Abstract: In a virtualized computer system, a network frame is transmitted from a virtual machine using a network interface device, possibly through a virtual switch, by copying only a part of the network frame to the transmit buffers that have pre-translated mappings from guest physical addresses to hypervisor virtual addresses and to machine addresses. The length of the part of the network frame that is copied to the transmit buffers may be variable.

Abstract: A solar control member utilizes a combination of layers that include spaced apart titanium nitride layers to selectively transmit a higher percentage of visible light than near infrared energy, with a low visible light reflection. The titanium nitride layers are spaced apart by a distance that promotes optical decoupling with respect to occurrence of constructive and destructive interference of visible light propagating between the two titanium nitride layers. In one embodiment, the titanium nitride layers are spaced apart by a laminating adhesive layer. In another embodiment, the titanium nitride layers are formed on opposite sides of a substrate. Each titanium nitride layer is sputter deposited. Care is taken to ensure that each layer does not become too metallic and to ensure that excessive oxygen is not incorporated into the layer.

Abstract: An echo canceller system and a method of filtering an outgoing signal utilize a volume compensator that operates in tandem with a primary adaptive filter to cancel echo due to a change in echo response of the system within a broadcasting environment. In particular, the volume compensator is designed to quickly adapt to a change in echo response due to an increase or decrease in the broadcast volume of a loudspeaker of the system. The echo canceller system may be incorporated into a personal computer system for a full-duplex speakerphone application. The volume compensator includes a supplementary adaptive filter that operates in parallel with the primary adaptive filter to cancel echo. The primary adaptive filter operates on the outgoing signal to cancel echo that may have been introduced into the outgoing signal along with speech of a near-end caller.

Abstract: An automated door removal and replacement system utilizes a combination of linear and rotational drive to remove a door of a wafer supporting device and store the door below the device. In one embodiment, the wafer-supporting device is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP). A door-contacting assembly is pivotally mounted to include a horizontal rest position and a vertical unlocking position. In the horizontal rest position, the assembly resides below the wafer-supporting device. The assembly is rotated to a vertical position and then linearly moved to engage the door. Keys of the assembly are manipulated to release the door. The assembly and the door are moved rearwardly and the assembly is pivoted to the rest position, clearing the opening to the wafer-supporting device.

Abstract: A system and method for data processing objects having a number of attributes includes a sequence of object lists, each having data for identifying attribute values for at least one object. In a vector implementation, the object lists may be associated with a number of different objects. Each object list has a one-to-one correspondence between associated objects and local configuration steams that have configuration data indicative of the data structure for attributes of the object. In addition to the object lists, a global configuration stream is linked to form an object sequence. The global configuration stream includes configuration data indicative of the arrangement of the object lists. In a list implementation, each object list has linked smart pointers to locations in a memory pool that is used to store the attribute values. In the preferred embodiment, the object lists and/or the attribute smart pointers are indexed to increase traversal speed for enhanced performance.

Abstract: A method and a system for seating and unseating cassette lids from cassettes include utilizing two upright guides that are spaced apart by a distance that causes each guide to project between a cassette and a flap of a cassette lid. Outwardly facing surfaces of the guides are sloped such that the guides have an increasing cross sectional area with approach toward a base of the device. In an unseating operation, downward pressure is applied to the cassette lid, causing the flaps of the cassette to follow the sloped contour of the outwardly facing guide surfaces. The configuration of the guides causes the flaps to separate from the downwardly moving cassette. When the pressure is relaxed, material memory causes the lid to return to its original shape, sliding up the guides while the cassette remains in place. For some cassettes, structure for retaining the cassette in position may be beneficial.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling network access includes non-intrusively monitoring network traffic and assembling data packets that are specific to individual node-to-node transmissions in order to manage network access both inside and outside of a network. A rules base is generated to apply at either or both of the connection time and the time subsequent to connection. With regard to a particular node-to-node transmission, the data packets are assembled to identify the source and destination nodes, as well as contextual information (i.e., ISO Layer 7 information). The access rules are applied in a sequential order to determine whether the transmission is a restricted transmission. The rules are maintained in a single rules base for the entire network and are distributed to each monitoring node. Any of the protocols in the suite of TCP/IP protocols can be managed.

