Abstract: A suspended or stuck condition of a serial bus controller is released by applying an artificial clock signal to the stuck bus controller in place of the normally applied clock signal. The artificial clock signal causes the stuck controller to advance in a communication transaction which was in progress when the stuck condition occurred, until a data signal is supplied at a logical level which permits the initiation of another transaction in accordance with the serial communication protocol of the bus. The ability to release the stuck condition avoids losing important data and other information that would be lost if the stuck condition was released by performing a reset of the stuck controller or the component to which it is connected.

Abstract: A general-purpose personal computer is converted into a dedicated mass storage appliance, and a mass storage operating system for performing mass data storage functions is booted from a solid-state, nonvolatile memory card in response to BIOS boot probe signals. The memory card emulates a disk drive for booting purposes, so the BIOS need not be modified to incorporate chain booting. A relatively low latency intermediate memory reads and writes data from a primary expansion bus of the personal computer, and the intermediate memory is separately backed up with power to sustain the data upon a reduction in power, a reset signal, or the absence of a bus clock signal. The conversion may be accomplished by inserting a conversion card into a bus slot of a primary expansion bus of the personal computer.

Abstract: A system and method for fast (“warm”) reboot of a file server is provided, which skips certain conventional boot processes when circumstances warrant, in order to reduce server downtime. In particular, time is saved by avoiding a full shutdown of the processor and memory, and by causing the firmware to refrain from a full clearance of the file server memory. Instead, the firmware accesses a retained copy of the storage operating system kernel from a reserved location in the file server memory so that an operative version of the kernel is reestablished at the appropriate address space in memory without requiring a time-consuming read of the kernel image from disk. In addition, other “normal” (cold) reboot operations such as full memory tests, hardware checks and memory zeroing are avoided as appropriate—saving further time in the overall reboot process, while still attaining the desired reinitialization of key applications and functions.

Abstract: A remote learning system combines on-line service information and remote user information with a television signal designed to be received by students using multimedia personal computers. The combined signal is then transmitted to all of the students at their personal computers. At each personal computer, the received signal is separated into its component parts by a VBI modem for display or control on/of the personal computers. Each personal computer is capable of communicating back to a main server over a network such as a public telephone network. A broadcasting facility integrates the information transmitted over the network from a single student with the television signal.

Abstract: A weight-lifter bench is equipped with a removable body support pad having a multiplicity of body support cavities in the pad upper surface. These cavities mate with rear surfaces of the person's head and torso when the person is in a lithotomy position, e.g. when the person is performing a weight-lifting activity using the bench. The cavity surfaces conform to the body surface contours, such that essentially the entire rear surface of the person's torso is in contact with the pad. The pad provides a comfortable support surface, and an enhanced body support action that tends to minimize the potential risk for injury or fatigue.

Abstract: Novel compounds that have been found effective in inhibiting PDZ domain interactions, and particularly interactions of PDZ domains in MAGIs with the oncogenic (tumor suppressor) protein PTEN and interactions between the PDZ domain in the Dishevelled (Dvl) protein and other proteins such as the Frizzled (Fz) protein, have the general formula The invention also includes combinatorial libraries, arrays and methods for screening and studying proteins using such compounds. Compounds of the invention have produced apoptosis in certain cell lines that overexpress the Dishevelled protein (Dvl); inhibiting Wnt signaling.

Abstract: A weight-lifter bench is equipped with a removable body support pad having a multiplicity of body support cavities in the pad upper surface. These cavities mate with rear surfaces of the person's head and torso when the person is in a lithotomy position, e.g. when the person is performing a weight-lifting activity using the bench. The cavity surfaces conform to the body surface contours, such that essentially the entire rear surface of the person's torso is in contact with the pad. The pad provides a comfortable support surface, and an enhanced body support action that tends to minimize the potential risk for injury or fatigue.

Abstract: A system and method for transparently transmitting aural signals across a wide area network (WAN). The system of present invention is connected to one or more of a private branch exchange, a key telephone system, a telephone, a facsimile machine, and a modem, for example. In the case of voice transmission, a user places a telephone call using the same procedure that is used when placing a telephone call over a conventional public switched network. The aural signals are translated into a format that is compatible with the local area network (LAN) and the translated signals are transmitted to a router or a switch that connects the LAN to the WAN. The data is transmitted across the WAN to a router or switch coupled to a second LAN. The data is then sent to a destination central site unit or PC which translates the signal into a format that is compatible with the telephone system connected thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting aural signals across a wide area network (WAN) from a local phone coupled to a computer, e.g., a PC-phone, to a remote phone coupled to a KTS, PBX, or PSTN, for example. This capability is provided by the gateway unit of the present invention. The system of the present invention is quickly installed in a server or a personal computer coupled to a local area network. The system is connected to one or more of a PSTN, a private branch exchange, a key telephone system, a telephone, a facsimile machine, and a modem. In the case of voice transmission, a gateway unit translates received telephony signal into a format that is compatible with the telephone system or equipment connected thereto. The present invention can provide a voice quality that approaches, equals, or exceeds the voice quality of conventional telephone switched networks.

Abstract: A remote learning system combines on-line service information and remote user information with a television signal designed to be received by students using multimedia personal computers. The combined signal is then transmitted to all of the students at their personal computers. At each personal computer, the received signal is separated into its component parts by a VBI modem for display or control on/of the personal computers. Each personal computer is capable of communicating back to a main server over a network such as a public telephone network. A broadcasting facility integrates the information transmitted over the network from a single student with the television signal.

