Abstract: A system and method is described which provides for context checking of an operating environment. A context manager controls the execution of context checks requested by applications or processes. In one embodiment, the context check modules are defined as self-contained modules located in a database. When the data base is opened, these modules are loaded and registered with the context manager. Upon occurrence of certain user actions, the context manager will issue an event to cause the appropriate modules to perform a context check of certain context of the environment. The resulting context information is stored in memory by the context manager and provided to the applications by the context manager when needed. One advantage is that the context checks performed can be changed simply by adding or deleting modules from the database.

Abstract: A system and method is described which provides for context checking of an operating environment. A context manager controls the execution of context checks requested by applications or processes. In one embodiment, the context check modules are defined as self-contained modules located in a database. When the data base is opened, these modules are loaded and registered with the context manager. Upon occurrence of certain user actions, the context manager will issue an event to cause the appropriate modules to perform a context check of certain context of the environment. The resulting context information is stored in memory by the context manager and provided to the applications by the context manager when needed. One advantage is that the context checks performed can be changed simply by adding or deleting modules from the database.

Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. A plurality of alpha-numeric, symbolic or other characters (collectively "characters") are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar. A slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The slider may be positioned through user manipulation of a cursor control device. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in a central processing unit (CPU) displaying data corresponding to the character selected. Entries are displayed in the defined area beginning alphabetically with the letter over which the slider has been placed.

Abstract: An object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and an access window having topics, index and look for button functions may be selected by the user. Through the use of the topics, index, or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. Characters are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar and a slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in the CPU displaying help data entries corresponding to the selected character.

Abstract: The system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or track ball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The user interface of the present invention includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows. The present invention includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the CPU generating and displaying entries in a predefined area of the access window.

Abstract: In a system that transmits packets containing timestamps and information from a transmission site to a reception site at a transmission bit rate the packets may experience jitter, i.e. variable delay, during transmission. In such a case, the packets are temporally shifted relative to the timestamps and to other packets. Where the timestamp values are inserted into selected packets prior to transmission and that timestamp represent the value of the transmission site clock, the method and apparatus of the present invention substantially removes the jitter and adjusts the timestamp values prior to reception of the packets at the reception site. The present invention achieves this goal by receiving the packets at an intermediate site that has a local clock operates at a nominal frequency substantially equal to the nominal frequency of the transmission site clock and uses that clock as a jitter-free clock to correct the packets.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism is provided for use with automatic paint stirring equipment of the type having a rack adapted to removably receive and support paint cans wherein each paint can has a cover, a stirring element contained within the can and a driven member positioned above the cover and mechanically connected to the stirring element. The improved drive mechanism includes a drive shaft having a diametric cross bore at a position spaced from the first end of the shaft. A diametrically extending opening extends from the cross bore to the first end of the shaft and this opening has a smaller cross-sectional area than the shaft cross bore. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the rack so that the first end of the shaft is positioned adjacent the driven member on the paint can. A drive member is then secured to the first end of the shaft which drivingly engages the driven member on the paint can during rotation of the shaft. This drive member has an axle and a drive plate secured to the axle.

Abstract: A dual piston device (10) for handling and casing of flowable materials such as whole muscle meat products is provided which eliminates the problem of tailing, or creation of a tail of meat product extending outwardly from a casing adjacent an endmost clip. The device (10) includes a transfer conduit (20) having a slidable transfer piston (26) therein, together with an auxiliary conduit (34) connected to the transfer conduit (20) intermediate the ends thereof. The auxiliary conduit (34) is equipped with a deaerating severing piston (42). The pistons (42, 26) are configured to mate and coact so as to cleanly sever whole muscle meat pieces which may otherwise lie in the open end of a casing in the region thereof to be clipped.

Abstract: The sailboat control device disclosed herein comprises one actuated by the pulling of a pin positioned therein, whose removal therefrom permits a spring controlled switch to be closed so that the position of the boat rudder is determined by the maneuvering of a wind vane on the boat. A line connected at one end to said pin and at the other end to the sailor on board causes the pin to be pulled or removed from the said device if and when the sailor should fall overboard. Movement of the wind vane and accompanying rotation of the vertical shaft to which it is attached effects movement of the rudder to make the boat travel in a direction not too far from where the sailor has fallen overboard.

Abstract: A container having an actuating mechanism with a depending flexible central stem is filled with a flowable viscous substance by the method disclosed. In the method, the container is disposed with its open end facing upwardly for receiving the lower end of a filling tube having a camming surface which engages the stem and displaces it laterally as the filling tube enters the container and advances alongside the stem. After the filling tube reaches a predetermined depth, discharge of the viscous material begins and continues as the filling tube is withdrawn from the container.