Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a fast and accurate video coding process are disclosed. After checking the coding history of certain coded video frame units of a video, the order of the inter prediction and the intra prediction is adaptively exchanged for each coding video frame unit of an inter frame. Furthermore, the computations for coding modes in the latter part of the computation order are selectively skipped so as to speed up the coding process without degrading the video quality.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise an apparatus for use with a laser range finder configured to direct a laser beam toward a scene to measure the distance to a target in the scene and having a range finder display for displaying data, including data that is indicative of the distance to a target, wherein the apparatus comprises a protective housing, a camera module in the housing, the camera module including a lens mounted in a front end portion of the housing, and a light path through the lens to image sensor, an image sensor operatively connected to the camera module for receiving images acquired by the camera module, electronic memory for selectively storing data of images from the image sensor, circuitry for controlling the operation of the image sensor and the memory, a camera display in the housing operatively connected to the image sensor for receiving the image data and providing a visual display of the image, and a switch for storing image data in the memory.

Abstract: A light tube for producing light, which may be used in the light fittings, desk lamps, vehicle lights etc. The light tube comprises a plurality of segments arranged end to end along the end of the light tube. Each segment has a transparent or translucent rod 706 having two ends, a head spreader 703 by at least one of said ends and an LED 705 mounted to each heat spreader 703 for directing light laterally into the rod 706. The heat spreaders 703 are mounted to a metal jacket 702 for dissipating heat. The light tube further comprises one or more reflectors 708, 711 for reflecting light out of the light tube.

Abstract: A method is provided to audit license restrictions of a computer program in an enterprise computing environment. In one example, a digital fingerprint is generated of at least one file in the computer program using a substantially collision-free algorithm, and a digital fingerprint is generated for each file on each computer in the enterprise using the substantially collision-free algorithm. The digital fingerprints from the enterprise files are compared with the digital fingerprint of the computer program file, and the number of fingerprint matches is counted. Another method is provided for inventorying a computer program in an enterprise computing environment. In examples of both methods, a file may be divided into data blocks and a digital fingerprint may be generated for each data block.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a coil assembly and a magnet assembly is provided with a cooling apparatus which comprises a segmented air knife assembly. The segmented air knife assembly has a plurality of slot openings distributed along its length which is coupled to the linear motor and it is operative to discharge cooling air into a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly in a discharge direction. An inclined surface extends from the plurality of slot openings and slopes at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the cooling air. Each slot opening is individually configured to discharge the cooling air in the discharge direction at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the cooling air that is so discharged.

Abstract: In accordance with one example, a method for comparing data units is disclosed comprising generating a first digest representing a first data unit stored in a first memory. A first encoded value is generated based, at least in part, on the first digest and a predetermined value. A second digest representing a second data unit stored in a second memory different from the first memory, is generated. A second encoded value is derived based, at least in part, on the second digest and the predetermined value. It is determined whether the first data unit and the second data unit are the same based, at least in part, on the first digest, the first predetermined value, the first encoded value, and the second digest, by first processor. If the second data unit is not the same as the first data unit, the first data unit is stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A user-configurable waterproof camera case includes a housing for sealingly holding different models of camera therein, an actuating shaft extending through an opening of the housing, a probe-carrying member connected to an inner end of the actuating shaft, and an adjustable probe carried by the probe-carrying member at a position engageable with an on/off button or a shutter button of the camera.

Abstract: In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention, a method for comparing a first unit of data stored in a first storage system and a second unit of data stored in a second storage system is provided. The method comprises generating a first digest that represents the first unit of data, generating an initial value associated with the first unit of data, and deriving an encoded value using the first digest and the initial value. The method further comprises transmitting the encoded value from the first storage system to the second storage system, generating a second digest that represents the second unit of data, and deriving a decoded value using the second digest to decode the encoded value. The method also comprises transmitting the decoded value from the second storage system to the first storage system, and determining whether the first unit of data and the second unit of data are duplicates of one another by comparing the decoded value and the initial value. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a coil assembly and a magnet assembly is provided with a cooling apparatus which comprises a segmented air knife assembly. The segmented air knife assembly has a plurality of slot openings distributed along its length which is coupled to the linear motor and it is operative to discharge cooling air into a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly in a discharge direction. An inclined surface extends from the plurality of slot openings and slopes at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the cooling air. Each slot opening is individually configured to discharge the cooling air in the discharge direction at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the cooling air that is so discharged.

