Abstract: Method and apparatus for communicating global link control words (LCW) between chips. A queue stores LCWs and has in input for receiving an LCW from a previous chip, and an output for outputting a stored LCW to a subsequent chip. A management circuit compares an incoming LCW with a previously stored LCW, and a combiner circuit combines the incoming LCW with a previously stored LCW and stores the combined LCW in the queue when the management circuit determines that the incoming LCW can be combined with the previously stored LCW.

Abstract: A method and system to provide a user additional positional context for the information they are browsing and allows for rapid browsing through large data sets thereby providing a more usable interface. Two embodiments are described in the following sections. In the first, the 2-D scroll area is a continuous area. In this continuous embodiment the user can change the scroll resolution on a continuous scale. The second embodiment uses a set of discrete vertical scrolling bars. These scrolling bars work in concert to fine tune the scrolling access to the data.

Abstract: Instruction and data registers of processors of a multiprocessing computing system are joined and forked to allow processing in multiple modes of operation. When joined, the registers of the processors each contain a same piece of information, hence generating single instruction and data streams. In contrast, when forked, the registers of the processors contain different pieces of information, thereby generating multiple instruction and data streams. Additionally, information may be stored into partitions of memory and fetched and broadcast by processors local to the particular memory sections thereby resulting in a faster cycle time.

Abstract: Key patterns configured to accommodate the handicaps of the disabled user are imprinted or embossed on a sheet of conformable material. A matrix of sensing circuits for a keyboard are placed under the sheet to detect when and where the sheet is depressed and provides an output to a keyboard controller indicating which portion of the keyboard has been contacted. The keyboard controller relates the position data to the keyboard pattern on the sheet and provides key signals to the computer interface connector of the keyboard that are indistinguishable by a computer system from the QWERTY outputs of a standard keyboard. This enables the disabled user to carry this keyboard from one computer system to another and simply exchange it for the standard keyboard for the computer. Since the keyboard can be configured to accommodate the users handicap, no changes need be made to the operating system or any software of the computer in order to allow the disabled user to use the computer.

Abstract: A job scheduler module for a distributed processing system is provided with capability to protect jobs from planned or unplanned subsystem downtimes. The approach includes determining a downtime for a subsystem of the distributed processing system, determining at least one of a start time and an end time of a job to be executed using the subsystem, determining whether the start time or the end time of the job is within the downtime, and if not, placing the job in an eligible job list. The scheduler then makes a decision whether to start the job using the eligible job list. A downtime protection flag can be associated with each job, thereby allowing a user to indicate whether the job is to receive subsystem downtime protection. If not, then the job is placed directly in the eligible job list for scheduler execution irrespective of subsystem downtime.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method and apparatus for planarization. The planarization tool has a base which provides the support for the planarization tool. The base has a support hinge mounted on it along with dampening posts and rest posts which support a pivot plate hinged to the support hinge. A pressure assembly is mounted to the pivot plate by retention hardware. The pressure assembly loads a device under test board assembly that is mounted to the pressure assembly with the retention hardware.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a system having a diverse hardware platform monitored and managed from a central control node in a distributed, parallel, heterogeneous computing environment. The central control node executes both a hardware monitor program and an intermediary program to monitor and manage diverse hardware in a distributed, parallel, heterogeneous computing environment. The intermediary program emulates network frame hardware by facilitating communication between the hardware monitor program and diverse node hardware. Another exemplazy embodiment of the present invention is a method for facilitating communication between a hardware monitor for monitoring and management of node hardware and for providing an interface for administrator interaction with the node hardware and diverse node hardware in a distributed, parallel, heterogeneous computing environment.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is an actuation system including a printed circuit board having a plurality of interconnects and a compression connector positioned adjacent the printed circuit board and having a plurality of contacts for engaging the interconnects. A processing module is positioned adjacent the compression connector. The processing module has a base and a plurality of terminals for engaging contacts on the compression connector. An actuator includes a fastener that engages the base of the processing module and a biasing member for maintaining a force on the compression connector.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator housing sealed to a first side of a circuit board containing a logic module, the evaporator housing including an evaporator block in thermal communication with the logic module. The evaporator housing further includes at least a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity within the evaporator housing. In another aspect of the invention, the refrigeration system includes a heater on a second side of the circuit board opposite the evaporator housing, the heater being in thermal communication with plated through-holes of the circuit board to maintain the circuit board above local ambient temperature. In another aspect of the invention, a source of dry pressurized air is provided into the sealed evaporator housing through a though-hole drilled directly under the logic module.

