Abstract: A communication network and method are disclosed that block calls from a calling party based on the network access type of a called party. The communication network of the invention includes a permission system, an access system, and a call control system. Based on a call from a calling party to a called party, the permission system identifies permissions associated with the calling party. The access system identifies a network access type for the called party, such as wireless, circuit-based, etc. The call control element determines if the network access type for the called party is permitted by the calling party based on the permissions associated with the calling party. If the network access type for the called party is not permitted by the calling party, then the call control system releases the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with indexing of information in documents where the documents include line data with shift out/shift in (“SOSI”) code point encodings. SOSI controls are often embedded in documents encoded as simple line data (data formed to be printed on line printers). A document indexing system in accordance with features and aspects hereof converts the SOSI characters embedded in such a document to reserved codes for presentation on a user interface. The user may then precisely select trigger and field parameters used for identifying index values in such a line data document for purposes of indexing and archiving. The reserved controls help a user identify trigger and field value in a manner that the indexing system can track to determine whether and where the selected trigger and field values contain SOSI characters and thus require different column counting and indexing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for improved dispatching of sheetsides in a high-speed (e.g., continuous form) printing environment using multiple, clustered processors in a print controller. Features and aspects hereof utilize a stochastic mathematical model of multiple processors (compute nodes) each adapted to RIP (rasterize) raw sheetside data provided to it. The model utilizes stochastic estimates of the probability of RIP execution time to select a preferred processor of the controller and dispatches the sheetside to the preferred compute node identified as providing best probability of meeting required deadlines for RIP completion time of a raw sheetside.

Abstract: A drum support structure of a production printing system is disclosed. The drum support structure secures a photoconductive drum within a printing system during operation. The drum support structure includes a plurality of ring members spaced in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The ring members have an outside diameter that corresponds with an inside diameter of the drum so that the ring members fit within the drum. The drum support structure also includes a plurality of connecting members that affix the ring members to one another. The drum support structure also includes an inner end cap that connects to an inner-most ring member through one or more connecting members and is adapted to contact one end of the drum. The drum support structure also includes an outer end cap that is adapted to fasten to an outer-most ring member and is further adapted to contact another end of the drum.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing error information regarding a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA). An initiator device is enhanced in accordance with features and aspects hereof to detect an error condition in operation of the system and to transmit error information to the SATA target device during a soft reset condition applied to the SATA target device. The SATA target device discards all such frames received during the soft reset condition until the initiator device clears the soft reset condition. The error information may be captured for further analysis and debug of the error condition by suitable error analyzer equipment such as a SATA bus analyzer. The initiator device may be a SATA initiator or a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) initiator using the SATA Tunneling Protocol (STP). Features and aspects hereof may also include a SAS/SATA bridge device coupling a SAS initiator to the SATA target device.

Abstract: Method and structures provide for testing a SAS link during speed negotiation windows to determine success/failure in using a negotiated speed at one or more configured sets of speed options. For each device linked to a master SAS device, each possible set of speed options is configured; the device participates in a speed negotiation window operation with the current speed options configured. One or more SCSI requests are forwarded from the master device to the attached device. The SCSI requests may be non-destructive of data stored on the attached device. Results of the tests may be used to select a preferred speed for communication between the master device and that attached device. The speed options to be varied and tested may include: link speed; spread spectrum clocking for each SAS speed; type of supported spread spectrum clocking; and logical link rate in support of multiplexing.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, a PCRF stores charging rules for online and offline charging. To perform charging for a session, LTE network elements that are serving the session request charging rules from the PCRF. The PCRF identifies the charging rules, and assigns a unique LTE charging identifier for the session across all network elements in the LTE/EPC communication network. The LTE network elements receive the charging rules from the PCRF along with the LTE charging identifier for the session. The LTE network elements generate charging messages for the session, and insert the LTE charging identifier in the charging messages. The LTE network elements then transmit the charging messages to a charging system, such as an OCS or an OFCS. The OCS/OFCS may then correlate the charging messages for the session based on the LTE charging identifier.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an enhanced bridge device for coupling multiple non-Fiber Channel storage devices to a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) communication medium. Features and aspects hereof provide for FC-AL enhanced circuits for processing loop port bypass (LPB) and loop port enable (LPE) primitive sequences addressed to any target arbitrated loop physical address (T-ALPA) associated with a storage device coupled with the bridge regardless of the present bypassed/non-bypassed status of other T-ALPAs processed by the bridge device and associated with other storage devices coupled with the bridge device.

Abstract: A modular heat sink assembly is disclosed. The heat sink assembly includes a main (larger) heat sink member having one or more voids through the member. The heat sink assembly also includes one or more additional (smaller) heat sink members that fit within the voids of the main heat sink member and are able to move (float) within the voids while thermally connected to main heat sink member. The thermal connection to the main heat sink member may be accomplished by incorporating heat pipes as a bridge between the heat sink members, so that heat spreading, and regulation thereof, occurs over the additional heat sink members and the main heat sink member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for translation of data formats between multiple interface types. Translation logic is interposed between a producer circuit and a consumer circuit to translate data formats of data signals generated by the producer for application to the consumer. The translation logic may include multiple translators to provide translations between any of multiple producer data formats and any of multiple consumer data formats. One or more producer circuits may thus be selectively coupled with one or more consumer circuits through the translation logic circuit.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide duration alerting for communication sessions to subscribers. A communication network of the invention comprises a charging system and a network management system. The charging system receives charging information from at least one network node serving a session for a subscriber. The charging system monitors a duration of the session based on the charging information, and processes filter criteria and the duration of the session to determine whether to provide duration alerting for the session. If the charging system determines that duration alerting is proper based on the filter criteria, then the charging system transmits duration alerting information to the network management system. The network management system receives the duration alerting information, and transmits a duration alerting message to the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods of recording head fabrication are provided to fabricate a region of separation material between a write pole and a shield of a write head that forms a controlled spacing between the write pole and the shield of the write head. The method comprises forming a mask structure having an opening exposing a write pole of the write head and forming separation material above the portions of the write pole exposed by the opening. The method further comprises removing the mask structure and forming a shield of the write head above the separation material. The separation material forms a spacing between the write pole and the shield, which controls the amount of flux from the write pole absorbed by a shield (e.g., a wrap around shield) of the write head.

