Abstract: A medical information system (1) for use in a hospital environment. The system comprises clinic and department computer terminals (1000) of the hospital interconnected with a message network (19). A computer terminal (10010, 10011, 10022) is arranged to enter record and medical data into the system. The record and medical data is formatted (10017, 10018) into a data message and transmitted over the message network to each of the other computer terminals. Each computer terminal modifies (10015, 10017, 10018) the received record and medical data in accordance with clinic and departmental station requirements file data (10015) assigned the receiving computer terminal and records (10011, 10018, 10022) the modified record and medical data in forms files and medical data dictionary data bases (100112, 100222).

Abstract: Apparatus for loading components into a component insertion machine. The aratus comprises structure releasably mounted on component magazine loading apparatus to retain components in component magazines received by and aligned in the component magazine loading apparatus. The structure is removable after installation of the component loading apparatus on the component insertion machine to enable components to be selected by the component insertion machine from the component magazines.

Abstract: A system for selecting multiple interexchange carriers serving telephone switches interconnecting user telephone lines. Apparatus and a method interactive with telephone users creates data base records of user selected interchange carrier resources and encodes the user created data base records into telephone switch messages. The telephone switch messages are transmitted to telephone switches to enable the telephone switches to selectively interconnect user telephone lines with ones of the interchange carrier resources in accordance with user created data base records.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for identifying the location of a lost token signal continuously transmitted on transmission paths interconnecting nodes of a network to sequentially enable the nodes to write data onto the network. The arrival of the token signal at each node is recorded in counter states of a token track counter corresponding with the node. The recorded binary counter states are compared upon the failure of the token signal to arrive at a node to detect mismatches and transitions occurring between adjacent nodes counter states identifying the network location of the lost token signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading components into a component insertion machine. The apparatus comprises structure releasably mounted on component magazine loading apparatus to retain components in component magazines received by and aligned in the component magazine loading apparatus. The structure is removable after installation of the component loading apparatus on the component insertion machine to enable components to be selected by the component insertion machine from the component magazines.

Abstract: A relay (1) having terminal members (15) and a contact assembly (13) for selectively establishing electrical paths between the terminal members. The relay comprises structure (11, 12) mounting the contact assembly and arranged for slidably receiving the terminal members and wedging the terminal members in locked electrical engagement with the contact assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a process of realizing a product. The method defines activities of the process, their precedence relationships and the flow of information among the interconnected activities required to create the product. Resources are allocated and the defined activities are scheduled to complete the process. The method monitors the allocated resources and outputs of the interconnected activities and controls the process by dynamically reconfiguring the activities in accordance with time-variant criterion and selectively modifying the activities in accordance with monitored outputs of the activities to maintain optimal design, fabrication and assembly of the product.

Abstract: A network for data transmission between nodes interconnected by transmission paths on which a predefined data signal is continuously transmitted to sequentially reach each node. Data traffic is controlled by apparatus responsive to receiving the predefined data signal a predetermined number of times and generating node signals each varying in time in accordance with data traffic on the network to control node access thereto. Multiple nodes are enabled to mutually write data onto the network proportional to the communication network data traffic independent of the network location of the predefined data signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for terminating conductors on circuit boards. The apparatus comses an insulator member having electrical conducting contacts embedded therein each with a bifurcate portion extending from the insulator member. The bifurcate portion consists of a pair of prongs arranged for engaging a conductor and a complaint section having an end formed both for piercing insulation of the conductor and insertion into a circuit board plated-through hole to establish an electrical connection between the engaged conductor and circuit board.

Abstract: An alignment gage (1) for use in aligning rails (2) of conveyor systems. The apparatus comprises a pair of plate members (10) each configured for mounting on and riding finger members (21) attached to a moving carrier (20) positioned in a channel (22) of a rail of the conveyor system. Spring members (11) mounted on the plate members maintain the plate members in a spaced apart relationship with each plate member in continuous engagement with corresponding ones of the finger members in alignment with a corresponding one of the conveyor rails. Travel indicating apparatus (12) mounted on the plate members continuously measure alignment of the rails as the plate members are carried along the rails by the finger members of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A data communication network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnecting transmission paths in a ring structure arranged to propagate data messages between data systems coupled to the network by the nodes in opposite directions around the network ring structure. An executive node having ring interface units interconnecting ones of the transmission paths is arranged to selectively couple a network control processor with various sectors of the transmission paths to enable the network control processor to control the traffic flow of data messages on the data communication network.