Abstract: A completely passive and self-contained solid-state circuit interrupter for removing DC power while mating and unmating connectors is integrated into a connector housing. An electronic mechanism is employed to de-energize the power contacts while the mating connectors are more than a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of interconnecting with a system board is presented. A system board having a metal stiffener mounted thereon is provided with an opening in the stiffener to provide access to an area of interest on the system board. A probe test assembly is positioned at the opening and secured to the stiffener when testing is desired to provide access to the pins of the device under test (e.g., a Multi Chip Module (MCM) on the system board). Alternatively, a system enhancement device, such as a MCM or Single Chip Module (SCM) having additional Central Processing Units (CPU's) or other features, may be installed on the system board at the opening in the stiffener to enhance the function of the system board. Another alternate includes an interface assembly positioned at the opening in the stiffener. A cover is positioned at the opening and secured to the stiffener at all other times.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant frame structure which is shippable in a fully populated condition has a base member, a plurality of support members extending from the base member, a top portion disposed over the ends of the support members, a extension member disposed over the top portion, side stiffeners positioned perpendicularly between the support members, and a tie down assembly system positioned between the base member and a flooring surface. The extension member has a platform section and at least two legs depending substantially perpendicularly therefrom that slidingly engage the support members. The two legs have slots therethrough configured to receive fasteners that, when secured to support members, secure and maintain the extension member in position. First and second panels protrude laterally from the frame structure to form an extension area, from which a bracket hingedly depends. A variety of pin arrangements are used to prevent the removal of the bracket from the hinge.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an object to a surface comprises a mounting cover having a first surface and a pair of sidewalls depending away from the first surface. The sidewalls are in a facing spaced relationship and secured to a second surface. At least two securement members are secured to the first surface between the pair of sidewalls. The securement members are configured to define a receiving area. Each securement member has a pair of engagement members secured within at least a pair of openings in the first surface. Each pair of engagement members include an upper surface. The upper surfaces of the pairs of engagement members are flush with respect to the first surface. An actuating member having a first portion, and a second portion depending away from said first portion, is configured to be slidably engaged in the receiving area. The second portion has a pair of engagement openings for slidably receiving a pair of guide members mounted to the object.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant frame structure which is shippable in a fully populated condition has a base member, a plurality of support members extending from the base member, a top portion disposed over the ends of the support members, a extension member disposed over the top portion, side stiffeners positioned perpendicularly between the support members, and a tie down assembly system positioned between the base member and a flooring surface. The extension member has a platform section and at least two legs depending substantially perpendicularly therefrom that slidingly engage the support members. The two legs have slots therethrough configured to receive fasteners that, when secured to support members, secure and maintain the extension member in position. First and second panels protrude laterally from the frame structure to form an extension area, from which a bracket hingedly depends. A variety of pin arrangements are used to prevent the removal of the bracket from the hinge.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method and apparatus for a multiple card enclosure. The multiple card enclosure is arranged for mounting a mother card enclosure and a daughter card enclosure and at least another daughter card enclosure. The mother card enclosure has a first and second daughter card enclosure removably inserted into the mother card enclosure for connecting the first and second daughter card with the mother card. The first daughter card enclosure and the second daughter card enclosure are independently removable to facilitate interchanging the first daughter card and the second daughter card. The daughter card enclosures connected to the mother card enclosure are enclosed in the multiple card enclosure and a mother card connects to a back plane connector of a logic board.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for fastening an object flush to a surface. The method comprises inserting an engagement member of the object into an opening in the planar member. The engagement member moves in a first direction and remains at or below the surface of the planar member. The engagement member of the object is repositioned in the opening while moving in a second direction. An engaging force is then applied to the engagement member in a third direction. The engaging force causes the engagement member of the object to be secured within the opening flush or below the surface of the planar member.

Abstract: A printed circuit board top side mounting system is presented and includes a printed circuit board having a primary side and a secondary side. The printed circuit board top side mounting system also has a surface member that has a point with a generally constant distance in relation to the primary side. The printed circuit board top side mounting system further includes a standoff with a elongated shape which has a predetermined set dimension that includes the constant distance disposed in going through a slot in the printed circuit board. The standoff further includes a first end disposed to fixing the first end rigidly on the printed circuit board and a second end disposed in connecting rigidly to the surface member.

Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit for power supplies employing phase-shift controllers is provided. The power supplies typically comprise a redundant system for maintaining availability of bus voltage in the event of the failure of one of the supplies. The circuitry provides advantages in high power applications over prior art by overcoming the inefficiencies of connecting the supplies to a common bus through a diode. Additional circuitry eliminates the false shutdown of working power supplies.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a fixture for mounting a pin grid array device. The fixture includes a base plate and a first support plate movably mounted to the base plate. The first support plate has a hole therein for receiving a pin on the pin grid array device. The hole has a longitudinal axis in a first direction. A contact is positioned in the hole a drive mechanism moves the first support plate in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to move the contact. The contact engages the pin of the pin grid array device to establish electrical contact.

Abstract: A high frequency probe is presented. The probe comprises a probe body having a coaxial resilient double ended probe element attached thereto by an adaptor. A locking pin is attached to the probe adaptor and extends parallel to the probe element, however, it is slightly shorter as the locking pin should not contact any pins of the device being probed. The locking pin serves to hold the probe in place. Alternatively, a high frequency differential probe is presented. The high frequency differential probe comprises a base having a first pair of opposing spring steel plates and a second adjacent pair of opposing spring steel plates connected thereto. The first pair of spring plates are also connected to a first probe adaptor and the second pair of spring plates are also connected to a second probe adaptor. A first probe body is mounted at an angle to the first adaptor and a second probe body is mounted at an angle to the second adaptor.