Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for connecting an optical source to a multimode optical fibre in a multimode optical fibre communications system. A single mode fibre length is provided such that optical radiation admitted from an optical source at one end of the single mode fibre length is provided to a multimode optical fibre at the other end of the single mode fibre length. This method and apparatus is used in a duplex patchcord for connecting an optical transceiver to a pair of installed multimode fibres. The second fibre in the patchcord is a multimode fibre for passing optical signals to the optical receiver of the transceiver.

Abstract: A clock qualification circuit used to selectively enable a clock edge to transfer new delay data from a first-in-first-out (FIFO) circuit in a precision delay line circuit. The circuit qualifies the clock without generating undesirable pulses (glitches) and causing false loading of new delay data in a timing on the fly delay line implementation.

Abstract: A system in which remote nodes are supplied with electrical power using existing network communication links. A communication device in a system according to the present techniques routes electrical power to a remote node via a set of unused lines of a network communication link used for communication with the remote node. The electrical power distributed to the remote node may be AC or DC power.

Abstract: A light transmission system includes a laser, an optical fiber and a transfer lens. The fiber optic transfer for transfers light emitted by the laser into the optical fiber. The transfer lens includes a hyperbolic collimating surface for receiving and collimating light originating from the laser. The transfer lens also includes an output lens surface shaped so that light reflected from the end of the optical filter is not focused at a location at which the light is emitted by the laser. Additionally, in various preferred embodiments light launched into the optical fiber avoids index anomalies on the axis of the optical fiber and at the core-cladding interface.

Abstract: A high resolution imaging system for capturing a pair of object fields at extended resolution. The system has a twin input acquisition optical group, an image parting mechanism and a beam reception group where each module works to part and relay images of two object fields. The relayed images are segmented and directed to two image detector systems to extend the acquisition resolution. Electronic processing is used to merge and process the two image detector signals simultaneously. The resolution of the image detector is extended to produce high finesse qualities for high aspect ratio object fields.

Abstract: An ordering device which enables off-loading of ordering tasks from a processor in a system. The ordering device includes an array of logic cells arranged as a set of rows. Each row is capable of storing a data value in the corresponding logic cells. Each logic cell performs a logic function which determines a state of a set of outputs of each row in response to the data values. The logic functions are preselected such that the states of the outputs of each row indicate an ordering of the data values. The ordering device may be employed in a wide variety of systems and may include application-specific arrays.

Abstract: An image acquisition system is provided that allows different lighting techniques to be applied to a scene containing an object of interest concurrently. Within a single position, multiple images which are illuminated by different lighting techniques can be acquired by selecting specific wavelength bands for acquiring each of the images. In a typical application, both back lighting and front lighting can be simultaneously used to illuminate an object, and different image analysis methods may be applied to the images.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing arrays of polymeric binding agents. In the subject methods, the individual polymers of the array are synthesized using solid phase synthesis techniques on the surface of a substrate. A critical feature of the invention is that one or more locations on the substrate surface are spatially and temporally protected by a protective bubble during the synthesis protocol, where the protective bubble may be produced using any convenient bubble producing means. The bubble producing means may be a component of either a substrate or a structure separate from the substrate. Also provided are the arrays produced by the subject methods, kits for use in practicing the subject methods, and methods of using the arrays in analyte detection assays, including hybridization assays, such as gene discovery, differential gene expression and gene sequencing assays.

Abstract: An on-chip system and method for calibrating an illumination source includes a photo-detector and intensity sense and control circuitry resident on an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is illuminated by an illumination source, which impinges upon the photo-detector. The intensity sense and control circuitry receives the measured intensity value of the illumination source and compares the measured intensity to a predetermined value representing the desired intensity. Subject to a range of operation, the intensity sense and control circuitry adjusts the intensity of the illumination source based upon the difference between the measured illumination intensity and the desired illumination intensity.

