Abstract: A computer system detects a request to access a first data object stored in a tiered data structure that includes internal nodes and leaf nodes. In response to detecting the request, the computer system determines whether the first data object is stored in a cache that includes a plurality of data objects from the tiered data structure that are stored separately from their corresponding leaf node in the cache. When the first data object is stored in the cache, the computer system returns the first data object from the cache and when the first data object is not stored in the cache, the computer system traverses the tiered data structure to a leaf node that includes the first data object and returns the first data object from the leaf node for the first data object in the tiered data structure.

Abstract: A computer system detects a request to access a first data object stored in a tiered data structure that includes internal nodes and leaf nodes. In response to detecting the request, the computer system determines whether the first data object is stored in a cache that includes a plurality of data objects from the tiered data structure that are stored separately from their corresponding leaf node in the cache. When the first data object is stored in the cache, the computer system returns the first data object from the cache and when the first data object is not stored in the cache, the computer system traverses the tiered data structure to a leaf node that includes the first data object and returns the first data object from the leaf node for the first data object in the tiered data structure.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include methods and systems for improving the performance of application virtual machines by extending an object store corresponding to the application virtual machine. The method includes identifying a subset of migratable objects from a plurality of objects associated with the application virtual machine, where the subset of migratable objects includes one or more objects and the plurality of objects are stored in the object store comprising a portion of the memory allocated for the application virtual machine. The method also includes selecting a respective object from the subset of migratable objects to be migrated from the object store to a persistent datastore, where the persistent datastore is distinct from the object store. The method further includes causing the respective object to be migrated from the object store to the persistent datastore.

Abstract: Approaches for an object store implemented, at least in part, on one or more solid state devices. The object store may store objects on a plurality of solid state devices. The object store may include a transaction model means for ensuring that the object store performs transactions in compliance with atomicity, concurrency, isolation, and durability (ACID) properties. The object store may include means for providing parallel flushing in a write cache maintained on each of the solid state devices. The object store may include means for maintaining one or more double-write buffers, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may optionally comprise means for maintaining one or more circular transaction logs, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may operate to minimize write operations performed on the solid state devices.

Abstract: Approaches for performing a write operation on a solid state device (SSD). One or more containers are maintained on the solid state device. Each container is a logical grouping of objects independent from where the logical grouping of objects are physically stored on the solid state device. When a write operation is received at the SSD, the manner is which changes requested by the write operation should be stored are determined based on which container is being written. Containers provide a flexible approach for specifying attributes of how data should be stored and accessed which is independent from where the data is physically stored. Containers also have particular utility in performing load balancing and ensuring high availability and recovery.

Abstract: Approaches for an object store implemented, at least in part, on one or more solid state devices. The object store may store objects on a plurality of solid state devices. The object store may include a transaction model means for ensuring that the object store performs transactions in compliance with atomicity, concurrency, isolation, and durability (ACID) properties. The object store may include means for providing parallel flushing in a write cache maintained on each of the solid state devices. The object store may include means for maintaining one or more double-write buffers, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may optionally comprise means for maintaining one or more circular transaction logs, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may operate to minimize write operations performed on the solid state devices.

Abstract: Approaches for performing a write operation on a solid state device (SSD). One or more containers are maintained on the solid state device. Each container is a logical grouping of objects independent from where the logical grouping of objects are physically stored on the solid state device. When a write operation is received at the SSD, the manner is which changes requested by the write operation should be stored are determined based on which container is being written. Containers provide a flexible approach for specifying attributes of how data should be stored and accessed which is independent from where the data is physically stored. Containers also have particular utility in performing load balancing and ensuring high availability and recovery.

Abstract: Approaches for an object store implemented, at least in part, on one or more solid state devices. The object store may store objects on a plurality of solid state devices. The object store may include a transaction model means for ensuring that the object store performs transactions in compliance with atomicity, concurrency, isolation, and durability (ACID) properties. The object store may include means for providing parallel flushing in a write cache maintained on each of the solid state devices. The object store may include means for maintaining one or more double-write buffers, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may optionally comprise means for maintaining one or more circular transaction logs, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may operate to minimize write operations performed on the solid state devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a low cost solar cell using a novel electroplating apparatus and method to form a metal contact structure having metal lines formed using an electrochemical plating process. The apparatus and methods described herein remove the need to perform the often costly processing steps of performing a mask preparation and formation steps, such as screen printing, lithographic steps and inkjet printing steps, to form a contact structure. The resistance of interconnects formed in a solar cell device greatly affects the efficiency of the solar cell. It is thus desirable to form a solar cell device that has a low resistance connection that is reliable and cost effective. Therefore, one or more embodiments of the invention described herein are adapted to form a low cost and reliable interconnecting layer using an electrochemical plating process containing a common metal, such as copper.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a low cost solar cell using a novel electroplating apparatus and method to form a metal contact structure having metal lines formed using an electrochemical plating process. The apparatus and methods described herein remove the need to perform the often costly processing steps of performing a mask preparation and formation steps, such as screen printing, lithographic steps and inkjet printing steps, to form a contact structure. The resistance of interconnects formed in a solar cell device greatly affects the efficiency of the solar cell. It is thus desirable to form a solar cell device that has a low resistance connection that is reliable and cost effective. Therefore, one or more embodiments of the invention described herein are adapted to form a low cost and reliable interconnecting layer using an electrochemical plating process containing a common metal, such as copper.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that models customer behavior in a multi-choice service environment. The system constructs a probability density function f to represent probabilities of service-level choices made by customers, wherein the probability density function is a function of functional variables u?(d) and p(d); u?(d) is a utility function for a specific customer type indexed by vector ?; p(d) is a given price curve which specifies a relationship between service levels offered by a service provider and corresponding prices for the offered service levels; and u?(d) and p(d) are both functions of the offered service levels d. The system then obtains a distribution function ?(?) which specifies a probability distribution of different customer types ?. Next, the system obtains a service level-choice distribution for a population of customers as a function of a given price curve based on the probability density function f and ?(?).

