Abstract: A target device in a computer bus system allocates resources by selecting a priority requester for allocation of scarce resources. In a non-bus arbiter configuration, the first initiator device to receive a retry response to a transaction request after the resources are exhausted is designated as a priority requester. In a bus arbiter configuration, the priority requester is chosen on a round-robin basis from initiator devices that received a retry response to the initiator's most recent transaction request. If only one resource is available when an initiator sends a transaction request, the initiator receives a retry response unless the initiator is the priority requester.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive device includes first and second ferromagnetic layers having different coercivities, and a spacer layer between the first and second layers. Each ferromagnetic layer has a magnetization that can be oriented in either of two directions.

Abstract: A porous foam based ink containment system is provided with grooves defined in the exterior portion thereof, for storing ink, while preventing ink leakage from the ink-jet pen. The grooves provide passageways to allow air diffused throughout the ink and trapped air bubbles within the foam to expand and move to the atmosphere. An atmospheric vent is in fluid communication with at least one of the grooves.

Abstract: A printer having a housing including a pair of sidewalls, a bottom wall and a tray for supporting print media from below. The tray includes a receiving segment mounted for slideable movement parallel to the plane of the bottom wall and a telescoping segment mounted for slideable movement into the receiving segment during times of printer non-operation, and away from the receiving segment during printer operation. In another embodiment, a printer includes an elongated tray having a plurality of articulated segments wherein the tray is mounted to the housing for rotation between an operation position and a non-operation position.

Abstract: An access in a housing for a computer is disclosed. The access has a pivot mechanism coupled to the housing, and a door coupled to the pivot mechanism. The door rests flush against the computer housing when the access is not deployed. The door is configured to pivot in a downward direction for deployment of the access. An actuator is coupled to the door for actuating an ejection mechanism in a disk drive drawer. The actuator has a foam pad for depressing an eject button on a faceplate of the disk drive drawer.

Abstract: An electronic device of a preferred embodiment includes a tip emitter formed in a well defined in a substrate. An extractor disposed about the well extracts emissions from the tip emitter. A wide lens is spaced apart from the extractor for focusing the emissions through an opening defined the wide lens. The opening has a diameter greater than a diameter of the well. An aperture is disposed between the extractor and the wide lens.

Abstract: Print cartridges on printers using stationary print cartridges are accessed by service station components such as wipers, scrapers, cleaning fluid applicators, ink receiving receptacles and cappers in a manner similar to what is done in a conventional scanning printhead printing system. A print cartridge support structure holds one or more print cartridges in a stationary position while applying ink on a media. A printhead is located on each of the print cartridges. The printhead has nozzles for ejecting ink which are arranged in a nozzle array of one or more columns of nozzles. A media movement mechanism provides movement of the media though a print zone located beneath the nozzle array. A printhead servicing station is located outside of the print zone and has one or more servicing modules dedicated for interaction with one of the nozzle arrays when the one of the nozzle arrays is positioned in aligned proximity with its dedicated servicing module.

Abstract: A secure document access method and apparatus is described. The method includes the steps of capturing contents of a document and generating a key from a cryptographic engine. The method may also include encrypting the contents of the document using the key. The encrypted document may be stored and the key may be encoded. The encoded key may be submitted to at least one authorized user for accessing the contents of the encrypted document. The encryption may be performed by a multi-function peripheral.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide the capability to identify, record and employ object reuse in print jobs. Reuse information, e.g., a number of instances of a particular object and/or the pages wherein the object is used, is identified as part of print job processing. Subsequent printing process, e.g., object caching and print job partitioning, can then use the reuse information.

Abstract: A system comprises storage and wherein the switch is adapted to receive messages from various nodes. One or more of the messages includes a priority value that is stored in the switch's storage.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a storage array containing an hierarchy of storage devices of at least three types and having a respective class hierarchy, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the storage device hierarchy and can execute an hierarchical storage management capability that selectively controls access to the hierarchy of storage devices.

Abstract: A graphics system that employs parametric texture maps. The graphics system renders surface features of a 3D object in a manner that is direction dependent but without the time consuming and expensive calculations involved in the evaluation of lighting equations on a per pixel basis. A parametric texture map holds a set of parameters that define a surface structure in a manner in which the appearance of the surface structure varies in response to a direction vector. The direction vector may be any user-defined vector including a light source vector or a half-angle vector. The parameters are those of a predetermined equation, the evaluation of which does not involve vector calculations. The equation may take any form including a polynomial equation or a non-polynomial equation. The graphic system renders a polygon with the surface structure using the equation.

