Abstract: A hybird Notes/DB2 environment provides a requisition catalog on the Web. Client browsers are connected to a GWA infrastructure including a first network dispatcher and a virtual cluster of Domino.Go servers. The network dispatcher sprays out browser requests among configured .nsf servers in virtual server cluster. Communications from this virtual server cluster are, in turn, dispatched by a second network dispatcher in a Domino cluster. External objects, primarily for a GUI, are served in a .dfs and include graphic files, Java files, HTML images and net.data macros. The catalog is built from supplier provided flat files. A front end is provided for business logic and validation, as also is a relation database backend. HTML forms are populated using relational database agents. A role table is used for controlling access both to Notes code and DB2 data. Large amounts of data are quickly transferred using an intermediate agent and window.

Abstract: A data warehouse, including a modeler for database modeling, and an extraction program for extracting data from the database and storing the extracted data. A reporting tool is used to make inquiries of the stored data and to format the results of the inquiries, and a single meta data catalog is coupled to the modeler, the extraction program, and the reporting tool. With the preferred embodiment of this invention, a user needs to update information only once. The meta data then drives changes in associated systems, such as the warehouse, extraction programs and reporting tools. In order to accomplish this, the meta data catalog holds enough information to control all these various part of the process.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a unique algorithm that interactively takes into consideration the melt shot (MS) and the hot strip mill (HSM) constraints such that a balanced and feasible solution is reached for the whole Primary Area (MS and HSM) at once. In a second aspect, the invention takes a set of orders defined to be produced next in the Melt Shop area in a steel mill and groups them in small sets of orders with similar characteristics, called heats. Each order belongs to a heat. The system defines the precise moment that each heat has to be processed in each of its steps. In another aspect, the invention uses an event-driven based algorithm as a general approach for scheduling all the processing units with their specific constraints and the metallic units from hot coils to the finished products at the shipping areas.

Abstract: A report catalog tool and a method for selecting and requesting a report from a catalog of standardized reports. The catalog tool comprises a distributable database having one or more documents, each said document representing a report, and attributes for said report indicating a location where logic resides for said report and a data source to be used for said report. The catalog tool further comprises means for allowing a user to order and configure a requested report, means for formatting said order as a transaction on a target system at said location and using said data source, and means for running said transaction to generate said requested report and to return said requested report to said user.

Abstract: A packaging platform for interconnecting integrated circuit chips and cards, in which the platform is a circuitized fluoropolymer-based laminate carrier including high purity fluoropolymer protective barriers on its surfaces.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling high-speed recovery and automation of computer workloads. The method comprises the steps of expressing requirements for a computer system and associated networking and peripherals, allowing a customer to specify a recovery instruction, processing the recovery instruction at a recovery site, and using a computer to process the recovery instruction to assign resources at the recovery site to reconfigure the computer system. Preferably, the expressing step includes the step of using a resource definition language to express the requirement of the computer system. The recovery instruction may include process definitions, system control program information, peripheral requirements, networking information, channel extension capabilities and tape vaulting information. Preferably, the computer is used to analyze, map, reconfigure recovery hardware and begin restoration of the customer to a recovery configuration.

Abstract: A system previously cloned with an operating system and a collection of applications has personal configuration data customized for the user receiving the system by a configuration tool. When the configuration tool is used in an interactive mode, a dialog displays the existing configuration and allows the installer or user to modify and save it. When the configuration tool is used in a non-interactive mode, that is, for migration, the machine configuration information is obtained from or put to an operating system independent configuration data file without using the configuration dialog. In interactive mode, a user dialog is displayed with the list of all the supported applications that are found to be installed on the system. Selecting one of the listed applications brings up an application dialog including input fields for each of the configuration items for that application. Configuration data can be imported from or exported to the configuration data file 160.

Abstract: A method and network for managing attachments in applications. The method comprises the steps of creating a plurality of attachment databases to contain said attachments; and embedding an attachment engine within said applications for creating, deleting, and re-using said attachments in said plurality of attachment databases. The method further comprises the steps of connecting said plurality of attachment databases to each other, and performing load balancing between said plurality of attachment databases. Preferably, the method also includes the steps of archiving attachments from the attachment databases under defined conditions, and providing attachment database indexes to keep track of the attachments in the attachment databases. In addition, preferably the embedding step includes the step of embedding a respective one attachment engine within each of said applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently repairing or reworking a printed circuit board having a solder ball grid array thereon efficiently and at minimum cost includes the steps of drilling out a plated-through hole to sever electrical connections between a ball grid array pad on one surface of the printed circuit board and internal circuits and circuits on an opposite surface of the printed circuit board; inserting a pin having an insulated sleeve surrounding a portion thereof into the drilled-out hole, the pin having attached to one end a wire for attachment to the ball grid array on one surface of the printed circuit board and a post at the other end of the pin for attachment of a wire to the post; the pin having a stop along its length to control vertical positioning of the pin in the drilled-out hole, the pin referred to as a via replacement (VR) pin.

Abstract: A vacuum fixture incorporating a vacuum suctioning device which may be employed in the manufacture of thin film chip carriers through the intermediary of retaining parts which are to be processed on the surface of a suction plate in a dimensionally compensating operative mode. A process is disclosed which may be employed in the manufacture of thin film chip carriers which is adhered in a dimensionally compensating manner to the surface of an interposer plate which is supported on a suction plate of a vacuum fixture.