Abstract: Processing non-Boolean term conditions in database queries. A query that is a request for data in a database is received and includes at least one uneven non-Boolean term condition that spans multiple tables in the database. The non-Boolean term condition is split into separate portions, each of the portions providing a Boolean term that can be satisfied by accessing one table in the database. The separate portions are executed independently to find at least one data result in the database that satisfies the Boolean term of each separate portion, and the data result from each separate portion are combined into a final result that satisfies the query.

Abstract: Methods for executing a query on data that has been partitioned into a plurality of partitions are provided. The method includes providing partitioned data including one or more columns and the plurality of partitions. The partitioned data includes a limit key value associated with each column for a given partition. The method further includes receiving a query including a predicate on one of the one or more columns of the partitioned data; and utilizing the predicate on the one of the one or more columns in a pruni.ng decision on at least one of the one or more partitions based on the limit key values associated with the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: Processing a multiple table query includes: determining if any tables in the query require materialization; for each table in the query that requires materialization, deriving at least one join predicate on a join column; determining if any tables earlier in a join sequence for the query has same join predicates; and applying the at least one derived join predicate to an earlier table in the join sequence, if there is at least one table earlier in the join sequence that has the same join predicate. This significantly reduces the number of rows that are joined before arriving at the final result.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for managing row identifier (RID) list processing on an index are provided. The method, computer program product, and system provide for accessing one or more key values in the index based on one or more keys specified in a query, retrieving a plurality of row identifiers corresponding to the one or more key values from the index, and predicting an actual number of row identifiers to be retrieved from the index based on the one or more key values accessed and the plurality of row identifiers retrieved.

Abstract: A method and a processor for processing two digital video signals clocked by respective clock signals of identical frequency but with a constant phase shift therebetween. Standard definition and progressive scan digital video signals which are clocked at first and second clock signals CLOCK—1 and CLOCK—2, respectively, of identical frequency with a constant phase shift therebetween are interfaced with a processing circuit (7) by an interface circuit (10). The progressive scan signal is clocked into a first register (20) on the second clock signal CLOCK—2, and is clocked to a second register (21) by the first clock signal CLOCK—1 and in turn to a third register (22) by the first clock signal CLOCK—1. The edge of the first clock signal CLOCK—1 on which the progressive scan signal is clocked into the second register (21) is chosen to allow sufficient time to clock the signal.

Abstract: A multi-channel circuit (1) comprising three channels (CH1 to CH3), each of which is provided with a current steering DAC (5) in which crosstalk between the respective DACs (5) is minimized. Each DAC (5) comprises binary scaled current source devices (Qs1 to Qsn) and current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn to Qfn) for steering currents from the current source devices (Qs1 to Qsn) to summing nodes (11,12) across which an analogue signal is developed corresponding to a digital input word. Cascode devices (Qc1 to Qcn) are provided between the respective current source devices Qs1 to Qsn and the corresponding current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn and Qfn) for preventing capacitive feedthrough of voltage swings on the current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn and Qfn) for minimizing crosstalk between the DACs (5).

Abstract: A method for converting multi-bit digital video data signals to analogue form wherein the video data signals are in three formats, namely, standard definition, progressive scan and high definition formats, which permits a relatively low order analogue reconstruction filter to be used for filtering the analogue form of the signal. The three formats of the digital video data signals are over-sampled at relatively low over-sampling rates, the standard definition video signals being over-sampled at eight times the nyquist sampling frequency, the progressive scan format signals being over-sampled at four times the nyquist sampling frequency, while the high definition format signals are over-sampled at twice the nyquist sampling frequency.

Abstract: A multi-channel circuit (1) comprising three channels (CH1 to CH3), each of which is provided with a current steering DAC (5) in which crosstalk between the respective DACs (5) is minimised. Each DAC (5) comprises binary scaled current source devices (Qs1 to Qsn) and current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn to Qfn) for steering currents from the current source devices (Qs1 to Qsn) to summing nodes (11,12) across which an analogue signal is developed corresponding to a digital input word. Cascode devices (Qc1 to Qcn) are provided between the respective current source devices Qs1 to Qsn and the corresponding current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn and Qfn) for preventing capacitive feedthrough of voltage swings on the current steering switches (Qt1 and Qf1 to Qtn and Qfn) for minimising crosstalk between the DACs (5).

Abstract: A video signal processor (1) for converting standard definition and progressive scan video data signals from digital form to analogue form comprises a video signal processing circuit (7) in which the signals are converted. The respective standard and progressive video data signals are received on first and second clock signals CLOCK—1 and CLOCK—2, respectively, which are of identical frequency and have a constant phase relationship. An interface circuit (10) for interfacing the standard definition and progressive scan video data signals with the video signal processor (7) comprises a first register (20) into which the progressive scan signal is clocked on the second clock signal CLOCK—2. The progressive scan signal is clocked from the first register (20) to a second register (21) by the first clock signal CLOCK—1 and in turn from the second register (21) to a third register (22) by the first clock signal CLOCK—1.

Abstract: A method for converting multi-bit digital video data signals to analogue form wherein the video data signals are in three formats, namely, standard definition, progressive scan and high definition formats, which permits a relatively low order analogue reconstruction filter to be used for filtering the analogue form of the signal. The three formats of the digital video data signals are over-sampled at relatively low over-sampling rates, the standard definition video signals being over-sampled at eight times the nyquist sampling frequency, the progressive scan format signals being over-sampled at four times the nyquist sampling frequency, while the high definition format signals are over-sampled at twice the nyquist sampling frequency.

Abstract: A detector circuit (1) for detecting the presence or absence of a television (2) on an output (3) of a video DAC (4) comprises a comparator (11) for comparing a voltage developed by the video signal on a control resistor R2 with a reference voltage of 0.5 volts. The resistor R2 is of 75 ohms and matches the internal impedance R1 of 75 ohms of the television (2). A latch (12) latches the output from the comparator (11) onto an output pin Q when the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is developed by an equalisation pulse of the vertical blanking interval of the video signal. In the presence of a television (2) the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is 0.35 volts, which pulls the output of the comparator (11) low, while in the absence of a television (2) the voltage developed across the control resistor R2 is 0.7 volts which pulls the output of the comparator (11) high.

Abstract: A reverse circulation down-the-hole drill includes an outer wear sleeve (1) and a backhead (2) assembly located at one end of the outer wear sleeve (1) for connecting the drill to a double-walled drill string and to a source of pressure fluid to actuate the drill. A fluid diverter (5) is mounted inside the outer wear sleeve (1) adjacent to the backhead (2). An inner tube (9), concentric with the outer wear sleeve (1) and extending into the fluid diverter (5), defines at least part of a central return passageway in the drill. A bit (10), located by a chuck (3) at the other end of the outer wear sleeve (1), is slidably mounted on the inner tube (9) in an annular chamber (28, 30) defined by the outer wear sleeve, by the inner tube, by the diverter at one end (28), and by the bit at the other end (30).

Abstract: A reverse circulation down-the-hole hammer drill apparatus for drilling rock and overburden comprises a fluid-driven piston which reciprocates in an annular chamber to repeatedly strike a bit suspended at one end of the chamber, for example in a splined mounting. Fluid is exhausted through the bit directly to the face of the bit and cuttings and debris are returned via a central throughbore in the bit and in the drill apparatus to the surface. The bit drops forward on encountering a void during drilling operations to open by-pass passages which exhaust fluid directly into the throughbore temporarily so as to prevent any loss of return of sample to the surface.