Abstract: A method, computer system or computer program is provided for interactively constructing, editing, rendering and manipulating geoscience models, including aggregating the functionality of a geometry system and a graphics system, enforcing consistency between the geometry system and the graphics system, and interfacing the geometry system and the graphics system to an application through an integration layer. State machines are also provided that enable updating of only those graphics objects whose geometry or topology have been changed and that are specified as visible by the user, thus increasing performance. A scenegraph construction technique is also provided to reduce memory requirements and further enhance performance. A material property framework is provided, among other things, to communicate changes in the geometry or topology to aggregate objects which then determine which graphics objects are affected by the changes and which graphics objects are to be updated.

Abstract: Methods are provided for exposing a selected feature of an IC device, such as a selected conductor, from the back side of the substrate without disturbing adjacent features of the device, such as active regions. One such method comprises: (a) determining a region of the IC device in which the selected feature is located; (b) acquiring from the back side of the substrate an IR optical microscope image of the region; (c) aligning the IR optical microscope image with a coordinate system of a milling system; and (d) using structures visible in the IR optical microscope image as a guide, operating the milling system to expose the selected feature from the back side of the IC device without disturbing adjacent features.

Abstract: A method, computer system and computer program are disclosed for representing a first surface at multiple levels of resolution. The first surface is partitioned into nodes with one or more boundaries, each level of resolution having a subset of the boundaries. A second surface may be classified against the first surface. Surfaces and the model may be decimated. Portions of the surfaces may be loaded from persistent memory on demand and removed when no longer required.

Abstract: A smart card for use in connection with execution of a software program by a computer includes a microcontroller configured by a program stored in a smart card memory to verify information received from the computer during execution of the software program. The microcontroller is further configured to cause a signal to be stored in the smart card memory which is indicative of whether execution of the software program is certified as valid based on results of verifying the received information. Methods of using the smart card are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit card is used with a terminal. The integrated circuit card includes a memory that stores an interpreter and an application that has a high level programming language format. A processor of the card is configured to use the interpreter to interpret the application for execution and to use a communicator of the card to communicate with the terminal.

Abstract: A method for efficiently and accurately producing filter coefficients for wavefield extrapolation which is particularly useful for migrating seismic data using a multiprocessor parallel computer as provided. In 3D seismic migration, the techniques have been developed for 3D processing using 1D extrapolation filters. The present invention uses a Remez-type approximation for developing such extrapolation filters which increases image quality or reduces processing time, or both. Additionally, the method provides an automated method for producing such extrapolation filters which is particularly useful in parallel seismic migration because of the large number of extrapolation filters which must be produced. The automated method of generating filters sets a frequency transition band where the amplitude is specified to be monotonically decreasing which insures stable filter design.

Abstract: Methods are provided for exposing a selected feature of an IC device, such as a selected conductor, from the back side of the substrate without disturbing adjacent features of the device, such as active regions. One such method comprises: (a) determining a region of the IC device in which the selected feature is located; (b) acquiring from the back side of the substrate an IR optical microscope image of the region; (c) aligning the IR optical microscope image with a coordinate system of a milling system; and (d) using structures visible in the IR optical microscope image as a guide, operating the milling system to expose the selected feature from the back side of the IC device without disturbing adjacent features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving acquired digital data over bandpass channels (i.e. channels having a limited range of frequencies) at high data transmission rates. Combined amplitude and phase modulation (quadrature amplitude modulation) is applied to the digital data and the sampled digital waveform converted to an analog waveform for passage over the bandpass channel. The sample rate is chosen as an integer multiple of the symbol rate and carrier frequency to significantly reduce processing overhead. Reception of the acquired data is similar to transmission and involves an analogous amplitude and phase demodulation. The quadrature amplitude modulation technique of the present invention is applied to an oil well-logging application to transmit the data acquired from the downhole logging instruments over the logging cable (bandpass channel) at high transmission rates.

