Abstract: A system for managing internal-computer system communications including a processor, an SPI controller, an interconnector, and an SPI cluster containing multiple SPI interfaces, with the SPI interfaces being connected to one or more devices in the computer system or environment. The SPI cluster includes SPI interfaces that can convert communications to/from a plurality of device's formats to serialized digital formats suitable for ingest and actuation for the SPI controllers. The interconnector may use a differentially, optically, galvanometrically, inductively coupled driven wire and to enable communications between the SPI cluster constituents and the SPI controller. The SPI controller manages communications to the SPI interfaces that act as coordinated intermediates for device control and communications, thus insulating the computer system's processor from the increased workload of managing all internal system communications.

Abstract: A Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) controller is provided for use within a computer system. The SPI controller includes a clock that generates system clock signals that synchronize a data transfer operation, and a dynamic clock delay element that phase shifts the clock signals with a delay offset and outputs read data that was received during a read operation from an SPI slave device with the clock signals that were phase shifted.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing internal-computer system communications in an SPI management system. The system includes a storage device, at least one serial bus interface to interface with a serial bus, and a processing unit that accesses via the at least one serial bus interface, master data propagating from a master device along the serial bus. The processing unit stores, in the storage device, at least one of timing and phase data related to clock pulses associated with the master data, and a phase relationship between the clock pulses and at least one of the master data and return data propagating from a slave device in response to the master data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing internal-computer system communications in an SPI management system. The system includes a storage device, at least one serial bus interface to interface with a serial bus, and a processing unit that accesses via the at least one serial bus interface, master data propagating from a master device along the serial bus. The processing unit stores, in the storage device, at least one of timing and phase data related to clock pulses associated with the master data, and a phase relationship between the clock pulses and at least one of the master data and return data propagating from a slave device in response to the master data.

Abstract: A multi-processor computer system with shared memory resources includes a first plurality of sensors configured to acquire inertial and positional data related to a mobile platform. The system further includes a first plurality of co-processors having a hardware logic configured to control the acquisition of the inertial and positional data and configured to analyze the acquired data. The system also includes a second plurality of sensors configured to acquire input data related to the mobile platform connected to a second plurality of co-processors having a hardware logic configured to receive a plurality of streams of input data from the second plurality of sensors and configured to segment the input data into a plurality of discrete data segments. The system also includes a plurality of hardware processing units configured to perform calculations related to the input data using the plurality of data segments.

Abstract: A Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) controller is provided for use within a computer system. The SPI controller includes a clock that generates system clock signals that synchronize a data transfer operation, and a dynamic clock delay element that phase shifts the clock signals with a delay offset and outputs read data that was received during a read operation from an SPI slave device with the clock signals that were phase shifted.

Abstract: A motor-based position system includes one or more motors having a rotor. The system further includes a motor controller. The motor controller is communicatively coupled to each of the motors. The system further includes one or more encoders configured to detect an absolute position of each motor and one or more devices configured to collect inertial data. The system further includes a processing device coupled to the motor controller, one or more encoders and one or more devices. The processing device is configured to receive signals indicative of motors' absolute position from the encoders and configured to convert the received encoder signals into a format understood by the motor controller. The processing device is further configured to send the converted signals to the motor controller with low latency and configured to combine the received encoder signals with the inertial data to generate more accurate positional information.

Abstract: A method of establishing a hardware identity of a coordinating device in a wireless network is provided. A standard PHY preamble is modified to a preamble that can be received by the coordinating device having an expected hardware configuration. The modified PHY preamble is transmitted with an association request by a joining device. In response to not receiving a reply containing an association response from the coordinating device by the joining device, determining the hardware configuration of the coordinating device is not the expected hardware configuration. A further method of characterizing a hardware identity of a device in a wireless network is also provided. A request with a modified PHY preamble is transmitted to a device. If a reply is received from the device, characterizing the device as a first hardware type. And, if a reply is not received, characterizing the device as not the first hardware type.

Abstract: A system, method and a computer-readable medium for load balancing patch processing pre-tessellation are provided. The patches for drawing objects on a display screen are distributed to shader engines for parallel processing. Each shader engine generates tessellation factors for a patch, wherein a value of generated tessellation factors for the patch is unknown prior to distribution. The patches are redistributed to the shader engines pre-tessellation to load balance the shader engines for processing the patches based on the value of tessellation factors in each patch.

