Abstract: A circuit, method, and system for intelligently soft starting switching regulators are provided. The circuit, method, and system provide for a switching circuit operable to couple an input voltage to an output of the switching regulator in response to a control signal, a controller operable to generate the control signal to control the switching of the switching circuit based in part on a reference voltage, and a soft start circuit operable to provide the reference voltage to the controller responsive to the switching of the switching circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for executing a query on dynamic properties of a plurality of objects in a database are provided. In one implementation, the method includes obtaining a query; determining that a first portion of the query comprises a method for accessing a dynamic property of the plurality of objects; obtaining mapping data associated with the dynamic property of the plurality of objects, the mapping data mapping the dynamic property to a pre-determined location in the database; translating the first portion of the query in accordance with the mapping data such that the first portion of the query is executable against the pre-determined location in the database without creating instances of the plurality of objects; executing the query including executing the translated first portion of the query without creating instances of the plurality of objects; and displaying a result of the executed query to a user.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting multivalue attributes in a database system is disclosed. The method and system includes defining an index class by designating a plurality of attributes associated with the index class, wherein the plurality of attributes includes single value attributes and at least one multivalue attribute, generating an attribute value table for the index class for storing attribute values for the single value attributes, and generating a multiple value table for each of the at least one multivalue attributes for storing attribute values for the at least one multivalue attributes. By generating the multiple value table for the multivalue attribute, each row in the multiple value table corresponds to a single value of the multivalue attribute of the index class. Accordingly, an index scan can be performed to retrieve or update data corresponding to the associated multivalue attribute. Thus, data management becomes more efficient and less costly.

Abstract: A light guide panel is disclosed. The panel comprises a plate for dispersing light and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) coupled to the plate for providing the dispersed light. When the panel is coupled to a keyboard, the at least one LED is under a portion of the keyboard such that when the at least one LED is illuminated, the light from the LED does not distract a user. Accordingly, by strategically placing LEDs within the panel and providing the LEDs under appropriate portions of the keyboard, the device utilizing the keyboard can be smaller than when a conventional light guide panel is utilized. In addition, a further improvement in illumination is provided when a mechanism is provided which reflects light escaping from the edges of the panel back into the panel.

Abstract: A jumper including a connecting face, a light-emitting face, and a light pipe extending from the connecting face to the light-emitting face is provided. The light pipe is operable to transmit a light from a provided computer hardware from the connecting face to the light-emitting face responsive to the jumper forming a circuit with the provided computer hardware. A method for fabricating a jumper is also provided. The method includes forming a plurality of receptacles on a connecting face of the jumper and incorporating a light pipe into the jumper such that the light pipe extends from the connecting face of the jumper to a light-emitting face of the jumper. A method for providing jumper installation feedback is further provided. The method includes mounting a jumper on a provided computer hardware and transmitting a light through the jumper responsive to the jumper forming a circuit with the provided computer hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for equalizing a signal is provided. In one implementation, the method includes generating a partially equalized signal from an input signal based on a plurality of coefficients associated with a feed-forward equalizer (FFE); generating decoded bit values based on the partially equalized signal, the decoded bit values being an equalized output signal; measuring error in the partially equalized signal; and adjusting the coefficients associated with the feed-forward equalizer (FFE) based on the error measured in the partially equalized signal. Values of the coefficient are not used to adjust of the coefficients associated with the feed-forward equalizer (FFE).

Abstract: A method for providing a test environment for database server-side objects persistently stores a profile for a plurality of test runs for database server-side objects, where the profile comprises persistently stored test parameter values, pre-execution scripts, and/or post-execution scripts. Once the profile is created, it can be selected for subsequent test runs for one or more objects. A plurality of profiles for the objects may also be created. The method eliminates the need for a manual set up or destruction of the test environment for each test run, improving efficiency in the development of database server-side objects significantly.

Abstract: In an ordered semaphore management system a pending state allows threads not competing for a locked semaphore to bypass one or more threads waiting for the same locked semaphore. The number of pending levels determines the number of consecutive threads vying for the same locked semaphore which can be bypassed. When more than one level is provided the pending levels are prioritized in the queued order.

Abstract: An improved bezel release mechanism for a computer includes wedges, which move laterally over clips on the bezel and apply a downward force on clips when a button coupled to the wedges is pushed. The downward force releases the clips from features on the chassis, disengaging the bezel. In this manner, the bezel release mechanism is toolless and allow for the efficient removal and recoupling of the bezel. Since the bezel release mechanism resides within the chassis and requires the removal of a side door to access it, it also provides protection against accidental or malicious operation.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization-replication concurrency maintain a history table for a data table in a mirror, where the history table can include redundant version values that indicate a period in which data values corresponding to the version values are valid. Replication can thus be performed between a source and a mirror for a current version of the data table, while synchronization is simultaneously performed between the mirror and a client for an earlier version of the data table using the history table.

