Abstract: Provided is a method for providing animation in electronic communications. An image is generated by capturing multiple photographs from a camera or video camera typically fixed in one position. The first photograph is called the “naked photo.” Using a graphics program, photos subsequent to the naked photo are edited to cut an element common to the subsequent photos. The cut images are pasted into the naked photo as layers. The modified naked photo, including the layers, is stored as a web-enabled graphics file, which is then transmitted in conjunction with electronic communication. When the electronic communication is received, the naked photo is displayed and each of the layers is displayed and removed in the order that each was taken with a short delay between photos. In this manner, a movie is generated with much smaller files than is currently possible.

Abstract: A data processing system accepts a removable storage media, which becomes electrically engaged with a system unit within the data processing system, after which the removable storage media and the hardware security unit mutually authenticate themselves. The removable storage media stores a private key of a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the hardware security unit, and the hardware security unit stores a private key of the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the removable storage media. In response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation between the removable storage media and the hardware security unit, the system unit is enabled to invoke cryptographic functions on the hardware security unit while the removable storage media remains engaged with the system unit.

Abstract: A method for generating application content includes specifying an application definition or model in a flexible grammar, defining a set of templates that define generalized content output forms, and specifying a control definition for transforming the application definition into application content based on the templates. A transformation engine accesses the application definition and performs output generation under the control of the control description.

Abstract: The fixator is an apparatus for repairing fractures of the distal radius and wrist. Distal, pivot, distraction, and radial members provide an anatomically contoured, radiolucent apparatus that permits the wrist to move through a substantially normal range of motion. A means for distraction of the bones by the fixator is also provided. The fixator may be affixed to the lower arm and hand by spaced-apart elongate distal mounting pins with lower ends adapted or mounting in the metacarpal bone and by spaced-apart elongate radial mounting pins with lower ends adapted for mounting in the radius.

Abstract: Provided is a string tuning mechanism that enables a musician to clamp and anchor a musical instrument string to a musical instrument tuning peg. The claimed subject matter enables the musician to put on and take off the strings of a stringed musical instrument easily and rapidly. The string attachment device also enables the installed musical instrument string to equalize to pitch faster than currently possible and enables a stringed musical instrument to remain in tune longer. The disclosed device is designed to fit easily against a tuning peg and to enable the musician to use the locking of the string to the peg technology without permanently changing the physical state of their musical instrument. Another purpose of the claimed subject matter is to provide a method and device that enables the musician to use the same strings he has always used, and not to have to buy special strings.

Abstract: The present invention describes an adaptive control system being preferably part of the portal, which provides a sophisticated method for a partial sequential and parallel invocation of portlets depending on the available resources and system utilization. Based on defined time mark for rendering content (maximum invocation time for displaying a portal page or a portal-wide portlets rending time mark), a number of available threads, and estimated invocation time for each portlet the inventive method determines and invokes a first group of portlets (80,90) providing the maximum number of portlets to be invoked sequentially without exceeding defined time mark for rending content, and then all remaining portlets (80,90) are to be invoked parallel to that first group of portlets. The invention guarantees reasonable response times and high scalability and performance. (FIG. 9).

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing queries in a database in which data records have a parametric object and an extension of a nonparametric data type. A query includes a parametric condition for the parametric object of the data records and a nonparametric condition for the nonparametric extension of the data records. Parametric information of each data record is translated into constructs of the data type of the extension. A parametric result set of data records for the parametric condition is generated. The parametric condition of said query is translated into a filter condition for said constructs of the data type of the extension. The nonparametric condition of said query and said filter condition are employed to generate a nonparametric result set. The parametric result set and the nonparametric result set are joined to obtain a result set.

Abstract: Provided is a method for programming module load balancing and failover in a distributed computing environment. The Java Management extensions (JMX) specification is enhanced to support load balancing and provide a high-availability of JMX management beans (Mbeans). Also provided are enhancements to the programming model and infrastructure to support the enhanced programming model. Two exemplary approaches for load balancing and failover are provided, one based both upon clustered Mbeans and one based upon unclustered Mbeans. In the unclustered approach, client affinity is supported in that a request from a particular client can be routed to a particular Mbean. In the clustered approach, a specific Mbean can be invoked by providing a special parameter in the Mbean invocation or by adding a special property to the specific Mbean's ObjectName to indicate that during runtime automatic routing should not be employed.

Abstract: A data structure, method and system are provided incorporating a general purpose memory allocator and defensive heap memory manager. This provides an ability to reliably detect various types of memory errors, dynamically enable or disable memory debugging, enhance success of read and write operations using various memory verification techniques. Further, through separation of control information associated with allocated and free chunks of memory from the chunks themselves (separation of metadata from actual data), enhanced protection of vital information about the heap memory layout in general is provided. The heap memory manager uses read, write, and execute protected heap header walls and pool header walls and may, for each pool and memory block, separately use hidden front and back Memory Debug Information Areas (MDIAs) with checksums and well-known signature fields thereby enhancing overall memory management.

Abstract: Provided is a method for designing, managing and executing emergency response plans. Specific plan and resources are defined and a defined plan is executed either automatically or manually according to pre-determined or “real-time” parameter definitions. An executed plan notifies, by various user-defined means, actively or pre-defined parties in a near simultaneous fashion of security communications, notifications, directives and/or information. One embodiment of the system includes a component that requires a notified party to acknowledge a particular notification event by responding with a personal identification number (PIN) or calling a specified telephone number and entering the PIN. The system enables parties to be organized into groups based upon member profiles. Individual parties can be assigned to sub-groups, enabling specifically designed communications to go to the parties of any particular sub-group.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method that acquires and aggregates information to determine the location of a user. Information from multiple sources is collected and evaluated. Location sources include mobile electronic devices such as mobile telephones, cell phones, hand-held computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and other pervasive computing devices. Satellite-based or network-based positioning technologies make it possible to determine the geographic location of these wireless electronic devices and their corresponding user. Location sources also include computer-based models, schedules or calendars that give a particular user's expected location depending on the date and time. Provided is a method for aggregating information to determine a user's location. Also provided is a system for executing the claimed method. Also provided is as a set of instructions on a computer-usable medium, or resident in a computer system, for executing the claimed method.

Abstract: An adaptive throttling system for minimizing the impact of non-production work on production work in a computer system. The adaptive throttling system throttles production work and non-production work to optimize production. The adaptive throttling system allows system administrators to specify a quantified limit on the performance impact of non-production or utility work on production work. The throttling rate of the utility is then automatically determined by a supervisory agent, so that the utilities' impact is kept within the specified limit. The adaptive throttling system adapts dynamically to changes in workloads so as to ensure that valuable system resources are well utilized and utility work is not delayed unnecessarily.

Abstract: A game with moveable play space. The invention allows any user playing the game to modify the play space at any number of given times and in response to any number of different conditions. Certain spaces (tiles or blocks) within the play space are wildcard spaces that independently initiates modification of the game play space. Any game play space can benefit from the invention, including conventional game boards including chess and checker boards. The modifications of the game play space include any number of manipulations including column shuffling, rotating, flip-flopping, and other types of manipulation. The selection of which portion of the game play space is made by the players of the game. If desired, the selection of which portion of the game play space is governed by the space on which a game piece resides, or the particular type of game piece that is being moved or used in that game.