Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to communications. The systems and techniques involve transmitting a signal over a plurality of time periods, receiving a plurality of parameters each relating to the signal transmission during a different one of the time periods, filtering a first one of the parameters to generate a first filtered parameter, filtering a second one of the parameters as a function of the first filtered parameter to generate a second filtered parameter, and adjusting the signal as a function of the second filtered parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless communication system wherein a per-user Priority Function (PF) is calculated based on the channel condition and throughput for each user. In one embodiment, the system supports retransmission of data packets and sub-packets, wherein the retransmission information is used to schedule data transmissions. In another embodiment, at each time interval the system updates the priority factor for the user having the highest priority factor in the previous time interval. The priority factors of the other users remain unchanged.

Abstract: Techniques for improved margin control in a data communication system are disclosed. In one aspect, margin is adjusted in response to a first subpacket error rate. In another aspect, margin is further adjusted in response to an overall packet error rate. In yet another aspect, the first subpacket error rate is adjusted in response to an overall packet error rate. Various other aspects are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of responsive margin control when the overall packet error rate is relatively low, resulting in improved data throughput and increased system capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling transmit rates and power levels for data in conjunction with a voice-data communication during conditions of soft and softer handoff. During conditions of no handoff, or hard handoff, an algorithm selects a slot reflecting a favored power level and transmission rate for transmitting the non-voice data on a supplemental channel. The slot is selected based upon the transmission power levels for voice-data transmitted by a base station to a remote station on a fundamental channel. The algorithm applies to softer handoff using information from all the sectors of a base station involved in the softer handoff. During soft handoff, instead of scheduling forward link transmission based on recent power and rate, or C/I information, data is continuously transmitted to the user at a power level based on average required power.

Abstract: Techniques to (more accurately) estimate the transmit power available for data service in a future time period (e.g., the next frame). In accordance with one aspect, variation in the available transmit power over time is estimated. A first margin is then computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the available transmit power. The available transmit power at a future time instance (e.g., the beginning of the next frame) is predicted and reduced by the first margin to derive a more accurate estimate of the available transmit power for the next frame. In accordance with another aspect, variation in the required transmit power for a particular data user is estimated and used in scheduling data transmission to this data user. A second margin can be computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the required transmit power for the data user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for dynamically adjusting parameters of an outer-loop algorithm, which is used to determine the feasibility of a transmission format. The parameters of the outer-loop algorithm are adjusted according to channel conditions. In one embodiment, an erasure-based approach is used to determine whether to incrementally increase or incrementally decrease a margin parameter in the outer-loop algorithm. Once one margin parameter is altered, other margin parameters can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Dual nucleic acid probes with resonance energy transfer moieties are provided. In particular, fluorescent or luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties are provided on hairpin stem-loop molecular beacon probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid, e.g. mRNA, to generate an observable interaction. The invention also provides lanthanide chelate luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties on linear and stem-loop probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid to generate an observable interaction. The invention thereby provides detectable signals for rapid, specific and sensitive hybridization determination in vivo. The probes are used in methods of detection of nucleic acid target hybridization for the identification and quantification of tissue and cell-specific gene expression levels, including response to external stimuli, such as drug candidates, and genetic variations associated with disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: A toy washing machine has a safety function to prevent the release of water and the like. The safety function locks the door of the toy washing machine when the machine is filled with water. As water is poured into the machine, it flows to a container positioned below an internal drum cabin. The container has a float that rises as the container fills with water. The rising of the float activates a lever device that is connected to a pin. The pin locks the door and prevents the door from opening when water is within the machine. The door of the machine has a seal made of heterotypic silicon rubber that prevents leakage.

Abstract: Filtration-based microarray chips are provided. The microarray chips comprise a random oriented microporous filtration substrate of charged cellulose esters, such as nitrocellulose, and a plurality of different analyte-specific capture molecules attached to the substrate in a microarray. The capture molecules can be proteins, antigens, monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, or apatomers. In particular, apparati and methods for the detection of a subject analyte comprising multiple stacked filtration-based microarray chips are also provided. The filtration-based microarray chips permits a sensitive, specific, fast and high throughput assay that can be used to detect analytes associated with a disease.

Abstract: A method for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless communication system wherein a per-user Priority Function (PF) is calculated based on the channel condition and throughput for each user. In one embodiment, the system supports retransmission of data packets and sub-packets, wherein the retransmission information is used to schedule data transmissions. In another embodiment, at each time interval the system updates the priority factor for the user having the highest priority factor in the previous time interval. The priority factors of the other users remain unchanged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling transmit rates and power levels for data in conjunction with a voice-data communication during conditions of soft and softer handoff. During conditions of no handoff, or hard handoff, an algorithm selects a slot reflecting a favored power level and transmission rate for transmitting the non-voice data on a supplemental channel. The slot is selected based upon the transmission power levels for voice-data transmitted by a base station to a remote station on a fundamental channel. The algorithm applies to softer handoff using information from all the sectors of a base station involved in the softer handoff. During soft handoff, instead of scheduling forward link transmission based on recent power and rate, or C/I information, data is continuously transmitted to the user at a power level based on average required power.