Abstract: A washing apparatus designed particularly for road transport vehicles comprises a washing station with a pair of longitudinal rails carrying a carriage for movement along the vehicle. The carriage carries a pair of depending side arms with spray nozzles on the inside surface for spraying the sides of the vehicle. A horizontal beam is supported on a pair of lift carriages to move vertically and can rotate about a transverse axis to point forwardly, downwardly or rearwardly. The horizontal beam carries spray nozzles. The system uses sensors carried on the carriage to detect the position of the vehicle and to generate a stored matrix defining the shape. A control unit in response to the matrix moves the carriage and vertically movable element to the required position to spray the front, top and rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collapsible portable animal crate including a tray with a border formed of a pair of long edges with a pair of short edges extended therebetween; a pair of spaced opposed rectangular end walls each having a bottom edge, a top edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extended therebetween and with the bottom edge of each end wall hingeably coupled to one of the short edges of the tray; a pair of spaced opposed side walls each having a bottom edge, a top edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extended therebetween and with the bottom edge of each side wall hingeably coupled to one of the long edges of the tray; a top wall having a pair of short edges with a pair of long edges extended therebetween and with the long edges coupled to the top edges of the side walls, the side walls and end walls upwardly extended from the tray with the top wall positioned thereover to define a box-shaped expanded operable configuration and with the side walls, end walls, and top wall positionable in stacked juxtaposed relation wit

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is volume expanded using the DIET process and equipment. During depressurization of a pressure vessel containing a mixture of cut filler impregnated with liquid carbon dioxide, gaseous carbon dioxide is bubbled through the mixture to provide a mixture of decreased density and decreased integrity. Liquid water is introduced into the sublimator region of the equipment in order to act as a heat sink, causing tobacco cut filler in that region and related equipment components to not experience overly high exposure to heat. A vertically extending duct in the sublimator region has a relatively large inner diameter so as to allow adequate residence time of the tobacco cut filler in the expansion region. A spray of water applied to the expanded tobacco cut filler and atmosphere in the post expansion region of the DIET equipment moistens the cut filler and reduces the temperature experienced thereby.

Abstract: Modulated data information having an individual one of different baud rates and aural information are converted at a transmitter from analog to digital form. A controller separately identifies the digitized aural and modulated data information and, if modulated data, identifies the baud rate of such modulated data. The aural information is separately transformed. For modulated data, the information is separately processed in accordance with the different baud rates. The individual ones of aural and modulated data are then introduced to a common line for packetizing. The beginning of each packet is labelled to identify whether the packet contains aural information (such as voice or music) or modulated data (such as modem or facsimile), and, if modulated data, the particular baud rate of such information. An individual code identifies the end of each packet. The packetized information is then multiplexed in a common bus with other packetized aural and data information.

Abstract: A noise reduction side-branch reactive silencer for use with the air induction system of an internal combustion engine. The side-branch reactive silencer is contained within a subframe interposed between the engine and a vehicle body. The subframe is a rigid structure and forms a reactive cavity therein. The subframe has a connector for communicating the reactive cavity with the air induction system of the vehicle. The connector is positioned along the subframe in accordance with the desired attenuation frequency.

Abstract: An improved connecting arrangement (10) by which to secure one end of a drain conduit (12) to the stub conduit (13) of a drain port (14). A unique coupler (11) is interposed between one end of the drain conduit (12) and the port (14). The coupler (11) has an annular sleeve portion (20) and an annular fitting portion (21) that are joined by a generally annular transitional portion (24) which is interposed between the sleeve and fitting portions (20 and 21, respectively). The hollow interior (22) of the sleeve portion is provided with threads (25), and an annular sealing recess (26), which opens toward the interior of the sleeve portion (20), is presented from the interior of the transitional portion (24). A novel drain conduit (12) interconnects with the coupler (11). The drain conduit (12) is provided in substantially continuous lengths and has a body portion (15) with a plurality of threaded portions (16 ) provided at longitudinally spaced locations along the body portion (15).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus and process for producing an improved extruded plastic material product which consists of an inner foamed thermoplastic cellular core and an outer non-porous thermoplastic skin extending along at least one side of the core. In the process, a foamable thermoplastic material is extruded through a first die outlet to produce a foamed thermoplastic material. After exiting the die outlet, a film of non-porous thermoplastic material is applied along at least one side of extruded foamed material. Next, the extruded foamed material and the non-porous film is fed through a forming die which shapes and seals the materials into the desired cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A technique for repairing the front and rear floor pan areas of vehicles includes cutting away any corroded metal along with some sound metal to form a window in the underside of the vehicle which is bounded by a ledge. In the case of front floor pan areas, the insert is placed in the window and connected to the ledge by suitable fasteners. The front floor pan area insert extends from the chassis flange on one side of the vehicle to a location juxtaposed to a linkage tunnel extending down the center of the vehicle. Various embodiments of a rear floor pan area insert are shown, all of which incorporate peculiar configurations. Some of the rear floor pan embodiments are placed in the window from inside the vehicle and some cover the window by placement from the underside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for tensioning and applying a foam core tape having pressure sensitive adhesive faces to a body side molding. The method is effected to obtain the necessary stretch in the foam core tape to coordinate with any dimensional changes which may occur in the body side moldings to which it is bonded. The system includes a tensioning roll disposed between a supply roll and the point of application of the tape to the body side molding. The peripheral surface of the tensioning roll frictionally engages the foam tape and the rotation of the tensioning roll is controlled by suitable braking mechanism to effect a desired stretch in the tape prior to its application to the body molding.