Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

Abstract: A modular multi-service telecommunication access device includes a controller card and card slots for six peripheral cards and a power supply. Any of several types of peripheral cards can be inserted into the six card slots. A card present/protocol scheme allows an inserted card to recognize its address and communicate same as well as its communication protocol to the controller card via a PCM highway. The controller card sends both signaling information and management information to the peripheral cards via another PCM highway. A unique communication protocol allows for both real time signaling information and non-real time management information to be sent on the same channel. A microprocessor on the controller card includes an algorithm for managing messages to the various peripheral cards in the various card slots. A unique tributary addressing scheme allows for a simplified address used by external users to be converted to a more detailed internal address.

Abstract: A telecommunication device for receiving and transmitting DS1 level signals that includes a 1/0 digital cross-connect switch, a GR-303 concentrator, and a frame relay aggregator switch in a single integrated device in one housing that fills less than two standard rack units. The device includes both active and standby/backup controller cards that communicate with eight quad framer cards through a bus located in the backplane. The communication through the backplane is via a 8.192 Mbps signal to and from each quad framer card, passed along a bus. The 8.192 Mbps signal is generated by multiplexing the four DS1 (E-1) signals on the quad framer card. The controller card that is active monitors the status of the DS1 channel associated with each framer and stores historical data about the status in spare buffer registers on each framer. Whenever a transition occurs to the standby/backup controller card, that card can obtain the historical status information from the framers to make the transition more seamless.