Abstract: An aligning apparatus comprising: a back plane, the back plane comprising at least one back plane connector; at least one daughter card, the daughter card comprising: a lower edge, the lower edge comprising a scalloped surface proximal to a rear surface of the lower edge, and a ramped surface proximal to a front surface of the lower edge; and a daughter card connector, the daughter card connector configured to be removably connectable to the back plane connector; and at least two guide rails extending from the back plane, the guide rail comprising a rear ramp and a front ramp. A method of aligning a daughter card to a back plane, the method comprising: sliding the daughter card towards the back plane; lifting the front end of the daughter; lifting the back end of the daughter card after lifting the front end of the daughter card; and providing the back end of the daughter card with a degree of freedom to lift and lower in order to align to the back plane, after lifting the back end of the daughter card.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product that send wireless control messages to electronic devices, such as audio and video recorders, cameras, radios, televisions, mobile phones, portable or handheld computers and personal digital assistants, that have come within an environment or that are in an environment that changes. In such an environment, a wireless receiver in the mobile electronic device receives the control messages. In a hardware implementation, electronic gates are set to disable the one or more features of the device. In a software implementation, current power status flags are set in a memory device within the mobile electronic device to a reduced power setting. Outside the environment, the electronic gates or power status flags revert to full power. The device driver for each feature of the mobile electronic device will reject I/O operations inconsistent with the current power status flags for that feature.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for integrating a system task scheduler with a workload manager are provided. The scheduler is used to assign default priorities to threads and to place the threads into run queues and the workload manager is used to implement policies set by a system administrator. One of the policies may be to have different classes of threads get different percentages of a system's CPU time. This policy can be reliably achieved if threads from a plurality of classes are spread as uniformly as possible among the run queues. To do so, the threads are organized in classes. Each class is associated with a priority as per a use-policy. This priority is used to modify the scheduling priority assigned to each thread in the class as well as to determine in which band or range of priority the threads fall. Then periodically, it is determined whether the number of threads in a band in a run queue exceeds the number of threads in the band in another run queue by more than a pre-determined number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a marker at the end of the adaptive self-servowrite process for adaptive formatting via the self-servowrite process. The mark is used later in the drive manufacturing process to identify the number of tracks written on the surface and thus determine the appropriate format to use in the drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concurrently accessing network-based electronic content in a Voice Browser and a Visual Browser can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for display in the Visual Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Voice Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Voice Browser. The Voice Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and audibly present the electronic content. Concurrently, the Visual Browser can visually present the network-based document formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser.

Abstract: A data storage element (and method of forming the same) includes a substrate comprising a semiconductor material, a metal oxide layer including an electrically insulating rare earth metal oxide disposed upon a surface of the substrate, a conductive material disposed upon the metal oxide layer, a first electrode electrically connected to the conductive material, and a second electrode connected to the substrate.

Abstract: A network attached storage device (“NASD”), where that NASD is capable of communicating with one or more host computers, and where that NASD is capable of communicating with one or more data storage and retrieval systems. The network attached storage device includes an information storage device, a first file system driver, where that first file system driver is in communication with the information storage device, and a second file system driver, where that second file system driver is in communication with the first file system driver. The network attached storage device further includes a plurality of first computer files stored on the information storage device, and a plurality of second computer files, where one or more of the plurality of first computer files comprises two or more of the plurality of second computer files.

Abstract: A user is enabled to obtain a hard copy of a Web page readily when the user browses a Web page using an Internet connection device such as a portable telephone that has no printer connected thereto. A fax transmission request icon is displayed on the Web page. When the user clicks the fax transmission request icon, a fax server is notified of the URL of the Web page and the display screen switches to present the Web page of the fax server. The user then enters his/her member ID for accounting and the fax number of a destination fax machine. The fax server then accesses the notified URL, generates fax output data based on the Web page and sends it to the destination fax machine.

Abstract: A method for configuring a computer network that includes a full duplex bi-directional first port and an initiator that can issue a request for the first port to assume a state. The first port, when in a first state, is able to bi-directionally communicate with a full duplex bi-directional second port, and when in a second state, is coupled to itself by having an output thereof coupled to an input thereof. The method comprises inhibiting the initiator from issuing the request, sending data to the initiator describing a desired state of the first port, and enabling the initiator to issue the request for the first port to assume the desired state.

