Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus comprises a thermally conductive member including a base having one or more surfaces adapted to absorb heat from an electronic component, and a mounting assembly including at least one mounting member directly coupled to the base and for direct attachment to the electronic component so that loading forces for mounting on it the electronic component are not directly applied to the base. The thermally conductive member is a graphite-based material. A compliant force applying mechanism is mounted generally on the base for controlling forces applied on the base.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting electronic devices against excessive heat build-up and particulate infiltration while implementing EMC shielding.

Abstract: A connector coupling mechanism comprises a housing coupled to a first connector; and, a force applying device connected to the housing and being movable between docking and undocking positions; wherein in response to the force applying device moving to the docking position, a mechanical advantage is provided for facilitating a firm coupling of the first and second connector assemblies. In addition, the force applying device provides a mechanical advantage in response to the force applying device moving to undocking position for facilitating easy unplugging. The coupling mechanism provides a latching arrangement for releasable and positive retention of the force applying device in the docked position for preventing against inadvertent unplugging. A connector assembly coupling system is provided as well as a method of coupling connector assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to chip packaging and methods of packaging and, more particularly, to compact packaging of chips and methods thereof in electronic environments that minimize undesired electronic effects, promote speed, and enhance packaging versatility.

Abstract: A one writer, multiple readers, shared data table concurrent access process includes providing a plurality of data elements. The data elements include a serialization mechanism. A second data element is a table/array of elements. A third data element is an atomic, integer counter. Inserting a new element into the shared unsorted data table by a writer includes locking the table. Removing an element at a position in the shared unsorted data table by a writer includes locking the table, copying the table so that the element to be removed is at the end of the table, deleting the element at the end of the table, and unlocking the table. From the shared data table by a reader includes looping through all elements of the table, loading and caching each element of the table, and read-only processing each element of the table.

Abstract: A method, system and computer product are disclosed whereby distribution lists of invitees in an ordered manner are automatically generated for use in scheduling meetings in a way that is responsive to specifiable parameters following a review of a collection of electronic mail messages as to subject matter and recipients.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for handling fluid flow in a computer system for suppressing noise and heat, and, in addition, for enhancing external cable management for use with the computer system.

Abstract: A portable testing apparatus operable with a force applying apparatus for testing loading characteristics on an integrated circuit assembly coupled to a circuit board. Included is a housing assembly having a size and shape to simulate an integrated circuit assembly to be tested; a loading element coupled for movement relative to the housing assembly and engageable with a load detecting system for transferring forces thereto in response to forces applied by a force applying apparatus; an interposer which mates the housing assembly to a circuit board; and, a load detecting system associated with the housing assembly for providing signals representative of characteristics of loading forces applied thereto by a force applying apparatus, whereby the load delivery characteristics of a force applying apparatus can be determined. A method of testing is also provided.

Abstract: A connector retention apparatus for resiliently retaining connectors of different heights in mated engagement with a device. Included in the apparatus is a base assembly adapted to be connected to a device; and, at least a resiliently deflectable assembly connected to the base assembly and including a connector engaging portion that is biased for engagement with a connector and capable of accommodating and biasing connectors of varying heights into mated engagement with a device. A card and connector retention system for retaining a printed circuit card assembly to a device and a connector to the printed circuit card assembly. The system includes a connector assembly for retaining a printed circuit card assembly to a device; and, a connector retention apparatus for resiliently retaining connectors of different heights in mated engagement with the printed circuit card assembly. The connector retention apparatus is couplable to the connector assembly. A method of assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method of handling conflicts between threads, including an initiating thread and at least one other thread, for at least one shared resource in a multi-threaded processing system having a processor and memory includes setting a location in memory for each other thread on the processor with the initiating thread. The initiating thread signals an inter-processor interrupt (IPI) to all other threads on the processor. For each other thread, an interrupt handler is initiated where each other thread: acknowledges receipt of the interrupt, and proceeds to spin on the respective location in memory that was set, thereby guaranteeing that the respective other thread will not be using any shared resource of the processor.

Abstract: A stack unwinding mechanism and method for same is presented. The stack unwinding mechanism reduces stack overflow problems by determining if an asynchronous function completed synchronously and unwinding the stack if the function did complete synchronously. The stack unwinding mechanism then completes the client's processing of the asynchronous function's task after the stack has been unwound. This allows client processing to take place when there is little chance of stack overflow or overgrowth. If the asynchronous function will complete asynchronously, the stack unwinding mechanism allows processing to continue normally because there is little chance for stack overflow in this situation. The various embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are especially well-suited to embedded processor environments.

Abstract: An arrangement to enable automatic baud rate speed negotiation between transceivers having different operating speed characteristics is implemented. When an event indicative of a possible baud rate mismatch occurs, control signals are generated and used to trigger a baud rate negotiation procedure. In the baud rate negotiation procedure, a predetermined pattern is transmitted, the baud rate of the respective transmitting transceiver is decoded, and the decoded baud rate is used to select an appropriate filtering for the transceiver.

