Abstract: An application developer is able to select from a library only those algorithms or functions that are needed. When the application starts on a device, only those algorithms will perform a self-test thereby significantly reducing application start-up time. This is in lieu of the conventional practice of having all the algorithms in library perform a self-test at application runtime. The application developer, by changing parameters to certain functions in the library, can add and remove algorithms as the application changes. The service provider providing the library can still make a generic offering of the full library to its customers and, through the new functionality, facilitate application developer selection of algorithms that are needed. This reduction of start-up time is particularly beneficial on mobile devices where processing power may be limited.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for creating a sloped surface comprising at least one leveling member (12) and at least one guide member (36) for guiding the at least one leveling member (12). The at least one leveling member (12) changes the slope of the surface depending on a distance between a point of low elevation (54) to a point of higher elevation as the at least one leveling member (12) travels across the at least one guide member (36).

Abstract: A connection bridge mechanism for adding arbitrary protocols into a middleware-based application without accessing the source code for the middleware or producing a new version of the middleware source code. Using a connection bridge allows the plugged in protocol to be utilized by the middleware without requiring that the same O/S primitives which are utilized internally by the middleware be supported by the plugged in protocol. The plugged in protocol can be utilized in addition to the internally supported middleware protocols or it can replace the existing middleware protocols. The connection bridge provides the communication between the protocols and the middleware package. The connection bridge queues the requests from the protocols and notifies the middleware when there are requests pending for action by the middleware.

Abstract: A logging system which accepts logged messages concurrently from any number of parts of the application software. Each message is written to a message queue and then read and passed to a message forwarder, which the message forwarder analyzes one or more of the data fields of the message in order to decide whether to forward a particular message. In the event that the message will be forwarded, the forwarder also determines which destination or destinations to forward it to, which data fields from the logged message will be forwarded, and how those fields will be formatted when forwarded. The forwarder code executes on its own Operating System thread or task to decouple the continued execution of the application from the process of forwarding the messages to their destination or destinations.

Abstract: An animal restraint apparatus having a plurality of elongate anchoring members each of which is attached to a baseboard by means of elongated pin which is received within an elongate slot in each elongate anchoring member. Each pin is provided with threads onto which a wing nut is threaded, the wing nuts being capable of firmly securing each elongate anchoring member in a selected position on the baseboard. Each elongate member is provided with a first strap to encircle an ankle of the animal to be restrained on the apparatus and a second strap for attaching the first strap to one end portion of the elongate anchoring members.