Abstract: A method of reducing foreign material contamination of a substrate in an ion beam system and an ion beam system. The system, including: a vacuum chamber having an ion beam axis; a substrate chamber free to tilt about a tilt axis, the tilt axis orthogonal to and intersecting the ion beam axis; a flexible bellows connecting an opening in the substrate chamber and an opening in the vacuum chamber, both openings co-axially aligned with the ion beam axis, the bellows providing a vacuum seal between the substrate chamber and the vacuum chamber; and a hollow foreign material shield open at a top proximate to the vacuum chamber and a bottom proximate to the substrate chamber, the foreign material shield located between the ion beam axis and the flexible bellows, the top and bottom of the foreign material shield co-axially aligned with the ion beam axis.

Abstract: A method and system for sample data selection to test and train predictive algorithm of customer behavior are provided. The method and system generate frequency distributions of a customer database data set, training data set and testing data set and compare the frequency distributions of geographical characteristics to determine if there are discrepancies. If the discrepancies are above a predetermined tolerance, one or more of the data sets may not be representative of the customer database taking into account geographical influences on customer behavior. Thus, recommendations for improving the training data set and/or testing data set are then provided such that the data set is more representative of the customer database. In this way, “nuggeting” of customers is accounted for in the training and/or testing data sets.

Abstract: The present invention describes a privilege transfer method between programs in a computing system. This transfer method allows a resource manager such as a security manager to be initially started on the system by the system's native privileged user. This user has the needed native privilege to add it to the system. Subsequently the privilege to administer the security manager is transferred from the native privileged identity to a designated user identity. Once transferred, the initial privileged identity, the system's native privileged user, losses privilege with respect to the security manager and the new registered identity gains administrative control over the security manager. Since the new registered identity is not the native root identity, the security of the native system is not compromised.

Abstract: A reservation system for making reservations in a shared memory buffer to store information from applications is logically partitioned in a number of fixed size indexed contiguous slots. The reservation system uses an atomic counter that is stored in the shared memory buffer. The value of the atomic counter can be associated with the index of a slot available for reservation. An application making a reservation increases the atomic counter value on a number of reserved slots to provide a value that is associated with the index of the next slot available for reservation. After the reservation is accomplished, the information is written into the reserved slots. The reservation system writes parsing information for further parsing to validate information in the shared memory buffer. The reservation system provides functionality for continuous and instantaneous dumping of the shared memory buffer into a file for cleaning and for wrapping the buffer.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method to recover a logical volume on a physical volume, or data storage cartridge, within a dual copy data storage system, such as a virtual tape server (VTS) system. Such recovery follows a disaster situation involving a primary copy of the requested logical volume. The system, apparatus, and method include modules and steps as required to recover a logical volume, or data file or block, through manipulation and swapping of record files, or stubs, that point to primary and secondary copies of a logical volume. Such primary and secondary logical volumes are stored on distinct physical volumes in order to provide quality storage media management and reduce the likelihood of loss of data.

Abstract: A method of processing a configuration of a digital system is disclosed. The digital system contains a configuration latch having a plurality of possible latch values that each corresponds to a different configuration of a functional portion of the digital system. The digital system further includes a signal coupled to an output of the configuration latch by a signal path. According to the method, a configuration specification for the digital system is received. The configuration specification includes a Dial mapping between each of a plurality of possible input values that can be received by the Dial and a respective one of a plurality of signal values for the signal. In response to receipt of the configuration specification, a number of inverting circuit elements within the signal path coupling the signal and the output of the configuration latch is determined.

Abstract: A conductive sash is etched around the periphery of a land grid array interconnection on a carrier for dense integrated circuit connections. If the array comprises more than one module or module chip domain, the conductive sash is also positioned between the modules. The dimensions of the sash are such that it is slightly larger than a frame of an interposer or other electrical connector which is placed upon the array. In this fashion, the interposer or other electrical connector rests upon the sash and provides protection against particulate and gaseous contamination of the array.

