Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for automatically converting text-based screen applications of a legacy computer system into a graphical-based representation thereof. The method includes the steps of transforming a terminal-based screen application into an application specification; converting the application specification into a modeling language-based representation; and, displaying the modeling language-based representation with a graphical user interface. The method of this invention also includes the capability of generating document type definitions of the modeling language-based representation, which enables transmission of the representation among modeling tools.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for efficiently traversing and placing cells in a circuit design database are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, one or more leaf cells are identified as base objects. The base objects are placed and aligned along a selected dominate axis. Once the base objects are identified, an input port is identified by the circuit designer. In many cases, selected base objects will have at least one common input port name, such as “A”. By selecting a common input port name, the corresponding input port for each of the selected base objects is identified. Once identified, the source leaf cells that have an output port that is coupled to the identified input ports can be identified, placed and aligned as desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an endless loop in a rules-based expert system. This is preferably accomplished by maintaining a count for each of the rules during rule processing. The count indicates the number of times a corresponding rule is executed by the rules based expert system. If the count corresponding to any of the rules exceeds a predetermined value, it is concluded that the rules-based expert system is stuck in an endless loop, and the rules-based expert system is interrupted.

Abstract: A system for indicating to a message subscriber when a message has been left for that subscriber accommodates multiple time zones by providing information to the subscriber related to the subscriber's time zone indicating that the message was left. When the caller leaves his message, the caller's time zone is determined based the caller's phone number's time zone determined from a database corresponding these data. Then the subscriber's local time zone is determined. The difference in time zones is determined and the time indicated to the subscriber is related to the subscriber's time zone, not the caller's, by adding or subtracting the appropriate amount of time indicated by the difference in time between the time zones to give the subscriber the time of the call in the subscriber's local zone.

Abstract: A common programming interface for multiple types of document processing systems. An object interface is defined that includes properties, methods, and events that are applicable to multiple types of document processing systems. For a particular document processing system of a particular type, an instance of the object interface is established, and an application program controls overall operations of the document processing system by setting values of properties in the object interface, invoking methods in the object interface, and responding to events reported via the object interface. System specific track drivers handle system specific interface requirements and interact with an application program via an instance of the object interface. The single application programming interface promotes ease of development for application programs and some reuse of code.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing an adapter for use with an LGA device. The method includes providing a flexible substrate having a conductive base layer. The method also includes forming a plurality of openings through the flexible substrate. The method further includes defining on the flexible substrate a plurality of vias extending through the openings in the flexible substrate, a plurality of conductive pads electrically connected to the vias, and a plurality of conductive paths extending between adjacent pads, wherein spaces are defined between the pads and the paths to prevent direct contact between the pads and the paths, each of the paths being connected to at least one of a plurality of peripheral pads provided on the flexible substrate. The conductive base layer substantially covers a portion of the substrate surface area.

Abstract: Methods for calculating total mass storage requirements for a relational database table including database storage requirements, application and software requirements, system table requirements, scratch and sort requirements, log file requirements, and growth requirements. One method utilizes detailed inputs for each table and table index. Another method produces and utilizes estimates for the database and index requirements for all tables together. Methods can use input parameters including the page size, a fill factor, the log file space, the temporary space, the operating system and application software space, the system database space, the growth percent space, and the page file space. Some methods also take into account inputs such as the number of table, the amount of data, the average number of columns per row, the average row size, the percent of variable length columns, and the average variable length column size per table.

Abstract: A data processor is disclosed that executes a number of microcode instruction words. Each of the microcode instruction words has a bit field reserved to indicate which, if any, event counters are to be incremented. This enables the number of executions of a particular microcode instruction word to be counted. By simply changing the microcode bits in the bit fields of the microcode instruction words, the event counter can be programmed to count any number or pattern of microcode instruction word executions. In one embodiment, there is a one-to-one correspondence between each bit in the bit field and each event counter. In another system, the bits in the bit field are decoded to provide an address that selects selected event counters.

Abstract: Audit Trail recovery is enhanced by including addresses of immediately prior periodic saves of all active or open Steps or transactions in each new period save area. Reduced cost in main memory usage and on-the-fly processing to accomplish audit trail format that enhances recovery time results from ability to immediately address next prior period save data once a last periodic save is found in reading back the audit trail. Reading back the audit trail to find the last periodic save can be avoided too by directly addressing the last periodic save in preferred embodiments since the computer system will in all events temporarily maintain a record of the address of the last periodic save to record the next time a periodic save is to be made, so this temporarily maintained record can be accessed and used to jump directly to the last periodic save address on the audit trail.

