Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for supporting DMA I/O devices on a PCI bus. A DMA I/O device is coupled to a DMA controller via a serial link and two signal lines. The serial link is used by the DMA I/O device to request a DMA transfer. When the DMA controller receives the serialized DMA request, it sends a signal to an arbiter and waits for the PCI bus to be granted to the DMA controller for use during the DMA transfer. When granted the PCI bus, the DMA controller signals the DMA I/O device. The DMA I/O device asserts a signal in response to the one asserted by the DMA controller. The DMA controller recognizes the signal asserted by the DMA I/O device and continues with the DMA transfer. The transfer continues for as long as the DMA I/O device continues to assert the signal or for as long as the DMA controller is programmed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for securing sensitive data on mass storage devices. The system and method use an encryption device to encrypt sensitive data that is to be stored on the mass storage devices. A plurality of cryptographic keys are provided to ensure that only authorized personnel have the ability to access the encrypted data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a removable lampshade cover and method therefor. The removable lampshade cover is comprised of a tubular band of material having a top opening and a bottom opening, which band of material may be in any shape--including cylindrical or conical--to correspond to the shape of an existing lampshade. In one embodiment, the lampshade cover is circumscribed at its top by an elastic band, for releasably attaching to the top of an existing lampshade. In a second embodiment, the lampshade cover is also circumscribed at its bottom by an elastic band, so that the lampshade cover may be releasably attached to both the top and the bottom of an existing lampshade.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved disposable diaper and method therefor. The disposable diaper achieves significant fluid absorbency through a wadding batt layer consisting solely of a combination of wood pulp and cotton pulp, rather than through a wadding batt layer comprising wood pulp and a superabsorbent polymer. In this fashion, the disposable diaper minimizes skin irritation that may be caused during rewetting when body waste fluids contacting the superabsorbent polymers carry a portion thereof back out through the diapers into contact with the skins of babies or children using the diapers. The disposable diaper also minimizes skin irritation caused when both the exterior portion of a diaper contacts a child's skin or the skin of a person touching the diaper, by the use of an outer and inner surface layer of a soft, cloth-like, non-woven bond material such as polyester.

Abstract: A zero-current start-up circuit for a reference circuit which is initially unbiased and which has internal nodes that needs to be regulated to a predetermined voltage. When the start-up circuit is enabled, a switching transistor is turned on which enables the reference circuit to generate an internal reference current which regulates an output current to a predetermined value set by the reference circuit. The output current flows through a voltage drop device and when the voltage level reaches a predetermined value, the start-up circuit is disabled eliminating the current path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for passing Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) legacy interrupts across Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) connectors. The system interconnects a plurality of PCI devices coupled to a PCI bus such that a last interrupt pin of each of the plurality of PCI devices are coupled together in a directly bussed manner to provide a serial interrupt signal line. The remainder of the interrupt pins of each of the plurality of PCI devices are coupled together in a barber pole manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning. An audio storage media is used for storing multiple channel audio recordings. The audio storage media is played on a multiple channel audio player. A channel selection device is coupled to the multiple channel audio player for adjusting the strength of each channel of the multiple channel audio player. Headphones are coupled to the channel selection means for allowing the user of the apparatus to listen to at least one channel of the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media. By separating the sounds into different channels, a user of the apparatus and method will be able to better distinguish sounds thus increasing the learning ability of the user.

Abstract: A method is described for a read-only MOS semiconductor memory. An addressable array of a multiplicity of cells each comprising a single MOS transistor is coded for preselected cells by providing them with source/drain regions which are spaced apart from edges of their respective overlying gate electrode regions. This is accomplished by a masking step late in the fabrication sequence. In this way, a dense MOS memory having rapid manufacturing turn-around is provided.

Abstract: An interrupt based positioning system for a joystick. A potentiometer is coupled to the joystick for supplying a voltage signal representative of a current position of the joystick. An analog-to-digital converter changes the voltage signal to a digital voltage signal which is then stored in a register. Interrupt generation logic monitors the output of the register and generates a position interrupt signal when the digital voltage signal stored in the register indicates a change in the axial position of the joystick.

