Abstract: A circuit which allows for a more efficient pre-emphasis of a high frequency inter-chip signal. The circuit uses a single predriver stage to equalize a signal when a transition in value of a digital signal is detected. The circuit equalizes the signal with decreased power and area requirements for greater efficiency.

Abstract: Modular heat sinks utilizing heat pipes to provide a more uniform temperature distribution over a packaged integrated circuit and efficient heat sinking in either free or forced convection environments. The heat sinks utilize both horizontal and vertical heat pipes to transfer heat both horizontally and vertically in the heat sinks. Selection of the number of heat pipes used allows tailoring of the heat sink capabilities for different applications using the same fundamental assemblage of parts. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method in a computer network having a first plurality of nodes coupled to a common network infrastructure and a distributed shared memory distributed among the first plurality of nodes for servicing a first memory access request by a first node of the computer network pertaining to a memory block having a home node different from the first node in the computer network. The computer network has no natural ordering mechanism and natural broadcast for servicing memory access requests from the plurality of nodes. The home node has no centralized directory for tracking states of the memory block in the plurality of nodes. The method includes the step of receiving via the common network infrastructure at the home node from the first node the first memory access request for the memory block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shared instruction cache for multiple processors. In one embodiment, an apparatus for a microprocessor includes a shared instruction cache for a first processor and a second processor, and a first register index base for the first processor and a second register index base for the second processor. The apparatus also includes a first memory address base for the first processor and a second memory address base for the second processor. This embodiment allows for segmentation of register files and main memory based on which processor is executing a particular instruction (e.g., an instruction that involves a register access and a memory access).

Abstract: A vehicle control computer system uses JavaBeans™ to implement device interfaces. A vehicle control center, having a processor and memory, provides user access to devices operating within the vehicle. The manufacturer of such devices provides a JavaBean™ interface stored with the device. When a device is installed in the vehicle, the processor or other control element of the vehicle control center becomes aware of the installation and requests or otherwise receives the stored JavaBean™ interface from the device. A data structure is used to maintain information about interfaces for devices. The vehicle control center can then use the interface as received or replace it with a different interface already stored in memory by changing the contents of the data is structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that facilitate access to a service via a lookup service. A lookup service defines a network's directory of services and stores references to these services. A client desiring use of a service on the network accesses the lookup service, which returns the stub information that facilitates the user's access of the service. The client uses the stub information to access the service.

Abstract: A method for routing conductors in an integrated circuit design is disclosed, including the steps of determining the number of sensitive conductors requiring placement into quiet track locations, wherein a quiet track location is defined as any track location immediately adjacent to a stable conductor, determining the number of quiet track locations available in said integrated circuit design, and routing one or more sensitive conductors into one or more quiet track locations.

Abstract: A connection is dynamically created between a graphic user interface (GUI) and a statically typed, distributed object using the present invention. The connection is created without requiring a developer to write customized code. The surrogate object acts as an intermediary between the GUI and the distributed object. The surrogate object is created using declarative information specified at build time and information generated at run time.

Abstract: A system for incorporating speech recognition into a computer program, including a number of speech controller modules corresponding to program components within the computer program. Each speech controller module supports a speech recognition grammar having at least one rule, where the speech recognition grammar provides an interface to operations on the corresponding program component. The rules of the speech recognition grammar associate spoken commands with data stored in the corresponding program component. A rule may include a reference to another local rule, or to a rule in a different speech recognition grammar, in which case a “link” to the other rule is formed. In this way, the disclosed system allows rules from the same or different grammars to be combined together, in order to build complex grammars.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for solder joint integrity assessment. The invention comprises collecting data from one or more solder joint strain tests and characterizing the solder joint data integrity using a force-deflection graph. A force-deflection graph characterizes the response force of a solder joint to applied strain as a function of time. One embodiment of the invention uses the slope of the graph to characterize the integrity of the solder joint. Another embodiment uses the area below the graph to characterize the integrity of the solder joint. To generate the force-deflection graph, the invention applies one or more tests to the solder joint. In one embodiment, a shear test is applied to the solder joint. In another embodiment, a cold pull test is applied to the solder joint. In another embodiment, a hot pull test is applied to the solder joint.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reduces network traffic during remote file system operations by using a local path between a client and a storage device to bypass transfers through a server. The system operates by receiving a request at the server to access a file located on the storage device; this request is received across a network from an application on a client. Next, the system determines if a local path exists between the client and the storage device containing the file. Note that a local path is independent from a first path between the server and the storage device. If the local path exists, the system sends a bypass request to the client. This bypass request commands the client to satisfy the request by transferring data between the client and the storage device through the local path. In a variation on the above embodiment, the system additionally receives a completion indicator from the client.

