Abstract: A system and method of managing requests from peripherals in a computer system are provided. In the system and method, an input/output memory management unit (IOMMU) receives a peripheral page request (PPR) from a peripheral. In response to a determination that a criterion regarding an available capacity of a PPR log is satisfied, a completion message is sent to the peripheral indicating that the PPR is complete and the PPR is discarded without queuing the PPR in the PPR log.

Abstract: A method includes executing microcode in a processing unit of a processor to implement a machine instruction, wherein the microcode is to manipulate the processing unit to access a peripheral device on a public communication bus at a private address not visible to other devices on the public communication bus and not specified in the machine instruction. A processor includes a public communication bus, a peripheral device coupled to the public communication bus, and a processing unit. The processing unit is to execute microcode to implement a machine instruction. The microcode is to manipulate the processing unit to access a peripheral device on a public communication bus at a private address not visible to other devices on the public communication bus and not specified in the machine instruction.

Abstract: An adjustable roller shade bracket comprising a first plate, a second plate and a bracket member. The bracket member is adapted for mounting to a surface. The second plate is rotationally secured to the bracket member. The first plate is releasably securable to an end of a roller tube of a roller shade and slidably secured to the second plate such that the first plate may be slid along the second plate in a first plane. Rotation of the second plate about the bracket member through 90 degrees permits the first plate to be slid along the second plate in a plane perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: An apparatus to aid in the making of a light filtering window shade from shade fabric comprised of a series of longitudinal vane members having their longitudinal edges respectively secured to front and rear fabric panels. The apparatus comprises an assembly table and a roller tube positioning rail. The table has first and second ends with the first end adapted to facilitate the cutting of the shade fabric to a desired length. The roller tube positioning rail is releasably securable to the assembly table and releasably receives a roller tube having one end of the shade fabric secured thereto. The positioning rail permits the roller tube, and the shade fabric secured thereto, to be set-off a predetermined distance from the first end of the assembly table. The positioning rail maintains the roller tube generally parallel to the first end of the assembly table.

Abstract: A clutch for a roller blind. The clutch comprises a drive shaft operatively connected to a drive mechanism, an idle shaft releasably coupled to the drive shaft, and a drive spring. The drive mechanism imparts rotational movement to the drive shaft. The idle shaft is operatively connected to the tube of the roller blind such that rotation of the idle shaft causes rotation of the roller blind tube. The drive spring is operatively associated with the idle shaft and with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction causes the drive spring to impart rotational movement to the idle shaft, thereby causing rotation of the roller blind tube. When the drive shaft is rotated in a second opposite direction the drive spring permits the drive shaft to rotate independently of the idle shaft.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for serial data stream operations are described. A described system includes a serial bus communicatively coupled with a memory structure to handle a serial data stream from or to the memory structure; generators configured to generate enablement signals that are associated with different bit-groups of the serial data stream, each of the enablement signals including pulses that are aligned with time-slots that are associated with a respective bit-group; logic elements configured to store internal states and produce output signals that are based on the serial data stream, the enablement signals, and the internal states, and circuitry configured to capture values. Each of the enablement signals enables a respective logic element to selectively change a respective internal state responsive to bit-values of a respective bit-group. Each of the captured values represents an output of a respective logic element that is responsive to all bit-values of a respective bit-group.

Abstract: An end cap for enclosing or covering the end of a cassette of a roller blind or a roller shade. The cassette includes a roller having wound thereon a fabric having a bottom bar attached or otherwise secured thereto or thereover. The end cap comprises a wall portion and a bottom bar stop. The wall portion is releasably securable to an end of the cassette. The bottom bar stop is fixed to and extends outwardly from the wall portion and inhibits upward movement of the bottom bar beyond the elevation of the bottom bar stop when the end cap is secured to an end of the cassette.

Abstract: A chain guide for a dual roller blind. The dual roller blind includes a first or inner and a second or outer roller tube. The roller tubes are mounted between a common pair of end plates and have clutches at common ends that are operatively associated with the same end plate and driven by chains. The chain guide comprises at least four rollers and at least one cover plate. The rollers are each mounted on separate pins and each pin has first and second ends, with the first ends fixed to the end plate that is operatively associated with the blind's clutches. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the inner roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the inner roller tube. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the outer roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the outer roller tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved support bracket for mounting a clutch of a roller blind. The clutch of roller blind used with this improved bracket is the type having at least one projecting pin. The support bracket includes a bracket housing having a flat wall with at least one aperture configured to receive the projecting pin such that the pin passes through the aperture and extends past the flat wall. The aperture is configured to permit the pin to slide up and down inside the aperture between a first and second position when the pin is positioned in the aperture. The bracket also includes a spring lock member mounted to the flat wall adjacent the aperture, the spring lock positioned to partially obstruct the aperture. The spring lock member is configured such that when the pin is inserted into the aperture the spring lock is deflected out of the way to permit the pin to be inserted into the aperture.

