Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect, to an apparatus for positioning a disk drive head over a disk which is a part of a disk drive assembly. A disk drive apparatus includes a base plate, a disk coupled to the base plate, a disk drive head assembly arranged over the disk, and an actuator assembly that is arranged to position the disk drive head assembly over the disk. The actuator assembly is coupled to the disk drive head assembly, and includes a ferrite piece and a crash stop contact point that is separate from the ferrite piece. The disk drive apparatus also includes a magnetic latching assembly which has a plate extension that is substantially stationary with respect to the disk, a magnet nest that is movably mounted over the plate extension, and a latch magnet that is coupled to the magnet nest. A crash stop, which is also included in the disk drive apparatus, is arranged to be contacted by the crash stop contact point when the disk drive head assembly is positioned in a parking position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting digital sound is disclosed. The method contemplates transmitting a digital radio signal (such as an FM band signal) over a plurality of sub-channels subject to some constraints on the digital signal power. A control sub-channel, sometimes referred to as an auxiliary overhead channel is used to transmit control information which is interpreted by the receiver to identify the location and potentially the mode of the digital signals.

Abstract: According to the present invention a variety of methods and apparatus for providing dynamically linked libraries are taught. A "standard DLL" is a dynamically linked library (DLL) which is pulled into the data closure of a process by direct reference in the process' root DLL or by direct reference in other DLLs present in the data closure. In contrast, the present invention teaches a "phantom DLL" which is pushed into the data closure of an executable process and is not directly referenced either by the root DLL or by other DLLs present in the data closure. In some embodiments the phantom DLL includes an anonymous initialization routine which the binding manager executes when the phantom DLL is added to a new process data enclosure. By executing the initialization routine the phantom DLL has an opportunity to execute and impact the computing environment of the new process.

