Abstract: A method for remotely communicating with a computer system in a headless environment is provided. The system includes a service processor in communication with a computer through a UART communication channel and in communication with a remote console through a communication connection. The service processor manages communication commands between the computer and the remote console. The service processor transmits data communication received from the remote console to the computer through the UART channel, and the service processor transmits data communication received from the computer to the remote console through the UART channel. In addition, a multiplexer may be employed to direct communication between one of a plurality of computers and the service processor in combination with a multiplexer control to select one of the computers for communication with the service processor. The multiplexer directs the communication through the UART channel.

Abstract: A system and a method for finding integer solutions of equations whose graphs are conic sections. The system provides a physical implementation of a geometric formulation of integer solutions of conic sections. The system includes a first source of waves and an arrangement of a plurality of reflectors to provide a lattice of interference patterns of standing waves in a plane, the lattice representing intersections at integer values. The system also includes a second source of waves and a detector provided along a curve that, with the second source, defines a cone of waves, which intersects with the plane of the lattice to provide a conic section. The detector finds points of intersection of the lattice and the conic section to determine integer solutions of the conic section. The conic section may be y=N/x, in which case the integer solutions provide a factorization into integers of N.

Abstract: A pediatric assistance device useful in enabling a pediatric patient to participate in developmental and social stimulus during medical interventions.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for identifying and selecting an optimal access method for reading an ILDS. A counter is associated with a pointer and identifies the number of times a database partition has been reorganized. Based upon a comparison of the counter from the pointer with a second counter from a second pointer, the optimal access method is determined. Since the comparison of pointers is conducted without reading the ILDS, the optimal access method is determined prior to reading the ILDS, which improves pointer checking performance. A direct access method may be selected if the access rate is lower than a predetermining threshold value, a sequential access method may be selected if the access rate is higher than a predetermined threshold value, and a skip sequential access method may be selected if the access rate is within a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a unit for acquiring dental radiographic images of a patient, an X-ray head is connected to a supporting device by at least one cylindrical joint having a pin fitted inside a hub defined by two tightening members, which extend about the pin and are movable with respect to each other to and from a lock position locking the pin.

Abstract: A method and computer system for dynamically selecting an optimal synchronization mechanism for a data structure in a multiprocessor environment. The method determines a quantity of read-side and write-side acquisitions, and evaluates the data to determine an optimal mode for efficiently operating the computer system while maintaining reduced overhead. The method incorporates data received from the individual units within a central processing system, the quantity of write-side acquisitions in the system, and data which has been subject to secondary measures, such as formatives of digital filters. The data subject to secondary measures includes, but is not limited to, a quantity of read-side acquisitions, a quantity of write-side acquisitions, and a quantity of read-hold durations. Based upon the individual unit data and the system-wide data, including the secondary measures, the operating system may select the most efficient synchronization mechanism from among the mechanisms available.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for thermal management of a portable computing apparatus. Accelerometers are provided to detect changes in attitude, and temperature sensors are provided to detect changes in temperature. A fan is used to cool the internal temperature of the electronic components of the computer. In response to lift of the computer from a stationary surface, the computer may transition to an alternative state of operation. The transition may include the change of the speed of the fan and/or adjustment of the processor clock.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating blocks of disk in persistent storage to requesting threads. A primary data structure is provided for organizing and categorizing blocks of disk space. In addition, a secondary data structure is provided for maintaining a list of all active file system processes and blocks of disk space used by those processes. Blocks of disk space are assigned to pages. At such time as a thread may request allocation of disk space, both data structures are reviewed to determine if the requested disk space is available and to limit access of available disk space to a single page of memory to a single thread at any one time.

Abstract: A method and computer system for efficiently accessing resources in a multiprocessor computer system. Multiple resources are grouped into nodes and system resource descriptors are maintained as data structures. The method incorporates traversing a data structure to efficiently allocate resources within a grouping of nodes. Each node in the system is assigned a node identifying number. This number identifies a node location within a multiprocessor and is used to determine latency between nodes, either through an average latency table or a system interconnect connection table. The data structure comprises secondary data structures therein for storing processor, bus, memory and shared cache information. The data structure includes pointers to each of the secondary data structures. In addition, each node or grouping of nodes may include subnodes. As such, the system provides for a method of recursively accessing additional data structure levels for each level of nodes and/or subnodes in the system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling replacement of a failed processor without requiring redundancy of hardware. The system is a multiprocessing computer system that includes one or more processor chips. Each processor chip may include one or more logical processors. During system initialization, one or more logical processors may be reserved in an inactive state. In the event an error is detected on a logical or physical processor, one or more reserved logical processors may have execution context transferred from the processor experiencing the error. Thereafter, the active processor is designated as inactive and replaced by the inactive processor to which the execution context has been transferred.