Abstract: A size-convertible device for supporting wafers in a parallel relationship includes a removable insert that enables the device to be non-destructively switched from providing edge support for large diameter wafers to providing edge support for small diameter wafers. The insert maintains the original wafer pitch and the original insertion angle. In the preferred embodiment, the device is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP) specifically designed for use with 300 mm diameter wafers. Inserts are releasably attached to opposite sides of the FOUP to convert the device to a 200 mm diameter pod. The axis of the rest positions of the small wafers is coaxial with the rest positions of the large wafers. However, the inserts may be adapted to move the rest positions of the small wafers forwardly to a position such that there is front edge alignment with respect to rest positions of the large and small wafers.

Abstract: A vibration-reduction device for a disk drive includes providing air dams that regulate air intake and air expulsion relative to gaps between adjacent data disks of a disk stack. In the preferred embodiment, the dams are formed by a number of arrays of fingers, with each gap between adjacent data disks receiving a finger from each of the arrays. The fingers within a gap are spaced apart to partition the gap into air flow cells. The fingers cleave circulating air from the gap before the air has sufficient rotational velocity to expel itself as a result of centrifugal force. Thus, the air is expelled in a controlled manner that retards aerodynamic forces having sufficient energy to induce vibration of the disks. In another embodiment, each finger of an array has a configuration that defines nonuniform clearances between the finger and each data disk on the opposite sides of the finger.

Abstract: A system and method for data processing objects having a number of attributes includes a sequence of object lists, each having data for identifying attribute values for at least one object. In a vector implementation, the object lists may be associated with a number of different objects. Each object list has a one-to-one correspondence between associated objects and local configuration steams that have configuration data indicative of the data structure for attributes of the object. In addition to the object lists, a global configuration stream is linked to form an object sequence. The global configuration stream includes configuration data indicative of the arrangement of the object lists. In a list implementation, each object list has linked smart pointers to locations in a memory pool that is used to store the attribute values. In the preferred embodiment, the object lists and/or the attribute smart pointers are indexed to increase traversal speed for enhanced performance.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly and method include an aerodynamic thrust bearing that utilizes a surface of a data storage disk to define the plane of rotation for the disk surface. The data disk is positioned to contact at least one air pad when the disk is in a rest position, but is supported by an air bearing when the disk is rotated. In one embodiment, there are three air pads formed on a thrust bearing ring. This drive assembly also includes a hydrodynamic journal bearing in which a journal fluid is retained between a rotating shaft and a stationary sleeve. Surface features of the shaft create dynamic pressures along the interface between the shaft and the sleeve, dissipate hydrodynamic kinetic energy at the peripheries of the active journal region, accommodate resupply of the journal fluid to the central portion of the active region, and define capillary seals to inhibit migration of the journal fluid.

Abstract: A voltage regulator and method of voltage regulation utilizes an error amplifier and a transconductance amplifier together with a voltage reference, startup circuit and output load. The use of the transconductance amplifier allows the use of an arrangement of two poles and a zero such that the composite gain roll-off has a generally constant slope. One of the poles utilized in this stability scheme is the outer pole formed by the resistive-like load and its filter capacitor. Another pole and zero are generated in the error amplifier circuit. To decouple the noisy input supply voltage, sensitive parts of the circuit are powered by the regulated output voltage. A start circuit is provided to start up the output and voltage reference when no output voltage is present. The transconductance amplifier block has special characteristics which allow it to work to relatively high frequency, above the gain bandwidth product of the control loop. It is driven by a fully differential push-pull, class AB amplifier.

Abstract: A current sense circuit utilizes multiple resistive reference switches connected in electrical series to reduce the level of required reference current (Iref), while maintaining the integrity of tracking current (Iout) through a resistive power switch. Typically, all of the reference switches are MOS transistors connected in electrical series. The first embodiment includes establishing a ratio (n) of series reference transistors to series pilot transistors, n>1. In another embodiment, the series connection of reference switches is in parallel with a single reference resistor and is identical to a series connection of a number (NP) of pilot switches. In a third embodiment, the techniques of the first two embodiments are combined (i.e., n>1 and NP>1). The current sense circuit is utilized to monitor output current through a power switch from a circuit load.

