Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronization and control of multiple processes in a printer controller using headers associated with data and exchanged among the processes of the printer controller. A first feature hereof provides a method for job control and synchronization among a plurality of processes operable in a printer controller. The method includes associating a job control header with all print data exchanged between the plurality of processes of the printer controller. The method then includes synchronizing operation of the plurality of processes in accordance with information in the job control header. The headers may be exchanged in conjunction with print data moving through the multiple processes and may be generated and exchanged for synchronization and control independent of any print data. Synchronization events may include beginning and/or end of processing for a job, a page, a document, a page description language, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving communication throughput of a link between SAS/SATA devices. The link, initially established at a first signal rate, is one of a SATA link and a SAS link. A SAS/SATA device increments one of the at least one counter based on an error sensed on the link. Based on the at least one counter, the SAS/SATA device determines whether to maintain the first signal rate. The link is re-established at a second signal rate based on the determination such that the second signal rate is lower than the first signal rate.

Abstract: Methods and structures for assuring proper sequencing of processing of SAS frames received over multiple physical ports of a SAS wide port. A frame scheduler element is communicatively coupled with a SAS transport layer and with a corresponding plurality of link layers operable as a SAS wide port. The frame scheduler receives a request from the transport layer to locate or select a next received frame for further processing. The frame scheduler interacts with the plurality of link layer processing elements having received frames stored within to locate the link layer that has the requested next frame. The frame scheduler then coordinates operation of that link layer and the transport layer to effectuate the transfer of the required next frame.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures for utilizing write-back cache management modes for local cache memory of disk drives coupled to a storage controller while maintaining data integrity of the data transferred to the local cache memories of affected disk drives. In one aspect hereof, a state machine model of managing cache blocks in a storage controller cache memory maintains blocks in the storage controller's cache memory in a new state until verification is sensed that the blocks have been successfully stored on the persistent storage media of the affected disk drives. Responsive to failure or other reset of the disk drive, the written cache blocks may be re-written from the copy maintained in the cache memory of the storage controller. In another aspect, an alternate controller's cache memory may also be used to mirror the cache blocks from the primary storage controller's cache memory as additional data integrity assurance.

Abstract: Magnetic sensing chips and methods of fabricating the magnetic sensing chips are disclosed. A magnetic sensing chip as described herein includes an EMR sensor formed on a substrate from multiple semiconductor layers. One or more of the semiconductor layers form a quantum well comprising a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) or hole gas (2DHG). The magnetic sensing chip also includes one or more transistors formed on the substrate from the multiple semiconductor layers. The transistor(s) likewise include a quantum well comprising a 2DEG or 2DHG. The EMR sensor and the transistor(s) are connected by one or more connections so that the transistor(s) amplifies data signals from the EMR sensor.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for synchronizing call traffic in the forward direction over backhaul links. Within a communication network, a traffic processing unit is connected to base stations over a plurality of backhaul links. When the traffic processing unit receives reverse call traffic over the backhaul links, the traffic processing unit processes the reverse call traffic to determine a differential delay in receiving the reverse call traffic over the backhaul links. The traffic processing unit then receives forward call traffic. In response to receiving the forward call traffic, the traffic processing unit transmits the forward call traffic over the backhaul links to the base stations based on the differential delay determined for the reverse call traffic. The transmission of the forward call traffic in this manner substantially synchronizes receipt of the forward call traffic at the base stations.

Abstract: A wrap around shield of a write head is fabricated in multiple processes, with side shields fabricated in one process, and a trailing shield formed in another process. These multiple processes form a stitched wrap around shield, resulting in more flexible and accurate placement of the trailing shield and side shields with respect to the write pole. These processes also independently form the dimensions (shapes and sizes) of the side shields and the trailing shield which allows better control of writeability, saturation, and adjacent track interference of the perpendicular recording write head.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for negotiating control over a PTT call between an OMA PoC network and a P25 network. If an OMA PoC PTT server receives a request for the PTT call from a calling party, then the PTT server transmits a call initiation message for the PTT call to the P25 network offering control over the PTT call to a PTT server in the P25 network. The P25 PTT server processes the call initiation message to identify the offer for control, assumes control over the PTT call, and determines whether the calling or called party has the floor for initial transmission for the PTT call. The P25 PTT server then transmits a response message to the OMA PoC PTT server indicating which one of the calling or called party has the floor. The party granted the floor may then initiate voice communications for the PTT call.

Abstract: A mobile device and associated methods are disclosed that allow a mobile device subject to a communication restriction from a wireless network to respond to a priority call. If a call in the wireless network is destined for the mobile device, then the mobile device receives a paging request message for the call from the wireless network. The mobile device then determines if the call is a priority call. If the call is a priority call, then the mobile device determines that it is exempt from the communication restriction. The mobile device may be exempt for this particular call, for a defined time period, etc. The mobile device may then transmit a response message to the wireless network to initiate the setup of the priority call to the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication network is described that allows legacy devices to access an IMS network. The communication network includes a switching system, an IMS network, and a non-IMS network. The switching system includes a subscriber database that is pre-provisioned with identities of IMS subscribers using legacy devices. When in operation, a calling party places a call through a legacy device. The switching system receives the call and accesses the subscriber database based on a calling party identifier (e.g., a phone number, URL, etc) to determine if the calling party is an IMS subscriber. If the calling party is an IMS subscriber, then the switching system routes the call to the IMS network. If the calling party is not an IMS subscriber, then the switching system routes the call to the non-IMS network.

