Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enhancing throughput within a cluster lock processing system having a relatively large number of commodity cluster instruction processors which are arranged in redundant fashion to improve reliability. Because the commodity processors have virtually no system viability features such as memory protection, failure recovery, etc., the cluster/lock processors assume the responsibility for providing these functions. The low cost of the commodity cluster instruction processors makes the system almost linearly scalable. The cluster/locking, caching, and mass storage accessing functions are fully integrated into a single hardware platform which performs the role of the cluster/lock master. Upon failure of this hardware platform, a second redundant hardware platform converts from slave to master role. The logic for the failure detection and role swapping is placed within software, which can run as an application under a commonly available operating system.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of providing failure recovery from redundancy, notwithstanding that the failed subsystem and its replacement have differing capacities. This is especially useful when implementing a cluster lock processing system having a relatively large number of commodity instruction processors which are managed by a highly scalable, cluster lock manager. Reliability is built into the managing communication processor by dividing the system into master and slave subsystems. The master has primary responsibility for system management and coordination, whereas the slave has primary responsibility to backup the master and be prepared to assume management responsibility. Upon the need to transfer responsibility from the master to the slave, whether it be manual (e.g., maintenance) or automatic (e.g., failure), the only concern is that the slave has sufficient capacity to accept the current level of processing, even though it does not have the same level of capacity as the master.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible table for use with a miter saw or for recreational use. A support structure includes a truss that is expandable and collapsible in the horizontal direction. A pair of expansion leaves are pivotally connected to opposing sides of the support structure. A support arm and extension arm work in combination with a locking mechanism to maintain the expansion leaves in the horizontal position or alternatively to allow the expansion leaves to collapse to a vertical position.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the rigidity of a vehicle structure, and particularly a vehicle having a retractable roof. The apparatus includes an electromagnet carried by either an edge of a door of the vehicle that swings outwardly when the door is open, or by an opposing edge of bodywork of the vehicle which faces the edge of the door when the door is closed. The electromagnet serves as a first element which, when the door is closed, is positioned opposite a second element made of a magnetic material. One of the elements is able to move toward the other element when the electromagnet is provided with an electric current. One of the elements is provided with a protuberance formed in the shape of a truncated cone, and the other element is provided with an axially-aligned recess which has a size and shape to receive the protuberance therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of processing a service request via a legacy data base management system to produce a response. The response is converted from the internal format of the legacy data base management system into an XML document which is transferred via the Internet to a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enhancing reliability within a cluster lock processing system having a relatively large number of commodity cluster instruction processors which are managed by a cluster lock manager. Because the commodity processors have virtually no system viability features such as memory protection, failure recovery, etc., the cluster/lock processors assume the responsibility for providing these functions. The low cost of the commodity cluster instruction processors makes the system almost linearly scalable. The cluster/locking, caching, and mass storage accessing functions are fully integrated into a single hardware platform which performs the role of the master. Upon failure of this hardware platform, a second redundant hardware platform converts from slave to master role. The logic for the failure detection and role swapping is placed within software, which can run as an application under a commonly available operating system.

Abstract: A tool for scribing a longitudinal groove on an elongate cylindrical rod suitable for implanting as a prosthetic in a living being supports the rod in a linear groove on a bed of a frame of the tool. A track is mounted on the frame and runs parallel to the groove. A carrier mounted on the track can slide on the track in constant spaced relation to and along the groove. A scribe mounted on the carrier extends toward the groove to contact a rod in the predetermined position. A preferred version of the tool has a clamp mounted on the bed for clamping the rod in the predetermined position. Additional features allow for precise angular positioning of the rod and for scribing a dashed line on the rod. In use, the tool operator places the rod in the predetermined position in the groove. The scribe is then pressed into contact with the rod. While the scribe is in pressed contact with the rod, the operator slides the carrier along the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enhancing reliability within a cluster lock processing system having a relatively large number of commodity cluster instruction processors which are managed by a cluster lock manager. Because the commodity processors have virtually no system viability features such as memory protection, failure recovery, etc., the communication processor assumes the responsibility for providing these functions. The low cost of the commodity cluster instruction processors makes the system almost linearly scalable. The cluster/locking, caching, and mass storage accessing functions are fully integrated into a single hardware platform which performs the role of the cluster/lock master. Upon failure of this hardware platform, a second redundant hardware platform converts from slave to master role. The logic for the failure detection and role swapping is placed within software, which can run as an application under a commonly available operating system.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination flexible planar item and character. The item comprises a flexible planar item, that when manipulated, takes on the appearance of a character. The character is formed by a character body that becomes defined from the manipulation of the planar item. The planar item has an exterior surface and at least one character feature that is present on the exterior surface of the item. When correctly manipulated, the combination of at least one character feature and the character body provide the appearance of a character.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of accommodating an XML document within a data base management system. The XML document is defined by a Document Type Definition (DTD). It is parsed on an element-by-element basis into an acceptable format for use by a data base management system by information contained in an XML mapping tree in accordance with said DTD. Each element may be accompanied by appropriate attributes. The tree may be saved for future use. An internal form of the DTD may be stored for future use.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an endourethral prosthesis, assembly, and attendant methods are provided for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention. The endourethral prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about, and longitudinally along a tubular member adapted to receive urine. The tubular member is positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the reversibly expandable element operatively engages a structure of the lower urinary tract so as to prevent migration of the prosthesis so positioned. The reversibly expandible element is in non-reversible fluid communication with the tubular element for selective expansion thereof, the reversibly expandible element is further operatively engagable so as to discharge fluid non-reversibly received from the tubular member exterior to same.

