Abstract: A processor may include a processor core, which interprets and executes instructions, and a system bus interface, which enables the processor to communicate with a system. The system bus interface may include a fill bus and a DMA bus. The system bus interface may include a bridge between the fill bus and the DMA bus which enables the system bus interface to re-route information placed on the fill bus onto the DMA bus and back into the core.

Abstract: A processor may include a processor core, which interprets and executes instructions, and a system bus interface, which enables the processor to communicate with a system. The system bus interface may include a fill bus and a DMA bus. The system bus interface may include a bridge between the fill bus and the DMA bus which enables the system bus interface to re-route information placed on the fill bus onto the DMA bus and back into the core.

Abstract: A centrifuge for continuously separating the various constituents of blood or other biological fluids includes a rotating bowl having high-G and low-G walls. An inwardly directed ramped surface on the high-G wall interacts with an interface region between the separated fluid constituents to provide an optically detectable indication of the position of the interface between the high-G and low-G walls. An optical sensor sensing each passage of the ramped surface past a point develops a changing signal indicative of the interface position. Signal processing circuitry responsive to the signal measures such signal parameters as peak amplitude, signal area and signal shape. By so monitoring these signal parameters, a better indication of actual interface position between the high-G and low-G walls can be obtained. This, in turn, results in better control over centrifuge operation and improved separation of the desired fluid components.

Abstract: In an automatic call distribution (ACD) system, an improved estimated waiting time arrangement derives a more accurate estimate of how long a call that is or may be enqueued in a particular queue will have to wait before being serviced by an agent, by using the average rate of advance of calls through positions of the particular queue. For a dequeued call, the arrangement determines the call's individual rate of advance from one queue position to the next toward the head of the queue. It then uses this individual rate to recompute a weighted average rate of advance through the queue derived from calls that preceded the last-dequeued call through the queue. To derive a particular call's estimated waiting time, the arrangement multiplies the present weighted average rate of advance by the particular call's position number in the queue. The arrangement may be called upon to update the derivation at any time before or while the call is in queue.