Abstract: A method of monitoring data distribution progress in a computer network including a Distribution Manager and an end-user terminal communicating with the Distribution Manager through at least one node in the network. The Distribution Manager generates an identifier associated with the distribution along with a routing to the end-user terminal through the network. The Distribution Manager updates a Distribution State Table, maintaining information describing the progress of the distribution, and a Node State Table, maintaining information describing the status of the node in the network. The distribution data is then sent to the end-user terminal via the selected routing. Data are collected at the node from the end-user terminal describing the status of the end-user terminal and those data are transferred to the Distribution Manager. The Distribution Manager updates the distribution State and Node State Tables with the data received from the Node.

Abstract: A method for reducing the time for a partially depleted/silicon-on-insulator (PD/SOI) based circuit to reach a dynamic steady state pre-conditions the PD/SOI-based circuit by initially charging the circuit at a voltage greater than the normal operating voltage. The circuit is then charged at the normal operating voltage after a predetermined amount of time. By pre-conditioning the circuit in this manner, the amount of time required for the PD/SOI transistors of the circuit to reach their dynamic steady state (DSS) condition is shortened.

Abstract: An array of carbon nanotube electron sources to make an integrated array of RF (radio frequency) sources in a single vacuum envelope. The RF sources can be printed circuit traveling wave tubes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a set of items for future business processes includes the step of grouping the items to be included in the set, each of the items associated with a unique identifier. The unique identifiers are then recorded en masse and communicated to a database. A set identifier is then generated from the recorded identifier and associated with the set of items.

Abstract: The present invention concerns apparatus and methods for a family of electronic devices based on the concept of a Personalized Authenticated Controller (PAC). The PAC is able to recognize characteristics of an authorized person and allows only that person to rapidly communicate authenticated identification and requests to access, control and transact with many “smart” Instrumentalities designed with compatible communication capabilities. The PAC is conveniently combined with an electronic wristwatch and worn by its user. Personal Smart Instrumentalities, such as vehicles and firearms, will operate without difficulty for their owners but become worthless if stolen. Commercial Smart Instrumentalities, such as merchants and banks, can quickly communicate with the customer's PAC to establish positive personal identification and optionally charge purchases or transfer funds. Various security features are incorporated to ensure authentication of the customer and integrity of the transaction.

Abstract: Single-walled carbon nanotubes have been synthesized by the catalytic decomposition of both carbon monoxide and ethylene over a supported metal catalyst known to produce larger multi-walled nanotubes. Under certain conditions, there is no termination of nanotube growth, and production appears to be limited only by the diffusion of reactant gas through the product nanotube mat that covers the catalyst The present invention concerns a catalyst-substrate system which promotes the growth of nanotubes that are predominantly single-walled tubes in a specific size range, rather than the large irregular-sized multi-walled carbon fibrils that are known to grow from supported catalysts.

Abstract: Method and system aspects are provided for achieving effective communication among end stations in a local area network when portions of the network lack operating system support for the media of data transmission within the network. A method aspect includes providing an encapsulated packet from one end station of the portion of the plurality of end stations, and utilizing a tag as an indicator of encapsulation within the encapsulated packet. In a further method aspect, a method for communicating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes forming a data packet in accordance with a known media standard in a portion of the plurality of end stations. The method further includes encapsulating the data packet in accordance with the wireless media standard, and tagging the data packet to indicate encapsulation.

Abstract: A carbon deposition chamber is provided with several advantages. The gas mixture used within the deposition process is expressed from tubing through three zones, which are each individually determined with needle valves. The substrate is permitted to rotate back-and-forth to permit more even deposition of carbon films onto the substrate. The heating filaments are permitted to expand and contract without breakage by permitting the electrode attached to one end of the filaments to move freely as the filaments change in length. The substrate and the heating filaments are cooled to a temperature to prevent carbonization by permitting a cooling fluid to be passed through tubing connected to these elements in a heat sink like manner.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving data between the near end to the far end of a transmission line. The system has simultaneous bi-directional (SBIDI) drivers and receivers for high performance over well behaved transmission lines. The SBIDI drivers and SBIDI receivers are enabled and disabled by logic inputs. A unidirectional (UNI) receiver is connected in parallel with each SBIDI receivers. Logic insures that the SBIDI and UNI receivers are not enabled at the same time. When desired, the SBIDI receivers are disabled and the UNI receivers enabled and signaling is done unidirectional. The current level in the SBIDI drivers may be modified in response to mode compensation signals to improve signal to noise in the unidirectional mode and to compensate for losses in the simultaneous bi-directional mode. The system may be integrated into all I/O's for maximum design flexibility.

Abstract: Circuits and systems for producing a static switching factor on the output lines of dynamic logic devices. A logic device having a plurality of dynamic logic circuits each performing a Boolean function on a plurality of inputs and generating an output on a dynamic node. The corresponding plurality of dynamic outputs are coupled to a static logic circuit which performs an additional Boolean function of the plurality of dynamic outputs. The static logic circuit operates to generate an output logic state that is maintained so long as the value of the Boolean operations being performed by the logic device do not change. Additionally, static logic elements may perform the inversions necessary to output both logic senses, mitigating the need to provide for dual-rail dynamic logic implementations. An asymmetric clock permits a concomitant decrease in the size of the precharge transistors, thus ameliorating the area required by the logic element.

