Abstract: A method for preparing data units for access in a data storage system is disclosed. The data storage system includes multiple storage devices having data units. All the storage devices of the data storage system are not powered on at the same time. The method includes preparing and storing the auxiliary data. The auxiliary data is prepared for a data unit on a storage device that will be powered off during an access request of the data unit. The auxiliary data is stored on the storage devices so that the auxiliary data is likely to be available on a powered-on storage device when the data unit is the subject of an access request.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistive memory cell (30), comprising a magnetoresistive memory element (31), a first current line (32) and a second current line (33), the first and the second current line (32, 33) crossing each other at a cross-point region but not being in direct contact. According to the invention, a bridging element(34) connects the first and second current lines (32, 33) in the vicinity of the cross-point region. The bridging element (34) is magnetically couplable to the magnetoresistive memory element (31). An advantage of the MRAM architecture according to the present invention is that it allows lower power consumption than prior art devices and high selectivity during writing. The present invention also provides a method of writing a value in a matrix of magnetoresistive memory cells (30) according to the present invention, and a method of manufacturing such magnetoresistive memory cells (30).

Abstract: An electronic auction method and system are disclosed for generating off-increment proxy bids. A minimum increment is specified for bidding on an item. A bid for the item is received from a first bidder which is currently a high bid for the item. A previously recorded proxy bid is received from a second bidder which is greater than the current high bid and not greater than the high bid plus the minimum increment. An off-increment bid is generated which does not increase the bid received from the first bidder by the increment and also does not exceed the proxy bid. The off-increment bid becomes a high bid for the item utilizing the proxy bid. The second bidder thus holds a current high bid for the item.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array includes a grid of word lines WL1, . . . ,WL6 and bit lines BL1, . . . ,BL8. Of a plurality of memory cells 210, each memory cell is located at an intersection region of one of the word lines and one of the bit lines. A read/write circuit 280 for reading/writing a data word including a plurality of bits is operative to map each pair of sequential bits of the data word to a respective pair of memory cells located at intersection regions of both a different word line and a different bit line.

Abstract: A method for preparing data units for access in a data storage system is disclosed. The data storage system includes multiple storage devices having data units. All the storage devices of the data storage system are not powered on at the same time. The method includes preparing and storing the auxiliary data. The auxiliary data is prepared for a data unit on a storage device that will be powered off during an access request of the data unit. The auxiliary data is stored on the storage devices so that the auxiliary data is likely to be available on a powered-on storage device when the data unit is the subject of an access request.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining data reliability in a particular disk drive that is powered off in a storage system are disclosed. The methods include checking a power budget to determine that sufficient power is available, powering on the particular disk drive, and checking the particular disk drive to detect an error. Further, the method includes correcting the particular disk drive when the error is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistive memory cell (30), comprising a magnetoresistive memory element (31), a first current line (32) and a second current line (33), the first and the second current line (32, 33) crossing each other at a cross-point region but not being in direct contact. According to the invention, a bridging element(34) connects the first and second current lines (32, 33) in the vicinity of the cross-point region. The bridging element (34) is magnetically couplable to the magnetoresistive memory element (31). An advantage of the MRAM architecture according to the present invention is that it allows lower power consumption than prior art devices and high selectivity during writing. The present invention also provides a method of writing a value in a matrix of magnetoresistive memory cells (30) according to the present invention, and a method of manufacturing such magnetoresistive memory cells (30).

Abstract: Spare disk drive management in a storage system. The storage system comprises disk drives and spare disk drives. Spare disk drives are initially kept in power-off state. The storage system detects the failure of a disk drive and selects a spare disk drive to replace the failed disk drive. The spare disk drive is selected on the basis of spare selection criteria. The selected spare disk drive is powered-on and replaces the failed disk drive. Data on the failed disk drive can be reconstructed on the spare disk drive by using RAID parity techniques.

Abstract: A system generates the report to include a header section representing information, a parts section listing line items, and a footer section representing information. The system prints a first page of the report including the header section, a first parts subsection, and the footer section. The first parts subsection lists a quantity of line items that is less than or equal to a first number. The system prints any additional pages of the report to include a header subsection, subsequent parts subsection, and a footer subsection. The header subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the header section, and the footer subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the footer section. The subsequent parts subsection(s) lists a quantity of line items that is less than or equal to a second number.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizer system and method uses an averaging algorithm to adjust equalization and amplitude for a data signal. Two sampled data points, spanning a sampling window, are obtained from the equalized signal. The data points are evaluated to determine when a signal condition persists long enough to require equalization adjustment, as well as evaluating persistent conditions in the amplitude of the received data signal. By monitoring persistent conditions in the equalized signal, the average signal received by the equalizer is compensated. The bit resolution of the equalizer control and the amplitude control can be selected for a desired resolution in a system. The incoming data signal is used to generate the requisite timing signals for sampling and control such that high frequency clock circuits and PLL techniques are unnecessary resulting in lower power consumption and reduced costs.

