Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for context switching between a first thread and a second thread. The method includes detecting an exception, wherein the exception is generated in response to receiving a packet of information directed to one of the first thread and the second thread, and in response to detecting the exception, invoking an exception handler. The exception handler is configured to execute one or more instructions removing access to at least a portion of a processor cache. The portion of the processor cache contains cached information for the first thread using a first address translation. Removing access to the portion of the processor cache prevents the second thread using a second address translation from accessing the cached information in the processor cache. The exception handler is also configured to branch to at least one of the first thread and the second thread.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically calibrating one or more regions of interest for video surveillance are provided. The techniques include at a user-defined frequency, determining if one or more regions of interest (ROIs) are present within a field of view of a camera, if one or more ROIs are present within the field of view of the camera, automatically calibrating the one or more ROIs within the field of view of the camera, and if one or more ROIs are not present within the field of view of the camera, sending an alert to a user.

Abstract: Cables and methods of manufacturing cables for high speed data communications, the cable including: a first inner conductor enclosed by a first dielectric layer and a second inner conductor enclosed by a second dielectric layer, the inner conductors and the dielectric layers parallel with and along a longitudinal axis; and folded conductive shield material wrapped in a rotational direction along and about the longitudinal axis around the inner conductors and the dielectric layers, including overlapped wraps along and about the longitudinal axis, the conductive shield material comprising a first conductive layer and second conductive layer separated by an inner-shield dielectric layer.

Abstract: In a collaborative environment wherein persons use a specified system to communicate with one another, and a first person receives a request for information from one or more other persons, embodiments of the invention are used to provide a comprehensive measurement of collaboration that indicates the effectiveness of the first person in collaborating with one or more other persons in the environment. In an embodiment directed to a method, the embodiment includes, for each response made by the first person to one of the received requests, determining the value of at least one metric that represents the value of the response. The method further includes deriving one or more additional measurement values, wherein each additional measurement value represents the value of the participation of the first person in each of one or more additional measurable collaborative activities.

Abstract: A method for making an inference based on cumulative data. The method utilizes video, audio, and biometric devices to observe a retail environment for the presence of a customer. Once a customer is present, the method identifies every cohort to which the customer corresponds. Next, the method observes the customer as they peruse aisles in the retail environment. When the customer selects a product, the method identifies the selected product and searches the cohorts for alternate products to offer the customer. The method offers one alternate product to the customer and records to the cohorts whether the customer thereinafter accepts the method's offer and selects the alternate product or rejects the method's offer and continues perusing the retail environment aisles. The method continues observing the customer and offering alternate product until the customer leaves the retail environment.

Abstract: Inspection methods. A method includes adhering an optical blocking layer directly onto and in direct mechanical contact with a semiconductor process wafer, the blocking layer being substantially opaque to a range of wavelengths of light; applying at least one layer over the blocking layer; and inspecting optically at least one wavelength at least one inspection area, the blocking layer extending substantially throughout the inspection area. An inspection method including adhering an optical absorbing layer to a semiconductor process wafer, where the absorbing layer is configured to substantially absorb a range of wavelengths of light; applying at least one layer over the absorbing layer; and inspecting optically at least one wavelength at least one inspection area of the process wafer. A manufacturing method including ascertaining if a defect is present within a photoresist layer, and changing a semiconductor manufacturing process to prevent the defect, if the defect is present.

Abstract: A method and system for collaborating tags in a bookmarking system wherein the bookmarking system includes a plurality of tags applied to content items by a plurality of users, the method and system including, examining all the tags that are applied to all the content items, determining whether two tags have been assigned to the same content item, if two tags have been assigned to the same content item, computing the relative strength of each of the two tags with respect to each other.

