Abstract: A method for identifying an error condition due to a faulty cable connection in a network comprising a plurality of computer systems, at least one of the computer systems including a network adapter with the network adapter including a media access control (MAC) unit, includes initializing a plurality of mechanisms for tracking a plurality of conditions in the MAC of the network adapter. The method further includes receiving a transmit demand request in the network adapter and updating the plurality of mechanisms according to a current status of each of the plurality of conditions. In addition, the method includes determining whether a predetermined threshold has been reached in one or more of the plurality of mechanisms, wherein when one or more of the plurality of mechanisms has reached the predetermined threshold, a faulty cable connection is identified. In a system aspect, the system includes a plurality of counting mechanism for tracking each of a plurality of error conditions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an innovative gate oxidation process after the disposition of the gate and prior to the disposition of the source and the drain by exposing the gate to oxygen at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period for the optimized transistor performance. During the innovative gate oxidation process, oxygen penetrates into the interfaces of the gate conductive layer gate oxide and the gate dielectric layer silicon substrate and oxidizes portions of the gate conductive layer at the interfaces due to the oxygen smiling or the bird beak effect, which results in an increased effective thickness of the gate dielectric layer. Optionally, HCl can be introduced at a predetermined flowrate during the innovative gate oxidation process.

Abstract: A method and device for communicating private application data, along with audio data (e.g., MPEG-2 encoded audio data) and video data (e.g., MPEG-2 encoded video data), from a first location to a second location. The private application data is either stuffed into a header portion of packets of encoded audio or video data, or packetized and multiplexed with packets of encoded audio or video data. The multiplexed packets form a packet stream which is communicated to the second location.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a very short channel memory cell having a double diffuse implant junction is disclosed. The system and method comprise the sequential steps of providing a junction implant, providing a spacer, and providing a double diffuse implant. Because the double diffuse implant is provided after the spacer, the double diffuse implant does not extend as far under the gate of a memory cell after processing. Thus, the memory cell has a graded junction that does not substantially shorten the effective length of the channel. The memory cell can, therefore, function even as the size of the memory cell is decreased. In addition, the thermal cycling of the double diffuse implant may be decoupled from that of the junction implant. This is achieved without complicating processing. Consequently, overall system performance is enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a network from access by unauthorized end stations. A port in a multiport repeater can be disabled automatically upon detection of an unknown source address in a data packet. In addition, an interrupt signal is provided to the indicate the detection of an intruder. Further, the disabling of the port can be done substantially immediately to interrupt the re-transmission of a single packet. Alternatively, the disabling of a port can be done programmably after a predetermined number of intruder packets have been detected, or after the verification of packet integrity.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a sensor is disclosed The method and system include receiving data relating to a plurality of temperature parameters and providing polynomial compensation of a temperature coefficient (TC). When providing polynomial compensation of the temperature coefficient, the method and system further include providing a first output and adding a second value to the first output. The first output is a distal temperature multiplied by a first value.

Abstract: An optimization method is disclosed that enhances the interactivity of multimedia information. The optimization method includes separating a multimedia information into primary and secondary layers and enhancing that information in the primary layers such that the perceived psychographic information quality is improved. This method has the advantage of providing compression and/or transmission algorithms to maximize enhancement of the multimedia information.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently routing data packets in a computer interconnect includes a plurality of nodes forming a ringlet, generally including two connections between each pair of nodes configured to allow communication in either direction between each pair of nodes. One sequence of such connections forms a run moving,-for example left-to-right between a series of nodes. The other sequence of connections forms a right-to-left run. Selected nodes are configured to provide two cross-over paths, each from one run to the other, so the two runs are linked to form a circle or ringlet. One or more selected nodes provide an optional connection between the two runs, thus allowing a fast path or short cut to the opposing run. A fast path may include a uni- or bidirectional cross through path in an intermediate node.

Abstract: A method for increasing the oxide removal rate of oxide chemical-mechanical polishing is provided for planarizing dielectric layers. The method of the invention is employed in the process for forming multilayer interconnects. The process employs doped oxide deposition and polish processing instead of undoped oxide deposition and polish. Doped oxides such as BPTEOS (boron phosphorous tetra-ethyl orthosilicate), BSG (boron silane-based glass), PSG (phosphorous silane-based glass), and BPSG (boron phosphorous silane-based glass) can be used. The polish rate of doped oxide film is 2 to 3 times the polish rate of undoped oxide film. By forming the planarized dielectric layers from doped oxide films, the throughput of the CMP process step is increased thus reducing the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optical collimator is disclosed. The collimator includes a lens, a pigtail, and a holder. The method and system include aligning the lens and the pigtail, affixing a position of the lens with respect to a position of the pigtail, and placing the lens and the pigtail in the holder. The alignment is carried out in three dimensions.

