Abstract: According to some embodiments, a multithreaded microcontroller includes a thread control unit comprising thread control hardware (logic) configured to perform a number of multithreading system calls essentially in real time, e.g. in one or a few clock cycles. System calls can include mutex lock, wait condition, and signal instructions. The thread controller includes a number of thread state, mutex, and condition variable registers used for executing the multithreading system calls. Threads can transition between several states including free, run, ready and wait. The wait state includes interrupt, condition, mutex, I-cache, and memory substates. A thread state transition controller controls thread states, while a thread instructions execution unit executes multithreading system calls and manages thread priorities to avoid priority inversion. A thread scheduler schedules threads according to their priorities.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wearable physiologic monitor comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) including signal conditioning circuitry, a real-time clock, digital control logic, and mode-selection logic for setting an operating mode of the ASIC to a stand-alone mode or a peripheral mode. In the stand-alone mode, the digital control logic periodically stores data packets including multiple sensor data types in a digital memory such as a removable flash memory card. In the peripheral mode, the data packets are transmitted to a microcontroller for processing. The monitor includes sensors such as electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, accelerometers, and a temperature sensor, some of which may be integrated on the ASIC. The same basic chip design may be used in the stand-alone mode in disposable patches, and in the peripheral mode in bedside devices. The operating mode may be chosen at monitor manufacture, by connecting input pins to mode-selection logic levels.

Abstract: In some embodiments, multiple functional blocks (agents) in a complex integrated circuit are connected to a physically-distant shared resource (e.g. a memory controller) through packet buses which do not depend on establishing clock-cycle sequenced handshakes. On-chip repeaters including one or more register stages are used to segment the agent-shared resource interconnects into multiple segments, each shorter than a single-clock-cycle pathlength. The interconnects of multiple closely-spaced agents can be routed to the shared resource through an on-chip router having a single routed connection to the shared resource, for reducing the floorplan space taken by interconnects. The packet-based communications protocols do not require redesigning the agents or memory controller to make protocol changes accounting for the clock cycles inserted by repeaters and/or routers.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a junction assembly comprises a mounting base, a U-shaped front-facing spring clip mounted on the mounting base, a transverse release button passing through the mounting base, and a spring-loaded release check situated under the release button. The spring clip clamps an external conductor onto a conductive fixed support when the mounting base is slid forward along the fixed support. When the junction assembly is in its forward position, the release check abuts a backward-facing surface of the mounting base to block the withdrawal of the mounting base. Pressing the release button pushes down the release check to a level below the mounting base to allow sliding the mounting base backward. Longitudinal guide slots disposed on opposing lateral surface of the mounting base accommodate corresponding guide rails of a conductive fixed support. The assembly allows convenient, tool-less connection/disconnection and provides for a large contact area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the execution of load and store instructions for internal fields of data structures is accelerated by using on-chip template registers and appropriate machine code instructions. A load/store machine code instruction comprises an identifier of a memory address offset of an internal field word relative to a base address of the data structure, an identifier of an intra-word start bit of the internal field, and an identifier of an intra-word length of the internal field. The three identifiers may coincide, for example if the three identifiers are represented by an identity of a template register storing a template entry including the memory address offset, the start position, and the field length. The three identifiers may also be provided as part of a machine code instruction itself. Further provided are compilers, compiler methods, and hardware systems for implementing accelerated internal-field load and store operations.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an electrical connector assembly comprises an electrical connector body and a clamping collar disposed over the electrical connector body. The electrical connector body comprises a pair of opposing latch hook strips parallel to an insertion direction of the electrical connector body. Each latch hook strip has an inward-facing latch hook situated along a distal region of an inner surface of the latch hook strip, and a forward-facing, inner-surface slanted platform. The clamping collar is slidably disposed over the latch hook strips. The clamping collar comprises a pair of backward-facing slanted platforms, each configured to engage a corresponding forward-facing slanted platform of a latch hook strip. Sliding the clamping collar forward along the latch hook strips clamps the latch hooks to secure the connector, and sliding the clamping collar backward along the latch hook strips unclamps the latch hooks to release the connector.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a heat sink is pressed down on a heat source such as an integrated circuit by rotating a cam to press down a set of springs over a loading arm, which is in turn positioned over a heat sink base. A cam shaft is placed in a hinge opening of a mounting frame secured to a printed circuit board (PCB). The mounting frame encloses a heat sink positioned over an IC. The hinge opening defines a hinge axis parallel to the PCB plane. A loading arm includes spring wells for holding coil springs, which are compressed between the mounting frame and the bottoms of the spring wells when the cam is rotated. The mounting frame and loading arm may include mating, self-locking sections including hinge protrusions having cross-sections shaped as a circle sectioned linearly off-center.

Abstract: An automatic device for handling objects comprises gripper blades attached to a guide, an actuator connected to an external connection transporting the device, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism alternately changes the state of the pickup device between object-engaging and object-disengaging states each time the guide reaches an end-of-travel position at an object holder. A single external axial movement is performed for both transporting the pickup device and actuating the switch and the grippers. The pickup device may include radially-gliding pierced grippers crossed by curved arms attached to the axially moving actuator. The described devices and methods may be used in object-handling robots, in particular for CD/DVD handling applications.

