Abstract: A electrically programmable fuse sense circuit having an electrically programmable fuse and a reference resistance. A first current source is coupled, through a first switch, to the electrically programmable fuse. A second current source is coupled, through a second switch, to the reference resistance. A precharge signal enables the first current source, the second current source and closes the first switch and the second switch, creating voltage drops across the electrically programmable fuse and the reference resistance. When the precharge signal goes inactive, the first current source and the second current source are shut off, and, at the same time the first switch and the second switch are opened. A latching circuit uses a difference in the voltage drops when the precharge signal goes inactive to store a state of the electrically programmable fuse, indicative of whether the electrically programmable fuse is blown or unblown.

Abstract: This invention provides a small lightweight glider that is hollow and made from a molded thin film material. Typically the glider is formed in the shape of a bird or a plane. The body of the glider comprises top half and a lower half, which form a hollow fuselage, a left wing and a right wing extending laterally from the fuselage. The glider also comprises a ballast weight, a stiffener, and optionally an interior skeleton. The interior of the glider is open to the outside atmosphere and requires no inflation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for parallel computation of an algorithm using a plurality of nodes configured as a Howard Cascade. A home node of a Howard Cascade receives a request from a host system to compute an algorithm identified in the request. The request is distributed to processing nodes of the Howard Cascade in a time sequence order in a manner to minimize the time to so expand the Howard Cascade. The participating nodes then perform the designated portion of the algorithm in parallel. Partial results from each node are agglomerated upstream to higher nodes of the structure and then returned to the host system. The nodes each include a library of stored algorithms accompanied by data template information defining partitioning of the data used in the algorithm among the number of participating nodes.

Abstract: A temperature measurement device includes a first thermocouple mounted on a tubular body that is shielded from the effects of radiation by a radiation shield, and a second, unshielded thermocouple. A difference in the measured temperatures from the first and second thermocouples is compared with calculated temperatures using an iterative process to determine a corrected temperature of the gas stream that estimates and compensates for incident radiation.

Abstract: A method implements effective testing of a sense amplifier for an eFuse without having to program or blow the eFuse. After initial processing of the sense amplifier, testing determines whether the sense amplifier can generate a valid “0” and “1” before programming the eFuse. A first precharge device and a second precharge device that normally respectively precharge a true sense node and a complement sense node to a high voltage are driven separately. For testing, one of the precharge devices is conditionally held off to insure the sense amplifier results in a “0” and “1”. This allows the testing of the sense amplifier devices as well as down stream connected devices. Once testing is complete, both precharge devices are controlled in tandem.

Abstract: A 3D rendered image of a radar-scanned terrain surface is provided from a radar return signal from the surface, wherein the return signal includes data indicative of azimuth, elevation, and range of a radar-illuminated area of the surface. The data are processed for transformation into X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates corresponding to each illuminated area are triangulated so as to create a mesh of triangles representing the terrain surface, each of the triangles in the mesh being defined by a vertex triplet. 3D imaging information (grey scale shading and/or coloring information) is added to each triangle in the mesh, based on the amplitude of the radar return signal from the coordinates represented by each vertex in the triplet and the value of the Z coordinate at each vertex, so as to form the 3D rendered image.

Abstract: An actuator in one embodiment includes a threaded shaft; a shaft engaging portion coupled to the threaded shaft, the shad engaging portion being moveable in a direction parallel to an axis of the threaded shaft upon a relative rotation between the threaded shaft and the shaft engaging portion; and a ceramic bushing coupled to the shaft engaging portion, the bushing encircling the threaded shaft.

Abstract: An actuator including a threaded shaft and a carriage having a shaft engaging portion coupled to the threaded shaft. The carriage is moveable in a direction parallel to an axis of the threaded shaft upon a relative rotation between the threaded shaft and the shaft engaging portion. A ceramic bushing is coupled to the shaft engaging portion of the carriage, the bushing surrounding the threaded shaft. The ceramic bushing is much harder than heretofore used materials and results in greatly reduced particulate formation. The carriage or portion thereof can be formed around the bushing, e.g., by injection molding.

Abstract: The present invention includes a contact block for a safety switch that has a support structure and a pair of electrical contacts that are fixed in position on the support structure. The contact block includes a contact block plunger provided with a bridging contact. The bridging contact extends through the contact block plunger, from one side to another, and protrudes from the sides of the contact block plunger. The contact block plunger is moveable in-between the fixed pair of electrical contacts to move the bridging contacts into and out of contact with the fixed pair of electrical contacts. A contact block guide extends along the support structure and between the pair of fixed electrical contacts and cooperates with the contact block plunger such that the contact block plunger is restricted to movement along the contact block guide.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a sound card or an internal capability for generating sounds from a digital music or sound file. The medical instrument is one which generates unwanted noise and is constantly in the presence of a patient or an operator, and may be in a home, a clinic, a laboratory, or other intimate setting. For instance, a patient may be typically connected for hours to a hemodialysis machine that has a noisy pump. A blood-plasma volunteer may be hooked to a noisy blood separation machine for a period of time. A laboratory technician may work in close proximity to a sample preparation machine that constantly gurgles and whirrs. In each instance, a sound card and a speaker can generate previously-recorded masking noises that make that the presence and operation of the machine more tolerable.