Abstract: A binding system in an imaging system includes an accumulator in which sheet material is accumulated in respective jobs to be bound. The binding system includes a binding assembly adapted and constructed to bind the sheet material together. A scoring member is connected to the binding assembly. The scoring member is adapted and constructed to form respective score patterns in sheet material received in the accumulator. The binding assembly can include a thermally low-mass heating element and a thermally high-mass cooling element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for diagnosing the performance of a computer system using a diagnostic application. The method includes providing a diagnostic application and providing an operating system (OS) kernel, the diagnostic application being configured to execute under the OS kernel in the computer system, the OS kernel having a kernel trap arrangement. The method also includes providing a diagnostic monitor, the diagnostic monitor being configured to execute cooperatively with the OS kernel, the diagnostic monitor having a monitor trap arrangement. The method additionally includes ascertaining, using the diagnostic monitor, whether a trap encountered during execution of the diagnostic application is to be handled by the OS kernel or the diagnostic monitor. Furthermore, the method includes passing, if the trap is to be handled by the OS kernel, the trap to the OS kernel for handling.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.

Abstract: A method for operating a cluster of N server nodes to service client requests received on a network. Each client request is directed to one of C customers hosted on the server cluster. Each customer is identified by a domain name, and each server node is identified by an address on a network. In the method of the present invention, the customers are grouped into N groups, each group being assigned to a corresponding one of the server nodes. Configuration information is provided to a Domain Name Server (DNS), the information defining the correspondence between each of the customers and one of the server nodes assigned to one of the groups containing that customer. The DNS provides the address of the server node in response to a message specifying the domain name of the customer. The client then directs its request to the identified server node utilizing the address provided by the DNS.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for encoding and generating transaction-based stimuli event states for the eventual application to the simulation of VLSI circuits. In the invention, each test state input is described by a vector where that vector is characterized by two symbols. The first symbol is the “stride” which references its relative time of reoccurrence among the test state inputs. The second symbol denotes the specific transaction on that stride. The stride is a number that is incommensurate relative to the other strides of the transactions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein for providing tri-state noise immunity for memory systems such as DDR memory systems, wherein 1) there are large variations in read data loop delay, and 2) strobe buses have similar termination and threshold voltages. In one embodiment, strobe receiver circuitry includes a counter and counter control logic. The counter updates a count in response to strobe edges of received strobe signals. The counter control logic enables the counter before each strobe signal is received by generating control signals asynchronously with respect to the received strobe signals. The counter control logic also resets the counter after each strobe signal is received by receiving feedback from the counter and, in response to the feedback, resetting the counter asynchronously with respect to the received strobe signals. The strobe receiver circuitry may form part of a DDR memory controller.

Abstract: A diffractive focusing device includes a light transmissive substrate and a plurality of selectively light opaque elements formed in the light transmissive substrate. The selectively light opaque elements are capable of being electronically activated. Particular elements of the plurality of selectively light opaque elements are selectively rendered substantially light opaque or substantially light-transmissive in order to create light transmissive channels in the light transmissive substrate with desired diffractive characteristics.

Abstract: A method and circuit periodically pseudo-randomly select a sample of digital event pulses comprising a logic data signal. A first timer times a first time interval. A second timer times a second time interval within the first time interval. A delay timer, coupled between the first and second timers, pseudo-randomly delays initiation of the second timer from the start of the first time interval. In one embodiment, the first timer is an (N+1)-bit binary counter. The delay timer includes an N-bit round robin latch and seeded by a pseudo-random number generator having fewer than N bits, the round robin latch shifting its contents to form an N-bit pseudo-random number. The second timer is initiated when the value of the first timer is equivalent to the round robin latch. A coincidence circuit passes digital event pulses during the second time interval. A count is accumulated of the sampled digital event pulses.

