Abstract: A microprocessor includes a first memory to store microcode and a second memory to store predicted micro-operation addresses. Micro-operation addresses are predicted, stored in memory, and retrieved to get the next micro-operations from the microcode memory. Misprediction recovery logic is used to determine if the next predicted address is correct and to determine a recovery address to correct the predicted address if the predicted address is incorrect.

Abstract: A filtering system for instruction segments determines whether a new instruction segment satisfies a predetermined filtering condition prior to storage. If the instruction segment fails the filtering condition, the new instruction segment is not stored. Various filtering conditions are available; but all filtering conditions test to determine whether it is more likely than not that a new instruction segment will be reused by the execution unit in the future.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid microphone comprises a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto and a first diaphragm sealably positioned across the aperture. A microphone having a second diaphragm is positioned within the chamber to define an enclosed volume between the first and second diaphragms for mechanically amplifying acoustic signals received by the first diaphragm. A peripheral rim may define the aperture of the housing, wherein the first diaphragm may be recessed between about 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm relative to the peripheral rim across the lateral extent of the first diaphragm. The internal chamber may be defined to include a first portion having a first cross-sectional area adjacent to the first diaphragm, and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area adjacent to the second diaphragm that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second portion may be disposed to extend away from the first portion about an axis that is transverse to the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A reference transmitter (602) and reference receiver (604) are provided for testing the performance of a semi-implantable hearing aid. In a calibration configuration, an audiometer (606) is used to provide a reference signal via a headphone jack output (608) to the reference transmitter (602). The reference transmitter (602) provides an RF transmit coil output via lead (610) and coil (612) to the reference receiver (604). The reference receiver (604) provides an output signal that is correlated to a microphone signal to a hearing aid analyzer (616). The transmitter (602) and receiver (604) can be separately used to analyze the internal and external portions of a semi-implantable hearing aid using conventional audiometers and hearing aid analyzers.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for ion-assisted etch processing in a plasma processing system are disclosed. In accordance with various aspects of the invention, an elevated edge ring, a grooved edge ring, and a RF coupled edge ring are disclosed. The invention operates to improve etch rate uniformity across a substrate (wafer). Etch rate uniformity improvement provided by the invention not only improves fabrication yields but also is cost efficient and does not risk particulate and/or heavy metal contamination.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull. The apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting a hearing aid device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in differing directions. A plurality of apertures are defined through each of the plurality of mounting legs, wherein an attachment device may be selectively inserted through each of one or more of the apertures for attachment of the apparatus to a patients skull. At least two of the apertures provided in each of the mounting legs may be disposed in a radially offset fashion relative to the support member and/or at different lateral distances relative to the support member. The provision of multiple mounting legs and apertures for interconnection provide enhanced mounting position flexibility, stability and overall ease of installation advantages.

Abstract: An incrementally positionable ball valve for use in the fluid circuit of a refrigeration or air conditioning system which can be remotely controlled by a low amperage control signal is disclosed. The ball valve harnesses the pressurized refrigerant from the fluid circuit in which it is installed as the primary power medium to actuate the valve. A sensor provides feedback to a controller relating to the incremental position of the valve. The controller then controls the operation of the valve in accordance with predetermined criteria. In another embodiment, the ball valve incorporates locator detents so that its incremental position can be determined by an operator manually controlling the valve. In still another aspect of the invention, a restrictor is provided for varying the flow capacity of the valve.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of triglycerides containing fatty ester moieties that include arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in enteral nutritionals or nutritional supplements. These triglycerides are derived from lipid mixtures which have high levels of sterols and phosphorous. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an infant or enteral nutritional, or nutritional supplement, that comprises a lipid source derived from egg yolk. The lipid source derived from egg yolk is prepared by transesterification or hydrolysis, subjecting the mixture to distillation, and esterification with glycerin to result in a triglyceride containing the desired fatty acids of AA and DHA and little or no sterols and phosphorus.

Abstract: An ATA-compatible drive interface with error correction and detection capabilities is disclosed. Being fully ATA backward compatible, this interface functions with the same physical cable and connectors as current ATA systems, employs bus drivers that are the same as or backward compatible with those provided by earlier versions of the ATA standard and uses signals with cable signal transitions no faster than those presently seen by current ATA devices. The error detection feature indicates when a data block is erroneously transferred between the device and host; the error correction feature identifies the words transmitted in error and corrects those words on the receiving side of the interface. So that ATA backward compatibility is maintained, the data integrity checking feature does not require additional words in a data transfer, and the data correction feature does not require new data transfer protocols or additional data transfer overhead.

Abstract: A method and system for simulating a chronic disease condition comprises a compact, easy to use electronic device. A virtual pet device for providing at least one disease control parameter value and a general health status value for the virtual pet having a chronic medical condition includes: a microprocessor having a memory, a housing, an input unit external to the housing, and a display integral with the housing. The device may include a plurality of icons and a plurality of input buttons for inputting medical regimen-related data into the device. Graphics are provided for portraying a plurality of stages in the development and maturation of the virtual pet, as well as for displaying at least one disease control parameter. An audio unit provides sound synchronized to the graphics, and includes an alarm function related to scheduled medication administration.

Abstract: A device for protecting a gauge includes a base portion for attachment to a surface, and a cover portion attached to the base portion for shielding the gauge from impact. In one embodiment, the base portion has legs defining a saddle-shaped surface matching the surface to which the gauge protector is attached. The cover portion may have a sight glass positioned such that the gauge face is visible even though the entire gauge is enclosed. The device may be used to protect a pressure gauge for a regulator for a portable oxygen bottle.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the at least one beam containing a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The at least one beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. Each of the flanges of the at least one beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. Alternatively, the load bearing deck containing at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the isolation of fatty acids and fatty acid esters from complex naturally occurring mixtures which contain sterols, triglycerides and phospholipids.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: An image handling method and apparatus for executing the method. The method comprises scanning at least a first resolution of a hardcopy image. A second resolution image signal of the same image which second resolution is lower than the first resolution, is communicated from a first location to a receiver at a second location remote from the first location, by a first communication method. The first resolution image signal is communicated from the first location to the receiver at the second location, by a second communication method which is physically independent of the first communication method, or following communication of the second resolution image signal, waiting until a predetermined condition independent of the communication of the second resolution image signal, then communicating the first resolution image signal from the first location to the receiver at the second location by the first communication method.

Abstract: A computer system, and particularly a handheld mobile client system, in which an energy management control program having a plurality of cooperating components permits a designer to choose from among a plurality of foci for energy management.

Abstract: Fatty acid esters such as those containing arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from lipid mixtures are prepared with reduced levels of sterols and phosphorus. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises extracting lipids from egg with methanol; separating lipids including sterols from insoluble egg components; submitting the methanolic solution of lipids to transesterification and subsequent neutralization to convert the lipids to methyl esters of said free fatty acids together with sterols; separating the said sterols and esters from an aqueous phase including phosphorus compounds formed in the transesterification; subjecting the said fatty acid esters and sterols to distillation to separate sterols from the fatty acid esters; and subjecting the said esters to transesterification in the presence of glycerol to produce triglycerides of said esters thereof including that of AA and DHA wherein the resulting triglycerides contain reduced quantities of sterols and phosphorus.

Abstract: A computer system, and particularly a handheld mobile client system, in which a user input device such as a keyboard or a scanner, coupled by a tethering conductor or a wireless link such as an infrared radiation link, functions as a master while the central processing unit of the system functions as a slave in receiving input digital signals.