Abstract: A method and device for preprocessing streams of encoded data (e.g. compressed in accordance with an MPEG standard) to permit a decoder to decode the streams, back-to-back (i.e., one stream immediately following another), without being reset and without producing video artifacts. The present invention includes verifying that a multiplexed stream complies with an encoding standard and preprocessing packets of the packetized encoded video sequence such that no video artifacts are produced when a video decoder decodes an adjacent encoded video sequence.

Abstract: A novel interconnect layout method and metallization scheme is provided that simplifies the process of fabricating multilayer interconnects. The process of the present invention provides a multilevel interconnect structure formed solely from patterned metal layers stacked on top of each other. Both interconnect lines which form electrical connections along horizontal paths, as well as contacts which form electrical connections along vertical paths, can be formed using patterned metal interconnects as building-blocks. No specific process module is needed for contact layers. The use of patterned metal layers formed from the same process modules makes both design and construction of multilayer interconnects simpler. Accordingly, the manufacturing process is simplified, thus resulting in lower cost. To form thicker metal layers for the purpose of constructing thick interconnect lines, two or more patterned metal layers may be stacked on each other. In this manner, vertical low ohmic bussing is made possible.

Abstract: A system is provided that enhances the interactivity of multimedia information in a closed cable network such as a hotel system or the like. The system includes a multimedia processing plurality of multimedia processing system, a telephone switching system, a video control system, a service operations platform, and a plurality of interactive devices. This system has the advantage of providing compression and/or transmission algorithms to maximize enhancement of the multimedia information. The system also allows for sending facsimiles and voice mail messages on the closed cable system. The system allows for enhanced interactivity within a closed cable system with minimum modification to the existing network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating small structures to be employed in integrated circuits formed on a semiconductor substrate. Examples of such small structures include contacts, vias, and metal lines. The method of the present invention employs an image reversal technique to obtain improved feature definition. In forming a feature in a layer of material, a clear field reticle is used to form patterned segments of photoresist each having a size, a shape, and a location substantially identical to the size, the shape, and the location of one of the features intended to be formed in the layer of material. This method is employed instead of using a dark field reticle which forms windows in a photoresist each having a size, a shape, and a location substantially identical to the size, the shape, and the location of one of the features intended to be formed in the layer of material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for efficient execution of load reserve (LARX) and store conditional (STCX) instructions in a superscalar processor. A system for efficiently providing a LARX instruction in a superscalar processor is disclosed. The system comprises a data cache (Dcache) for receiving the LARX instruction. The data cache further includes a decoder means for setting and resetting of a validation of the load reserve instruction, an internal cache for receiving address information and for providing data. The system also includes a register means for receiving the LARX instruction and a controller means for providing a physical address based upon the address information. The system provides for the validation being accomplished in one cycle for the LARX instruction when there is a hit on the internal data cache.

Abstract: A method and system for managing color profiles is disclosed in which unique identifications are created that have at least two parameters identifying a corresponding color profile. The unique identifications are then used to specify a particular color profile in a computer document by placing the unique identification in the document at each location where the color profile is used, eliminating the need in some cases to embed the entire color profile in the document multiple times.

Abstract: A sense amplifier with improved compensation for clock skew effects is provided and includes a sense amplifier enabling mechanism for receiving first and second control signals. The sense amplifier further includes a first logic mechanism for providing the first control signal to a first input of the sense amplifier enabling mechanism, and a second logic mechanism for providing the second control signal to a second input of the sense amplifier enabling mechanism, wherein the first and second logic mechanisms reduce speed degradation by minimizing skew between the first and second control signals. In a method aspect, a method for reducing speed degradation in a sense amplifier includes providing a pull down device, and coupling the pull down device to first and second signal paths, the first signal path propagating a first clock signal and the second signal path propagating a second clock signal, for reducing speed degradation resulting from skew between the first and second clock signals.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving a large-span semantic language model for a large vocabulary recognition system is disclosed. The method and system maps words from a vocabulary into a vector space, where each word is represented by a vector. After the vectors are mapped to the space, the vectors are clustered into a set of clusters, where each cluster represents a semantic event. After clustering the vectors, a probability that a first word will occur given a history of prior words is computed by (i) calculating a probability that the vector representing the first word belongs to each of the clusters; (ii) calculating a probability of each cluster occurring in a history of prior words; and weighting (i) by (ii) to provide the probability.

Abstract: A time interval division circuit that generates a delayed signal that is a precise integer fraction of the clock cycle. A digital delay loop including a digital delay line is locked to the clock cycle and controls a second digital delay line. The delay line characteristics determine the fraction of the clock cycle generated. The time interval division circuit tracks the clock cycle, rather than on-chip circuit delays as conventional delay lines.

Abstract: A method for arbitrating display output on a display device of a computer system comprises comparing a candidate display area with each rendering display area in a rendering collection and each waiting display area in a waiting collection, and determining whether at least one dependency exists for the candidate display area based on the comparing step, wherein the candidate display area is placed in the waiting queue when at least one dependency exists. The method further includes placing the candidate display area in the rendering collection when the at least one dependency does not exist. The method of arbitration includes releasing the current rendering display area.