Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling masked exceptions that receives an exception from the operating system on which an emulator is running a user program and determines the origin of the exception. If the emulator generated the exception, the emulator handles the exception internally and returns it to the operating system. If the emulated user program generated the exception, the emulator checks the status of the exception type. If that type of exception is blocked, the exception is marked as deferred. Otherwise, the exception is delivered to the user application or marked as pending for later delivery. The system and method can maintain a virtual exception mask to indicate the status of the exception type.

Abstract: A portable modular electronic system includes a plurality of portable modules in separate respective housings that are mutually attachable and detachable to form the system. Electrical connectors on the modules provide inter-module electrical connections when the modules are attached, and have symmetries that enable multiple different relative orientations between modules.

Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling racks in a data center, cooling fluid is circulated in the data center by a cooling device having a fan. In addition, this system includes a plenum having a plurality of returns and an outlet. The outlet of the plenum is in fluid communication with the fan and the plurality of returns are configured for removing the cooling fluid from the data center. Furthermore, the returns and are operable to vary a characteristic of the removal of the cooling fluid.

Abstract: Controlling the temperature in a data center includes receiving sensory data corresponding to a temperature from a subsystem in a data center, processing the sensory data by a first agent in a hierarchy of agents to determine if the subsystems in the data center is operating within a predetermined temperature range, adjusting a delivery rate for a cooling fluid using the first agent to keep the temperature range of the subsystem within the predetermined temperature range, and requesting a second agent from the hierarchy of agents to process the sensory data when the first agent cannot keep the temperature range within the predetermined temperature range unless the second agent redistributes the cooling fluid being delivered. A third agent is used to vary the amount of cooling fluid output when at least the first and second agent cannot keep the subsystem operating within the predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the movement of an object traversing a circuit and outputting data with respect thereto. Lap events are recorded and used to calculate a total lap count, split time, and elapsed time for an event that includes the repetitive traversing of a circuit. Physiologic data is monitored in the case where the object is a person. A transponder or transmitter is affixed to a user and a signal having limited range is coupled to a communications and display device when the user comes into range of the device. Each such coupling is accumulated as lap event data. Calculations are made to display the lap count and timing information as well as physiologic data. In one embodiment, the device is implemented in a watertight housing and placed at the bottom of a swimming pool. The displayed information is visible to a swimmer wearing the transponder or transmitter. In another embodiment, the display is incorporated into eyewear worn by the person traversing a repetitive circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a plurality of magnetic data cells and a magnetic reference cell extending uninterrupted along more than one of the plurality of data cells.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) device for controlled movement of a fluid. The device includes a chamber having a heating element, an inlet, and a constricted egress channel.

Abstract: Tone dependent plane dependent error diffusion halftoning takes into account multiple color planes, such as cyan and magenta, when determining the placement of a dot in any of the color planes. The combined tones of the correlated color planes is used to determine the threshold levels against which the combined tones and the accumulated errors for the correlated color planes is compared. Further, tone dependent error weightings are determined based on the combined tones of the correlated color planes. The tone dependent error weightings are used to diffuse the final accumulated errors for each color plane. A prerendered mid-tone bitmap may be used to break up any structured patterns that occur in the mid-tones. Using this technique, printed dots of two or more colors are dispersed so as to avoid noticeable clumping of dots of two or more colors to provide a more uniform pattern and to avoid the unintentional overlapping of colors. This technique can be used to augment any existing error diffusion method.

Abstract: A preferred device for producing a composite digital video data stream containing pixel data corresponding to an image to be rendered includes an input mechanism which is configured to receive multiple digital video data streams from graphics pipelines. In response to receiving a first of the multiple digital video data streams, the input mechanism provides a frame of data corresponding to the image to be rendered and inserts pixel data from the multiple digital video data streams into the frame of data, thereby forming at least a portion of the composite digital video data stream.

Abstract: A method for executing trusted commands, in which a trusted command is first received from a user at a user terminal and parsed by untrusted code; then passed to a trusted computing base for execution. The trusted computing base displays some indication of what is to be done back to the user for confirmation. Confirmation of the commands prevents unauthorized modification of the commands and increases system confidence. A randomly (or pseudo-randomly) generated process identifier is employed to verify the existence of a trusted path.

