Abstract: A method and apparatus tracks packets and reliably transmits data over a computer transmission system with a reduced amount of memory needed in the transmission interface. The invention eliminates the need to keep all the packets of data queued until the acknowledge message for that data has arrived. Instead, it keeps track of how many packets have been sent and which packets correspond to the end of a message, marking them off when acknowledge messages are received. If packets are lost, the invention determines which packet were lost, backs up to the lost packet, re-fetches the data and resends it. Embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need to queue packets, reducing silicon size and allowing the available bandwidth of the output bus to be more fully utilized.

Abstract: System and method for creating, configuring, representing, and using variables in programs. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed in response to user input requesting creation and/or configuration of a variable for use in or comprised in one or more programs, e.g., on various devices. User input is received to the GUI configuring attributes of the variable, including: name, data type, and/or scope (e.g., local, global, or network). The configured attributes are stored and optionally displayed, e.g., in a resource tree, and the variable in each of the programs updated in accordance with the configured attributes. When at least one of the programs is incompatible with the configured variable, an error condition may be indicated, e.g., by providing information relating to portions of the program that are incompatible with the configured variable. The program may be modified in response to user input for compatibility with the configured variable.

Abstract: Apparatus for focusing a charged particle beam onto a surface, including a charged particle beam generator which is adapted to project the charged particle beam onto a location on the surface, thereby causing charges to be emitted from the location. The apparatus further includes an imaging detector which is adapted to receive the charges so as to form an image of the location, and an aberrating element which is positioned before the imaging detector and which is adapted to produce an aberration in the image. A processor is adapted to receive the image and to adjust at least one of the charged particle beam generator and a position of the surface in response to the aberration.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: Data is written on a plurality of data tracks on an optical disk by a plurality of laser beams. The spots illuminated by the beams are spaced apart to prevent thermal interference. The spots are aligned along a line at an angle to the tangent of the data tracks. The angle of the line of spots is determined by an equation using variables that include the track pitch, the minimum distance between spots and the difference in track numbers between tracks being written.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an article, the system includes a spatial filter that is shaped such as to direct output beams towards predefined locations and an optical beam directing entity, for directing the multiple output beams toward multiple detector arrays. The method includes spatially filtering multiple input light beams to provide substantially aberration free output light beams; and directing the multiple output beams by an optical beam directing entity, toward multiple detector arrays.

Abstract: System and method for creating and executing a graphical program. A first plurality of graphical program elements (GPEs) having a first model of computation (MoC), e.g., homogenous dataflow, are assembled in a graphical program in response to first input. A structure, including an interior portion, is displayed in the graphical program, indicating use of a second MoC, e.g., multi-rate dataflow, for GPEs within the interior portion. A second plurality of GPEs having the second MoC are assembled within the interior portion of the structure in response to second input. The second plurality of GPEs are converted into a new third plurality of GPEs having the first MoC, e.g., by parsing the second plurality of GPEs to determine multiple primitives according to the second MoC, determining the third plurality of GPEs based on the primitives, and assembling the third plurality of GPEs in the graphical program.

Abstract: System and method for creating a graphical program that uses multiple models of computation (MoC). A first plurality of graphical program elements is assembled in a graphical program in response to first input, where the assembled first plurality of graphical program elements have a first MoC. A structure is displayed in the graphical program indicating use of a second MoC for graphical program elements comprised within the interior of the structure. A second plurality of graphical program elements is assembled within the structure in response to second input, where the assembled second plurality of graphical program elements have the second MoC. The graphical program is executable to perform a function, for example, by executing the assembled first plurality of graphical program elements in accordance with the first model of computation, and executing the assembled second plurality of graphical program elements in accordance with the second model of computation.

Abstract: A programmable symbology is provided that defines a series of geometric forms in the visual field of a pilot. The symbology includes a virtual representation of a predicted flight path of the aircraft and a virtual representation of a projected contact point with an external object, including the ground. The symbology also provides a virtual representation of a predicted flight path of the aircraft that is projected onto the ground below the projected flight path as a ground path predictor. The symbology further provides a critical slowing air speed indicator.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided which includes members for engaging a magnet rail to prevent bending of the magnet rail. Such members may include a wheel or sliding block, for example. The members exert a force proximate an upper edge of the magnet rail to counter potential bending of the magnet rail during operation of the motor, and thereby avoid substantial variations in the air gaps. Furthermore, an armature yoke is provided which includes at least one partial tooth at one end of the armature yoke for reducing an end effect cogging of the linear motor armature in relation to a magnet rail along which the armature will run. In addition, an armature yoke is provided which includes multiple segments which are held end-to-end via fasteners. Such fasteners may serve as part of the magnetic flux path. A support strip may be provided to reduce bowing.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for providing system-area network (SAN) multicasting functionality in a logically partitioned (LPAR) data processing system in which a channel adapter is shared among a plurality of logical partitions is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention allows LPAR “hypervisor” firmware to assume the responsibility for multicast protocol handling and distribution of packets among logical partitions.

