Abstract: A control system for individually controlling power from a single voltage source to a plurality of motors is described. A chopper circuit, in conjunction with the control system, generates drive-pulses, which operates the IGBT switching devices to sequentially provide pulses to each motor.

Abstract: Amplification mixtures, kits, amplicons, kits and processes are provided for amplifying a nucleic acid. In particular, provided are processes which utilize an amplification mixture comprising a polymerase, a deoxynucleotidetriphosphate (dNTP) mixture which contains modified dNTPs, a first primer and a second primer. Further provided are dNTP mixtures which contain modified dNTPs for at least two of the four nucleotide triphosphates, which when incorporated into a polynucelotide, impart resistance to enzymatic degradation by an exonuclease at the sites of incorporation of the modified dNTPs. Also provided are the amplicons and vectors which incorporate the modified nucleotides.

Abstract: Memory management to support calls between objects in language environments support automatic garbage collection and language environments requiring explicit control of object destruction is provided. Reference counting is used to automatically control the lifetime of objects requiring explicit destruction and that are to be accessible across the language boundary. A data structure is maintained in a runtime component for each object that is accessed over a language boundary. The reference count for each non-garbage collected object is incremented by the runtime in accordance with the number of cross-language references held to it. When the count reaches zero through decrements as the references are returned and destroyed, the non-garbage collected object can be safely and automatically destroyed. The runtime creates a strong reference to any garbage collected object accessed by a cross-language call.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for generating minimal debugging type information in a distinguished compile unit while still supporting the debugging of classes for which the distinguished compile unit is not, in this module, being built or debugged, where the debugging information for the classes has been previously compiled into one or more object modules. On detecting a reference to a type in a program, the compiler inserts code into the module it is compiling to direct the linker where to locate the debugging information object module describing that type. Usually, the object module will be located in a separate link library, so the compiler directs the linker to add the debug library to the list of libraries from which it tries to resolve symbolic references, and to add a reference to an external linkage symbol defined in the object module describing the type. The linker will have to resolve this symbol by adding the debug library into the link.

Abstract: Uniform access to and interchange between objects with use in any environment that supports interface composition through interface inheritance and implementation inheritance from a common base class is provided. Proxies are used to provide both cross-language and remote access to objects. The proxies and the local implementations for objects share a common set of interface base classes, so that the interface of a proxy for an object is indistinguishable from a similar interface of the actual implementation. Each proxy is taught how to deal with call paramters that are proxies of the other kind. A roster of language identifiers is developed, and a method is added to each object implementation which, when called, checks whether it matches the language that the object implementation is written in. If so, it returns a direct pointer to the object implementation. Common client coding can then be used to deal with both same language and cross-language calls.

Abstract: When compiling a program using an object oriented language and virtual functions addressed by virtual function tables, the program may include virtual functions that are defined but not used. The compiler identifies such functions by tagging each defined virtual function with a code identifying it as a member of related virtual functions. The compiler also tags each virtual function call to identify which group (or groups) of related virtual functions are candidates for invocation by the virtual function call at runtime. The linker combines the two codes to identify which defined virtual functions are not candidates for invocation by any virtual function call. The linker omits those non-candidate virtual functions from the link if all references to them were from virtual function tables.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing virtual functions from classes compiled with compilers using different virtual function table layouts and/or different function member call protocols. A hybrid virtual function table, incorporating entries created by both legacy and adjustor thunk methods, is disclosed. The hybrid virtual function table permits backwards compatibility with previously compiled classes, while taking advantage of the faster adjustor thunk implementation for new code.

Abstract: A binary class library is adapted to provide full debugging type information particularly for use during program compilation in a minimal debug-generation mode. The library includes, a compile unit that #includes all the include files describing the classes that a given class library implements and exports. The compile unit also includes code defining a symbol with an external linkage. The resulting object module is put into the binary class library or a separate debug library. An inclusion direction and an external linkage symbol to the debug library are added to all include files for the class library that are #included by any program using its classes. These additions cause the compiler to direct the linker to add the debug library to the list of libraries from which it tries to resolve symbolic references, and to add a reference to the external linkage symbol that the linker will have to resolve by adding the debug library into the link.

