Abstract: A processor 2 includes instruction decoding circuitry 8 and processing circuitry 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. The instruction decoding circuitry decodes at least one conditional program instruction in accordance with a conditional prediction as one of, in accordance with the condition prediction being a condition pass, one or more micro-operation instructions that control the processing circuitry to perform the processing action together with a condition resolution micro-operation instruction, or in accordance with the condition prediction being a condition fail, at least a condition resolution micro-operation instruction. Condition resolution circuitry 24 responds to the condition resolution micro-operation instruction to determine if the condition prediction is incorrect.

Abstract: An out-of-order processor 4 groups program instructions together to control their commitment to complete processing. If an instruction within a group has a source operand dependent upon a plurality of destination operands of other instructions then this is identified as a size mismatch hazard. When the program instruction having the size mismatch hazard reaches a commit point within the processor, then it is flushed together with any speculatively executed succeeding program instructions. Furthermore, the group of program instructions containing the program instruction containing the program instruction having the size mismatch is divided into a plurality of groups of program instructions each containing a single program instruction which are then replayed through the processing mechanisms.

Abstract: A loop buffer is provided with a main store 26 and an auxiliary store 28. The main store 26 stores micro-operation instructions. The auxiliary store 28 has fewer entries than the main store 26 and stores target addresses for predicted taken branch instructions stored within the main store 26. Read control circuitry serves to control reading from the main store and from an auxiliary store such that target addresses are read from the auxiliary store in association with the predicted taken branch instructions read from the main store.

Abstract: A method and a data processing apparatus operable to process instructions from a plurality of instruction sets, the plurality of instruction sets each sharing a sub-set of common instructions and each having a remaining set of instructions is disclosed. The data processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of decode units, each decode unit being operable to only decode the remaining set of instructions from a corresponding one of the plurality of instruction sets; and a common decode unit operable to decode a number of the sub-set of common instructions from each of the plurality of instruction sets. This enables the common instructions from each instruction set to be decoded by the common decode unit. Hence, the logic which would otherwise be duplicated in each of the individual decode units for each instruction set can be removed from those decode units and provided just once in the common decode unit.

Abstract: A carrying apparatus for a cycle-type vehicle comprises a pair of object carriers releasably mountable on corresponding transverse sides of the cycle, a pair of upper support members which extend transversely between the cycle and the object carriers to support upper portions of the object carriers, and, a pair of lower support members which extend transversely between the cycle and the object carriers to support lower portions of the object carriers.

Abstract: An out-of-order renaming processor is provided with a register file within which aliasing between registers of different sizes may occur. In this way a program instruction having a source register of a double precision size may alias with two single precision registers being used as destinations of one or more preceding program instructions. In order to track this data dependency the double precision register may be remapped into a micro-operation specifying two single precision registers as its source register. In this way, scheduling circuitry may use its existing hazard detection and management mechanisms to handle potential data hazards and dependencies. Not all program instructions having such data hazards between registers of different sizes are handled by this source register remapping. For these other program instructions a slower mechanism for dealing with the data dependency hazard is provided.

Abstract: A data processing system including multiple execution pipelines each having multiple execution stages E1, E2, E3 may have instructions issued together in parallel despite a data dependency therebetween if it is detected that the result operand value for the older instruction will be generated in an execution stage prior to an execution stage which requires that result operand value as an input operand value to the younger instruction and accordingly cross-forwarding of the operand value is possible between the execution pipelines to resolve the data dependency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of a formula (I): wherein the variables are defined herein; to a process for preparing such a compound; and to the use of such a compound in the treatment of a PDE4 mediated disease state.

Abstract: A method of automatically reducing power consumption in a load control system having a central controller and a plurality of load control devices controlling the amount of power delivered to a plurality of electrical loads, the method comprising the steps of configuring a load shedding tier defining a load shed parameter for each of the electrical loads; the controller determining the total amount of power presently being consumed by all of the plurality of electrical loads; the controller comparing the total amount of power to a threshold amount of power; the controller automatically transmitting a digital message to the plurality of load control devices if the total amount of power exceeds a threshold amount of power; and the load control devices controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical loads in accordance with the load shed parameters of the load shedding tier in response to the digital message transmitted by the controller.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing the loss of trace information being transmitted via trace infrastructure are disclosed. A data processing apparatus for processing instructions is provided.

