Abstract: A dual-bus architecture that includes a high-speed system bus, called the NexBus (20), and a slower peripheral bus, called the alternate bus or AB (25). The NexBus and AB are coupled by control logic (45) which includes an arbiter (50) and an alternate bus interface (ABI) (60). The ABI is treated as a master for both the NexBus and the AB. While it would be possible to have the adapter always request the AB (which also requires the NexBus), that would slow down NexBus operations to the bandwidth of the AB. This problem is avoided by providing two request lines for each adapter, -NREQ (NexBus only) and -AREQ (both buses), having the adapter normally assert -NREQ first. However, if the addressed device is on the AB, the ABI automatically detects this fact and attempts to do a crossing transfer to the AB, even though the request was for the NexBus only.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dynamically modifying the priority of access to a bus, where the bus has control and arbitration functions distributed among the devices coupled to the bus, with each device having a fixed priority level. Access to the bus by particular devices is selectively inhibited, preventing them from asserting their fixed priority level. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides control over the reselection of a SCSI bus by a plurality of SCSI devices coupled to the bus by providing a pseudo busy signal to SCSI devices from which reselection is not desired. In this fashion, an initiator may issue a plurality of commands to the SCSI devices and control the order in which the devices will be serviced when ready. A plurality of pseudo busy circuits are provided, with one coupled to each device on the bus. Each pseudo busy circuit is controlled by a control signal from the initiator.

Abstract: Operating characteristics of an electronics device in which alternating currents flow are improved by reducing positive electromagnetic coupling between currents. This is accomplished by altering the direction of a current flow to obtain negative coupling through current flow in the same direction, or by minimizing electromagnetic coupling through perpendicular current flow, or by increasing the spacing between two electromagnetically coupled currents. In a bipolar transistor structure a feed structure for emitter and base current includes wire bonding pads aligned so that emitter current and base current flow to wire bonding pads perpendicular to the direction of collector current flow and with adjacent emitter currents and base currents flowing in the same direction. Each feed structure includes a plurality of interdigitated fingers for contacting emitter and base regions, all emitter and base currents in said interdigitated fingers of all feed structures flowing in the same direction as the collector.

Abstract: A set of signal buffering circuits for driving heavily loaded signal lines. The buffer circuits detect a signal transition before the signal reaches logical threshold levels, and help drive the signal in the detected transition direction. The early transition detection and drive help reduce signal propagation delay across heavily loaded lines.

Abstract: An EEPROM cell structure includes two floating gate transistors separated by a select gate transistor with the select transistor being shared by the two floating gate transistors in programming, reading, and erasing a floating gate transistor. The floating gates of the two transistors are formed from a first polysilicon layer, the control gates of the two transistors are formed from a second polysilicon layer, and the select gate is formed from a third doped polysilicon layer. The channel length of the select gate transistor is fully self-aligned to the floating gate transistors. A word line is formed over the control gates and forms the select gate. The word line runs generally perpendicular to bit lines which contact the drain regions of the two floating gate transistors. Accordingly, a virtual ground flash EEPROM memory array can be fabricated using the EEPROM cell structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and quantifying generalized visual sensitivity in terms of contrast sensitivity, spatial frequency response and eye brain recognition of image alignments or shapes is disclosed. A multiplicity of distinctly different information areas are provided, each of these information areas being generally delineated by indicia so as to eliminate patient or system search for an image and to generally designate the proximity of the information area for visual interrogation. The information areas may contain a grating having successive parallel aligned light and dark areas, which parallel aligned light and dark areas have a substantially linear character with the contrast levels and/or spatial frequency or size of occurrence differing for different information areas. Each successive information area has a background with mean luminance being the average of that mean luminance found within the information area.

Abstract: The present invention provides lyophilized reagent spheres comprising reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers. Also provided are diluents which are conveniently used in such analyzers.

Abstract: A non-planar MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) which improved turn-off capabilities. The unique non-planar geometry brings the MOS channel region closer to the active thyristor junction, thereby reducing an "effective" resistance which inhibits turn-off of prior art devices 10. This effective resistance is a combination of the resistance through the MOS and the parasitic resistance between the MOS and active thyristor junction. For efficient thyristor turn-off at high current, the effective resistance should be about 0.6 v or less. Both the recessed gate 30 and the MCT with built-up cathode 60 have effective resistances of about 0.6 v or less.

Abstract: A bumper pad (3) for a crib (4) having vertical support posts (10) and a mattress (20) includes flexible padding (26) extending around the interior boundary of the crib to form a cushioned bumper along the periphery of the mattress and a plastic canvas stiffener (32) extending from the underside of the flexible padding. The stiffener fits tightly into the space between the mattress and the crib to provide support for the padding and to prevent the child from inserting his/her limbs between the bumper and the mattress. A cover (34) encases the padding and the stiffener and tie strings (42) secure the cover to the vertical support posts of the crib. Alternatively, the stiffener need not be fixed to the padding; in this case, the cover has an opening (50) to allow removal of the stiffener for washing or other purposes.