Abstract: A system and method of composing a query object for application against a database is provided. The method composes a selection clause for the query. Next, a criteria clause for the query is generated, with the criteria clause comprising input criteria related to the query, additional criteria specified against the query, and generated criteria based on a joint relationship. Next a source clause utilizing elements in the database accessed by the query is generated. A database traversal system and method is provided. The method identifies all tables directly accessible by each table and creates a data structure comprising an entry for each table. The entry comprises an identification field for each table and a link field identifying all tables directly accessible by each table. The data structure is traversed and an optimum path of the traversal paths utilizing data obtained from traversing the data structure is identified.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor package is proposed. A circuit board with a circuit layer on at least one surface thereof is provided. The circuit board has at least one free area, and the circuit layer has a plurality of electrically connecting pads distributed on the periphery of the free area. A metal protecting layer is plated on the electrically connecting pads by non-plating line. The free area is removed, to form a cavity penetrating the circuit board. The present invention prevents burrs which may otherwise form on the periphery of a cavity, to increase the yield and throughput.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing multimedia content, whereby the multimedia content comprises at least one file, comprising content data and associated security functions. The content data further comprises associated characteristics. The system comprises at least one server machine comprising storage for storing the file, at least one client machine comprising means for rendering the file and a network. Firstly, the client machine requests the file (e.g. a movie file). Next, the server machine determines whether it has the file stored in memory. If the file is present, the file's associated security functions (e.g. encryption etc.) are obtained and the file's content data is analyzed to obtain the associated characteristics (e.g. bit rate etc.). Finally, the associated security functions and the associated characteristics are combined into a data structure.

Abstract: An activity log is displayed in a dedicated area in a business to consumer e-commerce web site that tracks activities that occur during a current e-commerce account session. The activity log is updated automatically, without requiring user intervention. The activity log displays information such as the activity type, the activity name, and the time the activity was performed. The activity log may also provide an option for the user to view details about or to undo an individual activity. The activity log tracks activities that would conventionally be lost from view, such as the removal of items from a list and the changing of the password. In addition, the activity log automatically displays updates that are not conventionally available, such as greater granularity in the status of an asynchronous transaction.

Abstract: Aspects for easing the attachment of a peripheral cable to a personal computer (PC) include providing a connector with a symmetric shape that supports multiple orientations of cable attachment to a PC. An orientation of insertion is identified when the connector is attached to the PC, and signal lines from the connector are rearranged based on the identified orientation of the connector.

Abstract: Aspects for monitoring audible tones indicative of operational status of each planar in a multiple planar chassis are described. Included in the aspects is the monitoring of a speaker channel of each planar of a plurality of planars in a common chassis for state changes of beep tones. An operational status of a specific planar emitting the beep tones is identified based on the state changes.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing data on a first device with data at a second device, includes: determining a pre-image of the data on the first device according to a filter after a previous synchronization with the data at the second device; determining a current image of the data at the second device according to the filter; determining a delta of the current image, where the delta comprises data that exists in the current image and has changed since the previous synchronization; instructing the first device to delete data that exists in the pre-image but not in the current image; and instructing the first device to UPSERT a union of the data that exists in the delta and the data that exists in the current image but not the pre-image. This is efficient in time and bandwidth resources while also providing consistent data integrity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing digital circuits. In one implementation, a scan chain test structure is provided that includes a cell chain, a first scan chain, and a second scan chain. The first scan chain is operable to test digital circuitry within a first portion of the cell chain, and the second scan chain is operable to test digital circuitry within a second portion of the cell chain. The first scan chain is further operable to test digital circuitry within the second scan chain, and the second scan chain is further operable to test digital circuitry within the first scan chain.

Abstract: A method to generate an SQL sub-expression that implement access control rules stored in a library server. The SQL sub-expression is then merged with the SQL passed from an application program interface (API). The access control checking mechanism is implemented on the server side of the content management system. In this client/server environment, the query SQL statement is built in two layers: the API (client) layer and the server layer. The API sends the query string to the underlying stored procedure. The stored procedure then generates the access control logic based on the configuration parameters of the library server. This access control logic is dynamically added to the query string sent by the API. The stored procedure prepares, builds and executes this new query string as a dynamic SQL statement.

Abstract: A document feeder method is disclosed. The document feeder method includes providing at least one cantilevered roller shaft in the printer for advancing the document, and coupling a supported end of the at least one cantilevered roller shaft to a frame of the printer such that an unsupported end of the at least one cantilevered roller shaft floats. This decreases the cost of production by eliminating the need for additional frame hardware and/or more rigid frame hardware. The document feeder method can be implemented in existing designs.