18th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 66 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090113381 | AGGREGATION OF CONSTRAINTS ACROSS PROFILES - Leveraging profiles to define stereotypes for other profiles introduces efficiency into modeling. Although constraints can be inherited, constraints cannot currently be aggregated across profiles. Aggregating constraints across profiles leverages the labor invested in defining other profiles as well as adding flexibility to defining stereotypes. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113382 | AUTOMATED DEPLOYMENT IMPLEMENTATION WITH A DEPLOYMENT TOPOLOGY MODEL - Although a modeling language can be used to create a deployment diagram to graphically depict a deployment model, the utility of the deployment diagram is limited to easing understanding of the model. A semantically correct deployment topology model can be processed to automate deployment of a product, add-on, update, configuration, etc. A semantically correct deployment topology model can be processed to generate activities that conform to the deployment model. The activities have executable code units associated with them. The executable code units are collected and organized to implement the deployment modeled with the deployment topology model. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113383 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING CUSTOMIZABLE TEMPLATES TO RETRIEVE AND DISPLAY A SYSTEM CONFIGURATION TOPOLOGY GRAPH - A method, system, and computer program product for implementing a customizable visual configuration (VC) template to retrieve and display a working set of system configuration objects. The computer-implementable method includes selecting a current system configuration object. Once a system configuration object is selected, a VC utility examines all available VC templates. The VC utility displays available VC templates whose starting configuration object matches the selected current system configuration object. In response to a selected VC template, the VC utility retrieves and displays system configuration objects defined by the selected VC template. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113384 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR GRAPHICALLY BUILDING BUSINESS RULE CONDITIONS - A system and apparatus are disclosed for graphically building business rule conditions. The apparatus of graphically building business rule conditions comprises an expression icon module that displays a menu of function icons for the user, and a business attribute module that displays a menu of business rule attribute icons for the user. A user interface module allows the user to freely drag and drop functions and attributes onto a staging canvas, and relate the functions and attributes to build a graphical depiction of the desired business rule condition. A source code module generates source code directly from the graphical depiction such that the user does not have to understand the specific syntax and nuances of the development environment or runtime environment for the business rule. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113385 | SOA SOFTWARE COMPONENTS THAT ENDURE FROM PROTOTYPING TO PRODUCTION - The disclosed invention presents a multi-phased approach for developing a service oriented architecture (SOA) solution using front end SOA components that endure throughout the SOA development lifecycle. The approach can determine interface requirements between a set of services to be implemented in a SOA solution and SOA front end. The SOA front end can conform to the determined interface requirements. The SOA front end can also be interactively utilized early within and can be applicable to all phases of a SOA lifecycle, which includes design, development, and implementation phases. The SOA front end can be combined with a service emulator to form an interactive prototype of the SOA solution. The SOA front end can also be combined with a set of SOA back end components to form the SOA solution. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113386 | OBJECT CODE GENERATION FOR INCREASED DELTA PERFORMANCE - Disclosed is a method of generating updated object code of a computer program, the updated object code being suitable for the generation of an updated memory image to be loaded into a storage medium having stored thereon a current memory image corresponding to a current version of a computer program. The method comprises receiving at least one updated input code module from which the updated object code is to be generated; processing at least the updated input code module to generate at least one updated object code module adapted to be linked by a linker component as to generate the updated memory image; performing at least one optimisation process to reduce differences between said updated object code module and a corresponding one of a number of current object code modules, the number of current object code modules corresponding to the current version of said computer program. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113387 | Methods and systems for dynamically generating and optimizing code for business rules - Systems and methods are provided for generating high-level program code of a rule-based application for interpreting and executing business rules. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that comprises retrieving high-level program code capable of performing the functionality of a business rule called by the rule-based application, wherein the high-level program code includes an annotated set of instructions for the dynamic generation of generated code. The method may also comprise processing the annotated set of instructions with a generator component to create generated code from the high-level program code, mapping the generated code to the called business rule, and utilizing the generated code to execute the functionality of the called business rule. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113388 | Model Based Spreadsheet Scripting Language - Techniques for programming using a model based spreadsheet scripting language are disclosed herein, where procedural aspects may be incorporated along with the model based aspects therein. In particular, techniques for performing calculations of a value, and recalculation of interdependent formulas using programs written with the model based spreadsheet scripting language are disclosed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113389 | Interactive multimedia applications device - An interactive multimedia applications device and method for an interactive multimedia application comprises one or more live media capture devices providing a media stream, an engine comprising a real time media processing module for processing said media stream, and rendering means connected to multimedia output devices. In addition, said device comprises (i) a virtual scenario description repository adapted for storing a plurality of scenarios expressed in a scenario programming language; (ii) a memory module adapted for storing an internal representation of one of said scenarios, and an internal representation of a virtual scene and (iii) a parser/loader for parsing a selected one of said plurality of scenarios, and loading it in said memory module. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113390 | MODULE-CODE VERIFICATION LAYER TO AUTOMATICALLY VALIDATE USER INPUT - Methods and systems for verifying module codes are presented. The module code may be verified by associating the module code with a user interface screen and determining whether the module code was generated from the user interface screen. A module corresponding to the module code may be executed if the module code is verified. The module code may be verified by using routines from a user interface framework system. The module code may be verified by determining whether a user interface element associated with the module code is disabled. The module code may be verified by determining whether each user interface element associated with the module code is enabled. The module code may be verified by insuring that the module code was generated by the selection of a user interface element. The module codes may be received from a front-end system and verified on a back-end system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113391 | Software License Isolation Layer - A software development environment for developing application software for a target computing platform, having target platform licensed software components subject to target platform license terms, the development environment isolates source platform application source code for the application software from being subjected to the target platform software license terms while allowing the application source code to indirectly refer to the target platform licensed software components having the target platform license terms. A license isolation layer may include an interface definition and an implementation of the interface definition. The application source code binds to the implementation of the license isolation layer interface definition. The software development environment includes a compiler that compiles the application source code such that it is isolated from applicability of the target platform license. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113392 | DETECTING PLUG-IN AND FRAGMENT ISSUES WITH SOFTWARE PRODUCTS - The present invention comprises utility capable of detecting various issues with plug-ins and fragments in Eclipse and Eclipse-based products. In order to find issues, the utility first seeks information about the sites available in the given product. Once the sites have been located, the utility seeks information about the plug-ins and fragments in each site that are expected to resolve in the product. Once the utility has determined what particular plug-ins and fragments are expected to resolve in each site, it parses both the text and XML manifest of each candidate plug-in and fragments in order to gather the following information: Once the above information of each candidate plug-in and fragment has been gathered, the utility analyzes the particular information in details and performs a series of tests to find whether the candidate plug-ins and fragments have issues. For each issue that the utility finds, a detailed explanation regarding the particular issue, cause and details leading to resolution of the issue is provided in an interactive HTML based report which is given to the user at the end of the investigation. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113393 | REVEALING NEW ERRORS IN EDITED CODE - Under the present invention, a first (e.g., unedited) set of code will be compiled and analyzed to produce a first set of results that includes a set of errors. A second set of code, which represent an edited version of the first set of code will be compiled and analyzed to produce a set of results that includes another set of errors. Thereafter, the second set of errors will be filters so that errors appearing from the compilation and analysis of the first set of code are excluded. This filtered set of errors can than be presented to the user. The present invention will leverage, among other things, a static code analyzer and a filtering tool to achieve these results. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113394 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VALIDATING PROCESS MODELS - A method and system are described for validating process models. A process semantic model including a semantic directed graph including nodes associated with tasks and edges associated with a direction of flow of execution of the tasks may be obtained. Edges entering nodes include annotations including precondition semantic indicators associated with the entering edges and edges exiting nodes include annotations including postcondition semantic indicators associated with the exiting edges. The process semantic model may be traversed to determine a flow of execution of activities associated with the tasks based on visiting the nodes based on a depth-first traversal. A validity of execution associated with a flow of execution of the activities associated with the tasks may be determined based on checking a validity of execution status based on a semantic processing of one or more semantic annotation indicators associated with the precondition semantic indicators and the postcondition semantic indicators. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113395 | VALIDATING SOFTWARE IN A GRID ENVIRONMENT USING GHOST AGENTS - A validation method can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host, where the ghost agent can move within the grid environment. The actions of the host can be replicated by the ghost agent. Data related to the replicated actions can be compared with validation data. Validation output can be generated based upon the comparison. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113396 | Monitoring asset state to enable partial build - When an up to date state has been achieved for the inputs and outputs of a build process, an asset state indicator is set to indicate that all the inputs and outputs are up to date. Those inputs and outputs are monitored. If a change to any of the inputs and/or outputs is detected, the asset state indicator is updated to indicate that some build execution is needed. When a build request is detected, the current state of the asset state indicator is exposed. An execution sequence for targets of the build process based on dependencies between targets is determined. A starting point for a partial build is determined by determining the earliest-appearing target in the sequence that is affected by the detected changes to the inputs and outputs to the targets of the execution sequence. Executing the build process from this starting point will produce the updated outputs and return the system to the up to date state. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113397 | Dynamic, secure software tagging for software asset management with respect to deployment, configuration, and usage - A software tagging application is configured to measure software application usage within an enterprise deployment. The software tagging application using the concepts of tags, and extends the use of tags to convey monitored software usage. This usage data is written to the tag and secured with a signature calculated using public/private key cryptography. The signature ensures that the usage data collected is correct and has not been tampered with. Usage data refers to both the number of client versions of the software and specific software features installed, and any type of metric for monitoring real usage of the specific software features, for example the number of minutes used, and the start and stop times that the feature was executed. Monitoring usage in this manner provides a dynamic usage model that tracks current and historical software usage, from an enterprise-wide level down to a specific user and feature level. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113398 | MANAGING THE TRACING OF THE EXECUTION OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method and system for the management of tracing data of interest in a data processing system comprises identifying the location and length of one or more such units of interest as each unit is stored in main memory during execution of the program and recording a logical assignment of each unit of interest to a slot in a wrap around trace buffer. Copying of the units of interest to the trace buffer is deferred unless one or more predefined events occur. Such events may include an attempt to overwrite the data which has been logically assigned or a request for information stored in the trace buffer. The recorded assignments are discarded whenever it is calculated that the capacity of the trace buffer would be exceeded resulting in the corresponding units never needing to be copied to the trace buffer. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113399 | Device, System and Method of Debugging Computer Programs - Device, system, and method of debugging computer programs. For example, a method for debugging computer programs includes: locating a bug in a computer program based on a first score corresponding to a first instrumentation location of the computer program and a second score corresponding to a second instrumentation location of the computer program. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113400 | Device, System and method of Profiling Computer Programs - Device, system, and method of profiling computer programs. For example, a method for profiling computer programs includes: profiling a program statement associated with a machine-readable comment indicating an expectation by a programmer of a runtime behavior of the program statement. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113401 | USING ANNOTATIONS TO REUSE VARIABLE DECLARATIONS TO GENERATE DIFFERENT SERVICE FUNCTIONS - Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for using annotations to reuse variable declarations to generate different service functions. A declaration file has variable declarations in a first programming language environment for use by application functions. The declaration file includes a plurality of sets of annotations for a plurality of service functions. Each of the sets of annotations identifies variables in the declaration file to use with one of the service functions. The declaration file is processed to generate one of the service functions. The set of annotations in the declaration file for the service function to generate is determined. The determined set of annotations is processed to determine variables to include with the service function to generate. The determined variables from the declaration file are used to generate the service function. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113402 | SERVER-BASED CODE COMPILATION - A server is disclosed that includes an interface to a data communication network, a compiler library that stores a plurality of different compilers, and compiler selection logic responsive to data received at the interface and including logic. The compiler selection logic is configured to select one of the plurality of different compilers based on an evaluation of the received data. The selected compiler generates compiled output data and the compiled output data is communicated over the data communication network to a client. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113403 | Replacing no operations with auxiliary code - A machine code computer program may comprise machine code directed to a main task and may contain no operations (NOPs). Some or all of the NOPs may be replaced with auxiliary code. Alternatively, the machine code computer program may be generated with auxiliary code where the NOPs would otherwise be. In some implementations, additional auxiliary code may also be provided in the machine code computer program. The auxiliary code and additional auxiliary code may comprise instructions that provide additional information about the machine code computer program in which they reside and its execution, but otherwise may act as NOPs with regard to the functionality of the machine code computer program. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113404 | Optimum code generation method and compiler device for multiprocessor - A method of generating optimum parallel codes from a source code for a computer system configured of plural processors that share a cache memory or a main memory is provided. A preset code is read and operation amounts and process contents are analyzed while distinguishing dependence and independence among processes from the code. Then, the amount of data to be reused among processes is analyzed, and the amount of data that accesses the main memory is analyzed. Further, upon the reception of a parallel code generation policy inputted by a user, the processes of the code are divided, and while estimating an execution cycle from the operation amount and process contents thereof, the cache use of the reuse data, and the main memory access data amount, a parallelization method with which the execution cycle becomes shortest is executed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113405 | RECONFIGURABLE COPROCESSOR ARCHITECTURE TEMPLATE FOR NESTED LOOPS AND PROGRAMMING TOOL - The architectures derived from the proposed template are integrated in a generic System on Chip (SoC) and consist of reconfigurable coprocessors for executing nested program loops whose bodies are expressions of operations performed in a functional unit array in parallel. The data arrays are accessed from one or more system inputs and from an embedded memory array in parallel. The processed data arrays are sent back to the memory array or to system outputs. The architectures enable the acceleration of nested loops compared to execution on a standard processor, where only one operation or datum access can be performed at a time. The invention can be used in a number of applications especially those which involve digital signal processing, such as multimedia and communications. The architectures are used preferably in conjunction with von Neumann processors which are better at implementing control flow. The architectures can be scaled easily in the number of data stream inputs, outputs, embedded memories, functional units and configuration registers. A computational system may entail several general purpose processors and several coprocessors derived from this architectural template. The coprocessors are connected either synchronously or using asynchronous first in first out memories (FIFOs), forming a globally asynchronous locally synchronous system. Each coprocessor can be programmed by tagging and rewriting the nested loops in the original program. The programming tool produces a coprocessor configuration per each nested loop group, which is replaced in the original code with coprocessor input/output operations and control. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113406 | SINGLE STREAM PROCESSING WITH MULTI-VERSION SUPPORT OF APPLICATION OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS - A method is provided for developing a software module including support for multiple versions of an operating environment. The method includes determining a first set of references associated with a first version of an application operating environment. A second set of references associate with a second version of the computing environment is determined. A first class loader is associated with the first version of the computing environment. A second class loader is associated with the second version of the computing environment. The method also includes encapsulating the first set of references, the second set of references, the first class loader, and the second class loader in a software module, wherein the second set of references are obscured from the first class loader. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113407 | MANAGING SOFTWARE LIFECYCLE - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing software lifecycle. Based on declarative models and knowledge of their interpretation, embodiments of the present invention facilitate lifecycle management for model-based software applications. Lifecycle models, such as, for example, lifecycle state machine models are stored in a shared repository such that executive services can determine how software application lifecycles are to be managed and transitioned. Software lifecycle activities can verify that a transition is possible and identify any errors preventing a lifecycle transition. Model-based error handling and error recovery mechanisms can be used to correct any identified errors. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113408 | SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION IN CLUSTER - A machine, cluster, computer program product and method for choosing an attribute, based on an occurrence of a predetermined event, to be used in a machine of a cluster that includes plural machines. The method includes storing a runtime variable and a configuration variable for each machine of the cluster, selecting, upon the occurrence of the predetermined event, an attribute from a first list of at least one attribute included in the runtime variable in the cluster, accessing, if the runtime variable is not available, the configuration variable, where the configuration variable includes a second list of at least one attribute and selecting an attribute from the second list, and using the selected attribute in the machine. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113409 | System and Method For Updating Software Using Updated Data From External Sources - A system and method for automatically updating reference values includes a processing device configured to execute a software application. The software application employs one or more dynamic data items which change as a function of time. A memory device is configured to store at least one table including the one or more dynamic data items which change as a function of time. An update mechanism is configured to check one or more external information sources for current values of the one or more dynamic data items and update the one or more dynamic data items in the at least one table such that upon execution of the software application a most recently updated value is employed for the one or more dynamic data items. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113410 | TECHNIQUES FOR UPGRADE DEPENDENCY MANAGEMENT - Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for managing dependencies between data upgrade files included in an application upgrade. According to one set of embodiments, the data upgrade files are grouped into functional upgrade groups. A dependency hierarchy for the functional upgrade groups is then created based on dependencies between the data upgrade files. The dependency hierarchy provides a high-level, functional view of the overall dependency flow of an upgrade. In various embodiments, this allows for greater insight into existing and potential dependency issues, leading to more robust and efficient upgrades. In further embodiments, an upgrade tracking system is provided. The upgrade tracking system is configured to track and report detailed analytics related to an upgrade run. In various embodiments, the upgrade tracking system may leverage the grouping of data upgrade files into functional upgrade groups to provide intelligent reporting at a functional level. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113411 | UPGRADE TRACKING SYSTEM - An upgrade tracking system for tracking aspects of an application upgrade. In various embodiments, the update tracking system includes a statistics collection component configured to collect statistics related an execution of the application upgrade, where the application upgrade includes a plurality of data upgrade files, and where the plurality of data upgrade files are organized into a plurality of functional upgrade groups. The system further includes a timing component configured to report execution timings related to the execution of the application upgrade, and a status component configured to track statuses related to the execution of the application upgrade. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113412 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOL - A method and apparatus for synchronizing a file between a sender and a receiver. The sender comprises a base version of the file and optionally one or more delta files. The receiver issues a request to get updates for the file and indicates a unique ID associated with the version available at the receiver. The sender determines the version available to the receiver, and updates the receiver with all delta files accumulated since the receiver received the last update of the file. If the version of the receiver is older than the base version, then the base version and all delta files are sent to the receiver. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113413 | Offline Upgrades - A system and method upgrade software applications offline using a virtual machine. Software applications used by actual customer machines may rely upon customer specific data and protocols. An upgraded version of a software application may become available. The upgrade may be loaded onto a virtual machine. Customer specific data or protocols associated with a previous version of the application may be copied to the virtual machine. The upgraded version may be modified on the virtual machine using the data associated with the previous version. The upgrade process using the virtual machine may detect and eliminate problems with the upgrade associated with the customer machine and/or settings. Once modified, the upgraded version may be transferred from the virtual machine to the customer machine. The upgrade process may be performed primarily on the virtual machine. Therefore, the downtime of the customer machine required to complete the upgrade process may be substantially reduced. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113414 | Computer administration deployment system - One or more target computers have a supervisor-responsive program which permits remote administration by a supervisory computer's administrative website, and permits configuration, control and software management by an administrator through a supervisory computer accessible through a supervisory computer's administrative website. The supervisory computer allows administrators to login and manage which of one or more target computers should have security products provided by the supervisory computer. The supervisory computer's administrative website also delivers information about the effectiveness of the installed security products. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113415 | SYSTEM FOR IMPORTING CALENDAR DATA FROM A COMPUTER SCREEN INTO A CALENDAR APPLICATION - An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for performing calendaring and reminder activities for a computer user. The method includes analyzing text displayed on a computer screen, identifying calendar parameters resulting from the analysis, creating a calendar entry record that includes a source of the calendar parameters, pasting the calendar parameters into the calendar entry record, and automatically storing the calendar entry record in a calendar application without opening the calendar application. Calendar parameters include at least one of a date, a time, a meeting type, and a subject. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113416 | Installation of updated software for server components - A target server is queried to build an inventory of components installed within the target server. The target server has a boot process by which it is employed within a production environment. Updated software is received for each component from an update server, based on the inventory built. The boot process is configured so that the target server installs the updated software for each component the next time it boots, instead of being employed within the production environment. The target server is caused to boot such that it installs the updated software for each component. Upon completion of the target server installing the update software for each component, the boot process is reconfigured so that the next time the target server boots it is again employed within the production environment. The target server is again caused to boot such that it is again employed within the production environment. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113417 | MULTIPLE USER CONTROL OF A DOWN LOADABLE APPLICATION - Control of an operation of a multimedia terminal by an application, for example, a game or interactive television module, using remote control input signal is provided. An application is downloaded (S | 2009-04-30 |
