Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for designing an integrated circuit. The design of the integrated circuit is replicated a number of times. The number of times must be odd. The input signals to the original module are also replicated. The replicated modules are configured to respectively receive the replicated input signals. A number of exclusive or gates is provided. The exclusive or gates receive the output signals from the replicated modules. The output signals from the replicated modules are compared to the output signals from the original module. The method is applicable to a bi-directional integrated circuit. Embodiments include the software to replicate the design. Another embodiment includes a computer system for replicating the design. Also, integrated circuits designed by the method described are included within the scope of the disclosure. Another embodiment includes designs produced by the method.

Abstract: In a CORBA distributed object system, potential object name ambiguities in the Portable Object Adapter are resolved without using variable-length object identifiers by translating the variable length identifiers into a fixed length compact identifier, such as a integer. The mapping for persistent objects is maintained on an ID server with persistent state and the mappings are ultimately written to a file. A server IDL interface is defined to the ID server which interface includes a method that accepts a variable length fully qualified name and returns the compact identifier. The method assigns an identifier if one does not exist. Another method accepts the identifier and returns the name.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing a checksumming technique to a device driver to detect silent data corruption during read requests. A storage device is reformatted to create larger data blocks where a checksum can be stored with the data. A checksum is added during a write request, and calculated and compared during a read request. If an error was detected during retrieval, an error message is generated. However, if no error is detected, the checksum is removed before returning the data blocks to the application program.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: Use of a policy object for verification in a distributed system. A machine downloads a policy object containing a reference to code governing verification of data. The machine uses the reference to obtain the code and locally verify data or other information. As particular rules for the data change, the policy object may be updated to provide a reference to the code for the new rules when it is downloaded.

Abstract: A computer system is adapted for dynamic replacement of a hot swap controller card. The computer system includes a circuit board, with the computer system comprising a first slot and a second slot coupled to the circuit board. The first slot includes a first connector and the second slot includes a second connector. The first and second connectors each have a column and row arrangement of connector-pins, with the first connector including first, second and third connector-pins and the second connector including fourth, fifth and sixth connector-pins. First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth signal lines are connected to the first through sixth connector-pins, respectively. A primary hot swap controller has a first means for simultaneously turning on/off a first plurality of switches, a second means for driving signal lines connected to the first, second, fourth, and fifth connector-pins, and a third means for storing a status information of the signal lines.

Abstract: A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer and may utilize a window ID that specifies attributes of pixels on a per object basis. The window ID may specify one or more of a sample mode, filter type, color attributes, or source attributes. The sample mode may include single sample per pixel mode and multiple samples per pixel mode. The graphics system may be further operable to generate a single sample per pixel for certain windows of the screen in order to provide backwards compatibility with legacy systems.

Abstract: A circuit on a semiconductor for precharging a local bitline and a global bitline. The circuit includes: a precharge input; a first switch, the gate of the first switch coupled to the precharge input, the source of the first switch coupled to a voltage source, the drain of the first switch coupled to the local bitline; a delay element, the input of the delay element coupled to the precharge input; and a second switch, the gate of the second switch coupled to the output of the delay element, the source of the second switch coupled to the voltage source, the drain of the second switch coupled to the global bitline.

Abstract: A data strobe receiver that includes a first comparator. The first comparator has a first input that is coupled to a first reference voltage. The first comparator has a second input that is coupled to a data strobe. The first comparator also has an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a delay element. The delay element has an input that is coupled to the output of the first comparator. The delay element also has an enable input and an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a second comparator. The second comparator has a first input that is coupled to a second voltage reference. The second comparator has a second input that is coupled to the data strobe. The second comparator also has an output. The data strobe receiver also includes a flip-flop. The flip-flop has a preset input that is coupled to the output of the second comparator. The flip-flop has a clock input that is coupled to the output of the delay element.