Abstract: The turn-on energy of a printhead is determined. The printhead is fired at a first firing frequency over an initial range of print energies to detect an approximate range of print energies in which the turn-on energy is located. The printhead is fired at a second firing frequency over the approximate range of print energies in which the turn-on energy is located in order to determine a value for the turn-on energy of the printhead. The second firing frequency is higher than the first firing frequency.

Abstract: DMA requests from at least one DMA channel with a higher priority than the floppy-disk controller are disabled for at least a portion of a write to floppy DMA operation that includes the transfer of the last byte. This helps ensure that DMA requests generated by the floppy-disk controller will be responded to in under 14 ?S preventing an undetected underrun condition on systems with flawed floppy disk controllers from occurring. An estimate of when the last byte of a write to floppy DMA operation is going to be transferred is made. This estimate may be based upon a fixed interval from the start of the write operation. This estimate may also be based upon readings taken from the byte counter and of the DMA controller and the system timer.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for monitoring the reaction of a user to a performance contains one or more sensors for detecting an indirect user response to the performance and a user interface enabling the user to provide a direct user response to the performance. A processor in the portable apparatus is programmed to provide a user reaction signal comprising a combination of the indirect user response and the direct user response to the performance. This user reaction signal may be transmitted to to remote apparatus. A monitoring system using such portable apparatus, and a music playing system using such a monitoring system, are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are layered groupings and methods for constructing digital circuitry, such as memory known as Permanent Inexpensive Rugged Memory (PIRM) cross point arrays which can be produced on flexible substrates by patterning and curing through the use of a transparent embossing tool.

Abstract: A flexible sheet which includes a substrate having at least one visually discernable surface and at least one electroluminescent lamp assembly positioned proximate to the surface and controlled by a suitable power source as well as means for isolating at least one electroluminescent lamp assembly from deleterious interaction with environment external to the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet can be employed in various applications including bound books, functional cards, locational orientation devices as well as in mechanisms for selectively indicating ingress or egress from architectural structures and other safety indicators. At least one component of the flexible sheet with the electroluminescent lamp assembly can be produced by drop ejection.

Abstract: A projector includes an array of micromirror light modulators and a projector light source for generating an illumination light beam along an optical path. An elongated rectilinear illumination aperture is defined at a first location along the optical path, with one or more elongated regions having a long dimension parallel to the axis. An elongated rectilinear pupil aperture is defined at an output pupil with one or more elongate pupil regions having a long dimension parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a print medium includes a printhead having ink orifices formed therein through which ink drops are ejected into a print zone between the printhead and the print medium during printing, wherein the printhead has a scan axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a first column and a second column of the ink orifices and along which the printhead traverses during printing, and an air movement system directing a stream of gas to the print zone substantially parallel to the first column and the second column of the ink orifices and offset from and between the first column and the second column of the ink orifices as the ink drops are ejected during printing.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing signals to and from at least one circuit component that has a plurality of input/output leads includes a support structure having a first side and a second side. The first side is adapted to have the input/output leads of the circuit component attached thereto. A signal routing strip having a first end and a second end is also included. The first end of the routing strip is configured and adapted to be electrically connected to the input/output leads of the circuit component for transmitting signals to and from the circuit component.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method re-orders requests for shared resources. The method includes receiving requests for accessing the shared resources from one or more requestors, wherein a plurality of requests may be received from each requestor; arbitrating between the plurality of requests in such a way so that the plurality of requests from each requestor may be re-ordered in non-FIFO order; and selecting a next request to access the shared resources based on the re-ordering of requests. In accordance with another embodiment, a system re-orders requests for shared resources. The system includes one or more requestors for sending requests for accessing the shared resources, wherein a plurality of requests may be received from each requestor; and an arbiter for arbitrating between the plurality of requests in such a way so that the plurality of requests from each requestor may be re-ordered in non-FIFO order.

Abstract: A plurality of asynchronous and isochronous transactions on a shared bus are scheduled such that asynchronous latency is minimized while providing a maximum latency for isochronous transactions. This is accomplished by splitting an allocated shared bus time into frames of equal length. When a bus request is received the technique determines whether the bus request in a current frame is for an asynchronous transaction or an isochronous transaction. If an asynchronous transaction bus request exists it is processed, otherwise an isochronous transaction bus request is processed. Bus requests for an isochronous transaction are queued if received while an asynchronous transaction is currently being processed. Asynchronous transactions are given priority until a current frame time has ended. In one embodiment, at the start of a new frame (which becomes the current frame) any queued isochronous transactions are processed before asynchronous transactions of the current frame are given priority.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to power systems and methods. One such power system includes an adapter that produces a power output. A converter stage receives the power output and in turn provides a regulated output. The regulated output is delivered to a battery and to a DC—DC component.

