Abstract: A graphics processing circuit for use in a graphics accelerator that includes a clipping processor, with a vertex input data path operatively connected to a vertex data input of the clipping processor. A clipping preprocessor has a vertex data input operatively connected to the vertex input data path and a control output operatively connected to a control input of the clipping processor. The clipping preprocessor is constructed and arranged to perform an evaluation of a relationship between primitive vertex data from the vertex input data path and a clip region and to provide a signal on the control output based on this evaluation.

Abstract: A gradient calculation system and method are described for use in a texture mapping system for calculating a gradient for each pixel defining a primitive of an image from a plane equation that describes the primitive. The primitive represented by the plane equation is decomposed into spans by an edge stepper, which steps the edges of the primitive, calculating the parameter values (e.g., S,T coordinates and perspective correction factor W) of the starting pixel for each span. A span stepper takes the starting parameter values generated by the edge stepper and interpolates parameter values for pixels along each span. The parameter values for each pixel are then passed to a gradient and perspective correction mechanism which calculates a gradient for each pixel by determining the difference between the parameter values for the current pixel and the parameter values of the next pixel in the x direction to derive .DELTA.Px and the adjacent pixel in the y direction to derive .DELTA.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device with a conducting polymer layer beneath the hole transport layer. A conducting polymer layer of doped polyaniline (PANI) is spin-cast onto an indium-tin oxide (ITO) anode coating on a glass substrate. Then a hole transport layer, for example TPD or another aromatic tertiary amine, is vapor-deposited onto the conducting polymer layer, followed by an electron transport layer and a cathode. Polyester may be blended into the PANI before spin-casting and then removed by a selective solvent after the spincasting, leaving a microporous layer of PANI on the anode. The conducting polymer layer may instead be made of a .pi.-conjugated oxidized polymer or of TPD dispersed in a polymer binder that is doped with an electron-withdrawing compound. An additional layer of copper-phthalocyanine, or of TPD in a polymer binder, may be disposed between the conducting polymer layer and the hole transport layer.

Abstract: Wetting an absorber material in the bottom of a spittoon in a service station employed in a thermal ink-jet device, such as a facsimile machine, prevents formation of stalagmites of ink and ensures trouble-free operation of the service station. The absorber, which comprises a material having a high capacity for absorbing the liquid ink, is wetted with a sufficient quantity of a liquid having both a low vapor pressure and capable of wetting the absorber material. Such a liquid comprises a hydrocarbon material, such as a paraffin oil.

Abstract: In a method and a CAD system for converting a dimensional representation of a technical drawing from a first dimensional representation standard with first dimensional representation attributes into a second dimensional representation standard with second dimensional representation attributes the dimensional representations of a technical drawing which are to be converted are selected and read into a list, and starting with the first dimensional representation element in the list, a dimensional representation element is read from the list, and it is determined whether the dimensional representation element is provided with dimensional representation element legends which are independent of dimensional representation standards, and, if this is the case, all dimensional representation element legends are stored, the first dimensional representation attributes of the dimensional representation element are converted into the second dimensional representation attributes, and it is determined whether the dimensiona

Abstract: A fail-safe, stop valve for an ink-jet print head in a pressurized ink delivery system. The stop valve is actuated by a back pressure regulator if the operating pressure of the print head approaches atmospheric pressure during operation.

Abstract: In a method useful for calculating timeouts for messages sent by a network management system, a first network device stores a retry time and a retry value for each network device in a plurality of network devices. In order to determine when to execute a timeout for a first message sent from the first network device to a second network device which is in the plurality of network devices, the retry time and the retry value for the second network device are used. While a response to the first message is not received by the first network device from the second network device, the first message from the first network device to the second network device is resent a number of times equal to the retry value for the second network device. The elapsed time between each resending of the first message is equal to the retry value for the second network device. When a response to the first message is still not received by the first network device, a timeout is executed.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for effectuating data updates on a fault-tolerant storage device having a plurality of disk-drive units forming a disk array, with parity-block updates temporarily suspended to provide increased performance. Parity-block updates are typically deferred until the array is idle. Thus, data is written onto the array with no parity error correction information being present for a short amount of time. Data updates are effectuated by identifying the blocks in the array where data is to be written. New data is then written directly to the identified blocks without reading the old data present therein. A "needs parity rebuild bit" (NPRB) is written to non-volatile memory, identifying the stripes not having parity information on the array. The number of NPRBs present is monitored to allow continuous calculation of a mean-time-to-data-loss (MTTDL). If the MTTDL is acceptable, parity updates are deferred until the array is idle.

Abstract: Components of the printing device are attached by a process employing thermo-compressive welding. The process results in a unitary, graded interface between the attached components and eliminates the need for applying thermal-cure adhesives to secure the components.

Abstract: A cartridge engaging assembly lock-down apparatus for a cartridge handling system. The lock-down apparatus is adapted to secure a cartridge engaging assembly to a fixed housing portion of the cartridge handling system. The lock-down apparatus includes a first member which is engageable with the cartridge engaging assembly, a second member attached to both the first member and the fixed housing portion, and an actuator to lock and unlock the lock-down apparatus.

