Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090211847 | ENERGY ABSORBING LIFELINE SYSTEMS - A lifeline system includes a lifeline and a hub around which the lifeline is coiled. The hub deforms to absorb energy at a predetermined level of force exerted thereon by the lifeline. For example, the hub can be deformable to absorb energy so that a peak fall arrest force in a drop test of the lifeline system with a 220 pound mass attached to the lifeline over a distance of up to 6.56 feet is not more than 1900 pounds. In several embodiments, the peak fall arrest force is no more than 1500 pounds or no more than 1349 pounds. | 08-27-2009 |
20090211848 | SELF-RETRACTING LIFELINE SYSTEMS AND BRAKING SYSTEMS THEREFOR - A lifeline system includes a lifeline and a drum assembly around which the lifeline is coiled. The drum assembly is rotatable about a first axis in a first direction during extension of the lifeline and in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, during retraction of the lifeline. The lifeline system further includes a tensioning mechanism in operative connection with the drum assembly to impart a biasing force on the drum assembly to bias the drum assembly to rotate about the first axis in the second direction. The lifeline system further comprises a braking mechanism in operative connection with the drum assembly. The braking mechanism includes a catch that is rotatable relative to the drum assembly about a second axis that is not concentric with the first axis. The second axis is operatively connected to the first axis so that the second axis rotates about the first axis in the same direction as the drum assembly when the drum assembly is rotating about the first axis. A center of mass of the catch is located in the vicinity of the second axis. The catch rotates about the second axis in the second direction when the drum assembly is rotated in the first direction at at least a determined angular acceleration to cause an abutment section of the catch to abut an abutment member of the lifeline system (for example, by moving radially outward a sufficient amount) and stop the rotation of the drum assembly. | 08-27-2009 |
20090211849 | SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH MULTIPLE SAFETY DEVICES AND CONNECTORS FOR USE THEREWITH - A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached. The first self-retracing lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracing lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits. The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article (for example, a safety harness such as a full body safety harness) worn by a user. | 08-27-2009 |
20120205478 | RETRACTING LIFELINE SYSTEMS FOR USE IN TIE-BACK ANCHORING - A retracting lifeline system, includes: a housing, a first connector attached to the housing, a lifeline, and a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing. The housing includes an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing. The hub is tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub. The retracting lifeline system further includes a second connector attached to a second end of the lifeline. At least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant (that is, satisfying the abrasion test requirement set forth in the ANSI/ASSE Z359.13-2009 standard) such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector. The section of the lifeline is at least partially retractable within the housing. | 08-16-2012 |
20120228056 | SAFETY HARNESSES, CONNECTIVE RING ATTACHMENTS FOR USE IN SAFETY HARNESSES AND BACK PADS FOR USE IN SAFETY HARNESSES - A back pad system for use in connection with a safety harness which includes at least two spaced back straps and a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard. In one form, the system includes a back pad having passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over the connector, an attachment to which the connector can be moveably attached, and at least one member that captures the connector in an upright position upon application of force such as manual force (either directly or indirectly) to the connector to move the connector to the upright position. | 09-13-2012 |
20130025968 | Systems for Use with Multiple Safety Devices and Connectors for Use Therewith - A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached, The first self-retracting lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracting lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits, The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article worn by a user. | 01-31-2013 |
20140060969 | Fall Protection Safety Harness - Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fall-protection safety harness having padding structures located at harness pressure points, including dorsal and shoulder regions, the lumbar region, and leg regions. The padding structures may be constructed to provide air-flow parallel to a wearer's skin. Air may flow through wearer-webbing channels created by displacing a webbing via comfort pads. For example, the padding structures may be made by sandwiching foam pads between mesh fabric materials. The foam pads may be captured by the two mesh fabrics using circumferential stitching, for example. Circumferential stitching may permit the foam to retain its uncompressed form which may facilitate webbing displacement. Separate and symmetric pads may be located on both sides of a wearer's spine, both at the lumbar region and at the dorsal region of the back, permitting airflow between pads and along the wearer's spine. | 03-06-2014 |
20150060195 | Harness with Integral Relief Loops for Suspension Trauma - A safety harness ( | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090049123 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATING SEPARATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS WITHIN AN APPLICATION - The present invention is, in one embodiment, a system and method based on a client-server architecture for seamlessly integrating various information systems. In one embodiment, a bundle of files is deployed to a collaboration client, in order to enable the integration of the collaboration client with disparate information systems and content. In one embodiment, content within a mailbox item is allowed to become a “live” object, and is associated with trigger events, and actions, including sending all or part of the content to a separate information system. In one embodiment, mailbox items are subjected to predefined searches to assess whether they include certain content objects. In another embodiment, panel item elements are visible in the overview panel of the collaboration client. The user may interact with the panel items by dragging content onto them, double clicking them, and invoking actions from a context menu if one is available. | 02-19-2009 |
