Abstract: A configuration switch assembly for a computer system includes a protected switch for selectively enabling or disabling a function of the computer system, as determined by the state of the switch. The switch is mounted on the interior surface of a chassis panel. In one embodiment, a slide lock is installed in a guide on the exterior surface of the chassis panel. The slide lock alternatively engages, or disengages from, the switch as it travels between two limit positions that are determined by an aperture in the guide and a cam extending from the slide lock. The slide lock is lockable in one of the two positions so that when the slide lock is locked, the state of the protected switch cannot be altered, and the function, as established by the locked state of the switch, is protected.

Abstract: A battery charge determination device including at least one battery cell voltage measurement device, at least one battery cell internal resistance measurement device, and at least one battery charge assessment device operably connected to the at least one battery cell voltage measurement device and the at least one battery cell internal resistance measurement device.

Abstract: An integrated capacitor includes a device region of first conductivity type in a semiconductor substrate, a source/drain region of the first conductivity type in the device region with a higher doping concentration than the device region, a gate insulator over the device region, and a gate over the gate insulator. A first terminal is coupled to the source/drain region, and a second terminal is coupled to the gate. Advantageously, the integrated capacitor is operated with the device region beneath the gate driven into accumulation instead of inversion. This allows a lower voltage to be applied to the gate, which allows for a thinner gate insulator to be used resulting in higher capacitance per unit area. Furthermore, since the device region is much thicker and more highly conductive than an inversion layer, the integrated capacitor has greatly improved frequency response.

Abstract: A manufacturing process, computer system and method for modifying a graphical user interface and allow customization of the graphical user interface, such as a windows type operating system. Manufacturing process copies operating system, configuration files, application programs, graphical image files, and installation programs onto the computer systems nonvolatile storage device. Configuration files trigger the installation programs to execute upon the first invocation of the operating system by the user and install the custom desktop components. Configuration files may include a registry. Installation programs add graphical images related to applications or Active Desktop components. A plurality of users with separate profile and desktop layouts for each user may have each of the plurality of user's graphical user interface modified. Removal of the graphical image may following the execution of the related application or Active Desktop component.

Abstract: Elimination of traps and atomics in thread synchronization is provided. In one embodiment, a processor includes a lock cache. The lock cache holds a value that corresponds to or identifies a computer resource only if a current thread executing on the processor owns the computer resource. A lock cache operation (e.g., a lockcachecheck instruction) determines whether a value identifying a computer resource is cached in the lock cache and returns a first predetermined value if the value identifying the computer resource is cached in the lock cache. Otherwise, a second predetermined value is returned.

Abstract: In an IGFET device having at least one source/drain region with a lightly-doped sub-region proximate a channel region, the source/drain regions are formed by first implanting ions with parameters to form lightly-doped source/drain regions. A high density plasma deposition provides at least one spacer having preselected characteristics. As a result of the spacer characteristics, an ion implantation with parameters to form normally-doped source/drain regions is shadowed by the spacer. A portion of the source/drain region shadowed by the spacer results in a lightly-doped source/drain sub-region proximate the channel region. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the ion implantation resulting in the lightly-doped source/drain regions is eliminated. Instead, the spacer(s) formed by the high density plasma deposition and subsequent etching process only partially shadows the ion implantation that would otherwise result in normal doping of the source/drain regions.

Abstract: In insulated-gate, field effect transistor (IGFET) devices fabricated in integrated circuits, the scaling down of the dimensions of the devices has resulted in structures with dimensions are so small that reproducibility of parameters can become problematic. Specifically, the gate dielectric, typically silicon nitride, silicon oxide or silicon nitride, of a gate structure is nearing the point where the required thickness of the gate dielectric to provide the selected electric field in the channel region is implemented with a few to several atomic layers. In order to improve parameter reproducibility, a dielectric material, such TaO5 or a ferroelectric material, is used as a gate dielectric. TaO5 and the ferroelectric materials have a dielectric constant an order of magnitude higher than the material typically used in the past. Using these materials, the gate dielectric can be proportionately thicker, thereby improving the parameter reproducibility.

Abstract: An IGFET with metal spacers is disclosed. The IGFET includes a gate electrode on a gate insulator on a semiconductor substrate. Sidewall insulators are adjacent to opposing vertical edges of the gate electrode, and metal spacers are formed on the substrate and adjacent to the sidewall insulators. The metal spacers are electrically isolated from the gate electrode but contact portions of the drain and the source. Preferably, the metal spacers are adjacent to edges of the gate insulator beneath the sidewall insulators. The metal spacers are formed by depositing a metal layer over the substrate then applying an anisotropic etch. In one embodiment, the metal spacers contact lightly and heavily doped drain and source regions, thereby increasing the conductivity between the heavily doped drain and source regions and the channel underlying the gate electrode. The metal spacers can also provide low resistance drain and source contacts.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device fabrication process, a method of, and apparatus for, coating a semiconductor wafer with polyimide so that excess polyimide is removed from the wafer edge, back side and coating process area and is conveniently drained. The method comprises the injection into the chamber of a developer, such as dilute TMAH, that mixes with the excess polyimide. The soluble mixture of TMAH and excess polyimide may then be drained into a bulk drain, obviating the accumulation of excess polyimide in the coater cup. The method is implemented through an assembly that includes a coater cup, spin chuck disposed within the coater cup, and a pair of nozzles intruding into the coater cup at a lower portion of the cup. A fist nozzle operates to inject developing fluid onto the back side of the wafer in the cup, and a second nozzle, positioned nearer the center of the cup and the spin chuck, operates to inject rinsing fluid.

Abstract: A method for providing video programming in a nearly on demand basis is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan calls for two or more channels to show the same program on a time offset basis. Due to the offset in exhibiting a given program, a subscriber may view a program at any time, from the beginning of a program, by waiting for a period of time that is no longer than the offset. Preferably, this offset is substantially shorter than the run time of the program. The channels carrying this program are unscrambled prior to the beginning of the program and for a predetermined duration into the program so that subscribers may preview the program. However, the channels are scrambled for the remainder of the exhibition of the program.

Abstract: A hand-operated tool for removing and replacing a wide variety of different manhole covers is disclosed. The tool includes a handle which extends upward from slip-resistant feet. A collar with forward extending ears attaches to the lower, central region of the handle. An S-hook is positioned within the ears so that its hook extends downward and frontward, and a clevis is positioned outside the ears. The S-hook, clevis, and ears are all bolted together. One end of a chain attaches to the clevis, and another end of the chain attaches to a link of an elongated link-up unit. The link-up unit's link is dimensioned for snug, but hand-removable, attachment to the S-hook. The snug attachment resists rotation between the link-up unit and the S-hook. A hook pivotably couples to the link-up unit at an opposing end from the link-up unit's link. The hook is coupled so that is can pivot up and down only, and cannot freely rotate around the general direction of elongation of the link-up unit.

Abstract: A method of managing information used and generated in the scheduling and exhibition of performances is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan is generated through the performance of an exhibition manager process which operates on a computer. The exhibition manager manages information related to the performances to be exhibited, schedules the performances in accordance with user-supplied timing data, prints reports, and maintains a personal information manager having a database describing studios, contacts, and other information related to licensing the performances for exhibition on the network. The information related to performances includes repeat factors and short titles which the exhibition manager calculates.

Abstract: An automated classroom which integrates sources of video instructional materials, such as TV, CATV, VCR, video disk players, closed circuit TV, and the like, with sources of computer-based instructional materials is disclosed. Modulated video sources are converted to baseband and applied, along with baseband video sources, to a multichannel modulator or headend. The headend drives a local video network (LVN) which couples to a plurality of student workstations and to an instructor workstation. In addition a local area network (LAN) couples to the student workstations, the instructor workstation, and to a file server. Each of the instructor and student workstations includes a computer, a monitor control unit (MCU), a video display, and an audio transducer. The workstation computers couple to the LAN and the workstation MCU's couple to the LVN.

Abstract: A method of managing information used and generated in the scheduling and exhibition of performances is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan is generated through the performance of an exhibition manager process which operates on a computer. The exhibition manager manages information related to the performances to be exhibited, schedules the performances in accordance with user-supplied timing data, prints reports, and maintains a personal information manager having a database describing studios, contacts, and other information related to licensing the performances for exhibition on the network. The information related to performances includes repeat factors and short titles which the exhibition manager calculates.

Abstract: Apparatus to facilitate the handling of large rolls of paper stock or similar material consisting of two clamping fixtures adapted to be mounted on the tines of a forklift truck and a shaft that passes through the center of large rolls of paper stock or similar material and is also passed through the clamping fixtures, the apparatus facilitating handling of the rolls by the forklift truck. Each of the clamping fixtures includes a sleeve conforming to the profile of a fork tine, a clamping bracket affixed to the sleeve, and a bottom lock bolt for securing the sleeve to a fork tine at an adjustable position on the fork tine.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows the installation of a relatively inexpensive, low-attenuation, subterranean fiber optic cable underwater is disclosed. A high-density polyethylene subduct is extruded around the fiber optic cable to form a subduct assembly which typically exhibits a weight that is less than its buoyancy in water. The subduct assembly is then transported to the point of installation along with at least one sinkable cable and a lashing wire. Dimensions of the sinkable cable are selected so that, at the point of installation, the sinkable cable is lashed to the subduct assembly to form a cable assembly having a desired weight-to-buoyancy ratio with respect to water and a desired tensile strength. Splices in the subduct assembly and the sinkable cable occur at locations in the cable assembly which are offset from one another.

Abstract: A pair of support members which clamp to an aerial cable and hold a tarp beneath the cable is disclosed. Since the support members couple to one another only through the tarp, they may be positioned at any distance from one another on the cable. The support members tightly clamp to the cable through a lashing strap and buckle arrangement. Each of the support members includes first and second spreader arms, which clamp to the tarp and position the edges of the tarp horizontally away from the cable. The support members hold the tarp in a "V" shape with the distance between the cable and the bottom of the "V" shape being adjustable through an axle assembly. Moreover, the axle assembly permits adjustment of spreader arm angles to vary the horizontal positioning of tarp edges. These numerous adjustable features permit the apparatus to be oriented for a wide variety of single and multiple cable configurations.

Abstract: A Customer Activation System, including a method and apparatus, for expeditiously providing a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) customer access to CMR service. The system includes a regional processor programmed to:accept information identifying the CMR customer;obtain a credit check of the CMR customer;assign a telephone number to the CMR customer; andinsert and activate the telephone number in a cellular switch.

Abstract: A CMR (Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone) Cell Site includes a structurally compact and easily transportable foundation for a CMR equipment edifice. The foundation, together with the edifice, rests on a leveled surface. An antenna tower is mounted on the roof of the edifice and is secured by an antenna mounting brace embedded in the roof of the edifice. The antenna is guyed at three elevations along the antenna's height to three points on the foundation. The edifice encloses a 10-inch-square, steel support column, positioned within the edifice directly beneath the antenna mounting brace, for supporting the antenna tower. Four-inch-thick slabs of concrete are inserted between the floor of the edifice and the support column and between the support column and the roof so as to isolate the interior of the building from electrical disturbances such as lightening.

Abstract: CMR (Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone) equipment is disposed in a configuration that facilitates both transportation to a cell site and, at the site, rapid installation of the CMR equipment and accompanying antenna tower. The CMR equipment incorporates a foundation that includes (i) a rectangular center structure formed from a front horizontal section, a rear horizontal section, a left vertical section, and a right vertical section, and (ii) a nose structure attached to and extending vertically from the front horizontal section. A self-contained CMR equipment edifice, having four walls, a floor and a roof, is secured to the rectangular center structure of the foundation by a plurality of flanges positioned at predetermined locations on the edifice and affixed to both the foundation and walls of the edifice. Several antenna tower sections are attached to the edifice by a number of identical antenna mounting assemblies.