Abstract: A mapping scheme is disclosed so that data can be communicated between a relational database and a system that represents data in a manner different than the relational database. In one embodiment, the mapping scheme uses a mapping catalog that identifies attributes, columns and tables in the relational database that store data for the attributes, and relations between tables in order to determine how to access the attributes.

Abstract: An improved attribute determination process allows the sharpness of a surface attribute function to be adjusted on a per-object, per-surface, per-texture, per-function, or other appropriate basis. A computer-based animator then can selectively adjust the sharpness or other attribute(s) of portions of a to-be-rendered image without significantly increasing the rendering time. For a selected texture, corresponding sampling regions will be shifted about the respective surface points projected in texture space. A multi-dimensional set of sub-regions can be generated for the shifted sampling region. Bounding boxes can be determined for each sub-region, the boxes occupying less area, such as in texture space, than a single bounding box for the original sampling region. The bounding boxes can be used for local attribute determinations (such as texture lookups) for each sub-region, with the local attributes being processed to determine an attribute for the respective surface point.

Abstract: Circuits, apparatus, and methods for avoiding deadlock conditions in a bus fabric. One exemplary embodiment provides an address decoder for determining whether a received posted request is a peer-to-peer request. If it is, the posted request is sent as a non-posted request. A limit on the number of pending non-posted requests is maintained and not exceed, such that deadlock is avoided. Another exemplary embodiment provides an arbiter that tracks a number of pending posted requests. When the number pending posted requests reaches a predetermined or programmable level, a Block Peer-to-Peer signal is sent to the arbiter's clients, again avoiding deadlock.

Abstract: A method of optimizing clock-gated circuitry in an integrated circuit (IC) design is provided. A plurality of signals which feed into enable inputs of a plurality of clock gates is determined, where the clock gates gate a plurality of sequential elements in the IC design. Combinational logic which is shared among the plurality of signals is identified. The clock-gated circuitry is transformed into multiple levels of clock-gating circuitry based on the shared combinational logic.

Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.

Abstract: Biogas is converted to a liquid fuel by passing the biogas through a liquid reaction medium that contains a petroleum fraction in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, and doing so at an elevated but non-boiling temperature.

Abstract: A rapid, simple and versatile metal organic framework molecule (MOF) synthesis method particularly adapted to make non-linear MOFs includes heating MOF precursors, such as a metal or metal oxide and an organic ligand, in a microwave oven for a period sufficient to achieve crystallization. Microwave-assisted MOF synthesis yields high quality MOF crystals in a reaction time ranging from about 5 seconds to about 2.5 minutes, compared to hours and days required in conventional solvothermal and hydrothermal methods. In addition, microwave assisted methods provide MOF materials with uniform crystal size and well-defined shape. Further, microwave synthesis of MOFs allows the size and shape of MOF crystals to be tailored for use in a wide range applications by manipulating reaction conditions. Secondary growth processes may also be employed to grow larger crystals using seeds obtained from microwave-assisted synthesis methods.

Abstract: A piezoelectric layer held between a first electrode on a substrate side and a second electrode formed on a surface of the piezoelectric layer facing away from the first electrode is formed of a ferroelectric material with a perovskite crystal structure, and the ratio of the surface roughness of the piezoelectric layer to the surface roughness of the first electrode falls within the range of 0.58 to 1.60.

Abstract: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed. The communication system may include a gateway in communication with two satellites. The satellites are configured to receive polarized signals from a first plurality of users and orthogonally polarized signals from a second plurality of users. Each satellite may transmit the polarized signals and the orthogonally polarized signals to the gateway. The first satellite may also receive first feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the first feeder signals to the first plurality of users and the second satellite may also receive second feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the second feeder signals to the second plurality of users.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling or disabling clocks to one or more portions of hardware circuitry, for example a display sub-system of a personal computer. A processor generates a command or data to a first circuit configured to perform a function based at least on the command or data. A clock generator selectively supplies clocks to the first circuit and a second circuit configured to perform a second function. A software interface circuit coupled to the processor and the clock generator autonomously determines based at least on the command or data whether the second circuit will perform the second function or be idle in an upcoming period and disables one or more of the clocks to the second circuit if the second circuit will be idle in the upcoming period.

