Abstract: Systems and methods are described for optimizing logging of decision outcomes in distributed transaction protocols. An example method may comprise: executing, by a processing device, a transaction manager to coordinate a distributed transaction for a plurality of participants; transmitting, by the processing device via the transaction manager, prepare messages to the plurality of participants; serializing a transaction log record of the distributed transaction in parallel with the transmitting of the prepare messages; speculatively writing the serialized transaction log record in persistent memory while the transaction manager performs the serializing of the transaction log record; and updating a speculative indicator associated with the distributed transaction to indicate validity of the transaction log record.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for optimizing logging of decision outcomes in distributed transaction protocols. An example method may comprise: executing, by a processing device, a transaction manager to coordinate a distributed transaction for a plurality of participants; transmitting, by the processing device via the transaction manager, prepare messages to the plurality of participants; serializing a transaction log record of the distributed transaction in parallel with the transmitting of the prepare messages; speculatively writing the serialized transaction log record in persistent memory while the transaction manager performs the serializing of the transaction log record; and updating a speculative indicator associated with the distributed transaction to indicate validity of the transaction log record.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for optimizing logging of decision outcomes in distributed transaction protocols. An example method may comprise: executing, by a processing device, a transaction manager to coordinate a distributed transaction for a plurality of participants, transmitting, by the processing device via the transaction manager, prepare messages to the plurality of participants, and while waiting to receive responses from each of the plurality of participants, serializing a transaction log record of the distributed transaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to dice suitable for use in gaming. In particular the invention relates to a new indicator system for use in gaming dice, the indicator system providing a di value. More specifically the invention relate to a di incorporating the indicator system providing a di value, and the use of the di to provide a di value, and a method of using the di.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for optimizing logging of decision outcomes in distributed transaction protocols. An example method may comprise: executing, by a processing device, a transaction manager to coordinate a distributed transaction for a plurality of participants, transmitting, by the processing device via the transaction manager, prepare messages to the plurality of participants, and while waiting to receive responses from each of the plurality of participants, serializing a transaction log record of the distributed transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enlisting single phase commit resources in a two phase commit transaction. An exemplary method includes accessing a global transaction having a plurality of processes requiring single phase commit (1PC) resource and a two phase commit (2PC) resource, initializing a 1PC resource manager for the 1PC resource with a first process of the plurality of processes, wherein the first process requires the 1PC resource, preparing a 2PC resource manager for the 2PC resource with a second process of the plurality of processes, wherein the second process requires the 2PC resource, generating a unique identifier for the 1PC resource, transmitting the unique identifier to the 1PC resource manager, and instructing the 1PC resource manager to commit the first process to the 1PC resource, wherein committing the first process to the 1PC resource comprises recording the unique identifier to the 1PC resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enlisting single phase commit resources in a two phase commit transaction. An exemplary method includes accessing a global transaction having a plurality of processes requiring single phase commit (1PC) resource and a two phase commit (2PC) resource, initializing a 1PC resource manager for the 1PC resource with a first process of the plurality of processes, wherein the first process requires the 1PC resource, preparing a 2PC resource manager for the 2PC resource with a second process of the plurality of processes, wherein the second process requires the 2PC resource, generating a unique identifier for the 1PC resource, transmitting the unique identifier to the 1PC resource manager, and instructing the 1PC resource manager to commit the first process to the 1PC resource, wherein committing the first process to the 1PC resource comprises recording the unique identifier to the 1PC resource.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus particularly suitable for disk recording systems has a rotatable shaft mounted on a support body by an air bearing, the air bearing being provided within a vacuum chamber. A second rotatable shaft extends through the wall of the vacuum chamber in which it is mounted by a second air bearing. The second shaft has a hollow center which communicates with an output of the air bearing for removal of air exhausting from the air bearing. The air bearing may be provided within a second chamber within the vacuum chamber and may be movable relative to the axis of the second shaft. In a disk recording system, the air bearing may support a turntable.

Abstract: A disk recording system for disks such as videod isks or compact disks has a turntable on which the disk is supported adjacent a recording head. A shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable rotates in a bearing and that bearing is itself movable about an axis defined by another shaft. The bearing of the shaft is an air bearing and there is a damper unit for damping that movement. There may be a sensor for detecting the rate of rotation of the shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable. The radial displacement of the head relative to the axis of the turntable may be determined on the basis of rotation of the other shaft, and the rotation of the turntable controlled on the basis of the product of signals representing the radial displacement and the rate of rotation of the shaft, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the rotation of a turntable relative to a recording head in a disk recording system. A first, voltage signal is generated corresponding to the radial displacement of the recording head relative to a turntable axis, and a second, frequency signal is generated corresponding to the rate of rotation of the turntable. A further voltage signal is then generated which represents the multiplication product of the radial displacement and the rate of rotation of the turntable based on the first and second signals. The rotation of the turntable is controlled in dependence on a difference between the multiplication product and a reference value.

Abstract: A disk recording system for disks such as videodisks or compact disks has a turntable on which the disk is supported adjacent a recording head. A shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable rotates in a bearing and that bearing is itself movable about an axis defined by another shaft. The bearing of the shaft is an air bearing and there is a damper unit for damping that movement. There may be a sensor for detecting the rate of rotation of the shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable. The radial displacement of the head relative to the axis of the turntable may be determined on the basis of rotation of the other shaft, and the rotation of the turntable controlled on the basis of the product of signals representing the radial displacement and the rate of rotation of the shaft, respectively.

Abstract: A system for surround sound utilizes three audio channels two of which are either in phase of 180.degree. out of phase for all angles of elevation and azimuth of the incident sound and which can be decoded to give good quality stereo reception. The third channel contains the signal indicative of the "front-back" information and this signal is chosen to yield the best quality of surround sound reception consistent with minimum interference to the quality of mono and stereo reception for a given type or range of program material. Preferably, the third channel is phase shifted by 90.degree. with respect to the phase of the other two channels. The three audio channels can be derived directly from three directional microphones or can be derived from the Ambisonics `B` format in which case an encoding matrix of the following form is used: ##EQU1## where .SIGMA., .DELTA. and T are the signals in the three audio channels and W, X and Y are the input signals to the encoding matrix.