Abstract: A computer-implemented method for distributing a plurality of tasks over a plurality of processing nodes in a processor network includes the following steps: calculating a task process consumption value for the tasks; calculating a measured node processor consumption value for the nodes; calculating a target node processor consumption value for the nodes, the target node processor consumption value indicating optimal node processor consumption; calculating a load index value as a difference between the calculated node processor consumption value for a node i and the target node processor consumption value for node i; and distributing the tasks among the nodes to balance a processor workload among the nodes, according to the calculated load index value, such that the calculated load index value of each node is substantially zero.

Abstract: A system for distributing a plurality of tasks over a plurality of nodes in a network includes: a plurality of processors for executing tasks; a plurality of nodes comprising processors; a task dispatcher; and a load balancer. The task dispatcher receives as input the plurality of tasks; calculates a task processor consumption value for the tasks; calculates a node processor consumption value for the nodes; calculates a target node processor consumption value for the nodes; and then calculates a load index value as a difference between the calculated node processor consumption for a node i and the target node processor consumption value for the node i. The balancer distributes the tasks among the nodes to balance the processor workload among the nodes according to the calculated load index value of each node, such that the calculated load index value of each node is substantially zero.

Abstract: A native device includes a memory storing a personal computing environment; an interface configured for coupling with a host information processing system; a native function system for performing a native function; and a native function emulator for emulating the native function in the host information processing system. According to another embodiment, a host information processing system includes: an interface for coupling with a native device comprising its user's personal computing environment; a processor configured for operating with the native device when the native device is coupled; and logic for emulating functions of the native device when the native device is coupled.

Abstract: A method for minimizing total cost of interaction among components of a computer program, each of the components being characterized by at least one implementation property includes steps of: a) carrying out at least a partial run of the program; b) monitoring the at least partial run of the program to measure an amount of interaction between each pair of components; c) determining a cost of interaction between each pair of interacting components; d) determining a choice of implementation properties which minimizes total cost of the at least partial run; and e) assigning that choice of implementation properties to the components for a subsequent at least partial run of the program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting user data from unauthorized access, the method comprising the steps of, on a data processing system: maintaining said user data in encrypted form stored on a second storage, when loading an operating system using an operating system loader: receiving in a first disk key transmission step from a first user system a symmetric user key that is only accessible by the data processing system if the operating system loader has been started on behalf of said first user system, wherein the symmetric user key is received sealed to a combination of the operating system loader and a user identifier corresponding to said first user system in said first disk key transmission step; accessing the symmetric user key, if the operating system loader has been started on behalf of said first user system; decrypting in a user data decryption step said user data using the symmetric user key, maintaining said symmetric user key in a volatile memory.

Abstract: A mask fixture for etching an item includes: a top fixture disposed over the item, including a reservoir centered within the top fixture for containing an etchant; a bottom fixture underneath the item to be etched including a recessed surface area centered within the bottom fixture; and an etch-resistant window for holding the item to be etched, the etch-resistant window disposed entirely within the recessed surface area. In addition, a small via centered within and intersecting both the top and bottom fixtures acts as a path for a high intensity light beam.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce effects on playback of moving picture data caused by variations in data transmission rate that occur on a communication line, a receiving and playing back apparatus includes a receiver for receiving moving picture data transmitted over a communication line; playback modules for playing back the received moving picture data; a second buffer for temporarily storing the moving picture data received by the receiver and outputting the stored moving picture data at a desired speed; and a first buffer for providing the playback modules with moving picture data required for playback processing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for adapting a transmission parameter in a transmitting node of a data communication system to the current link quality of a data communication channel. The adapted transmission parameter is selected by the transmitting node from a set of transmission parameters in dependence on a number of successful transmissions. The number of successful transmissions is compared in the transmitting node against one of a first threshold value corresponding to a first state of the transmitting node and a second threshold value corresponding to a second state of the transmitting node.

Abstract: A thermally switched Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) photo electronic device includes a silicon layer including an optical waveguide and a silicide heating element horizontally adjacent to the waveguide. The waveguide has a refractive index that changes with heat applied to the waveguide.

Abstract: An information handling system for improving reception comprises logic for determining a target location for improved communication for a wireless telecommunication unit based in part on information representing a recent position of the wireless telecommunication unit, wherein the target location is more likely to result in better reception of wireless signals from a wireless access point. The system also includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals to other users of the network. Optionally, the transceiver can be configured for receiving information representing the most recent position of the wireless unit and for transmitting directions to the wireless unit, the directions including information on how to get to the target location.

