Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing an acoustic system having multiple transmitter elements and multiple receiver elements. A transmitter signal generated by a selected transmitter element is received. An echo electrical signal is generated in response to receipt of the transmitter signal. The echo electrical signal is transmitted to a selected receiver element. Information generated by the acoustic system with the selected receiver element in response to the echo signal is analyzed to diagnose operational characteristics of the selected receiver element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing an acoustic device that has multiple transducing elements adapted for conversion between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical transmission signal is generated. The electrical transmission signal is transmitted to a selected transducing element. An electrical received signal is received from the acoustic device. A reference signal is generated. A capacitance associated with the selected transducing element is determined from the reference signal. Operational characteristics of the selected transducing element are diagnosed from the determined capacitance and the electrical received signal.

Abstract: A system and method to initialize registers with an EEPROM stored boot sequence is described. The method includes reading configuration records from an EEPROM coupled to an ASIC upon system reset. The configuration records specify target configuration registers and data to be written to the registers. The configuration records are translated to register write requests and data is written to the target registers via a bus of the ASIC to initialize the registers. Other masters, such as a processor, may be blocked from accessing the registers during the initialization.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of analyzing and/or displaying data. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for visualizing or displaying high dynamic range data obtained from flow cytometry analyses. Related systems and computer programs products are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for merging log data for recovering one or more database data sets to any point-in-time in a single pass of log data sets. Using disaster recovery technology, the invention may be implemented to provide a method to reduce the time that a broken database is unavailable by processing recovery input data in parallel and recovering multiple database data sets, including areas, simultaneously. The invention reduces operational complexity and resource constraints experienced by IMS customers trying to recover database data sets especially in a data sharing environment. The invention simplifies the recovery process by eliminating both the need for change accumulation and the need to run separate recovery jobs for each database data set requiring recovery, thereby reducing the impact of recovery on system resources.

Abstract: An enhanced general input/output communication architecture, protocol and related methods are presented.

Abstract: A networkable engine-generator control system for use with mobile generators mounted on a frame with ground engaging wheels enabling air transport. Each control system consists of a microprocessor based controller and associated field inputs and outputs. Each processor also includes asynchronous communications allowing it to poll external devices from one port and communicate over a network out of another port. Each onboard generator is operated based on runtime hours and system load. The controller monitors engine and generator parameters and makes this information available to an operator using an external monitoring software package. Local operation of each generator is also available on the trailer itself. When operated in conjunction with other systems any one of the controllers may be made the master. The other controllers then automatically are polled by the master. The master coordinates generator operations on all networked systems. The frame utilizing a spine truss and outer frame.

Abstract: A method for customizing direct marketing materials is provided. This method comprises developing models to predict customer purchases and then scoring potential customers for each predictive model. Next, specific layout areas are determined as well as where particular products may be placed in the layout. In one embodiment, preference multipliers are used to determine the increased likelihood of a product being purchased depending on its location in the layout (i.e. front cover). An optimization model is then used to customize the layout for potential customers, whether it be for a niche market or individual customers. The customized layout is only printed and sent if the expected profits exceed the production costs of the materials.

Abstract: The present invention is related to databases and the exchange of scientific information. Specifically the invention disclosed a unified scientific database that allows researchers to easily share their data with other researches. The present invention also allows for the ease of data collection, annotation, storage, management, retrieval and analysis of scientific data through and into the database. In addition, it allows for archival storage and retrieval of data collected directly from laboratory instruments to ensure data consistency for patent and other purposes. It also allows for ease of sharing data between laboratories in remote locations. The present invention also supports the automated creation of experimental protocols.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system including a probe containing at least one ultrasonic transducer and at least one inertial sensor as well as electronic circuitry connected to the probe for causing the at least one ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images whose geometrical relationship is indicated by outputs from the at least one inertial sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates a series of methods for the visual representation and subsequent application of analyses on complex data sets. In particular, this invention is useful for the analysis of multiple sample sets that share common features, for which similar types of analyses are desired. Three concepts are embodied to aid in this analysis: “Functional equivalence by Algorithmic Polymorphism” (FEAP), in which an analysis algorithm is abstracted through the use of an associated name; a genealogical metaphor for the representation of successive or parallel analysis steps, in which “families” of analyses can be easily copied between different sample data sets; and batch analysis through the creation of multi-sample analysis surrogates (MSAS), which are groups of samples wherein analyses applied to an MSAS is then applied to every sample within the MSAS group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to synchronize recovery logs transmitted to a remote site for recovering related databases having different logical structuring. In one embodiment, the related databases are a hierarchial structured database such as IMS and a relational structured database such as DB2.

Abstract: A terminator for use with an optical fiber access port structure that supports an optical fiber having an optical end face exposed to communicate with a like end face of another fiber, the terminator comprising a pig-tail-free compact supporting body carrying within itself light-absorbing means and shaped to removably interfit with the access port structure to present the light-absorbing means in light transferring relationship to the exposed end of said optical fiber at the port in manner to absorb incident light from the fiber end face and prevent back-reflection.

Abstract: A system for characterizing objects to be sorted in real time and making sorting decisions using lasers to excite fluorescing dyes used to tag objects such as cells which flow through the laser beam in a stream of conductive fluid. The scattered light and fluorescent light at various frequencies define a multidimensional space. These light characteristics are sensed and digitized. The data so gathered is buffered and then compared to a binary classification tree. The individual parameters cause a certain path through the binary decision tree to be taken while the cell is passing from the point in the stream where the light characteristics are gathered to a point where electrostatically charged electrodes deflect individual statically charged drops containing cells to be sorted into various sorting bins. When the decision tree has been traversed, the sorting decision for the drop containing the cell which had those parameters is done.

Abstract: Waste drilling mud is stabilized for earthern burial. The waste drilling mud may be treated by flocculating, aggregating, agglomerating and dewatering the waste drilling mud and separating out free water. The free water may be reused or disposed of in a disposal well. The thickened, dewatered drilling mud solids may be further treated with a water absorbing binder to produce a residue which has sufficient bearing strength to support an earthen overburden and may be disposed of by burial. Suitable flocculating, agglomerating and dewatering polyelectrolytes may be used, including polyacrylamides, quarternary amine polymers and mixtures thereof. The water absorbing binders may include inorganic and organic materials, such as natural and synthetic water absorbing gums, polymers and inorganic colloidal absorbers.

Abstract: An emulator control sequencer comprises a programmable state machine which passively monitors the data bus of an emulator microprocessor, extracts certain information indicative of internal processor behavior, such as when the next opcode fetch will occur, as well as detecting current opcodes, and generates control signals for the emulator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for semi-automatic feeding of liquid samples from a plurality of sample sources to a scanning device are disclosed. The liquid samples are picked up from a preidentified sample source and delivered to the scanning device by use of a hand-held pick-up and delivery tube. The hand-held tube is releasably coupled to the scanning device for delivery of the liquid samples to the scanning device when coupled thereto. In the disconnected condition, particle free fluid flows in a reverse direction from the scanning device for automatic flushing of the scanning device and liquid sample supply line connected thereto. Visual display means for visually indicating to the operator which sample holder the next sample is to be obtained from is provided.