Abstract: A memory controller for a multi-bank random access memory (RAM) such as SDRAM includes a transaction slicer for slicing complex client transactions into simple slices, and a command scheduler for re-ordering preparatory memory commands such as activate and precharge in an order that can be different from the order of the corresponding client transactions. The command scheduler may also re-order memory access commands such as read and write. The slicing and out-of-order command scheduling allow a reduction in memory latency. The data transfer to and from clients can be kept in order.

Abstract: A dual-mode network storage controller integrated on a chip is connected to a first set of hosts over a block-level storage area network (SAN), and to a second set of hosts over a metadata Ethernet/IP network. The dual-mode storage controller is also connected to one or more storage devices, such as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID). The storage controller comprises dedicated-hardware metadata translation logic for translating metadata (e.g. file-level) storage commands into block-level storage commands. The storage controller can also include block translation logic for translating logical block-level storage commands into physical block-level storage commands. The storage controller further comprises multiplexing logic for sequentially transmitting to the storage device(s) block level storage commands derived from the commands received from the first set of hosts and the second set of hosts.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a 1×N optical switch includes: a plurality of co-planar, parallel output optical fiber collimators oriented to receive light substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of switching units each corresponding to an output collimator. Each switching unit includes a rhomboid switching prism movable between a first position and a second position, and a fixed right-angle reflector facing the output collimator. When the switching prism is in the first position, the switching prism receives a longitudinal light beam and directs the light beam to the reflector for transmission to the output collimator. When the switching prism is in the second position, the switching prism is situated out of a path of the light beam. The described configurations may be optically reversed to yield N×1 switches.

Abstract: An optical system includes a pair of adjacent cylindrical lenses and a target positioned in a round-spot plane following the pair of cylindrical lenses. At least one of the cylindrical lenses is rotatable about the optical axis, relative to the other cylindrical lens. A collimated light beam is incident on the pair of cylindrical lenses. Rotating the cylindrical lenses relative to each other allows changing the size of a round spot (or symmetrically scaling an image) at a given target location. Additional optical elements, for example a spherical lens, may be placed after the pair of cylindrical lenses. In various embodiments, the pair of cylindrical lenses may include two positive lenses, or a positive and a negative lens.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrical cable connector includes a latching spring having a user-pressable top plate coupled to a fixed base through a frontal U-shaped hinge. The top plate includes bi-directionally (front and back) sloped latching protrusions which fit into matching openings defined in a complementary connector. A connector pair can be separated by pressing the top plate to lower the latching protrusions, and/or by applying a pulling force lower than a cable-damaging threshold to cause the connectors to self-release. The hinge structure can include a pair of laterally-spaced hinges separated by a central notch. The width of the central notch can be chosen to yield desired spring properties.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical switch includes multiple individually-retractable wedge switching prisms stacked in a longitudinal channel, corresponding plural transverse-translation rhomboid prisms extending transversely away from the longitudinal channel, and corresponding plural fiber collimators oriented longitudinally and aligned along a transverse line on both sides of the longitudinal channel. To switch light to a selected fiber collimator, its corresponding wedge switching prism is inserted in the longitudinal channel to deflect light to a corresponding transverse-translation prism and on to the selected fiber collimator; the other switching prisms are retracted from the channel. In some embodiments, longitudinally-adjacent switching prisms are oriented in opposite directions. A reverse-deflection wedge prism can be provided between each switching prism and its corresponding transverse-translation prism.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an optical module package includes a housing, a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to the housing, and optical fiber connectors terminating each cable. Each optical fiber cable may include an optical fiber, two concentric flexible protective tubes enclosing the fiber, and aramid (e.g. Kevlar®) fibers disposed between the protective tubes. Each protective tube is capable of longitudinally sliding relative to the optical fiber along at least part of the cable, to release stresses resulting from differential thermal expansion of the optical fiber and the protective tubes. Each optical fiber may be held fixed relative to the housing and distal connectors, and one or both of the ends of the protective tubes may be free to move. The protective tubes may also be held fixed relative to the housing, and the optical fiber(s) allowed to move within the housing.

Abstract: A gas dispensing assembly suitable for use in combination with an interchangeable high pressure gas supply vessel. The gas dispensing assembly includes a regulator means comprising a housing having a passageway therethrough, and a check valve-gas flow regulator positioned in the passageway of housing. The check valve is operable so as to block any gas flow above a predetermined pressure through the passageway of the housing. The gas flow regulator controlling the rate and/or the pressure of the gas exiting from the regulator means. There is an outlet demand valve means comprising a housing having a passageway therethrough, the housing being detachably connectable to the interchangeable high pressure gas supply vessel, and to the other end of the housing of the regulator means, a chamber being formed between such housing and the regulator housing, the height of the chamber being variable by adjusting the distance between the housings, and an outlet demand valve positioned in the passageway of the housing.