Abstract: An apparatus for selecting one of N requestors of a shared resource in a round-robin fashion is disclosed. One or more of the N requesters may be disabled from being selected in a selection cycle. The apparatus includes a first input that receives a first value specifying which of the N requesters was last selected. A second input receives a second value specifying which of the N requesters is enabled to be selected. A barrel incrementer, coupled to receive the first and second inputs, 1-bit left-rotatively increments the second value by the first value to generate a sum. Combinational logic, coupled to the barrel incrementer, generates a third value specifying which of the N requesters is selected next.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a loop to the end of a chub package formed by a chub machine. The apparatus includes a drive sprocket and variable speed drive motor for feeding a roll of loops to a clipping head assembly of the chub machine and positioning the loops sequentially for capture by the wire to be cinched around one end of the chub package. A chub machine incorporating the loop attachment apparatus is provided for forming chub packages have a loop attached under the clip at one end of each package. A method for attaching the loop to chub packages is also provided.

Abstract: In a method used for initializing a first bus device and a second bus device sharing a common transmission engine of a bus, a first link of the first bus device and a second link of the second bus device to the common transmission engine are disabled when the computer system is booted. Next, the first link and the second link are enabled in order. Then, a first state updating signal from the first bus device is issued after the first link to the common transmission engine is established. Finally, a second state updating signal from the second bus device is issued after the first state updating signal is received and the second link to the common transmission engine is established.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite article obtained from binding or adhesion of particulate matter with a polyurethane binder which is derived from a urethane-modified isocyanate obtained by reaction of an isocyanate with a polyether polyol based on an initiator containing a tertiary nitrogen atom. Such composite articles can be, for example, recreational matting or tiles, sports or running tracks, or flooring, or laminates.

Abstract: A content-addressable memory entry is identified as being matched if it matches all bit positions of a lookup word or does not match for less than a predetermined number of bit positions. A match line of the content-addressable memory entry is precharged. During a subsequent matching phase, each of the bit positions of the content-addressable memory entry provides a discharge path for the precharged match line. Whether or not the content-addressable memory should be identified as being matched is then determined typically by comparing the match reference voltage of the match line to a predetermined voltage level at a predetermined time, with the predetermined voltage level and predetermined time selected for the allowed number of bit positions that do not have to be matched while still considering the content-addressable memory entry to have been matched, and the implementation technology of the embodiment.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel coding and implementation techniques for high-speed high-density optical disk data storage. Multiple narrowband spectral beams, either coherent or non-coherent, are combined together by optical fiber couplers or lenses assembly and are then focused into a photosensitive film with diffraction limited spot size through a specially designed hybrid diffractive/refractive lens with extended depth of focus, so that the beam size remains diffraction limited size in the whole depth of the recording medium volume. Multiple reflection gratings which are respectively corresponding to these used spectral bands are recorded in the medium through interferences between the incident beams and the reflected beams from a reflection mirror which is attached at the back surface of the recording film.

Abstract: A step-down switching voltage regulator may operate in PFM mode based on peak current sense without requiring an external diode. The regulator may comprise a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor whose drains are coupled to a common output node and whose sources are coupled to high and low supply voltages, respectively, configured to develop a current in an inductor and generate an output voltage. A control circuit, coupled to the respective gates of the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, may sense the current in the inductor (IL), sense an attenuated version of the output voltage (VFB), and sense the polarity of the voltage (VX) developed at the common output node. The control circuit may turn on the PMOS transistor when the VFB falls below a reference voltage and VX remains positive with respect to the low supply voltage, and may turn off the PMOS transistor when IL reaches a specified value or when VFB exceeds the reference voltage.

Abstract: Whether or not a prescribed active agent is properly used may be confirmed. Usage of an active agent to be administered by an active agent injecting device (such as an iontophoresis device) driven by a drive signal may managed through a server based on actual drive information from the active agent injecting device.

Abstract: A high power LED comprises a substrate. An N-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a P-type semiconductor layer are sequentially deposited on the substrate. A semi-insulator layer or a non-N-type semiconductor layer can be interposed between the N-type semiconductor layer and substrate. At least one N-type electrode is connected to the N-type semiconductor layer and is exposed to an opening of the active layer and P-type semiconductor layer. The N-type electrode with a centralized pattern is formed on the middle of the LED. Furthermore, at least one P-type electrode is coupled to the P-type semiconductor layer. The P-type electrode is arranged like a closed ring or an open ring surrounding the N-type electrode. Therefore, the distribution of current paths is dispersed, and illumination areas are simultaneously uniform.

Abstract: Ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) entries are disclosed for use in performing error-protected lookup operations by allowing an error budget of u deviations in values stored in each entry. Each TCAM entry is configured to identify a hit condition (else a miss condition) with an input lookup word if its stored value matches each bit of the lookup word with the exception of zero to u of its cells not matching. This determination may be made, for example, using discrete logic or based a voltage level of one or more match lines. Furthermore, it is possible to store at least 2u+1 copies of a data value desired to be protected in a such a TCAM entry among its said t TCAM cells.