Abstract: A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

Abstract: A pre-condenser is provided for condensation of water at sub-zero degree Celsius temperatures. A brine solution is cooled below 0 degrees Celsius and delivered to the pre-condenser. The brine solution contacts the vapors and gases from a scrubber, thereby condensing the vapors without allowing ice formation. A vacuum system connected to the pre-condenser removes the remaining gases from a top portion of the pre-condenser while the brine solution and condensed vapors are removed and recycled through a bottom portion of the pre-condenser.

Abstract: A method for forming a topographical image of the heterogeneous variations in a surface of a material has a first machining step and a second scanning step. The preferred machining step uses a preselected scribing tool to scribe a plurality of adjacent grooves in a selected material surface at a preselected constant force. This machining step produces a machined surface whose local elevations relative to a datum plane are dependent on the local hardness or wear resistance of the surface. Then the scanning step shifts the scribing tool across the surface in contact with the surface, and measures the elevation of the tool at a plurality of selected surface coordinates. The measured elevations allow formation of a topological map depicting sub-micron structural features of the surface.

Abstract: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a convertible vehicle roof comprising several rear (1), intermediary (2) and front (3) rigid roof elements which can be moved between a closed position and a storage position. Said rear (1), intermediary (2) and front (3) elements are connected to each other and to the body in such a way as to pivot around three fulcrum pins (A1, A2, A3). The inventive device comprises co-ordinating means (5, 6, 7, 8) which are used to co-ordinate the pivot movements around said pins (A1, A2, A3). The invention is characterised in that the co-ordinating means (5, 6, 7, 8) are disposed such that the combined movement thereof enables the intermediary element (2) to be inclined at a greater angle when said element is in the highest position thereof.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a motor vehicle is formed from a front and rear element. An electric motor and the elements are arranged to permit the motor to drive the elements in either direction between a front position over the passenger compartment, where the elements are adjacent to each other and cover the passenger compartment, to a rear position in the rear trunk, where the elements are folded together with the front element uppermost. Hinges, between the front edge of the rear element and the rear edge of the front element and between the rear edge of the rear element and the structure of the vehicle adjacent to the front of the trunk opening, tie the elements together and permit the above element movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an Internet terminal to interface with an existing proprietary database management system by permitting a developer to create a web based service that produces a table result. The table may appear either as an HTML table or a graph. The service is defined as a plurality of ordered, discreet, and independent steps. Each step may be created and/or edited independently of all other steps. To assist the service developer, the system presents a choice of available steps to be added into the sequence at any particular point. The only steps so presented are valid for the position within the sequence. Invalid steps are not presented. During the development process, each selected step has a corresponding state report associated therewith. Each state report indicates the computational state resulting from the associated step to the next succeeding step in the sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of processing a service request in XML document format via a legacy data base management system to produce a response. The service is defined by a component definition which is presented to the legacy data base management system as a combination of tables, variables, and script defining various components. The inputs are defined in accordance with a combination of components from a variety of sources. The legacy data base management system honors the service and returns results as appropriate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof can fold from a position of use to a retracted position in a rear boot of the motor vehicle. The roof has a central element and a pair of lateral elements, each rotatably attached at one of two transverse edges of the central element. A mechanism connected between each lateral element and the central element cooperates with features carried on a chassis of the vehicle to cause the lateral elements to rotate into an inclined position respective the central element as the roof folds into the retracted position. The mechanism also causes the lateral elements to rotate as the roof moves into the position of use.