Abstract: A waste tire processing apparatus (10) reacts waste tires (26) with a molten reactant metal (19) to recover primarily carbon and stainless steel. The apparatus (10) includes a tire positioning arrangement (20) for positioning the waste tires (26) in the molten reactant metal (19) for a reaction period. After the reaction period, the tire positioning arrangement (20) removes from the molten metal non-reacted solids remaining after the reaction. The non-reacted solids comprise primarily stainless-steel included in the waste tires. As the waste tires (26) are reacted in the molten reactant metal (19), a gas recovery arrangement (14) collects process gases released from the molten metal. The gas recovery arrangement (14) recovers primarily carbon, metal salts, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

Abstract: A packaging device (1) including a flap retention arrangement (30). The packaging device incorporating the flap retention arrangement (30) includes a panel (22) and a flap member (26). The flap member (26) is connected to the panel (22) and adapted to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the panel (22). The flap retention arrangement (30) includes a retention member (33) and a capture element (37). The retention member (33) is mounted on one of the flap member (26) or the panel (22) while the capture element (37) is located on the other one of the flap member (26) or the panel (22). Regardless of which portion of the flap retention arrangement (30) is mounted on one of the flap member (26) or the panel (22), the retention member (33) and the capture element (37) are situated so as to make contact with each other when the flap member (26) is moved to the second position. This contact retains the flap member (26) in the second position.

Abstract: A method for positioning a cursor (20) on a display (16) includes receiving a store signal from a user input arrangement associated with a computer system (10). In response to the store signal, a set of display location data is stored in a display location memory array. The set of display location data defines the position of the cursor (20) at the time of the store signal. The user may then move the cursor (20) to any other position on the display (16). In response to a jump signal produced by the user, the stored set of display location data is read from the display location memory array and the cursor (20) is immediately repositioned from its current position to the location defined by the stored set of display location data.

Abstract: A capacitor structure (10) is implemented in an integrated circuit chip (11) along with other devices at the device level in the chip structure. The capacitor structure includes an elongated device body (17) formed from a first semiconductor material. This device body (17) is bordered on both lateral sides by lateral regions (20, 22) formed from a second semiconductor material. A dielectric layer (28) overlays both lateral regions (20, 22) and the device body (17), while an anode layer (30) overlays the dielectric layer in an area defined by the device body. Each lateral region (20, 22) is coupled to ground at a first end (25) of the elongated device body (17). The anode (30) is coupled to the chip supply voltage at a second end (33) of the device body opposite to the first end. The entire structure is designed and dimensioned to form an area-efficient and high-frequency capacitor.

Abstract: An optical communication system (11) includes a plurality of nodes (16,17,18,19), each node connected in a first optical communication path (22) and a second optical communication path (23) extending parallel to the first optical communication path. The first optical communication path (22) is joined to each node by a first receiver (30) and first transmitter (31), while the second optical communication path (23) is joined to each node by a second receiver (32) and second transmitter (33). One of the nodes comprises a control unit node (19) having a control unit (37) associated therewith. The other nodes of the communication system comprise data unit nodes, each having a data unit (36) associated therewith. The communication system (11) normally operates with the control unit (37) in an open mode of operation in which data is not transferred across the node. Thus, in normal operation, the communication system (11) operates in an open ring configuration.

Abstract: A cable management arm (10) according to the invention attaches to a receiver arrangement (15) associated with some structure adapted to slide with a component (12) mounted in a rack structure (11). The receiver arrangement (15) includes an edge feature (40) and a tab receiving feature (41). A connector arrangement (14) includes a connector base (45) with a connector member (46, 47) extending from one side of the connector base and having an intermediate section (51) and a distal section (50). The distal section (50) of the connector member (46, 47) is adapted to hook over the edge feature when the intermediate section is positioned adjacent to, or flush against the edge feature. A retainer member (54) is also connected to the connector base with a retainer tab (55) extending from the retainer member. The retainer tab (55) cooperates with the tab receiving feature (41) to hold the connector member (46, 47) in a connected position.

