Abstract: Methods and systems are described for remotely monitoring a plurality of distributed remote storage devices. An example computer implemented method includes locally collecting monitoring data for one of the plurality of distributed remote storage devices, and periodically sending at least one of an aggregate of the locally recorded monitoring data and a summary of the locally recorded monitoring data to a remote location. The remote location includes at least one of another one of the plurality of distributed remote storage devices, at least one central server, and a set of the plurality of distributed remote storage devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described managing module for remotely managing hardware of at least one of a plurality of distributed remote storage devices. A computer implemented method includes locally monitoring a system (including, for example, a core operating system) of the hardware, locally detecting an abnormal or unresponsive state of the system, generating a notice when the abnormal or unresponsive state is detected, delivering the notice to a remotely located central service, and automatically rebooting the hardware when the abnormal or unresponsive state is detected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for storing metadata in a network of distributed remote storage devices. An example computer implemented method includes identifying a plurality of metadata inodes, grouping the plurality of metadata inodes into one or more metadata pages, mapping the plurality of metadata inodes and the plurality of metadata pages, and storing the mapping as a manifest page, and storing data to and retrieving data from the distributed remote storage devices using the plurality of metadata inodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described managing module for locating a target storage device among a plurality of storage devices connected via a network. A computer implemented method includes sending registration information to a central directory, wherein the registration information includes at least an address of one of the plurality of storage devices, and the central directory stores the registration information in a registry. The method also includes sending a request to the central directory for an address for another one of the plurality of storage devices, receiving the address from the central directory if the address is in the registry, and conducting a successive lookup of a closest known address until the address is located if the address is not in the registry.

Abstract: An insulating panel comprises a backing member and a siding member. The backing member has a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face, a first side face, and a second side face. The siding member has a veneer, a top wall, and a nailing hem. The rear face of the veneer is attached to the front face of the backing member. The top edge of the veneer has a hook extending forward and the bottom edge of the veneer extends beyond the bottom face of the backing member and has a lip extending rearward. The top wall of the siding member extends rearward from the veneer, and the nailing hem extends upwards from the rear edge of the top wall, to lie in the same plane as the rear face of the backing member.

Abstract: A computer-controlled grill can operate burners based on a set of instructions in the form of a recipe. The grill can provide notifications corresponding to steps of the recipe, to alert the user to perform the steps. The notifications can be provided at the grill, through a connected mobile device, or both. The grill adjusts gas flow to one or more burners based on the recipe steps. If the grill detects that the user has not performed required steps, the grill reduces or shuts off gas flow to the burners.

Abstract: A noise-attenuating pile comprising a pile driving shoe, an outer tube that engages the pile driving shoe, and an inner member that extends through the outer tube and engages the pile driving shoe, wherein the pile is configured to be installed in the ground with either an impact driver or a vibratory driver that engages only the inner member. The inner member is rigidly connected to the driving shoe, and the outer tube is elastically connected to the driving shoe, such that vibrations from the outer tube is substantially isolated from vibrations in the driving shoe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MIMO wireless communication method functioning through a main wireless communication device and comprising: acquiring a transmission opportunity; issuing an distributed MIMO initiation frame including a transmission duration, a number Ns1 of transmission spatial stream(s), and a number Nr1 of reception spatial streams which an intended receiver is operable to process; receiving an initial portion which an attendant wireless communication device sends in response to the distributed MIMO initiation frame, or issuing the initial portion after reaching a time limit; and transmitting a distributed MIMO packet to the intended receiver while the attendant wireless communication device is allowed to transmit another distributed MIMO packet to the intended receiver or another intended receiver concurrently, wherein the sum of the number Ns1 and a number Ns2 of transmission spatial stream(s) of the attendant wireless communication device is equal to or less than the number Nr1.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can have a pair of leg opening adjustment mechanisms which a user of the absorbent article can independently adjust to provide a desired tension and/or closure of the absorbent article about the legs of the wearer of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a plurality of servers, a plurality of external interface providers each deployed on one of the servers, and a plurality of data storage controllers each deployed on one of the servers. Each of the providers is configured to receive a data access request, to identify one of the controllers that can satisfy the request, and to forward the request to the identified controller. The system further includes a plurality of data storage modules independent of the servers. The providers, controllers and modules are in communication with each other. Each of the controllers exclusively manages a portion of data content in at least one of the modules, and satisfies data access requests received from the providers by accessing the portion of data content in the at least one module.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless communication method carried out by a wireless transmitter capable of offering an unintended wireless device a chance of starting or proceeding with a transmission procedure during a transmission duration of the wireless transmitter. An embodiment of said wireless communication method comprises the following steps: preparing a packet carrying an indication of a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold level for an unintended wireless device to decide whether to execute a transmission procedure; and transmitting the packet to an intended wireless device under a protocol by which the unintended wireless device is expected to abide.

