Abstract: A three-prong electrical plug includes a replaceable ground prong and circuitry inside the plug to preclude its functioning without the ground prong.

Abstract: A method and article for efficiently accessing resources in a multiprocessor computer system. Multiple resources are grouped into nodes and system resource descriptors are maintained as data structures. The method incorporates traversing one or more of the data structure to efficiently allocate resources within a grouping of nodes. Each node in the system is assigned a node identifying number. This number identifies a node location within a multiprocessor and is used to determine latency between nodes. Accordingly, storing the system architecture information in a data structure format provides for an efficient method of accessing system resources and determining latency for specific processes and access patterns.

Abstract: Service processors within a system are self-clustered. The system can also include an operating system or other software code, a management console, or both. The operating system communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, such as through a memory shared by at least all the service processors. The operating system therefore need not be aware which of the service processors performs a given function. The console communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, through any service processor of the cluster. The console therefore also need not be aware that the service processors have been clustered to perform functionality for the console.

Abstract: The self-clustering of service processors within a system is disclosed. The system can also include an operating system or other software code, a management console, or both. The operating system communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, such as through a memory shared by at least all the service processors. The operating system therefore need not be aware which of the service processors performs a given function. The console communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, through any service processor of the cluster. The console therefore also need not be aware that the service processors have been clustered to perform functionality for the console.

Abstract: A method and computer system for efficiently accessing resources in a multiprocessor computer system. Multiple resources are grouped into nodes and system resource descriptors are maintained as data structures. The method incorporates traversing a data structure to efficiently allocate resources within a grouping of nodes. Each node in the system is assigned a node identifying number. This number identifies a node location within a multiprocessor and is used to determine latency between nodes, either through an average latency table or a system interconnect connection table. The data structure comprises secondary data structures therein for storing processor, bus, memory and shared cache information. The data structure includes pointers to each of the secondary data structures. In addition, each node or grouping of nodes may include subnodes. As such, the system provides for a method of recursively accessing additional data structure levels for each level of nodes and/or subnodes in the system.

Abstract: A note dispenser attached to an article with a wall for holding a note pad between the dispenser and the article wall. The dispenser has a front wall spaced from the article wall and defines a hole for providing access to notes from the note pad through the front wall. The dispenser has at least one sidewall extending from the front wall and toward the article wall. The sidewalls have an edge opposing the article wall so that the note pad is surrounded by the front wall, the article wall and the sidewalls. At least one sidewall is configured for engaging the article wall which connects the note dispenser to the article wall.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method includes a step of forming a number of trenches in a dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer is situated over a wafer. The method further includes forming a metal layer over the dielectric layer and in the trenches such that the metal layer has a dome-shaped profile over the wafer. The method further includes performing a planarizing process to form a number of interconnect lines, where each of the interconnect lines is situated in one of the trenches. The dome-shaped profile of the metal layer causes the interconnect lines to have a reduced thickness variation across the wafer after performing the planarizing process. The interconnect lines are situated in an interconnect metal layer, where the dome-shaped profile of the metal layer causes the interconnect metal layer to have increased sheet resistivity uniformity across the wafer after performing the planarizing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor housing having a flexible sensor tube containing a transmission fluid and having sealed ends, and an optical sensor connected to an optical fiber. The optical sensor is adapted to measure a pressure of a fluid and this pressure is communicated to the flexible sensor tube, so that the pressure is transferred by the transmission fluid to the optical sensor. The sensor can measure temperature and/or pressure, and the sensor can be located remote from the sensor housing or within the sensor housing.

Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: A method is presented for a GUI mechanism to restrict user input within a GUI window. A GUI control disablement function is activated by selecting a GUI control, which is dedicated to selecting enablement or disablement of the GUI control disablement function. When a user input event is received, the received user input event is discarded when the GUI control disablement function is in an activated state. At a granularity over an entire window, a user can select a GUI control that is associated with a GUI window, and the GUI control is not contained within the GUI window. The GUI window is then locked in response to selecting the GUI control such that subsequent user input for GUI controls within the GUI window cannot select those GUI controls.

Abstract: A data-processing system and method are disclosed, which generally includes a plurality of components connected to a bus within a data-processing apparatus utilizing one or more input/output interfaces (e.g., IOCTL) in communication with the bus. A dynamic interface is implemented, which includes a plurality of interface modules that permits varying data-processing applications to scan, identify and interface with the plurality of components utilizing the input/output interface, thereby increasing data-processing application development efficiency relative to one or more components within the data-processing system.

Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: The self-clustering of entities within a system is disclosed. The system can also include a host. Each entity self-discovers all the other entities, such that the entities are aggregated as a cluster. The host communicates with the cluster of entities, where the entities are self-clustered or otherwise, such as through a memory shared by all the entities. The host therefore need not be aware which of the entities performs a given function.

Abstract: A method of virtualizing hardware resources in a multiprocessor computing environment is provided. Each resource is provided a resource address. A hardware resource map is provided to store virtual resource addresses and physical resource addresses. Remapping hardware is utilized to redirect virtual addresses to physical addresses. The method of virtualizing hardware resources may be applied to any resource mapped across the bus, including memory address space, and I/O address space. Accordingly, the method of virtualizing hardware resources through platform firmware enables dynamic routing of resource accesses during run-time.

Abstract: A method of virtualizing hardware resources in a multiprocessor computing environment is provided. Each resource is provided a resource address. A hardware resource map is provided to store virtual resource addresses and physical resource addresses. Remapping hardware is utilized to redirect virtual addresses to physical addresses. The method of virtualizing hardware resources may be applied to any resource mapped across the bus, including memory address space, and I/O address space. Accordingly, the method of virtualizing hardware resources through platform firmware enables dynamic routing of resource accesses during run-time.

Abstract: A note dispenser attached to an article with a wall for holding a note pad between the dispenser and the article wall. The dispenser has a front wall spaced from the article wall and defines a hole for providing access to notes from the note pad through the front wall. The dispenser has at least one sidewall extending from the front wall and toward the article wall. The sidewalls have an edge opposing the article wall so that the note pad is surrounded by the front wall, the article wall and the sidewalls. At least one sidewall is configured for engaging the article wall which connects the note dispenser to the article wall.

Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: The self-clustering of entities within a system is disclosed. The system can also include a host. Each entity self-discovers all the other entities, such that the entities are aggregated as a cluster. The host communicates with the cluster of entities, where the entities are self-clustered or otherwise, such as through a memory shared by all the entities. The host therefore need not be aware which of the entities performs a given function.

Abstract: The self-clustering of service processors within a system is disclosed. The system can also include an operating system or other software code, a management console, or both. The operating system communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, such as through a memory shared by at least all the service processors. The operating system therefore need not be aware which of the service processors performs a given function. The console communicates with the cluster of service processors, where the service processors are self-clustered or otherwise, through any service processor of the cluster. The console therefore also need not be aware that the service processors have been clustered to perform functionality for the console.