Abstract: An improved system for the transmission of data over a cellular telephone channel is provided. The system is especially adapted to reduce the cost associated with cellular telephone calls by allowing data transmission only when the channel signal level is greater than a pre-defined value, so as maximize the probability that a transmission will be successful. In addition, the system provides for user transparent reconnection and reestablishment of a dropped link, allowing transmission to continue where dropped without the need to retransmit data already successfully received. As an additional benefit, the system provides a mechanism for call timing and billing so that an estimated bill may be generated based on connection time.

Abstract: The present invention is a fully automated modified batch dyeing process that provides a process that reduces water consumption, reduces environmental pollution, and reduces the energy and chemical consumption of the conventional batch dyeing process through efficient reuse of spent dyebath. The invention provides a holding tank which stores the spent dyebath, and an analysis system which allows for the analysis of the dyebath in the holding tank so that the dyebath may be reconstituted and used in the batch dyeing process.

Abstract: A collaborative work environment supports manipulating an object defined by a three-dimensional model by multiple remote participants. A three-dimensional model of the object is able to be translated, rotated and scaled in a work area of a whiteboard associated with the collaborative work environment. Each of the remote participants is able to view, manipulate, and mark-up the three-dimensional model of the object so that the remote participants can work collaboratively together.

Abstract: The present invention is a fully automated modified batch dyeing process that provides a process that reduces water consumption, reduces environmental pollution, and reduces the energy and chemical consumption of the conventional batch dyeing process through efficient reuse of spent dyebath. The invention provides a holding tank which stores the spent dyebath, and an analysis system which allows for the analysis of the dyebath in the holding tank so that the dyebath may be reconstituted and used in the batch dyeing process.

Abstract: An improved system for the transmission of data over a cellular telephone channel is provided. The system is especially adapted to reduce the cost associated with cellular telephone calls by allowing data transmission only when the channel signal level is greater than a pre-defined value, so as maximize the probability that a transmission will be successful. In addition, the system provides for user transparent reconnection and reestablishment of a dropped link, allowing transmission to continue where dropped without the need to retransmit data already successfully received. As an additional benefit, the system provides a mechanism for call timing and billing so that an estimated bill may be generated based on connection time.

Abstract: A collaborative work environment supports manipulating an object defined by a three-dimensional model by multiple remote participants. A three-dimensional model of the object is able to be translated, rotated and scaled in a work area of a whiteboard associated with the collaborative work environment. Each of the remote participants is able to view, manipulate, and mark-up the three-dimensional model of the object so that the remote participants can work collaboratively together.

Abstract: A browser for allowing a user to navigate in a three-dimensional world having a plurality of objects provides enhanced navigational capabilities. The browser allows the user to seek to an object or location in the world, navigate throughout the world using cursor inputs and select an object to follow links associated with that object. The browser differentiates between a seek command, a select command and a travel command entered by the user via a pointing device to provide the three navigational capabilities without requiring the user to change a navigational mode of the browser. A traveler viewer allows the user to travel throughout the three-dimensional world using pointing device inputs such as single click inputs, double click inputs and click and drag inputs. An examiner viewer allows the user to examine a three-dimensional object by rotating the object, zooming in and out on the object, translating the object in the x and y direction and following links associated with the object or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A method for selecting a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional environment improves a speed and efficiency of a lassoing technique. The method reduces the number of objects that have to be rendered into images in order to determine whether the object is included within an area selected by the lasso. The method selects objects intersected by the lasso using ray picking. These selected objects are not rendered into images. The method determines those objects whose bounding boxes do not intersect a bounding box of the area selected by the lasso. These objects are also not rendered into images. The method renders the remaining objects into images to determine which are included with the area selected by the lasso.

Abstract: A poultry house controller (14) situated within a poultry house (12) regulates the relative humidity and temperature within the poultry house (12) via actuation of fans (22) and heaters (24) in response to temperature and humidity feedback signals from temperature sensors (16) and humidity sensors (18), respectively. The controller (14) can communicate with a host computer (16) and other controllers (14) situated at other houses (12). The controller (14) comprises an integrity check means (234) for checking temperature and humidity values detected by these sensors (16, 18). The integrity check means (234) ensures the accuracy of values by eliminating a value from consideration if it falls outside predefined range of the average of the other values received from other sensors. Additionally, the controller (14) utilizes watchdog timing signals (100) for ensuring continuous operation. The watchdog timing signals (100) are generated by a control program (108) and are sent to an alarm system (92).

Abstract: A poultry house controller (14) situated within a poultry house (12) regulates the relative humidity and temperature within the poultry house (12) via actuation of fans (22) and heaters (24) in response to temperature and humidity feedback signals from temperature sensors (16) and humidity sensors (18), respectively. The controller (14) can communicate with a host computer (16) and other controllers (14) situated at other houses (12). The controller (14) comprises an integrity check means (234) for checking temperature and humidity values detected by these sensors (16, 18). The integrity check means (234) ensures the accuracy of values by eliminating a value from consideration if it falls outside predefined range of the average of the other values received from other sensors. Additionally, the controller (14) utilizes watchdog timing signals (100) for ensuring continuous operation. The watchdog timing signals (100) are generated by a control program (108) and are sent to an alarm system (92).

Abstract: A poultry house controller (14) situated within a poultry house (12) regulates the relative humidity and temperature within the poultry house (12) via actuation of fans (22) and heaters (24) in response to temperature and humidity feedback signals from temperature sensors (16) and humidity sensors (18), respectively. The controller (14) can communicate with a host computer (16) and other controllers (14) situated at other houses (12). The controller (14) comprises an integrity check means (234) for checking temperature and humidity values detected by these sensors (16, 18). The integrity check means (234) ensures the accuracy of values by eliminating a value from consideration if it falls outside predefined range of the average of the other values received from other sensors. Additionally, the controller (14) utilizes watchdog timing signals (100) for ensuring continuous operation. The watchdog timing signals (100) are generated by a control program (108) and are sent to an alarm system (92).

Abstract: A telecommunications system intermittently checks and, if necessary, adjusts the power level of the transmitted data as a function of the transmission characteristics of the transmission line so as to optimize transmission performance.

Abstract: An interactive terminal computer system is disclosed having a system bus for communicating between elements of the computer system which has apparatus for permitting the execution of a maximum number of concurrent bus cycles without interference with each other.

Abstract: An interactive computer terminal system having a bus for communication between elements of the system is disclosed having apparatus for assigning control of the computer bus on a predetermined order of priority. The CPU receives requests from computer system elements and assigns time slots for use of the system bus by arbitrating among various resources competing for access to the bus.

Abstract: An interactive terminal includes a central processor unit (CPU) having a microprocessor and a random access memory (RAM). Signals from the microprocessor place the RAM in a write protect mode. If the RAM receives a write instruction from the microprocessor when the RAM is in the write protect mode, then an illegal condition is indicated and a nonmaskable interrupt is generated to allow the terminal to recover. When the RAM is in the write protect mode, signals from the microprocessor restore the RAM to its normal read/write mode.

Abstract: An address bus of a central processor unit (CPU) is tested by generating repetitive "no operation" (NO OP) instructions. A microprocessor in the CPU receives the NO OP instruction code set manually into switches and generates sequential addresses on successive CPU cycles on the address bus. The microprocessor generates a read signal during each CPU cycle which is jumpered to portions of the logic to allow continuity of operation during test.