Abstract: A system for transmitting traces of an oscilloscope (16) to a remote locan. A transmitter circuit (18) digitizes and transmits the traces to the remote location. A receiver circuit (24) at the remote location receives the transmitted signals and delivers these signals to a destination oscilloscope (26). At the transmitting location, the vertical output signal of the oscilloscope is amplified and fed to an analog-to-digital converter. The digitized output signal of the converter and the oscilloscope's timebase gate signal are stored in a memory circuit and subsequently transmitted to the remote location via a first modem (20). At the remote location, the receiver circuit (24) comprises a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) interfacing with a second modem (22), a memory circuit for storing the transmitted signals, and associated circuitry for restoring the oscilloscope signal's amplitude.

Abstract: Connector apparatus for interconnecting optical fiber cables. The apparatus comprises a pair of plug members each holding a truncated pyramid configured member universally mounting a substrate device terminating light carrying fibers of optical fiber cables. A sleeve member is arranged to slidably receive each substrate device inserted in one end thereof and apply quadrantal forces to both substrate devices to align and optically couple together corresponding ones of the fibers terminated on each substrate device.

Abstract: A miniaturized electromechanical relay (1) with an armature assembly (14) and a contact assembly (13) mounting contacts thereon and having a magnetic member assembly (12) for activating the armature assembly to operate the contact assembly to engage and disengage the contacts. A spring member (16) for mounting the armature assembly on the magnetic member assembly is configured for generating a torsional moment in combination with a cantilever force on the armature assembly to maintain the armature assembly in a rotational relationship with the magnetic member assembly to control operation of the contacts in response to magnetic flux generated by the magnetic member assembly.

Abstract: A miniaturized electromechanical relay (1) having an armature (14) and a spring assembly (13) mounting contacts with a magnetic core member (15) for activating the armature to operate the spring assembly to engage and disengage the contacts. The magnetic core member is formed of hard and soft magnetic powdered materials (150, 151) sintered together to form a fused boundary therebetween for returning magnetic flux generated by the magnetic core pole areas through the fused boundary and the soft magnetic powdered materials.

Abstract: A system for transmitting traces of an oscilloscope (16) to a remote location for analysis comprises a transmitter circuit (18) which digitizes and transmits the traces to the remote location via a first modem (20), and a receiver circuit (24) at the remote location, for receiving via a second modem (22) the transmitted signals and delivering these signals to a destination oscilloscope (26). At the transmitting location, the vertical output signal of the oscilloscope is amplified and fed to an analog-to-digital converter. The digitized output signal of the converter and the oscilloscope's timebase gate signal are stored in a memory circuit and subsequently transmitted to the remote location via the first modem (20). At the remote location, the receiver circuit (24) comprises a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) interfacing with the second modem (22), a memory circuit for storing the transmitted signals, and associated circuitry for restoring the oscilloscope signals's amplitude.

Abstract: A data communication network comprising ring transmission paths (0,1) interconnecting ring interface nodes (RI1, RI2, RI3) coupled with a node processor and data systems and arranged to propagate data messages along the ring transmission paths between the data systems. Each node is arranged to detect failure of the node to propagate a data message to another node and to flush the data communication network by force reading data messages off the ring transmission paths into the blocked node processor. A node is arranged to automatically maintain and restore operation of the data communication network by loop connecting ones of the ring transmission paths together to isolate segments of the network experiencing trouble and to transfer maintenance and diagnostic data messages between ones of the looped ring transmission paths to restore ring transmission paths and nodes located in isolated segments of the network to service.

Abstract: A pin terminal for reducing the insertion force required to engage a connector with a mating contact terminal. The pin comprises a generally quadrilateral configured conducting member having one end formed with opposite curvilinear surfaces of different radii to generate a sequential deflection on blades of the contact terminal blades as the pin member is inserted into the contact terminal.

Abstract: A multi-positional mercury switch (1) for use with miniature relays (3). The mercury switch apparatus has magnetic contact structures (11, 13, 16, 17) supported in a sealed envelope member (10) with free ends thereof located in the envelope member and positioned to engage or disengage each other in response to a magnetic field generated by current appearing in a coil (310) externally surrounding the envelope member. A magnetic contact structure (11) has a mercury wetted surface (113) and an opening (111) at a free end (116) extending from the mercury wetted surface through the magnetic contact structure for forming a mercury contact (117) opposite the mercury wetted surface.

Abstract: A multi-positional mercury switch (1, 2) for use with miniature relays. The mercury switch apparatus has mercury wettable magnetic contact structures (11, 12, 13, 21, 22) supported in a sealed envelope member (10, 20) supporting the magnetic contact structures with free ends thereof positioned to engage or disengage each other in response to a magnetic field generated by current appearing in a coil (410) externally surrounding the envelope member. A mercury wettable member (3, 15, 23, 24) having a porous construction for holding mercury is mounted on ones of the magnetic contact structures within the sealed envelope member for wetting the magnetic contact structures.