20090094332 | System and method for enabling offline use of email through a browser interface - A system and method provide online and offline collaboration suite functionality. A local web server application running on the user's computer serves an email client on the user's computer, where the email client executes within a browser. Because the local web server application executes on the user's computer, it is able to serve the email client regardless of whether the user's computer is online or offline. The local web server application also communicates with a remote web server, where the remote web server has the capability to receive incoming messages from, and send outbound messages to, a Mail Transfer Agent. When the user's computer is online, the remote web server and local web server application periodically (although not necessarily at regular intervals) synchronize their user mailbox information. The local web server application and remote web server application store, search, and index user mailbox information in the same manner. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094514 | System and method for embedding, editing, saving, and restoring objects within a browser window - In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides the ability to embed and edit rich content into a browser document. Embedded objects are not backed by installed desktop applications. Instead, in one embodiment, the embedded objects are Asynchronous Javascript and XML (AJAX) components that adhere to a set of design patterns, which are embedded within editable HTML documents. For example, a user composing an email message can embed a spreadsheet into the email in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spreadsheet is implemented, in one embodiment, as an AJAX component adhering to the Ajax Linking and Embedding (ALE) design pattern. Since it is an ALE component, the embedded object is fetched across the network so that it may be instantiated and used regardless of the user's location. The user can edit, manipulate, and save the embedded object while remaining in the context of the container document. | 04-09-2009 |
20090100010 | System and method for seamlessly integrating separate information systems within an application - The present invention is, in one embodiment, a system and method based on a client-server architecture for seamlessly integrating various information systems. In one embodiment, a bundle of files is deployed to a collaboration client, in order to enable the integration of the collaboration client with disparate information systems and content. In one embodiment, content within a mailbox item is allowed to become a “live” object, and is associated with trigger events, and actions, including sending all or part of the content to a separate information system. In one embodiment, mailbox items are subjected to predefined searches to assess whether they include certain content objects. In another embodiment, panel item elements are visible in the overview panel of the collaboration client. The user may interact with the panel items by dragging content onto them, double clicking them, and invoking actions from a context menu if one is available. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100073 | System and method for enabling an external-system view of email attachments - A method and email application enable email attachments to be viewed through a system external to the email application itself in accordance with select categories. The email application creates categories and categorizes the email attachments according to such categories. The email application then maps the categories into a format understandable by the external system for category information and provides the mapped categories to the external system in such format. In response to receiving a request from the external system for the contents of one of the mapped categories and in response to such category having no further subcategories, the email application identifies the email attachments under such category and maps the identified email attachments to file names. The file names are then provided to the external system as the contents of such category. If the external system requests the contents of a category that has further subcategories, the email application maps the subcategories into a format understandable to the external system and provides such subcategories to the external system as the contents of such category. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100347 | Enhanced calendaring functionality in a collaboration suite - Various embodiments of the present invention provide for enhanced calendaring functionality in a collaboration suite application. A mini-calendar display in different views of the collaboration suite application provide for an easy way to view, edit and/or add appointments without needing to open of the calendar in the collaboration suite application. Email messages can be dragged onto days in the mini-calendar to create meeting proposals. Enhanced UI allows for different meetings being having different appearances based on whether they have been accepted, rejected, etc. Multiple calendars can be viewed simultaneously and their cumulative availability for any time slot can be easily seen via a calendar thermometer. Requests for sharing of calendars can be communicated via email messages, and they can be seamlessly responded to within the email message itself. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100367 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATING SEPARATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS WITHIN AN APPLICATION - The present invention is, in one embodiment, a system and method based on a client-server architecture for seamlessly integrating various information systems. In one embodiment, a bundle of files is deployed to a collaboration client, in order to enable the integration of the collaboration client with disparate information systems and content. In one embodiment, content within a mailbox item is allowed to become a “live” object, and is associated with trigger events, and actions, including sending all or part of the content to a separate information system. In one embodiment, mailbox items are subjected to predefined searches to assess whether they include certain content objects. In another embodiment, panel item elements are visible in the overview panel of the collaboration client. The user may interact with the panel items by dragging content onto them, double clicking them, and invoking actions from a context menu if one is available. | 04-16-2009 |
20140019839 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING, EDITING, SAVING AND RESTORING OBJECTS WITHIN A BROWSER WINDOW - In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides the ability to embed and edit rich content into a browser document. Embedded objects are not backed by installed desktop applications. Instead, in one embodiment, the embedded objects are Asynchronous Javascript and XML (AJAX) components that adhere to a set of design patterns, which are embedded within editable HTML documents. For example, a user composing an email message can embed a spreadsheet into the email in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spreadsheet is implemented, in one embodiment, as an AJAX component adhering to the Ajax Linking and Embedding (ALE) design pattern. Since it is an ALE component, the embedded object is fetched across the network so that it may be instantiated and used regardless of the user's location. The user can edit, manipulate, and save the embedded object while remaining in the context of the container document. | 01-16-2014 |
20140351714 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING AN EXTERNAL-SYSTEM VIEW OF EMAIL ATTACHMENTS - A method and email application enable email attachments to be viewed through a system external to the email application itself in accordance with select categories. The email application creates categories and categorizes the email attachments according to such categories. The email application then maps the categories into a format understandable by the external system for category information and provides the mapped categories to the external system in such format. In response to receiving a request from the external system for the contents of one of the mapped categories and in response to such category having no further subcategories, the email application identifies the email attachments under such category and maps the identified email attachments to file names. The file names are then provided to the external system as the contents of such category. If the external system requests the contents of a category that has further subcategories, the email application maps the subcategories into a format understandable to the external system and provides such subcategories to the external system as the contents of such category. | 11-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090082298 | Methods for producing microRNAs - The invention relates to recombinant vectors for inducible and/or tissue specific expression of double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of Tet (tetracycline)-responsive RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) promoters (e.g., TetON or TetOFF) to direct inducible knockdown in certain cells of an integrated or an endogenous gene, such as p53. The invention also relates to a method for producing transgenic animals (e.g., mice) expressing inducible (such as tetracycline-regulated), reversible, and/or tissue-specific double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene. | 03-26-2009 |