Abstract: A method for refining shape estimates of detected abnormalities in medical images, particularly for the detection of pulmonary lesions in CT imagery is described. A cue point is refined prior to an initially segmentation of the lesion. A radial gradient is computed for points on an initial segmented lesion. Portions of the lesion with radial gradients deviating beyond a threshold angle are removed from the lesion. Registering imagery from more than one CT exam uses a high intensity structure, essentially bone, to provide coarse and fine alignment of a set of two-dimensional images is also described. A MIP image is formed from the three-dimensional images. A second MIP image is then formed from imagery. The second MIP image is correlated with the first MIP image to determine a preferred registration location.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a vehicle service comprises the steps of receiving signals representative of vehicle parameters, accessing data and/or software necessary for performing the vehicle service from at least one remote computer over a data transmission network, and performing signal processing related to the vehicle service based on the signals representative of the vehicle parameters and the accessed data and/or software. Since the data and/or software necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected via a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transmitting packets in a network from multiple data sources, by eliminating contention among local transmitters in the network. A device comprises a CPU and other modules that accept input from various signal sources. The device processes the signals from the various sources, converts the signals to data and then outputs the signal data in the form of packets which it sends via a LAN and/or WAN, thus avoiding contention on the LAN. The invention may initiate and receive connections via the LAN or WAN and begin transmitting over the LAN or WAN at agreed-upon rates without contention.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed within a logically partitioned data processing system for providing an aliased queue pair for each logical partition for the single general services management queue pair that exists within a physical host channel adapter. Packets intended for the logical ports are received at the physical port. Multiple partitions exist within the data processing system. When one of these partitions needs to use one of the logical ports, a queue pair is selected. The queue pair is then associated with the logical port. The queue pair is configured as an aliased general services management queue pair and is used by the partition as if the aliased queue pair were the single general services management queue pair provided in the channel adapter.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided which includes members for engaging a magnet rail to prevent bending of the magnet rail. Such members may include a wheel or sliding block, for example. The members exert a force proximate an upper edge of the magnet rail to counter potential bending of the magnet rail during operation of the motor, and thereby avoid substantial variations in the air gaps. Furthermore, an armature yoke is provided which includes at least one partial tooth at one end of the armature yoke for reducing an end effect cogging of the linear motor armature in relation to a magnet rail along which the armature will run. In addition, an armature yoke is provided which includes multiple segments which are held end-to-end via fasteners. Such fasteners may serve as part of the magnetic flux path. A support strip may be provided to reduce bowing.

Abstract: A printer monitoring system includes a first network, a first computer connected to the first network, and a first non-networked printer, having associated first printer status information, in communication with the first computer via a first peripheral connection. First agent software, configured to obtain the first printer status information from the first non-networked printer, is installed on the first computer. A monitor computer is in communication with the first computer via the first network. Manager software, configured to obtain the first printer status information from the first agent software, is installed on the monitor computer. A database is configured to store the first printer status information. The first computer executes the first agent software to obtain the first printer status information from the first non-networked printer, and the first agent software forwards the first printer status information to the manager software for storage in the database.

Abstract: A method of transmitting packets over a network includes steps of partitioning a transmission interval into discrete time slots and reaching agreement between a transmitting node and receiving node as to when the transmitting node will transmit packets. The intended receiving node sends a reception map to the transmitter indicating time slots that have not yet been allocated. The transmitter proposes a delivery schedule including time slots that it will use for transmission. After agreement by the receiving node, the transmitter transmits packets according to the agreed-upon schedule. Other transmitters can similar arrange to transmit during time slots not already allocated for the receiving node.

Abstract: A method of transmitting packets over a network includes steps of partitioning a packet delivery schedule into discrete time slots; transmitting a plurality of test packets from a first endpoint on the network to an intended recipient in the network using different time slots; evaluating the reliability of the network to transmit the plurality of test packets in each time slot; and selecting one or more time slots in the delivery schedule according to the evaluation step.

Abstract: The effects of sputter re-deposition are reduced by macroscopically roughening the non-sputter areas of the sputter target. The macroscopic roughening is obtained by forming a macroscopic trough pattern in the non-sputter areas of the sputter target. A variety of patterns may be used for the trough pattern. In addition to macroscopically roughing the non-sputter areas of the sputter target, microscopic roughening of the trough patterns may be performed using conventional shot, bead or grit blasting techniques.