Abstract: An automation assessment tool is provided that defines autonomic technology, processes, organization, and skill sets that apply to autonomic computing. The automation assessment tool provides educational material about autonomic computing and a scale of maturity levels, which is used to assess on-demand preparedness. The automation assessment tool presents a survey and collects answers to the survey questions. The automation assessment tool then determines solutions and recommendations to achieve a target level of on-demand preparedness.

Abstract: Methods and systems for parallel computation of an algorithm using a plurality of nodes configured as a Howard Cascade. A home node of a Howard Cascade receives a request from a host system to compute an algorithm identified in the request. The request is distributed to processing nodes of the Howard Cascade in a time sequence order in a manner to minimize the time to so expand the Howard Cascade. The participating nodes then perform the designated portion of the algorithm in parallel. Partial results from each node are agglomerated upstream to higher nodes of the structure and then returned to the host system. The nodes each include a library of stored algorithms accompanied by data template information defining partitioning of the data used in the algorithm among the number of participating nodes.

Abstract: Measurement circuit components are included in an integrated circuit fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. A method is provided for controlling the speed of a cooling fan provided to cool an integrated circuit in which includes the steps of receiving a voltage from a thermal diode, addressing a table of digital temperatures by incrementing the address of the table entries every clock cycle of a circuit clock, converting the addressed data to a second voltage representing temperature, comparing the first voltage to the second voltage, providing a resulting temperature when both the first and second voltages are equal, and adjusting the fan speed accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implement effective testing of a sense amplifier for an eFuse without having to program or blow the eFuse. After initial processing of the sense amplifier, testing determines whether the sense amplifier can generate a valid “0” and “1” before programming the eFuse. A first precharge device and a second precharge device that normally respectively precharge a true sense node and a complement sense node to a high voltage are driven separately. For testing, one of the precharge devices is conditionally held off to insure the sense amplifier results in a “0” and “1”. This allows the testing of the sense amplifier devices as well as down stream connected devices. Once testing is complete, both precharge devices are controlled in tandem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implement effective testing of a sense amplifier for an eFuse without having to program or blow the eFuse, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides is provided. After initial processing of the sense amplifier, testing determines whether the sense amplifier can generate a valid “0” and “1” before programming the eFuse. A first precharge device and a second precharge device that normally respectively precharge a true sense node and a complement sense node to a high voltage are driven separately. For testing, one of the precharge devices is conditionally held off to insure the sense amplifier results in a “0” and “1”. This allows the testing of the sense amplifier devices as well as down stream connected devices. Once testing is complete, both precharge devices are controlled in tandem.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively distributing revenues generated from delivering specific healthcare advertisements and non health-care specific advertisements over electronic medical record systems (EMR) and a regional healthcare information network (RHIN) using an electronic advertising server in a manner compliant with HIPAA and Federal Anti-Kickback laws.

Abstract: A design structure for electrically programmable fuse sense circuit having an electrically programmable fuse and a reference resistance. A first current source is coupled, through a first switch, to the electrically programmable fuse. A second current source is coupled, through a second switch, to the reference resistance. A precharge signal enables the first current source, the second current source and closes the first switch and the second switch, creating voltage drops across the electrically programmable fuse and the reference resistance. When the precharge signal goes inactive, the first current source and the second current source are shut off, and, at the same time the first switch and the second switch are opened. A latching circuit uses a difference in the voltage drops when the precharge signal goes inactive to store a state of the electrically programmable fuse, indicative of whether the electrically programmable fuse is blown or unblown.

Abstract: A method for aligning a disposable cassette within a dialysis machine includes actuating a pump head toward the disposable cassette and to contact a pumping portion of the disposable cassette and shift the disposable cassette if need be into proper operational alignment and locking the disposable cassette in place.

Abstract: A electrically programmable fuse sense circuit having an electrically programmable fuse and a reference resistance. A first current source is coupled, through a first switch, to the electrically programmable fuse. A second current source is coupled, through a second switch, to the reference resistance. A precharge signal enables the first current source, the second current source and closes the first switch and the second switch, creating voltage drops across the electrically programmable fuse and the reference resistance. When the precharge signal goes inactive, the first current source and the second current source are shut off, and, at the same time the first switch and the second switch are opened. A latching circuit uses a difference in the voltage drops when the precharge signal goes inactive to store a state of the electrically programmable fuse, indicative of whether the electrically programmable fuse is blown or unblown.

Abstract: There is provided a safety switch having a housing configured to receive a removable key, and a mechanism arranged to be operated when the key is moved from an engaged position to a partially disengaged position, the mechanism being arranged to cause a signal to pass to a separate apparatus, wherein the safety switch further comprises a lock which is controlled by the separate apparatus and is arranged to prevent the key from being fully disengaged from the safety switch until a signal has been received in response from the separate apparatus.