Abstract: An error correction system reduces redundancy of a two-dimensional product code array by eliminating an excess redundancy in prior product codes that provides detection of more corrupted rows than can be corrected. The product code array is formed utilizing a row coding, a column coding, and an intermediate coding, which may each be Reed-Solomon codes. The product code array has a total redundancy of n.sub.1 r.sub.2 +r.sub.1 r.sub.2 symbols, where r.sub.1 is the redundancy of the row coding, r.sub.2 is the redundancy of the column coding, and raw data symbols fill a k.sub.1 by k.sub.2 and a r.sub.1 by (k.sub.2 -r.sub.2) symbol portions of the product code array. A decoder for the product code array is capable of detecting and correcting up to r.sub.2 corrupted rows of the product code array.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the flow of replenishment ink from an ink reservoir to a print cartridge. The apparatus includes two valves which enter into a mating relationship and together open with respect their valve seats and thereby permit the transfer of replenishment ink from a reservoir to a print cartridge.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus disclosed allow for a direct implementation of Ling's equations in a dynamic CMOS logic environment. In summary, low order Ling pseudo-carries and group propagate terms are generated in parallel in a single gate delay. After generating low order terms, local and non-local carry propagation proceed in parallel. Local carry propagation occurs within each quadrant of an adder and comprises 1) a dual carry ripple between most significant bits of a quadrant's low order groups, and 2) dual carry ripples between less significant bits of a quadrant's low order groups. Missing terms in low order Ling pseudo-carries and propagate terms are reabsorbed during the dual carry ripples. Non-local carry propagation first involves combining low order group terms to form 1) Ling pseudo-carries out of quadrants, and 2) quadrant-wide propagate terms. This occurs during a single gate delay.

Abstract: A page-wide-array ("PWA") inkjet printer includes a printer element defining a printhead with thousands of nozzles spanning a pagewidth. A media sheet travels along a media path adjacent to the printhead to receive character or graphic markings. Typically, a media sheet accelerates from rest to a constant velocity. To optimize print speed nozzle timing is controlled to respond to changes in media velocity. Printing occurs while the media is accelerating and while traveling at a constant velocity. A sensor positioned in fixed relation to a PWA printer element detects the media's actual velocity. Actual velocity is fed back to a printhead controller which compares actual velocity to a rated constant velocity. If actual velocity is slower than the rated velocity, then nozzle timing is adjusted to be slower than a rated timing. If actual velocity is faster than rated velocity, then nozzle timing is adjusted to be faster than the rated timing.

Abstract: An image capture system comprising a scanner having a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter. The scanner operates within an environment that includes a host computer that is configured to accept 8-bit data. The contrast enhancement of the scanner is improved by applying an improved tonal adjustment on a scanned image. The host computer connected to the scanner provides an 256-value to 256-value look-up table (i.e., the 8-bit tone map) to the scanner. The scanner generates an interpolated 1024-level to 256-level look-up table (i.e., a 10-bit tone map) from the 256-level to 256-level look-up table. The 1024-value to 256-value look-up table is generated by using linear interpolation and extrapolation. The scanner can thus provide better contrast enhancements without having to modify the software running on the host computer.

Abstract: A component jacket for use in a portable computer to facilitate installation and removal of a component, such as a memory drive, and to mechanically insulate the component. The component jacket has a middle section and two flaps which extend from the middle section. The flaps wrap around opposing ends of the component toward one another to form installation and removal tabs. The user pulls the installation tab to install the component and the removal tab to remove the component. The middle section and flaps encompass the component to mechanically insulate the component when installed.

Abstract: A probe adapter may comprise an elongate body having a nose section, a tail section, and a generally U-shaped elongate slot for receiving a probe. The U-shaped elongate slot has a front end that is located a space distance from the nose section of the elongate body. A probe tip assembly mounted to the nose section of the elongate body is adapted to engage the signal input terminal of the probe so that the signal input terminal of the probe is electrically connected to the probe tip assembly when the probe is positioned within the elongate slot.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer produces a multi-color image on a moving photoconductor (OPC) and includes a laser/scanner arrangement for producing first and second beams to expose the OPC at spaced-apart exposure stations. The OPC is charged to a reference state prior to exposure. First and second developer stations are positioned between the first and second beam exposure stations and third and fourth developer stations are positioned after the second beam exposure station in the direction of movement of the OPC. A controller modulates the laser, during each scan, in accordance with subpixel color data from a pair of color planes to achieve a tri-level charge state (including the reference state) on the OPC. The first and second developer stations apply charged toners, selectively, in accord with the tri-level charge state produced by the scan of the first beam.

Abstract: A translation look-aside buffer (TLB) for translating a variable page size virtual page number to a physical page number. The TLB partitions the virtual page number into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is always compared to an upper virtual page number entry in a first content addressable memory while only certain bits of lower portion are selectively compared to a corresponding number of bits in a lower virtual page number entry in a second content addressable memory. The number of bits compared in the second content addressable memory is determined by the specified size of the physical page. The TLB includes a page size memory having a plurality of page size entries wherein the certain number of bits for each of the lower virtual page entries is specified by a corresponding page size entry. Associated with each bit in the lower virtual page number entries is an enable transistor for selectively enabling the comparison of that bit in the lower virtual page number entry.

Abstract: A toner projection printer is provided with a developer surface which manifests a developer bias, and includes a cloud of entrained toner particles. A conductive platen is positioned opposed to the developer surface and manifests a platen voltage that is attractive to the toner particles. An address plate is positioned between the developer surface and the conductive platen. The address plate includes a determined thickness insulator with through pixel apertures. Each pixel aperture has at least a first and second conductors that are electrically insulated from each other by the insulator. A first drive circuit is coupled to the first conductor for controllably applying a row drive voltage which is either a reference potential that exerts a repulsive force on the toner particles or a high voltage which is attractive to the toner particles.