Patents Assigned to International Business Machines Corporation
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Publication number: 20040233477Abstract: A method is disclosed for halftoning images either via a direct method or a threshold array construction. The method includes comparing a pattern to an image and calculating a first potential in order to determine a first set of pixels to move; calculating a second potential in order to determine a second set of pixels in which to move the first set of pixels; and then moving pixels in the first set of pixels having high first potentials to pixel locations in the second set of pixels having low second potentials. The method may further include an inner program loop that decreases the number of pixels to move in the first and second sets and iteratively repeats the above steps; and an outer program loop that resets the number of pixels moved in the first and second sets and iteratively repeating the process to further optimize the pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mikel J. Stanich, Gerhard R. Thompson, Chai Wah Wu
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Publication number: 20040236985Abstract: A self healing system in a RAID array to reduce the risk of loss of data on a disk drive caused by grown media defects on the disk drive. The grown media defects include radial and spiral scratches on the disk drive. When a first defect on a disk drive of the RAID array is located, the self healing system inspects adjacent areas around the first defect on the disk drive in order to immediately locate any additional defects which exist in adjacent areas around the first defect on the disk drive. The self healing system reconstructs the data associated with the first defect using parity, and then reconstructs the data associated with any additional defects using parity. This can be accomplished in the background to allow the host unimpeded access to customer data. As a result, the self healing system can eliminate a potential single point of failure when data is subsequently read from the RAID array.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William John Durica, M. Amine Hajji
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Publication number: 20040235284Abstract: A method (and resultant structure) of forming a semiconductor device, includes forming a metal-back-gate over a substrate and a metal back-gate, forming a passivation layer on the metal back-gate to prevent the metal back-gate from reacting with radical species, and providing an intermediate gluing layer between the substrate and the metal back-gate to enhance adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin K. Chan, Lijuan Huang, Fenton R. McFeely, Paul M. Solomon, Hon-Sum Philip Wong
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Publication number: 20040237002Abstract: A method (300) for detecting excessive use of a data processing system, such as a computer or a video game, is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the invention, the method estimates (315 340, 365) the length of a period of continuous use of the system, typically a computer. When the estimated period reaches a pre-set threshold value, a warning is provided to the user (325,345), in order to discourage he or she from looking at the monitor. In a different embodiment of the invention, the system (typically a video game) is disabled when its usage during the current day reaches a further pre-set threshold value. In this way, parents may limit the daily usage of video games by their children.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Valentina Sessa, Pia Toro
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Publication number: 20040231128Abstract: A tool for reattaching a leader pin assembly to the data tape of a data tape cartridge utilizes a base that snaps onto the cartridge body. The tool opens the door of the cartridge and the loose leader tape inside the cartridge is laid in an alignment channel. A leader pin is inserted into a set of receptacles over the tape, and a clip is inserted into a pocket within an arm on the tool. The tape is then folded and pulled down over the leader pin and held in the alignment channel with a finger of the user. The arm of the tool, which retains the clip, is then pivoted from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clip snaps over a center section of the leader pin and the folded tape to form a leader pin assembly, thereby securing the tape in the leader pin assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Richard A. West
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Publication number: 20040236952Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for warning of a presence of a person in a zone having an inadequate security clearance. Movement of the person in the zone is detected. A message is broadcast to selected data processing systems associated with the zone, wherein the data processing systems initiate actions to protect data in the selected data processing systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Janice Marie Girouard, Mark Joseph Hamzy, Emily Jane Ratliff
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Publication number: 20040236624Abstract: A method and apparatus for linking an application service provider to a chipholder during a post issuance operation involving the chipholder. The method and apparatus is implemented by a set of extensible markup language structures for transmitting promotional content and application content information to a chipholder in a smart card system. The smart card system comprises a chip management system (CMS), a distribution server, a security server, an application provider (AP), and a computer system connected by a network. Extensible markup language (SML) is used for post issuance data transactions. Specific XML structures are used to transmit application promotional data (APD) and application content data (ACD) to a CMS for packaging to chipholder during post issuance transactions. The APD and ACD are prepared by the application provider and stored in a marketing file.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Vincenzo Valentino Di Luoffo, Craig William Fellenstein
