Abstract: A method for visually displaying an indicator for preceding and succeeding source code lines being executed within a graphical debugging environment. The method includes displaying within a GUI source code lines for a segment of currently examined source code, displaying a visual indicator that is associated with a presently examined source code line, and determining a previously examined source code line, wherein the location of the previously examined line of source code is determined by the use of information that is associated with the previously examined line of source code. The method further includes displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the previously examined line of source code, determining a next source code line that is to be examined, and displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the next source code line that is to be examined.

Abstract: A method for visually displaying an indicator for preceding and succeeding source code lines being executed within a graphical debugging environment. The method includes displaying within a GUI source code lines for a segment of currently examined source code, displaying a visual indicator that is associated with a presently examined source code line, and determining a previously examined source code line, wherein the location of the previously examined line of source code is determined by the use of information that is associated with the previously examined line of source code. The method further includes displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the previously examined line of source code, determining a next source code line that is to be examined, and displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the next source code line that is to be examined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for analyzing performance of a computer or data processing system, during the time that a specified task is running on the system. The analysis is used to furnish a system user with a list of proposed hardware component upgrades that would improve system performance in various respects, each being accompanied by a parameter value indicating the improvement a particular upgrade would provide. Usefully, listed upgrades are made available over the Internet, for purchase by system users. In an embodiment directed to a method, for use with a computer system comprising a configuration of hardware components, selected hardware components are monitored as the system performs a specified task. This is done to acquire statistics representing the operation of respective selected components. The statistics are processed, to identify at least one selected component that impedes the system in performing the task.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wire termination system for terminating wires in at least one of a plurality of terminal connectors removably affixed to each other in a terminal connector strip that includes a body having a connector positioning cavity therein for receiving the terminal connector strip; a pushing element within the positioning cavity for advancing the terminal connector strip within the positioning cavity; a crimping element for receiving at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors from the pushing element; a support within the positioning cavity for positioning at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors within the crimping element; and a handle moveably attached to the crimping element and the body, wherein the handle and the crimping element are configured to terminate the wires within at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors and to separate the terminal connector from the terminal connector strip.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for processing and/or stripping wire comprising a wire processing or wire termination machine with a processing or stripping sub assembly actuated by a start sensor plate, where the start sensor plate has a textured surface, so as to retain the wires being stripped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wire termination system for terminating wires in at least one of a plurality of terminal connectors removably affixed to each other in a terminal connector strip that includes a body having a connector positioning cavity therein for receiving the terminal connector strip; a pushing element within the positioning cavity for advancing the terminal connector strip within the positioning cavity; a crimping element for receiving at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors from the pushing element; a support within the positioning cavity for positioning at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors within the crimping element; and a handle moveably attached to the crimping element and the body, wherein the handle and the crimping element are configured to terminate the wires within at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors and to separate the terminal connector from the terminal connector strip.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for processing and/or stripping wire comprising a wire processing or wire termination machine with a processing or stripping sub assembly actuated by a start sensor plate, where the start sensor plate has a textured surface, so as to retain the wires being stripped.

Abstract: Overall graphics performance in a computer graphics system is improved by an accelerated interface between high performance microprocessors and hardware adapters which is a combination of hardware and software and which is independent of specific computer languages. The interface was specifically designed for any hardware attached to a central processing unit (CPU) that does not enforce the order of memory accesses. The hardware supported process fools the CPU into thinking that the write and read are accessing the same address, thus guaranteeing that the order of the write and read are correct. In a first method, a hardware pseudo-address are created on the display adapter. When the software writes to the pseudo-address, the display adapter writes the data to the coordinate register. When the software reads from the pseudo-address, the display adapter returns the contents of the actual status address.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring crimp height between crimped opposite sides of a terminal which has been crimped to an element is provided. The apparatus is particularly useful for measuring the crimp height of a terminal when one or more of the crimped opposite sides has a surface profile that is non-planar, or when a soft insulation sleeve is present on the terminal in the crimp area. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed probe members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions. In the open position the probe members are spaced apart- In the closed position the probe members are biased against the crimped opposite sides by springs. The probe members are specially configured to match the surface profiles of the crimped opposite sides.

Abstract: An apparatus which automatically trims an exposed end of a conductor to a proper length, inserts the exposed end in a terminal and crimps the terminal thereto, all in a single operation, is disclosed. The apparatus includes anvil tooling for supporting the terminal during a crimping operation. A ram movable toward and away from the anvil tooling has a first cutting edge which defines a boundary between a conductor permitted zone and a conductor excluded zone during movement of the ram toward the anvil tooling. The ram has a first crimping die disposed in the conductor permitted zone. The first crimping die captures the conductor and crimps the terminal to the conductor. A conductor shearing element is disposed in the conductor excluded zone. The conductor shearing element has a second cutting edge which cooperates with the first cutting edge during movement of the ram toward the anvil tooling for trimming any portion of the conductor which extends across the boundary.

Abstract: A method is provided for distinguishing nonconvex polygons from complex polygons. The present invention compares the edges of a polygon for self intersection points. Initially, "base" and "compare" edges are designated and bounding boxes for each of these edges are determined. The bounding boxes are then compared and if they intersect the edges may have points in common, whereas if no intersection occurs, then there are no common points and the edges are incremented and a comparison of other edges occurs. If it is determined that bounding boxes intersect, the intersection point for the edges under consideration is determined. If this intersection point lies within both bounding boxes, then the polygon is complex and the test ends. However, if the intersection point is outside either bounding box, then the edges are incremented and processing continues until all relevant edges have been considered.

Abstract: The present invention includes a lead sorting module in an automated lead making machine for segregating leads having defective terminations from the other leads. The module includes a lead deflecting door that is moved by an actuator to cause the leads having defective terminations to fall into one tray and the other leads to fall into another tray. The machine includes a crimp quality monitor which determines whether or not a termination is defective and then effects a corresponding control over the actuator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a contact system (50) which includes spring contacts (54, 56) of a geometry and position to mate with the contacts (26, 38) of differing geometries of plug (12) and receptacle (14) connectors and particularly to the use of such system to test connectors of different geometries.

Abstract: A machine for inserting terminals (12) into housings (10) on an electrical device (4) comprises an inserting apparatus (34) in combination with a turntable assembly (32). The turntable assembly comprises a main turntable (38) and a plurality of secondary turntables (40) on the main turntable. The secondary turntables (40) are individually rotatable with respect to the main turntable (38) so that an electrical device (4) mounted on a secondary turntable (40) can be reoriented thereby to permit a wide variety of insertion operations to be performed on the device, for example, where the terminals (12) must be inserted into housings (10) arranged in two or more rows. The secondary turntables can be rotated to position each row in alignment with the fixed insertion machine (34).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for terminating a wire to a terminal having a metal contact that is partially assembled to an insulated housing. The apparatus includes a stop that abuttingly engages bulges in the contact after crimping and thereby prevents axial movement of the contact while sliding the insulated housing thereover. Both the crimping and assembly operations are performed in a single workstation.

Abstract: Lead making machine has crimping presses in which the press ram comprises a vertically extending reciprocable rod which is contained in a vertically extending static press frame. The rod and press frame have laterally extending arms between which a terminal applicator is mounted with the applicator frame supported on the arm of the press frame and with the applicator ram coupled to the rod. The stresses developed during a crimping operation are confined to the rod and press frame and are not borne by the housing in which the presses and the actuating mechanism is contained. The presses are vertically adjustable with respect to the housing.