Abstract: A processor includes a processor core with a core interface unit that includes an age queue and a request queue. The core interface unit receives load requests from the processor core. The request queue stores the requests in respective slots of the request queue. The age queue stores ID tags in respective age queue slots. Each ID tag in the age queue corresponds to a respective address of a load instruction in the request queue. In one embodiment, ID tags propagate through the age queue at a fixed rate of two at a time from a tail of the age queue to a head of the age queue. Arbitration control circuitry generates an enable bit vector that identifies the oldest ID tag in the age queue corresponding to the oldest load request in the request queue. The arbitration circuitry selects the identified oldest instruction in the request queue as the next to dispatch. In one embodiment, the core interface unit exhibits an input frequency that is a multiple of an internal operating frequency of the core interface unit.

Abstract: A component of a microprocessor-based data processing system, which includes features for regulating power consumption in snoopable components and has gating off memory coherency properties, is determined to be in a relatively inactive state and is transitioned to a non-snoopable low power mode. Then, when a snoop request occurs, a retry protocol is sent in response to the snoop request. In conjunction with the retry protocol, a signal is sent to bring the component into snoopable mode. When the retry snoop is requested, the component is in full power mode and can properly respond to the snoop request. After the snoop request has been satisfied, the component again enters into a low power mode.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages has a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. The housing includes a plastic upper housing element and a lower housing element underlying the upper housing element. The lower housing element may be a single piece or multiple pieces. An actuating lever may be pivotally mounted on the housing for engaging the hinge plates and pivoting them to selectively move the ring members between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A component of a microprocessor-based data processing system, which includes features for regulating power consumption in snoopable components and has gating off memory coherency properties, is determined to be in a relatively inactive state and is transitioned to a non-snoopable low power mode. Then, when a snoop request occurs, a retry protocol is sent in response to the snoop request. In conjunction with the retry protocol, a signal is sent to bring the component into snoopable mode. When the retry snoop is requested, the component is in full power mode and can properly respond to the snoop request. After the snoop request has been satisfied, the component again enters into a low power mode. Therefore, the component is able to enter into a low power mode in between snoops.

Abstract: Functional oxygen-sensitive proteins are expressed in a heterologous diazotrophic cyanobacteria cell in the presence of ambient extracellular oxygen.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism comprises a housing, at least one ring for mounting loose leaf paper, and at least one mounting post extending outwardly from the housing. A base plate is adapted to be attached to a ring binder cover and has a surface adapted to receive the mounting post of the ring binder mechanism. A key can be received by the base plate into an affixing position with respect to the base plate and mounting post for securing the mounting post to the base plate.

Abstract: A ring binder has a ring binder mechanism including a housing and at least one ring supported by the housing for mounting loose leaf paper. At least one clip has a base and an attachment member extending outwardly from the base. The attachment member is adapted to attach the clip to the housing. A substrate is formed for attachment to the clip thereto for securing of the ring binder mechanism to the substrate.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing and at least one ring for mounting loose leaf paper. The ring includes ring members supported by the housing for movement relative to each other between a closed position and an open position. At least one mounting structure extends outwardly from the housing and has first and second ends. The first end is adapted for attachment to the housing and the second end has an aperture therein. A retainer is affixed to the mounting structure. A fastener is adapted for connection with the retainer for securing the housing to a substrate.

Abstract: An interfacing logic is implemented in one or more processors and a memory controller in a multiprocessor system. The interfacing logic enables all processors to receive snoops and snoop responses substantially at the same time by delaying data transmitted over faster busses before the data is provided to a local logic at a receiving end of the faster busses. The interfacing logic comprises two or more paths of a multiplexer component connected to a storage component. The storage components are connected to another multiplexer component for selecting one of the two or more paths. Preferably, a bus control logic in the receiving end determines how much delay is performed to compensate for delay differences between data busses.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises an elongate housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion. Ring members attach to the hinge plates and move with the pivoting motion of the hinge plates between a closed position and an open position. Levers are pivotally attached to longitudinal ends of the housing for pivoting the hinge plates to move the ring members. The hinge plates define an opening therein, generally adjacent to one of the levers, for receiving a fastener through the hinge plates to attach the mechanism to a cover. Reinforcing structure is provided around the opening for rigidifying the hinge plates in that area and for preventing the hinge plates from bending or deforming near the opening during operation.

