Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described for seamlessly sharing I/O devices amongst multiple virtual machines (“VMs”) on a host computer. Specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, the virtual machine manager (“VMM”) on the host cycles access to the I/O devices amongst the VMs according to a round robin or other such allocation scheme. In order to provide direct access to the devices, the VMM may save the device state pertaining to the currently active VM, store the state in a memory region allocated to the currently active VM, retrieve a device state for a new VM from its memory region and restore the device using the retrieved device state, thus providing the illusion that each VM has direct, full-speed, exclusive access to the I/O device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system enable a virtual machine manager (“VMM”) to dynamically reassign physical devices from one virtual machine (“VM”) to another. The VMM may generate a message to the VM that currently owns the physical device and inform the device that the physical device is shutting down. The current VM may thereafter idle the physical device, unload the device driver and eject the device. The VMM may then inform another VM that the physical device is available, and the second VM may load the driver for the device.

Abstract: Provided is a one-piece device and method of use of the device to enable a surgeon to bilaterally secure two vertebrae together in a manner that increases the stability and strength of the connection over that previously known in the art. Also provided is a kit including the device and ancillary instrumentation to facilitate the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting two infrared signaling protocols in a single computing device is provided. The computing system operates in a default mode unless a priority signaling request is generated by an application program. Priority signaling requests are given processing priority, and default mode transmission packets may be dropped during priority mode processing. Handling of dropped default mode packets is relinquished to an upper protocol layer of a network stack, which recovers and sends the dropped transmissions to the infrared device when the computing device returns to the default mode.

Abstract: A system and method for improving audio quality, by means of signal processing on a computer, during post-production of recordings is disclosed. A recording of a “chirp” tone at the beginning of a scene is followed by analysis of the recorded chirp on the computer. For the acoustic signature of the recorded chirp, the computer can characterize the acoustic environment in which the recording was made and use those characteristics to improve the remainder of the audio. The processing that can be achieved by the computer includes, but is not limited to, frequency response correction and acoustic echo cancellation. A physical device for generating the chirp may be pre-built into a video recorder or may be an add-on device placed in physical proximity to the video recorder while the chirp is generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting digital images is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a unique subject in a current image to be corrected is identified in one or more reference images. Pixel characteristics of the unique subject in the current image to be corrected are compared to the pixel characteristics of the unique subject as it appears in the one or more reference images. Using the comparison, a systemic error of the current image is inferred, and a correction function correcting the inferred error is determined. One embodiment of the invention corrects the color of a digital image based on identifying individual humans in the current image and in the reference images.

Abstract: Information is determined about acceleration of a user manipulated input device (using, for example, an accelerometer). A wireless communication element (e.g., a lamp) is controlled in response to the acceleration information. A computer presentation of video information to the user is controlled in response to signals of the wireless communication element.

Abstract: A sports catch glove according to the present invention offers superior control and effectiveness over conventional catch gloves. The glove incorporates a dished tensegrity stiffener in its distal finger portion that weighs less but is more than ten times stiffer than stiffeners employed in conventional gloves. To allow the wearer to gain maximum benefit from this added stiffness in the distal finger portion, the glove also incorporates a close-fitting inner glove, at least a portion of which is made of an elastomeric material. The inner glove keeps the wearer's hand more closely coupled to the glove than in conventional gloves, thus allowing the wearer to maintain control over the glove under the severe forces imposed when catching fast-moving, hard objects.

Abstract: A safety device for train passengers which permits barriers to rise and lower as trains (66) pass. Ridge posts (58) are secured by ridge post mounts (64) on a train undercarriage (68). Ridge wheels (60) spins on the ridge posts (58). As the train (66) moves into a train station, the ridge wheels (60) will first encounter an inclined ramp guide (1) or a mechanical ramp guide (52) and spin along the spin wheel ridge (4), causing the motion barrier wall (2) to move downward, below the platform level (10). As the motion barrier wall (2) moves downward, its support system, pole spring units (12) or cylinder spring units (22) will be compressed into underground chambers. As the train (66) leaves the train station the ridge wheels (60) will continue spinning until the last car of the train (66) rolls off the end of the spin wheel ridge (4) and the ramp guide (1) or a mechanical ramp guide (52).

Abstract: A conversion device for ladies shoes which permits heels and straps to be changed. A heel (2) which is screwed into a heel chamber (8) is secured by a stretch strap (6). Stretch strap (6) is snapped into position at the intersection of a receptor (10) and a connector (15). A screw top (5) is housed in a rubber filler (4). Rubber filler (4) is topped by a protective strip (3) and a leather sole (9).

Abstract: A system and method for implementing virtual memory in a computer system, wherein a table containing entries indicative of the correlation of virtual memory addresses to physical memory addresses is maintained in main memory, and translation descriptors, derived from the translation table entries, for a variable group of virtual addresses, is maintained in a high speed memory. Portions of a virtual address to be translated are compared to the translation descriptors in the high speed memory. If a matching translation descriptor is found, the corresponding physical address is determined by combining a portion of the virtual address with a portion of the matching translation descriptor. If a matching descriptor is not found, a software algorithm is employed to generate a translation descriptor for the virtual address from the table in main memory. The generated translation descriptor is then installed in the high speed memory, the comparison repeated, and the corresponding physical address generated.