The Reservisor automated airline reservation system: combiningcommunications and computing

Shortly after the beginnings of the computer in the mid-1940s, a machine appeared that was the first in a long line of important commercial systems integrating communications and processing: the Reservisor airline reservation system built by the Teleregister Corporation. A few parts of the original have been preserved at the Smithsonian Institution, and there are enough records to understand both the basic issues in the airline industry that led to the development of this remarkable device and how the machine helped solve some of the problems of rapidly evolving air-transport technology. This article also discusses the place of the Reservisor in the larger view of the development of information technology     

Chores : A computerized housekeeping records system

The Computerized Housekeeping Records System (CHORES) simplifies housekeeping data recording and schedule preparation. Through its use, cleaning costs are lowered, and cleaning effectiveness is improved. CHORES is a Lotus^R spreadsheet template that uses macros to assist in compiling, sorting and assigning housekeeping tasks. It provides a cleaning co-ordinator with the data required to develop and maintain cleaning inventories, workloads, and schedules. Standard data on cleaning time requirements, as well as information on cleaning materials, equipment and methods are also provided. The pilot application of CHORES at a Canadian sugar refinery resulted in a 9.4% productivity improvement and a significant increase in level of cleanliness.     

A computerized laboratory alerting system

A computerized laboratory alerting system (CLAS) has been developed as part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of care at LDS Hospital. The system identifies potentially life-threatening conditions on the basis of laboratory findings and then generates appropriate warnings and transmits them to clinicians. Use of the system has led to a significant increase in the proportion of patients in life-threatening situations who have received appropriate care (50.8% before implementation vs. 62.5% afterward, P less than 0.05). Among patients with hypokalemia, falling potassium levels, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia during treatment with digoxin, hyponatremia, falling sodium levels, hypernatremia, hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemia, the average length of time spent in the life-threatening situation has decreased from 30.4 to 15.7 hours (P less than 0.05) and the average length of stay has decreased from 14.6 to 8.8 days (P less than 0.05). There has been little change in the proportion of patients with findings indicating metabolic acidosis who have received appropriate care (32.3 vs. 34.6%). We conclude that CLAS has an important role in patient care at our hospital.     

A computerized cardiovascular data base system: Application in arrhythmia research

A minicomputer-based data management system for the storage, retrieval, and analysis of cardiovascular clinical and basic research data is described and examples given of its potential utility in clinical arrhythmia research. The system links multiple data bases so that subsetting, statistical analyses and a variety of other data manipulations can be accomplished across data bases. Data additions or refinements can be made without restructuring an entire data base and new questions asked without the need for specific program revisions. The system is user-oriented. All aspects from data formulation through analysis can be accomplished by clinical investigators without computer or mathematical backgrounds.     

A three-dimensional computerized isometric strength measurement system

The three-dimensional Computerized Isometric Strength Measurement System (CISMS) reliably and accurately measures isometric pull and push strengths in work spaces of paraplegic populations while anticipating comparative studies with other populations. The main elements of the system were: an extendable arm, a vertical supporting track, a rotating platform, a force transducer, stability sensors and a computerized data collection interface. The CISMS with minor modification was successfully used to measure isometric push-up and pull-down strengths of paraplegics and isometric push, pull, push-up and pull-down strength in work spaces for seated and standing able-bodied populations. The instrument has satisfied criteria of versatility, safety and comfort, ease of operation, and durability. Results are accurate within 2N for aligned forces. Costing approximately $1,500 (US) including computer, the system is affordable and accurate for aligned isometric strength measurements.     

Production decision support system for computerized manufacturing systems

The introduction of Computerized Manufacturing Systems (CMS) into the mid-volume manufacturing industry has been an important new step in the development of automated manufacturing. CMS's are computer-integrated systems which incorporate Direct Numerical Control (DNC) capabilities with automatic material handling to manufacture parts. Due to its complex nature, the task of production control in an CMS cannot rely on human effort alone. It is essential to develop a software package in the form of a Production Decision Support System (PDSS) to assist the production decision maker in operating this complex manufacturing facility.     

