Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for accommodating spatially-correlated variation in a process parameter during statistical timing of a circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes dividing an area of the circuit into a plurality of grid cells; associating an independent random variable with each of the plurality of grid cells; and expressing at least one spatially-correlated parameter of a first grid cell as a function of the random variables associated with the first grid cell and at least one neighboring grid cell.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a tantalum-nitride (TaN) diffusion barrier region on low-k materials. The methods include forming a protective layer on the low-k material substrate by performing plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) from tantalum-based precursor and a nitrogen plasma in a chamber. The protective layer has a nitrogen content greater than its tantalum content. A substantially stoichiometric tantalum-nitride layer is then formed by performing PE-ALD from the tantalum-based precursor and a plasma including hydrogen and nitrogen. The invention also includes the tantalum-nitride diffusion barrier region so formed. In one embodiment, the metal precursor includes tantalum penta-chloride (TaCl5). The invention generates a sharp interface between low-k materials and liner materials.

Abstract: A non-visible radiation imaging system is provided in which an image is obtained based on non-visible radiation of an object. The image can be enhanced to increase its resolution. Additionally, the image can be combined with another image based on visible light for the object. Further, a non-visible radiation inspection system and method are provided that perform an inspection of the object using one or more of the images.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product for the archiving of a markup language document. The method includes the steps of: identifying at least one referenced resource in the document; determining if the at least one identified referenced resource is stored in a storage device; and in response to an unsuccessful determining step, storing the at least one identified referenced resource in the storage device.

Abstract: An aquarium water changing and stabilization system consists of an initial tank designed to stabilize and condition water before it is entered into a subsequent tank that contains live aquatic animals such as fish. This system has a cabinet that is designed to aesthetically enclose, protect and support the components of the aquarium while providing access to the system. Water is introduced into the system from existing hot and cold water plumbing which is connected to this system. Water exits from this system into existing sewerage plumbing which is also connected to this system. Conditioned water from the conditioning tank enters the main fish tank via plumbing from one tank to the other. In case too much water is introduced to either tank, overflow drains in both tanks prevent water from overflowing over the top of either tank. Plumbing check valves and ball valves create safe and easy plumbing.

Abstract: Methods and an active device thread system are disclosed for electrically connecting an active device thread to an output. In one embodiment, an active device thread includes a substantially conical end that has elements of the thread exposed for coupling to a mating portion of an output. In an alternative embodiment, an active device thread includes a tapered cut that has elements of the thread exposed for coupling to a mating portion of an output. The invention also includes an active device thread system including an electrical connection including one of a substantially conical end that exposes at least two elements of the active device thread and a tapered cut that exposes at least two elements of the active device thread, and a mating portion on an output.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a proposed placement of I/O pads into one or more groups on a chip analyzed. Specifically, using resources such as a control file, cross-reference table, an I/O limit table, and an optional information file, a group switching current for each proposed I/O pad group is automatically calculated and compared to predetermined maximum switching current(s). If an I/O pad group exhibits a switching current that exceeds its predetermined maximum, corrective action is taken. Such action can include, for example, relocation of an I/O pad from an overloaded I/O pad group to another I/O pad group, insertion of an additional power pad into the overloaded I/O pad group, etc.

Abstract: A secure method and system for accessing a cache for web session is provided using web browser cookies. The cache for the web session data uses an encoded identifier, determined using for example the Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code, based on information identifying a client. The client communication is accompanied by a cookie (persistent state object) that also includes the identifier encoded in the same manner. This encoded identifier in the received cookie is used for accessing the cached data. Where a secure communication channel is available, such as a secure socket layer (SSL connection), a second cookie which is only transmitted over SSL is used as a signature for the first cookie.

Abstract: The invention provides an interpolation apparatus for improving the resolution of an optical encoder. The optical encoder outputs an encoding signal, and the encoding signal corresponds to a first resolution. The interpolation apparatus comprises a comparing circuit and a lookup table circuit. The comparator receives the encoding signal and produces a plurality of comparison signals. The lookup table circuit receives a plurality of comparison signals and produces an outputted signal, wherein the outputted signal corresponds to second resolution. The second resolution is greater than the first resolution.

