Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting error in an uncompressed digital video image data stream. The method and apparatus identify error or partial picture scenarios. Each of the possible error or partial picture scenarios is identified in a Partial Picture Repair Unit, which causes error processing of the uncompressed video input stream, resulting in the creation of a repaired data stream on the repaired pixel bus. The repair begins upon detection of an erroneous picture, field, or line. Processing for that picture, field or line is stopped upon detection of an error in the synchronization signals, and processing is resumed when the end of line, end of field, or end of picture indicator is detected.

Abstract: A method for spatial compression of a digital video picture to obtain the quantizer step size so as to avoid over "lossy" reconstruction and loss of detail. The first step is dividing the picture into a plurality of macroblocks, for example, 16.times.16 macroblocks, each macroblock having luminance or chrominance pixel blocks, for example four 8.times.8 pixel blocks. This is followed by multiplying each luminance pixel block by a modified frequency ordered Hadamard matrix to yield a first dimension of each luminance pixel block. The first dimension of each pixel block is then multiplied by the inverse of the modified frequency ordered Hadamard matrix to yield a second dimension of each luminance pixel block. The second dimension of the pixel luminance block is then weighted against a weight matrix, and the individual weighted terms are summed for each pixel block. The minimum of the weighted terms is selected. This minimum is used to detect the edge or texture of the macroblock, e.g.

Abstract: A method of performing color control in a digital video decoder while minimizing memory bandwidth. A decoded color image bit map is stored in a RAM in lines corresponding to horizontal lines of pixels. Each line also has dedicated bytes for a corresponding color look up table comprising a control field and color address fields. Entries in separate preloaded color component tables are addressed by the color address fields. A transparency bit in the control field is used to select modifiers to the data in the address fields for transparency mode.

Abstract: A digital signal decoder system for receiving compressed encoded digitized video signals and transmitting decompressed decoded digital video signals with accurate expansion for various aspect ratios. This is accomplished through convolution multiplication carried out in 4-tuple parallel with 4-2 counters through a folding serial adder which creates a convolution sum of pixels of the motion compensated data stream to thereby expand the output video display to the desired aspect ratio.

Abstract: A scalable architecture MPEG2 compliant digital video encoder system having an I-frame only video encoder module with a Discrete Cosine Transform processor, a quantization unit, a variable length encoder, a FIFO buffer, and a compressed store interface, for generating an I-frame containing bitstream. For IPB bitstreams the system includes a second processor element with a reference memory interface, motion estimation and compensation capability, inverse quantization, and inverse discrete cosine transformation, and motion compensation means; and at least one third processor element motion estimation. The system can be in the form of a single integrated circuit chip, or a plurality of integrated circuit chips, that is one for each processor, the I-frame video encoder module, the second processor element, and the third processor element. There can be one or more of the third processor units.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface laminated circuit printed circuit board (SLC) where a photosensitive thermosetting resin in solution is applied atop a circuitized substrate. The method starts with the step of concentrating and solidifying the photosensitive thermosetting resin to build up a hardness therein high enough to withstand abrasion. This is done by first dissolving the photosensitive thermosetting resin in a solvent and then applying the solution to a substantially uneven surface. This is followed by evaporating solvent at a temperature below the curing temperature of the photosensitive thermosetting resin. Next, the surface of said resin layer is abraded to form a substantially even surface, and the resin layer is cured by heating the resin high enough to cross link and polymerize the resin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding a digital video image stream in an encoder. The encoding includes spatial compression of still images in the digital video image stream and temporal compression between the still images. The spatial compression is carried out by converting a time domain image of a macroblock to a frequency domain image of the macroblock, taking the discrete cosine transform of the frequency domain image, transforming the discrete cosine transformed macroblock image by a quantization factor, and run length encoding the quantized discrete cosine transformed macroblock image. The temporal compression is carried out by reconstructing the run length encoded, quantized, discrete cosine transformed image of the macroblock, searching for a best match macroblock, and constructing a motion vector between them. This forms a bitstream of runlength encoded, quantized, discrete cosine transformed macroblocks and of motion vectors.

Abstract: A scalable architecture MPEG2 compliant digital video encoder system having an I-frame video encoder module with a Discrete Cosine Transform processor, a quantization unit, a variable length encoder, a FIFO buffer, and a compressed store interface, for generating an I-frame containing bitstream. The system also includes a second processor element with a reference memory interface, motion estimation and compensation capability, inverse quantization, and inverse discrete cosine transformation, and motion compensation means; and at least one third processor element for motion estimation. According to the invention, the difference data between the current macroblock and the reference macroblock is stored, which may be of different formats, is storted in memory in a common format by blocking bits in an address counter of the memory.