Abstract: An improved object-database mapping tool is provided that generates indexes in a database corresponding to classes in an object-oriented application. Initially, the mapping tool maps each class in an object-oriented application to a table in a database. A user, for example, selects one or more fields to be indexed from one or more classes. The tool determines if the selected fields correspond to the columns in more than one table in the database. If the selected fields correspond to a plurality of tables in the database then the mapping tool generates a plurality of indexes. Alternatively, if the fields correspond to one table in the database then the mapping tool generates a single index.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: The present invention provides software branch prediction filtering for a microprocessor. In one embodiment, a method for a software branch prediction filtering for a microprocessor includes determining whether a branch is “easy” to predict, and predicting the branch using software branch prediction if the branch is easy to predict. Otherwise (i.e., the branch is “hard” to predict), the branch is predicted using hardware branch prediction. Accordingly, more accurate but space-limited hardware branch prediction resources are conserved for hard-to-predict branches.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed that implement a POPUP link on a web page. The invention extends HTML by adding a POPUP attribute to relevant HTML tags. This attribute causes a web browser application to automatically acquire and store strongly related information specified by the POPUP link. When the POPUP link is activated, the invention presents a POPUP window and renders the acquired information within the window without replacing the rendered web page that contains the POPUP link.

Abstract: Precedence rules that govern the granting of user level services for a domain in a shared mail server for an email provider are disclosed. Accordingly, when a request for the user level service is made, a determination is made whether or not the requested service is a member of a proper set of allowed domain level services. If the requested user level service is within the proper set of allowed domain level services, then the requested user level service is granted. In so doing, the granted user level service becomes a member of the proper subset of the set of allowed domain level services for the shared mail server.

Abstract: A method of selecting a security model for an organization operating an application on the organization's computer network is described. A current strength level for a countermeasure is determined based on input data and rules corresponding to the application. The method and apparatus determine a recommended strength level for countermeasures based on the input data and security risk data. Based on the current strength level and the recommended strength level, the method determines and outputs a security model including a countermeasure and corresponding strength level. The method may also modify the model based on exception conditions. The method may be used to calculate the risk of attack to the application and degree to which the organization conforms to industry practices.

Abstract: A system for determining nearest leaf bounds per leaf cone of a cone hierarchy based on a dual-tree search of the cone hierarchy and a bound hierarchy. A processor, performing the dual-tree search, maintains for each leaf cone a collection of nearest leaf bounds. The collection evolves as the dual-tree search progresses. The processor may maintain the N closest leaf bounds for each leaf cone. The processor may classify leaf bounds as occluders or non-occluders, and store any non-occluder closer than the Nth occluder. Alternatively, the processor may assign an occlusion metric value to each leaf bound, and may maintain closest leaf bounds so that the sum of their occlusion metric values is less than or equal to an occlusion threshold. The dual-tree search may be followed by a search of the bound hierarchy with probe cones of the leaf cones.

Abstract: A low voltage differential circuit is described herein including a complementary logic tree having first, second and third inputs and two outputs, the logic tree for performing a desired logical function on signals received the the first input, thereby opening a pathway for current flow between at least one of the following: the second input and the first output, the second input and the second output, the third input and the first output, the third input and the second output.

Abstract: Sorting of table data is enhanced by providing hidden sort keys associated with table cell data. When table data is displayed, the hidden sort keys are not, but they may nevertheless be used as a basis for sorting table information. Thus table data may be presented in a variety of views with alternative arrangements of data, based on whether each column or row of table data is sorted by content or by the hidden sort key or sorted in ascending or descending order. The table may selectively be restored to its original configuration after sorting. Sorting is invoked by interpreting mouse clicks in a header cell of a table column or row.