Abstract: An improved multi-stage synchronizer. The inventive synchronizer includes a first memory for storing data, a second memory means connected to the output of said first memory means for storing data, and a third memory for storing data connected to the output of said second memory means. The second memory includes a plurality of multi-stage first-in, first-out memory devices. In a particular embodiment, the first and third memories are implemented with synchronous single stage first-in, first-out memories. In a preferred embodiment, the first-in, first-out memories are designed to allow data to be read and written during a single clock cycle after the memory is full. This is achieved by adding an external read signal to the `not full` signal generated by the device. The provision of single stage FIFO memories on either side of a multi-stage FIFO memory allows for lower set up time and output delay at higher operational speeds.

Abstract: In a system and method for transmitting and displaying multiple different views of a scene, three or more simultaneous scene signals, representing multiple different views of a scene, are provided by an appropriate camera arrangement to a spatial multiplexer. The size and resolution of the scene signals are reduced as necessary to combine the multiple scene signals into two super-view signals. The super-view signals are encoded using compression based on redundancies between the two super-views and then transmitted. A decoder receives the transmitted data signal and extracts the two super-view signals according to the inverse of the encoding operation. A spatial demultiplexer recovers the individual scene signals from the decoded super-view signals in accordance with a defined multiplexed order and arrangement. The scene signals are then interpolated as needed to restore the original resolution and size and subsequently displayed.

Abstract: A body support pillow stuffed with a resilient deformable filler having a U-shaped central section and depending legs, the pillow having a center opening equal to the body width of a user. In a first embodiment the pillow's total length is substantially equal to the height of a user, and the legs are selectively foldable over one another to create a double thickness for additional support under the user's knees, with a detachable body-encircling strap securing the pillow about the user. In a second embodiment for use in a chair the legs support the arms of a user, and may be raised by rotating them 90 degrees. In a third embodiment, the interior of the pillow is divided by sewn-in baffles into three separately stuffable compartments all accessible through a single continuous zipper opening.

Abstract: A decorative sheet including a decoration and a process for forming the sheet are disclosed. This process comprises the following steps:using a mold consisting of at least two parts, at least one part of which is formed of at least two elements, at least one element (5) corresponding to the medallion and at least one other element (6) corresponding to the periphery of the piece, around the medallion;placing the decorative sheet (20) on the element corresponding to the medallion and closing the mold;within the cavity of the mold, isolating the space (23) located below the decorative sheet from the peripheral space (21);injecting plastic material in succession into the spaces thus isolated; andejecting the piece obtained.

Abstract: The present invention automatically adjusts the sensitivity of a game controller to a player's input. A n-dimensional speed vector having components that are indicative of the speed of an object in an n-dimensional game environment is read from the output of the game controller. Those speed vector components with small dynamics (e.g., small speeds) relative to the other speed vector components are suppressed, thereby producing a filtered speed vector. The components of the filtered speed vector are then tested for oscillations. Oscillations in the components of the filtered speed vector are indicative of small displacements made by the player while focusing on a game task requiring additional controller precision (e.g., focusing on a target). When such oscillations are detected, the ratio of the speed of the object, over the displacement of the game controller (e.g., deflection) is adjusted to some predetermined value.

Abstract: A computer system includes a data storage device on the first data bus, a device on the second data bus, and a bridge device capable of storing multiple data transactions for delivery from the second data bus to the first data bus. The bridge device includes a first data storage buffer preassigned to one of the transactions held in the bridge, and a buffer management element that assigns, if necessary, a second data storage buffer to the data transaction when the data associated with the transaction overflows the first data storage buffer.

Abstract: A mattress having a wedge-shaped mattress body with an inclined upper surface, the upper surface divided by a transverse breast concavity into a head-supporting portion and a body-supporting portion. The mattress has a flat position in which the concavity is open to receive breasts as well as an upright position in which the concavity functions as a hinging mechanism and the mattress is held in the upright position by adjustable mechanisms. In the flat position the mattress may be used in the prone position, laying on the back, or in a yoga position. In the upright position, the mattress may be used laying on the back and partially sitting upright, or, by adjusting the position of the mattress, sitting upright.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coordinating access to a storage system in a real time processing system is disclosed. In an apparatus including a file server, a storage system, a real time process, and a non-real time process, an apparatus and method is disclosed for coordinating accesses to the storage system, the method includes the steps of: 1) computing an available data rate from a peak bandwidth data transfer rate for the storage system, 2) receiving a first access request from the real time process, the first access request including a request for a requested data rate, 3) granting the first access request if the requested data rate is less than or equal to the available data rate, and 4) allowing the real time process to directly access the storage system at the requested data rate.

Abstract: An ultrafast laser providing short output pulses having a pulse length in the femtosecond range includes a resonant cavity including a plurality folding mirrors for folding the resonant cavity to shorten its overall length. The fold-mirrors each include a plurality of layers deposited by ion-beam sputtering onto a substrate having a surface roughness of less than about 0.5 nanometers RMS. One or more of the folding mirrors may have a negative-group-velocity-dispersion mirror for allowing the laser to operate in a pulsed mode with pulses having a length of less than 500 femtoseconds.

Abstract: An automatic signaling device to be used in conjunction with a standard rural mailbox to indicate that the door has been opened when a mail carrier puts mail in the mailbox. The primary components of the device comprise a signal flag, including a helical spring and a signal plate for attachment to the top end of the spring, a mounting bracket for mounting the helical spring to the door of the mailbox, and a retaining bracket attached to the mailbox top. When in a set, or cocked, position, the spring is bent and the retaining bracket retains the signal plate in a horizontal position over the top of the mailbox. Upon opening the mailbox door to deposit mail, the spring unbends thus permitting the signal plate to be held in a vertical position above the mailbox top when the door is re-shut.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system for use in an aircraft (12) comprises a plurality of user terminals distributed throughout the seating array, each group of terminals being connected through short cables to an optical/RF transducer (30) which is linked through an optical fibre array (50) to a further transducer (26) connected by short cables (27,28) to a Base Transceiver Station (22).