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Publication number: 20040236924Abstract: A dynamic block transfer size adjustment mechanism independently defines block transfer size for each memory portion, which may include files in a file system, virtual storage segments in a memory system, or extents in physical storage. By specifying block transfer size for a memory portion independently from other memory portions, the performance of the computer system may be enhanced. In addition, the block transfer size of one or more memory portions may be dynamically adjusted according to how the memory portion is used. In an alternative embodiment, the block transfer size may also be specified for each process that accesses a portion of memory. Thus, a single file may be accessed with a first block transfer size by a first process, and may be accessed with a second (different) block transfer size by a second process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David LeRoy Johnson, Michael Lawrence Nordstrom, Joan Marie Ries
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Publication number: 20040236727Abstract: A method, a query optimizer, and computer program product are provided for implementing live switchover to a temporary sparse index for faster query performance. A first plan using an existing index is used for processing a query. A temporary sparse index is built for the query simultaneously with the first plan processing the query. When the temporary sparse index is built, processing the query with the first plan is stopped and a live switchover to the temporary sparse index is provided. Then a second plan using the temporary sparse index is used to continue processing the query at a point where processing stopped with the first plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Paul Reuben Day, Brian Robert Muras
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Publication number: 20040236852Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for on-demand access to computerized resources. A resource-time value includes a resource-identifying component and a usage limit component. The resource-identifying component specifies a given type of a resource and the usage limit component defines a maximum allowable usage value of the resource on the basis of time and quantity. Upon verifying the resource-time value, a quantity of the resource is enabled. The enabled resources may then be placed into service for specified time periods, wherein the quantity of resources placed into service and the time periods are delimited by the usage limit component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Charles Birkestrand, Randall Lane Grimm, David Otto Lewis, Terry Lyle Schardt
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Publication number: 20040236963Abstract: A method of progressive response for invoking and suspending blocking measures that defend against network anomalies such as malicious network traffic so that false positives and false negatives are minimized. When an anomaly is detected, the detector notifies protective equipment such as a firewall or a router to invoke a blocking measure. The blocking measure is maintained for an initial duration, after which it is suspended while another test for the anomaly is made. If the anomaly is no longer evident, the method returns to the state of readiness. Otherwise, a loop is executed to re-applying the blocking measure for a specified duration, then suspend the blocking measure and test again for the anomaly. If the anomaly is detected, the blocking measure is re-applied, and its duration is adapted. If the anomaly is no longer detected, the method returns to the state of readiness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert William Danford, Kenneth M. Farmer, Clark Debs Jeffries, Robert B. Sisk, Michael A. Walter
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Publication number: 20040237077Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing a business systems management solution for end-to-end event management. The present invention realizes a number of business systems management functionalities, including defining event databases and means for event monitoring and correlating a customer's business functions by using an enterprise view focused on a system of applications, operating systems, connections, and physical components. Together these components make up a business system as defined by the customer. As such, a business system can cross technology platforms, physical space, and comprise multiple applications, or a business system could be limited to a single platform, location, and application.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David William Cole, Otto Vaughn Kitchens, Robert Nawratil, Tedrick Neal Northway, Paul David Peterson, Chris Edward Terry
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Publication number: 20040233638Abstract: In a microelectronic chip package for which grounding and thermal dissipation is desired, a cover is provided having an opening which is aligned with a contact on the substrate connected to ground potential. The cover is connected to the electronic device and the ground contact. This invention provides for a method and electronic package to overcome the difficulties encountered when attempting to simultaneously attach a cover to two different surfaces with two different adhesives.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: David Danovitch, Eric Duchesne
