Abstract: Continual generation of index advice that includes generating an index advice for an index of a table in a computer database and recording values of statistical attributes of the index advice accumulated across repeated generations of the index advice. The generating and recording typically are carried out continually without user intervention. Embodiments include recording values of attributes of the index advice that specify an index. Typical embodiments also include, continually and without user intervention, recording values of attributes of the index advice that characterize usefulness of an index and recording values of attributes of the index advice that characterize cost of creating an index.

Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect is fabricated by using a mask to form a via in an insulating layer for a conductive plug. After the plug is formed in the via, a thin (e.g., <100 nm) isolation layer is deposited over the resulting structure. An opening is created in the isolation layer by using the same mask at a different radiation exposure level to make the opening more narrow than the underlying plug. A conductive line is then formed which makes electrical contact with the plug through the opening in the isolation layer. By vertically separating and electrically isolating the conductive plug from adjacent conductive lines, the isolation layer advantageously reduces the likelihood of an undesired electrical short occurring between the conductive plug and a nearby conductive line.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a filtering system which controls access to a website/page between a local area network (LAN) and an Internet. The LAN includes an Internet gateway system coupled to a workstation and configured to receive a URL request. The system controls access to the website/page associated with the URL based on one or more categories that are associated with the URL. The Internet gateway system can determine the category that is associated with the URL by referencing a master database or requesting the category from a database factory. The database factory can receive URLs from multiple Internet gateway systems. The database factory determines whether the identifier was previously categorized by the database factory and provides the category to the Internet gateway system. Once the Internet gateway system has the category, it applies rules associated with the category and user to filter access to the requested website/page.

Abstract: A low smoke, low toxicity fiber optic cable that provides an intermediate surface that facilitates bonding to optical connectors such as LC connectors, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cable exhibits improved dimensional stability by minimizing or eliminating shrinkage stress on the optic fiber core.

Abstract: A blast resistant window structure capable of withstanding typical car bomb blast pressures of 100 psi or more and of resisting leakage of chemical or biological agents is described, the window structure including a frame hermetically enclosing two glass panels in confronting relationship defining an air gap therebetween, each glass panel having a thin layer of polymer film on each surface thereof, and a pressure relief valve in the frame for releasing air pressure from within the gap in response to blast pressure imposed on an outer surface of one of the panels.

Abstract: An integrated wavefront correction module including a mounting device a deformable mirror carried by the mounting device for correcting for high spatial and temporal frequency error in an incident wavefront and a tip-tilt correction mechanism including a base and a plurality of tip-tilt actuators interconnected between the base and one of the flexible and fixed portions and a plurality of support posts interconnected between the base and the other of the flexible and fixed portions or alternatively the tip-tilt correction mechanism may include at least one actuator platform, a base, a first set of tip-tilt actuators for adjustably supporting the at least one actuator platform from the base and a second set of tip-tilt actuators for adjustably supporting the mounting device from the at least one actuator platform for adjusting the mounting device and the deformable mirror together to compensate for tip-tilt errors in the incident wavefront with the tip-tilt actuators being operated typically at mid-range in or

Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect is fabricated by using a mask to form a via in an insulating layer for a conductive plug. After the plug is formed in the via, a thin (e.g., <100 nm) isolation layer is deposited over the resulting structure. An opening is created in the isolation layer by using the same mask at a different radiation exposure level to make the opening more narrow than the underlying plug. A conductive line is then formed which makes electrical contact with the plug through the opening in the isolation layer. By vertically separating and electrically isolating the conductive plug from adjacent conductive lines, the isolation layer advantageously reduces the likelihood of an undesired electrical short occurring between the conductive plug and a nearby conductive line.

Abstract: A chassis customizing apparatus for coupling to an information handling system chassis includes a chassis cover having a chassis coupling member and means for displaying an image with the chassis cover. In an embodiment, the chassis cover is fabricated from a transparent material, and the means for displaying an image with the chassis cover includes positioning an image between an information handling system chassis and the chassis cover which is visible through the chassis cover.

