Abstract: A network test instrument for singlemode and multimode OTDR testing employs an optical topology providing for combined singlemode and multimode use of a detector for reduced cost and instrument size.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention comprises an apparatus, article, and method for modifying the properties of a style sheet having at least one rule associated with a document rendered by a display program on an output device, comprising: determining if the rule specifies a font size; comparing the font size to a legible size limit; and if the font size is less than the legible size limit, iteratively increasing the font size of the rule by a step size until the font size is greater than or equal to the legible size limit.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automatically opening files of particular types in a computer application program using certain attributes, such as window size and position, as dictated by user preferences based on the user's previous habits in opening files of the same type in that particular computer application program or based on properties of the file itself.

Abstract: One illustrative embodiment of the present invention pertains to a device. The device is configured to evaluate a Gray code value and to provide compensation for error in the Gray code value. Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method. The method includes comparing Gray code information with servo information. The method also includes evaluating error in the Gray code information based on the comparison between the Gray code information with servo information. Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention pertains to a data storage system. The data storage system includes a data storage medium, a head, and a controller. The head is controllably positionable relative to the data storage medium. The controller includes a means for sensing position information from the head. The controller also includes a means for compensating for error in the position information, to position the head relative to the data storage medium.

Abstract: Under the present invention, when a configuration change for a computer system is monitored and a message corresponding thereto is issued, a response to the message will be observed. Thereafter, the configuration change, the message and the response will be logged. In logging this information, the respective times and identities of corresponding users will be stored together. Thus, if an error condition results from the configuration change, a supervisor or the like will be able to access the log file and see (among other things): (1) the configuration change that caused the error condition; (2) the identity of the user who made it; and (3) the user's response to the corresponding message that was provided.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a software product is analyzed to identify a set of applications/modules that are actually included therewith. Thereafter, information for the set of applications is identified from a library of information for the software product. The information identified is typically limited to information corresponding to features of the set of applications included with the software product (as well as any default information that could be included for all arrangements of the software product). In any event, the information identified is then packaged for future access by an end-user or the like. To this extent, the information can be packaged with the software product on a computer readable medium such as a CD-Rom, diskette, etc., or it can be made available for access over a network (e.g., the Internet).

Abstract: A system and method for confirming messages being sent within an instant messaging environment. An instant messaging system is disclosed, comprising a confirmation enablement system that allows a user to selectively enable a requires confirmation option for a contact associated with the user; and a send message interface that displays a confirmation requirement for messages being sent to the contact if the requires confirmation option is enabled, wherein the confirmation requirement must be confirmed by the user before the message can be sent.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing configuration changes made to a computerized system. A configuration analysis system is provided that includes: a system for generating characteristic data for a captured set of configuration changes; an analyzer repository for storing a set of analyzers configured to analyze configuration changes, wherein each analyzer is associated with a rule relating to at least one predefined configuration change; and an analyzer selection system for selecting at least one analyzer from the analyzer repository by comparing the characteristic data with the rules of the associated analyzers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit and method for arbitrating voltage requests in a computer system are disclosed. In a first embodiment, one or more devices in a computer system assert a plurality of voltage requests. These voltage requests are received by an arbiter which outputs a single voltage request. The outputted voltage request is received by one or more power supplies configured to supply a voltage to the devices. In this way, the devices all receive the same voltage even if they originally requested different voltages. In some embodiments, the arbiter may output a voltage request that is selected from the voltage requests asserted by the devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting physical cylinders (cylinders accessible for read/write operations) in a disc drive is provided. The disc drive includes at least one rotatable disc. The disc drive also includes a first head, which is positionable adjacent a first disc surface, and a second head, which is positionable adjacent a second disc surface. The first disc surface has a first plurality of greycode tracks and the second disc surface has a second plurality of greycode tracks. Each greycode track of the second plurality of greycode tracks corresponds to a different greycode track of the first plurality of greycode tracks, thereby forming a plurality of greycode cylinders, with each greycode cylinder of the plurality of greycode cylinders including a pair of corresponding greycode tracks. The physical cylinders are a subset (less than all) of the plurality of the greycode cylinders.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent impedance selector compensates for non-linearities that arise when the operating voltage of an electronic circuit changes. The voltage-dependent impedance selector includes a selection stage that selects a impedance based on the operating voltage of the electronic circuit. The selected impedance is connected to an output stage having a resistive value so that the selected impedance and the output stage form a voltage divider. The voltage-dependent impedance selector may, in some embodiments, be used in reference voltage generation or in impedance matching.

Abstract: A cooling device detection circuit and method for detecting a cooling device in a computer system. In one embodiment, a cooling device detection circuit includes a detection stage and a power management stage. The detection stage is configured to sense an indication that the cooling device is functioning and to assert a signal if the cooling device is detected. The power management stage is configured to turn off a component cooled by the cooling device if the cooling device is not detected.

Abstract: Various circuits for shifting the crossing point level of a pair of differential clocks signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, a differential clock driver provides a pair of differential clock signals to a device having a specified valid range for the crossing point of the differential clock signals. A level-shifting device is coupled to one or both of the differential clock signals to shift the crossing point to lie within the valid range. The device may be a memory device in some embodiments, and in certain embodiments the memory device may be DDR SDRAM. A method for configuring a computer system is also disclosed. An actual differential clock crossing point is compared to a specified range for the crossing point. If the actual crossing point is not within the specified range, a level-shifting device is coupled to one or both of the differential clock signals.

Abstract: A technique, system, and computer program for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility. Templates containing field names and possible default values are stored for each available task for this user, preferably in a memory cache or disk cache. When the user enters a value or pattern into a field of the search criteria, this value or pattern is retained. When a subsequent search is requested, the retained values are checked to determine if the user already entered values for any fields of the now-current template. If so, then those values are automatically filled in for this current template. The user is allowed to override any of the filled-in values, and these overrides will also become retained values. Retained values are cleared when the user exits the search facility, or when the user explicitly requests to clear the values.

Abstract: A method for displaying information in a virtual reality environment in which an object that is displayed within a viewport into the virtual reality environment is selected so that the contents of the object can be displayed. The object is opened and the contents of the object are automatically oriented to be perpendicular to a line of sight of the viewport.