Abstract: A method of and an electronic apparatus for determining real-time data latency are disclosed. The method may include creating a plurality of outgoing data packets having an outgoing time stamp, a group identifier and validation information. The outgoing data packets may be transmitted onto a network. A plurality of incoming data packets may be received over the network. The incoming data packets may be validated. For each of the incoming data packets that is valid, a round-trip time delay for the incoming data packet may be calculated, and statistics for the incoming data packets may be updated based on the round-trip time delay and the group identifier included in the incoming data packet. The method may be implemented on an electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical ventilation system, which obtains and maintains to below threshold reduced concentrations of volatile organic compounds and common organic odors in an air stream. The air stream has a concentration of volatile organic compounds of at least 100 parts per million and a temperature of between 30° and 70° F. The mechanical ventilation system comprises a duct, an air moving apparatus and a low-pressure germicidal lamp. The duct has a volume of at least five cubic feet for temporally containing and directing the air stream. The air moving apparatus moves the air stream through the duct at a speed of at least 100 cubic feet per minute. The low-pressure germicidal lamp is installed with respect to the duct such that the germicidal lamp, when energized, will irradiate the air stream passing through the duct.

Abstract: A system for providing scheduled messages to a remote user in a batch oriented system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user creates and/or reads electronic mail locally. While the user creates the electronic mail, a message is displayed to the user on a portion of the local monitor, the message preferably changing in accordance with a local display schedule and stored on a local storage device. The message is preferably targeted to the particular user. When the user is ready to transmit the e-mail created and/or receive e-mail addressed to him, the user's local client establishes a connection via a modem with a remote e-mail server system. The remote e-mail server system not only receives the e-mail transmitted by the user and/or transmits e-mail addressed to the user, but also updates the user's local messages in accordance with a distribution schedule.

Abstract: There are described apparatus and methods wherein ultraviolet light kills and/or degrades and vaporizes microorganisms and organic material which naturally form over time on a heat exchanger. As this matter is eliminated, the pressure drop is decreased (i.e., airflow is increased) and the heat exchange efficiency (capacity) is increased. Less energy per Btu removed is used by the cooling system, and less energy is used by the HVAC system to move air.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the on-line activities of an on-line user are disclosed. Information regarding the user's activities are used as a basis for targeting advertisements to the user. Monitoring is performed by a client monitoring application, which performs monitoring without intruding on the user's activities. In monitoring, URLs in the address bar of the browser application are obtained by the client monitoring application, or the stream of URLs transmitted by the browser application are obtained by the client monitoring application, or information in displayed web pages is obtained by the client monitoring application.

Abstract: A message searching and system and a terminal, which display messages to terminal users based on their individual characteristics profile, even when a plurality of users use the same terminal and even when users copy and use the same program. The system includes a message user database for storing records defining user characteristics profiles of terminal users, and a transmittal condition database for storing searching conditions for each message which may be transmitted to the terminal. This system detects a necessity to revise the user characteristics when communicating with the terminal, and revises the user characteristics if necessary. This system reads user characteristics from the message user database, and searches for appropriate messages from the transmittal condition database based on the user characteristics and characteristics associated with each message identifier. The message user database stores each user's birth date and the last system communication date.

Abstract: In the communication network for distributing messages such as advertisements to terminal users, an information providing system provides the suitable information to each user. The system includes a terminal connected to a communications network, a user database for storing the characteristics of each user, a message database for storing messages, and a transmittal condition database for storing the user characteristics of the class of suitable recipients for each message. A message searcher searches for messages from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database. A reader reads the retrieved messages from the message database and a transmitter transmits the messages to the terminal. An adder increases the value of a parameter associated with each user when the transmitted message is displayed on the terminal. A detector detects whether the user is active, and a stop means prevents the value of the parameter from being increased when the user is inactive.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral periodically stores its status information and a Host periodically receives this status information and stores it in a database in the Host. A technician may select some or all of the information to be provided to the technician on the occurrence of a number of trigger conditions. The technician may set the trigger conditions from any of the reportable status conditions. The Host automatically will connect to a remote monitoring computer designated by the technician and provide the selected information. The Host can also save the selected information to a removable storage medium.

Abstract: In a networked system having workstations, file servers and intelligent peripheral devices, the intelligent peripheral devices are capable of determining information concerning their device status and communicating the device status information via a communications line. The file server obtains the device status information from the peripheral device and stores this information as a file readable by the workstations.

Abstract: Devices and methods for analyzing a subject's personality are provided using an automated personality analyzer. A subject's responses to a predefined quiz, responses to flashcards, a monograph, or a monologue, is used to determine the subject's likely personality type. The subject's choice and usage of words, and in particular certain "key words", are categorized, scored, and weighted in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The sums of these weighted scores are used to compare the subject to predefined pure personality type, so as to gain insight to the subject's psychological state and personality.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing emergency information. This emergency information device is a portable unit which may be carried to an emergency site. It is operative in response to parameter entries by the rescuer according to the victim's condition to provide sequential procedural displays of medical standard rescue steps for assisting the rescuer in carrying out the correct rescue operation. The standard rescue procedure is stored in a microprocessor which, if necessary, can be re-programmed to update to a new rescue standard procedure. It includes a recall feature operative for reverse searching of any desired step in the display if the condition of the victim changes during the rescue operation. Additionally, distinct tone signals are emitted at selected steps of the rescue operation procedure to assist the rescuer in memorizing and conducting such steps in the rescue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing emergency information. This emergency information device is a portable unit which may be carried to an emergency site. It is operative in response to parameter entries by the rescuer according to the victim's condition to provide sequential procedural displays of medical standard rescue steps for assisting the rescuer in carrying out the correct rescue operation. The standard rescue procedure is stored in a microprocessor which, if necessary, can be re-programmed to update to a new rescue standard procedure. It includes a recall feature operative for reverse searching of any desired step in the display if the condition of the victim changes during the rescue operation. Additionally, distinct tone signals are emitted at selected steps of the rescue operation procedure to assist the rescuer in memorizing and conducting such steps in the rescue.