Abstract: A specimen handling apparatus is provided and includes a body in which a bore is defined and a needle having a tip portion and a bit, which is removably insertible into the bore with the tip portion at least partially exposed, the bore and the bit each being formed such that, when the bit is inserted into the bore, the needle is forced into one of first or second rotational positions relative to a long axis thereof.

Abstract: Transmission of probe configuration data is initiated upon recognition by the probe of a prescribed condition. Probe configuration data protocol includes a data frame, subdivided into a desired number of time slots. Unlike measurement data protocol, where inter-pulse pair timing within a slot varies based on a magnet position or temperature sensor resistance, configuration data protocol in accordance with the invention uses fixed inter-pulse timing to represent the various states of digital data. In such manner, at least a portion of the time slots making up the particular data frame can be used for containing data sent from the probe, and which can then be interpreted by the receiving processing device as at least one bit of binary code allocated to each individual slot of the portion of time slots.

Abstract: A specimen handling apparatus is provided and includes a body in which a bore is defined and a needle having a tip portion and a bit, which is removably insertible into the bore with the tip portion at least partially exposed, the bore and the bit each being formed such that, when the bit is inserted into the bore, the needle is forced into one of first or second rotational positions relative to a long axis thereof.

Abstract: A garment includes a garment body formed of at least one fabric. At least one padded portion is coupled to the garment body so as to extend inwardly of the garment body and at least partially occupy a volume defined by a space between a portion of the garment body and a correspondingly positioned portion of a wearer's body. A method includes disposing padding configured to be accommodated in a region of a body of the wearer which is spaced apart from a portion of a garment body of the exercise garment when worn so as to be inwardly projecting of the garment body in a position generally corresponding to the region of the body of the wearer, to thereby insulate and/or wick moisture away from the skin.

Abstract: A method identifies time sensitive processing sequences within a production environment using a computerized device. The processing sequences perform operations utilizing one or more tools. The method also identifies non-committed work in process items that are grouped in non-committed lots for release into one or more of the time sensitive processing sequences, and identifies committed work in process items that are being processed in committed lots within the time sensitive processing sequences, using the computerized device. The method sorts the non-committed lots by a predetermined priority, again using the computerized device. Starting with the highest priority non-committed lot (and continuing with others of the non-committed lots in priority order) the method determines whether there is available tool capacity to process a non-committed lot through each corresponding time sensitive processing sequence using the computerized device.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus may include a swivel and one or more elongated members, such as ropes or cords, suspended from the swivel with a support, such as a bar, for the user suspended between either ends of a single elongated member, or between two elongated members. The height of the support can be adjusted by placing ends of the support bar in loops formed along the elongated member. Hand holds and foot holds may also be mounted on the loops. In addition, the support may be prevented from rotating along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus may include a swivel and one or more elongated members, such as ropes or cords, suspended from the swivel with a support, such as a bar, for the user suspended between either ends of a single elongated member, or between two elongated members. The height of the support can be adjusted by placing ends of the support bar in loops formed along the elongated member. Hand holds and foot holds may also be mounted on the loops. In addition, the support may be prevented from rotating along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to archive relational database data in a Hierarchical Storage Manager (HSM) such as a in a format of the relational database. Specifically, the present invention provides a Virtual File System, (VFS) having an interface for linking a relational database with an HSM such as a High Performance Storage System (HPSS), and a tablespace for receiving the data from the relational database. The VFS can be implemented on a client system that also includes a “mover” for moving the data from the tablespace of the VFS to the HSM.

Abstract: An anchoring device which includes a shaft having a head and tip at opposing ends of the shaft. A flexible cord is attached to the shaft with the free or opposite end of the chord used to attach to objects which are desired to be suspended. The shaft of the anchoring device is inserted tip end first either directly into a structural member such as a hollow wall or ceiling or through a hole which has been pre-drilled through such structural member. When the supporting rod exits the structural member it immediately rotates into an anchoring position due to the flexible nature of the attached cord.

Abstract: A coprocessor performs an overhead function of a Java virtual machine executing in a main processor. The coprocessor includes memory access circuitry configured to access a memory also accessible by the host processor. Pointer receiving circuitry is configured to receive at least one pointer to data in the memory pertinent to the overhead function. Function performing circuitry is configured to perform the overhead function to operate on the data in the memory pointed to by the at least one pointer. Result passing circuitry configured to pass a result back to the main processor. For example, overhead functions that may be performed by the coprocessor include bytecode verification, just-in-time compiling and garbage collection.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive liquid level probe in a double-walled liquid container develops liquid level data and external sensors in the space between the walls respond to the presence of liquid leaked into the space from inside or outside the container. Other sensors external of the liquid level probe may sense other conditions. The probe electronics determines binary states of the external sensors and digitally encodes the states for inclusion in data transmission of the liquid level information to a remote controller via a two-wire transmission line. One embodiment develops pulses spaced as a digital function of the sensor states and includes liquid level data between the pulses for transmission. The pulse space is measured at the remote controller and decoded to determine the external sensor states, while the liquid level data is analyzed to determine the contents of the container.

Abstract: A processor core for provides a linear extension of addressable memory space of a microprocessor with minimal additional hardware and software complexity. A N+x bit pointer register (e.g. program counter) holds an N+x bit instruction address. The N+x bit instruction address provides to an execution unit a pointer to an instruction in the memory to be processed by the execution unit. An encoder encodes the N+x bit address into an N bit encoding of the N+x bit address. The processor core can thereby address 2.sup.x times more memory locations than 2.sup.N. Two other registers each hold a portion of an data address (i.e. a pointer to a datum in memory to be operated on). An address former concatenates the portions of the address in the two registers to form the data address. Therefore, the address is formed from portions of the data address stored in multiple registers without performing any arithmetic on the portions.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive liquid level probe in a double-walled liquid container develops liquid level data and external sensors in the space between the walls respond to the presence of liquid leaked into the space from inside or outside the container. Other sensors external of the liquid level probe may sense other conditions. The probe electronics determines binary states of the external sensors and digitally encodes the states for inclusion in data transmission of the liquid level information to a remote controller via a two-wire transmission line. One embodiment develops pulses spaced as a digital function of the sensor states and includes liquid level data between the pulses for transmission. The pulse space is measured at the remote controller and decoded to determine the external sensor states, while the liquid level data is analyzed to determine the contents of the container.

Abstract: A technique for generating real-time events (control signal state changes) in a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) wireless digital communications system integrates the functions of a Burst Mode Controller (BMC) and a microcontroller onto a single chip, organizing them such that the BMC's "frame program" (defining time slot and bit times for real-time events) shares an instruction ROM with the microcontroller. An automatic DMA mechanism within the BMC retrieves event definitions from within the frame program and effects the real-time events defined therein at the appropriate time. The technique permits any combination of signals to be changed at any time, while simultaneously reducing overall chip area, microcontroller overhead, power-consumption and cost.

Abstract: Data in the form of a sequence of data bits is compressed by separating the data into groups of data bits. A value is derived for the respective groups from the data contained therein. When a group has a derived value equal to the derived value of at least its adjacent group, a pre-assigned control code is used as compressed data. Such compressed data is representative of the data in consecutive groups of data having the same derived value.