Abstract: A digital computer comprising a plurality of processors interconnected by a network for transferring messages among the processors. At least one processor generates messages of a configuration type. The network comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected in a tree pattern in a series of levels from a lower leaf level to an upper physical root level, with the leaf nodes connected to the processors. Each of the nodes includes a root flag that can be set or cleared in response to a message of the configuration type to establish the node as a logical root. For each node, if the node is a logical root it transfers messages received from a node at a lower level in the tree back down the tree, but if the node is not a logical root it transfers messages received at a lower level node to a higher level node.

Abstract: A method and system for querying and executing commands of an application program are provided. A caller application program may dispatch a request for status information to a callee application program for one or more commands. That is, the caller application program can determine which commands a callee application program provides and determine the status of each of those commands. In particular, the caller application program may request a bit representation of the status of a command, may request a textual representation of a status of the command, or may request a textual representation of the name of a command. In addition, the caller application program may dispatch a request to execute a command to the callee application program. Moreover, the caller application program may specify whether the callee application program should request user input before executing the command.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving pain associated with degenerative diseases and disorders in biological subjects such as mammals. The method employs the use of an apparatus which is capable of producing a magnetic field of a particular nature which has been proven in human tests to dramatically reduce pain. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of magnets capable of producing a magnetic field wherein each of the plurality of magnets has a north pole and a south pole and a longitudinal axis passing therethrough and are partially held in place by the frame. Another embodiment incorporates a coil of electrically conducting material is wrapped about a frame, and/or the plurality of magnets in an orthogonal relationship to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of magnets. A source of electrical energy supplies an electrical current to the coil enabling a magnetic field to be produced therefrom.

Abstract: A computer system comprises plural single board computers that utilized shared physical storage. The computers boot from and run applications located remotely. In a preferred embodiment, a hierarchy of such computers is utilized, and the order in which they boot is set such that an optimum sequence is achieved. The computer bus serves as both a network for intercomputer communications, and a bus for intra computer communications.

Abstract: A head covering made of a flexible material member wherein the flexible material member includes an inside surface, an outside surface and at least three corners. A first portion of the flexible material member is formed between the first corner and the second corner and is inclusive of the first and second corner. A first fastener is used to secure the first corner in close proximity to the second corner. A second fastener is used to secure the third corner to the first portion. In another embodiment disclosed, a first fastener is used to connect the first corner to the third corner and a second fastener is used to connect the second corner to the third corner. In both embodiments, an opening is provided to receive a pony tail therethrough.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating objects within a computer system are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method aggregates an enclosed object within an enclosing object. The enclosed object has an object management interface and an external interface, while the enclosing object has a controlling object management interface. The controlling object management interface and the external interface of the enclosed object have query function members for receiving an identifier of an interface and for returning a reference to the identified interface. A preferred embodiment creates an instance of an enclosing object and an object to be enclosed. In static aggregation, the controlling object management interface of the enclosing object knows in advance how to return an identifier to the external interface of the enclosed object. In dynamic aggregation, an object to be enclosed is added to the enclosing object after the enclosing object is instantiated.

Abstract: A head covering made of a flexible material member wherein the flexible material member includes an inside surface, an outside surface and at least three corners. A first portion of the flexible material member is formed between the first corner and the second corner and is inclusive of the first and second corner. A first fastener is used to secure the first corner in close proximity to the second corner. A second fastener is used to secure the third corner to the first portion. In another embodiment disclosed, a first fastener is used to connect the first corner to the third corner and a second fastener is used to connect the second corner to the third corner. In both embodiments, an opening is provided to receive a pony tail therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing multiple developers of software applications working in client/server computing network to remotely save, test and debug project files such as web pages. The client computer is capable of emulating server side operations to allow the developer to locally test changes to project files before they are saved on the server. The client computer maintains an accurate view of the overall project, but without having to locally copy the entire software project, by storing file information relating to the software project including, for example, metadata, link information, and BOT replacements, and/or a directory structure of the files and folders in the software project that mirrors the directory structure of the software project on the server. Various features include providing developers with the ability to check out, modify and debug files concurrently with other developers, and merging changes made by different developers to the same file.

Abstract: The present invention is of a golf putter and putter head that assist the user in properly aligning the putter face with the intended path of a golf ball and, upon impact, provide immediate distance and directional control of the golf ball. The golf putter and putter head have a negatively angled putter face that strikes a golf ball above its equator, imparting an immediate forward spin to the golf ball and thus, minimizing the bouncing or skidding of the ball, which can greatly affect the distance and accuracy of the putt. As a result of the negatively angled putter face, an upper portion of the putter head overlaps the golf ball when one is addressing the ball. This overlap creates a perceived line of intersection along the top of the golf ball, which acts as a visual reference when aligning the putter face with the ball and its intended path. The effectiveness of this alignment aid can be improved by adding markings along the top of the putter head.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating objects within a computer system are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method aggregates an enclosed object within an enclosing object. The enclosed object has an object management interface and an external interface, while the enclosing object has a controlling object management interface. The controlling object management interface and the external interface of the enclosed object have query function members for receiving an identifier of an interface and for returning a reference to the identified interface. A preferred embodiment creates an instance of an enclosing object and an object to be enclosed. In static aggregation, the controlling object management interface of the enclosing object knows in advance how to return an identifier to the external interface of the enclosed object. In dynamic aggregation, an object to be enclosed is added to the enclosing object after the enclosing object is instantiated. Once aggregated.

