Abstract: Wafer-level testing is performed on an electronic device to be used in an optical communications system. An optical test signal is generated and is provided to a first photo detector. An electrical output of the first photo detector is supplied to the electronic device on the wafer. An electrical output from the electronic device on the wafer is used to drive a light source. An optical output of the light source is supplied to a second photo detector and an electrical signal output from the second photo detector is examined.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a secure solution which meets the needs of a customer but which is appropriate and repeatable and may use components which are insecure or not trusted. In its preferred embodiment, the security system includes subsystems selected from access control, information flow, identity and credentials management, integrity and assurance In each subsystem, elements are employed to reduce the effect of perils and to provide a repeatable system design.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically replacing a failing processor in a server system configured with IA-32 architecture without requiring hardware changes to the IA-32 architecture or administrative effort. At least one processor of the multiprocessor system (MP) is initially provided as a reserve (or hot-spare) processor that remains in an idle, off, or low-power mode. While in that mode, the OS is prevented from initially utilizing the hot-spare processor. When a processor failure is detected, SMI code running on a good processor instructs the OS to hold off allocating processes to the failing processor. Contemporaneously, the SMI (and OS) activates and completes an initialization of the hot-spare processor to prepare it to begin receiving the held-off processes. Control is then returned to the OS, which updates the “active” processor list and allocates the threads that were running on the failing processor to the hot-spare processor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and a computer program product to optimize the overall latency of transferring data from peer computers to storage devices. The latency optimization occurs after a group of data is received and organized by the peer computers. The average amount of time to transfer data to each particular storage device from the peer computers is used to determine the assignment of data transfers between the peer computers. Each peer computer maintains continuously updated measurements of the average time to transfer data to each storage device. The updated transfer time measurements are based upon a moving average with adjustable weighting of past and present measurements enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions.

Abstract: A conductor with improved magnetic field per current ratio is disclosed. The conductor includes a magnetic liner lining a second surface and sides thereof. The magnetic liner is preferably a super-paramagnet with high susceptibility or a ferromagnet with a microstructure where the size of the non-exchanged coupled micro domains is so small that their energy content is close to or small compared to kT that such films have super-paramagnetic properties and essentially behave like a paramagnet with high susceptibility.

Abstract: The placement of trace points in software code being developed in a software development tool leads to the generation of trace point messages when the code is executed. These trace point messages are listened for by aspects of the software development tool. Responsive to receiving one of the trace point messages, the software development tool may write information to a trace file. Advantageously, the trace file is formatted using a standard markup language format, such as HTML. Consequently, the trace file is readily readable (including information-conveying formatting) by a standard, freely available web browser, rather than a proprietary tool.

Abstract: A system and method of automating and managing bids within the context of an Internet auction is disclosed. The present invention permits continuous monitoring and verification of auctions on the Internet based on criterion such as highest bid on an item, maximum permissible bid, and a restriction on the number of successful bids in the auctions by any given participant (0109). The present invention permits embodiments incorporating an auction profile database (0101) that is generated by an auction profile configuration tool (0102) to act as input to an item search manager (0104) that takes data from an item database (0105) and control from an item selector (0103) to then interact with an auction bid controller (0106) that communicates with the remote auction site via an auction command interface (0107). In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an information processing system and computer readable storage medium is disclosed for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system associates an identifier with a data packet. The identifier uniquely identifies a communication module, such as a host interface card, within a data storage system. In operation, a computer host sends a data packet to a server. The communication module receives the data packet and associates an identifier, unique to the communication module, with the data packet. The data packet is stored in a disk array, such as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) system. When the computer host later requests the stored data packet, a validation module, which may be implemented within a PCI adapter such as a host interface card, retrieves the data packet and determines whether the data packet is corrupt. If the data packet is corrupt, the validation module identifies which host interface card corrupted the data with the use of the unique identifier associated with the data packet. The faulty communication module may then be removed from operation in the data storage system.

Abstract: A technique for processing input data is provided. Multiple input rows to beloaded into a first structure are received. Each input row of the multiple input rows is processed to classify each input row as one of an insert row and an update row, wherein input duplicates are stored in the first structure and index entries for the input duplicates are stored in a second structure. After the multiple input rows have been processed, the input duplicates are automatically re-applied to the first structure and the index entries stored in the second structure are processed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for converting a binary MPEG-4 (mp4) binary file into an Extensible MPEG-4 Textual (XMT) file. The invention includes generating at least one intermediary structured document representing the mp4 binary file. A translator is configured to input the intermediate document and generate an XMT structured document. An XMT serializer is then used to create the XMT file based on the XMT structured document.

