Abstract: A method and mechanism for function value synchronization among protocols in a shared resource unit providing shared resources to a plurality of resource users submitting requests for shared resource operations in a plurality of protocols wherein each request includes at least one primary function value and at least one associated function value. A database is constructed having a values entry for each primary value wherein each values entry contains a primary field for storing the corresponding primary value and an associated field for storing an associated value for each protocol. Unknown associated values are represented by sentinel values, and the sentinel values representing associated values are replaced by the appropriate associated values obtained from a system administrative function that maps the primary and associated values of the protocols.

Abstract: A modular automated diagnostic analyzer having a fluid entry module for sample aspiration, a valve module for selecting fluids and a pump module for fluidic movement, so that a biological sample does not come into contact with the valve system through which calibrants and air are introduced to the fluid path. The fluid entry module encloses an aspiration tube rotatably and slidably engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis to move to different positions for the introduction of calibration and cleaning fluids and the aspiration of fluids into the analysis apparatus from different types of sample containers. A wiping seal removes residues of aspirated fluids from the exterior surfaces of the aspiration tube with the residue being aspirated into the analysis apparatus for disposal. Sensor modules mounted in a sensor chamber are structured to mechanically stack and interlock and each sensor module includes a fluid tight sealed passage and a sensor element.

Abstract: A method for storing data from a data source in a storage device of a data repository by reading all source allocation units, restructuring the data into data units having a size corresponding to the repository allocation units, and generating a hash value for the data of each data unit read from the data source. For each data unit, a data table is searched for a table entry having a matching hash value wherein each table entry contains the hash value of a data unit stored in a repository allocation unit and a repository allocation unit pointer to the corresponding repository allocation unit. When the hash value of a data unit does not match any hash value of any table entry in the data table, the data of the data unit is written into a newly allocated repository allocation unit a new table entry is written to the data table.

Abstract: A modular automated diagnostic analyzer having a fluid entry module for sample aspiration, a valve module for selecting fluids and a pump module for fluidic movement, so that a biological sample does not come into contact with the valve system through which calibrants and air are introduced to the fluid path. The fluid entry module encloses an aspiration tube rotatably and slidably engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis to move to different positions for the introduction of calibration and cleaning fluids and the aspiration of fluids into the analysis apparatus from different tpes of sample containers. A wiping seal removes residues of aspirated fluids from the exterior surfaces of the aspiration tube with the residue being aspirated into the analysis apparatus for disposal. Sensor modules mounted in a sensor chamber are structured to mechanically stack and interlock and each sensor module includes a fluid tight sealed passage and a sensor element.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing access between the processors and the mass storage devices of a computer system wherein an interprocessor bus interconnects the processors and adapters are connected from the interprocessor bus for communication between the processors and the mass storage devices and the system includes binding utility for communicating with the processors and the adapters to generate pairings between the processors and the adapters. A switch is connected between the adapters and the mass storage devices for connecting each adapter to each mass storage device and a binding mapper operates with the binding utility at each binding of a processor/adapter pair to enumerate the mass storage devices with which a processor/adapter pair is to communicate and determines a mass storage identifier by which the processor identifies the mass storage device. An address mapper references the binding mapper to construct and store an address map having processor set for each mass storage device.

Abstract: A modular automated diagnostic analyzer having a fluid entry module for sample aspiration, a valve module for selecting fluids and a pump module for fluidic movement. so that a biological sample does not come into contact with the valve system through which calibrants and air are introduced to the fluid path. The fluid entry module encloses an aspiration tube rotatably and slidably engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis to move to different positions for the introduction of calibration and cleaning fluids and the aspiration of fluids into the analysis apparatus from different types of sample containers. A wiping seal removes residues of aspirated fluids from the exterior surfaces of the aspiration tube with the residue being aspirated into the analysis apparatus for disposal. Sensor modules mounted in a sensor chamber are structured to mechanically stack and interlock and each sensor module includes a fluid tight sealed passage and a sensor element.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for function value synchronization among protocols in a shared resource unit providing shared resources to a plurality of resource users submitting requests for shared resource operations in a plurality of protocols wherein each request includes at least one primary function value and at least one associated function value. A database is constructed having a values entry for each primary value wherein each values entry contains a primary field for storing the corresponding primary value and an associated field for storing an associated value for each protocol. Unknown associated values are represented by sentinel values, and the sentinel values representing associated values are replaced by the appropriate associated values obtained from a system administrative function that maps the primary and associated values of the protocols.

