Abstract: A scroll transfer control button is provided so that a single set of scroll controls can be used to alternately control scrolling in a plurality of separate windows which may be concurrently presented on a display device. Each time a scroll transfer control button is activated, active scroll control switches so that scroll control can be transferred from a work object contained in a first displayed window to another displayed window. Active scroll control can be returned to the first displayed window by toggling the scroll control button until the active scroll control returns. The single set of scroll controls is preferably provided at the edge of the edge of the available area for displaying windows containing work objects. The single set of scroll controls can be trivially thin in appearance or may be transparent due to their consistent presentation at an extreme edge of a display area.

Abstract: A filter adaptor connects a computer to a network through a network connection. The network has a large plurality of broadcast type messages having a given protocol. Each of the broadcast messages has a destination field and a source field. The adaptor has a preference list of one or more fixed channels that the computer is capable of receiving. Each fixed channel has a channel identifier that is also listed in the preference list. Further, the filter adapter has a filtering process that monitors the source field and discards any message that does not have a source identifier in the source field that matches one of the channel identifiers on the preference list.

Abstract: An effective-to-real address translation cache management apparatus and method utilizes an effective-to-real address translation cache segment register latch having a bit corresponding to each of the segment registers. When a segment register is utilized to perform an effective-to-real address translation, which is stored in the effective-to-real address translation cache, the corresponding bit in the effective-to-real address translation cache segment register latch is set. In this way, a record is kept of which segment registers are currently mapped in the effective-to-real address translation cache. When a move to segment register instruction alters the content of a segment register, then the effective-to-real address translation cache segment register latch is examined to determine if that segment register has been mapped in the effective-to-real address translation cache. If so, then an effective-to-real address translation cache invalidation latch is set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing an underlayer and/or a magnetic thin film layer on a data storage disk are described. The sputtering power is supplied in the form of pulses during the application of the underlayer and/or magnetic storage to periodically ignite the plasma and increase the charge-carrier density in the sputtering chamber. The repetition frequency and parameters for the pulses and pauses between pulses are adjusted to achieve a desired nominal value for the coercive field strength of the magnetic layer. Preferably the repetition frequency of the power switching is from 10 to 80 kHz and the ratio of pulse length to pulse pause is within 5:1 to 1:5.

Abstract: Described is a system which includes at least one computer system connected to a main computer system via a data transmission network. The at least one computer system has a network connector for communicating data with the main computer. The network connector is supplied with auxiliary power and is operative to communicate with the main computer regardless of whether the at least one computer system is in a normal operating state. The main computer includes a program for detecting when the at least one computer system has been disconnected from the data transmission network. The program sends a first packet to the at least one computer system via the network. The at least one computer system is operative to receive the first packet and respond by sending a second packet to the main computer. The second packet includes data which specifically identifies the at least one computer system.

Abstract: A plurality of multilayer glass-ceramic substrates are arranged in coplanar relationship in a tile pattern within a support platform. The glass-ceramic substrates and the support platform are both formed of materials having thermal expansion characteristics substantially equal to that of a wafer which is supported by the coplanarly aligned substrates during test and burn-in of the wafer. The present invention effectively solves the problem of providing a single large support member for wafer test and burn-in, which heretofore have been limited in mechanical properties and power capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing memory coherency among an L1 and an L2 cache memory devices and a main memory device. In an embodiment of the invention, a memory controller generates an address snoop for locating modified copies of a data residing in the main memory. As a result of the snoop, the memory controller is notified as to whether a modified copy of the data is in the cache memory devices. If both cache memory devices have a modified copy of the data, the modified copy in the L2 cache will not be allowed to be transferred since modified copies of data in the L1 cache memory are considered to always be the most recent copies of the data. Thus, if the L1 cache memory is unable to transfer the data, The memory controller will continue to snoop the address until the L1 cache memory transfers the data.

Abstract: A method for rebuilding contents of a malfunctioned direct access storage device within a log-structured array is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, each direct access storage device within a log-structured array is divided into multiple segment-columns, and each corresponding segment-column from each direct access storage device within the log-structured array forms a segment. A segment is first located within the direct access storage devices. A determination is made as to whether or not the segment is empty. In response to a determination that the segment is empty, a pointer is moved within a segment-column mapping table from pointing to a segment-column in the malfunctioned direct access storage device to point to a segment-column in a spare direct access storage device of the segment.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing a hypertext markup language (HTML) source file stored in a server processor. The processing is performed by a browser program in a client processor. The server processor and client may communicate with each other across a communications network, which may be the Internet. The HTML source file may define a web page in the worldwide web. The browser, in the client processor, processes the source file to generate an output display. A region within the output display is selected using a pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball, or the like. The region includes less than the whole output display. The region includes information, which may include text, a list, a table, or a graphic. Information that is displayed within the region is identified by the client processor. The client processor identifies a portion of the source file from which the information displayed within the region is generated. The portion is less than the whole source file.

