Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum motor configured to draw air through the vacuum cleaner; a battery configured to supply electricity to the vacuum motor; and a control system configured to control the supply of electricity from the battery to the vacuum motor. The control system is configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between a first power mode in which electricity is delivered from the battery to the vacuum motor at a first power level, and at least a second power mode in which electricity is delivered from the battery to the vacuum motor at a second power level which is lower than the first power level. The control system is configured to monitor the extent of operation of the vacuum cleaner in the different power modes, and to provide an alert if usage of the vacuum cleaner in the first power mode exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A steering knuckle assembly having a steering knuckle and a steering arm. The steering knuckle may have a first arm and a second arm. The steering arm may be coupled to the first arm.

Abstract: A steering knuckle assembly having a steering knuckle and a steering arm. The steering knuckle may have a first arm and a second arm. The steering arm may be coupled to the first arm.

Abstract: A vertical bus disconnect for Motor Control Center Sections. The invention removes/opens a connection between the horizontal bus and vertical bus when it is in the OPEN or OFF state. The invention creates/closes a connection between the horizontal bus and vertical bus when it is in the CLOSED or ON state. In either the OPEN/OFF state or the CLOSED/ON state, the invention does not cause an interruption of power flow along the horizontal bus. The purpose of the invention is to allow for an isolating of buckets within a given motor control center section from power without interrupting power along the horizontal bus. This invention is an improvement to the commonly used motor control center section.

Abstract: Techniques for customizing draw styles of widgets to better accommodate a user's direct manipulation needs. A user can customize various attributes of a widget and its manipulators to suit the user's needs. The customizations are stored as a style. The stored style can subsequently be applied to the widget to control the appearance and behavior of the widget. Stored styles may be applied to other widgets and can also be shared between users.

Abstract: Techniques for customizing draw styles of widgets to better accommodate a user's direct manipulation needs. A user can customize various attributes of a widget and its manipulators to suit the user's needs. The customizations are stored as a style. The stored style can subsequently be applied to the widget to control the appearance and behavior of the widget. Stored styles may be applied to other widgets and can also be shared between users.

Abstract: Techniques for customizing draw styles of widgets to better accommodate a user's direct manipulation needs. A user can customize various attributes of a widget and its manipulators to suit the user's needs. The customizations are stored as a style. The stored style can subsequently be applied to the widget to control the appearance and behavior of the widget. Stored styles may be applied to other widgets and can also be shared between users.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for signals, signs, and plays to be communicated to the baseball/softball players using a series of band cards worn by the players that contain a unique and varying combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. With or without the designation of a “hot color” or symbol, which dictates which column the players are supposed to refer to for their plays and assignments, the coach is able to signal both real and fake signals and plays by following the hot or cold designation with certain numbers and letters. These numbers and colors can be coordinated for each position on the baseball/softball field such that the same “hot color” and series of numbers puts all the players in their individual desired position. These band cards can be worn in several places, including in wristbands with clear plastic windows or attached to baseball hats.

Abstract: The system includes a bin hopper which temporarily stores a plurality of small elements, such as medications. The elements are moved out of the bin and singulated into a one-by-one sequence by a series of singulating conveyors. The resulting sequence of elements is moved onto a main system conveyor where the element is identified and then moved to a loading mechanism which arranges the item so it is ready to be gripped and stored. The system includes a mass storage apparatus comprising a series of four upstanding cylindrical drums, each having a plurality of individually accessible and addressable cell storage locations for the elements. A gripping apparatus removes the elements from the loading mechanism and transfers them to a selected location in a cylindrical drum. When an article is to be dispensed, the drum is rotated so that an ejection arm comes adjacent the desired location in the drum.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing environment that includes host computer systems that are coupled to adapters utilizing a switched fabric for routing packets between the host computer systems and the adapters. A unique destination identifier is assigned to one of the host computer systems. A portion of a standard format packet destination address is selected. Within a particular packet, the portion is set equal to the unique identifier that is assigned to the host computer system. The particular packet is then routed through the fabric to the host computer system using the unique destination identifier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are disclosed for migrating a virtual adapter from a source physical adapter to a destination physical adapter in a data processing system where multiple host computer systems share multiple adapters and communicate with those adapters through a PCI switched-fabric bus. The virtual adapter is first caused to stop processing transactions. All in-flight transactions that are associated with the virtual adapter are then captured. The configuration information that defines the virtual adapter is moved from the source physical adapter to the destination physical adapter. The in-flight transactions are then restored to their original locations on the destination virtual adapter. The virtual adapter is then restarted on the destination physical adapter such that the virtual adapter begins processing transactions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for routing error messages in a multiple host computer system environment to only those host computer systems that are affected by the error. The environment includes multiple host computer systems that share multiple devices utilizing a switched fabric. An error is detected in one of the devices. Routing tables that are stored in fabric devices in the fabric are used to identify ones of the host computer systems that are affected by the error. An error message that identifies the error is routed to only the identified ones of the host computer systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating and managing tables for routing packets through an environment that includes multiple hosts and shared PCI switches and adapters. A Destination Identification (DID) field in the PBA is appended to a transaction packet dispatched through the PCI switches, wherein a particular DID is associated with a particular host or system image, and thus identifies the physical or virtual end point of its packet. In one embodiment, packets are routed through PCI switches in a distributed computer system comprising multiple root nodes, wherein each root node includes one or more hosts. The embodiment includes the step of creating a table or like data structure in a specified one of the switches. When a particular host of one of the root nodes becomes connected to the specified switch, a PCI Configuration Master (PCM), residing in one of the root nodes, is operated to enter a destination identifier or DID into the table.