Abstract: A micro-actuator of a head suspension either is wired in a reverse polarity to effect movement of the suspension arms in opposing directions relative to the magnetic disks or reversed in physical orientation and wired identically. This permits a single micro-actuator control signal to control all micro-actuators and thereby cancel the affects of inertia of the suspension arms and the read/write heads on the actuator arms as half of the suspension arms and magnetic heads move in one direction while, simultaneously, the other half of the suspension arms and magnetic heads move in a second, opposite direction in response to a single control signal, simplifying wiring and control electronics. The counter-movement of the suspension arms and magnetic counter the inertia and inertial forces and expedite the settling into their stable recording/reading positions, thereby reducing seek times and improving disk drive performance.

Abstract: A shared resource registry is created and maintained by the system to control allocation and deallocation of shared system resources. The shared resource registry will contain information regarding the allocation and control of shared system resources. By accessing shared system resources through the shared resource registry, control of the shared resources is vested in the system instead of individual objects or processes. When the system needs access to a shared resource, it can notify the shared resource registry regarding the desired resource and schedule the termination of the thread or process which has acquired the desired resource. The shared resource registry can then release the desired resource and make it available for another process.

Abstract: As a mobile unit approaches a communication dead zone, a call is automatically disconnected in an orderly fashion. The call can be automatically reconnected when the mobile unit exits the communication dead zone. As part of the orderly disconnection, parties to the call are given an audible and/or visual message and/or sensual tactile stimulus letting them know that a dead zone is being approached. The message can also indicate the time before entering the dead zone, and/or what actions will be taken. Similarly, when the mobile unit is about to exit the dead zone, the parties can be given an indication prior to being reconnected.

Abstract: An assembly for use in providing EMI shielding for a circuit card. The assembly comprises a circuit card; a fastener; and, a shielding apparatus. The shielding apparatus comprises: a body providing EMI shielding and includes an attaching portion extending therefrom, wherein the attaching portion has a segment at a proximal end portion thereof which blocks an opening in the body for controlling EMI leakage and positions the attaching portion so that a fastener can fasten the attaching portion to a circuit card such that a first fastener end portion is engageable in juxtaposed relationship with a first card surface and a second fastener end portion terminates so as not to extend generally beyond a predetermined distance from a second card surface of the card.

Abstract: An electrical connector system has two connectors, one of which is included in a module mateable with the other connector in a pluggable manner. The other connector includes a body and two or more electrical contacts. The body of that electrical connector includes a spring that provides a combined lock-down force and kick-out force. The lock-down force biases the module against the other connector, thereby providing a secure electrical and mechanical connection. The kick-out force biases the module away from the other connector to separate or eject the module when a user actuates a release mechanism. The module also includes a slot that engages a projection on the other connector to promote alignment of the mating electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the pH of a strengthening melt for use in strengthening glass substrates, e.g., glass disk substrates for use in data storage devices. A non-particle-forming acid is added to the strengthening melt to lower the pH of the strengthening melt to ≦8. The acid is added while the strengthening melt is in a molten state and selected to avoid particle formation. Nitric acid, for example, is non-particle-forming with respect to nitrate based strengthening melts such as potassium nitrate and/or sodium nitrate. A base, e.g., sodium hydroxide, may be added if the pH of the strengthening melt falls below 5. Strengthening melts are subject to pH shift that can cause glass substrates strengthened therein to etch, creating pits on the substrate surface. Glass disk substrates treated in the pH adjusted strengthening melt are essentially free from such pits, as well as contamination caused by particle formation.

Abstract: Optical power adjustment is provided for parallel optical transmitters, in particular, for an array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL's). The lasers in the array can be independently digitally adjusted with associated digital circuitry to compensate for manufacturing and temperature variations. In particular, the threshold current and modulation current for each VCSEL in the array, as well as a global temperature coefficient for all the VCSEL's in the array, can be digitally setup and adjusted for desired power levels. Once set, the associated digital code can be stored in non-volatile memory, and loaded at powering-up of the transmitters.

Abstract: To provide a display control system that outputs, to a display screen, information messages that are generated over the elapse of time, whereby a user can select either an automatic scrolling mode, in which new messages are continually displayed, or an automatic scrolling halt mode. The ON/OFF automatic scrolling state set by a user is held in a storage area and is referred to when a new, additional message is received for storage. If the automatic scrolling state is ON, the oldest message is removed from a window, and the new message is added. If the automatic scrolling state is OFF, automatic scrolling of the window is not performed, the current display is unchanged, and the new message is added at the end of a virtual display area (message group data that can be displayed in the display area). The display area of the window includes a scroll bar that an operator can manually manipulate to refer to a new message or to an old message that is not currently displayed.