Abstract: A data processing system comprises a plurality of processing elements being operative to process data and being coupled in parallel to a bus via a control means that governs data communication. The control means comprises a plurality of buffer means, and each respective one of the buffer means includes a respective plurality of parallel buffer segments. The control means is operative to selectively connect a single one of the buffer segments in respective ones of the buffer means to respective ones of the processing elements. This effectively permits distributing of the data in an arbitrary manner over the elements by the sorting the data in advance in the segments according to destination. The system is highly suitable to handle video and graphics data in image synthesis.

Abstract: A notebook type information processing apparatus includes a display and an apparatus body. The display has a screen on one side for displaying data, a support supporting the screen rotatably, a first connector provided on the bottom of the support and connectable to the apparatus body mechanically and electrically, and a latch that is rotatable 180 degrees for locking the display to the apparatus body in either a normal position or an inverted position.

Abstract: In a digital data decoder such as a Viterbi algorithm decoder, digital data transmitted over a communications channel are estimated by a receiver using a variable decision depth technique to thereby improve bit error rate (BER) and channel estimation and to reduce decision delay. In the context of conventional trellis structures used for sequence estimation, the decoder assigns group flags to each state for each time interval being considered and stores those group flags along with corresponding accumulated path metrics associated with the states. More specifically, from a just decoded state, flags from different groups, e.g. each group representing a color, number, etc., are assigned to successor states connected by a survivor path to the just decoded state. Each offspring state of a parent state is assigned the parent's group flag. The decoder detects where in the trellis all of the survivor states have the same group flag.

Abstract: A processing system that determines whether an underflow or overflow condition has occurred concurrently with the determination of the floating point exponent result uses a group of latched constants which can be added to the intermediate exponent and the exponent adjust to determine out of range conditions for all cases. The appropriate one of these latched constants (exponent range check values; exp.sub.-- range.sub.-- chk) are added to the exp.sub.-- int and exp.sub.-- adjust to give a value that will vary based on whether the exp.sub.-- result is out of range, or not. Different exp.sub.-- range.sub.-- chk values are used for underflow single precision, underflow double precision, overflow single precision and overflow double precision. The sum of these three values (exp.sub.-- int, exp.sub.-- adj, exp.sub.-- range.sub.-- chk) will yield a binary number having a most significant bit (MSB) that is dependent upon the exp.sub.-- result value.

Abstract: A self-checking complementary adder unit used for high performance subtractions comprises two carry select adders (30 and 36) each of which consists of a pair of byte or digit organized ripple carry adders (31, 32 and 37, 38) generating in parallel virtual sums from true and complemented operands based on the assumption that the carry-in signal is 1 or 0. Depending on byte or digit carry signals generated by carry look ahead circuits (33, 39), partial sums are selected from the virtual sums to form a real sum. The outputs of both carry select adders are connected to a multiplexer (42) which is controlled by the high order carry-out signal from one of the carry look ahead circuits representing the sign of a real sum. The multiplexer selects one of the real sums as the result of a subtraction. A sum checker compares cross-wise the parity bits of the virtual sums from both carry select adders and also compares the related carry-out signals from both the ripple carry adders and carry look ahead circuits.

Abstract: In order to effectively error-correct decode a plurality of data frames transmitted over a noisy transmission channel, control data is applied to a maximum-likelihood decoder such as to change decoding parameters thereof. The control data is generated based on frame characteristic information obtained from at least one data frame which precedes a data frame currently decoded at the maximum-likelihood decoder. Thus, the error-correct decoding is implemented using estimated correlation between at least two consecutive data frames one of which is under error-correct decoding. Further, a cyclic code decoder is provided in a receiver for checking a transmission error in the output of the maximum-likelihood decoder. The cyclic code decoder issues a check result which is used to change the contents of the control data.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device fabrication technique improves the accuracy of element qualities by considering the influence of interaction of element quality parameters in the quality control of semiconductor fabrication processes and also by improving the product yield estimation accuracy so that the production efficiency can be improved. An initial value of a membership function is first set and then a plurality of element quality parameters and a combined quality parameter are expressed by membership functions in fuzzy control in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus for automating a fabrication method by connecting a computer with various measuring instruments and various processors by communication devices.

Abstract: A computerized system for the continuous manufactured of individual elements, notably glass containers, is disclosed. A pulse sensor which emits one pulse per cycle is connected to an asynchronous motor with a frequency variator. A CPU is programmed with a synchronism equation that orders the increase or reduction of frequency of each variator according to the pulses received by the CPU programmed with the synchronism equation.

Abstract: An error correction apparatus includes an error control circuit which computes for each burst of a message (for a destination unit) an error correction code as a function of an initial error correction code at the first burst of the message or of the error correction code of the previous burst and of the data bytes of the burst. The burst error correction code is sent on a medium which is separate from the data transport medium as a companion of the burst. Also, the error control circuit receives the burst error correction code from an origin unit and generates the burst error correction code to be compared with the received burst error correction code. If a mismatch is detected, the burst found in error is flagged.

