Abstract: Software creates a compressed instruction format for a VLIW processor which allows greater efficiency in use of cache and memory. Instructions are byte aligned and variable length. Branch targets are uncompressed. Format bits specify how many issue slots are used in a following instruction. NOPS are not stored in memory. Individual operations are compressed according to features such as whether they are resultless, guarded, short, zeroary, unary, or binary. Instructions are stored in compressed form in memory and in cache. Instructions are decompressed on the fly after being read out from cache.

Abstract: The invention relates to a broadcast receiver, comprising a control circuit (7) for delivering encoded messages, derived from a broadcast signal, to at least one storage device (12, 28), for receiving control data, derived from the encoded messages, from at least one storage device (12, 28), and for forming the messages from the control data in a form suitable for a display device (13) and/or a speech synthesizer circuit (14). In order to reduce the data file, at least one storage device (12, 28) is provided to store given control data under an escape code. The control data associated with an encoded message contains at least one first main component and at least one first subsidiary component and the control data associated with an escape code contains a second main component and at least one second subsidiary component. The main component may be, for example an orthographic notation of a language and the subsidiary components may be phonetic notations of a plurality of languages.

Abstract: A structure with fine details, such as a periodic signal, is displayed on a raster display. To avoid aliasing due to an interference between the details and the columns and row pattern of the raster display each of the points representing the structure to be displayed is allocated to pixels in adjacent columns and/or rows. Allocation occurs by means of a stochastic procedure in which the probability to allocate a point to a pixel is dependent on the position of the point with respect to the pixel. Accumulated pixel-values are converted into a limited number of grey-values by means of an additional procedure that allows for fixed proportions of the pixels to have the same grey-value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating an aqueous solution, in which a pulsed electric field is generated in the aqueous solution between two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, at least one of the electrodes is covered with a layer of a dielectric material which, during operation of the device, completely separates this (these) electrode(s) from the aqueous solution. This measure in accordance with the invention enables field strengths to be used which are much higher than those permissible in the known devices. The use of an oxygen-containing gas and a bipolarly pulsed electric field leads to a further improvement of the method in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Configuration spaces, representing alternate possibilities for an environment in which an object is to move, are combined to create a probabilistic representation of all of the alternate possibilities. The probabilistic representation is used to plan optimal motion, with uncertainties being resolved at sensing points.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray optical element. The element consists of a body of a material having a shape memory. At a high temperature, i.e. a temperature beyond the transition temperature of the material, the body is pressed so as to impart a first, desired shape. A surface of the body is thus shaped for example, as a logarithmic spiral or as another curved shape. After cooling to a low temperature, i.e. a temperature below the transition temperature of the material, a second, machinable shape is imparted to the body, preferably a flat surface. A number of precision operations can be performed on this second, machinable shape, for example polishing to a surface roughness of 0.5 nm RMS. Subsequent to this precision operation, the body is heated and resumes its first, desired shape which is retained after cooling. The body can be provided, if desired, with a comparatively thin surface layer which is also polished in the flat shape and which bends when the body resumes the desired shape.

Abstract: An imaging system with at least one reflective surface for forming an image by means of ultraviolet radiation, the reflective surface being provided with a correction layer which is transparent to the wavelength of the radiation used. This layer compensates for phase differences caused by deviations of form of the reflective surfaces. The correction layer has a refractive index which differs only slightly from 1, so that the requirements imposed as regards the precision of the surface of the transparent layer are significantly less severe than for the reflective layer.

Abstract: A method of non-recursive reconstruction of images in a High Resolution Electron Microscope (HRTEM). In an HRTEM a series of, for example, 100 images of an object is formed with each time a different setting of the astigmatism of the imaging lens or lenses. By subjecting these images to a Fourier transformation and multiplying the transformed images by a known filter function, a reconstruction of the object electron wave function is obtained by summing of the images thus filtered and transformed; said object electron wave function no longer contains the linear information which is undesirable for the reconstruction and the non-linear information which is not negligibly small for large thicknesses of the object is no longer present either.

Abstract: In a local communication system comprising a number of devices (14,16) interconnected by a first data bus (20) supporting a first set of communication protocols, and at least one further device (10) connected to a second bus (12) not supporting those protocols, a gateway device (18) is provided linking the first and second data buses enabling communications therebetween. The first set of protocols specifies a maximum time for response by a first device to a request sent by a second device. When a request is sent from a device (14) on the first bus to the further device (10), the gateway (18) times the request and, if no response is received from the further device within the specified maximum response time, the gateway (18) generates and sends a temporary response to the requesting device (14). The system may comprise two or more clusters of devices, each being linked to the further bus (12) by respective gateway devices (18,22).

