Abstract: A method for incentivizing network-connected consumers patronizing a network-hosted shopping site includes the steps (a) establishing a ratio between points and monetary credit, (b) assigning points to individual product representations, product groupings, and web-based actions performed by consumers, (c) creating point value accounts for qualified consumers, (d) tracking actions and transactions completed by consumers, (e) calculating accounting data relative to point accumulation and consumption by consumers resulting from the actions and transactions of step (d), and (f) displaying the data in summary form to consumers.

Abstract: An apparatus for toollessly, releasably attaching an optical component to a structure is disclosed. The optical component has a snap fastener. The snap fastener may be integrally formed with and part of the optical component. An accepting feature is attached to the structure. When the snap fastener is brought into contact with the accepting feature, the accepting feature accepts the snap fastener thereby toollessly, releasably attaching the optical component to the structure.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a method of operating an intelligent disk drive is described which includes compression and/or encryption capability at the file level. The intelligent disk drive includes means for executing distributed computing tasks including a CPU and associated memory. The communication interface with the host computer or other device on the communication bus is modified to allow the device to send executable code for a task to the drive and to allow the drive to communicate the results and status information about the task to the host device. In a preferred embodiment the disk drive has a task control program, task program code, task data and status information for the distributed task. The task control program implements the basic task management functions of storing the task program, reporting results and saving progress information to allow the task to be interrupted by other drive functions.

Abstract: A system for marketing products to customers includes an Internet-connected server and software executing on the server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing display of links to one or more interactive video showcases; tracking consumer actions during video consumption of a video showcase; re-purposing focus of video content based on the results of the tracked consumer actions; redirecting consumers to a product description page based on consumer selection of a product during video consumption; and conducting one or more transactions through the portal relative to products selected for purchase by the consumers.

Abstract: A system for managing product inventory includes an Internet-connected server and software executing on the server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing establishment of a first association of at least one stock keeping unit (SKU) and any associated metadata including product availability counts to at least one point in time and or at least one time range identified within an interactive shopping media presentation, establishment of a second association of at least one potential consumer to the interactive shopping media presentation, monitoring for and tracking of interaction sequences initiated by the at least one potential consumer, the interaction sequences enabled from within the interactive shopping media presentation or from within an interactive display associated thereto, and adjustment of the SKU-based product availability counts in the SKU metadata relative to the latest interaction results.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to processing of peptides in urea solutions and substantial prevention of carbamylation of the peptide.

Abstract: A disk drive is described which executes distributed computing tasks including a CPU and associated memory. The communication interface with the host computer is modified to allow the host computer to send executable code for a task to the drive and to allow the drive to communicate the results and status information about the task to the host computer. In a preferred embodiment the disk drive has a task control program, task program code, task data and status information for the distributed task. In alternative embodiments, the disk drive can communicate with other similar disk drives in the bus to provide the results of computation to the other processors. The RAM memory, and mass storage are intimately connected through the associated hard disk controller such that the exact location of the required data and program instructions are known.

Abstract: A disk drive according to the invention has a processor for executing a program for identifying harmful computer code (HCC). A communication protocol with the host computer according to the invention provides means for the host to control the HCC detection process, receive information about the HCC detection from the disk drive and preferably for the HCC detection program to be transmitted to the disk drive. In a preferred embodiment a disk drive has a scanning program for scanning data for harmful computer code (HCC) using a set of HCC signatures. In one embodiment, the disk drive has means for communicating with a controlling host computer which implements the HCC protocol and a user computer which does not implement the HCC protocol, to allow the user computer to be protected from HCC in a transparent way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of aligning stacked chips wherein the apparatus and method utilize bumps in the form of exposed metal lines on a first chip. The present invention further relates to taking a resistance measurement to determine a quality of alignment wherein the resistance measurement indicates a direction in which the first chip and the second chip are misaligned.

Abstract: An intelligent disk drive is described which includes means for prioritizing execution of command by maintaining an associated priority with each command in a pending command list and executing the highest priority commands first. The command structure according to the invention includes a field in which the host specifies the priority of the command. One embodiment uses a plurality of stacks which are used to sort the command according to priority. Another embodiment uses a list structure. In an alternative embodiment the drive has means for ensuring that designated data written to the disk is not subject to fragmentation. The disk drive embodiments described above can be implemented in an intelligent disk drive with distributed processing capability.

