Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining a quality for a data clustering, said data clustering resulting in a plurality of clusters each cluster having a cluster identifier, the method comprising the steps of: determining a set of observed values for at least one of the clusters by mapping the cluster identifier of said one of the clusters to a first predefined value and by mapping the cluster identifiers of other clusters to a second predefined value, and calculating a normalized statistical coefficient based on the set of observed values to determine the quality for said one of the clusters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the resolution of analog-to-digital conversion devices and systems is described. The described apparatus and method operate without significantly increasing the complexity or conversion time of conventional analog-to-digital conversion architectures. The improved resolution is accomplished by detecting the time-dependent response characteristics of comparators used within an analog-to-digital converter. The detected response characteristics, such as the response pattern or the response time, are used to estimate the overdrive voltage on the comparator of interest and to thereby provide additional bits to the analog-to-digital conversion process. In those applications where the response characteristics affect the settling characteristics of the converter output bits, additional resolution may be attained by detecting the settling characteristics, such as the settling pattern or settling time, of the converter output bits, particularly the least significant bit.

Abstract: A source data stream is distributed to two or more compression paths that provide a corresponding number of compressed data streams that are concurrently encoded onto a recording medium as a set of media tracks. In one embodiment, buffer space within each compression path is monitored and the source data stream is directed to a ‘starved’ compression path. Metadata is inserted into the compressed data streams to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from the compressed data streams. The source data stream may be reconstructed by concurrently decoding the media tracks, decompressing the compressed data streams to a corresponding set of decompressed data streams, and merging the decompressed streams into an output data stream as directed by the metadata. The present invention overcomes the bottlenecks and other issues previously associated with context-based compression within digital media recording systems.

Abstract: A semantic network is disclosed herein that is useful for identifying word patterns in text. The semantic network may be used to identify word patterns accurately and substantially in real time. The semantic network is comprised of recognized words, which form word patterns, and objects, which are identified by certain of the word patterns. The word patterns are located at nodes in the semantic network. The nodes are linked in a hierarchical structure, with varying, identifiable levels. Under the method of building a semantic network, a computer program is provided and loaded onto a computer. The software is preferably linked with a knowledge base from which identified objects can be obtained. The objects are each classified by object type as they are received. Each object has a label which corresponds to a upper level word pattern. The word pattern is parsed or “tokenized” and combinations of the words in the label are assigned as word patterns at various nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alignment guide and a method for beam aligning and bracing. The alignment guide of the present invention comprises alignment tabs punched into a commonly available spacing rail. The alignment guide is lightweight and economical. A plurality of alignment guides may be stacked for ease of transportation. The method comprises supporting a first beam and receiving the first beam and a plurality of beams to be spaced into the space formed by the alignment tabs. The beams are supported and spaced by the alignment guide until they have been fastened into place. Also disclosed is an apparatus for the manufacture of the alignment guide with which alignment tabs are economically punched into a commonly available prefabricated spacing rail.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) employs head-specific off-track read capability (OTRC) in data access operations. A method of operation of the DASD involves providing within the DASD a rotating data storage medium and one or more read heads positionable for interaction with the data storage medium. The OTRC particular to each read head is determined and then applied in accessing data from the data storage medium. One manner of applying the OTRC to access data is to use the OTRC in scheduling random queued seeks. The OTRC for a head is referenced within buffer memory and applied to determine which target data can be accessed most quickly. The seeks are scheduled accordingly. A single table with a nominal seek time can be used for all heads, with a custom adder being added for each particular head. The OTRC can also be applied to alter the seek algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spin-valve sensor disposed between first and second gap layers and formed of one or more in-situ oxidized films. The improved spin valve sensor helps eliminate electrical shorting between the spin-valve sensor and shield layers. A fabrication method of the gap layers comprises repeatedly depositing a metallic films on a wafer in a DC-magnetron sputtering module of a sputtering system, and then transferring the wafer in a vacuum to an oxidation module where in-situ oxidation is conducted. This deposition/in-situ oxidation process is repeated until a designed thicknesses of gap layers is attained. Smaller, more sensitive spin-valve sensors may be sandwiched between thinner gap layers formed of in-situ oxidized films, thus allowing for greater recording data densities in disk drive systems.

Abstract: A floatable sanitizer employs a plurality of electrodes to contact a body of water in order to achieve a near maintenance-free sanitizing chemical generator. In one embodiment, the sanitizing chemical is chlorine and the chlorine is generated by an electrolytic process. The electrolytic reaction may be powered by photovoltaic cells, making the apparatus self-contained and able to float freely within a body of water. In one embodiment, the energy source is channeled through a polarity-reversing module. The polarity-reversing module alternates the direction of the current generated by the photovoltaic cells at a predetermined time interval. The reversing of the polarity reduces scale build-up and prevents corrosion of the metal electrodes.

