Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting a password. In a first aspect, the method includes allowing a user to enter an apparent password into a computing system, wherein the apparent password is a string of characters and keystrokes including the password and an arbitrary number of non-password related characters and keystrokes. The method further includes analyzing the string of characters and keystrokes by the computing system to find the password, and validating the apparent password if the password is found in any position in the string of characters and keystrokes.

Abstract: A method of bonding of germanium to aluminum between two substrates to create a robust electrical and mechanical contact is disclosed. An aluminum-germanium bond has the following unique combination of attributes: (1) it can form a hermetic seal; (2) it can be used to create an electrically conductive path between two substrates; (3) it can be patterned so that this conduction path is localized; (4) the bond can be made with the aluminum that is available as standard foundry CMOS process. This has the significant advantage of allowing for wafer-level bonding or packaging without the addition of any additional process layers to the CMOS wafer.

Abstract: In order to greatly simplify the electronics of devices utilizing memory cards, a new type of interface specification is presented which is called DPXD for a “Dual Ported extended Digital” memory card. The DPXD interface specification comprises an electrical signal set definition based upon a new dual USB concept call Dual Ported USB or DPUSB, a mechanical and electrical definition for a memory card socket, an associated memory card signal and mechanical specification for a memory card, and a mechanical definition for cables compatible with the DPXD socket.

Abstract: A method of configuring a communication card in a computer system comprises retrieving information relating to a country in which the computer system will be used from the computer system into the communication card. Based on the retrieved information, the communication card selects a configuration setting from a plurality of configuration settings stored in the communication card, and loads the selected configuration setting into memory in the communication card.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a roller bearing having a bore, and a pin positioned within the bore. The pin has a composite outer profile defined by a first substantially circular segment with a first axis of rotation, and a second substantially circular segment with a second axis of rotation of a different radius. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: In a method for avoiding section collision for application server requests over a single database connection, the database server assigns query identifiers to each instance of the same cursor opened for the same processing level within an application, allowing multiple instances of the same cursor to be processed in parallel without section collision. The application server assigns a command source identifier to each statement sent over a single database connection to uniquely identify the application source of the statement. This applies for multiples of the same statement sent by different application sources within the same application, for a single statement containing multiple application sources, and for multiple statements from different applications multiplexed over a single database connection. These statements can be processed separately from and in parallel with the each other without section collision.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a multi-bank memory is described. The method and system include providing a plurality of banks. Each of the plurality of banks includes at least one array including a plurality of memory cells and analog sensing circuitry. The method and system further include providing common digital sensing circuitry coupled with the plurality of banks.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing a semiconductor substrate by depositing a conductive layer on the substrate; patterning a set of insulating structures on the substrate; selectively back-biasing the substrate; depositing a layer of material on the substrate; and removing a part of the conductive layer selectively biased to attract cation bombardment.

Abstract: A retractable memory drive in accordance with the present invention comprises a top casing, a middle carrier, an electronic device such as a USB thumb drive, and a bottom casing. A positioning device on the middle carrier has a portion that protrudes outside the casing and operates like a button. The location of the positioning device where the button is located has two key attributes. First, there is a protrusion that acts as a lock with the casing. Second, the area below the button is not rigid and so it gives way when pressure is applied to the button. The top and bottom casings provide a casing structure which includes two detents. One detent is for locking the device with the connector in the extended position, and one detent for locking the device with the connector retracted in the in position. This allows for just one press of the extended portion of the positioning device to unlock it from its present position. When the device reaches its new position it will automatically lock.

Abstract: A flexible composite sheet (FCS) comprising a membrane, a substrate coupled to the membrane, and a plurality of ridges coupled between the membrane and the substrate, wherein a vibratory motion is induced from the flow to at least one segment of membrane spanning a distances, wherein a favorable pressure gradient aids the flow and an adverse pressure gradient opposes the flow; wherein the vibratory motion is reflected from at least one segment of the membrane to the flow, and wherein a reduction in fluctuations is caused in the flow pressure gradient and freestream velocity U except where the frequency is approximately equal to =U/s. The FCS has other flow control applications, such as a drag reduction when coupled to an aircraft wing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling screen brightness of a display unit to be adjusted automatically according to display brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the display screen to a viewing user. A brightness adjusting system including a gray scale gradation evaluator for calculating the display brightness in a certain window displayed on the screen of a display unit and a display controller for controlling the screen brightness of the display unit according to the display brightness in the certain window, calculated by the gray scale gradation evaluator, is provided for.

