Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for partitioning native tables in a database cluster into logical tables. Each logical table is mapped into a unique portion of the native table by an intermediary server. Clients access a logical table as an ordinary, full-fledged database table through the intermediary server, which translates queries on the logical table into queries on the corresponding portion of the native table. The mapping may use the application name, logical table name, and a version number to create a native table key for each key in the logical table. A data structure storing these mappings may be stored at the intermediary server or in a native table in the database. This approach affords clients quick and flexible access to the database with better data integrity and security than native tables allow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each one of one or more content producers, access a content-producing rate at which the content producer produces one or more items of content; and for each one of one or more content consumers, access a content-consuming rate at which the content consumer consumes one or more items of content. For each one of a plurality of consumer-producer pairs, wherein the consumer-producer pair comprises one of the content consumers and one of the content producers, and the content consumer follows the content producer, select between a push strategy and a pull strategy for delivering one or more items of content from the content producer to the content consumer based on the content-consuming rate of the content consumer and the content-producing rate of the content producer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a Cart Inspector to create a suspicion level for a transaction when a video image of the transaction portrays an item(s) left in a shopping cart. Specifically, the Cart Inspector obtains video data associated with a time(s) of interest. The video data originates from a video camera that monitors a transaction area. The Cart Inspector analyzes the video data with respect to target image(s) associated with a transaction in the transaction area during the time(s) of interest. The Cart Inspector creates an indication of a suspicion level for the transaction based on analysis of the target image(s). Creation of a high suspicion level for the transaction indicates that the transaction's corresponding video images most likely portray occurrences where the purchase price of an item transported through the transaction area was not included in the total amount paid by the customer.

Abstract: A mattress has a cover enclosing two layers of pneumatic cells made of impermeable material welded into desired shapes. A bottom layer comprises edge cells extending the length of the mattress, partially closed at hip and knee positions so the cells have head and back, upper leg and lower leg portions that pivot relative to adjoining portions, without pressure in them tending to keep them rigid. Six head cells are arranged with their length in the direction of the length of the mattress, separate from the edge cells. Six lower leg cells are between the lower leg portions. A central space in the bottom layer is filled by a group of nine transversely extending cells held together by toggles. An upper layer has a head back and upper leg group of twelve transverse cells and a second group of seven lower leg cells.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first one of a plurality of message processors receives a request with respect to a topic, and determines whether the first message processor itself is currently responsible for the topic. If so, then the first message processor services the request. If not, then the first message processor determines whether any of the other ones of the message processors is currently responsible for the topic. If so, then the request is redirected to another message processor to be serviced. If not, then the first message processor selects one of the message processors to be responsible for the topic and to service the request.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for managing at least one cache for a database. In one method, an operation record is inserted in an operations log for each write operation to the database. The operation record includes a Log Sequence Number (LSN). At least one cache is updated using operation records in the operations log. To update a cache, unapplied operations in the operations log for the cache are identified using an applied LSN associated with the cache. The applied LSN denotes an LSN of a last operation applied to the cache. The unapplied operations are then applied to the cache and the applied LSN is updated with an LSN corresponding to the last unapplied operation of the unapplied operations that were applied to the cache during updating the cache.

Abstract: A package for pre-prepared food comprises a plastics tray (1) for containing a pre-prepared food product (3). The tray (1) is sealed by a transparent plastics membrane (2). A plastics sleeve (5) encloses the tray (1). The plastics sleeve (5) covers the plastics membrane (2) substantially completely in the assembled package. A method for packaging pre-prepared food comprises: providing a plastics tray (1) for containing a pre-prepared food product (3), the tray being sealed by a transparent plastics membrane (2); forming a plastics sleeve (5) about a mandrel (8); removing the plastics sleeve (5) from the mandrel (8); and sliding the plastics sleeve (5) onto the sealed plastics tray (1). The package is more recyclable and less expensive than know equivalent packaging.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each one of one or more content producers, access a content-producing rate at which the content producer produces one or more items of content; and for each one of one or more content consumers, access a content-consuming rate at which the content consumer consumes one or more items of content. For each one of a plurality of consumer-producer pairs, wherein the consumer-producer pair comprises one of the content consumers and one of the content producers, and the content consumer follows the content producer, select between a push strategy and a pull strategy for delivering one or more items of content from the content producer to the content consumer based on the content-consuming rate of the content consumer and the content-producing rate of the content producer.

Abstract: A track system for a railway system includes a base plate configured to be supported on a railroad tie. The system also includes a drive rail and a guard rail. The drive rail includes a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion is configured such that wheels of a train car used in the railway system roll thereon. The web portion connects the head portion and the base portion. The base portion is supported on the base plate. The guardrail includes a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion of the guardrail is configured to contact the wheels to prevent the wheels from slipping off the drive rail. The web portion of the guardrail connects the head portion of the guardrail and the base portion of the guardrail. The base portion of the guardrail is retained in a support on the base plate.

