Abstract: An encryption-free technique for enabling the self-authentication of value documents (including personal and commercial checks) presented at a point of purchase or financial institution. Certain data contained on the value document may be signed with a first digital signature and authenticated with a public key certificate issued from a trusted certificate authority. The signed data and public key certificate are stored on the value document, preferably in a two-dimensional bar code data format. In the case of certain personal value documents (such as checks, credit cards, passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc.), a unique personal identification number (PIN) also may be included in the document data that is signed by a second digital signature.

Abstract: A computer system is provided. The computer system includes a computer chassis at least partially defining an interior. The computer system also includes a module configured for movement with respect to the computer chassis along an insertion axis between a retracted position substantially within the interior of the computer chassis and an extended position at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the chassis. The module includes a housing configured to extend within the interior of the chassis. The housing includes a body portion configured to move with respect to the computer chassis along the insertion axis, and a pivoting portion coupled to the body portion to pivot between a retracted position substantially aligned along the insertion axis and an extended position oriented at an angle with respect to the insertion axis.

Abstract: It is most desirable that the registry files of a local computer platform be in instant synchronism with the registry files of a remote backup computer platform. The present invention provides a component object that can monitor a user-specified registry key on a local computer platform and operate to duplicate that registry key, on an instant update basis, at the remote backup platform whenever the local registry key undergoes a change.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a cabinet frame having at least one support member is provided. The clamp includes a body portion configured to be fastened to a supporting surface. The clamp also includes at least one mounting portion coupled to the body portion. The mounting portion defines a recess positioned to at least partially surround a portion of the support member. The mounting portion includes a surface positioned to contact another portion of the support member when the body portion is fastened to the supporting surface, thereby securing the cabinet frame.

Abstract: A crossbar structure for use in a multi-processor computer system to connect a plurality of processors to at least one shared resource. The crossbar structure comprises for each processor, a storage location for receiving from a respective processor a memory address of a lock control structure associated with the shared resource. When the processor needs to acquire a lock thereto, the crossbar structure, on behalf of the processor, performs memory operations on the lock control structure at the address specified in the storage location in order to acquire the lock on behalf of the processor.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for storing data, wherein data stored on one or more disks of a first capacity is mirrored to one or more disks of a second, larger capacity. According to the invention, one or more disk drives of a first capacity may be coupled to create a virtual volume. One or more disks of a second, larger capacity are then used to provide a single larger volume or multiple larger volumes that serve as the mirroring drive or drives for the array of smaller drives. Data from the smaller drives is stacked in stripes sequentially across the larger drive(s). Alternately, data from the smaller drives may be striped in zones across the larger drive(s). In yet another embodiment, the asymmetric nature of the mirroring technique of the present invention can be used in reverse, wherein an array of smaller capacity drives serve as the mirror for one or more larger capacity drives.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reducing or eliminating a gap defined between adjacent components of an electronic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference generated by the electronic system. The apparatus includes a cam having a cam surface positionable adjacent a component of the electronic system. The cam is moveable to an actuated position in which the cam surface applies a force to the component. The apparatus further includes a support mountable to the electronic system. The support engages the cam and facilitates the movement of the cam. The movement of the cam with respect to the support and into the actuated position causes the cam surface to apply the force to the component, thereby reducing or eliminating a gap between the component and an adjacent component of the electronic system.

Abstract: A specialized computer program is utilized to operate apparatus for testing internal components of an integrated circuit package. A Peltier-junction module is controlled so as to ramp-up and ramp-down the temperature of an integrated circuit package while reading out and plotting the power-bus-ground resistance of the package during the up-ramp and down-ramp cycles. The computer screen then indicates a characteristic graph for a properly working package and erratic graph for a package having a short circuit or open circuit components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held magnetic ink character recognition system 10 having an integrated position/speed feedback device 20, such as an optical encoder. The position/speed feedback device 20 is provided to compensate for variable speeds generated by manual operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, for regulating the temperature of multiple integrated circuit modules, is fabricated by constructing a face on a hollow jacket such that the face consists essentially of a malleable metal with a coating of a release agent. In one embodiment, the malleable metal is fabricated as a foil which is attached to the jacket by an adhesive, and the coating is fabricated as a powder of the release agent which is rubbed into the surface of the foil.