Abstract: In a method of forming micro patterns of a semiconductor device, first etch mask patterns are formed over a semiconductor substrate. An auxiliary film is formed over the semiconductor substrate including a surface of the first etch mask patterns. Second etch mask patterns are formed between the auxiliary films formed on sidewalls of the first etch mask patterns. The first etch mask patterns and the second etch mask patterns are formed using the same material. The auxiliary films between the first and second etch mask patterns are removed. Accordingly, more micro patterns can be formed than allowed by the resolution limit of an exposure apparatus while preventing misalignment.

Abstract: An arbiter decides to grant access from multiple clients to a shared resource (e.g. memory) using efficiency and/or urgency terms. Urgency for a client may be determined based on an “in-band” request identifier transmitted from the client to the resource along with the request, and an “out-of-band” request identifier that is buffered by the client. A difference between the out-of-band request identifier and the in-band request identifier indicates the location of the request in the client buffer. A small difference indicates that the request is near the end of the buffer (high urgency), and a large difference indicates that the request is far back in the buffer (low urgency). Efficiency terms include metrics on resource overhead, such as time needed to switch between reading/writing data from/to memory via a shared memory bus, or bank management overhead such as time for switching between DRAM banks.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric adenoviral vectors and methods for using the vectors to elicit an immune response to an antigen of interest.

Abstract: A method of presenting an image of a receipt to a consumer includes electronically capturing a receipt and storing the receipt at a host computer system. The method further includes receiving a request at the host computer system from a computer of the consumer to display the image of the receipt and transmitting an electronic file comprising the image of the receipt for display at the customer computer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for novel error detection and retransmission processes are described. These processes may be implemented on intermediate communication links between two end terminals, wherein the intermediate links are via satellite. Error control mechanisms to detect and retransmit lost or corrupted frames may be implemented at the network layer, or between the network and data link layers. Processes for discovering error control protocol-aware terminals are described. Features of these error control processes may include a configurable delay limit, tailored to traffic type or class.

Abstract: A method of storing data including the steps of providing a first index of first location identifiers, a second index of second location identifiers and a dictionary data base of data items, wherein the first location identifiers are adapted to identify the location of second location identifiers in the second index and the second location identifiers are adapted to identify the location of data items in the dictionary data base, receiving data and separating the data into a plurality of data items and storing the data items in a main data base, whereby at least one of the data items is stored in the main data base as at least one first location identifier, which identifies at least one second location identifier, which identifies the or each data item in the dictionary data base.

Abstract: A method (and system) for clustering a plurality of items. Each of the items includes information. The method includes inputting a plurality of items. Each of the items includes information. The items are provided into a clustering process. The method also inputs an initial organization structure into the clustering process. The initial organization structure includes one or more categories, at least one of the categories being associated with one of the items. The method processes the plurality of items based upon at least the initial organization structure and the information in each of the items; and determines a resulting organization structure based upon the processing. The resulting organization structure relates to the initial organization structure.

Abstract: A chip module is disclosed. It includes a circuit substrate, a semiconductor die comprising a power transistor mounted on the circuit substrate, and a passive electronic component. The passive electronic component is in electrical communication with the semiconductor die, and is in thermal communication with the semiconductor die.

Abstract: This invention is a new and distinct grapevine variety denominated ‘IFG 68-175’. ‘IFG 68-175’ is characterized by producing large bright red, crisp, uniform berries with high sugar content borne on medium size clusters. The fruit ripen and are commercially harvestable from late August to mid-September. Berries color fully even under adverse conditions and do not darken excessively throughout the harvestable period.