Abstract: A network computer (12) receives instructions from a network manager (11), including a control interrupt instruction, a system management instruction, and a release instruction. A processor (16) associated with the network computer (12) executes the control interrupt instruction first to produce a control interrupt signal. This control interrupt signal causes an operating status controller (17) associated with the network computer (12) to disable local operational status control at the network computer. After local operational status control is disabled at the network computer (12), the processor (16) executes the system management instruction and performs a system management operation at the network computer. Finally, after the system management operation is completed, the processor (16) executes the release instruction to produce a release signal. The release signal causes the operational status controller (17) to enable local operational status control at the network computer (12).

Abstract: An apparatus removes water and organic compounds from waste streams such as contaminated soils and refinery tailings by a combination of thermal stripping and molecular decomposition. The apparatus includes at least one unit having a pipe which is preferably heated by induction heating and also having a transport arrangement. The transport arrangement includes a suitable motor and operates to move the waste stream material through the pipe and mix the material to provide uniform heat transfer from the heated pipe. The transport arrangement preferably includes an adjustment mechanism which allows adjustment of the rate at which material moves through the pipe for a given motor speed. The adjustment mechanism also adjusts the mixing provided by the transport arrangement. Several of the treatment units according to the invention may be connected in series to form a multistage device.

Abstract: Each processor (101, 102, 103) in a multiple processor system (100) includes a contingent response unit (121, 122, 123). Each contingent response unit (121, 122, 123) includes a pending operation unit (200) for identifying each pending address bus operation from the respective processor which specifies an address matching a snoop address from another processor. A snoop pipeline is associated with the pending operation unit (200) and includes a plurality of pipeline stages (206). Each snoop pipeline stage (206) has a contingent response flag location (207) and an identifier location (208). When a pending operation from the processor specifies an address which is matched by a younger operation from another processor, a contingent response flag control arrangement uses information from the pending operation unit (200) to set a contingent response flag in a first snoop pipeline stage (206).

Abstract: A system reset arrangement (12) resides alternately in an enabled condition or a disabled condition. When the system reset arrangement (12) is in the disabled condition, a switching input provided through a switch (11) does not effect a system reset. However, in the enabled condition, the switching input through the switch (11) causes system reset arrangement (12) to produce a reset output which resets the system. A reset disable arrangement (14) maintains the system reset arrangement (12) in the disabled condition in response to a disable input. When the disable input is removed, reset disable arrangement (14) maintains system reset arrangement (12) in the enabled condition. An interrupt output (15) develops an interrupt signal in response to the switching input. This interrupt signal prompts an interrupt controller (16) to issue a desired system management command to be processed by the system processor.

Abstract: A processor (100) includes a preload queue (160) for storing a plurality of preload entries. Each preload entry is associated with a preload instruction and includes the address and byte count defined by the respective preload and an identifier associated with the respective preload. A comparison unit (170) associated with the preload queue (160) identifies each conflicting preload entry, that is, each preload entry associated with a preload instruction that conflicts with an older store instruction. The oldest preload instruction associated with one of the conflicting preload entries represents a target preload. The processor (100) may flush this target preload along with all instructions executed after the target preload in order to correct for the conflict between the target preload and store instruction.

Abstract: A latch circuit (10) includes a feedback path which is isolated from a circuit critical path (12). A scan input component (22) is coupled to the feedback path for providing scan test data to the latch circuit (10). A scan output component (23) may also be coupled to the feedback path for providing a separate scan out signal.

Abstract: A repeater circuit (10) includes a decoder arrangement (34) and an encoder arrangement (33). The decoder arrangement (34) is connected to an input transmission line to receive an input encoded signal comprising a signal at one of four encoded voltage levels. Each of the four possible encoded voltage levels represents a different combination of first and second digital data signals. The decoder arrangement (34) decodes the input encoded signal to produce the first and second data signals. These first and second data signals then serve as inputs to the encoder (33) which encodes the signals into an output encoded signal. The output encoded signal comprises a signal similar to the input encoded signal but restored to account for parasitic resistance associated with the input transmission line (21).

