Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming at least a first trench and a second trench having different depths in a substrate, forming a capacitor in the first trench, and forming a via in the second trench. A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor arranged in a first trench formed in a substrate and a via arranged in a second trench formed in the substrate. The first and second trenches have different depths in the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a contact formation technique that incorporates a preventative etch step to reduce interlayer dielectric material flaking (e.g., borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) flaking) and, thereby to reduce surface defects. Specifically, contact openings, which extend through a dielectric layer to semiconductor devices in and/or on a center portion of a substrate, can be filled with a conductor layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of the conductor layer can be performed to complete the contact structures. However, before the CMP process is performed (e.g., either before the contact openings are ever formed or before the contact openings are filled), a preventative etch process can be performed to remove any dielectric material from above the edge portion of the substrate. Removing the dielectric material from above the edge portion of the substrate prior to CMP reduces the occurrence of surface defects caused by dielectric material flaking.

Abstract: An electronic module is provided in which a chip is disposed over a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate by a plurality of electrical connect structures disposed between the chip and the substrate. A heat distributor, fabricated of a thermally conductive material, is disposed between the chip and the substrate and sized to extend beyond an edge of the chip to facilitate conduction of heat laterally out from between the chip and substrate. The heat distributor includes openings sized and positioned to allow the electrical connect structures to pass through the heat distributor without electrically contacting the heat distributor. The heat distributor is electrically isolated from the electrical connect structures, the chip and the substrate. In one implementation, the heat distributor physically contacts a thermally conductive enclosure of the electronic module to facilitate conduction of heat from between the chip and substrate to the enclosure.

Abstract: A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium to store a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations for customizing behavior of a JavaScript widget on a web page via a presentation definition language. The operations include: creating a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) Document Object Model (DOM) element; assigning a CSS class from the presentation definition language to the DOM element; obtaining a computed style for the DOM element, wherein the computed style is computed based on the CSS class assigned to the DOM element; extracting a styling property from the computed style; parsing the styling property to determine an option to be applied to the widget; and applying the option to the widget.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes methods and systems for contextual social network communications during a phone conversation. A telephone conversation between a first user and at least one second user is monitored. More specifically, a monitor identifies terms spoken by the first user and the second user during the telephone conversation. The terms spoken are translated into textual keywords by a translating module. One or more of the second user's web applications are searched by a processor for portion(s) of the second user's web applications that include at least one of the keywords. The processor also searches one or more of the first user's web applications for portion(s) of the first user's web applications that include at least one of the keywords. The portion(s) of the second user's web applications and the portion(s) of the first user's web applications are displayed to the first user during the telephone conversation.

Abstract: When moving workload partitions (WPARs) from machine to machine, operating systems may encounter errors that prevent successful WPAR migration. Recording and reporting errors can be challenging. To move WPARs, the operating system may employ a plurality of software components, such as code residing in user space (e.g., application programs, OS libraries, and shell scripts), code residing in the operating system's kernel, and code residing on remote machines. Embodiments of the invention include a framework that enables all the software components to record errors. The framework can also report the errors to users and processes.

Abstract: On demand image streaming (ODS), in one aspect, may perform both copy-on-write and copy-on-read to gradually bring data on remote storage server to a host's local disk. Prefetching may be performed during the time the resources are otherwise idle to bring in data from the remote storage server to the host's local disk. A new image format and the corresponding block device driver for a hypervisor or the like may be also provided. ODS' image format may include a header and a bitmap that indicates whether the data sectors are on local disk or remote storage server, and an image content, for instance, stored in raw format.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a deposition chamber includes forming a deposited layer over an interior surface of the deposition chamber, wherein the deposited layer has a deposited layer stress and a deposited layer modulus; forming a cleaning layer over the deposited layer, wherein a material comprising the cleaning layer is selected such that the cleaning layer adheres to the deposited layer, and has a cleaning layer stress and a cleaning layer modulus, wherein the cleaning layer stress is higher than the deposited layer stress, and wherein the cleaning layer modulus is higher than the deposited layer modulus; and removing the deposited layer and the cleaning layer from the interior of the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for using a dual mode reader writer lock. A contention condition is detected in the use of a lock in a data processing system, the lock being used for managing read and write access to a resource in the data processing system. A determination of the data structure used for implementing the lock is made. If the data structure is a data structure of a reader writer lock (RWL), the data structure is transitioned to a second data structure suitable for implementing the DML. A determination is made whether the DML has been expanded. If the DML is not expanded, the DML is expanded such that the data structure includes an original lock and a set of expanded locks. The original lock and each expanded lock in the set of expanded locks forms an element of the DML.

