Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the temporary preservation of physical space occupied by modified or deleted data stored in parallel disk drive array data storage subsystems, and for the temporary preservation of associated virtual to logical mapping table entries that describe and locate such temporary physical space. The data storage subsystem functions as a conventional large form factor disk drive memory, using an array of redundancy groups, each containing N+M disk drives. The invention further relates to apparatus for the recording of the occurrence and the timing of changes to mapping table entries and to the processing of such recorded changes in a reverse time sequence to recover previously modified or deleted data, or in a forward time sequence to return data to a more current state.

Abstract: The network attached virtual tape storage subsystem interconnects a plurality of tape devices with a plurality of data processors via a high bandwidth switching network to implement a virtual, distributed tape data storage subsystem. The virtual, distributed tape data storage system realizes multiple virtual devices, which are available to any of the data processors and the bandwidth of the system is scalable and can be changed on demand. The virtual tape storage subsystem is managed by a system controller which contains a plurality of software elements including: resource allocation, resource configuration, and resource management. The use of a networked storage manager enables the tape devices to be managed as a pool and yet attach the tape devices directly to the network as individual resources.

Abstract: The frameless, stackable cabinet system for use with rack mounted electronic equipment comprises stackable wall members that mechanically interconnect without the need for tools to assemble the cabinet. A base unit and cover unit provide the interlocking top and bottom members of the cabinet. The stackable wall members come in various heights and can be interlocked together and to both the base unit and cover unit to configure a cabinet of desired height. Each stackable wall member therefore not only provides a mounting site for a rack mounted piece of electronic equipment, but also serves to provide the wiring channels through openings formed in the stackable wall members. The cabinet system can be transported in a disassembled form to reduce shipping costs and can be simply assembled on site via the interlocking interconnection of the stackable wall members. The resultant cabinet can be reconfigured without a significant effort and the certification of the resultant cabinet configuration can be simplified.

Abstract: The invention provides for remote copying, between peer storage systems, with data extent granularity. A compressed data image is read from a first location of a primary storage volume. Metadata, and then the compressed data image, are transferred to a secondary storage volume. The metadata specifies a first location within the primary storage volume and a second location within the secondary storage volume. The compressed track is then stored into a second location of the secondary volume. A host connected to the primary control unit specifies data extents within the primary and secondary volumes. The data extents specify the first and second locations, and more preferably define cylinder information, track information, and start and end addresses. An “Establish Pair” command can be used to specify the data extents. A seed value can be used with the metadata to identify the data image during subsequent decompression of the data image in the secondary storage volume.

Abstract: Data compression logic of the invention compresses data from a host to a connected cache memory for storage within a storage device. A compressor within the logic implements a compression algorithm on the data; and a plurality of Chunk RAMs store compressed and uncompressed data chunks from the compressor. Predictive digital logic assesses memory usage within the RAMS while uncompressed and compressed chunks are stored within the RAMs. The predictive digital logic selects one RAM to drain its data into the cache memory based upon the compression efficiency of the compressed data as compared to the uncompressed data and prior to the complete loading of the chunks within the RAMs, resulting in reduced latency in writing compressed data to the connected cache memory. The predictive digital logic can include calculation logic for dynamically calculating compression efficiency, used in selecting which RAM to drain.

Abstract: The pipelined high speed Reed-Solomon error/erasure decoder processes multiple code words in a pipelined fashion. The pipelined high speed Reed-Solomon error/erasure decoder is designed to process Reed-Solomon encoded words that have been corrupted in a digital system by processing errors as well as erasures through a simple iterative modified syndrome process. The iterative nature of this method provides for limited computational effort at each step of the pipeline. This allows the pipelined high speed Reed-Solomon error/erasure decoder to easily handle full or shortened Reed-Solomon codes, as well as parallel processing to achieve higher data rates. The iterative modified syndrome process is one of the pipelined steps. It relieves the erasure pre-shifting burden from the Berlekamp/Massey synthesis process, which reduces the number of cycles required at that stage of processing. The decoder proceeds classically with a Chien Search for any remaining error locations.

Abstract: The system for automatically routing calls to call center agents in an agent surplus condition provides the call center administrator with an automatic agent assignment paradigm which functions to automatically increase the efficiency of assigning multiple skill agents to contacts. The presence of an agent surplus condition provides the present system with a plurality of choices in the assignment of the agent to process a presently received contact. Since the agents who staff the call center include multiple skill agents, the system must make a determination of not only which of the available agents is the best equipped to handle the present contact, but also how that assignment statistically effects the efficiency of successive assignments of agents to contacts next received, based upon the past performance of the agents and the call center.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.

Abstract: The invention provides an ESD-protected interface panel. A signal board has one or more circuit layers and at least one button switch on a first side of the board. An electrical output (e.g., an electrical cable and/or connector) connects in circuit with the board and switch, and the signal board generates signals on the electrical output indicative of activation of the button switch. An ESD protection layer covers the button switch and substantially all of the first side. The ESD layer is deformable to human touch to activate the switch therethrough. The ESD layer electrically couples with one or more contacts covering at least part of the second side, such that ESD generated by the human touch is routed to chassis ground connected to the contacts. Preferably, the ESD layer bends around edges of the signal board to form the contacts in a single conductive layer. An indication layer, e.g.

