Abstract: A method for providing the automatic upgrade of microcode on a computer system connected to a remote system comprises executing a software tool on the computer system to determine the level of the current microcode on the system. The information on the current microcode level and associated system configuration information is sent automatically to the remote system where the microcode level and configuration information are checked against a database. On a determination that the current microcode level is not the latest level, the user of the computer system is notified that a more recent level is available and in response to a request by the user, the more recent microcode level is downloaded from the remote system. The user can then upgrade the microcode in the system.

Abstract: A n-gram statistical analysis is employed to acquire frequently appearing character strings of n characters or more, and individual character strings having n characters or more are replaced by character translation codes of 1 byte each. The correlation between the original character strings having n characters and the character translation codes is registered in a character translation code table. Assume that a character string of three characters, i.e., a character string of three bytes, “sta,” is registered as 1-byte code “e5” and that a character string of four characters, i.e., a character string of four bytes, “tion,” is registered as 1-byte code “f1.” Then, the word “station,” which consists of a character string of seven characters, i.e., seven bytes, is represented by the 2-byte code “e5 f1,” so that this contributes to a compression of five bytes.

Abstract: A method of performing a transaction on a database. A number of transactions are available to be performed on said database. At least one of said transactions may only be performed if corresponding requirements are fulfilled, wherein the fulfillment of said requirements depends on the prior successful termination of at least one other transaction. Then, said at least one of said transactions is invoked. Depending on stored information relating to prior successful terminations of transactions it is then checked whether said corresponding requirements are fulfilled. If said requirements are fulfilled, said transaction is performed. Then, after a successful termination of said transaction, an information relating to said successful termination is stored.

Abstract: For a cache-coherent controller for a multiprocessor system sharing a cache memory, a split pending buffer having two components: a fully-associative part and an indexed part that can easily be made multi-ported. The associative part, PBA, include multiple entries having a valid bit and address fields, and the indexed part, PBC, includes entries including all the other status fields (i.e., the content part of the pending buffer entries). The split multi-ported pending buffer enables one request and one or more responses to be handled concurrently. Handling a request requires an associative lookup of PBA, a possible directory lookup, a possible read of PBC (in case of collision), and after processing the request in a request protocol handling unit, a possible PBA update, a possible PBC update, and a possible directory update, depending upon the cache coherence protocol implemented.

Abstract: An X-Y grid tree clock distribution network for distributing a clock signal across a VLSI chip. Tunable wiring tree networks are combined with an X-Y grid vertically and horizontally connecting all the tree end points. No drivers are necessary at connection points of the tree end points to the X-Y grid. The final X-Y grid distributes the clock signal close to every place it is needed, and reduces skew across local regions. A tuning method allows buffering of the clock signal, while minimizing both nominal clock skew and clock uncertainty. The tuned tree networks provide low skew even with variations in clock load density and non-ideal buffer placement, while minimizing the number of buffers needed. The tuning method first represents a total capacitance of one or more of clock pin loads and twig wiring as a clustered grid load. Next, a smoothing of the clustered grid loads approximates the effect of the X-Y grid.

Abstract: A Chinese speech recognition (SR) method and system for single or un-correlated Chinese character(s). The method uses various types of Character Description Language (CDL) to describe the single or un-correlated Chinese character(s) to be inputted. The SR system uses CDL grammar directed speech recognizer to accept CDLs, which are inputted by voice. On the basis of analysis of CDL parser, the character generator gives a corresponding character. Therefore, recognition of single or un-correlated Chinese character(s) out of context can be made reliably.

Abstract: Natural language processing is used in a method and apparatus for the computer-backed control of business processes and process sequences. The method involves the automatic checking of at least one of the conditions of an activity of the business process using a method of natural language processing. Control of the process conditions of activities which currently checked by humans can be checked automatically.

Abstract: In the present wireless card system of the present invention, when data is transmitted from an IC card to a card reader, the IC card changes the load imposed on the transmission system in accordance with the contents of the data, and the card reader detects a reflected wave, which is generated in accordance with a change in the load, and identifies the data. The reflected wave is not a wave emitted by the IC card into the atmosphere, but is an alternating current that relies on the load condition in the transmission system between the transmitter and the receiver, and that is returned from the load in the transmission system. Thus, the reflected wave is not easily affected by the noise field in the vicinity of the antenna, and more precise data transmission is possible.

