A multiple processor tie-breaking method separately and asynchronously used by each of any number of plural processors contending for a serially reusable resource (SRR). The contending processors independently and asynchronously interact in their use of the tie-breaking method to choose among themselves which processor will get the SRR. The method uses a common group of registers (or fields) accessible to all contending processors. The method permits uncoordinated fetching and storing of bits in...

A kaleidoscope composed of two or more mirrors housed within a tubular container, an eye-piece at one end of the tubular container for viewing the kaleidoscopic design, and a translucent or transparent screen located at the end of tubular container that is opposite the eye-piece. The screen is capable of being rotated, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the kaleidoscope, about one or more axes. The screen is also capable of being translated in said plane. The screen is adapted to ...

An interactive toy is capable of detecting and tracking any nearby heat source such as a human body. This device can, in addition to tracking, move to interact with the heat source. The toy can either chase or move away from the heat source according to a set mode of operation. PIR sensors are mounted in a rotating head that is mounted in turn upon a wheeled, tracked or legged body that can move. The device further includes sensors to detect unheated objects in its path and will act to avoid hit...

A device for producing a physical or chemical change of state in a fluid flowing through a conduit which contains a plurality of curved sheet-like elements extending longitudinally through the conduit and in which consecutive elements are curved in opposite directions. The internal surfaces of the conduit and the surfaces of the sheet-like elements are coated with a material which interacts with a component of the fluid to produce such change. The surfaces may be formed of water or other solvent...

A control system for an electronic data processing system minimizes hardwiring and specialized components and circuits and provides bidirectional communication between a data processor within the data processing system and an operator via intermediary binary digital input and output words. A separate aspect is the provision of a master control panel configuration including means for receiving input and output elements having generalized identities, in conjunction with encoder and decoder means i...

An improved acoustic waveguide structure which comprises a ridge waveguide disposed in a horizontal direction extending outwardly from a substrate. The horizontal orientation of the waveguide which is in the form of a ledge results in particle motion of the ledge predominantly normal to the substrate plane with the largest motion at the free edge of the ledge and almost no motion in the substrate, thereby permitting a plurality of such structures to be densely packed on a common substrate.

An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a interactive ball includes (a) a plurality of indicia, (b) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the plurality of indicia, (c) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, (d) a first outer surface; and (e) a second outer surface that is recessed with respect to the first outer surface, wherein the plurality of indicia are present at the second outer surface.

An interactive apparatus including a reflective member is disclosed. The reflective member includes a first image and a second image, wherein the reflective member is at least partially reflective. The apparatus also includes a first element coupled to a first sensor, the first sensor being activated by the first element, and a second element coupled to a second sensor, the second sensor being activated by the second element. Activation of the first sensor causes the first image to appear in the...

An ergonomically adjustable multiple VDT display workstation for use in multiuser facilities. It is particularly applicable to VDT display and use, but it may be used for any equipment that can advantageously utilize its structural and functional features. The workstation includes modules assembled to provide four or more embodiments of the workstation. The modules are comprised of a base, worksurface, first and second tier display housing modules, as well as including a light module and a light...

An interactive book or device having a mechanism for generating a plurality of sensory outputs in manner that maximizes the interaction between the user and the book or device. The interactive book includes function initiators for initiating a unique sensory output that corresponds to a visual indicia on a page of the book. A function level selector is coupled to the function initiators that selectively changes a function level and thereby selectively changes the sensory output corresponding to ...