Abstract: An irrigation system controller communicates with peripheral sensors using control valve wires as the medium over which to send and receive electronic signals. Various types of sensors such as soil moisture, temperature, etc., can be interfaced to this system. A sensor that is near a control valve can be connected to the control valve wires, eliminating the need to run additional sensor wires back to the controller. Installation costs are reduced because of less wire to run.

Abstract: A mirror table that facilitates selective data coherency between local memory segments and remote memory segments includes a content addressable memory (CAM) and a random access memory (RAM). The CAM stores the addresses of local memory segments that are selected to be mirrored, and provides a segment index when presented with a segment address stored therein. The RAM stores one or more remote segment addresses for the mirrored segments along with additional data, and provides the remote segment addresses along with the additional data when presented with the segment index. A mirror link assembles and transmits an update packet comprising the remote segment addresses, a segment offset, the corresponding data, and the additional data to a remote destination. Each indicated remote address is updated with the corresponding data, thus maintaining data coherency between the selected local and remote memory segments.

Abstract: A system and method for specifying custom qualifiers for explain tables allows a user to designate selected explain tables for which the user wishes to view statements. A query explain program is provided and configured with an explain table qualifier designation module for receiving a user designation of a query explain table to reference. The user selects a function of the query explain program to perform and then designates the qualifier of the query explain table to be referenced. The function is then performed in conjunction with the contents of the selected query explain table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterilely coupling two bodies of fluids in fluid communication utilizes a clamp transportable into a sterile enclosure. A pair of tubing segments, each communicating with one of the fluid bodies, is preferably retained in the clamp and transported into the sterile enclosure. The clamp maintains the shape of the tubing segments during the process. Portions of the tubing segments are severed within the enclosure and the remaining ends are heated. The heat may be provided with a hollow disk into which is blown heated air. The ends of the tubing segments are transported out of the enclosure and bonded together while held within the clamps. The clamps prevent deformation of the tubing segments during the process. The process may be partially or fully automated.

Abstract: A user-generated documentation integration system operates in conjunction with a software application created by a manufacturer and executable on a computer processor for the benefit of a user. A documentation repository or group of documentation repositories may be provided for storing user-generated documentation relating to the software application. The software application may also include a linker module that maintains a link to a documentation repository so a user may access the user-generated documentation from within the software application. The user-generated documentation may comprise user help files pertaining to the software application. The user help files may be accessed through a window available within the software application, which is adapted to display a listing of available user help files that are individually selectable from the listing by a user for presentation on a display device.

Abstract: An improved free layer structure for a spin valve sensor achieves a high magnetoresistance with the use of multiple layers of a Co-Fe alloy. The improved free layer also achieves a high degree of softness by laminating and alternating the Co-Fe alloy layers with intervening layers of a metal alloy containing Ni and Fe and by limiting the thickness of the Co-Fe alloy layers to a thickness preferably of 10 Å or less. The intervening metal alloy layers may also comprise Co and/or materials with a high electrical resistance. The layer of Co-Fe alloy closest to a Cu spacer layer may be thicker than subsequent Co-Fe alloy layers. Preferred embodiments are comprised of alternating layers of Co90Fe and Ni66Fe16Co18 in individual layer thicknesses of about seven Å, with the first layer of Co90Fe10 having a thickness of about 10 Å.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive (M-R) head has a read element with a servo sensing width as wide as a data track width and a data sensing width of less than one data track width. The two read sensing widths are achieved by using a single read element having a center electrical contact from the M-R read element that effectively reduces the sensing width of the read element. In a first embodiment, the servo sensing width comprises a first portion of the read element and the data sensing width comprises a second, smaller portion of the read element. In a second embodiment, the servo sensing width comprises the entire read element width and the data sensing width comprises a portion thereof. In yet another embodiment, abutting read elements are constructed to enable separate optimization of each sensing width. The wide servo sensing width permits use of a wide servo pattern having servo bursts as wide as a data track width.

Abstract: A high GMR coefficient for a spin valve sensor is achieved through the addition of one or more nano oxide layers in the second anti-parallel (AP) pinned layer of the pinned section of a spin valve sensor. The improvement occurs through increases in the GMR coefficient and magnetic stability of the spin valve sensor. The new second anti-parallel AP-pinned layer is formed with a plurality of layers of a magnetized metal separated by nano oxide layers. The metal layer(s) preferably comprise CoFe and the nano oxide layers preferably comprise of CoFeO. A PtMn antiferromagnetic layer and a CoFe first AP-pinned layer may also be used.

Abstract: A maximum mark length detector comprising a total value register for storing a total value Lsum of measured mark lengths; a measured value register for storing a measured value of a mark length; an arithmetic unit for computing the sum Lp of a current measured value Lk and a previously measured value PLk stored in the measured value register and subtracting a maximum value Lmax from the total value Lsum when the total value Lsum reaches the measured maximum value Lmax; a counter to count the number of times the subtraction is performed; and a comparator for completing the detection when a count value C of the counter reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) servo control system controls movement of a magneto-resistive (MR) read/write head in response to a readback signal generated when the MR head repeatedly passes adjacent multiple servo fields and data fields of the recording medium. The servo control system receives multiple data samples, detects a thermal asperity in the readback signal when the MR transducer is adjacent a servo field of the recording medium, determines that the servo field data samples affected by the thermal asperity are invalid due to possible data errors, and operates a servo demodulator in response to the servo field thermal asperity before the MR transducer is next adjacent the servo field. In a DASD with a rotating disk, for example, the thermal asperity response can be implemented before one revolution of the disk has been completed after the thermal asperity is encountered.

Abstract: A ski for a snowmobile or other snow machine is provided with a central channel for increasing the flow of snow under a gliding surface at the bottom of the ski. The increased flow of snow enhances flotation of the ski. The channel may be formed by two keels, one disposed to either side of a gliding surface of the ski. A series of longitudinal grooves may also be formed within the contoured gliding surface, alternately interspersed with lands. The grooves and lands increase a shear force exerted against the snow over which the ski travels, when the orientation of the ski is altered out of the line of travel. The increased shear force causes the snowmobile to consistently follow the course of the ski, improving tracking and handling of the ski.

Abstract: A foldable, self-standing container is disclosed which can be formed of plastic, paper, metal, or other materials and can be sealed with an integral top. The container is formed with unique fold lines in two side sections and the bottom section. When folded, the self-standing container lies flat and can be instantly opened into the upright, self-standing position by exerting opposing forces on two exposed sides of the container. When formed of metal, the fold lines are made in the form of joints, preferably connected with a resilient, liquid-tight, heat-proof sealant material. Also disclosed is an efficient method for bulk dispensing of the containers as well as a method of making and folding the containers, including an inventive box folding device. A method for permanently forming a curvature in a plastic bead and groove type zipper-type closure device is also provided in order to continuously extend the zipper-type closure device around a plurality of the sides of the foldable, self-standing container.