Abstract: A restraint system for protecting occupants in a sleeping compartment of a vehicle having a bunk bed includes at least two flexible straps having one end attached to a selected one of the vehicle or the bunk, and a second end. Attached to the straps is at least one energy absorbent padding in a position relative to the bunk bed for providing restraint and secondary collision protection to a prone occupant. The straps extend from the vehicle over the bunk bed to the second ends. A releasable lock is attached to the second ends for connecting the second ends to the vehicle or bunk. When not in use, the restraint system is conveniently stored so as to provide minimal impact on cab space. A strap retraction means is attached to the vehicle and has the first ends of the straps attached thereto. The strap retraction means is operable to retract the straps when the releasable lock is unlatched whereby the straps collapse into a stored position.

Abstract: An index and materialized view selection wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation of indexes and materialized views which are beneficial given a specified workload for a given database and database server. Candidate materialized views and indexes are obtained, and a joint enumeration of the combined materialized views and indexes is performed to obtain a recommended configuration. The configuration includes both indexes and materialized views. Candidate materialized views are obtained by first determining subsets of tables are referenced in queries in the workload and then finding interesting table subsets. Next, interesting subsets are considered on a per query basis to determine which are syntactically relevant for a query. Materialized views which are likely to be used for the workload are then generated along with a set of merged materialized views.

Abstract: A method of providing an incentive in the form of increased allowable vehicle operating speed for meeting a minimum fuel economy goal. The operation of the vehicle is limited to speeds below the allowable vehicle operating speed. Signals indicative of vehicle fuel economy over a predetermined distance of vehicle travel are collected and stored. A determination is made as to whether the operator has met the minimum fuel economy based on the collected signals, such as percentage of operating time spent idling. The allowable vehicle operating speed is increased to an incentive speed when said operator has met the minimum fuel economy. The collected signals are replaced with newly collected signals after the vehicle has traveled the predetermined distance. The allowable vehicle operating speed is equal to the incentive speed during the interval in which the vehicle has not yet traveled the predetermined distance of vehicle travel.

Abstract: An improved brake line positioning arrangement for over-the-highway trucks and tractors is disclosed. The arrangement includes a unitary retainer having a spaced pair of flexible toothed straps and a central body interposed between and connected to the straps. The body includes a spaced pair of strap receiving slots, a pair of tooth engaging projections respectively projecting into the slots for strap retention engagement with the strap teeth. The straps surround and retentatively engage each of a spaced pair of brake service lines and thereby retentatively engage the lines. ABS conductors are also connected to the retainer.

Abstract: An essential statistics identification utility tool attempts to reduce or minimize the overhead associated with statistics by identifying from an initial set of statistics a set of essential statistics that provide a query optimizer with the ability to choose among query execution plans with minimized loss in accuracy as compared to using the initial set of statistics. The set of essential statistics is identified as a subset of the initial set of statistics that is equivalent to the initial set of statistics with respect to each query of a workload. The subset of statistics is equivalent to the initial set of statistics if an execution plan for each query using the subset of statistics is the same as an execution plan for that query using the initial set of statistics and/or if a cost estimate to execute each query against the database using the subset of statistics is within a predetermined amount of a cost estimate to execute that query against the database using the initial set of statistics.

Abstract: An index and materialized view selection wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation for a configuration of indexes, materialized views, and indexes on materialized views which are beneficial given a specified workload for a given database and database server. Candidate materialized views and indexes are obtained, and a joint enumeration of the combined materialized views and indexes is performed to obtain a recommended configuration. The configuration includes indexes, materialized views and indexes on materialized views. Candidate materialized views are obtained by first determining subsets of tables are referenced in queries in the workload and then finding interesting table subsets. Next, interesting subsets are considered on a per query basis to determine which are syntactically relevant for a query. Materialized views which are likely to be used for the workload are then generated along with a set of merged materialized views.

Abstract: A position sensing device including two spaced conductive coils constituting a primary and secondary winding of a transformer. A coupling member is mounted to a moveable object. This movement adjusts or alters the transformer coupling between the primary and the secondary and produces a variable output signal which can be correlated to the position of the moveable member. An electronic module is coupled to a programmable controller and adjusts an output from the linear position sensor to linearize the output with relative movement of first and second members such as components of a vehicle shock absorber.

Abstract: An index and materialized view selection wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation for a configuration of indexes, materialized views, and indexes on materialized views which are beneficial given a specified workload for a given database and database server. Candidate materialized views and indexes are obtained, and a joint enumeration of the combined materialized views and indexes is performed to obtain a recommended configuration. The configuration includes indexes, materialized views and indexes on materialized views. Candidate materialized views are obtained by first determining subsets of tables are referenced in queries in the workload and then finding interesting table subsets. Next, interesting subsets are considered on a per query basis to determine which are syntactically relevant for a query. Materialized views which are likely to be used for the workload are then generated along with a set of merged materialized views.

