Abstract: The present invention provides a control method for a storage device controller system provided with a first storage device controller that is connected to first and second storage devices storing data in the CKD format and the FBA format, respectively, and that has first and second communications control means that receive data input/output requests from a mainframe computer and an open system computer, respectively, and a second storage device that is connected to a third storage device storing data in the CKD format and that has third communications means connected to the second communications means, wherein the first storage device controller transmits a command to the second storage device controller if a data read request received from the open system computer is for data stored on the third storage device, and transmits the data that are read out from the third storage device by the second storage device controller to the open system computer.

Abstract: A system capable of supporting secure communication over a packet-based network is provided. The system includes a transmit terminal adapted to transmit information. A secure terminal relay is coupled to the transmit terminal and configured to receive the information. The information is then converted into baseband information. A communication gateway coupled to the secure terminal relay is configured to receive the baseband information from the secure terminal relay. The baseband information is then packetized for transmission over the packet-based network.

Abstract: A polishing pad for use with a polishing composition is disclosed. The polishing pad includes a layer having a first material, and polishing structures having a second material, where the plurality of polishing structures form a temporary reservoir region for the polishing composition. The second material is harder than the first material.

Abstract: A system for propelling a vehicle along an elevated, pneumatic power tube carried by exterior support structure above ground. First and second angles define tracks for the vehicle and extend parallel to the power tube. Undercarriages secured to the vehicle including vehicle support and guidance wheels which are rotatable about axes inclined relative to legs of the angle tracks have a periphery that engages the legs of the angle tracks so that the weight of the vehicle is supported by the tracks and the support structure only. A pneumatic propulsion unit is movably disposed inside the power tube and is guided along rails on the inside of the power tube. A magnetic coupler having first and second cooperating magnetic elements is attached to the vehicle and the propulsion unit in operative alignment with each other. A portion of the power tube located between the magnetic elements is constructed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material and extends over the length of the power tube.

Abstract: A method for ordering a plurality of presentation instruments in a single order includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a purchaser to order the plurality of presentation instruments. The method also includes sending one or more files that are executable by a computer of the purchaser to produce one or more corresponding display screens programmed to collect purchase information relating to the plurality of presentation instruments. The method further includes receiving at the host computer system the purchase information from the purchaser. The purchase information includes a recipient information file. The method also includes delivering the presentation instruments in accordance with the purchase information.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device. The method includes providing a substrate, e.g., silicon. The method also includes forming an oxide layer overlying the substrate; and forming a buffer layer overlying the oxide layer. A ferroelectric material is formed overlying the substrate and is formed preferably overlying the buffer layer. The method also includes forming a gate layer overlying the ferroelectric material, where the gate layer is overlying a channel region. The method further includes forming first source/drain region adjacent to a first side of the channel region and a second source/drain region adjacent to a second side of the channel region. In other embodiments, the method can also include other steps.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure on a substrate having a dielectric layer already formed thereon. In one embodiment the method includes depositing a first hard mask layer over the dielectric layer; depositing a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask layer; depositing a third hard mask layer on the second hard mask layer and completing formation of the dual damascene structure by etching a metal wiring pattern and a via pattern in the dielectric layer and filling the etched metal wiring pattern and via pattern with a conductive material. In one particular embodiment the second hard mask layer is an amorphous carbon layer and the third hard mask layer is a silicon-containing material.