Abstract: A negative-acting photoimageable composition useful as a primary imaging resist in the manufacture of printed circuit boards comprises an acid-functional binder polymer, a photopolymerizable component, and a photoinitiator chemical system, in which the binder polymer has an anhydride functional backbone half-esterified with a meth(acrylate) functional hydroxy-terminated oligomer, wherein the meth(acrylate) functionality is separated from the half-ester linkage by at least two alkoxylate groups and at least one ring opened lactone group for improved stripping ability in strong alkaline aqueous stripping solutions, while maintaining good chemical resistance to other processing chemicals, such as alkaline developing solutions, acid etching solutions, and acid plating baths.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a nut surrounding a collar that in turn surrounds a t, the nut and collar holding a bracket element against a mounting surface. The collar fits closely but slidably within the nut. Of the nut or collar, one has a boss that rides upon a cam surface of the other, so that a camming relation exists between the nut and collar. Turning the nut relative to the collar will thus squeeze the collar into an interference fit with the post so that the fastener attains a locking configuration. A groove adjacent the cam surface accepts the projection and retains it such that the fastener maintains its locking condition. A predetermined torque is needed to rotate the projection to the groove, whereby the fastener is a torque controlled fastener.

Abstract: A picture framing system is disclosed for mounting, displaying and protecting a photograph or work of art on a vertical surface of ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, or a non-metallic surface without using nails. The picture framing system includes a sleeve or pocket-type photograph holder which can be used with various styles of mats and picture frames for mounting, displaying, and protecting the photograph against the flat vertical surface, such as a refrigerator door or dining room wall. The picture framing system includes a flexible sheet having an adhesive front surface for attachment to the photograph holder and a magnetized rear surface for permitting the attachment of either type of photograph holder to a ferrous metal surface.

Abstract: Therefore, the object of the invention is to utilize the unused channel capacity of the television channel even more optimally for additional signals. Both on the transmitting, as well as the receiving side, the clock pulses for video and audio data to be additionally transmitted are generated from the FBAS useful signal by counting, weighting and decision-making, both signals being separately digitized, buffered, and compressed before being superimposed upon on the useful video signal. Subsequent to the same clock pulse generation, the steps follow in the reverse order on the receiver side. The implementation can be carried out on the transmitter side using additional equipment, on the receiver side by computer software or additional devices installed in the conventional TV set. The application can be carried out for any additional video and sound signals. A preferred special application is a community picture broadcast similar to a slide presentation.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently transferring data between a host computer and a peripheral component which is removably coupled to the host computer. In one embodiment of the present invention, a peripheral component such as, for example, a network interface card receives information from a peripheral component driver, such as, for example, a network interface card driver. In this embodiment, the information triggers the peripheral component to transmit a read request to the host computer such that the peripheral component can access data present at the host computer. Next, the peripheral component determines from the information received at the peripheral component, which type of read request to transmit to the host computer. In this embodiment, the type of read request is selected such that only a desired portion of the data will be prefetched and stored in memory of the host computer.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information between each electronic unit, comprising the steps of (a) transmitting information whose amount does not exceed a predetermined data amount, (b) determining whether or not the predetermined data amount is larger than a desired information amount, (c) when the determined result at step (b) is No, transmitting remaining information for the predetermined amount or less, and (d) repeating the steps (a) to (c) until there is no remaining information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the speed of a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter ("UART") while maintaining backward compatibility. The UART contains registers for controlling the flow of data. Two registers are the DLL (Divisor Latch Least significant) internal register and the DLM (Divisor Latch Most significant) internal register. Due to the UART not using all of the 16 bits contained in the DLL and DLM registers, an additional register, the Increased Baudrate (IB) register, is created. The IB register uses bits which are unused (or always set to zero in a conventional UART). Through the IB register, the UART may use higher crystal frequencies. In addition, when the UART is at speeds equal to or less than 115,200 bits per second, the IB register is programmed to zero, thus mimicking the operation of a convention UART at speeds equal to or less than 115,200 bits per second. Thus, the method and system for a high speed UART increases speeds while still maintaining backward compatibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in combination with a combine for sensing the volume of tailings exhausted from a cleaning section of the combine and for providing a visual indication to the operator of the effectiveness of combine operation. The combine includes a mobile frame or chassis having an operator compartment arranged toward a forward end thereof. A threshing section of the combine separates grain from crop material delivered thereto. A cleaning section of the combine functions to remove chaff and tailings from the materials received from the threshing section. A tailings section of the combine is arranged to receive incompletely threshed and separated tailings from the cleaning section. The tailings section comprises a tailings conveyor for forcibly moving tailings toward an elevator that moves the tailings to one of the other sections on the combine for recycling.

Abstract: A mnemonic temperature marking system for fluid valves, especially of the type used in bathing vessels such as bathtubs and showers. Any user can easily, quickly, and accurately set the valve so that water of the desired temperature will flow when the valve is adjusted so that the marker is aligned with a pointing arrow on the valve. The marking system comprises a plurality of individual, personalized, or unique markers (16). Users of the bathing vessel adhere the markers to the valve (knob (14) or escutcheon (10)) at respective positions where such users' desired water temperature settings are adjacent the valve's fiducial marker (12). The markers can comprise graphic symbols (16', 26), letters (32), or markers (34) which can have a plurality of letters (for initials of a user) adhered.