Abstract: A system and method for improved voltage contrast inspection is disclosed. In one embodiment the temporal response to voltage contrast is considered to find an optimal acquisition time. In another embodiment, multiple optimal acquisition times are identified. The identified acquisition times are used in voltage contrast inspection of semiconductor fabrication, and are well-suited to SOI technology.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for network fault management in busy periods. When a fault occurs in a network it can be difficult to understand the relevant network conditions at the moment of the fault because of the large numbers of factors that are involved. The solution presented is a method and system for managing a data processing network, wherein the network comprises a set of connected network devices and at least one network device generates an event record containing an identity of the generating network device and a timestamp indicating when the event was generated.

Abstract: A plurality of segments in an e-mail collection by parsing content of e-mails is generated. Corresponding segment signature for each segment is created and a signature index is populated using the generated segment signatures. After receiving a query e-mail, a plurality of query segments in the query e-mail is generated using content of the query e-mail and corresponding query segment signature for each query segment is generated. A query root segment is identified and corresponding query root segment signature is generated. A set of root segment signatures of the signature index is identified and the query root segment signature is compared with each root segment signature from the signature index. A subset of the signature index is identified, using a match between the root segment signature and the query root segment signature. An e-mail thread hierarchy is built using the identified subset of the signature index.

Abstract: A versioned workload partition (WPAR) can be migrated from a source machine to a destination machine. Each thread associated with a process executing within the versioned WPAR is frozen. For each thread associated with the process, an error number associated with the thread is received in response to freezing execution of the thread and at least a current state of the thread is determined as checkpoint information associated with the thread based, at least in part, on the error number associated with the thread. The checkpoint information associated with the one or more threads is provided to the destination machine. The checkpoint information is used at the destination machine to reconstruct the process within a destination versioned WPAR on the destination machine.

Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: A cache, system and method for improving the snoop bandwidth of a cache directory. A cache directory may be sliced into two smaller cache directories each with its own snooping logic. By having two cache directories that can be accessed simultaneously, the bandwidth can be essentially doubled. Furthermore, a “frequency matcher” may shift the cycle speed to a lower speed upon receiving snoop addresses from the interconnect thereby slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines. Each dispatch pipeline is coupled to a sliced cache directory and is configured to search the cache directory to determine if data at the received addresses is stored in the cache memory. As a result of slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines and accessing the two sliced cache directories simultaneously, the bandwidth or throughput of the cache directory may be improved.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for on-demand access to computerized resources. A resource-time value includes a resource-identifying component and a usage limit component. The resource-identifying component specifies a given type of a resource and the usage limit component defines a maximum allowable usage value of the resource on the basis of time and quantity. Upon verifying the resource-time value, a quantity of the resource is enabled. The enabled resources may then be placed into service for specified time periods, wherein the quantity of resources placed into service and the time periods are delimited by the usage limit component.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for linking with source code, code commentary relating to the source code's execution. An advantage is achieved by storing the code commentary received from a user during software debugging about a program's execution directly alongside the source code.

Abstract: A random number generator (RNG) resistant to side channel attacks includes an activation pseudo random number generator (APRNG) having an activation output connected to an activation seed input to provide a next seed to the activation seed input. A second random number generator includes a second seed input, which receives the next seed and a random data output, which outputs random data in accordance with the next seed. An input seed memory is connected to the activation seed input and a feedback connection from the activation output so that the next seed is stored in the input seed memory to be used by the APRNG as the activation seed input at a next startup cycle.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for remotely deploying and automatically customizing workstation images. A client's first partition receives a workstation image deployed from a server in communication with the client via a network. The image includes a customization script. The server remotely boots the client, which is pre-configured to be booted by the server via the network. The server writes a customization parameter to the client's shared partition. The shared partition has a file system type that is accessible by the server via the remote boot and by the deployed image. One or more subsequent reboots of the client include the deployed image obtaining the customization parameter from the shared partition, identifying the customization script by using the customization parameter, and executing the customization script to automatically customize the client.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to validate the configuration of an information storage and retrieval system. The method provides a source information storage and retrieval system, a target information storage and retrieval system, and a master controller capable of communicating with the source information storage and retrieval system and with the target information storage and retrieval system. The method sequentially determines if each of the physical objects and logical objects disposed in the source information storage and retrieval system is also found in the target information storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to optimize the performance of a holographic data storage system, where that holographic data storage system comprises a plurality of calibratable components, and where each of the plurality of calibratable components comprises one or operational parameters, and where each of those operational parameter is associated with a nominal range. The method seriatim tests each calibratable component and measures the one or more operational parameters for that device. The method determines if the one or more operational parameters associated with each of the calibratable components fall within the associated nominal ranges. If an operational parameter associated with a selected calibratable component fall outside the associated nominal range, then the method recalibrates that selected calibratable component.