Abstract: A low voltage digital-to-analog converter (DAC) uses a resistor string to divide a supply voltage. The voltage output for the DAC is fixed at an intermediary node in the resistor string, and NMOS and PMOS transistors are used to switch in V.sub.SS and V.sub.DD respectively to nodes in the resistor string such that the NMOS and PMOS transistors are operated where they are most conductive. A decoder is used to decode the digital input to control the switches. One switch from each set of NMOS and PMOS transistors is activated for a given input, or thermometric decoding of the input is used to activate more than one switch from each set to preserve monotonicity. In an alternative embodiment, when matching of the resistors can be assumed, a two-step decoding process is used. An LSB decoder decodes the least significant bits of the digital input and controls how V.sub.DD is applied to a bank of LSB resistors through PMOS transistors, and how V.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attenuated phase shift reticle design having a compensating transmissive region located where side lobe ringing is anticipated to be most severe. Unlike other transmissive regions on the reticle, no integrated circuit features are defined at the location of the compensating transmissive region. Because the radiation giving rise to side lobe ringing is approximately 180.degree. out of phase with the radiation passing through transmissive regions, radiation passing through the compensating transmissive region will reduce side lobe intensity by destructively interfering with the out of phase radiation. A disclosed reticle defines a plurality of closely packed vias to be formed in a passivating layer. In the case of a positive resist, transmissive regions are provided at locations on the reticle design corresponding to positions of the vias on the passivating layer. A phase shift reticle having such via layout is expected to produce severe side lobe ringing in the regions surrounding the vias.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel structure of a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon used for printing, which prevents the printing tape from being stuck in a cartridge case or the ink ribbon from being slackened. The tape cartridge of the invention has a mechanism for preventing an end of the tape from being reversely moved back into the cartridge case. A typical structure of the mechanism includes an anti-inversion system which prevents a tape core having a tape wound thereon from rotating in a reverse direction, that is, a direction opposite to a normal rotating direction for printing. The anti-inversion effects are removed when the tape cartridge is set in a printing device such as a tape writer to ensure smooth feeding of the tape for printing. When the tape is forcibly pressed back into the cartridge case, a movable platen clamps the tape between the platen and a fixed wall to prevent reverse movement of the tape.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate and an anti-fuse structure formed on the semiconductor substrate. The anti-fuse structure includes a metal-one layer and an anti-fuse layer disposed above the metal-one layer. The anti-fuse layer has a first resistance value when the anti-fuse structure is unprogrammed and a second resistance value lower than the first resistance value when the anti-fuse structure is programmed. There is further provided an etch stop layer disposed above the anti-fuse layer, and an inter-metal oxide layer disposed above the etch stop layer with the inter-metal oxide layer has a via formed therein. Additionally, there is further provided a metal-two layer disposed above the inter-metal oxide layer. In this structure, a portion of the metal-two layer is in electrical contact with the anti-fuse layer through the via in the inter-metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the alignment of the wheels, such as the front wheels, that control the steering of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a pair of alignment sensing devices that extend between each steering arm and a tie rod coupled to the arm, of the vehicle's steering assembly. The sensing devices include a pair of concentric tubes retained in a slidable relationship and an alignment sensing system. After the wheels are aligned, the tubes are coupled to the steering assembly and are slid relative to each other, until the sensing system indicates that the tubes are aligned, thus indicating that the wheels are aligned. The sensing system is activated whenever desired by an operator of the vehicle. The sensing system provides a first signal to indicate that the front wheels are aligned and a second signal to indicate that at the front wheels are not aligned.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-usable medium for compressing data in a file system utilizing the concept of "holes". A mapping table in a file system maps the logical blocks of a file to actual physical blocks on disk where the data is stored. Blocks may be arranged in units of a cluster, and the file may be compressed cluster-by-cluster. Holes are used within a cluster to indicate not only that a cluster has been compressed, but also the compression algorithm used. Different clusters within a file may be compressed with different compression algorithms. A unit of data is compressed, with the result that the file occupies fewer physical blocks than it has logical blocks. The mapping table is updated to indicate that for a given unit of data compressed, fewer physical blocks are needed. Certain logical blocks belonging to this unit of data are not mapped to physical blocks but are mapped to a hole.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure utilizing doped silicate glass on a substrate of a wafer. The method includes the step forming a modulation doped silicate glass structure over a first layer of the wafer. The modulation doped silicate glass structure is formed by depositing at least two alternating layers of heavily-doped silicate glass and lightly-doped silicate glass over the first layer. Both the heavily-doped silicate glass and lightly-doped silicate glass layers may comprise glass doped with both a first dopant and a second dopant. The first dopant may represent, for example, phosphorous, and the second dopant may represent, for example, boron.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing the motion of an object with a digital processing system includes a sensor which has a sensing resolution and detects movement of the object along a degree of freedom. An amount of play less than the sensing resolution exists between the sensor and the object. A passive actuator is coupled to the mechanism to transmit a resistive force to the object along the degree of freedom. A play mechanism is coupled to the actuator to provide a desired amount of play between the actuator and the object along the degree of feedom. The desired amount of play is greater than the sensing resolution of the sensor so that the sensor can detect the desired play when the user moves the object, even when the actuator has locked the object into place. Such desired play can be torsion flex (compliance) or rotary backlash. The actuator and the sensor provide an electromechanical interface between the object and the digital processing system.

Abstract: A resistive load structure and method for making a resistive load structure for an integrated circuit includes the use of an amorphous silicon "antifuse" material. The resistive load structure can be used in an SRAM cell to provide a load to counteract charge leakage at the drains of two pull-down transistors and two pass transistors of the SRAM cell. The resistive load structure is advantageously formed by depositing an amorphous silicon pad over a conductive via, and the resistance of the resistive load structure is controlled by adjusting the thickness of the amorphous silicon pad and varying the diameter of the underlying conductive via.

Abstract: A method for monitoring contamination in a semiconductor wafer uses a capacitance-frequency measurement on MOS structures to calculate an impurity concentration. The silicon substrate along with an oxide layer is first biased into the inversion region using a variable frequency waveform generator superimposed upon a DC voltage bias. Next, the capacitance of the wafer is measured as a function of the varying frequency in order to develop a capacitance versus frequency curve. From this frequency response, a bandwidth (BW) is measured at a particular normalized capacitance point. The impurity concentration N is then derived using the formula N=G.times.BW, where G is the correlation constant. With an a priori knowledge of impurity concentration, N, the constant G may be derived by measuring a bandwidth of the capacitance versus frequency curve. Once the constant G is determined, future evaluation of impurity concentration can be made by a capacitance measurement.

