Abstract: A combined encoding/syndrome generating circuit is segmented into multiple-cell blocks that operate in parallel during encoding operations to produce interim sums. The interim sums are then combined to propagate a sum across the system, from the first cell to the last cell. Each cell includes a Galois Field multiplier and an associated update adder and register. A block of two cells includes two sets of associated Galois Field multipliers, registers and update adders, and a block feedback adder that produces the associated interim sum by adding together the products produced in parallel by each of the cells. A block with more than two cells includes additional feedback adders that operate in parallel to selectively combine the products produced by the plurality of cells, and produce an interim sum that includes a contribution from each of the cells in the block. The system then adds together the interim sums produced simultaneously by the various blocks, to propagate a sum across the system.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods for determining an instantaneous rate of pollutant formation in a combustion system are based on measurement of chemiluminescence intensity generated simultaneously with the formation of the pollutant. The chemiluminescent signal is generated by an analog reaction which occurs in parallel with a key step in the formation of a specific pollutant of interest. The connection between the analog reaction and the pollution reaction is such that the chemiluminescent signal indicates the local, instantaneous formation rate of the pollutant of interest.

Abstract: A modulation encoder includes a base conversion circuit that converts a partitioned input data stream from a first base representation in accordance with the size of groups of bits in the partitioned stream into a second base representation. The base conversion circuit includes a circuit to produce intermediate values of the partitioned stream in the second base representation and a residual value logic circuit that performs modulo-arithmetic on intermediate values modulo the second base representation, and a one's complement logic network fed by the residual value logic to produce output code words. A modulation decoder includes a one's complement logic circuit fed by modulation code words to produces residual value words; and a base conversion circuit that converts residual value words from a first base representation into a second base representation to provide original user data.

Abstract: An n-stage pipelined combined encoder and syndrome generator system includes n stages that are essentially identical. Each of the stages includes two associated delay circuits, namely, a first delay circuit in a chain of feedback adders that operate as a feedback path during encoding, and a second delay circuit in a data input line. During encoding operations, the delay circuits in the feedback adder chain segment the chain of j feedback adders into n stages of j/n adders, and the delay circuits in the data input line delay the data symbols by the latencies associated with the respective stages. The delay circuits thus simultaneously provide to the various stages the corresponding data symbols and propagating sums. After the last data symbol is encoded, the ECC symbols are available after a time lag associated with the j/n adders in the last stage.

Abstract: Method and system for tracking transient errors and controlling data traffic in a high speed packet switching network node. The traffic exits each node through a transmit queue per connection between end users. The queue is monitored at both queue level through a threshold based mechanism (53) and a control of time activity mechanism (55). If trouble is detected by any one of these mechanisms, the queue packet admission is momentarily barred. To that end, a Line Resources Manager (LRM) provides queue threshold and time-out references and keeps monitoring the node global buffering memory available. If required, the LRM may also report to Network Management facilities for possible rerouting of the traffic.

Abstract: A system determines the locations of four errors in a code word over GF(2m), for any m, by transforming a degree-four error locator polynomial &sgr;(x) ultimately into two quadratic equations, finding the solutions of these equations, and from these solutions determining the roots of the error locator polynomial. The system first manipulates the degree-four error locator polynomial into a polynomial &thgr;(y) that has a coefficient of zero for the degree-three term. The system then factors this polynomial into two degree-two factors with four unknown variables. The system expands the factors and represents the coefficients of &thgr;(y) as expressions that include the four unknown variables, and manipulates the expressions to produce a degree-three polynomial with only one of the unknown variables. The system next solves for that variable by finding a root of the degree-three polynomial in GF(2m) if the field is an even-bit field or in an even-bit extension of GF(2m) if the field is an odd-bit field.

Abstract: A pest control device is provided for deterring or attracting creatures which feed on vegetables, fruits and flowers grown by farmers and gardeners. The device includes a base portion within which an odorous substance is disposed. The odorous substance is selected to either deter or attract pests and insects. A cap portion is removably securable to the base portion and covers the base portion to prevent the gravitational accumulation of rainwater therein. An unsealed region between the base portion and the cap portion allows odors from the odorous substance within the base portion to flow into the ambient environment.

Abstract: An encoding/decoding system for RAID-6 or multiple track tape systems uses one of a selected set of values for m, with m+1 prime and the field GF(2.sup.m) generated by the irreducible polynomial:g(x)=x.sup.m +x.sup.m-1 + . . . +x.sup.2 +x+1.The system performs Galois Field multiplication operations as a combination of cyclic shifting and exclusive-OR operations, and determines multiplicative inverses of weight one, two and three (m+1)-bit symbols by raising various (m+1)-bit symbols to selected powers of two. Using this system, the value of m may be chosen to be as large as or larger than the sector or tape block, and the encoding and decoding is performed once per sector or block.

Abstract: A shortcut technique implements forwarding decision shortcuts at a switch for frames routed between subnetworks of a computer network. The switch monitors the flow of a first frame of a particular type to and from the router, which renders a forwarding decision for routing the frame. The switch records information stored in network layer header of a packet encapsulated within the first frame, and then compares that information with the information stored in network layer headers of packets contained within subsequent frames of that particular type. Forwarding decisions for these subsequent frames are then rendered by hardware logic circuits of the switch rather than by the router.