Abstract: A molecular crossbar latch is provided, comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires to form a junction with each control wire. The latch further includes a control mechanism for controllably electrically connecting and disconnecting signal input to the latch, thus allowing the input to change its logic value after the signal is latched while the signal wire retains its latched value. Each junction forms a switch, the junction having a functional dimension in nanometers. The crossbar latch permits latching a logic value on the signal wire. Further, methods are provided for latching logic values in a logic array, for inverting a logic value, and for restoring a voltage value of a signal in a nano-scale wire.

Abstract: Image forming devices, image forming device consumable assemblies and image forming device communication methods are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for scanning a bounded scan area within a scanable surface of a scanning device are provided. The present invention includes a plurality of members constructed and arranged to define a scan area on a scanable surface of the scanner, a link for communicating with the control interface of the scanner, and a switch for generating a signal to the control interface to initiate and complete a scan of the bounded scan area defined by the plurality of members. The scanning apparatus and system further provide a method for scanning a bounded scan area, which includes the steps of determining whether the scan area is contained entirely within the enclosed scanable surface, scanning the scanable portion of the scan area if the enclosed scan area is not contained entirely within the scanable surface, and scanning the entire scan area if the scan area is contained entirely within the scanable surface.

Abstract: A processor integrated circuit capable of executing more than one instruction stream has two or more processors. Each processor accesses instructions and data through a cache controller. There are multiple blocks of cache memory. Some blocks of cache memory may optionally be directly attached to particular cache controllers. The cache controllers access at least some of the multiple blocks of cache memory through high speed interconnect, these blocks being dynamically allocable to more than one cache controller. A resource allocation controller determines which cache memory controller has access to the dynamically allocable cache memory block. In an embodiment the cache controllers and cache memory blocks are associated with second level cache, each processor accesses the second level cache controllers upon missing in a first level cache of fixed size.

Abstract: In a method of the present invention, performance characteristics of a printed circuit board are analyzed. The printed circuit board, bypass components and an applied stimulus are modeled. Each of the bypass components includes a capacitor and a resistor in series with each other. Alternatively, a second capacitor is coupled in parallel to the above capacitor and resistor. A simulation of the circuit model is then performed. In this embodiment of the invention, the simulation is responsive to the stimulus as is performed over a range of bypass resistor values. In another embodiment of the invention, a printed circuit board is described with components and characteristics that reduce noise. Such a printed circuit board includes a power plane and a plurality of bypass components. Moreover, the plurality of bypass components include bypass capacitors and bypass resistors coupled in series between the positive power plane and the negative power plane.

Abstract: A method for resetting a password in a computer system is provided. A remote reset signal is received. A local reset verification signal is received at the computer system. An elapsed period of time between receipt of the remote reset signal and the local reset verification signal is determined. The password is reset in response to the elapsed period of time being less than a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A data item 11 is cyclically broadcast from a wireless transceiver 1 as a number of individual data segments 13. Receipt of all of the individual data segments 13 by a mobile device 9 is required to successfully receive the entirety of the data item 11. The time required to transmit all of the data segments 13 is increased by transmitting each data segment 13 at a minimum time interval from one another, or alternatively or additionally varying the rate of data transmission. A mobile device user is therefore required to remain within the locality of the wireless transceiver 1 for a minimum period of time.

Abstract: Communication over lossy packet networks such as the Internet is hampered by limited bandwidth and packet loss. The present invention provides a path diversity transmission system for improving the quality of communication over a lossy packet network. The path diversity transmission system explicitly sends different subsets of packets over different paths, thereby enabling the end-to-end application to effectively see an average path behavior. Generally, seeing this average path behavior provides better performance than seeing the behavior of any individual random path. For example, the probability that all of the multiple paths are simultaneously congested is much less than the probability that a single path is congested. The resulting path diversity can provide a number of benefits, including enabling real-time multimedia communication and simplifying system design (e.g., error correction system design). Two exemplary architectures for achieving path diversity are described herein.

Abstract: Molecular systems are provided for electric field activated switches, such as optical switches. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via one of the following mechanisms: (1) molecular conformation change; (2) change of extended conjugation via chemical bonding change to change the band gap; or (3) molecular folding or stretching. Nanometer-scale reversible optical switches are thus provided that can be assembled easily to make a variety of optical devices, including optical displays.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for sending and receiving data such as photographic or other color images. The apparatus includes a housing and a data entry module such as a number were keypad for dialing. It also includes a recording mechanism, for example a color printer for recording data received onto the fixed medium, for example to produce color photographs.

