Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chip comprising a plurality of micro-emitters, the micro-emitters to couple to a plurality of data lines and to an optical fiber, wherein the micro-emitters are to generate optical signals for parallel transmission through the optical fiber, the optical signals corresponding to data communicated on the data lines.

Abstract: A media depository is described. The media depository comprises: a media item validation module; a diverter for routing a received media item via either a storage path or a return path; an escrow for temporarily holding received media items; and a printer located between the diverter and the escrow so that the printer can print on any media items transported via the return path.

Abstract: An electronic fluid metering valve is provided, which may include a valve body and a proportional solenoid. The fluid metering valve has an inlet and an outlet, with a needle disposed between the inlet and the outlet to control the flow of fluid through the valve. An armature is disposed within the valve body and at least a first flat spring is disposed between the armature and the valve body. A second flat spring is disposed between the needle and the valve body. A method of metering fuel flow may also be provided, including the step of adjusting the current input to adjust the flow of fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide failure detection are disclosed herein. An example method to synchronize data operations between multiple workload units in a computing device to facilitate failure detection includes identifying a number of first data operations to write data from a computing node in a first workload unit to locations that are not in a local cache of the computing node and are not in a memory of the first workload unit, the first data operations corresponding to a set of computing instructions that are assigned to the first workload unit and, when a flag in the first workload unit has been set to a first value, synchronizing the first data operations with second data operations by a second workload unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for stacking media items, comprising a base member for supporting a stack of media items, at least one first registration member extending generally upwardly with respect to the base member, and at least one further registration member extending generally upwardly with respect to the base member and spaced apart from the first registration member, wherein at least a one of the first and further registration members is selectively moveable towards or away from a remainder one of the first and further registration members in an input direction of the media items. A method of stacking media items is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for stacking media items, comprising a base member for supporting a stack of media items, at least one first registration member extending generally upwardly with respect to the base member, and at least one further registration member extending generally upwardly with respect to the base member and spaced apart from the first registration member, wherein at least a one of the first and further registration members is selectively moveable towards or away from a remainder one of the first and further registration members in an input direction of the media items. A method of stacking media items is also provided.

Abstract: A media depository is described. The media depository comprises: a media item validation module; a diverter for routing a received media item via either a storage path or a return path; an escrow for temporarily holding received media items; and a printer located between the diverter and the escrow so that the printer can print on any media items transported via the return path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide failure detection are disclosed herein. An example method to synchronize data operations between multiple workload units in a computing device to facilitate failure detection includes identifying a number of first data operations to write data from a computing node in a first workload unit to locations that are not in a local cache of the computing node and are not in a memory of the first workload unit, the first data operations corresponding to a set of computing instructions that are assigned to the first workload unit and, when a flag in the first workload unit has been set to a first value, synchronizing the first data operations with second data operations by a second workload unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for stacking items of media in a container region. The apparatus includes at least one rotatable element, each having an outer surface and an opposed claw element for releasably clamping an item of media to the outer surface of the rotatable element for rotation therewith. The apparatus also includes a driven roller element for locating an item of media released by the claw element into a stack position. The apparatus also includes a support platform element biased towards the roller element to compress items of media located in the stack position between the platform element and the roller element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide failure detection are disclosed herein. An example method includes executing, via a plurality of computing nodes, first fenced computing operations; storing a count of issued data operations resulting from the first fenced computing operations; and determining whether a failure condition exists in the plurality of computing nodes by comparing the count of issued data operations to the count of performed data operations resulting from the first fenced computing operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide failure detection are disclosed herein. An example method includes executing, via a plurality of computing nodes, first fenced computing operations; storing a count of issued data operations resulting from the first fenced computing operations; and determining whether a failure condition exists in the plurality of computing nodes by comparing the count of issued data operations to the count of performed data operations resulting from the first fenced computing operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for stacking items of media in a container region. The apparatus includes at least one rotatable element, each having an outer surface and an opposed claw element for releasably clamping an item of media to the outer surface of the rotatable element for rotation therewith. The apparatus also includes a driven roller element for locating an item of media released by the claw element into a stack position. The apparatus also includes a support platform element biased towards the roller element to compress items of media located in the stack position between the platform element and the roller element.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product. The apparatus comprises one or more bins for holding a bulk product, a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to each of the bins, a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanisms, and an interface for receiving a request for one of the bulk products. The controller is operatively coupled to the interface and configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a request for controlling the dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the bulk products.

Abstract: Subscribers are notified of selected incoming events, such as fax or a memo. Subscriber profiles, stored in a database, contain data concerning at least one specified event of which a subscriber wishes to be notified and a procedure by which the subscriber prefers to be notified. When an incoming event occurs (200) data is extracted (205) from the incoming event and the database is queried (210) using the extracted data to identify at least one subscriber whose subscriber profile includes at least one item of the extracted data and the procedure by which the identified subscriber prefers to be notified (215) of the incoming event. An event notification is then prepared (220) for the incoming event in accordance with the determined procedure for the identified subscriber and the event notification is sent (225) to the identified subscriber in accordance with the determined procedure.