20090113418 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESPONSIVE EXECUTION OF A PLATFORM-INDEPENDENT PROGRAM ON A COMPUTING PLATFORM THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROVISIONED - Apparatus and methods are disclosed that download a vanguard-installation-bundle to a computing platform responsive to a set of platform characteristics of the computing platform. The vanguard-installation-bundle includes executable data that includes a platform-dependent set of executable data and a platform-independent set of executable data. The platform-dependent set of executable data is configured to enable execution of the platform-independent set of executable data by the computing platform. The platform-independent set of executable data includes an application program and a sufficient library. The sufficient library is a subset of a reference library. The platform-dependent set of executable data is also configured to invoke installation of the reference library on the computing platform. The method automatically executes the platform-dependent set of executable data on the computing platform and also automatically invokes installation of the reference library on the computing platform. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113419 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A LIGHT WEIGHT SERVER INSTALLER - In one embodiment a light weight server installer is provided which enables a user to install a Java Platform Enterprise Edition compatible application server with no additional functionality. The user can then select the functionality he or she requires and the light weight server installer installs only the components necessary to implement the selected functionality. In another embodiment the user uses a graphical user interface to make his or her selections. In another embodiment the light weight server installer is an internet installer, enabling the user to download over the internet only the components necessary to implement the selected functionality. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113420 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING A VIRTUALIZED COMPUTE CLUSTER AS AN EXECUTION ENGINE FOR A VIRTUAL MACHINE OF A STORAGE SYSTEM CLUSTER - A system and method employs one or more clients of a virtualized compute cluster as an execution engine for a portion of a storage operating system implemented as a virtual machine on a storage system node of a storage system cluster. If there is processing bandwidth of a client that is not fully utilized and the load on the storage system node is high, the portion of the storage operating system is ported to the client of the compute cluster in a manner that externally distributes the storage architecture from the storage system cluster. Advantageously, the processing performance of the storage system cluster is improved by, among other things, offloading some of the network processing load from the storage system node. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113421 | USING SMART OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are processes and devices that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver reads data that indicates that a resource conservation setting is to be selected for a virtual object in a virtual universe. The virtual resource conserver selects the resource conservation setting for the displayed virtual object. The resource conservation setting comprises data that describes a displayable characteristic about the virtual object, which can be reduced in display quality. The virtual resource conserver reduces the display quality of the virtual object in accordance with the selected resource conservation setting, thus conserving computing resources. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113422 | DYNAMIC ALLOCATION OF VIRTUAL MACHINE DEVICES - Systems and methods for efficient dynamic allocation of virtual machine resources are described herein. At least some illustrative embodiments include a method including executing virtual machine software on a real computer system (the virtual machine software including a hypervisor and a virtual machine including a plurality of virtual devices), associating each of the plurality of virtual devices with a unique subset of a real device within the real computer system, the hypervisor sending to virtual firmware within the virtual machine a request to eject that requires ejecting from the virtual machine one or more of the plurality of virtual devices, a virtual device resource object within the virtual firmware forwarding the request to eject to a virtual device resource driver executing on the virtual machine, and the virtual device resource driver causing individual ejections of each of the one or more virtual devices in response to the forwarded request. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113423 | Interchangeable Guest and Host Execution Environments - Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems, apparati, computer program products and other tangible realizations of techniques to support interchange of role for guest and host operating system instances executed (or executable) within a virtualization system. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention is a method operating a computer system, the method comprising: (a) selecting a first operating system image from amongst plural operating system images accessible to a hardware machine; (b) booting the hardware machine using the first operating system image and executing code thereof as a host operating system; (c) providing a virtualization environment and instantiating therein a virtual machine using configuration data descriptive of a particular system virtualized, wherein the configuration data is stored separately from the first operating system image; and (d) loading from a second one of the operating system images, a guest operating system and executing code thereof in connection with the instantiated virtual machine. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113424 | Transparent VMM-Assisted User-Mode Execution Control Transfer - A virtual-machine-based system provides a control-transfer mechanism to invoke a user-mode application handler from existing virtual hardware directly, without going through an operating system kernel running in the virtual machine. A virtual machine monitor calls directly to the guest user-mode handler and the handler transfers control back to the virtual machine monitor, without involving the guest operating system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113425 | Transparent Memory-Mapped Emulation of I/O Calls - A virtual-machine-based system provides a mechanism to implement application file I/O operations of protected data by implementing the I/O operations semantics in a shim layer with memory-mapped regions. The semantics of these I/O operations are emulated in a shim layer with memory-mapped regions by using a mapping between a process' address space and a file or shared memory object. Data that is protected from viewing by a guest OS running in a virtual machine may nonetheless be accessed by the process. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113426 | VIRTUAL COMPUTER SYSTEM MANAGING SCHEDULE FOR ALLOCATING CPU TO GUEST OSes AND GUEST OS SCHEDULING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a virtual machine manager (VMM) virtualizes hardware including a CPU to construct a plurality of virtual machines. A plurality of guest OSes are executed on the respective virtual machines. A detector included in VMM detects a change in the operating frequency of CPU. A scheduler is included in VMM. If a change in operating frequency is detected, and the operating frequency decreases below a prescribed frequency, the scheduler performs scheduling so as to increase a time for which the CPU is to be allocated to one or more predetermined particular guest OSes of the plurality of guest OSes. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113427 | Program Management Effectiveness - The present invention provides for a system and method for consistently evaluating program management effectiveness against established or historical benchmarks, involving defining specific performance areas by subfactors, weighting the subfactors, scoring the subfactors, and totaling all weighted subfactor scores to obtain a performance area score. By evaluating all performance area scores, a composite score for an evaluated program may be obtained. Scores may be compared to historical values and optimized based on such values. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113428 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A LOCATION-BASED, DISTRIBUTED TO-DO LIST - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates a location-based, distributed to-do list. During operation, the system receives a request at a task-management system to create a task, wherein the request specifies a location for the task and an assignee for the task. In response to the request, the system creates the task. Next, the system receives a status update at the task management system, wherein the status update indicates a location of the assignee. Finally, when the location of the assignee substantially matches the location for the task, the system sends the task to the assignee. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113429 | Processing Signals in a Wireless Network - Systems are described that reduce or obviate the impact of limited processing resources and/or limit the power consumption in a receiver having signal processing functions at least partially implemented in software. A wireless receiver includes reception means for receiving a signal over a wireless channel in a wireless external environment. The receiver includes storage means, and a processor configured to perform a plurality of signal processing functions for extracting processed data from said signal, each of said signal processing functions having a plurality of alternative software implementations requiring different levels of usage of a processing resource. The processor estimates at least one parameter relating to the external environment and selects and executes one of the software alternatives for each of the respective signal processing functions to apply a set of implementations adapted to a required quality of said processed data. Related methods and computer program products are described. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113430 | HARDWARE DEVICE INTERFACE SUPPORTING TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION - A hardware device interface supporting transaction authentication is described herein. At least some illustrative embodiments include a device, including an interconnect interface, and processing logic (coupled to the bus interface) that provides access to a plurality of functions of the device through the interconnect interface. A first transaction received by the device, and associated with a function of the plurality of functions, causes a request identifier within the first transaction to be assigned to the function. Access to the function is denied if a request identifier of a second transaction, subsequent to the first transaction, does not match the request identifier assigned to the function. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113431 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING PARTICIPATION IN A DISTRIBUTED TRANSACTION - A method and system for determining whether a plurality of participants who are participating in a distributed transaction have registered their intention to commit their part of the transaction with a transaction manager, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a message from a participant, the message comprising a character sequence identifying the participant and the part of the transaction which the participant is processing; analyzing the character sequence to determine whether the character sequence further comprises an identifier for identifying whether a subsequent message is to be received by a second participant; and in dependence on the identifier identifying that there are no further subsequent messages to be received, informing each of the participants to commit their part of the transaction. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113432 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING A MULTI-QUEUE SCHEDULER USING A SINGLE QUEUE ON A PROCESSOR - A method and system for scheduling tasks on a processor, the tasks being scheduled by an operating system to run on the processor in a predetermined order, the method comprising identifying and creating task groups of all related tasks; assigning the tasks in the task groups into a single common run-queue; selecting a task at the start of the run-queue; determining if the task at the start of the run-queue is eligible to be run based on a pre-defined timeslice allocated and on the presence of older starving tasks on the runqueue; executing the task in the pre-defined time slice; associating a starving status to all unexecuted tasks and running all until all tasks in the run-queue complete execution and the run-queue become empty. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113433 | THREAD CLASSIFICATION SUSPENSION - The exemplary embodiments provide a computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-usable program code for managing memory. A notice of a shortage of real memory is received. For each active thread, the thread classification of the active thread is compared to a global hierarchy of thread classifications to determine a thread to affect. The global hierarchy of thread classifications defines the relative importance of each thread classification. An action to take for the determined thread is determined. The determined action is performed for the determined thread. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113434 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAPID RESOURCE SCHEDULING IN A COMPUTE FARM - Disclosed herein is a method for scheduling computing jobs for a compute farm. The method includes: receiving a plurality of computing jobs at a scheduler; assigning a signature to each computing job based on at least one computing resource requirement of the computing job; storing each computing job in a signature classification corresponding to the signature of the computing job; and scheduling at least one of the plurality of computing jobs for processing in the compute farm as a function of the signature classification. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113435 | INTEGRATED BACKUP WITH CALENDAR - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for automatically scheduling execution of a process using information in a calendar. Entries in a set of electronic calendars associated with a set of users are analyzed to generate expected computer usage patterns for the set of users. A low usage time interval for a computer is identified using the expected computer usage patterns. The low usage time interval for the computer is a time interval when expected usage of the computer by the set of users does not exceed a threshold amount of usage. The process is automatically executed during the low usage time interval. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113436 | Techniques for switching threads within routines - Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for switching threads within routines. A controller routine receives a request from an originating routine to execute a coroutine, and executes the coroutine on an initial thread. The controller routine receives a response back from the coroutine when the coroutine exits based upon a return statement. Upon return, the coroutine indicates a subsequent thread that the coroutine should be executed on when the coroutine is executed a subsequent time. The controller routine executes the coroutine the subsequent time on the subsequent thread. The coroutine picks up execution at a line of code following the return statement. Multiple return statements can be included in the coroutine, and the threads can be switched multiple times using this same approach. Graphical user interface logic and worker thread logic can be co-mingled into a single routine. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113437 | TRANSLATING DECLARATIVE MODELS - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for translating declarative models. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate processing declarative models to perform various operations on applications, such as, for example, application deployment, application updates, application control such as start and stop, application monitoring by instrumenting the applications to emit events, and so on. Declarative models of applications are processed and realized onto a target environment, after which they can be executed, controlled, and monitored. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113438 | OPTIMIZATION OF JOB DISTRIBUTION ON A MULTI-NODE COMPUTER SYSTEM - A method and apparatus optimizes job and data distribution on a multi-node computing system. A job scheduler distributes jobs and data to compute nodes according to priority and other resource attributes to ensure the most critical work is done on the nodes that are quickest to access and with less possibility of node communication failure. In a tree network configuration, the job scheduler distributes critical jobs and data to compute nodes that are located closest to the I/O nodes. Other resource attributes include network utilization, constant data state, and class routing. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113439 | Method and Apparatus for Processing Data - Methods and apparatuses for processing data are provided. In one embodiment, a data processing operation which is assigned a predefined maximum duration is started. The progress of the data processing operation is checked at a predefined point in time and a priority of the data processing operation is changed on the basis of the progress of the data processing operation. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113440 | Multiple Queue Resource Manager - In one embodiment, a multiple queue resource manage includes a number of queues in communication with at least one thread. The queues are coupled to each of a corresponding number of clients and operable to receive messages from its respective client. The at least one thread is coupled to a processor configured in a computing system and operable to alternatively process a specified quantity of the messages from each of the plurality of queues. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113441 | Registering a resource that delegates commit voting - A computer system and storage medium that, in an embodiment, receive an allocation request for a resource and registers the resource as a non-voting participant if the resource desires to delegate commit voting to another resource. The registered resource is then prohibited from participating in an enclosing transactional context and instead is informed when the transaction completes. The resource is enlisted as a voting participant if the resource does not desire to delegate commit voting. In this way, when multiple resources are used in a transaction, a resource may be registered and receive notifications of transaction completion instead of being enlisted and voting on commit decisions. The result of a transaction in which a single resource takes responsibility for a number of other resources is that transaction completion avoids the two-phase commit protocol and the resulting performance degradation. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113442 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DISTRIBUTING A PLURALITY OF JOBS TO A PLURALITY OF COMPUTERS - Method and system for providing a mechanism for determining an optimal workload distribution, from a plurality of candidate workload distributions, each of which has been determined to optimize a particular aspect of a workload-scheduling problem. More particularly, the preferred embodiment determines a workload distribution based on resource selection policies. From this workload distribution, the preferred embodiment optionally determines a workload distribution based on job priorities. From either or both of the above parameters, the preferred embodiment determines a workload distribution based on a total prioritized weight parameter. The preferred embodiment also determines a workload distribution which attempts to match the previously determined candidate workload distributions to a goal distribution. Similarly, the preferred embodiment calculates a further workload distribution which attempts to maximize job throughput. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113443 | Transactional Memory Computing System with Support for Chained Transactions - A computing system processes memory transactions for parallel processing of multiple threads of execution provides execution of multiple atomic instruction groups (AIGs) on multiple systems to support a single large transaction that requires operations on multiple threads of execution and/or on multiple systems connected by a network. The support provides a Transaction Table in memory and fast detection of potential conflicts between multiple transactions. Special instructions may mark the boundaries of a transaction and identify memory locations applicable to a transaction. A ‘private to transaction’ (PTRAN) tag, directly addressable as part of the main data storage memory location, enables a quick detection of potential conflicts with other transactions that are concurrently executing on another thread. The tag indicates whether (or not) a data entry in memory is part of a speculative memory state of an uncommitted transaction that is currently active in the system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113444 | Application Management - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes executing one or more computer applications and ranking the applications according to one or more criteria that change in response to a user's interaction with the applications. State information for certain of the one or more applications is saved and one or more applications are terminated in response to a memory condition. Subsequently, one of the terminated applications is revived using the saved state information. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113445 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCALIZING ASSETS USING AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF ALERTS - A system and method for managing localization workflow for video game development is disclosed. The method includes programmatically determining that a string has been added to or modified in an executable asset of a video game under development. The method further includes programmatically inspecting the executable asset to determine whether the string is to be visually displayed or audibly played during game play. The method further includes programmatically generating an electronic message for a translator based at least partly on a positive determination that there is a string to be translated, wherein the electronic message is intended to notify the translator of a translation task associated with at least the text to be translated. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113446 | METHOD FOR CREATING ADAPTIVE DISTRIBUTIONS - A method to dynamically create an adaptive distribution list through an application of a combination of mathematical, logical and/or programmable operations to existing static distribution lists or user directories. This list is created as part of the information message sent to the entries on the distribution list. In this invention, the user or sender does not need to interface with the Group creation modification tool. Another feature of the invention is that the newly created distribution lists can be temporarily or permanently saved as designed by the sender. This invention eliminates the need to separately create distribution and then send messages to the entries on the distribution list. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113447 | CLIENT-SIDE SELECTION OF A SERVER - A method, system, and computer program product for performing network device management and client load distribution to a number of the Common Information Model Object Manager (CIMOM) servers via a network path. A client-side server selection (CSS) utility allows a client to choose the ideal server to fulfill a CIM request message. The client transmits the CIM request message to the CIMOM server based on service response time information utilized by the CSS utility. The CIM request message is forwarded to a CIM provider for processing. The provider returns a CIM response message to the CIMOM and a service response time is generated. Thereafter, the CIMOM returns the CIM response message to the client. At a preset time period, a Service Location Protocol (SLP) advertise generation facility initiates a multicast of the service response time information (from all network CIMOM servers) to the CSS utility. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113448 | SATISFYING A REQUEST FOR AN ACTION IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - A method for satisfying a request for an action in a virtual world includes permitting a user to request a first action for an avatar in the virtual world, wherein the avatar corresponds to the user. The method may also include determining if the first action is unavailable for the user's avatar at the time of the request. The method may additionally include permitting a user's avatar to perform another action while the first action is unavailable for the user's avatar. The method may yet additionally include determining if the first action becomes available for the user's avatar. The method may further include notifying the user that the first action is available for the user's avatar in response to the first action being determined to be available. The method may yet further include allowing the user to accept the first action. And the method may include allowing the user's avatar to perform the first action in response to the user accepting the first action. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113449 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING AND PROCESSING DYNAMIC PROXY ACTIONS FOR ACTIONS THAT ARE NOT YET REGISTERED WITH A CLIENT SIDE BROKER - A system using proxy actions to handle requests for actions that are not yet registered with a broker. When an action request is received and the action is not registered in the broker, a proxy action object is created and stored on a proxy action queue. Proxy action objects stored on the queue are read periodically and a check is made as to whether the actions they refer to have been registered yet. If an action for a queued proxy action object has been registered, the action request represented by the proxy action object delivered to the appropriate service provider component. If a proxy action object remains on the proxy action queue without the corresponding action being registered before a corresponding proxy action queue element lifetime timer expires, the proxy action object is removed from the proxy action queue without the action being performed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113450 | Adaptive Prevention of Data Loss During Continuous Event Tracing with Limited Buffer Size - This invention describes how to avoid data loss due to limited buffer size during continuous tracing of high frequency events such as branches. Buffer data loss is adaptively avoided by either temporarily patching an instruction with a jump to itself or by using delay loops with an adaptive number of iterations during exception handling in which the trace event is written to the buffer. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113451 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113452 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113453 | System and Method for Consolidated Information Handling System Component Drivers - An information handling system which includes plural processing components operable to process information wherein at least one processing component has plural region-specific modes of operation, a driver package associated with the at least one processing component wherein the driver package has plural region-specific drivers, and an encrypted key stored on a processing component wherein the encrypted key designates one of the plural region-specific drivers to manage the processing component. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113454 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TESTING BRIDGE SAS CHANNELS - A system and a method of testing bridge SAS channels includes a control terminal, a hot-plug bridge interface, a first adaptor, an SAS back plate, and a second adaptor. The control terminal selects an SAS interface as a transmission path for sending a test signal. The hot-plug bridge interface receives and converts the test signal sent from the control terminal. The hot-plug bridge interface has a hot-plug function. The first adaptor is connected to the hot-plug bridge interface and the SAS back plate. The second adaptor is connected between the SAS back plate and a terminal unit. The control terminal sends the test signal and detects a signal under test sent back from the terminal unit, and compares whether they are consistent with each other or not. In this way, the control terminal determines whether the SAS interfaces in the SAS back plate run normally or not. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113455 | Network card testing method - A network card testing method, used to test if the network card is capable of functioning normally in a computer having Extended Firmware Interface (EFI) system. Wherein, in a protocol assignment table is recorded the connection relations of a network protocol of Extended Firmware Interface, and a driver program corresponding to a network driver interface specification (NDIS) layer. In addition, the driver corresponding to the network card is loaded at the NDIS layer. In implementing the network card test program, though the utilization of an additionally written EFI pseudo program as a medium of transmitting data for the network card testing program, and also though the utilization of an additionally written intermediate filter driver in invoking a driver suitable for the network card, the hardware testing of network card can be realized, thus increasing the category and scope of the network card testing supported by an EFI system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113456 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND APPLICATION PROGRAM SWITCHING METHOD THEREOF - An application program switching method for an electronic device having a first body and a second body is provided. A relative position of the first body and the second body is changed from a first state to a second state to activate a second application program while an external message is received during a first application program being executed, and an image displayed by the electronic device is switched from an executing frame of the first application program to an executing frame of the second application program for replying the external message via a keyboard of the second body. Next, the relative position of the first body and the second body is changed from the second state to the first state, and the image displayed by the electronic device is switched from the executing frame of the second application program to the executing frame of the first application program. