Abstract: A method for reducing storage requirements in a database. The data to be encoded and stored in the database record is first analyzed to determine its characteristics. The data analyzed can be a sample of the records to enter and store or the entire data set. The analysis can be performed by a computer software module, or can be done manually, or by a combination of computer processing of the input stream of data and manual analysis to determine trends and characteristics. An encoding scheme is devised to encode the information input with a bit stream that represents the information. The information input is compacted to convert it into a uniform format. The encoded and compacted information are then stored in the corresponding database record. When a user wants to retrieve a particular record from the database, the compacted information is entered by the user, which in turn, is used as a key to retrieve the record.

Abstract: Provided for, is an information terminal 1 and keyboard and system units thereof, capable of making the mounting of the keyboard unit into the system unit easier with reliable electrical and mechanical connections. The present invention is equipped with a keyboard unit 2 detachable to a system unit 5. The keyboard unit 2 in the information terminal 1 is equipped with a base plate 4; a keyboard-unit-side engaging member 7, disposed on the bottom surface of the base plate 4, for detachably engaging with the system unit 5; and a plurality of input keys 3 disposed on the top surface of the base plate 4 opposite to the bottom surface on which the keyboard-unit-side engaging member 7 is disposed. The system unit 5 is equipped with a system-unit-side engaging member 8 for detachably engaging with the keyboard-unit-side engaging member 7.

Abstract: A method and system for booting a multiple network adapter user station in a computer network are disclosed. The user station includes at least first and second network adapters. Initially, one of the adapters is selected based upon an ordering of the adapters. The user station then determines whether the selected adapter is connectable to the computer network. If the selected adapter is not connectable to the network, an iterative process is initiated in which a next adapter is selected and a determination made as to whether the next adapter is connectable to the network. Upon successfully determining which adapter is connectable to the network, the adapters are re-ordered to prioritize the adapter connectable to the network such that the network connectable adapter is selected first during a subsequent boot attempt. Determining whether the selected adapter is connectable to the computer network may include attempting to boot the user station from a remote server using the selected adapter.

Abstract: Within a network of computers, a system administrator function controls the backing up of data of client machines to selected other client machines within the network by removing control of and access to portions of the hard files within those machines to the local user. The freed up storage space within the client's local hard files is then used for backup purposes to backup data from other machines within the network. Agents in the server and client machines perform this task making it possible to distribute the backup workload across the network. There are three modes of backup: source initiated, target initiated, and server communal backup (CB) agent initiated. All are coordinated by the server CB agent.

Abstract: A packaging system for a component is disclosed. The packaging system comprises a box and a carrier within the box. The packaging system also includes a compressible and shock-absorbent packing insert, wherein the packing insert is placed above a component after nesting the component within the carrier. Accordingly, the packaging system in accordance with the present invention employs a low cost, environment-friendly material to protect fragile components from any potential damage that can be caused during the shipping process.

Abstract: An automated insertion/retrieval device for card reading device testing includes a housing assembly whose back face is coupled to a shaft of an air cylinder. Coupled to the side faces of the housing assembly are upper and lower gripper roller assemblies. As the test card is expelled from a card reading device, it is gripped by the gripper roller assemblies, activating a microswitch and supplying air to the air cylinder. The shaft retracts and moves the housing assembly away from the card reading device until the test card abuts a stationary card bumper, causing the test card to shift in position toward the card reading device, deactivating the microswitch and turning off the air supply to the air cylinder.

Abstract: A method of executing test cases with a parallel test segment of a test sequence, is disclosed. Initially, a test sequence is defined that includes a parallel test segment including at least a first test case and a second test case. A cycle time of the parallel test segment is determined where the determined cycle time is greater than the execution time of either the first or second test cases. The test sequence is then executed repeatedly. During each execution of the test sequence, the start point of the first and second test cases within the parallel test segment are varied with respect to one another preferably in a random fashion.

Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for supporting multiple file systems in boot code of a computer. The boot code according to the present invention first identifies file systems used by a boot disk and then identifies operating systems associated with the identified file systems. Based on the identified operating systems, the boot sector for an appropriate operating system is located and loaded. Thereafter, the boot code relinquishes control to the loaded operating system. The boot code is capable of supporting multiple file systems, multiple operating systems located in a plurality of partitions of a boot disk, and multiple operating systems using the same file system.

Abstract: A thermal printing mechanism prints a black pattern on a paper web with a direct printing process and additionally prints a color pattern on the paper web with a transfer printing process. The paper web and a transfer film web are moved between a platen and a thermal printhead, with the transfer film web between the paper web and the printhead, with heating elements within the printhead being operated at one temperature to produce the color pattern and at another, higher temperature to produce the black pattern. Preferably, the transfer film web is moved only when the color pattern is being printed and when it is otherwise necessary to prevent the film web from being worn through as the black pattern is printed.

