Abstract: Under the present invention, a semiconductor chip is electrically connected to a substrate (e.g., organic, ceramic, etc.) by an interposer structure. The interposer structure comprises an elastomeric, compliant material that includes metallurgic through connections having a predetermined shape. In a typical embodiment, the metallurgical through connections electrically connect an under bump metallization of the semiconductor chip to a top surface metallization of the substrate. By utilizing the interposer structure in accordance with the present invention, the problems associated with previous semiconductor module designs are alleviated.

Abstract: A method and system to identify skills and tools needed to address a process. The method comprises the steps of storing in a computer database a series of templates identifying pre-given sub-processes, managed elements, skills and tools; and accessing the computer database to use the templates to identify a set of sub-processes for a process, and to identify a set of managed elements. The set of sub-processes and the set of managed elements are used to form a matrix having a multitude of cells. The templates are also used to identify a set of skills and tools for each of the cells of the matrix.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product of using peer collaboration tools to extend the reach of applications by enabling the application to specify a modality policy that is predicated on end-user context when pushing an interaction to the end-user. Various collaboration technologies—including cell phones, email, instant messaging (IM), the short message service (SMS), and pagers—have emerged that people can use to interact with each other even when they are remote and/or mobile. Using collaboration tools as the interface to Web applications eliminates the applications' dependency on Web browsers and allows applications to be accessed even when a Web browser is not available. In addition, collaboration tools are capable of receiving “calls”, which can be exploited by applications to proactively initiate and push an interaction to end users.

Abstract: In a communications channel coupled to multiple duplicated subsystems, a method, interposer and program product are provided for verifying integrity of subsystem responses. Within the communications channel, a first checksum is calculated with receipt of a first response from a first subsystem responsive to a common request, and a second checksum is calculated for a second response of a second subsystem received responsive to the common request. The first checksum and the second checksum are compared, and if matching, only one of the first response and the second response is forwarded from the communications channel as the response to the common request, with the other of the first response and the second response being discarded by the communications channel.

Abstract: A combination of a FOUP (front opening unified pod) system and a reticle system utilized for the transport of wafers and a reticle system, the latter of which are used for transporting reticles from a first fabrication site to a further site at another location, and which provides for a unified system enabling the automated and trackable delivery of the reticles between these sites. Provided is a modified FOUP base structure, which is adapted to retain a reticle and to be able to employ existing equipment in a fabrication site which only necessitates a minimal modification of the equipment in order to render the latter universally adaptable to the combination of the systems.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating at least one setting for a database system are disclosed. The method and system includes providing at least one configuration derivative including the at least one setting. The configuration derivative is uncommitted. The method and system also include running the database system for a period of time. The database system is run using a committed configuration including a plurality of settings for the database system. The method and system also include collecting data on performance of the database system based on the at least one configuration derivative during the running of the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for loading data from a spreadsheet into a dynamically created relational database table, based on conditions provided by a reference table. Alternative types of transmission links, such as E-mail, FTP and Internet web interface, may be used to send a spreadsheet to a location for processing, and security measures are provided for each type of transmission. One useful embodiment is directed to a method for transferring data from a specified spreadsheet, having a name, rows and columns, to a relational database table. The method includes the steps of receiving the spreadsheet at a given location, assigning a name to the relational database table that is derived from the spreadsheet name, and creating names for columns of the table from the contents of a first row of the spreadsheet. Data types for respective columns of the table are derived from the contents of a second row of the spreadsheet.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable code are provided for automatically generating object setup scripts. A form is presented to a user in a graphical user interface. The user provides input in a set of fields within the form, which is received and validated. A set of object setup scripts are then generated based on the user input to the form. To generate the set of object setup scripts based on the user input an analysis is performed on the set of fields as a set of objects, and at least one variable is set to hold the value of the set of objects. String manipulations are used to obtain the values in the set of fields, and the values are entered into the set of object setup scripts.

Abstract: A method for determining the correct result and the correct guard and sticky bits to obtain a more accurate result in floating point divide operations is presented. An intermediate divide result or quotient is obtained from a multiply-add hardware pipeline of a floating point processor. Remainders are calculated using the floating point numbers divided, the unit of least precision, and the unit of least precision plus one to determine where the infinitely precise result is with respect to the digital representation of the estimated quotient. Evaluating these remainders and the initial floating point numbers and comparing their signs and magnitudes leads to a selection of one of three choices as the most accurate representation of the infinitely precise result as calculated in the inventive rounding method: the intermediate result minus the unit of least precision; the intermediate divide result; or the intermediate divide result plus the unit of least precision.

