Abstract: A method for the control of wafer surface temperatures during post exposure bake on hot plates of wafers which carry integrated circuits. Also disclosed is a method of maximizing image size uniformity for integrated circuits through the zonal control of temperatures of hot plates during post exposure bake processes for effectively modulating the wafer surface temperatures. Images within a semiconductor wafer integrated circuit line pattern are repeated to process a wafer through the photolithographic patterning process, including post exposure baking, to measure the image linewidths and compare these with an experimentally derived correlation chart; for instance, PEB temperature vs. linewidth for a given or specified photomasking process.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for controlling power supplied to the system. The system includes an internal power supply for receiving energy from an external source and supplying the energy to the system. The energy is full system power and is required for the system to be fully operable. The system is initially powered-off such that the energy is not initially supplied to the system. A power-on password is established. The internal power supply supplies the energy to the system only in response to a correct entry of the power-on password, wherein the system is inoperable prior to the correct entry of the power-on password.

Abstract: A portion of digital data records are stored on a direct access storage device (DASD) in emulation of sequential-access media when the parent digital data records are transferred to a sequential-access media. The efficiency of storage and access to the data portion is improved by random-access recall of the data in the data portion, and by constructing a data portion trailer containing various statistics about the records for referencing the digital data and advancing to target data. The volume data portion trailer is constructed as read forward and forward space block operations are performed. Data is preferably stored in logically assembled records. Interspersed with the records, there may be one or more marker codes, which function like tape marks among the various data records. The volume trailer may contain pointers to each record, a record count and marker codes for the data portion. Statistics contained in the data portion trailer enable substantially more efficient access of the data by a DASD.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a combination of chemical and mechanical finishing processes to polish a disk substrate surface to near atomic smoothness. Broadly speaking, the surface of a disk substrate that has been machined (i.e., rough ground) to a predetermined surface roughness is subjected to attack by a chemical formulation (called an attacking agent). The chemical formulation is used to soften the substrate material. Then, the softened material is “wiped away” via mechanical action.

Abstract: An automatic dialog system capable of keeping a drive awake while driving during a long trip or one that extends into the late evening. The system carries on a conversation with the driver on various topics utilizing a natural dialog car system. The system includes an automatic speech recognition module, a speech generation module which includes speech synthesis or recorded speech, and possibly dynamically combined speech synthesizer and recorded speech, and a natural language processing module. The natural dialog car system analyzes a driver's answer and the contents of the answer together with his voice patterns to determine if he is alert while driving. The system warns the driver or changes the topic of conversation if the system determines that the driver is about to fall asleep. The system may also detect whether a driver is effected by alcohol or drugs.

Abstract: Detection of an evolving or diffusing gaseous substance emanating from an irradiated or thermolyzed layer of polymeric composition in semiconductor processing or similar processes is disclosed. The evolving or diffusing gaseous substance is detected by spatially disposing from the irradiated or thermolyzed layer a detector layer that includes a compound having leaving groups that are sensitive to the gaseous substance being detected.

Abstract: A microprocessor for a portable computer, for reducing power consumption, includes a plurality of microcode units, the microcode units for outputting control signals, for each of a plurality of instructions, requires by the microprocessor for executing the instructions. A unit is provided for maintaining selected control signals to values the same as in an immediately previous instruction cycles. Further, there is a unit for passing a control variable to one of the microcode units. Power conservation is provided during the decoding of instructions by the microcode unit by maintaining control signals during the execution of an instruction at the values/levels determined during the decode of a preceding instruction if it is not necessary to change the level of the control signals to execute the instruction.

Abstract: A printed circuit board connector edge tab design has increased tab contact area with a large local capacitance at the connector interface. This serves to balance out the inductive effects of the connector and results in a lower overall channel impedance at the interface. The invention replaces the prior art plated pathway to the upper row of tabs with wider tabs on the lower row. The edges of the lower row tabs are spaced such that each of the connector pins destined for the upper row straddle two of the lower tabs as they travel upward. This design prevents the pins from contacting the fiberglass substrate of the board while it traverses the lower row of tabs. The absence of the prior art plated pathways allows each of the lower row tabs to be expanded into the space formerly occupied by the pathways. This design also allows the increased capacitive area of the edge tabs to be located in very close proximity to the connection area between the connector pins and the edge tabs.

Abstract: A cooling assembly for an integrated circuit chip module wherein a spot cooling evaporator is mounted on the hat of the module in a position opposite the integrated chip within the module.

Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board including at least one layer of an electrically conducting material and at least one layer of an electrically insulating material. At least one through hole formed at least through the at least one layer of electrically conducting material. The at least one through hole includes a material plated on an interior surface thereof. At least one thermal break is provided in the at least one layer of electrically conducting material, such that heat passing between the through hole and the at least one layer of electrically conducting material passes through the at least one thermal break. At least one electrical connection provided in the at least one layer of electrically conducting material between the material plated on the interior surface of the through hole and the at least one layer of electrically conducting material. At least a portion of the at least one electrical connection is between the through hole and the at least one thermal break.