Abstract: A system for maintaining application operations within a suboptimal grid environment includes a grid management system. The grid management system submits an application from among multiple applications to at least one resource node of a grid environment, wherein separate jobs each request at least one of the multiple applications. The grid management system monitors a performance status of the at least one resource node running the application according to a profile for the application. The grid management system compares the performance status with an operational requirement specified in the profile for when the application is operating at the at least one resource node. The grid management system, responsive to the performance status not meeting the operational requirement, adjusts the use by the application of resource nodes in the grid environment according to the profile, such that the application continues to operate when suboptimal conditions arise in the grid environment.

Abstract: A text document is parsed and re-ordered according to user-defined rules. The reordered text document is then presented to the user, thus requiring the user to read each section of the text document in a stand-alone manner.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to alert a system administrator of a failure condition within a distributed system having a chassis, a management module, and one or more devices installed in the chassis. Such a method may initially identify whether a device within the chassis has encountered a failure condition. The method may then determine whether the device requires removal from the chassis based on the failure condition. The method may cause a visual fault indicator associated with the device to assume a first illuminated state in the event the device requires removal. The method may cause the visual fault indicator to assume a second illuminated state in the event the device does not require removal. If communication with a management module is possible, a visual fault indicator on the chassis may assume a third illuminated state if the device requires removal. A corresponding apparatus and computer-program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for real-time contamination, environmental, or physical monitoring of a photomask. The system includes an electronics package physically mounted to the photomask and a processing device in communication with the electronics package. The electronics package includes a sensor configured to monitor the attribute and generate sensor data. The processing device is configured to analyze the sensor data communicated from the electronics package to the processing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a multi-partition query governor in a partitioned computer database system. In preferred embodiments a query governor uses data of a query governor file that is associated with multiple partitions to determine how the query governor manages access to the database across multiple partitions. Also, in preferred embodiments, the query governor in a local partition that receives a query request communicates with a query governor in a target partition to accumulate the total resource demands of the query on the local and target partitions. In preferred embodiments, a query governor estimates whether resources to execute a query will exceed a threshold over all or a combination of database partitions.

Abstract: Techniques and articles of manufacture are provided comprising computer readable programs that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to delete a leaf from a patricia tree having leaf keys and pattern search control blocks containing a prefix and either an end-of-trail leaf or a pointer to another of the pattern search control blocks, by placing each of the prefixes in a tree prefix table; searching for a key in the tree; searching for the key in the prefix table if the tree searching does not find the key in the tree; confirming that the key is deleted if the key is not found in the prefix table; deleting the key from one of the pattern search control blocks; and collapsing the patricia tree by eliminating the left most pattern search control block from the patricia tree if the patricia tree searching finds the key.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and computer program product to generate references to reusable code in a schema. A program is coded in a first programming language having data structures, wherein at least one of the data structures includes a reference to reusable code. A model file is generated providing a source name identifying the reusable code, elements and attributes in a second programming language for the reference to the reusable code in the program. A generator is invoked with a reference to the model file. The invoked generator processes the data structure coded in the first programming language to generate a data structure schema in the computer readable medium in a second programming language describing elements and attributes of the data structure coded in the first programming language. A determination is made of instances of the source name indicated in the model file in the data structure.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, a memory, a cache, program software, and a marker management engine. The software includes at least one marker. Each marker is a computer instruction and marks distinct computer code sections in the software. The engine (a) determines whether one of the at least one marker is executed during the execution of the program software, (b) monitors data accesses by the at least one processor to the at least one cache and the main memory, (c) stores at least one of the monitored data accesses in a pre-defined location in the main memory, and (d) optimizes only the computer code section indicated by the determined marker of the program software executed by the at least one processor based on the stored data accesses.

Abstract: An interconnect structure is provided in which the conductive features embedded within a dielectric material are capped with a metallic capping layer, yet no metallic residue is present on the surface of the dielectric material in the final structure. The inventive interconnect structure has improved dielectric breakdown strength as compared to prior art interconnect structures. Moreover, the inventive interconnect structure has better reliability and technology extendibility for the semiconductor industry. The inventive interconnect structure includes a dielectric material having at least one metallic capped conductive feature embedded therein, wherein a top portion of said at least one metallic capped conductive feature extends above an upper surface of the dielectric material. A dielectric capping layer is located on the dielectric material and it encapsulates the top portion of said at least one metallic capped conductive feature that extends above the upper surface of dielectric material.

