Abstract: A method of taking a backup copy of a data set, for use with a log, with the data set being open for update by multiple updaters is described. A point on the log is identified (Recovery Time) from which it can be ensured that all data updates identified on the log have been written by an updater from buffers to the data set. This is done by recording a Recovery Time, and then not taking the backup until all the updaters have confirmed that they have written all updates from buffers to the data set. In addition, if tokens are used on the log to avoid having to identify the data set in full, then these are also written to the log before the update is taken.

Abstract: A client/server and similar system, such as in a TCP/IP or internet or intranet environment, in which CRC encoded tokens are used for synchronization of connectionless applications between the server and client across a network. CRC algorithms are used to hash compress a sequence of bytes which can represent a screen, or panel, or a particular state of a server machine. Responsive to a first request from a client received at a first port, a server establishes a session in listening mode on a second port; generates, stores and returns to the client a session token including a client token and panel token, and closes the first port. Responsive to a second request from a client received at the second port, the server verifies that the second request includes a session token identical to a stored session token indexed by said second port, and if so, executes said second request. The session token, including the client token and panel token, is generated by CRC hashing client and panel indicia, respectively.

Abstract: A magnetic head is provided that includes a spin valve sensor, first and second leads for conducting a sense current through the spin valve sensor, first and second gap layers and first and second shield layers wherein the spin valve sensor is sandwiched between the first and second gap layers and the first and second gap layers are sandwiched between the first and second shield layers. The spin valve sensor includes a free layer, an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer and a nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer film. The AP pinned layer includes first and second ferromagnetic thin films and a nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer wherein the spacer film is sandwiched between the first and second films.

Abstract: A method for discovering association rules in a database that employs item constraints for extracting desired data relationships from a data base, thereby reducing the execution time of the rule discovery process and increasing the quality of the information returned. Such constraints allow users to specify the subset of rules in which the users are interested. Given a set of transactions D and constraints represented by a boolean expression .beta., the invention integrates the constraints into a selected rule discovery method rather than implementing the constraints as a post-processing step. The invention quickly discovers association rules that satisfy .beta. and have support and confidence levels greater than or equal to user-specified minimum support and minimum confidence levels, and may be implemented even when a taxonomy is present.

Abstract: A firewall isolates computer and network resources inside the firewall from networks, computers and computer applications outside the firewall. Typically, the inside resources could be privately owned databases and local area networks (LAN's), and outside objects could include individuals and computer applications operating through public communication networks such as the Internet. Usually, a firewall allows for an inside user or object to originate connection to an outside object or network, but does not allow for connections to be generated in the reverse direction; i.e. from outside in. The disclosed invention provides a special "tunneling" mechanism, operating on both sides of a firewall, for establishing such "outside in" connections when they are requested by certain "trusted" individuals or objects or applications outside the firewall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus removing a component having a solder ball grid array to a circuitized substrate. The solder balls have a first temperature at which they melt. The component has a second temperature, greater than the first temperature, over which the component is damaged. The method has a step of placing a thermal shield over the component. In a next step, the circuitized substrate and the component having the solder ball grid array are heated to a third temperature lower than the first temperature. In a next step, a stream of hot gas of a fourth temperature is directed for a predetermined time about the periphery of the thermal shield such that the solder balls reach the first temperature thereby reflowing the solder joints or balls, while other parts of the component reach less than the second temperature. At this point, the component is either attached to the circuitized substrate or permitted to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: A user may define a mapping between object schema and data store schema by use of a high level language, Schema Mapping Definition Language (SMDL), which is data store independent, object oriented language independent, and extensible. The user may either write SMDL directly or generate SMDL through the use of a graphical user interface Smart Schema whose graphical semantics support the SMDL semantics. A Schema Mapping Internal Representation (SMIR) containing representations of the object schema, the data store schema, and the mapping of the object schema and the data store schema is generated by an SMDL Parser from the SMDL. The SMIR is represented such that it may be accessible by both development interfaces and run-time environments. It supports the accessing of the mapping information given either the object schema or data store schema such that the data store schema may be accessed from the object schema, and the object schema may be accessed from the data store schema.

Abstract: A system, method, and program of the invention determine a unique combination of four colorants (C'M'Y'K') of a given printer that is equivalent to an externally defined four colorant combination (CMYK) by having the same color values (e.g., L*a*b* values). L*a*b* values associated with each three component combination (CMY) with the fourth component value (K) equal to zero of the externally defined four colorant combination (CMYK) are used in an inversion/interpolation program The printer also prints out a matrix of predetermined varying combinations of the three colorants of the printer (CMY)p with the fourth colorant K equal to zero. L*a*b* values are measured for each patched. These values and the corresponding three colorant combination values are inputted into the inversion/interpolation program.

