Abstract: The problem solving skills development system is used, for example, as a puzzle or game, to develop problem solving or analytical skills in visually impaired individuals. The system includes a supporting board having sliding pieces arranged in a grid, for example, a 4 by 4 grid of 15 sliding pieces and one empty position. The sliding pieces include tactilly recognizable regions that are arranged into a predetermined pattern by sliding and shifting the appropriate pieces. The tactilly recognizable regions can include characters, such as letters that can be arranged to form words or phrases, numbers that can be arranged in numerical order, or any other symbols. Some of the tactilly recognizable regions can also include blank surfaces to make the puzzle easier for individuals at lower ages or abilities. The system preferably includes tactile recognition blocks that have the tactilly recognizable regions and that can be removably engaged with the sliding pieces.

Abstract: Using this invention, more than one variable that is shared in a multiprocessing environment can be updated atomically. Each computer processor operating in the multiprocessing environment contains more than one reservation register which, along with this novel method, are used to place reservations on each of more than one shared variable. During the execution of a program, a plurality of shared variables can be reserved, each by its respective reservation register. A reservation is placed on a shared variable by means of a special instruction. The reservation register keeps track of: the address of the shared variable that it is reserving, the value of the modified results that are to be updated in the shared variable address, whether the variable has been updated, whether the reservation is valid, and whether the processor containing the reservation register has a privilege to update the shared variable.