Abstract: A system for individually feeding sows within a snuggery includes entry, feeder station and exit assemblies. The entry assembly includes an entry gate module for individually admitting a sow therein. The exit assembly includes an exit gate module. The feeder station assembly includes at least one feed dispenser for dispensing a selected amount of feed into a trough and a carrier for supporting said trough. The carrier is displaceable between an extended position wherein the trough is positioned within the snuggery to permit access by a sow and a retracted position wherein the trough is inaccessible to the sow and the trough is positioned for filling by the feed dispenser. Feed may be dispensed in individualized rations to the sow under the control of a computer-driven controller. Movement of the sow within the snuggery may be controlled by sequentially illuminating regions of the snuggery, under the control of the controller.

Abstract: A system for individually feeding sows within a snuggery includes entry, feeder station and exit assemblies. The entry assembly includes an entry gate module for individually admitting a sow therein. The exit assembly includes an exit gate module. The feeder station assembly includes at least one feed dispenser for dispensing a selected amount of feed into a trough and a carrier for supporting said trough. The carrier is displaceable between an extended position wherein the trough is positioned within the snuggery to permit access by a sow and a retracted position wherein the trough is inaccessible to the sow and the trough is positioned for filling by the feed dispenser. Feed may be dispensed in individualized rations to the sow under the control of a computer-driven controller. Movement of the sow within the snuggery may be controlled by sequentially illuminating regions of the snuggery, under the control of the controller.

Abstract: A radiation detector system/method that simultaneously detects alpha/beta, beta/gamma, or alpha/beta/gamma radiation, within an integrated detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a photomultiplier tube with radiation scintillation materials to detect alpha/beta/gamma radiation. The photomultiplier tube output is then shape amplified and fed through discriminators to detect the individual radiation types. The discriminator outputs are fed to anti-coincidence and pulse width and timing analysis module that determines whether individual alpha/beta/gamma pulses are valid and should be counted by corresponding alpha/beta/gamma pulse radiation counters. The system may include a radiation detection method to affect alpha/beta/gamma radiation detection in a variety of contexts. The system/method may be implemented in a variety of applications, including but not limited to whole body radiation contamination detectors, laundry radiation scanners, tool/article radiation detectors, and the like.

Abstract: A radiation detector system/method that simultaneously detects alpha/beta, beta/gamma, or alpha/beta/gamma radiation, within an integrated detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a photomultiplier tube with radiation scintillation materials to detect alpha/beta/gamma radiation. The photomultiplier tube output is then shape amplified and fed through discriminators to detect the individual radiation types. The discriminator outputs are fed to anti-coincidence and pulse width and timing analysis module that determines whether individual alpha/beta/gamma pulses are valid and should be counted by corresponding alpha/beta/gamma pulse radiation counters. The system may include a radiation detection method to affect alpha/beta/gamma radiation detection in a variety of contexts. The system/method may be implemented in a variety of applications, including but not limited to whole body radiation contamination detectors, laundry radiation scanners, tool/article radiation detectors, and the like.

Abstract: Architecture includes for translating server calculations into client application formulas. The architecture determines dependencies, performs formulae translation, and processes data retrieval queries using the translated formulae. In one implementation, the architecture translates performance management server calculations into spreadsheet application formulas so that the impact of changes can be reflected immediately. Moreover, this technique does not require updating and querying of the performance management server. An algorithm is provided that allows translation of the backend formula (e.g., MDX—multidimensional expressions) directly into the spreadsheet application such that the impact on calculated values by an input change can be reflected instantaneously in the sheet.

Abstract: A video screen enclosure is disclosed for housing a flat panel video display unit (“FPD”), comprising a housing and a front panel member joined to the housing with an airtight seal. An environmental control unit (“ECU”) within housing includes means to internally circulate air within said enclosure to maintain a temperature within a range suitable for operation of said display, and a control system to maintain the interior temperature within said enclosure within a selected range suitable for operation of said FPD. The enclosure may form a sealed unit with interior air being recirculated through said ECU, or ambient air may be circulated through the enclosure.

Abstract: A deployment system allows an administrator to convert virtual deployments to physical deployments so that an administrator can easily move between the virtual and physical world. The deployment system allows an administrator to directly deploy an operating system image in the form of a VHD file to the hard disks of a physical machine as a directly bootable and natively installed operating system. Thus, the deployment system relieves administrators from separately managing physical and virtual deployment images. Instead, administrators can manage only virtual deployment images and convert virtual images to physical deployments as needed.

