Abstract: The present invention concerns electrical conductors comprising armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes. Such electrical conductors made by the invention are metallic, i.e., they will conduct electrical charges with a relatively low resistance. The amount of armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes in the electrical conductor can be greater than 10%, greater than 30%, greater than 50%, greater than 75%, and greater than 90%, of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A method and system for attached processing units accessing a shared memory in an SMP system. In one embodiment, a system comprises a shared memory. The system further comprises a plurality of processing elements coupled to the shared memory. Each of the plurality of processing elements comprises a processing unit, a direct memory access controller and a plurality of attached processing units. Each direct memory access controller comprises an address translation mechanism thereby enabling each associated attached processing unit to access the shared memory in a restricted manner without an address translation mechanism. Each attached processing unit is configured to issue a request to an associated direct memory access controller to access the shared memory specifying a range of addresses to be accessed as virtual addresses. The associated direct memory access controller is configured to translate the range of virtual addresses into an associated range of physical addresses.

Abstract: In a processor, when a conditional branch instruction is encountered, a software prediction for the conditional branch is made as a function of the specific condition register field used to store the branch condition for the conditional branch instruction. If a specified condition register field is not used, the software prediction may be made dependent upon the specific address at which the branch instruction is located.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method for activating a volume group without a quorum of disks in the volume group being active. A first node, e.g., main server, may send a meta data identifier to a second node, e.g., backup server, upon completion of updating the meta data associated with a plurality of disks in a particular volume group shared by both first and second nodes. If the first node becomes inoperative, e.g., crashes, after sending the meta data identifier to the second node, then the second node may take over the functions of the first node by activating one or more volume groups shared by both the main and backup nodes. The second node may activate a particular volume group by identifying a single disk that is active in that particular volume group based on the meta data identifier associated with that particular volume group.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cancelling far endpoint echo signals in audio signals transmitted from a near endpoint to a far endpoint. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a near endpoint analysis filter bank operable to divide a near endpoint signal into a plurality of near endpoint subband signals, a far endpoint analysis filter bank operable to divide a far endpoint signal into a plurality of far endpoint subband signals, and a background signal power estimator operable to determine background noise at the near end.

Abstract: A method and system for providing travel guidance for transportation vehicles traveling on a highway system that comprises highway transceivers (HTs) with limited range placed at selected intervals along the highway. Each transportation vehicle has an automobile transceiver (AT) for receiving and transmitting information using a communication protocol. The HTs have a limited transmission range. The AT may be programmed to selectively present information received from the HTs to a passenger in an automobile. The ATs may also receive information from other transportation vehicles equipped with an AT. The HTs may receive information from all of the transceivers or other transmitters, for example, a GPS satellite transmitter. The HTs may also transmit information to traffic signal units about numbers of vehicles in its transmission pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for deferring transmission of a data packet over a home network is disclosed, where the home network includes a host media access controller program and a media access controller. The method and system include transmitting a first transmit signal from the host media access controller program to the media access controller (MAC) to transmit a data packet, and asserting a transmit start signal from the MAC in response. The method and system further include receiving a carrier sense signal on the MAC indicating activity on a transmission medium, and delaying assertion of a final transmit signal when it is determined that both the transmit start signal and the carrier sense signal are active, thereby avoiding packet collisions.

Abstract: A computer system in which a network processor disposed between a central processing unit and supporting peripheral subsystems and among the peripheral subsystems handles addressing of memory space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automatic or semi-automatic acquisition of multiple photographs and VIN-coded information about an automobile. In one embodiment, four height-adjustable, digital cameras are positioned on four corner posts defining a work center. A vehicle is pulled into the center until a stop indicator light is triggered, at which time an attendant scans the bar coded VIN number and reviews the proposed photographs of the vehicle at a work center computer. Once the photographs and data are acceptable, the attendant triggers a download of the information to local and industry databases. Alternate embodiments include Alternate embodiments include work centers with different post configurations, manual entry systems, and completely automated centers.

Abstract: A nanopowder synthesis system having an autofuser device which obviates the need for external power switches, and which accommodates repeated discharges (of the order of 107) between ablating electrodes of precursor material at a high repetition rate (?1 Hz).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for integrating the delivery of data from a multiplicity of sources to a set of user electronic devices that present audio, video and digital information to the user is implemented. These devices may include conventional television displays, personal computers, and other conventional audio and video equipment. Information may be received from a multiplicity of sources which may include may include digital television via terrestrial or satellite broadcast, terrestrial analog radio, and digital data exchanged via a public network, such as the Internet. The mechanism of the present invention receives the multiplicity of data streams, processes them in accordance with each stream's formatting protocols (whether an analog stream, an MPEG Transport Stream, or TCP/IP stream, for example), including any conditional access protocols, and streams the processed data, in multiplexed transport stream to the user's presentation devices via a “fat” pipe, such as a FireWire™ bus.