Abstract: A system and process for locking database records are implemented. A lock state is selectively set in response to a locking operation request. The lock state constitutes a class in an object-oriented locking service architecture. A locking operation corresponding to the locking operation request is performed on one or more records. The locking operation is implemented by a method of a lock state class in the object-oriented locking service architecture, the lock state class corresponding to a current lock state.

Abstract: A core stabilization apparatus and method are implemented. An inner barrel having a plurality of ports disposed circumferentially and axially in a wall thereof is provided. A gas manifold is attached to a first subsets of the ports. Gas is delivered to an interior of the inner barrel via the gas manifold and the corresponding ports. Drilling mud remaining in the interior of the inner barrel is expelled through a second subset of ports. After expulsion of the drilling mud, a stabilizing compound is injected into the interior via an injection manifold attached to the second subset of ports. Upon curing of the stabilizing compound, the inner barrel and core sample contained therein may be sectioned or otherwise manipulated.

Abstract: A light diffuser, consisting of a holding mechanism and, releasably connected thereto, an inflatable sack that is at least partially translucent. The holding mechanism comprises an adapter ring that at one end serves for attachment to a spotlight and at the other end as a receptable of the sack. The adapter ring is closed off at the attachment end so as to be translucent and pressure sealed. At the holding mechanism means are provided for supply of a gaseous filling medium. Arranged at the adapter ring are a compressed-gas connection and an electronically actuatable valve for the gas supply, such that a first pressure sensor determines the increasing of pressure within the sack fixed to the ring and sends a switch-off signal to the valve when a preset maximal pressure value has been reached, in order to terminate or interrupt filling automatically.

Abstract: A method for purifying a mixture comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon contaminate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of heating the mixture under oxidizing conditions sufficient to remove the amorphous carbon, followed by recovering a product comprising at least about 80% by weight of single-wall carbon nanotubes. A method for producing tubular carbon molecules of about 5 to 500 nm in length is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of cutting single-wall nanotube containing-material to form a mixture of tubular carbon molecules having lengths in the range of 5-500 nm and isolating a fraction of the molecules having substantially equal lengths. The nanotubes may be used, singularly or in multiples, in power transmission cables, in solar cells, in batteries, as antennas, as molecular electronics, as probes and manipulators, and in composites.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a device for analysis is disclosed. In the present invention, the device to be prepared includes a semiconductor die coupled to a first surface of a package substrate. The first surface of the package substrate includes an interconnect pattern for electrically coupling the semiconductor die to a plurality of solder ball connectors disposed on a second surface of the package substrate. The method and system for preparing the device for backside analysis comprises removing the plurality of solder ball connectors, exposing the interconnect pattern, and then exposing a backside of the semiconductor die. The method further includes preparing the backside of the semiconductor die for diagnostic testing. Electrical contact with the semiconductor die is established via the exposed interconnect pattern.

Abstract: A method for filling narrow isolation trenches during a semiconductor fabrication process is disclosed. The semiconductor includes both high-aspect ratio narrow isolation trenches formed in a core area of a substrate, and wide isolation trenches formed in a circuit area of the substrate. After trench formation, a thick liner oxidation is performed in all of the isolation trenches in which a layer of thermal oxide is grown to a thickness sufficient to completely fill the high-aspect ratio narrow isolation trenches. Subsequent to the liner oxidation, the wide isolation trenches are filled with an isolation dielectric, whereby all of the trenches are uniformly filled with minimal voids.

Abstract: An integrator stage for use in a delta sigma modulator includes an operational amplifier, an integration capacitor coupling an output of the operational amplifier and a summing node at an input of the operational amplifier, and a feedback path. The feedback path includes first and second capacitors having first plates coupled electrically in common at a common plate node and switching circuitry for sampling selected reference voltages onto second plates of the capacitors during a sampling phase. The integrator stage further includes a switch for selectively coupling the common plate node and the summing node during an integration phase.

Abstract: An elastic interface apparatus and method are implemented. The elastic interface includes a plurality of storage units for storing for storing a stream of data values, wherein each storage unit sequentially stores members of respective sets of data values. Each data value is stored for a predetermined number of periods of a local clock. Selection circuitry may be coupled to the storage units to select the respective data value from the data stream for storage in the corresponding storage unit. Data is sequentially output from each storage unit in synchrony with the local clock on a target cycle of the local clock.

Abstract: A data converter includes first and second input signal paths receiving an input signal having an input frequency, the first input signal path dividing the input frequency by a first divisor and the second input signal path dividing the input frequency by a second divisor, the second divisor being greater than the first divisor. A selector selects between an output of the first input signal path and an output from the second input signal path in response to a state of a control signal. Control circuitry monitors a selector output signal frequency and a current state of the control signal and selectively resets the state of the control signal to set the selector output frequency to a desired frequency.