Abstract: A rotary stage (10) for use in optical projection tomography includes a stepper motor (42) with a rotatable vertical shaft (44) the lower end of which carries a specimen (28) to be imaged so that the specimen is rotated about a substantially vertical axis. The stepper motor (42) is mounted on a table (34) the position of which is accurately adjustable in tilt and in vertical position to ensure that the rotational axis of the specimen is perpendicular to the optical axis (29). The specimen (28) rotates within a stationary chamber (26) and the rotary stage is used with a microscope which provides a three-dimensional image of the specimen.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification tip having a distal end that is longer in the vertical direction than it is in the horizontal direction. When vibrated ultrasonically, such a shape causes the distal end of the phacoemulsification tip to have a slicing or chopping action as opposed to a more traditional emulsification action.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a categorical analysis on one or more time dependent dynamic processes is provided. A reference library of data pertaining to multiple characteristics of time series reflective of the dynamic process is created and used to define selected categories for performing the categorical analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for remotely identifying the user of a computer connected to a network and associating the user with recorded inventory information. A unique user handle or username is used to identify a user associated with a particular network node. The user handle is used to access a user profile, such as a record in a corporate directory database, before an inventory scan is performed. The information recorded in the user profile is linked to inventory information obtained during an inventory scan of a network node. The user identification can be verified by presenting the retrieved personal record to the user to confirm that the record actually corresponds to the user and that the information contained therein is accurate. The present invention supplements the recorded inventory information associated with a conventional inventory scan with personal information corresponding to the user associated with the network node.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a categorical analysis on one or more time dependent dynamic processes is provided. A reference library of data pertaining to multiple characteristics of time series reflective of the dynamic process is created and used to define selected categories for performing the categorical analysis.

Abstract: OLE_LINK2Systems and methods for managing business machine assets are described. In one configuration, the system analyses alternate cost structures and provides for alternate asset model replacement suggestions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing business machine assets are described. In one configuration, the system manages consumable usage including predicting usage, predicting replacement times, monitoring consumables fraud and providing consumable usage reports. Business machine usage data is used to predict expected consumables usage. The expected consumables usage is then compared to actual consumables usage in order to determine compliance. In another configuration, the system manages service and maintenance issues including trends and compliance.

Abstract: A rotary stage (10) for use in optical projection tomography includes a stepper motor (42) with a rotatable vertical shaft (44) the lower end of which carries a specimen (28) to be imaged so that the specimen is rotated about a substantially vertical axis. The stepper motor (42) is mounted on a table (34) the position of which is accurately adjustable in tilt and in vertical position to ensure that the rotational axis of the specimen is perpendicular to the optical axis (29). The specimen (28) rotates within a stationary chamber (26) and the rotary stage is used with a microscope which provides a three-dimensional image of the specimen.

Abstract: A system for automatically migrating a portion of a collection of information located on source data carrier(s) into an assemblage of data carriers, having: a computer memory for pass-through of a first strip of the collection; the assemblage has at least a first storage medium to which at least a first sub-portion of the first strip is written from computer memory; and once the portion of the collection has been so migrated according to a predetermined structure, a remaining portion of the collection can be written to the source data carrier (to include the source data carrier in the assemblage), the remaining portion being ordered (crunched) in conformity with the predetermined structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier, and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step, wherein the identification purpose step is a detection step for the detection of a identifiable or encoded microcarrier and a labeling step resulting in a identifiable or encoded microcarrier. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope or labeling means such as a high spatial resolution light source, and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers and to a microcarrier suitable for use in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for preparing multimedia data using digital video data compression. Various embodiments of the invention use pre-rendering and encoding techniques that format the video image data into fat macroblocks. The fat macroblocks include header information that identifies the beginning locations of strips of macroblocks representing slices of the image, and of the macroblocks disposed within the strips. The header information enables macroblocks disposed in a strip of fat macroblocks to be individually addressed thereby providing transmission bandwidth, data processing, and data storage advantages for preparing and transmitting data for updating video images including less than full screen motion. The advantages are achieved in part because updates only require that the first macroblock of each strip of macroblocks be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for remotely identifying software and software versions using a maintained software audit file. The disclosed system management tool identifies software installed on each network node by comparing the name and size of installed files to a software audit file. The system management tool performs an inventory scan of the software on each network node and obtains a list of each file and the corresponding file size. The software audit file provides identifying information, such as the file name and corresponding size, for each known file. Known files can be quickly identified using a match criteria based, for example, on the file name and size. The software audit file is maintained by investigating any unknown files with a sample of the user population having the unknown file. In one implementation, a targeted query is automatically transmitted to a sample of the user population having the unknown file requesting header information for the unknown file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for remotely identifying software and software versions using a maintained software audit file. The disclosed system management tool (SMT) identifies software installed on each network node by comparing the name and size of installed files to a software audit file. The system management tool (SMT) performs an inventory scan of the software on each network node and obtains a list of each file and the corresponding file size. The software audit file provides identifying information, such as the file name and corresponding size, for each known file. Known files can be quickly identified using a match criteria based, for example, on the file name and size. The software audit file is maintained by investigating any unknown files with a sample of the user population having the unknown file. In one implementation, a targeted query is automatically transmitted to a sample of the user population having the unknown file requesting header information for the unknown file.

