Abstract: A printer has access to a remote file system. The printer is configured with a remote file system client module configured to create a logical file system mount to a remote file system. Software, which is configured to operate the printer, is obtained by the printer from the remote file system.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a container that includes a microwave interactive web at least partially overlying and joined to a three-dimensional support, wherein the three-dimensional support may be formed prior to having the microwave interactive web mounted thereto. The three-dimensional support may be a preformed container that is sufficiently rigid and dimensionally stable for use in containing food.

Abstract: A flexible architecture for embedded firmware of a multiple protocol switch can be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms. Hardware components of a SAN switch are embodied as cooperative modules (e.g., switch modules, port modules, service modules, etc.) with one or more processors in each module. Likewise, firmware components of a SAN switch can be assigned at initialization and/or run time across a variety of processors in any of these modules. The processors and firmware components can communicate via a messaging mechanism that is substantially independent of the underlying communication medium or the module in which a given processor resides. In the manner, firmware components can be reassigned (e.g., in a failover condition), added or removed without substantial disruption to the operation of the SAN.

Abstract: A finger attached cigarette holder has a finger ring for attaching to a person's finger and a cigarette ring sized to hold a cigarette therein. The cigarette ring is affixedly attached to the finger ring so that a person wearing the finger ring and having the cigarette attached in the cigarette ring can smoke the cigarette while using both hands. Both the cigarette ring and the finger ring are partial circles made of a bendable material to allow adjustments for fitting different fingers or cigarettes. The cigarette ring is fixedly attached to the finger ring with its center axis 90 degrees from the center axis of the finger ring.

Abstract: An improved headwear shaping device which is compact, lightweight, modular and contains an arcuate channel for receiving the visor portion of athletic headwear, shaping the visor by applying equal pressure throughout the perimeter of the visor. The shaping device also provides a stabilizing arm perpendicular to the inserted visor causing the visor to extend parallel to the horizontally axis of the cap for display and storage. The unitary shaped body of the invention is comprised of a lightweight, compact, cost-effective rigid material which also provides for enhanced portability of headwear while not in use.

Abstract: An improved headwear shaping device which is compact, lightweight, modular and contains an arcuate channel for receiving the visor portion of athletic headwear, shaping the visor by applying equal pressure throughout the perimeter of the visor. The shaping device also provides a stabilizing arm perpendicular to the inserted visor causing the visor to extend parallel to the horizontally axis of the cap for display and storage. The unitary shaped body of the invention is comprised of a lightweight, compact, cost-effective rigid material which also provides for enhanced portability of headwear while not in use.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a plurality of layers and a plurality of circuit elements arranged in tiles. At least one of the plurality of layers in the semiconductor device may be a via layer configured to determine the connections of the plurality of circuit elements. The semiconductor device may include an interconnection quilt having a plurality of metal layers disposed to interconnect the plurality of circuit elements. The plurality of circuit elements may be analog circuit element and/or digital circuit elements. The tiles may be analog tiles and digital tiles that form a mixed signal structured array.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a plurality of layers and a capacitor array that includes a plurality of individual capacitors. At least one of the plurality of layers in the semiconductor device may be a via layer configured to determine the connections and capacitances of the plurality of individual capacitors in the capacitor array. The semiconductor device may include a metal structure disposed within the device to provide an electromagnetic shield for at least one of the plurality of individual capacitors in the capacitor array.

