Abstract: An apparatus for and method of permitting the maintenance/control console of a large scale mainframe computer to list the contents of program libraries in the demand or even batch mode with minimum operational impact. The preferred mode of the present invention permits the maintenance and operations personnel to list, pause, and perform other functions without unduly preventing user applications from needed accesses to the libraries.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for efficiently scheduling multiple instruction processors. The instruction processors are assigned to one of a plurality of clusters, such that the system ideally contains a plurality of clusters each having a plurality of instruction processors. Each cluster has a separate scheduling queue wherein the tasks for any one cluster have been selected to maximize cache memory hits by affinity scheduling. Instruction processors are scheduled from the scheduling queue associated with its assigned cluster whenever tasks remain within the cluster. Therefore, under normal system loading conditions, true affinity scheduling is accomplished providing maximum execution efficiency. However, whenever an instruction processor requests assignment and the associated cluster scheduling queue is empty, the instruction processor requests assignment of a task from another scheduling queue associated with a different cluster.

Abstract: A weapon grip assembly (16) for attachment to a forward portion of a weapon is provided. The invention includes a base assembly (20) supported for operative engagement by a handle (22). The base assembly includes clamps (24) adapted to be secured to a forward portion of the weapon and further includes a post (38) having a clamp end adapted to retain the clamps (24) for pivot motion with respect thereto. The post (38) of the base assembly (20) is received within a bore of the handle, a mandrel (32) being interposed between the handle (22) and the clamps (24) of the base assembly (20). As the base assembly (20) is drawn into the handle (22), by rotation of the handle (22) about the post (38) of the base assembly (20), the mandrel (32) receives the clamp end of the post (38), with an upper free surface thereof engaging the clamps for pivoted closure about a portion of the weapon in furtherance of securing the weapon grip assembly (16) thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of a biomass stove utilizes three proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers as part of a closed loop to control the fuel feed rate, the convection fan speed and the combustion fan speed. The first loop controls room temperature, the second loop controls the convection fan speed and the third loop controls the combustion fan. Appropriate temperature readings are utilized for the first and second loop. The third loop, which utilized feedback of the ratio between the heat exchanger temperature to the exhaust temperature, in addition to measuring these temperatures also references a library of look-up tables of such ratios over the entire heat range of the stove that have been correlated to combustion efficiency, as an input. This enables the operator to optimize the heat output for any operating point.

Abstract: A therapeutic article is provided which includes an enclosure containing at least a single structure for overlaying a pressure point, and a viscous fluid substantially surrounding the at least a single structure. The at least a single structure is free to be selectively positionable within the viscous fluid, and along a length and width of the elongate enclosure. The viscous fluid is suited for selectively heating or chilling in furtherance of therapy enhancement. The article is further adapted for use as a wrap structure for affixation about an body portion for receipt of therapy.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for efficiently communicating between a provider of video on demand services and a cable television subscriber. The communication is implemented using a message protocol specifically optimized to communicate between a multimedia application server and a set top subscriber box. The message format includes unique identifiers for addressing and synchronization to permit the multimedia application server to manage the communication process.

Abstract: An improved test socket for use in testing integrated circuits. The test socket includes a housing having one or more slots formed therein. Contacts can be received within respective slots and maintained therein with rear ends of the contacts in engagement with traces on a load board. Mounting is accomplished by means of a pair of elastomers, and the elastomers maintain each contact such that, when the front end of a contact is engaged by the lead or pad of the device to be tested and urged into its corresponding slot, an arcuate surface at a rear end of each contact rolls across its corresponding trace with virtually no translational or rotational sliding.

Abstract: A game call for use during hunting various species of animals. The game call includes a housing at opposite axial ends of which are mounted a pressurized gas reservoir and a nozzle. Pressurized gas in the reservoir passes through an egress port and into a plenum formed in the housing. Gas metered by the plenum of the housing passes through an ingress port into a chamber within the nozzle. A sound-producing member mounted in the chamber is actuated by the gas exhausted through the nozzle.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle comprising at least one front roof element (4) and one rear roof element (3), these at least two elements being mobile between a covering position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a storage position in which they are folded away in the rear boot of the vehicle, the roof also comprising two pivoting arms (1, 2) mounted such as to pivot around axles of rotation (9, 10) on the rear roof element (3) between a longitudinal position in which they extend between the front end of the rear element (3) and the rear of the windscreen on either side and all along the front roof element (4), and a transverse position in which they overlap each other transversally in relation to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an Internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to interface with an existing proprietary data base management system by permitting a developer to create a web based service that produces a table result. This result can be rendered to the web either by a Cool ICE Script or by an Active Server Page. The table may appear either as an HTML table or a graph. The service is defined as a plurality of ordered, discreet, and independent steps. Each step may be created and/or edited independently of all other steps.

