Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes receiving an instruction to perform a verification operation on a media cartridge having a tape wrapped around a spool; unwrapping at least some of the tape from the spool of the media cartridge; after the unwrapping, wrapping at least some of the tape back onto the spool; during at least one of the unwrapping and wrapping (and preferably both, and possibly over several cycles of unwrapping and wrapping), performing a verification operation; generating a quality metric based on the verification operation; and outputting the quality metric or derivative thereof, such as a pass or fail indication; an instruction to set a pass/fail flag; a number, score or graphic illustrating to a user a general quality of the tape, etc. Additional methods and systems are also presented.

Abstract: A method, system, and a device have a data storage drive for an automated data storage library in which a data storage drive may have in one embodiment, both a host-drive interface port and a host-library interface port. In one aspect, drive commands from a host system are conducted primarily through the host-drive interface port and a host-drive interface path to a drive controller of the data storage drive. In addition, library commands from the host system to a library controller may be conducted primarily through the host-library interface port and a host-library interface path to a library communication port of the data storage drive. In one embodiment, the drive commands from a host system are conducted primarily through the host-drive interface port and the host-drive interface path to a drive controller of the data storage drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternative method of classifying the sound environment into a number of environmental classes, such as speech, babble speech, restaurant clatter music, traffic noise, etc., based on signal level histogram values in a number of frequency bands.

Abstract: A proximal anchor stent ring of an endoprosthesis includes proximal apexes, distal apexes, struts extending between the proximal apexes and the distal apexes, and anchor pins. The struts, the proximal apexes, and the distal apexes define an imaginary cylindrical surface. A pair of the anchor pins is located on the struts adjacent each of the proximal apexes, the anchor pins extending inwards from inside surfaces of the struts and protruding from the struts radially outward from the cylindrical surface. By locating the anchor pins inwards, the delivery profile of the proximal anchor stent ring is minimized.

Abstract: A plurality of tape drives writes a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of data units on a tape, wherein an indicator indicates which tape drive of the plurality of tape drives has written a corresponding data unit on the tape. Each of the plurality of tape drives generates an extent of read errors, in response to reading the plurality of data units written on the tape. The extent of read errors generated by each of the plurality of tape drives are aggregated at a computational device coupled to the plurality of tape drives. A determination is made at the computational device of a defective tape drive of the plurality of tape drives from the aggregated extent of read errors.

Abstract: The present application is concerned with compositions for providing phase-stable microemulsion decontamination formulations for treating surfaces, and in particular for treating surfaces contaminated with chemical and/or biological warfare agents.

Abstract: A reinforced pole structure including a hollow pole with an interior surface and an access hand-hole therethrough near the bottom end and a base plate to which the bottom end of the pole is secured, the reinforced pole structure also including an elongate reinforcement device, preferably in the form of two elongate reinforcers, against the interior surface of the hollow pole, the lower edges of the reinforcers being welded to the pole at the bottom end and the hole-adjacent edge(s) of the reinforcers being welded to the lip of the hand-hole. Preferably, the reinforcers have a far-side pair of edges which, at least in positions opposite the hand-hole, are welded to the interior surface of the pole.

Abstract: A method to write information to a tape storage medium by disposing a tape storage medium in a tape drive apparatus comprising a write head. The method moves the tape storage medium in a first direction, writes data from a buffer to the tape storage medium, and thereby empties the buffer while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction. The method determines, while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction, whether to enable a backhitchless write wherein the tape storage medium is not stopped and moved in a second and opposition direction, prior to writing new data to the tape storage medium. By not stopping the movement of the tape storage medium, and by not moving the tape storage medium in a reverse direction to reposition the write head, the method eliminates the time overhead required to stop the tape and reposition the tape head. Applicants' method achieves this time efficiency without adverse impact to the nominal storage capacity of the tape information medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cracking liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks utilizes a vapor-liquid separator to treat heated vapor-liquid mixtures to provide an overhead of reduced residue content. Hot liquid bottoms from the separator are heat exchanged with cool hydrocarbon feedstocks for cracking to provide cooled liquid bottoms and preheated feedstock. At least a portion of the preheated feedstock is directed to a convection section of a pyrolysis furnace for additional heating and subsequent cracking.