Abstract: A planar bidirectional tape head with planar read and write elements for reading and writing data on a magnetic recording tape includes a substrate, a tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic tape, one or more write element arrays formed on the substrate, and one or more read element arrays formed on the substrate. The one or more write element arrays and the one or more read element arrays comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel relationship with the tape bearing surface.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, data processing system, and computer program product are present for displaying a web page. A home page for a browser is selected from historical information collected from prior web page access to form a selected home page. The selected home page is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the allocation of resources to address scope items against an iteration of a project based on a rule set described by a decision matrix and threshold values. Rather than changing work item start and end dates based on resource availability, the present invention adds, modifies, and removes content from a collection of scope item items and allocates them to resources based on the skills required, the priority, estimated work and target iteration of the scope item items.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an n-FET structure with silicon carbon S/D regions completely contained inside amorphization regions and with a carbon-free gate electrode. Containing carbon within the amorphization regions, ensures that all of the carbon is substitutional following re-crystallization to maximize the tensile stress imparted on channel region. The gate stack is capped during carbon implantation so the risk of carbon entering the gate stack and degrading the conductivity of the gate polysilicon and/or damaging the gate oxide is essentially eliminated. Thus, the carbon implant regions can be formed deeper. Deeper S/D carbon implants which are completely amorphized and then re-crystallized provide greater tensile stress on the n-FET channel region to further optimize electron mobility. Additionally, the gate electrode is uncapped during the n-type dopant process, so the n-type dopant dose in the gate electrode can be at least great as the dose in the S/D regions.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a training technique for an individual are provided. The techniques include obtaining video of one or more events and information from a transaction log that corresponds to the one or more events, wherein the one or more events relate to one or more actions of an individual, classifying the one or more events into one or more event categories, comparing the one or more classified events with an enterprise best practices model to determine a degree of compliance, examining the one or more classified events to correct one or more misclassifications, if any, and revise the one or more event categories with the one or more corrected misclassifications, if any, and using the degree of compliance to create a training technique for the individual.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature (about 1150° C. or greater) annealing process for converting thick polycrystalline Si layers on the order of 1 ?m to 40 ?m on a single crystal seed layer into thick single crystal Si layers having the orientation of the seed layer, thus allowing production of thick Si films having the quality of single crystal silicon at high rates and low cost of processing. Methods of integrating such high temperature processing into solar cell fabrication are described, with particular attention to process flows in which the seed layer is disposed on a porous silicon release layer. Another aspect pertains to the use of similar high temperature anneals for poly-Si grain growth and grain boundary passivation. A further aspect relates to structures in which these thick single crystal Si films and passivated poly-Si films are incorporated.

Abstract: A method for enabling file system tagging by an application includes creating tag associations for the file system by associating a tag with a file object. The association includes allocating a file association structure (FAS) in the storage device, which FAS has attributes including a pointer to a file handle of the file object and a list of names of tags associated with the file object. Associating the tag with a file object also includes allocating a tag structure for each tag in the file system. The tag structure includes a tag name and file associations for the tag. In response to a request for a read directory operation, the method includes retrieving the tag associations to identify the file object, dynamically assembling a directory entry structure that includes a hierarchical view of tags identified from the tag associations and corresponding file object, and returning the directory entry structure to the application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for managing global annotations made for data elements that may be instantiated (e.g., displayed) by a variety of different type applications are provided. By anchoring the global annotations to the data element, rather than the particular data source containing the data element at the time the data element was annotated, the annotation may be retrieved from any application that instantiates or displays it.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is provided for engaging a connector plug. The adapter comprises a male end, a female end, and a retention member. The male end is disposed at one end of the adapter for connecting the adapter to a female receptacle corresponding to the connector plug. The female end is disposed at another end of the adapter for engaging the connector plug. The female end comprises a top cap having a button disposed thereon. The retention member comprises a holder section, an energy storage section, and an energy release section. The holder section holds the connector plug. The energy storage section stores energy resulting from when the connector plug engages the retention member. When engaged by the button, the energy release section releases the energy stored in the energy storage section such that the connector plug automatically ejects from the adapter.

Abstract: A system and method for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood.

