Author: claimsbot

1. A memory controller having a universal serial bus (USB) interface; comprising:
a USB interface unit for receiving a USB instruction, decoding the instruction and converting the USB instruction to a USB request and responding to the USB instruction;
a memory interface unit serving as an interface with a memory unit, wherein the memory unit can be a read-only-memory, a one time programmable memory or a static random access memory;
a buffer region coupled to the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for holding data corresponding to that portion of the address in the memory unit; and
a control logic unit coupled to the buffer region, the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for receiving the USB request, executing and responding to the USB request.
2. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the USB interface unit supports universal serial bus protocols including USB1.0, USB1.1 and USB2.0.
3. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the buffer region has a plurality of buffers and supports interleaved access.
4. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit further includes a micro-controller.
5. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit supports a data security function.
6. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit supports a buffer region data cache function.
7. A memory device having universal serial bus (USB) interface, comprising:
a memory unit for holding data, wherein the memory unit can be read-only-memory, one time programmable memory or static random access memory; and
a memory controller coupled to the memory unit having a USB interface for receiving a USB instruction, decoding, executing and responding to the USB instruction so that data can be accessed.
8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the memory controller further includes:
a USB interface unit for receiving a USB instruction, decoding the instruction and converting the USB instruction to a USB request and responding to the USB instruction;
a memory interface unit serving as an interface with a memory unit;
a buffer region coupled to the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for holding data corresponding to that portion of the address in the memory unit; and
a control logic unit coupled to the buffer region, the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for receiving the USB request, executing and responding to the USB request.
9. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the USB interface unit supports universal serial bus protocols including USB1.0, USB1.1 and USB2.0.
10. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the buffer region has a plurality of buffers and supports interleaved access.
11. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit includes a micro-controller.
12. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit supports a data security function.
13. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit supports a buffer region data cache function.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air, in which method the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence either to one or more predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the measured nitric oxide concentrations of exhaled air are expressed proportional to the exhalation flow rate.
4. Measuring equipment for measuring nitric oxide concentration, the measuring equipment comprising a blow tube, through which exhaled air is blown and a measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube, the measuring equipment comprising a flow meter for measuring air flow rate and a flow rate adjuster for adjusting the flow rate of exhaled air flowing through said tube to be substantially predetermined in magnitude during the measurement of nitric oxide concentration.
5. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, comprising control means for setting the flow rate of the exhaled air consecutively to at least two different flow rate values and for measuring the nitric oxide concentration in the exhaled air at each flow rate value during either one or more exhalations.
6. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control means comprise a computer, to which are connected the measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration and the flow meter, and which is correspondingly connected to control the flow rate adjuster for executing a measuring process preprogrammed in the computer on the basis of preset air flow rate values.
7. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means comprise a computer, to which are connected the measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration and the flow meter, and which is correspondingly connected to control the flow rate adjuster for executing a measuring process preprogrammed in the computer on the basis of preset air flow rate values.
8. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
9. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
10. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
11. Method of diagnosing an inflammatory lung disease in a patient comprising measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air of said patient, whereby the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value, whereby an increased nitric oxide concentration indicates an inflammatory lung disease.
12. Method as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence to said predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate, on the basis of which the location of a possible inflammation can be calculated.
13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the alveolar NO concentration and the bronchial NO flux is calculated, whereby an increase in the alveolar NO concentration indicates alveolar or parenchymal lung inflammation, and an increase in the bronchial NO flux indicates bronchial lung inflammation.
14. Method of monitoring the effect of anti-inflammatory drug treatment, in a patient in need thereof comprising measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air of said patient, whereby the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value, whereby a decrease in nitric oxide concentration indicates an effect of the anti-inflammatory drug treatment on an inflammatory lung disease in said patient.
15. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence to said predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate, on the basis of which the alveolar NO concentration and the bronchial NO flux is calculated, whereby a decrease in the alveolar NO concentration indicates an effect of said anti-inflammatory drug treatment on alveolar or parenchymal lung inflammation, and a decrease in the bronchial NO flux indicates an effect of said anti-inflammatory drug treatment on bronchial lung inflammation.

