Abstract: An electronic image stabilizer in a digital camera compensates for camera motion-induced blurriness by segmenting exposure times into multiple shorter exposure times and summing the individual pixels from successive frames after applying an appropriate motion correction. Motion is detected by computing the correlation function between successive images, and compensation is applied by maximizing the correlation function. This avoids the need for mechanical stabilization devices in order to detect or correct the motion as is done in prior art. This method further enables the detection of moving objects in a still background, and correction of blurriness images due to such motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scalable, highly available distributed network data storage system that efficiently and reliably provides network clients and application servers with access to large data stores, such as NAS units, and manages client and server requests for data from the data stores, thereby comprising a distributed storage manager. A storage manager constructed in accordance with the invention can receive and process network requests for data at a large, aggregated network data store, such as a collection of NAS units, and can manage data traffic between the network clients and NAS units.

Abstract: A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention provides Quality of Service (QoS) for Storage Access. Such QoS is partially enabled in one embodiment by the automatic pooling of storage devices and provisioning virtual targets from those pools. QoS is enforced in one embodiment by keeping the bandwidth for each connection within a specified range, and particularly, by controlling the number of allowed concurrent requests from an initiator. Load balancing is also provided in one embodiment, improving response times for requests, further easing the ability to provide QoS.

Abstract: Electronic commerce transaction messages are processed over a network between a client and a server in a highly reliable fashion by establishing a secure or un-secure communications connection between the network client and the network server at an electronic transaction assurance (eTA) system, which is located in a communication path between the network client and the network server. The transaction type is identified in the message and the progress of the transaction is tracked using transaction models. Any failure in the back-end server system or in the network connections is detected and the failure is recovered from using an outcome determination technique. The failure of a node within the eTA system is masked from the network client by formulating an appropriate response and sending it back to the client such that the network client and network server that were using the selected node do not see any interruption in their communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various disclosed embodiments can manage a mirrored virtual target to synchronize the members of the virtual target and/or to verify that the members of the virtual target are synchronized. In one embodiment, a mirrored virtual target is synchronized by first provisioning at least one first internal virtual logical unit (IVLU) corresponding to at least one destination target of the mirrored target and a second IVLU corresponding to a source target of the mirrored target. A write command is first issued, via one or more internal virtual logical units, to each of the destination target members of the mirrored target. When each destination target is available to receive data, as evidenced by a returned transfer ready signal, a read command is provided to the source target via the second internal virtual logical unit. In this manner, a data path between the source and destination targets is established prior to reading data from the source target.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a one-way drive device including a first member mounted for rotation about a given axis and defining (i) a first planar surface normal to the axis, and (ii) a first shoulder within the first surface. The device also includes a second member mounted for rotation about the same given axis and defining (i) a second planar surface, which is positioned in close proximity to and in confronting relationship with said first surface, and (ii) a second shoulder within the second surface.

Abstract: A rules engine is provided to enhance management capability in storage area networks and particularly within storage switches. Resulting state and status information for virtual logical units can be maintained in a database. The database can be indexed according to the current state and/or status of members of a virtual logical unit. When an event associated with a physical target of a virtual logical unit is detected, the current state and status of members of the virtual logical unit can be determined. The current state and status information can be maintained in dynamic state and status indicator. The current state and status information can be used to identify a corresponding entry in the rules database. From the rules database, the proper resulting status and/or state of the members and/or the virtual logical unit can be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments can detect and alleviate potential or actual deadlock of a storage switch or storage area network when attempting to write data to a mirrored virtual target. In accordance with one embodiment, a timer is started when a storage switch routes a write command to the physical targets corresponding to a virtual target of the write command. If each physical target does not return a transfer ready resource within a predetermined timeout period, the switch determines that a potential or actual deadlock has occurred. An abort command is sent to each of the physical devices. The abort command can clear the command from the targets and also free any allocated transfer ready resources. After receiving an acceptance response from each physical target, the state of the write command at the switch can be cleared. The write command can then be re-issued to the physical devices.

Abstract: A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention provides Quality of Service (QoS) for Storage Access. Such QoS is partially enabled in one embodiment by the automatic pooling of storage devices and provisioning virtual targets from those pools. QoS is enforced in one embodiment by keeping the bandwidth for each connection within a specified range, and particularly, by controlling the number of allowed concurrent requests from an initiator. Load balancing is also provided in one embodiment, improving response times for requests, further easing the ability to provide QoS.

Abstract: A backup method for a computer system that affords fast verification of source data written to backup media includes reading a portion of the source data from a source storage volume and generating a hash of the source data. The source data is written to the backup media as backup data, and the hash generated from the source data is written to the backup media and associated with the backup data corresponding to the source data from which the hash was generated. Verification of the backup data can be subsequently performed by reading the backup data from the backup media, generating a hash from the backup data read, and comparing that hash with the hash originally stored on the backup media. This enables the backup data to be verified as corresponding to the original source data without the necessity of rereading the source data from the source volume, and enables faster, more accurate off line verification subsequent to the backup process.

