Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining a software reliability metric, including obtaining testing defect data, obtaining test case data, determining testing exposure time data using the test case data, and computing the software reliability metric using testing defect data and testing exposure time data. The defect data includes software defect records. The test case data includes test case execution time data. A testing results profile is determined using testing defect data and testing exposure time data. A software reliability model is selected according to the testing results profile. A testing defect rate and a number of residual defects are determined by using the software reliability model and the testing results profile. A testing software failure rate is determined using the testing defect rate and the number of residual defects. A field software availability metric is determined using the field software failure rate determined using the testing software failure rate.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for reconfiguring a first base station element to attempt to serve at least a portion of the plurality of wireless terminals served by a second base station element in response to detection of a failure condition at a second base station element that was serving the plurality of wireless terminals prior to the occurrence of the failure condition.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, emulating hardware failures and a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test tool incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a vector generator configured to generate at least one device failure emulation vector and (2) a JTAG interface associable with the vector generator and configured to deliver the device failure emulation vector to hardware thereby to test system software associated with the hardware.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for predicting a scheduled downtime associated with a system. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a system model associated with the system according to a system type of the system, determining at least one scheduled system downtime event type associated with the system using the system model, selecting at least one scheduled system downtime event model according to the at least one scheduled system downtime event type, and predicting the scheduled system downtime using the at least one scheduled system downtime event model.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a truck bed separator to compartmentalize truck beds. The truck bed separator and extension are releasably attached to the truck bed lip at one end and to either the truck bed extension or the truck bed separator at the other end by a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is comprised of a pair of mating jaw members for releasable attachment to a truck bed lip at on end and a fastener for releasable attachment to the hinge of the truck bed separator or extension at the other end.

Abstract: A pin support structure comprising a first foil having opening and a second foil having openings. The first foil is secured to a foil support frame and the second foil is secured to a foil support frame. The foils are maintained in spaced apart relationship by a separation frame. The holes of the foil are in registration with the holes of the foil. The holes in the foils are formed by electro-chemical etching. A pin has a base end and a support end.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a truck bed separator to compartmentalize truck beds. The truck bed separator and extension are releasably attached to the truck bed lip at one end and to either the truck bed extension or the truck bed separator at the other end by a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is comprised of a pair of mating jaw members for releasable attachment to a truck bed lip at on end and a fastener for releasable attachment to the hinge of the truck bed separator or extension at the other end.

Abstract: The method of fabricating free standing objects using thermal spraying, preferably of a metal, in the following process. A wire mesh is formed into a three dimensional shape of the desired finished product and the shaped mesh is then thermally sprayed with a coating material to substantially cover the visible portions of the mesh. The preferred coating material is metal.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a truck bed separator to compartmentalize truck beds. The truck bed separator and extension are releasably attached to the truck bed lip at one end and to either the truck bed extension or the truck bed separator at the other end by a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is comprised of a pair of mating jaw members for releasable attachment to a truck bed lip at on end and a fastener for releasable attachment to the hinge of the truck bed separator or extension at the other end.

