Abstract: A device for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media, the device comprising a head having a plurality of read/write elements for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media in respective tracks, and a plurality of servo elements for reading servo code from the media in respective bands different from the data tracks, the read/write elements and servo elements being arranged such that a plurality of the tracks operated on by the read/write elements are disposed between two servo bands operated on by two of the servo elements.

Abstract: A geometrical object representation system efficiently represents primitives for a computer graphics system in order to generate a display of a desired geometrical object surface. A data list repository is configured to maintain a linked list of strip primitives received from an application program. A strip builder traverses the linked list searching for matching vertices of unmatched strips. The strip builder uses a logic manipulation to quickly exclude obvious non-matches. After finding two strips with matching vertices, strip builder joins the two strips together. This joining process creates larger strips which represent the geometrical object in a more compact and efficient form. A graphics system can use this more efficient form of data to reduce data calls and decrease run time in processing the data for rendering by a display.

Abstract: Described is a printing system including a first array of ink ejection elements formed on a first substrate surface for ejecting droplets of a first ink, a second array of ink ejection elements formed on a second substrate surface for ejecting droplets of a second ink, a memory element associated with the first and second arrays of ink ejection elements contains parameters that relate droplet ejection characteristics of the first and second array of ink ejection elements. The droplet ejection characteristics may contain ink ejection alignment data that enables the calculation of the relative alignment between the first and second arrays of ink ejection elements such that droplets of the first ink can be effectively aligned with droplets of the second ink. Also, ink droplet volume data enables the calculation of the relative drop volume between the first and second arrays of ink ejection elements such that the printing system can provide hue control.

Abstract: A reclosable carton having an integrated hang tab adapted for use on standard store pegboard or racking displays wherein the integrity of the hangtab is such that it will withstand the loading of weights comparable to or exceeding those withstood by pressure sensitive hangtabs. The hangtab is perforated along the bottom so that it can be torn off by the consumer after purchase. With the hangtab in use, the carton with which it is integrated provides continuous closure to the product inside via a top inside major flap which prevents dust and debris from entering the carton. A zipstrip is included and it provides a positive closure for the package which is tamper evident and secure. A reclose tab is integrated into the zipstrip. When the zipstrip is removed, the reclose tab is created. It can be tucked into a corresponding opening in the carton front wall panel for carton reclosure. Additionally, a secure locking ellipse is incorporated into the carton.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air purge apparatus includes a first station and a second station. The print cartridge is mounted in the first station with its nozzles facing downward. The first station includes a bellows, or any other pump, for pressurizing a diaphragm internal to a regulator-based inkjet print cartridge. This opens a regulator valve which allows air to be purged out of the print cartridge body. The print cartridge is then positioned in the second station with its nozzles facing upwards. The second station includes a pump for supplying a negative pressure to the nozzles of the print cartridge so as to purge air from the manifold of the print cartridge. In another embodiment, the stations are deleted, and the print cartridge is held in place manually. A syringe may be used for the pressure source. In another embodiment, ink at a high pressure is supplied to an ink inlet port of the print cartridge to open the regulator valve and to purge air through the nozzles.

Abstract: A computer memory system provides self-timed precharging and output signal latching. The method and apparatus are useful in accelerating search cycles for associative data in a memory such as a content addressable memory (CAM) where single transition memory search and output signal encoding is required. Feedback is provided to initiate memory precharging as soon as an actual search of the memory ends rather than at a next system clock transition.

Abstract: A microprocessor 10 has a processor core 20 and a debug module 30. The processor core 20 executes a user program and a monitor program for debugging a user target system 70. The debug module 30 serves as an interface with a debug tool 60, to let the processor core 20 execute the monitor program stored in the debug tool 60. The debug module 30 makes an interrupt or exception request to switch the processor core 20 from the user program to the monitor program.

Abstract: A computer graphics system for rendering graphics primitives based upon primitive data received from a host computer through a graphics interface includes a plurality of geometry accelerators. A distributor divides the primitive data into chunks of primitive data and distributes the chunks to a current geometry accelerator recipient. A state controller is configured to store and resend selected primitive data to the geometry accelerators based upon whether one or more vertices of a graphics primitive are contained in more than one of the chunks of primitive data. Advantageously, this enables the computer graphics system to efficiently process primitive data while avoiding providing the geometry accelerators with an excessive amount of data than necessary for them to render the primitives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clipping a objects against a non-rectangular polygon. The present invention first defines a rectangular buffer with a height and width equal to the maximum height and width of the non-rectangular polygon. Next, each object is clipped against the rectangular buffer using a fast rectangular clipping method. After all the objects have been clipped, the rectangular buffer is converted to a pattern buffer. Finally, the pattern buffer is clipped against the non-rectangular polygon using an arbitrary clipping method.

Abstract: A system and method computes the color of a plurality of vertices of one or more graphic primitives in a graphics accelerator. The method includes the steps of receiving lighting properties of a primitive vertex and determining whether predetermined lighting properties of the vertex are the same as a previously computed vertex. If predetermined lighting properties are the same as the previously computed vertex, then the method retrieves at least one preprocessed value from a storage location; and utilizes the at least one preprocessed value to compute the vertex color. If, however, the predetermined lighting properties are not the same as the previously computed vertex, then the method computes at least one preprocessed value from the received lighting properties of the primitive vertex, stores the at least one computed preprocessed value in a storage location, and utilizes the at least one preprocessed value to compute the vertex color. The system includes at least one processing unit (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides for a system and method for minimizing space requirements and increasing speed in a geometry accelerator for a computer graphics system. In architecture, the system is implemented as follows. The geometry accelerator includes a plurality of processing elements (e.g., an arithmetic logic unit, a multiplier, a divider, a compare mechanism, a clamp mechanism, etc.) and a plurality of control units (e.g., a transform mechanism, a decomposition mechanism, a clip mechanism, a bow-tie mechanism, a light mechanism, a classify mechanism, a plane equation mechanism, a fog mechanism, etc.) that utilize the processing elements for performing data manipulations upon image data. In accordance with the invention, the control units are implemented in a read-only memory (ROM) via microcode. A next address field is associated with each of the microcode instructions and defines a location in the ROM of a next instruction to be executed.

Abstract: A microminiature valve having an actuator member that includes a central body suspended on radially spaced legs, with each leg having first and second layers of materials having substantially different coefficients of thermal expansion. The legs include heating elements and are fixed at one end to allow radial compliance as selected heating of the legs causes flexure. An actuator member includes a boss having an actuator face. A seat substrate having a flow via defined by a valve seat is aligned with the actuator face. Asymmetrical thermal actuation of the actuator member moves the actuator face from the valve seat in a rotational displacement relative to the flow orifice, thereby offering improved control of the fluid flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A debugger is used in an environment of optimized compiling to track both user-defined and synthesized variables so that the values of these variables at selected programmer counter addresses can be either determined or set. The tracking is primarily accomplished by the generation of various interrelated tables including a Type Scope Table, a Name Space Table, an Expression Table, a Location Range Tab and a Variable Table. These tables define the existence of variable at defined program counter ranges and provide the algebraic definitions for the synthesized variables. A programmer can efficiently debug a program produced with optimized compiling through the operations of determining variable values and setting variable values.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for simulating digital logic circuits with a general purpose computer system. A description of a digital logic circuit is converted into executable computer code. The code produced is capable of simulating the circuit's response to a large number of independent sets of circuit stimulus. The code is broken into separate modules which each simulate the circuit's operation during a particular clock phase. Loops within the code are limited in size to make efficient use of the computer's instruction cache and the data cache. Known constant nodes are propagated through the circuit before code is generated to eliminate the generation of unnecessary code. Code is only generated to simulate gates which may switch on a particular phase. Code which does not need to be evaluated during a particular phase is dropped. The circuit is broken into acyclic sets of gates and code is generated to iterate over each acyclic set of gates until stability is reached.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved ink flow path between an ink reservoir and vaporization chambers in an inkjet printhead. In the preferred embodiment, a barrier layer containing ink channels and vaporization chambers is located between a rectangular substrate and a nozzle member containing an array of orifices. The substrate contains two linear arrays of heater elements, and each orifice in the nozzle member is associated with a vaporization chamber and heater element. The ink channels in the barrier layer have ink entrances generally running along two opposite edges of the substrate so that ink flowing around the edges of the substrate gain access to the ink channels and to the vaporization chambers.