20090217404 | Cell-based RNA interference and related methods and compositions - The invention provides, among other things, methods for performing RNA interference (RNAi) in stem cells (such as embryonic stem cells) and methods for using such stem cells in vivo. The invention also provides various animal models based on conditional/inducible, reversible, tissue-specific/spacial, and/or developmental stage-specific/temporal RNAi of certain target genes, which animal model may be useful for, e.g., drug target identification and/or validation. | 08-27-2009 |
20100186097 | CELL-BASED RNA INTERFERENCE AND RELATED METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS - The invention provides, among other things, methods for performing RNA interference in stem cells and methods for using the stem cells in vivo. | 07-22-2010 |
20120084872 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING MICRORNAS - The invention relates to recombinant vectors for inducible and/or tissue specific expression of double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of Tet (tetracycline)-responsive RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) promoters (e.g., TetON or TetOFF) to direct inducible knockdown in certain cells of an integrated or an endogenous gene, such as p53. The invention also relates to a method for producing transgenic animals (e.g., mice) expressing inducible (such as tetracycline-regulated), reversible, and/or tissue-specific double-stranded RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a target gene. | 04-05-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090278397 | VEHICLE WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS - A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material and a heat-treated spring clip. The mass portion has a front and a back, with the back adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion further defines at least one chamfer on the back thereof. The mass portion also defines a clip securement pocket in which an attachment portion of the spring clip is inserted such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. | 11-12-2009 |
20100253131 | VEHICLE WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS - A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side defining a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. | 10-07-2010 |
20120062018 | VEHICLE WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS - A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side defining a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062019 | VEHICLE WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS - A vehicle wheel weight for attachment to a wheel rim. The wheel weight comprises a mass portion having, relative to an axis of rotation of the wheel rim when the wheel weight is mounted thereon, an inner axial side for juxtaposition to the wheel rim, an outer axial side, an upper radial side and a lower radial side. The mass portion defines a clip groove having a radial groove portion located in one of the inner axial side and the outer axial side and an axial groove portion located in the bottom radial side. A clip is provided having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim and an attachment portion fixed to the mass portion. The attachment portion of the clip has a radial portion seated in the radial groove portion of the clip groove and an axial portion seated in the axial groove portion of the clip groove. | 03-15-2012 |
20120267942 | VEHICLE WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS - A vehicle wheel weight for attachment to a wheel rim comprises a mass portion formed of nonlead material and a clip. The clip has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim and an attachment portion juxtaposed to the mass portion. In addition, an injection molded outer casing surrounds the mass portion. The mass portion and the attachment portion of the clip are embedded in the casing, but the extended portion of the clip extends outwardly from and is external to the casing. | 10-25-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090004194 | TLR AGONIST (FLAGELLIN)/CD40 AGONIST/ANTIGEN PROTEIN AND DNA CONJUGATES AND USE THEREOF FOR INDUCING SYNERGISTIC ENHANCEMENT IN IMMUNITY - Fusion proteins and DNA conjugates are disclosed which contain a TLR/CD40/agonist and optional antigen combination. The use of these protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants and as vaccines for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection is also provided. | 01-01-2009 |
20100291109 | TLR AGONIST (FLAGELLIN)/CD40 AGONIST/ANTIGEN PROTEIN AND DNA CONJUGATES AND USE THEREOF FOR INDUCING SYNERGISTIC ENHANCEMENT IN IMMUNITY - Fusion proteins and DNA conjugates are disclosed which contain a TLR/CD40/agonist and optional antigen combination. The use of these protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants and as vaccines for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection is also provided. | 11-18-2010 |
20100317111 | CD40 AGONIST ANTIBODY/TYPE 1 INTERFERON SYNERGISTIC ADJUVANT COMBINATION, CONJUGATES CONTAINING AND USE THEREOF AS A THERAPEUTIC TO ENHANCE CELLULAR IMMUNITY - A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided. | 12-16-2010 |
20110182847 | USE OF TLR AGONISTS AND/OR TYPE 1 INTERFERONS TO ALLEVIATE TOXICITY OF TNF-R AGONIST THERAPEUTIC REGIMENS - Improved (safer and more effective) methods of therapy using TNF-R agonists, e.g., CD40 agonists are provided. These methods provide for the addition of an amount of a type 1 interferon and/or a TLR agonist that is effective to prevent or reduce the toxicity (liver toxicity) that may otherwise result in some patients of the TNF-R agonist is used as a monotherapy (without the type 1 interferon and/r TLR agonist). | 07-28-2011 |
20110286968 | CD40 AGONIST ANTIBODY /TYPE 1 INTERFERON SYNERGISTIC ADJUVANT COMBINATION, CONJUGATES CONTAINING AND USE THEREOF AS A THERAPEUTIC TO ENHANCE CELLULAR IMMUNITY - A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided. | 11-24-2011 |
20120251494 | CD40 AGONIST ANTIBODY /TYPE 1 INTERFERON SYNERGISTIC ADJUVANT COMBINATION, CONJUGATES CONTAINING AND USE THEREOF AS A THERAPEUTIC TO ENHANCE CELLULAR IMMUNITY - A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided. | 10-04-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110120448 | HELIOSTAT CONTROL SCHEME USING CAMERAS - A heliostat control system includes a receiver located within a receiver volume and a view port located proximate to the receiver volume. The receiver is configured to receive sunlight reflected from a mirror of a heliostat. The view port is optically connected to a camera, and the camera is configured to generate an image including pixels having a brightness dependent on an orientation of the mirror. | 05-26-2011 |