Abstract: Contamination between an active agent solution in an active agent reservoir and an electrolyte solution in an electrolyte solution reservoir may be reduced in an iontophoresis device, thus helping to suppress the generation of gas and helping to reduce changes in pH upon energization. A gel matrix that transforms into a liquid state upon thermal excitation and/or mechanical excitation may be used in one or more reservoirs in the iontophoresis device.

Abstract: A multiple segment data structure and method manage data objects stored in multiple segments. The structure and method use one or more multiple segment index table objects containing defining information about the data objects in which the data are stored, such as the state, index table size, and one or more index tables referencing the data segment objects. The data objects themselves comprise a header, specifying information about the data segment, including a data segment state, and a data section in which data actually are stored. The state fields in the index table object and the data segment objects facilitate the data recovery process.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a plurality of wireless microsystems. Each microsystem is operable to measure at least relative humidity and temperature, and to communicate temperature and relative humidity information wirelessly to a network device. The network device is operable to communicate the temperature and relative humidity information to at least a first processor configured to cause a change in a building control condition based on the information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program, for fabricating multiple arrays arranged successively in a first direction on a substrate and each having multiple feature sets arranged successively in the first direction within the array. The method uses a head system having multiple successive sets of dispensers. In the method, the head system is advanced in the first direction over the substrate while dispensing drop sets for each array from dispenser sets so as to form the arrays. In one aspect, drop sets are dispensed in an order the reverse of that from which the dispenser sets pass over a given location on the substrate as the head system advances in the first direction. In this case, each dispenser set deposits a drop set at a distance ahead of a drop set deposited by a preceding dispenser set which is less than the distance to the successive drop dispenser set which deposits the next drop set.

Abstract: The present method reduces variations in noise and temperature in a mixed-signal circuit including memory. Memory electrically proximate an analog circuit is provided and a digital data word received at the memory. When the data word is not a desired data word, a dummy write to the memory is performed. When the data word is a desired data word, the data word is written to the memory. The mixed-signal circuit includes an analog circuit, memory electrically proximate to the analog circuit and connected to receive digital data words, and a memory controller connected to the memory. The memory controller is operable to cause the memory to write to the memory each of the data words that is a desired data word and additionally to perform a dummy write to memory for each of the data words that is not a desired data word.

Abstract: A source of ions for an analyzer includes a reservoir for containing a liquid, a manifold having a plurality of nozzles, a conduit connecting the reservoir to the manifold and a counter electrode having a potential different between the counter electrode and the nozzles to enable liquid to be ejected from the nozzles in droplets and to enable ions to be ejected from the droplets.

Abstract: A system memory includes a memory hub controller, a memory module accessible by the memory hub controller, and an expansion module having a processor circuit coupled to the memory module and also having access to the memory module. The memory hub controller is coupled to the memory hub through a first portion of a memory bus on which the memory requests from the memory hub controller and memory responses from the memory hub are coupled. A second portion of the memory bus couples the memory hub to the processor circuit and is used to couple memory requests from the processor circuit and memory responses provided by the memory hub to the processor circuit.

Abstract: An Internet Service Provider (ISP), in consideration of being remunerated in some manner by a site, determines whether packets destined to that site conform to a profile provided to the ISP by that site. The profile, indicates, for example, what protocols are allowed by the server, and, for each such protocol, what destination port numbers or message types are allowed, a maximum transmission rate, the maximum number of allowed connections a client may have, and whether to enforce congestion-avoidance. This server profile enforcement (SPE) automatically thwarts denial of service attacks from attackers that send packets to the subscribing server from that ISP using connections or having packet characteristics that do not conform to the acceptable characteristics specified in the profile. SPE is generally performed by an SPE unit, which can be incorporated in the access gateways of an ISP that supports the service.

Abstract: An all-fiber, all-states of polarization linear design depolarizer is provided. It is made of two polarization combiners (PC1,PC2) with a 2×2 directional coupler (DC) between them. The connections between the coupler (DC) and the two polarization combiners (PC1,PC2) have optical phase delays (L1,L2) and half wave polarization rotators (PR1,PR2,PR3) to make proper adjustments.

Abstract: An aerosol medication delivery apparatus includes a fixed volume holding chamber which is constructed to allow for a uniformly mixed, concentrated bolus of medicated aerosol to be delivered with each breath. The device further includes a universal inlet, so that any standard small volume nebulizer, as well as any standard metered dose inhaler (MDI), may be utilized therewith. Also filtration can be added to address contaminated patient air and aerosol. A one-way valve is positioned in the patient mouthpiece, to help control the loss of aerosol, and thereby reduce waste.