Abstract: An obturator (2) includes a hollow housing (4) with an obturator barrel (6) extending therefrom. The tip (172) of the obturator has a cutting element (40) and a safety shield (46). The safety shield is automatically rotatable from a cutting position, with the blade exposed, to a safe, locked position, with the blade shielded, when the blade has passed through the tissue layer being pierced. The safety shield can be unlocked and returned to the cutting position using a rearming device (128, 274) mounted to the housing at the proximal end of the obturator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distribution network for full motion video media, usually in the form of advertisements, allowing video programs to be transmitted from a distribution center (DC) to a multitude of receiving sites (RS), typically retail stores, dispersed over a wide geographic area. Preferably, programs are transmitted via satellite (8) and are receivable via antennae (10) at the receiving sites (RS). Television monitors (14) located at selected points in the receiving sites display the programs to an audience, which usually will include shoppers in the course of shopping. The invention provides for "customizing" video programs for particular target audiences or markets, such that the series of programs played in one receiving site could be quite different from that played in another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding a word to a lexical transducer in a computer system. The invention allows a user of the computer system to specify a word to be added to the lexical transducer database. The lexical transducer represents words as ordered sequences of symbols, i.e., characters and morphological tags. "Upper" and "lower" symbols are associated with arcs. The arcs join states and form a path. Each path determines an upper and lower sequence of ordered symbols. The upper sequence of symbols represents a base form of a word and the lower sequence of symbols represents a surface form of the same word. The user adds a word to the lexical transducer by specifying a "model" word already existing in the lexical transducer, along with a new word that has surface forms analogous to the model word. The new word is added to the lexical transducer by sharing, as much as possible, the existing arcs of the path of the model word.

Abstract: A vehicle masking material and method of use. The masking material in one embodiment includes polyvinyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, glycerine or triethylene glycol, a surfactant, and water. The masking material is applied to a surface which is to be protected from paint overspray or other mechanical process, allowed to dry, and paint is applied. After drying of the paint, the masking material is removed by peeling or water washing.

Abstract: A modulator for data transmitted in a reverse channel or upstream spectrum in a cable transmission system requires a single frequency translation from baseband to a selected RF channel, thus eliminating conventional intermediate frequency (IF) translation. The modulator requires fewer components than the conventional modulator while eliminating nonlinearity, noise, and delay introduced by the IF upconversion. In a preferred embodiment, the modulator includes a serial to parallel differential quadrature phase shift keying encoder with transversal FIR filters and interpolation filters connecting the phase shift keyed data to a single mixer stage for directly translating the baseband signal to an RF (e.g., 5-40 MHz) channel spectrum.

Abstract: The claimed invention is an oil pump (18), more particularly for a chain saw (100). The oil pump has a cylindrical pump chamber (20) constructed in a pump housing (19). The pump housing has an intake slot (21) and an outlet slot (23). A pump piston (25) is slidably and rotatably mounted in the pump chamber (20), and is rotatable by means of a gearing (30). The pump piston has a sloping terminal surface (35) that wobbles when the pump piston (25) rotates. The surface area (35) is springably supported against a stop (36). The stop (36), which is located on a rotating element (40), is disposed in the direction of a central longitudinal axis (L) of the pump piston (25) at a fixed distance (R) from the central longitudinal axis (L). The distance (R) predetermines the pump stroke. The angular position of the stop (36) is adjustable by rotating the rotating element (40) about its axis of rotation, thereby causing a phase shift in which the degree of overlap in the opening of the inlet slot and outlet slot change.

Abstract: A method for producing natural, sun-dried raisins from the Thompson seedless grape variety in vineyards located in the Central Valley of California, or similarly situated vineyards, having about 4000 to 5100 degree days during the growing and drying season and an annual yearly rainfall of between about 10 to 12 inches. Rows (2) of grape vines (4) are grown at the vineyard site. The canes are trained so to create divided canopies along the rows of grape vines. The divided canopy has fruiting canes (26) primarily on one side of the row and replacement canes (28) separated from the fruiting canes, typically on the other side of the row. Once the grapes are sufficiently mature, the fruiting canes are cut (34) adjacent the crowns (32) of the grape vines. The grapes (30), still hanging from the cut fruiting canes, are left to dry naturally in the sun to create natural raisins. When sufficiently dry, the raisins are harvested directly from the cut canes.

Abstract: A hand scanner employs either uniformly or variably frosted scan windows to control illumination. For scanning color documents including books and magazines, a hand scanner employs a fluorescent tube mounted a certain distance above the lower surface of the scanner housing. At the fluorescent tube ends, corresponding to the illumination "dead space" of the fluorescent tube, the underlying portion of the scanner housing is recessed towards the tube.

Abstract: A hub network system is provided for communication between nodes. The system can be used, e.g., when one node can be configured for baseband bus topology communication, such as LocalTalk.TM. communication. The node can communicate using the entire bandwidth of the medium, such as 230 Kbps bandwidth, even though other nodes are connected to the network using the hub card. Preferably, the hub card includes a multiprocessor system with a shared memory for providing high internal effective bandwidth communication, such as 15 Mbps communication. A proxy scheme is provided so that the hub topology is transparent to any node which can operate as though it were configured in a bus topology.

Abstract: The surface of stainless steel can be hardened by coating a silicon nitride gel and then scanning by CO.sub.2 laser to form a surface alloy layer thereon. The thickness and hardness of the surface alloy layer are both uniform. The Vicker's hardness of the layer can be as high as 1200 Hv. This method can be operated in a common atmosphere or nitride atmosphere at normal pressure, therefore it is more economic than ion nitriding or plasma nitriding.

Abstract: A power management system for a personal computer comprises a power management processor, a switchable power supply and a keep alive power supply. The processor is powered by the keep alive power supply that continuously provides power. The computer is powered by a power supply that is switchable in response to a control signal. The processor preferably controls the switchable power supply. The processor is coupled to receive external device interrupts from a plurality of external devices that instruct the processor when to turn the switchable power supply on and off. The processor is also coupled to the computer through an interface. The power management system also includes a method for turning the computer on and off. A preferred method uses the processor to control the power provided to the computer.