Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented query compiler. A query is executed in a computer, the query being performed by the computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. The query is received containing at least one variable. At execution time, a value is determined for each variable in the query. A filter factor is estimated using the determined value for each variable. Then, an access path is determined for the query using the estimated filter factor.

Abstract: A presser bar mechanism for an exit door having a frame with a stile, upper and lower lock rods vertically sliding in the stile, a presser bar carried on the door frame, a plate mounted in the stile for rotation about a horizontal axis, upper and lower connectors each having a first end attached to the plate and each having a second end attached to said upper and lower lock rods, respectively, a drive pin carried in one of the connectors and projecting outward from the stile, a slide housing carried on the stile and including a slide channel, a slide member carried in the slide housing for translation along the slide channel, and a crank carried in the slide housing and having first and second crank arms, with the first crank arm engageable by the presser bar and with the second crank arm engagable with the slide member so that pressing on the presser bar rotates the crank to move the slide member in the slide housing, with the slide member engaging the drive pin in driving relation to translate the drive pin

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: In a pool lighting system, each illuminator (10) comprises a color wheel 26, a driver mechanism (24) for rotating the color wheel, and a synchronization circuit (42). The synchronization circuit is responsive to an alternating-current source of power applied to the illuminator to control the driver mechanism to place the color wheel at a predetermined position after a predetermined time subsequent to the alternating-current source of power being initially applied to the illuminator.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for maintaining object relationships. A query is executed in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device. Initially, one or more relationship objects are created, wherein each relationship object identifies a source object and a related target object. Next, when accessing a source object, related target objects are determined using the relationship object. When accessing a target object, related source objects are determined using the relationship object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for an intelligent compiler. A query is executed in a computer to retrieve data from a relational database stored on a data storage device. The query contains a procedural function. The query is compiled to generate an internal representation of the procedural function. Then, the execution of the procedural function is optimized using the generated internal representation.

Abstract: A hydro-therapy spa jet including an inlet connection, a first nozzle to accelerate a water stream from the inlet connection, an air inlet, a second nozzle drawing air from the air inlet to aerate the accelerated water stream, and a third nozzle to slow and directionally adjust the aerated water stream. The third nozzle includes an inlet, a chamber, and an orifice, where the aerated water stream passes into the inlet, through the chamber, and out the orifice. The inlet has a conical inner surface that contracts in a downstream direction. The inlet also includes a spherical outer surface, which is received in a conforming spherical inner surface within the jet. The chamber is conical in shape, expanding in the downstream direction to reduce the water's speed as it passes through the chamber. The orifice defines a passage having a cross-sectional area that is constant in the downstream direction.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly that has a lid that can be easily removed, a spare bulb holder, a color wheel that easily accepts additional filters without disassembly and a snap on filter for a window on the illuminator assembly. The illuminator assembly illuminates one end of a bundle of fiber optic fibers for a lighting system for a swimming pool or a spa or other area to be illuminated. The illuminator assembly includes a hollow housing containing a light socket assembly for illuminating the end of the bundle of fiber optic fibers. The housing has a first tab mounted adjacent to its open upper end. A light bulb is mounted in the light socket assembly and a lid is provided that is sized to cover the open upper end of the housing. The lid has a second tab configured to selectively engage the first tab on the housing upon the rotation of the lid with respect to the housing.

Abstract: The invention resides in apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells from donor tissue for later use in medical procedures. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure, at least one screening material inside the enclosure, an inlet port configured to conduct a fluid through the screening material, and an outlet port for receiving the fluid from the screening material and conducting the fluid out of the enclosure. A material to be screened is placed inside or conducted into the enclosure. Screened material is entrained in the fluid. The fluid carries bits of the material through the screening material and out of the enclosure for later separation from the fluid. Preferred embodiments include a series of screening materials of decreasing pore size, usually in the range from ten to one thousand micrometers in diameter.

Abstract: A debt credit award interchange system interfacing with a credit award exchange system for conversion of any form of merchant or creditor credit award resulting from consumer incurring debt due to consumer purchase of goods or services of creditor. The debtor earns a preassigned credit award per credit vehicle utilized and amount of purchased item. At central location of credit award interchange system, secured creditor debt credit award agreement contracts are matched with point of sale transaction purchases, utilizing data processing methods to increment consumer account, summing accumulations; debiting creditors, authorized and confirmed thru interchange system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to effervescent bath tablet compositions that contain an organic acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and a salt of a fatty acid. These invention bath tablet compositions characteristically exhibit low dissolution rates in warm water.

Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer, in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octanoic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.

Abstract: A critical event notification system continuously monitors patient statistics and lab data to detect critical events, and automatically pages a responsible physician or physicians, each having an alphanumeric pager. In particular, a computer is used to continually access real-time data and multiple hospital databases which are periodically updated. These databases include patient chart databases, databases corresponding to patient history and databases maintained by various labs. The computer, preferably a clinical information system, is automatically provided with certain data, or periodically extracts it from other, relational databases. The computer automatically reviews this data, makes the critical event determination, and formulates an alphanumeric message that is informative as to the patient's condition and the reasons why a critical event was detected.