Abstract: A low-k dielectric metal conductor interconnect structure having no micro-trenches present therein and a method of forming such a structure are provided. Specifically, the above structure is achieved by providing an interconnect structure which includes at least a multilayer of dielectric materials which are applied sequentially in a single spin apply tool and then cured in a single step and a plurality of patterned metal conductors within the multilayer of spun-on dielectrics. The control over the conductor resistance is obtained using a buried etch stop layer having a second atomic composition located between the line and via dielectric layers of porous low-k dielectrics having a first atomic composition. The inventive interconnect structure also includes a hard mask which assists in forming the interconnect structure of the dual damascene-type.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying user context in a customer self service system that performs resource search and selection and includes a context attribute database comprising types of user contexts and one or more context attributes associated with each user context for processing by the system, and context attribute function database comprising functions for computing values for each context attribute. The classifying system comprises a computing device for receiving a user query and a context vector comprising data associating an interaction state with the user and, processing the query and context vector against data included in the context attribute database and context attribute function database for predicting a particular user context. The classifier populates the user context vector with context parameters specifying a user interaction state for use in a subsequent resource search.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of filling an at least one aperture in a semiconductor substrate by placing a sacrificial carrier structure on a surface of the substrate, wherein the structure comprises, a first layer, a fill material over the first layer, and a mask over fill material having at least one opening therein, such that the opening at least partially aligns with the aperture in the substrate. Thereafter, the fill material is forced into the aperture by the application of heat and pressure, and the sacrificial carrier structure is removed.

Abstract: A method for adding decoupling capacitance in the floor plan of an integrated circuit, wherein the floor plan is divided into a plurality of regions.

Abstract: A memory statistic counter and method for counting the number of accesses (writes or reads) by a microprocessor (10) to at least a portion of a memory comprising a decoding logic unit (16) for providing a selection signal for selecting the portion of memory in response to control signals from the microprocessor, and adding logic units (18, 20, 22). The memory statistic counter includes a register which is incremented each time the portion of memory is accessed by the microprocessor and providing a registration signal when the number of accesses is equal to a predetermined number, and a queuing unit (44) for registering a value in a registering memory (50), such as a first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory, in response to the registration signal and providing an interrupt signal to the microprocessor when all locations of the registering memory have been filled, thereby indicating to the microprocessor that a defined number of accesses to the portion of memory has occurred.

Abstract: A computer processor socket has a base with grounding and signal holes. Each hole contains a pin for electrical interconnection with a circuit board. The socket also contains a grounding device around its perimeter. The grounding device has a continuous ring of wiping members on its upper end. When a processor is mounted to the top of the socket, the wiping members extend slightly above the processor. The heatsink mounted on top of the processor engages the wiping members which are spring-biased against its lower surface. Since the wiping members extend completely around the perimeter of the socket, a continuous electrical ground interface is formed between the heatsink and the socket. The lower ends of the grounding device are electrically interconnected with the socket grounding pins which are grounded to the board.

Abstract: A disk drive damper avoids matching a frequency band in which a sound frequency peak generated by the rotation of a spindle motor and a resonant frequency of the damper. The damper is attached to a disk drive apparatus and enabled to repress vibration. The damper includes a flat base portion having a jointing surface onto the disk drive apparatus and wall-thickness portions that are thicker than the flat base portion. The damper is varied in shape more freely than conventional flat dampers. Consequently, the resonant frequency of the damper can be adjusted more freely than ever.

Abstract: A method for performing circuit analysis on an integrated-circuit design having design data available in different forms is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, the integrated-circuit design includes multiple networks, and the different forms of design data may appear within one of the networks. For all of the networks within the integrated-circuit design, different forms of design data are categorized into at least three databases. The first of the at least three databases may contain three-dimensional extraction information, the second of the databases may contain wiring information, and the third of the databases may contain pre-wiring information. For each of the networks, a determination is made as to whether or not three-dimensional extraction information is available. In response to a determination that three-dimensional extraction information is available, performing circuit analysis by utilizing the three-dimensional extraction information.

Abstract: A torch comprising a frame structure with a fuel container disposed therein, a flame guard cap extending upwardly from the frame with an aperture formed therein, a wick disposed in the aperture, and a rotatable snuffer cap attached to the frame and adapted to cover the wick.