Abstract: Extraction of articulatory factors from an acoustic signal to distinguish between different languages and further identify the original accent of a foreign speaker. Previous language identification systems require identification of the individual phonemes which is not ideal for interactive voice response systems which do not have speech recognition capability. A method of determining a language set for use in an interactive voice response system including the steps of providing a plurality of samples from a voice signal, calculating a first and second format frequency for each sample, calculating a first factor based on the average first and second format frequency for the plurality of samples, finding a nearest matching reference to the first factor, and selecting a corresponding language set to the nearest matching reference.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus is described in which one can suppress deterioration thereof when in preservation at a relatively low cost and with high reliability, obtain a charge control apparatus and charge control method which can suppress the deterioration thereof when in preservation of the power supply apparatus at a relatively low cost and with high reliability, and obtain a computer and an electric automobile suitable to which the charge control method can be applied.

Abstract: A connector for achieving stabilization of operation of electronic equipment against EMI/ESD by reinforcing grounding of an entire connector is provided for. An interface connector has protruding portions formed on a top face and bottom face of a metal shell, wherein the height of these protruding portions is in a predetermined relationship to one another, such that the connector and connector connection structure provide: a reduction in the contact resistance in fitting portions of connectors, and hence an improvement in conductivity.

Abstract: An intelligent battery comprising a battery cell for charging and discharging; a voltage detection circuit for detecting voltage of the battery cell; a current detection circuit for detecting charging current; a charging-stop FET for stopping charging for the battery cell; and a CPU for activating the charging-stop FET based on voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit, wherein before the voltage reaches a voltage for activation of the charging-stop FET, when the charging current value detected for the battery capacity by the current detection circuit is larger than a reference, the CPU determines that an abnormal state occurs, and activates the charging-stop FET. The present invention provides, in part, a battery, which is safer even if dual accidental malfunctions occur.

Abstract: A heat sink, cooling member, semi-conductor substrate cooling system, computer and method for providing sufficient cooling performance through a heat sink is provided. In part, there is provided a heat sink having a radiating portion for diffusing the heat conducted from a heat source and a blasting fan for blasting air to a duct-like structure formed by the radiating portion. Moreover, rates of airflows in the duct-like structure are averaged so that air circulates through all portions in the duct-like structure by forming a high-wind-pressure portion and a low-wind-pressure portion having wind pressures different from each other when air is blasted by the blasting fan in the duct-like structure and using the high-wind-pressure portion as a high-density area having a high arrangement density of radiating fins compared to the low-wind-pressure portion.

Abstract: A computer display includes a pivotally mounted upper housing having a display screen, a brake used to retard pivoting motion of this upper housing, and a release mechanism for releasing the brake so that the upper housing can be freely moved. The display screen is preferably a touchscreen, which is touched to indicate a selection made by the user, with the brake resisting a tilting movement of the screen as it is touched. In a first version, two brakes are used to retard motion in both directions, with a single release wheel being turned in one direction to allow rearward motion of the upper housing and in another direction to allow forward motion of the upper housing. In a second version, a single brake is released by stopping motion of a release mandrel to unwrap a clutch spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for integrated serial bus testing in a data processing system are implemented. During testing of the data processing system, serial bus test signals are provided via a predetermined input/output (I/O) device port. Switching circuitry decouples I/O device control circuitry from the I/O port in response to a control signal having a first predetermined value. The switching circuitry additionally decouples the serial bus controller from the serial bus interface which fans out the serial data lines to serial peripheral devices. During operation of the data processing system, the switching circuitry couples the serial bus controller to the interface, couples the I/O device controller to the I/O device port, and decouples the serial interface from the I/O device port, in response to the control signal having a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A cursor control device, such as a trackball, controls the movement of a cursor on a computer display. An electromagnetically generated braking effect is applied to the trackball, which effect varies with the speed of the cursor to allow precise control of the cursor.

Abstract: As it is often difficult for users of a keyboard to adequately identify and select the correct keys in a keyboard where the light is inadequate, it is desirable to provide a keyboard capable that allows a user to better see keys of the keyboard even in environments where there is not sufficient light to see the keys (e.g., in an airplane). A keyboard of the present invention comprises a substrate, a membrane, an elastic member, a cover sheet, a keytop, and light-emitting means for emitting light from the bottom of the substrate to the keytop. The keytop is illuminated and a legend on a key surface can be seen, so that the chance of incorrect key stroke is reduced.

Abstract: An optical reader includes a housing which may environmentally protect the optical path between a light source and a sensor array to reduce dust and debris interfering with transmission of light. The housing may further provide for alignment of the light path by positioning a focusing axis in alignment with the optical sensor array. The housing further acts as a light pipe to reflect transmitted light from a light source toward a focusing axis where the light may be reflected off of a document containing coded information back through the chamber defined by the housing to an optical sensor array. Point of sale devices incorporating an optical reader are also provided.