Abstract: A common focus antenna including three slot antennas sets formed in a metallic layer. The metallic layer is supported by a substrate. Two slot antenna sets are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to a third antenna set which is positioned between the two parallel slot antenna in the general shape of the letter “H”. A lens is provided on the substrate, opposite the metallic layer.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a digital oscilloscope and associated method that provides a peak detect mode of operation that not only accurately displays peak information, but also reflects the significance of peak information, without distorting a statistical view of the signal. In this regard, and in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the oscilloscope includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter configured to periodically sample an input signal and convert the periodic samples into a train of digital data. A circuit is disposed at the output of the A/D converter and is configured to evaluate the train of digital data over a first predetermined period of time and detect a minimum value and a maximum value during the first period of time. A mechanism is configured to evaluate the minimum and maximum values and determine a significance measure of the minimum value and the maximum values.

Abstract: In a graphical call trace display showing progress of telephone calls in a public switched telephone network, successive events in the progress of a call are represented by respective segments of a line. Each segment is controlled in appearance (e.g. in color) to indicate the nature of the corresponding event, in accordance with information derived from signalling messages in a signalling network for controlling operation of the telephone network.

Abstract: A customizable nest plate for securely positioning a device to be nested. An alignment device may be used to position nest pins within one version of the nest plate. In another version, several tugboat stop blocks may be adjusted and secured against a nest plate having many threaded apertures in order to secure the device to be nested. In addition, adjustable ramps may be used to adjust the height of a device to be nested above the surface of the nest plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for reporting a patient's health parameter to a remote data management center. The apparatus has measurement units and a home hub. A measurement unit includes a sensor for sensing measurements of a health parameter and a transmitter for transmitting wirelessly data derived from the measurements. The home hub receives the wireless transmission of measurement data, processes the measurement unit data for effecient transfer, and transmits selectively data processed by thereby via public a data transmission network to a health data management unit.

Abstract: An interface controller used within communications network ports that can be deterministically shut down by a host processor within a communication node that includes the communications network port and that can shut itself down in an ordered and deterministic manner in response to detection of certain error conditions. The interface controller purges any commands and information stored within internal caches, carries forward any currently executed operations to reasonable halting points, and finally provides complete control of data structures shared by the interface controller and the host processor to the host processor.

Abstract: A mode selection method for signal analyzers having alternative swept and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) modes of operation enables tradeoffs between measurement speed and dynamic range to be optimized in selecting between the alternative operating modes. The method includes setting the signal analyzer to either a manual state or an automatic state according to a first input to a user interface. When the manual state is set, the analyzer is operated in either the swept operating mode or the FFT operating mode according to a second input to the user interface. When the automatic measurement state is set, a third input to the user interface determines whether measurement speed or dynamic range is optimized. Measurement speed is optimized according to a first optimization scheme and dynamic range is optimized according to a second optimization scheme.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for synthesis of polymers, and specifically teaches the use of polymeric sheets suitable for the synthesis of small quantities of oligonucleotides such as DNA.

Abstract: An application integrator that provides a user-interactive environment for integrating software applications having incompatible programming interfaces, such as production control and business enterprise systems. The application integrator generally comprises a configuration system that provides a user with a view of the software applications' name space and graphically represents user-determined associations between data units from each of the software applications. The graphical association represents a user-defined programmed interface, identifying which data units of the software applications to transfer and under what circumstances such transfers should occur. This information is stored by the configuration system in a configuration repository. A data server contains two distributed communication objects, each of which interfaces with a corresponding software application, and a mapping engine.

Abstract: A method for evaluating and correcting a model of an electronic circuit. A list is created which comprises the minimum number of components that must be specified by the operator in order to be able to compute values for the remaining circuit components. Correction of circuit models can be performed even in cases of limited accessibility to the circuit's nodes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a magneto-resistive head read amplifier circuit is provided which can be incorporated into a magnetic reader for reading information stored in magnetic form on a storage medium. The magneto-resistive head read amplifier of the present invention incorporates an inductor in the bottom current drain of the head read amplifier circuit which reduces or eliminates noise generated by the bottom current source transistor of the head read amplifier circuit. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the magneto-resistive head read amplifier is a single-polarity head read amplifier circuit which utilizes a bias current having a particular polarity. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the magneto-resistive head read amplifier is a dual-polarity head read amplifier circuit capable of operating with bias currents of opposite polarity.