Abstract: A selectable interface for interfacing integrated circuit modules is disclosed. The bus interface for interconnecting a first circuit module and a second circuit module includes a transmitter pair located within the first circuit module and a receiver pair located within the second circuit module. The transmitter pair, which can be selectable between a differential mode and a single-ended mode, transmits data from the first circuit module to the second circuit module. The receiver pair, which can also be selectable between a differential mode and a single-ended mode, receives data from the transmitter pair.

Abstract: To provide a disk drive, a manufacturing method thereof, and a disk-drive controller which are capable of improving yield without increasing costs so significantly. When track-following control is performed, HDC detects the current position of a read/write head, based on the reproduced output of a servo sector from a channel unit, and makes a calculation of servo data by employing both an integral parameter corresponding to a target track to be read onto a RAM and the detected current position of the read/write head.

Abstract: An improved method and system for handling a call from a mobile station within a wireless communication network is disclosed. The mobile telephone communication network includes a mobile switching center (MSC) and a service control point (SCP). After a call has been initiated from a first mobile station to a second mobile station, the MSC sends an initialDP message to the SCP. The initialDP message preferably includes a classmark field. In response to the call from the first mobile station to the second mobile station, the MSC sets up the call to the second mobile station. The MSC then notifies the SCP that the call to the second mobile station has been initiated. Finally, the MSC receives a request from the SCP to inform the SCP when the call being answered by the second mobile station.

Abstract: A subsea well apparatus has features for controlling and monitoring production fluid flow from a well. A christmas tree lands on a subsea wellhead, the tree having a tubular, open upper end. A first flow passage extends from a lower end of the tree to the upper end for communicating fluid with the well. A second flow passage extends downward from the upper end of the tree and has an outlet on a sidewall of the tree for communicating with a flowline. A production module lands on and is retrievable from the upper end of the tree, the module having a flow loop with one end in communication with the first flow passage and another end in communication with the second flow passage. At least one flow interface device is located in the loop of the production module. The flow interface device may be used to monitor or control the flow and may be a temperature or pressure sensor, a flow or multi-phase flow meter, or a choke.

Abstract: A scheme for ultrafast magnetization reversal in an in-plane magnetized layer (3) is disclosed. For that, an external magnetic field {right arrow over (H)}ex is applied such that the magnetization {right arrow over (M)} precesses around the external magnetic field {right arrow over (H)}ex and the external magnetic field {right arrow over (H)}ex is maintained until the precession suffices to effect the magnetization reversal. The external magnetic field {right arrow over (H)}ex is applied approximately perpendicular to the magnetization {right arrow over (M)}.

Abstract: A register for a computer processor removes the parity check from the critical path of CPU operation, and delays the parity check to the next immediate clock cycle. The register has a memory array, and read and write decoders for accessing the memory array using select lines. The select lines are also connected to read and write address latches which are used to index a parity bit array. When a value is written to, or read from, the memory array, its corresponding parity bit is calculated and either stored in the parity bit array (for a write operation), or compared to an existing parity bit array entry (for a read operation). The parity check is performed on a copy of the value contained in a read data latch or a write data latch. Each data latch has an input connected to a respective read or write port of the memory array. The latches delay the parity check by only one cycle.

Abstract: A cache coherency protocol uses a “Tagged” coherency state to track responsibility for writing a modified value back to system memory, allowing intervention of the value without immediately writing it back to system memory, thus increasing memory bandwidth. The Tagged state can migrate across the caches (horizontally) when assigned to a cache line that has most recently loaded the modified value. Historical states relating to the Tagged state may further be used. The invention may also be applied to a multi-processor computer system having clustered processing units, such that the Tagged state can be applied to one of the cache lines in each group of caches that support separate processing unit clusters. Priorities are assigned to different cache states, including the Tagged state, for responding to a request to access a corresponding memory block. Any tagged intervention response can be forwarded only to selected caches that could be affected by the intervention response, using cross-bars.

Abstract: Selective filtering of an incoming telephone call is provided wherein a caller ID information of a third party wishing to converse with a first party already engaged in conversation with a second party is retrieved. The priority level associated with the third party is then determined and compared to a priority level associated with the second party. In the event that the third party has a higher priority level than the second party, the first party is alerted to the occurrence of the incoming call. Alternatively, if the third party has a lower priority level than the second party, the incoming call to an alternate destination.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess may be formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.

Abstract: A system for converting an automatic embroidery machine from one type of work to another type of work is disclosed. The invention adapts a cap frame sash or driver unit or sash to be quickly mounted to and dismounted from a tubular frame sash or holder. The cap frame sash has additional braces so that the cap frame sash snaps into a tubular frame sash. The tubular frame sash has clips that engage the additional braces on the cap frame sash in a quick-release fashion. There is no need to remove the tubular frame sash from the machine to embroider caps. The flat work frame is simply snapped out of the clips of the tubular frame sash, and the cap frame driver or sash is snapped into the tubular frame sash. The invention uses spring clips, registration pins, and complementary sockets. No fasteners are required since a single type of sash is able to accommodate more than one type of workpiece frame when the embroidery machine is reconfigured.

Abstract: A disk drive has discrete, modular mechanical and electrical devices. The mechanical device includes a casing to which is mounted a drive motor, disks, and an actuator that is driven by a voice coil motor. The actuator supports transducers for interacting with the disks. The electrical device is attached to a backplane and provides various control and data communication functions for the mechanical device with a host computer. In addition, each of the mechanical and electrical components has a mating connector for detachably interfacing with each other.

