Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow program steps in an issue queue to be sent to the execution queue in a non program order provides reduced stall by allowing out of program order steps to be executed as needed resources become available. The method uses a modulus operation to preassign locations in the execution queues, and keep the entries in proper program order. The method employs an additional bit to represent the modules result (valve) and may also utilize a load store number mapping memory to increase execution speed. With such an arrangement a computer system may decrease the lost performance due to waiting for required resource (i.e., memory or bus) availability for the current instruction, by issuing instructions for which the memory or bus resource is available even though the instruction is not the next one in the original program order. Thus the present invention allows memory reference instructions to issue as resources are available.

Abstract: A multiple processor device stores a stream of data as a plurality of data segments, which includes multiplexed data fragments from at least one of a plurality of virtual channels. The data segments that comprise the stream of data correspond to the multiplexed data fragments from the virtual channels. The multiple processor device then decodes at least one data segment in accordance with one of a plurality of transmission protocols to produce a decoded data segment. The multiple processor device then stores the decoded data segment to align it in accordance with a data path segment size. The multiple processor device then interprets the stored decoded data segment with respect to a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual channels to determine a destination of the stored decoded data segment. The multiple processor device then stores the decoded data segment as part of reassembled data.

Abstract: A multiple processor integrated circuit includes a plurality of processing units, cache memory, a memory controller, an internal bus, a packet manager, a node controller, configurable packet-based interfaces, and a switching module. The internal bus couples the plurality of processing units, the cache memory, the memory controller, the packet manager, and the node controller together. The switching module couples the configurable packet-based interfaces with the packet manager and node controller. Each of the packet-based interfaces may be configured to provide a tunnel function, a bridge function, and/or a tunnel-bridge hybrid function. In the tunnel-bridge hybrid mode, the packet-based interfaces enable the multiple processor integrated circuit to provide peer-to-peer communication with other multiple processor integrated circuits in a processing system that includes a plurality of multiple processor ICs.

Abstract: A multiple processor device schedules data from at least one of a plurality of virtual channels for transmission during a 1st transmission cycle. The multiple processor device then determines a storage location for the data of the virtual channel during a 2nd transmission cycle to produce a determined storage location. The multiple processor device then stores the data of the virtual channel in the determined storage location during a 3rd transmission cycle. The multiple processor device then packetizes, during a 4th transmission cycle, the stored data in accordance with a 1st or 2nd transmission protocol (e.g., HT, SPI, et cetera) to produce a packetized transmission.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus of a graphic request management system which provides for storing in the header of bitmaps indicative of the last time a bitmap was included in a request as a destination or source bitmap. Where the system determines that a request is to be processed by a graphic coprocessor, the system updates the bitmap headers of the bitmaps included in that request when that request is stored in the queue of the graphic coprocessor. Where the system determines that a request is to be processed by the CPU, the system holds that request until the last operation on any bitmap included in that request, which could effect the results of the request, has been completed by the graphic coprocessor. The request, if only containing source bitmaps, is processed by the CPU immediately after the completion of any writing into all of the source bitmaps due to request stored in the queue.

Abstract: A technique for implementing load-locked and store-conditional instruction primitives by using a local cache for information about exclusive ownership. The valid bit in particular provides information to properly execute load-locked and store-conditional instructions without the need for lock flag or local lock address registers for each individual locked address. Integrity of locked data is accomplished by insuring that load-locked and store-conditional instructions are processed in order, that no internal agents can evict blocks from a local cache as a side effect as their processing, that external agents update the context of cache memories first using invalidating probe commands, and that only non-speculative instructions are permitted to generate external commands.

Abstract: A stable protein-coated nickel particle useful in biological assays contains a nickel particle having removed from the surface thereof nickel oxide; a linker attached to said nickel particle, the linker having a free amino group; and a protein attached to said linker by covalently bonding to the free amino group. Methods of producing and using these oxide-free nickel-protein conjugates are disclosed.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A stable colloidal particle comprises a colloidal-sized core substrate having amine-reactive functional groups thereon with an aminodextran coating over its peripheral surface and a layer of colloidal-sized metallic solid overlaying the aminodextran coating. A linker comprising aminotrithiolate attached to the metallic solid has a free amino group to which a protein is attached by covalent bonding to the free amino group. Such novel particles are useful in flow cytometry, particularly useful in the simultaneous analyses of subpopulations of leukocytes. Methods of preparation of such particles, as well as methods of use are provided. These conjugates enable the simultaneous analyses of at least two different mutually exclusive subsets of white blood cells, based on the binding affinity of the conjugated protein.

