Abstract: A method of providing an ongoing indication of at least one piece of current status information about a network element through the use of status indicators in the command line prompt displayed on a command line interface display monitor. Optionally, the pop-up messages to the command line interface display monitor can be modified to provide an indicator of network element status. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A self-powered electric lock includes a lock bolt and a first engagement element having disengaged and engageable positions. An electric actuator includes an output operative to move the first engagement element to its engageable position. A manually operated rotatable member is operatively coupled to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. A lock bolt drive mechanism is coupled to the lock bolt and to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. The movable output moves the first engagement element to its engageable position upon input of correct electronic data. An electricity generator is coupled to the manually operated rotatable member. The electricity powers the electric actuator and an electronic data input device. The manually operated rotatable member is also used to actuate the lock bolt drive mechanism and retract the lock bolt.

Abstract: A self-powered electric lock includes a lock bolt and a first engagement element having disengaged and engageable positions. An electric actuator includes an output operative to move the first engagement element to its engageable position. A manually operated rotatable member is operatively coupled to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. A lock bolt drive mechanism is coupled to the lock bolt and to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. The movable output moves the first engagement element to its engageable position upon input of correct electronic data. An electricity generator is coupled to the manually operated rotatable member. The electricity powers the electric actuator and an electronic data input device. The manually operated rotatable member is also used to actuate the lock bolt drive mechanism and retract the lock bolt.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a safe container of valuable or dangerous items has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position thereof solely upon receipt of a controlled small predetermined amount of electrical power. When the engagement element is thus put in its engageable position, a manually operated element engages therewith and, under the influence of a further manual force input by a user, manually moves the engagement element to forcibly drive a lock-bolt from a locking position to an unlocking position thereof. In one aspect of the invention, the engagement element is connected to the rotor of a low power, low-friction electric motor having at least two magnetic detents, respectively corresponding to the disengaged and engageable positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel device for separating plasma from a whole blood sample on a treated microporous membrane. An advantage of the present invention is that the sample can be assayed on the membrane after separation has occurred. A lateral flow chromatographic assay membrane has a sample application zone, a separation zone, and an analysis zone. An erythrocyte binding agent is added to the membrane in an amount sufficient to bind any erythrocytes present in the sample. Methods for using such devices are disclosed also.

Abstract: A locking mechanism adapted to be placed in locked and unlocked positions. The locking mechanism includes a lock-bolt mounted for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a first engagement element having disengaged and engageable positions. An electric actuator having a movable output drives the first engagement element to the engageable position. A manually operated second engagement element can be engaged with the first engagement element in its engageable position. A lock-bolt drive mechanism is operatively coupled between the lock-bolt and the first engagement element. A slidable element responds to a movement of the manually operated second engagement element and slides linearly between engaged and disengaged positions. The slidable element cooperates with the lock-bolt drive mechanism to enable manual movement of the lock-bolt between the locked and unlocked positions thereof such that the disengaged position of the slidable element corresponds to the locked position of the lock-bolt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the collection, storage, and purification of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, from fluid samples for subsequent genetic characterization, primarily by conventional amplification methods. The present invention can be used to collect, store, or purify nucleic acids either from a biological source other than untreated whole blood, the biological source having naturally occurring nucleic acid amplification inhibitors present, (including either a buccal swab, cerebrospinal fluid, feces, lymphatic fluid, a plasma sample, a saliva sample, a serum sample, urine, or a suspension of cells or viruses), or from a treated whole blood source that has naturally occurring nucleic acid amplification inhibitors present, as well as added blood stabilization components that also inhibit nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Abstract: A CD-ROM tower holds 100 CD-ROM disks or like media in five removable magazines. The magazines are identifiable by a robotics control system in the tower. The tower further includes four drives which receive the disks and transfer data from the disks to a SCSI bus. A transport mechanism controlled by the robotics control system raises and lowers an elevator with respect to the magazines and the drives. A tray picker mechanism on the elevator pulls a tray out of a magazine, and a disk lifter mechanism on the elevator lifts a disk from the tray. After the tray is returned to the magazine, the elevator is moved a drive and the disk is lowered onto the drive drawer. In similar manner, a disk is removed from a drive drawer and returned to a magazine tray. The tower is configured to use commercially available CD-ROM drives or other media drives so that the drives are available at commodity prices and are easily replaceable and upgradeable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the collection, storage, and purification of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, from fluid samples for subsequent genetic characterization, primarily by conventional amplification methods. The present invention can be used to collect, store, or purify nucleic acids from a treated whole blood source that has naturally occurring nucleic acid amplification inhibitors present, as well as added blood stabilization components that also inhibit nucleic acid amplification. More importantly, these nucleic acids can be released after collection or storage in a manner that enables them to be amplified by conventional techniques such as polymerase chain reaction. In particular, an absorbent material that does not bind nucleic acids irreversibly is impregnated with a chaotropic salt. A biological source sample is contacted with the impregnated absorbent material.

Abstract: A security system includes a camera connected to a motion sensor for detecting motion in the vicinity of the camera, the system having a stand-by state in which the motion sensor is active and a ready state wherein triggering of the motion sensor again causes the camera to capture an image. The image enables a burglar to be identified. Entry deterrent including a source of liquid including a dye, a UV-responsive marker, and an irritant liquid may be included. Chillies pickled in vinegar are a suitable irritant.

Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Abstract: Emergency escape breathing apparatus having a hood 2 made of flexible material, an inner mask 6, supply means 4 by which respirable air may be supplied to the inner mask and a member 10 attached to the inner mask 6 which may act to hold the inner mask 6 in position, and also aids donning of the apparatus without dislodging any spectacles 3, if worn.

Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Abstract: A plurality of processors each includes a central processor unit for processing programs at predetermined synchronization priority levels and a cache memory. A memory shared by all of the processors includes an synchronization level table which identifies a processor operating at each synchronization priority level. A common bus interconnects the processors and the memory. When a processor is to execute a program, it adjusts its synchronization priority level to a predetermined synchronization priority level by accessing the synchronization level table over the common bus to determine whether the level is accessible and, if so, places an entry in the table to indicate that the synchronization priority level is occupied. If the synchronization priority level is not accessible, the processor continually monitors the entry in the table over the common bus to determine when it is accessible by monitoring its cache, which contains a copy of the table entry associated with the synchronization priority level.

Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a manually operated element moves the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. In one embodiment, the engagement element is connected to the rotor of a low power, low-friction electric motor having magnetic detents corresponding to the disengaged and engageable positions. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for supplying an enzyme substrate to a membrane-based, enzyme-linked reaction, comprising providing an open pore, high liquid retention capacity material impregnated with a predetermined amount of a substrate for the enzyme; and contacting the material with a membrane containing the enzyme-linked reaction under conditions which permit diffusion of the enzyme substrate to sites on the membrane containing the enzyme linked reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and a uniaxial method for rapidly measuring spectroscopically labelled specific binding analytes in a reaction assay mixture that contains unbound label without requiring the physical separation of the unbound label from the reaction mixture or sequential reagant additions and incubations. Moreover, the technique is equally applicable to measurements in either serum or whole blood.