Abstract: The invention uses optics and precision mechanisms to quantitatively assess the performance of medical endoscopes. By viewing standardized optical targets under well-controlled conditions, the optical quality of endoscopes can be easily determined in much the same fashion as getting one's eyes tested at the optometrist. The actual design, however, is much more complicated than your optometrist's eye chart and different types of endoscopes from different manufacturers require customization of the target geometry, the viewing distance, and the viewing angle. Also, there are several optical characteristics beyond image sharpness that need to be assessed, requiring other unique test geometries, including contrast, distortion, and vignetting. Clinically significant measurements are performed with simplicity and cost-effectiveness through the use of relatively inexpensive optical components and an embedded processor and graphical display system.

Abstract: The invention uses optics and precision mechanisms to quantitatively assess the performance of medical endoscopes. By viewing standardized optical targets under well-controlled conditions, the optical quality of endoscopes can be easily determined in much the same fashion as getting one's eyes tested at the optometrist. The actual design, however, is much more complicated than your optometrist's eye chart and different-types of endoscopes from different manufacturers require customization of the target geometry, the viewing distance, and the viewing angle. Also, there are several optical characteristics beyond image sharpness that need to be assessed, requiring other unique test geometries, including contrast, distortion, and vignetting. Clinically significant measurements are performed with simplicity and cost-effectiveness through the use of relatively inexpensive optical components and an embedded processor and graphical display system.

Abstract: An improve modular communication repeater system is adapted for use with a wide variety of media types in an industrial control system to repeat communication port onto various media at multiple communication ports in the industrial control system. A modular communication repeater system is provided. The system includes at least one communication repeater adapter device coupled with a plurality of repeater communication modules. A single repeater adapter connector is provided on one side of the repeater adapter. Each of the plurality of repeater communication modules is provided with an input connector on one side and an output connector on the other side. The repeater adapter device includes an internal communication repeater circuit adapted to receive communication data on a one of first and second sets of repeater adapter contacts and broadcast the communication data onto the other one of the first and second sets of repeater adapter contacts.

Abstract: A modular communication repeater system is provided. The system includes at least one communication repeater adapter device coupled with a plurality of repeater communication modules. A single repeater adapter connector is provided on one side of the repeater adapter. Each of the plurality of repeater communication modules is provided with an input connector on one side and an output connector on the other side. The repeater adapter device includes an internal communication repeater circuit adapted to receive communication data on a one of first and second sets of repeater adapter contacts and broadcast the communication data onto the other one of the first and second sets of repeater adapter contacts. Each of the repeater communication modules includes a cascading backplane interconnecting the first sets of electrical contacts in an input connector to the second sets of electrical contacts in an output connector.

Abstract: An automated system for partitioning a set of Boolean logic equations onto one or more devices selected from a plurality of commercially available devices. The system utilizes a processor having a memory containing information on the different architectural types of devices, physical device information on individual devices and user generated design constraints, weighting factors and partitioning directives. Based upon this stored information, the system of the present invention selects all acceptable architectural types of devices wherein at least one of the Boolean logic equations can be placed thereon. For all physical devices associated with the acceptable architectural types only those devices which fall within the selected user constraints are selected. The system then evaluates the weighting factors to order the devices in order of cost value and then fits the equations according to the partitioning directives to the devices.

Abstract: A node circuit is operative to couple Manchester encoded data between a transmission medium and an associated electrical device. A first mechanism detects a message frame preamble having a pattern of alternating signal level of substantially identical duration, and a second mechanism that detects a start delimiter in the message frame. The start delimiter has a plurality of binary signal levels in a unique pattern that satisfies a defined set of criteria to optimize the probability that the pattern will be detected while minimizing the likelihood that random valid data will alias into the start delimiter pattern. A data decoder is provided to convert the Manchester encoded data into binary data which then is sent via a signal path to the associated electrical device. Another mechanism is included to detect a unique end delimiter that signals the termination of the message frame.

Abstract: A prepayment system for dispensing utilities using mag-stripe cards is disclosed wherein an accounting computer in a central office is used in conjunction with point-of-sale machines for encrypting a value message which is written onto the mag-stripe of a mag-stripe card. The value message contains information relating to the amount of utilities purchased by the customer, the utility rates, the site identification number, and a unique password formed by the site number, a hidden number, and the transaction number. The mag-stripe card is carried by mail or in person to the consumer's home or office and inserted into a mag-stripe card reader attached to microprocessor-based utility control device. This utility control device is capable of reading and decoding the mag-stripe card and storing the value information into memory for use in monitoring the utility usage of the customer and disconnecting or connecting the utility based on the amount of utilities purchased.