Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for browsing a collection of metadata to locate media content associated with an item of metadata. The system operates by receiving a selection of an affinity from a user, wherein the affinity specifies a baseline preference of the user. Next, the system determines a value for each item of metadata in the collection of metadata that specifies how well each item of metadata fits the affinity. Finally, the system arranges the collection of metadata in a view, so that items of metadata with similar values are arranged in close proximity within the view, and so that items of metadata with dissimilar values are not arranged in close proximity within the view.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that predicts a manufacturing yield of a chip. During operation, the system first receives a chip layout. Next, the system identifies hotspots within the chip layout, wherein a hotspot is a location within the chip layout wherein a yield-indicative variable value falls in a low manufacturable range. The system then obtains yield scores for the hotspots, wherein a yield score indicates a failure probability for a corresponding hotspot. Next, the system predicts the manufacturing yield for the chip based on the hotspots and the yield scores for the hotspots.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a semiconductor light-emitting device. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate, a p-type doped InGaAIN layer, an n-type doped InGaAIN layer, and an active layer situated between the p-type doped and n-type doped InGaAIN layers. The semiconductor light-emitting device further includes an n-side Ohmic-contact layer coupled to an N-polar surface of the n-type doped InGaAIN layer. The Ohmic-contact layer comprises at least one of Au, Ni, and Pt, and at least one of group IV elements.

Abstract: Techniques for tracking dynamically negotiated port connections in a network include collecting statistical information on packets that are sent between nodes on a network, inspecting packets of control connections to detect payload fragments that denote ephemeral port negotiation and producing a mapping from a ephemeral connection flow_id to a control connection flow_id. The techniques also include checking the flow_id to see whether a flow record maps to a control connection.

Abstract: An embodiment provides systems and techniques for determining an improved process model which models mask corner rounding (MCR) effects. During operation, the system may receive a mask layout and process data which was generated by applying a photolithography process to the mask layout. The system may also receive an uncalibrated process model which may contain a set of MCR components. Next, the system may identify a set of corners in the mask layout. The system may then modify the mask layout in proximity to the set of corners to obtain a modified mask layout. Alternatively, the system may determine a set of mask layers. Next, the system may determine an improved process model by calibrating the uncalibrated process model using the modified mask layout and/or the set of mask layers, and the process data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for predicting a remaining useful life (RUL) for a computer system. The system starts by collecting values for at least one telemetry metric from the computer system while the computer system is operating. The system then uses the collected values to generate a RUL prediction for the computer system or a component within the computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that allows secure deployment delegation and management of applications in a distributed-computing infrastructure. During operation, the system assigns a deployment-role to a user, which enables the user to deploy an application in the distributed-computing infrastructure. Moreover, by assigning the deployment-role to the user, the system also delegates the privilege to assign a run-time-role to the application. Note that the set of run-time roles a user is allowed to assign (or grant) can depend on the deployment role that has been assigned to the user. Furthermore, assigning the run-time-role to the application grants permission to the application to access a resource in the shared infrastructure, which allows the application to operate properly. Furthermore, note that by delegating to users the privilege of assigning roles to applications simplifies the secure deployment and management of applications in the distributed-computing infrastructure.

Abstract: A system is provided to prevent unauthorized access to computer system resources. The system operates by receiving a section of programming language code to execute on a computer system. This programming language code includes a pragma that defines a set of resources that the programming language code has permission to access. The system analyzes the pragma to determine the set of resources. After analyzing the pragma, the system processes the programming language code in accordance with the pragma. The system can further process the program in accordance with the pragma involves creating a sandbox that includes the set of resources defined by the pragma. The system then executes the programming language code within the boundaries of the sandbox.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls noise in a power system that includes a power rail and a ground rail. The system includes a MOS transistor coupled in series with a decoupling capacitor between the power rail and the ground rail and an inductive packaging connection coupled to the power rail in parallel with the MOS transistor and the decoupling capacitor. The combination of MOS transistor, decoupling capacitor, and inductive packaging connection form a resonant circuit. During operation, the system determines if there is noise in a Vdd signal on the power rail. Based on the noise present in the Vdd signal, the system adjusts the impedance of the MOS transistor to reduce the noise in a frequency range near a frequency of interest (?interest) of the resonant circuit without causing an unnecessary increase in switching noise at other frequencies.

Abstract: Embodiments of a heat-transfer mechanism are described. This heat-transfer mechanism includes a first heatpipe having a first end and a second end, and a second heatpipe having a third end and a fourth end. Moreover, a heatpipe coupler is thermally coupled to the second end of the first heatpipe and the third end of the second heatpipe. This heatpipe coupler includes a housing surrounding a cavity and a liquid metal contained within the cavity, thereby providing a thermal path from the first end of the first heatpipe, which is configured to couple to a condenser, to the fourth end of the second heatpipe, which is configured to couple to an evaporator.