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113457 | PERFORMING REQUESTED COMMANDS FOR MODEL-BASED APPLICATIONS - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for performing requested commands for model-based applications. Embodiments of the invention permit efficient implementation of operations for model-based applications. Since drivers that are to implement an operation request data for implementing the operation, embodiments significantly reduce the likelihood of superfluous data being exchanged between an executive service and drivers. Further, if an operation is interrupted before implementation is complete, the operation can be resumed without having to re-perform already completed portions of the operation. Additionally, a user can be regularly updated on the progress of their commands. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113458 | Controlling hardware across two or more simultaneously running operating systems - A computing device has two or more software stacks, each stack simultaneously running a different operating system. Only one enabled operating system at a time has control of hardware resources of the computing device. Each disabled operating system has its device drivers disabled. The drivers may be disabled by stopping device driver messages to devices at a firmware layer unassociated with any operating system. The drivers may be disabled by having their associated operating system dynamically unload them when the operating system is disabled. In some instances, the drivers may be modified to include a “stop” control that tells the driver to stop communicating with its associated device, and a “resume” control that tells the driver to resume communication. When an operating system is disabled, the operating system may send a “stop” message to its device drivers. Drivers associated with messages passed between operating systems may remain enabled. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113459 | Communicating with devices in an ATM - A method of operating a self-service terminal is described, along with software for performing the method. The self-service terminal has a number of service providers installed on it. According to the method, a call from a self-service terminal application to open a session with a service provider is received by a manager module. The call includes details of a device related parameter, such as a logical service name or device class. Those service providers which can support the device related parameter are identified and then queried to determine if an associated device is present. Based on the results of the query, one of the service providers is selected and a session is opened between the self-service terminal application and the selected service provider module. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113460 | Systems and methods for providing a generic interface in a communications environment - Systems and methods for providing a generic interface in a communications environment are provided. A communications services interface may receive a first and second application function call specifying a first and second communications channel, respectively. The first and second communications channels may utilize a first and second communications protocol, respectively, to communicate over a network. The communications services interface may send a first protocol command and a second protocol command to control communications over the first and second communications channels, respectively. The first and the second protocol commands may be responsive to the first and second application function calls, respectively. The second application function call may have a same syntax as the first application function call, and the second communications protocol may be different than the first communications protocol. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113461 | INVOKING REQUEST PROCESSING METHOD IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM, DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM AND SERVER - An invoking request processing method in distributed system. The method makes a judgment according to the interface performance of an invoking object, and transforming an invoking request being sent to an intermediate object into a transferring request, which makes the intermediate object only needing to perform the transferring operation for the invoking request. The actual implemental object directly returns the result to the requesting party. And an corresponding distributed system, distributed server and object implementing module are provided. The requesting party may directly obtain the implement result from the actual implemental object by launching only one invocation, which enhanced the requesting efficiency. Meanwhile the intermediate object only needs to implement the transferring interface, which simplifies the development difficulty of the intermediate object. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113462 | OPTICAL DISC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is an optical disc apparatus wherein, in order that a flexible printed circuit board that connects a printed circuit board provided on the moving unit of the apparatus which includes a tray to a printed circuit board provided on the fixed unit of the apparatus is prevented from being caught between the bottom case of the apparatus and the bottom cover of the moving unit during the slide-in movement of the tray, convex portions are provided on the inner surface of the top cover that covers the top surface side of the apparatus such that the convex portions are directly opposite or directly above the flexible printed circuit board during the slide-in/slide-out movements of the tray and such that the convex portions are positioned further outwardly from the outer circumference of an optical disc with respect to the rotation center of the optical disc upon completion of the slide-in movement of the tray, and the convex portions guide or slide part of the flexible printed circuit board along the tip end surfaces of the convex portions in the direction of the slide-in movement of the tray when the part of the flexible printed circuit board comes into contact with the inner surface of the top cover during the slide-in movement of the tray. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113463 | Optical Disk Reproducing Device - The present invention is directed to an optical disk reproducing device including an external optical disk drive and a detachable module. The external optical disk drive reproduces data from the optical disk. The detachable module has an audio output or video output connector. Besides, the external optical disk drive has a first connector and the detachable module has a corresponding second connector. The detachable module is connected with an audio output device or a video output device via the audio output connector or the video output connector respectively. After data is processed in the external disk drive, the data is sent to the control chip for further processing. The data processed by the control chip is sent to the audio output device or the video output device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113464 | Fly Height And Slider Protrusion Measurement - An apparatus for measuring a distance such as, for example, a fly height distance. An apparatus includes a slider having an air bearing surface and an optical condenser assembly spaced apart from the air bearing surface of the slider. The optical condenser assembly includes an optical cap and an optical substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is spaced apart from the optical cap and the second surface is spaced apart from the air bearing surface of the slider. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113465 | Electronic Apparatus and Optical Disk Drive - According to one embodiment, an optical disc drive includes a disc tray, a cover, an advancing/retreating mechanism, a driving unit and an optical head. The cover includes a flat plate portion, an opening portion, wall portions and an opening part. The flat plate portion is opposed to a surface of the disc tray and has a frame shape corresponding to respective side portions of the disc tray. The opening portion is provided in a central part of the flat plate portion. The wall portions erect from outer peripheral parts of the flat plate portion and surround a periphery of the disc tray excluding a front part of the disc tray. The opening part is formed in a manner to open a region opposed to another surface of the disc tray. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113466 | System, Method and Computer Program Product for Evaluating Media Streams - A method for evaluating a media stream, the method includes: calculating, for each user out of multiple users and in response to media stream commands generated by the user, a user viewing value; wherein the user viewing value represents a relative part of the media stream viewed by the user; and determining an interest value of the media stream in response to user viewing values of each of the multiple users. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113467 | Apparatus and Method for Managing Media Content - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3 | 2009-04-30 |
