Abstract: A drying rack for use in a dryer appliance is provided. The drying rack is configured for selective placement in one of several positions: resting levelly on a top surface of the dryer appliance, projecting from a wall of the dryer appliance, and/or for extending into a drying chamber defined by the dryer appliance.

Abstract: Example systems and methods of processing a data search request are presented. In one example, a data search request including a plurality of constraints is received. Each of the plurality of constraints is of one of a plurality of constraint types. At least one of the plurality of constraints of a first constraint type is expanded to one or more constraints of at least one other constraint type. A plurality of search definitions is formulated utilizing the plurality of constraints. Each of the plurality of search definitions includes a unique constraint set excluding at least one of the plurality of constraints. A plurality of searches is performed using the plurality of search definitions to generate a plurality of search results. Data item counts corresponding to the search definitions are calculated. The data item counts and the corresponding search definitions are communicated to a client machine.

Abstract: Using a processor, receiving, a query including a query image. A database is searched for a set of images similar to the query image, using a two-pass search. The results of the searching are then provided, the results including image members of the set of images similar to the query image. The first pass may be performed using a TF-IDF algorithm and the second pass ranks a predetermined number of results from the first pass by a best match algorithm or other type of algorithm. The type of second pass algorithm may be selectable by a user. If an end signal is not detected, a further two-pass search may be made based on a subsequent query having a subsequent query image. The subsequent query image may one of the results of the previous two pass search. A subsequent query image may change from an image of a product of a first product category to an image of a product of a second product category.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the surface distance between two geographical locations are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, values are stored in a square look-up table for determining the square of a value. Also, values are stored in a square of linear to surface distance look-up table for determining the surface distance of a linear value. Cartesian co-ordinates of the two geographic locations and the square look-up table are then used to calculate the square of the linear distance between the two geographical locations and the square of linear to surface distance look-up table is used to convert the calculated square of the linear distance to a surface distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems to search a data source based on compatibility with an application. The system receives a first query that includes keywords and identifies at least one keyword in the first query as application information. The application information describes a first application. Next the system infers remaining keywords in the first query as item information that describe a first item that is sought on a network-based marketplace. The first item is a part that is compatible with the first application. Next, the system searches a data storage device to identify a first listing on the data storage device as matched. The first listing includes an item for sale on the network-based marketplace and listing item information that matches the item information in the first query. The first listing further includes listing application information that is matched based on the application information.

Abstract: Methods and systems to search a data source based on compatibility via a specification are disclosed. The system receives a query from a buyer that includes keywords and identifies at least one keyword in the query as application information. The application information describes a first application. Next, the system infers the other keywords in the query as item information that describes a first part that is sought on a network-based marketplace. The first part is a component of the first application. Next, the system associates the application information with specification identifiers respectively for parts that fit the first application. Next, the system searches the data storage device to identify listings that respectively describe an item for sale on the network-based marketplace, the listings to include listing specification information that matches at least one of the specification identifiers. The listings further include listing item information that matches the item information.

Abstract: Methods and system for item clustering are described. In one embodiment, compatibility data may be accessed for an item. The compatibility data may include a plurality of parent items with which the item is compatible. A particular parent item within the compatibility data may be identified. An item cluster for the item and an additional item may be created based on compatibility of the item and the additional item with the particular parent item within the compatibility data. A compatibility identifier may be associated with the item cluster. The compatibility identifier may be associated with the parent item. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and system for item matching are described. In one embodiment, compatibility-based text for an item may be accessed. A compatibility identifier may be identified based on the compatibility-based text. The compatibility identifier may be associated with an item cluster. The compatibility identifier may be used to identify a plurality of matching items. A result may be provided based on identification of the plurality of matching items. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the surface distance between two geographical locations are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, values are stored in a square look-up table for determining the square of a value. Also, values are stored in a linear to surface distance look-up table for determining the surface distance of a linear value. Cartesian co-ordinates of the two geographic locations and the square look-up table are then used to calculate the square of the linear distance between the two geographical locations and the linear to surface distance look-up table is used to convert the calculated square of the linear distance to a surface distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the surface distance between two geographical locations are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, values are stored in a square look-up table for determining the square of a value. Also, values are stored in a linear to surface distance look-up table for determining the surface distance of a linear value. Cartesian co-ordinates of the two geographic locations and the square look-up table are then used to calculate the square of the linear distance between the two geographical locations and the linear to surface distance look-up table is used to convert the calculated square of the linear distance to a surface distance.