Abstract: A system architecture for thwarting denial of service attacks on a victim data center is described. The system includes a first plurality of monitors that monitor network traffic flow through the network. The first plurality of monitors is disposed at a second plurality of points in the network. The system includes a central controller that receives data from the plurality of monitors, over a hardened, redundant network. The central controller analyzes network traffic statistics to identify malicious network traffic. In some embodiments of the system, a gateway device is disposed to pass network packets between the network and the victim site. The gateway is disposed to protect the victim site, and is coupled to the control center by the redundant hardened network.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs operations on a hash table that is fully dynamic and lock-free. This hash table is implemented with a linked list containing data nodes and a bucket array containing bucket pointers, wherein the bucket pointers point to portions of the linked list that function as hash buckets, and wherein the linked list contains only data nodes and no dummy nodes.

Abstract: A system that interacts with objects in a user interface of a computer system. During operation, the system receives a selection of an object displayed within the user interface from a user, wherein the selected object contains a plurality of sub objects. In response to the selection, the system determines whether the user is moving the selected object with a specified motion. If so, the system performs a transformation on the selected object, wherein the transformation is associated with the specified motion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that marks cache lines using shared timestamps. During operation, the system starts a transaction for a thread, wherein starting the transaction involves recording the value of an active timestamp and incrementing a transaction or overflow counter (TO_counter) corresponding to the recorded value. The system then places load-marks on cache lines which are loaded during the transaction. While placing the load-marks, the system writes the recorded value into metadata corresponding to the cache lines. Upon completing the transaction for the thread, the system decrements the TO_counter corresponding to the recorded value and resumes non-transactional execution for the thread without removing the load-marks from cache lines which were load-marked during the transaction.

Abstract: A new service detection process in a network retrieves a baseline list of port protocols used by a entity being tracked. The baseline value is determined over a baseline period. A current list of port protocols for the entity being tracked is also retrieved and is compared to determine whether there is a difference in the port protocols, by having a protocol that was in a current list but was not in the baseline list. If there is a difference the process indicates a new service involving the tracked entity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing traceable acknowledgement of a digital data distribution license is presented. A license specifying terms applicable to a user requesting a distribution of data maintained in digital form is defined. The digital data distribution is encoded by application of a phrase used to convolute the digital data distribution. The phrase signifies an acknowledgement by the user to be bound by the license terms. The digital data is distributed. Access to the digital data distribution requires application of the phrase to deconvolute the digital data distribution.

Abstract: Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention provides a method for testing a network comprising multiple nodes. The network conforms to a formal specification. The method includes defining a blueprint comprising a set of one or more possible topological configurations for connecting a node to the network. The one or more possible topological configurations represent a subset of the topological configurations permitted by the formal specification. When connectivity is initiated between a node and the network, it is confirmed that the connectivity for the node conforms to the blueprint.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor, a memory, first and second graphical processors that have different operating characteristics, a switching mechanism coupled to the graphical processors, and a display coupled to the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to couple a given graphical processor to the display, and is initially configured to couple the first graphical processor to the display. Furthermore, a program module, which is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, is configured to change a configuration of the switching mechanism thereby decoupling the first graphical processor from the display and coupling the second graphical processor to the display. Note that the changing of the configuration and switching module operations are configured to occur while an operating system is running and are based on the operating condition of the computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that cancels fan noise in a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a fan noise signal using a microphone. Next, the system generates a spectral pattern based on the obtained fan noise signal. The system then uses the spectral pattern to identify a corresponding cancellation spectrum in an anti-spectra library. Next, the system generates a noise-canceling signal using the cancellation spectrum. Note that the amount of computation required to cancel fan noise is reduced because generating the noise-canceling signal using the anti-spectra library requires less computation than generating the noise-canceling signal using dynamic noise-cancellation techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated circuit that includes a debug circuit are described. This debug circuit is configured to test an asynchronous circuit by performing analog measurements on asynchronous signals associated with the asynchronous circuit, and includes a triggering module configured to gate the debug circuit based on one or more of the asynchronous signals. This triggering module has a continuous mode of operation and a single-shot mode of operation. A timing module within the debug circuit has a timing range exceeding a pre-determined value, and is configured to provide signals corresponding to a first time base or signals corresponding to a second time base. Furthermore, control logic within the debug circuit is configured to select a mode of operation and a given time base for the debug circuit, which is either the first time base or the second time base.