Abstract: An inventive system and method for continually advancing film through an air-bearing film flattening system having at least one scanning area through which the air-flattened film may be scanned. The film is provided to an air-bearing mechanism comprising two opposing air-bearing plates which create opposing air cushions for maintaining the planarity of the film. The scanning area may comprise at least one optical aperture in the air-bearing plate or plates through which the scanner views the film, or a "viewing" area occupied by bundled coherent optical fibers which sequentially pick up image information from aligned regions of the image. The system provides for time efficient, clean, and error-free reading of the scanned image.

Abstract: A printer has a control circuit to stop a print head from printing when paper runs out or when the cover of the printer is opened is disclosed. Only one switch is used to detect the absence of paper and the position of the cover.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for synchronizing control signals with scaled digital video data.

Abstract: A computer system having a shared disk file system running on multiple computers each having their own instance of an operating system and being coupled for parallel data sharing access to files residing on network attached shared disks. Locking techniques reduce the overhead of a token manager which is also used in the file system recovery if a computer participating in the management of shared disks becomes unavailable or failed. Synchronous and asynchronous takeover of a metadata node occurs for correction of metadata which was under modification and a new computer node to be a metadata node for that file. Locks are not constantly required to allocate new blocks on behalf of a user.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are provided for easily, visually indicating to a user that a tape cartridge has reached the end of its useful life by causing a flag, wound beneath a tape inside the cartridge, to appear within a clear window in the cartridge housing. When a tape drive in which the cartridge is mounted detects a defect in a data tape, the tape is rewound and extra torque is applied thereto to expose the flag. When a cleaning tape reaches its end, the flag is released.

Abstract: An FPSCR (Floating Point Status and Control Register) mechanism supports out-of-order floating point unit instruction execution. The FPSCR mechanism provides appropriate reporting of exceptions to a re-order buffer implemented within a data processing system to allow precise interrupts during out-of-order instruction execution. Additionally, the FPSCR mechanism allows for the retention of the appropriate status and control history information in an FPSCR rename buffer to allow the floating points status and control register to be maintained as though instructions were being executed in order. Additionally, the FPSCR mechanism generates the FPSCR's sticky exception status in concordance with reporting appropriate status to the previously mentioned re-order buffer and saving history into the FPSCR rename buffer.

Abstract: A programmable gate array includes test subsystems for testing various functional subsystems of the programmable gate array. A sequence of test methods, employing the test subsystems, test the functionality of the programmable gate array, taking into account the interdependencies of the various subsystems and accordingly enabling fault isolation therein.

Abstract: Areas of different temperatures are provided on a semiconductor wafer to improve uniformity in polishing rates during CMP.

Abstract: A case-based reasoning system is disclosed that includes a case database and a search engine. The case database is capable of storing a plurality of cases that each include one or more attributes that each have an associated match weight. Match weights of attributes in different cases are separately specified. In response to receipt of an incident including one or more input terms, the search engine scores the relative closeness of a selected case to the incident utilizing the match weights of attributes in the selected case that match input terms in the incident.

Abstract: Chips having subsurface structures within or adjacent a horizontal trench in bulk single crystal semiconductor are presented. Structures include three terminal devices, such as FETs and bipolar transistors, rectifying contacts, such as pn diodes and Schottky diodes, capacitors, and contacts to and connectors between devices. FETs have low resistance connectors to diffusions while retaining low overlap capacitance. A low resistance and low capacitance contact to subsurface electrodes is achieved by using highly conductive subsurface connectors which may be isolated by low dielectric insulator. Stacks of devices are formed simultaneously within bulk single crystal semiconductor. A subsurface CMOS invertor is described. A process for forming a horizontal trench exclusively in heavily doped p+ regions is presented in which porous silicon is first formed in the p+ regions and then the porous silicon is etched.

Abstract: An optical projection display system, such as a liquid crystal display device, is disclosed. A feature of the present invention is that the projection display system utilizes a modified X-cube (or X-prism) arrangement wherein the internal angles of the prisms forming the modified X-cube deviate from 90.degree.. The utilization of the present modified X-cube arrangement improves contrast for checkerboard images, minimizes the possibility of spurious unwanted reflections from entering the projection lens as well as substantially eliminating glare and ghost images typically present using prior art X-cubes.