Abstract: A current to perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetoresistance (MR) read head using current confinement proximal to an air bearing surface (ABS) is disclosed. A CPP MR read head includes a first shield, an MR sensor formed on the first shield, and a second shield contacting the MR sensor proximal to an ABS. The CPP MR read head further includes insulating material between the MR sensor and the second shield, where the insulating material is distal to the ABS to electrically isolate the MR sensor from the second shield distal to the ABS. Sense current injected from the second shield through the MR sensor and into the first shield is confined proximal to the ABS at a location where the second shield contacts the MR sensor.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for the early detection of wire/cable faults. For example, a system may detect electrical/electronic faults with power lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cables, and the like (generally referred to herein as “lines”, “wires”, and “cables”) by providing sacrificial materials including a conductive material external to the lines. A processor may be coupled to the conductive material to transmit a control signal along the conductive material of the line to determine whether the line is degrading. That is, when the sacrificial material wears away and exposes the conductive sacrificial material in the line, that conductive material may begin to experience faults. The faults in the external conductive material may serve as precursors to the overall degradation of the line. Thus, the line may be repaired or replaced prior to the degradation of the line itself.

Abstract: Broadband messaging gateways, SMS-C's, and associated methods are disclosed that attempt to deliver SMS messages over a broadband data network as opposed to a voice network. When a mobile device sends a Mobile Originated (MO) SMS message, the mobile device sends the MO SMS message to a broadband data network instead of the voice network. The broadband data network then routes the MO SMS message to the appropriate SMS-C. When an SMS-C receives a Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS message destined for a mobile device, the SMS-C forwards the MT SMS message to the broadband data network instead of the voice network. Thus, SMS messages are offloaded from the voice network to the broadband data network.

Abstract: A current-to-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) read sensor with multiple reference layers and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the multiple reference layers of a CPP tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) read sensor includes a first reference layer formed by a ferromagnetic polycrystalline Co—Fe film, a second reference layer formed by a ferromagnetic substitute-type amorphous Co—Fe—X film where X is Hf, Zr or Y, and a third reference layer formed by a ferromagnetic interstitial-type amorphous Co—Fe—B film. The first reference layer facilitates the CPP TMR read sensor to exhibit high exchange and antiparallel-coupling fields. The second reference layer provides a thermally stable flat surface, thus facilitating the CPP TMR read sensor to exhibit a low ferromagnetic-coupling field. The multiple reference layers may induce spin-dependent scattering, thus facilitating the CPP TMR sensor to exhibit a high TMR coefficient.

Abstract: A wireless network and method are disclosed that provide temporary data service to a party. For the invention, a temporary data service system receives a request from a first party to establish temporary data service for a second party. The temporary data service system then configures the wireless network to establish temporary data service for the second party, such as by setting up a temporary subscriber profile or temporary account for the second party in the wireless network. A notification system then generates a notification message indicating that the temporary data service has been established for the second party, and transmits the notification message to the second party. The second party may use the temporary data service to access some type of data message or data file, such as a picture message sent by the first party.

Abstract: Methods of lapping rows of recording heads are described after an air bearing surface (ABS) damascene process is performed. The ABS damascene process uses a selective etching process to form voids in the row of recording heads where conductive material forms a feature in the recording head, such as a wrap around shield. The conductive material is then deposited on the ABS of the row to fill the voids, and the row is lapped. According to methods provided herein, the resistance of one or more lapping guides in the row of recording heads is monitored to determine when the conductive material is removed by the lapping process. When the monitored resistance indicates that the conductive material is removed, the lapping process is stopped. The resistance across one or more lapping guides may also be used to control the lapping process to uniformly lap the conductive material from the ABS.

Abstract: A current-to-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) read sensor with multiple reference layers and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multiple reference layers of a CPP read sensor include a first reference layer (e.g., Co—Fe) formed by a ferromagnetic polycrystalline film, a second reference layer (e.g., Co—Fe—Hf) formed by a ferromagnetic amorphous film, a third reference layer (e.g., Co—Fe—B) formed by a ferromagnetic amorphous film, and a fourth reference layer (e.g., Co—Fe) formed by a ferromagnetic polycrystalline film. A plasma treatment is applied to the fourth reference layer for surface smoothening, and no replenishment is needed as long as the fourth reference layer is not completely removed after the plasma treatment. The fourth reference layer protects the surface of the third reference layer from spin polarization deterioration caused by the plasma treatment, thereby maintaining a strong TMR or GMR effect.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a second request before processing of a first request has completed. The first request is associated with a first flow control credit type, and the second request is associated with a second flow control credit type. After a period of time, the second request is selected for processing based on the first flow control credit type and the second flow control credit type.