Abstract: A deployment system allows an administrator to convert virtual deployments to physical deployments so that an administrator can easily move between the virtual and physical world. The deployment system allows an administrator to directly deploy an operating system image in the form of a VHD file to the hard disks of a physical machine as a directly bootable and natively installed operating system. Thus, the deployment system relieves administrators from separately managing physical and virtual deployment images. Instead, administrators can manage only virtual deployment images and convert virtual images to physical deployments as needed.

Abstract: A video screen enclosure is disclosed for housing a flat panel video display unit (“FPD”), comprising a housing and a front panel member joined to the housing with an airtight seal. An environmental control unit (“ECU”) within housing includes means to internally circulate air within said enclosure to maintain a temperature within a range suitable for operation of said display, and a control system to maintain the interior temperature within said enclosure within a selected range suitable for operation of said FPD. The enclosure may form a sealed unit with interior air being recirculated through said ECU, or ambient air may be circulated through the enclosure.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer-readable storage media are disclosed to facilitate the application of business rules. A rule is received, the rule defining one or more calculations to be performed on specified data stored in a multidimensional database to yield at least one result. At least one database query is generated seeking the specified data to be retrieved from the multidimensional database. An intermediary table is created to accommodate the specified data retrieved from the multidimensional database. The specified data is stored in the intermediary table and the specified data is manipulated when the data is retrieved or after the specified data is stored in the intermediary table.

Abstract: Architecture includes for translating server calculations into client application formulas. The architecture determines dependencies, performs formulae translation, and processes data retrieval queries using the translated formulae. In one implementation, the architecture translates performance management server calculations into spreadsheet application formulas so that the impact of changes can be reflected immediately. Moreover, this technique does not require updating and querying of the performance management server. An algorithm is provided that allows translation of the backend formula (e.g., MDX—multidimensional expressions) directly into the spreadsheet application such that the impact on calculated values by an input change can be reflected instantaneously in the sheet.

Abstract: Secure database access may be provided. First, a first schema associated with a database having a second schema may be defined. Next, a user type may be defined. The user type may comprise a user type that does not require a log-in. The defined user type may then be associated with the defined first schema. Next, at least one permission may be granted to the user type to the database on a database level. The at least one permission may comprise a create procedure permission, a create table permission, or a create function permission. Then permission to the second schema may be denied to the user type. Next, a procedure may be received comprising a procedure that poses a high security risk to the database. The received procedure may then be executed as the defined user type. The received procedure may be executed using a wrapper procedure.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer-readable storage media are disclosed to facilitate the application of business rules. A rule is received, the rule defining one or more calculations to be performed on specified data stored in a multidimensional database to yield at least one result. At least one database query is generated seeking the specified data to be retrieved from the multidimensional database. An intermediary table is created to accommodate the specified data retrieved from the multidimensional database. The specified data is stored in the intermediary table and the specified data is manipulated when the data is retrieved or after the specified data is stored in the intermediary table.

Abstract: An illumination system for an escalator handrail has a rechargeable power source and a light source. The rechargeable power source is recharged by a charging circuit which receives power from one or more magnetically coupled charging stations. The light source emits light into an optic fiber or another light carrying and dispersing element. The optic fiber is selected to disperse light from its sides and thereby appears to be illuminated.

Abstract: An illumination system for an escalator handrail is disclosed. The illumination system comprises a rechargeable power source and a light source. The rechargeable power source is recharged by a charging circuit which receives power from one or more magnetically coupled charging stations. The light source emits light into an optic fiber or another light carrying and dispersing element. The optic fiber is selected to disperse light from its sides and thereby appears to be illuminated. In another embodiment, the power source powers an array of LEDs, which may display a pattern or design. In another embodiment, the illumination system includes a luminescent message formed with luminescent material. The luminescent material is energized using light sources contained within the escalator. The system may have a protective shell to protect its components from the pressures of pinch rollers and other mechanical elements of a typical escalator.

Abstract: The terminals in a distributed multi-port communications system are connected by a common communication channel such as found on a broadcast coaxial cable. The terminals communicate with one another during sequential poll cycles to fulfill low data rate requirements or during a burst cycle to fulfill high data rate requirements. Each poll cycle includes a number of time slots with at least one time slot assigned to each terminal during which it can transmit data to any other terminal or request for a burst cycle. The burst cycles are allotted to requesting terminals in accordance with a predetermined priority. During the burst cycle, whose length varies in time with respect to the poll cycle, data are transmitted at a high data rate.