Abstract: A method for linearizing amplifiers by measuring the intermodulation products at the output of the linearized amplifier using minimum additional hardware without the performance problems associated with pilot tones. In one embodiment, the amplifiers are adaptively linearized using performance monitoring radios. Specifically, the performance monitoring radios are used to measure the signal levels of the intermodulation products in unused communication channels. Such measurements are then used to adaptively linearize the amplifiers and reduce the levels of intermodulation products.

Abstract: A method for recognizing fixed size objects and allocating and freeing fixed size data objects in a multiple heap system. The method utilizes a page based structure for allocating fixed size objects. A page or pool of pages is provided for each predetermined object size. Each page includes a reserved area for storing heap handle and object size information which is common to all the objects of the predetermined size for the page. Allocation and de-allocation requests are performed based on the object size. The reserved area in the page includes a recognizable sanity value and the object size for the page. The sanity value denotes a fixed size object. The reserved area also stores two pointers to keep track of a linked list of available and free objects. The remainder of the page is used for the objects. For a de-allocation request, the page containing the object is determined from the address of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides the user with the ability to control and administer the supply of memory managed in multiple heaps by a library heap management facility. The control data used by the heap management facility is located in the user-supplied memory. Heaps are created dynamically through calls from the application to the runtime library. Allocation within a heap is performed through calls to the runtime library that canvass the available heap memory for each allocation request. If no suitable block of heap memory is located, additional user supplied memory is requested for the application through a callback function. A second callback function notifies the user when a supplied unit of memory is no longer required by the heap and may be disposed of. The callback functions are specified separately for each heap. The invention also provides the user with means for setting the default heap in the runtime library for use by allocation requests from a vendor library that do not specify a heap.

Abstract: A series of packages containing different sized objects are formed by pushing the objects in series into a funnel shaped portion of flexible tubing drawn from pack over the rim of a funnel. Each object pushes a preceding package from between spring-loaded jaws to take its place. Each package is closed at the top by twisting the tubing by turning the funnel fixed to the pack about its axis.

Abstract: An annular container mounted at the base of a passage between a layering tube and a central mandrel is charged with a layered tube of flexible tubing delivered over a floating mandrel when coaxially in contact with mandrel by driving rollers coacting with pinch rollers on the floating mandrel. The tubing passes over the mandrel and gathers in the layering tube while being compacted by two sets of shoes reciprocated 180.degree. out of phase by rotating discs and connecting rods. When sufficient tubing has been delivered the floating mandrel is raised to enable a hot wire to pass between the mandrels to sever the tubing. The layering tube and central mandrel with the container can then be carried by a turntable through further stationary positions where the layered tubing is further compressed by reciprocable rings, a lid is put on the container to form a cassette and the cassette is discharged.

Abstract: In a cassette for dispensing flexible tubing, the tubing is packed in a tightly layered mass between a tubular core and the vertical wall of a casing. Subsequently a cap is mounted in an expanded portion of the casing. The cap has a vertical part fitting the portion and a flange partially overlapping the pack. The cap is secured against rising by punching tongues out of the portion that engage in a groove in the part. The inner surface of part aligns with surface of casing. The junction beneath expanded portion prevents cap from descending as the tubing is dispensed from the top of the pack, over the core edge and through core.

Abstract: A pack comprising a core and pleated tubing is used to provide a series of packages each containing a disposable object such as a baby's nappy along the tubing as it passes over the top edges of the core and then down through the core. The core is turned by means of a lid about a cylinder to twist the flexible material at locations between the adjacent packs to seal the packs at their ends thereby providing hygienic disposal of the waste. A safely located rotatable cutter in the lid is provided for severing the flexible tubing above the top twist.