Abstract: An enclosure for protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures and shock which includes: (a) an outer housing including an inner cavity for containing at least one heat sensitive item; (b) a thermal insulator located within the inner cavity defining at least a portion of a second interior cavity, with the at least one heat sensitive item being located within the second interior cavity; and (c) a boiler located within the second interior cavity including at least one containment compartment for containing a thermal mass and at least one protective compartment within which the at least one heat sensitive item is located. The invention finds particular utility in the Flight Recorder field where heat sensitive components, such as solid state memories, may be subject to fire and shock often resulting from an aircraft crash. The invention also features a corrosion protection capability which is effective when the item being protected is in close proximity to a source of moisture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing the loss and/or corruption of process data stored by data collection and/or test instruments (referred to hereinafter collectively as "recording instruments"), which may otherwise result from events such as the removal of aforementioned storage media while data transfer operations are in progress; loss of power to the recording instrument while data transfer operations are in progress; and/or the execution of internal CPU traps or other CPU reset conditions while data transfer operations are in progress. The methods and apparatus contemplated by the invention also provide for the recovery of process data which has been corrupted during a power loss or CPU reset when normal operation of a recording instrument resumes.

Abstract: A universal elastomeric compound whose improved features display excellent permeability while simultaneously having above average chlorine compatibility. This improved elastomeric compound comprises a measured quantity of a terpolymer of ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene copolymer (i.e. EPDM, e.g. ROYALENE 3180), chlorinated Isobutylene (e.g. Chlorobutyl 1066), furnace or carbon black (e.g., N-550 Black), paraffinic oil (e.g., Sunpar 150 Oil), organofunctional magnesium silicate (e.g., Mistron CB), magnesium oxide (e.g., Maglite D Bar), zinc oxide, stearic acid, tetramethylthiuram disulfide (e.g., TUEX), zinc thiophosphate (e.g., ROYALAC 136), and treated sulfur (e.g., Spider Sulfur). Adding a specified quantity of said ROYALAC 136, TUEX, and Spider Sulfur to the EPDM/butyl compound imparts low taste and odor to water. Additionally, adding a specified quantity of said Mistron CB to ROYALENE 3180 and Chlorobutyl 1066, provides for an elastomeric compound having excellent resistance to chloramines.

Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container). Further aspects of the invention relate to blocking elements (checks) per se which are suitable for use in non-refillable valves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing heap management in programmable recording instruments used to record process data; and protecting the integrity of data structures stored in non-volatile memory included such instruments should a power failure or power shut down occur while heap management operations are in progress. Furthermore, according to the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for (a) validating the integrity of the aforementioned data structures quickly on power up of the recording instrument; (b) finishing certain predetermined processes that were in progress when a power failure occurred, at the time when the recording instrument is powered back up; (c) locating any memory allocated to a user prior to a power failure or shut down; and (d) assuring the user, whenever power is restored to the system, that only pointers to previously allocated data blocks containing valid data are provided in response to users requests for such pointers.

Abstract: Methods, together with apparatus for implementing such methods, for providing display screens and operator interfaces for process control and measurements, comprising the steps of (a) graphically defining and generating Display Libraries that can be used by a stand alone process control and/or process measurement instrument containing an interpretation engine (a software task designed to interpret Display Definitions) to actually render displays and control their appearance and behavior during real time process operations; and (b) interpreting the contents of the aforesaid Display Definitions (using said interpretation engine) during the normal operation of a stand alone instrument, thereby rendering displays having the defined appearances and behaviors.