Abstract: A circuit is arranged to pulse-width modulate the duty cycle of a power supply signal that is used to control the rotational speed of a fan in a temperature-controlled system. The control system includes an edge detector for monitoring a tachometer signal that is provided by the fan. The tachometer signal is monitored at a rate (e.g., one Hertz) that is substantially lower than the rotational speed of the fan. The control system also includes a timer for recording time intervals between selected edges of a monitored tachometer signal. The fan speed is determined from the recorded time intervals. The control system extends the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal to ensure that the fan power remains stable over the period in which the tachometer signal is to be monitored. Maintaining fan power ensures the validity of the tachometer signal during the period that the fan power is maintained.

Abstract: A method for performing a search of a plurality of documents for similarity to a query word includes retrieving a first document, and determining a number of occurrences of the at least one query word in the first document. Then, a next document is retrieved and a number of occurrences of the at least one query word in the next document is determined. The steps are repeated until each of the plurality of documents have been retrieved, and the number of occurrences of the at least one query word has been determined in each of the plurality of documents. The query word can include a plurality of query words, all of which are searched in each document, in turn, rather than being searched word by word in the whole collection of documents. The documents are then ranked according to the number of occurrences of the query words determined in each document, and a list of documents is produced according to the document ranking.

Abstract: A method for searching a document corpus for query terms includes generating a list of document terms including a term signature for each term based upon characteristics of a number of adjacent terms. The term signatures can be generated by generating a bit vector for each term within a predetermined adjacent number of terms from each document term, such as through application of a hash function. The bit vectors can then be combined to form the term signature. The word signature alternatively can be generated using one or more morphological properties of the terms. The predetermined adjacent number of terms can be the number of search terms minus one, and may precede, follow, or both precede and follow the document term for which the term signature is generated. A search signature is generated for the query terms excluding a reference term, based upon the predetermined characteristics.

Abstract: A circuit for sampling a digital input signal utilizing an asynchronous strobe signal and a method for such synchronization are disclosed. The circuit includes an input storage element, such as a latch, which stores the input signal upon receipt of a strobe signal. There is a possibility that the input storage element will become temporarily metastable, with the output of the element being indeterminate, should the digital input signal change levels at substantially the time that the strobe signal is received. The subject synchronization circuit includes circuitry which senses when the input storage element is metastable and gating circuitry which produces a synchronized signal after receipt of the strobe signal, provided the input storage element is not metastable. The synchronized signal can then be used to clock the stored input signal.

Abstract: A novel method and structure is taught for synchronizing a received digital data stream to the receiver clock. A plurality of delay lines; are used to provide a plurality of delayed input signals, which are then compared with the receiver clock signal in order to determine which of the delayed input signals is closest in phase to the receiver clock signal. Once this determination is made, a multiplexer is used to select the appropriate one of the plurality of delayed input signals for use by the receiver. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of delay lines are used to provide a plurality of delayed clock signals, which are then compared with the receiver input signal in order to determine which of the delayed clock signals is closest in phase to the receiver input signal. Once this determination is made, a multiplexer is used to select the appropriate one of the plurality of delayed clock signals for use by the receiver.

Abstract: According to the present invention, each successive refresh to the multiple banks of a DRAM array is staggered by one clock period. Thus, the time required to refresh one row in each DRAM of each bank at 10 MHz, for example, is equal to 0.7 .mu.sec., or 4.4% of the total allowable maximum time between refresh cycles. This staggered refresh technique avoids large power supply current spikes while minimizing the effect on memory access bandwidth.