Abstract: A semiconductor design is provided having at least one feature at one of a line end and a line junction, and phase regions. At least one cut line is added to at least one of such features at line ends and such features at line junctions. Phases are assigned to the phase regions. The manufacturing of a photomask with the assigned phase regions is directed.

Abstract: A method of reversing the tone of an image to be printed in a layer of radiation sensitive material formed on a substrate includes defining a lithographic problem, designing a patterning device, determining a first illumination arrangement and a radiation sensitive material process capable of printing a positive tone of the lithographic feature; and determining a second illumination arrangement capable of printing a negative tone of the lithographic feature with the radiation sensitive material process.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines an assist feature placement. During operation, the system receives an initial assist feature placement for a layout. Next, the system determines assist feature perturbations using the initial assist feature placement. An assist feature perturbation typically comprises a few simple polygons. The system then determines perturbation values at evaluation points in the layout using the assist feature perturbations and an analytical model. If a process-sensitivity model is used, the perturbation value at an evaluation point is associated with the change in the through-process window at that point in the layout. Next, the system determines a change in the value of an objective function using the perturbation values. The objective function can be indicative of the overall manufacturability of the layout. The system then determines an assist feature placement using the change in the value of the objective function.

Abstract: The invention is related to systems and methods for creating an application call from an application definition. In certain embodiments, these systems and methods can be used to facilitate the testing of web services. According to one embodiment, a method for testing web services is provided. The method can comprise receiving application identification information from a user, wherein the application identification information includes the location of an application definition, accessing an application definition, which can be stored locally or on a remote computer, reading the application definition to determine a function and at least one variable element associated with the function, and prompting a user to enter data for each variable element requiring user input.

Abstract: A system and method employing pre- and/or post-condition(s) specified at a source code level and persisted (e.g., in associated object code and/or a specification repository) facilitating static checking of the object code is provided. The system and method are based, at least in part, upon a framework that employs rules for using an interface to be recorded as declarative specifications in an existing language. The system can employ a range of annotations that allow a developer to specify interface rule(s) with varying precision. At the simplest end of the range, a specifier can mark those methods that allocate and release resource(s). A specifier can also limit the order in which an object's methods may be called to the transitions of a finite state machine.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product in a data processing system are presented for using hardware assistance for gathering performance information that significantly reduces the overhead in gathering such information. Performance indicators are associated with instructions or memory locations, and processing of the performance indicators enables counting of events associated with execution of those instructions or events associated with accesses to those memory locations. The performance information that has been dynamically gathered from the assisting hardware is available to the software application during runtime in order to autonomically affect the behavior of the software application, particularly to enhance its performance. For example, the counted events may be used to autonomically collecting statistical information about the ability of a software application to successfully acquire a semaphore.

Abstract: An exemplary media implementation precipitates a device to perform actions including: determining if an instruction of a line of common intermediate language (CIL) code meets a predetermined exception-related criterion; and if so, injecting a decision point in association with the instruction of the line of CIL code, the decision point enabling a decision as to whether an exception is to be thrown with respect to the instruction. An exemplary device implementation includes: instrumented CIL code that includes a test couplet corresponding to a decision point and an associated instruction, the associated instruction capable of causing a fault; a decision runtime library that is adapted to evaluate the test couplet to selectively decide whether to throw an exception with respect to the associated instruction; and a common language runtime component that interprets the decision point so as to call the decision runtime library prior to executing the associated instruction.

Abstract: A system and method for using information in an auxiliary data system to enhance the capability of automated testing of graphical user interface (GUI) based applications. Embodiments of the invention establish a method to map auxiliary data to automated tests of the GUI in order to map out all tests that need to be created, which tests need to be changed as this auxiliary data changes, and how each automated test needs to be updated to handle these changes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for presenting coverage data relating to data access occurring during execution of code. The coverage data containing data access indicators associated with memory locations is obtained. The data access indicators that have been set by a processor in the data processing system in response to access of the memory locations during execution of the code by the processor are identified to form set data access indicators. Each set instruction access indicator is associated with a portion of the memory locations allocated for the code. A presentation for coverage data is generated, wherein the set data access indicators are identified in the presentation.

Abstract: A method of dynamic real time translation of first program code written for a first programmable machine into second program code (target code) for running on a second programmable machine, the method employing run time generation of an intermediate representation of the first program code. Upon first encountering a given portion of program code, only the target code necessary to execute that portion of program code under a prevailing set of entry conditions is initially generated and stored. When the same portion of program code is again encountered, a determination is made as to whether intermediate representation corresponding to a second subsequent set of conditions has been generated. If not, the target code necessary to execute the same portion of program code under that second set of conditions is generated.