Abstract: A system for precisely determining directionality of an output beam includes a beam source and a body position identifier facing opposite directions, with a grating rhomb positioned to provide an attenuated sample beam from the beam source into the oppositely directed body positioned identifier. In the preferred embodiment, the beam source is a pulsed laser source and the body position identifier is a star tracker for forming a stellar map. The grating rhomb includes first and second grating members. The first grating member extends across the optical path of the output beam and has a geometry to diffract a minor portion of the output beam intensity while passing a major portion of the output beam for continued propagation in a first direction. The second grating member is positioned to traverse the field of view of the body position identifier.

Abstract: A method of electronic requisition processing includes storing company-specific requisition rules and an electronic catalog on a central computer system located at a first site. The central computer system is linked to a number of companies by means of an external communications line, such as a telephone system-and-modem arrangement. A requester at one of the companies may identify one or more items to be ordered. In response to the requisition, the company with which the requestor is associated is determined, and the appropriate requisition rules for that company are implemented. If more than one item is identified, a requisition folder is formed in software to contain a number of requisitions. Also contained in the requisition folder are any required attachments, with each attachment being designated as being "internal" or "external" and as "confidential" or "non-confidential.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly includes a housing having a plug-receiving cavity and an LED assembly attached atop the plug receiving cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the LED assembly is integrally formed with the housing. The LEDs are encased within the LED assembly, being separated from the plug-receiving cavity by a partition. This isolation of the LED helps to minimize the coupling of EMF interference radiated by the leads of the LED while they are operating to the underlying contact pins. Contact pins disposed within the plug-receiving cavity each have a contacting portion which extends along the roof of the cavity. The contacting portions have a varying measure of separation from the roof along their extent. This provides further separation from the LED leads which are disposed above the contact pins in the LED assembly, further lessening the EMF coupling with the LED leads. In an alternate embodiment, the modular jack has a stacked form factor and can be ganged to form a bank of modular jacks.

Abstract: A modular jack includes a filter circuit for each of the transmit and receive pins in order to shape the signal waveforms, isolate the user from the line, and filter out both common and differential mode noise in high-speed communications systems, such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, token ring and ATM applications. The manufacture of the modular jack of the present invention is simplified by the design of the components which make up the modular jack assembly. More specifically, the contact pins of the modular jack are divided into a contact pin array and a mounting pin array. The two pin arrays are electrically coupled through a printed circuit board which carries the two filters. A platform formed on the mounting pin array facilitates the attachment of the printed circuit board during manufacture.

Abstract: A seeker device, such as a seeker head, includes a housing for both a first optical assembly and a second optical assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the first optical assembly is an infrared telescope having a fixed, relatively narrow field of view for receiving incoming energy via a first path through an optical opening through the housing. The second optical assembly may be a pivotable mirror that is pivoted to provide a wide field of regard. The incoming energy that impinges the pivotable mirror enters through a second path through the optical opening. The energy from the pivotable mirror is redirected into the infrared telescope. In the preferred embodiment, the redirection is achieved by a dichroic mirror that has a high transmissivity with respect to long wave infrared energy and a high reflectivity with respect to mid wave infrared energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning indexing notches of disk-shaped members, such as semiconductor wafers, include providing an alignment rod that is driven by another roller to cause rotation of the disk-shaped members. The circumferential surfaces of the alignment rod and the drive roller are in frictional contact. Initially, the disk-shaped members rest upon the alignment rod, so that rotation of the alignment rod causes rotation of the disk-shaped members until indexing notches are seated on the alignment rod. In the preferred embodiment, the seating of the indexing notches transfers at least a portion of the weight of the disk-shaped members to a reciprocating structure, such as a comb member. After all of the indexing notches have been aligned, a second weight transfer occurs, with the reciprocating structure following the contour of the drive roller and the disk-shaped members coming to rest on the drive roller. The disk-shaped members can then be uniformly rotated to locate the notches as desired.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly includes a housing having a front portion which includes a plurality of openings into a plurality of plug receiving chambers. The housing further has a rear bay which includes openings into the plug receiving chambers. A backplate sub-assembly includes a plurality of contact pin arrays mounted thereto and a grounding shield. Each of the pin arrays is formed of a unitary insulative member in the shape of an L and includes a plurality of embedded contact pins. The backplate sub-assembly further includes an L-shaped elongate backplate member having perforations formed through one of the legs of the L. The perforations receive pins protruding from mounting ends of the pin arrays. Additional perforations are provided to receive ground pins formed in the grounding shield. The backplate sub-assembly is received in the rear bay so that plug contacting portions of the pin arrays extend into the plug receiving chambers.