Abstract: A slip clutch for a roller blind. The slip clutch comprises a clutch base with a shaft portion, a drive sprocket including a drive tube and rotationally mounted on the clutch base, at least one clutch spring and a roller tube connector. The clutch spring is in the form of a coil spring frictionally engaged about the shaft portion and positioned between the shaft portion and the drive tube. The spring includes end members that engage the drive tube such that rotation of the drive tube about the shaft portion is resisted by the frictional engagement of the spring about the shaft. Rotation of the drive tube in either direction causes the drive tube to apply a force to the clutch spring in a direction such that encourages an increase in the diameter of the spring to reduce the frictional engagement of the clutch spring with the shaft portion.

Abstract: A slip cutch for a roller blind that includes a clutch base with a shaft portion, a drive sprocket including a drive tube and rotationally mounted on the clutch base, at least one clutch spring and a roller tube connector. The clutch spring maybe a coil spring frictionally engaged about the shaft portion and positioned between the shaft portion and the drive tube. The spring includes end members that engage the drive tube such that rotation of the drive tube about the shaft portion is resisted by the frictional engagement of the spring about the shaft. The roller tube connector is secured about the drive tube and rotates with the drive tube about the shaft portion. The roller tube connector is free from contact with the clutch spring.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a stopper for stopping the upward movement of a bottom bar attached to a fabric blind wound on a roller tube mounted within an elongated chamber of an elongated housing having a vertical wall. The stopper includes an elongated member having a head portion, a toe portion and a neck portion between the head and toe portion. The head portion is mountable within a mounting cavity positioned on the elongated housing adjacent the vertical wall. The mounting cavity, head portion and neck portion are dimensioned and configured to position the toe portion between the vertical wall and the roller tube when the stopper is mounted to the housing. The toe portion has a multi-position spacer element for selectively positioning the toe portion between proximate and distal positions relative to the vertical wall.

Abstract: A clutch for a roller blind. The clutch comprises a drive shaft operatively connected to a drive mechanism, an idle shaft releasably coupled to the drive shaft, and a drive spring. The drive mechanism imparts rotational movement to the drive shaft. The idle shaft is operatively connected to the tube of the roller blind such that rotation of the idle shaft causes rotation of the roller blind tube. The drive spring is operatively associated with the idle shaft and with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction causes the drive spring to impart rotational movement to the idle shaft, thereby causing rotation of the roller blind tube. When the drive shaft is rotated in a second opposite direction the drive spring permits the drive shaft to rotate independently of the idle shaft.

Abstract: A pull clip for the bottom bar of a window shade, the pull clip comprising a pair of arms joined by a bridge portion, the arms flexibly biased toward a rest position when displaced therefrom, at least a portion of the arms releasably receivable within one or more channels on the bottom bar, at least one of the arms or the bridge portion including an engagement member, the engagement member frictionally engaging the bottom bar when the arms are received within the one or more channels to restrain the movement of the pull clip along the one or more channels, the pull clip including a receiver, the receiver facilitating the attachment of a cord or wand to the pull clip.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a stopper for stopping the upward movement of a bottom bar attached to a fabric blind wound on a roller tube mounted within an elongated chamber of an elongated housing having a vertical wall. The stopper includes an elongated member having a head portion, a toe portion and a neck portion between the head and toe portion. The head portion is mountable within a mounting cavity positioned on the elongated housing adjacent the vertical wall. The mounting cavity, head portion and neck portion are dimensioned and configured to position the toe portion between the vertical wall and the roller tube when the stopper is mounted to the housing. The toe portion has a multi-position spacer element for selectively positioning the toe portion between proximate and distal positions relative to the vertical wall.

Abstract: There is disclosed a support for mounting an end of a roller blind to a structure such as a wall, ceiling and window frame. The support includes a first plate for mounting to the end of the roller blind and a second plate adjacent the first plate. The second plate has a central aperture dimensioned to receive the end of the roller blind. The support further includes a bracket for mounting the second plate to the structure. A plurality of vibration absorbing fasteners are provided for mounting the first plate to the second plate and dampening vibrations travelling from the first plate to the second plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved roller tube having a tubular wall, opposite ends and a channel running longitudinally on the surface of the tubular wall for receiving an attachment insert for a fabric sheet. The attachment insert includes an elongated flat member having opposite ends, opposite sides, a thickness, opposite side edges and a width. The channel includes first and second side walls with first and second lips extending perpendicularly from said walls, respectively. The first and second lips partially enclose an interior of the channel with the second lip extending further than the first lip. The lips are separated by an elongated slot having a width less than the thickness of the attachment insert. The first lip has a beveled edge angled towards the interior and the second lip has a beveled edge angled away from the interior. The insert is dimensioned to fit in the channel.