Abstract: A method and apparatus in a distributed data processing system for handling requests. The processing of each request received at a server system is monitored, wherein the server system includes a plurality of servers. An average work load size is estimated for the plurality of servers based on previous actual work load information in response to completion of processing of a request. A most recent value of the average work load size is assigned for the plurality of servers to each request arriving at the server system. The request is forwarded to a server within the plurality of servers having a lowest estimated amount of work to process.

Abstract: Data is stored in a Palm OS based handheld device. The data includes at least one record which contains a keyword used for identifying the record. Each record is stored as a resource in a resource database in the handheld device. The keyword is converted into a long integer and then divided into two parts. The two parts are stored, respectively, as a resource type and a resource ID in a resource information entry included in a header of the resource database corresponding to the record.

Abstract: An improved auxiliary input device for use with various computer applications which is more versatile and easier to use than prior devices. A touchscreen device is used to provide easier inputs to the computer applications. The layout of the touchscreen display may be customized using layout software that maps visual indicators on the touchscreen to user-defined key sequences, mouse events, external calling of Dynamic Link Libraries, URL links, or other miscellaneous actions. Control software runs in the background for loading the saved layout configurations and executing the user-defined key sequences or mouse events whenever the touchscreen is touched by the user. The control software can be configured to automatically load layouts based on the active program or game being played. The touchscreen configuration for each game may be programmed with bitmaps and key sequences and then stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: A voice processing system 10 is connected to the telephone network 110, and runs one or more applications 220 for controlling interaction with calls to or from the telephone network. The system records audio segments by first and second speakers, and extracts the vocal characteristics of each speaker. Then, when an audio segment recorded by the first speaker is played back, the system can apply to it the vocal characteristics of the second speaker, thereby making it sound as if the second speaker had recorded the segment.

Abstract: A flat bottom bag or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating two vertical creases along opposite sides of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. These creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines.

Abstract: A system, method, and product are disclosed for associating subcomponents with a storage library. A unique identifier is stored in a particular storage library. Each subcomponent that is a part of the particular storage library is then associated with the particular storage library by storing a copy of the unique identifier within each subcomponent. In order for a subcomponent to be usable by a particular storage library, the particular storage library's unique identifier must be stored within the subcomponent.

Abstract: The invention presents a highly efficient, tightly regulated DC-to-DC converter which can be used in various applications, especially multiple output converters. The converter uses a buck converter to produce an intermediate bus voltage. A current-fed double ended circuit, such as bridge or push-pull circuit, couples to the buck converter to provide power to outputs. The double ended circuit operates at about 50% duty. The secondary output filter inductor is not required. With 50% duty cycle operation, the secondary rectifiers are easily controlled by either a self-driven or an external driven circuit. The secondary windings can also be stacked up to simplify the transformer design. In addition, bias voltages needed for control circuitry can also be obtained by adding extra windings to the power transformer and extra rectifier devices.

Abstract: To display contents desired by a user in one information terminal onto another information terminal having no special software for collaboration when collaboration is performed through internets. If a customer clicks on a “call button” with a browser, an agent who performs collaboration is assigned. The browser on the customer side shows both a screen starting a default and an object giving instructions to display the next page. The screen on the agent side shows the number of a document to which the customer refers, and the agent can change this number. If the customer selects the object giving instructions to display the next page, a hypertext makeup language (HTML) including that object is generated based on the document number changed by the agent, the HTML being transmitted to the customer side.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for workload balancing along multiple communication paths to a plurality of devices. The apparatus includes a controller that accumulates path usage information and a path balancing device that makes use of the accumulated path usage information to perform a path balancing operation. The path balancing method involves the path balancing device calculating the total expected connect time for all I/O messages issued to each of a plurality of peripheral devices during a predefined sampling period. These totals are then added for each communication path for the sampling period to obtain path totals. The path totals are then compared to see if a difference between the highest used path and the lowest used path is greater than a threshold amount. If the difference is higher than the threshold amount, the peripheral device having a total expected connect time that is closest to a target value is moved from the highest used path to the lowest used path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for environmental effects on media. The apparatus includes an array of servo readers that are positioned at a non-zero azimuth angle relative to a medium. The position of the array of servo readers is dynamically updateable in both a vertical direction and an azimuth angle direction based on a combination of an average position error signal of both an upper portion of the servo readers and a lower portion of the servo readers. Based on the average position error signal and a reference signal, a controller generates control signals that are output to one or more actuators. The actuators then adjust the position of the array of servo readers based on the control signals received.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a track-mounted robot is provided. The steering mechanism comprises guide wheels, which are fixed to yokes that pivot around secondary drive wheels. The pivot action of the yokes allows the guide wheels to maintain full contact with the track and steer as the robot traverses straight and curved portions of the track. Linkage components attach the yokes to a cam follower which follows a cam surface in the track in order to force the proper angle of steering for the guide wheels.

Abstract: A data processing system and method stores a relational database in which audit records are stored without compromising the ability to detect data tampering. The technique provides for detection of unauthorized row modification, row deletion, and row insertion. Extra measures are incorporated to protect from administrator attacks. In addition, the technique enables integrity checking and audit log archiving without having to suspend or bring down the audit subsystem. These on-line capabilities are especially important in mission critical applications which must satisfy the requirement that the application be disabled if the audit subsystem is not functioning properly.

Abstract: A named range defined by a cell address range in a spreadsheet comprises a plurality of cells identified in each dimension by an address, each dimension comprising two directions. An open named range is specifyed to the named range in at least one open direction. A hidden named range with the cell address range of the open named range is expanded by one address in every direction specified as open. In response to user action, at least one direction is selected, the cell address range of the hidden named range is increased by inserting between two consecutive cell addresses, a new address in selected directions, the open named range is updated with the cell address range of the hidden named range shortened by one address in every direction specified as open.

Abstract: An automated media library gathers information about each readable cartridge label using a camera. From the label information, the orientation of the cartridge may be determined. For each cartridge with an unreadable label or no label, the media library attempts a get/put operation. If the get/put operation fails, the cartridge is marked as incorrectly oriented. Alternatively, the tape library may attempt a get/put operation on all removable media cartridges. A similar process is performed when a cartridge access port is closed and the cartridge access port is marked inaccessible to the host when an incorrectly oriented cartridge is detected.

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch from a single sheet of packaging film by creating a vertical crease along one edge of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Said vertical crease is formed using a stationary tucker bar positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube.