Abstract: A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.

Abstract: A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in aqueous suspension. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels.

Abstract: A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.

Abstract: A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in suspension with 1-5 &mgr;L of undiluted sample. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels.

Abstract: A method of creating a composite desktop built from Web content retrieved from one or more Web sites is disclosed. A component on a Web page can be selected and positioned on the composite desktop. The component can be a static image or an active desktop component providing dynamic content. An entire Web page can also be selected and positioned as a component on the composite desktop. Components can be selected for the composite desktop using one of several mechanisms. Selection of a control on a Web page causes the selection of a corresponding component on the Web page. A control panel utility allows the designation of a URL to select the corresponding Web page for inclusion as a component on the composite desktop. Images from Web pages and objects representing URLs can be dragged and dropped onto the composite desktop. Icons on a composite desktop are displayed in front of the composite desktop components. A user can create multiple composite desktops and switch to a different desktop when desired.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing a composite toolbar via direct on-screen manipulation by resizing the composite toolbar and by rearranging sections within a composite toolbar. A composite toolbar is displayed in an initial configuration state having a resizing area and a plurality of sections displayed on a number n rows. When the resizing area has been dragged in a first direction, the size of the composite toolbar is increased by changing to a larger configuration state having n+1 rows. When the resizing area has been dragged in a second direction, the size of the composite toolbar is decreased by changing to a smaller configuration state having n-1 rows. In another aspect of the present invention, when the one of the sections has been dragged in a first direction, the dragged section is expanded so that it overlaps an adjacent section. When one of the sections has been dragged in a second direction, the dragged section is collapsed so that it reveals an adjacent section.

Abstract: In a computer employing a graphical user interface (GUI), a web browser displays a drop down menu bar, an address bar, and a links bar. Each button on the links bar has a customizable title and an associated URL. When the user clicks on a button, the browser is pointed directly to the URL associated with the button. The user may alter the title and URL associated with each button by dragging a GUI link element (e.g., a graphic or text representing a hypertext link) onto the links bar button. The browser determines the characteristics associated with the dropped GUI element and replaces the button's characteristics with those of the dropped object. This allows the characteristics of the button to be altered by direct on-screen manipulation of the affected GUI object, instead of requiring use of a separate dialog box or other interface.

Abstract: A monolithic flowtube for use with an electromagnetic flowmeter includes an inner portion formed of an improved purity dielectric material having a reduced number of mobile ions, a pair of electrodes adjacent the exterior surface of the inner portion and capacitively coupled thereto, and an outer layer of ceramic material adjacent the exterior surface of the inner conduit and electrodes. A method of manufacturing the flowtube includes the steps of forming a dielectric material into a substantially tubular conduit, depositing a conductive material, preferably a refractory metal, onto the exterior of the tubular conduit, forming an outer layer of ceramic material over the tubular conduit, and firing all components simultaneously in a reducing atmosphere to form a monolithic flowtube body.

Abstract: A monolithic flowtube for use with an electromagnetic flowmeter includes an inner portion formed of an improved purity dielectric material having a reduced number of mobile ions, a pair of electrodes adjacent the exterior surface of the inner portion and capacitively coupled thereto, and an outer layer of ceramic material adjacent the exterior surface of the inner conduit and electrodes. A method of manufacturing the flowtube includes the steps of forming a dielectric material into a substantially tubular conduit, depositing a conductive material, preferably a refractory metal, onto the exterior of the tubular conduit, forming an outer layer of ceramic material over the tubular conduit, and firing all components simultaneously in a reducing atmosphere to form a monolithic flowtube body.

Abstract: A monolithic flowtube for use with an electromagnetic flowmeter includes an inner portion formed of an improved purity dielectric material having a reduced number of mobile ions, a pair of electrodes adjacent the exterior surface of the inner portion and capacitively coupled thereto, and an outer layer of ceramic material adjacent the exterior surface of the inner conduit and electrodes. A method of manufacturing the flowtube includes the steps of forming a dielectric material into a substantially tubular conduit, depositing a conductive material, preferably a refractory metal, onto the exterior of the tubular conduit, forming an outer layer of ceramic material over the tubular conduit, and firing all components simultaneously in a reducing atmosphere to form a monolithic flowtube body.

