Abstract: An interrupt control device for issuing interrupts to a central processing unit (CPU) includes an object acquiring unit for acquiring data or resource(s) for use by the CPU and an interrupt issuing unit for issuing interrupts to the CPU. The interrupt issuing unit issues each interrupt to the CPU before the object acquiring unit actually acquires the data or the resource, but the interrupt indicates that the data or the resource is available. The interrupt control device further includes a use delay unit for delaying the use of the data or resource by the CPU unit until the object acquiring unit acquires the data or the resource if the CPU which has received the interrupt requests the use of the data or the resource before the object acquiring unit acquires the data or the resource. By adjusting the exact timing of the issuance of the interrupt according to the actual delays experienced by the CPU, the overall delays associated with interrupt handling are minimized.

Abstract: A cabinet includes spaces for a number of electronic enclosures, each of which has a free end from which a pair of levers extend upward and downward to teeth engaging slots within the cabinet, aiding in the insertion and removal of the enclosures from the cabinet. An electronic enclosure that is wider than a standard width includes additional teeth on crank plates turning with the levers. The electronic enclosure may include an electrically-operated interlock mechanism preventing the insertion or removal of the electronic enclosure by preventing movement of a shaft attached to either or both of the levers.

Abstract: A paint roller tool includes first and second paint rollers, mounted to extend from shaft portions of a frame and to turn about axes of rotation perpendicular to one another. Each of the paint rollers includes a peripheral cylindrical surface and a distal end covered with a material suitable for holding and applying wet paint. The paint rollers are separated from one another in a direction perpendicular to both of their axes of rotation and are aligned with one another so that the distal end of each roller is aligned with an outer edge of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the other roller, so that an “L”-shaped area at an interior corner can be painted.

Abstract: A computer system includes an automatic startup configuration utility running in a startup sequence to update the startup sequence according to the actions of a user in launching applications during an initial portion of an operating session. An application is considered for automatic launching based on the number of times it has been launched in the past and on the percentage of possible times that it has been launched. Preferably, before an application is added to the startup sequence, the user is presented with a dialog box asking him whether he wishes the application to be added for automatic launching in subsequent operating sessions, or whether he wishes the application to be removed from consideration for automatic launching.

Abstract: A display unit includes a number of connectors for attaching and powering electrically powered devices, such as illuminated jewelry items, each including a battery and an end cap which is removed when the item is placed on the display connector. Each of the connectors includes a threaded mounting surface engaging a threaded mounting surface of one of the devices. The orientation of each device is adjusted by its rotation in engagement with the connector as a resiliently mounted electrical contact surface of the connector is held in contact with a contact surface of the device so that electrical power is retained within the device.

Abstract: A scanner, which reads machine readable information on an item and determines its location on the item, also includes one or more video cameras for determining dimensions of features on the item. A computer uses the machine readable information to find a record within a data structure. The record includes dimensions of one or more visible features of an item corresponding to the machine readable information and identified according to their location relative to the machine readable information. These dimensions of features are then compared to the dimensions of features of the item being scanned to determine whether the machine readable information read by the scanner matches the item being scanned.

Abstract: A method for surface dyeing a range of textile materials, in the form of yarn, fabric, or garments, includes: a) preparing a dyebath including dye particles and an additive, such as an anionic acrylic copolymer, causing the particles to become charged; b) preparing the textile material by applying an additive, such as a cationic polyamide, forming a substrate with a charge attracting the particles, c) immersing the textile material in the dyebath; d) chemically reducing the dye particles retained on the textile material to a leuco form; and e) oxidizing the dye material.

Abstract: A circuit board is mounted within a housing in a resilient manner to minimize the introduction of stresses warping the circuit board as the housing is warped or as a circuit board warped during its manufacture is mounted within the housing. The housing includes spaced apart mounting pads between which screw inserts extend as rigid columns through mounting holes within the circuit board. The surfaces of the mounting holes slide on the surfaces of the screw inserts, with the circuit board being resiliently held by resilient pads between its surfaces and the mounting pads.

Abstract: A lifting chair, having a seat which is pivoted upward, being hinged along its front edge to help lift an individual who has trouble rising from an ordinary chair, also has arms which move upward during this pivoting process. Similarly, the seat and arms are moved downward to help the individual sit down. The linkage preferably is a parallelogram type preventing rotation of the arms as they are moved upward and downward along arcuate paths.

Abstract: A computer system includes a system unit and a peripheral device connected by an electrical connection. The peripheral device includes a main power switch that turns power off within both the peripheral device and the system unit, together with a drive indicator light that is turned on to indicate when data is being written or read at a hard disk drive within the system unit. Preferably, the peripheral device is a display device including a screen and receiving a video signal from the system unit, with a power indicator light indicating whether power is on and whether the system unit is running in an operational state or in a suspended state. The peripheral device can also be used with a system unit not having these capabilities.

Abstract: A device for external fixation of a fracture of the proximal end of the ulna includes an frame having a distal elongated portion extending below the ulna, holding a number of pins extending upward into the shaft portion, and a proximal portion extending rearward, and upward around the proximal end of the ulna, holding a medullar pin extending into a medullar channel and a number of pins extending into fragments of the fractured ulna.

Abstract: An appliance for applying a lotion, such as a sunscreen, to the skin includes a housing, from which a soft pad extends, and a elongated handle. The pad, which includes a flat application surface, is rotated by a motor in the handle about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the flat application surface. The surface of the pad may be formed of a porous material or of a solid elastomeric material having a texture providing spaces for holding lotion.

Abstract: A fixture is configured to provide external fixation of a fractured end portion of a bone by including a first number of holes for pins extending from the fixture into one or more fragments in the end portion and a second number of holes for pins extending from the fixture into the bone shaft. The second number of holes includes a hole within a sliding structure allowing a single pin to be moved with a fixture to provide extension between the fragments and the shaft. A first version of the fixture includes a sliding block through which rods extend to hold pins directed laterally into the fragments(s), and a sliding for clamping pins within the first number of holes. A second version of the fixture includes an arcuate portion in which the first number of holes extend in radial directions.

Abstract: A handle device for carrying shopping bags includes a frame, a bag handle carrying member extending outward from each side of the frame, and a handle extending in a direction perpendicular to the hag handle carrying member. Preferably, the bag handle carrying member is pivotally mounted so that it can be brought into alignment with the handle and frame, with the device additionally including a retaining member movable into a position holding bag handles on the carrying member.

Abstract: A printer using a paper supply roll is provided with a capability for conversion between snap-in loading of the paper roll, in which the roll is snapped into place with the tubular core of the paper roll being held to rotate between a pair of bearing members, and drop-in loading, in which the roll is dropped onto a support surface, against which the periphery of the roll then turns. In a first version, each of the bearing members has a flat side and a spherical side, which is turned inward for snap-in loading and outward for drop-in loading. In another version, the bearing members are moved inward for snap-in loading and outward for drop-in loading.

Abstract: A daughter card includes a number of circuit modules generating heat and a spring member transmitting the heat to a thermal bus extending along a circuit board adjacent to one side or to each side of a connector to which the daughter card is releasably attached. One or more contact surfaces of the spring member releasably contact one or more mating surfaces of a thermal bus at a side of the connector or at both sides of the connector. A heat pipe may additionally be used to direct heat from the thermal bus to a heat absorber.