Abstract: A database of information stored in a fixed medium, and a method for creating and managing such a database, the database comprising: a set of tangible data elements, the tangible data elements representing things which have physical weight and can cause an effect; a set of intangible data elements, the intangible data elements representing words and concepts which have no physical weight and cannot be weighed; the set of intangible data elements including a first subset of effect data elements (16), the effect data elements representing verbs standing alone and in combination with other words, which describe actions, objectives, results, missions, and procedures and processes; and, the set of intangible data elements including a second subset of descriptive data elements (18), the descriptive data elements describing the tangible data elements, the effect data elements and degrees of performance of the tangible data elements.

Abstract: An electronic mail system including a communication line, and at least one transmitting terminal, at least one receiving terminal, and at least one communication terminal connected to each other through the communication line, the communication terminal receiving, through the communication line, an electronic mail sent by the transmitting terminal and transferring the received electronic mail to the receiving terminal corresponding to an address of the electronic mail.

Abstract: A method for the dependable operation of a spatially separated input device of a numerical control that includes inputting at an input device so as to generate output signals, supplying the output signals to at least two processors and checking the output signals or signals based on the output signals for conformity in a comparator device. The method further includes transmitting a first shut-off signal to a control unit if there is no conformity.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for computing a plurality of order-based analysis functions for rows stored in a table in a computer system, wherein the table has a plurality of partitions. A determination is made concerning which of the order-based analysis functions have compatible order-specifications. The order-based analysis functions with the compatible order-specification are then performed simultaneously and in parallel against the partitions. Preferably, the computer system is a parallel processing database system, wherein each of its processing units manages a partition of the table, and the order-based analysis functions can be performed in parallel by the processing units.

Abstract: A method for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens fabricating mold sections from a molding device to an inert chamber in a predetermined time, controlled by a central processor. The method includes starting a timer upon opening the molding device and exposing the mold sections; actuating a robotic arm to transport the mold sections from the molding device to an intermediate position using a compound movement; actuating a cam-controlled arm to transport the mold sections from the intermediate position to a pallet held on a conveyor belt at a cam-arm pre-part release location; and releasing the pallet to move on the conveyor belt to the inert chamber for continued transport of mold containing pallets to a treatment or processing facility for producing and/or packaging of the contact lenses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided by which one device (12) can be used to control another device (11) without any requirement that the controlling device (12) has any knowledge of the nature or functionality of the controlled device (11). The controlled device (11) transmits to the controlling device (12) a set of possible parameter choices, together with information identifying the possible parameter choices. The controlling device (12) then displays (or otherwise provides to the user) both the set of parameter choices and the information so that a user (13) is able to select a set of actual parameter choices through the user interface of the controlling device (12). The set of actual parameter choices is then transmitted back to the controlled device (11), whose operational parameters are then modified in accordance with the set of actual parameter choices.

Abstract: The system and method of the invention automatically provide appropriate configuration and control software to a hardware system consisting of multiple target hardware modules. A system controller is connected to the target hardware modules and to a repository that stores a set of software modules. Each software module includes configuration and control information for a particular target hardware module. When a particular software control and configuration scheme for at least a portion of the target hardware modules is to be implemented in the hardware system, software modules corresponding to the particular software control and configuration scheme are selected and associated with a system definition file that is also stored in the repository. When the system definition file is invoked by the system controller, the system controller executes the associated software modules thereby providing the particular software control and configuration scheme to appropriate target hardware modules.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling jobs in a selective deposition modeling (Selective Deposition Modeling) system. A client computer system can connect directly to a Selective Deposition Modeling system to work with a job queue located at the Selective Deposition Modeling system. Jobs in the job queue may be previewed in three-dimensional form. Moreover, the jobs in the job queue may be manipulated to move the jobs to different positions in the job queue or to delete a job. Additionally, multiple jobs may be automatically combined to generate a single build process.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the micromachining of accurately aligned holes in the aerofoil surface of a component such as a jet engine turbine blade or vane which comprises a ground anchorage portion and a cast aerofoil portion. The method uses a laser machining apparatus which is preprogrammed to machine holes in the aerofoil surface when that surface is in a predefined reference position and orientation in the apparatus. Initially the component is mounted in the laser machining apparatus by means of its anchorage portion. At least one probe is then moved over the surface of the cast aerofoil portion to derive the positions of selected points on that aerofoil portion. From the derived position data, angular and linear offset data may be calculated to define the deviation of that cast aerofoil portion from the reference position and orientation defined in the computer memory of the laser machining apparatus.

Abstract: A method for performing garbage collection of memory objects in a memory heap, the method includes the steps of partitioning the heap into old and new generations. There follows the step of applying an on-the-fly garbage collection to memory objects in the young generation, whilst running simultaneously a program thread.

