A self-addressable, self-assembling microelectronic device is designed and fabricated to actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex molecular biological reactions in microscopic formats. These reactions include nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen reactions, diagnostics, and biopolymer synthesis. The device can be fabricated using both microlithographic and micro-machining techniques. The device can electronically control the transport and attachment of specific binding entities to specific microlocations. The specific binding entities include molecular biological molecules such as nucleic acids and polypeptides. The device can subsequently control the transport and reaction of analytes or reactants at the addressed specific microlocations. The device is able to concentrate analytes and reactants, remove non-specifically bound molecules, provide stringency control for DNA hybridization reactions, and improve the detection of analytes. The device can be electronically replicated.

Methods and procedures for molecular biological analysis and diagnostics

A cell controlling computer is interfaced to a group of station-level computers through an access machine which stores a database of data that is continually being updated from the station-level computers in response to conditions on machines and industrial process equipment. The access machine communicates with the station-level computers using messages addressed to each respective station. The access machine communicates with the cell controlling computer through database operations messages that allow data to be communicated for many stations at once. During on-line reconfiguration, new data items in the station-level computers can be added to the database in the access machine using other database operations messages.

Database access machine for factory automation network

A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.

System for automatically monitoring copiers from a remote location

A power management system is disclosed for providing power to one or more computers having provisions for communication with an external data source. A source of backup power, including a bank of batteries, is provided which is provided to the power bus during a utility power interruption. A microprocessor monitors the utility line and the energy remaining in the batteries and provides data signals to the computer in response to utility power interruption and to predetermined battery energy levels. The data signals enable the computer to transfer data to non-volatile media to prevent data loss. In one embodiment, two way data links are provided between the computers and the microprocessor, which also controls power cutoff switches connected to each computer. Each computer may signal the microprocessor to cutoff backup power after data has been transferred to non-volatile media.

Computer power management system

A self-addressable, self-assembling microelectronic device is designed and fabricated to actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex molecular biological reactions in microscopic formats. These reactions include nucleic acid hybridization, antibody/antigen reaction, diagnostics, and biopolymer synthesis. The device can be fabricated using both microlithographic and micro-machining techniques. The device can electronically control the transport and attachment of specific binding entities to specific micro-locations. The specific binding entities include molecular biological molecules such as nucleic acids and polypeptides. The device can subsequently control the transport and reaction of analytes or reactants at the addressed specific micro-locations. The device is able to concentrate analytes and reactants, remove non-specifically bound molecules, provide stringency control for DNA hybridization reactions, and improve the detection of analytes. The device can be electronically replicated.

Self-addressable self-assembling microelectronic systems and devices for molecular biological analysis and diagnostics

A data communications system having a programmable master controller including memory means and command byte generating means and a plurality of additional controllers providing input data bytes to the master controller and having means for receiving command bytes from the master controller. The additional controllers are each connected to the master controller such that corresponding data bits are ORed together and means are provided for the simultaneous transmission of data bytes from the additional controllers to the master controller such that corresponding bits of the simultaneously transmitted bytes have mutually exclusive data therein.

Programmable master controller communicating with plural controllers

A data communication system having a master unit, an interface, and one or more remote units. The master unit includes a programmable controller having a data processor, memory storage for storing programs and command and data bytes, and address and data buses. The interface is connected to the master unit via the address and data buses, and includes a memory connected to the data bus for temporarily storing command and output data bytes from the master unit pending transmittal thereof to the remote units and for storing input data bytes from the remote units pending transfer thereof to the master unit. A first communication path, along which command and data bytes from the interface memory are transmitted to the remote units, couples the interface with the remote units. A second communication path, along which input data bytes from the remote units to the interface memory are transmitted, couples the remote units with the interface.

Serial data communication system having simplex/duplex interface

A non-volatile storage module as utilized in a controller for directing a plurality of control registers of a host machine. The controller includes a central processor that is communicatively coupled through a system bus having control data, and address lines to the module and host machine. The non-volatile storage module includes a data memory operative to interface with the system bus for storing data, and for input-output of the data therefrom through the system bus upon command of the central processor. In addition, the module further includes a power storage unit coupled to the data memory for distributing a plurality of power signals from the host machine through a plurality of critical and non-critical power lines to the data memory for providing a power source that may be utilized therein for a power down condition and for sensing a power down condition on the critical power line from the power storage unit for the switching thereof to the data memory. The module also includes an apparatus that is operative upon indication of a power down condition from the host machine for generating an enabling signal to the data memory while a current address signal on the system bus is being received by the data memory.

Non-volatile storage module for a controller

In a controller for a host machine such as an electrostatographic copier having a central processing unit module connected via a system bus to an input-output processing unit module, a direct memory access system functioning as part of the input-output processing unit module and operative to provide a high-speed means of refreshing and updating control registers in the host machine by direct accessing of memory in the central processing unit module. The direct memory access system may be programmed to synchronously refresh-update the host machine's control registers as in its normal mode and also asynchronously refresh-update the control registers as in the abnormal mode of a detected electrical disturbance in the electro-sensitive periphery surrounding the control registers, thus requiring restoring thereof. High-speed movement of data by the direct memory access system is achieved through dedicating a portion of random access memory in the central processing unit module for such accessing, and transferring control of the system bus from the central processing unit module to the direct memory access system. This enables data accessed through a fixed sequence of addresses from dedicated memory to be transferred directly to the host machine's control registers without incurring time constants that would otherwise be had if the data were to be manipulated by a central processor in the central processing unit module.

Direct memory access module for a controller

A data communication system for an electrophotographic type reproduction machine or copier having a master unit, an interface, and one or more remote units. The master unit includes a programmable controller having a data processor, memory storage for storing programs and command and data bytes, and address and data buses. The interface is connected to the master unit via the address and data buses, and includes a memory connected to the data bus for temporarily storing command and output data bytes from the master unit pending transmittal thereof to the remote units and for storing input data bytes from the remote units pending transfer thereof to the master unit. A first communication path, along which command and data bytes from the interface memory are transmitted to the remote units, couples the interface with the remote units. A second communication path, along which input data bytes from the remote units to the interface memory are transmitted, couples the remote units with the interface.

Kenneth Gillett

Papers

Programmable master controller communicating with plural controllers

Serial data communication system having simplex/duplex interface

Non-volatile storage module for a controller

Direct memory access module for a controller

Serial data communication system for a reproduction machine