Abstract: An assembly and process for connecting opposed semiconductor structures (12,14) comprising at least two structures. An interconnect (16) between the structures (12,14) connects the structures in opposed spaced relation to each other. The interconnect comprises a first material (18) and a second material (20). The first material comprises a resiliently flexible center portion. The second material comprises an electrically conductive outer portion surrounding the first material. The second material and the first material provide the interconnect with a flexibly compliant characteristic for maintaining an electrically conductive relationship between the structures.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package derives increased mechanical robustness and electrical reliability consistent with increased heat dissipation capacity by edge bonding of integrated circuit chips onto a substrate such as a chip, board, module or another integrated circuit by forming a solder or conductive adhesive bond between a bonding/contact pad on the substrate and a metallization feature extending at least on limited opposing areas of major surfaces of the chip and, preferably, across the edge of the chip. Thermally conducting material contained in a cap may provide additional, distributed support for the chip by a combination of viscosity and density providing buoyancy of the chips. Alternatively, a cap may be provided which further stabilizes the edge-mounting of chips while increasing velocity of cooling fluid against the chips.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a workpiece on a processing surface includes a first locator arm assembly, a second locator arm assembly, and a pivotal member. The first locator arm assembly includes a first surface disposed for lateral movement and mating engagement with a first portion of the workpiece. The second locator arm assembly includes a second surface disposed for lateral movement parallel to the first surface, the second surface further for mating engagement with a second, opposite side, portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A probe assembly including an integral fine probe tip, conductive line with terminal connection for testing semiconductor devices and a method of construction of the probe assembly is described. The method of construction described utilizes the step of etching pits into silicon wafers to produce molds for forming the probe point. Semiconductor machining processes are used to complete the probe assembly.

Abstract: Cache and architectural specific functions are layered within a controller, simplifying design requirements. Faster performance may be achieved and individual segments of the overall design may be individually tested and formally verified. Transition between memory consistency models is also facilitated. Different segments of the overall design may be implemented in distinct integrated circuits, allowing less expensive processes to be employed where suitable.

Abstract: An error recovery procedure (ERP) in a storage device such as a rotating magnetic hard disk drive is executed to the last step regardless of the established time-out period for an instruction, thereby more reliably recovering from errors. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when a disk drive receives a reset instruction from a host during the execution of an ERP, it executes the ERP until the error is recovered, or to the last step without interrupting the ERP. Further, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, when a disk drive receives a reset instruction during the execution of an ERP, it stops execution of the ERP and holds the number K of the step which was completed immediately before stopping, and when receiving a retry instruction after that, sequentially executes the ERP from the K+1-th error recovery step.

Abstract: An ion generator for the generation of a plasma is assembled from module subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a dielectric plate 1, on the first surface 1a of which are located a large number of first electrodes 3, and the second surface 1b of which is coated with a structured conductive layer 2. The second subassembly includes an aperatured spacer plate with a large number of dielectric spacers with a second electrode 5 on the side facing away from the dielectric plate 1. In joining the subassemblies together, the aperatured spacer plate is connected to the dielectric plate 1 at its first surface 1a in such a way that cavities 6 for accommodating plasma are formed by the first electrodes 3, parts of the first surface 1a of the dielectric plate 1 and the spacers 4 with the second electrodes 5. The first set of electrodes 3 shield the points where the subassemblies are bonded together from plasma in the cavities.

Abstract: A (DVD) drive unit for a variety of optical media including DVD discs or CD-ROM discs is capable of eliminating vibration while rotating and reading the optical media at either a constant linear velocity (CLV) or a constant angular velocity (CAV). In CAV mode, the drive unit uses ball bearings which are movable within a cavity in the turntable to counterbalance an unbalanced disc. In CLV mode, the drive unit utilizes a series of electromagnets to capture and symmetrically array the ball bearings within the cavity around the turntable.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and processor for linking a dynamic data fetch command to a document file, the document file initially in a preliminary markup state having at least one matching pair of a special beginning tag and a special ending tag, the tags separately contained in sequential comment statements of the preliminary markup document file, the tags delimiting and identifying an area in the preliminary markup document file for placement of requested dynamic data, the dynamic data fetch command located in a predefined script file having a linkage identifier, comprising the steps of identifying, in the preliminary markup document file, the matching pair of the special beginning tag and the special ending tag to identify the delimited area therebetween; selecting the predefined script file; generating a linked document file from the preliminary markup document file, adding, at the identified area in the preliminary markup document file, the linkage identifier for the selected predefined script file; and merg

Abstract: Computer network management for electronic commerce requires technical implementations of business processes. The process addressed here is a technical method for a communication in which two or more parties legitimately want to communicate anonymously, often before discussing a deal or closing a business, e.g. for anonymous bidding or auctioning in electronic commerce. Essentially, the invention is a method, described by a protocol, for safely exchanging data in a network that provides a public key infrastructure and an anonymous communication possibility between network users. It consists of a sequence of steps in which both sender (e.g. customer) and addressee (e.g. merchant) compose data sets (i.e., requests and replies) that are based on received data and/or prior knowledge. The data sets are enciphered to provide anonymity, and digitally signed to provide proof of the partner. The invention is also a system designed to implement the invented method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for passing a large file from a server machine to a client machine as a collection of smaller files. Server code implements a user interface which allows a user on the client machine to input the name of the file to be downloaded. A pull-down menu allows the user to specify portion sizes for the file to be downloaded based on the capabilities and transfer rates of the client machine. Server code dynamically generates a page based on the user input showing the portion sizes which is displayed to the user at the client machine. Server code generates download links (Buttons) required to download the file including a download link (Button) to a platform specific shell script or batch file which is dynamically created for the download scenario. Server code uses the original source file to transmit smaller portions to the client machine.