Abstract: A technique is provided for prioritizing access to a bus for read completion transactions. The technique incorporates logic within an ASIC bridge, wherein split completion transactions are designated a priority level that facilitates the delivery of the requested data to a periphery device. Particularly, logic within the ASIC grants a read completion transaction a level one priority designation, which provides access to the bus to a requesting device prior to devices designated with a level two priority designation.

Abstract: An Internet print device font distribution method and web site. Font users are visitors to a web site that allows browsing and obtaining of fonts, either individually or in groups. Preferably, purchases are made through the web site, but the method may allow installation of fonts through the web site as a result of other authorizations, e.g., an electronic coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other products, services, and web sites. Web site functions include operating system compatibility matching. The web site obtains configuration information to insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's configuration. Software on the web site downloads, installs and configures fonts on the visitor's print device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for user and participant telepresencing including viewing a user from a plurality of views to obtain an image of a user, communicating the image of the user to a surrogate, and displaying the image of the user on the surrogate with eye contact between the user and the participant preserved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting session-related information used for evaluating an event are described. A session is conducted between a server and a client device. The session includes client interaction with a Web site. Selected information corresponding to the session is collected and stored. The information is collected over a sliding sampling period. The sampling period has a length measured from a start time that moves forward in time as the session is extended. The start time is anchored upon identification of an event, such that the sampling period is extended in length following the event.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a carrier, a drive supported by the carrier, and an interface board. The tape drive includes a bus connector and a power connector. A plurality of cables are coupled to the bus connector and the power connector. The interface board includes an expander coupled to the cables and an external connector coupled to the expander. A storage array includes a backplane, a plurality of storage devices coupled to the backplane, a bus coupled to the storage devices, and at least one input/output connector coupled to the bus. Each storage device includes a carrier, a drive supported by the carrier, and an interface board. The drive includes a bus connector and a power connector. A plurality of cables are coupled to the bus connector and the power connector. The interface board includes an expander coupled to the cables and an external connector coupled to the expander.

Abstract: A method and apparatus pass messages between server and client applications using a fault tolerant storage system (FTSS). The interconnection fabric that couples the FTSS to the computer systems that host the client and server applications may also be used to carry messages. A networked system capable of hosting a distributed application includes a plurality of computer systems coupled to an FTSS via an FTSS interconnection fabric. The FTSS not only processes file-related I/O transactions, but also includes several message agents to facilitate message transfer in a reliable and fault tolerant manner. The message agents include a conversational communication agent, an event-based communication agent, a queue-based communication agent, a request/reply communication agent, and an unsolicited communication agent. The highly reliable and fault tolerant nature of the FTSS ensures that the FTSS can guarantee delivery of a message transmitted from a sending computer system to a destination computer system.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for monitoring and supporting a number of peripheral devices. In one embodiment, a network is provided that comprises a local agent in a local server that is in data communication with the number of peripheral devices. An amount of status information is obtained from the peripheral devices and stored in the local server. The network also includes a central monitoring system in a central monitoring server that is in data communication with the local agent. A copy of the status information is transmitted from the local agent to the central monitoring system and stored in the central monitoring server. Also, a status board is maintained by the central monitoring system, the status board indicating at least one service event associated with an operation of at least one of the peripheral devices.

Abstract: An inhalation device configured to programmably emit small droplets of multiple components in which quantities of the multiple components can vary with each successive activation of the inhalation device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for verifying impedance in a differential via pair. A target differential via pair is identified in a design database. A desired modal characteristic impedance for the target differential via pair is obtained. A two-dimensional window is established around the differential via pair in which neighboring vias will be included in a modal characteristic impedance calculation for the target differential via pair. A modal characteristic impedance for the target differential via pair is calculated based at least in part on the neighboring vias in the two-dimensional window. The target differential via pair is flagged if the calculated modal characteristic impedance does not match the desired modal characteristic impedance.