Abstract: A smart card comprises a microcontroller, a memory unit, a storage unit, and a communications unit. The smart card may be connected to a terminal, which is in turn may be connected to a host computer and/or a network. The smart card is configured to initiate communications with the terminal, which enables the smart card to control the terminal, host computer, or network and to access the resources connected to the terminal, host computer, or network. A communications protocol defines the commands that the smart card can send and allows the smart card to communicate using asynchronous or logical asynchronous communication.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for calibrating the longitudinal accuracy of marking devices by using a comparison of a pattern printed on the transverse scale to a pattern printed on the longitudinal scale to calibrate the longitudinal scale is disclosed. The marking device could be a strip chart recorder, a printer, a well log printer or any other marking device for which one scale is less subject to variations or error than another. The information used for the calibration may be retained for re-use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for transmitting logging data from a primary location to a remote location in near real time. The logs can be viewed almost simultaneously at the primary and remote locations, as data is being acquired.

Abstract: A method for detecting electrical defects in a semiconductor wafer, includes the steps of: a) applying charge to the wafer such that electrically isolated structures are raised to a voltage relative to electrically grounded structures; b) obtaining voltage contrast data for at least a portion of the wafer containing such structures using an electron beam; and c) analyzing the voltage contrast data to detect structures at voltages different from predetermined voltages for such structures. Voltage contrast data can take one of a number of forms. In a simple form, data for a number of positions on a line scan of an electron beam can be taken and displayed or stored as a series of voltage levels and scan positions. Alternatively, the data from a series of scans can be displayed as a voltage contrast image.

Abstract: A system for transactional taxation includes a secure stored data device, such as a smart card, having means for storing purchaser-specific data, an interface device for communicating with the secure stored data device and means for determining a tax rate on a purchase using the purchaser-specific data.

Abstract: A system for tracking continuing education includes a secure stored data device, such as a smart card, storing practitioner-specific data, and a read/write device for communicating with the secure stored data device and for writing course attendance information for the practitioner to the secure stored data device. A professional education server initiates the secure stored data device and the read/write device, accepts data from the secure stored data device and the read/write device, verifies compliance with education requirements and verifies consistency in the data sets.

Abstract: A system for testing an automotive engine management system (EMS), comprises (a) means for generating a series of EMS input signals which are equivalent to input signals generated by an automobile; (b) means for applying the EMS input signals to the EMS in a manner which simulates that of the inputs from an automobile; (c) a series of loads connected to outputs from the EMS, the loads being equivalent to the loads imposed by systems within an automobile under the control of the EMS; (d) sensors for measuring the EMS outputs; and (e) means for coordinating, in real time, application of the EMS inputs and measurement of the EMS outputs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for handling and transmitting a file over a communication channel wherein the file may be adaptably compressed to improve throughput. The invention also provides for a method of recovery in the event of a communication failure. The file may be encrypted while it is being transmitted. The compression and transmission may occur while the file is being written, so that the receiving location receives the data in near real time.

Abstract: Sampling a waveform in an IC device to which a repeating test pattern is applied, includes the steps of: a) defining a portion of the test signal containing a feature of interest; b) applying a sampling signal to an AFM device adjacent a surface of the IC device at a predetermined point during the portion for a series of consecutive repetitions of the test signal pattern, the sampling signal having substantially shorter duration than the feature of interest; c) measuring deflection of a cantilever in the AFM device on application of the sampling signal; and d) determining the voltage at the predetermined point from the measured deflection of the cantilever. The steps can be applied at several points in the portion of interest and the measurements integrated and displayed.

Abstract: The head of a pick and place system for removing IC parts from a tray and inserting them into a burn-in board (BIB) includes one or more sensors which detect light reflected from a part picked up from a tray and outputs a signal which can be analyzed to determine if the part is improperly seated in the head (misprecised) or improperly inserted into the socket of a BIB (misinserted).

Abstract: An optical system for a particle beam device such as an electron microscope, e-beam device or FIB device, including a particle beam column having an optical axis along which a beam of particles is projected and an apertured plate positioned in the column having an aperture which is coaxial with the optical axis, the plate being moveable in a direction which is parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for transmitting logging data from a primary location to a remote location in near real time. The logs can be viewed almost simultaneously at the primary and remote locations, as data is being acquired.