Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a faucet with a spout, a fitting for connection to a beverage supply, and a lever operated valve. A servo motor, coupled to the lever, operates the faucet and proportionally controls the flow of the beverage. That proportional flow control manages the amount of beverage foaming. A flow sensor has a magnetic turbine within the faucet and a Hall effect element that magnetically senses turbine motion and produces a signal indicating an amount of beverage flow. A keypad enables service personnel to designate various portions of the beverage to automatically fill serving containers of different sizes. A control circuit responds to activation of the keypad and to the flow sensor by operating the servo motor to dispense the related quantity of the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a faucet with a spout, a fitting for connection to a beverage supply, and a lever operated valve. A servo motor, coupled to the lever, operates the faucet and proportionally controls the flow of the beverage. That proportional flow control manages the amount of beverage foaming. A flow sensor has a magnetic turbine within the faucet and a Hall effect element that magnetically senses turbine motion and produces a signal indicating an amount of beverage flow. A keypad enables service personnel to designate various portions of the beverage to automatically fill serving containers of different sizes. A control circuit responds to activation of the keypad and to the flow sensor by operating the servo motor to dispense the related quantity of the beverage.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The switching modules of the respective shelves are interconnected in a logical stacking configuration to form a logical stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The shelves are logically connected into a plurality of stacks, the switching modules of the respective shelves in each stack being interconnected in a logical stacking configuration. The computer system further comprises a shelf having a carrier for removably receiving a master switching module, wherein the master switching module is connected into each stack as a common master switch for all of the stacks.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for a server node is disclosed. This server node consists of one or more processors. The processors are configured to perform server functions as well as switch and router functions including load balancing and fail-over. The server nodes also have a plurality of ports. These ports allow the server nodes to be connected combined to form blocks and networks as well as to provide connection to external networks. When a server node receives a request, it determines whether it can handle the request. If possible, the server node handles the request. If the server node cannot handle the request, it routes the request to a second, neighboring server node.

Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.

Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.

Abstract: A protocol for fiber-optic communication systems, or other communication systems based on transmission of unipolar pulses having wide dynamic range provides for information to be transmitted in packets having a predictable time slot for each transmitter. The receiver for such protocol has a first relatively long RC time constant mode conditioned for reception of data packets whose time of arrival is well predictable and a second relatively short RC time constant mode conditioned for reception of asynchronous randomly received packets. In the relatively long RC time constant mode, each packet includes a preamble having a first clamp interval in which no pulse is transmitted, and a second clamp interval in which a continual pulse is transmitted. A transducer on the receiver translates the packets of pulses into differential electronic signals on first and second outputs.

Abstract: A coupler verification test circuit includes first and second circuits one of which is disposed at a head end of an optical fiber network and the other of which is disposed at a subscriber interface unit to be attached to the network when the head end is not operational. The subscriber interface circuit transmits instructions to a transceiver board in the subscriber interface unit for transmission to the network head end whereat the circuit thereat generates either no return signal, an acknowledgment return signal, or a default return signal. The test circuit at the subscriber interface unit then analyzes the return signal and visually indicates to a craftsman whether or not the transceiver board and other components of the SIU are operating correctly, e.g. whether or not the acknowledgement signal was returned and detected.

Abstract: A phase encoded transponder circuit is disclosed which may be a passive device capable of response to an interrogating signal and is capable of transmitting an individual unique identification code. The transponder is particularly useful for identifying an individual, such as an animal, associated with the transponder. The code is stored in a memory device which is also loaded with several flags to actuate optional states of the system. One set of flags enable a state in which up to three additional words of the message are transmitted by the transponder. These additional words may be fixed internal data or variable data sent to the circuit by an external data module. Another state permits the importation into the transponder of an unlimited stream of external data from a connected device, so that the transponder can be used to transmit a variety of data about the individual associated with the transponder to the interrogation station.

Abstract: A mode filter for reducing a dynamic range of a write optical fiber bus which utilizes taps which initially inject optical signals into an optical fiber which have intensities skewed towards higher order modes rather than lower order modes as compared to equilibrium for the fiber functions to preferentially attenuate outermost modes rather than lowermost modes in the fiber so as to reduce a required dynamic range for an optical receiver.