Abstract: A method of queuing variable size data packets in a communication system comprises generating from an incoming data packet a record portion of predetermined fixed size and containing information about the packet, the data in the packet being in a data portion; storing data portions in independent memory locations in a first memory with each data portion having no connection with any other; storing record portions in one or more managed queues in a second memory having fixed size memory locations equal in size to the size of the record portions; wherein: the first memory is larger and has a lower address bandwidth than the second memory; and the memory locations in the first memory are arranged in blocks having a plurality of different sizes and the memory locations are allocated to the data portions according to the size of the data portions.

Abstract: Coherent accesses and updates to state shared by parallel processors, such as SIMD array processors, is made possible by the use of state elements having local memory storing the state and permitting serialisation of accesses. Operations on single or multiple items of state are perfumed by a fixed/hardwired set of operations but they can be programmable by sending command and data to control operations. Individual state elements comprise the local memory, an arithmetic unit, and command and control logic. Multiple state elements are pipelined in state cells which can, in turn, be organised into state arrays and state engines effecting complete control over shared state access. A read/modify/write operation can be performed in only two cycles and a complete command in only three to five cycles.

Abstract: The ordering of packet flows, comprising sequences of data packets, in a communication or computer system, is performed by assigning an exit number to each packet; queuing the packets in buffer means; and outputting the queued packets in a predetermined order according to an order list determined by the exit numbers assigned to each packet before it was queued. The exit number information is preferably assigned to packet records, which are queued in a separate buffer means to the packets, the records being of fixed length and shorter than the data portions. The packet record buffer means comprise groups of bins, each bin containing a range of exit numbers, the bins for higher exit number packet records having a larger range than bins for lower exit number packet records. Lower exit number packet records in a bin are subdivided into a plurality of bins, each containing packet records corresponding to a smaller range of exit numbers.

Abstract: An architecture for sorting incoming data packets in real time, on the fly, processes the packets and places them into an exit order queue before storing the packets. This is in contrast to the traditional way of storing first then sorting later and provides rapid processing capability. A processor generates packet records from an input stream and determines an exit order number for the related packet. The records are stored in an orderlist manager while the data portions are stored in a memory hub for later retrieval in the exit order stored in the manager. The processor is preferably a parallel processor array using SIMD and is provided with rapid access to a shared state by a state engine.

Abstract: A switching circuit, for use in soft-decision Extended Hamming Code decoding, allows the detection of pairs of received bits having “low confidence” and whose position-ids SUM to the syndrome of the received code signal, when the occurrence of an even (and non-zero) number of errors is detected.

Abstract: A switching circuit, for use in soft-decision Extended Hamming Code decoding, allows the detection of pairs of received bits having “low confidence” and whose position-ids SUM to the syndrome of the received code signal, when the occurrence of an even (and non-zero) number of errors is detected.

Abstract: A method of purifying a mixture, said mixture comprising an oil Product, at least one additive and water, wherein: said oil Product is a liquid fuel oil composition or lubricating oil composition, at least part of the water is in the form of a dispersion of water in said Product, and said additive is a cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula (Ia) and n units of the formula (Ib) joined together to form a ring, wherein each y and Y2 is a divalent bridging group which may be the same or different in each unit; R0 is H or (C1-C6) alkyl or is a metal cation, R5 is H or (C1-C60) alkyl; J is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group; either R1 is hydroxyl and R2 and R4 are independently either hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or heterosubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R2 or R4 are hydroxyl and R1 is either hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl; and m+n is from 4 to 20, m is from 1 to 8 and n is at least 3; said method comprising: providing said mixture, coalescin

Abstract: A data processing architecture comprising:

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that is a combined night-light and table. The night-light table includes legs, a base, a top, and at least one light source located within the top. The top also includes a portion that is fabricated from a transluscent material for enabling the light from the light source to glow from the transluscent material. The top is secured to the base by way of a hinge so the top may be closed or opened. The night-light table lessens the danger of traveling near the table whenever dark and reduces the insecurity someone near the table might feel if otherwise placed in total darkness. The table provides support like conventional tables and may include lockable storage compartments. The night-light table may combine with a chair or stool for the comfort and convenience of users.

Abstract: A self-contained Kiosk Unit comprises a unique self-supporting metal frame having a plurality of walls extending upwardly and forming a housing which includes a computer unit mounted therein. The controls for the computer unit are mounted in a recessed portion of the frame on a control panel while the functional portion of the computer is located within the housing. The base of the recessed portion forms a counter below the controls and the upper portion of the recess is equipped with suitable lighting to illuminate the controls and any advertising which might be contained on the frame itself. The frame extends outwardly over a metal pedestal which is an integral part of the housing structure and the outwardly extending portion of the base includes a predetermined number of perforations which permit a flow of air through the unit and upwardly through an aperture in the roof having a fan positioned therein for cooling purposes.

Abstract: A metal detector has a balanced coil arrangement fed by an audio frequency oscillator. In-phase and quadrature components arising when the arrangement is unbalanced by proximate conductive objects are detected, the sense of the quadrature component depending on whether the object is ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic. The quadrature component varies the frequency of another audio frequency oscillator above and below a mean value and the in-phase component controls the strength of the audio frequency signal fed from the second oscillator to a transducer such as headphones.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dynamic range compressor type encoder or expander type decoder, in which a main signal component in a main path is boosted or bucked by a further signal component derived from a point in the main path by a further path having the characteristics of so restricting the further signal component that the boosting or bucking action is only appreciable below a low level threshold. In the present invention the further signal component is a difference signal formed between a direct signal derived from a point in the main path and a delayed version of either the same signal or of another signal derived from another point in the main path. At the frequency equal to the reciprocal of the delay, and at harmonics of this frequency, the direct and delayed signals cancel. The compressor or expander action, and hence noise reduction action, takes place only at intervening frequencies.

Abstract: A filter performs a dual filtering function by connecting an input terminal through a first impedance such as a resistor to a first output terminal. The input terminal is connected to a virtual earth at the input to a current amplifier through the first impedance and a second impedance such as a tuned circuit. The output of the amplifier is connected to a second output terminal and also to ground through a third impedance such as a resistor. The characteristics at the first and second output terminals may be complementary band stop and band pass characteristics.