Abstract: Logic array devices having complex macro-cell architecture and methods facilitating use of same. A semiconductor device comprising an array of logic cells and programmable metal includes gate structures that are pre-wired, where, inputs and/or outputs are available for routing in programmable metal, possibly as part of a hybrid process. The device can also include selectable, in-line inverters, which can share the input/output tracks with logic inputs. A bubble-pushing algorithm can take advantage of the selectable in-line inverters to reduce the number of inverters in a design. In some embodiments, an embedded clock line is common to a plurality of logic cells. The clock line is terminated in a clock cell, which can include test logic, so that a clock group is formed. Flexibility to power down cells, or groups of cells can be provided by power traces with programmable connections.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for pushing back caliper pistons, such as for example, single, double or quadruple caliper pistons. The apparatus may be comprised of a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod. The first rod may be connected to the second and third rods so that when the first rod moves the second and third rods also move. The apparatus may also include a first plate, wherein the first rod, the second rod, and the third rod are connected to the first plate. The apparatus may further include a second or press plate which is connected to the second rod and the third rod. The apparatus may further include a third or tube plate and a fourth or wedge plate. The second and third rods may slide through first and second openings of the third and fourth plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for pushing back caliper pistons, such as for example, single, double or quadruple caliper pistons. The apparatus may be comprised of a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod. The first rod may be connected to the second and third rods so that when the first rod moves the second and third rods also move. The apparatus may also include a first plate, wherein the first rod, the second rod, and the third rod are connected to the first plate. The apparatus may further include a second or press plate, which is connected to the second rod and the third rod. The apparatus may further include a third or tube plate and a fourth or wedge plate. The second and third rods may slide through first and second openings of the third and fourth plates.

Abstract: A printer has access to a remote file system. The printer is configured with a remote file system client module configured to create a logical file system mount to a remote file system. Software, which is configured to operate the printer, is obtained by the printer from the remote file system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for remote management of printing devices of various types within an enterprise. Printers that are not as well-equipped for printing device management (e.g. legacy printing devices and low-end printing devices) are taken into account by assigning printing device management elements and functions that are present in more modern higher-end printing devices to one or more host computers. As a result, printing device management tasks can be similarly applied to all types of enterprise printing devices without having to use multiple user interfaces or user processes.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is disclosed a system and method for harvesting data from at least one device, such that there is stored on a particular device, prior to the start of each harvesting session, an application program, which enables the harvesting of certain data from the device. At the conclusion of a harvesting session, the application program is removed from the device.

Abstract: In a distributed computing environment, the described subject matter is a peripheral device that responsive to being powered on, automatically communicates service related information to an entity associated with a service provider.

Abstract: A high speed material processing and stacking apparatus and method for overlapping and slowing the linear progression of material pieces in a continuous stream. The apparatus may include a doubler conveyor for separating material pieces in a stream permitting a substantial reduction in the linear velocity downstream. The apparatus and method may also include a discharge conveyor having a dam separator to introduce controlled separations to form discrete numbers of materials for further processing and shipping.

Abstract: A method and system for providing diagnostic services for a computer system is provided. The diagnostic application presents to the user of the computer system a graphical representation of a computer system (202). The user is able to click on graphical components of the graphical representation. The diagnostic application performs diagnostic services on the particular component clicked on by the user. The diagnostic application may determine if the most recent version of the appropriate software driver is installed in the computer system. The diagnostic application may perform diagnostic tests on the clicked component. The diagnostic application may also permit the user to access online diagnostic services to permit the user to access the most recent version of the applicable software driver, communicate with a diagnostic support specialist, or receive additional diagnostic tools from a location remote from the computer system.

Abstract: The invention is utilized in the context of a peripheral device that is coupled to a network via a firewall which blocks unwanted incoming message traffic, except for incoming message traffic that is responding to a message dispatched from the peripheral device. A remotely located diagnostic device, which includes code for diagnosis of causes of peripheral device malfunctions, is connected to communicate via the network. The peripheral device includes a memory for storing a diagnostic application that is adapted to execute one or more diagnostic subroutines for diagnosing a cause of a device malfunction. The peripheral device is enabled to dispatch an event message to the remote diagnostic device and to receive a response message from the remote diagnostic device (all via the firewall and the network). The response message causes a diagnostic application to execute a subroutine on the peripheral device in an attempt to determine the cause of the event.

Abstract: A die apparatus for supporting and retaining rotary dies in operation having a base, a cover supported by a plurality of columns, a cross member moveable along the columns and modular die supports rollingly engaged with the rotary dies. A method of installing and removing the rotary dies from the apparatus includes moving the dies along a first axis of movement within the apparatus through use of a support strap and moving the dies to and from the apparatus through use of a conveyor.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple, fruit and tree called “Stella Minnesota” provides a fruit having improved taste and crispness, resistance to browning, characteristic white star marks in the fruit skin and in the tree, shows large green leaves.