Abstract: To provide a technique for connection from a conventional personal computer having no terminal ID to a service site for mobile phone terminals. A simulation server 4 is set as the proxy server for a personal computer 5 or 9. In the proxy server (simulation server 4), terminal ID's suitable for the format are generated, and a cookie is generated for each personal computer or session. The terminal ID's and cookies are related and stored as a hash table 10. In the proxy server 4, a terminal ID is appended to a request from the personal computer 5 or 9, and the request is transferred to an i-mode server 3 along with the terminal ID.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for flexible digital halftoning are provided in which novel pattern choices are allowed by not restricting the basic halftone patterns to grow sequentially. Rather, positions in a threshold array allow multiple transitions between on (i.e., printed with toner/ink) and off (not printed) as a function of the input value at the corresponding position. In one embodiment, multiple threshold matrices are employed and the output decision is a vote (e.g., exclusive OR) of the outputs of the individual threshold matrices. In another embodiment, each position contains an arbitrary bit vector to express the output for each input. This flexibility in growing basic halftone patterns allows the number of densities output to be larger than n+1 (where “n” is the number of dots within a basic halftone cell).

Abstract: A Land Grid Array structure is enhanced with a flex film interposer that not only provides a Land Grid Array (LGA) electrical connection between a Multi-Chip Module (MCM) and the next level of integration such as a system board, but also provides a reliable means to implement desired Engineering Change (EC) capability as well as a means for decoupling power to ground structure to minimize switching activity effects on the System. The invention as described can be implemented for EC repair, for Capacitive Decoupling or both.

Abstract: Certain elements in the scan dump performed at system failure have become so large that a header field which indicates the size of the element is itself too small. Rather than increase the size of the field, affecting numerous other programs, the elements are broken down into smaller pieces by the write routine, which can recursively call itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows the quick computation of an estimate of the reciprocal of a floating point number in IEEE format. A table with 2k entries allows the computation of an estimate with 2×k+3 good bits. x is a floating point number in IEEE format for which a reciprocal approximation is to be computed. {circumflex over (x)} be a floating point number in IEEE format derived from x by leaving the sign bit unchanged, complementing the exponent bits, leaving the first k fraction bits unchanged, and complementing the remaining fraction bits. t is another floating point number in IEEE format found by using the first k bits of the fraction of x as an index into a table with 2k entries. The product {circumflex over (x)}×t computed with IEEE floating point arithmetic is an estimate of the reciprocal of x with 2×k+3 good bits (i.e., relative error less than 2?2×k+3).

Abstract: A method of simulating a low-bandwidth connection over a higher-bandwidth connection. According to the method, data is received from a first device at a first predetermined speed, and the data is transferred to a second device over the high-bandwidth connection at a second predetermined speed. The second predetermined speed is less than the first predetermined speed and less than the speed of the high-bandwidth connection. In one preferred method, the data is transferred over a high-bandwidth LAN and the second predetermined speed is the speed of a modem connection. A computer system is also provided. The computer system includes a first device, a second device, and a speed control layer. The speed control layer is coupled between the first and second devices, and slows data transfer from the first device to the second device over a connection to a first predetermined speed that is less than the normal speed of the connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing integrated circuit chips that partially joins an integrated circuit wafer to a supporting wafer at a limited number of joining points. Once joined, the integrated circuit wafer is chemically-mechanically polished to reduce the thickness of the integrated circuit wafer. Then, after reducing the thickness of the integrated circuit wafer, the invention performs conventional processing on the integrated circuit wafer to form devices and wiring in the integrated circuit wafer. Next, the invention cuts through the integrated circuit wafer and the supporting wafer to form chip sections. During this cutting process, the integrated circuit wafer separates from the supporting wafer in chip sections where the integrated circuit wafer is not joined to the supporting wafer by the joining points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an interconnect between layers of a multilayer circuit board. A first via extending through a total thickness of a first layer is formed. The first via is totally filled with a first solid conductive plug and an end of the first solid conductive plug includes a first contact pad that is in contact with a surface of the first layer. A second via extending through a total thickness of a second layer is formed. The second via totally filling with a second solid conductive plug and an end of the second solid conductive plug includes a second contact pad that is in contact with a surface of the second layer. The second layer is electrically and mechanically coupled to the first layer by an electrically conductive adhesive that is in electrical and mechanical contact with both the end of the first plug and the end of the second plug.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises: selecting an incident that requires further processing, capturing data associated with said incident, outputting captured data, and outputting a description for said captured data, whereby problem-solving is promoted. Another example comprises: providing runtime features for data capture, selecting an incident that requires further processing, capturing data on a thread that encounters said incident, and outputting captured data. In some cases, such a solution might include comparing a current incident to known incidents, and if a match is found, retrieving information that is relevant to said current incident. In some cases, such a solution might include taking recovery action or corrective action in response to said incident. Methods for handling errors, systems for executing such methods, and instructions on a computer-usable medium, for executing such methods, are provided.

