Abstract: An improved system and method for applying once a transaction delivered in a message published asynchronously in a distributed database is provided. In various embodiments, apply once messaging may be achieved for asynchronous publication by having a persistent log stored on a messaging server. A messaging server may receive an update message for a transaction to be published asynchronously in a distributed database, may generate a sequence number for the transaction in a message, and may log the update message with the sequence number in a log file persistently stored on the messaging server. The messaging server may then send an acknowledgement that the update message is published and may asynchronously publish the update message with the sequence number to subscribers. The publication may only succeed if there may not be any message tagged with a sequence number that has been previously published by the messaging server.

Abstract: An improved system and method for loading records into a partitioned database table is provided. A translation of records may be generated from a set of source partitions to a set of target partitions by generating a bipartite graph, determining a maximal matching using dynamic programming for a chain of nodes remaining in the bipartite graph after removing singleton edges, and generating a maximal matching after adding back the singleton edges for translation of records from the set of source partitions to the set of target partitions. The partition translation may be executed by traversing from top to bottom the set of source partitions and the set of target partitions in record key order to generate an optimal sequence of operations to transfer the records from the set of source partitions to the set of target partitions.

Abstract: An information handling system includes two touch screens. In one embodiment, one of the touch screens is incorporated in a base of the information handling system and the other is incorporated in a lid of the information handling system. An application can display different informational views in each touch screen, allowing a user to interact with the data in each screen independently.

Abstract: The invention provides a digital dentistry system that utilizes a haptic interface and features a computer-based design application configured to allow the intuitive construction of irregular, amorphous three-dimensional structures typically seen in dental restorations, utilizing, where appropriate, the design skills of a user. In certain embodiments, the system provides a comprehensive digital solution for dental labs in the business of creating dental restorations such as partial frameworks, crowns, copings, bridge frameworks, implants and the like, with a sense of touch provided by a haptic interface device.

Abstract: An improved system and method for asynchronous update of indexes in a distributed database is provided. A database server may receive the request to update the data and may update the data in a primary data table of the distributed database. An asynchronous index update of the indexes may be initiated at the time a record is updated in a data table and then control may be returned to a client to perform another data update. An activity cache may be provided for caching the records updated by a client so that when the client requests a subsequent read, the updated records may be available in the activity cache to support the various guarantees for reading the data. Advantageously, the asynchronous index update scheme may provide increased performance and more scalability while efficiently maintaining indexes over database tables in a large scale, replicated, distributed database.

Abstract: An improved system and method for writing data dependent upon multiple reads in a distributed database is provided. A client may read several data records and may then send a request to a database server to perform a transaction to write a data record dependent upon multiple data records read. A database server may receive the request specifying a transaction to write a data record dependent upon multiple data records read and may perform the transaction by latching a master data record to be written and validating the data records the write depends upon. The multiple data records upon which the write depends may be validated by verifying the multiple data records are current versions of the data records stored in the distributed database. Data intensive applications may use this transaction type in large scale distributed database systems to provide stronger consistency without significantly degrading performance and scalability.

Abstract: An improved system and method for parallel retrieval of data from a distributed database is provided. A parallel interface may be provided for use by a cluster of client machine for parallel retrieval of partial results from parallel execution of a database query by a cluster of database servers storing a distributed database. A query interface may be augmented for inputting a database query and specifying the number of instances of parallel retrieval of results from query execution. To do so, a commercial query language may be augmented for sending a query request that may include a parameter specifying the database query and an additional parameter specifying the desired retrieval parallelism. The augmented query interface may return a list of retrieval point addresses for retrieving the partial results assigned to each of the retrieval point addresses from parallel execution of the database query.

Abstract: A cover for a container is provided in one embodiment. The cover has an upper side and an underside. The underside comes in physical contact with a container when the cover is in a closed position. A hinge pivotally secures the cover to the container. A lock is secured opposite the hinge and on the underside of the cover. The lock automatically and securely affixes the cover to the container when the cover is in the closed position. A release is positioned on the upper side of the cover to disengage the lock and releases the cover from the container. In another embodiment, the cover tilts at an angle when not fully closed, revealing a high contrast color on the upper inner sidewall of the container, providing a visible indication that the container is open.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to bulk loading of data into a database comprising a plurality of database partitions. In one particular example, the database partitioning may be revised before addition of the new data to the partitions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for dynamically reorganizing the data within a replicated database system. One method, for example, includes performing a split operation across a plurality of replicated databases with regard to an existing partition therein, wherein the existing partition comprises a plurality of data records and the two new partitions each include at least a portion of the plurality of data records, and allowing at least one type of access to the plurality of data records during the split operation.

