Abstract: Disclosed are positive electrodes containing active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The cells include active-sulfur, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. These materials are provided in a manner allowing at least about 10% of the active-sulfur to be available for electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Abstract: A method for forming a scribe line on a semiconductor wafer including the steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate; and (b) sequentially providing a plurality of layers over the semiconductor substrate of alternating conductive and insulating types, where each of the layers is provided with an elongated opening is formed relative to a desired scribe line position, and where the openings of at least some of the plurality of layers are wider than openings of preceding layers such that at least one sidewall of a completed scribe line has a pronounced slope extending outwardly from its base. The structure of the present invention is, therefore, a scribe line having sloped sidewalls that greatly reduces scribe line contamination problems and enhances planarization during subsequent spin-on-material processes. The scribe lines can either be elongated openings in the layers, or an elongated mesa formed in the layers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a variety of correction methods and systems are disclosed. A first method aspect of the present invention teaches a computer implemented correction method for correcting words and characters entered into a pointer based computer system. The correction method includes the step of receiving a selected word including at least one character, displaying the selected word within a boxed input corrector implemented on the pointer based computer system; receiving a correction input and performing an action indicated by the correction input. The action is determined by a type of the correction input, the types of correction inputs including character editing input, gesture input, navigation input, and external input generated by events external to the boxed input corrector.

Abstract: In a zirconium-alloy fuel element cladding, a method for generating regions of coarse and fine intermetallic precipitates across the cladding wall is provided. The method includes steps of specific heat treatments and anneals that coarsen precipitates in the bulk of the cladding. The method also includes at least one step in which an outer region (exterior) of the cladding is heated to the beta or alpha plus beta phase, while an inner region (interior) is maintained at a temperature at which little or no metallurgical change occurs. This method produces a composite cladding in which the outer region comprises fine precipitates and the inner region comprises coarse precipitates.

Abstract: A truncation technique for a character code conversion system is disclosed. The truncation technique ensures that a source string received for conversion is accurately converted into a different, target character encoding even when the source string exceeds the length of an input buffer which holds the source string for conversion. The truncation processing technique operates to truncate a portion of the source string held in the input buffer so that the truncated portion is able to be converted to the target character encoding without being affected by subsequent characters in the source string.

Abstract: Computer systems and computer implemented methods are provided for managing memory in a database management system. The computer memory is partitioned into a plurality of buffer caches, each of which is separately addressable. One buffer cache is set aside as a default buffer cache, while the other buffer caches are reserved for specific data objects meeting certain predefined criteria. Those objects meeting the predefined criteria are stored in reserved buffer caches where they are likely to remain for a relatively long period of time (in comparison to data objects stored in the default buffer caches). A buffer cache may have a plurality of memory pools, each of which contains multiple storage blocks. The storage blocks in a given memory pool are identically sized, while the storage blocks in one memory pool are sized differently from the storage blocks in another memory pool.

Abstract: A method of coordinating very high speed bi-directional data transmissions between a central unit and a plurality of remote units over distinct twisted pair transmission lines that share a binder is described. Specifically, periodic synchronized upstream and downstream communication periods are provided that do not overlap with one another. The upstream and downstream communication periods for all of the wires that share a binder are synchronized. With this arrangement, all of the very high speed transmissions within the same binder are synchronized and time division duplexed such that downstream communications are not transmitted at times that overlap with the transmission of upstream communications. In some embodiments, quiet periods are provided to separate the upstream and downstream communication periods. The described invention may be used in conjunction with a wide variety of modulation schemes, including both multi-carrier and single carrier transmission schemes.

Abstract: A getter material is provided which efficiently sorbs gases at low pressures but, when a system failure causes high pressures of hydrogen and oxygen (air) to be present, does not increase its temperature to that which would cause explosive ignition of the hydrogen-oxygen (air) mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for selecting an entry stored in a data processing system, and specifically a destination in a vehicle navigation system. The system includes a display, a scrolling control having first and second controls, and a selecting control. Using the scrolling control, the user of the system scrolls through a plurality of stored destinations on the display. Each destination is made up of a plurality of alphanumeric symbols, the destinations forming an alphabetically and numerically organized list. The scrolling is accomplished by using the first control of the scrolling control. A character position selector is used to select a character position in a first indicated destination and the second control of the scrolling control is used to jump to subsets of destinations with the next or previous character position as compared to a currently indicated destination. The selecting control is then used to enter a desired destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training a recognizer includes displaying a practice word on a display screen of a pen-based computer system and entering a handwritten word that is similar to the practice word on the display screen. A recognized candidate list that includes candidate words and an associated confidence level for each candidate word is derived from the handwritten word by a recognizer. The confidence level indicates how confidently the handwritten word has been matched to the associated candidate word. The candidate list is displayed and a training database is updated with training data derived from the handwritten word. The training data is used by the recognizer to recognize other handwritten words with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A temperature compensated logarithmic detector biased with a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage produced in accordance with an area ratio of biasing transistors is disclosed. According to one implementation of the invention, the temperature compensated logarithmic detector includes biasing circuitry and a logarithmic detector cell. The biasing circuitry receives an input signal and produces a PTAT bias voltage from the input signal. The PTAT characteristic of the PTAT bias voltage is produced by an area ratio. The logarithmic detector cell converts the input signal to a logarithmic output signal in accordance with a logarithmic transfer function over a narrow range.