Abstract: A storage switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is a highly scalable switch that allows the creation of a SAN that is easy to deploy and that can be centrally managed. Moreover, such a storage switch also allows the deployment of a global infrastructure, allowing the resources of the SAN, such as storage devices, to essentially be positioned anywhere on the globe. Further, such a storage switch allows a multi-protocol SAN, e.g., one that includes both iSCSI or Fibre Channel, and processes data packets at “wire speed.” To further enable wire-speed processing, a switch in accordance with the invention has “intelligence” distributed to each of its linecards, through which it classifies packets into data and control packets, it performs virtualization functions, and it performs protocol translation functions. A switch in accordance with the invention further performs serverless storage services such as mirroring, snapshot, and replication.

Abstract: A cluster computer system and method for distributed data storage enables distributed, reliable, low overhead mass storage systems. In particular, the system and method contemplate a plurality of computers connected in a network, each computer comprising a node having mass storage devices providing storage areas for data and redundancy information. Computer nodes access their locally attached mass storage devices independently and asynchronously, with a minimum of network transactions and storage overhead. The information stored on the mass storage devices is highly reliable due to the distribution of redundant information within the computer cluster. Redundancy information is used to reconstruct data associated with storage area access failures.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments are provided for the replication of data from virtual logical units to remote virtual logical units. Change logs can be provided at a primary storage switch including a primary VLU to indicate changes made to the primary VLU between replications. The change log can also be used to resynchronize a member split from the primary VLU during a replication operation. Members can be split from the primary VLU and used in a split virtual logical unit at the primary VLU for replication. The remaining member(s) of the primary VLU can be used to maintain the primary VLU online for host devices during the replication operation. A remote VLU at a remote storage switch can be exported as a physical logical unit to the primary storage switch where it is provisioned for a member of a replication VLU at the primary storage switch.

Abstract: During an exchange of communications between a client and a server, the state of communications is monitored to determine if the client has lost communication with the server prior to completion of the exchange. If a loss of communication is detected, a recovery message is transmitted to the client, wherein the recovery message is received by the client after client communications with the network are re-established. The recovery message causes the client to send a response message to a predetermined network location. Receipt of the response message is an indication that the client has re-established communication. In such a case, the exchange is returned to a state that existed prior to the loss of communication.

Abstract: A distributed gateway for controlling computer network data traffic dynamically reconfigures traffic assignments among multiple gateway machines for increased network availability. If one of the distributed gateway machines becomes unavailable, traffic assignments are moved among the multiple machines such that network availability is substantially unchanged. The machines of the distributed gateway form a cluster and communicate with each other using a Group Membership protocol word such that automatic, dynamic traffic assignment reconfiguration occurs in response to machines being added and deleted from the cluster, with no loss in functionality for the gateway overall, in a process that is transparent to network users, thereby providing a distributed gateway functionality that is scalable. Operation of the distributed gateway remains consistent as machines are added and deleted from the cluster.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switch architecture for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi-wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile, a diffraction grating for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system, an array of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The bi-axial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for breaking a semiconductor wafer along scribe lines to separate individual die. A scribe line of the wafer is aligned with a straight, elongated pyramid-shaped edge of a precision bending bar, and a compressive force is applied to the surface of the wafer by a compressive member to bend the wafer over the edge and break the wafer along the scribe line.

Abstract: An adaptive interference canceller for canceling an interfering signal corresponding to a delayed, frequency translated, amplitude and phase offset version of a transmitted signal contained in a composite received signal relayed through a relay system such as a satellite transponder. The canceller digitally downconverts the received signal and a local replica of the transmitted signal from IF to baseband, applies a variable delay and frequency compensation to the replica as a coarse delay and frequency correction, and tracks fine delay, amplitude and phase differences using an adaptive finite impulse response filter to generate a cancellation signal corresponding to the delayed and frequency shifted version. A minimum output power process produces an error signal that drives the variable delay and adaptive filter to minimize the power in the signal of interest to maximize cancellation of the interfering signal.

Abstract: One or more derived timers based on a source timer are provided to accommodate a plurality of periodic tasks while maintaining the high resolution of the source timer. To accommodate a number of periodic tasks, a number of derived timers can be selected utilizing a novel method based on the number of periodic tasks that are most time-critical, the number of tasks that are less time-critical, and the number of tasks that can be performed during the source timer interval. The interval and start time for each derived timer is selected based the source timer and number of the derived timer. After establishing the derived timers, the most time-critical tasks can be assigned to the source timer and the less time-critical tasks arranged amongst the derived timers.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports, thereby constituting a dynamic optical drop module (RODM). By operating an RODM in reverse, a dynamic optical add module (ROAM) is also provided. The RODM (or ROAM) of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and power-management capabilities.