Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatus and computer instructions for a container managed persistent support architecture that meets the Enterprise Java Bean (EJB) Specification. The support architecture provides application programmers a model for balancing generated components with runtime code to better optimize flexibility and efficiency of applications. Six generated components: concrete bean, bean adaptor binding, injector, extractor, data cache entry and function set, are used in combination with runtime code to perform typical operations of CMP entity beans.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a fault condition within software can include, responsive to a fault condition within a computing system belonging to an organization, automatically sending call-stack information for the fault condition to a first server within the organization. Within the first server, the call-stack information for the fault condition can be compared with call-stack information from prior fault conditions that occurred within the organization to determine whether the call-stack information for the fault condition matches call-stack information from one of the prior fault conditions. The method further can include sending the call-stack information to a second server for comparison with call-stack information from prior fault conditions that occurred within at least one different organization if the call-stack information for the fault condition does not match.

Abstract: A number of parallel modulation functions are configured to provide sigma-delta modulation on a plurality of low sampling rate signals, which are representative of a high sampling rate input signal. Resultant sigma-delta modulated signals from each of the modulation functions are combined in a multiplexing fashion to create a high sampling rate output signal. The modulation functions may be interdependent, wherein error signals from the modulation functions are provided to a parallel block digital filter, which will provide a processed error signal to feed back into the input of each modulation function. The processed error signal for a given modulation function may be a function of the error signals derived from multiple ones of the modulation functions. In one embodiment, there are N modulation functions, and the operating rate of the modulation functions is fs/N wherein the sampling rate of the high frequency output signal is fs.

Abstract: A method, label, and labeling system for labeling and authenticating an item are presented. At least one of a number of known nucleotide sequences associated with a predetermined amount of information is used as a label to be associated with an item. The label is then read with a reagentless sensor to detect the nucleotide sequence(s). The detected nucleotide sequence(s) is then associated with the appropriate information. The item is authenticated if the sensor detects the expected nucleotide sequence(s). The information in the DNA label may also be passed through a hash function or encrypted to further enhance security. The labels may also incorporate known non-natural nucleic acid analog sequences rather than nucleotide sequences, and a reader that reads known non-natural nucleic acid analog sequences may be employed.

Abstract: A receiver and method is provided for sigma-delta converting an RF signal to a digital signal and downconverting to a digital baseband signal. The RF signal is split into N phases, as can be accomplished using a sample and hold circuit, and each phase is digitized, as can be accomplished using an analog-to-digital (A/D) sigma-delta converter. Polyphase decimation techniques and demodulation are applied to the phased signals to generate a demodulated digital signal. The demodulated digital signal is further downconverted to the appropriate baseband signal.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for a power amplifier arrangement. In embodiments of a Vdd modulated power amplifier arrangement, a memory correction block includes a Vdd predictor for predicting waveform distortions of a Vdd modulated power supply and a main-path corrector for pre-distorting the input to the power amplifier arrangement as a function of the input to the power amplifier arrangement, an input envelope signal determined as a function of the input to the power amplifier arrangement, and an output of the Vdd predictor. Embodiments of the invention provide for operating power amplifier arrangements having memory. In some embodiments, methods of training the Vdd predictor and the main-path corrector of the memory correction block are provided.

Abstract: A gaming machine allows the playing of a lottery game involving a group of individual main games each of which results in a win in dependence upon the number of matches between the symbols selected by a player and a randomly-selected set of symbols. In addition, there are bonus games which are won in dependence upon the correspondence between the bonus game sets of an individual player (each formed by symbols in corresponding positions within the sequences of his main game sets) and randomly-selected bonus game sets (each formed by symbols at corresponding positions within the different randomly-selected main game sets).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently amplifying or converting a signal. An input signal is decomposed into a plurality of two state signals, each two state signal having a respective on level and off level. This may involve sigma-delta modulation and phase splitting. For amplifier applications, each of the two state signals is amplified with a respective switching power amplifier to produce a respective amplified signal. The amplified signals are combined to produce an amplified version of the input signal. Signals may be adjusted for impairments associated with a subsequent processing operation such as the combining.

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 transmitter and method is provided for digitally upconverting a baseband digital signal to a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) digital signal and sigma-delta modulating the IF digital signal. The baseband digital signal is split into N phases, as can be accomplished using a polyphase interpolation technique (polyphase filter), and modulated. The modulated N phases are not recombined and each phase is further modulated, as can be accomplished using a digital-to-digital sigma-delta modulator that generates digital output signals at the same rate. A high speed digital multiplexer multiplexes the digital output signals into a single bit stream at a higher rate for subsequent power amplification and RF transmission.

