Abstract: Self-moving mechanisms and slides incorporating the same are provided. A slide has a first member and a second member slidably coupled to the first member. A self moving mechanism is coupled to the second slide members and engages the first slide member for moving the first slide member relative to the second slide member.

Abstract: A customer making a credit card transaction inserts their smart card into a card reader attached to the merchant's system. The card reader activates the customer's card and passes certain merchant information. The merchant's system then requests a “billing digest” from the customer's card. The billing digest is returned to the merchant's card reader that forwards it (and the transaction information which includes customer information and merchant information) to the corresponding credit card issuer, which maintains the customer's credit card account. In one embodiment, the customer information and the merchant information are encrypted. Upon receiving the billing digest, transaction information is decrypted if necessary and the credit card issuer looks up the customer's master key using the customer's account number.

Abstract: The present invention provides removable-unit storage modules, which can be combined into a network. The storage modules comprise storage cells arranged in a rule based structured configuration, and robotic hands to which move along tracks in order to retrieve objects from the storage cells. In one embodiment, the storage cells are used to contain data storage units. Several modules can be combined into a network by means of bridge tracks which connect the tracks of different modules, allowing the robotic hands to move between modules. The bridge tracks can be dynamically connected and disconnected from the modules, allowing the network configuration to change according to user needs. The individual modules are mobile and can be transported to other locations and connected with other removable-unit storage networks.

Abstract: Security is provided for a data set stored in a data storage canister. The data set has a data size when received for storage within the canister. At least one data security operation is performed on the received data set to generate secure data having a secure data size that may be different than the set data size. The secure data is stored on at least one data storage device within the canister. Any information about the secure data size is kept from the data producer sending the data set for storage.

Abstract: A system and method for managing data updates by cascading those updates through a virtual copy hierarchy from parent copies to child copies are provided. Virtual copies are created and managed through the use of an instant copy mechanism. Metadata subsets manage both the original data and the copies created by the instant copy mechanism. With an exemplary embodiment of the system and method, changes made to one copy of the data are cascaded to all child copies of the data. In this paradigm not only is the metadata entry for one particular copy changed, but also the corresponding metadata entries of any copies descended from that copy. In an exemplary method, a tree structure is used to maintain a record of all metadata table subsets created by use of an instant copy method. The tree structure can then be searched to find all child copies of a particular copy.

Abstract: A telescopic drawer slide including first, second and third drawer slides, each having a longitudinal length with a web and arcuate arms along the longitudinal margins of the web, the second drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the first drawer slide, and the third drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the second drawer slide. There is a lock between the second drawer slide and the first drawer slide, the lock having a biased tab rotatably coupled to the second drawer slide and an emboss on the first drawer slide. The tab moves into a portion of the emboss upon movement over the emboss, thereby preventing the second drawer slide from closing relative to the third drawer slide.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. The present invention provides a system to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. A virtual stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of virtual data units are functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of virtual data units includes associated management information such that the management information provides first and second boundaries. The first and second boundaries limit preferences in which to store the virtual data units with the stored data management subsystem.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A self closing slide is provided having a first slide member slidably coupled to a second slide member. A slot is provided on the first slide member that receives an actuator of a self closing mechanism coupled to the second slide member. The actuator is spring coupled to the housing. The actuator engages a portion of the first slide member for moving the first slide member relative to the second slide member.

Abstract: A method and a system for alternatively activating, in a data processing system, a replaceable hardware unit and providing a predetermined set of functional capabilities for configuring the data processing system to allow selectively electronically enabling at least a subset of its functional capabilities. Initially a replaceable hardware unit is provided to the data processing system, then its type is determined. If the replaceable hardware unit is of a first type, the subset of functional capabilities to be electronically enabled is determined. Alternatively, if the replaceable hardware unit is of another type, the entire functional capabilities of the replaceable hardware unit are enabled.

Abstract: A virtual stored data management system is provided. In one embodiment, the management system includes one or more hosts and a plurality of data storage elements functionally coupled to the hosts. Each data storage element includes a host network attachment, data transfer means, a storage controller, and permanent data storage media. The permanent data storage media is organized with management information uniquely associated with units of the data such that the management information may be manipulated in several different locations within the management system substantially simultaneously. Thus, the organization of the management processes allows for the management information to be processed, used, changed, or modified in several different locations within the management system at any particular instance.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A telescopic drawer slide including first, second and third drawer slides, each having a longitudinal length with a web and arcuate arms along the longitudinal margins of the web, the second drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the first drawer slide, and the third drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the second drawer slide. There is a lock between the second drawer slide and the first drawer slide, the lock having a biased tab rotatably coupled to the second drawer slide and an emboss on the first drawer slide. The tab moves into a portion of the emboss upon movement over the emboss, thereby preventing the second drawer slide from closing relative to the third drawer slide.

Abstract: A drawer slide assembly with an outer slide member with an elongate planar web including a parallel offset portion, having upper and lower bearing raceways along the length of the web, an intermediate slide member with a elongate planar web, having inner and outer upper and lower bearing raceways along the length of the web, and an inner slide member having an elongate planar web with upper and lower bearing raceways along the length of the web, with bearings disposed between and in rolling engagement with the respective outer and intermediate slide members, and intermediate and inner slide members.

Abstract: A telescopic drawer slide including first, second and third drawer slides, each having a longitudinal length with a web and arcuate arms along the longitudinal margins of the web, the second drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the first drawer slide, and the third drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the second drawer slide. There is a lock between the second drawer slide and the first drawer slide, the lock having a biased tab rotatably coupled to the second drawer slide and an emboss on the first drawer slide. The tab moves into a portion of the emboss upon movement over the emboss, thereby preventing the second drawer slide from closing relative to the third drawer slide.

Abstract: A telescopic drawer slide including first, second and third drawer slides, each having a longitudinal length with a web and arcuate arms along the longitudinal margins of the web, the second drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the first drawer slide, and the third drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the second drawer slide. There is a lock between the second drawer slide and the first drawer slide, the lock having a biased tab rotatably coupled to the second drawer slide and an emboss on the first drawer slide. The tab moves into a portion of the emboss upon movement over the emboss, thereby preventing the second drawer slide from closing relative to the third drawer slide.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for performing an instant copy of data are provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. Various instant copy mechanisms are provided for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either original or copy data. The instant copy mechanisms may be selected based on the type of mapping originally used to store the data that is to be copied. Determining the mapping of the data may include parsing extents of the data into sets based on types of mapping used to map extents. The mapping of the data may be one of load point and offset, and a full pointer mapping.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for performing an instant copy of data. Various instant copy mechanisms are provided for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either original or to copy data. Upon receiving a write operation for writing new data to a first data location, new data is written to a second data location in an additional physical storage area regardless of whether the first data location is in an initial physical storage area or the additional physical storage area. Original data may be separated from copy data by determining a first amount of new data for original data present in the additional physical storage area and a second amount of new data for copy data present in the additional physical storage area. The instant copy mechanisms may be selected based on the type of mapping originally used to store the data to be copied.