Abstract: A pattern is formed on a substrate by providing on the substrate a dielectric composition; defining a pattern in said dielectric; depositing metal and then micromachining the metal to provide the desired pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: An artificial neural synapse (10) is constructed to function as a modifiable excitatory synapse. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the synapse is fabricated as a silicon MOSFET that is modified to have ions within a gate oxide. The ions, such as lithium, sodium, potassium or fluoride ions, are selected for their ability to drift within the gate oxide under the influence of an applied electric field. In response to a positive voltage applied to a gate terminal of the device, positively charged ions, such as sodium or potassium ions, drift to a silicon/silicon dioxide interface, causing an increase in current flow through the device. The invention also pertains to assemblages of such devices that are interconnected to form an artificial neuron and to assemblages of such artificial neurons that form an artificial neural network.

Abstract: A chopper/stretcher circuit provides on-chip clock distribution with minimum insertion delay. The on-chip clock chopper/stretcher circuit triggers only on the transition of an off-chip generated clock input and determines the generated pulse width of the clock by means of an on-chip delay line. The circuit introduces only one stage of delay in the clock path.

Abstract: A mechanism for changing the system I/O configuration definition in the channel subsystem of a data processing system without having to do a power on reset operation. The data processing system includes one or more central processing units, an I/O processor, a storage addressable by the central processors and the I/O processor, and a command mechanism for creating command-request blocks in the storage, each of which contains a requested command and data for the I/O Processor to add, delete or change elements of the I/O configuration definitions of the channel subsystem. Response-blocks are created in the storage for passing status information from the I/O processor to the central processing unit(s) indicating either successful execution of the requested command or that the I/O configuration definitions were unchanged by the command of the request-block, or when associated functions may have been performed in the execution of the command of the request-block by the I/O processor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ceramic module and to methods for forming protruding, upstanding electrically conducting pins by the selective abrasion of a surface 18 of a multilayered ceramic module 10. An abrasive blasting device 40 is disposed adjacent to the surface 18 for directing a stream of abrasive particles 42 against the surface. The particles 42 strike both metallic conductors 20 and 22 and also the ceramic material of the layer 14. Inasmuch as the ceramic material is relatively hard and brittle as compared to the ductile metallic conductors the abrasive particles 42 abrade away the ceramic layer 14 at a faster rate than the ductile metallic material of the conductors 20 and 22. The abrasive particles 42 may be comprised of any suitable abrasive, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiC or WC. The module may be rotated beneath a nozzle of the grit blasting device, the nozzle being linearly translated above the surface being abraded.

Abstract: A cable connector, terminator, or shield is fastened in place over a port connector in a unit having a lockable cover, by fastening means which can only be accessed when the cover is unlocked and opened or removed. In a first version, the cable connector, terminator, or shield includes a pair of tabs extending into the unit through a slot at each end of the port connector, with each tab having a notch which forms a latching surface. A rotatable bracket, engaging these latching surfaces, prevents the removal of the connector, terminator, or shield. With the cover opened or removed, this bracket can be rotated into a position in which the latching surfaces are released. In a second version, a locking bracket is provided to extend around an outer portion of the cable connector, terminator, or shield. This locking bracket includes a shaft extending through a hole into the unit, to be fastened in place by a nut engaging a threaded portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A hermetic package for an electronic device is manufactured by providing a green glass ceramic body with a green via to produce a workpiece. The workpiece is sintered at a temperature at or above 500.degree. C., while compressing the workpiece at a pressure at or above 100 pounds per square inch, so as to obtain a hermetic package. The green via comprises a mixture of copper and a glass ceramic material with a sufficient volume of glass to produce a hermetic package, yet with sufficient copper to have a suitable electrical conductivity.The hermetic package thus produced comprises a sintered glass ceramic body having an electrically conductive sintered via which is hermetically bonded to the glass ceramic body and which comprises a mixture of an electrically conductive material and a glass ceramic material. The electrically conductive material forms at most 50 volume percent of the via.The workpeice may be sintered in a sintering fixture having a frame and a compensating insert.

Abstract: A grommet provides a surrounding conductive elastomer connection to a stripped portion of an external cable shield. The cable is inserted through the central passage of the grommet and placed in a U-shaped opening in an enclosure frame. The open side of the U is closed with another metal member to complete a 360 degree termination around the shield. A one piece metal band within the grommet provides a direct low resistance path from the cable shield to the enclosure frame. The band has an interference fit in the outer groove of the grommet and utilizes the elasticity of the grommet to hold the band in place.

