Abstract: A set of microprocessors may be set to a common mode in which the microprocessors utilize features that are common to all microprocessors. The common mode facilitates proper multiprocessor operation and permits a fix to be applied to each of the microprocessors based on this common mode. Firmware or software can detect whether microprocessors are set to run in different modes in a multiprocessor system. If not, the microprocessors are allowed to run in their normal mode, such as by writing a value to a configuration register associated with each microprocessor. If features are mixed, a different value can be written which tells each microprocessor to revert to a common mode of operation for that family of microprocessors. A common set of microcode patches may be downloaded to the microprocessors. Alternatively, the various microprocessors may also be instructed to run in a particular mode that emulates a particular stepping.

Abstract: Methods for navigating a graphical user interface on a smaller display. One method may include displaying a virtual desktop or a portion of a virtual desktop on a display, displaying a map pane over the portion of the virtual desktop, wherein the map pane includes an internal frame, increasing the opacity of the map pane in response to detecting a cursor over the map pane, and panning the virtual desktop in response to detecting the cursor dragging the frame within the map pane. The map pane preferably includes a scaled down image of the virtual desktop. In one embodiment, the portion of the scaled image of the virtual desktop within the frame in the map pane corresponds to the portion of the virtual desktop displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for testing a telecommunications circuit over Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). A transmitter, which is optically coupled to the circuit, transmits a test-drive signal on the circuit. Through a network, a performance of the circuit is monitored at points along the circuit based on the transmitted test-drive signal.

Abstract: A speed measurement system for measuring speeds of vehicles, capturing images of vehicles, and detecting violation of stop sign and traffic signal laws. The system includes a laser speed detector for determining a speed of a vehicle adjacent a stop sign. When a speed is determined, the detector generates a speed signal. The system includes a camera generally aligned with the speed detector operable to capture and store digital still images of vehicles in memory. The camera is programmed to respond to an image capture signal to generate and transmit a digital image file including a still image of the vehicle targeted by the detector. A portable processor is linked to the speed detector and the camera to first receive the speed signal, to compare the detected speed with a threshold speed, to transmit an image capture signal to the camera, and to receive the image file from the camera.

Abstract: A compact speed measurement system for field or onsite use in measuring speeds of vehicles and capturing images of select vehicles. The system includes a laser speed detector for determining a speed of a vehicle in a specific target area. When a speed is determined, the detector generates a speed signal. The system includes a camera generally aligned with the speed detector operable to capture and store digital still images of vehicles in memory. The camera is programmed to respond to an image capture signal to generate and transmit a digital image file including a still image of the vehicle targeted by the detector. A portable field processor is communicatively linked to the speed detector and the camera to first receive the speed signal, to process the speed signal and to transmit an image capture signal to the camera, and to receive the digital image file from the camera.

Abstract: A compact speed measurement system for field or onsite use in measuring speeds of vehicles and capturing images of select vehicles. The system includes a laser speed detector for determining a speed of a vehicle in a specific target area. When a speed is determined, the detector generates a speed signal. The system includes a camera generally aligned with the speed detector operable to capture and store digital still images of vehicles in memory. The camera is programmed to respond to an image capture signal to generate and transmit a digital image file including a still image of the vehicle targeted by the detector. A portable field processor is communicatively linked to the speed detector and the camera to first receive the speed signal, to process the speed signal and to transmit an image capture signal to the camera, and to receive the digital image file from the camera.

Abstract: The illustrated fiber management assembly includes a rectangular case configured to fit between bays of equipment. Fiber connected to the equipment bays enters the case through a top inlet opening and exits the case through one of two outlet openings extending along respective sides of the case, with any excess fiber being located within the storage chamber defined by the case. Adjacent the inlet opening of the case is a clamp that is compressible around the fiber to relieve axial loading on the fiber. The management assembly is provided with a slack take-up mechanism that is configured to support excess fiber in a looped arrangement within the storage chamber. The slack take-up mechanism includes a plurality of spool assemblies adjustably positioned along the length of the storage chamber.

Abstract: A castor control mechanism for a hospital bed having a plunger type neutral/brake/steer castor comprises a linkage including a rocker arm pivotally mounted to the base of the bed, a link connected on one end to the rocker arm and being connected on its other end through a cam and follower mechanism to a shaft rotatably mounted to the base and rotatable by a foot pedal. Operation of the foot pedal moves the plunger of the castor via the rocker arm to place the castor in its steer, neutral and brake positions.

