Abstract: A multi-component test strip for analyzing a plurality of blood components in a single blood sample. The test strip comprises a porous medium having a sample receiving region, and two or more sample analysis regions. The sample receiving region is fluidically in series with the two or more sample analysis regions, and the two or more sample analysis regions are fluidically in parallel with each other. The two or more sample analysis regions contain indicating reagents specific to two or more specific blood components. Also disclosed is a system using the test strip for blood characterization, and a method of blood characterization and analysis.

Abstract: An expanded business object model including one or more business objects including an inheritance property such that each business object includes a plurality of subtypes and roles for defining a functional aspect of the business object in a collaboration.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding an input sequence of code points to produce an output sequence of bytes that is compressed, but has the same relative binary order as the original sequence.

Abstract: User instruction on a computer system involves performing an interactive example and providing, in synchronization with the interactive example, explanatory information corresponding to the example. The explanatory information presented explains what most recently occurred in the interactive example and is updated automatically to correspond with the current state of the interactive example.

Abstract: A relational database system manages data fragments in a database by converting a query or fragmentation expression to an intermediate range representation; mapping the intermediate range representation to an integer range representation; building an index tree data structure to represent a search space associated with the data fragments; and using the index tree data structure to locate a desired data fragment.

Abstract: Techniques for managing memory buffers include maintaining a pool of buffers and assigning the buffers to buffer classes based on the frequency with which information stored in the buffers is accessed. Different algorithms can be used to manage buffers assigned to the different classes. A determination can be made as to whether a particular buffer qualifies for entry into a particular one of the buffer classes based on a comparison between a threshold value and the frequency with which information stored in the particular buffer was accessed during a specified time interval. Additionally, the threshold value can be adjusted dynamically to take account, for example, of the current load on the system.

Abstract: A method including importing data objects from different data sources to define a data source model, associating each data object with one or more cells in a spreadsheet, and binding data from the data objects to the one or more cells upon request. The binding is based on information from the data source.

Abstract: A system aggregates data packets communicated between one or more sessions on a source system and one or more sessions on a target system by: collecting one or more session packets from the one or more source system sessions; multiplexing the session data packets into an aggregated packet; sending the aggregated packet from the source system to the target system; and demultiplexing each aggregated packet into corresponding session packets for delivery to the sessions on the target system.

Abstract: Method and system for operating a computer system to execute a selected predicted operation which a user has not yet requested is described. The results of the predicted operation are stored with an uncommitted (temporary) status until the user actually requests the results of the predicted operation at which time the the status of the results are changed to a committed (permanent) status so that the results become usable by the user as though generated after the user requests the predicted operation. User activity which invalidates or renders the results of the predicted operation useless is tracked, so that the results will be discarded when appropriate. The selection of the predicted operation is made based on the particular activity being performed by the user at the time. A table of predicted operations may be used which prioritizes the predicted operations.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention provides a modular application collaborator for providing inter-operability between applications including a plurality of connectors for communicating with a like plurality of applications and an interchange server. The interchange server includes an application collaboration module and service module. The service module transfers messages between connectors and the application collaboration module. The application collaboration defines the inter-operability between two or more applications. The interchange server service module includes a transaction service and an error service. Transactions are executed in the application collaboration module and the transaction service records each action and a compensating action for undoing an associated action.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing verified signatures on documents such as checks and affidavits. Initially, a customer who is to obtain a verified signature, at some point in time, registers with a signatory authority, and a secret key, having public and private components, is established uniquely for that customer. When a document requires a verified signature, the customer presents the document and proof of his/her identity, such as a preprogrammed computer-interfacable card, to a signature system. Typically, such a system is to be available at an institution, such as an office, bank, or post office, where such services will routinely be used. The system accesses the archive of the private portion of the customer's key, and generates an encoded signature based, in part, on the content of the document. Accordingly, when a recipient of the document later wishes to verify the signature, the recipient uses the customer's public key to decode the signature.

