Abstract: An apparatus measures residual stress in a sample under test by measuring the penetration of an indenter on a unprocessed sample under test, and after processing of the sample under test, measuring again the penetration of the indenter on the processed sample under test, and deriving from the two penetration measurements the residual stress in a sample under test. The apparatus and method of the preferred embodiments are especially useful in determining residual stress in a printed wiring board. In this manner a direct measurement of residual stress is possible without destroying the printed wiring board.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for charge recovery in dynamic circuitry includes discharging a dynamic node during an evaluation interval by input circuitry coupled to the dynamic node responsive to one or more input signals. The discharging includes transferring the charge from the dynamic node to a capacitor during the evaluation time interval. The dynamic node is charged during a precharge interval by a voltage source and precharge timing circuitry coupled to the dynamic node responsive to a precharge signal. The charging includes transferring the charge from the capacitor back to the dynamic node.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for integrating structured document content, such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) content, in a 3270 data stream structured field. The 3270 data stream structured fields, including the structured document content so embedded, are passed between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 data stream architecture. An initialization protocol sends a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports structured document content. The secondary logical unit sends a Query Reply structured field to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit if the secondary logical unit supports structured document content.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of individual semiconductor chip modules wherein a plurality of chips are placed in a plurality of chip compartments formed by adhering a support panel to the first surface and a cover panel to the second surface of a stiffener panel having openings defining sidewalls of the chip compartments. The resulting laminated panel structure is then cut into a plurality of modules each having at least one compartment containing at least one chip. Each chip is electrically connected to interior conductive pads on the inner surface of the support panel, and these interior pads in turn are connected by conductive paths to exterior conductive terminals deposited on the outer surface of the support panel. The electrical connections between the chip and the interior conductive pads of the support panel may be encapsulated in a polymeric material before the cover panel is adhered to the stiffener panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for laser fuseblow protection in transistors, such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors. The transistors are connected to a fuse. A pair of diodes are connected in series between a high supply and ground. A common connection of the series connected pair of diodes is connected to a common connection of the fuse and transistors. A charge is shunted to the high supply or ground by the pair of diodes with a first voltage a set value above the high supply and a second voltage a set value below the ground. A pair of protection diodes are provided on each side of the fuse with transistors. The transistors are either connected to one side of the fuse or to both sides of the fuse.

Abstract: To improve communication efficiency during the updating of a replica, and to reduce the amount of memory required for the updating of a replica. The present invention is a computer for maintaining consistency of replica contents by interchanging data modification with another computer. The computer includes: a replica including shared data; a receiver for receiving, from another computer, a modification request for data included in the replica; and a controller for controlling, regardless of a receiving order of the modification request, for each receipt of the modification request, a timing of update execution for the replica in accordance with the received modification request by using information included in the modification request. The timing of replica updating in accordance with the received modification requests can be determined, regardless of the order in which the modification requests are received, that is, the order of the transmission from other computers.

Abstract: A method for designating a subvocabulary for speech recognition systems includes the steps of providing a vocabulary of words each having a flag with a first value, selecting words to be eliminated from the vocabulary, setting the flags of the selected words to a second value and processing speech based on words having the flag set to the first value. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for disabling and enabling of subvocabularies in speech recognition systems, the method steps include providing a vocabulary of words each having a flag with a first value, selecting words to be eliminated from the vocabulary, setting the flags of the selected words to a second value and processing speech based on words having the flag set to the first value.

Abstract: CTE differentials between chips and organic dielectric carriers, boards or other substrates to which the chips are attached are accommodated with a layer of a thermoplastic material, preferably a thermotropic polymer whose physical properties can be altered by extrusion or other physical processes, such as liquid crystalline polyesters, that modifies the CTE of at least one component of the package and thereby reduces CTE differentials. The material may be applied to the entire surface of a chip carrier, printed circuit or other substrate, or form an interior layer of a multi-layered structure. It may also be applied to selected regions or areas on the surface of a carrier or other substrate where adjustment is required.

Abstract: A process of cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor fabrication processes, such as, for example, conductive paste screening in the production of multilayer ceramic substrates and composite solder paste by stencil printing in electronic circuit assembly. Specifically, the process removes a metal/polymer composite paste from screening masks and associated paste making and processing equipment used in printing conductive metal pattern onto ceramic green sheet in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. The process also cleans solder paste residue from stencil printing equipment used in electronic module assembly surface mount technology for SMT discretes, solder column attachment, and BGA (Ball Grid Array) attachment on ceramic chip carrier or for screening solder paste onto printed circuit board.

Abstract: A power supply to be tested is placed in a vacuum chamber; the power supply is turned on and gas pressure in the chamber is reduced. As the gas pressure is reduced below 1 atmosphere, the breakdown voltage decreases; when the breakdown voltage decreases to the value of the applied voltage, arcing occurs as long as the applied voltage is greater than a minima. When a site arcs, the site is noted; the power supply is removed from the vacuum chamber; the arc site is conformally coated and the coated cured. Thereafter, the power supply is returned to the vacuum chamber and the test process repeated until the power supply no longer arcs. Thus the partial pressure test can identify the sites that have a possibility of arcing in the field and the design of the power supply modified by use of one or more conformal coatings or by otherwise changing the configuration of the power supply.