Abstract: A video decoder for receiving compressed, weighted, and encoded input video data in matrix form. The video data is produced from the original difference vector of each pel and transmitted as a bitstream including compressed pel data word descriptor. The video decoder reconstitutes the bitstream into matrix format and calculates individual pel values. The decoder includes capability for restoring the original modulo of the pel data word descriptor and restoring the associated address of each pel in the matrix.

Abstract: A conversion apparatus that converts and adapts standard processor bus protocol and architecture, such as the MicroChannel (IBM Trademark) bus, to more progressive switch interconnection protocol and architecture. Existing bus-based architecture is extended to perform parallel and clustering functions by enabling the interconnection of thousands of processors. A conversion apparatus controls the transfer of data messages from one nodal element across a switch network to another nodal element by using direct memory access capabilities controlled by intelligent bus masters. This approach does not require interactive support from the processor at either nodal element during the message transmission, and frees up both processors to perform other tasks. The communication media is switch-based and is fully parallel, supporting n transmissions simultaneously, where n is the number of nodes interconnected by the switching network.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for checking the final result of a computer implemented floating point arithmetic unit employs an effective subtract signal, which is already in use and logically required to generate the final result, to select either the requested floating point mathematical combination of modulus 3 operand residue or the compliment of requested mathematical combination of modulus 3 residue of the operands for comparison to the residue of the final result to detect an error in the final result without maintaining the sign value of the individual operand residues or the sign of the resultant residue.

Abstract: A method of Discrete Cosine Transform compression of a digital video image. In the method the Field Variance and Frame Variance are calculated. When the Field Variance is less than the Frame Variance, Field Discrete Cosine Transform type compression is performed. Alternatively, when the Frame Variance is less than the Field Variance, then a Frame Discrete Cosine Transform compression is performed.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing process utilization in a shared resource environment that avoids holding system processes while requests are queued or waiting for system resources. Information about a waiting request is retained in control structures; then the same process that frees a resource is utilized to respond to queued requests for that resource. The effect is to minimize the retention and/or allocation of processes and their associated system resource requirements. The same method is applied to the synchronization of interprocess communications.

Abstract: Electrodepositing a metallurgy such as gold on to printed circuit board features. The methods include electrolessly depositing a copper layer over the surface of the printed circuit board. This is followed by applying a layer of photoresist atop the electroless copper, and exposing and developing the photoresist to uncover areas to be etched, leaving behind the specific features to be plated. By this expedient the remaining copper forms a commoning layer. The remaining photoresist is stripped to uncover the copper commoning layer, and a second layer of photoresist is applied atop the partially etched copper layer. This layer of photoresist is exposed and developed to uncover the features to be plated. These features are then plated with the metallurgy of choice. The photoresist is then stripped off and the electroless copper layer can remain if needed for further processing or be microetched off without harming copper traces that may exist below the electroless copper layer.

Abstract: An error checking method and apparatus for appending a variable number of redundancy coding information at the end of each data message or packet transmitted over a multi-stage network for the purpose of protecting the data by using an error detecting code. The amount of additional redundancy coding information implemented is variable and increases with the size of the data message or packet to provide a consistent level of protection.

Abstract: A metallic sheet for an electronic housing having a zinc coating on a steel base and a thin metal film, preferably a copper film, covering the zinc coating on one or both sides of the sheet, and a method of making the metal film. The metal film reduces whiskering of the zinc in the zinc coating. Whiskering can also be prevented on other metals anodic to copper such as, for example, tin and cadmium.

Abstract: A method of analyzing for As(III) as AsO.sub.2.sup.-1 ion in an Au(I) containing electroplating solution. The concentration of As(III) in the electroplating solution is maintained high enough to avoid formation of "burnt Au" oxides but low enough to avoid bond failures. A sample of the electroplating solution is withdrawn and added to a buffered solution, for example an acetate-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) buffered solution. A complexing agent for Au(I) ion is added to the buffered solution. This can be an alkali metal cyanide. Next ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate is added as a complexing agent for the AsO.sub.2.sup.-1 ion. The ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate--AsO.sub.2.sup.-1 ion is extracted, for example with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The extract is analyzed for As(III) by atomic absorption, as electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Abstract: This invention describes a computer application system and method for automatically deriving data mappings by processing stored data mappings. Derived data mappings are system generated data mappings. The system comprises a plurality of stored data mappings, a data mapping report generator, and a data mapping tool. Heretofore, data mappings were created by human analysis of data from two or more sources to determine the relationship between data fields. This time consuming process has been eliminated by the present invention. The derived data mappings may be stored for later use or provided to other system programs. The derivation may be performed at various levels of abstraction. Derived data mappings that should not be used are also identified.

Abstract: Automated testing of software application interfaces, object methods and commands, including testing software using order-based genetic algorithms to search for and detect symptoms of software errors by generating test sequences which converge on points in invocation space more likely to cause error symptoms.

Abstract: A method for determining a combination of shift operations whose results, when added, or added and subtracted in combination, give any desired accuracy for integer division by a known integer divisor.