Abstract: A Java virtual machine includes a just in time (JIT) Java compiler. The JIT compiler includes at least one optimizer. Each of the at least one optimizer includes logic for recognizing a pattern in a received Java byte code, logic for optimizing the recognized pattern to produce optimized native code and logic for outputting optimized native code. A method of producing optimized native code is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for updating firmware on a plurality of networked computing devices via a distributed network. An instruction to update the firmware on a plurality of networked computing devices, such as nodes in a computer cluster, is sent from a manager computer to the computing devices monitoring for instructions. When the instruction is received, the computing devices transition to an operating system independent recovery state, receive a new firmware image over the distributed network, and update the firmware with the new firmware image.

Abstract: Virtual-machine-monitor operation and implementation is facilitated by number of easily implemented features and extensions added to the features of a processor architecture. These features, one or more of which are used in various embodiments of the present invention, include a vmsw instruction that provides a means for transitioning between virtualization mode and non-virtualization mode without an interruption, a virtualization fault that faults on an attempt by a priority-0 routine in virtualization mode attempting to execute a privileged instruction, and a flexible highest-implemented-address mechanism to partition virtual address space into a virtualization address space and a non-virtualization address space.

Abstract: A threaded list of e-mail messages is provided by checking each received message against previous messages to determine whether the new message is associated with previous messages. If so, then a new thread is created. The new thread has an associated thread header, which stores metadata bout the messages in the thread. If the received message is related to messages in an existing thread, then the received message is added to that thread, and the thread header for that thread is updated to reflect data from the received message. The thread header appears with messages in a message list view of the inbox, and provides data about the thread. Messages that are not part of a thread are shown in the same view as threaded messages, without a thread header. This allows a user to view both threaded and non-threaded messages in a single view.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling the performance of a data processing system is disclosed. According to one method, a level of system performance is purchased for use with the data processing system. This purchased performance level is described in Millions of Instructions Per Second (MIPS) or a similar unit of measure. A system administrator selects which resources within the data processing system will be enabled, as well as how those resources will be configured. The enabled system resources will include one or more instruction processors. The performance of each of the enabled processors is then scaled to achieve the purchased system performance level. Performance scaling is performed in a manner that takes into account characteristics associated with the selected configuration as well as the system architecture.

Abstract: Logic (also called “synchronizing logic”) in a co-processor (that provides an interface to memory) receives a signal (called a “declaration”) from each of a number of tasks, based on an initial determination of one or more paths (also called “code paths”) in an instruction stream (e.g. originating from a high-level software program or from low-level microcode) that a task is likely to follow. Once a task (also called “disabled” task) declares its lack of a future need to access a shared data, the synchronizing logic allows that shared data to be accessed by other tasks (also called “needy” tasks) that have indicated their need to access the same. Moreover, the synchronizing logic also allows the shared data to be accessed by the other needy tasks on completion of access of the shared data by a current task (assuming the current task was also a needy task).

Abstract: Techniques for minimizing coprocessor “starvation,” and for effectively scheduling processing in a coprocessor for greater efficiency and power. A run list is provided allowing a coprocessor to switch from one task to the next, without waiting for CPU intervention. A method called “surface faulting” allows a coprocessor to fault at the beginning of a large task rather than somewhere in the middle of the task. DMA control instructions, namely a “fence,” a “trap” and a “enable/disable context switching,” can be inserted into a processing stream to cause a coprocessor to perform tasks that enhance coprocessor efficiency and power. These instructions can also be used to build high-level synchronization objects. Finally, a “flip” technique is described that can switch a base reference for a display from one location to another, thereby changing the entire display surface.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for adaptive load balancing. Techniques are provided for monitoring a server's operating conditions; determining, based on the server's operating conditions, when to send a behavior modification hint to one or more clients that are being served by the server; generating the behavior modification hint based on the server's operating conditions; and sending the behavior modification hint to the one or more clients. A client receives the behavior modification hint and, based on the behavior modification hint, alters a timeout value related to the server or alters its preferred server.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and systems for managing successful completion of a network of processes. The network of processes can be represented as a graph. In this representation, the nodes of the graph represent the processes, and the edges of the graph represent events associated with the processes. Processing starts at the root node, and is based on the result of an initially unknown graph. When an event is to be produced or consumed, a message to that effect is transmitted to a component called a Q-Manager. Using the messages, which are received in event order, the Q-Manager keeps track of the state of the graph, and determines when successful completion of the processing has occurred. Once this occurs, the Q-Manager sends a notification indicating completion of the network.

