Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a service for account with unavailable funds or credit using a passcode for the account with unavailable funds or credit For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving transaction information associated with a transaction, where the transaction involves an account; (b) determining, based at least partially on the transaction information, that the account will exceed available funds or credit as a result of the transaction; (c) receiving a passcode for the account with unavailable funds or credit associated with the account; and (d) authorizing the transaction based at least partially on the receiving the passcode for the account with unavailable funds or credit.

Abstract: A height measuring apparatus comprising a main body portion adapted for placement upon an object to be measured, and a movable portion which is movable relative to the main body portion, wherein the movable portion comprises a laser source and a photo detector, the movable portion being movable so that a laser beam from the laser source can be directed to the ground when the main body is placed on the object to be measured.

Abstract: We describe a quantitative PCR (qPCR) instrument for combined qPCR and melt curve (dissociation and/or association curve) analysis. The instrument has at least one optical channel; a fluorescence excitation source; a fluorescence detector; an electronic analogue signal amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the fluorescence detector; and an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) having analogue input coupled to an output of the analogue signal amplifier. The instrument further comprises a quantified automatic gain control (AGC) loop coupled between the signal output of the fluorescence detector and the analogue input of the ADC. The AGC loop is configured to apply a determined, numerical gain value to a fluorescence signal for the analogue input of the ADC. The instrument also includes a system to scale a digital output of the ADC responsive to the numerical gain value and to provide a digital fluorescence level signal from the scaled digital output.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing an account exceeding available funds or credit service involving an account exceeding available funds or credit magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A system includes an internal combustion engine having an air intake and a pressurizing device disposed in the air intake. The pressurizing device is a turbocharger or a supercharger. A gaseous fuel supply is fluidly coupled to the air intake at a position upstream of the pressurizing device through a first fluid conduit and fluidly coupled to the air intake at a position downstream of the pressurizing device through a second fluid conduit. A valve is disposed in the second fluid conduit and includes an electronic control input. The valve responds to an electronic signal at the electronic control input. The system includes an engine start indicating device electronically coupled to the electronic control input, where the engine start indicating device provides the electronic signal to open the valve in response to the engine being in a starting operating condition.

Abstract: A route guidance system for guiding occupants of an enclosed space to a location, such as an exit, the system including a control module with display screen and means for displaying an image of the enclosed space on the display screen. The displayed image is a scale representation of the enclosed space, preferably a bitmap of an architectural drawing of the enclosed space. The control module includes means for enabling a user to locate computer generated icons on the display screen. The control module determines the real world location of the components represented by the icons and communicates this to the relevant system components.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a fraud messaging service. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving transaction information associated with a transaction, where the transaction involves an account, and where the account is held by an account holder; (b) determining, based at least partially on the transaction information, that the transaction has triggered a fraud rule; (c) prompting, via a mobile device, the holder to consent to the transaction, where the mobile device is associated with the holder, and where the prompting the holder is based at least partially on the determining that the transaction has triggered the fraud rule; (d) receiving the holder's consent to the transaction; and (e) authorizing the transaction based at least partially on the receiving the holder's consent.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing an overage service involving an overage magnetic stripe. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving transaction information associated with a transaction, where the transaction involves a transaction machine and an account, and where the account is associated with a credit/debit card; (b) determining, based at least partially on the transaction information, that the account will incur an overage as a result of the transaction; (c) receiving overage swipe information indicating that an overage magnetic stripe of the credit/debit card was swiped at the transaction machine; and (d) authorizing the transaction based at least partially on receiving the overage swipe information.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing an overage service using an overage passcode. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving transaction information associated with a transaction, where the transaction involves an account; (b) determining, based at least partially on the transaction information, that the account will incur an overage as a result of the transaction; (c) receiving an overage passcode associated with the account; and (d) authorizing the transaction based at least partially on the receiving the overage passcode.

