Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: Examples herein disclose an identification of a backup power structure, among various backup power structures, implemented in a storage system. In response to the identification of the backup power structure, the examples select a data loss prevention technique to implement in storing write data to the storage system. The data loss prevention technique is selected among various loss prevention techniques corresponding to the various backup power structures.

Abstract: In some examples, a storage system dynamically selects, in response to a determined type of power backup arrangement used in the storage system, from among different powerloss data protection techniques corresponding to different types of power backup arrangements, The different powerloss data protection techniques each is responsive to loss of power by saving write data according to a common format. In response to loss of power in the storage system, the selected powerloss data protection technique is used to store write data corresponding to write operations in the storage system according to the common format to a recovery storage medium. The storage system recovers from the loss of power in the storage system by using the write data according to the common format stored using the selected powerloss data protection technique.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a computer system of an interactive display system, comprising: predetermining one or more positions on an interactive display of the interactive display system; displaying an image representing the predetermined one or more positions; receiving data identifying one or more detected positions selected on the interactive display; comparing the detected positions and the predetermined positions, wherein in dependence on a match the computer system registers the interactive display with the computer systems.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a computer system of an interactive display system, comprising: predetermining one or more positions on an interactive display of the interactive display system; displaying an image representing the predetermined one or more positions; receiving data identifying one or more detected positions selected on the interactive display; comparing the detected positions and the predetermined positions, wherein in dependence on a match the computer system registers the interactive display with the computer systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling a laser is provided for generating an optical output. The method includes the step of making a change to an electrical input to the laser so as to move the optical output of the laser towards a target frequency, and also includes the step of changing the temperature of the laser in relation to the change in the electrical input or the movement of the optical output. The method further includes the step of making further changes to the electrical input as the temperature of the laser is changed so as to maintain the optical output of the laser at the target frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for creating backups in storage systems. One embodiment includes a method that uses a background process to asynchronously copy data from a production virtual disk (vdisk) to a two-tier mirrorclone on a backup disk in a storage system.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for creating and using snapdifference files in storage networks are described. One exemplary method may be implemented in a processor in a storage network. The method comprises detecting a failure in a source volume, and in response to the failure: terminating communication with one or more applications that generate I/O requests to the source volume; refreshing the source volume; copying a backup data set to the source volume, and while the backup data set is being copied: activating a new snapdifference file; restarting communication with one or more applications that generate I/O requests to the source volume; and recording I/O operations to the source volume in the snapdifference file.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for data restore operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device comprises a processor, a memory module communicatively connected to the processor, and logic instructions in the memory module which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a signal that identifies a source volume and a first target snapshot that represents a point in time copy of the source volume, update metadata to define an restore relationship between the first target snapshot and the source volume, execute a background copy process between the first target snapshot and the source volume, and manage input/output operations during the background copy process to permit input/output operations to the source volume during the background copy process.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for creating and using snapdifference files in storage networks are described. One exemplary method may be implemented in a processor in a storage network. The method comprises receiving a request to execute a snapclone operation; generating, in response to the received service request, a snapclone copy of a source disk volume contemporaneous with the generation of the snapclone file, opening a first snapdifference file; and recording I/O operations to the source disk volume in the snapdifference file. The methods described herein may be embodied as logic instructions on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for data restore operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device comprises a processor, a memory module communicatively connected to the processor, and logic instructions in the memory module which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a signal that identifies a source volume and a first target snapshot that represents a point in time copy of the source volume, update metadata to define an restore relationship between the first target snapshot and the source volume, execute a background copy process between the first target snapshot and the source volume, and manage input/output operations during the background copy process to permit input/output operations to the source volume during the background copy process.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for creating and using snapdifference files in storage networks are described. One exemplary method may be implemented in a processor in a storage network. The method comprises detecting a failure in a source volume, and in response to the failure: terminating communication with one or more applications that generate I/O requests to the source volume; refreshing the source volume; copying a backup data set to the source volume, and while the backup data set is being copied: activating a new snapdifference file; restarting communication with one or more applications that generate I/O requests to the source volume; and recording I/O operations to the source volume in the snapdifference file.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for performing backup operations in storage networks are described. One exemplary method may be implemented in a processor in a storage network. The method comprises generating a snapclone of a source volume at a first point in time; contemporaneously activating a first snapdifference file logically linked to the snapclone; recording I/O operations that change a data set in the source volume to the first snapdifference file; closing the first snapdifference file; generating a backup copy of the snapclone at a second point in time, after the first point in time; and generating a backup copy of the first snapdifference file at a third point in time, after the second point in time.

Abstract: Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for creating and using snapdifference files in storage networks are described. One exemplary method may be implemented in a processor in a storage network. The method comprises receiving a request to execute a snapclone operation; generating, in response to the received service request, a snapclone copy of a source disk volume contemporaneous with the generation of the snapclone file, opening a first snapdifference file; and recording I/O operations to the source disk volume in the snapdifference file. The methods described herein may be embodied as logic instructions on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method of protecting data includes distributing data across a plurality of snapshots of a parent logical unit (LUN) when data of the parent LUN diverges from the snapshots.

Abstract: A reactor for reactive co-conversion of heavy hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon gases and includes a dielectric barrier discharge plasma cell having a pair of electrodes separated by a dielectric material and passageway therebetween. An inlet is provided for feeding heavy hydrocarbons and other reactive materials to the passageway of the discharge plasma cell, and an outlet is provided for discharging reaction products from the reactor. A packed bed catalyst may optionally be used in the reactor to increase efficiency of conversion. The reactor can be modified to allow use of a variety of light sources for providing ultraviolet light within the discharge plasma cell. Methods for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reactor for reactive co-conversion of heavy hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon gases and includes a dielectric barrier discharge plasma cell having a pair of electrodes separated by a dielectric material and passageway therebetween. An inlet is provided for feeding heavy hydrocarbons and other reactive materials to the passageway of the discharge plasma cell, and an outlet is provided for discharging reaction products from the reactor. A packed bed catalyst may optionally be used in the reactor to increase efficiency of conversion. The reactor can be modified to allow use of a variety of light sources for providing ultraviolet light within the discharge plasma cell. Methods for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons are also disclosed.