Abstract: The invention is an electronic circuit designed for incorporation on computer memory modules such as DDR DIMMs. It couples control signals such as address bits, bank selects, enable and even clock signals between the module input connector and the memory devices. The circuit provides low propagation delay, fast rise and fall times with no overshoot or undershoot, and significantly improves timing control compared to memory modules of the present art. Capacitive loading on the motherboard is typically much less than that provided by a single memory device input and is independent of the number of memory devices per bank or the number of banks of memory devices on the memory module. For multiple memory modules connected to the memory bus, capacitive loading is essentially N times the equivalent loading for a single memory module.

Abstract: The invention is a point-of-load power conditioning system for computer memory modules that provides regulation and fast transient response for memory integrated circuit bias voltages. The invention uses low voltage drop regulation circuitry that is physically located on individual memory modules. Power consumption and memory module regulator power dissipation are minimized by use of off-module power preconditioning that provides module input power at an optimized voltage for the on-module regulator circuitry.

Abstract: The invention is a clock interface circuit for high-speed computer memory modules. It provides improved timing margin due to improved rise and fall times than achieved with present JEDEC specified clock distribution and timing networks. The invention also provides for improved clock and inverse clock symmetry around VREF.

Abstract: The invention is an electronic circuit designed for incorporation on computer memory modules such as DDR DIMMs. It couples control signals such as address bits, bank selects, enable and even clock signals between the module input connector and the memory devices. The circuit provides low propagation delay, fast rise and fall times with no overshoot or undershoot, and significantly improves timing control compared to memory modules of the present art. Capacitive loading on the motherboard is typically much less than that provided by a single memory device input and is independent of the number of memory devices per bank or the number of banks of memory devices on the memory module. For multiple memory modules connected to the memory bus, capacitive loading is essentially N times the equivalent loading for a single memory module.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic isolator that provides low input to output insertion loss, high output to input insertion loss, and substantial asymmetric isolation between a source circuit and a load circuit. The invention actively reduces noise and reflected power appearing on the isolator output. In numerous embodiments, the invention operates in circuit applications from dc through millimeter wave. Multistage electronic isolator embodiments provide increased isolation and greater noise reduction. In other embodiments, the electronic isolator also removes noise appearing on its input. In another embodiment, the invention is configured for high power applications. This embodiment includes circuitry for redirecting power away from the load into resistors or other dissipative elements. In another embodiment, the electronic isolator is configured to remove signal distortion produced by one or more power amplifiers in the system.

Abstract: A surgical retractor liner and integral drape suitable for inserting in an incision and adjusting in place to prevent cross-contamination during surgery between the incised cavity and the surrounding skin of the patient. In one embodiment, a flexible elastic liner impervious to microorganisms has resilient inner and outer rings at opposite ends for holding the liner firmly in the incision. The outer ring is rolled down over itself drawing the liner taut and contiguous in the incision. In another embodiment, a skirt is sealingly joined at the outer ring and tapers outwardly and sealingly joins to a drape around a central aperture therein. The inner ring is inserted and expanded against the inner edge of the incision, and the outer ring is rolled down over the liner and skirt to draw the liner taut in the incision and to retract the sides of the incision while positively anchoring the drape in place around the area of the incision.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for providing extracorporeal pneumoperitoneum. One embodiment provides a reversely turned fluid and gas impermeable fingerless sleeve (14) with a quick connect and disconnect assembly around the cuff of the sleeve (14) for sealing around an abdominal incision to allow hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery under conditions of pneumoperitoneum. A dome shaped enclosure (62) is provided for use with the quick connect and disconnect assembly to seal around an abdominal incision and maintain pneumoperitoneum during interruptions in a surgical procedure. Another embodiment incorporates a fingerless sleeve (14) which is adhesively secured directly to a patient's skin around an incision. The sleeve is applied over a pre-gloved surgeon's hand, and an outer surgical glove (18) is applied over the sleeve (14) in the region where the fingers and thumb protrude before the sleeve (14) is reversely turned on itself for connection to a patient.

Abstract: A surgical retractor liner (12) and integral drape (16) suitable for inserting in an incision and adjusting in place to prevent cross-contamination during surgery between the incised cavity and the surrounding skin of the patient. In one embodiment, a flexible elastic liner (12) impervious to microorganisms has resilient inner (20) and outer rings (18) at either end for holding the liner (12) firmly in the incision. The outer ring (18) is rolled down over itself drawing the liner (12) taut and contiguous in the incision. In another embodiment a skirt (14) is sealingly joined at the outer ring (18) and tapers outwardly and sealingly joins to a drape (16) around a central aperture (16a) therein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and the method for delivering and withdrawing surgical tools through a cannula in an abdominal cavity during hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery. A tube slidably extends through a cannula with a slender surgical tool such as a suture needle holder, secured in a snap-in gripper at the insertion end of the tube. The thumb and fingers of one hand of the surgeon or an assistant's cause the tube to move axially from a fully retracted position in the cannula to a position where the tool projects from a snap-in socket in the tube a length sufficient for a surgeon's hand to grip a knurled surface around the tool. A detent bead around the periphery of the tool snaps into a complementary groove within the gripper. Insufflating gas may be introduced or vented as needed through a port which communicates through the interior of the tube with the abdominal cavity. The procedure is reversed for withdrawing the tool.