Abstract: A technique is described that reduces the complexity and resource consumption associated with performing record expiry in a distributed database system. In accordance with the technique, a record is checked to see if it has expired only when it has been accessed for a read or a write. If at the time of a read a record is determined to have expired, then it is not served. If at the time of a write a record is determined to have expired, then the write is treated as an insertion of a new record, and steps are taken to treat the insertion consistently with regard to the previous expired version. A background process is used to delete records that have not been written to or actively deleted by a client after expiration.

Abstract: A thermal ink which comprises a colour former, a colour developer and a sensitizer, characterised in that the colour former comprises 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran; the colour developer comprises bisphenol A; and the sensitizer comprises dimethyl terephthalate; and that the ink also comprises at least one pigment. This ink may be used in thermal papers to reduce unwanted discolouration during storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of multiple piece rolls, in particular backup rolls, for the use in metal rolling. The roll comprises a main part with a center bore for the removal of center defects or flaws arising from the manufacturing process, e.g., from casing or forging and at least an end part, whereas the end part has no center bore or a center bore with a diameter smaller than the bore diameter of the main part.

Abstract: The invention provides systems for integrated haptic design and fabrication of dental restorations that provide significant advantages over traditional practice and existing computer-based systems. The systems feature technical advances that result in significantly more streamlined, versatile, and efficient design and fabrication of dental restorations. Among these technical advances are the introduction of voxel-based models; the use of a combination of geometric representations such as voxels and NURBS representations; the automatic identification of an initial preparation (prep) line and an initial path of insertion; the ability of a user to intuitively, haptically adjust the initial prep line and/or the initial path of insertion; the automatic identification of occlusions and draft angle conflicts (e.g., undercuts); the haptic simulation and/or marking of occlusions and draft angle conflicts; and coordination between design output and rapid prototyping/milling and/or investment casting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roll bending device for the control of profile and flatness in the rolling of metal plates or strips. In particular the invention relates to the well known principle of roll bending by using hydraulic cylinders to modify the load distribution between rolls of a rolling mill stand and a rolled stock e.g. a metal plate or a strip in order to control the profile and flatness of the metal plate or strip. A special design to allow safe roll bending even at large roll gauges is presented. The new design allows safe operation even at large roll gauges and high side loads.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermally printable sheet which comprises providing a substrate comprising a base sheet having at least one surface coated with a layer containing a pigment in solid porous particulate form, and, using a printer, printing onto the coated surface of said substrate, a thermal ink which comprises a colour former, a colour developer and a sensitizer, characterised in that the sensitizer comprises dimethyl terephthalate, and that the ink also comprises at least one pigment. A novel thermally printable sheet suitable for use in such method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a flow of data is described. The method includes determining whether a packet including a first number of at least one bit within a first set is assigned a classification value based on the at least one bit within the first set and determining a result to be applied to the packet upon determining that the packet is assigned the classification value. The method further includes analyzing, by a processor, at least one bit of a second number within a second set of the packet upon determining that the packet cannot be assigned the classification value based on the first number of at least one bit of the packet.

Abstract: A method for encoding XML tree data that includes the step of encoding the semi-structured data into strings of arbitrary length in a way that maintains non-structural and structural information about the XML data, and enables indexing the encoded XML data in a way that facilitates efficient search and browsing.

Abstract: A system and method for performing authentication are disclosed. The system may include a shared central processing server, a plurality of software components each residing in a corresponding point-of-sale (POS) workstation and an identity provider service. The server may reside at a merchant location and communicate with muitiple POS workstations at the merchant location. The server may be configured to receive biometric information from each POS workstation. Each software component may communicate with a biometric sensor in communication with the corresponding POS workstation to receive biometric information. The identity provider service may be configured to communicate with the server, store registered biometric information and compare biometric information received from the server with one or more of the stored registered biometric information.

Abstract: A peripheral device includes a processor adapted to generate a list, the list including at least one job previously performed by the device, a user interface in communication with the processor and adapted to display the list and a storage medium in communication with the processor and adapted to store the list, wherein, when the device performs a new job, the processor updates the list to include the new job.