743 results about "Intermediate storage" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

A system for data backup includes a storage device, a backup storage device, and an intermediate storage device. Backup procedure is performed on-line and copies data blocks from the storage device into the backup storage device. When a write command is directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. In case of an error accessing a block on the storage device, the block is marked as invalid. The intermediate storage device can be external to a file system of a computer that includes the storage device, or can be located in the storage device, or can be a separate partition of the storage device, or can be a file within a file system. The system suspends a write command to the storage device during the data backup process if the intermediate storage device has reached a selected data capacity; and copies a selected amount of data from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device.

Vacuum pneumatic conveying apparatus and method are described to provide for a simple, economical, convenient (and preferably automatic) system for conveying ice on an as-required basis from a source such as an ice maker to one or more receptors at locations remote from that source. The system can be configured such that dispensing locations can be added or eliminated from the system or temporarily taken "off line" from the system without the need to change the basic system configuration or the central ice providing apparatus. The apparatus in various embodiments includes an ice source, a conveying conduit from the source to the receptor, a vacuum pump for moving the ice through the conduit by vacuum, and the receptor to collect the conveyed ice. The receptor may be an ice/beverage dispenser, an accumulator for retention and discharge to further devices, an intermediate storage dispenser, or an air lock device from where the ice can be projected over significant distances. Ice and vacuum may simultaneously be routed into different branched routes, utilizing a unique diverter/air shifter with the capability of providing routing to up to four different routes. Appropriate sensors and controllers, which may be microprocessor-based, may be used to automate the system. The entire system is easily cleanable. The system is advantageously used by restaurants, groceries, hotels and motels, hospitals, laboratories, and many other establishments where the providing of ice at various locations is desirable or required.

A resource download process is provided which includes accepting and/or determining evidence about user based factors, accepting and/or determining resource based factors, and maximizing the expectcd value of downloading resources. A resource distribution process is provided which includes accepting and/or determining user based factors, accepting and/or determining resource based factors, accepting and/or determining intermediate storage facility based factors, and minimizing the total expected latencies between requesting and receiving resources. A process for distributing resources is provided which includes determining a change in value and a change in cost of storing resources on a first storage facility versus storing resources on a second storage facility, determining a value density based on the change in value and the change in cost, and maximizing a total value density given a total size of resources being less than the finite available capacity of the first storage facility.

A computer-implemented system (200) for the retrieval and manipulation of information available via an information network (104) includes an information retrieval and processing component (202). The information retrieval and processing component includes search query means (206) for conducting a search of the information network to obtain references to the information relevant to a search query. The information retrieval and processing component (202) further includes information retrieval means (208) for retrieving information available from sources on the information network, and an information store (210), for storage of retrieved information. The information retrieval and processing component (202) also includes processing means for processing of information retrieved from sources on the information network, and of information stored in the information store, to produce corresponding processed information. A user interface (204) has an array of input/output cells, which is adapted to enable a user to provide input into one or more of said cells for directing operations of the information retrieval and processing component, and to display within one or more of the cells information resulting from such operations. The system thus includes a cell-based user interface, and an intermediate storage layer, which permits a knowledge worker or other user, who may be unfamiliar with sophisticated computer programming languages, to develop automated processes for information transfer and manipulation based on present and historical information available via the information network.

A system and method for multivolume file system backup without suspending activity of user application programs uses a file system snapshot of two and more partitions or volumes of the storage device, or two and more data storages, significantly increasing computer system availability and allows backing up two and more partitions of the storage device without interrupting computer services. Backup procedure is performed online, simultaneously creates snapshots of two and more partitions of the storage device or storage devices in the pre-selected point of time and copies data blocks from partitions into the backup storage device, optionally through the intermediate storage device. When a write command is directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device.

