Abstract: Presence and availability information is disseminated through a computer system architecture having four interactive elements. A schedule publication element acquires information about user schedules. A schedule management element communicates with the publication element to acquire schedule information and to store integrated schedule information in a storage system. A schedule distribution element acquires schedule information from the schedule management element and selectively disseminates the information to subscribers who have interacted with a schedule subscribing element. Both current and future presence and availability information is thus collected and disseminated in an orderly manner.

Abstract: The disk scheduling algorithms try to service a request with lower priority and strict deadline only if serving this request is not going to violate the deadline constraints of a higher priority request. One of the algorithms uses a single queue to hold all the requests regardless of their priority. The single queue is reorganized after the arrival of a new request according to the order requests would be serviced. A second algorithm uses multiple queues. Each queue holds only requests with the same priority, and the requests in each priority queue are sorted according to their deadlines. The decision of servicing a request is made at scheduling time.

Abstract: A method and control system that directly determines combustion quality by measuring an ionization signal of each combustion event during initial engine operation is shown. The determined combustion quality is used to optimize engine performance for emissions and driveability by compensating various engine control parameters during initial engine operation, including starting. Compensation of engine control parameters may include changes to fuel delivery, spark ignition timing, and engine load. Any compensation of the engine control acts to ensure that a sufficient quantity of vaporized fuel is delivered to the engine to effectively start and operate the engine at the load level demanded by the engine, engine loads, and the operator.

Abstract: An entertainment device is provided for adaptively tuning to a content signal. The entertainment device includes a receiver responsive to content signals provided to the entertainment device. A selected channel of the receiver provides an output signal to an output terminal of the automobile entertainment device. A data processor is operably linked to the receiver for receiving a signal index of the content signal. The data processor is responsive to a predetermined signal index for actuating the receiver to select the specific channel corresponding to the predetermined signal index. A memory stores the predetermined signal index in accordance with an operator preference. Thus, the predetermined signal index enables the entertainment device to adaptively adjust to an operator's preferred content.

Abstract: A remote computer access facility uses two dedicated computers outside the firewall. To ensure security the system makes use of biometrics features and a one-time password mechanism on top of secure socket layer (SSL) to authenticate a user. The system also provides three layers of security levels for transmission. The first layer establishes an SSL connection, the second layer periodically asks for a one-time password (OTP), and the third layer uses any kind of conventional encryption. The combination of the biometric, OTP and encryption key forms a strong password. The system also uses a mechanism for secure file accesses within the organization based on the security privileges assigned to various users. Based on the user's access privileges, the server side software module sends the requested file in an encrypted form along with the key to decrypt that file—this key is encrypted by the user's strong password.