Abstract: An interfacial force microscope includes a differential-capacitance displacement sensor having a tip mounted on an oscillating member. The sensor generates displacement signals in response to oscillations of the member. A scanner is adjacent the sensor and supports a sample to be imaged. The scanner is actuable to move the sample relative to the sensor to bring the tip into intermittent contact with said sample as the member oscillates. A controller is in communication with the sensor and the scanner. The controller includes a sensor feedback circuit receiving the displacement signals and an AC setpoint signal. The AC setpoint signal has a frequency generally equal to the frequency at the peak of the displacement versus frequency curve of the sensor. The output of the sensor feedback circuit is applied to the sensor to oscillate the member. The controller also provides output to the scanner in response to the displacement signals to control the separation distance between the sensor and the sample.

Abstract: An operator-propelled, four-wheel vehicle uses a treadmill to drive two rear wheels through a bicycle type derailleur and sprocket gear shifter which provides gear changing capability. The front wheels, each of which have disk brakes, are steered by an automotive type steering apparatus. A vertical extension from the steering mechanism at the front of the vehicle mounts a horizontal steering bar to provide steering control. The steering bar also mounts control grips and cables for the front disk brakes and clutch assembly, as well as the gear shifter. An automatic breaking system ensures that an unmanned vehicle will remain in place.

Abstract: A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

Abstract: A monitor display carried by a vehicle. The monitor display is mounted proximate a rim of a corresponding motive wheel of a vehicle. A rim of the motive wheel has a surface which is contoured to substantially conform to an inner surface of the monitor display. The monitor display is rigidly maintained in a non-rotating fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The user request is received by a web server from the world wide web and converted into one or more sequenced data base management commands. These data base management commands are sequentially presented to the data base management system and the intermediate products stored. After all of the sequenced data base management commands have been executed, the web server combines the intermediate products to form a complete response to the initial user request. The response is transferred to the user over the world wide web. However, should the data base management system be unavailable to honor the service request of a user, an unavailability message is transferred from the data base management system indicating the unavailability.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of permitting a CORBA user terminal to request services from an enterprise server having XATMI applications. The service request is generated and transmitted in accordance with CORBA protocol as an IIOP message. A CORBA adapter makes the data format conversions. The request is honored by the enterprise server and a response is generated. The response is converted to CORBA protocol and transferred to the user terminal. Unlike previous and less efficient approaches, the CORBA Naming Service of the CORBA Object Request Broker does not initialize any CORBA objects at server startup. Instead, individual CORBA objects are not initialized until actual use is required.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of implementing a cluster lock processing system using highly scalable, off-the-shelf commodity processors. The cluster lock processing system is the central component of a clustered computer system, providing locking and coordination between multiple host systems. The host systems are coupled to the cluster lock processing system using off-the-shelf, low latency interconnects. The cluster lock processing system is composed of multiple commodity platforms that are also coupled to each other using low latency interconnects. Failure of one of the commodity platforms that comprise the cluster lock processing system results in no loss of functionality or interruption of service. This is made possible through the use of specialized software that runs on the commodity platforms. Through the use of custom software and inexpensive hardware the overall system cost is dramatically reduced when compared to typical solutions that use custom built hardware.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of creating a standardized interface between Microsoft Component Object Model environment and a non-compatible legacy environment. The technique is equally effective for both object oriented and non-object oriented scripting protocols. The interface is scripted in the native legacy command language thereby freeing the interface developer from the need to create script in both the legacy command language and a Microsoft COM compatible language, such as Visual Basic. A determination is made upon an attempt to instantiate a COM server whether the server is local or in-process. If in-process and registered, the server is instantiated within a surrogate server to isolate the calling client from potential corruption of its memory space or copying of its sensitive data by the registered in-process server.