Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable a first network protocol provider, executing on a first computer system, and a second network protocol provider, executing on a second computer system which is directly interconnected to the first computer system, to communicate at high speed, with low latency, over the interconnection therebetween such that both systems may use their native mechanisms to communicate with each other without change in those mechanisms, rather than over conventional network communication paths such as Ethernet. An interconnection couples the input/output (I/O) subsystem of the first computer system to the I/O subsystem of the second computer system such data can be transmitted between the systems, and a virtual LAN (“VLAN”) device driver executing on the second computer system provides an interface between the interconnection and the native communications mechanisms of the second computer system.

Abstract: A method of providing an implement for removing debris from a transport track of an article processing machine. The method includes providing a strip of non-conductive material, such as polycarbonate resin sheet material. The strip has a generally rectangular configuration and includes a plurality of corners. The strip is adapted to define a hook-shaped structure at each one of the corners, and the hook-shaped structure includes a hook-point that coincides with the corner of the strip at which the hook-shaped structure is located. The strip is modified to define a concavity proximate each of the corners, the hook-point being defined by an exterior edge of the strip and an interior edge of the strip defining the concavity. The hook-point as provided on the strip is suitable for engaging the debris and urging it along the transport track.

Abstract: There is provided a method in a heterogeneous computer system having at least two CPU's accessing a common memory, which memory has stored therein at least two distinct operating systems. Client and Server Programs are also stored in the common memory. The Client Program is adapted for making function calls to the Server Program and the Server Program is adapted for returning results of the called function to the Client Program. Moreover, the Server Program is adapted for making function calls back to the Client Program and for receiving results therefrom. The Client Program includes procedures for invoking a Server Program function, for converting parameters and result data from a format compatible with the first operating system to one compatible with the second operating system and for passing data between the Client CPU and the Server CPU.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing function calls from a first program operating under control of a first operating system running on a first CPU; to a second program operating under control of a second operating system running on a second CPU. The method operates in a heterogeneous multiprocessing system having a common memory accessible by each of the CPU's and disposed for storing the two different operating systems that actively run and control resources of the system. The method begins by initiating the second program. The first program then makes calls to the second program to perform a specific function while passing parameters thereto for processing according to the specific function. The second program processes the parameters according to the function; and, converts the results from a format compatible with the second program to a format compatible with the first program.

Abstract: An input image is comprised of an array of pixels in rows and columns having P.sub.R pixels-per-row and P.sub.C pixels-per-column. To generate a scaled replica of the input image, the number of pixels-per-row P.sub.R ' and the number of pixels-per-column P.sub.C ' that are to be in the scaled replica are selected, where P.sub.R ' and P.sub.C ' are positive integers which can be larger or smaller than P.sub.R and P.sub.C. Then the input image is distorted such that the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R '-1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.C '-1)y, where x and y are arbitrary units of distance, such as one inch or one meter. Then the distorted input image is overlaid with a new row-column array, where the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R -1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.C -1)y, and where x and y are the same units of distance that are in the distorted input image.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an object-oriented apparatus and method in a computer system for a programming language compiler to select optimal pointer kinds for code generation. The invention offers important advantages over current compiler practice. In Particular, the invention provides improved performance for compiled programs through generation of more optimal selection of pointer kinds and variable allocations. Also, the invention provides a general framework for optimizing pointer usage, as opposed to leaving such optimization to special cases.

Abstract: A computer for executing I/O instructions, by emulation, in a foreign application program includes an emulator program which has a Send thread, a Get thread, and single Result thread. The Send thread calls into a native operating system for the computer to send data from the foreign application program to an I/O port. The Get thread calls into the native operating system to receive data from the I/O port for the foreign application program. The Result thread processes one result descriptor from the native operating system when data is sent for the Send thread, and processes another result descriptor from the native operating system when data is received for the Get thread, and is completely blocked from running on the computer between the processing of the result descriptors.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an object-oriented apparatus and method in a computer system that offers important advantages over current programming practice in representing and managing ownership relationships of objects. An object can be owned as a single object or within a list, and it can change owners over time and change from being owned as a single object to being owned in a list or the other way around. An ownable object provides an operation to replace itself with a different ownable object. Ownable objects provide operations telling whether they are owned and whether they are owned in a list. Referential integrity is automatically maintained while giving the high performance of using memory pointers stored directly within the related objects.

Abstract: A card reader method for color cells. Calibration and indicia cells are provided.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly for regulating the temperature of an integrated circuit chip is comprised of a frame which has two spaced-apart spring supports. A single leaf spring extends from one of the spring supports to the other. A heat exchanger contacts the leaf spring at one point, pushes the leaf spring against the spring supports, and has a face for mating with the chip. And, a stop is provided between the heat exchanger and the frame, which keeps the heat exchanger on the leaf spring. With this assembly the heat exchanger exerts a very small force at its initial point of contact on the chip; the length of the single leaf spring does not add to the profile of the assembly; no slippage occurs between the heat exchanger and the chip; and, the stop prevents the heat exchanger from twisting and becoming offset relative to the chip.

Abstract: A card reader for color cells, calibration and indicia cells are provided.

