Abstract: A multifunction keyboard accessory may be coupled to a keyboard. In an initial position, the multifunction keyboard accessory may function as a keyboard cover that inhibits unintentional activation of keys and protects the keyboard from spills and entry of other material between the keyboard keys. The multifunction keyboard accessory may be rotated from the initial position so that the keyboard accessory functions as a document holder. Alternately, the multifunction keyboard accessory may slide forward to function as a palmrest/wrist support.

Abstract: A method for detecting unreliable response conditions in a plurality of back-end transaction processing systems also can include the steps of: reading a list of references to a plurality of subscribing e-commerce systems; generating and dispatching placebo transactions to each e-commerce system in the list; receiving responses to the dispatched placebo transactions; computing transaction latency data based upon when each placebo transaction is dispatched to a subscribing e-commerce system, and when a corresponding response is received; and, notifying individual subscribing e-commerce systems when computed transaction latency data for the individual subscribing e-commerce systems indicates an unreliable response condition in an associated back-end transaction processing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive by employing at least one head gap per rail. A flexible printed circuit provides communication between main control circuitry of the tape drive and the head positioning apparatus. The flex circuit provides flexible control loops that correspond to the translation range of the head positioning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the flex circuit includes a fine positioner loop and a coarse positioner loop.

Abstract: An optical disk system comprises an optical disk device and control circuitry. The optical disk device stores user data and transfers an analog signal representing the user data to the control circuitry. The control circuitry sub-samples the analog signal to generate a sub-sampled signal. The control circuitry up-samples and re-times the sub-sampled signal using a control signal to generate an up-sampled and re-timed signal. A digital feedback loop in the control circuitry generates the control signal.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable portion of a position detector is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A fixed portion of the position detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable magnet is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A flux detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator for detecting the position of the magnet.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate that includes a boot having a sole plate to which an in-line roller wheel system is attached and further including a shell and a collar mounted for articulation on the boot for securing the boot to the leg and foot, a U-shaped clamping member having a front plate and an arcuate shaped back plate that conforms to the shape of the boot collar, the plates being cojoined by a base member wherein the plates are biased towards each other, the clamping member removably secured to the boot collar by passing over the boot collar at the spine with the back plate placed inside the collar wherein the back plate extends downwardly along the length of the collar to a depth that brings the base member into contact with the collar wherein the base member cooperates with the arcuate shaped back plate to prevent the frame from canting out of parallel with the spine, and the front plate having integral to and extending from it a frame for holding an article.

Abstract: A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing thereof and having structure providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of the printer mechanism. The housing for the printer and the platform for supporting the transaction terminal are formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of the modular portion and the transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.

Abstract: A method for extracting oil from oil-contaminated soil containing 2 to 5 wt. % oil, comprising contacting the oil-contaminated soil with a solvent in the presence of sonic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.0 kHz. Specifically, a solvent is first mixed with the oil-contaminated soil and the mixture is then formed into a slurry of oil-contaminated soil particles suspended in the solvent. Thereafter the oil-contaminated soil slurry is passed through a shaker screen to remove soil particles greater than 1/4 inch. The oil-contaminated soil slurry containing the smaller soil particles is then fed into the top of a vertically disposed, substantially rectangular shaped, hollow acoustic chamber of uniform cross-section. Fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber that flows upwardly through the acoustic chamber. The fresh solvent is injected at a rate low enough whereby the oil-contaminated soil particles fall by gravity through the upwardly flowing solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing solid and liquid components of a slurry which have settled in a storage tank, suspending the solids in a substantially homogeneous slurry mixture are practiced by directed flow apparatus. A plurality of jet nozzles or propeller mixers is located in the storage tank within an annular band ranging between 25 percent and 75 percent of the radial length from a center of the tank to a tank wall. They are directed either in a tangent direction or at an angle away from the center of the tank to provide a substantially volume-filling mixing flow to suspend the solid slurry component in the liquid slurry component.

Abstract: An arrangement for establishing communication paths through a plurality of serially connected thyristors comprising a first and last thyristor, is disclosed. Each thyristor comprises a main conduction path terminating in a first and second main conduction electrode and a control path between the first electrode and a gate electrode. The second main conduction electrode of each thyristor, except the last, is connected to the first main conduction electrode of a subsequent thyristor. To establish a path, a marking potential is applied to the first main conduction electrode of the first thyristor and gate currents, equal to or greater than the thyristor holding currents, are produced in the control paths of the thyristors in sequence and overlapped in time from the first to the last. A hold current is then produced in the second main conduction electrode of the last thyristor and the gate currents are terminated.

Abstract: A poultry feeding system including a feed supply hopper for supplying feed, a supply conveyor connected to said supply hopper, weighing mechanism connected to said supply hopper for weighing the feed, a discharge conveyor for delivering the weighed material to a plurality of poultry feed stations, and a bypass conveyor, connected to the supply and discharge conveyors for bypassing the weighing mechanism if the weighing mechanism is disabled.