Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for an integrated circuit development. Elements of the development system include hardware and software objects. These objects can be instanced, ordered, parameterized, and connected in a software environment to implement different functions. Once in software, the description defines the topology and the properties of a set of objects and hence the overall function. These objects are hierarchically composed from a set of primitive objects. By using a piece of hardware that can model any primitive object set as pre-established encapsulated hardware objects, the topology and properties define a piece of hardware that can perform the desired, implemented, functions. Using embodiments of the invention, circuit designers can design hardware systems with little or no knowledge of hardware or hardware design, requiring only a high-level software description.

Abstract: A master cylinder (12) for use in a brake system (10). The master cylinder (12) has a housing (22) with a first (42) and second (44) pistons located in a bore (20) by first (46) and second (48) resilient members to define first (50) and second (52) chambers therein. The first (50) and second (52) chambers are respectively connected to a reservoir (32) to receive fluid and maintain a desired fluid level in the brake system (10) and to front (24,24′) and rear (26,26′) wheel brakes to supply pressurized fluid to effect a brake application. Fluid received from the reservoir (32) by [to] the second chamber (52) is controlled by a center port compensation valve (148). The center port compensation valve (148) has a head (126′) connected to a linkage member (98′) that joins a first retainer (94′) with a second retainer (96′) to cage the second resilient member (48).

Abstract: A brake system for (10) a vehicle having a brake booster (14a) with an output put rod (152a) for providing a primary piston (310) in a master cylinder (12a) with an input force to pressurize fluid which is supplied to wheel brakes (10a) of a vehicle to effect a brake application in response to an operator input force. The master cylinder (12a) has a first housing (202a) with a bore (202a) therein for retaining the primary piston (310) in a first pressure chamber (212a). The bore (202a) has a first compensation passage (206a) connected to a fluid supply (204a) and an outlet port (218) connected to the wheel brakes (10a). The primary piston (310) has a first position of rest whereby the first pressure chamber (212a) is connected to a fluid supply (204a) through the first compensation passage (206a). The brake booster (14a) has a second housing (102,104) with an interior separated by a movable wall (122) into a front chamber (108) and a rear chamber (110).

Abstract: A product information system for selecting, monitoring and purchasing of products in a retail establishment includes a product selection device, a data processor, a registry retrieval device, a point-of-sale data input device, and a host computer. The product selection device identifies desired items selected by a registrant and routes the desired items to a registry database on a host computer. The data processor is adapted to communicate with the product selection device to thereby collect the desired items selected by the registrant and route the desired items to the host computer. The registry retrieval device is configured to retrieve updated registry data from the host computer in response to a request from a purchasing customer. The retrieval device has an output unit for displaying an updated list of items in the registry database. The point-of-sale data input device identifies desired items which have been purchased by a customer for routing to the host computer.