Abstract: A speech input method editor can include a speech toolbar (102) having at least a microphone state/toggle button (104). The speech input method editor can also include a selectable dictation window area (108) used as a temporary dictation target until dictation text is transferred to a target application and a selectable correction window area (112) having at least one among an alternate list (120) for correcting dictated words, an alphabet (114), a spacebar (116), a spell mode reminder (118), or a virtual keyboard (122). The speech input method editor can remain active while using the selectable correction window and while transferring dictation text to the target application. The speech input method editor can further include an alternate input method editor window (112b) used to allow non-speech editing into at least one among the dictation window or to the target application while using the speech input method editor.

Abstract: A method of forming collar isolation for a trench storage memory cell structure is provided in which amorphous Si (a:Si) and silicon germanium (SiGe) are first formed into a trench structure. An etching process that is selective to a:Si as compared to SiGe is employed in defining the regions in which the collar isolation will be formed. The selective etching process employed in the present invention is a wet etch process that includes etching with HF, rinsing, etching with NH4OH, rinsing, and drying with a monohydric alcohol such as isopropanol. The sequence of NH4OH etching and rinsing may be repeated any number of times. The conditions used in the selective etching process of the present invention are capable of etching a:Si at a faster rate than SiGe.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-defect, substantially relaxed SiGe-on-insulator substrate material is provided. The method includes first forming a Ge-containing layer on a surface of a first single crystal Si layer which is present atop a barrier layer that is resistant to Ge diffusion. A heating step is then performed at a temperature that approaches the melting point of the final SiGe alloy and retards the formation of stacking fault defects while retaining Ge. The heating step permits interdiffusion of Ge throughout the first single crystal Si layer and the Ge-containing layer thereby forming a substantially relaxed, single crystal SiGe layer atop the barrier layer. Moreover, because the heating step is carried out at a temperature that approaches the melting point of the final SiGe alloy, defects that persist in the single crystal SiGe layer as a result of relaxation are efficiently annihilated therefrom.

Abstract: A service method is described in which audible noise emitted by devices included in computer systems is pre-characterized by producing a noise profile from a representative device. The noise profile includes information which is related to the sound emissions of the representative device. The profile can include information relative to fundamental and harmonic components of the representative device. The noise profiles are stored in a storage device which are accessible to the computer system. The computer system is monitored for certain system status and events and when specific events are detected an appropriate noise profile is selected. In certain embodiments, representative fundamental frequency profile information is replaced with actual operational frequency information. The selected noise profile is then used to generate a noise shaping audio signal which: removes the harshness of an edgy sound, alters the pitch, removes pure tones, suppresses and/or otherwise masks the sounds emitted by the devices.

Abstract: A method for providing catalog information for presentation to a user of an electronic store in an electronic commerce system including: storing first and second portions of the catalog information in the store and in a profile store, respectively, to share the second portion of the catalog information between the store and a second store; and storing path information defining a sequential relationship between the store and profile store for retrieving the catalog information for the store.

Abstract: The capability of an assembly to transfer heat from a semiconductor package source is enhanced while a reduction in the space required for effective operation is achieved. Bodies of fins defining tubular channels are affixed to oppositely facing surfaces of a rectilinear body which is adapted to receive heat from a semiconductor package.

Abstract: A resource manager (14, 16) of a content management system (10) is configured to receive a client request (34, 36) pertaining to information and to access at least one of a plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26) to execute the client request (34, 36). An encryption engine (80) encrypts passwords associated with the plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26) using a key-based encryption algorithm and stores a ciphertext corresponding to each password in a passwords storage (40). A server identifier module (70, 72) identifies a ciphertext in the passwords storage (40) that is associated with the at least one of a plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26). A decryption engine (100) decrypts the ciphertext using a key-based decryption algorithm corresponding to the key-based encryption algorithm.

Abstract: A runtime system, program product and method for determining a mode of operation for a software component, comprises steps of a) running in a first implementation mode; b) determining a first cost associated with running in the first implementation mode; c) determining a second cost associated with switching to a second implementation and running in the second implementation mode; and d) comparing the first cost with the second cost; and e) providing a recommendation to switch to the second mode based on the comparison of the first cost with the second cost. According to another embodiment a deterministic 3-competitive algorithm is used to solve this problem. We also show that this matches the lower bound, as any deterministic algorithm cannot be better than 3-competitive. According to another embodiment a probabilistic algorithm is also used to solve this problem as well.

Abstract: A client-server relational database system, wherein data from the client computer is encrypted by the client computer and hosted by the server computer, the encrypted data is operated upon by the server computer, using one or more operators selected from a group of operators comprising: (a) inequality logic operators, (b) aggregation operators, and (c) wildcard matching operators, to produce an intermediate results set, the intermediate results set is sent from the server computer to the client computer, and the intermediate results set is decrypted and filtered by the client computer to produce actual results. The group of operators is limited because the encrypted results set, when decrypted, includes inaccuracies therein. The client computer applies a set of correction procedures to the decrypted results set to remove the inaccuracies therein.

Abstract: A distributed parallel computing system actively takes advantage of problem partitioning to balance the computing load among computing resources continually during processing. Variable problem partitions (VPPs) are initially defined as groups of original problem cells (OPCs). VPPs may be redefined and redistributed during execution, if necessary, to optimize performance based on the actual computing agent parameters and costs observed or reported through self-tests. For example, a good rule for efficient execution of a computing problem may be that the time required to perform a computation sequence (iteration) of all OPCs in a VPP should be comparable to the time required to share results via edge OPCs at the VPP collection perimeters. The rules that yield cost-efficient execution may be saved and re-used to generate initial partitionings for subsequent computing problem execution runs.