Abstract: Provides workflow systems and methods. A workflow system having a matchmaking unit for receiving a task query from a workflow, and a plurality of task definer units, each providing a definition of a task. The matchmaking unit communicates with the task definer units to evaluate the task definitions against the task query based on at least one property associated with each task definition and provides at least one of the task definitions to the workflow as offers based on the evaluation.

Abstract: An improved system for determining compliance between a source document structure in accordance with a source schema and a target schema includes: data storage; and a processor for executing software code. The software code causes the processor to: create a source schema description and a target schema description; receive the source document which includes an ordered tree structure with labeled elements and including a subtree; identify all corresponding element types in the source and target schemas for grouping the corresponding element types into element type pairs; classify each element type pair; and confirm compliance of the source document.

Abstract: A method for creating a load balanced spatial partitioning of a structured, diffusing system of particles with pairwise interactions includes steps of: assigning a weight corresponding to a computational cost for a pair interaction of particles to a simulation space distance between the particles; performing a spatial partitioning of the simulation space; and assigning computation of pair interaction to any node that has the positions of both particles.

Abstract: Provides a service providing device and method enabling a user to accept the service by utilizing the capabilities of several various devices. At least one physical device is selected for the user based on the service requirement. The user accepts the service via the selected physical device or devices. The invention “hides” the physical devices by using a virtual device to provide the service for users. Furthermore, the invention provides a “tailored” virtual device based on the environment around the user, the favorite of user and the requirements of the service, and may provide to the user the “tailored” information suitable for the user. The operating environment of the virtual device according to the invention is dynamically changeable according to the environment around the user, the favorite of user and the requirements of the service. Thus, a seamless service may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A storage device according to the invention has flexible architecture and free scalability. It includes an address input and a data input. It also includes an address and data evaluation unit, which is formed in such a way that it controls a controllable switching means, wherein in operation the address and data evaluation unit depends on the signals of said address and data inputs. Finally, a read/write line for a read/write signal is provided, which can be applied to a local probe data storage unit via the controllable switching means.

Abstract: Digital watermark detection apparatus including detection units which calculate detected values of watermark signals by use of keys for PCM data of channels of audio content, a plurality of units which add the detected values corresponding to each of the channels and each of the keys for each possible combination of the respective channels and the respective keys, and a unit which selects and outputs one adding result from the respective adding results by the plurality of detected value adding units. Moreover, it includes units which accumulate the detected values in accumulation cycles different from one another to restore messages embedded as digital watermarks from the accumulated detected values, and perform boundary detection of the audio contents to detect the audio contents in which the digital watermarks are embedded, and a detection result output unit which synthesizes and outputs respective processing results by the message restoration units.

Abstract: A system and method for method for assessing configurations includes steps or acts of: receiving configuration data related to configuration items and problem data related to problem tickets; classifying the configuration data into configuration classes; computing a class probability of the configuration classes; associating each configuration class with the problem tickets related to said configuration class; computing a ticket probability distribution of the problem tickets based on number of incidents; evaluating problem ticket characteristics per configuration class to determine a coefficient of trouble value for each configuration class; ranking the configuration classes according to their coefficient of trouble; wherein a highest ranking has the least coefficient of trouble; determining potentially optimal configurations based on the rankings; and providing to a user migration paths corresponding to the potentially optimal configurations.

Abstract: A method for hosting versioned web services includes steps of: receiving a request from a service requestor, the request comprising version metadata; parsing the request; extracting the version metadata from the parsing step; and locating a target implementation version using the version metadata. If the target implementation version is located, the method proceeds by dynamically routing the versioned request to the target implementation version.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling writing and reading of data in an array of A storage fields of a probe-based data storage device in which data is written to and read from the array of storage fields by a corresponding array of probes. One method provides error-tolerance by exploiting the inherent parallelism of the probe storage array. A user data block to be written to the A-field array is first coded to produce a plurality of C-byte codewords, such that r·C=k1A where r is the number of codewords and k1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A sub-blocks of k1 bytes are produced from the codewords by selecting successive bytes of each sub-block cyclically from the r codewords. The A sub-blocks are then written via respective probes to the corresponding storage fields of the storage field array.

Abstract: An improved system and method for composite record keys ordered in a flat key space for a distributed database is provided. A data schema may be created that defines a composite record key for data records in a canonical form. Composite record keys may then be constructed in canonical form defined by the data schema for each data record in data tables of a distributed database. An ordered index of composite record keys may then be built by inserting the composite record keys in canonical form into the index in sorted order. The index of composite record keys ordered in a flat key space for a distributed database may then be used for efficiently comparing or sorting distributed data records in the distributed database. The composite record keys ordered in a flat key space may be compared or sorted without referencing the data schema of the composite record keys.