Abstract: Ultrafast square-law detectors amplify electric currents and electromagnetic waves with frequencies on the order of 100 GHz or more. The detectors use injection of spin-polarized electrons from a magnetic film or region into another magnetic film or region through a thin semiconductor control region. A signal current flowing through a conductive nanowire induces a magnetic field causing precession of electron spin injected inside the semiconductor layer and thereby changing the conductivity of the detector. With the magnetizations of the magnetic regions being parallel or antiparallel to each other, the resulting spin injection current includes a term proportional to the square of the signal current so that the detector behaves as a square-law detector. Such square-law detectors are magnetic-semiconductor heterostructures and can operate as a frequency doubler for millimeter electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: To facilitate the testing of a testee network service such as a web service made available on the Internet, various embodiments of a network service test system are provided. In one embodiment, a testee network service is tested using a network service test environment. The network service test environment surrounds the testee network service. The network service test environment comprises at least one mock client that is in data communication with and interacts with the testee network service. The network service test environment also includes at least one mock support network service in data communication with the testee network service. The at least one mock support network service simulates a performance of an actual support network service while a data communication link exists between the actual support network service and the testee network service.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for identification of a semiconductor device having a plurality of memory blocks, comprises accessing a memory profile for the semiconductor device based at least in part on an identification of defective memory blocks of the semiconductor device and determining a unique identifier for the semiconductor device based at least in part on the memory profile of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for providing a portable disposable fuel-battery unit, a portable disposable fuel-battery unit for a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell, a fuel cell stack, and a handheld device having a fuel cell system with a portable disposable fuel-battery unit. In one embodiment, the portable disposable fuel-battery unit provides a fuel compartment, for providing fuel for the at least one fuel cell and a disposable power battery, affixed to the fuel compartment, for providing start-up energy for the at least one fuel cell.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling a room configured to house a plurality of computer systems. A heat exchanger unit is configured to receive air from the room and to deliver air to the room. The heat exchanger unit is supplied with cooling fluid operable to cool the received air in the heat exchanger unit. At least one of the temperature of the cooling fluid supplied to the heat exchanger unit and the air delivery to the room may be controlled in response to temperatures sensed at one or more locations in the room.

Abstract: A molecular system is provided for electric field activated switches, such as optical switches. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a molecular conformation change, based on a rotor/stator construction of the molecular system, involving a rotating portion (rotor) connected between two stationary portions (stators). Nanometer-scale reversible optical switches are thus provided that can be assembled easily to make a variety of optical devices, including optical displays.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer using ink reservoirs located physically remote from the print heads, tubes are used to deliver ink from the ink reservoirs to the print heads. Air initially present within the tubes can interfere with the proper operation of the print heads and cause print head reliability problems Additionally, air present within the tubes can interfere with the proper flow of ink from the ink reservoirs to the print heads through the tubes. An embodiment of a fluid continuity measurement apparatus includes current sources for each of the tubes. Each of the current sources delivers a substantially constant current to the corresponding tube. Voltage measurement circuits are coupled across each of the tubes. Each of the voltage measurement circuits generates an output corresponding to the voltage across the corresponding tube. The voltages appearing between the ends of the tubes changes as the volume of the air within the tubes changes.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate generally to providing increased data integrity in computer systems and, more particularly, to using a system management processor to maintain the integrity of stored information. A system management processor detects an attempt to reboot the computer system and holds the system processor or processors in a reset state. While the system processor or processors are held in the reset state, the system management processor checks data such as the system BIOS to identify corruption. If the data checked by the system management processor is not corrupted, the system processor or processors are removed from the reset state and allowed to continue normal operation. If the data checked by the system management processor is corrupted, the system management processor repairs the corrupted data before removing the system processor or processors from the reset state.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a failed storage device in a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices connected by a ring-type network is disclosed. In one embodiment, when a storage device fails, all storage devices on the ring-type network are disconnected to re-establish communication on the ring-type network. An iterative process of connecting a subset of storage devices to the ring-type network and testing communication on the ring-type network is performed until communication on the ring-type network is re-established. Then, individual storage devices are connected to the ring-type communication until the connection of a storage device causes communication on the ring-type network to fail, thereby identifying the failed storage device. In another embodiment, devices in a reporting group are tested on a shelf-by-shelf basis.