Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing a network with a given set of network flow requirements, each flow requirement having a source, a destination and a bandwidth. The method comprises the steps of assigning each flow to a port on its associated source and destination, determining the partition of source and destination ports into port groups which are disjoint sets, and generating network modules to support the assignment of flows by using an appropriate interconnected combination of links, hubs and switches. The design of the module accounts for the relative costs of the links, hubs and switches and finds the allocation and subsequent module design that produces a cost effective interconnection fabric that supports all flow requirements.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus are provided for implementing magnification and extension of keypads using a dynamic touch screen. The dynamic touch-screen generating device includes a processor coupled to a projector for generating and projecting an image onto a surface, and a camera for detecting a user activity on the projected image. The dynamic touch-screen generating device identifies a user selection and applies the identified user selection to an associated functional device, such as a cellular phone, PDA, or GPS navigator.

Abstract: A carrier for holding up to N test sample devices as they are moved through a sample testing instrument. Each of the test sample devices are held in a receiving structure such as a slot in the carrier. The carrier also includes N optical interrupt positioning features, each placed in registry with one of the receiving structures (and thereby in registry with the test sample device). The instrument includes fixed optical interrupt sensors for detecting the position of the positioning feature as the carrier is moved through the instrument. In the illustrated embodiment, the position features comprise voids formed in a rib on the lower surface of the carrier. The optical interrupt sensors are positioned below the path the carrier travels over, whereby as the carrier moves past the sensor the voids, and hence position of the test sample devices, are detected.

Abstract: A transport system is provided for a sample testing machine. The transport system includes a carrier holding a set of test sample devices and a drive subsystem for moving the carrier through the sample testing machine. The drive subsystem includes a reciprocating motor-driven block engaging the carrier and moving the carrier back and forth in a predetermined longitudinal path extending along a longitudinal axis from an entrance station to a plurality of processing stations in the sample testing machine. The processing stations are accessed as the carrier is moved along the path. The carrier includes features in the form of slots that are detected by strategically placed optical interrupt sensors. As the carrier moves, the slots are detected by the sensors to thereby continuously track the position of the carrier and the test devices as they are moved through the instrument.

Abstract: An integrated instrument processes fluid test samples using disposable test devices. The test devices are carried in a carrier. The instrument includes a vacuum station receiving the carrier for batch loading of the test devices with fluid samples to be tested. The user removes the carrier from the vacuum station and inserts it into a loading station of a separate carrier and test device processing subsystem. This subsystem includes a transport system moving the carrier through the instrument where various modules perform operations on the test devices, including sealing the test devices, loading the test devices into an incubation station, incubation of the test devices, test device reading, and test device disposal.

Abstract: A sealer for a sample testing instrument is disclosed that cuts and seals a fluid conduit that connects a test sample device with a fluid receptacle containing a fluid sample. The sealer includes an enclosure and a protective shield to protect a user or technician from contact with the cutting element assembly in the sealer. The cutting element assembly includes a spring-loaded element that engages the test sample device and holds it in a fixed position while a cutting element (e.g., hot wire) cuts the fluid conduit. A motor driving the cutting element assembly is positioned at an angle having both vertical and horizontal components, whereby adjustment of the motor firmware allows for adjustment of the position of the cutting element relative to the instrument in both horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: A technique for generating interconnect fabric requirements. The technique programmatically generates an interconnect design problem based on criteria specified by a user. In one aspect, a computer implemented method is provided for generating an interconnect fabric design problem. The problem includes requirements for a plurality of flows among a set of network nodes. A source node and a terminal node are selected, from among the set of network nodes, for a flow to be added to the requirements. A maximum capacity available at the selected source node and the selected terminal node is determined. The flow is generated having a capacity less than or equal to the lower of the maximum capacity of the source node and the terminal node. Depending upon the input criteria, the invention may generate problems with greater flexibility than prior techniques.

Abstract: A vaccine for the selective immunization of horses against EHV4 and/or EHV1 is provided comprising at least one of (i) EHV4 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV4 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV4 has been deleted and (ii) EHV1 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV1 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV1 has been deleted. Antibodies which specifically bind to a epitopes of EHV4 gG or EHV1 also are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing a network with a given set of network flow requirements, each flow requirement having a source, a destination and a bandwidth. The method comprises the steps of assigning each flow to a port on its associated source and destination, determining the partition of source and destination ports into port groups which are disjoint sets, and generating network modules to support the assignment of flows by using an appropriate interconnected combination of links, hubs and switches. The design of the module accounts for the relative costs of the links, hubs and switches and finds the allocation and subsequent module design that produces a cost effective interconnection fabric that supports all flow requirements.

Abstract: A vaccine for the selective immunization of horses against EHV4 and/or EHV1 is provided comprising at least one of (i) EHV4 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV4 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV4 has been deleted and (ii) EHV1 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV1 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV1 has been deleted. Antibodies which specifically bind to a epitopes of EHV4 gG or EHV1 also are provided.

Abstract: A visualization tool for creating graphic displays of trace data produced by a parallel computer program execution monitoring system. The visualization tool contains a display monitor, possible input devices, a mass storage device, and a computer system. Trace data is converted into data structures and later pixel maps to ultimately generate processing activity diagrams for each processor in the computer system. If more than one processor is present, more than one processing activity diagram can be generated and simultaneously displayed on the same screen in form of strip graphs and for certain indicated time intervals. An average processor utilization diagram is then calculated and plotted on every processor activity diagram for comparison purposes. Browsing through these strip graphs all at the same time while comparing them against the average utilization graph will allow a user to easily redistribute workload if necessary and/or locate problem situations.

Abstract: Equine rhinopneumonitis and equine abortion are horse diseases caused by two distinct but antigenically related viruses designated as equine herpes virus 4 (EHV4) and equine herpes virus 1 (EHV1). Glycoprotein G (gG) epitopes of EHV1 and EHV4 of this invention allow for accurate, type-specific diagnosis of the infections despite extensive antigenic cross-reactivity between the two viruses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the operational characteristics of a motor. The method includes the steps of reading a plurality of optically encoded controller position signals, determining a motor control signal state and differential based thereon and outputting a motor control signal. The central operation of the method and apparatus is based on a motor control signal state diagram and the transitions therein. The apparatus includes a rotary digital optical encoder having a plurality of output signals, a programmable controller device and an output circuit. The programmable controller device includes motor control logic for determining the operational characteristics of a motor. The motor control signal may be either/or a pulse width modulated (PWM) or analog output. Additionally, described embodiments include an apparatus having logic for determining the directional characteristics of a motor.

Abstract: A visualization tool for creating graphic displays of trace data produced by a parallel computer program execution monitoring system. The visualization tool contains a display monitor, possible input devices, a mass storage device, and a computer system. Trace data is converted into data structures and later pixel maps to ultimately generate processing activity diagrams for each processor in the computer system. If more than one processor is present, more than one processing activity diagram can be generated and simultaneously displayed on the same screen in form of strip graphs and for certain indicated time intervals. An average processor utilization diagram is then calculated and plotted on every processor activity diagram for comparison purposes. Browsing through these strip graphs all at the same time while comparing them against the average utilization graph will allow a user to easily redistribute workload if necessary and/or locate problem situations.