20090113468 | System and method for creation and management of advertising inventory using metadata - The invention is directed to a system and method for the creation and management of advertising inventory utilizing associated metadata. The system generally includes a media streaming system that is used with a video player in connection with the playback of at least one audio/video work. The media streaming system includes a media distribution system that supplies metadata associated with the audio/video work to the video player. The metadata has a hierarchical taxonomy that defines a plurality of attributes associated with one or more objects present in the audio/video work. The system also includes an ad inventory engine that determines available ad inventory based on the metadata and matches the available inventory with advertisement data based on the hierarchical taxonomy. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113469 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING BROADCAST-RELATED INFORMATION AND DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A method for providing broadcast-related information and a display apparatus using the method are provided. The method for providing broadcast-related information receiving additional information regarding a broadcast contained in a broadcast signal from a broadcast receiving apparatus, acquiring broadcast-related information from a connected network using the additional information, and displaying the acquired broadcast-related information. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with richer broadcast-related information without any additional effort. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113470 | CONTENT MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS AND VIDEO APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A content management method and a broadcast receiving apparatus and a video apparatus using the method are provided. The content management method of the broadcast receiving apparatus includes receiving content satisfying content receiving conditions input by a user among content stored in an external apparatus wirelessly connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and storing the received content. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113471 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING UPDATES TO NOTIFICATION SESSION IN IP DATACAST - Systems and methods of signaling changes and updates associated with the default notification channels in a non-time sliced way are provided. A default notification channel event is signaled to a terminal. The signaling includes a reference to the relevant default notification channel, a timestamp, and/or a version number/counter. A comparison is made between a stored timestamp and/or version number/counter with the timestamp and/or version number/counter indicated in the signaling. A more recent timestamp and/or version number/counter prompts the terminal to tune in to the default notification channel to process the default notification channel event. The signaling can be performed using Program Specific Information/Service Information (PSI/SI), which is non-time-sliced and is received by all terminals. Additionally, the PSI/SI signaling is effectuated by creating descriptors in existing notification/network information tables and/or by creating a dedicated notification signaling table. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113472 | System and Method of Delivering Personal Video Content - A method of delivering personal video content via a video head-end office is provided that includes receiving a personal video content upload request at a notification server from a first set-top box device. The personal video content upload request relates to personal video content to be uploaded from the first set-top box device. The method also includes receiving a personal video content sharing request at the notification server from the first set-top box device. The personal video content sharing request identifies a second set-top box device designated to receive the uploaded personal video content. In addition, the method includes sending notification information from the notification server to the second set-top box device. The notification information indicates a first option to store the uploaded personal video content at a data storage device and a second option to stream the uploaded personal video content to the second set-top box device upon selection of the second option. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113473 | NAVIGATION IN DATA SETS WITH NON-UNIFORM FIELDS - The present invention provides methods for navigation in data sets that can contain non-uniform fields. In one embodiment, data sets are defined by horizontal and vertical axes, and horizontal and vertical bias lines are calculated to determine which field is highlighted in response to vertical or horizontal navigation of the data set. In response to a user's navigation, at least one bias line is recalculated. Additional axes, for example a z-axis, and corresponding additional bias lines can be implemented. The invention can be practiced as an interactive program guide for a subscription television service. The fields of the program guide may not be uniform because programs listed in the program guide may have variable start times and/or durations, or because channel information may be redundant. The invention provides more predictable navigation within an interactive program guide. By reversing navigation movements, a user returns to a previously highlighted field. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113474 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DISTINGUISH ELEMENTS OF A USER INTERFACE - Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface are described. An example user interface includes a plurality of channel cells including a first channel cell having a first attribute and a second channel cell having a second attribute; and a plurality of program cells associated with the plurality of channel cells, wherein at least one program cell has a third attribute, wherein the third attribute distinguishes the at least one program cell from an associated channel cell. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113475 | Systems and methods for integrating search capability in interactive video - This invention is a system and method that enables video viewers to search for information about objects or events shown or mentioned in a video through a search engine. The system integrates search capability into interactive videos seamlessly. When viewers of such a video want to search for information about something they see on the screen, they can click on it to trigger a search request. Upon receiving a search request, the system will automatically use an appropriate search term to query a search engine. The search results will be displayed as an overlay on the screen or in a separate window. Targeted ads that are relevant to the search term are delivered and displayed alongside search results. The system also allows viewers to initiate a search using voice commands. Further, the system resolves ambiguity by allowing viewers to select one of multiple searchable items when necessary. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113476 | ELECTRONIC CATALOG SYSTEM - A set-top-box receives catalogs through digital TV data broadcast or through the Internet. The catalogs are stored as files on the STB e.g. on hard drive or solid state memory. Usually, a particular user will receive only a subset of transmitted catalogs according to preferences set or deduced from user-specific information such as location. Users can search the catalogs by store, category keyword or other terms. Catalogs can appear in the “channels” menu or the “library” menu or any other menu. The ordering of catalogs displayed in a menu can be arranged according to likely interest to a viewer, or with “specials” first, or “newest” first or “closest” first etc. Viewers can click straight to a catalog or item when invited during watching a show or a commercial. They can be notified of specials, new catalogs or new items by means of an icon or other popup, or a notice appearing on a menu, or by SMS or email etc. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113477 | Digital Television Setting Information Storage Apparatus and Method for Accessing Digital Television Information - A digital television setting information storage apparatus and a method for accessing digital television information are provided. The apparatus includes a random access memory and a non-volatile memory. The method includes steps of: receiving a setting information change signal, storing setting information into the random access memory, clearing the non-volatile memory, and transferring the setting information from the random access memory to the non-volatile memory when the non-volatile memory is erased. The setting information includes channel information and on screen display setting information. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113478 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH A PROGRAM GUIDE DISPLAYED ON A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method for controlling the operation of a plurality of consumer electronic devices by displaying a plurality of broadcast channel identifiers each corresponding to a broadcast channel in a display of a controlling device adapted to command at least channel tuning operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices. Input is accepted into the controlling device that functions to designate one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers and the controlling device uses the designation of the one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers to cause a transmission of a wireless signal from the controlling device to a one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to thereby cause the one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to tune to the broadcast channel corresponding to the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers. A condition associated with at least one of the controlling device and the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers functions to determine the one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to which the wireless signal is transmitted. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113479 | PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAY DEVICE, PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAY METHOD, AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, in creating an electronic program table having a channel axis along which a plurality of broadcasting stations are arranged in one direction and a time axis arranged in a direction orthogonal to the channel axis, an area shown by the channel axis and the time axis corresponding to a display area for the program information, the plurality of broadcasting stations arranged along the channel axis are placed in an order based on a pre-standardized order of companies. | 2009-04-30 |
20090113480 | NON-MEDIA-CENTRIC PACKAGING OF CONTENT - The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can establish a tailored and/or personalized content channel based various aspects of a social network. The content channel can be interfaced with one or more devices, and can be configured to serve content based upon a content schedule. The content schedule can be programmed based upon selections or recommendations of a member of a user's social network. The architecture can further maintain presence information associated with a member of the social network, such as indicia of the member's current behavior or activity. | 2009-04-30 |