Abstract: In a simplified user switching function for switching to another user without terminating an application of a current user, data of an application started up a user before switching is included and temporarily stored in a temporary storage file. Data generated by using an application started up a user A who is currently inactive as a result of user switching (user being in a logged-on state but the desktop changed to that of another user) is stored temporarily at the time of the user switching. Thus, even when a user B (currently active user) after the user switching performs a shutdown operation or the like, the data of the currently inactive user A can be protected securely. Also, when the writing time is set unchanged, transistor size of the TFTs provided in the pixel circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically and persistently tracking incremental profiling data in a process cloning application environment is presented. A master runtime system process is executed. A memory space of the master runtime system process is cloned as a child runtime system process responsive to a process request. The child runtime system process is executed. The execution of the child runtime system process is profiled by collecting profiling data incrementally. The child runtime system process profiles are fed back to the master runtime system process to benefit subsequent cloned child runtime system processes. In a further embodiment, the child runtime system process profiles are maintained in a persistent storage for use by the master runtime system process upon the next start up.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for defining and using a service meta model operate on a meta model that includes an object node class, an association class, and an object class. The object node class includes a key identifier and represents data types. The association class is associated with the object node class and represents an association between instances of the object node class. The object class is associated with an object composition. The object composition is defined by a data structure of instances of the object node class and associations between the instances of the object node class represented by the association class.

Abstract: Interprocess buffer management is described. In an implementation, a method includes determining an amount of time to communicate a message and receive a response to the message by a first process from a second process. A buffer delay time is computed from the amount of time. Data from the first process is stored in a buffer. When the buffer delay time is reached, the buffer is sent to the second process.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating conversational and non-conversational transactions between thin-clients and MFS-based IMS applications. The system includes components for storing conversation attributes associated with a conversational transaction between a thin-client and an MFS-based IMS application, the conversation attributes comprising connection information and conversation-specific information. Next, one or more transaction messages from the thin-client are preprocessed based on a transaction message type. The stored conversation attributes are updated in response changes in the conversation attributes caused by the one or more transaction messages. Then, a conversation output message is formatted for the thin-client.

Abstract: A user-driven, service-oriented application model, in which conformant applications implement and process instances of two program object types. Components in conformant applications consist of objects having built-in behaviors that are common across different applications. Each application object is either an instance of a predefined active object type, or an instance of a predefined reactive object type. Active objects are associated with individual users of their application, are allowed to activate services, and encapsulate all their inputs and outputs within a bounded space. Reactive objects are instantiated or processed by services, and, in one embodiment, each one is owned by an individual active object at any given point in time. During operation of the disclosed system, services activated by active objects route reactive objects to active objects. An active object assumes ownership of a received reactive object upon receipt.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for processing a message of a large number of agents. An example of an apparatus includes: a memory; means for managing a state of an agent based on whether the agent is in the memory and whether there is a message, by determining a priority level of the agent based on a message inserted into the agent; means for assigning a thread to the agent if the agent is in the memory and for assigning a thread to the agent after calling the agent to the memory if the agent is not in the memory, on condition that the agent having a highest priority level has been detected; and message processing means for repeating message processing until a predetermined criterion is satisfied, in relation to the agent to which a thread has been assigned.

Abstract: A system for identifying business events is provided. The system includes a store of business process policies, and a business process manager operative to define and process the business process policies. The system further includes an event manager. The event manager includes at least one rule-based application, at least one predictive application and a store of business events. The event manager is operative to employ the rule-based application and predictive application to identify business events according to the stored business process policies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for enabling events in a COBOL program, including maintaining, in a COBOL program, a index including a process identifier and an event associated with a child process. The method includes placing the child process in a wait state and signaling, by the COBOL program, the child process to run using the process identifier and the event associated with the child process. A system for coordinating processing in COBOL programs is also provided. The system includes a first COBOL program having a first routine for processing, a second COBOL program having a second routine for processing, and a module callable by the first and second COBOL programs. The module maintains a state sharable between the first and second COBOL programs to coordinate the processing of the first and second routines.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for predicting an event's occurrence and notifying one or more interested applications that an event has been predicted to have occurred.

Abstract: A system and method for inducing asynchronous behavioral changes in a managed application process is presented. An application manager process is executed. A managed application process is executed. At least one application provided as object-oriented program code under the control of a managed code platform is executed. The managed application process logically communicates with the application manager process. One or more constructors corresponding to notifiable objects provided as object-oriented program code are identified. Each constructor keeps track of instantiated notifiable objects in a list in the managed application process. A change request is broadcast to the managed application process. The notifiable objects tracked by each identified constructor are iterated over to effect a behavioral change in the managed application process.