Abstract: A mechanism provides compliance between a tool and a robotic arm and includes a base with a first face. The mechanism includes a post assembly with a thrust washer and a mounting post attached to the thrust washer. The thrust washer engages the first face to form a compliance joint that permits a compliance range of sliding translational motion along the first face. The mechanism comprises springs that slideably engage an outer rim surface of the post assembly and providing a compliance force resisting the sliding translational motion. A retainer is mounted to the base and compresses the thrust washer against the first face and limits rotational motion of the assembly out of a plane of the first face.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine performance data for query optimization of a query directed to a database table having multiple partitions. The performance data for the query optimization is presented in a user interface, and an option is provided in the user interface to create a non-spanning index for any of the partitions mentioned in the performance data.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a single chip for receiving the reflected images, generating digital representations of the reflected images, and generating a first set of movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The first set of movement data is indicative of relative motion between the chip and the imaging surface. The single chip includes a serial interface for outputting motion data in a serial format based on the movement data.

Abstract: An electronic image stabilization system includes an image sensor including an array of photo sensors. Each of the photo sensors accumulates charge responsive to light incident upon the sensor. A motion sensor develops a movement signal responsive to movement of the image stabilization system. A control circuit is coupled to the image sensor and the motion sensor and shifts the charge accumulated in each photo sensor in the array to an adjacent photo sensor responsive to the movement signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of a composite metal ingot comprising at least two separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould has a feed end and an exit end and divider wall for dividing the feed end into at least two separate feed chambers, where each feed chamber is adjacent at least one other feed chamber. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers.

Abstract: A credential communication device and method adapted to transmit and receive data, including means to process said data in order to effect credential verification and trusted mutual recognition between the device and a second credential communication device, without reference to a third party, further including at least one proximity conductor adapted to transfer at least some data only when in such physical proximity to a second credential communication device as to effectively exclude the possibility of third party involvement in the transaction.

Abstract: A method and a system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A database of network addresses, and associated geographic locations, is maintained. A query, including a network address, is received against the database for a geographic location associated with the network address. Information, concerning the query received against the database, is logged. Geolocation activities relating to at least the network address are modified based on the logged information.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the water content of a sulfuric acid catalyst in a sulfuric acid-catalyzed process carried out in a reactor comprising: (a) withdrawing a portion of catalyst from the acid settler, forming a withdrawn catalyst stream; (b) continuously adding an SO3-containing substance to the withdrawn catalyst stream at a desired rate, forming a fortified catalyst, while maintaining the temperature of the fortified catalyst stream below about 60° F.; (c) returning the fortified catalyst to the reactor; whereby the water concentration in the fortified catalyst is maintained at 1.5 to 4 weight percent of the catalyst. A method is also provided for drying paraffinic feed or recycle hydrocarbon streams in a reactor system comprising contacting the feed or recycle hydrocarbon streams with spent sulfuric acid, whereby the feed or recycle streams are dried and whereby a portion of the sulfuric acid esters in the spent acid are converted to sulfuric acid and alkylate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to fish hooks including metallic glass, and related methods.

Abstract: Mirroring database statistics, including receiving by a backup application of a backup computer a journal entry representing a requirement for backup database statistics and generating by a statistics engine of the backup computer backup database statistics for a backup database in accordance with the journal entry. Mirroring database statistics according to embodiments of the present invention may also include identifying by an original DBMS of an original database a requirement for backup database statistics and inserting in a database journal by the original DBMS the journal entry representing the requirement for backup database statistics.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a single chip for receiving the reflected images, generating digital representations of the reflected images, and generating a first set of movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The first set of movement data is indicative of relative motion between the chip and the imaging surface. The single chip includes a serial interface for outputting motion data in a serial format based on the movement data.