Abstract: An alternating current-to-direct current (AC-to-DC) power supply has a first stage providing a first DC voltage and a second stage providing a second DC voltage. The AC-to-DC power supply has a first efficiency at the first stage and a second efficiency at the second stage that is less than the first efficiency. The second DC voltage is also less than the first DC voltage. A blower is electrically connected to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply to receive the first DC voltage from the AC-to-DC power supply to power the blower. Electrical connection of the blower to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply instead of to the second stage of the AC-to-DC power supply wastes less power and is more efficient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maximizing the efficiency of a power supply according to the value of a load to be powered. One embodiment provides a power supply system including a first and second stage. The first stage has at least one AC to DC conversion section for converting an AC input to DC at an upper DC voltage value. The second stage has at least one DC to DC regulation section for converting at least a portion of the DC at the upper DC voltage value to DC at a lower DC voltage value and supplying the lower DC voltage value to a DC output. One or both of the first and second stages includes more than one section operating in parallel. A controller selectively enables a selected combination of the AC to DC conversion sections and the DC to DC regulation sections according to an expected or actual value of the load.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maximizing the efficiency of a power supply according to the value of a load to be powered. One embodiment provides a power supply system including a first and second stage. The first stage has at least one AC to DC conversion section for converting an AC input to DC at an upper DC voltage value. The second stage has at least one DC to DC regulation section for converting at least a portion of the DC at the upper DC voltage value to DC at a lower DC voltage value and supplying the lower DC voltage value to a DC output. One or both of the first and second stages includes more than one section operating in parallel. A controller selectively enables a selected combination of the AC to DC conversion sections and the DC to DC regulation sections according to an expected or actual value of the load.

Abstract: An alternating current-to-direct current (AC-to-DC) power supply has a first stage providing a first DC voltage and a second stage providing a second DC voltage. The AC-to-DC power supply has a first efficiency at the first stage and a second efficiency at the second stage that is less than the first efficiency. The second DC voltage is also less than the first DC voltage. A blower is electrically connected to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply to receive the first DC voltage from the AC-to-DC power supply to power the blower. Electrical connection of the blower to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply instead of to the second stage of the AC-to-DC power supply wastes less power and is more efficient.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing theft of an object, includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device operatively attached to an object, a security path for detection of the EAS device, a reader operatively coupled to the security path, and a smart card for being read by the reader. The smart card contains an identification profile of an authorized user of the object.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for securely transferring a computer system are described. A computer system is disabled at a shipping point via an RFID (radio frequency identification) interface and re-enabled at a receiving point via the RFID interface. Disabling the computer system includes selecting a boot password, writing the boot password to storage in the computer system via the RFID interface, and setting a disable bit in the storage via the, RFID interface. Re-enabling the computer system includes entering the boot password via the RFID interface and clearing the disable bit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring tamper events in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system is on a network. The system comprises a tamper real time clock (RTC) means which receives at least one tamper event signal from the computer system. The tamper RTC means includes a timer for indicating the time of a tamper event and a management device for receiving the at least one tamper event signal. The management device issues a command to the tamper RTC means to obtain the time of the at least one tamper event. The management device also generates a network packet which includes the time of the tamper event to a system administrator of the network. The present invention in a preferred embodiment is directed to a computer system which has the ability to functionally detect and store the time of a tamper event. A tamper real time clock (RTC) circuit is operatively connected with logic to store the date and time of an event as it occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated diagnostic tool having a soft structure architecture that can be easily and quickly used to troubleshoot systems and subsystems, i.e., assemblies, on aircraft such as the AH-64 helicopter. The tool includes a laptop computer loaded with a troubleshooting software program, which evaluates assembly status messages traveling on a 1553 digital communications bus that links the aircraft systems and subsystems together. The tool obtains the messages by listening on the 1553 bus. The program includes listings of the assemblies, a set of pass/fail tests for evaluating the status information, and a set of relationships that numerically correlate test outcomes with different assemblies. Based on the test results and the relationships, the tool indicates which assemblies are the most likely cause of equipment malfunctions indicated by the test outcomes.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring tamper events in a computer system in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The system comprises a detector means for detecting at least one tamper event and for providing an indication when the tamper event has occurred for longer than a predetermined time period. The system also includes an adapter means coupled to the detector means for receiving the indication and for disabling the computer system. The present invention is directed to a computer system, which has the ability to functionally determine if a tamper event is authorized and therefore allows the computer to operate after such an event. In a preferred embodiment, the tamper event could be as simple as a toggle switch being activated when the cover of the personal computer is removed.

Abstract: Described is a computer system which is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The computer system has a normally closed enclosure and is capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access. The computer system includes an erasable memory element mounted within the enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a security password when in the active state. A manually operable option switch is mounted within the enclosure. The option switch is operatively connected with the erasable memory element and manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting the erasable memory element to the active and inactive states.

Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory array having corresponding first access control bits to control access thereto. A second set of access control bits is provided to control write access to the first access control bits. The memory array is divided into memory blocks, each block having a corresponding access control bit. At least one such block is further subdivided into pages, each page having a corresponding control bit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems for handling biological fluids such as blood and more particularly relates to apparatus for maintaining a constant flow rate of fluid by a peristaltic pump when the pressure at the input of such a pump goes negative or positive. More specifically, the invention uses a microprocessor which provides an output signal representative of the incremental change in pump speed required when the pump input experiences a negative or positive pressure regime.The microprocessor output is based on a sensed input pump pressure, P.sub.o, a pressure, P.sub.i, which is the pressure at which extensions of the linearly decreasing portions of the pump characteristic curves intersect the pressure axis on a plot of Pressure vs Flow Rate for a given pump and a desired flow rate, Q.sub.o. The resulting output is applied to a stepper motor via a programmable timer and driver amplifier.

Abstract: Erase waveforms effecting improved erase action are provided for a gas panel of the type in which light emitting cells are formed in an ionizable medium at the crossover point of a set of horizontally and vertically extending insulated wires. The erase waveforms include a burst of bipolar pairs of pulses, each pair comprising a low amplitude wide duration erase pulse followed by an opposite polarity narrowed sustain pulse. The burst of pulse pairs being applied during the time frame of a normal sustain operation.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying sustain voltage pulses to the orthogonal conductors of a gas display panel including voltage sensors to sense any change in sustain voltage amplitude with aging of the circuits and a voltage controlled oscillator to shift the operating frequency of sustain pulses as the amplitude changes. In that manner, the operating point of sustain voltage vs. frequency is shifted to take advantage of the slope in a graphical representation of sustain voltage margin to allow for shifting of the margin due to panel aging.

Abstract: An improved light pen is provided for a gas display panel of the type in which an alternating polarity sustain voltage produces a succession of brief light flashes in a matrix of light emitting cells. The timing for the sustain voltage is disturbed along a selected coordinate of the matrix. The coordinate of a light pen is identified when light with this disturbed timing is detected by the pen. Circuits for disturbing the sustain voltage of an individual cell of the matrix are also disclosed.