Abstract: In processing an instruction request, the invention determines whether the request is speculative or not based upon a bit field within the instruction. If the request is speculative, bus congestion and/or target memory is assessed for conditions and a decision is made, based on the conditions, as to whether or not to process the request. To facilitate the invention, certain bit fields within the instruction are encoded to identify the request as speculative or not. Additional bit fields may define a priority of a speculative request to influence the decision to process as based on the conditions. CPU architectures incorporating prefetch logic may be modified to recognize instructions encoded with speculation and priority identification fields to implement the invention in existing systems. Other logic, e.g., bus controllers and switches, may similarly process speculative requests to enhance system performance.

Abstract: A pair of cross-coupled inverters that hold a digital state are powered by supplies that also function as row select and column bit lines. A method of reading and writing the digital state of an individual cell, row of cells, or column of cells by manipulating these row-supply or column-supply lines. Reads and writes may be performed on either a row or column basis. A method for reading and logically OR'ing or AND'ing an entire row or column of cells. A method for querying on a row or column basis to function as a content addressable memory (CAM).

Abstract: A pair of cross-coupled inverters that hold a digital state are powered by supplies that also function as row select and column bit lines. A method of reading and writing the digital state of an individual cell, row of cells, or column of cells by manipulating these row-supply or column-supply lines. Reads and writes may be performed on either a row or column basis. A method for reading and logically OR'ing or AND'ing an entire row or column of cells. A method for querying on a row or column basis to function as a content addressable memory (CAM).

Abstract: A shared bus system having a bus and a set of client modules coupled to the bus. Each client module is capable of sending transactions on the bus to other client modules and receiving transactions on the bus from other client modules for processing. Each module has a queue for storing transactions received by the module for processing. A bus controller limits the types of transactions that can be sent on the bus to prevent any module's queue from overflowing.

Abstract: A shared bus system having a bus and a set of client modules coupled to the bus. Each client module is capable of sending transactions on the bus to other client modules and receiving transactions on the bus from other client modules for processing. Each module has a queue for storing transactions received by the module for processing. A bus controller limits the types of transactions that can be sent on the bus to prevent any module's queue from overflowing.

Abstract: A bus system having a bus arbitration scheme. The bus system includes a bus and a plurality of client modules coupled to the bus. Each of the client modules is capable of transmitting information on the bus to another of client module, and only one client module is entitled to transmit information on the bus at any time. A module entitled to transmit information on the bus has control of the bus for a minimum period of time defining a cycle. To determine which module is entitled to use the bus, each client module generates an arbitration signal when it seeks to transmit information on the bus. Each client module has an arbitration signal processor responsive to the arbitration signals for determining whether the module is entitled to transmit information on said bus. The system preferably also contains a host module that informs the client modules what types of transactions allowed on the bus in a given cycle.

Abstract: A cable connector is provided for mating with connectors of defibrillation electrodes made from various manufacturers. The connector includes a body having a lip portion for mechanically securing the connector to a defibrillation electrode having a cup-type connector. The body includes a spring mounted therein for mechanically securing the connector to a defibrillation electrode including a post. A retainer includes a post channel constructed with a dual diameter for accommodating the construction of both small and long posts of various defibrillation electrode connectors.

Abstract: A defibrillator electrode pad for conducting electricity between the body of a patient includes a flexible backing having an application surface upon which is mounted a metallic electrode. An adhesive is disposed upon the electrode and a portion of the application surface of the flexible backing. A gripping tab includes a first portion fixed to the flexible backing and a second portion integral with the first portion and projecting outward from the flexible backing. The second portion of the gripping tab includes a gripping surface made of a material selected to prevent the adhesive from sticking to the gripping surface. A paper release sheet is constructed to be applied to the application surface of the backing to prevent the adhesive from unintentionally sticking to objects. The paper release sheet includes a tab portion constructed to project outward from the flexible backing.

Abstract: A thermal recording paper comprising a substrate (12) and a protective layer (20). The substrate includes a support layer (13) and a thermal layer (14) comprising a heat-sensitive, image forming thermal material. The protective layer comprises a cured silicone resin overlying one side of the substrate and positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of making thermal recording paper comprising coating one side of the substrate with a silicone resin such that the silicone resin is positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer, and curing the silicone resin by exposing it to radiation such as electron beam radiation or ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in regulating the tension in a tape such as an elongated strip of printer ribbon stock used in printing apparatus such as mechanical impact printers. A stock guide is supported for rotation on a base, the stock guide having an arm from which extends a roller. An inclined surface on the stock guide rests on a complementary inclined surface on the base so that the stock guide moves toward the base as the stock guide is rotated in a predetermined direction from a predetermined angular position, with a spring yieldably biasing the stock guide to its predetermined angular position. A spool of print or ribbon stock is mounted on a reel, itself supported for rotation with respect to the base, with the stock passing around the roller on the stock guide after exiting from the spool thereof and with the reel resting on and rotatable with a reel support disc which is constrained from moving more than a predetermined distance above the base.

Abstract: An improved hammer bank assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart hammers, each of the hammers including a substantially planar hammer body containing an electrical coil, with each hammer body being supported for movement in a predetermined plane. A hammer head is attached to and coplanar with each hammer body. Also included are a plurality of flat permanent magnets interleaved with the plurality of hammers so that adjacent ones of the permanent magnets oppose but are separated from each hammer body. A plurality of hammer guide members are provided, one for each hammer, with each hammer guide member defining therein an elongated groove in which is received at least a portion of each hammer head.

Abstract: A laundry sorting and counting machine comprising alternating upper and lower multiple-lane conveyor modules, arranged and sloped such that the input ends of the conveyors are clustered closer together at two different elevations but the output ends of the conveyors are spread out at a constant elevation, the conveyor modules being separately driven so that each module is a complete unit in itself, and the conveyor lanes being provided with electronic item counter and totalizer systems and with alarms and indicators designed to inform the operators when a predetermined batch has been achieved and to avoid miscounting.

Abstract: An improved hammer assembly is disclosed for use in impact printers having a print station comprising a continuously rotating print wheel and an adjacent hammer mechanism for selectively impacting print stock and an interposed ink ribbon against a raised element on the print wheel to thereby imprint a character on the print stock. The hammer assembly includes an elongated hammer having a hammer surface at one end and an actuating surface at the other end which is engaged by a hammer actuating device in the hammer mechanism having a controllable, substantially reciprocative movement. The elongated hammer is supported for substantially reciprocative, planar movement with respect to a similarly elongated first support member by a pair of linear leaf springs which extend between the elongated hammer and the first support member in a spaced-apart, parallel manner.