Abstract: A method is disclosed for executing a load instruction. Address information of the load instruction is used to generate an address of needed data, and the address is used to search a cache memory for the needed data. If the needed data is found in the cache memory, a cache hit signal is generated. At least a portion of the address is used to search a queue for a previous load instruction specifying the same address. If a previous load instruction specifying the same address is found, the cache hit signal is ignored and the load instruction is stored in the queue. A load/store unit, and a processor implementing the method, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for a load address dependency mechanism in a high frequency, low power processor. A load instruction corresponding to a memory address is received. At least one unexecuted preceding instruction corresponding to the memory address is identified. The load instruction is stored in a miss queue. And the load instruction is tagged as a local miss.

Abstract: Methods for executing load instructions are disclosed. In one method, a load instruction and corresponding thread information are received. Address information of the load instruction is used to generate an address of the needed data, and the address is used to search a cache memory for the needed data. If the needed data is found in the cache memory, a cache hit signal is generated. At least a portion of the address is used to search a queue for a previous load and/or store instruction specifying the same address. If such a previous load/store instruction is found, the thread information is used to determine if the previous load/store instruction is from the same thread. If the previous load/store instruction is from the same thread, the cache hit signal is ignored, and the load instruction is stored in the queue. A load/store unit is also described.

Abstract: A Point-to-point protocol configured to provide communication exchange between a first device and a second device. The point-to-point protocol is configured to negotiate an exchange rate and establish a connection for the communication exchange between the first and second device. As system dynamics change, the point-to-point protocol is also configured to permit application programs in the first device and the second device to request renegotiation of the exchange rate at any time. The point-to-point protocol is also configured to provide confirmation to a sending application program that information was delivered to a receiving application program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a CPU cooling system, for example, a fan, while a computer continues to operate has a mechanism for maintenance personnel to signal that cooling fan replacement is about to begin. In response to the signal, a control mechanism causes the CPU to shift into an operating mode in which heat generation is reduced. In some cases, a clock frequency of the affected CPU and/or a duty cycle at which the CPU operates is reduced. After the fan has been replaced the control mechanism returns the CPU to a normal operational mode, for example, by increasing the clock frequency or duty cycle to a normal level. During the fan replacement procedure, the CPU and its software continues to run at lower than normal performance.

Abstract: A near full duplex portable handset speakerphone comprises: a microprocessor; a hands-free receive register connected to the microprocessor; a hands-free transmit register connected to the microprocessor; a ROM having a speakerphone operation algorithm, the ROM connected to the microprocessor; a first analog-to-digital converter connected to the hands-free receive register; a second analog-to-digital converter connected to the hands-free transmit register; a first programmable digital attenuator connected to the microprocessor and to a speaker; and a second programmable digital attenuator connected to the microprocessor and to a microphone, wherein near full duplex communication is achieved without digital signal processing. In another feature of the invention, the hands-free registers provide a digital representation of the speech volume in each direction to the microprocessor.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for processing Input/Output (I/O) requests to a storage network including at least one storage device and at least two adaptors, wherein each adaptor is capable of communicating I/O requests to the at least one storage device. An error is detected in a system including a first adaptor, wherein the first adaptor is capable of communicating on the network after the error is detected. In response to detecting the error, a monitoring state is initiated to monitor I/O requests transmitted through a second adaptor. In response to receiving an I/O request, an I/O delay timer is started that is less than a system timeout period. After the system timeout period the error recovery process in the system including the first adaptor would complete. A reset request is sent to the first adaptor in response to detecting an expiration of one started I/O delay timer.

Abstract: A communication system, method, computer program product, and apparatus include common equipment shared between multiple independently administered networks. The common equipment is reconfigurable and expandable and provides changed communication capacity and functions when additional elements are added or reconfigured. Configurable features include, for example, communication bandwidth, Quality of Service, and a number of communication satellites included in the communication system. The common equipment includes expandable elements including, for example, a single hub modem chassis that can expand to communicate with more than one communication satellite and a protocol processor that can share a protocol processing task with another protocol processors.

Abstract: A system for applying a set of marks; and automatically verifying marks is disclosed, having user interface comprising a bar code scanner and a visual display. The system applies a mark to a component, and verifies the machine readability of the mark, without readjustment of marked component An operator is given a simplistic pass/fail indicator for verification. The system features a status monitoring facility whereby a maintenance status of the system is monitored by analysing an image of an applied mark. Automatic alert signals are generated and displayed on the user interface, when the system detects, from an analysis of an image of an applied mark, that machine maintenance is required. The system further features security systems which restrict access for configuration and set up of the system.

Abstract: A communication system, method, computer program product, and apparatus include common equipment shared between multiple independently administered networks. The common equipment is reconfigurable and expandable and provides changed communication capacity and functions when additional elements are added or reconfigured. Configurable features include, for example, communication bandwidth, Quality of Service, and a number of communication satellites included in the communication system. The common equipment includes expandable elements including, for example, a single hub modem chassis that can expand to communicate with more than one communication satellite and a protocol processor that can share a protocol processing task with another protocol processors.