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Publication number: 20040236720Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for finding the longest prefix match in a variable length prefix search when searching a direct table within a routing table structure of a network processor. The search through the routing table structure is expedited by hashing a first segment of an internet protocol address with a virtual private network number followed by concatenating the unhashed bits of the IP address to the result of the hash operation to form an input key. Patterns are compared a bit at a time until an exact match or the best match is found. The search is conducted in a search tree that provides that the matching results will be the best possible match.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Claude Basso, Jean L. Calvignac, Gordon T. Davis, Piyush C. Patel
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Publication number: 20040236858Abstract: A system and method for creating financial markets research reports. An architecture is provided for managing and processing research data, comprising: an XML ingestion engine for receiving XML source files, wherein the ingestion engine breaks each source file into a set of XML elements, wherein each XML element includes a data item and metadata that describes the data item, and wherein each XML element includes a link to a document type definition (DTD); an information management system for storing each XML element in a predefined schema, wherein each XML element is searchable via a search engine; a template manager for managing a set of document templates that are used to create research documents; and a workflow system that manages a workflow amongst a set of users creating a research document.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Philip L. Schwartz
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Publication number: 20040233790Abstract: An information handling apparatus comprises a scrolling wheel; a platform comprising at least one pivot well; a pivot pin attaching the rolling wheel to the platform and allowing rolling movement of the wheel in clockwise and counterclockwise directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Chandrasekhar Narayanaswami
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Publication number: 20040236891Abstract: A method and system for providing a multiprocessor processor book that is utilized as a building block for a large scale data processing system. Two 4-way multi-chip modules (MCM) are utilized to create the processor book. The first and second MCMs are configured with normal wiring among their respective processors. An additional wiring is provided that links external buses of each chip of the first MCM with buses of a corresponding chip of the second MCM and vice versa. The additional wiring enables each processor of the first MCM substantially direct access to the distributed memory components of the next MCM with no affinity. The processor book is plugged into a processor rack configured to receive multiple processor books that together make up the large scale data processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ravi Kumar Arimilli, Vicente Enrique Chung, Jody Bern Joyner, Jerry Don Lewis
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Publication number: 20040236928Abstract: A system and method for improved branch performance in pipelined computer architectures is presented. Priority bits are set during code execution that corresponds to an upcoming branch instruction. A priority bit may be associated with a register, a resource, or a microsequencer. An instruction selector compares one or more priority bits with each of a plurality of instructions in order to identify particular instructions to execute that make registers and resources available for an upcoming branch instruction. The instruction selector then prioritizes the identified instructions and the pipeline executes in instructions in the prioritized order.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Julianne Frances Haugh
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Publication number: 20040236846Abstract: The present system and associated method resolve the problem of providing statistical performance guarantees for applications generating streams of read/write accesses (I/Os) on a shared, potentially distributed storage system of finite resources, by initiating throttling whenever an I/O stream is receiving insufficient resources. The severity of throttling is determined in a dynamic, adaptive way at the storage subsystem level. Global, real-time knowledge about I/O streams is used to apply controls to guarantee quality of service to all I/O streams, providing dynamic control rather than reservation of bandwidth or other resources when an I/O stream is created that will always be applied to that I/O stream. The present system throttles at control points to distribute resources that are not co-located with the control point.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, New YorkInventors: Guillermo Alejandro Alvarez, David Darden Chambliss, Divyesh Jadav, Tzongyu Paul Lee, Ramachandran Gopalakrishna Menon, Prashant Pandey, Jian Xu
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Publication number: 20040236684Abstract: A mechanism is presented for processing conditional payment requests in an electronic financial transaction system. In particular, the mechanism provides for the handling of concurrent conditional payment events. The status of a payment condition may be categorized into three categories, and a priority assigned relative to the category. In this way, concurrent events may be prioritized according to their respective categories. Events may then be executed in order of assigned priority.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Shunguo Yan