Abstract: A transmitter and method is provided for digitally upconverting a baseband digital signal to a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) digital signal and sigma-delta modulating the IF digital signal. The baseband digital signal is split into N phases, as can be accomplished using a polyphase interpolation technique (polyphase filter), and modulated. The modulated N phases are not recombined and each phase is further modulated, as can be accomplished using a digital-to-digital sigma-delta modulator that generates digital output signals at the same rate. A high speed digital multiplexer multiplexes the digital output signals into a single bit stream at a higher rate for subsequent power amplification and RF transmission.

Abstract: A receiver and method is provided for sigma-delta converting an RF signal to a digital signal and downconverting to a digital baseband signal. The RF signal is split into N phases, as can be accomplished using a sample and hold circuit, and each phase is digitized, as can be accomplished using an analog-to-digital (A/D) sigma-delta converter. Polyphase decimation techniques and demodulation are applied to the phased signals to generate a demodulated digital signal. The demodulated digital signal is further downconverted to the appropriate baseband signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying the surface of a heat exchanger in a vehicle of moisture accumulating as a result of its use as an evaporator in an air conditioning system. Air is first heated by the heater core in the air conditioning system and then directed through the heat exchanger. Because of the reduced humidity of such air, any residual moisture in the heat exchanger is evaporated and is discharged to the environment. Where the system is used in a vehicle, it prevents the discharge of moist air onto the windows and/or windshield of the vehicle and thus minimizes or eliminates fogging of the windshield.

Abstract: A multi-actuator disk storage device has at least two actuators respectively mounting plural product heads. Servo writing is performed using the product heads themselves. A first servo write operation is performed that includes operating a product head of the first actuator as a first clock head to generate first clock reference information for the product heads of the second actuator, which are operated as servo write heads to perform servo writing of disk areas associated with the second actuator using the first clock reference information. To servo write disk areas associated with the first actuator, a second servo write operation is performed. This operation includes operating a product head of the second actuator as a second clock head to generate second clock reference information for the product heads of the first actuator, which are operated as a servo write heads to perform servo writing using the second clock reference information.

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: Methods and compositions capable of quickly transferring antibody-mediated protection against lethal infections of B. anthracis in an animal without benefit of vaccination against B. anthracis. The present invention method includes providing plasma from donors, said plasma having a measurable level of immunologically active immunoglobulin against anthrax; and administering a predetermined quantity of said plasma product to the animal, wherein an antibody-mediated protection against lethal infections of B. anthracis is elicited. Methods of manufacturing a composition to transfer passive anthrax immunity to an animal include providing plasma from hyper-immunized donors, having a measurable level of immunologically active immunoglobulin against anthrax; and purifying said plasma that substantially preserves the titer of the immunoglobulin in the plasma. The plasma may be screened for infectious diseases and for toxin neutralization antibodies (TNA).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying the surface of a heat exchanger in a vehicle of moisture accumulating as a result of its use as an evaporator in an air conditioning system. Air is first heated by the heater core in the air conditioning system and then directed through the heat exchanger. Because of the reduced humidity of such air, any residual moisture in the heat exchanger is evaporated and is discharged to the environment. Where the system is used in a vehicle, it prevents the discharge of moist air onto the windows and/or windshield of the vehicle and thus minimizes or eliminates fogging of the windshield.

Abstract: A high-voltage current-limiting fuse comprises an elongated housing, an auto-centering connector centrally located about the elongated axis of the housing, and an elongated fusible element attached to the connector and secured along the elongated axis of the housing by the connector. The auto-centering connector is located about the elongated axis of the housing by a surface near one end of the housing, and the elongated conductive fusible element is connected to the connector and contained within the housing. The auto-centering connector is connected to an end of the fusible element, and mechanically located but electrically insulated relative to the housing.

Abstract: A multi-actuator disk storage device has at least two actuators respectively mounting plural product heads. Servo writing is performed using the product heads themselves. A first servo write operation is performed that includes operating a product head of the first actuator as a first clock head to generate first clock reference information for the product heads of the second actuator, which are operated as servo write heads to perform servo writing of disk areas associated with the second actuator using the first clock reference information. To servo write disk areas associated with the first actuator, a second servo write operation is performed. This operation includes operating a product head of the second actuator as a second clock head to generate second clock reference information for the product heads of the first actuator, which are operated as a servo write heads to perform servo writing using the second clock reference information.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive (M-R) head has a read element with a servo sensing width as wide as a data track width and a data sensing width of less than one data track width. The two read sensing widths are achieved by using a single read element having a center electrical contact from the M-R read element that effectively reduces the sensing width of the read element. In a first embodiment, the servo sensing width comprises a first portion of the read element and the data sensing width comprises a second, smaller portion of the read element. In a second embodiment, the servo sensing width comprises the entire read element width and the data sensing width comprises a portion thereof. In yet another embodiment, abutting read elements are constructed to enable separate optimization of each sensing width. The wide servo sensing width permits use of a wide servo pattern having servo bursts as wide as a data track width.