Abstract: A method and a system for automatically performing gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GRR) tests is provided. A handler is used to automatically move semiconductor devices from a device tray or other storage device into position for testing. When operating in a GRR mode, the handler is configured to place each of the semiconductor devices being tested in each possible testing position. A series of tests is performed on each of the semiconductor devices being tested in each of the possible testing positions. Furthermore, the series of tests may be repeated multiple times for each of the semiconductor devices in each position. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the semiconductor devices be reseated after each completing each series of tests. The semiconductor devices may be individual dies, systems on chips, multi-chip modules, or wafers.

Abstract: A distributed processing environment includes a mainframe computer system having a plurality of processing sub-spaces. An asynchronous messaging service resides in each of the processing sub-spaces. Additionally, a server process application resides in a first one of the processing sub-spaces while an instance of a handler application resides in each one of the remaining processing sub-spaces. A client computer system issues a request message to the asynchronous messaging service residing in the first processing sub-space. If the server process application requires the services of the handler application to handle the request message, the server process application passes the request to an instance of the handler application selected using a load balancing algorithm. After processing the received request, the handler application returns a response to the request to the requesting client computer system via the asynchronous messaging service application residing with it in one of the processing sub-spaces.

Abstract: A distributed computing environment and associated method for monitoring a queue-based messaging system. The queue-based messaging system controls the exchange of messages between a server process and client process applications. A messaging application residing at the server computer platform and forming part of the queue-based messaging system manages a plurality of trigger-initiated local queues, each associated with one of the plurality of client process applications and having queue depth, trigger enable, get enable and put enable attributes. A monitoring tool residing on the server computer platform acquires a value for the queue depth, trigger enable, put enable and get enable attributes for a plurality of trigger-initiated local queues and generally simultaneously displays, on a user interface coupled to the server computer platform, the value for the queue depth, trigger enable, put enable and get enable attributes for each one of the plurality of trigger-initiated local queues.

Abstract: A distributed computing environment includes a client platform, plurality server platforms, plural applications distributed amongst the plural server platforms, a messaging system, a plurality of data files and a load balancing and failover software application. Maintained in the data file for each application is a list of each instance of the application, where it resides and a pre-determined time span assigned thereto. The time spans maintained in the data file are arranged in a self-repeating sequence, collectively comprise a first unit of time and respectively encompass a contiguous range of values for a second unit of time. For each message to be delivered to a distributed application, the load balancing and failover software application selects the server platform to receive the message. The load balancing and failover software application then determines if the selected server platform has failed and, if so, selects a substitute server platform.

Abstract: A collective business system including participants engaged in a common field of business endeavor, a plurality of suppliers of business support mechanisms of interest to the participants and a for-profit hub business entity for managing transactions between the suppliers, the participants and their customers. Under the system, the independently owned and operated participants are assigned geographically protected business locations, as well as one or more of volume discounts of goods and services, national marketing capacity, discount capital financing for purchase of costly technology and machinery, access to information technology, logistics support or other business support mechanisms. The assets of the hub business entity are substantially liquid asset based and the hub business entity enables, controls and derives income from transactions between the suppliers and participants.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits the index and middle finger of the hand to be spread apart in a manner to stress the finger joints. The joint may then be exercised while in its stressed condition so that the joint is strengthened at the same time as it is made more flexible. The object of the invention is to improve the flexibility and stretch of the finger muscles of the index and middle finger of the hand so that a person utilizing the exerciser may practice the split finger baseball pitch.