Abstract: Apparatus including: hand-controllable signal-generating device that includes body having top side, and bottom side spaced apart from and facing away from top side, bottom side being configured for facilitating displacements of body over working surface in two-dimensional directions, body having biaxial-displacement detector configured for generating biaxial displacement signals representative of displacements of body in two-dimensional directions; and signal transmitter configured for communicating biaxial displacement signals to external electronic processor. Body has palm rest on top side; palm rest includes palm contact surface having contour for receiving portion of palm of person's hand into contact at position on palm contact surface. Contour of palm contact surface is configured for facilitating control by portion of palm of person's hand, being in contact at position on palm contact surface, of displacements of body in two-dimensional directions over working surface.

Abstract: A remotely managed expandable multi-user computer system is provided. The computer system includes a removable compute cartridge and a removable storage cartridge allowing easy upgrade of the computer system. The computer system self-configures when powered on to allow remote management by another system over a network. Automatic failover support is provided without the need for a separate compute element. A self-configurable removable secure-to-wireless converter to couple to a client computer system allows secure communications between the multi-user system and the client computer system via a wireless network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A brace for correcting a clubfoot condition includes a pair of foot restraints and a base member. Each of the pair of foot restraints includes a foot plate having a mounting feature on a bottom side of the foot plate and a number of apertures that traverse the mounting feature and the foot plate. Each of the pair of foot restraints also includes a first securing member with a first portion mechanically coupled to the foot plate, and an insert removably coupled to a top side of the foot plate. The base member includes a coupling feature positioned at each end of the base member, where each coupling feature includes a set of receiving apertures. The coupling features of the base member can be mechanically coupled to the pair of foot restraints using fastening devices that traverse the apertures in the foot plate, mounting feature, and the receiving apertures.

Abstract: A remotely managed expandable multi-user computer system is provided. The computer system includes a removable compute cartridge and a removable storage cartridge allowing easy upgrade of the computer system. The computer system self-configures when powered on to allow remote management by another system over a network. Automatic failover support is provided without the need for a separate compute element. A self-configurable removable secure-to-wireless converter to couple to a client computer system allows secure communications between the multi-user system and the client computer system via a wireless network.

Abstract: A parallel hardware-based multithreaded processor is described. The processor includes a general purpose processor that coordinates system functions and a plurality of microengines that support multiple hardware threads or contexts. The processor also includes a memory control system that has a first memory controller that sorts memory references based on whether the memory references are directed to an even bank or an odd bank of memory and a second memory controller that optimizes memory references based upon whether the memory references are read references or write references. Instructions for switching and branching based on executing contexts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiprocessor includes a module configured to collect status data, one or more processing engines, and a push engine. Part of the status data is collected from devices connected to a bus and indicates readiness of the devices to participate in data transfers over the bus. The processing engines schedule transfers of data packets between the processor and the devices. The push engine performs unsolicited transfers of a portion of the status data to the processing engines in response to the module collecting new status data.

Abstract: A device to facilitate post-operative sternal closure by twisting the opposite end regions of the suture wire together comprises spaced guides in the form of limbs (1 and 2) with passageways (3 and 4) through which the proximal wire ends (12) and (13) may be fed and a cross-piece (7) transversely positioned with respect to said guides whereby, in use, the wire end regions may be bent across and supported by the cross-piece. The cross-piece includes a discontinuity (8) with a spacing adapted to be less than the thickness of wire. As the tension in the wire increases during the course of the twisting motion a point will be reached when the wire end regions forcefully deform the cross-piece (7) enabling the wires to pass through the discontinuity. Thus an indication is given when a maximum tension is reached.

Abstract: A new and improved mail sorting system, which is able to dramatically increase the throughput sorting volume of mail pieces or articles, comprises the incorporation of a plurality of cross-circulation path (CCP) conveyors within a conventional looped or folded conveyor belt system whereby, in effect, mail pieces or articles can be effectively removed from primary conveyor flow path sections so as to create gaps or spaces upon the primary conveyor flow path sections into which additional mail pieces or articles can be introduced through means of a second input or infeed port. In addition, a plurality of the new and improved mail sorting systems can be integrated together into a multi-system mail sorting system wherein off-shoot or auxiliary outfeed conveyor belt sections can feed pieces or articles of mail from any particular one of the mail sorting systems to the second input or infeed ports of the other mail sorting systems so as to render the overall system still more efficient.

