Abstract: The present invention provides an elegant and compact way to provide mechanisms for invocation of objects by client applications and for argument passing between client applications and object implementations, which reduce the memory space required for the client-side stubs, without the client application or the operating system knowing the details of how these mechanisms work. Moreover, these mechanisms function in a distributed computer environment with similar ease and efficiency, where client applications may be on one computer node and object implementations on another. Additionally the invention is independent of the particular C++ compiler used for generation of the stub code. The mechanism used to reduce this memory space comprises a stub generator (called "CONTOCC"), a data base of client-side stub description files and a stub-interpreter which knows how to read these client-side stub description files. CONTOCC reads interface definition language ("IDL") files and generates corresponding C++ files.

Abstract: A generic management framework for a network management system enables management services and management agents to be added in use as required. Management services can be loaded or plugged into the framework dynamically. As a result a management structure can be provided which is scalable and dynamic and can evolve as requirements change. Management information is modelled as management beans. Network management adaptors can also be added as required to the framework to support protocols such as HTTP, SSL, RMI, SNMP. Remote applications can thereby control the management beans remotely through different protocols.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ("mini-columns"), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for reducing the overhead associated with performing area-image operations on a tiled image. The invention detects when an area-image operation, that uses a source pixel contribution map, requires pixel values from one or more adjacent tiles. The invention also generates a list of boxes that represent pixel image information. These boxes are split with respect to the image edges and the tile edges within the image. The split boxes are used to direct memory buffer allocation for cobbled portions of the image and to leave the majority of the tile's pixel information to be operated on within memory buffer holding the tile. Thus, the invention provides a mechanism to assemble image data that crosses tile edges without copying major portions of the tile from one memory buffer to another.

Abstract: A voltage to current (V-I) converter includes a low pass filter, a first converting element, a second converting element, and an output. The low pass filter receives an input voltage signal and outputs a filtered voltage signal. The output of the low pass filter is fed to the first converting element, which converts the filtered voltage signal into a corresponding output current which is fed to the output of the V-I converter. Preferably, the voltage to current gain of the first converting element is high. The low pass filter and the first converting element form a low frequency or DC signal path. The V-I converter further includes a second converting element, which receives the input voltage signal and converts it into a corresponding output current which is also fed to the output of the V-I converter. This current is combined with the output current from the first converting element to produce an overall output current.

Abstract: A predistortion circuit and method provides signals to oppose and cancel an anticipated phase and frequency distortion in a coupled electrical system. The predistortion circuitry includes first and second subcircuits which include opposing diodes, providing 180 degree out-of-phase and in-phase signals to produce second, third and higher order predistortion outputs.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products provide for searching a data structure to extract possible matches of one or more known patterns that may exist in the data structure through a single traversal of the data structure. The apparatus methods and computer program products use a direction list tree that represents the known patterns that may exist in the data structure. The apparatus, methods and computer program products detect known patterns by gathering marker information from edge nodes that define the known patterns and then, at each pattern termination node, determines which known patterns have been found. These known patterns can then be processed.

Abstract: A system and method for tracing device drivers using a computer is described. A memory is interconnected with a processor in the computer and configured into a user memory space and a kernel memory space. An application process executes on the processor within the user memory space. An operating system kernel executes on the processor within the kernel memory space with a traced device driver. A tracing device driver executes on the processor within the kernel memory space and is interposed between the application process and the traced device driver to trace interactions occurring between the traced device driver and the application process and the kernel operating system. A tracing process executes on the processor within the user memory space and interfaces with the tracing device driver. The tracing process controls the tracing device driver in accordance with user-specified parameters and includes a display for result sets generated by the tracing device driver.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber.

Abstract: A high voltage input pad and method for accepting electrostatic discharge (ESD) surges without damage to an input semiconductor amplifier. The protection system includes a metal gate transistor, and n-well resistors which provide ESD protection. Protection is further provided against large voltages coupled to an amplifier by connecting an input bipolar junction transistor to the negative input connection of the amplifier. Negative surges are directed to ground with an anode grounded diode connected at its cathode to the negative input connection of the amplifier.