Abstract: An indicia-equipped actuator assembly for removably coupling a CPU with a socket assembly, the actuator assembly comprising an engaging assembly for use in placing a socket assembly in an open or close position to couple or uncouple the CPU from said socket assembly; and an indicia portion for indicating whether the socket assembly is in an opened or closed position.

Abstract: Digital circuitry, such as interconnective pads which are patterned as waffles according to the embossing methods for flexible substrates which are disclosed, so as to be especially suited for the interconnection of stacks of circuitry blocks forming digital memory known as Permanent Inexpensive, Rugged Memory (PIRM) cross point arrays.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a disk shape determining and labeling system includes a first module configured to determine a shape of a non-round disk. A second module determines an orientation of the non-round disk. The labeling system then applies a visible pattern to the disk, wherein the labeling is performed according to the shape and the orientation of the non-round disk.

Abstract: Conductive additives, the aqueous inks and precoat agent compositions to which the additives are added, and the methods for using such conductive additives in the aqueous inks and precoat agent compositions in printing processes employing microwave or radiofrequency (RF) drying processes.

Abstract: A printer includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) having an embedded printer controller and an embedded swath buffer for storing complete rows of compressed swath data. The embedded swath buffer may be a fraction of the size of a conventional swath buffer, which is not embedded and which does not store compressed swath data. A printer driver, resident in a host, transmits only complete rows of compressed swath data to the printer.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operating position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion, Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering a cover with respect to a text body to create bound documents with floating and attached spines are described. In one embodiment, a text body having a front end, two opposed side ends, and a spine end that is located opposite to the front end is formed from two or more sheets, and a single-piece cover is registered with respect to at least one end of the text body.

Abstract: A magnetic memory array comprises a plurality of magnetic memory cells, a magnetic shielding disposed adjacent to at least one of the magnetic memory cells to reduce magnetic interference with respect to another of the magnetic memory cells, and an insulator disposed as to separate at least a portion of the magnetic shielding from the at least one magnetic memory cell. The magnetic shielding may be a magnetic shield layer, patterned magnetic shield materials, and/or magnetic particles embedded in the insulator.

Abstract: A combination modem including at least one line connector that is configured for coupling to a transmission medium, analog modem logic that is capable of performing analog modem communications via the transmission medium, digital modem logic that is capable of performing digital modem communications via the transmission medium, a bus interface that enables communication with a computer via an expansion bus of the computer, and processing logic. In this manner a single modem expansion card supports both analog and digital modem technologies using only one slot of an expansion bus of the computer. The analog modem logic may support 56K technologies, such as K56Flex™, V.90, etc., or any combination thereof. The digital modem logic may be according to any type of xDSL, such as ADSL, or U-ADSL, etc. The modem may operate as an analog modem, a digital modem, or as both at the same time with or without a POTS splitter.

Abstract: A system and method for a process attribute based computer network filter assigns a process attribute to a process executing on a computing device and assigns a network attribute to a network interface card (NIC) associated with the computing device. When the process desires to send a communication packet to another process on a different computing device over a network to which the NIC is connected, the process sends an application program interface (API) system call to the NIC. The API call is intercepted by a system call trap handler, which, in cooperation with a session filter driver and a network filter driver, determines the process attribute associated with the process and the network attribute associated with the NIC. If the session filter driver and the network filter driver, in cooperation with the system call trap handler, determine that the process attribute and the network attribute correspond, then the communication packet is allowed to pass to the network.

Abstract: A printer comprises a scan axis (14) arranged to receive at least one pen (10), each pen comprising an array of ink ejection elements (20,22) adapted to print a swath on a printing medium. Printer control circuitry is responsive to selection of a multi-pass print mode, to cause a printing medium advance mechanism to incrementally advance the printing medium (26) past the pens in a printing advance direction (PAD) between the printing of a first swath and a second swath. Thus, a first group of ink ejection elements dispenses ink in a swath along respective rows on the printing medium with at least one other group of corresponding ink ejection elements dispensing ink along those rows in subsequent swaths. The printer control circuitry is further arranged to cause the first group of ink ejection elements to dispense proportionally more ink per swath than the other groups of ink ejection elements in subsequent swaths.