Abstract: A network service device and a system or computer system for providing network based services in an area defined by a wireless local area network. The system includes a local area server having at least one network link to at least one network server and supporting a local area wireless network communicating with one or more network service devices wherein a network service device is tailored to provide specific network based services. Each network service device includes a processor and a program memory and a transceiver for local area communications of data between a network services device and the local area server. A local area server includes a processor and a program memory for executing local area server programs, a transceiver for providing local area communications and a modem connected to the network and at least one network server.

Abstract: A handwritten character recognition system that includes a document scanner for generating scanned images of a previously created document containing handwritten characters, and a pen and digitizing tablet for real time entry of handwritten characters by a user. The handwritten character recognition system includes an image processor connected from the document scanner for receiving the scanned image of a previously created document and generating one or more ordered cluster arrays. The ordered cluster arrays contain spatially ordered coordinate arrays of skeletal image arcs representing and corresponding to the strokes of the handwritten characters wherein the spatial order represents an induced time ordered sequence of creation of the strokes of the handwritten characters that emulates the sequence of creation of the character strokes.

Abstract: A BIOS address decoder for addressing an extended BIOS memory for storing additional microprograms in a computer system. A system component is connected from the bus for receiving program instruction addresses in a first address range and providing corresponding BIOS memory addresses in a corresponding first BIOS address range. The BIOS address decoder includes the system component to receive a first subset of bus address bits representing bus addresses in the first instruction address range and responsive to the first subset of bus address bits to generate corresponding BIOS addresses in the first BIOS address range and a BIOS address indication indicating that the first subset of bus address bits indicates a bus address in the first instruction address range.

Abstract: A support facility for installation of interprocessor unit cabling interconnecting the processor units of a multiple processor unit system in a first network, including a second system for directing the cabling interconnections of the first system and, in each processor unit of the first system, a device access controller connected through a second network to a second system, each device access controller including a memory for storing a unique identifier, and a network controller to interconnect to a network controller of at least one other processor unit. There is a selectably settable anchor bit indicator to indicate a processor unit selected as a first processor unit of the first network, a next connection indicator connected from the device access controller, and connected from the network controller, a transmit test indicator connected from the device access controller and a receive indicator connected from the device access controller.

Abstract: A soft power switch for insertion and removal of a logic unit in a system during continuing operation of the system, including a current switch for each supply voltage to the logic unit that is to be protected, each current switch having a current input connected from a corresponding system power source and a current output connected to the logic unit. The switch includes a gate drive delay connected to each current switch that provides a gate signal controlling the flow of current through each current switch, and a connector having staggered connector pins for sequenced connection of power and control signals as the logic unit is inserted or withdrawn, the soft switch responding to the sequence of control and power signals by controllably and gradually increasing or decreasing the current through the current switches as the logic unit is inserted or withdrawn.

Abstract: An alarm guard for use with an alarm signaling device that is installed to meet Underwriter laboratories (UL) 1971 requirements and that includes a chassis mountable to a surface and a visual signaling element mounted on an outer face of the chassis and extending therefrom to be activated to indicate a hazardous condition. The alarm guard includes a mesh chassis guard enclosing at least four sides of the chassis and a visual indicator guard including a plurality of guard elements mounted to the chassis guard adjacent the visual signaling element. The guard elements may be comprised of straight and curved segments and extend from the outer face of the chassis and are spaced apart along the vertical and horizontal faces of the visual signaling element to provide vertical and horizontal openings sufficient to provide a required emitted light pattern in each plane of light emission.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for constructing a resultant database from a first database and a second database wherein data to appear in the resultant database is present in modified form in the first and second databases. A user selects from the first database at least one construction property to be used in constructing the resultant database wherein there is partial congruence of the at least one construction property between the first, second and resultant databases and from the first and second databases at least two modeling properties wherein there is partial congruence of the at least two modeling properties between the first, second and resultant databases. An inclusion probability processor assigns an inclusion probability, to each one of the data records of the first database containing the selected construction and modeling properties.

Abstract: A regeneration chamber for promoting and controlling the growth of biological nerves, including a chamber enclosing and defining a volume in which biological nerves are to be grown, an input port for injecting agents for promoting and controlling the growth of the biological nerves into the chamber, and an output port for receiving agents and biological nerve growth byproducts from the chamber. The input port and chamber have at least one input passage therebetween for the flow of agents from the input port into the chamber and the output port and chamber have at least one output passage therebetween for the flow of agents and biological growth byproducts from the chamber into the output port. The input and output passages are proportioned to reduce increases and decreases in pressure in the chamber and a chamber may have a plurality of input ports and output ports.