Abstract: An improved user interface for a cellular telephone system subscriber unit, including the following functions: (1) a predictive keyboard input method for speeding up input on a telephone with a space limited keyboard; (2) a word completion method for speeding up input; (3) a distinctive signaling method useful in a dual-mode or tri-mode cellular phone system that incorporates both voice call functionality and data messaging functionality; (4) a secret message method that permits secret messages to be received by an authorized user of a cellular telephone that includes a data messaging capability; (5) a message screening method that permits a user to set a message screening mode in a cellular telephone; (6) an improved "scratchpad" method which permits a user to enter a telephone number into a storage register of a cellular telephone while in the middle of a voice call, visually verify the entry, and then save the number to a rapid redial location for later use; (7) a global search method for searching text st

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for compiling a source file and to generate a data structure associating a global symbol with a global register referenced in the source file. The data structure enables a linker to initialize the global registers. The compiler also generates an object file from the source file. The object file includes the global register information. A linker links the object file potentially with at least one other object file or shared library to thereby generate an executable file or shared library. The linker uses the global symbol information contained in the object file to initialize the global registers and to perform relocation operations.

Abstract: A dispatch mechanism is provided for dispatching data units, (e.g. datagrams or packets) divided into one or more fragments, via a telecommunications network. The dispatch mechanism includes a queue for queuing fragments for transmission. It further includes a queue controller operable when a fill level of the queue exceeds a threshold value to discard fragments of data units for which a fragment has not already been queued and to add to the queue fragments of data units for which a fragment has already been queued. The dispatch mechanism maintains a record of data units which are to be transmitted (that is when one fragment of the data unit has already been passed for despatch) and a record of data units which are to be dropped (that is data units for which a fragment has already been dropped). The dispatch mechanism enables more effective use of network capacity by reducing the possibility of incomplete data units being transmitted over the network.

Abstract: A Booth multiplier for multiplying a first number with a second number to produce a product has an array of adder cells arranged in a plurality of rows of adder cells and is provided with input circuitry that reduces the power consumption of the multiplier. This input circuitry includes a plurality of Booth recoding logic cells that provide the control signals to multiplexers in the adder cells in the array. The Booth recoding logic cells receive different subsets of bits of the second number and generate the Booth recoded control signals as a function of the received subset of bits. Each Booth recoding logic cell includes balanced logic circuitry for generating all of the Booth recoded control signals from that Booth recoding logic cell at the same time. The balanced logic circuitry minimizes temporary short-circuit paths in the multiplexers in the adder cells. The input circuitry also includes a split bus that provides the first number to the array.

Abstract: A battery type identification system for determining the type of a selected battery and its operational status as a function of type. A battery has spaced bands of selected conductivity to define an identification code used to identify the battery. An appliance using batteries (e.g., a consumer product) includes an array of conductivity detectors spaced to engage corresponding battery identification bands. The battery types identification system determines battery kinds of predetermined type and then determines the voltage of the battery to assess its operability status.

Abstract: A output driving circuit having an output driving element, an overshoot protection mechanism, and an undershoot protection mechanism. When the overshoot protection mechanism senses an overshoot voltage at the output terminal of the output driving element, it raises the voltage at the control terminal of the output driving element. This serves to maintain the voltage between the output terminal and the control terminal of the output driving element within a safe range, thereby preventing overstress or damage to the element. When the undershoot protection mechanism senses an undershoot voltage at the output terminal of the output driving element, it lowers the voltage at the control terminal of the output driving element. This serves to maintain the voltage between the output terminal and the control terminal of the output driving element within a safe range, which in turn prevents overstress and damage to the element.

Abstract: A system and method of avoiding preservation of files deleted in a flash memory by indicating deletion in a File Indication Map without modifying an associated block allocation map controls transfer of files from a full flash memory erase unit to a transfer flash memory erase unit. Modified File Indication Maps are compared with prior File Indication Maps to establish file deletion and to control modification of an associated block allocation map. The prior File Indication Map in flash memory is updated after comparison is completed.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed that create an "agent LWP" in a target process. Creation of the agent LWP allows a controlling process to control execution of computer instructions within the target process without co-opting an existing LWP in the target process. The invention thus provides a mechanism that does not unintentionally change the state of the target process because existing partially-completed system calls do not need to be aborted and reissued.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that improve the performance of multi-threaded computer applications that use objects (within an object collection) which require exclusive thread access. The invention monitors interrelationships between the objects in the object collection and provides mechanisms to lock the minimal set of these objects for the exclusive thread access. When these objects are locked, independent or unrelated objects are left unlocked and can, in turn, be locked by other threads. Because a minimal set of objects are locked other threads that access the object collection are less likely to be blocked by the lock. Thus, these other threads are more likely to be able to simultaneously access objects in the object collection.

Abstract: A make system includes an overlay make tool for graphical presentation of user-friendly data regarding build operations updating multi-file software architecture. The make system includes a make program building files into executable programs, and a make tool which updates files requiring updating according to an update method relying upon a dependency tree and date stamp information.