Abstract: A special-purpose appliance (SPA) works in conjunction with a server farm consisting of multiple caching server appliances (CSAs) to supervise a local storage medium (i.e., a shared cache) that is accessible by all the CSAs for storing at least some of the remote objects such as web pages and their embedded objects and/or streaming media objects that have been and/or will be served by one or more of the CSAs to its respective clients. The SPA preferably also determines when to prefetch remote objects such as web pages and their embedded objects and/or streaming media objects that are not currently stored in the shared cache, but which the SPA has determined are likely to be requested in the future by one or more of the CSAs one behalf of one or more of the CSA's respective clients.

Abstract: A cable emission reduction apparatus includes a conductive cable core, a filter, and a cable shield. The conductive cable core extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The filter is coupled to and encases the conductive cable core, and extends longitudinally only a portion of the conductive cable core length, positioned between the first end and the second end. The cable shield is coupled to and encases the conductive cable core and the filter. The cable shield extends longitudinally from the first end over the filter and terminating prior to the second end.

Abstract: An exemplary solution-processed thin film transistor formation method of the invention forms solution-processed thin film layers into a transistor structure. During formation, semiconductor portions of the transistor structure are selectively heated via a laser to modify the material state of semiconductor material from a solution deposited material state to a thin film layer material state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printed circuit board pads with registering feature for component leads. A U-shaped metalized pad is disposed on a printed circuit board for soldering to a component lead. Solder is disposed on the pad and heated to a molten state so that surface tension and wetting effects form the molten solder into a solder mound having a U-shaped lateral cross section conforming to the U-shaped metalized pad. The solder mound has a first arm and a second arm, and a lateral aperture extending therebetween for receiving an extremity of the component lead, and registering the extremity of the component lead with respect to the pad.

Abstract: Image forming devices, image forming device fabrication methods and image forming device operational methods are described. In one embodiment, an image forming device includes an image engine configured to use a consumable to form hard images, and circuitry configured to control imaging of the hard images using the image engine operating in one of a first operational mode having a first consumable consumption rate and a second operational mode having a second consumable consumption rate different than the first consumable consumption rate, wherein the circuitry is further configured to switch the imaging of the hard images from the first operational mode to the second operational mode to reduce consumption of the consumable and responsive to the presence of a defined device status condition pertinent to the formation of hard images using the image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for emulating a greater range of behavior of a peripheral device connected to a host device or host computer than was available in the prior art. The emulation of a greater range of activity of the peripheral device provides an opportunity to more fully test the interaction of a host device with the emulated peripheral device. More specifically, the present invention preferably adds control data line and power data line connections to user data line connections between the host device and an intelligent emulator so that variations in control settings and power levels may be exercised in addition to manipulation of transmissions along a user data line, thereby more fully exercising host device interaction with an emulated device.

Abstract: A device for effecting communication between a peripheral and a host computer of the present invention. The invention is particularly well-adapted for use with printers, copies and other devices not equipped with consumable resource sensing technology at the time of manufacture. In general, the inventive device is disposed within a separate housing and includes an interface for effecting signal translation and routing as necessary between the peripheral and a host computer. The device further includes first mechanisms for effecting communication between a sensor operationally coupled to the peripheral and the interface. Further included are second mechanisms for effecting communication between the interface and the host computer. Plural sensors may be operationally coupled to the peripheral. In the best mode, the sensors are E-LABELtm sensors. The interface may be implemented with a microprocessor, digital logic or simple discrete components depending on the application.

Abstract: A method of marking an optical recording medium is provided. The method includes providing a curable material on a non-data surface of the optical recording medium. An energy source interacts with the curable material to form permanent text and/or images on the optical recording medium. The energy source includes a laser that produces energy at a frequency absorbed by the curable material. The method does not require specialized equipment and allows for increased amounts of information to be marked on the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A laser imaging device is described. The laser imaging device includes a first laser, a second laser, and a controller. The first laser provides a first scan line having a first starting point, and the second laser provides a second scan line having a second starting point based on an adjusted beam detect signal. The controller is configured to generate the adjusted beam detect signal using a delay code and a beam detect signal associated with the second laser to substantially horizontally align the second starting point with the first starting point.