Abstract: In a superscalar processor implementing out-of-order dispatching and execution of load and store instructions, when a store instruction has already been translated, the load address range of a load instruction is contained within the address range of the store instruction, and the data associated with the store instruction is available, then the data associated with the store instruction is forwarded to the load instruction so that the load instruction may continue execution without having to be stalled or flushed.

Abstract: A self-clocked apparatus for eliminating race condition in high speed decoders is provided. In multi-stage decoders, a first stage is generally composed of predecoder blocks while a second stage is generally composed of decoder/driver blocks. Each predecoder block receives several address bits and outputs a high or low level signal depending on the address bit's state. Each decoder/driver block receives the output signal of the corresponding predecoder block, and outputs a signal selecting or not selecting a connected line. The self-clocked apparatus of the invention is cross-connected between adjacent predecoder blocks such that the ith decoder/driver block is controlled by the i+1th predecoder block, and conversely. No external clock signal is used, and no time margins are required. Furthermore, the invention provides a robust electrical design.

Abstract: A data storage subsystem employs managed files, each comprising one or an aggregation of multiple constituent user files, to reduce file management overhead costs. After receiving user files from a client station, the subsystem creates a contiguous managed file by aggregating selected ones of the received user files according to certain predetermined criteria. Managed file creation and use are transparent to the client stations. Eventually, unused or "deleted-file space" arises as individual user files are deleted from their respective managed files. "Reclamation" is triggered when the amount of deleted-file space in a prescribed storage area (e.g. device, volume, managed file, etc.) satisfies certain criteria, e.g. poor data storage efficiency. Reclamation is performed to regain wasted space between managed files, and also space that occurs within managed files due to deletion of some but not all constituent user files. Reclamation is applied to the prescribed storage area one managed file at a time.

Abstract: A system for a message processing system in which messages are transmitted from source nodes to destination nodes. A transmission flow control technique is disclosed in which the source node optimistically sends control information and a data portion of a message, and wherein a destination node discards the data portion of the message if it is unable to accommodate it. The destination node, however, retains enough of the control information to identify the message to the source node, and when the destination node is subsequently able to accommodate the data portion, the destination node issues a request to the source node to retransmit the data portion of the message. Discarding of one message is followed by discards of sequential messages, until the destination node is able to accommodate the data portions of messages.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an index tree structure. The index tree structure has a root node and a plurality of child nodes. Each one of the root and child nodes has at least one attribute. Each child node is assigned to a respective parent node in the index tree structure. A request is received for the value of one of the attributes of one of the child nodes; the one attribute is not defined locally within the one child node. The current value of the corresponding attribute of the parent node of the one child node is provided, in response to the request.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for generating, transmitting, replicating, and rebuilding in-place reconstructible software updates to a file from a source computer to a target computer updates to a file from a source computer to a target computer. The present invention stores the first version of the file and the updates to the first version of the file in the memory of the source computer. The first version is also stored in the memory of the target computer. The updates are then transmitted from the memory of the source computer to the memory of the target computer. The present invention uses these updates at the target computer to build the second version of the file in-place.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing thread switch tuning for optimal performance of a program executed by a computer data processing system having a multithreaded processor.

Abstract: A bottle-shaped trench capacitor having an expanded lower trench portion with an epi layer therein. The epi layer serves as the buried plate of the trench capacitor. A diffusion region surrounds the expanded lower trench portion to enhance the dopant concentration of the epi layer. The diffusion region is formed by, for example, gas phase doping, plasma doping, or plasma immersion ion implantation.

Abstract: A storage media for storing information having a substrate. The substrate has an upper surface and a molecular weight greater than 5,000. Preferably the material is a polymer. The material has a plurality of piles of molecular chains in selected areas formed by pushing the molecular chains of the material on its upper surface to the selected area mechanically with a mechanical tool. The piles represent written information. The mechanical tool is preferably an atomic force microscope. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for storing information having the steps of selecting a material substrate having an upper surface and pushing molecules on the upper surface into a molecular pile at selected locations.