Abstract: The intelligent data storage manager functions to combine the non-homogeneous physical devices contained in a data storage subsystem to create a logical device with new and unique quality of service characteristics that satisfy the criteria for the policies appropriate for the present data object. In particular, if there is presently no logical device that is appropriate for use in storing the present data object, the intelligent data storage manager defines a new logical device using existing physical and/or logical device definitions as component building blocks to provide the appropriate characteristics to satisfy the policy requirements. The intelligent data storage manager uses weighted values that are assigned to each of the presently defined logical devices to produce a best fit solution to the requested policies in an n-dimensional best fit matching algorithm.

Abstract: A roller guiding system for delivery of magnetic tape media along a tape path between a tape drive employing a single reel and a tape cartridge employing a single reel. The roller guiding system comprises a plurality of guide rollers configured to adjust the path of travel of the tape media during tape drive operation to maintain tracking of the tape media with a tape head.

Abstract: The present multi-function packing insert functions as a packing insert for the shipment of components or subassemblies from a vendor to a manufacturer, as a tray and holding fixture during processing of the components or subassemblies on the manufacturer's assembly line, and as the packing inserts for shipping the final assembled product from the manufacturer to the customer. This multi-function packing insert thereby reduces the overall cost of packing materials and reduces material handling and floor space requirements throughout the manufacturing process, since the packing materials received from the vendor(s) are used for that purpose. The coordination of packing insert design between the component and subassembly vendors and the manufacturer enables the manufacturer to reuse the received packing inserts to assemble, package and ship the final assembled product.

Abstract: The intelligent data storage manager functions to optimize the data storage utilization in a RAID data storage subsystem that is equipped with a heterogeneous mix of data storage elements. This is accomplished by using preference groups and biasing the writing of stripes of data in the redundancy groups of the RAID system to the disk drive or a set of disk drives in the preference group that have the greatest available data storage capacity. This ensures that the data storage capacity of the the disk drive with the largest available capacity is utilized to the maximum capacity. A preference group comprises a group of disk drives that is larger than the stripe size that is used to store data in a RAID format. The data storage manager does not write data across all of the disk drives in the preference group at a time, but rotates the collection of disk drives that are used to write a stripe of data.

Abstract: The computation system of the present invention comprises an improved method of moment estimation for devices which measure spectra as a function of range or time. The preferred embodiment of this system is illustrated as part of an automated meteorological monitoring system for the accurate real time detection of meteorological phenomena, such as winds, wind shear and turbulence. This automated meteorological monitoring system uses a standard weather radar transmitter to scan a predetermined volume of space with a stream of radar pulses to determine the characteristics of meteorological phenomena that are extant in the predetermined volume. The computation system of the present invention utilizes novel signal processing algorithms in the improved method of moment estimation to excise the valid data from the returns echoes, which are corrupted by the presence of contaminating signals.

Abstract: The data security system uses a volatile key apparatus to create and manage a master file, comprising a single encrypted file that is stored on the hard drive of the computer system. The master file contains all of the passwords, cryptokeys and security codes that are used by conventional security programs and apparatus resident on the computer system to safeguard the confidential data that is contained in the memory of the computer system. The master key that is used to encrypt and decrypt this master file is stored in the volatile key apparatus, which is a piece of hardware located in the personal computer and directly connected to the system bus. When a violation of the system security procedures is detected, the master key is erased from the volatile key apparatus, thereby preventing access to the encrypted information that is stored on the hard drive.

Abstract: The call reestablishment system functions to provide the user with the ability to replace an existing communication connection with another equivalent communication connection in an automated manner that does not disrupt the existing call and to also provide the user with the ability to create a replacement communication connection using a different common carrier as the billing source. The call reestablishment system is activated when a party on an existing communication connection generates feature activation control signals indicative of the desire to access the call reestablishment system. The serving communication system, in response to receipt of the feature activation control signals, enables the requesting party to input data indicative of the nature of the call reestablishment that is required.

Abstract: A method for the non-surgical treatment of soft tissue lesions includes placing a contact point near the lesion and causing the patient to move in a manner that produces a longitudinal sliding motion of soft tissues, e.g., nerves, ligaments, and muscles, beneath the contact point. Treatments are continued at sequential time intervals until the symptoms produced by the lesions are alleviated.

Abstract: The cellular call processor having concurrent instances of call models supports mixed media communication connections. The cellular call processor processes each of the media components of the mixed media communication connection in an independent, yet coordinated manner. Thus, each of the media components of the mixed media communication connection can be processed in an efficient media-specific manner and even directed to different destinations. The cellular call processor can implement this capability in a plurality of ways, one of which is to maintain the existing voice call model and create a new call model for each of the other call components in a media-specific manner. Alternatively, multiple instances of the same call model can be used, with each call component being served by a separate instance of the call processing code.

Abstract: The system for providing prioritized wireless communication service to wireless communication subscribers provides the capability to restrict access to wireless communications services to a selected set of subscribers, such that their access to wireless communication services is given preferential treatment. This is accomplished by provisioning the cell sites of a wireless communications system into a plurality of service priority groupings, with wireless subscribers being assigned a one of the plurality of service priorities. The wireless service provider can then differentially provide wireless communication services to the wireless subscribers, based upon the service priority assigned to a particular subscriber. The wireless subscribers who have been assigned a predetermined service priority are provided with access to wireless communication capacity in the wireless communication system via the dialing of a predetermined feature code to ensure their preferential access to wireless communication services.