Abstract: Reflections on bus stubs are reduced by sensing when transition occurs on the bus. When a transition is detected, an impedance matched clamp device is activated that clamps the signal to the new (post-transition) voltage for a short period of time. This clamping action reduces the energy in the reflected wave which reduces the ability of the reflected wave to change the voltage on the bus. A receiver detects when a transition occurs on the bus. The output of the receiver is coupled to a delay device. Logic gates combine the output of the delay device with the output of the receiver to produce two pulsed outputs. One pulsed output is pulsed in response to a low-to-high transition on the bus, the other pulsed output is pulsed in response to a high-to-low transition on the bus. These pulsed outputs control the clamp devices so that the clamp devices are only turned on for a short period of time.

Abstract: A convolver includes a plurality of multipliers for multiplying pixel values of a convolution window by corresponding coefficients of a convolution mask to provide products, a summer for summing the products to provide a result and a memory for storing intermediate results. The convolver may be used to perform an N.times.N convolution in two or more passes. A first subset of pixel values of an N.times.N convolution window and a first subset of corresponding coefficients of an N.times.N convolution mask are supplied to the multipliers during a first pass of the N.times.N convolution. The summer provides an intermediate result for the first pass and stores the intermediate result in the memory. A second subset of pixel values of the N.times.N convolution window and a second subset of corresponding coefficients of the N.times.N convolution mask are supplied to the multipliers during a second pass of the N.times.N convolution.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for simulating digital logic circuits with a general purpose computer system. A description of a digital logic circuit is converted into executable computer code. The code produced is capable of simulating the circuit's response to a large number of independent sets of circuit stimulus. The code is broken into separate modules which each simulate the circuit's operation during a particular clock phase. Loops within the code are limited in size to make efficient use of the computer's instruction cache and the data cache. Known constant nodes are propagated through the circuit before code is generated to eliminate the generation of unnecessary code. Code is only generated to simulate gates which may switch on a particular phase. Code which does not need to be evaluated during a particular phase is dropped. The circuit is broken into acyclic sets of gates and code is generated to iterate over each acyclic set of gates until stability is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rasterizing images in a computer graphics display system to provide increased read-back performance. In a texel rasterizer of the computer graphics display system, a single bus is used for communicating immediate mode commands and data and variable mode commands and data. Object read commands, which are variable mode commands, are used to read objects from cache and return them to the front end component of the texel rasterizer. Object read commands are issued and completed in approximately 40 states, although the exact amount of time required to perform the transaction cannot be ascertained. Timing signals generated within the texel rasterizer allow the front end component of the texel rasterizer to prefetch objects from cache and to keep track of the number of object commands which have been issued which have not yet been completed.

Abstract: An inkjet drop ejection system comprises a combination of printhead components and ink, mutually tuned to maximize operating characteristics of the printhead and print quality and dry time of the ink. Use of a short shelf (distance from ink source to ink firing element), on the order of 55 microns, provides a very high speed refill. However, it is a characteristic of high speed refill that it has a tendency for being over-damped. To provide the requisite damping, the ink should have a viscosity greater than about 2 cp. In this way, the ink and architecture work together to provide a tuned system that enables stable operation at high frequencies. One advantage of the combination of a pigment and a dispersant in the ink is the resultant higher viscosity provided. The high speed would be of little value if the ink did not have a fast enough rate of drying. This is accomplished by the addition of alcohols or alcohol(s) and surfactant(s) to the ink.