Abstract: Alternatively displaying links within a hypertext document such as the World Wide Web document on the Internet is accomplished. The movement and presentation of the cursor is used to indicate the presence of the links and means of traversing the links. The cursor is presented in a first manner while the cursor is over nonlink elements in the first page. As the cursor is moved over the link, the cursor is presented in a second manner indicating to a user how to traverse to the second page. In a preferred embodiment, the cursor, when presented in the second manner, includes characters from a first key on an input device which when activated will cause the computer to traverse to the second page.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining at least one component, comprising a substantially rigid frame comprising a side having at least one opening therein that is larger in size than the component, a layer of compliant material attached to the side of the frame and having at least one opening therein, the frame opening and the layer opening cooperating to define a component receiving opening sized for receiving the component, said component receiving opening having an inner sidewall having at least a portion thereof consisting of compliant material, the compliant material being in substantially uniform contact with the side of the frame.

Abstract: A multi-processor computer system with clustered processing units uses a cache coherency protocol having a "recent" coherency state to indicate that a particular cache block containing a valid copy of a value (instruction or data) was the most recently accessed block out of a group of cache blocks in different caches (but at the same cache level) that share valid copies of the value. The "recent" state can advantageously be used to implement optimized memory operations such as intervention, by sourcing the value from the cache block in the "recent" state, as opposed to sourcing the value from system memory (RAM), which would be a slower operation. In an exemplary implementation, the hierarchy has two cache levels supporting a given processing unit cluster; the "recent" state can be applied to a plurality of caches at the first level (each associated with a different processing unit cluster), and the "recent" state can further be applied to one of the caches at the second level.

Abstract: A constant impedance air baffle assembly having two spaced apart generally parallel plates, each having a plurality of through holes for placing in line with a plurality of circuit cards to be cooled. The circuit cards are mounted on one side of a printed circuit board, and arranged in varying numbers and placements, depending on the number of cards desired. The air baffles provide a constant impedance to the air flow over the cards such that air does not bypass other components that need to be cooled when the circuit cards are removed. Further, the baffle plates include hanger tabs which may be hung over the edge of a printed circuit board to hold the parallel plates in place. The hanger tabs further include spacing slots for holding a pair of side-by-side printed circuit boards apart such that the printed circuit boards upon which said air baffle is hung cannot flex and short the pins on the backs thereof together.

Abstract: A system and method for the superimposition of differential signals on binary signals. The technique can be performed on busses, and in many kinds of storage media. It can be accomplished in many ways depending on the noise that is to be tolerated, and depending on the sophistication of the encoding means.

Abstract: A print head and check flipper subassembly having a removable flipper cartridge allows printing of both sides of a check or other document in one continuous operation, in which the orientation of the check or other document is reversed in relation to a print head, eliminating the need for an operator to remove and reinsert the check during the printing or handling process.

Abstract: A structured dielectric layer and fabrication process for separating wiring levels and wires within a level on a semiconductor chip is described incorporating a lower dielectric layer having narrow air gaps to form dielectric pillars or lines and an upper dielectric layer formed over the pillars or fine lines wherein the air gaps function to substantially reduce the effective dielectric constant of the structured layer. The invention overcomes the problem of solid dielectric layers which would have the higher dielectric constant of the solid material used.

Abstract: A pickup head adapted to pick up an electronic component from a supply source, support the component during transport from the supply source to a substrate, and position the electronic component at a site on the substrate has a means for heating the electronic component during pickup, transport and positioning the chip, to a temperature sufficient to effect solder reflow when the electronic component is placed on the substrate. The pickup head, and method of using the head, effectively reduce the problems associated heretofore with solder reflow attachment of individual components by reducing the number of process steps, faster attachment cycle times, and reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing error correcting code (ECC) which may be incorporated into a computer system which includes one of a plurality of memory configurations and which may include a pre-existing error control feature. A data store operation causes the receipt of a word including data bits and check bits generated by a pre-existing error control feature. The data and check bits of the received word are used to generate additional check bits based upon the configuration of the computer system memory. The additionally generated check bits are stored in the memory along with the received word. Upon a subsequent data fetch operation which retrieves the word and check bits the check bits are decoded thereby providing error detection and correction in the retrieved word for single and multiple bit errors including the failure of an entire memory chip.