Abstract: An assembly is described that consists of a gallium arsenide die chip and a fiber optic coupler bonded together about their respective mating surfaces. The chip includes laser light emitters. The fiber optic coupler has fiber optic light transmitters that require precise alignment with the laser light emitters of the chip about their mating surfaces. After alignment of the emitting/receiving and transmitting elements, the mating surfaces of the chip and coupler are bonded together.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for automatically distributing software to a target computer system by obtaining a computer-system-description of the target-computer-system and at least one process-model of a workflow-management-system (WFMS) which includes an activity to be carried out by the target computer system. The software requirements of the target computer system are determined based upon the process model of the WFMS and the computer-system-description of the target computer system. The determined software requirements are then provided to a software distribution management system (SDMS) to distribute the determined software to the target computer system.

Abstract: Described is a torque hinge mechanism which includes a shaft and at least two ring like friction plates pressed against each other by a pressure and through which the shaft passes. A non-penetrating recess is formed on a friction surface of one of the ring like friction plates. The non-penetrating recess can be a closed type non-penetrating recess. A scatter of a lubricant can be prevented by using such friction plates. A wedge effect is increased by using such friction plates so that the torque hinge mechanism can be stably operated over a long period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for digitally processing an encrypted data stream scrambled, for example, according to content scrambling system (CSS) technology. This digital processing insures against communication of clear data within the computer system from a central processing unit (CPU) to any accessible structure, such as memory or a system bus. Descrambling of the (CSS) scrambled data stream occurs within a module executing on the CPU, which is followed by reencryption of the data prior to transfer from the CPU. By so processing the data, integrity of copyrighted material is maintained, while allowing for software descrambling of the CSS encrypted data stream. Various techniques for establishing the encryption/decryption algorithm pair employed are described. Decryption of the re-encrypted data can occur at a receiving software module and/or a receiving hardware device, such as a decoder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing a highly efficient locking mechanism for an object's shared data. The locking mechanism is bound to an object during program execution (i.e. during run-time) when synchronization is first requested for the object's shared data. Thus, there are no changes to the actual code, either source code or binary code, which defines the object. A locking mechanism is bound to an object by defining a memory area within the object's header, which either contains the locking mechanism or a pointer to a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism remains bound to the object for the life of the object. Efficiency is gained by limiting the use of operating system semaphores (i.e. kernel semaphores). Operating system semaphores are not used unless blocking (i.e. contention) occurs. Rather, the locking mechanism bound to the object is used during non-blocking situations.

Abstract: A technique is provided for resynchronizing message traffic in a communication network following network component failure. A failing component, upon restart, retrieves stored control information including a SYNC number and byte sequence number (BSN) from external memory. The SYNC number is then incremented by a predetermined amount to obtain a new SYNC number, with the predetermined amount being sufficient to ensure that the new SYNC number comprises a current SYNC number. Assuming that the failure occurs at a first data processing system in the network, a status request message is sent from the first data processing system to a second data processing system across the logical connection. The status request includes the new SYNC number, and the BSN read from the external memory. The first data processing system waits for a response message to its status request message. The response message contains a BSN of a next piece of data that the second data processing system is expecting.

Abstract: A method of analyzing information in the form of a plurality of data records. Each data record includes one or more data values. The data values are partitioned into a plurality of data signatures. Data values of data signatures are compared to data values of data records. Based on the result of the comparison an index is associated with each data record. A bound corresponding to the index is calculated based on a user defined target value and an objective function. If desired, information may be analyzed for finding peer groups in e-commerce applications.

Abstract: Chip stacks with decreased conductor length and improved noise immunity are formed by laser drilling of individual chips, such as memory chips, preferably near but within the periphery thereof, and forming conductors therethrough, preferably by metallization or filling with conductive paste which may be stabilized by transient liquid phase (TLP) processes and preferably with or during metallization of conductive pads, possibly including connector patterns on both sides of at least some of the chips in the stack. At least some of the chips in the stack then have electrical and mechanical connections made therebetween, preferably with electroplated solder preforms consistent with TLP processes. The connections may be contained by a layer of resilient material surrounding the connections and which may be formed in-situ. High density circuit packages thus obtained may be mounted on a carrier by surface mount techniques or separable connectors such as a plug and socket arrangement.

Abstract: A computer processor cartridge is connected to a socket on a motherboard. The cartridge has a detachable bracket that secures it to a retention mechanism mounted to the board. The bracket is formed from flexible plastic and has a handle with downward depending arms on each end. Each arm has a tooth on its outer surface. The retention mechanism has a base with a pair of upright support posts on its ends. Each post has a hole in its side for receiving the teeth on the bracket. The cartridge and bracket assembly is installed in the retention mechanism pushing down on the handle such that the lower end of the assembly seats between the support posts. When the teeth engage the holes in the support posts, the assembly is locked in place and the cartridge is connected to the socket. The assembly is disconnected by pulling up on the handle. The plastic bracket elastically flexes so that the arms pivot the teeth out of the holes.

Abstract: A memory coherency controller. Responsive to a request including a request type and request memory address, relevant queues are examined for queued addresses matching the request memory address. Responsive to a request memory address matching at least one of the queued addresses, the request is rejected. Following a retry latency, the request is retried. When the address of a read request matches queued address in a store queue, at least one request in the store queue is prioritized higher than all other queued requests.