Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing remote service to medical diagnostic systems via a centralized service facility. The service facility is configured to receive service requests from diagnostic systems of different modalities, type, location, and so forth. The service requests are handled by one or more servers, and are directed to work stations or technicians for addressing the service requests. The work stations or technicians are selected in accordance with the modality of the diagnostic system as identified by the service request. A subscription status check may be performed for verifying the service arrangements between the requesting diagnostic systems and the centralized service facility. Reply messages are transmitted from the service facility to the requesting diagnostic systems in response to the service requests, providing interactive service exchange between the facility and the diagnostic systems.

Abstract: A dimmable electrodeless light source includes an electrodeless lamp, an electronic ballast and a dimming module. The light source further includes coupling transformers coupled to the electrodeless lamp for inductively coupling power to the lamp to generate light. An auxiliary winding electromagnetically coupled to the primary winding of at least one of the coupling transformers is driven by switching circuitry in the dimming module. The switching circuitry is pulse width modulated to control the average brightness of the light generated by the electrodeless lamp. An exemplary application for the dimmable electrodeless light source is as a backlight for a video display device, such as a liquid crystal display unit. The dimmable electrodeless light source further includes a magnetic shield device that is operably positioned with respect to the electrodeless lamp.

Abstract: A vertically oriented diode for use in delivering current to a multi-state memory element in a memory cell. A vertical diode may be disposed in a diode container extending downwardly from a top of a silicon or oxide layer, and may be formed of a combination of silicon and/or metal layers disposed proximate to inner surfaces of a diode container. A multi-state memory element may be formed of a multi-state material, such as a chalcogenide, above a diode to complete a memory cell.

Abstract: A system for accommodating thermal expansion of a pump housing. The system includes a pump having an external housing, and a mounting structure for mounting the pump. Contacting members are disposed intermediate the mounting structure and the pump for allowing one-dimensional movement of the external housing along a longitudinal axis of the external housing. Alternatively, bearing members are positioned to support the pump in the mounting structure, while allowing a thermal distortion of the housing.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the mounting of circuit boards within an enclosure. The system includes one or more standoffs that are each received through appropriately formed corresponding openings through a printed circuit board. A flexible clip is attached to the printed circuit board proximate each opening. Each clip includes a retainer portion designed to receive the head of the standoff. Thus, the printed circuit board may be attached to the standoffs simply by placing the circuit board openings over the standoffs and moving the printed circuit board laterally until the clips and standoffs are engaged.

Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.

Abstract: An electric motor that may be used in a remote location, such as in a wellbore for pumping production fluids. The electric motor is designed to permit real-time adjustment of the position feedback signals to optimize motor performance. A position sensor is coupled to the rotor to sense rotor position. Simultaneously, a parameter, such as shaft twist, is measured, and a feedback control signal is provided. A processor receives the position sensor signals and the feedback control signals, and adjusts the energization of the stator windings to optimize motor performance.

Abstract: An electric submergible pumping system having a submergible electric motor with a unique rotor bearing system to promote longevity of the motor. The system includes an electric motor having a housing and a stator mounted within the housing. A shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing for rotation within an interior, axial passage through the stator. A rotor bearing assembly is disposed intermediate the stator and the shaft. The assembly includes a bearing sleeve mounted adjacent the shaft, and a main body portion disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing sleeve. A spring mechanism, such as a wave spring, is engaged with the main body portion. A bracelet is located between the spring mechanism and an interior surface of the stator. The spring mechanism biases the bracelet against the stator to prevent the body portion from rotating during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for protecting circuit board mounting devices within an enclosure. The system includes one or more protective housings that are disposed about corresponding openings through a printed circuit board. A flexible clip is attached to the printed circuit board proximate each opening. Each clip includes a retainer portion designed to receive the head of the standoff. The protective housings extend around the retainer portion, and protect the secure mounting of the circuit board to corresponding standoffs.

