Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a tub manifold. The tub manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a tub treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the tub treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the tub treatment using the tub manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a tub manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

Abstract: A multithreaded processor, fetch control for a multithreaded processor and a method of fetching in the multithreaded processor. Processor event and use (EU) signs are monitored for downstream pipeline conditions indicating pipeline execution thread states. Instruction cache fetches are skipped for any thread that is incapable of receiving fetched cache contents, e.g., because the thread is full or stalled. Also, consecutive fetches may be selected for the same thread, e.g., on a branch mis-predict. Thus, the processor avoids wasting power on unnecessary or place keeper fetches.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a first treatment manifold. The first treatment manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a first treatment manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

Abstract: A method comprises steps of sensing a first user action, transmitting a first optical message in response to the first user action, and performing at least one optical code reading step in response to non-receipt of a valid response to the first optical message. An apparatus to perform the aforementioned steps and an article of manufacture to direct the aforementioned steps are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical detector optically senses a bar code. A multi-bit analog-to-digital converter is responsive to the optical detector to generate a plurality of digital sample values based on the bar code. A bar code detector processes the plurality of digital sample values to generate a plurality of processed values. The bar code detector detects an edge of a bar within the bar code based upon a first local optimum and a second local optimum of the plurality of processed values.

Abstract: A method comprises steps of sensing a first user action, transmitting a first optical message in response to the first user action, and performing at least one optical code reading step in response to non-receipt of a valid response to the first optical message. An apparatus to perform the aforementioned steps and an article of manufacture to direct the aforementioned steps are disclosed.

Abstract: An amplifier has an input responsive to an optical detector. An analog-to-digital converter is responsive to an output of the amplifier. A processor activates an optical emitter, and reads a first sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the first sample is less than a first threshold, the processor applies a first signal to a control input of the amplifier for a first duration. The processor reads a second sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the second sample is greater than a second threshold, the processor applies a second signal to the control input for a second duration less than the first duration.

Abstract: An amplifier has an input responsive to an optical detector. A comparator is responsive to an output of the amplifier. A data communication circuit is responsive to the comparator. An optical emitter is responsive to the data communication circuit. A multi-bit analog-to-digital converter is responsive to the output of the amplifier. A processor reads a sample from the multi-bit analog-to-digital converter while the optical emitter is cooperating with the data communication circuit to transmit a message. The processor applies a signal to a control input of the amplifier in response to determining that the sample is beyond a threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical code reading mode and a data communication mode comprises an optical detector, a variable-gain amplifier having an input and an output, an optical code reader circuit and a data communication circuit. The input of the variable-gain amplifier is responsive to the optical detector. The optical code reader circuit and the data communication circuit are responsive to the output of the amplifier. The variable-gain amplifier provides a first gain during the optical code reading mode, and a second gain during at least a portion of the data communication mode, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain.

Abstract: A device for collecting substances for testing comprises a vial having a first, generally open end, engageable by a removable closure member, and a second, generally closed end. A removable closure member is provided having first and second ends. The first and second ends of the closure member are engageable with the first end of the vial. An absorbent member is preferably attached to the removable closure member and is receivable in the vial whereby the absorbent member is located outside of the vial prior to use, with the first end of the vial being secured to the second end of the closure member to provide a handle, and after use, the second end of the closure member is removed from the first end of the vial, the closure member is inverted, the absorbent member is inserted into the vial and the first end of the closure member is removably engaged to the first end of the vial.