Abstract: A method of determining whether one or more forms of a nucleic acid analyte are present in a sample. The method includes dissolving an amplification reagent with a first solvent, where the amplification reagent contains oligonucleotides sufficient to amplify and detect a first region of a first form of the analyte, where the first solvent contains one or more oligonucleotides which, in combination with the oligonucleotides of the amplification reagent, are sufficient to amplify and detect a second region of a second form of the analyte, where the one or more oligonucleotides of the first solvent are insufficient to amplify and detect the first or second form of the analyte, and where the first and second regions each comprise a different nucleotide base sequence.

Abstract: A set of N game dice, each of the N dice having at least N faces with each of N faces of each die bearing one of a group of N2 design markings. The group of N2 design markings is formed by the combination of each of N values of a first attribute series with each of N values of a second attribute series. The N2 design markings are divided into N subgroups such that each attribute value of each attribute series comprises only one design marking in each of the subgroups. The N design markings of each subgroup are borne by a multiple of N faces of a different die. Each design marking is borne by the same multiple of faces.

Abstract: Circuitry useable to protect and reliably charge a rechargeable battery, even from a zero-volt state, is disclosed, and is particularly useful when employed in an implantable medical device. The circuit includes two charging paths, a first path for trickle charging the battery at a relatively low current when the battery voltage is below a threshold, and a second path for charging the battery at relatively higher currents that the battery voltage is above a certain threshold. A passive diode is used in the first trickle-charging path which allows trickle charging even when the battery voltage is too low for reliable gating, while a gateable switch (preferably a PMOS transistor) is used in the second higher-current charging path when the voltage is higher and the switch can therefore be gated more reliably. A second diode between the two paths ensures no leakage to the substrate through the gateable switch during trickle charging.

Abstract: A method for generating an anti-shrink to delta creep amplitude performance metric for a tensilized tape. The method may include the steps of determining a zero point of the tensilized tape, determining a total length of the tensilized tape, generating a zero point ratio by dividing the zero point of the tensilized tape by the total length of the tensilized tape, and generating the anti-shrink to delta creep amplitude performance metric by subtracting the zero point ratio from a constant.

Abstract: A game includes a toy figure that includes memory for storing information relating to the toy figure, a first game system configured to communicate with the toy figure, and a second game system configured to communicate with the toy figure. The first game system is configured to download the stored information relating to the toy figure, receive input from a user, and alter the stored information based on the received input and the downloaded information. Similarly, the second game system is configured to download the stored information relating to the toy figure, receive input from a user, and alter the stored information based on the received input and the downloaded information. The second game system provides a play pattern substantially different from a play pattern provided by the first game system.

Abstract: Modern tape drives can adjust their tape drive velocity between two or more read/write data rates to better match the data rate demands of the host. This velocity changing may provide improvements in drive performance and total backhitch counts. The transition from one tape velocity to another may involve a rate change backhitch which itself could impact performance. It is desirable to optimize these transitions. In one approach, a backhitch involves a backvelocity having a magnitude that is intermediate between the initial tape velocity and the final tape velocity. In another approach, a backhitch involves an intermediate forward velocity to quicken the approach toward the start R/W reposition point.

Abstract: Magnetic tape experiencing transverse distortion may be read by selecting between longitudinally offset read elements to read a data track. The read elements are part of a tape head having an azimuth angle relative to the tape which creates a transverse offset between the data read elements. This transverse offset is exploited to minimize the effects of any transverse tape distortion.

Abstract: A game includes a toy figure that includes memory for storing information relating to the toy figure, a first game system configured to communicate with the toy figure, and a second game system configured to communicate with the toy figure. The first game system is configured to download the stored information relating to the toy figure, receive input from a user, and alter the stored information based on the received input and the downloaded information. Similarly, the second game system is configured to download the stored information relating to the toy figure, receive input from a user, and alter the stored information based on the received input and the downloaded information. The second game system provides a play pattern substantially different from a play pattern provided by the first game system.

Abstract: An interactive game includes a playing surface defining playing positions, a display operable to display a visual game image on the playing surface, a sensor operable to optically detect a playing piece placed on the playing surface, and a game controller connected to the sensor and the display. The game controller creates the game image on the display and alters the game image in response to a location or orientation of the playing piece on the playing surface.

Abstract: A tape reader is designed to read down-level linear track tapes having a multiple number of new tacks in the positions of each older wider track and having tape subject to pack level tape distortions which may result from environmental stresses and inter-use delay time. If tracks are displaced with respect to ideal servo reference positions, then optimal down-level reading may require selecting segments from different new track choices along the length of the tape. Decision choices of tracks and longitudinal break points are based on a; combination of gathered metrics per tape and engineering knowledge of each product. These data are stored first in internal memory. Longer-term memory storage particular to each tape may include cartridge memory either in the form of possible cartridge chip memory or writing to a section of tape in each cartridge. Decisions may be optimized with increasing number of read cycles and supplemented by knowledge in longer-term cartridge memory.