Abstract: A method for adaptively compensating skews during data transmission on a bus is disclosed. A bus includes one or more groups of multiple signal paths. Each of the signal paths within a group is assigned a unique binary data value. During data transmissions, only one signal path within each group is activated at a time, and each activation of one of the signal paths represents its associated unique binary data value. Thus, a sequence of consecutive activations represents the same information as if the data were transmitted in parallel. Before signal transmission, a time delay between a transition on a first and a second of the signal lines is measured by utilizing a control frame. The time delay measurement is repeated to establish the relative time delays associated with all possible transitions on all the signal lines. In response to the measured time delays, an appropriate compensating delay is introduced accordingly before launching each transition on the signal lines.

Abstract: A single-event upset immune flip-flop circuit is disclosed. The single-event upset immune flip-flop circuit includes a first single-event upset immune latch and a second single-event upset immune latch. The first single-event upset immune latch has two inputs and two outputs. The second single-event upset immune latch also has two inputs and two outputs. The two inputs of the second single-event upset immune latch is connected to the two outputs of the first single-event upset immune latch. The state of the first single-event upset immune latch changes only when the signal polarities at both inputs of the first single-event upset immune latch are identical. Similarly, the state of the second single-event upset immune latch changes only when the signal polarities at both inputs of the second single-event upset immune latch are identical.

Abstract: A parallel read/write circuit for use with a plurality of transducer head assemblies and method of operation thereof. The parallel read/write circuit includes a parallel read/write cache, e.g., a bidirectional parallel-serial converter buffer in one advantageous embodiment. A byte-to-bit disassembler, coupled to the parallel read/write cache, receives parallel data from the parallel read/write cache and transmits each bit of the parallel data to a separate transducer head assembly, where each bit of the parallel data is written onto a different disk surface of a recording medium at substantially the same time. In an advantageous embodiment, the byte-to-bit disassembler is a parallel in/parallel out shift register.

Abstract: An information-handling system operable within a distributed object computing environment (DOCE) is disclosed that includes an object-based program for controlling object searching in a constraint-based filtering mode over said DOCE. The object-based program for controlling object searching further comprises means for providing hierarchical storage of a name/binding value during a search. Additionally, the object-based program includes a means for providing the addition of properties as name/value pair sequence to each node within a tree search performed by the object-based program. Further, the search mechanism includes means for providing recursive searching of the group properties as well as means for providing meta-knowledge of the class within the DOCE for attribute search.

Abstract: An anti-rotation device prevents an inner wellhead housing from rotating within an outer wellhead housing. The anti-rotation device provides spring loaded anti-rotational keys within the outer wellhead housing and mating slots formed within the inner wellhead housing. The keys face inwards to the inner wellhead housing, are circumferentially spaced apart around the outer wellhead housing, and located between the two tapered shoulders. As the inner wellhead housing lands in the outer housing, the inner wellhead housing pushes the keys of the outer wellhead housing to a retracted position. The inner wellhead housing is then rotated within the outer wellhead housing until the spring loaded keys align with the slots and extend into the slots of the inner wellhead housing. Any rotational force on the inner wellhead housing will be resisted by the anti-rotational mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting balance in a disk drive, and a method for assembling a disk drive, enables the modification of dynamic balance reliably and efficiently. The apparatus adjusts balance in a hard disk drive having disks and a spindle which are assembled in a base. The acceleration to be applied from an actuator is made to act on the top end of the spindle through a holder plate in one accelerator, while the acceleration to be applied from an actuator is made to act on the base end of the spindle through the base in another accelerator.

Abstract: A method and system for downhole treatment and pumping of well fluids enhances the pumping of viscous fluids to the surface. The first step is to separate the oil and water from the well fluid and then channel the oil to a chamber that encloses the motor. The heat from the motor will increase the heat of the crude oil flowing past the motor, thereby lowering the viscosity of the crude oil. The water flows separately past the motor in another passageway, and remixes with the oil. After the oil and water recombine, the treated well fluid has a lower viscosity, and the fluid is then pumped to the surface more efficiently than without treating the oil.

Abstract: A data processing system may include an interconnect and first and second components coupled to the interconnect for data transfer therebetween. The first component contains a write pipeline that includes an address register and a queue including storage locations for a plurality of data granules. In response to receipt of a plurality of data granules that are each associated with a single address specified by the address register, the queue loads the plurality of data granules into sequential storage locations in order of receipt. Upon the queue being filled with a predetermined number of data granules, the queue outputs, to the second component via the interconnect, the predetermined number of data granules at least two at a time according to the order of receipt. Thus, data transfer efficiency is enhanced while maintaining the relative ordering of the data granules.

Abstract: A gas compressor system draws and compresses gas from a well, wherein the gas has entrained liquid and vapor. The apparatus has a scrubber vessel for receiving the gas and separating at least a portion of the liquid. A storage vessel integral with the scrubber stores seal liquid. The seal liquid is injected into the gas before a single stage liquid ring pump which uses the seal liquid to compress the gas. The compressed gas along with entrained seal liquid is routed to a separator vessel having a coalescing filter. The entrained seal liquid is separated from the gas and routed back to the storage vessel.