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: A balancing circuit which may be used as part of a random access memory system for eliminating bit line offset, is disclosed. The balancing circuit contemplated by the invention is capable of supporting rapid memory accesses (such as reads when the memory enters a "read" mode); and simultaneously minimizes the potential for the disturbance of data stored in the memory cells attached to a given bit line pair when the memory is in a "standby" mode following deselect. The invention is particularly useful in connection with the Harper/PNP memory cell arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for tolerating up to k faults in d-dimensional mesh architectures based on the approach of adding spare components (nodes) and extra links (edges) to a given target mesh where exactly k spare nodes are added and the number of links per node (degree of the mesh) is kept to a minimum. The resulting architecture can be reconfigured, without the use of switches, as an operable target mesh in the presence of up to k faults. According to one aspect of the invention, given a d-dimensional mesh architecture M having N=n.sub.1 .times.n.sub.2 x . . . x n.sub.d nodes, the fault tolerant mesh can be represented by a circulant graph having exactly N+k nodes. This graph has the property that given any set of k or fewer faulty nodes, the remaining graph, after the performance of a predetermined node renaming process, is guaranteed to contain as a subgraph the graph corresponding to target mesh M so long as d.gtoreq.2 and n.sub.d .gtoreq.3.

Abstract: A layer of photoresist provides a stress relief (or cushion) layer between a lift-off polymer layer and a barrier of multi-level lift-off structures. When multiple evaporation steps are required using the same lift-off pattern, the adhesion between organosilicon and organic film is stressed by a first blanked metal film. To prevent delamination between the lift-off polymer layer and RIE barrier photoresist is applied on top of the lift-off polymer and sandwiched between the organosilicon and organic materials. This photoresist acts as a cushion and as an adhesion promoter to reduce delamination after the metal deposition(s).

Abstract: A self-destructing disposable safety syringe system, suitable for preventing needle sticks, preventing syringe reuse, and dispensing fluids from, drawing fluids into and mixing fluids within the system.

Abstract: A combining switch that reduces memory accesses, synchronizes parallel processors and is easy to implement, is achieved by configuring a plurality of parallel processing nodes in a ring arrangement and by implementing a synchronizing instruction for the switch that facilitates, rather than inhibits, parallel processing. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention the ring is a token ring and the synchronizing instruction is a Fetch-and-Add instruction.

Abstract: A fully redundant safety interlock system is provided comprising, means for detecting the loss of light on a fiber optic link; controller means, coupled to said means for detecting, for determining the safety condition of the link based on the output of said means for detecting, and for controlling the radiant energy output of an optical transmitter, based on the determined safety condition, via redundant output control signals; and means, coupled to said controller means, responsive to said redundant control signals, for interconnecting the output of said controller means to transmitter drive circuitry to thereby adjust the radiant energy output by the transmitter. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller means includes an electronic implementation of two independent state machines, each of which redundantly determines the connection state of the optical link between two optical link cards.

Abstract: Ceramic head pad materials which exhibit superior toughness and lubricating material characteristics over known materials, particularly in the areas of toughness resilience, damping, solid lubricity, reduced brittleness and chipping (without a change in bulk hardness), and improved thermal expansion, result from optimizing the amount of strontium oxide (SrO) and included in a calcium titanate ceramic. In particular, a ceramic material with approximately 5% to 7% SrO in a calcium titanate matrix (with approximately 6% SrO being the optimal concentration), may be utilized to realize the aforestated improved toughness and lubricating characteristics.

Abstract: A combined linear-rotary direct drive step motor, having a rotary section and a linear section in a single housing, comprising a cylindrically shaped variable reluctance linear step motor; a modified hybrid permanent-magnet rotary step motor; and a common shaft shared by said linear step motor and said rotary step motor. The teeth of the rotary motor are circumferentially spaced around the stator pole faces and rotor; while in the linear portion of the motor, the teeth are longitudinally spaced along the face of the stator poles and rotor. Except for the teeth, the shape of the stator poles in the rotary and linear sections are identical. The laminated stators and rotors reduce eddy current losses at high stepping speeds. The stator coils of both motor sections are separate and can be energized independently allowing any combination of rotary or linear motion. According to alternate embodiments of the invention, the rotor is fabricated from stacked laminations, in a waffle board like configuration.

Abstract: A direct optical connector (DOC) comprised of first and second members, each including a plurality of light emitting and light detecting locations, operative in combination with energy transfer media to form direct optical connections between the light emitting locations and the light detecting locations, wherein said first and second members are adapted for reclosable connection to each other whereupon the light emitting locations on one member are aligned with the light detecting locations on the other member. The first and second members of the preferred DOC are modular. Alternative forms of energy transfer media are used in various embodiments of the invention including lenslet arrays, imaging fiber plates (IFPs), and energy transfer fiber plates (ETFPs). These media have differing alignment criteria, differing degrees of immunity from crosstalk, differing degrees of transfer efficiency, different manufacturing costs, etc.