A system for continuous data protection includes a storage device and a backup storage device. The continuous data protection procedure is performed as two parallel processes: creating an initial backup by copying a data as a file/directory from the storage device into the backup storage device, and copying the data to be written to the data storage as a part of a file/directory into the incremental backup. When a write command is directed to a file system driver, it is intercepted and redirected to the backup storage, and the data to be written in accordance with the write request, is written to the incremental backup on the backup storage. If the write command is also directed to a data (a file/directory) that has been identified for backup, but has not yet been backed up, the identified data (a file/directory) is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device. Then, the write command is executed on the identified file/directory on the storage device and the file/directory is copied from the intermediate storage device.

A method of writing data to non-volatile computer storage is disclosed. A logical page of data is received and stored in an intermediate storage. A first portion of the logical page is read from the intermediate storage and written to a first physical page in the non-volatile computer storage. A second portion of the logical page is read from the intermediate storage and written to a second physical page in the non-volatile computer storage. A method of reading data from non-volatile computer storage is disclosed. A first portion of a logical page is read from a first physical page in the non-volatile computer storage and written in an intermediate storage. A second portion of the logical page is read from a second physical page and written in the intermediate storage. The first portion and the second portion of the logical page are concatenated to form the logical page.

A system, method and computer program product for identifying malicious code running on a computer, including an operating system running on the computer with a data storage device; and a trusted software component running simultaneously with the operating system. An online snapshot process of a current state of the data storage device copies data blocks from the storage device to intermediate storage. Processes running under the control of the operating system have access to the data storage device. A scanning procedure runs under control of the trusted software component that has access to data representing the snapshot of the data storage device from the trusted software component. The scanning procedure analyzes the snapshot of the data storage device for the malicious code, and, in response to a “write” directed to a data block in the snapshot area of the storage device, that data block is written to the intermediate storage.

Apparatus for use in a storage and retrieval system for product held in containers is provided. The apparatus includes multiple, parallel spaced-apart support members (41) defining a plurality of rows (20), each adapted to support a base of a plurality of containers thereby forming a container store. One or more conveying means (44) is engageable with containers in a row (20) to transport the containers longitudinally within that row, the conveying means (44) movable transverse and below the rows. One or more loading means (45) is movable transverse to the rows (20) along an end of the rows to enable loading of one or more containers into a selected row. A computer control system automatically controls operation of the loading means and conveying means. The loading means (45) may include a transfer conveyor (49) extending beneath at least a portion of said rows and moveable transverse to said rows below said rows. Product may be stored in a bulk storage zone (27) in which containers of product are stored in frames (50), an intermediate storage zone (40) and a low storage zone (65). A first automated retrieval system retrieves selected stacks of containers from the intermediate storage zone (40), and a second automated retrieval system retrieves individual containers, partial stacks or stacks of containers from the low storage zone (65). Product orders are collated at a collation zone (34) and a conveying means (19) is in communication with each zone for delivering product between zones. Methods of storage and retrieval are also claimed.

Continuous data protection is performed as two parallel processes: copying a data block from the storage device into the backup storage device (creating initial backup) and copying the data block to be written to the data storage into the incremental backup. When a write command is directed to a data storage block, it's intercepted and redirected to the backup storage, and data, which is to be written in accord to the write request, is written to the incremental backup on the backup storage. If write command is also directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. In case of an error accessing a block on the storage device, the block is marked as invalid. The system suspends a write command to the storage device during the initial data backup process if the intermediate storage device has reached a selected data capacity; and copies a selected amount of data from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device.

A demodulation image sensor, such as used in time of flight (TOF) cameras, extracts all storage- and post-processing-related steps from the pixels to another array of storage and processing elements (proxels) on the chip. The pixel array has the task of photo-detection, first processing and intermediate storage, while the array of storage and processing elements provides further processing and enhanced storage capabilities for each pixel individually. The architecture can be used to address problems due to the down-scaling of the pixel size. Typically, either the photo-sensitivity or the signal storage capacitance suffers significantly. Both a lower sensitivity and smaller storage capacitances have negative influence on the image quality. The disclosed architecture allows for keeping the storage capacitance unaffected by the pixel down-scaling. In addition to that, it provides a high degree of flexibility in integrating more intelligence into the image sensor design already on the level of the pixel array. In particular, if applied to demodulation pixels, the flexibility of the architecture allows for integrating on sensor-level concepts for multi-tap sampling, mismatch compensation, background suppression and so on, without any requirement to adjust the particular demodulation pixel architecture.