Abstract: A reading or language interactive system which utilizes a mechanism to permit a computer-based instruction program in reading or language instruction to implement a shared reading program, wherein portions of the text are read by the student and portions by the computer itself. The proportion of the text "read" by each participant and the pace at which the lesson progresses can each be automatically altered based upon the proficiency of the student. In addition, the system utilizes a computer instructor to share the task of reading or language learning by modeling the task for the learner, variably controlling the amount of material that the student reads aloud based upon a computer assessment of the student's ability, helping the learner navigate through the instructional application, and participating in a joint performance that demonstrates the student's reading.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for identifying off-composition solder columns of for example, a ceramic column grid array. The method is performed at the ceramic module level prior to card assembly to avoid costly loss or rework post card assembly. The assembly of solder columns on a substrate is heated to a temperature below the melting temperature of pure-composition solder and above the temperature of attachment of a solder column to an organic board. Heating the assembly produces visually detectable changes characteristic of off-composition solder which are used for identifying which solder columns are composed of off-composition solder.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for operation thereof perform an automatic function when an external user modifies a focus of a window displayed on a display device. For example, assume a window provides an object form of a telephony application. When the external user switches the system focus to the phone window and is in a state awaiting a user action, such as answering a ringing telephone, the answering action is automatically performed concurrently with the focus change.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing data compression of data blocks utilizing time characteristics to increase the transmission time of such data over a communication channel. The underlying principle of data compression using time encoding is that data can be encoded in such a manner that, upon receiving the encoded data at the receiving end of a communication channel, the data content can be retrieved by decoding (decompressing) the compressed data in accordance with the time delays in which data arrives at the receiving end. The present invention employs a method of time encoding for data compression wherein a series of data blocks (e.g., a string of binary data) which are comprised of data units (e.g., bytes or bits) are encoded in such a manner that the following information can be retrieved (i.e., decompressed or decoded) at the receiving end of the communication channel: (1) the content of each data unit can be read (e.g.

Abstract: An object-oriented framework provides an interface for use with object oriented data management systems to provide multiple types of object-oriented data access to record-oriented data files, and can utilize multiple record file adapters to provide OOP applications with access to multiple types of record-oriented data files. The framework thereby permits API programmers to easily create OOP applications that manipulate data in record file data storage. Thus, the framework accesses data stored in record file data structures through a dual two-way interface with persistent object data management services.

Abstract: At least one certain type of logic gates, such as NOT gates, in a network of logic gates are moved to the network inputs and outputs, by converting the logic gates in the network to certain types of gates, such as AND, OR and NOT gates. A region in the network is identified for selecting, within the region, between propagating the one certain type of gates to a) the network inputs, and b) the network outputs. The region is identified in response to "reconvergent fanout nodes". A reconvergent fanout node defines a loop having two branches which diverge at the node and reconverge thereafter.

Abstract: A method of increasing conductivity of a refractory metal film disposed upon a substrate includes exposing the refractory metal film to an atmosphere comprising a silane of the form Si.sub.n H.sub.(2n+2), where n is a positive integer, while subjecting the refractory metal film to a temperature in excess of 700 degrees Celsius and to a base pressure not exceeding 10.sup.-8 torr for a time period which is chosen to be sufficiently long to increase the conductivity of the refractory metal film to a correspondingly sufficient degree.

Abstract: A network computer system and method for analyzing a system of continuous process lines. Groupware is used to implement the analysis stage of continuous flow manufacturing (CFM) methodology using a network of portable computers. Preferably in one meeting, in response to prompts of a facilitator, participants input all the required qualitative and quantitative data about each process line in the system being analyzed. The input data is anonymously displayed to all the participants, the data is corrected and verified by group consensus achieved informally or by automatic tabulation of anonymous voting as needed. The verified data is organized into a GroupWare database (flat files and/or a part of a relational database). Bridge programs automatically read the GroupWare database and reorganize the data to create a program input database. Then preferably in the same meeting a flow chart program (e.g.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively metallizing one or more three-dimensional materials in an electronic circuit package comprising the steps of forming a layer of seeding solution on a surface of the three-dimensional material of interest, exposing this layer to light of appropriate wavelength, resulting in the formation of metal seed on regions of the three-dimensional material corresponding to the regions of the layer of seeding solution exposed to light; removing the unexposed regions of the layer of seeding solution by subjecting the exposed and unexposed regions of the layer of seeding solution to an alkaline solution. Thereafter, additional metal is deposited, e.g., plated, onto the metal seed using conventional techniques. Significantly, this method does not involve the use of a photoresist, or of a corresponding chemical developer or photoresist stripper.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are fabricated by providing a substrate having an insulating layer on the substrate, a conductive layer on the insulating layer and isolation regions through the conductive layer into the substrate insulating layer and forming a photo-resist layer on the isolating regions and on the conductive layer, forming an opening through the resist having a preselected shape at least over a portion of the conductive layer, partially etching some of the conductive layer through the opening selectively to the material of the device isolation region; removing the resist layer; depositing a conductive material on the etched conductive layer through the opening; planarizing the isolation regions, the conductive layer and the conductive material; etching the conductive-forming layer and the insulating layer except beneath the conductive material including exposing portions of the substrate for forming source/drain regions in the substrate.