Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for synchronized presentation of analog and digital data by applying a common synchronization scheme to both types of data. Digital data is "streamed" by transferring the data in blocks from a source to a series of memory buffers, where it accumulates for subsequent transfer to an output device driver. The control module responsible for data streaming periodically reports a temporal location within the presentation represented by the data. A supervisory module designates one of the control modules a "master", and periodically compares the values reported by the various other control modules against that reported by the master. If a comparison exceeds a threshold tolerance value associated with each control module, a sync pulse is delivered to that control module, causing it to correct the synchronization mismatch.

Abstract: A multimedia data processing system includes a memory for storing multimedia application programs and a multitasking operating system. Extensions to the operating system control data streaming from source devices to target devices to provide real-time, continuous streaming. The extensions provide central buffer management with a user buffer option, bi-level priority support for data stream handlers, support for interleaved streams, and data stream event detection and notification.

Abstract: A piston depositor for depositing batter and the like into pans in an automated bakery line includes a valve housing which defines an inlet, a valve chamber, an outlet and a cylinder bore which intersects the valve chamber. A rotary valve is disposed within the valve chamber. The rotary valve selectively interconnects the bore with the valve housing inlet and the valve housing outlet. A piston and rod assembly is slideably disposed within the bore. A programmable drive system including servomotors controls the operation of the rotary valve and piston and rod assembly to intake batter through the housing inlet and discharge the batter through the valve housing outlet.

Abstract: A data stream is created for moving data from a source to a target in accordance with a stream protocol defined by controlling stream protocol control blocks (SPCBs) created from a predefined source SPCB and a predefined target SPCB. The controlling SPCBs include information establishing a plurality of data buffers that are used to efficiently stream or transfer data on a real-time basis. The controlling SPCBs are formed by a process of negotiation in which differences between the source and target SPCBs are reconciled in accordance with rules of negotiation. Once the data stream is created, it is then started by the application program and data is streamed until an end of stream is reached.

Abstract: A personal computer based, multimedia, data processing system includes a software solution to the problem of synchronizing two or more data streams which output data to two or more multimedia output devices. One stream is a master and each other stream is a slave. The master stream generates sync pulses that can be handled in two different synchronization methods, master-slave independent synchronization or master-driven slave synchronization. Sync pulses are generated with a predetermined granularity, and synchronization is achieved when a slave stream is out of tolerance. Adaptive resynchronization may be used to speed up or slow down a slave stream.