Abstract: A protocol analysis system is provided with data specifying the defined states of processes participating in a distributed computation. State transitions between states are specified as being enabled by (A) receiving a message, (B) unreliably sending a message, or (C) performing an external action such as reliably sending a message. The specification data also identifies process states known to be final states, and all other states are initially denoted as intermediate states. The protocol analysis system determines if any intermediate states can be re-categorized as final states. Then it determines if any state transitions initially identified as unreliable send operations must be treated as derived external actions, and thus made reliable. Thirdly, for each derived external action, the states of the affected application process must be re-evaluated so as to determine if derived final states need to be converted into intermediate states.

Abstract: A computer graphics method of and apparatus for normalizing vector-based terms for a plurality of display pixels associated with a polygon representing a surface of an object being imaged, the vector-based terms being determined from predetermined vectors at vertices of the polygon. The square (.eta.) of the magnitude of a vector associated with each vector-based term is determined for each display pixel from the predetermined vectors at the vertices of the polygon. The quantity 1/.sqroot..eta. is approximated for each vector-based term using a series expansion employing .eta., and each vector based term is multiplied by the corresponding approximation of 1/.sqroot..eta. to produce a normalized vector-based term for each display pixel.

Abstract: A "signature data object" (SDO) is a machine-readable structured data record which a signer may associate with a parent object, e.g., an electronic document. An SDO comprises three required encoded parts: A signature header structure; a signature data structure; and a signature proof block. An SDO may include data identifying a role in which the signer is acting and a message code encoding a semantic for the parent object/document such as "submitted by," "approved," etc. In one embodiment, the SDO includes at least one descriptor of (1) a subordinate part of the parent object or (2) an attachment of the parent object/document, to whose (i) value or (ii) presence the validity of the signature data object is bound. An SDO may also include data indicating that it supersedes a specified other SDO associated with that parent object.

Abstract: A method and system for compiling a source program using smart recompilation. The invention allows fragments to contain "invocation specific" information, which is generated during a code generation phase of compilation. A hint generator attempts to preserve values of the invocation specific information between successive invocations of the compiler.

Abstract: An identification panel for a cabinet for electronic equipment, such as computers or computer peripherals. A back panel is mounted to an intermediate window and doorframe member having a control door frame, and a translucent window aligned with the back panel. The back panel may incorporate permanent identifying artwork for the equipment. This assemblage is accommodated in an opening of, and secured to, an external cover frame. The cover frame opening also accommodates a control panel door mounted on the intermediate window and doorframe member to cover the doorframe opening and slidable behind the translucent window to uncover the doorframe opening. The translucent window has a part-cylindrical convex surface which projects through the cover frame opening to provide a lens effect which enhances the visibility of artwork provided on the back panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for processing electronic components in an ultrasonic bath. The apparatus includes a tray, which has a number of nests geometrically configured for the admission of the components. In one embodiment the tray is made of a polypropylene core which includes conductive carbon and glass beads as a filler. Plated over the core is a metallic sheath, which is actually formed of three layers of metal. The metal encapsulation of the core serves to appreciably reduce the amount of contaminants released by the tray during component processing. Additionally, the metallic sheath prevents static electricity from building up and damaging the components during processing, and provides added structural integrity to the polypropylene core at process temperatures which exceed the softening temperature of the core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing for the interaction of processes in an object-oriented manner by which a system manages "classes" of data instances and applications rather than managing the data itself. The names of classes may be stored in a data base which also contains other information about the classes, such as certain con, non attributes of applications or instances which are supported by the classes. Applications can remotely invoke other applications by sending messages with parameters. Using the message names, as well as information about the classes of certain parameters and certain preference information, a reference to a specific method is selected from the data base. That method will perform the operation specified in the message. Other information in the data base is then used to locate and execute the actual code to implement the referenced method.

Abstract: A cross-domain call jacketing system is provided in a computer system that embodies a first hardware (X) architecture to executing X-code in an X-domain and which simulates at least a second computer hardware (Y) architecture executing Y-code in a Y-domain.Cross-domain routine calls are Jacketed for services in the cross-domain and for returns after the requested services have been performed. After Jacketing, X routine calls are transmitted for implementation by the simulating subsystem and Y calls are transmitted for implementation in the X domain. Call parameters are transformed from a representation that uses the call conventions of the calling domain to another representation that uses the call conventions of the called domain. Data in the memory is generally globally accessible and the Y calls include data references that require memory access handling in the X domain.A first Jacketing table is provided for each executable routine in the X domain.