Abstract: A technique for providing device virtualization in an MS-DOS based operating environment, using an interrupt request (e.g., a non-maskable interrupt), is described. The technique includes executing an application on a processor within the MS-DOS based operating environment and, when the application attempts to address the device to be emulated, causing a processor interrupt to occur. In response to the interrupt, the processor executes code representing the virtualization of a device. The code for servicing the interrupt and emulating the device are written in protected-mode code, stored in the extended memory area, and made available by making appropriate entries into the interrupt descriptor tables (IDTs) for the protected-mode contexts which exist for the native protected-mode operating systems and for the DOS extender.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for providing extracorporeal pneumoperitoneum. One embodiment provides a fluid and gas impremeable fingerless glove with a quick connect and disconnect assembly around the cuff of the glove which seals around an abdominal incision to allow hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery under conditions of pneumoperitoneum. Another embodiment provides a dome-shaped enclosure with the quick connect and disconnect assembly which seals around an abdominal incision to maintain pneumoperitoneum during interruptions in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An improved surgical apparatus for hand-assisted minimum invasive surgery with isolation at the site of a wound from ambient conditions. A sleeve of gas-impermeable material includes entry and exit openings for access to the wound, and ports for introducing surgical instruments into the sleeve within easy reach of a surgeon's hand.

Abstract: A surgical retractor liner and integral drape assembly suitable for inserting in an incision and adjusting in place to prevent cross-contamination during surgery between the incise cavity and the surrounding skin of the patient. A flexible liner impervious to microorganisms has resilient inner and outer rings at either end for holding the liner firmly in the incision. A skirt sealingly joined at the outer ring tapers outwardly and sealingly joins to a drape around a central aperture therein. The inner ring is inserted and expanded against the inner edge of the incision, and the outer ring is rolled down over the liner and skirt to draw the liner taut in the incision and to retract the sides of the incision while positively anchoring the drape in place around the area of the incision.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hand-assisted minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery which allows for palpation and biophysical feedback within a sterile environment. A sleeve provides a sealed chamber communicating with a wound accessible to an surgeon's hand through entry and exit openings. The entry opening is sealed around the surgeon's wrist or forearm by a cuff.

Abstract: An incrementally adjustable apparatus and method of use thereof for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants. A pair of resilient O-rings is connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve. One of the O-rings is formed to engage the inner edge of the wound with a portion of the sleeve above the wound capable of being rolled onto the other ring to draw the remaining sleeve portion contiguous with the sides of the wound. Flat surfaces on the other ring provide a gripping surface to turn the ring about its annular axis.

Abstract: A combination bowling pinspotter and pinspotter control chassis system is disclosed which provides a bowling pinspotter having circuitry for permitting the spotting of bowling pins and an all solid state pinspotter control chassis coupled to the pinspotter for controlling the operation of the pinspotter. The all solid state pinspotter controller provides circuitry for executing a short strike cycles. In addition, the pinspotter controller secures power to a back end motor of the pinspotter in order to conserve the energy consumed by the back end motor. The pinspotter controller provides circuitry coupled to a remote control console for permitting the pinspotter to complete a current cycle prior to executing a shut down command for the pinspotter from the remote control console. In addition, the all solid state pinspotter controller retains status and position data for the pinspotter during power interrupts.

Abstract: This disclosure specifically discloses a key (or other type of door opening object) dispensing apparatus and method that could be used for hotels, motels, rental car companies, and the like to dispense keys (or other door opening objects) to customers automatically, without a human attendant being present to effect the transaction. One embodiment of the present invention discloses a round carousel with hooks upon which metal keys are placed. The carousel is rotated to a position where the desired or selected key is in position to be dispensed from the apparatus and dispensing means then pushes the key off its hook allowing it to fall into a tray below. A second embodiment discloses the use of a standard 35 millimeter type slide carousel to hold plastic key cards commonly known as VING cards.

Abstract: This disclosure specifically discloses a key (or other type of door opening object) dispensing apparatus and method that could be used for hotels, motels, rental car companies, and the like to dispense keys (or other door opening objects) to customers automatically, without a human attendant being present to effect the transaction. One embodiment of the present invention discloses a round carousel with hooks upon which metal keys are placed. The carousel is rotated to a position where the desired or selected key is in position to be dispensed from the apparatus and dispensing means then pushes the key off its hook allowing it to fall into a tray below. A second embodiment discloses the use of a standard 35 millimeter type slide carousel to hold plastic key cards commonly known as VING cards.

Abstract: An improved methodology is implemented in a computer network comprising a plurality of computers connected to a corresponding plurality of network controllers. Each network controller is assigned a unique identification number. In turn each network controller is coupled to a corresponding device. The device is an input/output peripheral, typically a printer, plotter or modem. Bidirectional communication may occur between any one of the computers through the network buffers with any one of the device to allow integration of the output device and the software application running the computer, according to the status and type of device, such as occurs in computer assisted design software, which provides output to plotters and queries the plotter for different operational parameters. Bidirectional communicatiton also occurs in the instance where a modem is used as one of the devices.

Abstract: A scrap metal collection system having apparatus for separating ferrous from non-ferrous material for which the weight exceeds a pre-determined amount and separating metallic materials from non-metallic materials. The resulting material remaining after these separations is typical aluminum cans. The cans are compacted by a crushing apparatus weighed and distributed in a storage area. Coins are returned to the operator of the apparatus determined by the weight and rounded to the nearest penny for the cumulative weight. Apparatus is disclosed for determining the excessively heavy material by allowing the excessively heavy material to fall and impact a plate. The separation of ferrous material has been implemented in a manner to avoid jamming of the conveyor belt. The distribution is of the compacted material in the storage compartment. Other improvements in the apparatus and in the control of the apparatus relative to prior scrap metal collection systems are described.