Abstract: An RFID Probe comprises a pole with a plurality of sensors that indicate RF signal strength attached at regular intervals and marked to indicate distance from an end of the pole. A user employs the RFID Probe by placing the probe between densely packed materials, such as cases on a pallet, and exposing the RFID Probe and packaging to a signal from a RIFD transceiver. After exposing the RFID Probe to the RFID transceiver signal, the user removes the RFID Probe from the packed materials and observes the sensors on the probe. By noting the location on the probe of the sensors indicating low or no RF signal, the user can identify locations where RF signal strength is insufficient to activate an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method for maintaining confidentiality of personal information during E-commerce transactions. The method includes: (1) compiling a profile of personal information within a depository for at least the buying party to an E-commerce transaction; (2) providing the buying party with a unique identifier linked to his profile for use during subsequent E-commerce transactions; and (3) in response to the buying party providing the identifier to a merchant, completing the E-commerce transaction at the depository without providing any of the buyer's personal information to the merchant.

Abstract: To offer a user an analysis service that identifies problems, in a program that includes a part that can be customized, an application reception processing section receives an analysis application for a program from a user via a network, a quick evaluation executing section automatically executes a quick evaluation that performs evaluation regarding typical causes of performance deterioration of a program with respect to the received analysis application, a quick evaluation report transmitting section transmits to the user a quick evaluation report that is a report of the executed quick evaluation, and a consulting results report transmitting section transmits to the user a consulting results report that includes results of detailed analysis by an analyst with respect to the analysis application received by the application reception processing section.

Abstract: A method for managing a data storage system, consisting of configuring a first cache to retrieve data from and store data at a first range of logical addresses (LAs) in a storage device. A second cache is configured to operate like the first cache. The method further includes configuring one or more third caches to retrieve data from and store data at a second range of LAs in the storage device. The method includes detecting an inability of the second cache to retrieve data from or store data at the first range of LAs. In response to the inability, at least one of the first cache and the one or more third caches are reconfigured to retrieve data from and store at the first range of LAs while continuing to retrieve data from and store at the second range of LAs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for single-stepping coherence events in a multiprocessor system under software control in order to monitor the behavior of a memory coherence mechanism. Single-stepping coherence events in a multiprocessor system is made possible by adding one or more step registers. By accessing these step registers, one or more coherence requests are processed by the multiprocessor system. The step registers determine if the snoop unit will operate by proceeding in a normal execution mode, or operate in a single-step mode.

Abstract: A database system and method for ordering marketing events for offering to a candidate. The database system comprises a database manager software application, a first database structure storing a first list identifying marketing events, and a second database structure storing a second list of candidates. The database manager software application is stored on a computer readable medium. The database manager software application comprises an optimization tool. Each marketing event from the first list comprises a marketing offer and an identified channel means for communicating the marketing offer. The optimization tool is for optimizing and sorting, the marketing events from the first list for a first candidate from said second list.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buffered crossbar switch which provides a step of changing the size and/or number of queuing buffer entries to ensure optimum buffer memory usage independent of the size of data packets processed.

Abstract: An external current injection source is provided to individual fingers of a multi-finger semiconductor device to provide the same trigger voltage across the multiple fingers. For example, the external injection current is supplied to the body of a MOSFET or the gate of a thyristor. The magnitude of the supplied current from each external current injection source is adjusted so that each finger has the same trigger voltage. The external current supply circuit may comprise diodes or an RC triggered MOSFET. The components of the external current supply circuit may be tuned to achieve a desired predetermined trigger voltage across all fingers of the multi-finger semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of tracking transports in a production process including processing a first transport in a first system, developing changes for the first transport, and updating the first system with the changes developed for the first transport. The method also includes processing a second transport in a second system, developing changes for the second transport, and updating the second system with the changes developed for the second transport. The method further includes moving the changes developed for the second transport to the first system, sequencing the changes developed for the first transport and the changes developed for the second transport in the first system, and processing a third transport in the first system. The third transport includes all of the changes developed for the first transport and all of the changes developed for the second transport.

Abstract: A simulation tool for modeling LPAR behavior in a mainframe computer.

