Abstract: A computer method and apparatus defining Business Classes for modeling business activities comprising the steps of representing business activities as the interaction between one or more Business Classes, and entering into a computer and storing in an electronic format the Business Classes and the relationships existing between the Business Classes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to attenuating phase shift mask blanks for use in lithography, a method of fabricating such a mask blank.

Abstract: A method for initiating a data storage facility recovery process in a data processing system having a first peer data storage facility and a second peer data storage facility communicating with the first peer data storage facility by a communication link. The method of initiating a recovery process is invoked by one peer data storage facility upon another peer data storage facility operating under a peer to peer remote copy (PPRC) protocol. Data copied from a first peer data storage facility to a second peer data storage facility is monitored for errors. Upon detection of an error by one peer data storage facility, recovery and data collection operations are initiated on the other peer data storage facility. Preferably, the initiation of recovery and data collection operations occurs out of band, over a second communication link between the peer data storage facilities.

Abstract: Power management using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is disclosed. A device is equipped or connected with a low power detector that can detect the proximity of an RFID tag worn by a user of the device. The RFID tag preferably obtains energy from the detector and transmits a signal back to the detector telling the detector that the tag is in the vicinity. If the tag is too far away from the detector, the RFID tag is unable to respond as a result the detector will notice the absence of the tag. If the device detects the user is near the device, then the device manages power differently than when the user is not near the device.

Abstract: An automated data storage library accesses data storage media from storage shelves in response to commands from an external host. The library receives and activates a firmware update in a processor node and determines whether a library door has been opened and/or closed during the code activation. Only if a library door has been opened and/or closed will an inventory of the storage media be performed.

Abstract: The present invention differentiates between systematic and non-systematic conditions by observing a figure of merit over a series of many observation events. In a data storage recording environment, the particular figure of merit used is the number of data segments that must be re-written (due to errors) to a recording medium in order to assure that an entire data set is correctly written. A larger number of re-written segments is indicative of a significant error condition. After each data set is completely and correctly written, the number of re-written segments for the data set is reported as an “event.” A running history of the classified events (or the events themselves) is maintained. Then, at a predetermined time, the history is analyzed and a decision made as to whether any observed events meets predetermined criteria for a systematic condition.

Abstract: A system is provided for accessing data in a database by automatically configuring database tables from within an application program. The system comprises a database, an application program and a table definition module. The database comprises one or more tables, each having one or more data columns. The application program comprises means for requesting access to a database table and means for executing an attempt to access the database table. The table definition module comprises means for intercepting an error message if the attempt to access the database table fails and means for attempting to correct a database table defect in response to the error message. The application program further comprises means for re-executing the attempt to access the database table following correction of the database table defect. Defects corrected by the table definition module may include an absent column, an absent table, and an undefined table.

Abstract: A method and arrangements for increased precision in the computation of a reciprocal square root is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to achieve fifty three (53) bits of precision in less processing time than previously possible.

Abstract: A conductor with improved magnetic field per current ratio is disclosed. The conductor includes a magnetic liner lining a second surface and sides thereof. The magnetic liner is preferably a super-paramagnet with high susceptibility or a ferromagnet with a microstructure where the size of the non-exchanged coupled micro domains is so small that their energy content is close to or small compared to kT that such films have super-paramagnetic properties and essentially behave like a paramagnet with high susceptibility.

Abstract: In automatic pattern recognition, in the context of patterns being observed either in the same or a new environment, e.g. a new acoustic channel, as compared to the one seen during the previous enrollment, an improvement wherein degradation of the system recognition accuracy caused by environment/channel mismatches is averted.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing a phase-locked loop (PLL) are provided. A fixed-level reference clock signal and a test feedback clock signal are applied to a phase-frequency detector (PFD) of the PLL to measure a minimum output frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) of the PLL. A test reference clock signal and a fixed-level feedback clock signal are applied to the PFD to measure a maximum output frequency of the VCO. The lock and capture range of the PLL is determined based on the maximum and minimum frequencies of the VCO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of search fusion methods for querying multimedia databases and more specifically to a method and system for constructing a multi-modal query of a multimedia repository by forming multiple uni-modal searches and explicitly selecting fusion methods for combining their results. The present invention also relates to the integration of search methods for content-based retrieval, model-based retrieval, text-based retrieval, and metadata search, and the use of graphical user interfaces allowing the user to form queries fusing these search methods.