Abstract: In an automated data storage library having a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear; having a plurality of single cartridge storage slots; and having accessor(s) configured to selectively extract, place and transport cartridges with respect to the cells; operating the accessor(s) to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to the multi-cartridge deep slot cells and the storage slots, and with respect to other elements of the automated data storage library; and, if a data storage cartridge is recently used by and is to be demounted from a selected other element of the automated data storage library: first, extracting another data storage cartridge from the storage slots, vacating one of the storage slots; and second, extracting, transporting and placing the demounted data storage cartridge in the vacated storage slot.

Abstract: An assistive reading device for visually impaired users comprises a sheet-like member containing a photo-active material. The sheet-like member responds to light patterns representing data from a patterned light source to form tactile shapes on its surface. The visually impaired user obtains information by touching the tactile shapes. Preferably, the photo-active material is a layer of cross linked azobenzene liquid-crystalline polymers. The assistive reading device preferably is an output device for a computer.

Abstract: A method for automatically linking an anonymous electronic trade order having an order quantity (q) to an identity of a trader by providing an identity marker (s) of the trader; embedding the identity marker (s) by splitting the anonymous trade order into a number (n) of trade orders each having a corresponding order quantity x (i) to generate a trade order set; and placing the generated trade order set in an electronic order book.

Abstract: There is described a method, system and computer program product for processing a link embedded in a link document in a client computer, said link comprises a URL reference for a URL document in the client computer or another computer, there being stored a record containing a link reference and an intended fingerprint, said intended fingerprint representing the content of the URL document associated with the URL of the link at the time of or after the link was created, said method comprising the steps of: fetching the intended fingerprint for the link; fetching the URL document; creating a current fingerprint of the fetched URL document; comparing the intended fingerprint and the current fingerprint; and identifying that the intended fingerprint and the current fingerprint are different in a material way.

Abstract: A multiprocessor electronic circuit and an electronic data processing system comprising such circuit are disclosed for reducing the power consumption and the chip area consumption of a multiprocessor system having cryptographic functionality. In one embodiment, the multiprocessor electronic circuit comprises a plurality of processors, a single cryptographic processing unit that comprises a plurality of input/output buffer pairs and two cryptographic engines, a cipher engine and a hash engine, and associated control logic.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes an interconnect structure and a fuse structure located in different areas, yet within the same interconnect level. The interconnect structure has high electromigration resistance, while the fuse structure has a lower electromigration resistance as compared with the interconnect structure. The fuse structure includes a conductive material embedded within an interconnect dielectric in which the upper surface of the conductive material has a high concentration of oxygen present therein. A dielectric capping layer is located atop the dielectric material and the conductive material. The presence of the surface oxide layer at the interface between the conductive material and the dielectric capping layer degrades the adhesion between the conductive material and the dielectric capping layer.

Abstract: A sleep function capable of putting a fixed high-priority thread to sleep within a time-window is disclosed. After a sleep request has been made by a fixed high-priority thread via the sleep function, a determination is made whether or not the fixed high-priority thread is awoken before a requested sleep duration under the sleep request. If the fixed high-priority thread is awoken before the requested sleep duration, the number of tasks for the fixed high-priority thread to perform is increased in order to delay the start sleep time of the fixed high-priority thread from a point within a first time-window in which the sleep request was made to an end boundary of the first time-window.

Abstract: A system for packaging a dynamically linked computer program function includes a compiler configured to compile a source file iteratively to create a plurality of corresponding object files, the source file associated with a specific computer program function having an established an attribute, with each attribute exhibiting a plurality of at least one of variations, characteristics and parameters, wherein each iteration of the compiling the source file results in the plurality of object files having the specific computer program function but with each object file having distinct attributes from one another; and a linker configured to link the plurality of resulting object files to create a single executable file, such that the single executable file comprises different versions of the specific computer program function; and wherein the single executable file is configured to facilitate choice of a selected version of the specific computer function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer implemented method and computer program product to determine metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gate functional limitations. A simulator obtains a plurality of slices of a MOS gate, the slices each comprising at least one parameter, the parameter comprising a slice gate width and a slice gate length. The simulator determines a current for each slice based on a slice gate length of the slice to form a length-based current for each slice. The simulator determines a length-based current for the MOS gate by summing the length-based current for each slice. The simulator calculates a stress profile for each slice. The simulator determines a slice carrier mobility for each slice based on the stress profile of each slice. The simulator determines a carrier mobility-based current for each slice, based on each slice carrier mobility. The simulator determines a carrier mobility for the MOS gate based on the carrier mobility-based current for each slice.

