Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for maintaining control of an electronic record, which may have transferable value, wherein a user may add digital signature information to a single unique authoritative copy of the electronic record held in a repository without compromising the uniqueness of the authoritative electronic record. Provided the digital signature information is valid, an authoritative electronic record may be amended to include multiple digital signatures, while continuing to be a single unique authoritative electronic record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining control of a record which may have transferable value wherein the system provides for digitally signing a record in a partially-trusted distributed environment and allows a single unique authoritative copy to be held at a repository. The system meets the uniqueness and retainability requirements of current legislation relating to electronic transactions and allows electronic records to receive the same legal enforceability as paper documents. One or more secure servers along with maintenance control software provide the secure environment for parties wishing to complete electronic transactions to form legally enforceable agreements.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for maintaining control of an electronic record, which may have transferable value, wherein a user may add digital signature information to a single unique authoritative copy of the electronic record held in a repository without compromising the uniqueness of the authoritative electronic record. Provided the digital signature information is valid, an authoritative electronic record may be amended to include multiple digital signatures, while continuing to be a single unique authoritative electronic record.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the present invention a semiconductor die having a resistive electrical connection is analyzed. Heat is directed to the die as the die is undergoing a state-changing operation to cause a failure due to suspect circuitry. The die is monitored, and a circuit path that electrically changes in response to the heat is detected and used to detect that a particular portion therein of the circuit is resistive. In this manner, the detection and localization of a semiconductor die defect that includes a resistive portion of a circuit path is enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining control of a record which may have transferable value wherein the system provides for digitally signing a record in a partially-trusted distributed environment and allows a single unique authoritative copy to be held at a repository. The system meets the uniqueness and retainability requirements of current legislation relating to electronic transactions and allows electronic records to receive the same legal enforceability as paper documents. One or more secure servers along with maintenance control software provide the secure environment for parties wishing to complete electronic transactions to form legally enforceable agreements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for identifying and mapping functional failures in an integrated circuit (IC) due to timing errors therein based on the generation of functional failures in the IC. This is done by providing a set of input test vectors to the IC and adjusting one or more: of the IC voltage, temperature or clock frequency; the rate at which the test vectors are provided to the IC; or the power level of a focused laser beam used to probe the IC and produce localized heating which changes the incidence of the functional failures in the IC which can be sensed for locating the IC circuit elements responsible for the functional failures. The present invention has applications for optimizing the design and fabrication of ICs, for failure analysis, and for qualification or validation testing of ICs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus mechanism for testing data processing devices are implemented. The test mechanism isolates critical paths by correlating a scanning microscope image with a selected speed path failure. A trigger signal having a preselected value is generated at the start of each pattern vector. The sweep of the scanning microscope is controlled by a computer, which also receives and processes the image signals returned from the microscope. The value of the trigger signal is correlated with a set of pattern lines being driven on the DUT. The trigger is either asserted or negated depending the detection of a pattern line failure and the particular line that failed. In response to the detection of the particular speed path failure being characterized, and the trigger signal, the control computer overlays a mask on the image of the device under test (DUT).