Abstract: A transaction, consisting of a compilation of changes made to one or more data objects of a database, is transfered to a primary transaction engine of a primary database for processing. A copy of the transaction is sent by the primary transaction engine to a shadow transaction engine of a mirror database for processing in the local store. The transactions are then processed by the respective transaction engines. If the transaction is successfully processed by both transaction engines, the respective databases are updated from the local data store. If one of the transactions is not successfully processed, the system takes corrective action and optionally notifies the user.

Abstract: A computational array circuit (100) performs parallel multiplications with an adder array (140). The computational array circuit converts a floating point input value to a logarithmic input value. The logarithmic input value is then added to a logarithm of a multiplier value by an adder circuit (145) in each of a number of array elements (150) of the adder array (140). The computational array circuit (100) converts the resulting logarithmic output value from each of the array elements (150) to an antilogarithmic output value. The antilogarithmic output value from each of the array elements is thus the mathematical equivalent of the floating point input value multiplied by the multiplier value. The computational array circuit (100) thus obtains the advantage of floating point precision and range while requiring far less physical area than floating point multipliers would require to perform the same functions.

Abstract: A method for building and storing a nodal tree structure and a composite display matrix from laboratory information which includes specimen, organism, and drug sensitivity information. The method consolidates microbiological lab results by building the composite display matrix based on the lab results and the relationships among specimens, organisms, and drugs tested. The method also displays the composite display matrix once the lab results are consolidated and the composite display matrix built.

Abstract: Initialization data is received by a memory multiplexer (MEMMUX) and stored in a plurality of registers of the MEMMUX without reading data from memory. The storage of the initialization data in the MEMMUX registers may be sequential or simultaneous. The initialization data is then written to memory along with error detection and correction data as desired.

Abstract: Automated quality control is provided in a document conversion system. A scanner scans and converts printed documents into digital data. A computer stores the digital data into one or more files which are then displayed on a monitor for view by an operator. The computer obtains from the operator an error count of conversion errors observed by comparing the printed documents scanned to the diplayed files. The computer calculates a conversion accuracy percentage based on the number of conversion errors.

Abstract: A ground plane interconnection system using multiple connector contacts interconnects ground planes between backplanes, between circuit boards or between backplanes and circuit boards. When a column or a portion of the column of contacts is allocated to the ground plane interconnect, the ground plane interconnects within the acceptable operational impedance range. These contacts behave as a plane in the direction of interest in a backplane system.

Abstract: In a computer system having a computer connected to peripheral devices, an illumination device is connected via a termination data line to a selected peripheral device. The illumination device provides illumination when current is supplied via the termination data line, thereby indicating the presence of at least one terminator in the peripheral devices. A second illumination device may be connected to the selected peripheral device via an overtermination data line and a termination power line for indicating the presence of more than one terminator among the peripheral devices when current supplied via the overtermination data line exceeds a threshold amount. A third illumination device may also be connected via the termination power line for indicating the presence of termination power when current is supplied via the termination power line.

Abstract: An object-oriented software architecture interacts with "real" input/output devices exclusively through "virtual" input/output devices. Since all human interface with the operating system is performed through such virtual devices, the system can accept any form of real input or output devices. The lowest level of the operating system converts input from any physical device to virtual form and converts virtual output into suitable physical output. Any number of physical devices can be connected to, removed from, or replaced in the system without disrupting the system.

Abstract: A burst error scrubbing system and method consecutively detects and corrects errors in all of memory, beginning with data stored at the first address of memory and continuing until data stored at the last address of memory is read, corrected and written back to memory. Burst error scrubbing is not performed during a refresh cycle but instead is programmable so that the burst scrubbing can be performed at a specific time interval.

Abstract: Alternative instances of an element class are configured in a software system. In one instance, called a single element instance, the software system is configured to support a single element of a class of existing hardware/software elements, called an element class. In another instance, called a multiple element instance, the software system is configured to support multiple elements of the element class. For example, the single element instance might utilize only a single central processing unit (CPU), whereas the multiple element instance allows for several different CPUs to be utilized.

Abstract: A cable connector or jumper for providing alternating current between adjacent electrical modules comprises a first head member having a set of recessed prongs, a second head member having a set of recessed mating apertures, and a semi-rigid, tubular connecting member. The connecting member incorporates a ferrule of magnetic material for reducing RF emissions. The connecting member is sufficiently rigid to permit same to be manually grasped for insertion and removal of the head members into corresponding connectors on adjacent electrical modules, while the connecting member is sufficiently flexible to permit the head members to be moved relative to one another in order to facilitate their insertion into and removal from the module connectors.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic configuration of memory devices having a same initial address. Initially, all of the memory devices in the computer system are disabled but one enabled memory device. An initial address of the enabled memory device is changed to a new unique address. Then, unless all of the memory devices have been enabled, one previously disabled memory device is enabled to produce a next enabled memory device having the initial address. The steps of changing the initial address of the enabled memory device to a new unique address and enabling a next enabled memory device having the initial address are then repeated until the initial address of each of the memory devices has been changed to a new unique address.

Abstract: In a data processing system comprising a plurality of processing elements coupled to a network, a method of single-stepping the processing elements aids in debugging the system. Only one processing element at a time is permitted to execute N steps while its data output is coupled to the network. Once it's finished executing, a time period greater than the maximum propagation delay time of the network is permitted to pass before stepping a succeeding processing element N steps. In another embodiment, the outputs of all processing elements to the network are first disabled, then all processing elements are allowed to execute N steps. Next the system is halted, and, one at a time, the data output of each processing element is coupled to the network, allowing sufficient time for each processing element's output to propagate through the network before coupling the output of a succeeding processing element.

Abstract: A system including a number of circuit boards is provided that configures itself automatically. Any number of circuit boards can be placed in any order including sandwich arrangements where the circuit boards automatically configure themselves without any manual intervention by a skilled individual changing jumpers or strapping devices. The multi-board system removes the possibility of an error occurring while configuring the memory and registers.

Abstract: A method is provided for using a scroll bar to select and view exact pages of a document without downloading unwanted pages of the document. Instead of displaying all the pages before a particular page is selected via scroll bar, the method does not display any of the incremental or unwanted pages before the actual selected page is selected, retrieved and displayed.

Abstract: A post-processing method for an optical character recognition (OCR) method for combining different OCR engines to identify and resolve characters and attributes of the characters that are erroneously recognized by multiple optical character recognition engines. The characters can originate from many different types of character environments. OCR engine outputs are synchronized in order to detect matches and mismatches between said OCR engine outputs by using synchronization heuristics. The mismatches are resolved using resolution heuristics and neural networks. The resolution heuristics and neural networks are based on observing many different conventional OCR engines in different character environments to find what specific OCR engine correctly identifies a certain character having particular attributes. The results are encoded into the resolution heuristics and neural networks to create an optimal OCR post-processing solution.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which data is entered and validated, a method for performing edit procedures, according to which edit procedures are associated with input attributes via a table. The edit procedures are applied in a predetermined, yet modifiable order.

Abstract: A number of modules mechanically and electrically connect to each other to form an interconnecting module system. A latching mechanism connects each of the modules together. There is a backplane in each of the modules. The backplanes are interconnected When the modules are interconnected to each other. In addition, the modules can be stacked on top of each other and on top of a base. The base provides stability and support for the stack of modules.