Abstract: A graphical user interface and method for data entry of a plurality of fields of information in a computer system, such as a web browser interface, using small scrolling and paging of tabular data and entry fields. A JAVA script is employed to produce a form-like user interface in which a user may enter information in fields shown in a graphical user interface (“GUI”) window display area. The GUI is provided with a NEXT button which allows the user to indicate that he or she has more data to enter than can be entered in the currently available view of the form in the GUI window display area. The script saves the currently entered data into a set of hidden fields or variables, and provides a new screen with clear fields for additional data entry. By selecting the PREVIOUS button provided by the JAVA script on the GUI, the user may cause the script to recall previously saved data from the hidden fields or variables and to redisplay them so that the user may review or edit previously entered information.

Abstract: An input signal with an associated pulse width can be sampled using a sampling method that does not require a clock signal. The input signal is compared to a reference level signal to produce a comparator output signal. Strobe signals are generated from the input signal, where the strobe signals occur within a pulse width of the input signal. Sampled data points are generated in response to the comparator output signal and the strobe signals such that the sampled data points are within the pulse-width of the input signal. One of the strobe signals may be used to periodically reset the comparator. The sampling logic circuit may be constructed from common logic gates and memory circuits such as flip-flops. In one example application the sampling method is applied to an equalizer system. The equalizer system includes an equalizer circuit that produces an equalized signal. A data slicer circuit converts the equalized signal into a digital representation.

Abstract: A three dimensional stencil for use in applying raised acrylic designs to nails comprises a generally flat, flexible portion adapted for contact with a portion of a fingernail or toenail, and a cut-out portion formed within the confines of the flexible portion. The cut-out portion includes walls having a thickness of at least about 3 mm. The flexible portion forms an opening adjacent to the cut-out portion. In one embodiment, the flexible portion is itself of a thickness of at least about 3 mm, and the cut-out portion forms an opening in the flexible portion. In another embodiment, the cut-out portion comprises walls attached to and extending up from the flexible portion. In the second embodiment, tabs connecting the cut-out portion walls to the flexible portion may be used.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for efficiently retrieving information related to data items input into a data entry form displayed on a client computer system. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system. The server computer system includes a database of a plurality of data items. Each data item has unique information associated with it. A data entry form is displayed on the client computer system. The data entry form includes multiple fields. Input data is received in one of the fields where the input data is one of the data items. The information which is related to this data item is retrieved from the data entry form without accessing the database on the server computer system. This information is then displayed utilizing the data entry form.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for efficiently retrieving information related to data items input into a data entry form displayed on a client computer system. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system. The server computer system includes a database of a plurality of data items. Each data item has unique information associated with it. A data entry form is displayed on the client computer system. The data entry form includes multiple fields. Input data is received in one of the fields where the input data is one of the data items. The information which is related to this data item is retrieved from the data entry form without accessing the database on the server computer system. This information is then displayed utilizing the data entry form.

Abstract: A system for implementing a method for generating and printing a report is disclosed. The system generates the report to include a header section representing information, a parts section listing line items, and a footer section representing information. The system prints a first page of the report including the header section, a first parts subsection, and the footer section. The first parts subsection lists a quantity of line items that is less than or equal to a number that is a function of the size of the header section and the footer section. The system prints any additional pages of the report to include a header subsection, subsequent parts subsection, and a footer subsection. The header subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the header section, and the footer subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the footer section.

Abstract: A networked computer arrangement through which a manufacturer or service provider may communicate to a bidder or broker information regarding total bid exposure and total commitment to purchase, filtered by type of on-line offer, status of bids, and status of each on-line offer. An on-line bidder may view real-time bidding account information filtered by whether the offer or auction is opened or closed, for all types of auctions or by specific types of auction, and/or by status of bids such as won, beaten, undecided. The invention is particularly well-adapted for use over the Internet, intranets, and extranets, in conjunction with on-line auctions and business-to-business offering systems.

Abstract: An electronic auction method and system are disclosed for generating off-increment proxy bids. A minimum increment is specified for bidding on an item. A bid for the item is received from a first bidder which is currently a high bid for the item. A previously recorded proxy bid is received from a second bidder which is greater than the current high bid and not greater than the high bid plus the minimum increment. An off-increment bid is generated which does not increase the bid received from the first bidder by the increment and also does not exceed the proxy bid. The off-increment bid becomes a high bid for the item utilizing the proxy bid. The second bidder thus holds a current high bid for the item.

Abstract: A graphical user interface and method for data entry of a plurality of fields of information in a computer system, such as a web browser interface, using small scrolling and paging of tabular data and entry fields. A JAVA script is employed to produce a form-like user interface in which a user may enter information in fields shown in a graphical user interface (“GUI”) window display area. The GUI is provided with a NEXT button which allows the user to indicate that he or she has more data to enter than can be entered in the currently available view of the form in the GUI window display area. The script saves the currently entered data into a set of hidden fields or variables, and provides a new screen with clear fields for additional data entry.

Abstract: A new Bra-Strap Securing System for retaining a bra-strap directly underneath a shirt strap of various types of sleeveless shirts preventing the bra-strap from exposure by securing the bra-strap with a middle positioned dual-sided adhesive tape. The inventive device includes a length of dual-sided adhesive tape formed into a tape roll, transparent or colored, which includes a plurality of perforations perpendicularly aligned to the longitudinal length of the dual-sided adhesive tape at various lengths apart allowing the user to remove an ergonomic section when needed from the tape roll, or can be sold in separate pieces in various lengths and widths.