Abstract: A high voltage current limiting protection circuit for measurement equipment and measurement probes. The circuit is comprised of a plurality of elements one of which is variable resistance means which are coupled between a first terminal and a second terminal of the circuit for generating a low resistance level to allow a fast response by the measurement equipment to measure current flowing between the two terminals. The variable resistance means generates a high resistance level to limit current flow to a minimum level between the two terminals when a predetermined maximum voltage level across the two terminals is exceeded. Voltage trip point means are coupled to the variable resistance means for setting the predetermined maximum voltage level to trigger the variable resistance means to generate the high resistance level to limit current flow between the two terminals to the minimum level.

Abstract: A device for increasing heat transfer and reducing suspended vapor within a fluid. The inventive device includes a main body having at least one pair of conduits positionable into communication with a fluid or refrigerant line. A radial diffuser effects plating or coating of fluid entering the main body onto the interior walls thereof to increase heat transfer. A radial infuser receives collected fluid and directs the fluid into a containment chamber within the main body. A rotational turbulence inducer agitates the fluid as it exits the main body for increasing heat transfer between the fluid and the conduit. Alternative forms of the invention include a turbine mounted within the containment chamber for extracting rotational torque from movement of fluid through the device, and a lower main body having a pair of selectively valved radial infusers permitting reverse flow through the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which has automatic enabling and disabling capabilities for prefetching and transferring sequentially located data from system memory to a First In First Out (FIFO) queue. When a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) initiator signals for a data read, a minimum unit of data will be transferred from system memory to the FIFO queue. Only after seeing a certain number of consecutive data read requests from the same PCI initiator will the system begin to sequentially prefetch data from system memory and to transfer the prefetched data to the FIFO queue.

Abstract: Signalling apparatus are used for monitoring a clock signal from a system controller to a processor. If the clock signal is low, indicating that the processor is disabled, the signalling apparatus will place the cache memory in a "sleep" mode. Thus, the signalling apparatus allow a computer system, upon which the signalling apparatus is a part of, to lower its power consumption. If the computer system is a portable computer system, the signalling apparatus will lower power consumption thereby extending the lifetime of the portable computer's batteries.

Abstract: A system for increasing the efficiency of single and multi-phase induction motors. The system is comprised of a microcontroller which combines a time when the AC line current reaches zero amps with a time when AC line voltage to the AC motor reaches zero volts and with a digital measurement provided by an A/D converter to determine a servo error. The servo error determines whether the A/C motor needs more or less power. The microprocessor provides a control signal to a switching means to supply the minimum power required based on the servo error.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for preserving cadavers. The apparatus is preferably comprised of a container that receives a cadaver, which cadaver has first been placed into a multi-layered plastic bag of the type used in the vacuum-packing industry. The container has the ability to be sealed in a substantially air-tight manner. Located on or coupled to the container is a gas evacuation apparatus, which evacuates substantially all of the gases within the container, the bag, and the cadaver. The cadaver is then sealed using a sealing apparatus located within the cadaver. The cadaver, in the sealed bag, may then be removed.

Abstract: A fully associative cache memory has a finite state machine which creates and maintains a linked list structure within the cache. This linked list structure allows the fully associative cache memory to be implemented in a structure other than a complex FIFO arrangement, as is typically required by systems of the prior art.

Abstract: A chute provides a passageway for coins discharged by a slot machine. The passageway extends from a coin discharge opening of the slot machine, over a coin holding tray of the slot machine to the mouth of a cup or a container or any other desired coin collecting unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device used as a semiconductor memory device is disclosed which is made of an amorphous silicon material that provides either a "1" or "0" memory state when the amorphous silicon material is in a non-conduction or insulating state and a "0" or "1" memory state when the amorphous silicon material is transformed, by use of a breakdown voltage applied to electrodes coupled thereto, into a conducting state. The amorphous silicon material is located adjacent to a doped semiconductor region of a semiconductor substrate separated only by a relatively thin primarily metal ohmic contact. The resulting semiconductor structure for the semiconductor device or semiconductor memory device is primarily a single level metalization type structure. A write-once, read-only semiconductor memory array is also disclosed which uses, as each memory cell of the array, one of the disclosed semiconductor memory devices.