Abstract: An image quality assurance method for identifying image defects in a plurality of imaged documents, where each imaged document includes at least one image rendition. The image renditions are analyzed to provide selected image metrics, the latter of which are compared against preselected image quality metric threshold values. An image quality flag is generated for any image rendition if at least one of the selected image metrics for that image rendition does not successfully compare against the preselected image quality metric threshold values. A record entry is created in an image quality flag file for those documents having at least one flagged image rendition, the record entry including information about the selected image metrics of the at least one flagged image rendition for that imaged document. Image defects in a plurality of imaged documents can be identified by examining the record entries in the image quality flag file.

Abstract: A computer system is provided with a rack defining an interior. A computer chassis is mounted at least partially within the interior of the rack, wherein the computer chassis defines an interior. An interconnect assembly is mounted at least partially within the interior of the rack, wherein the interconnect assembly has an interconnect connector. A processor assembly is mounted at least partially within the interior of the computer chassis, and the processor assembly has a processor board and a processor connector mounted to the processor board and connected to the interconnect connector of the interconnect assembly. The processor assembly also has at least eight addressable processor segments mounted to the processor board.

Abstract: Multi-processor computer systems with multiple levels of cache memories are slowed down in trying to process software locks for common functions. This invention obviates the problem for the vast majority of transactions by providing an alternate procedure for handling so-called communal locks differently from ordinary software locks. The alternative procedure is not used for ordinary (non communal software lock) data and instruction transfers. The function of the CSWL (Communal SoftWare Lock) is actually accomplished at a specific cache to which an individual CSWL is mapped to, rather than sending the lock to the requesting process, which also enhances efficiency.

Abstract: Mechanisms and methods for traversing trees are disclosed. A novel data structure for modeling a node that includes a unique node counter also is described. In certain embodiments of the inventions the unique node counter is a timestamp of sufficient granularity to render each timestamp in the tree unique. A node counter, in conjunction with the lineage of a specified continuation node may be used to locate an appropriate starting point within a tree in a continuation call when the specified continuation node no longer exists in the tree.

Abstract: A presentation apparatus is provided for use with a contact image sensor used for scanning the contents of a document. The presentation apparatus includes a base member adapted to be disposed above the surface of the contact image sensor, a first spring arm extending from the base member and a contact member extending vertically from the first spring arm. The first spring arm urges the contact member into contact with the surface for ensuring flat contact between the document and the surface as the document passes therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing a single host application with multiple machines to be controlled by the host application via a local area network minimizes the complexity of dealing with multiple controlled entities by utilizing a single virtual state machine manager communicating with the host application. The virtual machine manager communicates with the controlled machines via machine proxies in conjunction with a command cache state machine and a command cache, which stores previous action requests generated by the host application. A machine epoxy is created for physical controlled entity attached to the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving search performance in databases organized in B Tree or B+ Tree format has an automatic determination and switching between two methods. It also searches to the end of a current leaf page even if a current value for all key parameters has been fulfilled in the search prior to reaching the end of the current leaf page. Swinging across and thus skipping leaf pages to fetch a next leaf page (trapeze fetching or swinging) is activated only either initially or where a B Tree search has resulted in a skipping of leaf pages previously in a search. User interference with the automatic selection of search type between next sequential leaf or trapeze type is not provided for and not allowed.

Abstract: A multimedia interface circuit is used to connect multimedia signal sources such as a telephone to a network. The multimedia interface circuit has a telephone communication interface circuit for receiving the telephone signal from the telephone. A signal conditioner receives the signal from the telephone communication interface circuit and conditions it for use on the network. A phone environment simulator cooperates with the signal conditioner to add an artificially simulated phone environment to the signal. The signal is then sent by a network communication circuit to the network. Personal computers and video sources may also be connected by the multimedia interface circuit to the network.

Abstract: Administrative requests of a distributed network application executing in a clustered computing environment comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein the application requires centralized administration via a master node, are routed from the nodes at which the requests originate to the node that is acting as the master for the distributed network application.