Abstract: Load shedding by an electric utility, including querying power distribution systems that include a DRG system for present power consumption of the local load of the power distribution system; selecting, in dependence upon the present power consumption of the local load of the power distribution systems and predefined power consumption criteria for each substation, a substation to receive a reduction in power; and reducing power provided to the selected substation.

Abstract: Backfill scheduling techniques are used to schedule execution of applications, either on a local computing unit or a remote unit. In determining whether a particular application is to be scheduled to execute on a local unit or a remote unit, the data associated with that application is considered. As examples, an amount of data to be moved, availability of communication channels, and/or availability of remote data storage resources are considered.

Abstract: Configuring a client device, including receiving, from a manufacturer, a configuration bundle for a client device, receiving, from a vendor, vendor provided configuration parameters for the client device, receiving, from a user, user provided configuration parameters for the client device, and associating the vendor provided configuration parameters and the user provided configuration parameters with the configuration bundle for the client device; thereby producing an associated configuration bundle for the client device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for allowing limited access to a federation partner's audit logs in a secure, controlled manner, for the purposes of compliance demonstration. A request for audit data is received by a partner in the federated environment. The partner validates the request and requests a local report using local parameters against a local audit log store. The partner then builds a response based on the local report.

Abstract: Methods, brokerage systems and program products for enabling a mobile electronic device communicate with another electronic device for accomplishing a requested task without interrupting a user of the other electronic device. A task is requested at the mobile device and a transmission signal locates other electronic devices within a receivable range of the transmission signal. A number of scenarios of various combinations of located other devices is built, whereby each scenario is capable of accomplishing the requested task. One of these scenarios is selected, information relating to the task is sent to the electronic devices within such scenario, and then the requested task is performed by such selected electronic devices. Upon completion of the task, deliverables may be transmitted from the selected electronic device to a predetermined destination. Owners of the selected electronic devices may be rewarded for usage of their devices.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit. The method includes selecting a set of physical features of nets and devices of the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit having pattern input points and pattern observation points connected by the nets, each of the nets defined by an input point and all fan out paths to (i) input points of other nets of the nets or (ii) to the pattern observation points; selecting a measurement unit for each feature of the set of features; assigning a weight to each segment of each fan out path based on a number of the measurement units of the feature in each segment of each fan out path of each of the nets; and generating a set of test patterns optimized for test-coverage and cost based on the weights assigned to each segment of each of the nets of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A graphical message format builder facilitates a user in building message formats by using format elements from a format editor palette which are inserted into a message format definition in a graphical editing pane. Each format element is served as a building block of a message format which in turn is used to construct the message. A format hierarchy view allows a visualization of the data mapping to the message format to be seen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting cache coherency in a multiprocessor computing environment having multiple processing units, each processing unit having a local cache memory associated therewith. A snoop filter device is associated with each processing unit and includes at least one snoop filter primitive implementing filtering method based on usage of stream registers sets and associated stream register comparison logic. From the plurality of stream registers sets, at least one stream register set is active, and at least one stream register set is labeled historic at any point in time. In addition, the snoop filter block is operatively coupled with cache wrap detection logic whereby the content of the active stream register set is switched into a historic stream register set upon the cache wrap condition detection, and the content of at least one active stream register set is reset.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product dynamically allocate limited system memory for direct memory access (DMA) among a plurality of input/output (I/O) adapters in a system partition. Initially a minimum entitlement of I/O entitled memory capacity is allocated to each of the respective multiple I/O adapters. The minimum entitlement enables operation of an I/O adapter driver. Additional entitlement of I/O entitled memory capacity is selectively allocated based upon I/O demands of each I/O adapter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive clock and equalization control are provided for data receivers, which are based on a “closed loop” sampling clock framework that employs controllable and dynamically adapted time offsets on both local data and amplitude clocks. The controllable clock offsets are dynamically adapted using signal processing methods adapted to achieve optimum sampling of data and amplitude sampling clock signals to accurately detect data bits and optimize system equalization settings, including, decision-feedback equalizer and/or an optional linear equalizer preceding a decision-feedback equalizer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to validating a specified manufacturing test rule, which pertains to an electronic component. The method includes generating a file of test data sets, wherein each test data set in the file is valid for the rule. Each test data set includes a stimulus comprising one or more single input vectors, and further includes a set of results that are expected. The method further comprises constructing a testbench to prepare testcases for simulation, wherein each testcase corresponds to the stimulus and the expected output results of one of the test data sets, and each testcase is disposed to be simulated separately, or independently, from every other testcase. The method further comprises selectively preparing each of the testcases for simulation, in order to provide simulated results for the stimulus corresponding to each testcase. The expected results and the simulated results are compared for each testcase.