Abstract: A dual display mode portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer includes a flat-panel display, and a display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the flat panel display. The portable computer further includes means for receiving an external video signal, and a multiplexer for outputting the internal video signal to the flat-panel display during a first display mode, and for outputting the external video signal to the flat-panel display during a second display mode, thereby enabling the portable computer to act as a display device for an external computer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrical connecting structure of a circuit board is disclosed. The method includes: providing a circuit board having a plurality of first and a plurality of second conductive pads; forming on the circuit board a solder mask having a plurality of openings to thereby expose the first and the second conductive pads; forming an metal adhesive layer on the first and the second conductive pads; forming a conductive layer on the circuit board and the metal adhesive layer; forming on the conductive layer a resistive layer, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the resistive layer to expose the conductive layer on the second conductive pads; forming a metal post by electroplating through the conductive layer on the second conductive pads; removing the resistive layer and the conductive layer covered underneath; and forming a soldering layer on the metal post.

Abstract: A brush holder incorporates a terminal integral part, which has a coupling portion. The coupling portion couples the terminals with each other. The brush holder has a resin body and a plurality of terminals. The resin body has an opening. The terminals are embedded in the resin body. The terminals are coupled to each other by the coupling portion as an integral part before being embedded in the resin body. The coupling portion is exposed from the opening of the resin body. The terminals are separated from each other by cutting the coupling portion, which is exposed from the opening of the resin body. A coating member coats the opening of the resin body to insulate each terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an access point in a wireless network to operate at maximum speed includes determining if there is at least one client within the network that is operating at less than the maximum speed. If there is, then instruct the at least one client to decrease transmission range until the at least one client is no longer in range of the access point. Then, instruct a client at the maximum speed to interface with the at least one client to provide a peer-to-peer connection wherein the maximum speed client acts as an access point for the at least one client.

Abstract: A method and system for leading macromolecule substances into target cells includes an image picking unit, an image merging unit, an injection unit, and an energy conversion module. The image picking unit is used for picking up the three-dimensional (3D) and the 3D blood vessel photographic images of the tissue or organ where the target cells locate. The image merging unit is used for merging the 3D structure images into the 3D blood vessel photographic images, therefore choosing a blood vessel passage fully covering the target cells for transmitting the macromolecule substances. The injection unit is used for injecting liquid and transmitting the macromolecule substances to the target cells. The energy conversion module is used for exerting energy to activate the liquid to perform biological effects, thereby forming non-permanent holes in the cell membranes of the target cells. The macromolecule substances enter into the target cells through the non-permanent holes.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for triggering an update of statistics data used by a query optimizer of a relational database management system for determining an optimal execution plan for executing a received query request on a relational database is provided. A system dependent nominal performance value for executing the query request on a database system is determined. Additionally, an average actual performance value is determined by processing the query request. If a comparison between the average actual performance value and the system dependent nominal performance value yields a result which is greater than a first threshold value, an update cost value and a cost saving value are determined. If a comparison between the cost saving value and the update cost value yields a result which is greater than a second threshold value, the statistics data is updated.

Abstract: A memory card comprising a substrate, a memory die on top of the memory die, a controller die on top of the memory die; and a interposer surrounding the controller die and on top of the memory die wherein the interposer allows for wire bonding to the substrate to be minimized. A system and method in accordance with the present invention achieves the following objectives: (1) increase the density of the Flash card by reducing the number of wire bond pads on the substrate and enabling insertion of the largest die possible that can fit inside a given card interior boundary; (2) more efficiently stacks Flash memory dies when stacking is necessary, to increase density of the Flash card; (3) has only a few necessary signal I/O bonding wires to the substrate to improve production yield.

Abstract: A Flash memory card is disclosed comprising a substrate, a Flash memory die on top of the substrate, a controller die on top of the Flash memory die, and an interposer coupled to with the controller die and on top of the Flash memory die wherein the interposer results in substantial reduced wire bonding to the substrate. The interposer can surround or be placed side by side with the controller die. A system and method in accordance with the present invention achieves the following objectives: (1) takes advantage of as large of a Flash memory die as possible, to increase the density of the Flash card by reducing the number of wire bond pads on the substrate and enabling insertion of the largest die possible that can fit inside a given card interior boundary; (2) more efficiently stacks Flash memory dies to increase density of the Flash card; and (3) has a substantially less number of bonding wires to the substrate as possible, to improve production yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for managing a plurality of multi-field classification rules. The method includes providing a first table that includes a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of rules relating to an ingress context and providing a second table that includes a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of rules relating to an egress context. The method also includes utilizing the first table and the second table to identify any rules relating to the ingress context and any rules relating to the egress context that match a search key.