Abstract: A method for performing a seismic investigation during subterranean drilling operations includes connecting a bottom hole assembly to a drill string. The bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit and a vibration damper. The drill string is lowered into a borehole and rotated to drill the borehole to a greater length with the drill bit. An actual vibration generated by the bottom hole assembly is measured with a control system and the actual vibration is compared to a target seismic vibration range. When the actual vibration is outside of the target seismic vibration range, the dampening coefficient of the vibration damper is changed.

Abstract: A side-loading pendulum slicer for slicing short and/or oddly-shaped food products. The pendulum slicer has an aperture in the upstream side of the product holder through which food products are injected. A loading conveyor holds large numbers of food products that are sequentially and individually loaded onto an injecting conveyor that injects the food products through the aperture and into the product holder. A weight that is raised above the aperture is lowered onto the food product to compress the food product against a thickness tray while the product holder reciprocates through a blade adjacent the thickness tray. Slices are removed from the food product and conveyed away for use.

Abstract: A pile with a low effective Poisson's ratio is disclosed, which greatly reduces the sound coupling to the water and sediment or other ground when driving piles. In some embodiments the pile includes geometric features that reduce the radial amplitude of the compression wave generated during hammering by providing a space for circumferential expansion along the length of the pile. The geometric features may comprise slots and/or grooves. In an embodiment, a driving shoe has a perimeter that extends beyond the pile tube such that the sediment produces less of a binding force on the pile. The pile may be formed as a double-shelled pile with either or both shells having effective low Poisson's ratio properties. A bubble generating plenum may be attached to the shoe to further reduce friction during installation.

Abstract: Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A headphone comprises a first speaker assembly including a first audio driver and a first tactile bass vibrator. The headphone also comprises a second speaker assembly including a second audio driver and a second tactile bass vibrator. The headphone further comprises a signal processing circuit configured to generate a first tactile vibration signal and a second tactile vibration signal from an audio signal to be received by the headphone. The first tactile vibration signal differs from the second tactile vibration signal. A method of operating the headphone includes generating the first tactile vibration signal and the second tactile vibration signal, and driving vibration of the first and second tactile bass vibrators with the first and second tactile vibration signals, respectively. A stereo tactile vibrator system includes the headphone.

Abstract: A pile (300) with a effective low Poisson's ratio is disclosed, which greatly reduces the sound coupling to the water and sediment or other ground when driving piles. The pile includes a plurality of geometric features that reduce the radial amplitude of the compression wave generated by hammering the pile by providing a space for circumferential expansion along the length of the pile. In various embodiments, the geometric features comprise slots (303) and/or grooves (313, 323). In an embodiment, a driving shoe (316, 316) has a perimeter that extends beyond the pile tube such that the sediment produces less of a binding force on the pile. The pile may be formed as a double-shelled pile (310) with either or both shells having effective low Poisson's ratio properties. A bubble generating plenum (328) may be attached to the shoe to further reduce friction during installation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MIMO wireless communication method functioning through a main wireless communication device and comprising: acquiring a transmission opportunity; issuing an distributed MIMO initiation frame including a transmission duration, a number Ns1 of transmission spatial stream(s), and a number Nr1 of reception spatial streams which an intended receiver is operable to process; receiving an initial portion which an attendant wireless communication device sends in response to the distributed MIMO initiation frame, or issuing the initial portion after reaching a time limit; and transmitting a distributed MIMO packet to the intended receiver while the attendant wireless communication device is allowed to transmit another distributed MIMO packet to the intended receiver or another intended receiver concurrently, wherein the sum of the number Ns1 and a number Ns2 of transmission spatial stream(s) of the attendant wireless communication device is equal to or less than the number Nr1.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing medications or other items required to be dispensed according to a predetermined schedule includes a mechanism for advancing a bandolier containing the medications or other items to a dispensing position only when activated by an authorized user at predetermined time intervals. Access to the bandolier is limited at all other times to personnel in a controlled facility. The dispensing device may be utilized to implement a method of controlling access to addictive prescription medications.

Abstract: A diaper having a front portion with at least one line of weakness adapted to be torn and at least one umbilical cover defined in part by the at least one line of weakness. The at least one umbilical cover is moveable from a starting position to an anchored position upon tearing the at least one line of weakness. The diaper has at least one umbilical cover anchor adapted to maintain the at least one umbilical cover in the anchored position.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes multiple receptacle guide frames configured to be coupled to a host board. Each receptacle guide frame has a front end and a back end. A receptacle extends from the front end to the back end of each receptacle guide frame. Each receptacle has an open end positioned at the front end of the receptacle guide frame and a closed end positioned at the back end of the receptacle guide frame. Each receptacle guide frame is configured to be aligned with an opening in a panel so that the receptacle is accessible through the opening. A host board connector is positioned at the closed end of each receptacle. Each host board connector includes a mating face. Each receptacle guide frame is aligned with the opening in the panel so that the mating face of each host board connector is positioned at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the panel.