Abstract: A recognition method for alpha-numeric strings in a Chinese speech recognition system, uses a special coding scheme to map each of 36 alpha-numeric symbols into an easily remembered Chinese idiom or word consisting of a multiple of Chinese characters. When representing a numeral, each idiom/word starts with the Chinese character for that numeral. When representing an English alphabet letter, each idiom/word will have a first character which starts with that English alphabet letter in its Pinyin form. If it is necessary to include some control words, idiom/words similar in semantics can be used. The method resolves the problem of unreliable recognition when a string of random alpha-numeric symbols or some control words are inputted by voice to a Chinese speech recognition system.

Abstract: Information including images of the parent and child are stored in an integrated circuit device in a child's watch or bracelet. The device contains write only once, non-volatile, storage and contacts for coupling the device to data entry and reader stations. At the time of entry into a protected facility, information identifying the child and guardian, along with digitized photos of the child and the guardian, are stored in the non-volatile storage at an entry station. Once the identification information is written into the device at the entry station, the child's watch or bracelet is attached with a tamper proof seal to the child in such a way that it cannot be easily removed by the child. If, while in the protected premises, the child is lost, found and taken to a security station, the watch is removed from the child and placed in the reader at that station and the information retrieved.

Abstract: The most likely to be used characters and controls of a soft keyboard are determined from consulting trigram tables, and enhanced and/or positioned to attract the user and to facilitate quick recognition and selection. The letters and other characters of the soft keyboard display can be arranged in a standard keyboard format, some variation of that format such as a Dvorak layout or an entirely different arrangement such as strings of letters and numbers in alphabetical and numerical order. However, regardless of the layout, an attractant, such as color intensity, or size, is used for emphasis to make a soft keyboard user cognizant of the location of the subset of characters that the user is most likely to select to standout from the other keys of the keyboard. In addition to enhancing all characters of the subset, particular emphasis can be placed on the most likely character in the subset to be selected.

Abstract: Minimal random disk write latency is achieved by limiting the number of logical address blocks that can be serviced by a disk to less that the actual number of physically addressable blocks of the system and having a disk controller dynamically map logical data blocks to physical disk blocks in such a fashion that each logical write can take place to any free location, where the free location can be chosen in any track of the current cylinder.

Abstract: A cache coherence protocol for a multiprocessor system. Each processor in the system has an associated cache capable of storing multiple word data lines. The system also includes a plurality of main memory modules, each having an associated distributed global directory storing directory information for lines stored in the associated main memory module. Each main memory module is connected to each processor by means of a multi-stage interconnection network. When a processor attempts to over-write an individual word in a line stored in its associated cache, a write request signal is sent to the appropriate global directory, and each other processor whose cache stores a copy of the line is notified of the request. When each other processor has responded with an acknowledgement, the first processor is allowed to proceed with the write.

Abstract: An apparatus for translating a series of source words in a first language to a series of target words in a second language. For an input series of source words, at least two target hypotheses, each including a series of target words, are generated. Each target word has a context comprising at least one other word in the target hypothesis. For each target hypothesis, a language model match score including an estimate of the probability of occurrence of the series of words in the target hypothesis. At least one alignment connecting each source word with at least one target word in the target hypothesis is identified. For each source word and each target hypothesis, a word match score including an estimate of the conditional probability of occurrence of the source word, given the target word in the target hypothesis which is connected to the source word and given the context in the target hypothesis of the target word which is connected to the source word.

Abstract: A speech coding apparatus compares the closeness of the feature value of a feature vector signal of an utterance to the parameter values of prototype vector signals to obtain prototype match scores for the feature vector signal and each prototype vector signal. The speech coding apparatus stores a plurality of speech transition models representing speech transitions. At least one speech transition is represented by a plurality of different models. Each speech transition model has a plurality of model outputs, each comprising a prototype match score for a prototype vector signal. Each model output has an output probability. A model match score for a first feature vector signal and each speech transition model comprises the output probability for at least one prototype match score for the first feature vector signal and a prototype vector signal.