Abstract: Methods, including service methods, program products and systems are provided for sensing vehicle loads and responsively and automatically configuring a vehicle. Vehicle-mounted load sensors sense vehicle loads, a vehicle processing means calculating a load imparted to the vehicle and comparing imparted loads to load capacity ratings or thresholds and responsively adjusting a vehicle cooling, transmission, braking, suspension or engine system into a revised operating mode. Modifying a component may entail revising a load capacity rating or threshold and repeating sensing, calculating, comparing and adjusting until the revised rating or threshold is met, or progressively adjusting in proportion to a change in a historic sensed load. Adjusting of the vehicle system may be biased to a performance characteristic or a load distribution. A supervisory entity may override automatic adjustment.

Abstract: A particular technique for classifying a name includes accessing a name; dividing the name into a series of first n-grams; forming multiple concatenated second n-grams by concatenating pairs of the first n-grams; for each of multiple groups, for each of the second n-grams, determining the term frequency-group frequency score; for each of the multiple groups, summing up the term frequency-group frequency scores for each second n-gram for that group; and determining a likelihood that the name belongs to one group of the multiple groups based on the summed scores, wherein a largest summed score indicates a greater likelihood that the name belongs to the one group.

Abstract: A planar write module and a hybrid planar write-vertical read bidirectional tape head comprising the write module and one or more vertical read modules. The write module has a write module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural write elements in the write module each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with the write module tape bearing surface. The write elements are arranged so that the transducing gaps of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of the magnetic recording tape. Each read module has a read module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural read elements in the one or more read modules each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally perpendicular relationship with the read module tape bearing surface.

Abstract: A method for user information authentication which includes setting user information for a user account, such user information being the set user information; inputting user information by a user for the user account into a device, such user information being the input user information; evaluating the input user information for correspondence with the set user information according to fault-tolerant user information rules, wherein such rules evaluate the input user information for content and closeness to the set user information and noting if the input user information is a valid user information, a fault-tolerant user information, or an invalid user information; authorizing access to the user account if the input user information is a valid user information. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes incrementing an invalid user information counter only if the user information is an invalid user information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable article of manufacture for extracting a specific situation in a conversation. The system includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring speech voice data of speakers in the conversation; a specific expression detection unit for detecting the speech voice data of a specific expression from speech voice data of a specific speaker in the conversation; and a specific situation extraction unit for extracting, from the speech voice data of the speakers in the conversation, a portion of the speech voice data that forms a speech pattern that includes the speech voice data of the specific expression detected by the specific expression detection unit.

Abstract: Techniques for using transactional and visual event information to facilitate loss prevention are provided. The techniques include obtaining video of one or more visual events at a point of sale environment and one or more transaction log entries that correspond to the video, wherein the one or more transaction log entries comprise one or more transactional events, categorizing each event as one of one or more model events, using each categorized event to create a revised transaction log, wherein the revised transaction log comprises a sequence of categorized events, wherein each categorized event is a combination of the one or more transactional events and the one or more visual events, examining the revised transaction log to correct one or more mis-categorizations, if any, and revise one or more model event categories with the one or more corrected mis-categorizations, if any, and using the revised transaction log to facilitate loss prevention.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a magnitude of extremely rare events upon receiving a complete data sample and a specific exceedance probability are described. A distribution is chosen for a complete data sample. An optimal subsample fitted to the distribution is obtained. The optimal subsample is a largest acceptable subsample. A subsample is considered as an acceptable subsample when a goodness-of-fit test on the subsample is satisfactory (i.e., higher than a predetermined threshold). In addition, if a tail measure of an acceptable subsample lies outside a confidence interval of any smaller acceptable subsample, the acceptable subsample is considered as an unacceptable. Based on the optimal subsample and an inputted exceedance probability, a quantile estimate is computed, e.g., by executing an inverse of a cumulative distribution function of generalized Pareto distribution.

