Abstract: An interface for a bus test instrument is readily adaptable for testing a wide range of bus types. The interface includes a pair of transmit lines and a pair of receive lines. A transmitting circuit is adaptable for transmitting either single-ended or differential signals over the transmit lines, and at least one receiving circuit is adaptable for receiving either single-ended or differential signals from either the receive lines or the transmit lines. The flexible interface allows the testing of single-ended and differential busses, as well as busses that support both unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

Abstract: An improved vehicle communications interface (VCI) is both economical and readily adaptable for running new software. The improved VCI includes a server coupled to a bank of processors. The server can communicate with a host, and the processors can communicate with different vehicle networks. Each processor includes a state machine and a media access controller for a particular vehicle network. The state machine identifies incoming messages that require real time responses and provides the requisite responses directly back to the network, without involvement of the server. Real time requirements of the server are thus relieved, allowing the server to run a non-real time, mainstream operating system for which new product software is readily available.

Abstract: A refillable reservoir, particularly an ink converter for a fountain pen, has a cylinder in which a piston is slidable, and an actuating device for displacing the piston for refilling the ink chamber. Without needing to be detached from the piston, the actuating device can be stored substantially within the length of the chamber. The actuating device can be a rod which is disengageable from and slidable through the piston. Alternatively the actuating device can be a flexible ribbon coupled to a sleeve slidably mounted on the cylinder.