A breathing gas humidifier system for a patient includes a replaceable, closed water reservoir (1) with stable pressure, provided for receiving a water reserve for the breathing gas humidifier system. An intermediate storage unit (4) with water is closed from the environment and is located under the water reservoir. The water reservoir (1) and the intermediate storage unit (4) have a valve (16, 14) each, with one of the valves cooperating with the other valve, so that there is a flow connection between the water reservoir (1) and the intermediate storage unit (4) only when the water reservoir (1) is received in a connector (2) of the intermediate storage unit (4). The intermediate storage unit (4) is connected via a water connection line (5) located below the water level to a heated evaporator chamber (7), which opens above the water evaporating at the boiling point into the breathing gas line to a patient. A gas pressure equalizing line (12) is located between the heated evaporator chamber (7) and the intermediate storage unit (4).

A system and method are provided for storing electric energy in the form of thermal energy. A thermoelectric energy storage system includes a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through a heat exchanger, and a thermal storage medium circuit for circulating a thermal storage medium. The thermal storage medium circuit includes at least one hot storage tank, an intermediate temperature storage tank, and a cold storage tank connected together via the heat exchanger. A proportion of the storage medium is redirected to or from the intermediate storage tank from or to the hot or cold storage tank, joining another proportion which flows directly between the cold and hot storage tank.

The invention relates to a method for the optimization of operation and control of energy conservation for a reserve ball-grinding powder system. Firstly, a non-linear neural network model about the consumption of powder of a powder-making system and operating parameters is established through collecting the service data of the powder-making system, then the negative pressure and the temperature at the entrance of a coal mill and the temperature at the outlet of the coal mill are obtained through the non-linear optimization with restricted conditions as a set value for controlling the system, wherein, the negative pressure, the temperature at the entrance and the outlet lead to lower consumption of powder; the entire optimized controlling of the powder-making system is carried out through the intelligent control of rotation of the coal mill and multivariable decoupling control of parameters at the entrance of the coal mill based on the operating experience as well as an intelligent down draft control technology, so as to ensure that the powder-making system strictly runs at an optimal condition and effectively reduces the powder consumption. The method provided by the invention can effectively inhibit the fluctuations of a primary air pressure in the on/off process of the powder-making system, put an end to serious accidents such as flameout in a boiler caused by down draft and effectively reduce the operating intensity for the staff.

An inhaler for the propellant-free nebulization of a medicament preparation produces a low speed aerosol. The inhaler is combined with an add-on device for intermediate storage of the aerosol produced. The inhaler has a tensioning device for the one-handed tensioning of a drive spring and release thereof. The inhaler is provided with a dispensing device for large animals.

A streamlined cache coherency protocol system and method for a multiple processor single chip device. There are three primary memory unit (e.g., a cache line) states (modified, shared, and invalid) and three intermediate memory unit pending states. The pending states are used by the present invention to prevent race conditions that may develop during the completion of a transaction. The pending states “lock out” the memory unit (e.g., prevent access by other agents to a cache line) whose state is in transition between two primary states, thus ensuring coherency protocol correctness. Transitions between states are governed by a series of request and reply or acknowledgment messages. The memory unit is placed in a pending state while appropriate measures are taken to ensure access takes place at an appropriate time. For example, a modification occurs only when other agents can not access the particular memory unit (e.g., a cache line).

Continuous data protection is performed as two parallel processes: creating an initial backup by copying a data as a file/directory from the storage device into the backup storage, and copying the data to be written to the data storage as a part of a file/directory into the incremental backup. Alternatively, it can be performed as one process: copying the data to be written to the data storage as a part of a file/directory on the storage. A write command to a file system driver is intercepted and redirected to the backup, and the data is written to the incremental backup. If the write command is also directed to a not yet backed up data (a file/directory), the identified data is copied from the storage device to intermediate storage. The write command is executed on the file/directory from the storage device, and the file/directory is copied from the intermediate storage.