Abstract: Magnetic tape experiencing transverse distortion may be read by selecting between longitudinally offset read elements to read a data track. The read elements are part of a tape head having an azimuth angle relative to the tape which creates a transverse offset between the data read elements. This transverse offset is exploited to minimize the effects of any transverse tape distortion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to automatically release a respirator device at least from a wearer's face. For a respirator mask, such apparatus includes a securement device, which fits around at least the rear side of a wearer's head, and one or more couplings which are configured to releasably secure the respirator mask with the securement device around the wearer's head. For a respirator hood, a neck dam is used as the securement device. Pressurized, breathable gas is supplied to the wearer through the respirator device and to the coupling(s) to secure the device to the wearer's head and, if and when pressure of the gas supplied to the device drops below a critical level, the pressure of the gas supplied to the actuator(s) also drops sufficiently for the actuator(s) to change states and allow the coupling(s) to separate, thereby releasing the device. Manual and/or remote release can also be provided.

Abstract: A laser alignment target includes a disk shaped and transparent target body with an annular inclined mounting surface, a back plate having an annular inclined retaining surface, and a torroidal alignment member retained in a generally V-shaped groove formed by the mounting and retaining surfaces. The target body has an outer rim with an annular and transverse reference surface positionable against the end edge of a pipe section to axially align the target. With the target body positioned against the pipe section, the back plate is drawn axially toward the target body, compressing the alignment member between the mounting and retaining surfaces and an inside surface of the pipe section. The compression produces radial forces that tend to radially center and secure a target. The preferred alignment member is an elastically compressible gasket that provides a fluid tight seal. Alternative alignment members include a closely wound helical coil and an inflatable torroidal casing.

Abstract: A depressed-index cladding ridge waveguide semiconductor laser diode includes a depressed-index cladding layer formed in the lower cladding region.

Abstract: A laser diode having an output facet and a back facet is placed in contact with a designated edge of a die and oriented such that said output facet is substantially parallel to said top surface of said die. At least one photodetector is fabricated on the dye top surface.

Abstract: A monolithic laser diode and monitor photodetector is disclosed wherein the photodetector is placed at a tilt angle .chi., within a predetermined range of tilt angles, with respect to the laser diode back facet. The predetermined range of tilt angles is selected according to the thickness and refractive index of the dielectric coating so as to reduce the susceptibility of the photodetector performance to variations in the dielectric coating deposited simultaneously on the output facet of the laser diode and the light collection surface of the photodetector and to significantly reduce the amount of the optical power reflected from the light collection surface of the photodetector onto the laser diode back facet.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed in which an electrically conductive layer on a substrate exhibits a superconducting transition temperature in excess of 30.degree. K. Conductive layers are disclosed comprised of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide. Processes of preparing these articles are disclosed in which a mixed metal oxide precursor composition is coated and heated to its thermal decomposition temperature to create an amorphous mixed metal oxide layer. The amorphous layer is then heated to its crystallization temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a laser diode array including a plurality of laser diode bodies on a surface of a substrate. Each of the bodies has therein a semiconductor junction which is capable of generating light in the body when a suitable voltage is placed thereacross which junction extends to an end surface of the body. An end surface of each body is angled back under the body at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the substrate surface and is reflective so that the light generated in the body is reflected by the end surface out of the body away from and substantially perpendicularly to the substrate. The bodies are arranged on the substrate with the angled end surfaces being adjacent to and facing each other so that the array provides a plurality of closely spaced, substantially parallel light beams emitted therefrom.

Abstract: A method and system for addressing memory of an information handling system in which the memory comprises a plurality of memory banks, each of which can support a plurality of different predetermined size memory modules. The sizes of the different modules are multiples of the module having the smallest size. In the embodiment described, two different sizes are employed, a 256K capacity module and a 1 Meg. capacity module, either of which can be installed in 1 of 4 memory banks. The maximum addressable address range is therefore 4 Meg. while the minimum memory is 256K. The address range can be increased in increments of 256K corresponding to 1 segment to a total of 16 contiguous segments or 4 Meg. A memory address bus comprising 22 lines is employed in the system. The 20 low order lines address each bank simultaneously. A converter converts the 4 high order address bits 22-19 to 16 sequentially ordered segment lines.

Abstract: A metalorganic deposition method is disclosed for manufacturing a superconducting oxide film on a substrate, in which a mixed metalorganic precursor is coated and heated to its thermal decomposition temperature to create an amorphous mixed metal oxide layer. The amorphous layer is then converted to a crystalline coating by further heating followed by cooling in the presence of O.sub.2 atmosphere.