Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning an irregularly shaped object with a contact mask is disclosed. The apparatus includes a means for holding the irregularly shaped object, a means for holding a contact mask, a means for keeping the object and contact mask apart during alignment, means for optically aligning the contact mask to the object, and a means to bring the cube and object together once aligned. A conventional mask alignment tool has been modified to support a clamping fixture which holds the object in a fixed position. It includes a wafer sized disk made of deformable material which permits the edges of the disk to be in contact with the mask, yet when deflected by vacuum pressure will keep the surface of the object away from the contact mask assembly. Upon proper alignment, the vacuum is released and the deformable disk allows the object to cone in contact with the contact mask.

Abstract: A data structure and method for uniquely identifying, and optimizing access to, object instances in an object oriented programming environment on a data processor containing a memory. Objects are categorized into one or more classes which define the method of the categorized objects, and messages are sent by the data processor to objects to perform actions. The data structure consists of a persistent portion containing a unique object identifier and a non-persistent portion containing the access address of an instance data frame in memory. The access address is set to the address of the instance data frame control block when the message is sent in order to optimize subsequent messages to the same object instance. The instance data frame control blocks are not allocated in memory until a first message is sent to an instance.

Abstract: A master copy of a software file has within it a predetermined block of data. When a copy of the file is made that block of data within the copied file is located and overwritten with data identifying the copied file. When an unauthorized copy is found, the data identifying the copy can be read and the source of the unauthorized copy may be traced. The invention is particularly suited to use with software distribution over a computer network in which details such as the time the copied file was made and the name of the authorized user can be embedded within the copy.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling mutually exclusive resources and for preventing deadlocks in a multi-tasking computer system by generating a graph containing nodes to which are mapped the tasks included in a flow of processes and the critical resources which may be appropriated by at least one of the tasks. The nodes of tasks executed sequentially are arranged sequentially; the nodes of tasks executed in parallel are arranged in parallel with each other and each node of a critical resource is arranged in parallel with every node which may appropriate it. Every time a signal to being execution of a task is transmitted, a token is generated in the task node and the critical resource node is parallel with the task node.

Abstract: A hardware-based system for managing multiple input/output devices sharing the same set of addresses in a computer system is described. The new VIRTUAL ENABLED state is a hybrid of the current ENABLED or ACTIVE and DISABLED or INACTIVE states. In the ENABLED state, an input/output (I/O) adapter responds to I/O addressing and presents interrupts to the processor. In the DISABLED state, the I/O adapter does not respond to I/O addressing and does not present interrupts. In the new VIRTUAL ENABLED state, the adapter does not respond to I/O addressing (as in the DISABLED state), but will still produce an interrupt (as in the ENABLED state). With the VIRTUAL state, multiple I/O adapters that would normally content for the same set of addresses (ENABLED state), or optionally be rendered inoperable (DISABLED state), can always remain available for I/O. A single register where the processor can read the interrupt status for all ENABLED and/or VIRTUAL ENABLED adapters sharing the same set of addresses is provided.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for building a Rete based network. The computer-based system comprises a first module for inputting rules into the computer-based system, wherein each of the rules may have arbitrary specified tests therein. The computer-based system further comprises a second module responsive to the first module for generating a data structure indicative of each of the inputted rules. The computer-based system further comprises a third module, responsive to the second module, for storing each of the inputted rules and a fourth module responsive to said third means for constructing a Rete network for the rules. Further disclosed is system and method for allowing an expert system developer to enter rules that are formatted in conjunctive, disjunctive and or negated form.

Abstract: An architecture and method for permitting knowledge-based systems to operate in an asynchronous manner is disclosed. A reasoning module includes a set of environment interface procedures which are customized for a specific complex system environment. This environment interface is compiled together with an inference engine and knowledge base to create an embeddable reasoning module.

Abstract: The Video Insertion Processing System (VIPS) architecture provides the system architect with a modular and parallel approach to graphic processing. Using a core set of graphic modules, a wide range of graphic processing requirements can be satisfied. By providing the capability to support independent graphic paths, the performance can increase by N times for each set of graphic paths added. The use of independent graphic paths also increases the systems capability to meet real time response requirements. The key to the VIPS architecture is the ability to merge images from multiple frame buffers into a single display image. The final image is a result of selecting each pixel source based on the pixel's priority. This provides the graphics system with the capability of image overlay, underlay, merge and hide regardless of shape or size.

Abstract: An improved expert system method for use with the RETE pattern matching algorithm is disclosed. At the heart of the invention is the concept of a "shuffleboard," a data structure conducive to sorting elements. The shuffleboard is essentially a list of lists. It is comprised of a set of nodes which are linked together in a series of columns. Each column corresponds to a test condition within a rule, and each node within a column corresponds to a variable referenced by the test condition. The shuffleboard approach provides a means of finding all tests using a given variable and associating those tests. The shuffleboard provides a frame of reference for constructing a new ordering of tests from which the RETE network can be constructed.

Abstract: A process and structure for depositing metal lines in a lift-off process is disclosed. The process comprises the deposition of a four-layer structure or lift-off stencil, comprising a first layer of a lift-off polymer etchable in oxygen plasma, a first barrier layer of hexamethyldisilizane (HMDS) resistant to an oxygenplasma, a second lift-off layer and a second barrier layer. Once these layers are deposited, a layer of photoresist is deposited and lithographically defined with the metal conductor pattern desired. The layers are then sequentially etched with oxygen and CF.sub.4, resulting in a dual overhang lift-off structure. Metal is then deposited by evaporation or sputtering through the lift-off structure. Following metal deposition, the stencil is lifted-off in a solvent such as N-methylpyrroldone (NMP).

Abstract: A computer implemented system creates natural language paraphrases of information contained in a logical form, where the logical form may be a representation of a natural language expression. (Logical forms are widely used by database query systems and machine translation systems and are typically forms of first-order logic, with the possible addition of higher-order operators.) The paraphraser is implicitly defined via the BNF description of CLF (Baclis-Naur Forms) of Initial Trees and of the paraphrase rules. The paraphraser uses a technique for mapping logical forms to natural language. The natural language paraphrases which are created could be used either as input to a query system, as part of a machine translation system, or to generate natural language corresponding to an interpretation created by a natural language database query system of a user's query for the purpose of verification of the paraphrase by the user.

Abstract: The invention supplements the use of a conventional authentication token such as a MAC or DSG, to provide very strong evidence of the origin of an electronic message. A new type of authentication token, known as the "Non-Repudiation Vector" (NRV) is attached to each message sent across a data network. The NRV cryptographically links each message sent or received by a particular data processor on the network to previous and subsequent messages handled by that data processor, to create a chain of cryptographically linked messages. The burden of proof for the repudiation of a message is transferred to the sender of a message, who must demonstrate how the sending data processor could have moved through the time period during which the disputed message was sent, without generating the NRV corresponding to the disputed message.

Abstract: Each panel or display screen of data, is defined by a title and the tagged description of the objects, such as instruction lines, data entry lines, menu areas and command lines. Each of these objects may include other objects, described in the same syntax. Panel definitions are joined in a source file to form a panel group. Objects can be shared by all panels.

Abstract: An optical data switch for use within a multiprocessing environment is disclosed. Each processor has associated with it a data projector, such as a laser or an array of light emitting diodes, and a reading device, such as a Charge Coupled Device array. An optically reflective screen, or mirror, is arranged so that all processors can project their data on the screen at a specified location. Each processor's reading device has a view of the entire screen, thereby being capable of reading data from any other processor.