20120176694 | Heliostat System - A heliostat system includes a base member adapted to be secured to a fixed surface, a transitional member that is formed as a substantially unitary member and a mirror member. The transitional member is coupled to the base member and to the mirror member. The mirror member includes a support portion coupled to the transitional member and a mirror portion. A first bearing coupling the base member and the transitional member provides relative changes in azimuth between the base member and the transitional member. A second bearing coupling the transitional member and the mirror member provides relative changes in elevation between the transitional member and the mirror member. A drive system rotates the transitional member about the first bearing and the mirror member about the second bearing to change the azimuth and the elevation of the mirror member. | 07-12-2012 |
20120279485 | Optical Signal Aiming for Heliostats - Methods and systems for managing heliostat aiming toward a target are described. Solar rays incident on a reflective surface of a heliostat mirror are reflected toward the target. One or more optical signalers are arranged at positions about the target. An optical signal received from one of the one or more optical signalers is detected. An error in an orientation of the reflective surface is determined based on the optical signal. | 11-08-2012 |
20120287518 | Heliostat Mirror - A mirror includes multiple layers, each layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A first layer is a cementitious material and a second layer is a material compatible with the cementitious material. A first surface of the second layer is integral to the first layer. The second layer is thinner than the first layer and includes an additive that provides electrical conductivity. A third layer provides a transition between the second layer and a reflective surface. A first surface of the third layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the second layer. A fourth layer provides the reflective surface. A first surface of the fourth layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the third layer. A fifth layer includes a transparent material. A first surface of the fifth layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the fourth layer. | 11-15-2012 |
20130000693 | Solar Positioning System and Method - An apparatus for positioning an object, for example, a solar energy capture device, can include a frame, the object, a joint, and at least two linear actuators. The joint connects the object to the frame and allows the object to rotate relative to the frame. The first and second linear actuators are coupled to the object. When the first and second actuators are actuated in combination, the object rotates about a pitch axis. When the first and second actuators are actuated differentially, the object rotates about a roll axis. | 01-03-2013 |
20130021471 | Reflective Surface Orientating with Multiple View Ports - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a reflective surface configured to reflect light to a target plane and three or more view ports that are optically connected to at least one camera, the view ports arranged in the target plane. A computing system is coupled to the camera and configured to receive image information captured by the view ports. The computing system, based on the image information and a relationship between intensity of light reflected by the reflective surface as captured by a particular view port and a distance of the particular view port to a point on the target plane that is a function of the light reflected from the reflective surface incident on or passing through the target plane, estimates a location on the target plane of the point. | 01-24-2013 |
20130032135 | Apparatuses and Methods for Determining and Changing the Orientation of Solar Energy Capture Devices - An apparatus for capturing solar energy can include a solar energy capture device having an orientation plane and a sensor configured to determine a direction of gravity relative to a sensor plane. The solar energy capture device is configured to rotate about a pitch axis and a roll axis. The sensor plane can have an orientation that is fixed relative to the solar energy capture device. The orientation plane can he offset from the roll axis. | 02-07-2013 |
20130042856 | Solar Energy Positioning System Using Cable Drives and Two Axis Pivot - A system for positioning a heliostat mirror or a solar collector includes a support structure, a pivot mechanism adapted to pivot the heliostat mirror or solar collector about a first generally horizontal axis and about a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis, the pivot mechanism is attached to a rear side of the heliostat mirror or solar collector and attached to the support structure. The system also includes a first cable drive actuator having a first motor, driving a first cable spool, and a first cable attached at a proximal end to the first cable spool and attached at a distal end to the heliostat mirror or solar collector, and a second cable drive actuator having a second motor driving a second cable spool, and a second cable attached at a proximal end to the second cable spool and attached to the heliostat mirror or solar collector. | 02-21-2013 |
20140114744 | SUGGESTING AND/OR PROVIDING TARGETING INFORMATION FOR ADVERTISEMENTS - The relevancy of ads may be increased, and opportunities to serve an ad that might otherwise be missed may be exploited by (i) accepting broad targeting information, to be used for serving an ad, from an advertiser, (ii) serving the ad using the broad targeting information, (iii) logging search query terms (or some other information, such as concepts, concept keywords, etc.) associated with the serving of the ad, and (iv) generating one or more candidate targeting keywords or phrases for the ad using the logged search query terms. At least one of the candidate targeting keywords or phrases may be provided as targeting information for the ad. Alternatively, at least one of the candidate targeting keywords or phrases may be presented to the advertiser. Advertiser input with respect to the candidate targeting keyword(s) or phrase(s) presented may then be accepted. Zero or more of the candidate targeting keyword(s) or phrase(s) may be provided as targeting information for the ad, in accordance with the accepted advertiser input. Cost information (e.g., average cost per selection, average cost per conversion, total costs, etc.) may be presented in association with the candidate targeting information. | 04-24-2014 |
20140173059 | Device Commissioning - The disclosed subject matter may provide a system and methods for commissioning a device or appliance into a network. A processor may detect the insertion of a removable device into a data receptacle of a first device. The first device may be an appliance or a network controller. Information may be retrieved from or delivered to the removable device. The information may be information specific to the appliance, such as model number, or may be information related to the network controller. For example, information delivered from the network controller to the removable device may include a network address assignment and network protocol to be used by an appliance when the appliance communicates with the network. The removable device may be removed from the first device and inserted into a data receptacle of a second device. | 06-19-2014 |
20140365321 | System and Method for Enabling an Advertisement to Follow the User to Additional Web Pages - A computer-implemented method and system for advertising that performs the steps of delivering an electronic advertisement comprising one or more menu options and a reference to a network location for retrieving specified content associated with each menu option for inclusion in a first electronic document, receiving a selection of one or more menu options from the electronic advertisement and delivering a subsequent accessible document including content from the referenced network location associated with the menu option selected, the subsequent accessible document including the electronic advertisement. | 12-11-2014 |
