Abstract: Annotations to data objects are stored in the object instance and may be stored in an annotation file or a reference may be store in a reference file. Once annotated, a cell displaying the data object will provide a notation indicating that the data object has an annotation associated therewith. Retrieval of annotations which are not stored in an annotation file or reference file occurs through a search of the object instances. Retrieval of annotations having a reference in a reference file occurs through use of the reference to access the object instances. Retrieval of annotations in an annotation file occurs through retrieval of the annotation file. Once retrieved, the annotations may be in a final form, such as the nursing progress notes, or may be on a scratch pad to allow the user to electronically transfer annotations from a scratch pad to a permanent record.

Abstract: Data is retrieved from a database, whose physical organization (indexed matrix) is similar to the logical organization (spread sheet) of the data, by requesting the parameters and the desired time interval. A data interface locates pages in the database containing the requested parameters. Entries from page indexes relating to desired parameters are consolidated into a master composite index. Pages relating to the time period requested are then bound and searched to find the desired data. This data is then returned to the requesting application.

Abstract: A spreadsheet comprised of a plurality of cells is described wherein each cell is separately identified by one or more parameters. The cells are dynamically configured so that the size may be changed depending on the information to be displayed. Each cell has an accompanying form which contains information. The information is generally broken down into mandatory, optional, notational, and other information. The determination of how the information is classified is determined by the cell definition, not by the form or data being displayed. Each cell will display the mandatory information and may display the optional information if present in the form. In addition, a notation (or indicator) will be displayed in the cell if notational information is present in the form.

Abstract: A memory arbiter for a cluster controller having a protocol controller, a main processing unit (MPU) and a shared common global random access memory (RAM) wherein a combination of buffers and latches enable zero wait-state access to the common global RAM to be zero-wait-state for the MPU. This result is achieved by the common global RAM inserting wait-states on the protocol controller whenever both the protocol controller and the MPU are requesting access of the common global RAM.