Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for testing an analog to digital converter with a known analog signal applied. A first register module stores a first digitized instance of an analog signal. A second register module stores a second digitized instance of the analog signal. A difference module calculates the absolute difference between the first and second digitized instances. A bad code module identifies an erroneous digitized instance wherein the absolute difference is greater than a limit value. In one embodiment, a counter module counts the erroneous digitized instance. A test system may identify a failed analog to digital converter if the erroneous digitized instance count is greater than a specified target value.

Abstract: A process, system, and apparatus are disclosed for mitigating access point data rate degradation with respect to a wireless communication between a wireless access point and a wireless client device. A channel assessment module is configured to assess the wireless communications, including interference signals, present on available wireless communications channels. The channel assessment module may establish quality parameters that at least partially describe the wireless communications quality of a given channel. A channel selection module is configured to select a best wireless communications channel based on the communications channel assessment. A channel connection module is configured to facilitate wireless communication between the wireless access point and the wireless client device on the best wireless communications channel.

Abstract: A mounting frame located in a computer cabinet equipment drawer can be transitioned to a loading position to receive an electrical device. The mounting frame in the loading position provides ample manipulation space for connecting or removing the electrical device. The mounting frame may also be retracted to an operational position. The retracted mounting frame allows the electrical device to be positioned in a dense array with minimal space between electrical devices. The mounting frame supports positioning a plurality of electrical devices in dense arrays within a computer equipment cabinet equipment drawer while also providing an adequate manipulation space for connecting and removing the electrical devices. The arrangement allows the electrical devices to be hot swappable while still being densely located.

Abstract: Regions of data storage involved with fast replication relationships are managed and tracked in order to maintain the integrity of the data on the source and target volumes. In response to a delete operation referencing specified regions of storage, pending fast replication transfers are completed for source regions, fast replication relationships within the specified regions are withdrawn, and the specified regions of storage are release for subsequent allocation and reuse. The present invention facilitates maintaining synchronization of the storage management components of operating systems with the fast replication mechanisms of storage controllers, and releases unused storage regions for subsequent use. A storage subsystem may receive a delete command and make a determination of whether to release the specified regions of storage according to a state of a fast replication relationship with the regions of storage.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method to recover a logical volume on a read-only physical volume, or data storage cartridge, within a dual copy data storage system, such as a virtual tape server (VTS) system. The recovery follows a disaster situation involving the primary physical volume and the requested logical volume. The system, apparatus, and method include modules and steps as required to recover a logical volume through recalling a selective dual copy of the logical volume stored on a secondary physical volume. The primary and secondary logical volumes are stored on distinct physical volumes in order to provide quality storage media management and reduce the likelihood of loss of data. The recovery and recall procedures are implemented in a manner that is substantially transparent and asynchronous to a host or client. Additionally, the recovery and recall require no additional input from the host in order to carry out the recovery of the logical volume.

Abstract: A network system in which an electrical apparatus having a battery which performs charges and discharges to supply electric power to the electrical apparatus and a managing server are connected by the network and perform a diagnosis of the battery provided for the electrical apparatus. The electrical apparatus accesses a Web page provided by the managing server through the network and then transmits an information file about the battery to the managing server. The managing server reads the information file to analyze the information about the battery and then transmits the analytical results to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for remotely updating a software application on both thin client and non-thin client workstations while the software application is open on the client workstation. The system includes a server-side module and a client-side module. The method involves the server receiving the new software application and then either automatically pushing it onto each client or receiving a request from a registered client to have the new software program installed. The state of the user's application may optionally be saved during the install and restored after the automatic upgrading and installing of the segment of the software application. After the new software application has been successfully installed, the cache from the previous application is invalidated. Control is then transferred back to the client.

