Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for analyzing defect backlogs that arise in the software development process. Analysis is based on a validity ratio that projects the number of open defects that are likely to actually require fixes, a fix rate that describes the performance of the development team charged with fixing the defects, defect census data, and team performance census data. One outcome of the analysis may be an estimate of the date by which the defect backlog should be resolved. Another outcome of the analysis may be an estimate of the capacity of a team to resolve defects between a given start date and a given target date.

Abstract: An audible indicator such as an audio tone is associated with the importance of data elements displayed on a visual display screen of data processing apparatus such as a personal computer or work station. At least one characteristic of the audible indicator, for example its pitch or frequence of a tone, is associated with the importance of the data elements. When a user selects a particular date element on the screen, for example using a computer mouse, the audible indicator conveys the importance of the selected data element to the user. This enables visually impaired users to readily locate important data elements on a display screen without reading the entire screen using a screen reader.

Abstract: Wireless data communication method and apparatus using two electromagnetic signals having different polarizations. Codes related to relative values of the amplitudes of the two signals are generated in correspondence with data to be transmitted. The signals are modulated according to the codes using phase shift keying and amplitude shift keying. The amplitude shift keying modulates the two electromagnetic signals by changing the difference between their two amplitudes in accordance with data encodings. The two signals are transmitted to receiver, which decodes the phases and relative amplitudes to obtain the codes, and reproduces the data from the obtained codes.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for managing a device connected to a network include querying the device using the network, querying the device using a simulated RFID tag, and querying the device using a suppressible RFID tag to determine status information about the device. A system for managing a device connected to a network comprises means for monitoring status of the device using the network, for receiving status information about the device reported by a simulated RFID tag, and for receiving status information about the device reported by a suppressible RFID tag.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting access to control units channel-connected to host computers through a FICON switch. The control unit port of the FICON switch receives a requests from an attached host to provide configuration information regarding the switch ports. The control unit port deliberately misrepresents the port configuration of the switch by reporting that ports outside the zone of the requesting host are not installed, even though these ports may in fact be installed for use by other hosts that belong to other zones.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provides dynamic load balancing of network bandwidth between access points in an 802.11 wireless LAN. The access point generates and monitors average bandwidth utilization of client devices connected to said access point. The average bandwidth utilization for each client device is aggregated and selected clients are forced to roam to other access points if the aggregate bandwidth is equal or exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computerized method for determining an addressee of a signaling request within a Workflow Management System or a computer system with comparable functionality (WFMS). Upon receiving a signaling request, which is providing a set of signal data elements, the current invention avoids the requirement that the signal data elements comprise any explicit specification of an addressee of said signaling request. To determine whether an event-activity of a process-instance being the instance of a process-model of a business-process is the potential addressee of the signaling request it is suggested to determine, whether the process-model comprises an event-identification-specification. This event-identification-specification according to the current invention is involving a subset of the signal data elements. Evaluating the event-identification-specification allows to indirectly decide if the event-activity is the addressee of the signaling request.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing or avoiding store misses with a data cache block zero (DCBZ) instruction in cooperation with the underlying hardware load stream prefetching support for helping to increase effective aggregate bandwith. The method identifies and classifies unique streams in a loop based on dependency and reuse analysis, and performs loop transformations, such as node splitting, loop distribution or stream unrolling to get the proper number of streams. Static prediction and run-time profile information are used to guide loop and stream selection. Compile-time loop cost analysis and run-time check code and versioning are used to determine the number of cache lines ahead of each reference for data cache line zeroing and to tolerate required data alignment relative to data cache lines.

Abstract: Performance of a pattern-matching intrusion detection system (IDS) is improved by ranking signatures in its signature table by likelihood of occurrence, so that the table may be searched efficiently. Occurrence data associated with signatures is kept, and the ranking adaptively revised according to updates of the data. When the IDS detects a system event, the signature table is searched. If the search does not find a signature matching the event, thereby suggesting that the event poses no threat, a null signature is added to the signature table in a strategic location to terminate future searches early. In one embodiment, null signatures may be stored in a cache. When a system event is detected, the cache is searched. If a match is not found, the signature table is searched. If a match is not found in the signature table, a null signature is cached.

Abstract: Switching method and apparatus for assigning a communication grant to a first processing unit in a communication network comprising a plurality of processing units, each processing unit being connected to each other processing unit of the plurality of processing units. The switching method includes steps of performing an identical arbitration procedure for a communication grant by each of the plurality of processing units, and switching at least one of the plurality of processing units according to the identical arbitration procedure.