Abstract: A method of accessing information relating to various commerce assets such as products or services offered at virtual stores participating in a virtual marketplace is disclosed. The commerce assets in each store are related by storepath relationships correlating asset types among related stores. The method uses the storepath relationships to retrieve information about commerce asset types available from a store.

Abstract: An improved storage controller and method for storing and recovering data are disclosed. The storage controller includes a first cluster for directing data from a host computer to a storage device and a second cluster for directing data from a host computer to a storage device. A first cache memory is connected to the first cluster and a second cache memory is connected to the second cluster. A first preserved area of memory is connected to the first cluster and a second preserved area of memory is connected to the second cluster. Data is directed to the first cache and backed up to the second preserved area in a normal operating mode. Similarly, data is directed to the second cache and backed up to the first preserved area in the normal operating mode. In the event of a power failure or comparable event, data from the first and second preserved areas are transferred to, and stored on, a first storage device.

Abstract: Several local clock buffers are disclosed, each including an input section and an output section. The input sections are substantially identical, and include control logic and gating logic. The control logic produces a gating signal dependent upon multiple control signals and a time-delayed global clock signal. The gating logic produces an intermediate clock signal dependent upon the global clock signal and the gating signal. The output section produces at least one local clock signal dependent upon the intermediate clock signal. In one embodiment, the output section produces a first local clock signal dependent upon the intermediate clock signal and a second local clock signal dependent upon the first local clock signal. In another embodiment, the gating logic produces the intermediate clock signal dependent upon the global clock and gating signals and a feedback signal. The output section produces the feedback signal and one or more local clock signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for a storage controller to manage the allocation of emulated storage devices to physical storage segments. The space within the emulated devices is identified by a logical address. The storage controller is in communication with at least one host device and at least one physical storage device. A plurality of tables, each having entry spaces to store segment identification or segment table and entry identification, is established in the storage controller. The tables define a tree structure by which a segment to be accessed is identified by mapping a logical address through the tables to a segment identification. The number of tables, the number of pages in each table, and the number of entries in each page are selected to optimize the amount of space in the storage controller required by the tables and to ensure that the segments may be allocated in any proportion among the emulated storage devices, including all of the segments being allocated to a single emulated device.

Abstract: A method and a computer usable medium including a program for operating disks having units, comprising: providing a first tier of at least one disk, the first tier storing at least one popular unit, providing a second tier of at least one disk, the second tier storing at least one unpopular unit, powering on at least one first tier disk, powering down the second tier, determining whether a request for a unit requires processing on the first tier or second tier, accessing the requested unit if the requested unit requires processing on the first tier, and powering on a second tier disk to copy the requested unit from the second tier disk to a first tier disk, if the requested unit is stored on the second tier.

Abstract: A data storage manager is provided attached to a data processing network having at least one host device and at least one storage volume. System resources are allocated among a plurality of storage tiers, each tier having at least one partition. At least one host device and at least one storage volume are associated with each partition and at least one application is associated with each partition of the lowest level storage tier. The storage manager also includes a user profile table which identifies various users along with a log-on code, at least authorized one IP address range and at least one authorized command. The storage manager also includes a verification system responsive to a received log-on code and requested operation to restrict the user to authorized IP address range(s) and authorized commands.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the controlled dynamic braking of a DC motor in a tape transport device are provided. A PWM state device includes a plurality of state transition paths, each path having an initial state, representative of a tape profile, including a predetermined range of tape velocities, relative amounts of tape on each reel and an initial tape tension, and at least one subsequent state. When a low power event is detected, one of the state transition paths is selected, based upon a current tape profile, and an associated PWM signal is transmitted to the motor. An energy storage device provides power to the PWM state device during the low power event. The PWM signals follow the selected transition path to modulate the current generated by the motion of the motor and thereby create a decelerating force while substantially maintaining the initial tape tension.

Abstract: A Drop Down Menu Program having an Item Selection Program, a Sorting Program, and a Recall Program. The Item Selection Program eliminates the need for the user to hold down the shift key or the control key while making multiple selections. Instead, the user may activate a menu item to highlight it, and activate the menu item again to remove the highlight. The user may also open and close the drop down menu. The Sorting Program organizes the menu items in order of frequency of use. The Sorting Program also provides ascending and descending sort buttons that allow the user to sort the menu items in ascending or descending alphabetical, numeric, or chronological order. The Recall Program creates a recall list of selected menu items when the user activates a recall button. The recall list can be displayed and removed independent of opening and closing actions of the drop down menu.