Abstract: A method and a system for re-ranking an existing result set of documents. A user starts a search by entering search term(s). The search term(s) is (are) transferred to a search engine which generates a result set ranked by the search term(s). The search engine, in parallel, automatically retrieves context information from returned result set which is related to the original set of documents. The search engine presents the context information to the user and asks for a feedback. The user performs a weighting of the presented context information in a range from “important” to “non-important”. The result set is then re-ranked with the user-weighted context information to increase the “rank distance” of important and non important documents. The documents that are on top of the list (highest context-weighted ranking value) represent the desired information.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, system, and method for enabling the installation of an installable device configured with a required component in a receiving device. A component deactivated interlock obstructs the installation of the installable device when not configured with the required component. The invention makes use of an extendable and retractable plunger disposed upon the installable device, a stop barrier disposed upon the receiving device, and an actuator disposed upon the required component. The plunger normally extends beyond the installable device, and upon contacting the stop barrier of the receiving device obstructs the installation. Upon a physical connection of the required component with the installable device, the actuator retracts the plunger, thereby enabling the installation of the installable device.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are presented for adhesive bond strength recovery in a bonded system, which may be an electronic device, such as, a magnetic drive or magnetic disk drive. The adhesive bond strength of an adhesive bonding material degrades over time and under certain ambient conditions, such as humidity. The process, apparatus, and system are designed to recover at least a portion of the initial adhesive bond strength through the application of joule heating. The adhesive bonding material, and possibly the materials bonded by the adhesive bonding material, is heated via an embedded heat source within the bonded system. The embedded heat source receives electric power from a controlled power source that selectively applies power to achieve optimum heating and adhesive bond strength recovery consistent with a characterization of the bonded system, heat source, and adhesive bonding material.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for for determining and providing optimum write bit line current and write word line current in an MRAM. A single reference potential is used to determine the values of the write line current and the bit line current. In determining the optimal values, asteroid curves representing bit line magnetic fields Hx generated by write bit line current IB and word line magnetic fields Hy generated by write word line current Iw for magnetization are considered, and an asteroid curve ACout is defined outside the asteroid curves of all memory cells taking manufacture variations and design margins into account. A write bit line current and a write word line current are selected such that the write current obtained by adding the write bit line current or currents and the write word line current, or the write power consumed by the bit line or lines and the write word line is minimized.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a hydro-drive device. The apparatus may include a shroud having a first opening for the ingress of water, and a second opening for the egress of water, and a vane extending inward from an interior surface of the shroud. The vane is configured to direct water to form a vortex that exits the shroud. The vane may include a fixed, planar region and a moveable, curved region attached to an interior surface of the shroud. Alternatively, the vane may be attached to a surface of a paddle configured to adjust the diameter of the second opening. The system may include a motor, a hydro-drive device coupled to the motor, the shroud, and the vane.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting an individual during repositioning. A handle permits a user facing a first direction to traverse the perimeter of the handle to face a second direction. Thus, the user moves from a first position to a second position while maintaining contact with the handle with at least one hand. The handle has an arcuate portion that permits a user to slide one or two hands such that the user pivots about the arcuate portion to face another direction while retaining a grip. The apparatus may further include a base coupled to the handle that supports the user during movement around the arcuate portion. A hinge connects the handle to the base and permits the handle to rotate between a storage position and a support position. A bar mounted to the base enables lateral slidable adjustment of the handle along the bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data transmission transmits both compressed and noncompressed data over each of a plurality of transmission paths. A data identification pattern is used to request a type of data from a memory having a plurality of data types stored within it. A handshaking control module is provided to select the correct type of data from the memory and place it on the output of the memory. The requested data type is then transmitted to a data decompression module via an interface. The data transmission can occur on any one of a plurality of data transmission paths when the data being transmitted is either Linework or Linework control data. When the data decompression module receives the data, it is then routed to any one of a plurality of data decompression systems based upon the results of the evaluation of the data identification pattern. The routing of the received data is wholly dependent upon the data identification pattern and independent of which transmission path the data was received on.

Abstract: A database definition, logical database view, extended field definition and control statement information are accessed to build an in-memory representation of selective information contained therein. Utilizing this in-memory representation, a hierarchical database schema report is automatically generated wherein this hierarchical database schema report may be used to write application code to access the hierarchical database without further need to utilize the database definition, the extended field definition, the logical database view or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A host interface dual active fibre channel adaptive hub includes two fibre channel arbitrated loops, a loop healing switch coupled to both loops, and four loop resiliency circuits. Each loop has a controller and a host server coupled to it through a respective loop resiliency circuit. The host servers issue I/O requests to the controllers through the dual fibre channel arbitrated loops. Therefore in normal operation, with both loops active and both controllers operational, the system provides twice the bandwidth of a conventional single loop fibre channel arbitrated loop system. The loop resiliency circuits detect failures in the controllers. If a loop resiliency circuit detects a failure in a controller, the loop resiliency circuit outputs a failure signal to the loop healing switch. A failed controller also notifies the loop healing switch that it has failed. The loop healing switch then switches to couple the two fibre channel arbitrated loops into a single loop.

Abstract: A method for performing free space collection in an information storage system and an information storage system (104) are described. The information storage system (104) is a log structured system having storage units (106) in which information segments (202, 204) are located. Free space collection is carried out in the storage units by using a fitness value to evaluate segments (204). The fitness value is determined as the product of the amount of free space in a segment (204) and the expected time the free space will last (310). Segments (204) are chosen for free space collection if they have the maximum fitness value (312). The segments (204) are sorted into groups by the amount of used data in each segment (204) and the fitness value is determined for one segment from each group.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for testing a peripheral device such that the device can remain installed in a housing and connected to a communication bus such as a SCSI bus. The apparatus, system, and method include a communication port that is connectable to a peripheral device connected to a terminated communication bus. The communication port is connected to a first transceiver and a second transceiver. A microcontroller is also connected to the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The microcontroller is programmed to detect an operation mode for the peripheral device and selectively activate the first transceiver or the second transceiver based on the detected operation mode. The microcontroller is further programmed to perform a logical diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the activated transceiver. A user interface is included to communicate to a user a result of the diagnostic test.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a vehicle remotely over a network are disclosed. A vehicle is provided with a vehicle control module configured to transmit and receive network communications containing vehicle control data. In one embodiment, the vehicle control module is configured to transmit and receive network switched packets wirelessly. Additionally, the vehicle may comprise one or more cameras configured to transmit a two dimensional, three dimensional, or 360° panoramic view from the vehicle. The network comprises a user station, a server, and at least one vehicle to be controlled. The user station may comprise an operator booth that resembles the driving compartment of a vehicle. Alternatively, the user station may comprise a portable control device.

Abstract: A device for collecting and gathering loose material such as grain, rocks, leaves, grass clippings, and the like. The device includes a substantially flat sheet. The sheet may be of various shapes. The device also includes one or more obstructing members that extend outward from a top surface of the sheet. The obstructing members are sized and shaped such that, when the sheet is rolled in a manner circumscribing the obstructing members, the obstructing members cooperate to obstruct or block one end of a container formed by the sheet. A user may gather material onto the sheet in a planar configuration and then roll the sheet to form a temporary container with the material kept inside by the sheet and the obstructing members. The rolled sheet and obstructing members cooperate to form a temporary container for transporting loose material.