Abstract: A delivery valve includes a body defining a chamber into which from one end thereof extends a tubular support member. The interior of the member is connected to the outlet of a fuel pump and an outlet extends from the chamber to a fuel nozzle. Slidable about the support member is a first valve element which defines a seating in its end presented to the other end of the chamber. A second valve element is provided for engagement with the seating and a spring urges the first valve element into engagement with the second valve element. The first valve element also defines a surface against which the fuel pressure in the interior of the tubular member can act to lift the first valve element away from the second valve element to allow fuel flow from the outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encrypting and decrypting using permutation, concatenation and decatenation together with rotation and arithmetic and logic combining with elements or digits or characters from random, pseudo-random, or arbitrary sources wherein the plaintext may be partitioned, block-by-block, the block size being a user selectable power of 2 in size. The data bytes in the input block are selected M bytes at a time, where M.gtoreq.2, with permuted addressing to form a single concatenated data byte, CDB. The CDB is modified by rotating (or barrel shifting) a random bit distance. The CDB may also be modified before or after rotation by simple arithmetic/logic operations. After modification, the CDB is broken up into M bytes and each of the M bytes is placed into the output block with permuted addressing. The output block, or ciphertext, may again be used as an input block and the process repeated with a new output block.

Abstract: A technique efficiently captures information required to create a filter used by switching nodes of a heterogeneous network to implement transmission priority routing of data traffic over a connection network between end nodes of the network. A bounded time interval, i.e., a time window, is established during which a first switching node monitors the traffic over the network to capture portions of the required information contained in a defined data packet. Monitoring of data traffic during the time window is triggered by a predictable event, the occurrence of which is communicated to the first switching node by a hybrid node of the network. In addition to providing this "triggering" communication, the hybrid node also provides the first switching node with the remaining portion of the required information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for reducing transient signals in phase locked loop (PLL) circuits of central processing units. One aspect of the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that disables a charge pump circuit in a phase locked loop circuit when a frequency change in the output signal of the PLL circuit is implemented to limit transient signals generated by the PLL. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for coordinating a change in divider values for frequency dividers in a PLL of a CPU to limit transient signals from the PLL.

Abstract: Optimization of distances between each of an array of imaging devices and the surface of an oppositely disposed rotating drum is accomplished without disturbing the mechanical mounting of the imaging devices. For each device, an optimal distance from the recording construction is established; at this optimal distance, corresponding to substantially proper focus, maximum energy density is delivered to a recording medium on the drum. Rather than alter the actual device-to-drum distance to conform to this optimum, the optical paths between the devices and the drum are changed by varying the spacing between the radiation source (e.g., the end of a fiber-optic cable) and the assembly. This alters the point of focus, and therefore has the same practical effect as moving the device itself. The invention also provides a technique for determining the optimal device-to-drum distance by means of a sequence of imaged regions applied at different device-to-drum distances.

Abstract: In a computerized method, text segments of a text file are aligned with audio segments of an audio file. The text file includes written words, and the audio file includes spoken words. A vocabulary and language model are generated from the text segment. A word list is recognized from the audio segment using the vocabulary and language model. The word list is aligned with the text segment, and corresponding anchors are chosen in the word list and text segment. Using the anchors, the text segment and the audio segment are partitioned into unaligned and aligned segments according to the anchors. These steps are repeated for any unaligned segments until a termination condition is reached.

Abstract: A layout technique generates a compact connected graph of linked objects that is organized on a page basis, i.e., the page comprises a collection of related objects displayed on a single scrollable window. Objects are generally grouped near neighboring objects with whom they share links. The technique further organizes the connected graph as a hub-and-spoke arrangement to reduce the number of overlapping objects and crossing links. Collectively, these layout features facilitate comprehension of the internetwork topology by a user.

Abstract: The invention provides dry cleaning liquid formulations and methods for their use based on a highly fluorinated organic solvent which contains at least one hydrogen atom per molecule, in particular, highly fluorinated hydrocarbons or highly fluorinated ethers. In a preferred embodiment the cleaning liquid contains an HFC or HFE in combination with dichloroethylene. The addition of a surfactant enhances the ability of the liquid to remove water-soluble soils.

Abstract: A urethral press seals the female bladder against the inadvertent discharge of urine into the urethra. The press comprises a resilient curved band, preferably U-shaped, having a first arm for insertion into the vagina and a second arm extending exteriorly of the vagina along the pubic area to provide a force to compress the bladder and the contiguous urethral walls to thereby seal the bladder.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer to reduce the memory needed to store seismic data. The seismic measurements are first organized into a multi-dimensional data array. The multi-dimensional data array is than sub-band coded to form a coded data array by applying a one-dimensional transformation corresponding to each dimension of the data array to that dimension of the data array. The transformation is determined by the frequency content of the corresponding dimension of the data array. The sub-band coded data array is then quantized to provide a compacted data array.

Abstract: An option request protocol allows dynamic negotiation of options between a host computer and a control unit of a computer network. The protocol is manifested as an exchange of novel control messages over a control link used to establish logical data links for communication between the host and control unit. The options negotiated by the control message exchange generally pertain to additional functions performed by the control unit or host, or additional parameters for communication over the data links coupling the control unit and host.