Abstract: A method for advanced condition monitoring of an asset system includes sensing actual values of an operating condition for an operating regime of the asset system using at least one sensor; estimating sensed values of the operating condition by using an auto-associative neural network; determining a residual vector between the estimated sensed values and the actual values; and performing a fault diagnostic on the residual vector. In another method, an operating space of the asset system is segmented into operating regimes; the auto-associative neural network determines estimates of actual measured values; a residual vector is determined from the auto-associative neural network; a fault diagnostic is performed on the residual vector; and a change of the operation of the asset system is determined by analysis of the residual vector. An alert is provided if necessary. A smart sensor system includes an on-board processing unit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for advanced condition monitoring of an asset system includes using a plurality of auto-associative neural networks to determine estimates of actual values sensed by at least one sensor in at least one of the plurality of operating regimes; determining a residual between the estimated sensed values and the actual values sensed by the at least one sensor from each of the plurality of auto-associative neural networks; and combining the residuals by using a fuzzy supervisory model blender; performing a fault diagnostic on the combined residuals; and determining a change of the operation of the asset system by analysis of the combined residuals. An alert is provided if necessary. A smart sensor system includes an on-board processing unit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for advanced condition monitoring of an asset system includes sensing actual values of an operating condition for an operating regime of the asset system using at least one sensor; estimating sensed values of the operating condition by using an auto-associative neural network; determining a residual vector between the estimated sensed values and the actual values; and performing a fault diagnostic on the residual vector. In another method, an operating space of the asset system is segmented into operating regimes; the auto-associative neural network determines estimates of actual measured values; a residual vector is determined from the auto-associative neural network; a fault diagnostic is performed on the residual vector; and a change of the operation of the asset system is determined by analysis of the residual vector. An alert is provided if necessary. A smart sensor system includes an on-board processing unit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting status of an agent in a call center is provided. The system may have a call center management system with a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the call center management system and a plurality of telephones associated with the agent workstations. The system may also have a switch that automatically connects calls to the telephones. An off-hook detector automatically detects a manually initiated off-hook status of at least one of the telephones and signals the switch that the agent at the telephones is unavailable. The switch may then avoid connecting a call to the unavailable agent.

Abstract: An optical article comprising a first file encoded on the optical article comprising data structure information; a second file encoded on the optical article comprising a backup of the first file; wherein at least one of the first file or the second file must be fully readable for the player to read the data on the optical article; and a mark disposed on at least a portion of the optical article where the first file is encoded and at least a portion of the optical article where the second file is encoded; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activ

Abstract: An optical article comprising a mark disposed on the optical article; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used. A method and a system for changing the functionality of the optical article are also provided.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a permanent player-readable code comprising a first set of a plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on the optical article; a second set of plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically-detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically-detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically-detectable marks and their associated first control logic; and wherein the optical article is activated when the customized player-readable code is in a pre-determined relationship with the permanent code.

Abstract: A transaction processing system comprising a transaction log, a log management policy, a profile and a log manager, and method for managing the transaction log are provided. The method comprises maintaining a transaction log of recoverable changes made by transaction processing tasks, each task having an associated transaction type; storing a log management policy including at least one log threshold and a plurality of possible actions associated therewith; and storing a profile of log resource usage characteristics of tasks for different types of transactions. Usage of the log by transaction processing tasks is monitored to determine when a log threshold is reached. The profile indicates the normal logging behaviour of particular types of transaction by identifying ranges of acceptable values for a plurality of log resource usage characteristics. Such characteristics may include time taken for a task to complete, CPU resource consumed, number of log records made, etc.

Abstract: A career analysis method and system. The system comprises a computing apparatus comprising data. The data comprises a specified job title and a first list comprising a first plurality of required skills for the specified job title. Candidate data is received by the computing apparatus. Candidate data comprises a job candidate and a second list comprising plurality of skills related to a job held by the candidate. The first plurality of required skills is compared with the plurality of skills related to the job held by the candidate to determine a set of common skills. A common skills score is calculated. A first set of market valued skills from the first plurality of required skills is determined. A score is calculated based on a function of the first set of market valued skills and the first plurality of required skills.

Abstract: In one implementation, processes for designing mass separators from a series of mass separator electric field data and processes for designing an ion trap from a range of data pairs and a mass analyzer scale are provided. Methods for producing mass separators including ion traps having Z0/r0 ratios from about 0.84 to about 1.2 are also provided. Mass spectrometers are also provided that can include mass separators in tandem with one being an ion trap having a Z0/r0 ratio between 0.84 and 1.2. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing samples using mass separators having first and second sets of components defining a volume with a ratio of a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the first component to a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the second component being between 0.84 and 1.2.