Abstract: In a forging process analyzing method, many trace points are set in a workpiece. Lines connecting the trace points express fiber flow lines. The fiber flow lines may be imaginary ones that are irrelevant to real fiber flow lines. By applying a technique of a finite element method to the fiber flow lines, deformation calculation is performed. A new trace point is added between trace points when the distance therebetween is great. The velocity of each trace point cause by deformation is calculated, and the position of each trace point is updated. When any trace point in an element is left behind in a die, the left-behind phenomenon is prevented by converting the shape of the element while the crossing of fiber flow lines is prevented. A radius is set for each trace point. The radius of each trace point is adjusted so as to eliminate off-boundary extension and overlap of fiber flow lines.

Abstract: An inventive method and computer system convert known or unknown input file formats to a common file format with a reduced amount of human intervention and greater speed, in comparison to prior-art methods and products. The conversion involves the viewing, by an operator, of a given input file; the determination as to whether or not the format of the input file matches a known format; the specification of data coordinates within each record in the input file; and the conversion of the input file to the common file format. Newly created file formats may be stored and used as existing file formats. A “garbage collection” module automatically removes extraneous unprintable characters and helps to standardize the control character formats, prior to matching.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a multi-lay integrated circuit, a reference target is etched into a test wafer along with circuit features of a reference layer. As successive dependent layers are printed, successive dependent targets overlaying the same reference target are formed in photoresist. As each successive dependent target is printed, the degree to which it is registered with the reference target is used to determine the overlay error. After determination of overlay error for a layer, the layer's dependent target is removed, allowing the reference target to be matched with the dependent target of another layer.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the real-time production operation is disclosed. The used stage time, the used waiting time, and the theoretical remaining processing time is counted. The allowed stage time, the allowed waiting time, and the allowed slack time is also estimated. The critical stage ratio, the critical waiting ratio, and the critical slack ratio are then calculated by the following equations: critical stage ratio=allowed stage time/used stage time; critical slack ratio=allowed slack time/theoretical remaining processing time; critical waiting ratio=allowed waiting time/used waiting time. Thereafter, the status of the lot in a stage is graded according to its critical ratio of stage, slack, and waiting. Color codes are used to indicate the critical degrees. A stage critical degree report including the WIPs and the color codes is tabled to display all the statuses of the stage.

Abstract: The system, method, and program of this invention enables an object language application to issue a query over a view and to receive back, as query results, handles to application type objects which can be further manipulated by the application. A view is defined herein as a collection of a view type, and a view type is defined as a class or type. Object language class definitions are created based upon the view type of the view referenced by the query. Upon receipt of the query referencing a view type, a query engine generates a query plan that builds mock application type objects in memory based upon the view types and having a form consistent with the class definition for a type of object returned as a result.

Abstract: A central processing apparatus, a distributed processing apparatus, and a transaction processing terminal constitute a transaction processing system. A central processing apparatus, a distributed processing apparatus, and an information supply terminal constitute an information supply system. These systems are mutually connected. A customer data base stores customer attributes or service information for each customer. A service information conditioning file stores target customer conditions for the respective service. The transaction processing terminal will communicate with the central processing apparatus and the like to perform the transaction process for the customer who visits the branch of the financial institute, and at the same time, to retrieve the customer data bases, and the file belonging to the information supply system so as to display service information on the display.

Abstract: A method of detecting surface pressure distribution of a wafer being processed by a CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) process; more specifically, the invention relates to a method of detecting pressure distribution of a wafer surface by employing pressure sensitive films located on various pressure components such as a wafer carrier, a polishing pad, and mechanical arm members of a CMP machine for detecting pressure-related data during different stages of a CMP process. Further, sensed pressure-related data are collected for feedback loop controls of digital image mapping, numeration, simulation, and forecasting, from which more mechanical components of high precision and better circuit layouts on the wafer can then be developed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically driving events in a simulation of a data processing system are implemented. Events, or system states, are generated by drivers located at predetermined locations within the simulation model under test. These events, which are drawn from a predetermined class of events, termed “effects,” are driven in response to other events observed by monitors disposed within the simulation model in accordance with a predetermined set of “causes,” and a set of “rules” that map causes to effects. The driving of events is mediated by a library process that receives observed events from the monitors, in the form of data structures, stored them in a database, and passes the effects to be driven to the appropriate driver in accordance with the set of rules, also data structures stored in the database, when a cause corresponds to a observed event.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a cooperation control system to make the system maintenance easier, and allow easier modification of the system. To achieve such object, a plurality of control devices according to this invention are divided into a plurality of sub-groups each of which cooperates with each other. The group object controls the sub-group. The plurality of control devices within the sub-group communicate with the group object and they are controlled by the group object.

Abstract: The invention is proposed to efficiently dispatch wafers into tools, and particularly to provide a real-time and automatic way to dispatch wafers. In addition, a method for dispatching wafers, a system for dispatching wafers into tools and a system for processing numerous lots by number of tools with automatic dispatch are present as examples. One main characteristic of the invention is that each pending wafer is given an individual priority before it is processed by any tool and the priority is automatically calculated in accordance with to a ranking algorithm. Another main characteristic of the invention is that whenever a tool is available to process at least one pending wafer, part of pending wafers is automatically assigned to the available tool in accordance with an assignment algorithm and a required limitation database that is provided by the dispatcher.