Abstract: A circuit design extending the range and linearizing the transfer characteristic of a fast voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). In addition, a multi-range VCO is described. Range extension is achieved by modifying the delay cell of a current controlled ring oscillator. The VCO transfer characteristic is linearized by piece-wise linear current control added to the delay cell. Additionally, a VCO capable of multi-range operation is provided. With the addition of multiple current sources which control booster inverter current, and by selectively enabling the additional current sources, a VCO with multiple frequency ranges can be achieved.

Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor device includes a field effect transistor and a bipolar junction transistor with an elevated emitter structure. An elevation structure raises the BJT emitter above the plane of the base. The elevation structure increases travel distance between a heavily doped base contact region and the emitter and protects against encroachment without increasing the total surface area allocated to the BJT device. A spacer oxide separates the polysilicon base contact and the elevation structure.

Abstract: The invention provides for antenna apparatus having antenna members extending parallel to a ground plane, which members are L-shaped and can be provided in advantageously miniaturized form. Two such antenna members can be provided on the same ground plane so as to achieve antenna diversity and a switch mechanism is provided for switching between the antenna member in a receive mode, and for switching to only one of the antenna members for operation of the apparatus in a transmit mode. The switch mechanism is arranged to ground a feed connector of the antenna member that is not selected for transmission or reception so as to render that antenna member passive.

Abstract: A data storage system comprising a matrix of intelligent storage nodes interconnected to communicate with each other via a network of busses. The network of busses includes a plurality of first busses for conducting data from and to a corresponding plurality of host system processors and a plurality of second busses, each one of the second busses intersecting with each one of the first busses. The nodes are located at each intersection. The storage nodes each include a data storage device, such as a magnetic disk drive unit, a processor and buffer memory, whereby the node processor controls the storage and retrieval of data at the node as well as being capable of coordinating the storage and retrieval of data at other nodes within the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding network identities to locally-meaningful identities in a computer network is disclosed. A client computer is connected to a server computer that performs various functions requested by an operator of the client computer. The server computer assigns a temporary locally-meaningful identity to the operator of the client computer, and receives and responds to requests to perform functions from the client computer. The server computer triggers an ownership fault in response to a particular request received from the client computer. The particular request that triggers the ownership fault may be a request to create a file, a request to create a directory, a request to take ownership of an existing file, a request to take ownership of an existing directory, or other function.

Abstract: A modular bezel for the front side of a cabinet includes a bezel frame fixedly joinable to the cabinet, with the frame including a plurality of windows therethrough for providing access into the cabinet. A face panel is sized to cover at least one of the frame windows, and is removably fixedly joinable to the frame. The bezel frame provides a common part to which various, interchangeable face panels may be attached.

Abstract: A shield for shielding a capacitive touch screen from external noise arising from stray capacitance is located between the exterior housing of a touch screen device and the touch screen itself. The shield comprises a thin piece of conductive material such as aluminum foil laminated between two layers of insulating material such as a polycarbonite and is secured to the upper surface of the touch screen, as by an adhesive. The shield has a central opening which is smaller than an opening in the housing of the touch screen device that is provided to enable the touch screen to be contacted for entry of data, and to enable a user to view a display that is located beneath the touch screen, which is transparent. Portions of the shield are thus visible, and the central opening of the shield thus defines the portion of the display which can be viewed.

Abstract: A process for coating a surface of a substrate with a polymer material. The process includes heating a polymer to a preselected temperature such that the polymer, if solid, is in a liquid state or if liquid in a less viscous state to form a polymer solution. The polymer solution may contain other components such as a carrier in addition to the polymer. The polymer solution is heated to a preselected temperature below the flashpoint temperature of the polymer solution. The polymer solution is held in reservoir and propelled through a nozzle to create a continuous flow of polymer solution in the form of a stationary wave. The polymer solution flowing out of the nozzle returns to the reservoir, wherein it again will be sent through the nozzle. A substrate having a lower surface is moved over the stationary wave at a preselected rate such that the lower surface of the substrate contacts the stationary wave.

Abstract: A process for forming a titanium silicide local interconnect between electrodes separated by a dielectric insulator on an integrated circuit. A first layer of titanium is formed on the insulator, and a layer of silicon is formed on the titanium. The silicon layer is masked and etched to form a silicon strip connecting the electrodes, and an overlying second layer of titanium is formed over the silicon strip. The titanium and silicon are heated to form nonsilicidized titanium over a strip of titanium silicide, and the nonsilicidized titanium is removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analog amplifier constructed using digital transistors. The digital transistors are those contained in a gate array, and which are used for fabrication of digital devices. The analog amplifier includes an invertor, which contains two cascode amplifiers in series. The analog amplifier also includes a differential amplifier. The invertor is contained within the feedback circuit of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A programmable read only memory (PROM) including an array of polysilicon fuse elements. The fuse array is formed within a semiconductor substrate including first and second patterned signal layers electrically insulated from one another. Each polysilicon fuse element within the array connects a first electrical conductor residing in the first patterned signal layer with a second electrical conductor residing in the second patterned signal layer. The polysilicon fuse element is in the form of a narrow strip and is folded in order to cause a current flowing through the clement to crowd, lowering the amount of current required to heat the fuse element to its melting point, i.e. the threshold current. The PROM is programmed by passing a threshold current through selected fuse elements.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the effectiveness and efficiency of a communication device is disclosed. The system includes a computer executing a communication efficiency program. The computer further includes a modem that is coupled to a plurality of transmission devices through a plurality of I/O ports. Prior to transmitting a selected data file through the modem to one of the transmission devices for subsequent transmission to a remote site, a user may evaluate information about the transmission of the selected data file through a transmission device such as the estimated cost and time of transmission for the data file. The program provides the estimates by using retrieved data file parameters for the selected data file and user defined data transmission parameters for the various transmission devices. The estimated cost and time are stored and the user may select another device for which the time and costs of transmission are estimated.