Abstract: A connector pin that has one or more regions along its length modified in cross-section so the region deforms plastically as a result of stress induced by displacement of connected members. As used herein, plastic definition means that the structure approaches a condition where it will continue to yield without increase in load. Each region therefore provides a deformable or "plastic" hinge, limiting a moment applied to the solder joint as a result of lateral displacement of the connector relative to the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of pairing disk units in a computer system where mirroring is desirable is disclosed. Where possible, disk units are paired with other disk units located on a different bus. This provides the highest level of protection against inaccessible data due to data loss or failure of a component in the computer system. Where this is not possible, the remaining disk units are paired with disk units located on a different I/O processor, a different controller, or a different disk enclosure. Where none of these pairings are possible, the remaining disk units fall below the threshold level of protection and therefore cannot be paired within the segment. Any disk units that could not be paired are placed on a spare list. The paired disk units with the lowest level of protection are broken apart and added to the spare list, where attempts are again made to pair up the disk units on the spare list.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of identifying attributes when documents are grouped to form document relationships within a document management system. Document groupings frequently require the identification of all documents within the relationship with a particular attribute. However, when individual documents store attributes along with document contents, individual querying of each document is required when the information is sought later. This invention provides a Vector Relational Characteristical Object, available to access mechanisms, and containing fields to identify a particular attribute. Each field in the Vector Relational Characteristical Object is followed by an identifier which uniquely identifies the document which possess the particular attribute.

Abstract: A bearing using magnetic fluid for lubrication is provided with a magnetic seal circuit to retain the magnetic fluid in the baring. The magnetic seal circuit comprises two annular ring magnets surrounding a shaft and placed on opposite sides of the bearing. The two ring magnets are magnetically joined by a shunt. The shunt controls stray flux and permits the disposition of the magnet at a small distance from the shaft, thus concentrating the flux in the magnetic seal gap.

Abstract: A method of early data frame release using a modified High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol. A destination link station delivers received data frames immediately upon receipt. The data frames are directed to an intelligent application layer with sufficient information to permit resequencing the out-of-order data frames to maintain data synchronization. A transmitter maintains and assigns sequential sequence numbers to each of a plurality of data frames in a radix cycle from zero to seven and back to zero. A transmit toggle bit enables data frame receipt confirmation with the transmitter altering the transmit toggle bit each time the same sequence number is reused. Each data frame must be confirmed before a sequence number can be made available for reuse.

Abstract: A personal computer system unit has a planar card upon which is mounted a processor card. The processor has mounted thereon those components, except for system memory, which are most likely to be replaced for a system upgrade. The processor card has a printed circuit board with printed circuits thereon that terminate along one edge at contacts. Two aligned edge connectors are mounted on the planar board. One connector has a key which engages a slot on the edge of the processor card to align the many contacts with contact arms. Two levers are mounted on the card and cooperate with frame elements to insert, extract and latch the processor card. Each element also has a guide to align the processor card for insertion into the edge connectors.

Abstract: A non-main storage data space (NMDS) is presented, whose virtual pages may be backed by expanded storage, by a combination of expanded and auxiliary storage, but not by main storage. Mechanisms are provided to prevent direct referencing of data in a NMDS by instructions, and to bring data into and out of NMDS's. The I/O mechanisms minimize physical I/O by exchanging pointers to backing pages in appropriate cases. Additionally, control is returned immediately to I/O-initiating applications, when I/O is required between an address space and a NMDS, without the need for synchronization by the application: the mechanism provides for synchronization by the system's page fault processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intrusion barrier for protecting against mechanical or chemical intrusion into an electronic assembly, especially one containing volatile memory. It includes a screen material surrounding the electronic assembly which screen material has formed thereon fine conductive lines in close proximity to each other. The lines are formed of conductive particles of material dispersed in a solidified matrix of a material which loses its mechanical integrity when removed from the screen. An electrical supply and signal detection circuit is provided which generates an output signal responsive to a given change in resistance of the conductive lines, such that if the resistance changes are a result of a mechanical or chemical attack, a signal is generated which can cause the erasure of the volatile memory.

Abstract: The functions of two virtual operating systems (e.g., S/370 VM, VSE or IX370 and S/88 OS) are merged into one physical system. Partner pairs of S/88 processors run the S/88 OS and handle the fault tolerant and single system image aspects of the system. One or more partner pairs of S/370 processors are coupled to corresponding S/88 processors directly and through the S/88 bus. Each S/370 processor is allocated from 1 to 16 megabytes of contiguous storage from the S/88 main storage. Each S/370 virtual operating system thinks its memory allocation starts at address 0, and it manages its memory through normal S/370 dynamic memory allocation and paging techniques. The S/370 is limit checked to prevent the S/370 from accessing S/88 memory space. The S/88 Operating System is the master over all system hardware and I/O devices.

Abstract: A predictive dialing system having a computer connected to a telephone switch stores a group of call records in its internal storage. Each call record contains a group of input parameters, including the date, the time, and one or more workload factors. Workload factors can indicate the number of pending calls, the number of available operators, the average idle time, the connection delay, the completion rate, and the nuisance call rate, among other things. In the preferred embodiment, each call record also contains a dial action, which indicates whether a call was initiated or not. These call records are analyzed by a neutral network to determine a relationship between the input parameters and the dial action stored in each call record. This analysis is done as part of the training process for the neutral network.

Abstract: The invention discloses an Ultrafast Electro-Dynamic X, Y and Theta Positioning Stage. A positioning stage made according to this invention allows light payloads to be moved with extremely high linear and angular accelerations over finite distances and angles with a plane. An important feature of this invention is a momentum-cancelling design which allows reaction forces and torques on the fixed member to approach zero, thereby, allowing for a smooth and an ultrafast performance by the positioning stage.