Abstract: An audio power unit is disclosed which provides an audio output and charges removable battery packs as well as providing a number of AC receptacles for powering other tools and the like when the unit is connected to a source of AC power. The unit can optionally also provide DC power. When the unit is connected to a source of AC power, the AC power drives the audio unit which may be a radio or a combination radio and CD player and the AC source also powers a charger which recharges a battery pack if a battery pack is inserted into the charger receptacle. If the unit is not connected to a source of AC power, the radio may be powered by a battery pack when it is placed in the charger receptacle. When the unit is connected to a source of AC power, a relay is opened to isolate the radio unit from the charger and battery pack. The unit has a unique protective frame structure that is connected to the housing of the unit.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members apart or together. The mechanism also includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controllably pivoting the hinge plates and the ring members mounted thereon between closed and open positions. In particular, the locking elements cam the hinge plates to softly close the ring members. When the ring members are apart, the locking elements register with openings in at least one of the hinge plates. When the ring members are together, the locking elements are substantially out of registration with the openings, blocking the hinge plates from pivoting to separate the ring members. The travel bar is formed with reinforcing structure to resist deforming the travel bar upon repeated operation.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members apart or together. The mechanism also includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controllably pivoting the hinge plates and the ring members mounted thereon between closed and open positions. In particular, the locking elements cam the hinge plates to softly close the ring members. When the ring members are apart, the locking elements register with openings in at least one of the hinge plates. When the ring members are together, the locking elements are substantially out of registration with the openings, blocking the hinge plates from pivoting to separate the ring members. The travel bar is formed with reinforcing structure to resist deforming the travel bar upon repeated operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a receptacle for vehicle booster cable with clamp, which comprises a body for receiving a clamp. The body has an open entrance end and a closed stopping end. A pair of protrusions is radially and inwardly protruded from the opposite sides of the open entrance end. Their shape needs to match with the recesses provided on the outer side surface of handgrip portion of the clamp so as to maintain the clamp in the body in a snap fasten manner when the clamp is inserted into the receptacle while the clamp is not in use.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming the surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.

Abstract: A method of analyzing timing reports in a microprocessor design for quick identification of all negative timing paths has been provided. Timing paths are first grouped and saved in a list file. A timing analysis program searches the timing report file for timing paths that match those in the list file. Summary reports have been generated for the existing timing paths. If there are new timing paths, summary reports for the new timing paths are generated. The new timing paths go through the same procedure until all negative timing paths are identified.

Abstract: A method for providing a memory scheme in computer architectures in an efficient and cost effective manner. A processor is configured with access to dual-L2 caches, preferably configured to cache program instructions and data in one cache and shared data in another cache. In one embodiment of the present invention, one L2 cache is accessible to networking interface devices. Optionally, the cache accessible by the networking interface devices is configured as networking buffers, providing cache for packet data being sent within a network. By use of this invention, the packet forwarding speeds in a conventional computer architecture may be increased.

Abstract: An interfacing logic is implemented in one or more processors and a memory controller in a multiprocessor system. The interfacing logic enables all processors to receive snoops and snoop responses substantially at the same time by delaying data transmitted over faster busses before the data is provided to a local logic at a receiving end of the faster busses. The interfacing logic comprises two or more paths of a multiplexer component connected to a storage component. The storage components are connected to another multiplexer component for selecting one of the two or more paths. Preferably, a bus control logic in the receiving end determines how much delay is performed to compensate for delay differences between data busses.

Abstract: A method of analyzing timing reports in a microprocessor design for quick identification of all negative timing paths has been provided. Timing paths are first grouped and saved in a list file. A timing analysis program searches the timing report file for timing paths that match those in the list file. Summary reports have been generated for the existing timing paths. If there are new timing paths, summary reports for the new timing paths are generated. The new timing paths go through the same procedure until all negative timing paths are identified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing livelocks in a switched system with a switch, a distributed bus arbiter, a plurality of microprocessors, busses and associated bus request logic, comprising said system. The method comprises generating a plurality of requests, defining times between the requests, generating retries of the switches, and varying within the bus request logic, time as a function of the switch retries.