Abstract: An enclosable and stackable container comprising a tray and lid is provided with structural elements to permit rapid covering and uncovering of the tray, efficient stacking of containers, and safe transportation. At least one catching mechanism may be engaged quickly to securely cover the tray and its food contents and disengaged quickly to uncover the tray and its food contents, improving food hygiene practices. Foldable flange flaps enhance stacking strength to permit safe transportation of stacked containers and their food contents.

Abstract: To determine the operational status of a wireless communication device capable of executing server-side applications, a message is sent to the device requesting operational status of the device. The message may be may be triggered by a system administrator at a middleware server. The wireless communication device may receive the message, compose a response message indicative of the operational status of the device, and send the response message back to the middleware server. The messages may be extensible markup language (XML) messages. Composition of the response message may entail verifying that a textual operational status description forming part of the response message omits illegal XML characters, e.g., by passing the description through an XML formatter for removal of any illegal XML characters.

Abstract: To determine the operational status of a wireless communication device capable of executing server-side applications, a message is sent to the device requesting operational status of the device. The message may be may be triggered by a system administrator at a middleware server. The wireless communication device may receive the message, compose a response message indicative of the operational status of the device, and send the response message back to the middleware server. The messages may be extensible markup language (XML) messages. Composition of the response message may entail verifying that a textual operational status description forming part of the response message omits illegal XML characters, e.g., by passing the description through an XML formatter for removal of any illegal XML characters.

Abstract: To determine the operational status of a wireless communication device capable of executing server-side applications, a message is sent to the device requesting operational status of the device. The message may be may be triggered by a system administrator at a middleware server. The wireless communication device may receive the message, compose a response message indicative of the operational status of the device, and send the response message back to the middleware server. The messages may be extensible markup language (XML) messages. Composition of the response message may entail verifying that a textual operational status description forming part of the response message omits illegal XML characters, e.g., by passing the description through an XML formatter for removal of any illegal XML characters.

Abstract: A wireless communication device may be configured with an application definition file, for interaction with an application executing at a server computing device. Using definitions for a user interface provided by the application definition file, the wireless device may present a user interface for the application. Preferably, the application definition file is an XML file. Based on differences between a source wireless communication device platform, for which screen control elements of the user interface found within the application definition file may be defined, and a desired destination wireless communication device platform, the screen control elements may be converted. Advantageously, the application definition file, when updated to include the converted screen control elements, may be used by a device executing the destination wireless communication device platform.

Abstract: To facilitate wireless communication device awareness of the availability of new or updated server-side applications, in response to either of a new application being made available at a server or an updated version of an application being made available at a server, a message is transmitted over a wireless connection to a set of wireless communications devices indicating that the new or updated application is available. The notification may be displayed on each of the mobile devices in the set. A device user may choose to register for the new or updated application on the basis of the notification. Notification may be performed when an application has been added to a group of applications to which access is provided as a whole. Notification at a particular wireless communications device may be conditional upon a grant of access by the device to said group of applications.

Abstract: To determine the operational status of a wireless communication device capable of executing server-side applications, a message is sent to the device requesting operational status of the device. The message may be may be triggered by a system administrator at a middleware server. The wireless communication device may receive the message, compose a response message indicative of the operational status of the device, and send the response message back to the middleware server. The messages may be extensible markup language (XML) messages. Composition of the response message may entail verifying that a textual operational status description forming part of the response message omits illegal XML characters, e.g., by passing the description through an XML formatter for removal of any illegal XML characters.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated workstation capable of continuous, non-stop processing of specimens. The workstation includes a storage area that holds multiple cassettes containing specimens compounds or other materials to be analyzed or used in conjunction therewith (collectively, “specimens”) which, preferably, are maintained on slides, microliter plates, or the like (collectively, “plates”). The workstation also includes a robotic arm for processing the specimens, e.g., by grasping the plates, moving them from the cassettes to other apparatus contained within the workstation, and placing the plates back in the cassettes. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for acquiring and processing samples in narrow, thin-walled pipettes without transferring them to wells, vials, or other reaction vessels.