Abstract: A method of accessing a communication medium allows for isochronous and asynchronous communication traffic to share the same medium and the same transceivers of a plurality of communication stations that communicate by way of a base station. The base station controls the communication between communication stations and generates regular timing periods in which isochronous traffic is sent to the stations with a higher priority than any asynchronous traffic pending at the beginning of each timing period. Once the initial isochronous traffic has accessed the medium, any further isochronous traffic retains access to the medium so that the asynchronous traffic can only occur in that part of the frame period remaining after the isochronous traffic has accessed the medium.

Abstract: An I/O circuit including first and second I/O pads, a fuse connected between the first pad and a RAM write enable line, and a diode-connected transistor connected between the RAM write enable line and second pad. Data is written to the RAM by applying a voltage potential to the pads after which the fuse is blown by increasing the potential difference. Other forms of the invention include a resistor connected between the RAM write enable line and ground, and I/O lines connected between the pads, respectively, and a logic circuit.

Abstract: A method of implanting a graft in a patient's body is disclosed. According to the method, a first end of the graft is anastomosed to the blood vessel at a first location which is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, and a second end of the graft is anastomosed to the blood vessel at a second location which is visually exposed through a gaping surgical incision. The first end of the graft includes a flanged end portion which is guided into the blood vessel through an arteriotomy defined therein near the first location so as to be positioned substantially adjacent a portion of a sidewall of the blood vessel which substantially surrounds the arteriotomy. An expandable stent is then placed within the blood vessel and in contact with the flanged end portion so as to secure the flanged end portion of the graft between the sidewall of the blood vessel and the stent thereby securing the graft to the blood vessel.

Abstract: An I/O circuit including first and second I/O pads, a fuse connected between the first pad and a RAM write enable line, and a diode-connected transistor connected between the RAM write enable line and second pad. Data is written to the RAM by applying a voltage potential to the pads after which the fuse is blown by increasing the potential difference. Other forms of the invention include a resistor connected between the RAM write enable line and ground, and I/O lines connected between the pads, respectively, and a logic circuit.

Abstract: In a processing system any response to an interrupt acknowledge cycle is deferred until the transfer of buffered data to be written from an agent on a subsystem I/O bus to main memory of the system is assured. To expedite system operation, data to be written to main memory by an agent on an I/O bus is buffered in an interface circuit. As soon as the data is buffered, the I/O bus agent is released and interrupts a processor on the system bus indicating completion of the data write. A tightly coupled interrupt controller is used so that the agent does not need to own the I/O or system bus to generate the interrupt. The interrupted processor issues an interrupt acknowledge (IAK) cycle on the system bus to receive an interrupt vector from the interrupt controller. The interface circuit recognizes the IAK cycle and generates a retry signal for the processor if buffered data remains in the interface circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for requesting access to refresh a computer memory. Two lines are connected between a timer and arbiter. A memory refresh request signal is provided on the first line and is accorded a relatively low priority by the arbiter. If the first request is not granted within a predetermined period of time, a second memory refresh request signal is provided on the second line and is accorded a relatively high priority by the arbiter.

Abstract: A method of implanting a graft prosthesis in the body of a patient to bypass a segment of a blood vessel. A graft is positioned so that one end of the graft is located substantially adjacent the blood vessel at a site upstream of the segment and the other end of the graft is located substantially adjacent the blood vessel at a site downstream of the segment, wherein the positioning step includes the step of advancing the graft within the body with a medical instrument. A region of the area within the blood vessel near the upstream site is isolated from fluid communication with the rest of the area within the blood vessel. An arteriotomy is made in the sidewall of the blood vessel near the upstream site to create a communicating aperture between the upstream isolated region and the outside of the blood vessel. An anastomosis is then formed between the one end of the graft and the blood vessel near the upstream site.

Abstract: In a computer, when a block of data is written to memory, it is common to attach a control word to the data. The control word is placed at a pre-arranged location, generally separate from the data. The control word contains important information about the data, such as starting address, length, etc. The presence of the control word indicates that the data is valid.Sometimes, for various reasons, the control word is written before all the data is written. This premature availability of the control word gives false information: the data is not yet completely written, yet the presence of the control word indicates otherwise. The invention prevents such a problem by preventing premature writing of the control word.

