Abstract: Methods and systems for storing branch information in an address table of a processor are disclosed. A processor of the disclosed embodiments may generally include an instruction fetch unit connected to an instruction cache, a branch execution unit, and an address table being connected to the instruction fetch unit and the branch execution unit. The address table may generally be adapted to store a plurality of entries with each entry of the address table being adapted to store a base address and a base instruction tag. In a further embodiment, the branch execution unit may be adapted to determine the address of a branch instruction having an instruction tag based on the base address and the base instruction tag of an entry of the address table associated with the instruction tag. In some embodiments, the address table may further be adapted to store branch information.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for utilizing electronic document usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software utilizing electronic document usage information to respond to user search requests with search engines are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving a search request from a requesting user and receiving document utilization information associated with one or more electronic documents, where the document utilization information provides an indication of the usage of the electronic documents by one or more users. Further embodiments include generating search results based at least partially on the search request and the document utilization information and transmitting an indication of the search results to the requesting user. Further embodiments include generating statistical information regarding the search results for electronic documents and transmitting the generated statistical information.

Abstract: A reconfigurable zone plate lens is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a central annular element having a first a first circumference centered about a central axis. Embodiments may also include a plurality of concentric annular elements of increasing circumference centered about the central axis and the central annular element, where each annular element is positioned around an annular element having a smaller circumference. The annular elements of some embodiments may each be adapted to be in either an active or inactive state where the active and inactive annular elements form a plurality of alternating active rings and inactive rings. Each active ring may include one or more annular elements in an active state and each inactive ring may include one or more annular elements in an inactive state. Each annular element may include one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) elements or micromirrors. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for controlling temperature of a system are disclosed. More particularly, hardware, software and/or firmware for controlling the temperature of a computer system are disclosed. Embodiments may include receiving component temperatures for a group of components and selecting a component to perform an activity based at least partially on the component temperatures. In one embodiment, the lowest temperature component may be selected to perform the activity. Other embodiments may provide for determining an average temperature of the components, and if the average temperature exceeds a threshold, delaying or reducing the performance of the components. In some embodiments, components may include computer processors, memory modules, hard drives, etc.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for preventing exhaust backflow into a blower are disclosed. Embodiments may include a blower system with an invertible blower chassis having a blower exhaust to direct airflow from the blower chassis at an airflow angle. The system may also include a backflow damper frame attached to the blower chassis and positioned to receive airflow from the blower chassis and one or more vertical damper vanes rotatably attached to the backflow damper frame. Each damper vane may freely rotate between a first, closed position and a second, open position. The damper vanes may block airflow into the blower exhaust when in the closed position and may freely rotate to a position where the damper vanes are substantially parallel to the airflow from the blower exhaust. The damper vanes may each include a vane pin to rotatably attach to frame holes of the backflow damper frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for updating an instant messaging system on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for updating status indicators such as ‘away’ messages of an instant messaging system are disclosed. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred and automatically transmitting an indication of the change in status to instant messenger system manager via a network. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred based on receiving an indication that the user's status has changed, such as from user input on a keyboard, mouse, etc. Other embodiments include determining that a change in status has occurred based on determining that the user's status has changed based on an electronic calendar, expiration of a time period, etc.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to configure power management systems for integrated circuits are provided herein. A group of IC components that are functionally distinct or have mutually exclusive and/or quasi-mutually exclusive, (ME/QME) operating patterns (i.e. alternate or partially overlapping duty cycles) can be powered with a single power cell. An integrated circuit design tool can identified components in an integrated circuit design that have the ME/QME operating patterns. These cells can be collocated in close proximity to each other and power management system components can be placed in this area such that a multiple signal processing cells can share a single power line and a single power cell. Such a configuration can greatly reduce the size of a power management system for an integrated circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.