Abstract: The drive strength of an output driver is maintained substantially constant regardless of the pattern of data provided to an output bus. The output driver includes a plurality of drive elements coupled to a shared voltage bus and a data-pattern-dependent compensation circuit. To compensate for variations in drive strength induced by data pattern changes which introduce changes in the voltage applied to the driver elements by the shared voltage bus, the compensation circuit selectively couples compensation elements in parallel with the driver elements to change their resistance. Thus, drive strength for each driver element is maintained substantially constant regardless of the data pattern.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a memory cell having a non-volatile resistive memory element with a limited size active area. The method comprises a first step of providing a dielectric volume and forming a plug opening within the dielectric volume. A recessed plug of a conductive material is then formed within a lower portion of the opening and a dielectric spacer is formed along the sidewalls of an upper portion of the opening. The spacer is cylindrical and has a central hole. A contact plug is subsequently formed within the central hole, the contact plug electrically coupled to the recessed plug. The contact plug can include a memory element or an additional memory element can be applied over the contact plug.

Abstract: A system for reservoir control. The system allows segregated production of fluids, e.g. water and oil, to control the fluid-fluid interface. Downhole sensors are utilized in providing data about the location of the interface. This permits the proactive monitoring and control of the interface prior to unwanted intermingling of fluids, e.g. oil and water, during production.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of managing conditions in a network of network devices. A management system identifies conditions on the network by periodically polling the network devices or in response to a message from a network device. The management system maintains an event list that keeps track of the network conditions. The event list is automatically updated (entries added or removed) by the management system as conditions appear or become resolved.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system for watercraft, such as fishing boats, includes an electric motor disposed within a dry cavity of the craft hull, and a prop disposed outboard, below a waterline of the craft. The prop is driven by the motor via a support and power transmission assembly. The motor and prop may be supported by the support and power transmission assembly. A seal assembly is provided at the location where the support and power transmission assembly passes through the hull. A pair of similar propulsion systems may be provided at symmetrical locations with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the hull. Control circuitry permits navigational commands to be input by an operator and translated to speed commands for the propulsion system or systems. The system may remain deployed at all times without the need to retract and stow the prop or motor during transport.

Abstract: A cost-competitive, dense, CMOS compatible ZPROM memory array design and method of manufacture is disclosed. The method of manufacture includes a novel method for forming extremely thin diodes and thin strips of other materials such as conductors by using oxide spacers as an etching mask.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for identifying potentially defective circuitry associated with discrete pixel regions in an imaging system detector. Signals representative of the pixels in an image matrix are generated. The signals are analyzed to identify mean and standard deviation values from a histogram of the pixel population. Pixels lying outside of a desired range, such as a distribution envelope determined from the histogram, are compared to the mean value plus or minus a multiple of the standard deviation. Pixels lying outside of the desired range are labeled or masked as potentially defective.

Abstract: A sealing system that provides a secure seal against liquid transfer in harsh environments, such as those found in wellbore applications. The sealing system utilizes a connector housing having an axial passage. The interior passage is sized to receive at least a portion of a single support block. The support block is secured to the housing by a retainer, such as a packing gland or a plurality of screws. The single block includes axial openings to individually support and isolate the conductors of a power cable when the power cable is connected to a submersible component.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically allocating memory in a computer system at the application level. The application examines a heap data structure and a free list, identifies an unallocated region of memory that is appropriately sized, and allocates the memory to the application. The application deallocates a memory region by placing the memory region in the free list and modifying the heap data structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a structure having an upper surface and an contact surface formed at the upper surface of the structure. An insulating material is formed over the contact surface and a conductive runner extends over the active area such that a lower surface of the conductive runner is above and separated from the active area. A widened portion is formed in the conductive runner with an opening formed in the widened portion and self-aligned to edges of the widened portion. A conductive pillar is self-aligned to the opening and extends downward through the opening, through the insulating material, to the active area. The conductive runner provides local interconnection that can be routed over device features formed in and on the structure without using an additional metal layer.

Abstract: A cable management system is provided for use with rack mounted devices, such as servers. The cable management system for each device mounted in the rack includes a retainer, typically mounted to the rack, and fixed to the cable. The system also includes a tension device, such as a tension reel having an extensible member, connected to the cable intermediate the retainer and the device. As the device is moved towards the retainer, the tension member pulls the cable laterally and folds the cable at the rear of the device.