Abstract: A clustered computer system includes a shared data storage system, preferably a virtual shared disk (VSD) memory system, to which the computers in the cluster write data and from which the computers read data, using data access requests. The data access requests can be associated with deadlines, and individual storage devices in the shared storage system satisfy competing requests based on the deadlines of the requests. The deadlines can be updated and requests can be killed, to facilitate real time data access for, e.g., multimedia applications such as video on demand.

Abstract: A fanning route generation technique is provided for multi-path networks having a shared communications fabric. The technique includes selecting a source node-destination node (S-D) group having common starting and ending sets of links from the network of interconnected nodes. Within this group, selecting the shortest routes between the S-D nodes of the group so that: selected routes substantially uniformly fan out from the source node to a center of the network and fan in from the center of the network to the destination node, thereby achieving local balance; and global balance of routes passing through links that are at a same level of the network is achieved.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for selecting and recommending of clustering indexes are provided. Baseline run time cost estimates are calculated based on database designs. Workload benefit of a candidate clustering design is calculated and compared to the baseline costs. If the workload benefit outweighs the baseline costs, clustering dimension solutions originated from the record identifier (RID) based index are identified. A clustering design is selected based on the identified clustering dimension solutions and the total number of recommended clustering dimensions for a given table. Based on the number of dimensions observed, either a multidimensional clustering solution or a RID based clustering index is recommended.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automatically distributing a bid request for a grid job to multiple grid providers and analyzing responses to select a winning grid provider are provided. A user at a grid client enters at least one bid criteria for a particular grid job intended for submission to an external grid environment. The grid client automatically selects at least one grid provider for the external grid environment to query for availability to process the particular grid job to meet the criteria for the particular grid job. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the criteria in a bid request for the particular grid job to the selected grid providers. The grid client stores bid responses received from the grid providers, and responsive to reaching a deadline for return of responses for the bid request, the grid client selects a winning bid response from the particular grid job from among the received responses.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabrication are provided in which the integrated circuit includes a field effect transistor (FET) having a channel region and source and drain regions adjacent to the channel region. A first stressed region having a first type of stress is provided to underlie the channel region, in which the first type of stress is either compressive type or tensile type. Second stressed regions having a second type of stress are provided to underlie the source and drain regions, in which the second type of stress is an opposite one of the compressive type or tensile type stress of the first stressed region.

Abstract: A novel trace cache design and organization to efficiently store and retrieve multi-path traces. A goal is to design a trace cache, which is capable of storing multi-path traces without significant duplication in the traces. Furthermore, the effective access latency of these traces is reduced.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure has a buried oxide (BOX) layer above a substrate, and a first-type fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) and a second-type FinFET above the BOX layer. The second region of the BOX layer includes a seed opening to the substrate. The top of the first-type FinFET and the second-type FinFET are planar with each other. A first region of the BOX layer below the first FinFET fin is thicker above the substrate when compared to a second region of the BOX layer below the second FinFET fin. Also, the second FinFET fin is taller than the first FinFET fin. The height difference between the first fin and the second fin permits the first-type FinFET to have the same drive strength as the second-type FinFET.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for quickly and automatically blocking a plurality of computer systems in response to detection of a widespread vulnerability or software infection. The method comprises: providing a list of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses corresponding to a plurality of devices to be blocked in a network; and for each IP address in the list: determining a router in the network connected to the IP address; determining a layer-2 Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the IP address; and applying a CAM filter to a core switch associated with the router to block communication from the device corresponding to the IP address, at the core switch; wherein the blocking of the plurality of devices occurs automatically in response to the provision of the list of IP addresses.