Abstract: Use of an internal processor data bus is maximized in a system where external transactions may occur at a rate which is fractionally slower than the rate of the internal transactions. The technique inserts a selectable delay element in the signal path during an external operation such as a cache fill operation. The one cycle delay provides a time slot in which an internal operation, such as a load from an internal cache, may be performed. This technique therefore permits full use of the time slots on the internal data bus. It can, for, example, allow load operations to begin at a much earlier time than would otherwise be possible in architectures where fill operations can consume multiple bus time slots.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined subelement of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: An energy absorbing trim structure for a vehicle comprises an ornamental panel shaped to cover a rigid structural member of a vehicle body, a plurality of fins or projections provided on one face of the panel in an aligned arrangement, and an elongate stabilizing member also provided on the face of the panel and innerconnecting the fins to give lateral stability thereto.

Abstract: A device driver architecture that couples an operating system to a computer interface of a controller device that includes a plurality of functional sub-elements. The device driver includes a plurality of operating system interface objects each presenting an operating system interface (OSI) to the operating system, a plurality of computer interface objects each providing for the generation of programming values to be applied to the computer interface to establish the operating mode of a respective predetermined sub-element of the controller device, and a device driver library of processing routines callable by each of the plurality of operating system interface objects to process data and generate calls to the plurality of computer interface objects in predetermined combinations. The device driver library enables the selection of an execution contexts within which to define the generation and application of the programming values to the computer interface.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for use in an internal combustion engines employs a removable optical housing that is inserted through a hole in the cylinder wall. The distal end of the housing supports a lens made of a material such as polycrystalline spinel or sapphire to provide a desired field of view within the cylinder and to project an image from the field of view through the internal passageway of the optical housing. A camera receives and records the image provided by the lens and optical housing. In the preferred embodiment, the distal portion of the optical housing is secured to the cylinder wall by means of threads or a breech-mount mechanism to permit quick and easy removal and cleaning of the lens. A thermocouple or heat flux gauge can be mounted to the cylinder wall within the field of view of the thermal imaging system to provide a reference point for temperature measurements.

Abstract: An engine control system is disclosed having a unit for providing signals indicative of the position of an engine throttle member. The unit comprises a housing assembly associated with an engine throttle member and containing a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly moves relative to the stator assembly as the throttle member moves. The rotor and stator assemblies are electrically coupled together for producing first and second continuously variable, ratiometrically identical signals whose values depend upon the throttle member position. The first signal is delivered from the housing assembly for use in controlling the engine operation. Processing circuitry processes the second signal for producing a throttle position validation signal having a first value when the throttle member is in an engine idle range of positions and a second value when the throttle member moves beyond the idle range of positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of a movable member such as the control lever (42) of an audio fader (FIG. 2). A series of light emitting and detecting elements (Q1-Q5) define a plurality of light paths arranged over a distance of D units, and provide a first output indicating which of the light paths are blocked. A shutter (24) includes light-obscuring regions (53, 54, 56) alternating with nonlight-obscuring regions where both the light-obscuring and nonlight-obscuring regions are D units in length. The shutter travels through the light paths so as to affect the output of the light detecting elements. The shutter is coupled to the control lever so that the position of the shutter is dependent upon, and therefore indicates, the position of the movable member.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stabilized suspension of carbon in hydrocarbon fuel characterized by comminuting coal to form predetermined sized particles and coating the particles with at least a coating of an alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms and thereafter admixing the alcohol coated particles with a liquid hydrocarbon to form the substantially uniform admixture for serving as a fuel. In a preferred embodiment, coal particles are first compacted and comminuted to the predetermined size range to form an abundance of platey, lenticular, irregular and angular particles for forming a stabilized suspensoid that exhibits the property of shear thinning so as to be pumpable with a lower apparent viscosity than the at rest viscosity of the slurry of carbon in hydrocarbon. Also disclosed are specific details of the method and preferred embodiments, including the fuel composition, per se.

Abstract: A document card reader including a row of light sources transmitting light through a corresponding series of column-like cavities within a pair of members between which a document card with punched openings therethrough may move and a convex lens placed so as to receive light transmitted through the document card openings and transmit the light from all of the openings to a photodetector positioned at substantially the focal point of the lens.