Abstract: Methods to improve autofocus in digital imaging systems, such as digital cameras, are disclosed. Embodiments may include, in response to locking of lens focus on a subject image, determining an initial subject focus distance and an initial attitude, and in response to a request for an exposure, determining a final attitude. Embodiments may also include determining a final target subject distance based on the initial subject focus distance and a focus correction distance, where the focus correction distance is based on the difference between the initial attitude and the final attitude. Embodiments may also include focusing the lens at the final target subject distance. Further embodiments may include after focusing the lens at the final target subject distance, exposing an image. Other embodiments may include determining the initial and final attitude with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based sensor or other sensor.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to methods and arrangements to attenuate electrostatic discharges of a cable are disclosed. Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing thread instructions in the pipeline of a multi-threading digital processor are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and software are disclosed for successively selecting threads in an ordered sequence for execution in the processor pipeline. If a thread to be selected cannot execute, then a complementary thread is selected for execution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to time-share the signal detection between reference voltages for a data transmission are contemplated. Embodiments include a time-sharing detector that is designed to enable comparison of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage against the serial data transmission in a specified pattern. In many embodiments, the pattern is pre-defined and, in some embodiments, the pattern includes an overlap period. During the overlap period both the first and the second reference voltages are compared with the data transmission to determine if valid data can be detected. Upon detecting a valid bit based upon one of the reference voltages, an output signal is generated to indicate that the data transmission includes a valid data signal. Advantageously, alternating between the comparisons can reduce power consumption. In many embodiments, the power reduction can be, for example, 50%, depending upon the specified pattern.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to determine phase adjustments for a sampling clock of a clock and data recovery (CDR) loop based upon subsets of data samples, or values, derived from an incoming data signal are disclosed. In particular, embodiments extend the CDR loop by slowing the clock rate with respect to the sampling clock. For instance, the slower clock rate may be implemented by dividing the frequency of the sampling clock by a number such as 128, slowing a sampling clock frequency designed to handle multiple gigabits per second (Gbps) to a frequency of less than one kilohertz (Khz). In addition to the reduced power consumption realized by operating at a lower frequency, the slower clock rate allows components of the CDR loop circuitry to operate a lower operating voltage reducing power consumption by the CDR loop even more.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for improved granularity of a response-request communication on a networked computer system. One example embodiment includes receiving the request-response communication by the networked computer system, and associating the request-response communication with a port, having a nodelay setting, from a set of ports on the networked computer system. Further, the example embodiment includes enabling, based upon the associating, the nodelay setting upon connection of the request-response communication with the port. Further still, the example embodiment includes sending, in accordance with the enabling, the request-response communication to a destination in communication with the networked computer system.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. This invention is a means of keeping the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside the water heater by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate tank connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for determining and aggregating electronic document segment usage information from different versions of a document are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for determining the aggregate segment usage for an electronic document received from one or more users are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving from one or more users an indication of their usage of segments of different versions of the electronic document, aggregating the segment usage indications received, and creating document utilization information for the electronic document. Further embodiments include transmitting the document utilization information to one or more users. Other embodiments include displaying to the user an electronic document and indications of the document utilization information. Electronic documents may be in PDF format, HTML format, etc.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and media for generating characters for electronic devices using condensed keyboards are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of manipulating a set of keys adapted to be manipulated using fingers of a left hand and a right hand of a user, each of the keys capable of generating multiple characters. A variation of the method includes using one or more keys adapted to be used by thumbs of the user to generate other characters and/or control characters. Other embodiments comprise keyboards, apparatuses, and portable electronic devices that comprise two sets of keys for manipulation and desired character generation. The keyboards generally have four or more keys for each hand, and the keyboards may be located on the back and/or sides of portable the systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing multi-frame control blocks in a network processor are disclosed. Embodiments include systems and methods to reduce long latency memory access to less expensive memory such as DRAM. As a network processor in a network receives packets of data, the network processor forms a frame control block for each packet. The frame control block contains a pointer to a memory location where the packet data is stored, and is thereby associated with the packet. The network processor associates a plurality of frame control blocks together in a table control block that is stored in a control store. Each table control block comprises a pointer to a memory location of a next table control block in a chain of table control blocks. Because frame control blocks are stored and accessed in table control blocks, less frequent memory accesses may be needed to keep up with the frame rate of packet transmission.