Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that facilitates the execution of a transaction for a program in a hardware-supported transactional memory system. During operation, the system records a misspeculation indicator of the transaction during execution of the transaction using hardware transactional memory mechanisms. Next, the system detects a transaction failure associated with the transaction. Finally, the system provides the recorded misspeculation indicator to the program to facilitate a response to the transaction failure by the program.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for generating executable code. During operation, the system receives source code, wherein the source code can include declarations for types and operations, wherein the type declarations may be parameterized, and wherein the source code may specify subtyping relationships between declared types. Next, the system compiles or interprets the source code to produce executable code, wherein the type parameters may be instantiated by different types during execution, and wherein the result of executing operations may depend upon the instantiations of the type parameters. While compiling or interpreting the source code, the system checks the types and operations in the source code to ensure that the executable code generated is type-safe, and hence will not generate type errors during execution.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that activates an online account. During operation, the system obtains, through a registration interface, authentication information for the online account from a user without obtaining contact information for the user through the registration interface. Next, the system generates an activation credential for the online account using the authentication information and displays the activation credential to the user through the registration interface. Finally, the system activates the online account upon receiving the activation credential from the user through user-initiated communications outside of the registration interface.

Abstract: A system that remotely authenticates a command is presented. During operation, an authentication system receives the command from an intermediary system, wherein the command is to be executed on a target system. Next, the authentication system authenticates the intermediary system. If the intermediary system is successfully authenticated, the authentication system authenticates the command using a private key for the authentication system to produce an authenticated command. Next, the authentication system sends the authenticated command to the intermediary system, thereby enabling the intermediary system to send the authenticated command to the target system so that the target system can use a public key for the authentication system to verify and execute the command.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that configures a download technique. The system starts by determining a priority order for a set of download techniques. The system then attempts to download information from an institution using download techniques from the set of download techniques. While attempting to download information, the system attempts the download techniques in priority order. If information is downloaded using a given download technique, the system records the given download technique and uses the given download technique to perform subsequent downloads.

Abstract: Additional routing information is added to a transaction packet without recalculating an ECRC by inserting the additional routing information at predetermined bit positions in the transaction packet known to have predetermined bit values. The modified transaction packet can then be routed using the additional routing information. The predetermined bit values can subsequently be reinstated at the predetermined bit positions in the packet.

Abstract: A system that manages development of software is described. During operation, this system aggregates status information and requirement information as a function of time, where the status information specifies the status of the development of the software and the requirement information specifies target requirements for the software. Next, the system dynamically determines a project estimate for the development of the software based on the status information and the requirement information.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and techniques that accelerate project start and tape-out. During operation, a system can receive a set of technology files and a set of libraries. Next, the system can identify deficiencies in the set of technology files and the set of libraries. The system can then construct update utilities that when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to fix the deficiencies in the technology files and the set of libraries. Further, a system can receive a set of checks that are performed by a foundry. Next, the system can construct tape-out scripts that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the set of checks on the circuit design. The update utilities and the tape-out scripts can then be provided to a customer with an electronic design automation software to accelerate project start and tape-out.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a first-in, first-out (FIFO) circuit that operates asynchronously. The FIFO circuit includes a data path that contains data latches sequentially connected through data-wire segments. The FIFO circuit also includes a control circuit that generates control signals for the data latches so that the data path behaves like a FIFO. The control circuit includes control components sequentially connected to each other through control-wire segments and repeaters located within the control-wire segments. The control components are configured to asynchronously generate the control signals for the data latches, and the repeaters are configured to repeat asynchronous signals communicated between the asynchronous control components.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that tests a software program. During operation, the system creates a behavioral model of the software program using branches, decisions, and options. Next, the system generates a test case from the behavioral model and executes the test case on the software program. Finally, the system analyzes an output of the executed test case to determine a validity of the software program.

