Abstract: A method for selectively controlling reutilization of space in a virtual tape system (VTS) having a buffer and a multiple volume tape cartridge includes transferring data volume files to the VTS. The buffer transfers the data making up these files as virtual tape volumes (VTVs) to different locations of the cartridge for storage. A file is selectively designated for the VTS to delete from storage after a date included with the file has elapsed by deleting the VTVs corresponding to the file from the cartridge to reuse space of the cartridge. The method includes detecting if a file transferred as VTVs to the cartridge has been designated for deletion. The VTS is prohibited from deleting the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion and is allowed to delete the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use by an investor to analyze investments in a user's portfolio of investments. The method assists an investor in determining the proper mix of investments such as securities to hold in their investment portfolio to achieve an acceptable mix of investment risk and investment return. The investment risk and return data are analyzed and an investment portfolio is constructed that meets the investor's criteria.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of processing a packet sent to a provider network. The packet is received via a user port of an edge switch of the network. Forwarding and routing by the edge switch is determined based on a user VID. A provider VLAN tag, including a provider VID, is inserted into the packet prior to transmission of the packet via a provider port of the edge switch.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for scanning a partitioned data set (“PDS”). A receive module is included to receive a search criteria comprising one or more expressions. A member module is included to determine a set of PDS members to search based on the search criteria. A scan module is included to scan a record contained within each member of the set of PDS members. A determination module is included to determine whether a record satisfies the search criteria, where the search criteria comprises at least one expression that identifies a record that lacks a specified character string of the at least one expression. A return module is included to return the determined record. Each record in the scanned PDS has any length within a range supported by an operating system maintaining the scanned PDS.

Abstract: A fluid leak limiter for a high-pressure fuel injection system is disclosed. The fluid leak limiter may have a body at least partially defining a central bore and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a piston reciprocatingly disposed within the central bore, and a spring located to bias the piston toward a first flow-blocking position at which fluid from the fluid inlet is inhibited from flowing to the fluid outlet. The fluid leak limiter may also have a pin configured to selectively lock the piston in a second flow-blocking position at which fluid from the fluid inlet is inhibited from flowing to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A fluid leak limiter for a high-pressure fuel injection system is disclosed. The fluid leak limiter may have a body at least partially defining a central bore and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a piston reciprocatingly disposed within the central bore, and a spring located to bias the piston toward a first flow-blocking position at which fluid from the fluid inlet is inhibited from flowing to the fluid outlet. The fluid leak limiter may also have a pin configured to selectively lock the piston in a second flow-blocking position at which fluid from the fluid inlet is inhibited from flowing to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A receiver and a method to demodulate an unknown signal with an unknown linear modulation is described. The method of one of various embodiments comprises: sampling the unknown signal at a sampling rate to produce a sampled signal; applying carrier frequency offset estimation to the sampled signal to match the frequency of the sampled signal to that of the unknown signal and to change constellation rotation of the sampled signal; utilizing symbol period estimation to match the sampling rate of the sampled signal to a sampling rate of the unknown signal; applying blind equalization to the sampled signal to provide an equalized unknown signal; and demodulating the equalized unknown signal by utilizing a multistep windowed histogram clustering algorithm to generate constellation clusters; applying a rotation rate estimation algorithm to the clusters to estimate a phase rotation rate; and utilizing the phase rotation rate estimate to de-rotate the clusters.

Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of dynamically, reusable computer environments by first retrieving data set information from a volume table of contents (VTOC) to ensure its consistency with the catalog. After obtaining the necessary information about the data sets, control statements are generated and appropriate programs invoked to perform the desired maintenance operations. Reinitializing and reconfiguring the reusable computer environment by starting with the VTOC prevents post-maintenance issues such as a data set with an entry in an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog while the data set no longer exists on a volume, a cataloged virtual storage access method (VSAM) cluster with disassociated DATA or INDEX data sets, and a data set catalog entry that has been scratched while the data set still exists on a volume. The present invention saves time and money by preventing such problems up-front instead of correcting them after-the-fact.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier plasma discharge device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap. A dielectric is disposed between the electrodes. The electrode gap is provided with a gas at a specified pressure. A rapid rise time voltage pulse generator produces a voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. Due to the high voltages and high current densities, the product yields an extremely high instantaneous power density. This extreme overvoltage condition is also believed to lead to production of shock waves and runaway free electrons. The resulting plasma can be utilized to carry out many potential tasks including, but not limited to etching, deposition, and sterilization.