Abstract: A method in a multi-processor computing system is disclosed. The method is an object-oriented method that allows a user to make associations between processes to be executed and available CPUs of the system. In particular, the method includes the displaying of the associations for a user to manipulate. Responses are accepted by the method from a user for creating logical groupings of the CPUs, hereinafter referred to as affinity groups. Next, an affinity mask is accepted from the user for each of the affinity groups, which affinity mask assigns available ones of the CPUs. After this a determination is made as to whether or not there are more CPUs to be assigned to the affinity groups, and if not; specific rules that make associations between the processes and the affinity groups are then accepted by the method from the user.

Abstract: In an enclosure having an interface between a fixed portion and a movable portion, an EMI seal mechanism comprises a support mechanism coupled to one of the fixed portion and the movable portion. The support mechanism is positionable from an electrically non-conductive position to an electrically conductive position, wherein the electrically conductive position provides a substantially continuous electrical connection through the enclosure.

Abstract: In a heterogenous symmetric multi-processing system, processors from distinct families of processors are integrated on a single platform. The processors are coupled to an implementation specific communication mechanism through family specific bus interface converters. Shared memory and I/O subsystems may be coupled to the implementation specific communication mechanism as well. An operating system maintains separate ready queues for each family of processors. Each ready queue is responsible for scheduling execution of process threads on its associated family of processors. The operating systems facilitates execution of both single mode binary code files and mixed mode binary code files. When a thread is created, the operating system determines the initial processor family to associate with the thread based on the binary code stream that the thread will begin executing. The thread is placed in the ready queue of that family.

Abstract: A device and method for extracting wadded documents from a track of a document processor is provided. The device has a longitudinal body portion with surfaces defining an extraction aperture. The body portion also has ends defining an opening in the extraction aperture and surfaces defining a channel, wherein the channel extends between the ends. The extraction device further includes a tension member disposed within the channel and extending across the opening in the extraction aperture. The body portion further includes a securing member for placing the tension member under a desired tension such that damage to the track is avoided.

Abstract: An arrangement for adaptively driving the flag element of a document-handling device, such as a document sorter. The rotation of a first cam exerts a first force on the flag element. The profile of the first cam is such that the first force exerted on the flag element varies in accordance with the size of the document stack of the document-handling device. Alternatively, a second cam, rotatably connected to the first cam, causes a rotation of the first cam such that the first cam exerts a second force on the flag element. The first cam is shaped such that the second force exerted on the flag element is constant.

Abstract: A method for controlling and adjusting nudger drive friction force. The nudger drive friction force is measured and compared with a desired nudger belt friction force term needed for reliable feeding. Cable drum motor torque is responsively adjusted to obtain a desired nudger drive friction force.

Abstract: A first dynamic link library (DLL) of a first computing environment, which exports one or more procedures that an application program executing in the first computing environment can call, is replaced with a second DLL that executes in a second computing environment, in a manner that is transparent to the calling application. A source code skeleton of the second DLL is automatically generated based on information contained in a directory of the compiled object code of the first DLL. The exported procedures of the second DLL have interfaces that are identical (from the perspective of the calling application) to the interfaces of the corresponding exported procedures of the first DLL, but the exported procedures of the second DLL comprise native code of the second computing environment.

Abstract: When an incoming call is received, a signal is sent to a computer that monitors the telephone line. If the telephone is not answered, the messaging system sends a signal and streaming audio signals to the computer. The signals are output over speakers connected to the computer.

Abstract: An enhanced method for developing back-up copies of a source database by providing incremental and accumulate dump commands from various multiple-Users which enable a selection of certain files which are identified independently of time-factor for dumping selectively either onto a separate destination medium of disk or tape. A User can determine the block size of words for blocks of data files to be dumped onto the destination medium, thus significantly reducing the number of I/O operations required.

Abstract: A system for testing integrated circuit chips includes a signal generator which generates a clock signal; and a sequential control circuit having a first input which receives the clock signal, a second input for receiving commands, and multiple outputs. A command source sends programmable sequences of the commands to the second input of the control circuit; and in response, the control circuit passes the clock signal from the first input to only certain outputs which the commands select. All of the outputs of the control circuit are coupled through respective clock transmitters to different chips which are to be tested; and so in response to the programmable commands, the clock signal is sent sequentially to the chips that are to be tested, in selectable subsets.