Abstract: A memory controller which provides a series of queues between the processor and the PCI bus and the memory system. Memory coherency is maintained in two different ways. Before any read operations are accepted from the PCI bus, both of the posting queues must be empty. A content addressable memory (CAM) is utilized as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) to memory queue. When the processor performs a read request, the CAM is checked to determine if one of the pending write operations in the PCI to memory queue is to the same address as the read operation of the processor. If so, the read operation is not executed until the PCI memory queue is cleared of the write. To resolve the problem of aborting a Memory Read Multiple operation, an abort signal from the PCI bus interface is received and as soon thereafter as can be done the read ahead cycle is terminated, even though the read ahead cycle has not fully completed.

Abstract: A computer system having separate, yet compatible DMA controllers on a bus. Each DMA controller for controlling at least one DMA channel, each DMA controller having an independent set of registers for performing DMA operations and a configuration register for indicating channel status and designation. A DMA master for compatibly communicating with a processor and for initializing and communicating with the multiple DMA controllers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fault tolerant system for providing power to a multiple central processing unit computer system. Three DC-DC converters, each sized for providing power to one central processing unit, furnish power to two central processing units through two power planes. Each DC-DC converter has an output voltage level selectable through a voltage identification signal. If the voltage identification signals of the converters match, identification logic couples the power planes together. If only one converter is available to power the two central processing units, a stopclock logic circuit alternatively places the central processing units in known stopclock modes. Thus, the single converter only has to fully power one central processing unit at any one time.

Abstract: A method that identifies the type of LCD panel used in a portable computer system based on the frequency of the oscillator signal of the DC-to-AC inverter in the LCD panel. In this method, only one signal is routed from the LCD panel to the base unit of the portable computer system for the purpose of panel identification. The inverter oscillating signal is used to increment a counter during power on operations. A system counter, which is clocked by a system clock, is used to determine the number of system clocks needed for the panel identification counter to reach a predetermined count. That number is compared with the entries of a table, in which each entry corresponds to a type of LCD panel. In this manner, the type of LCD panel can be identified based on the frequency of the inverter signal. A corresponding entry in a second table is accessed to obtain a table entry for the identified LCD panel to a full table of LCD panel parameters. The table entry is stored in a predetermined location in the Video ROM.

Abstract: A surgical stay apparatus provides a frame that can be annular and conforming to a patient's body at a surgical site. An opening allows a surgeon to access the surgical site through the central portion of the frame. A stay includes a handle body having proximal and distal ends. The first bore extends through the handle body communicating at least with the proximal end of the handle body. The second bore extends at least a partial distance through the handle body and communicates with the proximal surface of the body. An elastic member extends through the first bore, the elastic member having an elongated portion that extends from the distal end of the handle body and a short proximal end that is positioned at the handle body occupying at least a portion of the first bore. A hook member having proximal and distal end portions occupies the second bore of the handle body, the hook member has a curved hook at the distal end portion of the handle body for retracting body tissue.

Abstract: Oil is burned controllably in an engine to reduce valve and valve guide wear and valve seat face recession, thus extending cylinder head and valve life. A nozzle discharges atomized oil into an intake manifold. The nozzle receives the oil from a pressurized source of oil. Used engine lubricating oil from the engine is preferably the source of oil, thus both disposing of used oil and allowing the lubricating oil to be maintained fresher. An atomizing fluid, such as air or natural gas, is fed to the nozzle for atomizing the oil. An air and fuel mixture conveys the atomized oil into combustion chambers where the oil is burned. The oil has an additive that leaves a finely dispersed ash residue in the combustion chambers when the oil is burned. Where a valve closes against a seat face in the cylinder head, the ash residue reduces valve wear and seat face recession, presumably because the ash residue provides a cushioning effect.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inducing growth of soft tissues including skin, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and spinal cord which includes a tensioned spring causing the application of force on the soft tissue in the direction of the desired growth. The device also includes means for attaching the tensioned spring to the tissue and means for maintaining tension on the spring as the tissue grows. Further, a monitoring and control device can be included which can monitor and control the amount of growth.

Abstract: A bridge for coupling two buses together utilizes a data buffer to act as a point of synchronization to provide effective data operations between the buses. The bridge includes master and slave capability on both buses and an arbiter for selecting between requests from bus masters on one bus. The data buffer includes a number of dual ported memories for write posting and read ahead operations. Each dual ported memory is allocated to a bus master of the one bus. The bridge allows data operations to each dual ported memory based on data or space availability of the memory. Simultaneous reading and writing capability on alternate buses is provided.