Abstract: I/O columns are cast on the I/O pads of an electronic component via a process which uses a template that has a set of alignment holes, and a set of casting holes, and an additional set of pin holes that are interspersed with the casting holes. Initially, the template is placed in a fixture such that the casting holes align with the I/O pads of the electronic component. Next, the template is covered with a mask that exposes all of the casting holes but blocks all of the pin holes. Then the exposed casting holes in the template are filled with a solid metallic material. Next the mask is removed, and the metallic material in the casting holes is melted and re-solidified to thereby form the I/O columns on the I/O pads. Then the electronic component with its I/o columns is separated from the template by pushing on the component with pins that are passed through the pin holes in the template.

Abstract: An electromechanical assembly, having a pressed joint with a low thermal resistance which is residue free when disassembled, includes: 1) an integrated circuit module having a contact surface of a first material; 2) a temperature regulating unit having a contact surface of a second material which faces the contact surface of the first material and which is separated therefrom by a gap; and, 3) a film of a metal alloy, which substantially fills the gap, and which is limited to an alloy that adheres in a solid state to the second material but not the first material. Preferred alloys for filling the gap include combinations of two or more metals which are selected from the group of lead, tin, bismuth, cadmium, indium, and antimony. Preferred first materials for the contact surface on the integrated circuit module to which the alloy does not adhere include silicon dioxide, aluminum nitrite, silicon and ceramic.

Abstract: An object-oriented method and apparatus for relating objects in a compiler program running on a computer for compiling source files into a binary code file for execution on a target computer to source code locations, said apparatus includes a type of object that identifies a source location, and where inlining occurs, a list of inlined source locations. The type of object has only one instance variable, an integer. The invention includes a method for relating objects in a compiler to source code locations. The method includes the steps of registering source files and their ranges of line numbers for a source type; for each language element parsed by the compiler, creating a source object for its source location; and, creating an instance variable of type source for each compiler object in order to relate to their source locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a C interface program that remotely operates with an object oriented repository by making the public properties and operations of the types in the repository available to Client programs written in the C language, or accessed via DLLs, or shared objects from other languages. Hence, Client program can execute all the operations on a repository, which is operating on a remotely located Server. The Client program source code can be created on the Server and recompiled on the Client platform without the necessity of making any changes to the code.

Abstract: A high speed data communications method and system is provided whereby multiple groups of software interfaces are used to link a Distributed Systems Services Unit to a Network Provider which connects to an Input/Output Interface Module which relates to external interfaces of a Network. The interfaces permit the capability of buffer sharing and lock pool sharing, in addition to improved Connection Library Element Interfaces which reduce the overhead that was previously required and further enables faster data transfer operations with reduced latency.

Abstract: A method in a symmetric multi-processor computer system for increasing database transaction log performance by reducing semaphore contention while waiting to transfer the contents of log buffers stored in a volatile memory of the system to a persistent storage device. The method includes the steps of clearing a switch and resetting an event indicating that no process tasks are waiting completion of a transfer of information in one of the log buffers to the persistent storage. Next, an atomic test-and-set of the switch is performed to determine if this process task is the first task to attempt the waiting completion. Following this, if it is the first task, then it assumes responsibility for guaranteeing that the contents in the log buffer are in persistent storage and causes the event. However, if it is not the first task, a wait is imposed on the process until the event has been caused. This will allow all of the "Not First" tasks that may be waiting to continue their operation.

Abstract: A system for recognizing objects is comprised of: 1) a camera that has a lens which is uncovered; 2) a housing which encloses the camera, and has a window for the lens; 3) a rotating means, which is inside of the housing and which carries the camera, for receiving electronic control signals and rotating the camera at different angles in response thereto; and, 4) a control means for generating the electronic control signals such that the rotating means selectively points the camera lens -a) through the window at any one of several predetermined angles, and b) inside of the housing at the surface for calibrating the camera. With this system, the objects that are recognized can be human faces at different heights relative to the window in the housing. By pointing the camera lens inside of the housing, the lens is protected from damage even though it is not covered; and a calibration surface inside of the housing enables the camera to be calibrated while the lens is protected.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer apparatus and method for adding speech interpreting capabilities to an interactive voice response system. An annotated corpus is used to list valid utterances within a grammar along with token data for each valid utterance representing the meaning implied behind the valid utterance. When valid utterances are detected, the interactive voice response system requests that a search is made through the annotated corpus to find the token identified with the valid utterance. This token is returned to the interactive voice response system. If the valid utterance included a variable, additional processing is performed to interpret the variable and return additional data representing the variable.

Abstract: A programmable memory controller is described. The memory control signals and timings are defined by programmable means. A plurality of shift registers are loaded with programmed values at the start of a control sequence. The programmed values are synchronously shifted with the optimum value system clock to thereby generate a plurality of memory control signals. Each memory control signal is generated by a shift register. Depending on the mode of operation to be performed by the memory device, different programmed values are loaded into the plurality of shift registers at the start of a control sequence. The selection of which programmed value to be loaded into the plurality of shift registers is accomplished by a multiplexer device coupled with each shift register. The multiplexer device selects one input mode register containing programmed values. One input mode register exists for each mode of operation that can be performed by the memory device.