Abstract: A gaming machine is disclosed which includes apparatus necessary to send requests to and receive authorizations from an EFT system. All such requests for credit are limited to a preset amount, so that when a player uses an EFT transfer to obtain playing credit, that credit will be limited to no more than a specified amount. In practice, the player inserts his or her ATM card (debit card), keys in a PIN number, requests playing credit, and receives the preset amount of credit which can be converted to plays on the gaming machine.

Abstract: An interprise computing manager in which an application is composed of a client (front end) program which communicates utilizing a network with a server (back end) program. The client and server programs are loosely coupled and exchange information using the network. The client program is composed of a User Interface (UI) and an object-oriented framework (Presentation Engine (PE) framework). The UI exchanges data messages with the framework. The framework is designed to handle two types of messages: (1) from the UI, and (2) from the server (back end) program via the network. The framework includes a component, the mediator which manages messages coming into and going out of the framework.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for more accurately determining the position of a moving object by using an azimuth detector distinct from an angular speed detector to correct the gain error and the offset error of the angular speed detector. The position of the moving body is determined using the offset error- and gain error-corrected angular speed. The correction of the offset error includes checking the azimuth and movement of the moving object for three predetermined periods of time; then checking whether the moving object was moving in a straight line each of the three predetermined periods of time. If the object was moving in a straight line each of the three predetermined periods of time, then an offset error correction value is computed using data from the second of the three predetermined periods of time.

Abstract: A method for controlling a scheduler on a computer display including the steps of: a) dislaying a calendar in a calendar area on the computer display; b) choosing at least one date on the calendar; and c) displaying a schedule in a schedule area on the computer display for the chosen date or dates, where both the calendar and the schedule remain active and within a single window. In one embodiments, the method is implemented on a pen-based computer system, where a stylus can choose a desired date or dates on the calendar to automatically display the schedules for that date or dates.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a copy of a data object is disclosed. A location-independent identifier associated with the desired data object is obtained, for example, from a primary file that requires a copy of the data object. Using the location-independent identifier associated with the desired object, a cache is interrogated to determine whether a copy of the data object is cached. If the data object is cached, a copy of the cached data object is obtained from the cache. If the data object is not cached, a network call is performed obtain a new copy of the data object.

Abstract: A technique for compression and expansion of a function defined upon an M-dimensional manifold embedded in N-dimensional space uses a second generation wavelet transform and a modified zerotree bit-encoding scheme. Typically, a function is defined upon a two-dimensional manifold embedded in three-dimensional space, such as a sphere. A geometric base is chosen as a coarse initial model of the manifold. Second generation wavelets for the function are calculated using a triangular subdivision scheme in order to subdivide the geometric base in order to produce a refined triangular mesh. The wavelet coefficients are defined at the vertices of the triangles in the triangular mesh. A tree structure is created in which each node of the tree structure represents an associated triangle of the triangular mesh. Each triangle in the mesh is recursively subdivided into four subtriangles and each associated node in the tree structure also has four children, which correspond to the four subtriangles.

Abstract: An object code expansion profiler equips a program for execution profiling by preprocessing the object code files of the program so as to add profiling monitoring code to the beginning of all or substantially all functions. The preprocessing includes, for each function, the steps of grouping the function's instructions into basic blocks, counting the number of cycles required to execute the instructions of the basic block, and inserting special monitoring code with the basic block. The special monitoring code is executed each time the basic block is executed, and updates the profiling information to reflect the number of cycles required to execute the basic block. Special handling is provided for profiling calls to the Operating System (OS). The resultant profiling information is converted into a call graph image most useful for human users.

Abstract: An apparatus for making concrete is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more measurement devices that is used to provide controlled quantities of at least cement and sand; a high intensity mixer that receives the controlled quantities of the cement and sand, mixes the controlled quantities of the cement and sand to produce grout, and outputs a flow of grout; and a controller coupled to the measurement devices and the mixer. The controller monitors and controls mixing energy applied by the mixer during mixing. In one embodiment, the mixing energy is altered by controlling the degree of opening of a discharge gate of the mixer. A concrete plant design including such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for executing a particular form of a multi-purpose program in a distributed computing environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-purpose program is executed in one of two forms upon a request to invoke the multipurpose program in a distributed computing environment. If the program is invoked for executing in an applet form, one possible form of the multi-purpose program, the system makes dynamic calls to a remotely accessible file library for operation of a specific function of the program. If the program is invoked for executing in an application form, another possible form of the program, the system makes local calls to a locally accessible file library for operation of a specific function of the program. In a preferred embodiment, a startup environment is created and adapted for running any one of the several forms of the multi-purpose program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for predicting financial risk, which includes receiving first transaction data pertaining to transactions performed on a first financial account. The first financial account represents a financial account issued to a given account holder by a first account issuer. The method further includes receiving second transaction data pertaining to transaction performed on a second financial account different from the first financial account. The second financial account represents a financial account issued to the given account holder by a second account issuer different from the first account issuer. There is further included scoring the first transaction data and the second transaction data based on a preexisting model to form a score for the account holder. Additionally, there is included transmitting, if the score is below a predefined financial risk threshold, the score to one of the first account issuer and the second account issuer.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing enhanced computer network security by scanning data, specifically electronic mail messages, sent to the network before the data is received and transmitted by the network's mail server. An e-mail message is received by a computer network configured to receive data and is checked as the data is received and before it is transmitted to a node on the computer network. The method includes determining whether an external source is attempting to establish a mail connection with the computer network configured to include a data scanning device that recognizes one or more data transfer protocols. Once the data is received the data scanning device begins evaluating the data by first determining whether the data is formatted according to one of the recognized protocols. The data scanning device begins scanning the data for acceptable content and format according to a rule set established by one of the recognized protocols.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor flip chip die metal layout which provides a flat UBM where surface metal pads are narrower than UBMs in order to accommodate decreased die pitch. This is achieved by depositing a metal region adjacent to and closely spaced from the pad which, together with the pad, is capable of providing a substrate that will result in a substantially flat passivation layer surface on which the UBM is subsequently deposited. The adjacent closely spaced metal region may be provided by bringing metal traces closer to a reduced size surface metal pad (into the die surface area underlying the UBM), and/or by depositing dummy metal similarly near the pad. The dummy metal may also be deposited over the whole chip surface area not occupied by other electrical components.