Abstract: A communication system (100) has a portal (110), a subscriber (108), a plurality of content providers (112), and a communication network for providing communication between the portal, the subscriber and the plurality of content providers. The components of the communication system are programmed to transmit to the subscriber from the portal an available selection of the plurality of content providers, select at the subscriber a select one of the plurality of content providers, and transmit content provider registration corresponding to the selected content provider from the portal to the selected content provider.

Abstract: A structure and method where C is incorporated into the collector region of a heterojunction bipolar device by a method which does not include C ion implantation are provided. In the present invention, C is incorporated into the collector by epitaxy in a perimeter trench etched into the collector region to better control the carbon profile and location. The trench is formed by etching the collector region using the trench isolation regions and a patterned layer over the center part of the collector as masks. Then, Si:C is grown using selective epitaxy inside the trench to form a Si:C region with sharp and well-defined edges. The depth, width and C content can be optimized to control and tailor the collector implant diffusion and to reduce the perimeter component of parasitic CCB.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit structure and a method of making such a structure that has a substrate and P-type and N-type transistors on the substrate. The N-type transistor extension and source/drain regions comprise dopants implanted into the substrate. The P-type transistor extension and source/drain regions partially include a strained epitaxial silicon germanium, wherein the strained silicon germanium comprises of two layers, with a top layer that is closer to the gate stack than the bottom layer. The strained silicon germanium is in-situ doped and creates longitudinal stress on the channel region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to mount one or more components to a hardware casing are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for determining a pattern of interconnects to apply to an interior surface of the hardware casing. The pattern includes at least one independent path for transmitting a signal between the components. The pattern of interconnects is then applied to the interior surface, the application being configured for the topography of the interior surface to couple the components with the pattern of interconnects. In many embodiments, the components may then be mounted to the casing and interconnected with the interconnects. And, in some embodiment, the pattern of interconnects may be coupled with a circuit board having additional components.

Abstract: A client server network system is disclosed that protects memory data objects from being viewed by those other than a verified user. Original application code in a server is modified to intercept calls to an original class object via a secure proxy that is injected or weaved into the original application code. The secure proxy verifies that the user generating the request for the original class object is authorized to access that object. If the user is so verified, the secured proxy encrypts the requested class object. Should an unverified user somehow access the encrypted class object, such a user would be provided with scrambled information. However, if the user making the request for the class object is a verified user, the class object is decrypted and information from the decrypted class object is transmitted to the verified user.

Abstract: A method of patterning a feature in a substrate to reduce edge roughness comprises forming a resist layer overlying a substrate, exposing the resist layer to create an image of a feature, and developing the exposed resist layer to leave a portion of the resist layer that creates the image of the feature. The method then includes treating the exposed resist layer with a plasma to cure the portion of the resist layer creating the feature image. The plasma treatment has an ion bombardment level insufficient to substantially etch the underlying substrate. The method then includes etching the underlying substrate to create the feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for checking for viruses by adding a virus scanning capability to a data transfer device. In a method of the present invention a real-time virus checker is stored on a controller. The virus checker scans data as it is being written to a file. If a virus is detected, the suspected file is flagged. Anti-virus software is then invoked to perform a scan of the entire suspected file. In this manner, demands on CPU resources to perform scans will be greatly reduced as only those files marked as possibly containing a viruse need to be scanned, rather than scanning all the files on the entire data transfer device.

Abstract: A method for post lithographic critical dimension shrinking of a patterned semiconductor feature includes forming an overcoat layer over a patterned photoresist layer, and removing portions of the overcoat layer initially formed over top surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The remaining portions of the overcoat layer on sidewalls of said patterned photoresist layer are reacted so as to chemically bind the remaining portions of the overcoat layer on the sidewalls.