Abstract: The invented firearm leveler-stabilizer reduces rifle movement to improve projectile accuracy by using an adjustable elongated member connected to the bottom surface of a gun buttstock. A turnbuckle provides an adjustment means for extremely precise leveling of the firearm's barrel while a foot pad rests upon a supporting surface to increase stability during recoil, and while the front of the firearm preferably rests on a bi-pod or other support. A swivel at one end of the leveler-stabilizer connects to a buttstock mount, and a foot pad at the other end of the leveler-stabilizer rests on the ground. In between the two ends is a turnbuckle which provides a means to adjust buttstock elevation extremely accurately for targeting. This foot pad may have an optional sling attachment point. The leveler-stabilizer pivots to against the firearm for transport or storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an explain table according to at least one user-defined filter includes a memory device having thereon modules of operational data and executable code for execution by the processor. The modules include a filter generation module configured to receive user-specified filtering criteria directed to data within a selected column of the explain table and generate in response a user-defined filter. The modules also include a table filtering module configured to apply the user-defined filter to the explain table to selectively exclude rows of the explain table not satisfying the filtering criteria of the user-defined filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to caching data in a data processing system including a host computer and a storage subsystem including at least one customer disk and a cache disk. Write transactions are received specifying data to be written to at least one customer disk and these are cached in a volatile memory of the storage subsystem and written to the cache disk. The transaction data is written sequentially to the cache disk when available. In the intervening periods (i.e., when no transaction data is available), padding data is instead written sequentially to the cache disk.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for helping determine a condition of selected tissue of a patient based on a set of thermal images of the selected tissue acquired over a time period. The image set has image regions with corresponding characteristics indicative of a temperature condition of an associated part of the selected tissue, which had been subjected to a thermal challenge during part of the image acquisition time period. Feature values are determined based on the characteristics of selected image regions. A classifier is applied to the features to provide an indication of the condition of the selected tissue, such as indicating a likelihood of malignancy.

Abstract: Thermal response of a turbine component to application of thermal stimuli is automatically analyzed by regions of interest. Each region may be analyzed for conformance for a number of thermal response metrics, in an absolute sense, and/or relative to each other. The thermal response metrics may include the temperature threshold a particular region (e.g. the reference/primary region) exhibits a critical response size, and that the sub-region achieving the critical response size at the temperature threshold also has a critical shape. The analyses may be performed using the pixel values of the constituting pixels of a picture frame of the turbine component's thermal response. A binary passed or failed conclusion may be reached based on the results of the automated analyses.

Abstract: A program installation system comprises an installation planning window displayed for a user prior to the installation of a computer program. The installation planning window may be an adjunct to an installation window and may also be accessible through the program once the program is installed. A series of controls within the installation planning window are linked to installation planning functions. The installation planning functions in given examples provide information regarding product migration, system requirements, and installation program usage. Additionally, a product and tools tour may be provided, as well as a link to product update information at a manufacturer's Internet site. In an illustrated example, the controls are implemented as graphical buttons and each button is accompanied with a brief description of the installation information accessed through the button, as well as a graphic suggesting the nature of the installation information.

Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) read head with an amorphous magnetic bottom shield layer and an amorphous nonmagnetic bottom lead gap layer is disclosed. The amorphous magnetic bottom shield layer and amorphous nonmagnetic bottom lead layer provide a planar surface for the CPP read head deposited thereon to exhibit a low ferromagnetic coupling field and a high giant (or tunneling) magnetoresistance coefficient. The amorphous magnetic bottom shield layer is preferably formed of an Fe-based or Co-based film. The amorphous nonmagnetic bottom lead layer is preferable formed of a W-based or Ni-based film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for forming a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) spin-valve sensor with one or more metallic oxide barrier layers in order to provide a low junction resistance and a high GMR coefficient. In disclosed embodiments, the metallic oxide barrier layers are formed with oxygen-doping/in-situ oxidation processes comprising depositing a metallic film in a first mixture of argon and oxygen gases and subsequent in-situ oxidization in a second mixture of argon and oxygen gases. The exposure to oxygen may be conducted at a low partial oxygen pressure and at a moderate temperature. Smaller, more sensitive CPP spin-valve sensors may be formed through the use of the oxygen-doping/in-situ oxidization processes of the present invention, thus allowing for greater densities of disk drive systems.

Abstract: A restraining loop attached to the outer peripheral edge of the index finger of a glove provides support for the little finger of the opposite hand inserted into the restraining loop. When wearing the glove, the golfer is prevented from shifting his hands while gripping the golf club and the proper alignment of the golfer's knuckles is maintained throughout the entire swing. The glove may also be used for baseball and other uses.

Abstract: A combined baling and wrapping apparatus for use in picking up crop material lying on the ground, forming the material into a bale, and applying stretched film wrapping to enclose the bale, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a film reel carrier mounted on the frame to rotate around the bale, said carrier extending at least partly around the bale when seen in plan view; a guide mounted on the frame and defining an orbital path of movement for the carrier around the bale; and, at least one holder for a film dispenser reel mounted on said carrier and rotatable around the bale during rotation of the carrier so that, when a bale has been formed in the chamber and the housing has been moved to the inoperative position, a dispenser reel, when mounted on the carrier, can apply stretch film wrapping to the bale simultaneously with rotation of the bale by the lower bale-forming means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for dynamic management of buffers by the buffer manager for a hierarchical file system. A system according to the present invention includes a buffer pool which is comprised of both fixed and virtual storage. The buffer pool is logically partitioned into three states, fixed, pageable and released, wherein each of the plurality of buffers in the buffer pool exists in one of these states. The system further comprises the buffer manager, which dynamically manages the buffers in the system by moving them between these three states in a non-disruptive manner based on a comparison between the actual usage of fixed and virtual storage compared with target usage values for the fixed and virtual storage.