Abstract: A topological network, comprising a set of 0-cells (nodes) (28, 29) interconnected by a set of 1-cells (aa, bb, . . . , gg).sub.1 is divided into sections (E, F, G) corresponding to discrete parcels of data for storage in a mass memory such as a CD-ROM. A boundary node (28, 29) is defined at each point where the network traverses a boundary between sections. The parcel of data for a given section includes a chain list record for each 1-cell in the section, which chain list record generally refers directly (TP) to a further 1-cell in the network terminating at the same node. However, no chain list record refers directly to a 1-cell outside the section of the network to which the data parcel relates. An indirect reference (0-C') across the section boundary can be made easily, while an overall saving in data volume is obtained compared with a known method.

Abstract: Configuration spaces, representing alternate possibilities for an environment in which an object is to move, are combined to create a probabilistic representation of all of the alternate possibilities. The probabilistic representation is used to plan optimal motion, with uncertainties being resolved at sensing points.

Abstract: A system associates a time-stamp with data inputted at its input, specifying an instant with a predetermined delay after receiving the data. The system outputs said data at an output according to the time-stamp. Inputting and outputting is timed by different clocks, which are periodically synchronized. At certain times the source of synchronization may change, potentially causing a discontinuity in synchronized time. The system contains potential discontinuity signalling means, for signalling a potential discontinuity in a progression of the clocked time. The predetermined relation is corrected when such a potential discontinuity is signalled for an instant between inputting and outputting the data.

Abstract: In the case of simultaneous diffraction and fluorescence measurements in an apparatus for X-ray analysis comprising only one X-ray tube, a problem is encountered in that due to the presence of the collimators required for the fluorescence measurements only a very low X-ray power reaches the detectors, so that very long measuring times and/or an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio occur. As a result, the detection limit for given measurements (low concentration of an element and/or light elements to be detected) becomes too high or the use of a (large and expensive) high-power X-ray tube is required. The invention utilizes a line focus tube 10 in combination with a single-slit collimator 14 for irradiating the sample 2, the fluorescence section 40 being constructed so as to have a plane or cylindrical analysis crystal 42 in combination with a location-sensitive detector 44. The diffraction measurements are performed by means of a conventional diffraction arrangement 24.

Abstract: A light sensing array device including an array of photoelectric light sensing elements (10) individually addressable via sets of address conductors (12, 14) for use, for example, in image sensing or data input using a light pen, which is operable also in a power generating mode in which sensing elements in the array produce electrical power in the manner of a solar cell. To this end, the sets of address conductors are selectively connected via switching means (20, 21, 37, 38) to power output terminals (42, 43). The generated power may be used to supplement a power supply, e.g. using a battery pack, of the device or of electronic apparatus, such as a notebook computer, incorporating the device.

Abstract: A component-detection device for use in a component-mounting machine is described, which device comprises a foreground illumination system and a camera (30), this illumination system comprising at least an optical guide (40) arranged between the component (10) and the camera, and an associated set of radiation sources (45, 46, 47, 48) irradiating the optical guide. This provides a uniform foreground illumination for the component and a reliable detection of this component.

Abstract: To improve testability of analog or mixed analog/digital circuit modules mounted on a carrier, three-way switches are placed at input and output ports of the circuit modules. The switches can operate to establish signal connections between a test bus and core circuits inside the modules. The switches can also establish signal connections between the test bus and glue circuits disposed between the modules.

Abstract: An image processing system combines a multitude of image signals to create a compound image, The system has a plurality of memory modules operative to store the image signals as pixels for the compound image as respective segments of consecutive pixels. A specific row of consecutive pixels of the compound image is formed by consecutive arrangement of the respective segments. This permits the use of a simple addressing protocol, and of simple page-mode access DRAMs.

Abstract: A reproduction structure in a computer is based on a hierarchical structure of consistency relations between objects. As a function of one or more objects of a given hierarchical level, each relation specifies one or more incremental objects at a next-higher level. Variable incremental objects are situated at the lowest level. After a user interaction, modifying one or more variable incremental objects, the consistency is restored as follows. First a set of value inconsistencies is signaled for the incremental objects during a bottom-up signaling step. Subsequently, on the basis of each element of said set during a top-down updating step the value of the hierarchically higher object is updated on the basis of a change of value, if any, of associated, specifying variable incremental objects and/or incremental objects.

Abstract: Building lights are master controlled to reduce power consumption under building master control, or in response to electric utility commands to the building computer. Each lighting wall control unit includes a transceiver which can communicate to at least one neighbor transceiver, thereby forming a distributed communication network extending back to the building computer. The transceivers operate asynchronously with low data rate FSK signals, using carrier frequencies between 900 and 950 MHz. Different communications protocols control packet forwarding and acknowledgement so that messages reach their destination but are not forwarded in endless circles, and so that collisions are minimized.

Abstract: A method of positioning a printed circuit board in a component placement machine and holding it in a plane condition. The exertion of a couple on two mutually opposed edge portions of a printed circuit board presses the printed circuit board flat onto a support.