Abstract: During a method, a hybrid graphical user interface (GUI), which is associated with electronic-design-automation (EDA) software, is displayed. This hybrid GUI allows users to efficiently specify useful analysis equations using textual and/or graphical information. In particular, the hybrid GUI has a first window that includes graphical objects associated with a circuit design. A user can select one or more of the graphical objects and associated electrical parameters using a user-interface device, such as a mouse. The hybrid GUI has a second window that has icons and other graphical controls that allow the construction of an analysis equation using the user-interface device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates generating random data-encryption keys for data files. During operation, the system receives a command at a computer system to create a data file that may include encrypted data. This data file includes a wrapped data-encryption key to facilitate encrypting and decrypting data. In response to the command, the system generates a bit pattern to be used as the wrapped data-encryption key. Finally, the system creates the data file, which includes the bit pattern as the wrapped data-encryption key.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that facilitates throttling of interpolation-based authentication at a client. During operation, the system receives data points encrypted with a public key associated with a throttle server. The system then applies offsets to the data points, wherein a respective offset for a data point is associated with a user input. The system blinds the offset data points, and sends to the throttle server the blinded offset data points, thereby allowing the throttle server to perform an interpolation on the blinded offset data points and maintain a count of interpolation attempts from the client. Subsequently, the system receives from the throttle server an evaluation point based at least on the interpolation. In response, the system unblinds the evaluation point, and uses the unblinded evaluation point as a secret for a subsequent authentication process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrally managing operation of browsers on client devices within an organization or other collection of users. A central server promulgates a central browser policy for application by agents executing on the client devices. The agents may operate in real-time as a browser executes (e.g., as browser extensions) and/or when the browser is inactive (e.g., as separate processes). The agents apply the central policy to block, remove or modify browser objects as required by the policy (e.g., to protect privacy), archive browser objects on the central server, create objects regulated by the organization (e.g., for browser pre-caching), etc. Because the policy is centrally customized but locally executed, it can be implemented on mobile devices even when those devices are remote from the organization.

Abstract: A receiver is provided for use with a satellite navigation system comprising a constellation of multiple satellites. Each satellite transmits a signal incorporating a spreading code. The receiver includes at least one code storage unit that includes combinatorial logic for storing a memory code comprising a fixed pattern of bits including address decoding, wherein the stored memory code corresponds to a spreading code incorporated into a signal transmitted from a satellite. The receiver further includes a correlator for performing a correlation between an incoming signal and the stored spreading code from the one code storage unit.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates accessing a credential. During operation, the system receives a request at a credentials-storage framework (CSF) to retrieve the credential. If a target credential store containing the credential is not already connected to the CSF, the system looks up a bootstrap credential for the target credential store in a bootstrap credential store, which contains bootstrap credentials for other credential stores. Next, the system uses this bootstrap credential to connect the CSF to the target credential store. Finally, the system retrieves the credential from the target credential store, and returns the credential to the requestor.

Abstract: A multi-level interposer plate and a multi-chip module (MCM) that includes the multi-level interposer plate are described. First surfaces and second surfaces in different regions of the multi-level interposer plate have associated, different thicknesses. Moreover, first micro-spring connectors and second micro-spring connectors are respectively disposed on the first surfaces and the second surfaces. In the MCM, a given one of the first surfaces of the multi-level interposer plate faces a bridge chip in a first layer in an array of chips in the MCM so that first connectors, disposed on the bridge chip, mechanically and electrically couple to the first micro-spring connectors. Similarly, a given one of the second surfaces of the multi-level interposer plate faces an island chip in a second layer in the array of chips so that second connectors, disposed on the island chip, mechanically and electrically couple to the second micro-spring connectors.

Abstract: A system for processing a query operates by receiving a first query segment that includes audio speech. Next, the system generates a representation for this first query segment, where the representation includes at least two paths associated with alternative phrase sequences for an ambiguity in the audio speech. The system then compares the paths in the representation to a group of documents and determines matching scores for the group of documents based on the comparisons. Finally, the system presents a ranking of the group of documents, where the ranking is based on the matching scores for the group of documents.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that synchronizes signals related to the operation of a computer system. During operation, a set of correlation coefficients between a first signal and a second signal is generated, wherein each correlation coefficient is associated with a different phase shift between the first signal and the second signal. Then, a synchronizing phase shift associated with the highest correlation coefficient in the set of correlation coefficients is determined in order to synchronize the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that includes one or more integrated circuits are described. During operation, the system reduces power consumption by changing an intensity setting of a light source, which illuminates a display that is configured to display a video image, and scales brightness values for the video image based on a brightness metric associated with the video image. Then, the system calculates the error metric for the video image based on the scaled brightness values and the video image.