Abstract: The method checks whether a punching tool interferes with a closed line to be processed. Conventionally, line segments of the closed line is arranged in a CAD system in the order of drawing sequence. In this method, however, the line segments are arranged in the line extending order. Specifically, prepared is an interference line retrieval file in which data on line segments constituting the closed line are arranged in the order the line segments continue. Then, based on the data in the interference line retrieval file, it is checked whether or not a tool positioned on an arbitrary line segment interferes with other line segments which extend from the arbitrary line segment in a predetermined range in both forward and reverse directions the closed line extends. The line segments that extend within a predetermined range before and behind the subject line segment can be quickly identified with an easy and simple calculation since the line segments are arranged in the line extending order.

Abstract: A decoder receives frames of data that have been block coded, then convolutionally coded, at a rate of multiple frames per block. As each frame is received, the decoder counts it, stores convolutional code path information, and updates metric values pertaining to the paths. Once per block of frames, the decoder selects a path having the best metric value, convolutionally decodes one block, detects errors from both the block code and path metric, and generates error information. From the error information, the decoder decides whether block synchronization has been acquired or lost, and clears, decrements, or sets the frame count accordingly. If synchronized, the decoder outputs the block and its error information, and updates the path memory in preparation to decode the next block. Otherwise, the decoder prepares to reacquire block synchronization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing reports and for displaying information concerning transactions between service providers and service customers including preprocessing of records relating to transaction details in order to create indices enabling rapid sorting of the records.

Abstract: The invention creates a number of End Item Configuration lists, each End Item Configuration list including a listing of those custom components and variations of standard components which are utilized for a selected configuration of a complex product. A basic bill of materials is also created including a listing of those standard components utilized for all configurations of the complex product. Thereafter, a relationship is established between a particular End Item Configuration list and a customer contract for the manufacture of a selected configuration of a complex product. Based upon the established relationship, a selected one of the End Item Configuration lists is retrieved and combined with a basic bill of materials to create a complete bill of material utilizing both the End Item Configuration list and the basic bill of materials, which may then be utilized in the manufacture of a particular configuration of a complex product.

Abstract: There is provided a broker workstation for managing orders in a market for trading commodities, securities, securities options, futures contracts and futures options and other items including: a device for selectively displaying order information; a computer for receiving the orders and for controlling the displaying device; and a device for entering the orders into the computer; wherein the displaying device comprises a device for displaying selected order information about each incoming order, a device for displaying a representation of an order deck and a device for displaying a total of market orders.

Abstract: A borehole correction software of a multipole sonic well tool adapted to be disposed in a borehole determines a true, corrected value of shear wave slowness from a measured uncorrected shear wave slowness value by first building a look up table comprising hole diameter, measured synthetic shear wave slowness and correction factor, and using the table in a system including the look up table and a multiplier to determine a bias, which bias is subtracted from the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness to produce an output medium reflecting a true, corrected value of shear wave slowness. The measured uncorrected shear wave slowness values are input to the look up table. For a given hole diameter, the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness is matched to a measured synthetic shear wave slowness, and a value of correction factor is determined from the table. The correction factor is multiplied by the measured uncorrected shear wave slowness, via the multiplier, and a bias figure is determined.

Abstract: An automated health benefit processing system. The system includes a database and three processors. The database includes, for each geographic area and for each medical procedures for which a benefit is payable, the benefit payable to an insured if the procedure is prescribed and performed, a list of providers available to perform the designated procedure, and each provider's charge for performing the designated procedure. The first processor generates a treatment plan concerning the insured that specifies the identity of the insured and the medical procedures to be performed on the insured. The first processor also accesses the database to retrieve the information stored in the database under the medical procedures to be performed and to append this information to the treatment plan. The second processor generates a treatment record specifying the medical procedures actually performed by a provider and the provider's actual charge therefor.

Abstract: An improved electric resistance heating element made of a carbon material, provided around its surface with a layer essentially comprising carbon fiber, and an improved electric resistance heating furnace using the heating element.

Abstract: A suspension system for an electric heating element array of a furnace comprises first and second suspension arms with a hanger element support member extended therebetween. The suspension arms are pivotally mounted to a support rod passing through the insulation module and linked to the furnace wall via the module attachment system. Upon affixation of the insulation module to the furnace wall the suspension arms are pivoted until the support member contiguously transverses the hot face of the module. A plurality of hanger elements are suspended from the support member with the heating elements then hung therefrom.

Abstract: Taper thread joints in carbon or graphite electrode columns are protected from thread damage during assembly by use of a consumable centering pin to assure axial alignment of the mating parts, thereby preventing thread damage and resulting thread debris from forming and interfering with the proper fit of the mating parts forming the joint.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus for connecting two current conducting tubes, which also conduct fluids such as for example, a coolant. The connection apparatus conducts current from one tube to the other through a sleeve, the said tubes having a machined external surface against which the sleeve is pressed. A hose receiving hydraulic pressure is disposed between the sleeve and an external casing for providing a removable pressure against the sleeve for clamping the pipes in the sleeve. The present invention may be used in conjunction with a holder assembly for electrodes in an electrothermal smelting furnace.