Abstract: A method of generating a fast-rise time voltage step to produce an overvoltage condition for a dielectric barrier plasma discharge involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap and at least one dielectric disposed in the gap; generating fast-rise time voltage step such that the rise time to achieve said overvoltage condition is equal to or less than the time required to generate the plasma thereby establishing the overvoltage condition prior to current flow across said electrode gap. Power from storage capacitor banks discharge into the electrode gap through a switch. The switch is capable of standing-off voltage sufficient to create the overvoltage condition when the switch is open. The discharge current pulse across the said electrode gap is terminated by charging properties of the said dielectric(s) in the said electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for performing semi-automatic dataset maintenance. The apparatus includes an input module that receives a dataset qualifier. The dataset qualifier describes a collection of datasets. The input module also receives a desired maintenance action to be applied to the datasets. A retrieval module retrieves a set of dataset identifiers that satisfy the dataset qualifier from a mainframe operating system. A command module constructs a set of mainframe operating system commands to fulfill the desired maintenance action. The set of commands includes at least one command for each dataset.

Abstract: A method for managing data needed to resolve pointer errors is provided. The method provides for receiving information concerning a pointer error, preparing the information received, submitting a job to select, sort, and format a subset of log and/or trace records such that the subset of records can be analyzed to resolve the pointer error.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for condensing reported checkpoint log data that facilitates analysis of the checkpoint log data by minimizing extraneous results presented to a user. The method includes a user interface to receive a query expression from a user based on one or more conditions and one or more parameters. A record handler retrieves a checkpoint log record from a storage device. A structuring module parses the checkpoint log record into log entries. A comparison module applies the query expression to each log entry. This application of the query expression may include applying the query expression to a particular portion of the log entry specified by an offset. The output module generates a condensed checkpoint log record including log entries that satisfy the query expression.

Abstract: An apparatus, A method is disclosed for performing semi-automatic dataset maintenance. The method includes receiving a dataset qualifier. The dataset qualifier describes a collection of datasets. The method also receives a desired maintenance action to be applied to the datasets. A method retrieves a set of dataset identifiers that satisfy the dataset qualifier from a mainframe operating system. The method constructs a set of mainframe operating system commands to fulfill the desired maintenance action. The set of commands includes at least one command for each dataset.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for initiating batch processing on a computer system from a terminal. The method generates a message from the terminal, where the message defines a transaction to be performed on a computer system. The transaction schedules and runs a program that extracts data from the message. The message is then transmitted to the computer system. The data is then used to generate batch job control language and a batch job is run on the computer system. The output of the batch job is then routed back to the terminal.

Abstract: A method for selectively controlling reutilization of space in a virtual tape system (VTS) having a buffer and a multiple volume tape cartridge includes transferring data volume files to the VTS. The buffer transfers the data making up these files as virtual tape volumes (VTVs) to different locations of the cartridge for storage. A file is selectively designated for the VTS to delete from storage after a date included with the file has elapsed by deleting the VTVs corresponding to the file from the cartridge to reuse space of the cartridge. The method includes detecting if a file transferred as VTVs to the cartridge has been designated for deletion. The VTS is prohibited from deleting the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion and is allowed to delete the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for analyzing computer events recorded in a plurality of computer datasets. The apparatus includes a read module configured to access chronicle records in two datasets, an extraction module configured to extract a timestamp from each chronicle record, a generation module configured to generate a chronicle time indicator for each chronicle record based on the extracted timestamp, and a placement module configured to place the generated chronicle time indicator into the associated chronicle record. Typically, chronicle records in a first chronicle record have records with desired timestamp characteristics while chronicle records in a second dataset have chronicle records with incompatible timestamp characteristics. The apparatus and method generate the chronicle time indicator to be compatible with desired timestamp characteristics of the first dataset and place the generated chronicle time indicator in each incompatible chronicle record.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for analyzing trace data that facilitates the analysis by minimizing extraneous results presented to a user. The apparatus includes a user interface to define a query expression based on a condition and one or more parameters and to display a report of trace entries satisfying the query expression. A record handler retrieves an unstructured trace record from a storage device or database. A structuring module divides the unstructured trace record logically into two or more trace entries based on structural information. A comparison module applies the query expression to each entry. This application of the query expression may include further sub-dividing the entry logically to search on a sub-entry level. The comparison module assembles entries satisfying the query expression into an abridged trace record. A report engine combines the abridged trace records into a report of trace entries satisfying the query expression.