Abstract: A digital communication system including a digital controller (11), a master circuit (14) capable of communicating in a variety of serial protocols, and at least one slave circuit (16). The digital controller is preferably a microprocessor. The master circuit is configured in a selected serial protocol by the digital controller in response to data words provided by the digital controller. The slave circuit is connected to the master circuit and communicates in the master circuit's selected serial protocol under the control of data words sent from the digital controller to the master circuit. The master circuit is a bi-directional, parallel-to-serial and serial-to-parallel interface circuit having three programmable channels (CHANNEL 0, 1, 2).

Abstract: A method of fusing and programming a fuse frame for use in a semiconductor package is disclosed. A fuse frame includes an external lead arranged for electrically connecting to a first internal element of the semiconductor package and to extend externally from the semiconductor package and an internal lead arranged to be positioned entirely within the semiconductor package is also provided for electrically connecting a second internal element of the semiconductor package to a third internal element of the semiconductor package. A fuse bar supportably connects the internal lead to the external lead. The fuse bar includes a conductive material which fuses when excess current runs through it. A semiconductor package is made of a fuse frame and a die is mounted on the fuse frame such that the die supports the internal lead of the fuse frame. A programmable fuse frame is disclosed. A programmable fuse frame includes a matrix of fuse bars and lead bars.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus excellent in color reproducibility without requiring a complicated circuit. In image pickup operation, a sum pixel signal (S.sub.CCD) output from a color image pickup element (100) is converted into digital sum pixel data (D.sub.CCD) through a sample/hold circuit (102) and an A/D converter (104). The digital sum pixel data is stored and held in a frame memory (106). In image reproduction, an arithmetic operation unit (108) executes an arithmetic processing program in a program memory (110) to read out the sum pixel data (D.sub.CCD) from the frame memory (106). The pixel data are multiplied by predetermined white balance adjustment coefficients, and color difference signals (B-Y) and (R-Y) of the horizontal lines are calculated.

Abstract: A method for managing network services on the plurality of network servers in a computer network. The method includes the step of providing at least one service component in a component repository. The service component corresponds to one of the network services. There is also included the step of providing a server manager component, which communicates with the component repository to ascertain the presence of the service component. Additionally, the method includes the step of executing a service object associated with the service component. When executed, the service object communicates with the plurality of network servers to obtain network service instantiation data relating to instantiations of the one of the network services on the plurality of network servers. The method also includes the step of passing the network service instantiation data to a server manager window component for displaying a status of the instantiations responsive to the network service instantiation data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for implementing a vacuum seal between an interface of a transport chamber interface port of a transport chamber and another chamber. The transport chamber being configured to mate with the another chamber in an adjacent relationship. The method includes placing an insert plate having a sealing surface containing a first O-ring into the transport chamber interface port such that the first O-ring is sandwiched between the sealing surface and a surface of the another chamber. Therefore, a vacuum seal is achieved between the transport chamber and the another chamber within the transport chamber interface port via the first O-ring.

Abstract: A method implemented on a hand-held computer system for tab access to a desired portion of a list of items includes displaying the list of items on a display screen of the hand-held computer system, displaying a plurality of tabs on the display screen, and receiving a selection input with a stylus on one of the plurality of tabs, wherein the list of items scrolls to the portion of the list having as a first item an item with a first character that corresponds to one of at least two reference characters on the selected tab.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer-implemented method for testing a software product using a server computer system and a plurality of servant computer systems which are networked together. The method includes the step of providing the server computer system with the software product to be tested and an associated test suite. The test suite being designed to exercise the software product and generate a test suite log indicative of test results obtained from executing the test suite. The server computer system then transmits the software product and the test suite to user-defined servant computer systems such that the software product and test suite is executed on each of the user-defined servant computer systems. A test suite log is then generated on each of the selected servant computer systems and transmitted back to the server computer system.