Abstract: A method for providing customer services and advertising based upon device attributes is disclosed for a distributed processing system. The distributed processing system identifies and utilizes the capabilities of distributed devices connected together through a wide variety of communication systems and networks and utilize those capabilities to organize, manage and distribute project workloads to the distributed devices.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing timing uncertainties in a serial data signal. A system may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit serial data to a receiver through a transmission medium. The receiver may comprise a retiming mechanism configured to sample the serial data using a particular phase of a clock at a point in time when the serial data signal may not be likely to experience jitter. The retiming mechanism may comprise a plurality of first units, e.g., flip-flops, where each of the first units is configured to sample the serial data using a particular phase of the clock. Each of the first units may be connected to a particular second unit, e.g., transmission gate. Each of the second units may be configured to output the value of the serial data sampled by the associated first unit upon activation. The data outputted may subsequently become part of the retimed data.

Abstract: A VCO is configured using a ring oscillator with voltage controlled feedforward inverting stages coupled around the inverting stages making up the basic ring oscillator to enable the frequency of the ring oscillator to be voltage controlled. A latch and multiplexer is used to select between two or more outputs within the ring oscillator to change the basic frequency range of the VCO glitch free. To achieve a wide range VCO, additional stages are added to the basic ring oscillator. When the number of stages is an odd number greater than seven, then the voltage controlled feedforward inverting stages feedback to the outputs of the first and second inverting stages of the ring oscillator. Two additional multiplexers are added to select which feedforward inverting stage is coupled to the first and second inverting stage. This allows a wide range interleaved VCO that switches between frequency ranges glitch free.

Abstract: A reference signal and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) output are compared for relative phase and frequency differences. A lead error signal is generated if the reference signal leads the VCO output and a lag error signal is generated if the reference signal lags the VCO output the lead and lag error may result from a combination for phase and frequency differences between the reference signal and the VCO output. A time window is used to sample the polarity of the lead and lag error signals by incrementing and decrementing a phase error signal. If the phase error signal reaches a threshold value within the time window, a Reset Delta pulse is generated and if the phase error signals does not reach the maximum delta value within the time window a Reset Total pulse is generated. A variable first gain signal is increased on each Reset Delta pulse and decreased on each Reset Total pulse and limited to a value between predetermined maximum and minimum values.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to at least one method and at least one apparatus for determining the length of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The method generally comprises the steps of: dispersing a sample of SWNTs into a suitable dispersing medium to form a solvent-suspension of solvent-suspended SWNTs; determining the mean SWNT diameter of the solvent-suspended SWNTs; introducing the solvent-suspended SWNTs into a viscosity-measuring device; obtaining a specific viscosity for the SWNT solvent-suspension; and determining the length of the SWNTs based upon the specific viscosity by solving, for example, the Kirkwood-Auer equation corrected by Batchelor's formula for the drag on a slender cylinder for “L,” to determine the length of the SWNTs.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying collision detection and resolution in a home network that comprises a plurality of stations is disclosed. Each station in the network includes a host media access controller program and a media access controller, where each station may transmit a frame when a transmission channel is inactive. When a collision is detected, the station ceases transmission of the frame, and chooses a backoff level to resolve the conflict. The station increments a backoff level counter in response to receiving backoff signal from another station on the network, and decrements the backoff counter in response to successfully transmitting the frame. The backoff level counter is maintained such that it may be accessed through the host media access controller for monitoring collision resolution, thereby eliminating the need to monitor signals over the network.

Abstract: A trace array having M entries with corresponding M addresses is used to store the states of input signals. The M addresses of the trace array are sequenced with a counter that counts a clock beginning at a starting count and counting to an ending count. If the ending count is exceeded, the counter starts over at the starting count. The counter outputs are decoded to addresses of the trace array. An event signal is generated on the occurrence of an operation of interest and the counter is started and stopped in response to sequences of the event signals, thus starting and stopping the recording of states of the input signals in the trace array. When an error or particular condition signal occurs, traces corresponding to the input signals are saved in the trace array. A start signal enables tracing and event logic generates event sequence signals which alternately start and stop the recording of traces.

Abstract: A method and type of device for performing passive voltage contrast on a silicon on insulator (SOI) device. A first portion of a substrate of the SOI device may be ground with a dimpler. A second portion of the substrate of the SOI device may be etched using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). A third portion of the substrate of the SOI device and a portion of a box insulator of the SOI device may be etched using hydrofluoric (HF) acid. A conductive coating may be applied to the etched portions thereby forming a conductive path from the gate to the substrate if there is a breakdown in the gate oxide. Consequently, the passive voltage contrast technique may be applied to the SOI device to detect a breakdown in the gate oxide which would be illustrated by a bright area in the gate oxide region resulting from the secondary electrons produced.

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.