Abstract: A package for an integrated circuit chip adapted to operate at microwave frequencies. The package includes an electrically conductive lead frame having electrical leads extending outwardly from an inner region. A base section is adhesively affixed to a bottom portion of the lead frame. The base section and a plastic cover are configured to provide a cavity when the cover and the base section are affixed with the integrated circuit chip being disposed with such provided cavity. With another integrated circuit chip package, an electrically conductive lead frame has electrical leads adapted for electrical connection to the integrated circuit chip. The base section includes a conductive member nd a dielectric member. The dielectric member has an aperture disposed in registration with an inner region of the lead frame. The conductive member is electrically to a bottom surface portion of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit chip being disposed in registration with the aperture.

Abstract: An automated survey system that performs surveys over electronic media is described. The system receives a survey in an electronic format, the survey having survey questions. Then, a group of registered survey participants is selected for participation in the survey. Next, the survey is electronically distributed to the registered survey participants in the group selected. Responses to the survey questions are then electronically received from the registered survey participants in the group selected. The survey system then processes the responses to determine survey results. The automated survey system is advantageous because it provides a more effective, less cumbersome way to carry out a survey. Survey participants are more willing to participate and surveys can be completed significantly faster than conventionally possible. The surveys can also incorporate multimedia effects for much broader, more realistic and entertaining surveys.

Abstract: A denture cleansing composition includes a monoperoxysulfate compound, an effective amount a sequestering agent, such as a citrate compound, for removal of calculus and to provide a pH to the composition in solution (water) of about 3 to 5, and an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent, such as a benzoate compound, to provide antimicrobial activity to the composition to effectively kill bacteria, or other microorganisms found on the dentures. Tests conducted show that the composition is particularly effective in killing microbial strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans and Actinomyces viscosus within 20 minutes of contact.

Abstract: A componentizing object designer is used to define a componentization of visual forms and other object-oriented technologies. The componentized object designer includes a set of tightly integrated protocols enabling Component Object Model (COM) objects to replace standard built-in visual form and other objects. The componentized object designer allows the design-time object and the run-time object to differ in implementation. The componentized object designer allows class identifiers for the run-time objects which are different than design-time objects. With a different class identifier, the run-time object can be saved as an object which is radically different from the design-time object. This enables the run-time object to be stored in a different object library than the design-time object. The componentized object designer allows for different persistence formats to be saved for run-time objects.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating objects within a computer system are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method aggregates an enclosed object within an enclosing object. The enclosed object has an object management interface and an external interface, while the enclosing object has a controlling object management interface. The controlling object management interface and the external interface of the enclosed object have query function members for receiving an identifier of an interface and for returning a reference to the identified interface. A preferred embodiment creates an instance of an enclosing object and an object to be enclosed. In static aggregation, the controlling object management interface of the enclosing object knows in advance how to return an identifier to the external interface of the enclosed object. In dynamic aggregation, an object to be enclosed is added to the enclosing object after the enclosing object is instantiated.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating objects within a computer system are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method aggregates an enclosed object within an enclosing object. The enclosed object has an object management interface and an external interface, while the enclosing object has a controlling object management interface. The controlling object management interface and the external interface of the enclosed object have query function members for receiving an identifier of an interface and for returning a reference to the identified interface. A preferred embodiment creates an instance of an enclosing object and an object to be enclosed. In static aggregation, the controlling object management interface of the enclosing object knows in advance how to return an identifier to the external interface of the enclosed object. In dynamic aggregation, an object to be enclosed is added to the enclosing object after the enclosing object is instantiated.

Abstract: A massively-parallel computer includes a plurality of processing nodes and at least one control node interconnected by a network. The network faciliates the transfer of data among the processing nodes and of commands from the control node to the processing nodes. Each processing node includes an interface for transmitting data over, and receiving data and commands from, the network, at least one memory module for storing data, a node processor and an auxiliary processor. The node processor receives commands received by the interface and processes data in response thereto, in the process generating memory access requests for facilitating the retrieval of data from or storage of data in the memory module. The node processor further controlling the transfer of data over the network by the interface. The auxiliary processor is connected to the memory module and the node processor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for multi-threaded processing that is an improvement over conventional systems. The system of the present invention comprises multiple threads of execution, multiple apartments, shared data, and a concurrency management component. The threads of execution run independently and each occupy one apartment. The apartments contain objects that have methods to perform operations. The shared data contains data that is accessible by all threads within the process. The concurrency management mechanism performs processing so that the multiple threads can execute concurrently in a reliable and robust manner. In an alternative system of the present invention, the threads are separate from the apartments and the threads execute within the apartments to perform processing. After performing the processing, the thread exits the apartment so that the apartment may be occupied by another thread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving pain associated with degenerative diseases and disorders in biological subjects such as mammals. The method employs the use of an apparatus which is capable of producing a magnetic field of a particular nature which has been proven in human tests to dramatically reduce pain. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of magnets capable of producing a magnetic field wherein each of the plurality of magnets has a north pole and a south pole and a longitudinal axis passing therethrough and are partially held in place by the frame. Another embodiment incorporates a coil of electrically conducting material is wrapped about a frame, and/or the plurality of magnets in an orthogonal relationship to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of magnets. A source of electrical energy supplies an electrical current to the coil enabling a magnetic field to be produced therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic field device and method for inhibiting angiogenesis and retarding growth rates of cancerous tumors present in mammals. The apparatus includes a frame, and a wire consisting of electrically conducting material. The wire is wrapped around the frame to form a coil. A source of AC current is connected to a transformer to vary the AC voltage. The AC current is passed through a bridge rectifier and then to the coil of wire enabling a DC rectified wave magnetic field to be produced therefrom. The method employs the use of an apparatus which is capable of producing a magnetic field of a particular nature which has been proven in animal studies to affect angiogenesis and retard the growth rate of cancerous tumors.