Abstract: An electronic compass and direction finding method includes a geomagnetic direction sensor having two sensor elements for detecting perpendicular components of the Earth's magnetic field vector. A microcomputer is coupled to the geomagnetic direction sensor to compute a heading of a vehicle in software. Even if the electronic compass displays directional errors due to magnetization of the vehicle, a center of an azimuth circle can be immediately corrected by a center calculating means and a relatively accurate heading can be displayed. Later, the center of the azimuth circle can be corrected with a higher accuracy by a least squares calculating means. This frees a vehicle driver from uneasiness due to display of an intelligible direction.

Abstract: Job scheduling techniques to reduce the variance of waiting time for stable performance delivery jobs from requesting entities such as PCs connected by a network to a resource such as a server in batches. Each batch contains N or less jobs. A first, waiting buffer can receive the requests and a second, processing buffer receives each batch from the waiting buffer. A batch of jobs to be processed are arranged by a routine called the “Yelf Spiral” in which the list of jobs is begun by placing the smallest job at the center of the list and each succeeding larger job (the next smallest) is placed alternately to the left and right of the smallest job until the largest job has been placed on the list. The jobs are then performed in the order that places the largest job last.

Abstract: A process for melting an aluminum charge into molten aluminum and simultaneously refining the molten aluminum to produce a refined molten aluminum having a low hydrogen content in a direct fired furnace (10) is provided.

Abstract: A system wherein oxygen is provided to a shaft furnace in addition to the blast air, and a flame shroud is formed around the oxygen stream enabling deep penetration of the oxygen into the furnace for not only combusting carbonaceous material for generating heat but also for cutting and oxidizing metal within the furnace.

Abstract: A method for heating and/or melting a charge such as aluminum in a furnace using heat generated by combustion to radiatively heat the charge through a layer of protective gas wherein combustion reaction products generated by the combustion are exhausted from a lower level within the furnace, and, during melting, the protective gas layer has a higher upper boundary than during a subsequent heating period, enabling reduced NO.sub.x generation, lower fuel and oxygen consumption and reduced refractory corrosion by avoiding furnace gas flow through the high temperature upper furnace region.