material, the shell formed of a second back panel, an enlarged front panel, the panels secured together along common side edges and a bottom edge thereby forming at least one receptacle having a top opening and a cover flap for covering said opening, the second pocket hinged along a side edge to one side edge of the first pocket and having releaseable securing members along the other side edge releaseably securing the second pocket over the first pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to move a vehicle seat away from a vehicle dashboard during or immediately prior to a collision. The apparatus comprises a vehicle seat coupled to a slideable platform. A vehicle collision detector communicates with the slideable platform so that when a vehicle collision condition is detected the slideable platform is triggered to move the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A laser-based method and apparatus for corneal surgery. The present invention is intended to be applied primarily to ablate organic materials, and human cornea in particular. The invention uses a laser source which has the characteristics of providing a shallow ablation depth (0.2 microns or less per laser pulse), and a low ablation energy density threshold (less than or equal to about 10 mJ/cm2), to achieve optically smooth ablated corneal surfaces. The preferred laser includes a laser emitting approximately 100-50,000 laser pulses per second, with a wave-length of about 198-300 nm and a pulse duration of about 1-5,000 picoseconds. Each laser pulse is directed by a highly controllable laser scanning system. Described is a method of distributing laser pulses and the energy deposited on a target surface such that surface roughness is controlled within a specific range.

Abstract: A shopping caddy system including a multi-compartmented caddy and a plurality of collapsible bags that fit into the compartments of the caddy. The caddy is preferably collapsible so that its end panels and intermediate dividers form a stack. The end panels of the caddy can preferably folded downward to provide extra support when the endmost caddy compartments are not occupied. The caddy and bags are preferably sized and shaped to allow close engagement between the caddy and the bags when the caddy is in the open position and the collapsible bags are in the open position.

Abstract: A frame, a drive mechanism for rotating a mandrel, at least two spindles mounted to the frame, a tensioner, and a belt extending between the first and second spindles may be used to roll pre-preg strips or similar sheets of composite materials around the mandrel. The belt over the spindles, and the spindles guide the belt through changes in its direction of travel. The mandrel is mounted in the drive mechanism in contact with the belt, which changes its direction of travel around the mandrel. The lower surface of the belt bears against portions of the spindles, and the mandrel contacts the upper surface of the belt. As the drive mechanism rotates the mandrel, pre-preg sheets are fed between the mandrel and the belt and are thereby wrapped around the mandrel. The belt presses the pre-preg sheets against the mandrel. The wrapped mandrel may then be removed from the apparatus and cured in any suitable manner known in the art to produce a composite tubular article.