Abstract: A Write/Load cache protocol is described which may be used for maintaining cache coherency and performing barrier synchronization in multiprocessor computer systems, and for cooperating with prefetch mechanisms to allow data to be loaded into a central processor unit's (CPU) cache (in both single and multiprocessor systems) in anticipation of future memory references. The new protocol is defined such that when a cache observes a Write/Load command (and associated data item) on a bus to which the cache is attached, the cache is accessed and (a) if the data item is in the cache, the new value of the data item from the bus is copied into and replaces the data item in cache; and (b) if the data item is not in the cache, a new data item is created therein (preferably using the normal cache replacement policy), and the value of the data item on the bus is loaded into the cache. Thus, a protocol is provided which allows cache to be loaded via an external entity, i.e.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth for preparing and delivering bone cement formed by combining a powdered polymer component and a liquid monomer component. The powdered polymer component is stored in an evacuated mixing chamber. The liquid monomer component, according to one specific aspect of the invention, is introduced into the mixing chamber by a control mechanism which causes the stored powder to be "substantially wet", i.e., all of the powdered polymer component is wet to at least some degree and is otherwise devoid of powder pockets. The control mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, stages the release of the liquid monomer into the vacuum packed powder chamber, under the effect of the vacuum, in a timed sequence using a plurality of monomer distribution channels.

Abstract: Each member of a set of transform representative data structures (such as look-up tables (LUTs), each representing an N TO M-dimensional transform), is stored in compressed form in a storage device included in, or which is otherwise accessible to, an image processing device or system. Each stored transform representative data structure may then, according to one embodiment of the invention, be selectively attached to image data being processed by the image processing device or system. According to a further aspect of the invention, image data, having compressed transform representative data attached thereto, may be processed utilizing methods and apparatus operative to detach, decompress and apply the transform represented by the decompressed transform representative data, to a decompressed version of the image data. The result of the aforementioned process is for image data to be transformed according to a transform specified by information previously attached to the image data.

Abstract: A thermally activated self-releasing seal for a thermal mass container comprising (a) seal support located on the exterior of, separate and detached from, the container; (b) a fusible seal, attached to the seal support, to form a one piece seal when combined with the seal support; and (c) apparatus for attaching the fusible seal portion of the one piece seal to the container to cover the aperture, wherein the apparatus for attaching is located on the exterior of and is separate from the container. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus for attaching is an adhesive, such as a room temperature vulcanizing rubber (an RTV), a two part epoxy, or the like; having the property that heat is not required in order to accomplish the attachment of the fusible seal portion of the one piece seal to the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (systems) are set forth for enabling bingo (and similar games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively as "bingo") to be played in real time at locations which are remote (geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are being selected. The disclosed methods and apparatus are directed to both passive and interactive systems which allow bingo to be played from the aforementioned remote locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth for preparing and delivering bone cement from a powdered polymer component and a liquid monomer component by simultaneously injecting the powdered and liquid components, stored in separate component chambers, into an evacuated mixing chamber under the effect of the vacuum; by uniformly mixing the components in the mixing chamber (to thoroughly wet the powder); and by delivering the cement formed by the polymerization process, as needed in an operative setting, utilizing a single ready to use device. The uniform mix is achieved by simultaneously subjecting the contents of the component chambers to the effects of the mixing chamber's vacuum via separate one way nozzles, interconnecting the component chambers to the mixing chamber, which cause the powder to be broadcast and liquid to be sprayed into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A slotted patella resection guide and stylus used in the preparation of the human patella to accept a patella prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty. The guide includes jaw members for gripping bone, the jaw members including a plurality of calibrated and marked steps (slots) located at a different fixed predetermined height above the desired resection level. Each slot accepts the stylus which may be at least temporarily secured therein. After determining the amount of bone to resect, the stylus is temporarily secured in the appropriate slot (marked as being calibrated to yield the amount of resection desired); and the guide is then clamped onto the patella at the location indicated by the guide/stylus combination, with the stylus resting on the patella in the area where its thickness was measured to establish the depth of cut. After the guide is clamped in position, a sagittal saw is inserted therein to actually perform the resection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating isosurfaces, given input data that includes (1) the representation of a set of points in three-dimensional space; (2) connectivity information with respect to the set of points and (3) a scalar field. The methods and apparatus allow the desired isosurfaces to be produced efficiently on all hardware platforms, including those not equipped to rapidly generate such isosurfaces using normally computation intensive processes, by utilizing a precomputed isofacet configuration table and predefined tetrahedron component labeling data (preset relationships among the vertices, edges and faces of a tetrahedron). Further aspects of the methods and apparatus include (1) methods and apparatus which support the selective display of isosurface and contour line images, and (2) methods and apparatus which utilize parallel processing techniques to enhance the efficiency of the isosurface generation process.