Abstract: A universal fuse latch device includes a latch circuit receiving an electrical signal for initializing the latch circuit to a first state; one or more legs connected at the latch node, with a first leg implementing a fuse type element capable of transitioning the latch from the first state to a second state; and a second leg including an anti-fuse type element, wherein the fuse latch is provided with a fuse resistance trip point to ensure adequate reading of one of the fuse and anti-fuse type elements. The universal fuse latch device may be part of a programmable fuse bank including a plurality of information fuse latches for storing redundancy information in a memory system and capable of being simultaneously interrogated. A master fuse control device comprising the universal fuse latch circuit is programmed in accordance with a priority of legs to be interrogated in the information fuse latches.

Abstract: A methodology and system allows a plurality of reward scheme owners to give differential rewards, through a plurality of reward distribution agents, to various users based on the user profile. The reward scheme owner may be a seller, a manufacturer, a sales promotion agent or even an intermediary. Similarly, the reward distribution agent may be an on-line or a physical retailer, a broker, a seller or an intermediary. Also the users may be consumers, businesses, brokers or other intermediaries. In one specific case, a reward scheme owner defines a plurality of reward schemes, including at least one differential reward scheme giving different rewards to different users. The reward scheme owner communicates these to a central reward scheme database server. The reward scheme owners may or may not advertise these schemes. The user visits an online or a physical store.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to assets in a distributed data storage system includes requesting, from a client computer, a semi-preemptible access lock from a server computer. The semi-preemptible lock, if granted, is held by the client computer as long as the server does not demand it back, with the client computer granting open instances under non-preemptible file locks for the asset to which the locks pertain as long as the client computer holds the semi-preemptible lock. When another client computer requests the semi-preemptible lock, the server can demand the lock from the holding client, which relinquishes the lock if no open instances are protected by the lock. Otherwise, the holding client computer first attempts to downgrade its lock to meet the request, and if compatibility is not achieved thereby, the holding client refuses to relinquish the lock.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing execution of a query that accesses data stored on a data store connected to a computer. Query predicates involving different data types are identified. A second query predicate is generated which includes matching data types, and if necessary, converted operators. The second query predicate with the matching data types and/or converted operators is executed to obtain a subset of records using an index manager or data manager. The subset of records is converted to the data types of the remaining query predicates. The first query predicate is applied against the subset of records to obtain a result, and the remaining query predicates of the original query are applied to the result of the first query predicate and any other additional converted query predicates to obtain a final result.

Abstract: The protection circuit of the present invention addresses the problem of indeterminate logic levels caused by loss of one of the power supplies in a two-power-supply CMOS integrated circuit. The circuit of the present invention replaces the typical scheme of power supply sequencing to fix the problem. The circuit disclosed herein detects the state of the core voltage and disables the output drivers when the core voltage is detected as being off. The disabled drivers are put into a high impedance state, thereby eliminating the potential for damage and eliminating the need for power supply sequencing. The invention also protects against the sudden loss of the integrated circuit core voltage, VDD, power supply during normal operation.

Abstract: A calling service is provided within a conventional Internet operating environment wherein client machines connect to the Internet via an Internet service provider (ISP). The ISP provides Internet access to the users for a time-based or usage-based service fee. According to the invention, a client machine user is provided an option to make a telephone call to a Web site operator during a browsing session. The charges for the telephone call preferably are invoiced by the ISP (or some third party on the ISP's behalf). Thus, when a user elects to make a “one-click” telephone call to the Web site, the charge for the call preferably shows up on the user's ISP billing statement.

Abstract: A dynamic clamp is used in conjunction with capacitors with thinner dielectric or with deep trench capacitors to solve the problem of dielectric breakdown in high stress capacitors. The dynamic clamp is realized using a two stage pump operation cycle such that, during a first stage pump cycle, a middle node of a pair of series connected capacitors is pre-charged to a supply voltage and, during a second stage pump cycle, the middle node is coupled by a boost clock. Thus, at any moment in the pump operation cycle, the voltage across the capacitors is held within a safety range.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory storing either a portion of the same data as that to be written to the tape or at least control data sufficient to recover from a delaying tape drive operation or from a mechanical failure in the tape drive thereby permitting signaling to a central processing unit an assurance that the data transferring by the CPU will be correctly written onto the tape. The host data can be directly transferred to the cartridge memory if the cartridge memory is fast enough and large enough to handle the transfer. An intermediate high speed non-volatile memory in the drive is necessary if the cartridge memory is too slow to handle the direct transfer or too small to handle the data transferred by the CPU. The cartridge memory then will contain command data sufficient to control the transfer of the data from the non-volatile drive memory to the tape.

Abstract: Optical lithography scheme making use of light coupling structures, and elastomeric light coupling structures in particular. These light coupling structures comprise protruding portions and connecting portions. The protruding elements are designed to be brought into conformal contact with a resist to be exposed such that the light guided into the protruding elements is coupled from there directly into the resist. The lateral shape and size of the protruding elements defines 1:1 the lateral size and shape of small features to be exposed in the resist.

Abstract: Lead-free solder metal powder material including two or more metals capable of forming an intermetallic compound and having an unreacted phase and an amorphous phase. Further, a lead-free solder paste is prepared by mixing the powder material with a soldering flux. The powder material is preferably formed using a mechanical milling process.