Abstract: An interconnectivity framework, method, and system for communicating in a peer-to-peer network is disclosed. A peer of the interconnectivity framework includes a peer library for publishing, messaging and locating component blocks over the peer-to-peer network and a telespace framework for managing component blocks in response to a requirement of an application to be executed at the peer. The component blocks being obtained by the peer library enable execution of the application at the peer in accordance with the requirement. The requirement defines the type of application so that the appropriate component blocks can be obtained from the peer-to-peer network. A networker is further included to enable communication with specific grids of the peer-to-peer network and to enable the publishing, messaging, and locating of objects published by specific peers of a grid of the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A method of making adapters for enabling incompatible computer systems to work in cooperation by providing a framework of software rules and resources from which to configure adapters for mediating between incompatible applications. The adapters are each provided with at least one interface for receiving requests and another interface for sending information. The framework resources and rules provide objects which can be reused for making one-way adapters, bi-directional adapters, round-trip adapters, and compound adapters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for transmitting computer data within a single computer system along more than one physical data path by providing a multiple-path driver that creates virtual (or non-physical) data paths without modifying the source code of the operating system. The system and method may be used with any computer hardware regardless of manufacturer. In one embodiment, a multiple-path driver may be used within a Linux operating system to create virtual data paths and transmit data between the upper-level drivers of the Linux system and at least one computer data storage device without modifying the Linux source code.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed that provides a set of common software routines that may be accessed by device drivers in support of the Windows Management Instrumentation system. The set of common routines includes typical routines that would ordinarily be executed by device drivers designed in accordance with WMI. The common routines may reside in a library, dynamically accessible by the device drivers. When a device driver receives a message from the WMI system, the device driver may pass the message to the library to be handled in a common manner. In this manner, the developers of device drivers in accordance with the WMI system need only develop so much code as is necessary to support any unique features or data storage of its associated hardware. The result is shortened development time and fewer programming errors. In addition, the overall system performance may be improved because fewer instances of similar code are loaded in memory to support the WMI system.

Abstract: A method of creating a peripheral driver for a particular peripheral by learning the peripheral options and the commands for those options from the peripheral itself. The computer access a specified location in the memory of the peripheral which contains either a generic peripheral description file or a pointer to such a file. The file is a text-based file, which contains the peripheral options as name-value entries. The computer parses the file and learns of the available options and the appropriate commands to use those options. The computer is thus able to create a driver for the peripheral.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a service-extensible, completely new “safe service extension platform” in which false access, by an execute form which implements a digital content providing service, can be eliminated without the need to deny a process which might cause the false access. The safe service extension platform, in which services are associated with an execute form and the services are extended by changing or adding the execute form, includes a service-dependent API for extending the services. The service extension from the execute form is carried out only by calling the service-dependent API.

Abstract: A system and method for cooperative application quiescence in a computing environment. In one embodiment, a system may include a storage device configured to store data, a plurality of applications each of which is configured to issue input/output (I/O) requests to the storage device, and a quiescence manager configured to coordinate quiescence of at least a portion of the plurality of applications in response to receiving a quiescence request, where quiescence of a given application may include completing outstanding I/O requests issued by the given application.

Abstract: A system and method for binding software objects to the program code that implements them in accordance with run-time object typing that is independent of the program code typing system. Persistently-stored, run-time object instances (“persistent objects”) are maintained by a software-based system across transactions, user sessions, and application executions, and are identified by unique, typed names. Dynamic binding is provided through software constructs that are associated with corresponding persistent objects, and referred to as “Associators”. Associators provide links between object types and the program code that implements them.

Abstract: A system and method for providing composite applications for software-based systems that uses a built-in application model having at least one general purpose object type, and providing dynamic late-binding of object implementations through an object typing system decoupled from pre-run time program code, using persistently stored objects. The application model may require that program objects in a conformant application be instances of a predefined active object type, or optionally instances of a predefined reactive object type. The application model enables integration of applications into composite applications, and further integration of composite applications into subsequently defined systems. The run-time object typing system for persistently stored objects is independent of the class typing system that is defined at compile-time or link-time, and enables convenient and practical modifications during development, deployment and maintenance of composite applications.

Abstract: An optical disc reading apparatus includes a main body, a first disc entrance and a second disc entrance. The main body has a disc-reading room therein for accommodating the optical disc. The first disc entrance is arranged on a first face of the main body for providing the optical disc with a first approach to the disc-reading room. The second disc entrance is arranged on a second face of the main body different from the first face for providing the optical disc with a second approach to the disc-reading room.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a guide mechanism for guiding conveyance of a disk so that the disk can be advanced or retracted in a direction of conveyance of the disk, rotary members rotatably disposed on both ends of the guide mechanism, a disk conveying mechanism disposed opposite to the guide mechanism between the rotary members, and a rotating mechanism for, when retracting the guide mechanism toward a disk insertion/ejection opening, rotating the rotary member so as to move the disk conveying mechanism in a direction which intersects with the direction of conveyance of the disk.