Abstract: An improved standard crossing for railroad track is provided, having an interchangeable insert. The interchangeable insert permits easy changing of the most commonly worn pieces in situ, and avoids the expense of having to remove and replace the entire crossing when only parts of it are worn or broken. A filler member for fitting in to support and strengthen the crossing, as well as turnouts and other railroad structures, is also provided. The filler member makes it easy to align and assemble the structure, while also supporting the head portion of the rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laparoscopic insertion and application of a liquid, gel or like medicinal material enables the laparoscopic surgeon to utilize various spray patterns to apply the desired material. In laparoscopy surgery of the abdomen (including pelvis), all instrumentation and all surgical products must be introduced through "ports" consisting of valved, sleeved or tubes. To properly and efficiently introduce and apply liquid, gel or like medicinal material, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing the desired material with a desired pattern or spray. The instrument consists of an elongated instrument body that can receive a selected flexible delivery tube having a distal end with a nozzle. The instrument body articulates at its distal end, thereby flexing the dispensing tube. The selected nozzle of the selected dispensing tube can be flexed to dispense with a desired spray pattern into any position of the patient's abdominal cavity.

Abstract: An audio power management system for a computer eliminates audible noise associated with the cycling of power to an audio amplifier for a computer. A diode is connected between the power supply rail and the power input to the audio amplifier. One or more decoupling capacitors is provided at the power input to the audio amplifier to insulate the audio amplifier from fluctuations at the power supply. The apparatus mutes the amplifier for a brief period shortly after power becomes available and mutes the amplifier immediately when power is removed to eliminate transient noises. In one embodiment, the muting of the audio amplifier is accomplished by FET switches. In a second embodiment, the muting of the audio amplifier is accomplished by analog switches. Additionally, the audio power management system eliminates audible noise associated with the waking-up or putting the computer to sleep. The audio system asserts a speaker mute signal before power is removed from the amplifier to reduce transient conditions.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for modifying an inkjet cartridge for the use of separable ink reservoirs including a base plate designed to be snap fitted into a hollowed out cartridge shell and lever mechanism that cooperates with the base plate to enable the separable reservoir to fit different sizes of cartridges and to be easily removed from the cartridge.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in a portable computing system includes a transistor that is used both for inhibiting charging of the batteries within the system and for limiting the voltage across the batteries in the battery pack. Rather than having two separate devices to inhibit and regulate, this single transistor performs the functions of both, thus reducing component count in a battery pack.

Abstract: The present invention os a method and apparatus for performing percutaneous surgical disc procedures. The method includes percutaneously entering the back of a patient in a posterolateral position with an obturator and advancing the obturator through a percutaneously created fenestration of the annulus of the disc. A guide containing an oval shaped bore is placed over the obturator. An elongated member, having a cross-sectional shape such that when placed adjacent to the obturator forms an assembly having an oval cross-section, is inserted through the bore of guide and into the back of the patient and the fenestration of the annulus of the disc, The guide is removed and an oval cannula having a bore with an oval transverse cross-section and a proximal and distal end, is slid downwardly over the obturator and elongated member assembly. The distal end of the oval cannula is inserted into the disc.

Abstract: A turret moored vessel with an improved bearing, turning and locking system includes a floating hull, a turret supported by the hull and rotatable relative to the hull and bearing assemblies forming an interface between the hull and turret. The bearing assemblies each include multiple passive blocks, preferably in the form of members (e.g. passive, spring loaded cylinders), that are attached at their lower end to the hull and at their upper end to a frame that supports horizonal and vertical crane wheels. Each cylinder is inwardly inclined along a radial line to form a first angle. There can be first and second pairs of cylinders in each bearing assembly, all four cylinders forming a plane or an annular plane. The first and second pairs of cylinders can be inclined toward each other. The first inward tilt provides stability against horizontal forces. The opposing cylinder tilts provided stability against rotational forces.

Abstract: A distributed direct memory access (DMA) architecture where greater than seven DMA channels are provided and utilized. Alternative methods are disclosed for paging or swapping DMA channels so that more than seven may exist in a computer system, but only seven may be available at a time to remain compatible with conventional DMA controller software. In one method, channels may be assigned identical addresses, with one enabled at one time. In another method, channels are assigned unique addresses but the DMA master addresses only a subset of of the total number of channels so that up to seven are available to compatible software at any one time.

Abstract: A dual-master data storage interface is disclosed which flexibly configures and connects data storage drives in the portable computer to optimize performance when the portable computer is operating in a stand-alone mode and to optimize accessibility to additional data storage drives when the portable computer is docked with an expansion unit. When the portable computer operates as a stand-alone unit (i.e., not docked to the expansion unit), each drive on the portable is configured to operate as a master drive to optimize performance. When the portable computer docks with the expansion unit, the first channel on the portable computer is connected via switches to both drives of the portable computer, while the second channel on the portable computer is disconnected. Further, the first data storage drive is configured as a master and the second data storage drive is configured as a slave drive on the portable computer side.

Abstract: A computer system which includes a circuit to monitor the PCI bus master grant lines and provide a disk drive activity signal if an appropriate grant line is activated. The PCI bus master grant lines are combined with mask signals, so that the grant lines not associated with a PCI bus master such as a SCSI controller are ignored. If an unmasked grant line is activated, a down counter is loaded. While the counter is at a non-zero value, a disk drive activity signal is provided. This disk drive activity signal is combined with other disk drive activity signals to drive the disk drive activity LED.