Abstract: Method and apparatus for coordinating access to a shared object amongst a plurality of processes in a distributed system. One process is identified as a lock owner process controlling a lock associated with the shared object. When a process needs to access the shared object, it requests control of the lock from the lock owner process. When no other process controls the lock, the lock owner process grants control to the requesting process. When another process controls the lock, the lock owner process places the requesting process in a queue and waits for the lock to become available. All accesses to the shared object are processed through the lock owner processes thus assuring coordination and synchronization among the processes.

Abstract: A floating license enforcement method and system which enables an authorized user to accumulate time-based usage credit while a software application is in use under a valid license. In the event of a license system fault, the application remains accessible to the user, while consuming the usage credit which was previously accumulated. This allows the user access to the application while the license system fault is being corrected. If the license system fault is corrected before all of the accumulated usage credit is consumed, the application remains accessible to the user under the valid license and resumes accumulating usage credit. Therefore, the invention allows the authorized user to consume its accrued usage credit to bridge the time between when a license system fault occurs and when the fault is corrected, thereby protecting the rights of the user. At the same time, the invention prevents excessive unauthorized use of the application, thereby protecting the rights of the software vendor.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for partitioning a network, comprising modeling the network as a graph comprising nodes which represent network devices, and edges which represent links between the devices, and automatically partitioning the graph into domains. One embodiment of the method includes identifying a number of anchor nodes in the graph and partitioning the domains around the anchor nodes such that each domain contains only one anchor node. Another embodiment of the method includes partitioning a graph without anchor nodes into a number of domains, and assigning controllers to each of the domains. Preferably, the method further includes assigning a weight to each node in the graph, and balancing the partitions as a function of the weight of each node in a respective partition.

Abstract: A multi-domain network manager provides alarm correlation among a plurality of domains included in a communications network. Individual network management systems each monitor a single respective domain of the communications network, and provide intra-domain alarms indicative of status specific to the single respective domain. The multi-domain network manager receives the intra-domain alarms, and correlates them to provide inter-domain alarms as well as responses in the form of corrective actions. The multi-domain network manager thus provides a high level of correlation and response for the entire network while each network management system provides a lower level of correlation and response for an individual domain of the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a self-contained processor having a luminescent testing material capable of generating a read-out signal in response to contact with a reagent of interest in a test sample. In an alternate aspect, the present invention also provides a portable and self-contained diagnostic assay system for detecting and recording the presence of a luminescent signal generated by a reaction between a luminescent testing material and a reagent in a test sample on a self-developing film assemblage.

Abstract: An electronic photographic printer having a film unit drive assembly that advances the film unit (self-developing type) past a stationary print head for emitting consecutive lines of image data on the film unit to effect progressive exposure on the film unit simultaneously as a fluid spread system spreads the processing fluid over the film unit to effect processing of exposed portions of the film unit.

Abstract: A readily portable imaging system for use in the field and, more particularly, to an electronic camera and electronic printer housed and readily connectable with respect to each other in the field, and wherein the electronic printer comprises a photographic processing fluid spread system, for use with integral type self-processible film unit, by which the thickness of a layer of processing fluid is controlled and restricted in a uniform manner as the processing fluid is spread across preselected portions of the film unit, while the film unit is also simultaneously being exposed and advanced.

Abstract: A film advancement assembly for a self-developing and folding camera. The camera comprising a main frame assembly and a lens assembly. The lens assembly being pivotally mounted on the main frame assembly and movable between a closed position in which the lens assembly is disposed at least in part within the main frame assembly and an open position in which the lens assembly upstands from the main frame assembly. A gear train is mounted on the main frame member and is operative to drive a pair of spread rolls, and operative to drive a film pick to advance a film unit. A motor is mounted on the main frame assembly and is operative to power the gear train, the motor being disposed proximate a bottom surface of the main frame assembly.