Abstract: A method for determining current return path integrity in an electric device with a plurality of signal lines and supply lines. A library with at least one reference signal pattern of a near end crosstalk signal on a defined signal line arising from an input signal on another defined signal line is provided, a predetermined signal to a selected signal line of the electric device is applied, the near end crosstalk signal on at least one further signal line of the electric device is detected, said near end crosstalk signal is compared with the corresponding reference signal pattern from the library, and if there is a deviation between the near end crosstalk signal and the corresponding reference signal pattern, an information that there is any defect in the electric device is displayed.

Abstract: Techniques for combining nanotechnology with photovoltaics are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device is provided comprising the following steps. A plurality of nanowires are formed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of nanowires attached to the substrate comprises a nanowire forest. In the presence of a first doping agent and a first volatile precursor, a first doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the nanowire forest. In the presence of a second doping agent and a second volatile precursor, a second doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the first doped layer. The first doping agent comprises one of an n-type doping agent and a p-type doping agent and the second doping agent comprises a different one of the n-type doping agent and the p-type doping agent from the first doping agent. A transparent electrode layer is deposited over the second doped semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for processing memory access events.

Abstract: The disclosure and claims herein are directed to efficient journaling for recovery of a database index by journaling zones of a page. A journal mechanism maintains a page zone bit map that includes a bit for a plurality of zones in each page to indicate which zones have had their unchanged image journaled before being changed since a last sync point update. The page zone bit map has a bit for each zone in each page so that the status of each zone can be tracked separately. Tracking the smaller zones of the pages makes the process more efficient both at run time and during recovery by reducing the period of time for memory deposits and reducing the amount of total redundant/recovery data sent to disk for larger pages.

Abstract: Data communications among electronic devices within a computer, including transmitting, from a transmitting device to a first translation device, data communications encoded according to an unreliable wireline data communications protocol; translating, by the first translation device, the data communications from the encoding of the unreliable wireline data communications protocol to an encoding of a reliable wireless data communications protocol; transmitting, by the first translation device to a second translation device, the data communications according to the reliable wireless data communications protocol; translating, by the second translation device, the data communications from the encoding of the reliable wireless data communications protocol to the encoding of the unreliable wireline data communications protocol; and transmitting, by the second translation device to a receiving device, the data communications according to the unreliable wireline data communications protocol.

Abstract: A device that includes a pattern of strained material and relaxed material on a substrate, a strained device in the strained material, and a non-strained device in the relaxed material. The strained material may be silicon (Si) in either a tensile or compressive state, and the relaxed material is Si in a normal state. A buffer layer of silicon germanium (SiGe), silicon carbon (SiC), or similar material is formed on the substrate and has a lattice constant/structure mis-match with the substrate. A relaxed layer of SiGe, SiC, or similar material is formed on the buffer layer and places the strained material in the tensile or compressive state. Carbon-doped silicon or germanium-doped silicon may be used to form the strained material. The structure includes a multi-layered substrate having strained and non-strained materials patterned thereon.

Abstract: A content recommendation method can include retrieving contacts for a player of a content recommendation game and listing content associated with the retrieved contacts and prompting the player in response to a selection of a particular one of the listed content to identify a specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content. The particular one of the listed content can be recommended to the identified specific one of the retrieved contacts when the player has incorrectly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content. Otherwise, the player can be awarded points in the game to a game score for the player for having correctly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content.

Abstract: A method, system, and article are provided for management of a data ingester and associated content collected by the data ingester. The computer system is configured with a taxonomy together with rules and policies for ingesting and classifying the collected data. Based upon the classification of the collected data with respect to the taxonomy, the data is assigned to a location in the taxonomy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for scheduling vehicle maintenance by identifying a future location at which a vehicle is available for a service and electronically providing at least the future location, a time and time duration that the vehicle is estimated to be at the future location, and the identified service to a mechanic.