Abstract: A first latch circuit (15) and a control latch circuit (16) are used to control another circuit (18) in a self-timed circuit arrangement (10). The first latch circuit (15) produces a first latch circuit output signal (L1) responsive to a first clock signal (C1) in a multiple-clock system. The control latch circuit (16) responds to the second clock signal (C2) to latch the first latch output signal (L1) and produce a reset control signal which is used to produce both a reset signal (RE) and a control output signal (L2). The reset signal (RE) resets the first latch circuit (15), while the control output signal (L2) may be used to control the other circuit (18) even after the first latch circuit is reset.

Abstract: A processor (100) includes an issue unit (125) having an issue queue (144) for issuing instructions to an execution unit (140). The execution unit (140) may accept and execute the instruction or produce a reject signal. After each instruction is issued, the issue queue (144) retains the issued instruction for a critical period. After the critical period, the issue queue (144) may drop the issued instruction unless the execution unit (140) has generated a reject signal. If the execution unit (140) has generated a reject signal, the instruction is eventually marked in the issue queue (144) as being available to be reissued. The length of time that the rejected instruction is held from reissue may be modified depending upon the nature of the rejection by the execution unit (140). Also, the execution unit (140) may conduct corrective actions in response to certain reject conditions so that the instruction may be fully executed upon reissue.

Abstract: An elongated reaction chamber (11) has an inlet end (23), an outlet end (25), and a gas containment boundary (12) extending along its length. Waste material to be processed is injected into the reaction chamber (11) at the inlet end (23) and reaction products are removed from the reaction chamber out the outlet end (25). The reaction chamber (11) is mounted within a supply chamber (16) containing a molten reactant metal (15). The level of the molten reactant metal (15) in the supply chamber (16) resides above the level of the upper gas containment boundary (12). A circulating arrangement including a circulating paddle (17) circulates molten reactant metal (15) into the inlet end (23) of the reaction chamber (11) and through the reaction chamber to its outlet end (25). A mixing arrangement which may include fins (44) associated with the reaction chamber (11) mixes both gases and molten reactant metal in the reaction chamber to enhance exposure of unreacted gases to the molten metal.

Abstract: A representation of an image is made from a set of image line signals. The method includes producing a plurality of image component values. Each image component value comprises a value derived from least one selected image line signal included in the set of image line signals. The various image component values are arranged into and ordered sequence and this ordered sequence provides a representation of the image with which the set of image line signals is associated.

Abstract: A lottery-type game is played with a first level game and at least one second level or additional level game. The first level game includes a plurality of first level game records, each having an associated outcome. At least one outcome is a negotiable outcome. The second level game is related to the negotiable outcome of the first level game and includes a plurality of second level game records. According to the present gaming method, a player is enabled to view a first level game representation associated with a particular one of the first level game records. This first level game representation indicates the outcome associated with the particular first level game record. When this first level outcome is the negotiable outcome, the player may choose to view a second level game representation which indicates the outcome of a particular one of the second level game records.

Abstract: A satellite receiving antenna (16) at a user location (14) receives satellite signals at a first frequency from a satellite (12). The satellite signals travel along a satellite signal route (42) within a look angle about the centerline (28) of the antenna (16). A terrestrial transmitter (20) transmits signals at the first frequency along a wireless transmission route (40) from the transmitter to the user location (14). The terrestrial transmitter (20) is located with respect to the user location (14) so that the wireless transmission route (40) is at a relatively large angle to the centerline (28) of the first antenna (16). The angle of the wireless transmission route (40) to the satellite antenna centerline (28) is large enough so that the terrestrial signals present at the location (14) result in terrestrial input signals from the antenna (16) which are less than an interference level with respect to satellite input signals produced by the antenna.

Abstract: A tibial prosthetic implant includes a base or base plate with an offset tibial stem. The base includes an inferior surface adapted to abut a resected surface of a patient's tibia and forms a base for articulating surfaces adapted to articulate with the patient's femoral condyles. The longitudinal center axis of the tibial stem extends from the inferior surface of the base and is offset from a center of the base. The offset places the stem in position to extend into the central canal of the tibia so that it does not substantially interfere with the cortical bone when the inferior surface of the base substantially abuts and aligns with the resected surface of the tibia.