Abstract: A checkout counter gap filler which allows liquids to pass through a gap between a checkout counter and an optical scanner, which is mounted within an aperture within the checkout counter, but prevents money and other unwanted debris from passing through the gap. The gap filler includes a rail member which is fastened along left and right sides of the scanner. The rail member includes an upper vertical portion having a bottom edge, a lower vertical portion having a top edge, and a horizontal shelf portion connecting the bottom edge of the upper vertical portion to the top edge of the lower vertical portion. The horizontal shelf portion includes a plurality of apertures which allow liquid to pass, but are small enough to prevent money and other debris from passing through.

Abstract: A method for assuring consistency between data and parity in a disk array system following a reset or a power failure condition which interrupts the execution of write I/O operations. The method includes the steps of: examining drive activities to identify unfinished write I/O operations due to an interrupt condition; logging information necessary to identify the unfinished operations and the array redundancy groups associated with the unfinished operations into a non-volatile memory; and checking for log entries in the non-volatile memory during a disk array subsystem initialization or the restoration of power. For each unfinished operation identified in the log, the method further includes the steps of: performing a bit-wise exclusive-OR of corresponding portions of the data stored within the associated redundancy group to calculate parity consistent therewith; and writing the calculated parity to the parity storage areas within the associated redundancy group.

Abstract: In apparatus for detecting counterfeit bank-notes, an electronic camera forms a digital representation of a small area of the bank-note. The digital image is stored in an image memory. The Fourier transform of the digital image is then computed and analyzed to determine if it contains high spatial frequency components, and if so, the note is identified as counterfeit. The analyzer may use pattern recognition techniques. In a modification, Fourier transforms of a plurality of small areas are formed and averaged and the average is analyzed. This invention is particularly suitable for identifying counterfeit bank-notes having regular patterns e.g. of lines or dots, therein, such as are produced by color photocopiers or offset lithography printing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an integrated circuit device includes a container defining a chamber that is partially filled with a coolant which forms a coolant pool in the chamber, wherein heat generated by the integrated circuit device causes boiling of the coolant in the coolant pool so that vaporized coolant rises upwardly from the coolant pool and condenses on a ceiling of the chamber forming coolant droplets thereon. The apparatus further includes a cooling conduit positioned within the chamber and at least partially out of the coolant pool, the cooling conduit further being positioned (1) in a first path traveled by the vaporized coolant as it rises upwardly from the coolant pool towards the ceiling, and (2) in a second path traveled by the coolant droplets falling from the ceiling due to gravity.

Abstract: There is provided electronic devices with dielectric layers obtained from boron-oxide doped, spin-on glass formulations which form glassy layers with high oxygen resistance. Suitable electronic devices include integrated circuits. With high oxygen resistance, the glassy layer formed maintains its integrity in subsequent processing. Also provided is a method for preparing boron-oxide doped, spin-on glass formulations with a high carbon content having a silane adhesion promoter and boron-dopant incorporated therein.

Abstract: In an electronic IC package, an I/O PAD circuit design which protects 3 Volt optimized I/O functional circuits from damage due to the application of external 5 Volt signals to the I/O PAD both while the functional circuit design is powered on and powered off. When the I/O circuits associated with the I/O PAD are powered on, the present invention protects the I/O circuits by applying well known designs. However, when the I/O circuits associated with the I/O PAD are powered off, the present invention draws power from the external 5 Volt signal to activate additional transistors to protect the powered off I/O circuits.

Abstract: The invention concerns Random-Access Memory (RAM). In many types of RAM currently available, the data on the RAM's output lines can change (or, at least, is no longer guaranteed valid) after the address applied to the RAM changes. The invention maintains the validity of the data after such address changes occur. The data is maintained valid until new data is written to the RAM.

Abstract: A CMOS disk drive motor control circuit which has back-EMF blocking circuitry for preventing the back-EMF from being dissipated when power is removed from the disk drive motor. The back-EMF provides an alternate power source for parking the read/write head. The circuit is fabricated as a single CMOS integrated circuit which is coupled between a power supply and the disk drive motor. The circuit also includes disk drive head parking circuitry and voltage regulator circuitry.