A computerized analysis system for vigilance studies.

A digital signal analysis system for vigilance studies is presented. The analysis is based on adaptive segmentation, band pass filtering, nonlinear eye movement detection and rule-based decision making. A preliminary evaluation of seven subjects falling asleep showed that the system is able to detect small vigilance fluctuations reliably.     

基于.NET与WCF的民航订座系统研究

为解决民航信息系统集中式紧耦合体系结构引起的业务功能扩展不灵活、系统优化及维护困难等问题,针对核心系统之一的订座系统,设计了基于.NET平台的多层、分布式系统结构,并结合WCF(Windows communication foundation)技术对业务组件和数据访问进行封装,使服务具有原子性,更易于移植和功能扩展.为避免网络通信费用,系统在局域网中模拟实现,实验结果表明,采用.NET平台和WCF技术构建民航订座系统的方案是可行的,可以推广到民航其他信息系统.     

A computerized population model for system repair/replacement

This paper describes a computarized model that was developed to support a general modeling approach for the determination of feasible strategies for the repair/replacement of a population of units. “A Dynamic Repair/Replace Population Model” (DRRPM), is a software prototype that is capable of analyzing 12 primary streams or “groupings” a similar items with 2 operating environments per stream for a maximum planning horizon of 12 periods. Stream “groupings” are based on similar failure distributions, number of operational hours, similar operating environments etc. A simple case study is included to demonstrate the usage of the computer model. The DRRPM management and cost summaries can assist in the determinaton of appropriate maintenance programs and can facilitate systematic resource allocation for a population of repairable or replaceable units.     

A computerized facility planning system for the oil industry

The paper describes a study which was undertaken in the Egyptian Petroleum Industry. It attempted to develop a system that would aid top management in making a decision of primary importance: What is the optimal location for establishing a new warehouse? It was believed that such a system would result in large savings in distribution costs and could facilitate the operating problems in the existing warehouses.The initial run of the system was performed without introducing any of the new prospective locations into the distribution network. This resulted in a complete plan for the distribution pattern of crude oils and petroleum products. A second run was performed after introducing all prospective warehouse locations into the distribution network. The result was a different distribution pattern with one location chosen as the optimal location for the new warehouse.In the final stage, costs were calculated for the original plan and the modified one. Economic and other factors pertaining to the establishment of the new warehouse were discussed, and conclusions were drawn as to the effectiveness of the proposed system in providing management with better means of making the location allocation decision.     

A computerized system for school report and record writing

This article highlights some of the problems experienced by teachers in writing school reports and in formulating records of achievement, and indicates how computerized technology can assist in the production of high-quality reports and records. Attention is drawn to perceived advantages and drawbacks in using a computerized system. Suggestions are made for the implementation of computerized report and record writing systems in schools and possible future developments are indicated.     

A low-cost computerized film analysis system for sports biomechanics

A complete interactive computerized film analysis system is described for use in sports biomechanics. The basic design criteria were low-cost and generality of application. The three basic elements in the hardware chain are the projection mechanism, digitization tablet and microcomputer. These were selected from readily available low-cost components. The program software to access data and perform the necessary data reduction and analysis is described. It is designed in modular form. which gives ease of access to program sections for particular data analysis requirements. A kinematic analysis of cricket fast bowling is included as one illustrative application of the complete system.     

基于.NET平台机时预约管理系统的研究与实现

介绍了北京大学化学学院中级仪器实验室新开发的机时预约及信息管理系统的研究与实现.在系统需求分析的基础上,构建了系统功能模型,重点研究了ASP.NET 2.0、安全防护、动态模板列等技术解决预约模块与数据安全问题的实施方案.面向对象分析技术与.NET平台技术的应用,使系统具有结构清晰、通用性好、安全性好、易维护等特点.系统的开发和应用促进了开放仪器实验室服务水平和管理效率的提高.