Abstract: A system includes a leader server capable of communicating with a plurality of follower servers and a network. The leader server is configured to determine when a message received from a client connected to the network has been committed to main memory in a majority of the leader and follower servers. The leader server and each of the follower servers that committed the message to main memory retain the message in main memory until requested to remove the message from main memory by a delivery agent or an archiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for partitioning native tables in a database cluster into logical tables. Each logical table is mapped into a unique portion of the native table by an intermediary server. Clients access a logical table as an ordinary, full-fledged database table through the intermediary server, which translates queries on the logical table into queries on the corresponding portion of the native table. The mapping may use the application name, logical table name, and a version number to create a native table key for each key in the logical table. A data structure storing these mappings may be stored at the intermediary server or in a native table in the database. This approach affords clients quick and flexible access to the database with better data integrity and security than native tables allow.

Abstract: A method of allocating servers for range requests includes receiving a range request for items in a database that is distributed across storage devices that are accessible through corresponding servers in a network that includes the storage devices and the servers; and initializing a server-allocation value for the range request, where the server-allocation value specifies a number of servers to allocate for executing the range request. The method further includes executing the range request by allocating the servers and using the allocated servers to provide values from the range request to a client that accesses the network; and updating the server-allocation value while executing the range request to improve a consumption rate for the client by comparing changes in the consumption rate with changes in the number of allocated servers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved hydraulic control systems for actuation of subsea equipment in deep water are disclosed. The hydraulic control system relies on smaller fluid flow associated with a hydraulic pressure pulse to actuate the small volume actuation control valve. In one embodiment, the system includes small diameter control umbilical hoses and pilot-operated valves with low actuation volumes. Particularly, a hydraulic control system for reducing the signal time to a subsea blowout preventer in water depth up to and greater than about 5000 feet. Some embodiments comprise a valve arrangement which hydraulically actuate one side of a hydraulic control function, while simultaneously evacuating the opposing circuit both at the seabed and at the surface. Some embodiments comprise an umbilical hose located proximate the center of an umbilical bundle. Preferably, the umbilical hose has a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibers which increase with the diameter of the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A shuttle valve useful in connection with operation of underwater blowout preventers employs soft seals sealing an annulus between an inlet bore and the outer periphery of the shuttle to provide hydraulic function control from a high pressure low flow supply source such as a low volume positive displacement pump on a remotely operated vehicle without losing opposing inlet sealing and hydraulic fluid dump the opposing inlet during a return stroke of the pump.

Abstract: A system includes a leader server capable of communicating with a plurality of follower servers and a network. The leader server is configured to determine when a message received from a client connected to the network has been committed to main memory in a majority of the leader and follower servers. The leader server and each of the follower servers that committed the message to main memory retain the message in main memory until requested to remove the message from main memory by a delivery agent or an archiver.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a range query from a requestor. The range query requests a range of sequential items in a database that is distributed among a plurality of storage devices or partitions. The range query is divided into R sub-range queries, where R is an integer. Each sub-range query corresponds to a respective portion of the range of sequential items stored in a respective storage device or partition. The sub-range queries are issued to respective ones of up to K storage servers, where K is an integer less than or equal to R. Each of the K storage servers is configured with read access to the respective storage device or partition storing the respective portion of the range of sequential items in the respective sub-range query issued to that storage server.

Abstract: In a large-scale transaction such as the bulk loading of new records into an ordered, distributed database, a transaction limit such as an insert limit may be chosen, partitions on overfull storage servers may be designated to be moved to underfull storage servers, and the move assignments may be based, at least in part on the degree to which a storage server is underfull and the move and insertion costs of the partitions to be moved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a Cart Inspector to create a suspicion level for a transaction when a video image of the transaction portrays an item(s) left in a shopping cart. Specifically, the Cart Inspector obtains video data associated with a time(s) of interest. The video data originates from a video camera that monitors a transaction area. The Cart Inspector analyzes the video data with respect to target image(s) associated with a transaction in the transaction area during the time(s) of interest. The Cart Inspector creates an indication of a suspicion level for the transaction based on analysis of the target image(s). Creation of a high suspicion level for the transaction indicates that the transaction's corresponding video images most likely portray occurrences where the purchase price of an item transported through the transaction area was not included in the total amount paid by the customer.

Abstract: A user can click on a spreadsheet cell to enter edit mode and alter the contents of the cell. Edit mode can be exited through a click and drag maneuver. The click and drag maneuver not only exits edit mode, but also selects a range of cells. The click and drag is performed by depressing a mouse button while the mouse indicator is positioned Over the edit cell, moving the mouse while holding the mouse button depressed, and releasing the mouse button when the end of the desired range of cells is reached. The range of selected cells starts with the edit cell and continues to the cell over which the mouse indicator was positioned when the mouse button was released.

Abstract: A method of performing sample rate conversion in a data converter operating from an oversampling clock corresponding to a native sample rate and a native oversampling factor. A virtual sample rate and a virtual oversampling factor are selected proportional to the native sample rate and the native oversampling factor. A data stream having a data sample rate is sampled by the virtual oversampling factor. The data stream is also resampled with a resampling ratio approximating a ratio of the data sample rate to the virtual sample rate.