Abstract: To improve luminance uniformity in a panel plane, for example, there is set an amplitude of a pixel driving voltage which is an anode current in the neighborhood of a threshold value of electron emission of one pixel and the amplitude is kept as a threshold value correction value for each pixel, and to correct the luminance variation in the high-luminance emission between the pixels, there is set an amplitude of a pixel driving voltage which is an anode current in the neighborhood of a maximum value of electron emission of one pixel and the amplitude is kept as a gain correction value for each pixel. In the configuration, when a video image is displayed, the input video signal is corrected using the threshold correction value and the gain correction value for each pixel.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for forming a storage node of a semiconductor device. The method includes the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of bit line patterns, each including a wire and a hard mask sequentially stacked on a surface of a substrate structure; (b) sequentially forming a first barrier layer and a first inter-layer insulation layer along a profile containing bit line patterns until filling spaces between the bit line patterns; (c) etching the first inter-layer insulation layer until a partial portion of the first inter-layer insulation layer remains on each space between the bit line patterns; (d) forming a second barrier layer on the first inter-layer insulation layer and the first barrier layer; and (e) etching the first and the second barrier layers and the remaining first inter-layer insulation layer to expose a surface of the substrate structure disposed between the bit line patterns.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing cards for further processing includes an envelope feed hopper configured to receive a plurality of envelopes, each having contents including a card carrier and one or more cards attached thereto. The systems also includes an envelope opener configured to receive envelopes from the hopper and create an opening into each envelope. The system further includes a contents parser configured to separate a card carrier and card attached thereto from an envelope. The system also includes a card carrier alignment device configured to unfold a card carrier and align the carrier for further processing and a separation mechanism configured to receive card carriers from the alignment device and separate the card from the carrier. The system also includes a controller programmed to control operation of the system.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a system and code for backing up information on a storage system, for example, a disk system, connected to a storage area network. The host or server system off loads the task of backing up its data to the storage system that stores the data. In an exemplary embodiment a server sends an E-copy command to a disk system. Next, the disk system finds an available back-up device, for examples a tape or DLT library, and then backs-up the information indicated in the E-copy command to the back-up device. A user interface is provided so that one or more path groups, comprising at least a target port and an initiator port, on a disk system may be designated.

Abstract: A clock network for an integrated circuits includes a first set of lines configured to distribute clock signals to a first section of the integrated circuit. The clock network also includes a second set of lines configured to distribute clock signals to a second section of the integrated circuit separately from the first section of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a funnel collector for use with a sample testing device. The funnel collector collects and holds a fluid sample in order to place the sample in immediate contact with a diagnostic test strip, which reacts with the sample in a known fashion.

Abstract: Transaction form systems and methods that include secure customer slips for use with traditional manual credit card imprinting techniques are provided. A transaction form system can include a cardholder slip, an accepter slip, and a duplication arrangement. The duplication arrangement can be configured to produce a complete image of a presentation instrument identifier onto the accepter slip and to produce a partial image of the presentation instrument identifier onto the cardholder slip.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, each of which is configured to be played for a user under the user's control. At least one of the first set of programs has a counterpart in the second set of programs. A notification signal is transmitted to distinguish at least one of the second set of programs on the server from programs not on the server.

Abstract: A laser driver drives a laser diode by producing a write strategy, that is, a recording waveform from a recording clock and a modulated signal. In one embodiment, a laser driver produces the waveform of a driving signal, which is used to drive a laser diode, using a record data signal that represents record data to be recorded on a recording medium. The laser driver comprises an internal clock production circuit that produces an internal clock synchronous with the record data signal, and a strobe circuit that strobes the record data signal according to the internal clock.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for delivering interventional devices to a target location with a body. Such interventional devices particularly include fixation devices or any devices which approximate tissue, such as valve leaflets. The delivery devices and systems direct the interventional device to the target location through a minimally invasive approach, such as through the patient's vasculature, and provide for manipulation of the interventional device at the target location, such as to approximate tissue. Optionally, the delivery devices and systems may provide for decoupling of the interventional device, allowing the interventional device to be left behind as an implant.

Abstract: An oil-filled transformer monitoring system is provided which calculates an oil temperature of an oil-filled transformer with high precision from a current of the transformer and an ambient temperature. The oil-filled transformer monitoring system of this invention has an oil temperature calculation device to calculate a transformer oil temperature using measurements from a transformer current measuring device and an ambient temperature measuring device. The transformer monitoring system also has an oil temperature measuring device and compares an output value from the oil temperature calculation device with an output value from the oil temperature measuring device to detect any anomaly.

Abstract: A gene encoding DNA which is selected from a) or b): a) DNA having a nucleotide sequence from the 190th position to the 807th position of a nucleotide sequence represented in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing; or b) DNA which hybridizes to DNA of a) under stringent conditions, and encodes a transcription factor capable of altering characters of a plant.