Abstract: A flowmeter including a body having a wall configured to communicate a fluid between an inlet and an outlet, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to another ultrasonic transducer along a path in the body. A plurality of reflectors are disposed in the wall and are configured to reflect the ultrasonic signal multiple times across the body along the path in the fluid flowing through the housing. A processor is coupled to the ultrasonic transducers and is configured to determine a time the ultrasonic signal takes to travel the path and determine a flow rate of the fluid as a function of a determined time.

Abstract: A fluid quality detector for measuring total dissolved solids such as in water system of a home. The detector includes a body configured to communicate a fluid between an inlet and an outlet, and a probe having a pair of electrodes configured to communicate with the fluid. A circuit is coupled to the probe and configured to determine quality of the fluid as it communicates between the inlet and the outlet. The circuit is configured to apply a voltage waveform between the two electrodes to the fluid and switch a voltage polarity of the voltage waveform to reverse voltage polarity at the electrodes and reduce ions from migrating between the electrodes.

Abstract: A tankless water heater with an impeller flowmeter having multiple K factors significantly improving the accuracy of flowmeter readings, particularly at low water flow rates, such as under 1 gallon per minute. Rather than use a single K factor impeller flowmeter in a tankless water heater that is particularly inaccurate at low flow rates, this disclosure provides an impeller flowmeter with multiple K factors to obtain precise flow rate readings to precisely control heating of the water at low flow rates. The flowmeter has an onboard memory with multiple K factors stored for a controller to access and read. These multiple K factors are established for flowrates across the entire dynamic range of the flowmeter at the time it is manufactured. Just enough K factors are determined to provide good curve fitting. The flowmeter onboard memory is programmed with the multiple K factors.

Abstract: A tankless water heater with an impeller flowmeter having multiple K factors significantly improving the accuracy of flowmeter readings, particularly at low water flow rates, such as under 1 gallon per minute. Rather than use a single K factor impeller flowmeter in a tankless water heater that is particularly inaccurate at low flow rates, this disclosure provides an impeller flowmeter with multiple K factors to obtain precise flow rate readings to precisely control heating of the water at low flow rates. The flowmeter has an onboard memory with multiple K factors stored for a controller to access and read. These multiple K factors are established for flowrates across the entire dynamic range of the flowmeter at the time it is manufactured. Just enough K factors are determined to provide good curve fitting. The flowmeter onboard memory is programmed with the multiple K factors.

Abstract: Virtualization of a PCI Endpoint via the Internet and LANs. The invention is a solution that allows the use of low-complexity, low-cost PCI Express Endpoint Type 0 cores or custom logic for relatively simple virtualization applications. The invention combines two physically separate assemblies in such a way that they appear to the host system as one local multifunctional PCI Express Endpoint device.

Abstract: A means for automatic detection and selection of an optimal I/O system resource virtualization protocol. The invention is a solution for the problem of complexity and the resulting lack of optimization in I/O system resource virtualization implementations. The invention shields the user from the complexity of network analysis and allows the engaging of multiple I/O system resource virtualization protocols—as opposed to a single protocol. The invention enables automatic detection and selection of an optimal I/O system resource virtualization protocol on a per resource basis, which is a unique capability and something that has not been accomplished in the prior art. The net result is a simplified user experience and optimized performance when using virtualized I/O system resource.

Abstract: An adapter card adapting the ad hoc resource add/removal inherent to a host PCI or PCI Express-based system to a wireless link and wireless endpoint. The adaptation allows mobile PCI Express resources to ingress and be allocated system resources within a host's PCI system and then egress and have the allocated resources freed up for re-use/reassignment, emulating the hot plug insertion and removal of an adapter card. The invention leverages the i-PCI protocol as defined by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/148,712, filed Apr. 21, 2008, the teachings which are incorporated by reference.

Abstract: A means for extending a PCI System of a host computer via software-centric virtualization. A Root Complex is virtualized at the host computer, and physically separated with a portion located remotely at an Endpoint, such as at a Remote Bus Adapter. One aspect of the invention avoids the need for a Host Bus Adapter. The invention utilizes 1 Gbps-10 Gbps or greater connectivity via the host's existing standard LAN adapter along with unique software to form the virtualization solution. The invention works within a host's PCI Express topology, extending the topology by adding an entire virtual I/O hierarchy via virtualization. The invention enables I/O virtualization in those implementations where a specialized host bus may not be desirable or feasible. Some examples of this may be a laptop computer, an embedded design, a cost-sensitive design, or a blade host where expansion slots are not available or accessible.