20150083813 | Soliciting user input for thermostat control - A device or arrangement may be configured to receive a temperature limit such as an acceptable maximum temperature as well as a tolerance measure such as a number of acceptable events, the events causing the temperature to be outside of the temperature limit. An air comfort device may be operated based on the received temperature limit and the tolerance measure. A potential cost value may be provided based on a temperature limit and tolerance measure. A temperature limit and tolerance measure may be calculated based on a target cost value such that the arrangement may modify a temperature limit and/or tolerance measure to achieve the target cost value. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275811 | Flexible Advertiser Billing System with Mixed Postpayment and Prepayment Capabilities - The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing risk in business transactions. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of managing risk exposure of a provide includes providing a product from the provider to a client under an initial billing experience between the provider and the client, evaluating a credit risk associated with the client at least one of periodically or upon occurrence of an event, and modifying a credit line the provider is willing to offer the client. | 11-06-2008 |
20100274660 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND PRICE INFORMATION - An ordering of advertisements requested by an ad consumer is based on scores generated for the ads. In each case, a score may be a function of at least one performance parameter associated with the ad and/or a price parameter associated with the ad. The ad consumer may generate presentation information (e.g., a Web page) including advertisements and non-advertisement content (e.g., search results) by (i) accepting the non-advertisement content and advertisements, each of the advertisements including a score, and (ii) combining the non-advertisement content and the advertisements such that relative placements of the advertisements are based on their associated scores. | 10-28-2010 |
20100287056 | USING CONCEPTS FOR AD TARGETING - Concept similarity may be used to help resolve ambiguities with respect to ads served using, at least, keyword targeting. More specifically, concept similarity may be used to help determine ad relevancy and/or ad scores. | 11-11-2010 |
20100324998 | Flexible Advertiser Billing System with Mixed Postpayment and Prepayment Capabilities - A computer-implemented method of providing advertising to a client includes establishing a billing experience between a client and a provider, providing advertising opportunities to the client on at least one of a continual basis and a periodic basis, evaluating a credit risk associated with the client at least one of periodically and upon occurrence of an event, and modifying the billing experience automatically based on the credit risk associated with the client. | 12-23-2010 |
20110238508 | System and Method for Enabling an Advertisement to Follow the User to Additional Web Pages - A computer-implemented method and system for advertising that performs the steps of delivering an electronic advertisement comprising one or more menu options and a reference to a network location for retrieving specified content associated with each menu option for inclusion in a first electronic document, receiving a selection of one or more menu options from the electronic advertisement and delivering a subsequent accessible document including content from the referenced network location associated with the menu option selected, the subsequent accessible document including the electronic advertisement. | 09-29-2011 |
20120072278 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND PRICE INFORMATION - An ordering of advertisements requested by an ad consumer is based on scores generated for the ads. In each case, a score may be a function of at least one performance parameter associated with the ad and/or a price parameter associated with the ad. The ad consumer may generate presentation information (e.g., a Web page) including advertisements and non-advertisement content (e.g., search results) by (i) accepting the non-advertisement content and advertisements, each of the advertisements including a score, and (ii) combining the non-advertisement content and the advertisements such that relative placements of the advertisements are based on their associated scores. | 03-22-2012 |
20120174909 | Heliostat Control Scheme Using Cameras - A heliostat control system includes a heliostat having a reflective surface and at least one reflective element, the reflective surface having a different radius of curvature than the at least one reflective element, a receiver configured to receive sunlight reflected from the reflective surface, and a camera configured to receive sunlight reflected from the at least one reflective element and to generate an image including pixels having a brightness dependent on an orientation of the reflective surface. | 07-12-2012 |
20120174962 | Controlling Movement of a Solar Energy Member - A solar energy system includes a support member secured to a substantially fixed location; a solar energy member mounted to the support member and including a surface operable to track in response to movement of the Sun; an actuator assembly coupled to the solar energy member and configured to periodically apply a torque at a first frequency to move the solar energy member in response to movement of the Sun; and a damper assembly including a spool, where the damper assembly is configured to reactively release and retract a cable about the spool in response to changes in the steady state load, and maintain the cable at a substantially fixed length released from the spool in response to a torque at a second frequency greater than the first frequency that is intermittently received by the solar energy member. | 07-12-2012 |
20120192857 | Heliostat Assignment in a Multi-Tower Field - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for collecting solar energy using heliostats arranged about a collection of solar energy receivers. For each heliostat, estimated efficiencies of the heliostat in directing solar rays to two or more receivers at various times of day are determined. Each heliostat is assigned to direct solar rays to two or more different receivers at two or more different times of day, wherein each heliostat directs solar rays to one receiver at a time and the assigning is based on the determined estimated efficiencies for the heliostat at the various of times of day. In some implementations, the receivers are repositionable. | 08-02-2012 |
20120192917 | SOLAR TRACKER MECHANISM - A solar tracker system includes a solar collector, a track, a movable assembly supporting the mirror, the movable assembly including track-traveling mechanism configured to move along the track when actuated by a first actuator to adjust an azimuth of the mirror, and a second actuator to adjust an elevation of the mirror. | 08-02-2012 |
20120199175 | Articulating a Solar Energy System - A solar energy system drive apparatus includes: a rotor including a first circumferential surface and having a first radial dimension from a center axis of the rotor; a stator that is axially aligned with the rotor about the center axis and includes a second circumferential surface and having a second radial dimension from the center of the rotor, wherein the second radial dimension is different than the first radial dimension; and a plurality of planetary members arranged about the first and second circumferential surfaces of the rotor and stator respectively, wherein each of the planetary members has a stepped circumferential surface comprising a third surface and a fourth surface such that the third circumferential surface is in contact with the first circumferential surface and has a third radial dimension from a central planetary axis of the planetary member. | 08-09-2012 |
