Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating analytic queries comprising disjunctive Boolean expressions are described. A method may include receiving an analytic query comprising a first disjunctive Boolean expression. The method may further include transforming the analytic query to obtain a transformed analytic query comprising at least one nondisjunctive Boolean expression and at least a second disjunctive Boolean expression. The method may also include evaluating the transformed analytic query, wherein complete evaluation of the at least one nondisjunctive Boolean expressions and the at least a second disjunctive Boolean expressions yields the same results as evaluation of the first disjunctive Boolean expression.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tables for query operations referencing the tables are described. A method may include determining whether a table is referenced one time or more than one time in a query that includes at least one operation referencing the table. The method may further include creating a single materialized view of the table when the table is determined to be referenced more than one time in the query. The method may also include creating two or more hash tables based, at least in part, on the single materialized view of the table by creating a hash table for each operator in the query that references the table, and evaluating the query using the two or more hash tables.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating analytic queries comprising disjunctive Boolean expressions are described. A method may include receiving an analytic query comprising a first disjunctive Boolean expression. The method may further include transforming the analytic query to obtain a transformed analytic query comprising at least one nondisjunctive Boolean expression and at least a second disjunctive Boolean expression. The method may also include evaluating the transformed analytic query, wherein complete evaluation of the at least one nondisjunctive Boolean expressions and the at least a second disjunctive Boolean expressions yields the same results as evaluation of the first disjunctive Boolean expression.

Abstract: Altering tables in a database system may be difficult because the tables may only be altered when all connection to the tables have been released. A free resources parameter may be set on in a management system for the database system to specify that resources should be attempted to be released. Connections to the database may be closed earlier than conventionally closed. For example, connections that are idle may be released. Once the connections have been released the database may be altered and the free resources parameter turned off. The free resources parameter notifies the database system of a pending alteration and allows the database to gracefully close connections to provide an opportunity for the alteration to occur.

Abstract: Altering tables in a database system may be difficult because the tables may only be altered when all connection to the tables have been released. A free resources parameter may be set on in a management system for the database system to specify that resources should be attempted to be released. Connections to the database may be closed earlier that conventionally closed. For example, connections that are idle may be released. Once the connections have been released the database may be altered and the free resources parameter turned off. The free resources parameter notifies the database system of a pending alteration and allows the database to gracefully close connections to provide an opportunity for the alteration to occur.

Abstract: Performance of database systems may be improved by reducing the processing performed with each database query. For example, when a database query, such as a SQL statement, is executed with a first set of values, the query may be stored as a prepared statement and parsed and optimized as a section. When a similar database query is executed with a new set of values the section may be re-executed with the new set of values without re-parsing or re-optimizing the prepared statement. A similar database query may continue to be executed with new sets of values until the section is invalid because of an alteration to the table definitions of the database schema.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving search performance in databases organized in B Tree or B+ Tree format has an automatic determination and switching between two methods. It also searches to the end of a current leaf page even if a current value for all key parameters has been fulfilled in the search prior to reaching the end of the current leaf page. Swinging across and thus skipping leaf pages to fetch a next leaf page (trapeze fetching or swinging) is activated only either initially or where a B Tree search has resulted in a skipping of leaf pages previously in a search. User interference with the automatic selection of search type between next sequential leaf or trapeze type is not provided for and not allowed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing a consumer with a plurality offers to be used to purchase goods is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a database containing a plurality of available offers with the offers being arranged in groups and the offers in each of the groups being arranged in ranked tiers; connecting a consumer activated dispenser to the database; selecting a plurality of offers from the database for presentation to the consumer each time the consumer activates the dispenser; and the selecting step comprising examining each group in the database for available offers starting with a highest priority tier in said group and proceeding to a lowest priority tier.

Abstract: A method and system for processing statements of a first language embedded in a program having statements of a second language are described in various embodiments. Statements of the first and second languages are compiled into an executable program, the executable program including original executable instructions associated with the statements of the first language. The executable program is executed, and during execution, recompilation conditions are detected for statements of the first language. In response to the recompilation conditions, selected statements of the first language are recompiled, during execution of the executable program, into new executable instructions. The new executable instructions are respectively associated with the selected statements and are executed in place of the original executable instructions.

Abstract: A software tool is provided for use with a computer system for simplifying the creation of Web sites. The tool comprises a plurality of pre-stored templates, comprising HTML formatting code, text, fields and formulas. The templates preferably correspond to different types of Web pages and other features commonly found on or available to Web sites. Each feature may have various options. To create a web site, a Web site creator (the person using the tool to create a web site) is prompted by the tool through a series of views stored in the tool to select the features and options desired for the Web site. Based on these selections, the tool prompts the web site creator to supply data to populate fields of the templates determined by the tool to correspond to the selected features and options. Based on the identified templates and supplied data, the tool generates the customized Web site without the web site creator writing any HTML or other programming code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a store level marketing system and a unique printer to be used in the system. The store level marketing system includes an activation device for initiating use of the system and for providing the system with information about the consumer using it, a network interface or computer for selecting a series of offers/discounts to be printed on a piece of paper, and a printer for printing a paper document containing the selected offers/discounts. The system further includes a checkout station which communicates with the network interface or the computer to provide it with information about the purchases made by the consumer. In a preferred embodiment, the printer is a thermal printer provided with a mechanism for substantially eliminating any curl in the paper being fed into the printer. The curl eliminating mechanism includes a tube which is pressed against the paper to impart a reverse curl to the paper which is opposite to the natural curl of the paper.

Abstract: A system for concurrent processing of queries and transactions against a shared database. The system includes multiple processors wherein a processor is available for processing queries and another processor is available for concurrently processing transactions. A query buffer is established for performing the query search while the data accessed by transactions is available in a database cache. Control logic in a database management system distinguishes between transactions and queries and initiates file-read control for reading the file containing the database. File-read control contains logic for logical sequential reading and logical non-sequential reading of the file. Control structures provide a means for control over the load that the query is allowed to place on the system.