Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook either by steaming or by boiling. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. An upper ring extends above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. A removable basket fits the pot interior, the basket having a base that registers against the bottom of the pot and a vertically extending portion that includes hooks for receiving a bail that can then removably attach to the basket at the periphery of the pot. The burner includes an upper ring member that is supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower ring member that engages an underlying supporting ground surface. Struts extend between the rings are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.

Abstract: A method for transferring data through a bus bridge. The bus bridge includes a number of data buffers for storing data, prefetching data and write posting data. A device communicating with the bus bridge may reserve a buffer by one of two reservation mechanism. The reservation mechanism provides the bus bridge with the address and byte count. The reservation may also be forwarded to any upstream bus bridges. The reserved buffers are prefetched for efficient use of bus access. Data is prefetched and flushed according to alternative algorithms if a buffer is not reserved.

Abstract: A computer aided game apparatus is disclosed for tracking location and distance on a golf course, recommending club selection, recording golfer performance statistics, receiving notification via a pager, and playing infomercials during the course of a golf game. The apparatus has a processor connected to a memory which is suitably supports a geographic information system (GIS), a player performance database, and an infomercial database. The apparatus has a global positioning receiver which operates in conjunction with the GIS for indicating the current position of the golfer. The GPS receiver is connected to the processor which in turn drives a convenient, intuitive touch screen display. The apparatus has a pager which allows for direct contact with the golfer. To support data networking, the microprocessor is also connected to one or more interface ports, including an infra-red port, a parallel port, a serial port, and a PCMCIA port.

Abstract: A support bracket supportable on the upper surface of a television monitor or computer monitor which includes a pair of parallel support arms, the first ends of the arms supported on the forward edge of the monitor surface, and extending rearward to a second end. The arms would be held in spaced apart relation with a transverse support arm, secured to each principal support arms; further is included a pair of rear leg members, extending between the second end of the arms and having lower ends resting on the rear of the upper surface of the monitor; the rear leg members having the ability to be height adjustable so that when the lower ends of the leg members are resting on the rear of the monitor the principal support arms are in a horizontal position in order to support the VCR or other item in a horizontal position on the monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing geophones beneath the surface of the earth includes a machine frame that supports an elongated probe rod. The probe rod is dimensioned to reach a selected subterranean earth layer. The rod has upper and lower end portions. A geophone holder is positioned at the lower end of the rod for holding a geophone and its cable. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the rod between the upper and lower positions. The drive rollers include at least an opposed pair of upper wheels and an opposed pair of lower wheels. The wheels are loaded with an adjustable spring pusher so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the pipe for gripping and driving the pipe even when muddy. A gear train interconnects all of the driving wheels so that all of the wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. A gear train preferably includes six gears including a pair of upper gears, a pair of lower gears, and a pair of intermediate drive gears.

Abstract: A computer system which includes a DMA controller on the local I/O unit which can be programmed by either the host processor or the local processor. Semaphore flags and lock bits are provided to allow determination of control of the local DMA controller and for passing information. Additionally, data alignment and padding circuitry is provided. The circuitry is informed of the logical data arrangement desired or utilized by the host processor or other devices and knows the data arrangement of the local processor. The circuitry properly obtains and realigns the data based on the transfer direction and data arrangement. The circuitry further properly zero pads the data when realignment is such that padding is necessary.

Abstract: A circuit for placing an external or L2 cache memory into low power mode in response to certain special cycles executed by the microprocessor. In particular, the special cycles are the stop grant acknowledge special cycle and the halt special cycle. The microprocessor executes the stop grant acknowledge special cycle in response to a request by the computer system to slow down its clock. This request is asserted by the computer system if the system has been idle for a predetermined period of time. The halt special cycle is generated by the microprocessor when a HALT instruction is executed. The stop grant acknowledge and halt special cycles place the microprocessor into a low power state. Since the microprocessor is in low power mode, the L2 cache memory is also placed into low power mode for further power conservation. The L2 cache memory is implemented either with synchronous or asynchronous static random access memories (SRAMs).

Abstract: A device that holds a personal communication device in an manner such that it can have the alpha numeric display easily read by positioning the display in the line of site of pager attendant. An angular planar surface allows the pager to be clipped on so the pager will not fall if bumped, and will hold stationary while the attendant actuates the function buttons on the pager, which can be quickly done with only one hand. The plurality of rigid surfaces will easily hold a personal communication device in other positions, but also provides a dedicated easy-to-find location of a plurality of personal communication device.

Abstract: An adaptive read ahead cache is provided with a real cache and a virtual cache. The real cache has a data buffer, an address buffer, and a status buffer. The virtual cache contains only an address buffer and a status buffer. Upon receiving an address associated with the consumer's request, the cache stores the address in the virtual cache address buffer if the address is not found in the real cache address buffer and the virtual cache address buffer. Further, the cache fills the real cache data buffer with data responsive to the address from said memory if the address is found only in the virtual cache address buffer. The invention thus loads data into the cache only when sequential accesses are occurring and minimizes the overhead of unnecessarily filling the real cache when the host is accessing data in a random access mode.