Abstract: A disc drive assembly includes a magnetic disc mounted on a hub of a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a base portion supporting the hub for rotation about a spindle axis. A bottom surface of the base portion extends outside of an internal disc drive environment, and a damper affixed to the bottom surface of the base portion attenuates vibrations within the base portion of the spindle motor. A constrain layer of the damper is secured to the bottom surface of the base portion by an adhesive, and the constrain layer is sufficiently stiff to dampen resonant vibrations such as rocking mode vibrations.

Abstract: A golf cart shading system shading of the occupants of a golf cart without limiting access to the rear golf cart storage area from the rear of the golf cart. Additionally, it provides a golf cart shade that is fitted to the golf cart, portable, easily installed and removed, and attachable to a wide range of golf cart designs. Even further, the shade has optional viewing windows with shade screening.

Abstract: A sealant-filled connector assembly for use with a connector plug includes a connector housing including a unitary body portion defining a body cavity and at least one conductor passage extending through the unitary body portion and communicating with the body cavity. The connector housing defines a connector opening communicating with the body cavity. The connector opening is adapted to receive the connector plug. An electrical conductor extends through the at least one conductor passage and has a contact portion disposed in the body cavity. An environmental sealant is disposed in the body cavity up to a sealant fill level and at least partially covering each the contact portion. The unitary body portion is devoid of openings other than the at least one conductor passage up to at least the sealant fill level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of oxandrolone from mestanolone. The process comprises the steps of: (a) oxidizing mestanolone to form 17?-hydroxy-17?-methyl-5?-androst-1-en-3-one; (b) hydroxylating the 17?-hydroxy-17?-methyl-5?-androst-1-en-3-one to form 1?,2?, 17?-trihydroxy-17?-methylandrostan-3-one; (c) cleaving the 1?, 2?, 17?-trihydroxy-17?methylandrostan-3-one to form 17?-hydroxy-17?-methyl-1-oxo-1,2,-seco-A-nor-5?androstan-2-oic acid; and (d) reducing the 17?-hydroxy-17?-methyl-1-oxo-1,2,-seco-A-nor-5?-androstan-2-oic acid to form oxandrolone.

Abstract: The tape cartridge autoloader library system comprises at least one read/write tape drive, a tape cartridge picker, a single tape cartridge interface, and at least one pair of tape cartridge transport magazines within a compact form factor that fits into a standard library rack mount of cabinet. The autoloader/library system is a complete tape cartridge library that stores, manages, and automatically exchanges a plurality of tape cartridges between the tape drive unit, the single cartridge interface, and the tape cartridge transport magazines. The tape cartridge transport magazines are each configured to receive and store a plurality of individual tape cartridges in a horizontal relationship. The tape cartridge transport magazines also transport the individual tape cartridges within the tape cartridge transport magazine so that a specific one of the tape cartridges is in position for selection by the cartridge picker.

Abstract: This invention describes a method where the background image (sometimes known as a theme) of a computer is dynamically controlled based upon real-time information received via some kind of network connection. The network connection can be either wired or wireless. This patent application is mainly targeted at handheld computers (typically known as PDAs) and also PDA/cell phone hybrid devices. However, it could really apply to any computer device that has the ability to display a background.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis includes a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion. The first condylar portion has a first femoral bearing surface and the second condylar portion has a second femoral bearing surface. An inner condylar portion extends between the first condylar portion and the second condylar portion and defines an opening passing therethrough. A seal member is operable to substantially seal the opening such that the seal member is further operable to be opened to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur without having to remove the femoral knee joint prosthesis from the femur. A method for enabling access to the intramedullary canal of the femur through the femoral knee joint prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: an apparatus and method that uses a computer interposed between the telephony endpoint and the telecommunication system controlling that telephony end point.

Abstract: By shifting the peak height of the tread on one side of the tire from the centerline (CL), for a tire intended for cambered use on a vehicle and/or exposure to lateral loading, improvements in the footprint shape, pressure distribution, area and footprint shape factor (FSF) are obtained. In an illustrated embodiment, 0.127 cm to 5 cm (deep) of mold material are removed from one side of the centerline (CL) of the crown in a conventional mold, at 15% to 85% of the distance from the centerline to the shoulder area of the mold (one-half inch to five and one-half inches in the illustrated tires), to obtain a mold shape having the designated change in tread peak height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method capable of providing an estimated premium without extensive and repetitive questioning. The present invention utilizes unique assumptions to dramatically reduce the amount of information that must be provided by the customer. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a mainframe computer system, an application server, and an external rules management system to interact with the customer via an attractive graphic user interface. Once logged onto the website of the present invention, the customer may choose to engage in a fast quote process which utilizes assumptions, driver information, and vehicle information to assess the risk associated with insuring the customer and then calculates an estimated cost to insure.