Abstract: A method and system for providing a database as a is disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises the steps of accessing the database over a public network by a browser without downloading software. The method further includes controlling access to the database on an agreed-upon schedule. In a second aspect, a database service for use on a public network is disclosed. The database service comprises a presentation layer, the presentation layer including a browser, a web server coupled to the public network and a web application platform coupled to the web server. The database includes an application layer comprising a user interface (UI) application. The UI application is executed on the web application platform and is capable of communicating with the browser through a standard program code. Finally, the database service includes a database management layer. The database management layer includes at least one database which communicates with the UI application.

Abstract: An equalizer includes plural samplers for sampling an incoming input data stream according to plural phases of a sampling clock, each sampler producing a data sample. Operating in the analog domain, a multi-tap finite impulse response (FIR) filter weights the data samples and combines the weighted data samples to produce a filtered data bit. The filtered data bits thus form an equalized output data stream. The equalizer can compensate for characteristics of a communications channel, such as low-pass characteristics. The channel may carry high-speed, e.g., multi-gigabit per second, traffic.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a first switch for sampling a differential signal and a second switch for level-shifting the sampled differential signal is disclosed. The first and second switches are cross-coupled to cancel a charge injected between the first and second switches and for linearizing the charge transfer; and a capacitor coupled is between the first and second switches. A circuit in accordance with the present invention adds an extra sampling switch to the sampling circuit and an extra charge-transfer switch in the level-shifting circuit. By cross-coupling these extra switches, the result is a cancellation of the charge-injection, and thus linearizing the charge transfer.

Abstract: Method and system for saving the state of integrated circuit chips upon failure. In one aspect of the invention, a system for saving the state of an integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory and a state-saving controller coupled to the non-volatile memory and coupled to the integrated circuit, where the state-saving controller saves the state of the integrated circuit to the non-volatile memory when a failure occurs in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and system of minimizing sticky keys in an electronic device having a body, circuitry, and a plurality of keypads is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a protectant coating; and applying the protectant coating on surfaces of both the keypad and also the body to prevent sticking between the mating surfaces. A system and method is added in accordance with the present invention utilizing a protectant on critical surfaces which serves to prevent the residual buildup of contaminants following spills. In so doing the sticky key problem associated with the contaminated buildup is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A method and system for use in a computing environment for selecting a subset of records from a set of records for placement of the subset of records in a plurality of destinations. A group of replica records is formed for a record of the subset of records, and a destination identification is assigned to each replica record, except one, of the group of replica records. A replica record associated with one of the plurality of destinations can be selected and can be placed in the associated destination.

Abstract: A method and system for providing and magnetic element is disclosed. In one aspect, the magnetic element includes at least a pinned layer, a free layer, and a current confined layer residing between the pinned layer and the free layer. The pinned layer is ferromagnetic and has a first magnetization. The current confined layer has at least one channel in an insulating matrix. The channel(s) are conductive and extend through the current confined layer. The free layer is ferromagnetic and has a second magnetization. The pinned layer, the free layer, and the current confined layer are configured to allow the magnetization of the free layer to be switched using spin transfer. The magnetic element may also include other layers, including layers for spin valve(s), spin tunneling junction(s), dual spin valve(s), dual spin tunneling junction(s), and dual spin valve/tunnel structure(s).

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a shopper in obtaining item(s) desired by the shopper is disclosed. The method and system include allowing the shopper to provide the item(s) to a computer system and determining location(s) of the item(s) using the computer system. The method and system also include determining a route including the location(s) using the computer system. In one aspect, the method and system also include allowing the shopper to edit the at least one item after the route has been determined, determining an additional location for a new item using the computer system if a new item has been entered, and re-determining the route based on the shopper editing the at least one item using the computer system. In another aspect, the computer system resides on a robotic shopping cart. In this aspect, the method and system also include automatically driving the robotic cart to each of the location(s).

Abstract: An interface to interconnect Network Processor and Scheduler chips in a multi-chip system includes a limited set of messages and circuit arrangements to generate the limited set of messages. The messages include FlowEnqueue.request, FlowEnqueue.response, PortEnqueue.request and PortStatus.request.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting conflicts in replicated data in a database network that includes a plurality of computer systems, each having a table which includes replicated data includes providing a column to the table in each system which indicates whether replicated data in the table is current for the system. The method further includes determining whether replicated data in the table in the system is current based on a value in the column when a request to access the replicated data in the table is received. Through aspects of the method and system of the present invention, conflict detection is delayed until a request to access the replicated data in the system is submitted. Thus, no conflict detection is required during the replication cycle, nor is any conflict resolution required during the replication cycle.

Abstract: A method, system and device for simulating cable failures in a network are disclosed. In a first aspect, a plurality of optical cables which couple a plurality of devices within the network to each other are provided. The method and system includes providing at least one programmable device on one of the plurality of optical cables. The at least one programmable device allows for controlled simulated cable failures. In a second aspect, the network comprises: a plurality of devices and a plurality of optical cables for interconnecting the devices. The network also includes at least one programmable device coupled to one of the optical cables, the at least one programmable device allows for controlled simulated cable failures. In a third aspect, the programmable device is used in a network for simulating cable failures in the network. The network includes a plurality of devices and a plurality of optical cables for interconnecting the devices.