Abstract: A lighting control device for controlling the light intensity level of at least one lamp is disclosed. The lighting control device includes an actuator and a controller operable to cause the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade at a first fade rate that is based on the initial light intensity level of the at least one lamp upon a determination that the actuator has been actuated, to fade to off at a second fade rate upon a determination that the actuator has been actuated for only a single transitory duration, to fade from the initial intensity level to a preset desired intensity level at a third fade rate upon a determination that the actuator has been actuated for two successive transitory durations, and to fade to off in a predefined fade rate sequence upon a determination that the actuator has been actuated for more than a transitory duration. The first fade rate is based on a predefined fade-off time.

Abstract: A cushion for use by a person, the cushion having a main portion and a subsidiary portion joined to the main portion. The main portion and the subsidiary portion have unequal volumes wherein a part of the main portion is adapted to be placed between the legs of the person while the person is lying on a side of the person, and the subsidiary portion is adapted to support the abdomen of the person while the person is lying on the person's side.

Abstract: A cushion for use by a person, the cushion having a main portion and a subsidiary portion joined to the main portion. The main portion and the subsidiary portion have unequal volumes wherein a part of the main portion is adapted to be placed between the legs of the person while the person is lying on a side of the person, and the subsidiary portion is adapted to support the abdomen of the person while the person is lying on the person's side.

Abstract: A carrying apparatus for a cycle-type vehicle comprises a pair of object carriers releasably mountable on corresponding transverse sides of the cycle, a pair of upper support members which extend transversely between the cycle and the object carriers to support upper portions of the object carriers, and, a pair of lower support members which extend transversely between the cycle and the object carriers to support lower portions of the object carriers.

Abstract: Within a multiple instruction pipeline data processing system which supports predication instructions, program instructions are initially decoded upon the assumption that they are predicated. A predication signal is generated within the instruction decoder stages when a predication instruction is detected. The presence or absence of this predication signal can then be used to correct any decoding which has been performed upon the basis of an assumption that the program instructions are predicated. The predication instruction can predicate a variable number of following instructions. The predication instruction can issue in parallel with an instruction which it predicates and yet the proper identification of the predication instruction need not be confirmed until at least some decoding has been performed upon the other program instruction.

Abstract: A lighting control device for controlling the light intensity level of at least one lamp is disclosed. The lighting control device includes an actuator and a controller, such as a microcontroller, for example. The controller is operable to cause the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a first fade rate when the actuator is actuated. If the controller determines that the actuator has been actuated for at least a predefined hold time, the controller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a second fade rate for a predefined long fade time. After the long fade time elapses, the controller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade to off at a third fade. The first fade rate is based on a predefined fade-off time that represents a time allotted for fading the light intensity level of the lamp from its initial light intensity level to off.

Abstract: An independent radio frequency programming device automates a setup process for a lighting system with lighting control devices and master controls. The programming device intercepts communications between the lighting control devices and the master control during an initial setup phase. A start function permits the programming device to provide automated setup information to the master controls. Once the automated setup process completes, the lighting system is fully programmed with behavior functions for all lighting control devices.

Abstract: A lighting control device for controlling the light intensity level of at least one lamp is disclosed. The lighting control device includes a microcontroller and a user-actuatable switch controller that is operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a first fade rate when the switch controller is actuated. If the microcontroller determines that the switch controller has been actuated for at least a predefined actuator hold time, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a second fade rate for a predefined long fade time. After the long fade time elapses, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade to off at a third fade. The first fade rate is based on a predefined fade-off time that represents a time allotted for fading the light intensity level of the lamp from its initial light intensity level to off.

Abstract: A method for operatively interconnecting a first and second lighting control subnet is disclosed. In the method, a link claim is transmitted to the first and second lighting control subnets from a bridge. The link claim directs the first and second lighting control subnets to wait for a lighting control command, which is transmitted to the lighting control command to the first lighting control subnet. A random wait time is assigned to the first lighting control subnet and a maximum random wait time is assigned to the second lighting control subnet. Finally, an acknowledgement is received from the first lighting control subnet.

Abstract: A wireless control system for lighting or the like has a central processor that receives commands from keypads and other control devices, and sends commands to dimmers and other controlled devices. The central processor also receives status reports from the dimmers and sends updates to the keypads, in order to ensure that displays on the keypads are up to date.