Abstract: These and other objectives are attained with a method and system for evaluating an access policy change. The method comprises the step of providing an access control mechanism having a first policy, and an audit log having entries of accesses made under that first policy. The method comprises the further steps of submitting a second policy to the access control mechanism, comparing the log entries to the second policy, and based on the results of the comparing step, taking one of a predetermined number of actions.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing grace period detection in a uniprocessor environment. An update operation is performed on a data element that is shared with non-preemptible readers of the data element. A call is issued to a synchronous grace period detection method. The synchronous grace period detection method performs synchronous grace period detection and returns from the call if the data processing system implements a multi-processor environment at the time of the call. The synchronous grace period detection determines the end of a grace period in which the readers have passed through a quiescent state and cannot be maintaining references to the pre-update view of the shared data. The synchronous grace period detection method returns from the call without performing grace period detection if the data processing system implements a uniprocessor environment at the time of the call.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a microelectronic structure including a conductive element contacting a bulk semiconductor region of a substrate, the bulk semiconductor region being separated from a semiconductor-on-insulator (“SOI”) layer of the substrate by a buried dielectric layer.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for target routing by initiator, using Internet small computer system interface. The computer-implemented method obtains a logical unit number configuration, containing a set of logical unit numbers, determines whether an initiator Internet protocol address, associated with a requester, has a mapping to a logical unit number in the set of logical unit numbers. The computer implemented method further sets a path for an input output/request from the requester to a backing file, according to the mapping, and returns success to the requester.

Abstract: Transforming an original message from an application executed by a physical computing device to create a message readable by a plurality of heterogeneous recipients includes: creating with the physical computing device a first sub-message having data from the original message that is readable by each of the heterogeneous recipients; creating with the physical computing device a second sub-message having data from the original message that is not readable by each of the heterogeneous recipients; and generating with the physical computing device a composite message including both the first sub-message and the second sub-message.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for mapping a client's request to perform boot and/or dump operations to a set of backing files which enable boot and dump operations in a data processing system. A Target Routing Driver (TRD) utility creates multiple Network Installation Management (NIM) objects and/or Network Dump Management (NDM) objects including (1) an Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) boot station and (2) an iSCSI dump collection point. The boot station exports a single iSCSI software (S/W) target from which a set of Diskless Servers obtain a boot image which enables a boot operation. The dump collection point exports a single iSCSI S/W target which is used by Diskless Servers as a dump location. The TRD utility uses the single target (exported from a particular NDM object type) to utilize the minimal resource allocation which allows listening on a single connection.

Abstract: A speech recognition capability in which words of spoken text are identified based on the contour of sound waves representing the spoken text. Variations in the contour of the sound waves are identified, features are assigned to those variations, and then the features are mapped to sound constructs to provide the words.

Abstract: An approach that automatically distinguishes between in-store customers and in-store employees is provided. In one embodiment, there is a learning tool configured to construct a model for an in-store employee; and a classifying tool, further comprising matching tool configured to: match attributes between a particular person and the constructed models for an in-store employee, the classifying tool configured to: classify persons into categories of employees and customers based on amount of matching attributes between a particular person and the model for an in-store employee.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for controlling the hardware priority of hardware threads in a data processing system. A Thread Priority Control (TPC) utility assigns a primary level and one or more secondary levels of hardware priority to a hardware thread. When a hardware thread initiates execution in the absence of a system call, the TPC utility enables execution based on the primary level. When the hardware thread initiates execution within a system call, the TPC utility dynamically adjusts execution from the primary level to the secondary level associated with the system call. The TPC utility adjusts hardware priority levels in order to: (a) raise the hardware priority of one hardware thread relative to another; (b) reduce energy consumed by the hardware thread; and (c) fulfill requirements of time critical hardware sections.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a corrupted network hardware device may be automatically inspected and repaired. A default boot sequence may be suspended, and an external recovery device may inspect and repair the corrupted code by selectively repairing files and configuration settings in a minimally invasive manner, to preserve as many user settings as practicable. The network hardware device may then be re-booted from the repaired firmware.