Abstract: A means for automatic detection and selection of an optimal network storage virtualization protocol. The invention is a solution for the problem of complexity and the resulting lack of optimization in storage virtualization implementations. The invention shields the user from the complexity of network analysis and allows the engaging of multiple storage virtualization protocols—as opposed to a single protocol. The invention enables automatic detection and selection of an optimal network storage virtualization protocol on a per resource basis, which is a unique capability and something that has not been accomplished in the prior art. The net result is a simplified user experience and optimized performance when using virtualized storage.

Abstract: A solution for setup and optimization of a data transfer path in extended computer systems, where the I/O system is virtualized. The solution achieves advantageous results via a mechanism that automates the configuration of multiple data path components. The solution achieves initial optimization and then automates continual optimization of the data path through monitoring of changes and through dynamic adjustment of system resources and data transfer characteristics.

Abstract: The invention is directed to I/O Virtualization via a converged transport, as well as technology including low latency virtualization for blade servers and multi-host hierarchies for virtualization networks. A virtualization pipe bridge is also disclosed, as well as a virtual desktop accelerator, and a memory mapped thin client.

Abstract: A mechanism for simultaneous multiple host access to shared centralized memory space via a virtualization protocol utilizing a network transport. The invention combines local memory interfacing with the handling of multiple hosts implementing virtualized memory-mapped I/O systems, such that the memory becomes a global resource. The end result is a widely distributed memory-mapped computer cluster, sharing a 2^64 byte memory space.

Abstract: A spoofing module that mimics remote computer resources to optimize system responsiveness and avoid expiration of intentional and unintentional timeouts in extended computer systems. The invention is capable of appearing to the host system and selectively responding to the host system as if it were the actual hardware. The invention includes a throttling mechanism to prevent data over-run.

Abstract: A hardware/software system and method that collectively enables virtualization of the host computer's native I/O system architecture via the Internet and LANs. The invention includes a solution to the problems of the relatively narrow focus of iSCSI, the direct connect limitation of PCI Express, and the inaccessibility of PCI Express for expansion in blade architectures.

Abstract: A scalable switch, a system of switches and methods, configured to sense a carrier at the output of the respective switch. The invention intelligently, and dynamically, controls the connection of a respective switch input to a respective switch output as a function of a carrier being present, or absent, at a selected output. Alternatively, a control plane is adopted to make request to send and acknowledge clearance to send. These control methods operate on a step-by-step manner allowing fast and parallel connectivity to be established to connect a variety of interfaces, including Ethernet, PCI, SCSI, and FibreChannels. The present invention reduces switch cost, energy cost, and switch volume, while allowing scalability of connection requirements, reduction of delay, and promotion of green IT.

Abstract: A scalable switch, a system of switches and methods, configured to sense a carrier at the output of the respective switch. The invention intelligently, and dynamically, controls the connection of a respective switch input to a respective switch output as a function of a carrier being present, or absent, at a selected output. The present invention provides a switching system that is scalable, and not limited as are Stored Program Control (SPC) type switches.

Abstract: A means for extending the Input/Output System of a host computer via software-centric virtualization. Physical hardware I/O resources are virtualized via a software-centric solution utilizing two or more host systems. The invention advantageously eliminates the host bus adapter, remote bus adapter, and expansion chassis and replaces them with a software construct that virtualizes selectable hardware resources located on a geographically remote second host making them available to the first host. One aspect of the invention utilizes 1 Gbps-10 Gbps or greater connectivity via the host systems existing standard Network Interface Cards (NIC) along with unique software to form the virtualization solution.

Abstract: A virtualization of the internal interconnection bus, which results in a virtualized switch or virtualized multi-ported bridge. In the case of a PCI Express switch, one embodiment includes virtualization of the undefined interconnection bus. In the case of a Multi-ported bridge, one embodiment includes virtualization of the internal PCI/PCI-X bus. Through virtualization of the internal interconnection bus, the integrated circuit topology (the physical bridges and ports) may advantageously be spatially separated and remotely distributed far a field from the host computer, yet appear to the host system and host system software as single physical device (i.e. a normal PCIe switch or a normal multi-ported bridge).

Abstract: A solution enabling the practical use of very large amounts of memory, external to a host computer system. With physical locality and confinement removed as an impediment, large quantities of memory, here before impractical to physically implement, now become practical. Memory chips and circuit cards no longer must be installed directly in a host system. Instead, the memory resources may be distributed or located centrally on a network, asconvenient, in much the same manner that mass storage is presently implemented.

Abstract: A system for detecting and controlling collusion in a game with a plurality of participating players includes a gaming server and a number of portals in the form of websites on the World Wide Web in the Internet. Each of the portal websites is an online casino website hosted on a corresponding casino web server (not shown). Each of the casino websites is accessible by one or more would-be poker players. Each player accesses the website using a computer with a display and an associated pointing device. The system further includes an administration facility, which communicates with the gaming server along a communication channel, and a collusion detection server in communication with the gaming server via the communication channel.