Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating one or more computer systems via an operations-computing arrangement. The operations-computing arrangement includes a plurality of workstations coupled to a plurality of operations servers, and each operations server is coupled to at least one computer system. Each workstation executes software that provides a user interface for operating a computer system, and each operations server provides an interface to a computer system. A first operations server registers with a second operations server for the second operations server to forward event reports received by the second operations server to the first operations server. The second operations server generates event reports in response to computer system events. Event reports are transmitted from the second operations server to one or more workstations coupled to the second operations server, and also to the first operations server.

Abstract: Various approaches for allocating storage for a file are disclosed. In one approach, in response to each call to allocate an available portion of storage, one of a plurality of allocation approaches is selected based on a value of a file attribute associated with the file. If a first one of the allocation approaches is selected, a portion of storage is selected for storage of data using an approach that emphasizes storage of data in sequential physical storage. If a second one of the allocation approaches is selected, a portion of storage using an approach that emphasizes maintaining concurrent access to the file.

Abstract: Bus address, function and system information in relation to bus requests are maintained in a centralized location (702). Parallel access to the centralized data is facilitated through the use of pointers to the centralized location. Bus transaction operations needing access to the centralized data are simultaneously connected to the data through the use of the pointer control (610), rather than requiring the data to be sequentially transmitted to the bus transaction operations as required.

Abstract: Optical devices having integrated waveguide and active areas are realized using a crystallization approach involving the inhibition of defects typically associated with liquid-phase crystalline growth of lattice mismatched materials. According to one example embodiment, a growth region is formed such that the region is isolated from a silicon portion of silicon material. The region extends from a silicon-based seeding area of the substrate. A semiconductor material is deposited on a Silicon-based seeding area and in the growth region. A single crystalline material is formed from the deposited semiconductor material by heating and cooling the deposited semiconductor material while directing growth of the semiconductor material from the Silicon-based seeding area and through an opening sufficiently narrow to mitigate crystalline defects. A light-communicating device is formed by etching the silicon material over an insulator layer and etching the single crystalline material.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube is adapted to pass current between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst material, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the electrical connection is used to detect an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube is used for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: An e-commerce method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to a gifting method via on-line apparel shopping. The method includes providing a host-site accessible to an on-line viewer (customer) and web-linkable to a retailer having an apparel site. The retailer's apparel site has images of articles stored in a virtual closet. These articles can be apparel from retail stores for viewing over the web, and the on-line viewer is linked to the host-site. The consumer selects a structure, such as a photograph of a person captured in system memory, in response to a command received by the on-line viewer. Using the host-site, the viewer or customer is linked to the retailer's apparel site and images are passed from that site for view by the shopper.

Abstract: Chalcogenide-based nanowire memories are implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a memory circuit is implemented. The method includes depositing nanoparticles at locations on a substrate. Chalcogenide-based nanowires are created at the locations on the substrate using a vapor-liquid-solid technique. Insulating material is deposited between the chalcogenide-based nanowires. Lines are created to connect at least some of the chalcogenide-based nanowires.

Abstract: A deferred-type payment approach facilitates transaction card management and processing. According to an example embodiment, a user's transaction card purchases are authorized against a purchase limit associated with a consideration-bearing (e.g., interest-bearing) account. The purchases are tracked and, at the end of a billing cycle, provided to the user via a statement or other informative approach. During a payment time period after the end of the billing cycle, the user is afforded an opportunity to review tracked purchases and provide funds to cover the purchases. If the user does not provide funds for the purchases during the payment time period, funds are automatically transferred from the consideration-bearing account to cover the purchases at the end of the payment time period. In this regard, purchases made with the transaction card against the consideration-bearing account are not assessed against the consideration-bearing account until after the billing cycle has ended.

Abstract: Accounting data is classified to facilitate transaction processing and management. According to an example embodiment, data based rules are implemented for classifying transaction-related data into accounting categories. Accounting information is processed as a function of the data based rules and accordingly classified. This approach involves, for example, the identification of particular data based rules to apply to the accounting information, applying the rules and processing the information accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and supporting multiple customized versions of a software application within a web-based environment is disclosed. Customized code is created for a user of the software application. This code is invoked by inserting code hooks such as subroutine calls into the software application. The file containing the customized code is moved to a respective physical directory created for the user. An association is then created between this physical directory and a virtual directory of the type supported by IIS and other similar web servers. Finally, the virtual directory and the customized code file are identified by a reference provided with the software application. When a run-time version of the code is generated for the user, this reference along with the association created between the virtual and physical directories result in generation of a user-specific version of the software application.