Abstract: The temperature of multiple integrated circuit modules is regulated by a heat exchanger which is sequentially squeezed against, and separated from, a respective uneven contact surface on each of the modules. The heat exchanger has a face of a malleable metal that stays in a solid state and deforms while the squeezing occurs. The surface of the malleable metal has a coating of a release agent that prevents the malleable metal from sticking to the contact surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning components on a circuit board and routing traces therebetween is disclosed. The circuit board has two pairs of electrical component-receiving footprint and a plurality of traces interconnecting the footprints. The two pairs of electrical component-receiving footprints are spaced from one another in a first direction, wherein the footprints in each of the pairs are substantially aligned in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein at least one of the footprints in one of the pairs is offset from at least one of the footprints in the other of the pairs in both the first and second directions. The plurality of traces interconnect each of the footprints includes at least one trace connecting the offset footprints.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip can be thermally destroyed in a tester due to a defective pressed joint with a temperature regulating component. A method which prevents such destruction begins with the step of pressing the chip against the temperature regulating component within the tester. While the pressing step is occurring, thermal power is sent to the temperature regulating component with a magnitude that undergoes an abrupt change. Then, during a time interval that begins with the abrupt change in thermal power, a temperature change is sensed in either the temperature regulating component, or the chip. Thereafter, electrical power is applied to the chip in the tester only if the temperature change, which is sensed by the sensing step, meets a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A software buffer is implemented without using notoriously slow locking mechanisms by employing a so-called atomic microprocessor operation to increment a counter tracking the total number of messages inserted into the buffer by various processes. In this manner, a unique slot is guaranteed to be assigned to each respective message to be inserted. Additionally, a count of the total number of removed messages is used to handle situations where two messages are assigned the same slot due to buffer overflow.

Abstract: A structure for removing heat from a packaged electronic component. The structure includes three, main elements. First, a heat sink has a pedestal with opposing ends and a plurality of fins separated by spaces and disposed on the pedestal. The heat sink dissipates heat generated by the packaged electronic component. Second, parallel rails are disposed adjacent the opposing ends of the pedestal, each rail having a catch. Third, a spring clip has (a) end hooks which engage the catches to retain the spring clip on the rails, and (b) a strut extending between the hooks, fitting into the space between adjacent fins, and including an apex which contacts substantially centrally the pedestal and applies a force pressing the heat sink toward the packaged electronic component. Thus, the heat sink is removably attached at least indirectly to the packaged electronic component. Also disclosed is a method of using the structure.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is useful in a computer system including at least one client. The program executes a method for matching a pattern string with a target string, where either string can contain single or multi-character wild cards. The method includes the steps of preprocessing the pattern string into a prefix segment, a suffix segment, and zero or more interior segments. Next, matching the prefix segment, the suffix segment, and the interior segment(s) with the target string.

Abstract: A request message for transfer across an interface is formed by a method comprising the steps of representing each of a plurality of data chunks to be stored in the message by a respective chunk object, declaring each of the chunk objects as a variable on a program stack, storing a first data chunk in a first area of the message; storing a second data chunk in a second area of the message; and employing the chunk object representing the first data chunk to locate the first data chunk in the course of loading into the first chunk an offset value representing the location of the second chunk, wherein the offset value represents an offset from a base address of the message. The method enables an overloaded deference operator to employ an offset stored in a chunk object on the program stack to locate a particular chunk.

Abstract: A method in a computer system is disclosed for discovering host-based legacy screen assets. The system has a client, a server and a host, including a repository. The method comprises the steps of creating an application object comprising a collection of the legacy screen assets; and, creating a recognition file for storing constituent elements of the legacy screen assets. After this, a first stream of data representative of the legacy screen asset is received from the host in response to a request by the client for data fields. Next, the first data stream is parsed into constituent elements and stored in the recognition file and then the constituent elements are associated with the screen assets. The constituent elements of the first data stream are appended to the recognition file for the screen assets; and, then they are associated with data names that are stored in the repository, thereby creating a specification for each of said legacy screen assets.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip can be thermally destroyed in a tester due to a defective pressed joint with a temperature regulating component. A method which prevents such destruction begins with the step of maintaining the chip at one temperature while forcing the temperature regulating component to a different temperature, when the chip and the temperature regulating component are spaced apart in the tester. Next, the chip at its one temperature and the temperature regulating component at its different temperature are pressed together. Then a temperature change is sensed in either the chip or the temperature regulating component, during a time interval that begins when the temperature regulating component and the chip initially press together. Thereafter, electrical power is applied to the chip in the tester only if the temperature change, which is sensed by the sensing stop, meets a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing communication data to an end-user. The device comprises a storage unit coupled to a transmitter. The storage unit collects the end-user's communication data from a plurality of sources. The data may be transmitted to the storage unit by the sources using either wired or wireless techniques. The transmitter sends the communication data to the end-user. The device may further comprise a converter coupled to the storage unit. The converter translates the communication data into a format useable by the end-user. The communication data may be transmitted to the end-user using either wired or wireless transmission techniques. The data sent to the end-user includes completed communications as well as those attempted but not completed.

Abstract: An automatic speech recognizer (ASR) is used in conjunction with a gender-neutral grammar to recognize words uttered by a user of a speech application at a given state of the dialogue implemented by the speech application. An identification of the gender (i.e., male or female) of the user is then made from one or more of the recognized words based on gender-specific characteristics of the written language of the user. The identified gender is used in various ways to improve the performance of the speech application.