Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of transferring computer hardware from one set of users to another set of users. An exemplary receives units of circuitry from a plurality of business entities, and determines if access to a unit is blocked by lack of a primary password. If access is blocked, the method determines whether a value of the unit exceeds a threshold. If the value exceeds a threshold, the method attaches a connector to the unit, uses the processor to send a first set of signals into a hardware port of the unit via the connector, and receives a visual signal from the unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2008
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Edward J. Grenchus, Michael F. Charnetsky, David P. Kolosna
Abstract: An exemplary device, for the support and rotary transfer of one or more parts, is integral with an operating shaft whose movement is brought about by the relative displacement of a transverse finger connected to the shaft on a cam-forming path. The exemplary device includes a means for moving the operating shaft translationally, which is free in axial rotation and equipped with a finger extending radially, which moves along a stationary path so that the translational movement of the shaft also ensures its rotation via the passage of the finger inside of the path, the finger moving inside a shaped track provided in a stationary cylinder called a cam cylinder, inside of which the operating shaft moves.
Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for positioning a head. An exemplary system includes a light source; a detector configured to receive signals from the light source; a transducer that reads signals from a magnetic tape; a plurality of structures coupled to the transducer and configured to pass in opposition to the detector; a stepping motor; and circuitry configured to determine whether or not a light signal is received by the detector. If the light signal is received, the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer incrementally in a first direction. If the light signal is interrupted by moving the transducer within a first distance, the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer in a direction opposite the first direction until the light signal has been continuously received across more than the first distance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 8, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of automatic navigation on the world wide web. A server receives an anonymous signal from a browser, and selectively determines a resource identifier corresponding to one of the plurality of Internet domains, by accessing data structures that are stored apart from the browser. The server generates a signal corresponding to the resource identifier, and sends the signal, to allow the browser to access a signal associated with the resource identifier.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 5, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Matthew Bunkley Trevathan, John R. Dingler, Clinton James McCallum, Robert Wayne Ross
Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a manufacturing facility. A processor detects whether abnormal first image data exists at a first common location for each of the last N wafers of the first set of wafers to be placed on a platform, excluding any abnormal image data at a location for wafers that previously had abnormal image data at the location; and detects whether abnormal second image data exists at as second common location for each of the last N wafers of the second set to be placed on the platform, excluding any abnormal image data at a location for wafers that previously had abnormal image data at the location. A decision is made whether to clean the platform depending on results from the processor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: An exemplary ball grid array package for a semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit on a substrate, and a first bus on the substrate, the first bus including first portions that extend substantially parallel to the integrated circuit, interleaved with second portions that extend substantially toward the integrated circuit, each second portion having an end contiguous with a first portion and another end contiguous with a another first portion. A first set of wires connects the first bus with a first plurality of nodes on the integrated circuit. The package also includes a second bus and a second set of wires.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2008
Date of Patent:
February 10, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: Disclosed are alert systems and methods for a roadway. According to one exemplary method, there is a step of receiving an identification signal from a device carried by a human having a medical condition. Subsequently, circuitry acts to conditionally cause a changeable road sign to display the medical condition, and conditionally transmit a radio warning signal to a vehicle, the radio warning signal indicating the medical condition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
January 27, 2009
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: A system and method that directs a transducer to a home position while taking into account whether a light source, used to detect light interruption is inoperative. The method for the system including a light source, a detector configured to receive signals from the light source, a transducer that reads signals from a magnetic tape and a plurality of structures coupled to the transducer and configured to pass in opposition to the detector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: An exemplary support structure has an auto-adaptable surface. The exemplary support structure comprises a base; an assembly of distinct, adjacent contacts; and an assembly of platforms of a common level forming a common tier, each platform being linked to the base by an articulation. The platforms have multiple branches, each branch supporting a contact, and the contacts and the platforms have three degrees of freedom in rotation. Thus, the contacts are linked to the base such that they are mobile with respect to each other and with respect to the base to form the auto-adaptable support surface.
Abstract: A system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic discount coupons. The system includes a personal computer (PC) having hardware and software for receiving an electronic coupon from the system of computer networks, translating the received coupon into a binary format, and sending the binary-formatted coupon to a card-writing device. The card-writing device writes the coupon data onto a portable customer card (“smart card”) approximately the size of a credit card. Subsequently, the customer goes to the store with the card. Upon completion of shopping, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting the card into the checkout station. During checkout, the customer is credited with the value of a coupon when UPC data from a bar code reader corresponds to a coupon stored on the card.
Abstract: The invention relates to a miniature, integrated strain-measuring device with a simple and economical design which can be mass produced at least cost and comprising reliable, reproducible and tamperproof settings. The inventive device can be quickly installed on the structure to be measured without the need for a specialist technician and without altering said structure. The device comprises a deformable element (20) which is mounted between two mounting posts (30, 40) which are intended to be fixed to a structure (1) to be measured, said deformable element (20) bearing strain gauges (61) which are connected to an electronic signal-conditioning circuit (70). The invention is characterised in that it comprises means of prestressing (80) the deformable element (20), said means being provided with at least one prestressing rod (81) which extends between the two mounting posts (30, 40).
Abstract: Disclosed are computer system configurations and methods for a retail store. In an exemplary system, a CPU and program in a checkout station make a list of the products selected by the customer. The CPU and program processes paper coupon information in the context of the selected products to determine discount eligibility. Another CPU and program in the checkout station perform electronic coupon redemption, by processing the selected products in the context of electronic coupon information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 29, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 1, 2006
Assignee:
SoftCard Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Ken R. Powell, Kevin W. Hartley, Eleanor B. Maxwell, Corey C. Snook