Abstract: A method that provides high-entropy password protection for electronic devices without requiring the presence of a full keyboard for entering characters or special character-recognition capability. To proffer a password to an electronic device, a user enters a sequence of standard characters on a screen. The device reads the entered sequence, and determines screen position information associated with the entered sequence, according to where the characters are entered on the screen. The entered sequence and the screen position information are compared with a predetermined sequence of characters and predetermined screen position information. If the entered sequence and screen position information match the predetermined sequence and predetermined screen position information, the device accepts the entered sequence as a valid password.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for protecting interpreted-language source code from unauthorized copying, alteration, distribution, or reverse engineering, without regard to the choice of programming language. A language identifier and the source code are input to an encoding program, which provides an encrypted file that includes the language identifier and source code. The encrypted file is input to a decoding program. The decoding program decrypts the language identifier and opens a suitable interpreter. The decoder then decrypts an encrypted source code instruction and inputs the result to the interpreter, looping through the instructions until reaching the end of the encrypted file, passing decrypted instructions to the interpreter at a rate suitable for execution by the interpreter substantially in real time. Thus a single decoding program may be used with a number of different interpreted languages, and with a number of existing interpreters.

Abstract: For added security against fraud, a financial services card such as a credit card is paired with a separate tag such as an RFID tag. A system for minimizing fraud includes a card reader for reading a card ID, a tag reader for reading a tag ID, and a controller for comparing the card ID with the tag ID, and approving or rejecting a card transaction based on the comparison. A method for minimizing fraud includes reading a card ID from the financial services card, reading a tag ID from the tag, comparing the tag ID with the card ID, and approving or rejecting a transaction based on the comparison. The card reader may send a security stamp to the tag, which may combine and encrypt a partial tag ID and the security stamp to provide the tag ID.

Abstract: Means and a computerized method for determining variable dimensions for a multi-dimensional database table, whereby the database table also comprises at least one pre-defined measure dimension for storing values of one or more measure types. Input records are treated as an implicit, yet unknown functional relationship between the measure types as dependent variables and the variable types as independent variables. A regression function is then calculated and used as a prediction model for the measure types based on the variable types, using the input records. The most significant variable types contributing to this prediction model are selected as variable dimensions for the database table.

Abstract: A connector for twisted pair cables used to transmit high frequency data signals. The conductors of the twisted pair are connected to contact blades by an auto-latching mechanism adapted to ensure contact with the corresponding contact blades of a mating connector. Each contact blade has constant thickness but has an initial width in its rectilinear part and a narrower second width in the portion where contact is made with the corresponding portion of the contact blade of the other connector, such that the common mode impedance is the same in the rectilinear part and in the portion where the contact takes place.

Abstract: A strain relief device for an electrical connector designed to be interconnected to another connector of the same type to connect cables containing at least one twisted pair for the transmission of very high-frequency differential data signals. Conductors are connected in a connection block by insulation displacement contacts to contact blades, adapted to ensure contact in an interface block with the corresponding contact blades of the other connector. The device has two guillotines sliding in side grooves of the connection block. The side edges of the guillotines form a 90° angle between them and a 45° angle in relation to the direction of movement during the clamping operation, such that the side edges of the guillotines form a diaphragm when they approach one another, thereby ensuring a 360° seal preventing the cable from being deformed or damaged.

Abstract: A connector for cables containing at least one twisted pair for transmission of very high frequency signals. The conductors of the pair are connected in a connection block by insulation displacement contacts to contact blades, adapted to ensure contact in an interface block with the corresponding contact blades of the other connector. When connection is made, the geometry of the elements of the connection block is the same as the geometry of the elements of the interface block. This geometry is adapted so that the differential mode impedance between the conductors of each pair and the common mode impedance between the conductors and the shielding of the pair are respectively equal to the differential mode impedance between the contact blades and the common mode impedance between the contact blades and the shielding of the connector.

Abstract: An air flow management system for an Internet Data Center with rows of cabinets, the rows being located on an elevated floor and disposed in pairs wherein the front sides of the two rows face each other. Fresh air is supplied through the elevated floor in order to cool the heat generating elements, and collected after passing through the heat generating elements. The tops of the two front sides of the two rows in each pair of rows are joined by a cover so that the front sides and the cover constitute a tunnel. The volume of fresh air supplied through the elevated floor is controlled by openings whereby the static pressure in each tunnel can be controlled depending upon the heat generated.

Abstract: A system and method of providing to an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) access network a standard ATM interface for accessing a non standard ATM bandwidth adjustable virtual path connection established on a backbone network between a backbone source node and a backbone destination node. A standard ATM available bit rate (ABR) virtual path connection is established between the ATM access network and the backbone source node of the bandwidth adjustable virtual path connection. The available bit rate of this ABR virtual path connection is adjusted according to the adjusted bandwidth of the virtual path connection establish on the backbone node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for defining a meshing of node to node connections in a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected with transmission links or parallel transmission groups, each parallel transmission group comprising a plurality of links.