Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing distributed user management information in telecommunications networks. At least a portion of a user's management information is stored in a team session file that is accessible by a network management system (NMS) client. For example, the team session file may be saved in memory that is local to the NMS client or, if a user logs in through a remote system using a web browser, the team session file may be saved as a cookie in memory local to the remote system. The NMS client may then utilize the user management information in the team session file while the user is logged into the NMS client. In one embodiment, the user management information stored within the team session file includes NMS server connection information. Thus, when a user logs into an NMS client, the NMS client uses the NMS server connection information to connect to an NMS server.

Abstract: A virtual device driver for processing serial communications in a protected operating system. The virtual device driver adds a time-stamp to each character received at Ring-zero level of the operating system architecture. The time-stamp value is compared to a predetermined maximum acceptable time interval to determine if a valid packet was received.

Abstract: An integral gear life monitor system and method for determining gear use and damage is disclosed. The system includes a first and second sensors for measuring the rotational speed and torque of a driveline component, such as an input shaft of a vehicle transmission, for a particular gear ratio at one or more time intervals over a period of time. Each time interval may be in the range of 40 ms to 100 ms. The period of time may be hours, days, month, or even years. A processor performs a statistical summation technique to transform the signals from the first and second sensors into an equivalent amount time for the particular gear ratio during that period of time. A driveline vibration analyzer can perform an online determination of the torsional vibrations for the particular gear ratio to determine whether vibration is a root cause of why a gear ratio is worn or damaged.

Abstract: A convertible transmission system for a vehicle having an input shaft for connection to an engine and an output shaft for delivering rotational power to at least one axle. The transmission has a plurality of available gear ratios resulting in a maximum number of available gear ratios. In addition, a programmable controller is provided for selectively controlling the transmission to operate in a first operating configuration utilizing a first predetermined number of the available gear ratios that is less than the maximum number of available gear ratios. Moreover, the programmable control can have additional transmission configurations by selectively modifying certain operating characteristics, including for example, available gear ratios, desired operating gear ratios, maximum torque limits, shift points, default starting gear ratio, data relating to a predetermined shift strategy, a coast down gear ratio, shift delay timing, and/or skip shifting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving management and network availability by providing out-of-band management channels between network/element management system (NMS) clients and servers. High priority client requests and server notifications may be sent over the out-of-band management channels to ensure fast response times. In addition, periodic roll calls between NMS clients and NMS servers may be executed over the out-of-band management channels to allow for quick discovery of any disconnects and reclaiming associated client resources. Further, periodic roll calls may be conducted between the NMS servers and the network devices to which they are connected, and if a server discovers that a network device has gone down, it may send a high priority notification to appropriate NMS clients over the out-of-band management channels to ensure a fast response by the clients.

Abstract: A logistic service system includes a programmable vehicle module, a service computer, a central server, a first data link connecting the module to the service computer and a second data link connecting the service computer to the central server. Component information retrieved from the module and stored on the server is used to service the module. The component may be subjected to diagnostics or updated with new parameters.

Abstract: An integral gear life monitor system and method for determining gear use and damage is disclosed. The system includes a first and second sensors for measuring the rotational speed and torque of a driveline component, such as an input shaft of a vehicle transmission, for a particular gear ratio at one or more time intervals over a period of time. Each time interval may be in the range of 40 ms to 100 ms. The period of time may be hours, days, month, or even years. A processor performs a statistical summation technique to transform the signals from the first and second sensors into an equivalent amount time for the particular gear ratio during that period of time. A driveline vibration analyzer can perform an online determination of the torsional vibrations for the particular gear ratio to determine whether vibration is a root cause of why a gear ratio is worn or damaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the configuration of virtual connections. Specifically, virtual path identifier (VPI) and virtual channel identifier (VCI) Availability Indexes are made available to network administrators. The Availability Indexes present valid, available values. Thus, the potential for misconfigurations is reduced and even less experienced network administrators may easily configure virtual connections. The Availability Indexes provide administrators with control over exactly which paths and channels are allocated for each connection while eliminating the guesswork and tracking burden present in current network/element management systems. Availability Indexes also reduce the time and frustration required to configure virtual connections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing queues without disabling interrupts or using locks are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a queue structure, which is accessible to a plurality of threads, that is suitable for use in a computer system includes a head node and a first data-containing node. The head node includes a head field and a disruption field that is arranged to indicate a number of times the queue structure is accessed. The first data-containing node, which is identified by the head field in the head node, includes a link field and a data field. In one embodiment, the head node also includes a rank field, which is arranged to identify a preference level associated with the plurality of threads. In such an embodiment, the head field may be the first field in the head node, the rank field may be the second field in the head node, and the disruption field may be the third field in the head node.

Abstract: A technique for dynamic addition or removal of buses to a computer system. The technique operates even though the computer system and its operating system are in use. As buses are added or removed from the operational computer system for each peripheral device added or removed, bus controller manipulators for each of the buses are registered with a system bus manager of the operating system. Thereafter, the operating system is able to communicate with the peripheral devices over the corresponding buses using the respective bus controller manipulators.