Abstract: A multi-user computer system using a communications protocol in transmitting data between a plurality of user interface units is described. The system includes a base unit, which has a bus, a processor coupled to the bus, a display device coupled to the bus, an input device also coupled to the bus, and an interface controller coupled to the bus, wherein said processor controls the operation of the base unit and processes data entered into the base unit and operates to generate output data to be displayed on the display device. The system also includes an auxiliary unit, which has a protocol interface controller, a second display device coupled to the protocol interface controller, a second input device coupled to the protocol interface controller, wherein the protocol interface controller controls the operation of the auxiliary unit and interface with the base unit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol.

Abstract: An improved process of fabricating a shallow trench isolation structure is provided. A semiconductor substrate is provided and an insulating layer is formed over the substrate. A nitride masking layer is formed over the insulating layer. The nitride masking layer and the insulating layer are patterned and etched to expose a portion of the substrate, and to expose edges of the nitride masking layer and the insulating layer. The exposed portion of the substrate substantially defines boundaries of the isolation structure. A first oxide layer is deposited superjacent the exposed portion of the substrate, and over the nitride masking layer. A removing step includes removing portions of the first oxide layer lying over the nitride masking layer, a central portion of the first oxide layer superjacent the substrate, and a portion of the substrate to form a trench, leaving an oxide spacer disposed between the exposed edges of the nitride masking layer and the insulating layer, and the edge of the trench.

Abstract: An effective method for the display of a plurality of useful windows within the display of a digital information device. A form of tabbed window, called a "MetaView" permits users define the location and size of a window by a single interaction with a MetaView tab. The invention offers improved utilization of screen real estate, and increased user convenience in accessing multiple window displays.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a plurality of memory cells subdivided into array blocks each including M cell rows and N cell columns. The array blocks are arranged in array block rows and array block columns. Each cell of each cell row of each array block is coupled to an associated one of M word lines. Each cell of each cell column is selectively coupled to develop a data signal transmitted between an associated bit line pair including a primary bit line and a complementary bit line. A row decoder is coupled to provide a corresponding row address signal to each of the M word lines for addressing the cell rows.

Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling the switching of communication paths in communication equipment, such as telephone networks, is connected to a plurality of controllers (11, 12, 13) via a divider unit (14). The divider unit (14) divides some or all of the resources of the switch (10) into a plurality of switch resource sets, and those switch resource sets are then associated with respective ones of the controllers (11, 12, 13). This has the effect of enabling each switch resource set to act as an independent sub-switch, with each controller (11, 12, 13) then controlling a corresponding sub-switch. This division of the resources of the switch (10) allows different control architectures to be operated simultaneously. This permits different virtual networks to be constituted on the same physical network. Any one of the controllers (11, 12, 13) has access only to the switch resource set or sets allocated to that controller (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: A system and method for displaying multiple dialog boxes in a window display is disclosed. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating a dialog box in an environment of window display using a pointer associated with a pointing device is described. The dialog box may be opened by placing the pointer above an object to be selected and moving the pointer downward across the object to be selected. An operation as is described opens a preserved principal dialog box associated with the selected object. The principal dialog box in accordance with the above procedure remains opened regardless whether the pointer is still within the boundary of the principal dialog box. The opened dialog box may be closed by placing the pointer below the selected object and moving the pointer upwardly across the selected object.

Abstract: A method to prevent the formation of a thinner portion of insulating layer, especially a gate oxide layer, at the junction between the side walls and the bottom insulator is disclosed. First, a pad oxide layer is formed on the side walls and the bottom of the trench. Next, a bottom oxide is formed on the lower portion of the trench. Then, the upper portion of the bottom oxide and the exposed pad oxide layer are removed by wet etching to leave a bottom oxide having a concave surface. Next, the conformal gate oxide layer is grown on the exposed side walls of the trench.

Abstract: An effective method and apparatus for organizing and processing chunks of interrelated information (or "thoughts") using a digital computer is disclosed. The invention utilizes highly flexible, associative thought networks to organize and represent digitally-stored thoughts. A thought network specifies a plurality of thoughts, as well as network relationships among the thoughts. A graphical representation of the thought network is displayed, including a plurality of display icons corresponding to the thoughts, and a plurality of connecting lines corresponding to the relationships among the thoughts. Each of the thoughts is associated with one or more software application programs, such as a word processing or spreadsheet utility. Users are able to select a current thought conveniently by interacting with the graphical representation, and the current thought is processed by automatically invoking the application program associated with the current thought in a transparent manner.

Abstract: The SEmulation system provides four modes of operation: (1) Software Simulation, (2) Simulation via Hardware Acceleration, (3) In-Circuit Emulation (ICE), and (4) Post-Simulation Analysis. At a high level, the present invention may be embodied in each of the above four modes or various combinations of these modes. At the core of these modes is a software kernel which controls the overall operation of this system. The main control loop of the kernel executes the following steps: initialize system, evaluate active test-bench processes/components, evaluate clock components, detect clock edge, update registers and memories, propagate combinational components, advance simulation time, and continue the loop as long as active test-bench processes are present.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for laser texturing a magnetic recording disk substrate, including a disk-loading and unloading conveyer, a pair of disk-carrying spindles and associated laser systems disposed in spaced-apart relationship, and a disk-handling mechanism disposed between the conveyer and the set of spindles and operative to obtain a first disk rom the conveyer, place it on a first spindle for texturing on one side, remove the partially textured first disk from the first spindle, flip it upside down and place it on a second spindle for texturing on the other side, while at the same time obtaining a second disk from the conveyor and loading it onto the first spindle for texturing on one side. A third disk is then removed from the conveyor and loaded onto the first spindle as the second disk is removed therefrom, flipped over and placed on the second spindle as the first disk is removed therefrom and returned to the conveyor.

Abstract: The SEmulation system provides four modes of operation: (1) Software Simulation, (2) Simulation via Hardware Acceleration, (3) In-Circuit Emulation (ICE), and (4) Post-Simulation Analysis. At a high level, the present invention may be embodied in each of the above four modes or various combinations of these modes. At the core of these modes is a software kernel which controls the overall operation of this system. The main control loop of the kernel executes the following steps: initialize system, evaluate active test-bench processes/components, evaluate clock components, detect clock edge, update registers and memories, propagate combinational components, advance simulation time, and continue the loop as long as active test-bench processes are present.

Abstract: An output driver for high speed integrated circuits includes a static driver portion and a transient driver portion. The static driver size can be adjusted to satisfy the minimal requirements for maintaining output DC voltage levels. The transient drivers include a feed-back control from the output voltage node. During a transition, the transient buffer control will sense the output level and feedback to turn off the transient driver whenever the output level rises/falls across the trip point. Accordingly the di/dt noise will drop quickly once the output has reached the trip point. The transient drivers can be larger to speed up switching speed. The buffer can use single power and ground pins or multiple power/ground pins.