Abstract: The signature comparison process associated with bank approval processes is automated using signature capture devices and a stored database of valid signatures. A signature is captured as part of a normal credit transaction, digitized and compared with entries in a database of known valid signatures. In an automated gas pump environment, the signature is captured, compared and approved before any gas is dispensed.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for configuring a first device based on a code associated with a second device. In accordance an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of accepting with the first device an input from the second device, providing to the first device a code associated with the second device in association with the input, determining if a configuration of the first device corresponds to a configuration corresponding to the provided code and, if not, reconfiguring the first device to a configuration associated with the provided code if the first device. In one embodiment of the invention, the first device is a computer and the second device is a keyboard connected to the computer, the input comprises the typing of a key and the configuration comprises selecting a keyboard mapping function corresponding to a keyboard code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the execution speed of virtual machine instructions for a function are provided. A portion of the virtual machine instructions of the function are compiled into native machine instructions so that the function includes both virtual and native machine instructions. Execution of the native machine instructions may be accomplished by overwriting a virtual machine instruction of the function with a virtual machine instruction that specifies execution of the native machine instructions. Additionally, the original virtual machine instruction may be stored so that the original virtual machine instructions can be regenerated.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for managing and manipulating user-defined and system databases in a computing system. A database interface, which can be a graphical user interface, accesses a database configuration file containing descriptions of the contents of each of the databases. The database interface interprets the contents of each database in accordance with the configuration file, and provides for user access and manipulation of the contents of the databases.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing virtual machine instructions suitable for execution in virtual machines are disclosed. The operations performed by conventional instructions can be performed by relatively fewer inventive virtual machine instructions. Furthermore, the virtual machine instructions can be used to perform operations that cannot readily be performed by conventional Java Bytecode instructions. Thus, a more elegant, yet robust, virtual machine instruction set can be implemented.

Abstract: A method for generating output data for a transparent object in a digital image creates a plurality of image areas. The plurality of image areas covers a total area of the transparent object in the digital image. Each image area covers a different portion of the transparent object. The method combines information of the transparent object covered by an image area with information of a background image of the digital image also covered by the image area. The background image does not include the transparent object.

Abstract: A method of processing a query in a system in an object oriented programming environment, includes using a code to create a condition filter in a standard query language statement, the condition filter defining properties to be satisfied by a result of the query, and the condition filter using an object to execute a precompiled query language statement, and sending the standard query language statement to a database.

Abstract: Methods, system, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for remote processing in a client/server system. A client has a first component of a service application and a server has a second component of the service application. The server sends a request to the client to execute the first component. The client initiates execution of the first component based on the received request. After initiating execution of the first component, the client instructs the server to initiate execution of the second component. Upon termination of execution of the second component, the server sends a completion indicator to the client indicating that the second component has terminated execution. The client terminates execution of the first component responsive to receipt of the completion indicator.

Abstract: Techniques for customization of Java runtime environments are disclosed. The techniques can be used to provide Java runtime environments that are specifically tailored for various Java applications. Accordingly, for a particular Java application, an optimized runtime environment can be created. One or more optional attributes which represent the desired runtime customizations are generated. As will be appreciated, the optional attributes can be generated in the attribute table in the class file. The optional attributes can then be parsed and appropriate features can be loaded into the virtual machine. In this way, Java runtime environments can be customized based on a particular Java application requirement. Moreover, customizations can be automated using a runtime performance manager that interacts with various other components that operate to first generate and then load optional attributes into the Java runtime environment.

Abstract: Techniques for customization of Java runtime environments are disclosed. The techniques can be used to provide Java runtime environments that are specifically tailored for various Java applications. Accordingly, for a particular Java application, an optimized runtime environment can be created. One or more optional attributes which represent the desired runtime customizations are generated. As will be appreciated, the optional attributes can be generated in the attribute table in the class file. The optional attributes can then be parsed and appropriate features can be loaded into the virtual machine. In this way, Java runtime environments can be customized based on a particular Java application requirement. Moreover, customizations can be automated using a runtime performance manager that interacts with various other components that operate to first generate and then load optional attributes into the Java runtime environment.