Personal computer

About: Personal computer is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 58809 publications have been published within this topic receiving 800814 citations. The topic is also known as: PC.

Postural analysis of the trunk and shoulders in simulated real time.

Abstract: A new method for analysing and describing the posture of the trunk and shoulders was developed and used to describe the posture of workers performing automobile assembly operations. The system used a videotape to create a permanent record of the jobs and a personal computer to perform the clerical and time-keeping tasks associated with posture analysis. In experiments using an experienced analyst to evaluate a videotape, highly reproducible results were obtained. Furthermore, the new system required substantially less time than existing posture analysis methods to analyse and reduce postural data.

Vendor Selection with Bundling

Abstract: Product bundling has become increasingly prevalent not only in consumer goods but also in the industrial sector. We study a purchasing problem in which a buyer must obtain necessary numbers of various stock items from a variety of vendors who charge different prices, have limited capacities and different levels of quality, and offer bundled products at discounted prices. We examine relationships among different bundling scenarios and show that the most general scenario is one in which free items are given to the buyer when sufficient quantities are purchased. We develop a mixed integer linear program that finds the purchasing strategy for the buyer that minimizes the total purchase cost. We present computational results which indicate that the problem is very tractable to solve optimally on a personal computer with standard optimization software. Finally, three extensions of the model are discussed.

Method and system for transferring a computer session between devices

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a computer session between devices, such as a land-line device to a wireless device. A user launches a computer session on a first device, such as a personal computer. The user may then selectively transfer the computer session to another device, such as a wireless device, through activation of a triggering signal or other transfer request means. In response, the context of the computer session is determined as it is being performed on the first device, and corresponding context data is transferred to the second device. An applicable application on the second device is opened and loaded with applicable context data to continue the session. Several session transfer mechanisms, including use of an online service, proxy mechanisms, and peer-to-peer communication links, are disclosed.

Efficient numerical methods for infiltration using Richards' equation

Abstract: Two efficient finite difference methods for solving Richards' equation in one dimension are presented, and their use in a range of soils and conditions is investigated. Large time steps are possible when the mass-conserving mixed form of Richards' equation is combined with an implicit iterative scheme, while a hyperbolic sine transform for the matric potential allows large spatial increments even in dry, inhomogeneous soil. Infiltration in a range of soils can be simulated in a few seconds on a personal computer with errors of only a few percent in the amount and distribution of soil water. One of the methods adds points to the space grid as an infiltration or redistribution front advances, thus gaining considerably in efficiency over the other fixed grid method for infiltration problems. In 17-s computing, this advancing front method simulated infiltration, redistribution, and drainage for 50 days in an inhomogeneous soil with nonuniform initial conditions. Only 16 space and 21 time steps were needed for the simulation, which included early ponding with the development and dissipation of a perched water table.

Ultra-high-bit-rate networking: from the transcontinental backbone to the desktop

Abstract: The advances in photonic device technologies are bringing ultra-high-bit-rate networking-at speeds towards 100 Gb/s and beyond-much closer to practical reality. It is increasingly likely that in the longer term ultrafast optical time-division techniques-together with wavelength multiplexing-will be used in networks at all levels, from the transcontinental backbone to the desktop. Examples of devices include a subpicosecond clock source packaged inside a laptop personal computer and an OTDM switch on a single semiconductor chip, both produced at HHI. Advances similar to these make it possible now to envisage the use of OTDM techniques, not just in the highest layers of national and international networks, but also much closer to the user-such as the world-first demonstrations at BT Laboratories of a 40 Gb/s TDMA LAN and a 100 Gb/s packet self-routing switch for multiprocessor interconnection. Ultrafast networks might even provide the interconnection backplane inside future desktop routers and servers with massive throughput.