Abstract: An instruction dispatch apparatus is provided in which a directly-decoded instruction and a microcode instruction are concurrently dispatched ("packed"). The instruction which is second in program order is retained until the succeeding clock cycle. During the succeeding clock cycle, a microcode unit determines if the microcode instruction and the directly-decoded instruction, when taken together, occupy less than or equal to the total number of issue positions available in the microprocessor. If the microcode unit determines that less than or equal to the total number of issue positions are occupied, then the packing is successful. If the microcode unit determines that greater than the total number of issue positions are occupied, then the packing is unsuccessful and the retained instruction is redispatched. Additionally, instruction dispatch selection is performed in two phases. First, a number of instructions are selected as potentially dispatchable instructions.

Abstract: A self-parallelizing computer system and method asynchronously processes execution sequences of instructions in two modes of execution on a set of processing elements which communicate with each other. Each processing element is capable of decoding instructions, generating memory operand addresses, executing instructions and referencing and updating its own set of general purpose registers. These processing elements act in concert during the first mode of execution not only to execute the instructions in an execution sequence but also to partition an execution sequence into separate instruction subsequences. The separate instruction subsequences are stored along with additional information which will allow the stored subsequences to be correctly executed in parallel.

Abstract: A comprehensive brake testing method and device is provided which is specific for the vehicle in question; wherein the manufacture's brake specifications for each vehicle model are stored on a data bank linked with the device, and the make, model, and year of the vehicle to be tested is input into the device which device steps the operator through a series of visual and measured tests with the results of such tests being entered into the device either manually via a keyboard or automatically from computer interfaced torque wrenches hydrometers and/or micrometers. The results are compared to the manufacture specifications and additional testing or repair is recommended by the device as required.

Abstract: An engine output controlling system for a vehicle by which a driving torque produced by the engine is utilized effectively and such a possible slip of a driving wheel the vehicle that makes driving of the vehicle difficult. The system detects a slipping condition of the driving wheel, sets an aimed driving torque of the engine in accordance with the slipping condition thus detected, and controls the engine to generate the aimed driving torque thus set and controls the engine to retard the ignition timing thereof when the detected slipping condition is excessively great. The system obtains a slip changing rate of the driving wheel, and sets a retard amount, with which the ignition timing is to be retarded, in accordance with the slip changing rate detected.

Abstract: Element placement optimizing method and apparatus for determining an optimum placement of constituent elements for an LSI or the like. A parallel processing type computer system including a plurality of CPUs is used. An initial element placement is established and a number of paired element candidates for position exchange are selected from the initial placement, the number being equal to that of CPUS. A cost improvement value resulting from the exchange is determined for each of the paired candidates by the associated CPU. The exchange of the elements is performed for the paired element candidates for which the cost improvement value is maximum of those determined by the CPUs. By repeating the exchange, an optimum element placement is determined.

Abstract: The franking machine has a control console (50) on which is provided a number of keys (21-24) corresponding to the decimal places of a maximum franking value amount. The most frequently occurring franking value amounts and also surcharge amounts for special letter despatch types are predetermined in fixed manner by programming a control unit of the franking machine and are associated with the said keys (21-24) and additional keys (25, AIR, EXP, REG) so that the entry of a complete franking value amount by pressing a single key is possible. The franking machine can be switched between two entry modes by a special key (D-SET) and these modes are performed by means of the same keys (21-24). If exceptionally a franking value amount is to be entered in the franking machine and which does not correspond to one of the fixed, predetermined franking value amounts, entry takes place after operating the switching special key (D-SET) separately by stepwise entry via the keys (21-24) associated with these decimal places.

Abstract: An engine fuel delivery control system includes an engine having at least one fuel injector fuel injector responsive to electronic control signals for delivering fuel to the engine cylinders and a plurality of sensor for supplying electrical sensor signals as various functions of engine operating conditions. An electronic engine control unit includes an electronic memory storing engine control parameters in a variety of look-up tables, a microprocessor-based controller for periodically addressing the memory tables and obtaining required control parameters as a function of sensor signal inputs, and circuitry for supplying control signals to the injectors as a predetermined function of the control parameters obtained from the look-up tables.

Abstract: An analog computer method provides modulation transfer functions (MTF) expressions or graphs for arbitrary shaped detectors in an arbitrary scan direction. Fraunhofer diffraction calculations or measurements given for specific shaped apertures are used for calculating detector MTFs of similarly shaped detectors. In an analog measuring device, an aperture in an opaque screen may be made the shape of a detector whose MTF is to be calculated. The aperture is flooded with laser light which produces a Fraunhofer irradiance pattern at an observing screen which is parallel with the opaque screen, for measuring the irradiance in the Fraunhofer plane at the observing screen. A sensor, which has a detector small compared with the diffraction pattern, is moved along the chosen thermal imager scan direction, in the Fraunhofer plane.

Abstract: In a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft, there is included a speed generator that outputs a speed command for the aircraft in accordance with a preselected mode. The FMS further includes an apparatus performing a method for adjusting the speed to achieve a desired arrival time. The apparatus comprises a unit for generating a speed adjustment coefficient (KSA), a unit for calculating wind forecast error, and a unit for adjusting the command speed outputted from the speed generator. The adjusting unit utilizes the KSA, actual wind speed at the current aircraft position, and wind forecast error at the aircraft position. The speed adjustment compensates for the error in the wind forecast, in order to achieve the desired arrival-time.

Abstract: A cross toe zero calibration system for use in an automotive vehicle wheel alignment system uses a calibration bar for receiving cross toe measuring head units. A first set of cross toe measurements are taken with the bar in a first position and a second set of cross toe measurements are taken with the bar in a second position. In the second position, the bar is rotated 180.degree. from the first position. The two sets of measurements are averaged to yield zone cross toe angle calibration factors. The combination of rotating the bar and averaging the two sets of measurements nulls out errors introduced into the calibration measurements due to deformities in the bar. The calibration bar is mounted on the main console of an automotive vehicle wheel alignment system. Switches are included which indicate the position of the bar.

Abstract: An improved controller for an engine-CVT drivetrain provides increased performance of the vehicle during periods of desired acceleration by controlling the engine throttle to provide greater torque during periods of acceleration without a large sacrifice to fuel economy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically measuring and recording erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) of blood samples according to the Westergren method includes a controllable specimen device member which measures sedimentation data of blood samples, and a data processor which controls the specimen device analyzes the sedimentation data and reports the results of its analyses. The specimen device is equipped with a controllable camera which measures the opacity of light passing through a specimen being analyzed. The camera has a high dynamic range, meaning that it is sensitive over a blood spectrum of light intensities, so that it guarantees an accurate reading even when the blood sample is hemolyzed or has turbid plasma. The apparatus makes an initial sedimentation height measurement on a specimen sample, and after a given amount of time makes a final sedimentation height measurement on that specimen.

Abstract: A circuit can be configured to process signals from either a resolver or an encoder to derive an indication of the sensed angular position. (1) When the circuit is configured for an encoder, the output from the encoder is periodically sampled. The phase relationship of the encoder input signals controls a counter. The output of the counter is periodically sampled to provide the position indication. (2) In the resolver configuration, the counter is rest at regular intervals. An apparatus detects zero crossings from the resolver signal and in response thereto samples the counter output to provide a measurement of the time interval between the counter reset and the zero crossing. The magnitude of the time interval corresponds to the phase angle of the resolver signal and hence to the angular position.