Abstract: An enclosure module for accommodating a plurality of peripheral devices having: a computerized control unit in electrical communication with a user interface, a first and second bus with a bus expansion logic element therebetween that allows for operation of the buses as a single logical bus or as independent buses, termination circuitry for signal-appropriate bus termination, and a first and second plurality of connectors, each for electrical connection with one of the peripheral devices. The user interface to accept a first input (and can include a second, third, fourth, and so on, input) for optional manual configuration of a respective operational feature of the enclosure module, and if the input(s) is not registered, the feature can be automatically configured without the particular information provided by the input. The connectors can each have a multi-connect assembly for connection with a first, second, and third type connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel container and process, and more specifically, to a rectilinear plastic container whose interior is divided into two or more channels (a multi-channel plate) which is filled with a microbial growth medium and is utilized in a process for enumeration of microorganisms found in clinical or industrial samples. Different microbial growth media may be placed in adjacent channels of the rectilinear plastic container for the process of the present invention. The process of the present invention demonstrates a more efficient and rapid means to identify and enumerate microorganisms in a sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for saving space and components under detectors for staring array systems by timely combining detector inputs to a common photodiode amplifier, including establishing sequential connections from a plurality of detector inputs to a common photodiode amplifier by selecting a single path to the amplifier from each detector input at different times clamping each path to a source of potential to prevent signal transmission over the paths, and releasing said clamping of the path selected to supply the amplifier.

Abstract: The system allows for the allocation of email addresses to almost every possible person within a country, and allows for easy lookup and/or addressing of messages whether by email, telephone, mail or fax to those subscribers. It makes use of a combination of the subscriber's telephone number and an alphabetical component chosen from their name, for individuals, or an alphabetical description of a department within a business, together with a database server that stores information about each subscriber, and their preferred mode of delivery. The system requires users to create or modify their primary account by a telephone interface, as the system allows for delivery of email messages to subscribers by telephone, mail or fax, to those subscribers who do not have access to a computer and thus access to software to read their emails.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the cathode DC bias in a plasma chamber for fabricating semiconductor devices. A dielectric shield is positioned between the plasma and a selected portion of the electrically grounded components of the chamber, such as the electrically grounded chamber wall. The cathode DC bias is adjusted by controlling one or more of the following parameters: (1) the surface area of the chamber wall or other grounded components which is blocked by the dielectric shield; (2) the thickness of the dielectric; (3) the gap between the shield and the chamber wall; and (4) the dielectric constant of the dielectric material. In an apparatus aspect, the invention is a plasma chamber for fabricating semiconductor devices having an exhaust baffle with a number of sinuous passages. Each passage is sufficiently long and sinuous that no portion of the plasma within the chamber can extend beyond the outlet of the passage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition which comprises a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity and a minor amount effective to inhibit metal corrosion of a soluble additive mixture comprising(A) at least one amide compound of a mono- or polycarboxylic acid or reactive derivative thereof; and(B) at least about 0.1 mole of at least one amine per mole of amide, provided that when (A) is an amide of a dicarboxylic acid and the amine is an alkanol amine, the mixture contains more than 0.5 equivalent of the amine (B) per equivalent of amide (A).The compositions of the invention exhibit improved corrosion-inhibiting properties and the compositions are useful in a variety of lubrication applications. In particular the compositions are useful as hydraulic fluids.

Abstract: A router guide apparatus comprising a guide carrier member located on the ends of guide rods extending into the base part of the router, the carrier member rotatably mounting a guide follower member of non-circular disc form for rolling engagement with and along an edge of a workpiece, the follower member having its workpiece engaging surface abraded to assist in its frictional non-slip engagement with the edge of the workpiece. The guide apparatus may be provided with spring members to ensure constant engagement of the follower member with the edge of the workpiece.