Abstract: A PCI control manager provides address translation protection tables in switches in a PCI fabric. The PCI control manager discovers the fabric and provides a virtual tree for each root complex. A system administrator may then remove endpoints that do not communicate with the root complex to configure the PCI fabric. The PCI control manager then provides updated ATPT tables to the switches. When a host or adapter is added, the master PCM goes through the discovery process and the ATPT tables and adapter routing tables are modified to reflect the change in configuration. The master PCM can query the ATPT tables and adapter routing tables to determine what is in the configuration. The master PCM can also destroy entries in the ATPT tables and adapter routing tables when a device is removed from the configuration and those entries are no longer valid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for routing error messages in a distributed computer system comprising multiple root nodes, and further comprising one or more PCI switches and one or more I/O adapters, wherein each root node includes one or more system images. In one useful embodiment, a method is provided for routing I/O error messages to root nodes respectively associated with the errors contained in the messages. The method includes detecting occurrence of an error at a specified one of the adapters, wherein the error affects one of the system images, and generating an error message at the specified adapter. The method further comprises routing the error message from the specified adapter to the particular root node that includes the affected system image. The error message is then selectively processed at the particular root node, in order to identify the affected system image.

Abstract: System and method for managing routing of data in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A physical tree that is indicative of a physical configuration of the distributed computing system is determined, and a virtual tree is created from the physical tree. The virtual tree is then modified to change an association between at least one source device and at least one target device in the virtual tree. A validation mechanism validates the changed association between the at least one source device and the at least one target device to enable routing of data from the at least one source device to the at least one target device.

Abstract: A method is directed to use of a master root node, in a distributed computer system provided with multiple root nodes, to control the configuration of routings through an I/O switched-fabric. One of the root nodes is designated as the master root node or PCI Configuration Manager (PCM), and is operable to carry out the configuration while each of the other root nodes remains in a quiescent or inactive state. In one useful embodiment pertaining to a system of the above type, that includes multiple root nodes, PCI switches, and PCI adapters available for sharing by different root nodes, a method is provided wherein the master root node is operated to configure routings through the PCI switches. Respective routings are configured between respective root nodes and the PCI adapters, wherein each of the configured routings corresponds to only one of the root nodes.

Abstract: Method and system for address routing in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A destination identifier is provided to identify a physical or virtual host or end point. When a physical or virtual host or end point receives a PCI data packet it compares a list of source identifiers with destination identifiers to determine if a source identifier included in the transaction packet is associated with a destination identifier included in the transaction packet to determine if the transaction packet has a valid association. If the transaction packet has a valid association, it is routed to the target device. The present invention enables each host that attaches to PCI bridges or switches and shares a set of common PCI devices to have its own PCI 64-bit address space and enables the routing of PCI transaction packets between multiple hosts and adapters, through a PCI switched-fabric bus using a destination identifier.

Abstract: In a distributed computer system having multiple root nodes, a challenge protocol is provided, for use in determining or confirming the root node in which a PCI Configuration Manager (PCM) actually resides. This node is referred to as the master node. The challenge procedure is activated whenever the identity of the PCM, which is determined by the root node in which it resides, appears to be uncertain. The challenge procedure resolves this uncertainty, and enables the PCM to continue to configure routings throughout the system. In a useful embodiment, a method is directed to a distributed computer system of the above type which is further provided with PCI switches and with adapters that are available for sharing by different nodes. The method includes the steps of selecting a first one of the root nodes to be master root node, and operating the first root node to query the configuration space of a particular one of the PCI switches.

Abstract: An axle system includes an axle shaft offset located within an axle center beam housing. The axle shaft is located in a recess in a top wall of the axle center beam shaped with slopes to maximize clearance to the bottom of the vehicle floor panels. The pneumatic brake cylinders define a cylinder axis angled within an angular range from a generally vertical orientation for enhanced packaging.