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 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: 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: The present invention provides a data selection apparatus which augments a set of training examples with the desired output data. The resulting augmented data set is normalized such that the augmented data values range between -1 and +1 and such that the mean of the augmented data set is zero. The data selection apparatus then groups the augmented and normalized data set into related clusters using a clusterizer. Preferably, the clusterizer is a neural network such as a Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM). The data selection apparatus further applies an extractor to cull a working set of data from the clusterized data set. The present invention thus picks, or filters, a set of data which is more nearly uniformly distributed across the portion of the input space of interest to minimize the maximum absolute error over the entire input space. The output of the data selection apparatus is provided to train the analyzer with important sub-sets of the training data rather than with all available training data.

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: 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 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: A PCI repeater coupled between a primary bus and a secondary bus transparently decodes upstream transactions by halting operations on the secondary bus while the transaction is decoded on the primary bus. A clock disable signal is internally generated to temporarily disable the bus clock on the secondary bus. Transactions initiated on the secondary bus are first sent upstream regardless of whether or not the target is upstream. If the transaction is not positively claimed by a target on the upstream bus, the PCI repeater subtractively claims the transaction. Special upstream decoding logic in the PCI repeater is avoided by sending the transaction upstream and using the inherent decoding logic of PCI devices.

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 composite railroad tie is provided comprising a phosphogypsum filler and a thermoplastic resin. The composite exhibits desirable physical properties for railroad ties. Suitable sources for phospho-gypsum include fertilizer processes involving (a) providing phosphate rock, (b) contacting the phosphate rock with sulphuric acid in the presence of water to produce phosphoric acid and a calcium sulphate, (c) separating at least a portion of the phosphoric acid from the calcium sulphate to produce a phosphoric acid product and a calcium sulphate byproduct, (d) drying the calcium sulphate byproduct to remove water therefrom. The calcium sulphate byproduct (phospho-gypsum) is then admixed with a thermoplastic and a functionalized compound to produce a filled thermoplastic composition. The filled thermoplastic composition is then melt processed (for example injection or compression molded) to produce a filled thermoplastic composite railroad tie.

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: An impactor apparatus and method for assembling modular orthopedic prosthesis parts includes a base member that can be for example an instrument from a tray or an instrument tray lid. The base member defines a plane and provides a plurality of components extending away from the plane. The tray components include a pair of spaced apart supports. An impactor tool can be removably supported upon the supports in a fixed position relative to the base member, preferably generally parallel thereto. The components include an impact driver tool actuator that pivotally attaches to the base member. A pair of prosthesis parts or components are connectable at a taper lock connection defined by respective tapered annular portions of the prosthesis parts. The components and impact driver tool support the prosthesis parts adjacent the base and axial alignment with the impact driver tool, the prosthesis parts being generally positioned in between the pair of spaced apart supports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the installation or removal of large multi-ton prefabricated deck packages includes the use of usually two barges defining a base that can support a large multi-ton load. A variable dimensional truss assembly is supported by the barge and forms a load transfer interface between the barge and deck package. Slings are suspended from a compression frame portion at the boom end portions of the truss assembly. The slings form attachments between the compression frame and the deck package at the upper elevational positions on the deck package. Tensile connections form attachments between the deck package and barge at a lower elevational position. The variable dimension truss includes at least one member of variable length, in the preferred embodiment being a winch powered cable that can be extended and retracted by winding and unwinding the winch.

Abstract: A vehicular apparatus which is adapted for removing fluids including snow and/or ice and de-icing or anti-icing liquids from a surface as the apparatus traverses the surface. The apparatus comprises: a first container for receiving a first portion of the fluids removed from a zone of the surface; apparatus for collecting and transferring the first portion of the fluids from the zone to the first container; a second container for collecting residual fluids remaining on the zone of the surface after the first portion is removed; a tank for containing water and a diaphragm pump for pumping water from the tank through nozzles at high pressure on the zone of the surface to loosen the residual fluids or make them airborne; and an air sweep connected in fluid communication with the second container for drawing or sweeping the loosened residual fluids and water into the second container concurrently with impinging high pressure water on the surface.

Abstract: A convertible folding gooseneck trailer hitch apparatus for towing a conventional A-frame trailer behind a vehicle, the apparatus including a gooseneck assembly having a forward vertical member and an aft vertical member connected by a horizontal member, the forward vertical member rigidly affixing at one end to the horizontal member and connecting to a fifth-wheel towing base platform at the other end, and the aft vertical member pivotally connecting to the horizontal member. A mounting plate assembly rigidly attached to the aft vertical member, the mounting plate assembly having a conventional hitch ball attached thereon. A plurality of adjustable anti-sway braces, each with a fore and aft end, the aft end connecting to the trailer A-frame and the fore end connecting to the aft vertical member of the gooseneck.

Abstract: An improved gun rack having a unitary body including a vertical upright base portion, which could be secured to a door or the like structure, a first upper arcuate arm, extending outward and away from the base portion, for securing the upper portion or barrel of the gun, and a lower horizontal foot member extending outward from the base portion upon which the trigger housing would be secured so that the trigger housing, when engaged by the foot member would allow the rifle to lean into the arcuate arm and be secured therein. The improved gun rack would be positioned vertically on a door, and would not extend outward from the door more than the relative thickness of the weapon itself, as the weapon was held upright within the rack. There may be further included a cushion on the arcuate end lower arms so that the metallic surfaces of the gun would not be tarnished when making contact with the gun rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laparoscopic insertion and application of a liquid, gel or like medicinal material enables the laparoscopic surgeon to utilize various spray patterns to apply the desired material. In laparoscopy surgery of the abdomen (including pelvis), all instrumentation and all surgical products must be introduced through "ports" consisting of valved, sleeved or tubes. To properly and efficiently introduce and apply liquid, gel or like medicinal material, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing the desired material with a desired pattern or spray. The instrument consists of an elongated instrument body that can receive a selected flexible delivery tube having a distal end with a nozzle. The instrument body articulates at its distal end, thereby flexing the dispensing tube. The selected nozzle of the selected dispensing tube can be flexed to dispense with a desired spray pattern to a spray head, into any position of the patient's abdominal cavity.