Abstract: Smear resistant ink jet ink images and methods for making such are disclosed and described. Generally, a smear resistant ink jet ink image includes an ink jet ink image upon a print substrate, and a water insoluble protective film having contact with the ink jet ink in the image. In one aspect, the film may include a combination of water soluble film forming polymers that become water insoluble upon interaction with one another. In another aspect, the water soluble film forming polymers may be interacted at the print substrate to form the water insoluble film.

Abstract: Structure and methods are disclosed for transferring thermal energy from an object to a thermal spreader. A plurality of pins are biased against the object so that the plurality of pins contact with, and substantially conform to, a macroscopic surface of the object. Thermal energy is communicated from the object through the pins and through a plurality of air gaps between the pins and the thermal spreader. The pins are retained to the passageways of the thermal spreader so that the pins are retained with the thermal spreader when unbiased against the object.

Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a drive signal generator for generating a drive signal, a transducer coupled to the drive signal generator and configured to receive the drive signal, a mixer coupled to the transducer and configured to receive output from the transducer where such output results at least in part from physical movement of the transducer, and a diplexer operatively coupled with an output of the mixer and configured to present a substantially matched output impedance to the mixer over an operative range of output frequencies.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluid ejecting device such as an ink jet printing device that includes forming a plurality of fluid drop generators on a first surface of a silicon substrate, forming a partial fluid feed slot in the silicon substrate by deep reactive ion etching, and forming a fluid feed slot by wet etching the partial fluid feed slot.

Abstract: A method of producing and using photo media to print a glossy, photo-quality image. The image is printed onto the back of a coated transparent base. Thereafter, an opaque backing is applied to cover the printed image. The resulting print is viewed from the front, which provides the photo-quality, attractive appearance primarily because of the substantial gloss depth and uniformity attributable to the transparent base. The transparent base and backing protect the ink-receiving coating and make the resulting print very durable. The image is light fast because the ink is sandwiched between the transparent base and the backing, thereby sealing the ink from oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing is applied as a liquid using substantially the same mechanism as used for printing the image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for organizing a number of digital images. The system and method advantageously provide a geographical context for viewing the digital images. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes the steps of associating the number of digital images with a digital map in a computer system, and geographically indexing each of the digital images on the digital map in the computer system. To geographically index each of the digital images, the present invention further provides the steps of obtaining a set of geographical coordinates associated with each of the digital images, and identifying a position on the digital map that represents the geographical coordinates for each of the digital images. In addition, the present method may include the step of positioning an image icon on each of the positions on the digital map, thereby indicating the geographical location of the corresponding digital image.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a substrate having fluid feed slots coupled to a fluid supply, and a plurality of drop generators fluidically coupled to the fluid feed slots and formed in the substrate. The plurality of drop generators are arranged in at least three staggered axis groups along axes that are approximately parallel and spaced transverse to each other substrate.

Abstract: A DVD device comprises a non-volatile memory and a processing system. The non-volatile memory stores a first configuration. The processing system processes a signal from a DVD, and if a reconfiguration code is stored on the DVD, then the processing system detects the reconfiguration code in the signal. If the reconfiguration code is not detected, then the processing system operates based on the first configuration. If the reconfiguration code is detected, then the processing system processes reconfiguration instructions from the signal. The processing system transfers a second configuration to the non-volatile memory based on the reconfiguration instructions. The non-volatile memory stores the second configuration. The processing system operates based on the second configuration in response to the second configuration being stored in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A computer system maintains a list of tags (called a Global Ownership Tag List (GOTL)) for all the cache lines in the system that are owned by a cache. The GOTL is used for cache coherence. There may be one central GOTL. Alternatively, the GOTL may be distributed, so that every device that can request a copy of memory data maintains a local copy of the GOTL. The GOTL can be limited to a relatively small size. For a limited size list, a tag may need to be evicted to make room for a new tag. A line associated with an evicted tag must be written back to memory.

Abstract: A variable intensity illuminator lens may comprise a generally elongate transparent body having a first converging power at a first position on the generally elongate transparent body and a second converging power at a second position on the generally elongate transparent body, the first converging power at the first position on the generally elongate transparent body being different than the second converging power at the second position on the generally elongate transparent body.