Abstract: An epidural anesthesia kit preferably includes a skin-preparation package that is readily accessible before having to unfold a packaging towel, a plurality of pre-filled syringes, and a cup having a removeable lid for quick access to saline or other injectable fluid. Methods of manufacturing such kits and using them are also provided.

Abstract: An epidural anesthesia kit preferably includes a skin-preparation package that is readily accessible before having to unfold a packaging towel, a plurality of pre-filled syringes, and a cup having a removeable lid for quick access to saline or other injectable fluid. Methods of manufacturing such kits and using them are also provided.

Abstract: A method of attaching to a rubber molded part a strip having an acrylic polymer adhesive on one side, including the step of applying radio frequency energy to the rubber molded part to generate heat therein and to cause the acrylic polymer adhesive to melt bond to the rubber molded part. The acrylic polymer is an acrylic-silane interpolymer of primarily acrylic ester monomer interacted with an organosilane, which interpolymer has a Tg of −10° to 80° C. The rubber molded part includes radio frequency sensitive material to facilitate bonding to the acrylic polymer adhesive during application of the radio frequency energy thereto. Desirably, the strip also includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on its other side for securing the rubber part to a component of an automobile or other vehicle by applying pressure to the rubber part. The strip may include an acrylic foam core between the acrylic polymer adhesive and the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A keyboard having a base and first and second demi-boards, which demi-boards include respective first and second key arrays. The first demi-board is supported in the base, and the second demi-board is supported in a variable elevation relative to the base. The elevation of the second demi-board may be selectively varied between a first elevation in which the first and second key arrays are substantially even relative to one another and a second elevation in which the first and second key arrays are substantially offset relative to one another. The second key array is operative in a first function mode when in the first elevation, and in a second function mode when in the second elevation. In one aspect, the second key array comprises first and second linked key rows, the second key row being moveable relative to the first key row so that the first and second key rows may be vertically aligned.

Abstract: A combined removable hard disk drive and removable memory card mechanical lock which provides a portable computer user with an easy and cost effective arrangement to lock inside the computer expensive modular components such as a hard disk drive and memory cards. When installed on a portable computer, the combined lock will prevent the removable hard disk drive and removable memory cards from being removed from the portable computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pointing device for a computer system having a chassis. The pointing device comprises a sensor carrier slidably coupled to the chassis to allow substantially linear reciprocating movement with respect to the chassis. A first sensor, which may be a potentiometer, is coupled to the sensor carrier and is adapted to generate a first signal as a function of an angular displacement of a rotatable shaft associated with the first sensor. The pointing device further comprises a second sensor coupled to the chassis that is adapted to generate a second signal as a function of the linear reciprocating movement of the sensor carrier. The first and second signals cooperate to provide input data representing a unique point on a computer screen of the computer system. The second sensor may also be a potentiometer, an optical encoder or alternatively includes first and second electrical terminals coupled to the sensor carrier and the chassis, respectively.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing a supplemental front lighting system for a liquid crystal display. Retractable light sources are provided adjacent to the LCD. The light sources may be placed in a closed position for compactness when storing the system or when ambient lighting is adequate. The light sources may be placed in an open position when supplemental lighting of the LCD is desired. A grazing incidence reflecting film having a micro replicated surface is applied to the front surface of the LCD to increase light transmission and to collimate and direct light toward the LCD. Multifaceted microstructures arranged in longitudinal columns on the front surface of the film reduce reflection of light at glancing angles, thereby providing for improved and even lighting across the entire LCD.

Abstract: A tube coupling and combination retainer and disassembly tool includes a first tube having a first end portion for telescopically receiving a second tube therein and a second tube having a second end portion including a structure for telescopically engaging the first end portion and a first fastening device for securing the first and second end portions to each other. A tube coupling and retainer according to the present invention further includes a second fastening structure for selectively securing the first and second end portions to each other and for disengaging the first fastening structure upon demand.