Abstract: An inter-vertebral cage for use in repairing a damaged inter-vertebral disc includes a plurality of cage sections and a hinge element that connects adjacent ones of the cage sections together for relative movement. The hinge elements automatically urge the cage sections to move from an extended orientation to an installed orientation.

Abstract: A database-driven collaborative game development system provides detailed tracking of changes made to an electronic game by multiple remote developers. The system aggregates the data on a server and then presents analytical data in a manner useful for tracking managing development of the electronic game. The data is tracked objectively and may be displayed in real time, allowing managers to see exactly how their game development team or individual employees are performing. This data may be also used to objectively report team or individual productivity or to subjectively analyze and optimize productivity.

Abstract: A database-driven collaborative game development environment and system automatically generates runtime versions of a game for deployment on a plurality of different platforms based on predefined device profiles.

Abstract: An inter-vertebral cage for use in repairing a damaged inter-vertebral disc includes a plurality of cage sections and a hinge element that connects adjacent ones of the cage sections together for relative movement. The hinge elements automatically urge the cage sections to move from an extended orientation to an installed orientation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a method and apparatus for an improved USB device having ESD protection. Uniquely including and positioning a discharge plane of a low resistance within a USB connection that is connectable with the ground of the USB connector, creates a discharge gap area where excess ESD charge may jump and discharge prior to the connection of paired USB devices having connectable connections.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a method and apparatus for an improved USB device having ESD protection. Uniquely including and positioning a discharge plane of a low resistance within a USB connection that is connectable with the ground of the USB connector, creates a discharge gap area where excess ESD charge may jump and discharge prior to the connection of paired USB devices having connectable connections.

Abstract: The number of lanes used to communicate with a plug-in graphics card over a PCI Express bus is dynamically established based on sensed temperature in the system, to maximize the number of lanes used while remaining below temperature limits.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for autonomic filter replacement are disclosed. In a digital hardware system, a filter supply mechanism is provided that contains a supply of filter material. A filter collection mechanism is also provided. The supply and collection mechanisms are positioned such that an area of filter is spread across an air intake through which air is drawn by a fan. An electronically controlled drive mechanism is provided to drive the filter collection mechanism in response to a condition indicative of filter use. In response to the condition, a length of unused filter material is drawn from the supply and a corresponding length of used filter material is collected to cause unused filter material to be spread across the air intake.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing dust on components in a computer system is disclosed. Embodiments include a system that generally includes an enclosure, a component mounted with the enclosure, and a fan adapted to induce an airflow towards the component to provide cooling. The system also generally includes a dust ionizer adapted to provide an electrical charge to dust particles within the airflow and a dust reflector having an electrical charge adapted to deflect the charge dust particles away from the component. In some embodiments, the component may be a processor, heat sink, video chip, memory module, voltage regulator module, etc.

Abstract: Operating parameters and potentially related malfunctions are gathered from end users of computer systems and fed into a predictive model to generate predictions of future failures when subsequent operating parameters from end users are fed into the prediction model. Parts may be ordered, service calls scheduled, and sales strategies updated based on predictions of impending malfunctions.

Abstract: A parallelepiped-shaped plastic cover for a PCI express x16 connector array has a top defining a window. Some but not all of the connector array elements are blocked by the top when the cover is positioned over the connector array, so that in the event that the associated computer is not configured for receiving components requiring connections to all elements of the PCI express x16 connector array, a user cannot unwittingly plug such a component into the PCI express connector array but can only plug in, through the window, components requiring fewer than all connector elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a “smart” AP, whereby the AP periodically checks its connection with a network and, if a determination is made that the connection between the AP and the network server has been lost, an indication of this loss of connection is made available to all wireless stations connected to the AP. In a preferred embodiment, the indication given to the wireless stations is in the form of an SSID change. When the AP detects the loss of network connection, it automatically changes its SSID from a primary SSID to an alternative SSID. The wireless stations receive the alternative SSID and, since they are configured to connect to the primary SSID, immediately and automatically begin to search for another AP in the system that is using the primary SSID, and then connect to AP having the strongest signal. In one embodiment, the alternative SSID's can be selected so as to provide diagnostic assistance to a person attempting repairs to the faulty AP/network connection.