Abstract: A method for measuring a price level of an option contract or a series of options contracts based upon a volatility of an underlying security. The method includes the process of calculating a rate of return index for an option series. The rate of return index includes factors such as the implied rate of return, the price of the underlying security, and a weighting factor. The rate of return index may be used for a series of call option contracts and a series of put option contracts. Both the series of call option contracts and series of put option contracts may be numerically set to provide an implied interest rate at a specific volatility.

Abstract: A method of varying the gain of an amplifier and an amplifier array are provided. The amplifier array includes two or more amplifier stages (201, 202) connected in parallel with each amplifier stage having a gain control means. Input signal means (203, 204) are provided for each amplifier stage with the input signals of the amplifier stages being of different amplitude. Means for enabling and disabling an amplifier stage (216) are provided and means for summing the outputs of the enabled amplifier stages obtain an output signal (212).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restricting access of an application to computer hardware. The apparatus includes both an authentication module and a validation module. The authentication module is within the trusted firmware layer. The purpose of the authentication module is to verify a cryptographic key presented by an application. The validation module is responsive to the authentication module and limits access of the application to the computer hardware. The authentication modules may be implemented in software through a firmware call, or through a hardware register of the computer.

Abstract: A storage controller, cooperable with host computer apparatus, and a plurality of controlled storage apparatus, comprises a host write component operable to write a data object to a source data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a first copy component responsive to a first metadata state and operable to control copying of the data object to a first target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a second copy component responsive to a second metadata state and operable to perform one of: controlling copying of the data object to a second target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; and causing the first copy component to perform copying of the second target data image to the first target data image.

Abstract: A article of manufacture that includes a luminous medallion. A conductor having a coating of non-conductive material is formed into a loop having two discontinuities. A clasp that houses a removable battery is fixed within the first discontinuity and a bead having an internally embedded LED is located within the second discontinuity. Electrical connections are made to electrodes located within the clasp by interior electrical conductors exposed at the stripped ends of the coated conductors that define one discontinuity. The conductors are fixed in electrical contact with the LED at the other discontinuity at the stripped ends of the coated conductor in the region of the second discontinuity. A membrane with an interior surface and an exterior surface, with the exterior surface adapted to receive the medallion secured thereto, and the interior surface adapted to receive elements of the clasp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a storage controller cooperable with a host and a plurality of controlled storage is provided to localize an impact of a failure to a target disk in an affected segment. The storage controller includes a host write component to write a data object to a source image storage; a first copy component responsive to a first metadata state to control copying of the data object to a first target storage; a second copy component responsive to a second metadata state to perform either: copying the data object to a second target or causing the first copy component to copy the second target to the first target; and a third copy component to control cascaded copying of the data object to a third target storage. Either the second or the third copy component controls cascaded copying of a delimited data image subsequence responsive to a metadata state indicating currency of a data grain in either the second or the third target.

Abstract: A driver is provided to manage launching of tasks at different levels of priority and within the parameters of the firmware interface. The driver includes two anchors for managing the tasks, a dispatcher and an agent. The dispatcher operates at a medium priority level and manages communication from a remote administrator. The agent functions to receive communications from the dispatcher by way of a shared data structure and to launch lower priority level tasks in respond to the communication. The shared data structure stores communications received from the dispatcher. Upon placing the communication in the shared data structure, the dispatcher sends a signal to the agent indicating that a communication is in the data structure for reading by the agent. Following reading of the communication in the data structure, the agent launches the lower priority level task and sends a signal to the data structure indicating the status of the task.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for thermal management of a CPU. Both hardware and software data are used to periodically calculate a power consumption index. An internal database is provided to convert power consumption data to rotational speed of an associated cooling fan for the CPU. Based upon a change in the calculated power consumption, the rotational speed of the fan may be adjusted to accommodate the change in power consumption. Accordingly, the method and system monitors and adjusts the rotational speed of the cooling fan based upon available hardware and software data.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately estimating a result size of a Group-By operation in a relational database. The estimate utilizes the probability of union of the columns involved in the operation, as well as the relative cardinality of each column with respect to the other columns in the operation. In addition, the estimate incorporates the use of table filters when indicated such that table filters are applied prior to determining the size of the tables in the operation, as well as including equivalent columns into the list of columns that are a part of the Group-By operation. Accordingly, the estimate of the result size of the operation includes influencing factors that provide an accurate estimation of system memory requirements.