Abstract: A network processor has a “bi-level” architecture including a classification algorithm level and a single-record search level to search a hash database that stores packet classification information based on packet field values. The classification algorithm level implements multiple different classification algorithm engines, wherein the individual algorithm applied to a received packet can be selected based on a field of the packet, a port at which the packet was received, or other criteria. Each classification algorithm engine generates one or more single-record search requests to search the hash database for classification information based on one or more field values of the received packet or other classification parameters. Each single-record search requests is provided to the single-record search level, which executes the requests at the hash database and returns the corresponding record to the requesting classification algorithm engine.

Abstract: A temporal-miss handler includes updating a data leaf in a tree-structured database of a communications processor with a plurality of threads. A search for the data leaf includes generating at least one search result for one of the plurality of threads. A sufficiency of a temporal separation, between updating the data leaf and searching for the data leaf, to retrieve the data leaf is determined. Each search result is cleared when the temporal separation is insufficient. A new search is performed when the temporal separation is insufficient.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a hash table management module that sequentially steps through linear address space of the hash table to identify hash chain in sequential address order. Each identified hash chain is evaluated, before identifying a next hash chain, to remove any entries marked for deletion.

Abstract: A network processor has a “bi-level” architecture including a classification algorithm level and a single-record search level to search a hash database that stores packet classification information based on packet field values. The classification algorithm level implements multiple different classification algorithm engines, wherein the individual algorithm applied to a received packet can be selected based on a field of the packet, a port at which the packet was received, or other criteria. Each classification algorithm engine generates one or more single-record search requests to search the hash database for classification information based on one or more field values of the received packet or other classification parameters. Each single-record search requests is provided to the single-record search level, which executes the requests at the hash database and returns the corresponding record to the requesting classification algorithm engine.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a hash table management module that sequentially steps through linear address space of the hash table to identify hash chain in sequential address order. Each identified hash chain is evaluated, before identifying a next hash chain, to remove any entries marked for deletion.

Abstract: A temporal-miss handler includes updating a data leaf in a tree-structured database of a communications processor with a plurality of threads. A search for the data leaf includes generating at least one search result for one of the plurality of threads. A sufficiency of a temporal separation, between updating the data leaf and searching for the data leaf, to retrieve the data leaf is determined. Each search result is cleared when the temporal separation is insufficient. A new search is performed when the temporal separation is insufficient.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a genetically abnormal cell in a sputum sample, the method comprising: (a) staining a sputum sample using a morphological stain so as to identify a lower airway tract cell or lung cell in the sputum sample; and (b) staining the sputum sample using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) so as to identify in the lower airway tract cell or lung cell a genetic abnormality in at least one of human chromosome 3p22.1 and 10q22-23, thereby identifying the genetically abnormal cell in the sputum sample. Also provided are methods and kits of diagnosing lung cancer by detecting a presence of genetically abnormal cells above a predetermined threshold in a sputum sample.

Abstract: A data acquisition and display system comprises: a data acquisition device, such as a camera, microscope, telescope, thermal imager, medical scanning device, radar etc, operable to acquire data in scans over a field of interest using each of at least a first and a second data acquisition method. A field data storage device stores the field data together with corresponding field location data that describes a location within the field of interest. A field data display device such as a screen is operable to display simultaneously data from matched locations in the field of interest acquired respectively by the different data acquisition methods. The data, generally image data, may be superimposed or displayed side by side as desired. Preferably, one of the images being displayed is live whilst the other is recalled from the field data storage device.

Abstract: A data acquisition and display system comprises: a data acquisition device, such as a camera, microscope, telescope, thermal imager, medical scanning device, radar etc, operable to acquire data in scans over a field of interest using each of at least a first and a second data acquisition method. A field data storage device stores the field data together with corresponding field location data that describes a location within the field of interest. A field data display device such as a screen is operable to display simultaneously data from matched locations in the field of interest acquired respectively by the different data acquisition methods. The data, generally image data, may be superimposed or displayed side by side as desired. Preferably, one of the images being displayed is live whilst the other is recalled from the field data storage device.