Abstract: A framework and method for use in determining appropriate information technology system disaster recovery and operational continuity solutions for an enterprise. In one embodiment the method includes identifying (504) business processes associated with achieving a defined mission of the enterprise. Assets of the information technology system are grouped (508) into one or more functional sub-system/data class groups and one or more of the business processes are selected. The functional sub-system/data class groups are mapped (524) to the selected business processes to establish a correspondence between each selected business process and one or more of the functional sub-system/data class groups. Thereafter, each functional sub-system/data class group corresponding with each selected business process is associated (602) with a solution class included in a three-dimensional disruption tolerance decision matrix.

Abstract: Server virtualization technology is applied to virtualize and encapsulate all unique information of a server as an image that is stored on a storage area network at one site and replicated on a storage area network at another site to provide high availability of system resources and data recovery capabilities. In one embodiment, a virtualized server system (100) includes a primary site (110), a secondary site (130), and a computer executable control application (150). The primary site (110) includes a storage area network (112), at least one primary virtual server platform (114), and at least one primary virtual server stored as at least one image (116) on the storage area network (112). The control application (150) directs replication of the primary virtual server image (116) onto a storage area network (132) at the secondary site (130) to create a corresponding replicated virtual server image (138).

Abstract: A stator has four or more magnetic poles. A commutator has a plurality of segments arranged in the circumferential direction and a short-circuit conductor for short-circuiting predetermined segments from among these segments. Each segment has an angular width WS, and there is a gap of an angular width WU between the segments. A substantial angular width WB of each of an anode brush and a cathode brush satisfies (n?1)(WS+WU)+WU<WB<n(WS+WU)+WU, where n is an integer no less than two. A plurality of coils are each connected to the corresponding one of the segments in order to form n closed loops. The closed loops each pass through the corresponding segments and are electrically independent of each other.

Abstract: A system and method for sending a cache line of data in a single message is described. An instruction issued by a processor in a multiprocessor system includes an address of a message payload and an address of a destination. Each address is translated to a physical address and sent to a scalability interface associated with the processor and in communication with a system interconnect. Upon translation the payload of the instruction is written to the scalability interface and thereafter communicated to the destination. According to one embodiment, the translation of the payload address is accomplished by the processor while in another embodiment the translation occurs at the scalability interface.

Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.

Abstract: An improved sterile docking apparatus for a medical-liquid, male connectors includes a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector therethrough, and a deformable member disposed across the opening, wherein the deformable member is deformable to envelop and thereby isolate a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that is inserted into the opening of the holding member. The deformable member may be resilient, wherein it substantially returns to an initial configuration after removal of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector from the opening of the holding member. An interconnection surface may be provided on the holding member of the docking apparatus to interface with a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector so as to maintain the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector in an enveloped position during docking.

Abstract: A method and device for supporting a structure above a fixed surface. The device can include a support pedestal whose height is adjustable through a range of heights without a substantial gap in the obtainable heights.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor, a method for making the sensor and methods for the detection of a gaseous species. The electrochemical gas sensor is a solid-state gas sensor that includes a solid polymer electrolyte. A working electrode is separated from a counter electrode by the solid polymer electrolyte. The sensor can include a multilaminate structure for improved detection properties, where electrode microbands are disposed within the solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A utility is provided for generating applications for a variety of data conversion or handling application environments. A user can use a graphical user interface to purpose application adaptable modules to define a desired application. In one implementation, the user interface (1500) includes a node tree panel (1502) and a process assembly panel (1504). The node tree panel (1502) lists tool sets (1508) including transformations, maps and input-output tools. These tools can then be assembled together with identified data sources and then elements using the assembly panel (1504) to define an application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application.

Abstract: A gum packaging design that utilizes two separate compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Each of the compartments may be formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the compartments and then the lower compartment is adhered to the upper compartment in a fashion that allows the lower compartment to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment is emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment can be used to hold the package in a compact, closed position by folding the compartments to face each other and tucking an end into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment.

Abstract: A computer drive cage (10) includes a pair of side support panels (14) that are separated by a space (38) to accommodate receipt of one or more computer drives (86). At least one of these support panels (14) includes a computer drive installation slot (46). One or more contacts (62) are aligned with and disposed outside of this slot (46) in a direction that is at least generally away from the computer drive space (38) between the side support panels (14). Each contact (62) for may be integrally-formed with its corresponding side support panel (14).

Abstract: Methods and systems for demodulation of open-loop GPS radio occultation signals are provided. An occulted GPS radio signal where the atmosphere-induced modulation on the phase is up to 180 degrees may be recorded by a radio occultation receiver. The radio signal may be concurrently received by a second receiver where the atmosphere-induced phase modulation is below 90 degrees and where the Navigation Data Message (NDM) bit sequence can be readily extracted. The extracted NDM bit sequence may be used to demodulate the occulted GPS radio signal and a 4-quadrant phase extractor may then be used to determine the phase and amplitude of the radio occultation signal. The phase and amplitude modulations after removal of NDM may be used for inversion, e.g., retrieval of the atmospheric parameters such as the bending angle, refractivity and deriving of the meteorological parameters.

Abstract: An improved ultrasound transducer assembly, e.g. a thickness-mode transducer assembly includes a plurality of elements comprising piezoelectric material, and a backing material disposed adjacent to a back surface of the plurality of elements. The piezoelectric material and backing material define at least a portion of a side surface, wherein an electrically conductive material is disposed upon and in contact with at least a portion of the side surface. The elements may comprise one or a plurality of front electrodes, and one or a plurality of back electrodes, wherein the front electrode(s) is electrically interconnected to the electrically conductive material disposed on the side surface portion. In a mass processing method, a plurality of thickness-mode ultrasound probe transducer assemblies may be produced, wherein a plurality of interconnected transducer subassemblies comprising a mass backing are processed in tandem.

Abstract: A vehicle and screen assembly is provided for theme park rides to create a ride-through screen experience. The assembly includes a vehicle for carrying passengers that includes a top or roof assembly with first and second sets of magnetic elements on an exterior surface of the top assembly, with each of the sets having a like pole oriented outward from the exterior surface. A screen assembly is included with first and second planar screen segments that are pivotably mounted adjacent to each other so as to hang or be positioned in a plane that is transverse to a track traveled by the vehicle. The screen segments include magnetic elements with exposed poles that match the outward facing pole of the corresponding sets of magnetic elements on the vehicle. The screen segments magnetically levitate away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without touching the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to orthopedic implants for reconstruction of severed, ruptured, or damaged ligaments. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved elastic replacement ligament made from metallic wires in a braided construction for replacement of a natural ligament of the body such as the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.

Abstract: A video image pickup and display are used to provide electronic viewfinders for cameras. Black and white displays permit a photographer to see interactively the impact of camera adjustment on a resulting image. They also permit a photographer to visualize a black and white rendition of a color scene, when shooting in black and white film. The electronic display permits image processing results to be viewed either during calculations or by simulation. Techniques are disclosed for film and electronic storage media for still and for motion cameras and for color and black and white cameras.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.