Abstract: A disc recording/reproducing apparatus includes a main frame, a disc cartridge including a case with an opening on a bottom thereof to expose a disc-type recording medium and a window on a sidewall thereof, a shutter mounted in the case to expose and cover the opening, a rotary wheel operating in association with the shutter, and a latch unit formed at one side of the case to control rotation of the rotary wheel, a tray mounting the disc cartridge and moving with respect to the main frame, a shutter opening/closing unit connected to one side of the main frame, a rack member of a cantilever type contacting with the rotary wheel, and first and second connection ribs connected to a static part of the shutter opening/closing unit, and a cam guiding the rack member distanced in relation to or from the latch unit, during shutter opening/closing operations.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes: an optical disk drive mechanism disposed in a housing-shape drive case (2), the optical disk drive mechanism including an optical head (7) on which a semiconductor laser (5) is mounted, a rotary driver for driving an optical disk (8), and a transfer mechanism for transferring the optical head (7); and an agitating fan (12) for making air in the drive case (2) flow. In the optical disk device, a wind path is formed so that the air in the drive case (2) flows in a manner in which it is drawn toward an agitating fan (12) side and the drawn air is discharged toward the optical head (7) or the semiconductor laser (5) by rotation of the agitating fan (12). Therefore, a rise in temperature of the semiconductor laser (5) can be suppressed effectively, while the dust proofing is ensured.

Abstract: An optical pickup guiding structure for an optical disk drive is provided. The optical pickup guiding structure comprises a pickup base with a pickup window formed therein, and an optical pickup that is provided in the pickup window and that includes at least one end movably supported by a molded structure integrally formed on the pickup base. The end of the optical pickup and a molded structure for movably supporting the end of the optical pickup are formed with a guide channel and a guide rib, respectively, which are complementary to each other, thereby guiding the optical pickup. Because the number of parts of the optical disk chive is minimized, and the change in the installation state of the optical pickup is minimized during use, the operational reliability is improved.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes position restricting component for restricting the position of a unit mechanism portion in a disc plane direction when the unit mechanism portion is in a raised state. The position restricting component includes a first portion that restricts the position of a base of the unit mechanism portion when the base is at a height position for write or read of information to or from an optical disc and a second portion that cancels the position restriction on the base of the unit mechanism portion in the disc plane direction or makes the position restriction easier than in the first portion when the base is at a height position corresponding to a chucked portion of the optical disc onto the turntable. At the height position where the optical disc is chucked the position restricting component makes the turntable displaceable in the disc plane direction so that the axis of the turntable becomes nearly coincident with the center of a center hole formed in the optical disc.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a tuner tuned to the program and a meter coupled to the tuner and arranged to detect content ancillary information from the program tuned by the tuner. The content ancillary information may be a media link, closed captioning information, or the like. The meter may also be arranged to extract a broadcast signature from the program. A comparator compares the broadcast signature to a reference signature selected from a library of reference signatures based upon the content ancillary information. Broadcast signatures from unknown programs may be clustered at least partially on the basis of the content ancillary information.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

Abstract: Television programs are recommended in a flexible manner which a conventional keyword learning process has failed and also recommended with high accuracy. A method of recommending a program in an apparatus which receives broadcasts of programs together with information representing contents of the programs is carried out by generating a user profile having a plurality of themes with numerical values assigned thereto for representing preferred programs of the user, classifying themes by assigning numerical values to a plurality of respective themes with respect to each of a plurality of programs, using theme dictionaries containing keywords given to the themes, and determining programs to be recommended from the user profile and the numerical values assigned to the themes with respect to each of the programs.

Abstract: In a video-on-demand system, disc-based video streams are seamlessly replaced with memory-based video streams. This is achieved by first switching each disc-based video stream to a mixed video stream; and later, switching each mixed video stream to a memory-based video stream.

Abstract: A motion detecting system which can set a proper set value for motion detection processing carried out by a camera server through a setting terminal. A setting terminal is connected to a camera server via a network for communication with each other. In the camera server, first motion detection processing is carried out for detecting a variation in an image taken by a camera based on a first set value. In the setting terminal, second motion detection processing is carried out on the taken image acquired based on a second set value via the network. The second set value is transmitted to the camera server so as to change the first set value according to a result of the second motion detection processing.