Abstract: A multielement resistor may be assembled into a matrix from a plurality of resistor elements (12) of a U shape construction. The elements (12) are suspended from their upper portions by connecting brackets (16) which are supported by a supporting frame (14). Connecting brackets are preferably of electrically conducting material and insulated from supporting frame (14). Power input/output brackets (18) are provided.

Abstract: A stacked rupture disk assembly of the present invention is adapted to be positioned between flanges in a vent pipe or pressure relief port of a pressure vessel. The stacked rupture disk assembly includes a first rupture disk assembly and a second rupture disk assembly mechanically affixed to the first rupture disk assembly. Each rupture disk assembly includes a graphite rupture disk defining an annular support portion surrounding an thinner rupture membrane adjacent and flush with a first end of the annular support portion. The annular support portion and the rupture membrane define a substantially planar outer surface of the rupture disk. The annular support includes a recessed region extending from an opening in a second end of the annular support to the rupture membrane. Optionally, the second rupture disk assembly includes a support member having spaced apart first and second ends and adapted to be inserted into the recessed region such that the first end abuts and supports the rupture membrane.

Abstract: A light fixture assembly having at least one arm that can be preassembled wherein the arm can be adjustably positioned to minimize packaging volume, and during installation, the arm can be adjustably positioned to lockingly engage a predetermined alignment position as specified by the manufacturer without any loss of structural integrity. The light fixture assembly includes a first plate having a central aperture and at least one peripheral opening, and a second plate removed from and fixedly positioned relative to the first plate. At least one arm is secured to the first plate wherein one end of the arm extends through the at least one peripheral opening. The second plate includes a central aperture and at least one independently flexible portion in contact with the arm end. A support rod extends through the central apertures of the first and second plates. The support rod is secured to the first plate.

Abstract: Using adaptive random sampling with cross-validation helps determine when enough data of a database has been sampled to construct histograms on one or more columns of one or more tables of the database within a desired or predetermined degree of accuracy. An adaptive random sampling histogram construction tool constructs an approximate equi-height k-histogram using an initial sample of data values from the database and iteratively updates the histogram using an additional sample of data values from the database until the histogram is within the desired degree of accuracy. The accuracy of the histogram is cross-validated against the additional sample at each iteration, and the additional sample is used to update the histogram to help improve its accuracy. The accuracy of the histogram may be measured by an error in distribution of the additional sample over the histogram as compared to a threshold error using a suitable error metric.

Abstract: A flat-panel liquid crystal display having unipolar drive circuitry. The display includes a flat sheet of bistable chiral nematic liquid crystal material activated by a drive circuit that individually controls the display state of multiple picture elements at a refresh rate 1000 scan lines per second. The driver circuitry activates the liquid crystal domains into homeotropic states over a relatively long activation period and then, during a short (˜1 msec.) selection period, either keeps the domains in a homeotropic state or initiate a transition to the transient twisted planar state. The drivers then activate the domains in an evolution phase to provide either focal conic or twisted planar end states across the two-dimensional array of picture elements. The drive circuitry includes a plurality of unipolar display drivers which generate substantially square wave, unipolar waveforms which are applied to row and column electro segments.

Abstract: An index tuning wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation identifying database indexes to use given a specified workload. A query optimizer is used to determine the expected usefulness of potential indexes for the specified workload by taking cost of queries in the workload into account. A cost based pruning of indexes is then performed to provide an intermediate set of proposed indexes. Indexes having most benefit based on storage constraints are then selected. The optimizer is then used again, and further pruning is done on a benefits basis. An index is not recommended unless it has a significant impact on the workload.

Abstract: A hand-held portable computer is disclosed. The computer includes a housing at least partially enclosing computer electronics, a visible display screen supported by the computer housing and a handle assembly connected to the computer housing. The handle assembly includes a handle support, a support retainer affixed to the housing at a location opposite the screen and a handle supported by the handle support. The support retainer adjustably connects the handle support to the computer housing. In the preferred embodiment, the handle support is rotatably adjustable with respect to the computer housing. The handle support includes an annular ring having a plurality of indentations on one surface and the support retainer includes a detent which engages a selected one of the indentations to secure the handle support in a desired rotational orientation.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment the invention provides a data mining system for use in finding clusters of data items in a database or any other data storage medium. Before the data evaluation begins a choice is made of the number M of models to be explored, and the number of clusters (K) of clusters within each of the M models. The clusters are used in categorizing the data in the database into K different clusters within each model. An initial set of estimates for a data distribution of each model to be explored is provided. Then a portion of the data in the database is read from a storage medium and brought into a rapid access memory buffer whose size is determined by the user or operating system depending on available memory resources. Data contained in the data buffer is used to update the original model data distributions in each of the K clusters over all M models.