Abstract: A method for persisting a state of a virtual port in a virtualized computer system is described. A distributed virtual port (DVport) is stored in a persistent storage location, the DVport comprising a state of a corresponding virtual port and configuration settings of the virtual port. In addition, an association between the virtual port and the virtual network interface card (VNIC) connected to the virtual port is stored. When a virtual machine corresponding to the VNIC is restarted, the state from the DVport is restored to a new virtual port from the persistent storage location.

Abstract: A direct die feeder picks known good die from a wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports a wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed while adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along a horizontal axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45° mirror (162) adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of die and qualify them. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a flip head (140) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation.

Abstract: Backyard type gas grills are made suitable for use with solid fuels such as charcoal by removing existing passive radiant heat material such as lava rocks and inserting an apparatus comprising supports (50) and perforated fuel basket (40). The unique design of the invention allows for its implementation in a majority of gas grills on the market by permitting the supports (50), which rest on at least a gas burner, to be positioned and fastened to the fuel basket (40) anywhere and in various directions with respect to the fuel basket (40). Locking means (56) prevent separation of the supports from the fuel basket. By locking the supports (50) to the fuel basket (40), the supports add structural integrity to the fuel basket and prevent the basket from warping and torquing due to repeated exposure to extreme temperature differentials.

Abstract: A pants hanger, which is mounted on a vertical surface or is used to assemble into pants hanging array for hanging multiple pairs of pants, consists of a fixed horizontally extended base arm, a horizontally extended gripping arm and a spring element biasing the gripping arm against the base arm. The spring element is attached at the center of the gripping arm and allows for rotation of the gripping arm on the spring element to provide a substantially even pressure against an article of clothing supported between the base arm and the gripping arm. The base arm and gripping arm have a recess portion to allow for the increased thicknesses of pants along their seams. The unit may be combined with other like units to provide an array of hangers, disposed either horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: A method of marking a parcel (68) includes folding a label (33) about a chosen corner (123) of parcel (68) having contiguous sides (43) and converging edges (44) to permit an individual to rapidly locate the label. The label may be printed in ink and/or embossed directly on a parcel substrate (58) or as a lithographed and/or embossed sheet applied to the parcel substrate during its manufacture.

Abstract: A pants hanger is comprised of fixed horizontally extending hanging arms and spring elements. Each spring element is attached to one side of a hanging arm and is biased against the opposite side of the adjacent hanging arm. The hanging arms and spring elements may receive a pair of pants or other garment between them. The garment is then supported by the compressive, gripping force of the spring being biased against the adjacent hanging arm. The unit may be combined with other like units to provide an array of hangers, disposed either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A recording device includes a timer for automatically starting and stopping the recording mechanism, an input jack for accepting audio signals directly from an external audio source, and a power supply for the audio source. When a recording interval begins, the device supplies the external audio source with the required power via the power supply and the recording mechanism begins receiving audio signals received in the input jack and storing them on recording media for later playback. Alternatively, the device may be equipped with a microphone for accepting sound waves in addition to an electrical audio input. It is contemplated that the device be programmable to permit multiple start/stop intervals including daily and weekly intervals. The device can also be equipped with an audio amplifier and speaker for playback of recorded programs at a convenient time.

Abstract: In a variable-pitch tape feeder for feeding parts to a pick and place machine used to produce electronic circuit boards, a switch assembly is provided which controls the limits of a shutter movement and the tape advance distance dependent upon the desired pitch. The tape feeder uses a carrier tape to deliver parts to the pick and place machine. The parts are inserted into depressions at regular intervals along the length of the tape. To accommodate tapes of varying pitches, i.e., distances between parts, the feeder uses an electronic control unit to drive the tape feed mechanism and actuate a shutter. The shutter prevents small parts from escaping their respective depressions prematurely. The switch provides a stop surface which limits the rearward travel of the shutter and a flag which is detected by optical sensors to determine the position of the switch and thus the pitch desired by the operator.

Abstract: A direct die feeder picks known good die from an expanded wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports an expanded wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed and adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along an x-axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the expanded wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45.degree. mirror adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of known good die on the wafer. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a transfer head (155) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation.

Abstract: A method and system that assists medical practitioners who treat or prescribe treatment of patients having a medical condition which requires long-term profiling of medical data taken from the patient's body. Medical practitioners, their assistants, and patients take medical readings of predetermined medically important variables. These readings are stored as raw data in a data receptacle such as a smart card or in a portable medical instrument, then input into a remote computer, or the raw data is manually entered into a remote computer. The remote computer then connects with a primary computer using a communications connection and transmits the raw data to the primary computer system which maintains a database of patients and their medical readings. The communications connection can be any means of connecting two computers for communication therebetween but is preferably an Internet connection wherein the remote computer is operated as a web client and the primary computer is operated as a web server.

Abstract: A recording device includes a timer for automatically starting and stopping the recording mechanism, an input jack for accepting audio signals directly from an external audio source, and a power supply for the audio source. When a recording interval begins, the device supplies the external audio source with the required power via the power supply and the recording media for later playback. Alternatively, the device may be equipped with a microphone for accepting sound waves in addition to an electrical audio input. It is contemplated that the device be programmable to permit multiple start/stop intervals including daily and weekly intervals. The device can also be equipped with an audio amplifier and speaker for playback of recorded programs at a convenient time.