Abstract: A bachi for playing a shamisen, comprising a handle portion having a first end and a second end, a blade portion removably disposed on the first end of the handle portion, and an attachment assembly that removably secures the blade portion to the first end of the handle portion.

Abstract: A bachi for playing a shamisen, comprising a handle portion having a first end and a second end, a blade portion removably disposed on the first end of the handle portion, and an attachment assembly that removably secures the blade portion to the first end of the handle portion.

Abstract: A data cartridge handling apparatus comprises a ring-shaped carousel (40) rotatably mounted within a housing (22). Cartridge-accommodating cells (52) are angularly arranged about the carousel between an inner periphery (48) and an outer periphery (50) of the carousel. A transducing drive (70) is mounted within the housing and outside the outer periphery. A motor (60) rotates the carousel to facilitate selective alignment of a selected cell (52S) with the drive (70) along a radial dimension (106) of the carousel. A picker (100, 200) is mounted within the housing at a point within the inner periphery of the carousel (40). The picker (100, 200) has a picker arm (104, 204). A distal end of the picker arm has a gripper (110, 210) which selectively engages and disengages a data cartridge (72).

Abstract: Security administration in a computer system is simplified by defining a new and independent entity called an Object Access Type (OAT). OATs comprise access control specifications associating roles with permissions, and associating the roles with a set of objects, such as resources or files. Different roles may have differing permissions to objects associated with an OAT, and objects may be assigned to plural OATs. A mechanism is also presented whereby system administrators are provided with the capability to display and manipulate access designations by operating only on the independent OATS.

Abstract: A workflow sequence specified by a process definition is managed by a workflow management system which enacts each segment in the order specified by that process definition. Role-based access control (RBAC) is used to define membership of individuals in groups, i.e., to assign individuals to roles, and to then activate the roles with respect to the process at appropriate points in the sequence. Any individual belonging to the active role can perform the next step in the business process. Changes in the duties and responsibilities of individuals as they change job assignments are greatly simplified, as their role memberships are simply reassigned; the workflow process is unaffected.

Abstract: A method for operating a blower of an vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system after ignition off for purging moisture from an evaporator core includes accumulating a/c system data while the a/c system is operating including a/c on time, duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. When the ignition switch is turned off terminating operation the a/c system, updated data is saved for use in a look up table. A moisture index is selected from the look up table after ignition off as a function of a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. The moisture index is a measure of the amount of moisture accumulated on the evaporator core which is a function of the a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and fresh air or recirculated air mode of operation. The blower operates at a speed and for a duration dictated by the moisture index to purge moisture rather than simply operating for a set period of time regardless of moisture present.