Abstract: The system, method, and program of this invention allows a user to specify one of a plurality of print layout combinations. Upon specifying a specific combination, an animation, embedded in the graphical user interface and within the dialog for making the selection, shows the page layout and rotates the sheet, about the applicable axis of the sheet, from front to back to show how the selected page layout would appear. Numbers on the animated sheet are used to show the layout of sequential pages. Numbers are used instead of displaying specific page content. The animation gives a clear practical way of visually conveying to a user how a specified page layout combination would appear when printed.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. Two living hinge members are provided in the sheet member, preferably at opposite sides of the cutout. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face sections of each of the hinge members to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. The multiple hinge members provide stability to the downward motion of the key face, providing goood functionality and tactile feel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for supporting video browsing over a communication network such as the Internet/World Wide Web. A graphical user interface is provided through a client software tool such as a Web browser. A client/user selects a video data object stored at a remote server. A set of points within the object are displayed at the client's graphical user interface display, as representations, preferably thumbnail images, of the points within the object. The user selects an interval defined by the representations, preferably the interval between two temporally adjacent representations. Responsive to this selection, a new set of points, falling within the selected interval, are chosen, and representations of those points are generated and displayed. By doing so repeatedly, the user can easily browse through the video data object, and quickly and easily zero in on a desired portion of the video data object.

Abstract: Disclosed are keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprising a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement, a plurality of cutouts in the sheet member partially surrounding each key face, and a plurality of living hinges in the sheet member at one side of each key face, whereby the key face may be depressed, causing the key face to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A user-manipulable in-keyboard pointing device is provided, for use in portable electronic apparatus such as laptop computers, for allowing the user to move a symbol, such as a cursor, around a GUI display. For small laptops whose displays close over their keyboards, such as in clamshell fashion, the device protects the display surface from smearing or abrasion from physical contact with the user-manipulable device. The device includes a post, rigidly coupled to motion sensors for producing motion signals, responsive to user manipulation, the post having a head-and-shoulder contour. The device further includes a resilient fingertip grip cap that fits over the head of the post. The grip cap has a shape which provides two cooperative arrangements for fitting onto the post. The first configuration, which is for normal use, has the cap projecting above the post by a first height.

Abstract: A stochastic simulation method and system are provided. The invention eliminates the need for the use of subroutine calls in a user-written simulation program, and of option flags to direct execution via decision trees, by allowing the user to configure the simulator through choices of options at run-time. The options are presented via a user interface as radio buttons or checkboxes which the user activates. The simulator sets itself up to incorporate only those options. The programmer (that is, the author of software according to the invention) only makes the objects available and ensures that they work together. It is the user who actually configures the simulator. The invention provides a highly extendable structure. By use of inheritance and dynamic allocation of memory, and by design of self-contained objects to represent various components of the simulation system, a simulation program according to the invention incorporates new features and options with a minimum of new code.

Abstract: In the present invention, the platen bar is compositely formed of three materials. For a sole layer, a material is used which has high hardness and strength, and has a property that the repulsion against the impact of the print wires is large. For an elastic layer, a material is used which transmits less vibration to the platen base in the print operation and absorbs the impact when the wires of a printhead strike the sole layer. For platen bases, a material is used which has a very high hardness, a high molding precision, and less dimensional change due to temperature change or change with time. The elastic layer is exposed on the surface and a gap roller is positioned at the exposure location. With this, the occurrence of the dent by the gap roller can be prevented when the printing on a copy form is performed.

Abstract: A method for application registration and tracking for DOS and OS/2 software, independent of the mechanism in which the application is distributed and installed. The invention allows other application registration and tracking techniques to co-exist without affecting/impacting each other. This truly is an "open" packaging, registration and tracking invention which allows PC-software to be better managed in a network.

Abstract: A system for probing both sides of a high density printed circuit board includes an open frame extending around the circuit board when it is held in a test position by a circuit board carrier. The frame includes two parallel rail structures extending above, and at opposite ends of, the circuit board in the test position. The frame also includes another two parallel rail structures extending below, and at opposite ends of, the circuit board. The upper and lower rail structures extend perpendicularly to one another, and are fastened together at the corners of the frame by means of compression bolt assemblies. Two gantry structures are moved in a first direction between the upper rail structures, while two other gantry structures are moved in a direction perpendicular to the first direction between the lower rail structures. A carriage moves along each gantry structure, and a probe is mounted on each carriage to be moved toward and away from the adjacent surface of the circuit board.