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.

Abstract: PSF coding has become well known in recent years. Although it enables significant increases in the depth of field, defocus introduces artifacts in images that are a major detraction from the final image quality. A method is described that enables the deduction or defocus and consequently the removal of these artifacts. The principle of the disclosed techniques involves iteratively adjusting the restoration algorithm according to a chosen image or artifact metric and choosing the defocus parameter that yields the image the lowest level of artifact.

Abstract: A system and method for associating value with ideas. Unit of value indicators are issued to users. Ideas are identified by the users and submitted to the system. The users make requests to associate the unit of value indicators with the submitted ideas. As a result of an award event, an award winner is issued additional unit of value indicators. The award winner further associates such unit of value indicators with the ideas.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target central processing unit (CPU). The method includes opportunistically scheduling diagnostic testing of CPU registers. The method may include use of a predetermined level of aggressiveness for the scheduling of the register diagnostic testing. The scheduled diagnostic testing may include writing known data to a register, reading data from the register, and comparing the known data with the data that was read. If the comparison indicates a difference, then a jump may occur to a fault handler routine.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a variator lens group, a compensator lens group and a third lens group. The compensator lens group is arranged to only partially compensate for movement of the variator group. In order to provide further compensation for the zoom lens, an image enhancer implement wavefront coding and artifact reduction techniques. The compensator group may be fixed or alternatively, its movement relative to the variator may be effected by a simple cam mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of an unrestricted binary unambiguous file or memory mapped object are disclosed along with descriptions of corresponding reading and writing processes. The file or object may be used to store data of any type. ‘Binary unambiguous’ refers to a quality whereby the binary data stored within the datastore (file or memory map) is always and uniquely identified by a binary type identifier readily discerned from the self same map. Similarly, the term ‘unrestricted’ refers to the capacity of the protocol to accept data of any type, nature, format, structure or context, in a manner that retains the binary unambiguous nature of the invention for each data item. A storage object so created may be easily read by dedicated software, as it is of simple definition and is durable in nature. Its generality removes the need for repeated updates and versions of the underlying protocol.

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: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target microprocessor with multiple functional units of a same type. The method includes opportunistically scheduling a redundant operation on one of the functional units that would otherwise be idle during a cycle.

Abstract: The invention includes a device and method providing a return-signal pathway through a circuit board connector. In one embodiment of the invention, a circuit board connector having an integral bypass capacitor provides a return-signal path between the circuit boards without using the ground planes of the circuit boards outside of an area occupied by the connector. The circuit board connector includes first connector reference conductor arranged for coupling with a first circuit-board reference plane, a second connector reference conductor arranged for coupling with a second circuit-board reference plane, and a capacitor coupled between the first and second reference planes.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of storing data includes receiving instances of data and storing the instances in an entity instance table, allocating a unique identifier to each instance of data received for storage in the entity instance table, such that each instance can be uniquely referred to, and providing a relationship definition table for storing relationship definitions. Each relationship definition has three data fields. The method also includes receiving three unique identifiers of selected instances of data stored in the entity instance table and storing the three unique identifiers as a relationship definition in the relationship definition table. A relationship is defined by the unique identifiers of exactly three instances of data and each of the three unique identifiers is contained in a respective one of the three data fields of the relationship definition.

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: A rack equipment power purchase plan supervision system and method is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment power purchase plan supervision system includes rack equipment for processing information. The rack equipment is supervised by a rack equipment power purchase plan supervision component in accordance with a power purchase plan. The power purchase plan defines operational settings of the rack equipment for various power supply conditions. A communication bus for communicating information communicatively couples the power purchase plan supervision component and the rack equipment.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target microprocessor with multiple execution units of a same type. The method includes selecting one of the execution units for testing and scheduling the parallel execution of program code and diagnostics code. The diagnostic code is scheduled to be executed on the selected execution unit. The program code is scheduled to be executed on remaining execution units of the same type.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of preventative maintenance of a high-availability cluster. A least-recently-tested active node is determined. The least-recently-tested active node is swapped out from the HA cluster, and a stand-by node is swapped into the HA cluster. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus are disclosed for carrying out automatic network device provisioning and configuration. A configuration service receives a request from a network device to provide configuration information. The configuration service retrieves a template describing the device configuration, where the template associates one symbolic reference to one parameter that may receive values specific to particular devices. Based at least on the symbolic reference and the request, the configuration service retrieves a value of the parameter that is specific to the network device. A device-specific instance of the configuration information is created and stored based at least one the template and the value of the parameter. The configuration information is stored in XML format and conforms to an XML DTD.

Abstract: A rack equipment power pricing plan control system and method is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a power pricing plan rack equipment control method is utilized to control operation of rack equipment. A power pricing plan for operating the rack equipment is established. The rack equipment is operated in accordance with the power pricing plan.

Abstract: PSF coding has become well known in recent years. Although it enables significant increases in the depth of field, defocus introduces artifacts in images that are a major detraction from the final image quality. A method is described that enables the deduction or defocus and consequently the removal of these artifacts. The principle of the disclosed techniques involves iteratively adjusting the restoration algorithm according to a chosen image metric and choosing the defocus parameter that yields the image the lowest level of artifact.

Abstract: A rack equipment management system and method for providing a convenient and efficient manner to automatically manage rack equipment associated with information processing based upon power consumption and heat dissipation policies is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment management system includes a rack equipment management policy data store, a management component, and a communication bus. The rack equipment management policy data store stores policy information related to rack equipment operations. The management component manages power consumption and thermal load of the rack equipment. The communication bus communicatively couples the rack equipment management policy data store and the management component.

Abstract: A method and system is described to process a data string (e.g., an XML data string). The method comprises accessing the data string to identify a plurality of data segments and a plurality of predefined reference character sequences. Each predefined reference character sequence may be located between adjacent data segments. The method further comprises creating a data structure to identify a location and length of each data segment within the data string, and a location of each predefined reference character sequences within the data string. A method and system to provide an output data string for transmission to a destination device is also described. The method comprises accessing a data structure to identify a sequence of data segments and a plurality of predefined reference character sequences. The data segments and the predefined reference character sequences are then combined based on the data structure to provide the output data string.