Abstract: An Internet user transfers directly to a domain within an e-community without returning to a home domain or reauthenticating by providing to a web browser by a home domain server a home identity cookie with an extensible data area and an enrollment token; performing enrollment through an e-community for a web-browser user by redirecting the home identity cookie via the web browser to each affiliated domain in the e-community until each has been visited once; responsive to each visit to each affiliated domain, sending an affiliated domain identity cookie to the web browser including an enrollment successful indicator; accumulating received enrollment success indicators in the extensible data area of the home identity cookie; and subsequently, vouching for an identity of the user at an affiliated domain through exchange of a vouch-for request and vouch-for response between the home domain server and an affiliated domain server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting signals from a plurality of input channels over a TDM optical network, where each of the input channels contains an optical data signal and an electrical control signal containing control information relating to the optical data signal. In accordance with the invention, respective optical receivers convert the optical data signals to respective electrical data signals, which a TDM data multiplexer time-multiplexes to generate a multiplexed data signal. A TDM control signal multiplexer time-multiplexes the electrical control signals to generate a multiplexed control signal that is combined with said multiplexed data signal to generate a composite electrical signal. An optical transmitter generates a composite optical signal from the composite electrical signal that is transmitted over the network, optionally after WDM multiplexing it with other composite optical signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling transmission of data over a network. In response to receiving a content request from a client device coupled to the network, an initial data packet is sent to the client device. In response to receiving a feedback packet from the client device, transmission of the content request is dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for enhancing the execution of independent loads in a processing unit. The processing unit dispatches a first set of instructions in order from a first buffer for execution. The processing unit receives updated results from the execution of the first set of instructions. The processing unit updates, in a first register, at least one register entry associated with each instruction in the first set of instructions, with the updated results. The processing unit determines if the first set of instructions from the first buffer have completed execution. Responsive to the completed execution of the first set of instructions from the first buffer, the processing unit copies the set of entries from the first register to a second register.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting character interactive input/output operation in a half-duplex block-mode environment including a workstation and a server. Keystrokes at the workstation received into an auto enter, non-display entity on the workstation display are automatically transferred as entered from the workstation to a server application which processes the keystroke and responds in a manner appropriate to the context of the application.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for compressing and abbreviating text messages at a first text messaging device for transport and subsequent interpretation at a second text messaging device is disclosed. A user-defined message length reduction profile for producing human-readable compressed text is associated with a source text message at a first text messaging device. The source text message is then shortened using abbreviations and transformation rules in the profile. The shortened text message can then be transmitted to a second text messaging device. In addition, the compression provided by the present invention, although intended to be human-readable, can be complemented with decompression software to expand the compressed and abbreviated text to its full length and verifying, using a checksum or other error detecting code, that the expanded version corresponds to the original text.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) mixed-voltage drive circuit and electrostatic discharge protection device for coupling to an I/O pad. The device includes an NFET device having a gate, a drain, a source and body, the gate adapted for coupling to a pre-drive circuit, the source and the body being coupled to one another and to ground. The device also includes a bipolar junction transistor having a collector, an emitter and a base, the emitter being coupled to the drain of the NFET and the collector being coupled to the I/O pad.

Abstract: A fork system call by a first process is detected. A second process is created as a replication of the first process with a second affinity. If a replication of the replicated shared library is present in the second affinity domain, effective addresses of the replication of the replicated shared library are mapped using a mapping mechanism of the present invention to physical addresses in the second affinity domain.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for data tracking and, in particular, for facilitating failure management within an electronic data communication system. The apparatus includes a tracking module and an error analysis module. The tracking module stores an adapter identifier in a tracking array. The adapter identifier corresponds to a source adapter from which data is received. The error analysis module determines a source of a data failure in response to recognition of the data failure. The data failure may occur on a host adapter, a device adapter, a communication fabric, a multi-processor, or another communication device. The apparatus, system, and method may be implemented in place of or in addition to hardware-assisted data integrity checking within a data storage system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston reset apparatus for a multichip module that includes a base with multiple projections and two unit associating pegs extending from opposite ends of the base, a hat disposed upwardly of the base and including multiple adjustable pistons vertically adjustable within the hat, each of the plurality of adjustable pistons being disposed in alignment with one of the multiple projections, a mass equivalent plate disposed upwardly of the hat and being configured to hold a spring loaded sleeve, the spring loaded sleeve including a plurality of springs, each of the springs being aligned with and configured to apply pressure upon one of the multiple pistons, a spring loaded clamp disposed upwardly of the plate and including a spring loaded portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion defining two cavities configured to fixedly associate with an associating groove defined by each of the unit associating pegs.