Abstract: In an example of an embodiment of the invention, a system for recording data generated by a client server and transmitted to a storage system is provided. The system comprises a storage system and a processor located remotely from the storage system and linked to the storage system via a network. The processor determines that a selected data processing operation is to be performed with respect to data stored in the storage system, and determines that a record of at least some of the data stored in the storage system is required prior to performing the selected data processing operation. The processor also generates a command comprising a request to generate a record of the at least some of the stored data, the command being generated in accordance with a well-known standard, and transmits the command to the storage system to generate the record, via the network in accordance with Internet Protocol (IP). Examples of other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a snapshot that records desired data, while allowing a client server to continue sending data to the storage system. In an example of an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for recording data generated by a client server and transmitted to a storage system. The method comprises storing data, received from the client server, in the storage system, and receiving a command from the client server to perform a snapshot of the data. The method further comprises generating a snapshot of the data stored in the storage system in response to the command.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise an apparatus for use with a laser range finder configured to direct a laser beam toward a scene to measure the distance to a target in the scene and having a range finder display for displaying data, including data that is indicative of the distance to a target, wherein the apparatus comprises a protective housing, a camera module in the housing, the camera module including a lens mounted in a front end portion of the housing, and a light path through the lens to image sensor, an image sensor operatively connected to the camera module for receiving images acquired by the camera module, electronic memory for selectively storing data of images from the image sensor, circuitry for controlling the operation of the image sensor and the memory, a camera display in the housing operatively connected to the image sensor for receiving the image data and providing a visual display of the image, and a switch for storing image data in the memory.

Abstract: In an example of an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for recording data transmitted to a storage system, wherein the storage system has a cache and at least one storage device, and the data comprises initial data items that are transmitted to the storage system prior to a moment in time and additional data items that are transmitted to the storage system after the moment in time. The method comprises receiving, by the cache, data transmitted to the storage system, and flushing, from the cache to the at least one storage device, one or more of the initial data items. The method also comprises receiving, by the cache, one or more additional data items, while at least one of the initial data items is flushed from the cache, and recording the initial data items. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example of an embodiment of the invention, a repeating pattern is identified within stored data comprising a plurality of data files, each data file comprising at least a header section and a data section stored in an unknown format. At least one occurrence of the repeating pattern is identified as a header section of a respective data file, and a data section of the respective data file is identified based, at least in part, on a location of the at least one occurrence of the repeating pattern. The identified data section of the respective data file is backed up. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method for determining the topology of a network 1 is described. The present invention uses data relating to discovered devices on the network 1, typically network management address table data, to build a network tree. Due to the presence of unsupported or unmanaged connecting network devices, some branches of the resulting tree may not be resolved. In order to address this, for each unresolved branch of the network tree, the present invention attempts to determine the type of each of the discovered network devices on the branch, and if the type of every discovered network device on the branch is determined to be an endstation type, the present invention determines that an undiscovered connecting device is present on the branch.

Abstract: In one example of a method to access data, selected data stored in a virtual tape library (“VTL”) maintained in a selected format in a first non-tape storage medium is examined. One or more first directories and one more first files are identified within the selected data. One or more second directories, and one or more second files, comprising information identifying at least one of the one or more first files, are generated and are stored in a second non-tape storage medium. A request specifying at least one of the one or more second files is received from a device, and information identifying at least one of the one or more first files is retrieved from the specified second file. The at least one first file is accessed based at least in part on the information, and data from the at least one first file is provided to the device. Systems are also disclosed. Methods and systems to enable users without system administrator rights to access and store data in a backup storage system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus is provided to store data in one or more data storage systems by selecting from among at least a first operating mode and a delta replication operating mode. The apparatus comprises a means for storing data pursuant to the first operating mode and a means for ascertaining a first status of a criterion pertaining to an activity performed by the one or more data storage systems while operating in the first operating mode. The apparatus further comprises a means for detecting a change in the criterion to a second status, and a means for storing data pursuant to the delta replication operating mode in response to the change.

Abstract: In an example of an embodiment of the invention, a data set is stored in a database, at a first moment in time, at least first and second segments of data within the data set are defined, and a portion of a selected one of the at least two segments is stored in association with the database. A location of a third segment of data is identified within the data set, at a second moment in time subsequent to the first moment, based, at least in part, on the portion. In one example, a determination is made whether the selected segment has been altered between the first and second moments in time, by generating a second digest representing the third segment, and comparing the second digest to the stored digest. A digest representing the selected segment may be generated and stored in association with the portion.

Abstract: A lighting device includes one or more light sources, one or more switches, and a controller. The lighting device has multiple modes of operation. The controller selects modes of operation according to the one or more switches. The controller controls or operates the one or more light sources according to the selected mode of operation.