Abstract: A database management system, method, and program product for quiescing workload that involves multiple relational database transactions that are bounded by application transactions.

Abstract: A method of making, and the resultant mask, comprises developing resist layers over surfaces of a masking layer to transfer significantly reduced sized openings within glass masters attached to the surfaces of the masking layer into the resist layers. These significantly reduced sized openings within the resist layers are then transferred into the masking layer within a first etch bath by simultaneously monitoring and controlling both etchant activity and concentration of a byproduct within the etch bath formed between the masking material and the etchant. The openings may be etched to completion within the first etch bath, or alternatively, the openings may be etched to a pre-finished image size. Wherein the openings are etched to a pre-finished image size, the masking layer is immersed into a second etch bath for further micro-etching of these openings to a final desired image size.

Abstract: A grid coordinator which has been configured for autonomic failover can include a monitor communicatively linked to a multiplicity of grid hosts in a services grid. A metrics store can be coupled to the monitor and configured to store service metrics for individual service instances in the grid hosts. Optimization logic can be programmed to compute a best-fit between metrics stored for a set of service instances in a failed grid host, and platform metrics determined for a proposed replacement grid host. Finally, a failover processor can be coupled to the monitor and the optimization logic and communicatively linked to the grid hosts to create a new set of service instances in the proposed replacement grid host to replace the set of service instances in the failed grid host according to the best-fit in the optimization logic.

Abstract: A user activated cursor control device, such as a trackball or mouse, that is movable in the four orthogonal directions. The control device is connected to the computer and includes means for converting the user activated orthogonal movements into cursor movements in said four directions. A manually operated image control device, such as a mouse in which the housing portion in contact with the palm of the user's hand is contoured or molded to the palm of the hand of each specific user. Only the upper portion of the mouse housing that contacts the user hand palm need be individually molded; the lower portion of the housing, including the entire supported conventional mechanical image control apparatus would remain in tact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system architecture, components and a searching technique for an Unstructured Information Management System (UIMS). The UIMS may be provided as middleware for the effective management and interchange of unstructured information over a wide array of information sources. The architecture generally includes a search engine, data storage, analysis engines containing pipelined document annotators and various adapters. The searching technique makes use of a two-level searching technique. The data processing system includes a token inverted file system storing tokens obtained by at least one tokenizer from document data. An annotation inverted file system stores annotations, a list of one or more occurrences of each annotation, and, for each listed occurrence, a set comprised of at least two token locations spanned by the respective annotation.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for configuring a set of devices for a given machine attached to a storage area network. The initial program load firmware and network adapter firmware for each machine on the storage area network are modified to query a storage area network appliance for lists of devices. The storage area network appliance may be identified by a world wide name and may store lists of boot devices, root volume group devices, primary devices, and secondary devices for each machine on the storage area network. The storage area network appliance then listens for queries and returns the appropriate list of devices based on query type and/or boot type. The boot type for a machine may be set to normal boot, maintenance boot, or install boot.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that allows the operating mode of a system to be changed according to the input of a user instruction includes a request signal obtaining module for obtaining a change request signal for requesting the change of the operating mode of the system; an instruction signal generation module for generating a change instruction signal for changing the operating mode of the system according to the change request signal obtained by the request signal obtaining module; an operation control module for changing the operating mode of the system according to the change instruction signal generated by the instruction signal generation module; and an instruction signal generation control module for preventing the instruction signal generation module from generating the change instruction signal if the request signal obtaining module re-obtains the same change request signal as the change request signal during a time period required for the operation control module to successfully change the

Abstract: A computer-generated user interface for informing a user of the logical configuration of storage resources in a computer system. The storage resources may include a storage server, such as a multi-disk server used for backing up data, and logical subsystems and volumes of the storage server, as well as attached host servers. A first display region provides a logical tree with nodes associated with the storage resources, where the nodes are arranged hierarchically according to a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources. A second display region provides information for a selected one of the storage resources, such as information regarding copy relationships with other storage resources. The nodes may be active to enable a user to obtain properties of the associated storage resource, such as resource size and type, or to launch a software wizard, such as a user interface for setting up copy relationships.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in an electronic system where data is transmitted over signaling conductors from one electronic component to another using strobe signals accompanying the data. The edge or transition of the strobe signals identifies when, in a window of time, the receiving electronic component should latch the data. In many such systems, data is transmitted over the signaling conductors in the form of a plurality “beats”, of data, proper timing to latch each beat of data being identified by a transition of the strobe signal. Faults in components or errors in transmission must be handled. The present invention discloses apparatus and methods to communicate conditions relevant to data transmitted without requiring additional signaling conductors. The present invention discloses selecting a message from a plurality of messages, encoding the selected message, and transmitting the encoded message on existing strobe lines to communicate the condition encountered.

Abstract: Described is a method for making silicon on sapphire structures, and devices therefrom. The inventive method of forming integrated circuits on a sapphire substrate comprises the steps of providing a device layer on an oxide layer of a temporary substrate; bonding the device layer to a handling substrate; removing the temporary substrate to provide a structure containing the device layer between the oxide layer and the handling substrate; bonding a sapphire substrate to the oxide layer; removing the handling substrate from the structure; and annealing the final structure to provide a substrate comprising the oxide layer between the device layer and the sapphire substrate. The sapphire substrate may comprise bulk sapphire or may be a conventional substrate material with an uppermost sapphire layer.