20120204934 | Bearing Based Solar Tracker - A solar tracker includes a base having an upper surface, a collector support structure having a lower surface adjacent to the upper surface of the base, a conduit in fluidical communication with a space between the upper surface of the base and the lower surface of the collector support structure, a pump for pumping fluid into or out of the conduit, wherein injecting fluid into the conduit forms a fluid layer between the collector support structure and the base, and a solar collector supported by the collector support structure. | 08-16-2012 |
20130185149 | SUGGESTING AND/OR PROVIDING TARGETING CRITERIA FOR ADVERTISEMENTS - Keyword suggestions that are category-aware (and field-proven) may be used to help advertisers better target the serving of their ads, and may reduce unused ad spot inventory. The advertiser can enter ad information, such as a creative, a landing Webpage, other keywords, etc. for example. A keyword facility may use this entered ad information as seed information to infer one or more categories. It may then request that the advertiser confirm or deny some basic feedback information (e.g., categories, Webpage information, etc.). For example, an advertiser may be provided with candidate categories and may be asked to confirm (e.g., using checkboxes) which of the categories are relevant to their ad. Keywords may be determined using at least the categories. The determined keywords may be provided to the advertiser as suggested keywords, or may automatically populate ad serving constraint information as targeting keywords. The ad server system can run a trial on the determined keywords to qualify or disqualify them as targeting keyword. | 07-18-2013 |
20130304572 | PROVIDING LINKS TO RELATED ADVERTISEMENTS - A document, such as a Web page, includes content and a set of related ad links. When a user selects one of the related ad links, they are brought to a linked document including a set of one or more ads. Unless there is an agreement to the contrary (such as a pay per impression agreement), the advertisers do not compensate the document owner for the selection of a related ad link. However, when a user selects one of the ads on the linked document, they are brought to a corresponding ad landing page linked from the ad. The advertisers may compensate the Web page owner for such selections. The related ad links may be automatically generated using document content information, the number, performances, and/or compensation offers of ads corresponding to the related ad link, etc. | 11-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221164 | Inhibitors of Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 and Methods of Their Use - Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed that may be useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders such as diabetes and obesity. | 09-11-2008 |
20090030198 | METHODS AND COMPOUNDS USEFUL FOR THE PREPARATION OF SODIUM GLUCOSE CO-TRANSPORTER 2 INHIBITORS - Methods of synthesizing sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, as well as compounds useful therein, are disclosed. Particular inhibitors are compounds of formula I: | 01-29-2009 |
20090042893 | KINASE INHIBITORS, COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THEM, AND METHODS OF THEIR USE - Inhibitors of LIM kinase 2 are disclosed, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of their use. | 02-12-2009 |
20090264450 | LIMK2 INHIBITORS, COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THEM, AND METHODS OF THEIR USE - Inhibitors of LIM kinase 2 are disclosed, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of their use. Particular compounds are of the formula: | 10-22-2009 |
20100075920 | SMALL MOLECULE STIMULATORS OF NEURONAL GROWTH - Provided herein are small molecule stimulators of neuronal growth, their preparation, and their use for treatment of neurological disorders. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical conditions associated with neurological disorders using the compounds and compositions provided herein. | 03-25-2010 |
20120095197 | METHODS AND COMPOUNDS USEFUL FOR THE PREPARATION OF SODIUM GLUCOSE CO-TRANSPORTER 2 INHIBITORS - Methods of synthesizing sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, as well as compounds useful therein, are disclosed. Particular inhibitors are compounds of formula I: | 04-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080270153 | SERVICE ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE (SOA) LIFECYCLE MODEL MIGRATION - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to SOA systems migration and provide a method, system and computer program product for SOA lifecycle model migration. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for migrating a process model in a monolithic application to an SOA lifecycle model in an SOA based system can be provided. The method can include selecting process steps implemented by code assets in a code base for the monolithic application, mapping the selected process steps to corresponding ones of the code assets, and determining entry and exit points in the code assets for establishing callbacks into services defining the SOA based system. Thereafter, callbacks to the determined entry and exit points can be established and the services can be deployed. | 10-30-2008 |
20080276229 | INCREMENTAL MODEL REFINEMENT AND TRANSFORMATION IN GENERATING COMMERCE APPLICATIONS USING A MODEL DRIVEN ARCHITECTURE - In one embodiment of the invention, a method for profile mapped model transformation for model driven architecture (MDA) development of service provisioning applications can be provided. Them method can include mapping elements of a platform independent domain specific model to a platform specific domain specific model for a target platform with stereotypes in a uniform modeling language (UML) profile defined for the target platform. The method further can include transforming a platform independent domain specific model into a platform specific domain specific model for a target platform by applying the stereotypes of the UML profile defined for the target platform. Finally, the method can include generating shell source code for the transformed platform specific domain specific model. | 11-06-2008 |
20080295065 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESOLVING INTERDEPENDENCIES BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS ARTIFACTS IN A SOFTWARE SYSTEM - An improved solution for resolving interdependencies between heterogeneous artifacts in software systems is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for finding dependencies in a software system is provided, wherein the method includes: obtaining an input resource, wherein the resource includes a plurality of entry points to the software system and at least one strategy; identifying at least one artifact for each of the plurality of entry points; using the at least one strategy for gathering a plurality of related artifacts in the software system, wherein each of the plurality of related artifacts is heterogeneous in at least one of structure, composition, and relationships; determining a dependency between the gathered plurality of related artifacts; and outputting an output resource, wherein the output resource comprises the at least one dependency. | 11-27-2008 |
