Abstract: A low cost diagnostic system for testing the airborne static discharge systems and the grounding systems for aircraft. The present invention is a passive electrostatic detection scheme which in one embodiment is an array of inexpensive, miniaturized sensors for measuring the detected E-field disturbances from aircraft. The measurements are taken on the runway upon arrival and indicate whether the aircraft had an appreciable accumulated charge indicating a failure of the electrostatic discharge system. The system further verifies that the ground discharge devices are properly working and any charge is dissipated upon landing. In one embodiment the measurement information is transmitted to a central location where the aircraft and the measurement data are matched and maintenance is scheduled for aircraft having high levels of electrostatic charge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for automatically re-provisioning an appliance server without significant user-interaction. The disk drive of a server to be utilized as an appliance server is partitioned into at least three partitions, including a systems partition, a network operating system partition, and an images partition. A re-provisioning utility is provided, which, when activated by a user, removes the present application from the server and forwards it to a storage location on the network or in a fourth storage partition and installs another application on the server. The system is re-booted and re-configured to provide full operation of the new application.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: Secondary or augmented control of a storage array in a cost effective manner is accomplished by connecting a host to the storage array via a storage adapter independent of a RAID controller. The RAID controller provides primary control for services standard to the RAID controller. Augmented or enhanced services as well as backup control are provided by a control module executing on the host, communicating to one or more selected storage devices within the storage array via the storage adapter. In one embodiment, the control module detects faults or failures in the RAID controller, selectably directs storage commands to the RAID controller, emulates a storage controller including a RAID controller, and provides enhanced or augmented services such as conducting diagnostic, firmware update, or disaster recovery operations.

Abstract: Aspects for detection and correction of entrance into an improper master boot record (MBR) state in a computer system are described. The aspects include providing a proxy MBR at a predetermined location on a storage device of a computer system to provide a proxy MBR. The proxy MBR is then utilized during a restart operation. An original MBR maintained at an original location on the storage device is then utilized during a reboot operation when the utilization of the proxy MBR is unsuccessful.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: This invention is useful in a networked system with densely packaged servers or server blades. The servers are connected to a system management network, a communication network and an image server. A management module attached to the system management network and a network switch monitors and controls network booting from an image server on the communication network to prevent over commitment of network and image server resources in order to avoid a boot storm. The management module collects system information and calculates the number of servers or clients the networked system can boot at any one instant of time without burdening the system. The management module logic controls booting via the system management network and service processor elements, which can block server booting and release servers to boot when other servers have completed their boot process.

Abstract: A network and method for servicing simultaneously pending boot image download requests in a multi-client, networked environment. A boot image server on the network is configured to satisfy boot image sessions initiated by one or more client systems on the network. The image server is configured to prioritize requests from different clients to minimize or reduce the network's average download time, which represents the amount of time required to boot a theoretical average client. In one embodiment, the image server is configured to minimize the average download time by prioritizing client requests according to the amount of time required to complete a each client's download such that requests from clients with short remaining download times are given higher priority and, conversely, request from clients with long remaining download times are given lower priority.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and hard disk configuration for accommodating different sizes of applications during an automatic re-provisioning of an appliance server. The disk drive of the appliance server is partitioned with a system partition, a network operating system (NOS) partition, a float partition, and an images partition. The float partition is utilized to provide additional space to the NOS partition and the images partition, when required. A re-provisioning utility is provided, which initiates both a create image utility and an apply image utility, whereby an image file of a current application and associated operating system is created and a stored image file of a second application is installed on the appliance server. When the apply image utility is initiated, the NOS partition is dynamically extended into the float partition server if the second application requires more space than is provided in the NOS partition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamically sharing a limited supply of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses among a larger number of servers. A manager coupled between the Internet and a plurality of servers may receive a request for an IP address associated with a domain name from a client coupled to the Internet. The manager may be configured to map the domain name into an IP address assigned to the server hosting the web site of the domain name. Each assigned IP address may be valid only for a limited time. Once the time the assigned IP address is valid has expired, the assigned IP address may be returned to the pool of available IP addresses thereby allowing a smaller number of IP addresses to be dynamically shared among a larger number of servers.

Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.

Abstract: A low cost diagnostic system for testing the airborne static discharge systems and the grounding systems for aircraft. The present invention is a passive electrostatic detection scheme comprising an array of inexpensive, miniaturized sensors for measuring the detected E-field disturbances from aircraft. The measurements are taken on the runway upon arrival and indicate whether the aircraft had an appreciable accumulated charge indicating a failure of the electrostatic discharge system. The system further verifies that the ground discharge devices are properly working and any charge is dissipated upon landing. In one embodiment the measurement information is transmitted to a central location where the aircraft and the measurement data are matched and maintenance is scheduled for aircraft having high levels of electrostatic charge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and hard disk configuration for accommodating different sizes of applications during an automatic re-provisioning of an appliance server. The disk drive of the appliance server is partitioned with a system partition, a network operating system (NOS) partition, a float partition, and an images partition. The float partition is utilized to provide additional space to the NOS partition and the images partition, when required. A re-provisioning utility is provided, which initiates both a create image utility and an apply image utility, whereby an image file of a current application and associated operating system is created and a stored image file of a second application is installed on the appliance server. When the apply image utility is initiated, the NOS partition is dynamically extended into the float partition server if the second application requires more space than is provided in the NOS partition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for automatically re-provisioning an appliance server without significant user-interaction. The disk drive of a server to be utilized as an appliance server is partitioned into at least three partitions, including a systems partition, a network operating system partition, and an images partition. A re-provisioning utility is provided, which, when activated by a user, removes the present application from the server and forwards it to a storage location on the network or in a fourth storage partition and installs another application on the server. The system is re-booted and re-configured to provide full operation of the new application.

Abstract: A device designed to interconnect with an inflatable thermia blanket. The device conveys a medium into the blanket, which applies an internal pressure to the device, and has at least two temperature settings for controlling the temperature of the medium and a pressure sensing apparatus. The pressure sensing apparatus measures the internal pressure. And when the measurement exceeds a predetermined level of internal pressure then any one of the at least two temperature settings is useable. Otherwise, when the measurement does not exceed the predetermined level of internal pressure, the device will either convey the medium at a predetermined temperature setting, which can include shutting the device down.

Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.

Abstract: An internal mandrel is disclosed which is used for supporting the inner wall of a pipe during bending. A plurality of unique resilient discs is provided. The discs are dome shaped with a rim at the bottom of the dome. The dome has a concave side and a convex side. The discs nest together, i.e. convex side of one into the concave side of the adjacent disc to form a resilient plug. A hydraulic cylinder applies force on the convex side of the outermost disc and the concave side of the innermost disc to deflect the rims of the disc outwardly to contact the inner wall of the pipe being bent.

Abstract: A pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT) is detected and suppressed in an implantable pacemaker operating in the VDD or VDDR modality. Such suppression is effectuated by extending the post ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) of the pacemaker to an extended PVARP that prevents retrograde P-waves from being tracked, thereby suppressing the PMT. The extended PVARP includes a retrograde window portion, following an absolute refractory portion. P-waves that occur during the retrograde window portion of the extended PVARP are deemed to be retrograde P-waves. The extended PVARP is returned to its original value whenever: (1) a P-wave is sensed following the extended PVARP, which P-wave is deemed to be a sinus P-wave, or (2) whenever a sufficient number of cardiac cycles elapse without the occurrence of a retrograde P-wave.

Abstract: An autocapture system within an implantable pulse generator automatically maintains the energy of a stimulation pulse at a level just above that which is needed to effectuate capture. The electrical post-stimulus signal of the heart following delivery of a stimulation pulse is compared to a polarization template, determined during a capture verification test. A prescribed difference between the polarization template and the post-stimulus signal indicates capture has occurred. Otherwise, loss of capture is presumed, and a loss-of-capture routine is invoked that increases the energy a prescribed amount to obtain capture. Periodically, and/or at programmed intervals or events, the capture verification test is performed. During the capture verification test, the pulse generator determines a polarization template for a particular stimulation energy and for each of a plurality of sensitivity or threshold settings. A determination is also made as to which sensitivity settings yield capture.