Abstract: An alignment system for directing the generated output of a sound, light source, or visual device from a loud speaker, light generator or camera to a specifically selected target area wherein the system includes a precision laser generator carried on a selected end of a body for generating a linear laser beam. An adjustable lined generator device is carried between the body and a mounting means for the body allowing quick referencing of any dispersion angles. By employing the variable adjustment beams, the interaction between the generated beam and sound waves and an existing room geometry can be visually observed. The adjustable means produces a laser line at variable fan angles to match reference beam or wave dispersion angles.

Abstract: A fastener driving assembly or tool includes a metal handle having opposite ends with an elongated driver shaft projecting from one end and a swivel knob installed on the other end. An electrical insulator is installed between the handle and the driver shaft and an insulating filler secures the shaft, insulator and handle together. The handle includes a recess for storing a lever arm or breaking bar adapted to outwardly pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle and driver shaft. A pivot rotatably connects one end of the lever arm with the handle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gallium nitride or like epilayer on sapphire is disclosed wherein a buffer layer is grown on the sapphire substrate by magnetron sputter epitaxy (MSE); and then the gallium nitride epilayer is formed on the buffer layer, preferably by molecular beam epitaxy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing electromagnetic interference in a microcomputing system. The apparatus and method of the present invention are based on the fundamental aspect of providing an EMI shield specifically dimensioned to receive a microprocessor within the microcomputing system. The apparatus and method of the present invention are further based on the aspect of providing at least one ferrite bead along a power delivery path to attenuate any high-frequency leakage current from the microprocessor that results at the resonant frequencies of the EMI shield.

Abstract: A bore centering apparatus includes an elongated level having a laser beam generator at one end insertably received into the center of a centering cone placed within a hole in a wall. Adjustment of the level is made by turnbuckles which adjustably connect the level to the front face of the wall into which the centering cone is placed. The laser beam generator transmits a beam through the centering cone along its central longitudinal axis and therefore is coincident with the central longitudinal axis of the hole so that the beam terminates at a remote or spaced-apart intended target. Offset lines in degrees are carried on the external surface of the centering cone so that layout directions can be derived quickly. A protractor plate may be incorporated into the assembly at the base of the centering cone to set the desired degree of offset. By combining a 45 degree or 30 degree offset mark on the bore cone, the bore assembly is tilted accordingly to show compound angle layouts or directions of mechanical runs.

Abstract: A combined laser beam level and square apparatus includes a level having slots or openings along a common side so that the slots or openings may receive a rule or square device that is pivotally mounted thereon so as to be selectively placed in coextensive slots or openings of the level. The coextensive slots include shoulder guides which align the rule into a particular angular orientation such as a 90 degree position with respect to the level or 45 degree orientation or position with respect to the level. Releasable securement means are provided for retaining the level and a base, if used, in a fixed position and other retaining means are provided for holding the rule fixed to the level while in a selected coextensive slot or opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including means for storing an executable file which includes a group of bits which define functional operations and cycle bits associated with each functional operation and means for completing a variable number of the functional operations in parallel during a single execution cycle in accordance with a state of the associated cycle bit. The method and apparatus eliminates the need for complex data dependency checking hardware and allows a minimum amount of control logic to complete execution of executable files. The method and apparatus further minimizes the necessity of adding null operations (NOPs) to executable files which reduces the amount of storage space necessary to store the executable files and allows executable files to be used on multiple hardware implementations and for register values to be used for multiple purposes during single execution cycles.

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: An imaging system is provided which comprises an objective lens arrangement, a linear array of detector elements within a detector the array comprising a row of time delay an integrate (TDI) channels and a scanning optic arranged to scan an image over the array detector elements, the system further comprises means for rotating the scanning optic about an axis (N) normal to an optical surface of the scan optic when the scan optic is in the center of its field of view position, the scan optic being rotated about this axis (N) in dependence on the rate at which the imaging system is panned across a scene, such that a received image is vector scanned across the linear array of detector elements to compensate for loss in image resolution due to the panning action of the imaging system occurring during the period in which an image frame is detected.

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 thermal imager referencing system comprises two rotating cranks in the form of discs (7, 8) each pivotally attached to connecting member (9). The discs (7, 8) are rotated at a constant speed causing two mirrors laterally displaced along connecting member (9) to intercept an optical path X of a thermal imager associated with the referencing system. Each rotation through 360 degrees of the discs (7, 8) causes each mirror to pass once through the optical path, the mirror surfaces being respectively arranged to cause a linear array of detector elements (not shown) of the thermal imager to view alternately thermo-electric devices (14, 16), which are at different temperatures, during the flyback time associated with the thermal imager. The referencing system enables processing means of the thermal imager to normalize the detector array, compensating for DC offset and differences in gain between different elements of the detector array.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive waveguide position measuring apparatus includes a waveguide extending between opposed anchored ends. A magnet is displaceable along the waveguide and generates torsional strain in the waveguide in response to an electrical excitation signal transmitted along the waveguide. A piezoelectric film element is coupled to the waveguide to sense the torsional strain signal on the waveguide. A signal processor determines the relative elapsed time between the excitation signal and the output signal of the piezoelectric film element to determine the position of the magnet along the waveguide. The piezoelectric film element is coupled to the waveguide along an axis transverse to the axis of stretch of the element. Alternately, a differential piezoelectric film element formed of two piezoelectric elements contacts a waveguide, with the two elements connected in differential parallel or series configuration and in or out of phase to double the output current or the output voltage.