Abstract: A system and method for remote power control across multiple distinct nodes of a logically coherent data processing system where each node has the design of a traditional standalone SMP server. The system is partitioned into two or more static partitions. Remote power control for the partition is achieved using a modified wake-on-LAN implementation in which magic packet filters on each NIC in the partition are modified to enable remote, partition-wide restart by a magic packet that is recognized by or common to all of the nodes. In one embodiment the wake-on-LAN filters of each NIC in the partition recognize and respond to magic packets addressed to any of the NIC's in the partition. In another embodiment, the wake-on-LAN filters of each NIC in the partition are modified to respond to a universal magic packet.

Abstract: A distributed bid processing method uses a number of computers to process bids for a given open-cry auction or descending price auction in a distributed manner. The computers examine a set of bids and quickly filter out the losing bids. This helps in achieving faster processing and reduces response times. Two methods are developed for open-cry auctions and one for descending price auction. The methods apply to a distributed web server where some servers may be placed far apart geographically.

Abstract: A structure comprising a memory chip and a tester for testing the memory chip, and a method for operating the structure. The memory chip comprises a BIST (Built-in Self Test) circuit, a plurality of RAMs (Random Access Memories). A first RAM is selected for testing by scanning in a select value into a RAM select register in the BIST. While the BIST performs a first testing pass for the first RAM, the tester collects cycle numbers of the failing cycles. Then, the BIST performs a second testing pass for the first RAM. At each failing cycle identified during the first testing pass, the BIST pauses so that the content of the location of the first RAM associated with the failing cycle and the state of the BIST can be extracted out of the memory chip. The testing procedures for the other RAMs are similar to that of the first RAM.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring cracks in a semiconductor device, such as a wafer and, more particularly, to a BEOL wirebond crack sensor for low-k dies or wafers, and a method of providing the wirebond crack sensor for low-k wafers or the like structures.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a query implementing a schema mapping. A mapping M is provided from a schema S to a schema T, where M relates S to T, and M includes a plurality of constraints. Schemas S and T each include one or more elements, and T includes at least one set type element. Mapping M is expressed in terms of at least one nested tuple-generating dependency. A query Q is generated where Q is capable of applying M to an input instance I to result in an output instance J, where I conforms to S, J conforms to T, and I and J satisfy the plurality of constraints. Instance J is in partitioned normal form (i.e., satisfies minimal union semantics) and includes no duplicate element instances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for supplying power to processors in multiple processor systems are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of monitoring a parameter that is related to a first voltage potential coupled to the processor. When the parameter or condition monitored indicates that the first voltage is bad or faulty, the method generally involves isolating the voltage from the processor, disabling or resetting the processor, and coupling a second voltage potential to the processor. The method may also allow the computer system to continue operating with the processor disabled. Other embodiments comprise an error detection circuit for detecting an error related to a first voltage regulator, a disabling circuit to disable the first voltage regulator in response to the error, a processor isolating circuit, and a voltage switching circuit to supply voltage from a second voltage regulator to the processor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, system and program product for emulating a topology of web services. Specifically, under the present invention a set (e.g., one or more, preferably a plurality) of general purpose web services are deployed. Each general purpose web service includes a central processing unit emulator and a common interface. Moreover, each general purpose web service is capable of executing instructions for retrieving data and interacting with other general purpose web services. The topology of web services is then emulated using the set of general purpose web services by executing the instructions. Once the topology is emulated, it can be tested for accuracy, performance characteristics, etc.

Abstract: A system for group facial recognition includes a target extractor for extracting target images from a scene image; a target image classifier for comparing a target image to a database of known identities and allocating classification scores for identities; a relationship database providing relationship scores between known identities; and means for applying the relationship scores to the classification scores to improve classification of a target image. Two or more target images are extracted from a scene image and it is determined that a first target image is one of a first set of identities, each with a classification score, and that a second target image is one of a second set of identities, each with a classification score. A relationship score is determined for each of the first set of identities giving the relationship to one or more of the second set of identities. The relationship score is applied to the classification score for the first target image.

Abstract: A system and method for performing data quality and validation analysis within a relational database management system (RDBMS). A method is provided that includes generating a summarization table for a set of data values using an RDBMS function after a modification of the set of values takes place; calculating a deviation from the summarization table using an RDBMS function; and querying the set of data values against the deviation to identify any suspect values.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for implementing location-specific transaction services by a dispensing device situated in a defined geographic community are provided. The method includes providing location-specific information, including costs for items specific to the defined geographic community, and which are representative of a cost of living for the defined geographic community. The location-specific information is presented in a currency and language native to a requester of the location-specific information, as well as in a currency native to the defined geographic community. The location-specific information also includes a summation of costs for items selected by the requester, which is presented in a currency and language native to the requester and in a currency native to the defined geographic community. The method also includes executing a transaction between a financial institution and the requester based upon the summation of costs.