Abstract: The present invention adds new value to the Web, such as to improve accessibility, while maintaining changes to existing web sites to a minimum. An example system includes a first Web server and at least one other Web server, wherein a Web page can be displayed on a Web browser in a client device connected with the first Web server and the other Web server via a network, wherein the first Web server registers URLs of files providing added value for each of the first Web server and the other Web server that are defined as a set of Web servers to be provided with the same added value, and wherein the first Web server and the other Web server display an existing Web page in the Web browser, and provide the added value to the Web page by manipulating a DOM from another frame or another window.

Abstract: A chip is provided in which an on-chip matching network has a first terminal conductively connected to a bond pad of the chip and a second terminal conductively connected to a common node on the chip. A wiring trace connects the on-chip matching network to a circuit of the chip. The on-chip matching network includes an electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) circuit having at least one diode having a first terminal conductively connected to the bond pad and a second terminal connected in an overvoltage discharge path to a source of fixed potential. The matching network further includes a first inductor coupled to provide a first inductive path between the bond pad and the wiring trace, a termination resistor having a first terminal connected to the common node, and a second inductor coupled to provide a second inductive path between the wiring trace and a second terminal of the termination resistor.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for selective macro event recording. In accordance with the present invention, events can be selectively included in a macro recording process, even where the events occur across different contexts such as different application windows in different applications. Specifically, once a macro recording session has been initiated for a particular application or application window, events occurring in different applications or application windows can be selected for inclusion in the macro through an append recording operation. Notably, the selective macro recording facility can be included as part of an operating environment, or as part of the individual applications executing within the operating environment.

Abstract: A resistor with heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a conductive path having metal or other thermal conductor having a high thermal conductivity. To avoid shorting the electrical resistor to ground with the thermal conductor, a thin layer of high thermal conductivity electrical insulator is interposed between the thermal conductor and the body of the resistor. Accordingly, a resistor can carry large amounts of current because the high conductivity thermal conductor will conduct heat away from the resistor to a heat sink. Various configurations of thermal conductors and heat sinks are provided offering good thermal conductive properties in addition to reduced parasitic capacitances and other parasitic electrical effects, which would reduce the high frequency response of the electrical resistor.

Abstract: A bad track in a disk device in a data storage system is recovered by determining which cluster in the system the bad track belongs to. If the track belongs to the cluster that discovered that the track was bad, that cluster recovers the track by locating a good copy of the track, staging the good copy of the track to cache, and destaging the good copy of the track storage unit from the cache to all copies of the track, whether good or bad, in the data storage system. If the track belongs to another cluster, the cluster that discovered that the track was bad sends a message to the other cluster to inform it of the bad track, and the other cluster recovers the bad track. In another aspect, all tracks are owned by one server or server cluster, which performs the staging and destaging.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automating responses by grid providers to bid request indicating criteria for a grid job are provided. A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a Proxied Contact Management System (PCMS) so that individual owners of personal contact data may control and manage the access and dissemination of their personal data and also control who may contact them. The owner of personal contact data may securely register the data with a secured information vault of the PCMS and specify which other parties may contact them. In this way, duplication of the personal data is avoided, but at the same time is always current. In use, a second party's device, such as a telephone or a PDA may request that the PCMS, under public key infrastructure (PKI) control, establish a connection with the first party. Once verified, the PCMS may establish a proxy connection between the first and second parties according to the permitted mode of communication defined by criteria established by the first party and managed by the PCMS.

Abstract: The invention broadly and generally provides, in a computer-controlled display, a method of simplifying a graphical representation of a set of connected nodes comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a subset of the aforesaid set; and (b) under computer program control, hiding representations of all nodes except (i) nodes within the aforesaid subset and (ii) at least one node having a defined relationship to the aforesaid subset.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for maintaining data stored in a processing device the method comprising the steps of: generating a signature indicative of the data stored in the processing device; communicating the signature to a maintenance node; and receiving updated data from the maintenance node, the updated data being generated by the maintenance node in dependence of the maintenance node comparing the communicated signature with lookup data to determine an update to the data stored in the processing device.