Abstract: Distributed computing using communities is described. In an embodiment computations in a distributed computing system are driven and controlled by a document storing a distributed computing graph, a graph layout view of that graph and visualization elements. For example, the document is replicated and synchronized at each of a plurality of entities in the distributed computing system. In examples a community may be drawn as a rectangle or other shape in the graph layout view and represents one or more computing resources in the distributed computing system. For example by placing graphical elements representing currently executing processes into the community on the graph layout view a user is able to ensure that those processes execute using the computing resources of the community. In examples communities may be nested and may have parameters specifying conditions which are to be met by the computing resources they represent.

Abstract: Management of distributed computing systems is required, for example, to carry out activities using shared resources such as computational tasks, in-silico experiments and other tasks. In an embodiment a distributed computing graph represents processes executing in the distributed computing system in order to carry out the activity and this graph is available to entities in the distributed computing system. For example, a user interface at an entity in the distributed computing system enables a user to view a local representation of the distributed computing graph and to control the activity using that local representation which maps dynamically to and from the underlying distributed computing graph. In examples, the local representation of the distributed computing graph enables live control of the activity without the need for compilation. In examples the distributed computing graph is shared through the distributed computing system using peer-to-peer distribution or using a replication mechanism.

Abstract: Distributed computing is described. In an embodiment a user drags and drops an icon representing specified functionality into a graph layout view of a distributed computing graph in order to control a distributed computing system. For example, the distributed computing graph controls currently executing processes in a distributed computing system. In an embodiment a dynamic mapping between the graph layout view and the distributed computing graph occurs such that the functionality of the icon is implemented. For example, the icon may represent a data bus connecting some of the currently executing processes and used to implement check pointing and/or caching mechanisms. In other examples the icon represents any of a spooler-player mechanism, debugging tools, multi-scale visualization tools, and data driven visualization tools.

Abstract: Use of scientific models to generate graphical virtual environments is described. In an embodiment at least two different scientific models are used. Input data which is representative of a real world environment is used by a first scientific model, such as a climate model, and data output by the first scientific model is then fed into a second, different, scientific model, such as an ecological model, in order to generate simulation data. The simulation data, which may, for example, detail the required population density of particular plant species and their size and age, is then used by a graphical simulation engine to generate a graphical virtual environment which may, for example, be used in a computer game such as a flight simulation game.

Abstract: Distributed computing is described. In an embodiment a user drags and drops an icon representing specified functionality into a graph layout view of a distributed computing graph in order to control a distributed computing system. For example, the distributed computing graph controls currently executing processes in a distributed computing system. In an embodiment a dynamic mapping between the graph layout view and the distributed computing graph occurs such that the functionality of the icon is implemented. For example, the icon may represent a data bus connecting some of the currently executing processes and used to implement check pointing and/or caching mechanisms. In other examples the icon represents any of a spooler-player mechanism, debugging tools, multi-scale visualization tools, and data driven visualization tools.

Abstract: Distributed computing using communities is described. In an embodiment computations in a distributed computing system are driven and controlled by a document storing a distributed computing graph, a graph layout view of that graph and visualization elements. For example, the document is replicated and synchronized at each of a plurality of entities in the distributed computing system. In examples a community may be drawn as a rectangle or other shape in the graph layout view and represents one or more computing resources in the distributed computing system. For example by placing graphical elements representing currently executing processes into the community on the graph layout view a user is able to ensure that those processes execute using the computing resources of the community. In examples communities may be nested and may have parameters specifying conditions which are to be met by the computing resources they represent.

Abstract: Cost aware service aggregation is described; for example, two or more web services may be connected to form an aggregate service in a way which minimizes computational costs and/or costs of network resources between the services. In an embodiment a service has a two or more contracts expressed using process-algebra which capture data representations and protocols of the web service. In an embodiment, a static analysis engine identifies combinations of contracts which are compatible according to the process-algebra. In an example, the identified combinations of contracts are ranked by cost to select an optimal combination. In other examples, network environment conditions are taken into account and dynamic adjustments made to the aggregation. In more examples, mappings of the data representations to other data representations are considered and appropriate proxy services are automatically used to implement these mappings if required.

Abstract: Management of distributed computing systems is required, for example, to carry out activities using shared resources such as computational tasks, in-silico experiments and other tasks. In an embodiment a distributed computing graph represents processes executing in the distributed computing system in order to carry out the activity and this graph is available to entities in the distributed computing system. For example, a user interface at an entity in the distributed computing system enables a user to view a local representation of the distributed computing graph and to control the activity using that local representation which maps dynamically to and from the underlying distributed computing graph. In examples, the local representation of the distributed computing graph enables live control of the activity without the need for compilation. In examples the distributed computing graph is shared through the distributed computing system using peer-to-peer distribution or using a replication mechanism.

Abstract: Use of scientific models to generate graphical virtual environments is described. In an embodiment at least two different scientific models are used. Input data which is representative of a real world environment is used by a first scientific model, such as a climate model, and data output by the first scientific model is then fed into a second, different, scientific model, such as an ecological model, in order to generate simulation data. The simulation data, which may, for example, detail the required population density of particular plant species and their size and age, is then used by a graphical simulation engine to generate a graphical virtual environment which may, for example, be used in a computer game such as a flight simulation game.

Abstract: A method of predicting conflicts in a system is described which uses a process calculus to describe programs and actions within the system. The source code for programs is transformed into an expression in the process calculus and then the reduction rules for the process calculus can be applied to the expressions for the various programs and actions. Analysis of the resultant reduced expression(s) enables potential conflicts to be identified.

Abstract: An assembly having a steering wheel (10) and a gasbag module (16) that is connected to the steering wheel (10) includes a generator support (20) formed of plastic for attaching a gas generator (34). The generator support (20) in a predetermined area is reinforced by a metal layer that is produced by electroplating to a layer thickness sufficient to increase the strength of the generator support (20) and the metal layer constitutes at least one electrically conductive contact element (28).

Abstract: A Gas bag module for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device has a plastic generator support. On the generator support a printed circuit is formed by metal deposition. For activating an electrical function element, the printed circuit cooperates with a switching element that is arranged on a section of the generator support.

Abstract: An assembly having a steering wheel (10) and a gasbag module (16) that is connected to the steering wheel (10) includes a generator support (20) formed of plastic for attaching a gas generator (34). The generator support (20) in a predetermined area is reinforced by a metal layer that is produced by electroplating to a layer thickness sufficient to increase the strength of the generator support (20) and the metal layer constitutes at least one electrically conductive contact element (28).

Abstract: A Gas bag module for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device has a plastic generator support. On the generator support a printed circuit is formed by metal deposition. For activating an electrical function element, the printed circuit cooperates with a switching element that is arranged on a section of the generator support.

Abstract: A gas bag restraint device comprises a gas bag module which has a gas bag and a covering cap tearing open on inflation of the gas bag. The covering cap covers a ring-shaped outlet opening for the gas bag and has a central section, which in an opened state of the gas bag module is surrounded by the outlet opening. The central section is delimited by a ring-shaped, peripherally closed tear line of radially outwardly adjoining sections of the covering cap, the tear line adjoining an inner edge of the outlet opening.