Abstract: Aspects for improving response time for database query execution are described. The aspects include comparing an estimate of sort pages needed for a database query against at least one threshold. A determination of whether to perform a parallel sort for the database query based on the comparison occurs, wherein response time improvement by the parallel sort is balanced against resource overhead of the parallel sort.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for recovering data in a plurality of systems is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of allowing at least one system of the plurality of systems to fail, retaining a plurality of locks of the at least one system and restarting the at least one system utilizing minimal resources. In a second aspect of the present invention, a system for recovering data in a plurality of computer systems is disclosed. The system comprises means for allowing at least one computer system of the plurality of computer systems to fail, means for retaining a plurality of locks of the at least one computer system and means for restarting the at least one computer system utilizing minimal resources. According to the present invention, the method and system for recovering retained locks in a plurality of systems recovers the data being protected by the retained locks of a failed system quickly and with minimal system disruption.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automatic transmission is disclosed. The method and system include obtaining positioning data using a global positioning satellite (GPS) and monitoring the automatic transmission to obtain transmission data. The method and system also include learning whether performance of the automatic transmission can be improved utilizing the positioning data and the transmission data. Moreover, the method and system include adjusting a shift threshold for the positioning data for the automatic transmission if it is determined that the performance of the automatic transmission can be improved.

Abstract: Data transmission system comprising a plurality of Local Area Networks (LANs) (10-1 to 10-4) interconnected by a hub (12) including the same plurality of LAN adapters (16-1 to 16-4) respectively connected to the LANs and a packet switch (14) comprising at least a packet switch module interconnecting all LAN adapters wherein a packet transmitted by any adapter to the packet switch includes a header containing at least the address of the adapter to which the packet is forwarded. The system comprises a memory block at each crosspoint of the switch module including memory control means for determining from the header of the received data packet whether the packet is to be forwarded to the output port associated with the crosspoint and a data memory unit for storing at least the data packet into the data memory unit before sending it to the output port.

Abstract: Novel data structures, methods and apparatus for finding a full match between a search pattern and a pattern stored in a leaf of the search tree. A key is input, a hash function is performed on the key, a direct table (DT) is accessed, and a tree is walked through pattern search control blocks (PSCBs) until reaching a leaf. The search mechanism uses a set of data structures that can be located in a few registers and regular memory, and then used to build a Patricia tree structure that can be manipulated by a relatively simple hardware macro. Both keys and corresponding information needed for retrieval are stored in the Patricia tree structure. The hash function provides an n->n mapping of the bits of the key to the bits of the hash key. The data structure that is used to store the hash key and the related information in the tree is called a leaf. Each leaf corresponds to a single key that matches exactly with the input key. The leaf contains the key as well as additional information.

Abstract: A method and system for performing network address translations for a session in a network is disclosed. The network includes at least one local network domain, and the at least one local network domain includes at least one computer system. Each computer system has a local address and is associated with a global address. The session exchanges packets that travel between the computer system within the local network domain and another computer system which may be outside of the local network domain. Each packet includes source and destination information. The method and system include determining a direction of travel for each packet, inbound or outbound, by searching a global address table for a match of a key for each packet. The key is provided using a portion of the destination information. The global address table includes at least one entry. Each entry corresponds to the global address for a first corresponding computer system.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a microscopic transducer are described. The method and system include forming a plurality of adjoining sensor layers. The sensor layers include a first magnetically soft layer, a nonmagnetic layer on the first magnetically soft layer, and a second magnetically soft layer on the nonmagnetic layer. The method and system also include forming a sidewall over the second magnetically soft layer. The sidewall formation includes forming a base having a surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the sensor layers and depositing an electrically conductive material on the surface. The method and system also include removing a portion of the sensor layers not covered by the sidewall.

Abstract: Aspects for dynamically changing attributes in an embedded-SQL application are described. In these aspects, an option is provided within a standard SQL statement for specifying one or more attributes of at least a declared cursor. The standard SQL statement is then processed to include the specified one or more attributes in at least the declared cursor. The provision occurs with an ATTRIBUTES option and within a PREPARE SQL statement.

Abstract: A new scheme of Schottky FPGA (SFPGA) IC solution is proposed. The chip is organized by embedded analog, memory, and logic units with on chip apparatus and software means to partitioning, altering selected portions of hardware. The process means is based on the combined Schottky CMOS (SCMOS, U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,800) and Flash technology. The circuit means is based on SCMOS-DTL gate arrays. Software means is based on the C++ procedures with levels of LUT. The SFPGA device supports GHz low power ASIC mixed signal product applications with embedded analog, logic, and memory array units. Several multiplexing schemes are disclosed, which accommodate tasks to vary the Vt and transmission line transmission of selected transistor or IO nets, and therefore their analog and digital device properties. A voltage doubler and supply booster and a Digital-Analog-Digital-Translator (DADT) apparatus are also disclosed in accordance with the present invention.