Abstract: Disk drive systems and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed for a write head having an integrated coil and shield structure. The write head includes a write pole having a pole tip adjacent to an air bearing surface, and a return pole having a surface adjacent to the air bearing surface. The write pole and the return pole are connected to one another by a back gap section that is distal from the air bearing surface. The write head also includes a coil formed from electrically conductive materials. The coil includes a segment that is formed proximate to the air bearing surface. The coil segment is formed from a ferromagnetic material so that the coil segment acts as a shield for the write pole.

Abstract: Methods and structure described herein provide for detecting data inversions between electronic devices in communication with one another and automatically correcting those that inversions. An electronic device may be configured with a receiver that is configured for receiving differential serial data from a transmitter of another electronic device. The differential serial data is formatted according to a particular communication protocol associated with the electronic devices. The receiver detects an invalid sequence in the received differential serial data, such as an inverted SAS primitive, and automatically change the receive logic of the receiver such that subsequent received differential serial data is in the proper polarity. The transmitting device does not require notification of the change in receive logic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus adapted for use with an assistive energy type golf club which is safe to use, inconspicuous, and able to release sufficient assistive energy at the optimum time during a golf swing to add prescribed incremental velocity to a golf ball.

Abstract: Write elements and methods of fabricating magnetic write poles are described. For one method, a vertical mask structure is formed on a magnetic layer in locations of a pole tip and a yoke of a write pole. The vertical mask structure may be formed by coating vertical surfaces of resists with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process or a similar process. A removal process is then performed around the vertical mask structure to define the pole tip and part of the yoke of the write pole, and the vertical mask structure is removed. A lower portion of the pole tip is them masked while the upper portion of the pole tip and the part of the yoke is exposed. The upper portion of the pole tip and the part of the yoke are then expanded with magnetic material, such as with a plating process.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to enhance image processing for a color reprographic system are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may calibrate a component like scanner and/or printer in response to user input and/or coupling the component to the reprographic system. More specifically, embodiments may generate correction parameters that describe differences in color values between an image scanned by a scanner or an image printed by the printer by comparing the outputs to known characteristics like color values for the image. Some embodiments comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) to communicate with the user, allowing the user to select user preferences to change, for example, the brightness of an image being copied. Further embodiments incorporate network and phone system interfaces to communicate with remote components as well as to receive input from and/or output to other systems via email, facsimile, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting printing device power consumption based on previously acquired usage data. The printing device has multiple energy consumption states including at least a ready state in which the printing device is ready to commence processing of a print job immediately upon receipt and including at least a low power state where the printing device is not ready to commence processing of a newly received print job. Acquired usage data includes parameters of print jobs submitted during a data collection period of time. The parameters may include time and date of submitted print jobs. Based on the usage data a usage profile is determined. The usage profile identifies one or more high usage periods of time and one or more low usage periods of time. Methods and apparatus then switch the printing device among the multiple energy consumption states based on the usage profile.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging in a 3GPP network for sessions over a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network. A AAA server in the 3GPP network provides offline charging messages for a session to an offline charging system. If a data flow is established during the session, such as streaming video, then a packet data network gateway provides offline charging messages for the data flow to the offline charging system. The AAA server and the packet data network gateway share charging identifiers so that one or both are able to include the charging identifier for the session and the charging identifier for the data flow in an offline charging message. This allows the offline charging system to effectively correlate CDRs for the session with CDRs for the data flow occurring during the session.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to enhance image processing for a color reprographic system are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may calibrate a component like scanner and/or printer in response to user input and/or coupling the component to the reprographic system. More specifically, embodiments may generate correction parameters that describe differences in color values between an image scanned by a scanner or an image printed by the printer by comparing the outputs to known characteristics like color values for the image. Some embodiments comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) to communicate with the user, allowing the user to select user preferences to change, for example, the brightness of an image being copied. Further embodiments incorporate network and phone system interfaces to communicate with remote components as well as to receive input from and/or output to other systems via email, facsimile, etc.

Abstract: Magnetic memories and methods are disclosed. A magnetic memory as described herein includes a plurality of stacked data storage layers to form a three-dimensional magnetic memory. Bits may be written to a data storage layer in the form of magnetic domains. The bits can then be transferred between the stacked data storage layers by heating a neighboring data storage layer, which allows the magnetic fields from the magnetic domains to imprint the magnetic domains in the neighboring data storage layer. By imprinting the magnetic domains into the neighboring data storage layer, the bits are copied from one data storage layer to another.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing a split numbering plan area code in an IMS network. The IMS network comprises a subscriber server adapted to store a new phone number including a new area code for a subscriber assigned as a result of the split numbering plan area code. The IMS network further comprises a call control system coupled to the subscriber server adapted to register user equipment of the subscriber assigned the new phone number with the subscriber server. The call control system is further adapted to associate an old phone number of the subscriber used prior to the split numbering plan area code with the new phone number in an implicit registration set. The call control system is further adapted to receive a call for the old phone number and identify the new phone number associated with the old phone number in the implicit registration set and to deliver the call to the user equipment.