Abstract: An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information.

Abstract: A coupling between a motor vehicle steering shaft and a motor vehicle steering wheel including a primary socket on the steering wheel, a hub on the steering shaft plugged into the primary socket, a pair of V-shaped notches in the plug and in the primary socket cooperating in defining a polygonal chamber, and a cylindrical coil spring wedged in the polygonal chamber. The cylindrical coil spring thrusts the plug laterally against the primary socket to eliminate dimensional clearance, i.e., lash, therebetween. Lugs on the primary socket seat in notches in the plug and cooperate with the coil spring in transferring torque between the hub and the primary socket. A retractor on the steering wheel twists the coil spring to a smaller diameter concurrent with linear translation of the retractor in an arc around the primary socket thereby to reduce the diameter of the coil spring for installation and/or removal of the hub from the primary socket.

Abstract: A black and white silver halide motion picture sound recording film is disclosed comprising a support bearing at least one silver halide emulsion layer, wherein said film is spectrally sensitized both above and below 600 nm. Such film may be used for recording multiple optical soundtracks by exposing said to film with a first source of radiation having a peak wavelength of less than or equal to 600 nm, recording a second digital soundtrack by exposing said film with a second source of radiation having a peak wavelength of greater than 600 nm, and processing said exposed film to form first and second digital soundtrack silver images.

Abstract: An improved method for treating liquid foodstuffs to prolong their shelf life wherein the liquid is exposed to intense agitation, preferably through sonication, to disrupt cell walls and membranes of any microorganisms present in the liquid. The liquid is either simultaneously or subsequently exposed to an electrical field. The intense agitation disrupts the cell walls and membranes of the microorganisms so that an electrical current can be introduced through any openings formed in the cell walls and membranes and through their intracellular matrices to kill the microorganisms. It is preferable to expose the liquids to torsional forces so that any microorganisms will be rotating through the stationary electrical field. As a result any openings in the cell walls and membranes of the microorganisms will at some point become aligned with the electrical field so that current can be introduced within the cells to destroy the microorganisms.

Abstract: A shaft coupling including a socket, a first shaft, a plug on a second shaft seated in the socket, and a clamp operative to clamp together the first and the second shafts in the direction of a longitudinal centerline of the shaft coupling to prevent dislodgment of the plug from the socket. The clamp includes an annular first flange on the first shaft, an annular second flange on the second shaft facing the first flange, oppositely facing frustoconical shoulders on the first and the second flanges, a plurality of clamp jaws pivotally mounted on the first shaft arrayed symmetrically around the first and the second flanges each having a closed position inducing radial thrust on the oppositely facing frustoconical shoulders, and springs biasing each of the clamp jaws toward its closed position.

Abstract: Novel benzpyran derivatives and the use of these derivatives in producing novel anti-cannabinoid antibodies are disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of these antibodies as reagents in improved immunoassays for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in biological fluid samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring displacement and force transferred through an elastomeric member, such as a suspension bushing (17) as used in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner cylinder (26) fixedly connected to a suspension member (23), and an outer cylinder (28) fixedly connected to a chassis member (29). A magnetorheological elastomer (32), having particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (26) and outer (28) cylinders, and an electrode (44) is disposed about the inner cylinder (26). When the electrode (44) is energized by electrical current provided from module (18), a preselected electrical state resulting from the dielectric properties of the magnetorheological elastomer (32) varies in a predetermined manner in response to changes in displacement of the elastomeric material (32).

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system which allows a user to identify which one of a plurality of feature cards has issued an error signal. The device issuing the error signal is then isolated and error recovery techniques, (or re-initialization) are implemented only on the device with the error condition. The computer system includes additional control logic, along with a bridge chip that interconnects different information buses and at least one connector slot for receiving a feature card, which implements specific functions such as I/O, memory, or the like. When it is determined that an error signal is present the system hardware activates and holds a reset signal to the device which issued the error signal. Additionally, a status bit in a register in the bridge chip is set.

Abstract: An noise attenuation system disposed on a movable side glass (14) of a motor vehicle for reducing the noise within the passenger compartment. In the preferred embodiment, a piezoceramic sensor (46) and piezoceramic actuators (42, 44) are disposed on a side glass (14) below the beltline (24) of a door (10) on a motor vehicle. The actuators (42, 44) are controllably vibrated in reverse phase to a signal generated by the sensor (46) to cancel or reduce vibrations of the side glass (14). The noise transmitted into the passenger compartment by the side glass (14) is thereby significantly reduced.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R.sub.1 represents (a) in which r represents an integer of 2 to 4, s represents 1 or 2 and t represents 0 or 1; R.sub.2 is a group OR.sub.4, where R.sub.4 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl or C.sub.2-4 alkynyl or a group OCOR.sub.5 where R.sub.5 is hydrogen or R.sub.4 ; and R.sub.3 is CN; said process comprising reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein R.sub.1 ' is R.sub.1 or a group convertible thereto, and R.sub.3 ' is an electron withdrawing group, with a source of nitrous acid, and thereafter converting the resulting .dbd.NOH group to .dbd.NR.sub.2 wherein R.sub.2 is as defined in formula (I), converting R.sub.1 ' and R.sub.3 ' when other than R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 to R.sub.1 and R.sub.3, and thereafter optionally forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

Abstract: A coprocessor in an image processing system is coupled to the bus to which a CPU and RAM holding image data are also coupled. The coprocessor extracts an input pixel stream corresponding to input images from selected bus transactions, performs computations on the input stream to produce output pixel streams corresponding to output images, and inserts the output pixel streams into selected CPU-to-memory bus transactions so that the memory stores the data. The CPU generates the selected bus transactions with specially marked address and/or control signals. The coprocessor includes a lookup table, and a first row delay. The row delay accumulates the three most recent rows of input pixels, which are sent to Sobel and rank processing sections for neighborhood processing. The results are thresholded and formatted, and are either output directly or passed through an additional pair of row delays to accumulate three rows of result data for neighborhood peak detection.