Abstract: A compiler includes a register allocation method making use of the concept of assigning temporary items to lifetime holes if such holes exist that are suitable. The compiler includes a front end for converting the input code to an intermediate representation, then this input representation is traversed to identify all of the temporary items, and to find all of the holes in the temporary items. Lists are maintained of the identified temporaries and holes. Register allocation then includes assigning temporaries to registers so long as there are free registers, and if holes are available in already-assigned temporaries then these holes are used in assigning registers. After all the available registers and holes are used, remaining temporaries are unallocated and thus represent memory references.

Abstract: A technique for controlling access to a bridge connected to at least two networks, such that buffer memory requirements are minimized. For at least one target network of the two networks, two dynamic lists are maintained, to keep track of data packets received from the target network and not yet forwarded, and to keep track of data packets stored for forwarding to the target network, but not yet forwarded. The target network uses a half-duplex medium and a CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) protocol. The invention operates by adjusting network protocol parameters used in the target network, to either guarantee or deny priority to the target network in the event of a collision, based on the continually observed status of the two lists. One of the adjustments modifies a backoff value that determines the amount of time that the bridge device will wait, in the event of a collision, before attempting to retransmit a data packet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing system which relies upon quantization and dithering techniques to enable an output device, which has a given number of output levels, to accurately reproduce a image which is generated by an input device, which has a greater or equal number of input levels. Generally, neither the number of input nor output levels need to be a power of two. The present invention is implemented in a number of different embodiments. These embodiments generally rely upon an image processor which, depending on the particular implementation, includes memory devices and an adder, a comparator, or a bit shifter. Additional embodiments use an image adjustment system to refine the raw input levels of the input device, in order to create an improved output image. Also, the particular embodiments of the image processors can be used in connection with imaging systems having hi-tonal, monochromatic, or color input and output devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing system which relies upon quantization and dithering techniques to enable an output device, which has a given number of output levels, to accurately reproduce a image which is generated by an input device, which has a greater or equal number of input levels. Generally, neither the number of input nor output levels need to be a power of two. The present invention is implemented in a number of different embodiments. These embodiments generally rely upon an image processor which, depending on the particular implementation, includes memory devices and an adder, a comparator, or a bit shifter. Additional embodiments use an image adjustment system to refine the raw input levels of the input device, in order to create an improved output image. Also, the particular embodiments of the image processors can be used in connection with imaging systems having bi-tonal, monochromatic, or color input and output devices.

Abstract: A storage assembly for mounting "0" to "N" storage devices to a computer or electronic system.

Abstract: A surface selection mechanism is disclosed for an optical disk storage system. The mechanism comprises a linearly movable slider having a first and second mirror mounted side by side thereon. The first and second mirrors have reflective mirrors positioned at right angles with respect to each other. The mechanism includes apparatus for positioning the slider so that either the first or second mirror is positioned at the optical axis of a light beam to direct the light beam at either a first or a second recording surface of a double sided disc.

Abstract: A computer-aided software development system includes programs to implement edit, compile, link and run sequences, all from memory, at very high speed. The compiler operates on an incremental basis, line-by-line, so if only one line is changed in an edit session, then only that line need be recompiled if no other code is affected. Dependency analysis is performed incrementally, without requiring the user to enter dependencies. Scanning is also done incrementally, and the resulting token list saved in memory to be used again where no changes are made. All of the linking tables are saved in memory so there is no need to generate link tables for increments of code where no changes in links are needed. The parser is able to skip lines or blocks of lines of source code which haven't been changed.

Abstract: A protocol analysis system is provided with data specifying the defined states of processes participating in a distributed computation. State transitions between states are specified as being enabled by (A) receiving a message, (B) unreliably sending a message, or (C) performing an external action such as reliably sending a message. The specification data also identifies process states known to be final states, and all other states are initially denoted as intermediate states. The protocol analysis system determines if any intermediate states can be re-categorized as final states. Then it determines if any state transitions initially identified as unreliable send operations must be treated as derived external actions, and thus made reliable. Thirdly, for each derived external action, the states of the affected application process must be re-evaluated so as to determine if derived final states need to be converted into intermediate states.

Abstract: A residue buffer, for temporary storage of portions of transmissions from a CPU to a graphics processor. Graphics commands are transmitted, in transmission units of uniform size, from a processor unit to an address generator, which processes the commands. The portion of the transmission unit not immediately usable by the graphics processor is stored in the residue buffer.