Housekeeping (computing)

Abstract: Disposable mini-applications (106) are executable software items whose activation, deactivation and deletion in a mobile terminal are defined by trigger parameters and rules (250). Trigger parameters (250) may include, but are not intended to be limited to, location, time (218), stored user data and the like. Rules are one or more trigger parameters needed to effect one of the foregoing actions. In one embodiment, a housekeeping means (206) monitors for data that corresponds to the parameters and satisfies the rules, and performs a variety of housekeeping functions relating to the disposable mini-applications (106). The deletion of the disposable mini­application clears memory space associated with storing and executing the disposable mini-application, and thus, makes that space available for other purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging data between two or more digital computers across a computer network is described, where the digital computers transfer data in a peer-to-peer mode and/or a client/server mode upon command of the operator. This invention addresses the problem of managing, updating and installing executable software, such as operating systems, utilities and application software packages on networked computer systems. A system operator can transfer data stored on a single computer system (101) to all or some of the computer systems (102a-102n) connected to the first system over a computer network (103) and can do so without expensive electronic server equipment. Moreover, this invention provides the capability of transferring data as files, sectors, or cylinders of disk media, thereby permitting a single operator to, through a generally automated procedure, simultaneously install new system software, configuration files and executive files on many computers connected in a computer networks.

Abstract: Corporations that achieve ever more efficiency while preventing pollution through good housekeeping, materials substitution, cleaner technologies, and cleaner products and that strive for more efficient use and recovery of resources can be called ‘eco-efficient’.

Abstract: This invention provides a defragmentation utility that works on-line in parallel with other file system activities. Thus, it avoids making the file system unavailable for periods of time which would, if not for this invention, slow down data communication exchange and the execution of other tasks dependent upon the data. In particular, this invention, steps through all of the valid inodes finding each of the fragments. The defragmentation engine decides which fragments must remain in their current location and which fragments should migrate to another disk block sub-block location. Since the data blocks span across multiple disks, for each valid disk of the file system a set of disk blocks are constructed that are chosen to be filled, herein called plates. When the plates become full or reach a certain fullness, they are removed from the set and replaced by other disk blocks. When a disk block is removed from the plate set, it is moved to a “done” list as it is considered “full”. While a disk block is in the done list the fragments that belong to that block are not allowed to migrate. Thus, a defragmentation utility that works on-line, avoids locking data structures for long periods of time, is memory efficient, uses sub-blocks for fragment analysis and migration as well as minimizes data movements has been summarized. This utility thereby provides a transparent defragmentation function that operates in the background seamlessly with other system file operations.