Abstract: A system includes an internal combustion engine having an air intake and a pressurizing device disposed in the air intake. The pressurizing device is a turbocharger or a supercharger. A gaseous fuel supply is fluidly coupled to the air intake at a position upstream of the pressurizing device through a first fluid conduit and fluidly coupled to the air intake at a position downstream of the pressurizing device through a second fluid conduit. A valve is disposed in the second fluid conduit and includes an electronic control input. The valve responds to an electronic signal at the electronic control input. The system includes an engine start indicating device electronically coupled to the electronic control input, where the engine start indicating device provides the electronic signal to open the valve in response to the engine being in a starting operating condition.

Abstract: A seat identification system for passengers in a cabin of a commercial airliner. Four sign components, identified as the aisle, mile, row and seat components, are arranged and positioned throughout the airplane in a configuration that allows the passengers to receive information about their seats when needed. The aisle signage markers direct the passengers down the appropriate aisle which leads to their seat. The interval row markers or mile markers provide a general location of the particular row in the aircraft for the passenger's seats. The individual row markers are preferably located in the passenger service unit modules and in viewing channels in order to allow the markers to be visible from the aisle. The seat markers are located preferably on the headrest on each seat and are the final vindication that the passenger is in the correct seat.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for selecting a primary resource in a redundant subsystem. In one method embodiment, the present invention receives a list of available resources for a redundant subsystem. Additionally, the available resources are tested and results of the testing are generated. Then, the primary resource is selected for the subsystem based on the results of the testing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for automatically evaluating and allocating resources in a cell based system. In one method embodiment, the present invention receives a request to generate a cell based system of resources. A list of allocatable resources having corresponding evaluation data is then accessed. The request for the cell based system is then compared with the list of allocatable resources having corresponding evaluation data. The allocatable resources are then assigned to the cell based system.

Abstract: A microprocessor includes a plurality of execution units of a same type, and a first register operable to select between a first and a second mode of operation, wherein the microprocessor utilizes at least one of the execution units as a redundant execution unit during the first mode of operation and utilizes none of the execution units as a redundant execution unit during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system comprising a first printed circuit board, a power supply, a processor, and a flexible cable connector. Both the power supply and the processor are mounted on the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a first end electrically connected to the processor and a second end electrically connected to the power supply. The flexible cable connector is configured with a length so that the power supply is in a spaced relationship relative to the processor. The flexible connector also extends between the power supply and the processor independent of the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a plurality of insulated power wires and a ground structure. The plurality of insulated power wires are arranged generally parallel to each other extending from the first end to the second end of the flexible cable connector.

Abstract: A computer system provides for both lock-step and free-step processor modes, allowing for an effective tradeoff between performance and data integrity.

Abstract: A processor can write its state to an external state cache. Thus, in the event of a processor failure, the stored state can be read and assumed, either by the original processor or another processor. Thus, a process can be resumed from the stored state rather than reconstructed from initial conditions.

Abstract: A computer system has redundant I/O interface modules for managing communications between an incorporating computer system and an external system such as a network or multi-port disk array. A redundant I/O interface manager directs communications through one of the redundant I/O interface modules, and switches the communications through the other, e.g., when a failure of the first I/O interface module is detected or predicted. The redundant I/O interface module appears to the operating system of the incorporating system as the first I/O interface module would so the switching is effectively invisible to the operating system.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a high-availability (HA) cluster system. The cluster includes a plurality of computing nodes and clustering software configured to manage the cluster. In addition, the cluster includes a smart card, including a microprocessor-based system, communicatively connected to each of the nodes. Another embodiment disclosed relates to an apparatus adapted for use with a corresponding node of a high-availability (HA) cluster. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, control software, at least one input channel to receive data from the corresponding node, at least one output channel to send commands to the corresponding node, at least one input link to receive commands from clustering software of the HA cluster, and at least one output link to send information to the clustering software. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a high-availability cluster apparatus having a plurality of computing nodes and a hardware interface configured to connect to each of said nodes. The internode connections are coupled to the hardware interface to communicate node status signals between said nodes. A node is removable from being connected to the hardware interface without interrupting a topological continuity of the internode connections. Other embodiments are also disclosed.