Abstract: A rotating bill acceptor mounted inside a currency accepting machine is disclosed herein. The bill acceptor includes a bill validator which accepts (or rejects) cash inserted by users of the machine and a secure cash box which stores the bills out of the machine users' reach. The entire bill acceptor is pivotally mounted on a bracket in the machine interior. During normal operation, the bill acceptor is positioned such that its bill validator portion extends through an opening in a locked door on the machine's housing. Thus, the bill validator is available to accept cash while the cash box is protected within the machine interior. When it becomes necessary to remove the cash collected by the bill acceptor, a collection worker unlocks the door on the machine's housing, thereby accessing a mechanism which allows the bill acceptor to rotate out of its normal position and into a position in which the cash box is accessible through the unlocked door.

Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface, a playing piece which can be directed down the playing surface, and a vibration apparatus operative to overcome the frictional forces between the playing piece and the playing surface. The vibration mechanism preferably includes motor-driven eccentrics, and the playing piece is preferably a flat disc, such as a coin. The playing piece is preferably guided into target apertures by manipulating a handle to vary the angle of the playing surface. A variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score. Another variation includes a progressive bonus apparatus which receives score contributions from at least one individual game unit.

Abstract: A linear differential amplifier with improved voltage swing is disclosed. The linear differential amplifier corrects for an error voltage inherent in differential pair amplifiers, without hindering the available voltage swing, and thus, is particularly suited for low-voltage applications. The differential amplifier includes an input differential amplifier for receiving an input voltage difference to be amplified; a distortion correction differential amplifier for producing an error correction amount; and an output differential amplifier for receiving the input voltage difference and the error correction amount, amplifying the input voltage difference to produce an output voltage, and correcting the output voltage in accordance with the error correction amount. Also disclosed is a method for improving available voltage swing of a differential amplifier when amplifying an input voltage difference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting data to an active application program running on a computer system includes the steps of displaying the image of a recognition keypad on a screen of the computer system, the keypad being adapted to receive user inputs; analyzing the user inputs to the recognition keypad; and inputting data to an application program running on the computer system based upon the analysis of the user inputs. The recognition keypad includes at least one button and a recognition area having at least two recognition modes. Preferably, the user inputs include inputs from a pointing device, and the recognition modes include a command mode and a character mode. The user preferably enters characters and gestures to the recognition area, and the buttons are preferably modifier buttons operative to modify the entered characters and gestures based on the current recognition mode.

Abstract: An improved discrete multi-tone transmission scheme is describe that contemplates encoding digital data and modulating the encoded data onto a discrete multi-tone signal having a total bandwidth of at least 1.6 MHz. In some embodiments bandwidths of 8 MHz or more are provided. The modulation system is capable of dynamically updating the subcarriers used and the amount of data transmitted on each subcarrier during transmission in order to accommodate real time changes in the line quality over particular subcarriers. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the multi-tone encoding and modulation is done in substantial compliance with the ATIS North American Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines standard. However, additional subchannels (such as a total of 512 subchannels) may be used and/or subchannel bandwidths of greater than 4.3125 kHz may be used.

Abstract: A current source includes a control stage responsive to a stable, d.c. input voltage that is operative to produce a control voltage proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT), and an output stage responsive to the PTAT control voltage that is operative to produce an output current that is an essentially constant fraction of an output constant current source. The control stage includes a temperature-dependent control resistor of a given resistor type, and at least one control constant current source providing the control resistor with a temperature dependent control current. The temperature dependent current source includes a temperature dependent current source resistor based on the given resistor type such that the temperature dependencies of the control current and the control resistor tend to cancel in such a manner that a true PTAT control voltage is developed.

Abstract: An improved software license management system in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. A license server initializes a license database by receiving a package license description that includes component license descriptions for component software products in a package. Licenses for software products are also received, and license records are created in the license database for components and suite packages, where each record includes a number of licenses available to be checked out. A client computer system can request a license for a component product in a package. A license is granted to the client when the client is allowed to receive the license according to a license policy. When a component license is checked out, a linked suite license is also automatically checked out. No other client thus may use a component license linked with the suite license record unless another suite license is checked out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling wafers. A wafer pick moves along a horizontal x-axis to unload a wafer from a cassette and position the wafer over a chuck. The chuck moves upwardly along a z-axis perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and lifts the wafer off the pick. The pick retracts through a slot in the chuck and a test probe moves along the x-axis to position itself over the wafer and chuck with reference to a calculated wafer center. The chuck then moves upwardly to engage the surface of the wafer with the probe. Wafer characteristics are tested at several test points located on a circle on the surface of the wafer by repeatedly lowering the chuck, rotating the chuck by a small amount, and raising the chuck to engage the wafer with the probe. The probe is then positioned to test another circle of points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving data from a queue implemented on a computer system. A queue memory structure is allocated in a memory device, the queue including a a last-in-fast-out (LIFO) and a first-in-first-out (FIFO). A data element is atomically added to the LIFO when the data element is enqueued to the queue structure, and a data element is atomically removed from the FIFO when the data element is to be dequeued from the queue, thus preventing concurrent processes from disordering the data in the queue. When the FIFO becomes empty, the LIFO is converted to a new FIFO, and this new FIFO is stored in place of the old (empty) FIFO. In one embodiment, a lock is set and the LIFO is converted to a new FIFO only when the lock is previously determined to be clear to prevent additional dequeuers from interrupting a dequeuing process. A high-priority data element can be atomically added to a head list that stores the data element at the front of the queue memory structure.