Abstract: A plurality of read-ahead FIFOs, each with an LRU replacement policy, is provided for enhancing buffer performance. The FIFO contains a plurality of adaptive buffer replacement counters to monitor usage statistics of the FIFOs and to identify one of the FIFOs as a refill candidate buffer in the event of a miss which requires new data to be brought into one of the FIFOs. Each FIFO has a hit detector and a flush detector for comparing the address of a data request from the bus master with the address stored by each buffer for indicating FIFO hit or invalidate operations. Each FIFO also has a buffer selector to provide data from the buffer selected by the hit detector to the bus master if the selected FIFO buffer has not been invalidated by the invalidate address comparator. The buffer selector otherwise transferring the requested data from the memory to the refill candidate buffer and presenting new data from the refill candidate buffer to the bus master.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-contained automatic fire detection, warning, and suppression life safety system having an extinguishant source and a fire detector coupled to an electronic processor. The processor has logic to interface with components for detecting and warning of a fire and releasing the extinguishant. Self-diagnosis logic checks the entire system's function, pressure, power level, and power source. Additional sensors are provided for detecting various hazards, and the processor has logic for proper response.

Abstract: A method for configuring memory in a computer system. The method calls for determining the maximum configurable size of installed memory modules for each of a plurality of interleave options. The computer system is configured to utilize the largest of the maximum configurable sizes of interleave options. The maximum configurable sizes of interleave options are further compared to determine if the memory modules are installed in a manner providing the largest amount of configurable memory. If not, an error message is sent to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a computer system is provided with a flash read-only-memory (ROM), a microcontroller and a data port. The microcontroller initially owns the flash ROM. The microcontroller further has a separate ROM upon which it can execute boot-up instructions. After booting up, the microcontroller checks the flash ROM contents, preferably by performing a check-sum of the flash ROM contents. If the checksum of the flash ROM contents matches an expected value, the microcontroller releases ownership of the flash ROM to the computer system so that the computer system boots-up as normal. If the microcontroller determines that the flash ROM has become corrupted, the microcontroller accesses the data port and looks for a flash programming protocol. If the protocol is present at the data port, the microcontroller receives the data from the data port and programs the flash ROM accordingly.

Abstract: An improved printed circuit board layout is provided in which a transistor or a resistor (preferably a zero ohm resistor) can be installed. If a transistor is installed, this allows for selectively passing a signal; if a resistor is installed, the line is directly coupled. The resistor and transistor are surface mount devices, and the two pads for the resistor are overlapped with two of the pads for the source and the drain of the transistor. A separate pad is provided for the gate of the transistor. In this way, alternatively either a resistor or a transistor can be installed, but the trace links, stubs, and resulting undesirable effects are minimized through the overlapping pads.

Abstract: An apparatus ensures that circuit cards of a computer system are properly oriented and fully inserted into their slots before allowing the computer system to power-up. Each card has two electrically connected key fingers on the card edge, while each slot has first and second contacts adapted to engage the two key fingers when the card is fully seated on the slot. One contact of the first slot is connected to a known voltage, while the second contact is connected to the first contact of the next slot. The second contact of the next slot is in turn connected to the first contact of the subsequent slot. Thus, upon a complete engagement of the cards onto the slots, all contacts are connected in a series arrangement. The final contact is connected to an insertion detector which turns on the computer system power supply only when the voltage of the last contact equals the known voltage, indicating that all circuit cards are fully seated on the slots.

Abstract: Helical spring loop structures (inner tires) reduce vehicle accidents when tire failure occurs, reduce tire heat build-up and tread wear simultaneously. The structure, having an ability to cope with a vehicle's failed tire while in motion, provides a safer driving environment. The structures preferably are made of steel oil tempered wire, ASTM A-229 or equal, covered with rubber tubing and assembled to form a loop which can be inflated. The wire provides structural stability and the rubber tubing provides cushioning, especially when inflated.

Abstract: A footwear device for reducing noise caused when an outdoorsman walks over leaves, twigs, and other ground objects and additionally serves to conceal an outdoorsman's feet from visual detection. The footwear device can be slipped on over an outdoorsman's shoes or can be worn over the bare or socked feet as a moccasin. The footwear device comprises a camouflaged cloth upper body portion for covering and concealing the shoe or foot, an adjustable opening for receiving the shoe or foot into the footwear device, a means for securing which firmly holds the device in place around the shoe or foot, and a bottom sole comprised of a synthetic fur material that reduces noise occurring when the outdoorsman steps on ground objects. In addition to suppressing walking related noise and concealing the feet, the present invention is supple to facilitate carrying, easy to put on, and to remove.

Abstract: A keyboard system according to the present invention includes a serial bus host controller coupled to a serial bus keyboard. The keyboard includes both keyboard scan logic and scan code conversion logic for passing to the host controller over the serial bus. The host controller includes circuitry for processing the data between the serial bus and a host bus. The host controller further includes 8042 emulation logic for providing a hardware compatible interface to the keyboard controller. The 8042 emulation logic also includes circuitry for communicating over the serial bus during times when the serial bus has not yet been initialized.

Abstract: A lean-to well protector apparatus for use on offshore wells having a generally vertical upstanding conductor pipe extending between the sea bed and the water surface includes a pair of jacket legs defining a plane that is angularly oriented with respect to the conductor pipe forming an acute angle therewith. A first plurality of structural chord members interconnects the jacket legs and can occupy the plane defined by the jacket legs. The first plurality of chord members and the jacket legs form a truss that leans towards the conductor pipe during operation of the offshore well. A first clamp connector is positioned at the middle portion of the conductor pipe and a second clamp connector is positioned at the upper portion of the conductor pipe generally near the water surface area. A second plurality of structural chord members interconnects the conductor pipe with the truss at the clamp connectors.