Abstract: A method, service, and product for hiding a watermark existing in a digital media within a software application, comprising creating a set pattern of pixels represented by coordinates which represent a red, a green, a blue, and an alpha level of color, where the set pattern of pixels covers a set of original pixels within the digital media. The method including determining whether the transparency level of color should be removed from the set pattern of pixels based on a known pixel transparency removal parameter; and modifying the set pattern of pixels to remove the transparency level of color coordinates, wherein an original pixel color can be seen because the set pattern of pixels are made transparent; or not modifying the set of pixels to remove the transparency level of color coordinates, wherein the original pixel color cannot be seen because the set of original pixels is made transparent.

Abstract: Semiconductor device circuits and methods are provided for adjusting core processor performance and energy-efficiency based on usage metrics. Metric detection, performance state selection, and adjustment are done in digital logic hardware without intervening input from system software or firmware, thus greatly speeding the processor performance adjustment. Mapping usage and state information to desired processor power-performance states is also provided in circuitry rather than firmware or power control software. The mapping values may be programmable software or firmware, but detection, selection, and adjustment occur automatically in hardware without intervening input from firmware or software.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for power optimization via virtualization opportunity determination. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for power optimization via virtualization opportunity determination can be provided. The method can include monitoring power utilization in individual server hosts in a cluster and determining a set of the server hosts in the cluster demonstrating low power utilization. The method also can include selecting a subset of server hosts in the set and migrating each VM in non-selected server hosts in the set to the subset of server hosts. Finally, the method can include powering down the non-selected server hosts.

Abstract: A computer system for managing batch jobs is described. The computer system includes a storage unit for storing at least one job template, and an execution unit for creating or updating a job net definition following a condition defined in the at least one job template, creating or updating a job net, or executing a discovery of a job conflict using at least one attribute or relationship in a set of data including at least one predetermined attribute of an configuration item, and a relationship between the configuration item and another configuration item, the set of data being stored in a repository and updatable through a discovery for detecting information about a configuration item. The present invention further provides a method and computer program product for managing batch jobs.

Abstract: A method of building an interactive display related to TV programs in an internet protocol television (IPTV) environment includes parsing a plurality of TV programs provided in an IPTV environment for display to a user. The step of parsing includes capturing an image in each TV program, identifying video content in each captured image, interpreting the video content, capturing audio data, identifying an audio content in each captured audio data, and interpreting the audio content for each captured audio data. The method further includes the steps of identifying a selected TV program by the user; determining a correlation level between the interpreted video and audio content of the selected TV program and the interpreted video and audio content of each of the other TV programs; determining TV programs other than the selected TV program; and building and presenting a mosaic display on a TV display including the selected TV program.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for improving query execution plan efficiency in a database management system. The present invention binds both static database queries and dynamic database queries to new query execution plans (QEPs) that produce the same result set as a former QEP bound to the database queries. Next, the present invention identifies one of the former QEPs and the new QEP as an active QEP and automatically collects execution statistics for one of the former QEPs and the new QEP. Finally, the present invention automatically selects one of the former QEPs and the new QEP as the active QEP in response to completion of the automatic collection of execution statistics, the active QEP selected such that the automatically selected QEP provides optimal execution performance based on performance criteria in comparison to the automatically unselected QEP, the active QEP selected based on the execution statistics.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically managing process information stored in federated repositories. When practice requirements are collected for a multi-step process, a process metadata data structure comprising process information conforming to the practice requirements is created in a metadata repository. The structure is created by creating a template document for each task in the multi-step process and populating the template documents with the procedure information in the practice requirements. Hierarchical and horizontal associations are created among the template documents based on the execution order of the tasks in the procedure information. Process documents for each task in the multi-step process are created and populated with information about the tasks. The task information, procedure information, and association information for each task is then stored as metadata in the process metadata structure.