Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting to pads formed on a semiconductor device includes a substrate and an array of contact elements of conductive material formed on the substrate. Each contact element includes a base portion attached to the top surface of the substrate and a curved spring portion extending from the base portion and having a distal end projecting above the substrate. The curved spring portion is formed to curve away from a plane of contact and has a curvature disposed to provide a controlled wiping action when engaging a respective pad of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A Flat Flex Connector (FFC) has connector flanges embedded in its insulated electrical traces. The flanges engage electrical circuits in a camera module such as a CMOS or CCD and are clamped into electrical engagement. The opposite end of the FFC makes electrical contact with another electrical device such as a semiconductor circuit. The assembly allows electrical connection of two or more devices in a confined space in which the electrical device are not easily aligned for electrical contact.

Abstract: A method and system for updating or recovering a computer device's software image using a single portable operating system image stored on a bootable, secure partition on local storage (hard drive); a method and system utilizing delta image patching technology to allow the single image to work on a large number of diverse computer device platforms; and a method for distributing software patches and updates via a, secure local partition to ensure patches and updates are applied to well known software images that have not been modified to include malicious software and do not include any other undesirable changes that have been made to the primary, running operating system image.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from a computer system crashing as a result of the storage disk suffering physical damage and/or the corruption of an application, operating system, and/or data. The computer system may be standalone or a part of a communication network. The computer includes a hard disk storage divided into a primary partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and a recovery partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and for backup data storage. A boot track storing a boot manager, a backup status information file for establishing communication between the operating systems of the primary and recovery partitions, and a status validation file verifying the integrity of the backup status information file.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting multiple output messages from a single input message system where the system is keeping the messages in order by correlating the output messages with the input messages. For each output message, an indicator is associated with the output message indicating whether this output message is the last message being generated for the given input message. This allows multicasting to occur in a system where the output is matched to the input by allowing multiple output messages to be associated with a single input message.

Abstract: A system and method of moving information units from a network processor toward a data transmission network in a prioritized sequence which accommodates several different levels of service. The present invention includes a method and system for scheduling the egress of processed information units (or frames) from a network processing unit according to service based on minimum bandwidth specifications where position in the queue is adjusted after each service based on minimum bandwidth specificaiton and the length of frame, a process which is subject to rounding errors. To avoid the accumulation of rounding errors inequitably influencing the position of some in the queue, a system to adjust for the rounding errors adds an increased measure of fairness to the system.

Abstract: A system and method uses grouped calendars, flow queues, pointers and stored rules to process information packets so that different flow control characteristics associated with the information units are maintained.

Abstract: A system and method of protocol and frame classification in a system for data processing (e.g., switching or routing data packets or frames). The present invention includes analyzing a portion of the packet or frame according to predetermined tests, then storing key characteristics of the packet for use in subsequent processing of the frame. The key characteristics for the frame (or input information unit, such as the type of layer 3 protocol used in the frame, the layer 2 encapsulation technique, the starting instruction address and flags indicating whether the frame uses a virtual local area network, preferably using hardware to quickly and in a uniform time period. The stored key characteristics of the packet are then used by the network processing complexes in its further processing of the frame. The processor is preconditioned with a starting instruction address and the location of the beginning of the layer 3 header as well as flags for the type of frame.

Abstract: A data processing network having at least one centrally accessed computer connected to a plurality of PC Client computers of various types containing myriad “content”, defined as any type of multimedia, program and OS elements, files or text and voice and video messages located in accessible storage, the centrally accessed computer having content management software and a database containing one copy of each content element unique to one PC Client and one copy of each content element common to a plurality of PC Client computers, each PC Client computer containing a software agent and numerous content elements in local accessed storage. A method and means for maintaining one copy of each common content element and one copy of each unique content element, stored in the database of the centrally accessed computer and for refreshing the contents of the PC Client computers as required from the database and network resources.