Abstract: A system for generating CRC code words associated with data ranging up to w-bytes in width to be communicated over a communications channel includes a first plurality of serially coupled code-generation blocks each for generating a CRC value based on data input to each block, respective blocks of the first plurality configured for receiving data inputs having respective byte widths ranging from 2N+M to 2N?L+M, where N is equal to log2(w), and M is an offset value, and L is a whole number based on a maximum propagation delay criteria; a second plurality of parallel coupled code-generation blocks each for generating a CRC value based on data inputs, respective blocks of the second plurality configured for receiving data having respective byte widths ranging from 2N?L?1+M to 20; and, a device for selecting particular CRC code generation blocks in the first and second pluralities to be included in a CRC calculation based on the data input; wherein any number of data input bytes may be processed.

Abstract: A technique for determining a match between a character string including an evaluation and product information stored in a storage device and including a feature description of a product. The character string includes a name of an evaluation object to be evaluated and an evaluation expression representing the evaluation of the evaluation object. The matching method includes a first determining step of determining from the evaluation object and the evaluation expression whether the evaluation expression represents a positive evaluation of the evaluation object or a negative evaluation of the evaluation object; and a second determining step of determining, when the evaluation expression represents a positive evaluation of the evaluation object, if the evaluation expression is included in a feature description of a product, the product to be a matched product, and if the evaluation expression is not included in a feature description of a product, the product to be a mismatched product.

Abstract: Alloys of silver and an alloying element that diffuses to the surface of the high conductivity metal and is oxidizable to form an alloying element oxide such as beryllium are provided along with electronic structures employing the alloys and methods of fabrication.

Abstract: Embodiments herein present a system, method, etc. for an efficient super cluster implementation for solving connected problems in a distributed environment. More specifically, the system adapts computing latency to communication latency, wherein the system comprises VPPs wrapped within OCW layers. The VPPs represent a subset of an overall computer task; and, the OCW layers are adapted to enclose the VPPs. Specifically, the number of OCWs that enclose a VPP correspond to the number of computing iterations that may be locally executed by the VPP during an inter-VPP communication cycle. In addition, each VPP comprises collections of OPCs, wherein the OPCs comprise data, methods, and pointers to neighbors. The OPCs are indexed separately based on whether the OPC is part of an OCW layer.

Abstract: A system and method for ratifying policies are provided. A method for ratifying a policy in a policy-based decision system comprises: determining if a new policy interacts with an existing policy in the policy-based decision system; and ratifying the new policy to exist in the policy-based decision system.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for requirements management. Particularly, a requirements management scheme performs at least the following functions: 1) it guides a team through the requirements process and provides a structure for collecting “requests”. By using the scheme, team members are prompted to think about and record relevant information that will help clarify and complete requests; and, 2) the scheme allows users to use the attributes throughout the development process to identify risk and make improvements to their process. Many of these attributes can be refined during the development phase or even later. Besides helping team members achieve continuous improvement in their requirements process by providing a set of data and metrics for collection and assessment, the scheme enables an organization to effectively manage their requirements as well as manage changes to those requirements.

Abstract: A method for identifying human-resource work content to outsource offshore of an organization. The method is provided on a computer readable medium and includes the steps of identifying at least one task being performed by an organization; associating each identified task with a functional group within a plurality of functional groups related to the organization; determining information about individual human resources spent on each task; determining task information about human resources spent on the plurality of tasks, the task information based on the determined information about individual human resources spent on each task; using the determined task information to determine a value of each task; and outsourcing tasks having a value lower than a predefined limit to at least one of offshore and to a low cost supplier.

Abstract: In the back end of an integrated circuit employing dual-damascene interconnects, the interconnect members have a first non-conformal liner that has a thicker portion at the top of the trench level of the interconnect; and a conformal second liner that combines with the first liner to block diffusion of the metal fill material.

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing one or more shorted memory cells in a memory circuit includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is operative in one of at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the control circuitry is operative to apply a first signal to a selected memory cell in the memory circuit for reading a logic state of the selected memory cell and to determine whether or not the selected memory cell is shorted. In the second mode, the control circuitry is operative to apply a second signal to a selected memory cell which has been determined to be shorted for initiating a repair of the selected memory cell, the second signal being greater in magnitude than the first signal.

Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit for sensing a logic state of a selected memory cell in a memory circuit includes a precharge circuit and a latch circuit. The precharge circuit is adapted for connection to a pair of complementary bit lines corresponding to the selected memory cell and is operative to selectively drive the pair of complementary bit lines to a first voltage in response to a first control signal. The latch circuit is adapted for connection to the pair of complementary bit lines. The sense amplifier circuit further includes a replication circuit adapted for connection to the pair of complementary bit lines. The replication circuit is operative to selectively transfer a voltage representative of a logic state on a first bit line of the pair of complementary bit lines to a second bit line of the pair of complementary bit lines in response to at least a second control signal.

Abstract: An automated data library system employs a plurality of cartridges, a slot physically configured to store the cartridges, and a library controller operable to build a slot inventory of the slot storing the plurality of cartridges. The building of the slot inventory includes the library controller generating slot inventory data including cartridge identification information of each cartridge behind a lead cartridge in the slot, and the library controller writing a slot inventory including the slot inventory data to a cartridge memory of the lead cartridge.