Abstract: A method reduces stepper motor noise in a MICR document waveform resulting from CMC7 information. The method includes the steps of creating a motor noise profile from the document waveform, and creating a working sample waveform from the document waveform. The method further includes the step of applying the motor noise profile to the working sample waveform to reduce stepper motor noise. The method also periodically realigns the motor noise profile with the working sample waveform. Thus, the invention allows reduction of stepper motor noise without requiring relocation of the motor or additional shielding.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for retaining a threaded fastener in an aperture of a support. The apparatus includes a flange position to limit the insertion of the apparatus within the aperture of the support. The apparatus also includes a body extending axially from the flange and being sized for insertion within the aperture of the support. The body defines an opening extending through proximal and distal sections of the body. The opening in the body is sized to receive a threaded fastener in the proximal section of the body, and the opening in the body is sized for engagement of the threaded fastener in the distal section of the body. The proximal section of the body is configured for radial deformation upon engagement of the threaded fastener in the distal section of the body. Such deformation prevents removal of the body of the apparatus from the aperture of the support. A fastener system and a rack mount computer cabinet including the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A stream of data words is sent from a memory thru a controller and an external data buffer to an I/O device by a method which includes the steps of: 1) transferring a segment of the stream of data from the memory into the controller while concurrently sending a subsegment of the segment from the controller thru the data buffer to the I/O device via a transmission burst in which the receipt of individual parts of the subsegment are not acknowledged by the I/O device; 2) receiving a signal in the controller from the I/O device at any time during the sending step, to terminate the transmission burst; 3) subsequently receiving a signal in the controller, from the I/O device, to restart the transmission burst beginning with a selectable part of the last subsegment that was sent; 4) removing from the controller, only the portion of the segment which precedes the selectable part of the subsegment; and, 5) repeating the above steps until the stream of data is received in its entirety by the I/O device.

Abstract: Multiple streams of digital video data are partitioned into frames of at least two different lengths, where each frame length is an integer multiple times a minimum frame length. Each frame is written into a series of full cells and one or two partial cells. Each full cell carries the same number of video data bits, while each partial cell carries video data bits and/or other overhead bits which together equal the number of video data bits in one full cell. All of the full cells and partial cells for the frames are sent in a time-multiplexed fashion on a communication channel at a single cell rate. A constraint is imposed whereby the different frame lengths are limited to those where the integer multiple of the minimum frame length, divided by the total number of full and partial cells per frame, is a single ratio; and consequently, the video data bits in all of the video streams occur on the communication channel at the same average bit rate, independent of the different frame lengths.

Abstract: A method is provided in a computer system executing a repository program and having a storage means for mapping alterations in system state to rules, both of which are part of an object-oriented model resident in a persistent repository. The method includes storing in the persistent storage means the model comprising a set of rules and a set of facts defining event states, both of which are stored as objects. The set of rules and said set of facts comprise an object-oriented representation of the model. Next, a set of commands representing an extensible inference engine are loaded as meta objects into the persistent storage. The method accepts as inputs events representing alterations in the set of facts. All of the events are retained and the events are mapped to the set of rules for deriving a list of affected rules, which are evaluated to determine if they have been qualified. Only those affected rules determined as qualified are saved for further processing.

Abstract: A method and system provide for generating a predetermined feed spacing between a first document and a second document. The method includes the steps of determining an adjustment time period, and reducing a feed wheel speed to an adjustment speed. The feed wheel transports the documents between a document stack and a transport wheel. The method further provides for increasing the feed wheel speed after the adjustment time period has expired such that the trailing edge of the first document and the leading edge of the second document have the predetermined feed spacing. Determining the adjustment time period in conjunction with variable control of the feed wheel provides and enhanced approach to feed spacing unachievable through conventional approaches.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for designing a PCB using both HDL design elements and schematic design elements. The inventive method comprises the steps of selecting the HDL design elements and selecting the schematic design elements. The inventive method further comprises automatically interconnecting the HDL design elements, and automatically interconnecting the schematic design elements. The PCB is then physically designed based on the interconnected HDL and schematic design elements. The method may further comprise creating a schematic version from the interconnected HDL design elements, and creating a HDL version from the interconnected schematic design elements. The inventive method also may simulate the schematic version of the HDL design elements, and simulate the HDL version of the schematic design elements.

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: An improved skill set assessment system and method is disclosed for allowing a user to assess the user's proficiency at performing a predetermined set of skills related to the user's employment position. A user may complete the skill assessment process by reviewing only a subset of skills relevant to the user's current employment position, rather than the comprehensive list of skills provided by the assessment tool. This ability to review an abbreviated list of skills is obtained by using a minimum skill set definition. Minimum skill set definitions may be defined to reflect the hierarchical structure of the organization employing the assessment system.

Abstract: An electromechanical apparatus for testing IC chips includes a chip holding subassembly, a power converter subassembly, and a temperature regulating subassembly which are squeezed together in multiple sets by respective pressing mechanisms; and this apparatus uses a generic structure for both the chip holding subassembly and the power converter subassembly. This generic structure is comprised of a planer substrate having first and second faces that are opposite to each other and are surrounded by an edge that is free of any electrical edge connectors. To use the above generic subassembly as the chip holding subassembly, an electrical components on the first face of the substrate include sockets which hold the chips that are tested. To use the above generic subassembly as the power converter subassembly, the electrical components on the first face of the substrate include electrical power converters for the chips that are tested.

Abstract: An alloy film is fabricated, on the face of a heat exchanger for an integrated circuit, by a process that dispenses various liquids onto the heat exchanger's face. To prevent those liquids from falling off of the heat exchanger's face onto other components which hold the heat exchanger on a frame, the process begins by combining the heat exchanger into an assembly that includes a retainer and a compliant member. The retainer catches any liquids that fall off the heat exchanger's face, and the compliant member forms a seal between the heat exchanger and the retainer which prevents the liquids from leaking onto the other components.