Abstract: A cache-based system management architecture named “the Collective” automates system management and supports mobile computing. The Collective manages systems by manipulating virtual appliances, each encapsulating a system state. A virtual appliance (VA) may comprise a virtual network of VAs. Distributed repositories separately storing the VAs and user data. Publishers create and maintain VAs. A user plugs a bootable portable storage device implementing a VA transceiver (VAT) into a host computer. The VAT, comprising a Manager, a Cache Client, and a virtual machine monitor (VMM), authenticates the user, retrieves a copy of the latest version of a subscribed VA from the appropriate network repository, obtains user data, and automatically backs up the user data over the network in the background while running the subscribed VA. Multiple VAs can be run at the same time. With the novel caching protocol and cache charging process, the Collective performs well and has numerous advantages.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, a predator repelling device is installed or placed in or near a water feature that has water-residing species that are vulnerable to predators. The device includes a base member for support and an extension arrangement coupled to and supported by the base member. The extension arrangement extends from the base member above and sufficiently close to the water for repelling predators. The extension arrangement includes an extension portion for providing access to a target location above the water and a motorized portion coupled to the extension portion for controlling the extension arrangement such as by repetitively and automatically sweeping the region surrounding the target location. Accordingly, when a predator attempts to breach the water feature the repetitive movement of the extension arrangement thwarts the predator's attempt and trains the predator to avoid the water feature.

Abstract: Driver circuits for switched-capacitor circuits are implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to one such circuit, a switched-capacitor driver circuit is implemented for producing an output signal by driving a capacitive output load in response to step input signals. The driver circuit includes output circuitry that drives the capacitive output load toward a steady-state mode responsive to one of the step input signals and control circuitry that, before realizing the steady-state mode, inhibits the output circuitry from driving the capacitive output load to the steady-state mode.

Abstract: A thyristor device can be used to implement a variety of semiconductor memory circuits, including high-density memory-cell arrays and single cell circuits. In one example embodiment, the thyristor device includes doped regions of opposite polarity, and a first word line that is used to provide read and write access to the memory cell. A second word line is located adjacent to and separated by an insulative material from one of the doped regions of the thyristor device for write operations to the memory cell, for example, by enhancing the switching of the thyristor device from a high conductance state to a low conductance state and/or from the low conductance state to the high conductance. This type of memory circuit can be implemented to significantly reduce standby power consumption and access time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a data processing system and a cache arrangement. The data processing system includes at least one processor, a first-level cache, a second-level cache, and a memory arrangement. The first-level cache bypasses storing data for a memory request when a do-not-cache attribute is associated with the memory request. The second-level cache stores the data for the memory request. The second-level cache also bypasses updating of least-recently-used indicators of the second-level cache when the do-not-cache attribute is associated with the memory request.

Abstract: Terahertz radiation generation systems and methods are implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, method for generating terahertz radiation is implemented where the wavelength of an optical pulse is controlled, and where the wavelength is controlled as a function of the group velocity dispersion in a nonlinear crystal. The optical pulse is then directed through consecutively-inverted parallel domains in the nonlinear crystal.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system uses a modular terminal that includes a conventional digital still camera coupled to the input port of the videocommunicator, such as a set top box. There are various features provided by this arrangement, including using the digital still camera to present video information to the videocommunicator with a split screen image representing the still image, a receiver arrangement permitting the digital still camera to fit securely and adjacent to the videocommunicator, and pan/tilt/zoom camera features provided electronically.

Abstract: Optical signals are passed in an optical medium using an approach that facilitates the mitigation of interference. According to an example embodiment, a filtering-type approach is used with an optical signal conveyed in an optical fiber, such as a multimode fiber (MMF) or a multimode waveguide. Modal dispersion in the optical signal is mitigated.

Abstract: In a packet-queue management system, a bandwidth allocation approach fairly addresses each of n flows that share the outgoing link of an otherwise congested router. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a buffer at the outgoing link is a simple FIFO, shared by packets belonging to the n flows. A packet priority-reduction (e.g., packet dropping) process is used to discriminate against the flows that submit more packets/sec than is allowed by their fair share. This packet management process therefore attempts to approximate a fair queuing policy. The embodiment is advantageously easy to implement and can control unresponsive or misbehaving flows with a minimum overhead.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling audio signal transmissions for a communications system that includes a microphone and a video camera. The arrangement comprises a video processor configured and arranged to receive a video signal from the video camera, detect movement of an object in the video signal, and provide a motion-indicating signal indicating movement relative to the object. An audio processor is coupled to the video processor and is configured and arranged to modify the audio signal to be transmitted responsive to the motion-indicating signal. In another embodiment, a video signal processor is configured and arranged to receive a video signal from the video camera, detect mouth movement of a person and provide a mouth-movement signal indicative of movement of the person's mouth.