Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing purchasing sessions to mobile devices that are located proximate to a business. IMS network includes an application server that provides advertisements for the business to mobile devices that are located proximate to the business (i.e., the advertisements are pushed to the mobile devices). Responsive to an advertisement, the user of a mobile device may contact the application server through the mobile device to purchase one or more items from the business. The application server responds to the mobile device with receipt information for the purchase. The user may then request delivery of the purchased item through the mobile device by transmitting some or all of the receipt information to the application server. The application server may then schedule delivery of the item to the user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved management of power allocation among a plurality of devices coupled to a controller. The controller and devices exchange messages to request, grant, and release allocations of power from a common power supply. In some embodiments, the controller may be a SAS/SATA controller and the messages exchanged may be SAS/SATA frames and/or primitives. In exemplary embodiments, the messages may request/grant a particular amount of power for each of one or more voltage levels provided by the power supply. In other exemplary embodiments, the messages may designate the duration of time during which the requesting device may utilize the allocated power. A power status message from the device to the controller may indicate a change in the power consumption by the device. Responsive to the power status message the controller may re-allocate power previously allocated to a device that has completed use thereof.

Abstract: A printer output coverage estimation system permits a user of print services to obtain an accurate estimate of the amount of toner required by a print job. Providers of print services, including coverage estimations, may be identified through the Internet and selected by the user from a web interface. The estimate request may then be transmitted directly to the provider that fulfills the request using excess computing capacity. Alternatively, providers may register excess computing capacity with a broker. The broker matches job requests with a grid of providers and directs the job request to the matched provider(s). Thus, users of print services have an alternative to purchasing in-house computing resources that may remain idle much of the time.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for protecting data using snapshots and images of those snapshots to quickly recreate data upon request. For example, a storage controller of a data storage system allocates a period of time between creating snapshots of data in a first storage volume of the data storage system. The controller then logs received write requests to the first storage volume and generates snapshot of data in the first storage volume based on the allocated period of time. Thereafter, the controller may receive a request to recreate data. The controller locates the snapshot in the first storage volume based on that request to recreate the data. In doing so, the controller generates a snapshot image in a second storage volume. The controller then retrieves logged write requests and applies them to the snapshot image to recreate the data in the second storage volume.

Abstract: Magnetic recording heads and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. A heat spreader structure in a magnetic recording head includes a seed layer with a heat spreader layer formed on the seed layer. When the heat spreader layer (e.g., Aluminum Nitride) is grown on the seed layer (e.g., NiTa or Alumina), the heat spreader layer forms a well-oriented crystalline structure that allows for a desired thermal conductivity, such as a thermal conductivity greater than about 55 W/m?K. As a result of using the seed layer, a material such as Aluminum Nitride can be used for a heat spreader layer to effectively dissipate heat in a magnetic recording head.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing write signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a compensation system is implemented within a disk drive that receives a synchronization signal read from a patterned magnetic disk by a read head. The compensation system processes the synchronization signal to compensate for noise sensed by the read head while a write head writes to the disk based on a write signal. The adjustment module is operable to adjust the write signal based on the processed synchronization signal so that the write signal is synchronized to the pattern on the disk.

Abstract: Flash memory devices and associated methods are described for controlling data errors in the devices through various forms of decoding, error correction, and wear concentration. To this end, a flash memory device may be partitioned into a plurality of sectors. Data may then be received from, for example, a host processor for storage within the flash memory device. Storage durations of the data are then estimated and the data is stored in the data sectors based on those estimated storage durations.

Abstract: A polishing system and associated methods are described for polishing a magnetic disk used in a disk drive system. The polishing system includes a polishing film that is used to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes an actuator operable to move the polishing film across a surface of the magnetic disk to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes a pad having at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the pad. The protrusion is configured to contact the polishing film and press the polishing film against the magnetic disk. The protrusion is operable to compress to about the surface of the pad when in contact with the polishing film. Once polishing is complete, the pad retracts from the polishing film and the protrusion extends from the pad, reducing the adhesion force between the pad and the polishing film.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing text messaging over an eHRPD network. A text message gateway implemented in the eHRPD network receives a Mobile Originated (MO) text message from a mobile device that is registered with the eHRPD network, and identifies a network where the destination of the text message is registered. If the destination is registered in the eHRPD network, then the text message gateway identifies an HRPD Serving Gateway (HSGW) in the eHRPD network that is serving the destination. The text message gateway then forwards the MO text message to the HSGW for delivery of the MO text message directly to the destination.