Abstract: A pin support structure comprising a first foil having opening and a second foil having openings. The first foil is secured to a foil support frame and the second foil is secured to a foil support frame. The foils are maintained in spaced apart relationship by a separation frame. The holes of the foil are in registration with the holes of the foil. The holes in the foils are formed by electro-chemical etching. A pin has a base end and a support end.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a pair of ramps. The truck bed extension is comprised of a left truck bed extension and a right truck bed extension, each truck bed extension comprising a back wall section, a side wall extension section and a ramp lip. The side wall extension, ramp lip and back wall section are hinged together to allow the truck bed extensions to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a dual ramp.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a pair of ramps. The truck bed extension is comprised of a left truck bed extension and a right truck bed extension, each truck bed extension comprising a back wall section, a side wall extension section and a ramp lip. The side wall extension, ramp lip and back wall section are hinged together to allow the truck bed extensions to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a dual ramp.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a ramp. The truck bed extension is comprised of three panels, including a back wall and two side walls, which are hinged together to allow the truck bed extension to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a ramp or ladder. The truck bed extension also has a ramp lip, such that the ramp lip acts as an extension of the ramp and is positioned on the extended tailgate of the truck. This ramp lip reduces the angle of incline of the ramp and alleviates “bottoming out” of the wheeled vehicles moving in and out of the truck.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a ramp. The truck bed extension is comprised of three panels, including a back wall and two side walls, which are hinged together to allow the truck bed extension to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a ramp or ladder. The truck bed extension also has a ramp lip, such that the ramp lip acts as an extension of the ramp and is positioned on the extended tailgate of the truck. This ramp lip reduces the angle of incline of the ramp and alleviates “bottoming out” of the wheeled vehicles moving in and out of the truck.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a ramp. The truck bed extension is comprised of three panels, including a back wall and two side walls, which are hinged together to allow the truck bed extension to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a ramp or ladder. The truck bed extension also has a ramp lip that is rotatably joined by hinges to one of the wall extension sections, such that the ramp lip is foldable against the inside of the side wall extension section when used as a truck bed extension and unfolded as an extension of the ramp and positioned on the extended tailgate of the truck. This ramp lip reduces the angle of incline of the ramp and alleviates "bottoming out" of the wheeled vehicles moving in and out of the truck.

Abstract: A cervical collar is disclosed. The collar has a chin support which can be adjusted up or down to accommodate necks of different lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding network identities to locally-meaningful identities in a computer network is disclosed. A client computer is connected to a server computer that performs various functions requested by an operator of the client computer. The server computer assigns a temporary locally-meaningful identity to the operator of the client computer, and receives and responds to requests to perform functions from the client computer. The server computer triggers an ownership fault in response to a particular request received from the client computer. The particular request that triggers the ownership fault may be a request to create a file, a request to create a directory, a request to take ownership of an existing file, a request to take ownership of an existing directory, or other function.

Abstract: Method of producing a data processing care by thermo-moulding a mixture of pulverulent polycarbonate with lamp-black at a proportion of 8 ppm of lamp-black with respect to the basic thermo-hardenable material. The inner face of the wall of the mould which gives rise to the front face of the card has a checkered pattern, the distance between the recesses, respectively the protrusions, of the checkered pattern being a multiple of the wave length of the laser ray used for applying on the card the contrasted signs. A laser tube piloted by a piloting unit including a program containing the indications which are to appear on the card, is used for directing a laser radiation onto the card. The infrared rays are absorbed by the lamp-black contained in the mass of the material of the card which is heated, thereby producing a change of color resulting in appearance of signs such as a signature and a photograph on the front face of the card.

Abstract: A device for recognizing latent information including an asymmetrical reading head in the form of a truncated cone which is inclined (oblique). The image of the latent information furnished by the reading head is deformed or "warped" with respect to the image which would be furnished by a perfectly symmetrical reading head (a right truncated cone). Hence, different categories of users of an installation can be provided with device having different reading heads furnishing each user with a proper image for the information he is permitted to access so as to prevent access to non-permitted information, each category of users having access to a part of the information corresponding to the specific image furnished by the proper reading head of his device.

Abstract: A character-carrying disc comprises, arranged on its front face, a circular arc-shaped wire spring ended by two branches, which are rectilinear and bent inwardly constituting a small fork adapted to grip the shaft of a printing machine in which the disc is used and to engage an annular groove of this shaft. This disc carries a slidable pin on a shoulder of which the central portion of the arc-shaped part of the spring bears so as to maintain the pin in an axial position in which it co-operates with a member of the machine to provide a drive connection for rotation of the disc. Thus, the spring performs a double function, ensuring on the one hand the return of the pin to its working position and on the other hand the securing of the disc on the shaft of the machine.