Abstract: A system and method of data flow management, particularly in a multiple network processor architecture where a plurality of independent processing units are simultaneously processing information from different frames of input information. The present invention includes first-in-first-out files identifying the individual frames and correlating the frames with the processor to which the frames have been assigned for processing as well as a first-in-first-out file of processed frames for each processor to allow the frames to be processed independently, then reassembled into the same order as the frames had been received without communication between the independent processors.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the operation of linear variable-gain amplifiers to allow for such linear variable gain amplifiers to have a wider operating range at high current levels, control inputs for selectable gains and improved low-voltage operation. In a first mode, the amplifier includes an additional source of current to allow for an enhanced operating range. In a second embodiment, the amplifier includes a plurality of selective resistive levels and a selection system which allows the selection of one of the resistive levels which, in turn, controls the gain range of the amplifier system of the present invention. A third embodiment of the present invention illustrates the use of an amplifier system useful for a low voltage input signal to reduce errors caused by variations in the base to emitter in the two transistors providing the amplification.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the operation of linear variable-gain amplifiers to allow for such linear variable gain amplifiers to have a wider operating range at high current levels, control inputs for selectable gains and improved low-voltage operation. In a first mode, the amplifier includes an additional source of current to allow for an enhanced operating range. In a second embodiment, the amplifier includes a plurality of selective resistive levels and a selection system which allows the selection of one of the resistive levels which, in turn, controls the gain range of the amplifier system of the present invention. A third embodiment of the present invention illustrates the use of an amplifier system useful for a low voltage input signal to reduce errors caused by variations in the base to emitter in the two transistors providing the amplification.

Abstract: A method based on predefined connection priorities for assigning link bandwidth to a requesting user in a high speed digital network interconnecting network users through a path including network nodes connected through high speed links. According to this method, a predefined reservable link bandwidth is split into so-called nominal bandwidth portions and common bandwidth portions, both assignable to the same connections on a priority basis. Each of the common bandwidth priorities is individually related to a nominal bandwidth priority through a predefined relationship, making the common bandwidth priorities always lower than any nominal priority. In this way the requested link connection bandwidth, whatever be its nominal priority, is made preemptable primarily on all common bandwidth, thus avoiding the disruption of any network connection which is already established.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transforming an image for classification or pattern recognition. At least two distinct projections are carried out in order to define boundaries and shadows of the transformed image. The transformed image is the basis for further analysis such as the calculation of parameter values to be verified.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling network switches which includes a central network controller node having a call task for booking and executing calls by setting up the switches that interconnect a first terminal and a second terminal and a switch master task for receiving commands to control all of the switches in the network, maintaining status information for all of said switches and distributing requests for particular connections. A switch controller task is coupled to the switch master task for converting input instructions to a generic switch into commands for hardware switches. In response to a client request, the central network controller communicates with the switch controller task to convert commands for the generic switch to commands for the hardware switch and to create a connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: A video information transmission network having a plurality of nodes including at least one master node and a number of slave nodes responsive to master node; as well as an information directory containing directory information. The information directory includes a central directory associated with the master node, and a number of slave directories associated with the slave nodes. There is a directory maintenance updater associated with the information directory adapted to maintain information in the slave directories consistent with information in the central directory.

Abstract: A multimedia terminal having a host processor, an audio and video encoder and a system time clock. The encoders are input as digital video elementary frames into a multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a mux processor, a video FIFO and a video mux logic circuit coupled to both the mux processor and the video FIFO. Mux logic is operative to monitor video FIFO fullness and to signal the mux processor when there is sufficient video data in the FIFO to form the payload of a transport packet.

Abstract: A networking services architecture is provided in which several communication media and protocols are supported. In commonly used communications middleware, the routing specification and messaging interface provided to a client application may depend on the communications protocol used. The client's interface is independent of the communication protocols supported for internode message delivery, and the routing specification is also independent of the number and type of communication protocols supported. For instance in a communication system, node A and node B could be connected using IP (Internet Protocol), while node B and node C could be connected using synchronous pooling. The routing specification is independent of these details since nodes are identified in a protocol independent manner.

Abstract: A multimedia terminal for processing multimedia signals having a host processor, latency, jitter insensitive and latency, jitter sensitive devices, and an isolation device between the latency and jitter insensitive devices and the latency and jitter sensitive devices operative to pass only low bandwidth signals is provided.

Abstract: A method of transparent call discrimination includes providing a call discrimination data message within a Caller ID message frame structure of an outgoing call from a call originating equipment. A type of call on an incoming telephone line of a call receiving equipment is discriminated in response to the call discrimination message, wherein the type of call is discriminated prior to an occurrence of an OFF-HOOK state of the telephone line. An appropriate device of the call receiving equipment is then activated in response to the type of call, in preparation for responding to the incoming call. Lastly, the incoming call is routed to the appropriate device in response to the discriminated type of call at the occurrence of the OFF-HOOK state. An apparatus for transparent call discrimination is also disclosed.