Abstract: A print controller, methods, and software are disclosed. A print controller of the invention includes applications, a parameter manager, and a notification system. The applications register with parameter manager those parameters for which they want to be notified when a change occurs. As part of the registration, the applications designate a callback identifier (CID) for each of the parameters, where an individual CID may be associated with a single parameter or a plurality of related parameters. Responsive to receiving an indication of changes to one or more of the parameters, the notification system identifies the applications registered to be notified of changes to the parameters, and identifies the CIDs associated with the parameters that have changed. The notification system then transmits one or more notification messages, including the identified CIDs for the changed parameters, to each application that is registered.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) error injection between storage controllers and storage devices in a storage system. A plurality of bridge devices are configured in a storage system each coupled persistently coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of storage devices. Each bridge device may couple to one or more Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) initiators for transferring exchanges between one or more SAS initiators and the attached target storage device. Each bridge device receives parameters from a SAS initiator or an administrative client directing the bridge regarding injection of CRC errors. A log memory in each bridge may log information regarding the injected CRC errors.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide per-session dynamic charging caps. For a session, the communication network includes a network element adapted to serve the session, a charging system, and a subscriber server adapted to store charging criteria defined for a party to the session. In operation, the charging system receives one or more charging request messages from the network element. Responsive to a charging request message, the charging system identifies the charging criteria defined for the party as stored in the subscriber server, and determines a dynamic charging cap for the session based on the charging criteria. A charging cap is a limited or maximum amount of time and/or money that is charged for an individual session. The charging system then limits the charging for the session based on the dynamic charging cap.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and/or decoding digital signals representing serial attached SCSI (SAS) out of band (OOB) signals exchanged over an optical communication between two SAS devices. A SAS OOB signal to be transmitted from a first SAS device to a second SAS device is first encoded as a digitally encoded signal representing the analog SAS OOB signal and then transmitted over an optical communication medium to another SAS device. A receiving SAS device coupled to an optical communication medium decodes a received digitally encoded signal to detect a received, encoded SAS OOB signal and processes the received SAS OOB signal when receipt is detected. The digitally encoded signal may comprise an idle word portion and a burst word portion to represent various SAS OOB signals. Further, the digitally encoded signal may be precomputed in a variety of disparity forms and stored in a memory for lookup and retrieval.

Abstract: Methods and systems for simplified error recovery in a SAS device. A SAS device (e.g., a SAS/SSP target device such as a storage device) enhanced in accordance with features and aspects hereof NAKs a received frame that has an error and then NAKS all subsequently received frames, regardless of whether received with or without error, until the connection is closed. The second SAS device (e.g., a SAS/SSP initiator) then performs required error recovery by re-establishing a connection and re-transmitting all previously NAKed frames. The enhanced SAS thereby simplifies logic for error recovery.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for compensating a depth signal for a depth finder of a boat. In one embodiment, a compensation system is implemented between the depth finder and a transducer mounted on the boat. The compensation system receives a depth signal (i.e., a plurality of electrical impulses) from the transducer that directs sound waves toward the bottom of a body of water. The compensation system also monitors a change in elevation of the transducer, such as due to waves rocking the boat. The compensation system then compensates the depth signal based on the change in elevation, and provides the compensated depth signal to the depth finder.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing online charging credit control in a visited network when a user is roaming. The visited network which is providing service to a roaming user includes a proxy online charging system (OCS) that communicates with a home OCS in a home network of the user. The proxy OCS transmits an online charging request message to a home OCS in a home network for the roaming user requesting charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS receives an online charging response message from the home OCS that includes the charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS then processes the charging information to perform credit control for one or more network elements in the visited network that is serving the session.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drive systems and associated methods are described for testing magnetic disk performance for certification with a plurality of magnetic disk drive systems prior to installation. The test system may position a slider at a first spacing between the magnetic disk in the slider and simulate the recording performance of a disk drive system with the magnetic disk at the first spacing. The disk drive test system may then transfer a control signal to a heating element in the slider to move the slider to a different spacing between the magnetic disk and the slider to simulate the recording performance of another disk drive system. The test system may, thus, use a single slider to certify a magnetic disk with a plurality of disk drive systems.

Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authorizing financial transactions. Credit card information, debit card information, and other purchasing data may be consolidated into an IMS device for conducting financial transactions, such as the purchasing of items from a merchant. Before a financial transaction can be completed, an IMS device transmits transaction data for the financial transaction to the IMS network. The IMS network then processes predefined purchasing rules to determine whether or not the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is authorized, then the IMS network transmits a confirmation message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is not authorized, then the IMS network transmits a cancel message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is not authorized.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for real-time routing of received frames in a split-path architecture storage controller. In one exemplary embodiment, a split-path storage controller comprises a soft-path I/O processor for processing of any received frames and comprises a fast-path I/O processor for efficient processing of common read and write command. A content parsing circuit of the storage controller parses each frame substantially concurrent with reception of the frame and selects an I/O processor for processing of an initial frame and subsequent related frames. Received frames are then routed concurrently as they are received for processing by the selected I/O processor of the multiple I/O processors of the split-path storage controller.

Abstract: Read/write structures for three-dimensional memories are disclosed. In one embodiment, a three-dimensional memory includes a plurality of data storage layers fabricated in parallel on top of one another to form a three-dimensional structure. Each data storage layer is able to store bits of data in the form of magnetic domains. The memory further includes a column of write elements that is operable to write a column of magnetic domains to the first data storage layer representing a column of bits. The first data storage layer is patterned into a plurality of magnetic conductors aligned transverse to the column of write elements. A control system may inject spin-polarized current pulses in the magnetic conductors to transfer the column of magnetic domains laterally within the first data storage layer. The control system may transfer of the column of magnetic domains perpendicularly from the first data storage layer to another data storage layer.