Abstract: A self-forming socket having a plurality of retractable pins bundled in parallel within a housing is disclosed. The bundled pins may displace longitudinally and are biased by spring force away from a frame onto which the pins are slidably held. A spacer pin may be positioned at the center of the socket and is similarly biased away from the frame under spring force. When the socket is forced over a fastener, nut, or bolt head, groups of pins are pushed inward toward the frame and into the housing thereby conforming the pins to the contours of the fastener. Applying a torque to the socket transfers the torque through the bundled pins to the fastener. Each pin has a circular cross-section and the interior walls of the housing containing the bundled pins has a hexagonal shape and does not contain any right angles. The pins are packed in a hexagonal arrangement.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing motor vehicle steering column including a housing supported on a body structure of the vehicle for linear translation in a collapse direction and an energy absorber which converts into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of an impact on the steering column. The energy absorber includes a bare flat metal ribbon, i.e., without friction-reducing coating or lubrication, preformed to define a pair of parallel straight sections and a lateral web between the straight sections. The ribbon is seated edge-wise on a horizontal wall of the steering column housing with the straight sections in a pair of longitudinal guide channels and the lateral web looped over a pair of laterally spaced bare anvils on the housing and wedged between the bare anvils and an abutment on the body structure on the other side of the lateral web from the anvils.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents ##STR2## in which r represents an integer of 2 to 4, s represents 1 or 2 and t represents 0 or 1;R.sub.2 is a group OR.sub.4, where R.sub.4 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl or C.sub.2-4 alkynyl or a group OCOR.sub.5 where R.sub.5 is hydrogen or R.sub.4 ; andR.sub.3 is CN;said process comprising reacting a compound of formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 ' is R.sub.1 or a group convertible thereto, and R.sub.3 ' is an electron withdrawing group, with a source of nitrous acid, and thereafter converting the resulting .dbd.NOH group to .dbd.NR.sub.2 wherein R.sub.2 is as defined in formula (I), converting R.sub.1 ' and R.sub.3 ' when other than R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 to R.sub.1 and R.sub.3, and thereafter optionally forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

Abstract: A simplified fastening tool which uses the energy stored in a spring to install fasteners by an impact blow is disclosed. A housing body is preferably cast or molded. A one-piece plastic hand lever is pivotably attached to the body where the pivoting action is by sliding in a circular arcuate channel. A staple feeding track is slidably mounted to the bottom of the housing and includes a rear end element with forwardly extending resilient latching elements to secure the track. A hand grip opening extends forward up to the plunger and the hand lever is hinged at the rear of the housing.

Abstract: A method for preventing peer-to-peer access across separate Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) host bridges within a data-processing system is described. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, during an access request from a PCI device, a first determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a system memory attached to a system bus. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a system memory attached to the system bus, another determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device, denying the access request such that a PCI peer-to-peer access across separate PCI host bridges within a data processing system is prevented.

Abstract: A method for supporting peer-to-peer access across separate Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) host bridges within a data-processing system is described. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, during an access request from a PCI device, a first determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a system memory attached to a system bus. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a system memory attached to the system bus, another determination is made as to whether or not the access request is for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device. In response to a determination that the access request is not for a PCI device under the same PCI host bridge as the requesting PCI device, executing added protocols for the support of PCI peer-to-peer access request across separate PCI host bridges within the data-processing system.

Abstract: In the optical detection device (1), the excitation light guide (11) and the emission light guide (12) form a structural unit having the end face (14) facing the fluorescence changer (4). The end face (14) physically corresponds substantially to one of the boundary surfaces of the two light guides (11, 12). As a result, the detection device (1) can be separated in a simple manner into an optical part and a mechanical part which are in optical contact only by way of the end face (14). All of the elements in the optical light path are connected in a mechanically stable manner by means of the index-matching medium 20, as a result of which the light between the light source (10) and the photoelectric sensor (13) propagates only in media having a comparable refractive index. The light source (10) is preferably a light-emitting diode.

Abstract: A low profile, flexible windshield wiper assembly has a frame constructed from flat sheet spring steel. The frame attaches to a semi-rigid spline at distinct pressure points, while the spline supports a rubber wiping blade. At least some of the pressure points are located at the end of cantilevered fingers formed in the frame so that the spline may flex independently from the frame. The cantilevered fingers allow semi-pivotable portions of the frame to flex independently from the rest of the frame to enhance curve conformance on a windshield. The frame attaches along the center of the spline while the blade attaches along the edges of the spline. The present invention allows the pressure points to be efficiently formed out of the frame material.