Abstract: An intelligent disk drive is described which includes means for executing distributed computing tasks including a CPU and associated memory. The communication interface with the host computer is modified to allow the host computer to send executable code for a task to the drive and to allow the drive to communicate the results and status information about the task to the host computer. A method of organizing data for distributed processing in the intelligent disk drive is described which utilizes physical placement of the data around the rotating disk to optimize the execution of the task. In one embodiment head switching is used as further optimization in a disk drive having a plurality of heads to implement alternatives in the task program. In another embodiment, the intelligent disk drive has means for reading from at least one or more heads simultaneously while writing to another head.

Abstract: A landscape timber connector includes first and second halves adapted for arrangement in an open timber-receiving position and a closed timber-surrounding position. In the closed position, the first and second halves cooperate to form a housing having a top, bottom, sides, and first and second ends. Mating elements cooperate to lock the halves in the closed position.

Abstract: A storage device such as a disk drive is provided with a lateral storage director. The lateral storage director is capable of self-assessing the status of the storage device. The lateral storage director also enables one storage device to transfer data files to another storage device over a communications link without the supervision of a host computer.

Abstract: A disk drive capable of supporting speculative data transfers. Requested first data are read from the disk drive. Before the first data are read, a determination is made as to whether there are un-requested second data that are likely to be requested at a later time as part of a data stream. If so, then a determination is made as to whether the second data and the first data are stored in locations that are physically/logically proximate on the same disk. If the second data are close to the first data, then the second data are speculatively read and stored in a local disk cache. If a subsequent request comes to the disk drive for the second data, then the second data are quickly produced from the disk cache rather than being slowly read off the disk.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for spraying a fluid comprises a housing that houses a motor, a pump, and a fluid passage. A handle is coupled to the housing and a paint cup is coupled to the handle for storage of a fluid. The handle is positioned between the housing and the paint cup. The paint sprayer has a center of gravity region. A longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the paint cup are aligned with the center of gravity region of the paint sprayer. A gripping zone of the paint sprayer is also aligned with the center of gravity region.

Abstract: A method and program product supporting speculative data transfers in a disk drive. Requested first data are read from a disk. Before the first data are read, a determination is made as to whether there are un-requested second data that are likely to be requested at a later time as part of a data stream. If so, then a determination is made as to whether the second data and the first data are stored in locations that are physically/logically proximate on the disk. If the second data are close to the first data, then the second data are speculatively read and stored in a local disk cache. If a subsequent request comes to the disk drive for the second data, then the second data are quickly produced from the disk cache rather than being slowly read off the disk.

Abstract: An improved fluid control valve includes a valve body with an inlet and an outlet. A sealing member is connected to the valve body conformed to seal the inlet and form a pressure chamber. A push rod is connected to the sealing member and a sleeve is provided which encompasses the push rod. A piston, forming an equalization chamber, is connected to the sleeve and to the push rod so that when the piston moves in one direction the sealing member is moved in the opposite direction until camover when both move in the same direction.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for spraying a fluid comprises a housing that houses a motor, a pump, and a fluid passage. A handle is coupled to the housing and a paint cup is coupled to the handle for storage of a fluid. The handle is positioned between the housing and the paint cup. The paint sprayer has a center of gravity region. A longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the paint cup are aligned with the center of gravity region of the paint sprayer. A gripping zone of the paint sprayer is also aligned with the center of gravity region.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for sprayer a fluid includes a pump housing, an electrical housing having a motor and a switch, a handle coupled to the pump housing, a paint cup coupled to the handle, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the pump housing for operating the motor. The actuator has a first portion positioned in the vicinity of the exterior of the pump housing and a second portion that extends into the pump housing. The second portion is configured to engage the switch in the electrical housing to operate the motor. The handle is an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end, with a generally rectangular cross-section at the top end and a generally circular cross-section at the bottom end.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for sprayer a fluid includes a pump housing, an electrical housing having a motor and a switch, a handle coupled to the pump housing, a paint cup coupled to the handle, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the pump housing for operating the motor. The actuator has a first portion positioned in the vicinity of the exterior of the pump housing and a second portion that extends into the pump housing. The second portion is configured to engage the switch in the electrical housing to operate the motor. The handle is an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end, with a generally rectangular cross-section at the top end and a generally circular cross-section at the bottom end.