1. A method for maintaining timers within a network flow capture device, the method comprising:
defining a timeout array comprising a plurality of elements, wherein the timeout array represents a span of time and the elements represent sequential units of time;
executing a communication protocol to receive information specifying one or more filter criteria for matching one or more packet flows and a timeout associated with the filter criteria; and
updating an element of the timeout array to identify the filter criteria, wherein the updated element represents a time unit within the span of time that corresponds to the timeout for the flow criteria.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a packet from a network via an interface card of a network device;
determining whether contents of the packet match the filter criteria; and
when the contents of the packet match the filter criteria, outputting the contents of the packet to a destination.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein updating an element of the timeout array comprises computing an index into the array based on a current time to select the element of the array that corresponds to the timeout for the filter criteria.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing the filter criteria within a filter table, and
wherein updating an element of the timeout array comprises updating a pointer within the element that corresponds to the timeout of the filter criteria to point to an entry in the filter table that stores the filter criteria.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the entries of the timeout array includes a total timeout pointer and an idle timeout pointer, wherein each of the total timeout pointer and the idle timeout pointer is a null pointer or a pointer to an entry in the filter table.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
selecting an element that corresponds to the current time; and
when the element contains a pointer to an entry in a filter table, accessing the entry of the filter table to determine whether the entry indicates a refresh command was received for the entry.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
when the accessed entry indicates a refresh command was received for the entry, moving the pointer from the selected element to another element according to a value of a timeout in the accessed entry.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
when the pointer is a total timeout pointer and when the accessed entry indicates a refresh command was not received for the accessed entry, deleting the accessed entry from the filler table, and sending a notification that the accessed entry is being deleted.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
when the pointer is an idle timeout pointer and when the accessed entry indicates a refresh command was not received for the accessed entry, determining whether traffic was received that matched criteria contained in the accessed entry.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether traffic was received that matched criteria contained in the accessed entry comprises comparing a traffic timestamp of the accessed entry to a current time.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
when traffic was not received for the accessed entry, deleting the accessed entry from the filter table, and sending a notification that the accessed entry is being deleted.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein defining a timeout array comprising a plurality of elements comprises defining a timeout array wherein the elements represent sequential seconds.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein defining a timeout array comprising a plurality of elements comprises defining a circular timeout array that represents one day, and wherein the elements represent 86,400 sequential seconds.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein updating an element of the timeout array to identify the filter criteria comprises setting a pointer to point to an entry in a filter table containing a plurality of entries, wherein each entry of the filter table specifies a filter defining: (i) at least one criteria of: a source IP address, a destination IP address, a source port, a destination port, or a protocol, (ii) a control source that requested the filter, (iii) a destination to which replicated packets matching the criteria should be sent, and (iv) at least one timeout indicating when the entry expires.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein defining a timeout array comprises defining the array within user space of a service card within a network device.
16. A network device comprising:
a timeout array comprising a plurality of elements, wherein the timeout array represents a span of time and the elements represent sequential units of time;
a communication protocol to receive information specifying one or more filter criteria for matching one or more packet flows and a timeout associated with the criteria; and
a flow match timer module that updates an element of the timeout array to identify the filter criteria, wherein the updated element represents a time unit within the span of time that corresponds to the timeout for the filter criteria.
17. The network device of claim 16, further comprising a periodic thread that selects an element of the timeout array based on a current time, wherein the periodic thread computes an index into the timeout array based on the current time to select an element of the array that corresponds to the current time.
18. The network device of claim 17, wherein when the selected element contains a pointer to an entry in a filter table, the flow match timer module accesses the entry of the filter table to determine whether the entry indicates a refresh command was received for the entry.
19. The network device of claim 16, wherein the elements of the timeout array represent sequential seconds.
20. The network device of claim 19, wherein the timeout array comprises a circular timeout array representing one day, wherein the elements represent 86,400 sequential seconds.
21. The network device of claim 16, further comprising a service card, wherein the timeout array is maintained within user space of the service card.
22. A network device comprising:
a dynamic flow capture (DFC) service card executing a communication protocol to receive, from one or more control sources (CSs), flow capture information specifying at least one destination, filter criteria for matching one or more packet flows, and a timeout associated with the filter criteria;
a network interface card to receive a packet from a network;
a packet replication module to replicate the packet;
a control unit to provide the replicated packet from the network interface card to the DFC service card; and
a timeout array comprising a plurality of elements, wherein the timeout array represents a span of time and the elements represent sequential units of time.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for educational instruction comprising:
a plurality of sets of learning cards, each set corresponding to a particular subject matter area, wherein each set of the plurality of sets of learning cards includes a plurality of learning cards, each card including at least one color disposed thereon corresponding to a particular conceptual category;
a first education panel; and,
a second education panel;
wherein each learning card may be coupled to the first education panel or second education panel during the teaching of a lesson related to the particular conceptual category,
wherein each learning card has a predetermined shape which indicates a type of terminology of the card,
and wherein each learning card has a first indicia disposed thereon, the indicia corresponding to the subject matter represented by the shape of the card and also corresponding to the conceptual category represented by the color of the card.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the type of terminology comprises words or phrases.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined shape of at least one learning card is rectangular.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the type of terminology comprises symbols.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined shape of at least one learning card is triangular.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the symbols comprise symbols, abbreviations and notations.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the type of terminology comprises values.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the predetermined shape of at least one learning card is oval.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the values comprise one selected from the group consisting of: numbers, time intervals, formulas and quantities.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one color corresponds to a conceptual category selected from the group consisting of: form, structure or body; process or reaction; principle, theory or law; force or energy; property or position; and general principles.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of form, structure or body corresponds to the color red.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of process or reaction corresponds to the color green.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of principle, theory or law corresponds to the color blue.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of force or energy corresponds to the color orange.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of property or position corresponds to the color brown.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the conceptual category of general principles corresponds to the color black.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first indicia comprises one selected from the group consisting of: at least one word or phrase, at least one value and at least one symbol.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the shape of the at least one learning card is selected from the group consisting of: rectangles, triangles and ovals.