Abstract: Two new classes of interconnection networks are described. The new classes of interconnection networks are referred to herein as the hierarchical shuffle-exchange (HSE) and hierarchical de Bruijn (HdB) networks. The new HSE and HdB networks are highly regular and scalable and are thus well suited to VSLI implementation. In addition, they can be adjusted to match any set of packaging constraints. These new networks are also efficient in supporting the execution of a wide range of algorithms on computers whose processors are interconnected via one of the networks fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the invention. Such computers, also contemplated by the invention, are referred to herein as HSE and HbB computers. Furthermore, methods for implementing the aforementioned wide range of algorithms, particularly those in the classes of Ascend and Descend algorithms, on the novel HSE and HdB computers, constitute a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatus, for use in programming language systems, are set forth which support compile-time type checking for overloaded functions in an environment supporting subtypes with multiple inheritance. At both compile and runtime, the invention considers the type of all actual arguments of a function to select a proper function instance to execute. Furthermore, the methods contemplated by the invention identify at compile time the set of function instances which might be invoked due to subtype substitutions for the actual arguments. Since type errors on function invocations or variable assignments are usually indicative of a programming error, program reliability can be improved and faults that would otherwise result in runtime errors can be corrected through the use of the invention prior to program deployment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth for preparing and delivering bone cement from a powdered polymer component and a liquid monomer component by simultaneously injecting the powdered and liquid components, stored in separate component chambers, into an evacuated mixing chamber under the effect of the vacuum; by uniformly mixing the components in the mixing chamber (to thoroughly wet the powder); and by delivering the cement formed by the polymerization process, as needed in an operative setting, utilizing a single ready to use device. The uniform mix is achieved by simultaneously subjecting the contents of the component chambers to the effects of the mixing chamber's vacuum via separate one way nozzles, interconnecting the component chambers to the mixing chamber, which cause the powder to be broadcast and liquid to be sprayed into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A method (and corresponding apparatus) for determining the size distribution of small particles within a dispersing medium utilizing a particle analyzer that measures the angle of scattered light, including the step of sequentially irradiating the particles within the dispersing medium with each of a plurality of light sources positioned at different angles. The scattered light developed by sequentially irradiating the particles is focused, utilizing at least one collector lens, onto a detector array associated with each such lens and the angular distribution of scattered light associated with each of the plurality of light sources is sequentially measured utilizing each detector array associated with a given lens. Finally, the measured angular distributions of scattered light associated with the plurality of light sources, is translated into a size distribution for the particle ensemble contained in the dispersing medium, using well known inversion techniques, such as deconvolution.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and chip fabrication techniques are described which provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) based devices used to selectively measure ions in a liquid. According to one aspect of the invention, an ESD protection circuit, made up of conventional protective elements, is integrated onto the same silicon chip on which the ISFET is formed, along with an interface that is in contact with the liquid being measured and which does not open up paths for D.C. leakage currents between the ISFET and the liquid. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a capacitor structure is used as the interface between the protection circuit and the liquid sample. Further aspects of the invention are directed to methods per se for providing ESD protection for ISFET sensors utilizing the interface means (e.g, capacitor structure) referred to hereinabove, and processes for fabricating the novel interface on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and chip fabrication techniques are described which provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) based devices used to selectively measure ions in a liquid. According to one aspect of the invention, an ESD protection circuit, made up of conventional protective elements, is integrated onto the same silicon chip on which the ISFET is formed, along with an interface that is in contact with the liquid being measured and which does not open up paths for D.C. leakage currents between the ISFET and the liquid. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a capacitor structure is used as the interface between the protection circuit and the liquid sample. Further aspects of the invention are directed to methods per se for providing ESD protection for ISFET sensors utilizing the interface means (e.g, capacitor structure) referred to hereinabove, and processes for fabricating the novel interface on a silicon wafer.