Abstract: Methods are set forth which provide for the allocation of bandwidth for point-to-point, serial, bidirectional communication paths in a digital switching system. Bandwidth allocation is performed at both ends of a path (e.g. T1 line, IML, etc.) and may take place in either direction. Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the Bandwidth Allocation Facility (BAF) at each end of a given path allocates bandwidth in integer multiples of maximum switching system granularity. The BAF also supports the implementation of user requests for any one of a plurality of allocation and boundary rules. To minimize the probability of contention and out of band signalling between the BAF pair associated with a given path, a front-to-back search mechanism is assigned for one BAF of the pair, while the other BAF utilizes a back-to-front search mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth for quickly making switched virtual connections (SVCs) in a digital circuit switch that integrates voice and data using common switch, control and distribution equipment. SVCs provide concurrent data connection service from one station device, such as a PC, to other station devices over a single line for each station device where the line may also carry voice and terminal data service. A switch control processor remembers connection requests from station devices and acts on opportunities to utilize available bandwidth in an optimal manner. Dynamic connection reconfiguration techniques allow the system to "scavenge" bandwidth unused by voice or terminal data traffic for SVCs thereby providing the largest possible data rate at any given time. Short signalling messages and indexed values are used in order to speed activation time for previously defined connections while resource allocation is performed by the switch control processor to further enhance system operating speed.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge, included in a blood sample analysis system, is described wherein the cartridge itself contains means for both sensing and measuring preselected blood related parameters. The blood sample being analyzed is directly placed in contact with sensing means in the cartridge without intervening buffer solutions, exposure to air, etc. The unadulterated sample is analyzed within the cartridge and the measurement output therefrom is communicated to means outside the cartridge where it can be displayed, be analyzed further, be transmitted to a remote location, etc. The cartridge and its contents do not require on site calibration or a warm up period. This feature allows the system to be used by personnel not necessarily trained in calibrating sophisticated electronic equipment and facilitates rapid data output, particularly vital in critical care and emergency treatment situations.

Abstract: An optical fiber link card communication module, and process for fabricating the module, where the module provides a parallel electrical interface to the user, facilitates high speed serial transmission of data over an optical data link, and contains a plurality of converters for performing conversions between both electrical and optical signals. The module further includes edge mounted optical components having leads mounted on the surface of a card (as opposed to standard pin-in-hole type leads) to minimize lead capacitance and inductance from the optical components to the card electronics, on board card control means for the converters and safety shut down means on the same card as the electrical and optical components.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge, included in a blood sample analysis system, is described wherein the cartridge itself contains means for both sensing and measuring preselected blood related parameters. The blood sample being analyzed is directly placed in contact with sensing means in the cartridge without intervening buffer solutions, exposure to air, etc. The unadulterated sample is analyzed within the cartridge and the measurement output therefrom is communicated to means outside the cartridge where it can be displayed, be analyzed further, be transmitted to a remote location, etc. The cartridge and its contents do not require on site calibration or a warm up period. This feature allows the system to be used by personnel not necessarily trained in calibrating sophisticated electronic equipment and facilitates rapid data output, particularly vital in critical care and emergency treatment situations.

Abstract: An integrated office controller (IOC) network includes, in combination, a plurality of station devices each capable of transmitting and receiving multiplexed bearer and signal channel information; user port interface means for carrying said multiplexed information between a station device and a station multiplex/demultiplex device (SMX); a plurality of SMXs, each associated with and coupled to a predefined cluster of said station devices, via said user port interface means, for concentrating the multiplexed information froms said interface means into channel signals, central equipment module (CEM) means, including a call processor, a non-blocking switch matrix and clock means, for switching channel signals through said switch matrix under the control of said cell processor and clock means; transmission system means, capable of interfacing SMXs and trunk cards to said CEM, where said transmission system means includes modular line interface module (LIM) means for interfacing a plurality of SMXs and the CEM, an

Abstract: A tube with a restricted end is used to produce a spray of water by manually forcing the non-restricted end of the tube into a body of water. The resulting spray comes out of the restricted end of the tube. Thus, the spray is not in line with the direction of force needed to achieve the spraying action. The tube and restriction combination provides a device that can be used for aquatic amusements, exercise, etc., in an inherently safe manner.

Abstract: A three dimensional chip package comprising a plurality of semiconductor substrates, each having at least one semiconductor electronic device mounted thereon; wherein at least a subset of said plurality substrates are physically joined to form an enclosure within which each substrate has at least one electrical contact location to another substrate; and further wherein at least one cooling channel is provided within said enclosure into which a cooling fluid may be introduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth which improved the sub-rate channel carrying capacity and the efficiency of bandwidth usage, over the CCITT I.463 standard, for switching systems having a switching "granularity", defined as the smallest channel size that can be switched through the system, of better then 64 Kbps (e.g. a switching system that can switch 8 Kbps fragments). These methods and apparatus are capable of performing rate adaptation for multiple synchronized subrate channels in accordance with a predefined multiplexing protocol. The protocol calls for "time interleaved" multiplexed rate adaptation to be performed, i.e., multiple sub-rate channel data is packaged into fragment size envelopes (or integer multiples thereof). The width of a fragment is also matched (ideally equal) to the granularity of the system's switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth that perform Format Conversion between bit streams which embed sub-rate circuit data according to different protocols. The invention (1) locates and extracts the sub-rate circuit data embedded, in an input serial bit stream, in accordance with a first predefined protocol (2) aligns the data in a buffer, and (3) creates an output bit stream in which the extracted circuit data is reformatted and inserted in accordance with a second predefined protocol. A programmable bit map driven format conversion module operates the data aligned in the aforementioned buffer. The conversion process is bidirectional and, in one embodiment of the invention, facilitates conversion between a single stage time division multiplexed data format and a two stage time division multiplexed format (e.g. X.50 and I.463) by utilizing the aforesaid bit map driven format conversion technique.