Abstract: Nitride-based film is grown using multiple precursor fluxes. Each precursor flux is pulsed one or more times to add a desired element to the nitride-based film at a desired time. The quantity, duration, timing, and/or shape of the pulses is customized for each element to assist in generating a high quality nitride-based film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitate the creation and maintenance of web pages which include reusable, upgradeable components. The apparatus provides a simple client object which can identify and contain properties for reusable components from a library. The client object does not itself need to be upgraded when components are upgraded and therefore it is not necessary to re-specify all of the properties for a component when a component is upgraded. An upgrade tool reads the properties of instances of the client object which is present in the source for a web publishing software, identifies an upgraded version of a component identified by the client object, reads the properties specified for the component by the client object and reconfigures the instance of the client object to identify the upgraded component and to specify corresponding properties for the upgraded component. Use of the invention facilitates rapid upgrading of web pages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for controlling, in a moving vehicle, wireless communications between a local and a remote party and more particularly to prevent any conversation in vehicles travelling above a predefined speed without cutting off wireless communication. If a wireless communication is detected and if the vehicle speed exceeds a first predefined speed limit, the wireless communication is suspended. When the vehicle speed decreases below a second predefined speed limit, the suspended wireless communication is re-established. The system comprises a wireless communication manager unit connected to both a conventional mobile communication system and a conventional free hand kit, the free hand kit being also connected to the mobile communication system.

Abstract: A machine code builder providing improved software controlled power management is described. A machine code builder reads pre-executable code and builds machine code from the pre-executable code to maximize a duration that a resource is not required. The resource(s) not required may be user defined or the builder can analyze the pre-executable code to determine which resource(s) are not required. The builder re-organizes machine code to maximize the time a particular resource is not used. Mechanisms are also provided to have resource emulation code execute during re-energizing of a resource to prevent loss of performance.

Abstract: An interlayer connector for preventing delamination of semiconductor layers, and methods of forming the connector are disclosed. The connector includes a first connector head in a first distal layer, a second connector head in a second distal layer and a connector body coupling the first and second connector heads. Each connector head has a dimension greater is size than the connector body such that the layers are securely held together. The interlayer connector may be isolated from current-carrying wiring or provided in the form of a contact via. The interlayer connector provides a mechanical mechanism to prevent layers from delaminating regardless of the materials used. The invention also eliminates the need for white space fill above and below via fill by using the connectors coplanar with the on device wiring.

Abstract: An RNIC implementation that performs direct data placement to memory where all segments of a particular connection are aligned, or moves data through reassembly buffers where all segments of a particular connection are non-aligned. The type of connection that cuts-through without accessing the reassembly buffers is referred to as a “Fast” connection because it is highly likely to be aligned, while the other type is referred to as a “Slow” connection. When a consumer establishes a connection, it specifies a connection type. The connection type can change from Fast to Slow and back. The invention reduces memory bandwidth, latency, error recovery using TCP retransmit and provides for a “graceful recovery” from an empty receive queue. The implementation also may conduct CRC validation for a majority of inbound DDP segments in the Fast connection before sending a TCP acknowledgement (Ack) confirming segment reception.

Abstract: A Web-based computer system is provided with software for processing of inbound messages originating from a back office system. The computer system or web-based application may be operated to maintain the consistency of the information on both systems. A method of operating the computer system and application is also provided. The method, system and application accommodate use of multiple inbound queue server processes, multiple ports for sending messages from the back office system and multi-threaded processing in the web-based application system. The various inbound messages received by the web-based application system are processed in proper time sequence. Every document created by the back office system is identified with a unique primary key. The primary key identifies the type of document and the document number corresponding to the particular document. The document and a timestamp identifying the date and time of the document's creations are stored in the back office database.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for adjusting an environmental variable of a fuse blow of an electronic fuse are disclosed. A mimic NFET is coupled to a fuse blow source voltage line, a fuse blow gate voltage line, and a chip ground in the same manner as the electronic fuse, except that the mimic NFET is not attached to a poly fuse link. The on current (ion) and off current (ioff) of the mimic NFET are measured to determine a blow current of the electronic fuse. The environmental variable is adjusted based on the determined blow current.

Abstract: The invention provides a computerized system and method for calculating a custom die price. Specifically, the invention provides an interface for designating base parameters and custom parameters. A reference die is synthetically created based on a design methodology and the base parameters. Based on the reference die and the custom parameters, a complexity factor is calculated. The custom die price can then be calculated based on the base parameters, custom parameters and the complexity factor.

Abstract: A structure and method are disclosed for heat dissipation relative to a heat generating element in a semiconductor device. The structure includes a plurality of heat transmitting lines partially vertically coincidental with the heat generating element, and at least one interconnecting path from each heat transmitting line to a substrate of the semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the heat generating element includes a resistor in a non-first metal level. The invention is compatible with conventional BEOL interconnect schemes, minimizes the amount of heat transfer from the resistor to the surrounding interconnect wiring, thus eliminating the loss of current carrying capability in the wiring.