Abstract: A side guard for a hospital birthing bed has an elongated control panel and a shallow inverted U-shaped handrail extending from the front to the rear of the panel. The handrail is spaced from the panel and provides multiple positions for the mother to grip the panel during the time of her labor. A parallelogram linkage is provided for shifting the side guard from an operative position above the patient support to an inoperative position tucked below the patient support. A dashpot is provided to dampen the speed of the movement from the operative position to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A birthing bed has a labor grip on each side. Each labor grip has a free end terminating in a triangular hand grip providing at least three gripping positions. The labor grip is pivotable between a vertical operative position and a horizontal storage position.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing wih a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.

Abstract: A method is described for positioning the variable threshold region of a memory transistor by a predetermined distance from the drain and source regions. The method includes providing openings in the dielectric material over the substrate at the same time or in one mask step for the variable threshold region and the drain and source regions. A mask is positioned over the variable threshold region opening at times the drain and source regions are formed. The variable threshold region is subsequently formed by growing thin oxide and a layer of nitride thereover. Both sides of the variable threshold region have a fixed threshold region between the respective drain and source which is controlled by a common gate electrode. The invention overcomes the problem of providing additional space for alignment tolerances between the variable threshold region and the drain and source regions.

Abstract: Apparatus for riddling bottled wine having an elongated frame carried on resilient supports along the longitudinal sides of the frame and having a motor-driven eccentric weight carried on the frame for vibrating the frame and cases of bottles thereon in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the frame, together with rows of inflatable air bags along opposite sides of the frame for alternately lifting such sides and jostling bottles of wine within their compartments in cases supported on the frame. A clock system controls the power supply to the vibrator motor and the air supply to the inflatable air bags, the clock system being adjustable for supplying electrical current to the vibrator motor at pre-selected times and for periods of pre-determined duration, and for supplying air under pressure alternately to the air bags at one side or the other of the frame at selectively pre-determined intervals and for periods of pre-determined duration.

Abstract: The method of riddling wine contained in bottles packed in shipping cases in which the cases are inverted to allow solids to settle into the necks of the bottles, tilting the cases from side to side to jostle the bottles, and vibrating the cases and bottles contained therein, the jostling and vibrating of the bottles serving to dislodge solids in the wine from adherence to the bottles so that the solids settle onto a temporary cap at the outlet of the bottle for disgorging when the cap is removed. The cases of bottles are tilted and vibrated for periods from about ten minutes to about thirty minutes to dislodge solid particles from adherence to the bottle, and the tilting and vibrating is halted for periods from about one hour to about six hours until tilting and vibrating is again effected.

Abstract: The method of riddling wine contained in bottles packed in shipping cases in which the cases are inverted to allow solids to settle into the necks of the bottles, tilting the cases from side to side to jostle the bottles, and vibrating the cases and bottles contained therein, the jostling and vibrating of the bottles serving to dislodge solids in the wine from adherence to the bottles so that the solids settle onto a temporary cap at the outlet of the bottle for disgorging when the cap is removed. The cases of bottles are tilted and vibrated for periods from about ten minutes to about thirty minutes to dislodge solid particles from adherence to the bottle, and the tilting and vibrating is halted for periods from about one hour to about six hours until tilting and vibrating is again effected.

Abstract: An automatic data restore apparatus utilizing a pair of memory transistors in conjunction with a dual node detection circuit driving two cross-coupled NOR gates to provide a temporary store memory unit.

Abstract: A communications device for use under water by a human speaker. A tubular base member has a mouthpiece located at one open end thereof and an inflatable air bag mounted about another open end thereof. In use, the speaker places the mouthpiece around his mouth to form an air seal therebetween and blows into the air bag to partially inflate it. When so inflated, the speaker talks into the device with voiced sounds being transmitted to the surrounding water through suitable transmitting means attached to the base member, preferably the air bag itself. During talking, the air bag receives and returns the air used by the speaker, thereby effectively preventing the escape of air bubbles from the device which otherwise interfere with communications. The air bag is preferably an elongated, flexible balloon which can be stretched into an extended position when speaking into it under water.