Abstract: A method of deskewing and side registering a sheet is disclosed. The method includes the step of driving a sheet non-differentially in a process direction with a sheet driver, the sheet having an unknown magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and an unknown initial angle of skew. The method further includes the steps of measuring the initial angle of skew with an initial skew sensing mechanism and driving the sheet differentially with the sheet driver to compensate for the magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and thereby induce a registration angle of skew. Moreover, the method includes the steps of measuring the registration angle of skew with a registration skew sensing mechanism and summing the initial angle of skew and the registration angle of skew so as to determine an absolute angle of skew.

Abstract: An apparatus for decurling an advancing sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first belt and a second belt spaced apart from the first belt so as to define a space adapted to receive the advancing sheet. The apparatus further includes a roller positioned between the first belt and the second belt, the roller being in contact with the first belt in a first mode of operation so as to define a first nip and being in contact with the second belt in a second mode of operation so as to define a second nip.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a developed image from a photoconductive surface to a copy sheet in a transfer zone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mechanism for directing a flow of gas onto the copy sheet in the transfer zone to urge the copy sheet toward the developed image on the photoconductive surface so as to enhance contact between the copy sheet and the developed image in the transfer zone. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for charging the copy sheet in the transfer zone, after the gas directing mechanism directs the flow of gas onto the copy sheet, to attract the developed image from the photoconductive surface to the copy sheet. Also disclosed is a method of transferring a developed image from a photoconductive surface to a copy sheet in a transfer zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing marking particles is described which includes a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and having an opening defined therein for the discharge of the marking particles therefrom. The apparatus further includes a seal member secured to the container, the seal member having an opening defined therein which is at least partially coextensive with the opening of the container for the passage of marking particles therethrough. Moreover, the apparatus includes a cover positionable over the opening defined in the seal member, the cover being removably secured to the seal member with an adhesive material.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a sheet in a predetermined path is described. The apparatus includes a mechanism for advancing the sheet in the path. The apparatus further includes a first mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the first controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation. Moreover, the apparatus includes a second mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the second controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A sheet transport system having a sheet release mechanism to effect release of a sheet from the sheet transport system at a point near the end of the transfer process. The sheet release mechanism includes a member positionable at a first fixed position spaced apart from the path of the sheet and a second fixed position within the path of the sheet. The sheet release mechanism is located on the side of the sheet opposite the side to which the toner image is transferred.

Abstract: A printer member adapted to be used in an ion printing device having a conductive coating positioned on a portion of the marking head near the charge receiver. The conductive coating is electrically connected to the housing in order to substantially equalize the voltage potential of the housing and marking member. The above arrangement enables the device to be set at a single operating state that would allow the device to operate very near its breakdown threshold at all humidity levels.

Abstract: An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member and a trailing portion thereof is within the transfer zone. The trailing portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the leading edge of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately ahead of the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is less than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the leading portion of the sheet positioned immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The buckle functions to eliminate relative velocity between the photoconductive belt and any portion of sheet within the transfer zone so as to substantially eliminate slip between the sheet and the photoconductive belt.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which advances a sheet in a predetermined path through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The apparatus charges the sheet to transfer the information from the moving member to the sheet. The apparatus includes a mechanism to maintain the charge on the sheet during advancement thereof.

Abstract: A sheet transport system having a sheet gripper which includes at least one resilient member used to bias an upper gripping portion toward a lower gripping portion so as to releasably secure the leading edge of a sheet therebetween. The resilient member includes a stop which functions to register the sheet within the sheet gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating timing pulses which includes a first flexible member having a plurality of spaced marks thereon, with the first flexible member being rotatably mounted. The apparatus further includes a second flexible member, positioned substantially adjacent the first flexible member, which has a plurality of spaced marks thereon, with the spaced marks of the second flexible member formed complementary to at least a portion of the spaced marks of the first flexible member, and with the second flexible member being mounted in a stationary manner. Moreover, the apparatus includes means for detecting when the spaced marks of the second flexible member are positioned substantially complementary to the portion of the spaced marks of the first flexible member and generating a timing pulse output in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is within the transfer zone and a trailing portion thereof is immediately behind the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The leading portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the trailing portion of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately behind the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the trailing portion of the sheet in the region. The buckle functions to eliminate relative velocity between the photoconductive belt and any portion of sheet within the transfer zone so as to substantially eliminate slip between the sheet and the photoconductive belt.