Abstract: A system for managing internal-computer system communications including a processor, an SPI controller, an interconnector, and an SPI cluster containing multiple SPI interfaces, with the SPI interfaces being connected to one or more devices in the computer system or environment. The SPI cluster includes SPI interfaces that can convert communications to/from a plurality of device's formats to serialized digital formats suitable for ingest and actuation for the SPI controllers. The interconnector may use a differentially, optically, galvanometrically, inductively coupled driven wire and to enable communications between the SPI cluster constituents and the SPI controller. The SPI controller manages communications to the SPI interfaces that act as coordinated intermediates for device control and communications, thus insulating the computer system's processor from the increased workload of managing all internal system communications.

Abstract: A system, method and a computer-readable medium for load balancing patch processing pre-tessellation are provided. The patches for drawing objects on a display screen are distributed to shader engines for parallel processing. Each shader engine generates tessellation factors for a patch, wherein a value of generated tessellation factors for the patch is unknown prior to distribution. The patches are redistributed to the shader engines pre-tessellation to load balance the shader engines for processing the patches based on the value of tessellation factors in each patch.

Abstract: The improvements of the present invention provide multipurpose and multi-functional improvements that enhance the functional utility of water vehicles. The combination includes connecting means which allow adaptation of a platforms, storage, and seating. An improved motor mount permits a motor to be protectively stowed until a hinge is actuated to rotate the motor 180 degrees for operation. The improvements also provide motor controls, an anchor and motor controls attached to a seat platform. A shelter hood assembly attaches in a selectable, collapsible manner giving an operator use and appearance configuration options, allowing the assembled hood to act as a barrier against weather elements in addition to supplying functional color components including wildlife decoys, camouflage, safety markings, diving insignia, or other aesthetic designs or coloring.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system housing has first, second and third openings. A cap is removably and sealably attached to the first opening. A filter assembly is fitted in the housing to thereby define a first chamber accessible via the third opening and a second chamber accessible via the second opening and sealed by the cap.

Abstract: A weed control system has an opaque portion and a growth promoting portion. The opaque portion blocks passage of light therethrough and blocks passage of seedlings growing from weed seeds in a ground region. The growth promoting portion is adapted to be disposed between the opaque portion of the system and the ground region. The growth promoting portion promotes germination of the weed seeds and the resulting weed seedlings die as the opaque portion prevents any light from reaching the seedlings.

Abstract: A foamed glass plant growth support structure, including a foamed glass substrate and a plurality of interconnected pores distributed throughout the substrate. The substrate is characterized by a porosity of at least about 80 percent. The pore size is substantially between about 0.2 and about 5 millimeters and the substrate is sufficiently chemically stable such that water filling the plurality of interconnected pores experiences a pH shift of less than 0.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating composite objects and/or objects comprising composite materials, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, fire retardant fiberglass, carbon fiber, fire retardant carbon fiber, Kevlar®, and fire retardant Kevlar®. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example composite architectural panels. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed glass composite, including crushing a vitreous precursor material, such as waste glass, frit, metallurgical slag or the like, sizing the crushed vitreous precursor to segregate an amount of crushed particles of a predetermined size and pelletizing the crushed particles. The pellets are preheated and passed through a high-temperature flame to foam the pellets. The foamed pellets are air-quenched to a temperature below their dilatometric softening point and then cooling to room temperature. The foamed pellets are then mixed with Portland cement and water to form a composite material. The flame temperature is at least about 1300° C. and the pellets are preheated to within no more than about 25° C. of their dilatometric softening point. The pellets have a volume of between about 0.05 and about 1 cubic centimeter and reside in the flame for between about 0.5 to about 10 seconds.

Abstract: A foamed glass plant growth support structure, including a foamed glass substrate and a plurality of interconnected pores distributed throughout the substrate. The substrate is characterized by a porosity of at least about 80 percent. The pore size is substantially between about 0.2 and about 5 millimeters and the substrate is sufficiently chemically stable such that water filling the plurality of interconnected pores experiences a pH shift of less than 0.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating thermally sensitive objects and/or rusted surfaces. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces are also disclosed. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example gas tanks such as, barbeque propane tanks. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are environmentally friendly coating compositions for coating thermoplastic olefin objects and which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. Even if the coating compositions are applied to an unprimed surface, the resulting cured compositions have excellent adhesion. The cured coatings have improved adhesion properties and clear coat embodiments have improved clarity properties. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces are also disclosed. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example motor-vehicle bumpers. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly coating compositions.