Abstract: A method of protecting memory locations in an embedded system using a write filter. The method includes the steps of starting a write filter that intercepts writes to the protected memory locations and stores the writes in a cache; starting a state machine with a change state and a normal state; upon starting the state machine, entering the change state when an indication is present that data needs to be persisted to the protected memory otherwise entering the normal state; in the normal state identifying critical writes to the protected memory and creating at least one update file containing the changes in such writes; and in the change state, applying the changes in the update file and rebooting the system in a manner that persists the changes to the protected memory.

Abstract: A communications cable management system includes a support structure and a door assembly. The support structure defines a cable trough and includes at least two first mount structures and at least two second mount structures spaced apart from the at least two first mount structures. The door assembly includes a door body, first and second latch mechanisms, and first and second actuators. The door body has first and second opposed side edges. The first latch mechanism includes at least two first latch structures each selectively positionable between a latched position, wherein the first latch structure engages a respective one of the first mount structures to secure the door body to the support structure for pivotal movement therebetween about a first pivot axis proximate the first side edge of the door body, and an unlatched position, wherein the first latch structure is disengaged from the first mount structure to permit the first side edge of the door to be separated from the support structure.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact (IDC) includes: upper and lower ends, each of the upper and lower ends including a slot configured to receive a conductor therein, the slots being generally parallel and non-collinear; and a transitional area merging with the upper and lower ends. An IDC of this configuration can be employed, for example, in 110-style connectors, and can enable such connectors to compensate for differential to common mode crosstalk between adjacent IDC pairs.

Abstract: Tails (20) projecting from an electrical component (12) that lies on a circuit board surface, are terminated to traces on a multi-layer circuit board (14) in a manner that minimizes the disadvantages of long through hole soldering and of surface mount techniques. A blind hole is drilled and plated to form a shallow well (70). The well is filled with a soldering composition (130). A tail (20) is projected downward into the soldering composition with the extreme tip of the tail lying above the bottom of the hole, and the soldering composition is heated to solder the tail to the hole plating.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact (IDC) includes: upper and lower ends, each of the upper and lower ends including a slot configured to receive a conductor therein, the slots being generally parallel and non-collinear; and a transitional area merging with the upper and lower ends. An IDC of this configuration can be employed, for example, in 110-style connectors, and can enable such connectors to compensate for differential to common mode crosstalk between adjacent IDC pairs.

Abstract: A modular shelf system for use with an equipment support structure to manage cables has opposed front and rear sides. The shelf system includes a base member adapted to be secured to the equipment support structure and first and second drawers mounted on the base member in side-by-side relation. Each of the first and second drawers is adapted to receive at least one cable from the rear side of the shelf system. Each of the first and second drawers includes a front panel located adjacent the front side of the shelf system and defines a cable port. Each of the first and second drawers is slidable between a first, stored position within the base member and an open position wherein the respective drawer is disposed forwardly of and at least partially withdrawn from the base member to provide access from the front side of the shelf system to a cable or cables introduced into the respective drawer from the rear side of the shelf system.

Abstract: Tails (20) projecting from an electrical component (12) that lies on a circuit board surface, are terminated to traces on a multi-layer circuit board (14) in a manner that minimizes the disadvantages of long through hole soldering and of surface mount techniques. A blind hole is drilled and plated in a first layer (31) that will become the topmost layer of the stack, to form a shallow well (70). The well is filled with a soldering composition (130). A tail (20) is projected downward into the soldering composition, and the soldering composition is heated to solder the tail to the hole plating.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (14) is provided, of a type that has a housing (70) and a fiber block (72) slideable between forward and rearward positions within a passage of the housing, the housing having guide-receiving spaces (120, 122) on opposite sides of the passage for receiving guides (60) of a mating connector device, which assures that the block will remain in its forward position prior to mating of the connector with the connector device. A sheet metal retainer (110) for retaining the fiber block in the forward position, includes a latch (112) that lies in the path of rearward movement of a shoulder (118) on the fiber block as the fiber block moves rearwardly from its forward position, to resist such movement with a force of a plurality of pounds.

Abstract: Tails (20) projecting from an electrical component (12) that lies on a circuit board surface, are terminated to traces on a multi-layer circuit board (14) in a manner that minimizes the disadvantages of long through hole soldering and of surface mount techniques. A blind hole is drilled and plated in a first layer (31) that will become the topmost layer of the stack, to form a shallow well (70). The well is filled with a soldering composition (130). A tail (20) is projected downward into the soldering composition, and the soldering composition is heated to solder the tail to the hole plating.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (14) is provided, of a type that has a housing (70) and a fiber block (72) slideable between forward and rearward positions within a passage of the housing, the housing having guide-receiving spaces (120, 122) on opposite sides of the passage for receiving guides (60) of a mating connector device, which assures that the block will remain in its forward position prior to mating of the connector with the connector device. A sheet metal retainer (110) for retaining the fiber block in the forward position, includes a latch (112) that lies in the path of rearward movement of a shoulder (118) on the fiber block as the fiber block moves rearwardly from its forward position, to resist such movement with a force of a plurality of pounds.

Abstract: An adjustable electrocautery surgical apparatus for selectively delivering electosurgical coagulation and cut current from an electrosurgical generator to a surgical site is provided comprising an elongated body, an extension member passing at least partially through the elongated body, a track in the elongated body for guiding the extension member, an electrode blade attached to the extension member for cutting or coagulating tissue, and an adjustable lock coupled to the extension member for selectively adjusting the position of the extension member and electrode blade relative to the elongated body and for locking the extension member and electrode blade in a selected position. A longitudinal channel passes through a sidewall of the elongated body member. A plurality of stops are positioned in the channel for providing a sequence of stop positions between maximally retracted and maximally extended positions of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (30) includes an insulating housing (32) and assembled thereto a plurality of terminal modules (50). Each terminal module (50) has a plurality of terminals (56), each including a cantilevered beam (58) having a protuberance (59) at the leading end thereof, a conductor connecting portion (62) and an intermediate portion (60) therebetween encapsulated in an insulative web (76). The beams (58) of all the terminals (56) extend in a single line. The protuberances (59) of a first group (64) of adjacent terminals (56) in the row extend in one direction in the single line and the protuberances (59) of the beams of a second group (66) extend in an opposite direction in the single line.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for interconnecting discrete circuits on a first circuit board (14) with discrete circuits on a second circuit board (16), includes an insulating housing (18) having a series of contact members (20) arranged in side by side cavities (22). Each contact member (20) has a straight shank (130) that is only partially supported by the floor (32) of the housing. The shank (130) has a first beam (136) at one end and a second beam (138) at the other end, each end of which has a respective one of first and second contacts (140, 142) attached thereto. Each contact terminates in a pre-load member (144, 146) that is formed parallel to the shank and slidingly extends into a recess (120) in the housing. Each pre-load member (144, 146) includes a latch surface (168) that abuts against a stop surface (124) formed in the housing (18) to limit movement of the contacts and thereby provide a desired pre-load to each contact (140, 142).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming space on a flash memory device is provided in which valid data is copied from an individually erasable sector on the flash device to a designated memory location. The sector is then formatted or erased and the valid data is returned to the flash device at the next available free space contiguously. A pointer is updated to keep track of the location of the next available recently formatted free space on the flash device. The process is then repeated on each consecutive sector on the flash memory device until all valid data becomes contiguous on one contiguous segment of the device and all free space becomes contiguous on a second contiguous segment of the device. In this manner, the flash memory is defragmented and the largest possible contiguous file can be written to the device. Files can be saved on the flash memory device in contiguous file formats and blocked file formats.