Abstract: A ROM for storing constants used in both the MPEG-2 and AC-3 audio decoding algorithms. These constants include (i) matrixing constants for AC-3 and MPEG audio decoding algorithms and (ii) windowing coefficients for AC-3 and MPEG audio decoding algorithms. The ROM includes (a) a first partition for storing a first set of constants which are windowing coefficients for AC-3 decoding, (b) a second partition for storing a second set of constants which are constants used for pre-IFFT and post-IFFT steps of AC-3 decoding (Blkswflag=1), (c) a third partition for storing a third set of constants which are both IDCT coefficients for MPEG decoding and IFFT coefficients for AC-3 decoding, (d) a fourth partition for storing a fourth set of constants which are constants used for pre-IFFT and post-IFFT steps of AC-3 decoding (Blkswflag=0), and (e) a fifth partition for storing a fifth set of constants which are windowing coefficients for MPEG decoding.

Abstract: A network browsing system includes a host computer coupled to a client computer by a network. A network browser process implemented on the client computer is capable of establishing a connection with the host computer and of generating a request for desired data from the host computer which is to generate desired images on the display of the client computer. A server process implemented on the host computer services the request for desired data received from the client computer by modifying the desired data into modified data such that no additional connection between the client computer and the host computer is required to receive the entirety of the modified data. The browser process of the client computer can generate the desired images from the modified data to the same extent that it could from the originally requested desired data.

Abstract: A die including a corrosion monitoring feature is described. The die includes: (i) a surface including an active die region and a scribeline region that is adjacent the active die region; (ii) an insulating layer disposed above the surface and includes a first corrosion sensitive metal plug and a second corrosion sensitive metal plug in the scribeline region; and (iii) a metallization layer positioned above the insulating layer, the first corrosion sensitive metal plug and the second corrosion sensitive metal plug in the scribeline region and the metallization layer disposed above second corrosion sensitive metal plug is patterned to provide the metallization layer with a first opening extending from a top surface of the metallization layer down to a top surface of the second corrosion sensitive metal plug such that a solvent introduced above the top surface of the metallization layer flows into the second corrosion sensitive metal plug disposed below through the first opening in the metallization layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for framing and supporting curved wall structures including a leg member attached to a web member to form a basic frame support assembly. The web member includes a mounting surface which terminates at a curvilinear edge, while the leg member includes spaced-apart notches which collectively define multiple tab portions. The tab portions are bent such that they are skewed relative to a remaining support portion of the leg member. The support portion of the leg member is conformed to the curvature of a curvilinear edge of the web member, and the tab portions are fastened to the mounting surface of the web member. This process can be repeated for additional leg members at additional curvilinear edges that may be present on the web member. In another aspect of the invention, elongated frame members, which serve as support studs, may be attached to the basic frame support assembly.

Abstract: A modified chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes: (i) a polishing pad 104 providing a surface against which a surface of an integrated circuit substrate 116 is polished; (ii) an anode 103 on which the polishing pad is secured, the anode including an electrolyzable conductive material; and (iii) a voltage source 106 electrically connecting the anode to the integrated circuit substrate in such a way that when a voltage is applied from the voltage source in the presence of slurry 114 admixed with an electrolyte composition on the polishing pad, an electrolytic cell results in which the conductive material deposits on the surface of the integrated circuit substrate. A process of depositing a conductive material on and polishing a surface of an integrated circuit substrate simultaneously is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capacitor is disclosed which has a trench capacitor portion provided in a semiconductor substrate and a fin capacitor portion provided above the substrate. The trench capacitor portion includes (i) a trench extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate downwardly into the substrate, and (ii) an electrically conductive trench electrode provided interior to the trench. And the fin capacitor portion includes (i) a fin electrode having a body portion and two or more electrically conductive fins extending outwardly from the body portion, (ii) a fin dielectric layer conformally coating the two or more electrically conductive fins, and (iii) a cell electrode surrounding and in intimate contact with the two or more electrically conductive fins.

Abstract: A substrate holder assembly for forming a substantially uniformly polished substrate surface during chemical-mechanical polishing is described. The substrate holder assembly includes a carrier film having: (A) a porous layer with (i) a first surface with an outwardly protruding dome shaped region that applies pressure on at least a portion of the substrate surface during chemical-mechanical polishing and a location of the protruding dome shape is aligned with a location of an area of substrate surface that is likely to be underpolished, (ii) a second surface facing a contact surface of a backing plate; and (B) a pressure sensitive adhesive backing layer for affixing the carrier film to the contact surface of the backing plate under sufficient pressure.

Abstract: A method of transferring funds includes the steps of linking a first "smart card" to a first financial institution, debiting an account held at the financial institution and recording a corresponding credit value in the first smart card. The first smart card is then linked to a second, similar device, the credit value in the first device is reduced, and a corresponding credit value is recorded in the second device. The second device is then linked to a second financial institution, the credit value in the second device is reduced, and a corresponding credit value is recorded in an account held at the second financial institution. The first and second devices each store at least a portion of a program which is run in a synchronized interactive manner between the first devices. The invention extends to a system for implementing the method.