20090193432 | SERVICE-ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE COMPONENT PROCESSING MODEL - A service-oriented architecture can include a service provider comprising a plurality of service objects, each service object comprising a self-describing, self-contained, platform independent, modular unit of application logic. The service oriented architecture further includes a service object among the plurality of service objects that is a service implementation having a pre-ordained message processing system. The service implementation can respond to client requests at different levels of granularity and can use a common transfer object message format that separates a business object into its constituent parts. The common set of operations can include at least the Read, Create, Update, Delete, and Execute functions. | 07-30-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090040667 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC TEST - Resettable circuit interrupting devices having self-test and non-resettable or limited resettable power interrupting systems are provided. The permanent power interrupting system activates when a circuit interrupting device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with applicable standards governing such devices or the device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with its design characteristics. | 02-12-2009 |
20090207535 | ARC FAULT DETECTOR - An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector. | 08-20-2009 |
20100007447 | MISWIRING CIRCUIT COUPLED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT INTERRUPTER - The disclosure relates to an electrical fault interrupter comprising at least one electrical fault sensor which is configured to detect an electrical fault condition, at least one miswiring circuit configured to detect the improper connection to the electrical fault sensor, and at least one circuit interrupter which is configured to open at least one circuit in the presence of an electrical fault or a miswiring condition. In at least one embodiment, one end of the miswiring circuit is coupled to a ground line. | 01-14-2010 |
20100226053 | DETECTING AND SENSING ACTUATION IN A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE - A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20110181296 | ARC FAULT DETECTOR WITH CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a voltage level representative of the broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as “SINE” is generated. The SINE signal generated in combination with a CURRENT input is used to produce a control waveform “DELTA”. DELTA can be represented as a relative value or as an absolute difference between the SINE and the CURRENT. Each occurring half cycle of the DELTA signal is analyzed by, for example, a micro-controller for specific identifiable characteristics found to indicate the presence of arcing. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and/or alert a central monitoring station. | 07-28-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110145821 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN TRUSTED AND NON-TRUSTED VIRTUAL MACHINES - The methods and systems described herein provide for establishing a secure communication channel between a non-trusted virtual machine and a trusted virtual machine, in a computing device executing a hypervisor hosting the trusted virtual machine, the non-trusted virtual machine, and a third virtual machine. The method includes writing, by a non-trusted virtual machine, a first string of data to a region of memory of the computing device. The method also includes detecting, by a trusted virtual machine, the first string of data written to the region of memory. The method further includes establishing a communication channel between the trusted virtual machine and the non-trusted virtual machine by locking, by the trusted virtual machine and responsive to the detection, the region of memory for the duration of the communication to prevent a third virtual machine from accessing the region of memory. | 06-16-2011 |
20140109091 | Device Virtualization - Methods and systems for performing device virtualization are described herein. Hardware devices may be virtualized for use by multiple operating system instances executing on a single device. The device may be virtualized by detecting input at the device, notifying a control domain of the input, the control domain determining a virtual machine (e.g., a guest domain) for which the input is intended, and passing the input from the control domain to the guest domain. There may be multiple guest domains on the device, each capable of receiving input from the hardware being virtualized. The virtualized hardware may include, e.g., a digitizer such as a touch digitizer capable of recognizing multiple concurrent inputs. Other hardware devices can also be virtualized. Virtualization may be performed using device emulation in the control domain, or using USB passthrough, among other techniques. | 04-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080300070 | Toy For Positioning A Play Implement - The present invention discloses a play implement positioning device including an implement support for holding a first play implement in a play position to be struck. The invention also discloses a mechanism for selectively, automatically placing multiple stored play implements onto the implement support after the first implement has been struck and dislodged from the implement support. | 12-04-2008 |
20110021294 | Toy for Positioning a Play Implement - The present invention discloses a play implement positioning device including an implement support for holding a first play implement in a play position to be struck. The invention also discloses a mechanism for selectively, automatically placing multiple stored play implements onto the implement support after the first implement has been struck and dislodged from the implement support. | 01-27-2011 |
20140049015 | AXLE MOUNTING ASSEMBLIES AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS HAVING AXLE MOUNTING ASSEMBLIES - Axle mounting assemblies including an object, an axle, and a bushing assembly that operatively couples the object to the axle. The bushing assembly includes a bushing portion that extends at least partially through and engages a hub of the object, a fastener operatively retained relative to a bore defined by the bushing portion and positioned around the end region of the axle, and a force-receiving portion configured to selectively receive an installation force for operatively positioning the fastener over the end region of the axle. | 02-20-2014 |
20140190842 | Latch Mechanism of a Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device - A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover and a back plate that are hingedly coupled to one another. The cover has a locking plate hingedly coupled to the top of the cover. A latching mechanism is disposed on the top of the back plate. The locking plate is configured to rotate over the cover and back plate and be engaged by the latching mechanism, locking the cover and back plate together. Furthermore, a portable electronic device is configured to be enclosed by the cover and the back plate, which provide protection for the portable electronic device. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190843 | Locking Mechanism of a Protective Case for a Portable Electronic Device - A protective case for a portable electronic device includes a top and a bottom that define an interior configured to receive a portable electronic device. The top and bottom are hingedly coupled to one another along at least one side and removably coupled together by a latch along another side, opposite the hinged side. The latch includes two actuators and in order to open the protective case, both actuators must be actuated simultaneously. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190974 | Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device - A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194029 | Toy Play Set with Multiple Modes and a Housing for a Portable Electronic Device - A toy play set with multiple modes and a housing for a touchscreen portable electronic device includes a support structure, a first movable portion defining a housing configured to receive a portable electronic device, and a second movable portion. The first and second movable portions are rotatably coupled to the support structure and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first movable portion is in an upright orientation and in the second configuration the first movable portion is in a flat orientation. The portable electronic device is configured to provide different game modes depending at least upon the orientation of the first movable portion and the detection of certain toy objects thereon. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194030 | Base with Beveled Edges for Conductive Toys - A base with beveled edges for conductive toys is a base for toy objects, such as toy figurines and other hand-held objects, that supports a toy object and encourages a user to grab the toy at or above a top portion of the base. In order to encourage a user to grab a toy that is supported by the base, the base includes a beveled edge, such as an inwardly sloping side wall. Thus, when used in conjunction with a touchscreen device, the base encourages a user to grab a toy supported thereon at a distance from the surface of the touchscreen device. | 07-10-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090327685 | Efficient root booting with solid state drives and redirection write snapshots - A system and method for root booting includes a plurality of computing devices that each boot from a read-only base volume of an attached storage device that includes data common to the computing devices. The attached storage device also includes a plurality of volumes, each dedicated to one of the computing devices, which are redirect on write snapshots of the read-only base volume including unique items for the respective computing device. The read-only base volume may be stored in one or more solid state drives which may be configured as a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) and/or mirrored with one or more other storage drives. The plurality of volumes may each be stored in one or more hard disk drives which may be configured as a RAID. The attached storage device may be operable to add common data to the read-only base volume. | 12-31-2009 |
20100100677 | Power and performance management using MAIDx and adaptive data placement - The present invention is a method for storing data. The method includes the step of dividing data into a plurality of uniformly-sized segments. The method further includes storing said uniformly-sized segments on a plurality of storage mechanisms. The method includes the steps of monitoring access to the uniformly-sized segments stored on the plurality of storage mechanisms to determine an access pattern; monitoring access patterns between the plurality of disks and monitoring performance characteristics of the plurality of storage mechanisms to determine a performance requirement for the plurality of storage mechanisms. Finally, the method includes the step of migrating at least one segment of the plurality of uniformly-sized segments from a first storage mechanism of the plurality of storage mechanisms to a second storage mechanism of the plurality of storage mechanisms in response to at least one of the access patterns or the performance requirements. | 04-22-2010 |
20100250795 | Method and system for implementing parallelism with SCSI I/O referrals - A method for communication between an initiator system and a block storage cluster may include receiving a first input/output (I/O) request from the initiator system. The method may also include sending a referral response from a first storage system included in a plurality of storage systems of the block storage cluster to the initiator system when data associated with the first I/O request is stored in more than one storage system of the plurality of storage systems of the block storage cluster. Additionally, the method may include directing a referral I/O to the first storage system and the second storage system for transferring data to or transferring data from the first storage system and the second storage system, and transferring data associated with the referral I/O to or transferring data associated with the referral I/O from the first storage system and the second storage system. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250894 | Explicit data segment boundaries with SCSI I/O referrals - A method for communication between an initiator system and a block storage cluster may include receiving a first command at a first storage system included in a plurality of storage systems of the block storage cluster. The method may also include transmitting a referral response from the first storage system to the initiator system when at least a portion of the data associated in the first command is stored by a second storage system. The method may further include obtaining a segment start value and a corresponding port identifier based on the referral response, and directing a second command to at least a second storage system included in the plurality of storage systems of the block cluster. | 09-30-2010 |
20110035547 | Method for utilizing mirroring in a data storage system to promote improved data accessibility and improved system efficiency - The present invention is a method for utilizing mirroring in a data storage system to promote improved data accessibility and improved system efficiency. The method includes establishing a first set of drives of the system in active mode and a second set of drives of the system in passive mode (ex.—a lower power mode). The method further includes writing a first portion of data to a first drive of the first drive set, and writing a copy of the first portion of data to a second drive of the first drive set. A third drive (ex.—from the second drive set), may be activated from passive mode to active mode. The method may further include writing a second copy of the first data portion to the third drive, re-establishing the third drive in passive mode, and deleting the copy of the first data portion from the second drive. | 02-10-2011 |
20110035605 | Method for optimizing performance and power usage in an archival storage system by utilizing massive array of independent disks (MAID) techniques and controlled replication under scalable hashing (CRUSH) - The present invention is a method for drive management and data placement in an archival storage system having a set of drives. The method includes mapping redundant data stripes onto the drives. A first active data stripe, located on a first subset of the drives, is then selected from the mapped data stripes. The first subset is placed into a normal power state and a second subset of the drives is placed into a low power state. Data is then written to the first active data stripe. Before the first active data stripe is fully used, the method includes selecting a next active/second active data stripe from the mapped data stripes, the second active data stripe being at least partially located on the second subset. The method may be performed by a system which implements MAID techniques for drive management and CRUSH for data placement. | 02-10-2011 |
20120036321 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IMPLICIT UNMAPS IN THINLY PROVISIONED VIRTUAL TAPE LIBRARY SYSTEMS - The present invention is a system and method which allows for a VTL system that supports thin provisioning to implicitly unmap unused storage. Such unmap operations may occur even though the VTL system does not receive any explicit unmap requests from its initiators. For example, if a system administrator knows that once a virtual tape drive of the VTL system has been partially overwritten, all previously written data sets on that virtual tape drive will never again be accessed, the system administrator may configure the VTL system so that it unmaps the entire remainder of the virtual tape drive on the first data overwrite. | 02-09-2012 |