Abstract: A method of proving safe operation of a complex electronic circuit, and apparatus for carrying out the method, in which a proving signal having known characteristics is superimposed on an input to the circuit and the output is searched for said characteristics. An example involves the use of a microprocessor arranged to evaluate a fast Fourier transform algorithm on the coded carrier signal of a railway automatic train protection system or of railway a.c. track circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A luminescent substrate preparation having a concentration of catalytic inhibitors of less than about 100 ppm. The preparation is obtained by heating commercial grade luminol in a basic solution, crystallizing the luminol and separating the luminol crystals from the boiled solution. The heating, crystallization and separation steps are preferably repeated sequentially at least four times, with the starting material for each sequence after the first being the luminol preparation produced in the previous sequence. The luminol preparation has an enhanced pattern of activity, in that light output is substantially constant over a period of at least about one hour, with the intensity of light emitted by the preparation being at least about ten times that of commercially available luminol. Because of these enhanced characteristics, the luminol preparation is particularly adapted for use as a tag in specific binding assays where the concentration of analyte to be detected is low.

Abstract: An optically driven, electromagnetically oscillating resonant sensor subjected to a stress force wherein the optical driving energy and the optically communicated signal generated in response to the stress force are both communicated a substantial distance along a single optical fiber. A portion of the supply energy drives the oscillatory mechanism and a portion is reflected to a frequency detector by the shuttering action of the resonant element. The device may be configured so as to be electrically driven and optically sensed, optically driven and electrically sensed, or both optically driven and optically sensed for maximum retrofit versatility in past, present, and future process control systems.

Abstract: A railway track circuit arrangement particularly suitable for the short track circuit, down to approximately 40 metres, required in metro transit systems. Based on conventional A.C. track signalling principles for continuous track rails, the boundaries between adjacent track sections are defined by electric separation zones. An electrical short is connected between the running rails and an A.C. signal tuning unit is connected approximately 6 metres away to tune the end loop thus formed to resonance at the selected track signal frequency. The tuning units comprise a capacitor, the value of which is selected for resonance tuning, and a transformer a winding of which is connected in series with the capacitor, and a track circuit signal transmitter or receiver is connected through a second winding of the transformer. In order to reduce mutual coupling between track circuits by longitudinal leakage, in each joint, two electrical short may be connected between the rails spaced apart approximately 0.75 metre.

Abstract: An arrangement for checking the integrity and operability of a semiconductive device including a control circuit for injecting test signals into a normal control signal to induce a momentary change of the operating condition of the semiconductive device, a sensing circuit connected in parallel with the semiconductive device sensitive to an induced change to produce an output indicating the induced change, and a correlation circuit operative to correlate the test pulses with the sensed response which is arranged to carry out predetermined action in the event that the correlation circuit determines a state of inoperability of the semiconductive device.

Abstract: An interlocking system comprising a plurality, e.g., three, of parallel sub-systems operating asynchronously to produce identical replicated outputs which are mutually compared to determine the correct output and disqualifying a minority output thereby ensuring high system integrity. Each sub-system includes a similar arrangement for computing the difference between all possible pairs of sub-systems. Comparison of these results with a reference table of all possible difference results and then comparison of the difference equations yields a common factor which is the sub-system producing the error. Action can then be taken to disqualify its output, e.g., by switching-off its power supply. A final output is taken, preferably from one sub-system, with a second as standby.

Abstract: An instrument for developing at a central control station a signal responsive to the value of a process condition occurring at a field measurement station remote from the central control station wherein a resonant device is used as the instrument basic sensor element. The resonant device which is located at the field station may be excited by either a voltage pulse or a continuous wave. In a particular aspect, the output measurement signal of the instrument is solely dependent upon the value of a desired measured variable, which is representative of a process condition, and is independent of other variables. The resonant device is coupled to excitation and detection circuitry located at the central control station and produces in the detection circuitry when excited with a pulse of energy first and second signals, one of which is dependent upon the desired measured variable and a second variable and the other dependent upon at least the second variable.

Abstract: A computer based railway interlocking control system, having triple parallel redundant control computers (FIG. 2) provides greater system reliability as compared to a single computer system. The railway traffic control devices, e.g. points and signals, are arranged to be controlled by signals in one of two possible steady states, the interlocking control means (30, 31, 32, FIG. 2) is arranged to produce control signals in the steady state for de-energized or "safe" device settings and in an alternating state for energized or potentially "unsafe" settings. The alternating control signals (33, 34, 35 or 38) must be converted to the corresponding steady state to operate the devices thus, the converting or restoring circuit discriminates against dormant wrong side failures, i.e. "unsafe" signals to increase the inherent safety of the system.

Abstract: The specification discloses an electronic or computer-based railway control signal interlocking system. Signals representing the settings or conditions of railway control elements e.g. track circuits, signals and points, and their control signals are checked as usual by the interlock equipment to establish route safety. However failures in the system may only be discovered when a change to a control element setting is attempted. Since long periods can elapse between changes a failure may lie dormant for some time. In order to reduce dormant wrong side failure periods to a minimum the signals supplied to the interlocking equipment are periodically switched to a predetermined state chosen to prove that when the interlocking equipment receives the switched signal that a wrong side failure mode does not exist in the switched signal path.