Abstract: A new and improved mail sorting system, which is able to dramatically increase the throughput sorting volume of mail pieces or articles, comprises the incorporation of a plurality of cross-circulation path (CCP) conveyors within a conventional looped or folded conveyor belt system whereby, in effect, mail pieces or articles can be effectively removed from primary conveyor flow path sections so as to create gaps or spaces upon the primary conveyor flow path sections into which additional mail pieces or articles can be introduced through means of a second input or infeed port. In addition, a plurality of the new and improved mail sorting systems can be integrated together into a multi-system mail sorting system wherein off-shoot or auxiliary outfeed conveyor belt sections can feed pieces or articles of mail from any particular one of the mail sorting systems to the second input or infeed ports of the other mail sorting systems so as to render the overall system still more efficient.

Abstract: A controller for a random access memory includes an address and command queue that holds memory references from a plurality of microcontrol functional units. The address and command queue includes a read queue that stores read memory references. The controller also includes a first read/write queue that holds memory references from a core processor and control logic including an arbiter that detects the fullness of each of the queues and a status of completion of outstanding memory references to select a memory reference from one of the queues.

Abstract: A parallel hardware-based multithreaded processor is described. The processor includes a general purpose processor that coordinates system functions and a plurality of microengines that support multiple hardware threads or contexts. The processor also includes a memory control system that has a first memory controller that sorts memory references based on whether the memory references are directed to an even bank or an odd bank of memory and a second memory controller that optimizes memory references based upon whether the memory references are read references or write references. Instructions for switching and branching based on executing contexts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a logic analysis system that allows a user to analyze waveforms using programs created or supplied by the user of the system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system to measure defects on a surface of a wafer and an edge of the wafer using a single tool comprises a radial motor to move an optical head in a radial direction to detect defects at locations displaced from the edge of the wafer, and a rotational motor to rotate the optical head around the edge of the wafer to detect defects on the edge of the wafer.

Abstract: A system and method for merge-sequencing ordered subsets of items into a single merged set in a predetermined sorted sequence and error-checking the resulting merged set to provide information about out of order items to allow for efficient error correction methods. The system uses an outcome verifier module to ensure that items placed onto the single merged set are in the proper sequence. Items that are not in the proper sequence are temporarily removed from the merged set. If it is determined that items are missing from the sorted sequence a placeholder may be inserted to mark the place of missing items.

Abstract: A method of operating a processor includes concatenating a first word and a second word to produce an intermediate result, shifting the intermediate result by a specified shift amount and storing the shifted intermediate result in a third word, to create an address.

Abstract: A parallel hardware-based multithreaded processor is described. The processor includes a general purpose processor that coordinates system functions and a plurality of microengines that support multiple hardware threads. The processor also includes a memory control system that has a first memory controller that sorts memory references based on whether the memory references are directed to an even bank or an odd bank of memory and a second memory controller that optimizes memory references based upon whether the memory references are read references or write references.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system to inspect the edge of a wafer, comprises an surface analyzer assembly, a first drive assembly to impart linear motion between the surface analyzer and a first surface of the wafer, and a second drive assembly to impart rotary motion between the surface analyzer and the wafer about an axis parallel to the first surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A first member of a clamping device is positioned at a first side of a portion of human tissue. The first member has a plurality of electrodes disposed thereupon. A second member of the clamping device is positioned at a second and opposite side of the human tissue. The second member has a plurality of thermocouples disposed thereupon. The first member is aligned with the second member such that each of the thermocouples on the second member is positioned across the tissue from and in the general vicinity of at least one electrode for recording the temperature of the tissue adjacent to the at least one electrode. RF energy is supplied to the plurality of electrodes and a return electrical path is provided from the plurality thermocouples. The path is electrically isolated from the RF energy supplied to the plurality of electrodes and terminates at an ablation monitoring and RF energy delivery system.

Abstract: A parallel, multi-threaded processor system and technique for arbitrating command requests is described. The system includes a plurality of microengines, a plurality of shared system resources and a global command arbiter. The global command arbiter uses a command request protocol that is based on the shared system resources and command type to grant or deny a microengine command request for a shared resource.