Abstract: A method for forming a pulsating air pattern at a surface of an electronic carrier assembly. The electronic carrier assembly includes a circuit card having an attached module or chip. An air circulation pattern, or flow pattern, is formed at the surface of an electronic carrier assembly by natural convection, or by a steady air flow generated by a fan, respectively. A suitably-positioned rotatable disk having one or more void regions, and in a state of rotation, interrupts the air circulation or flow pattern by causing a pulsation air pattern at the surface of the electronic carrier assembly. The effect of the pulsating air pattern is to increase the rate of heat transfer from the electronic carrier assembly by two mechanisms. First, the thickness of the boundary layer at the surface of the electronic carrier is reduced, thereby increasing the heat transfer coefficient at the boundary layer. Second, stagnant air trapped between nearby electronic components on the electronic carrier assembly is swept away.

Abstract: An adhesive for bonding a die of an integrated circuit chip comprises an aryl cyanate (ester) resin and/or a diepoxide resin admixed with tetrahydropyranyl-protected hydroxylmethylated phenolic resin or hydroxymethylated poly(hydroxystyrene) optionally further containing an electrically or thermally conductive filler.

Abstract: The positioning of mesh side features in a stencil mask are controlled to produce a mask which possesses high structural integrity and which exhibits a low service life. Mesh side feature control also eliminates certain unnecessary design side channels and mesh side via openings. Mesh side feature placement at T-shaped design side junctions is also controlled to produce a more uniform distribution of material which is screened through the stencil mask.

Abstract: Because correct configuration data is essential to the operation of any RAID system, and because multiple copies of the configuration data are kept, not only in the RAID controller itself, but also in each disk drive unit in the configuration, it is imperative that the various copies of the configuration data do not become "out of synchronization", which means that one or more copies of the configuration data are different from one or more other copies of the configuration data. To maintain synchronization of all copies of the configuration data, the current invention compares the configuration data stored in the RAID controllers' NVRAM to that of the current system, and records any new, non-responding, repositioned or unidentified storage devices in a change list.

Abstract: In a computing network environment having a gateway device that is connected on one side to at least one local area network and on other side to a plurality of initiating hosts, a method of establishing direct communication between a first initiating host and a second initiating host through the gateway device without necessity of involving the local area network in this communication and its related data transmission. The method comprising the steps of first obtaining the addresses and information of all connected hosts needed for establishing communication and storing it in a memory location accessible to said gateway device in form of a port-sharing table. The gateway device will be handling all requests for communication setups between hosts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the issue of providing end-to-end delay guarantees in a multi-node communication system. More specifically, the present invention addresses the problem of specifying operational parameters of rate-controlled service disciplines in a communication network in order to efficiently provide end-to-end delay guarantees. The key contribution is a method for specifying leaky bucket parameters as well as scheduling delays at each node, which are used as inputs to the rate-controlled service discipline.

Abstract: Fluorescent reference tracks for use in correcting for geometric and other distortions in an image scanning system comprising a rotatable cylindrical drum assembly and an optical subsystem disposed within a protective housing is disclosed. Fluorescent reference tracks illuminable by light outside the visible spectrum, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, are disposed on inner surfaces of inwardly directed film support shoulders of the drum assembly. Respective edges of film containing an image to be scanned are retained on the outer surfaces of the film support shoulders of the drum assembly. As the film is rotated by the drum assembly past a primary light source disposed adjacent one side of the drum, light from the primary light source is directed through the film and is focused by a lens assembly disposed internal to the drum assembly onto a sensor assembly disposed at an opposite side of the drum assembly, which scans the transilluminated film portion.

Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a high temperature furnace used to perform oxidation and/or annealing operations of the type used in semiconductor fabrication. The exhaust system is designed to permit the furnace to be used with a controlled environment chamber surrounding the entry to the process chamber of the furnace. The exhaust system allows a relatively high velocity flow of exhaust gas from the process chamber through the exhaust system to occur when a positive pressure (e.g., annealing) operations are performed. Such high velocity flow prevents (a) backstreaming and (b) the accumulation of non-uniform concentrations of exhaust gases in the exhaust system, thereby permitting the accurate monitoring of the concentration of a selected gas in the exhaust system. Based on such monitoring, the opening of the door to the process chamber of the furnace may be prevented when the concentration of the selected gas exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus and an accompanying method for converting a relatively high resolution halftone bit-mapped monochromatic document, such as illustratively a halftone separation which exists in a CDPF print file, into a relatively low resolution continuous tone grey scale document which, when the latter is applied to a display screen of a video monitor having appropriate grey scale capability, would provide a readable displayed page, i.e. a "preview", that approximately depicts how the bit-mapped document would appear when printed.