Abstract: The invention relates to regulating access by users to a scarce resource. A request for access to the scarce resource is received. It is determined whether the access level for the scarce resource is at a desired maximum and responsive to determining that it is, the requester is allocated to an access slot. The requester is then provided with a notification of their allocated access slot. Access is available to the requester when the allocated slot is enabled.

Abstract: In embodiments, an implementation of a service oriented architecture is provided including an application service bus capable of approximating point-to-point performance by reducing the format transformation of application messages by way of relaying them in a native format when the message format of a consumer application and/or service provider application is supported by the service bus. Preferably, the service bus is capable of supporting multiple message formats and transport protocols and comprises a plurality of components including a Service Initiator module, a Service Terminus module, a Service Locator module, and a Transport module. The service bus provides logical isolation between a consumer application and a provider application by exposing a set of interfaces for relaying service request and service response messages between the applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing pressure in a hostile environment are described. In one example embodiment, a microwave radar based sensor is provided. The sensor is coupled to a signal conditioning unit. The signal conditioning unit includes at least one of a processor configured to determine a sensor value and a memory having pre-stored values therein, the pre-stored values representing possible sensor values. Each pre-stored value is assigned a respective pressure. The method includes operating the signal conditioning unit to sample a signal generated by the sensor, operating the signal conditioning unit to correlate a characteristic of the sampled signal to a pre-stored value having an assigned pressure, and operating the signal conditioning unit to generate a signal representative of the assigned pressure of the pre-stored value that is correlated to the sampled signal.

Abstract: Operation of a second or additional engine is initiated based on throttle position, vehicle speed and output level of the operating engine or engines. A second or additional engine is stopped based on throttle position and operation of the first engine when the second or additional engine has been idling for a predetermined period of time. Idling of an engine is started or stopped based on various conditions of the vehicle, such as battery voltage, ambient air temperature, brake cylinder pressure, operator input, battery charging current, and direction input.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing pressure in a hostile environment are described. In one example embodiment, a microwave radar based sensor is provided. The sensor is coupled to a signal conditioning unit. The signal conditioning unit includes at least one of a processor configured to determine a sensor value and a memory having pre-stored values therein, the pre-stored values representing possible sensor values. Each pre-stored value is assigned a respective pressure. The method includes operating the signal conditioning unit to sample a signal generated by the sensor, operating the signal conditioning unit to correlate a characteristic of the sampled signal to a pre-stored value having an assigned pressure, and operating the signal conditioning unit to generate a signal representative of the assigned pressure of the pre-stored value that is correlated to the sampled signal.

Abstract: Operation of a second or additional engine is initiated based on operating statistics. A second or additional engine is stopped based on operating statistics.

Abstract: Operation of a second or additional engine is initiated based on throttle position, vehicle speed and output level of the operating engine or engines. A second or additional engine is stopped based on throttle position and operation of the first engine when the second or additional engine has been idling for a predetermined period of time. Idling of an engine is started or stopped based on various conditions of the vehicle, such as battery voltage, ambient air temperature, brake cylinder pressure, operator input, battery charging current, and direction input.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling adhesion of a wheel of an off-highway vehicle to a surface supporting the wheel measures a parameter of a traction motor of the off-highway vehicle driving the wheel. The parameter is analyzed to determine if wheel slip is present and the severity of the wheel slip. Some embodiments of the invention include adjusting a duty cycle of the traction motor as a function of the severity of the detected wheel slip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing pressure in a hostile environment are described. In one example embodiment, a microwave radar based sensor is provided. The sensor is coupled to a signal conditioning unit. The signal conditioning unit includes at least one of a processor configured to determine a sensor value and a memory having pre-stored values therein, the pre-stored values representing possible sensor values. Each pre-stored value is assigned a respective pressure. The method includes operating the signal conditioning unit to sample a signal generated by the sensor, operating the signal conditioning unit to correlate a characteristic of the sampled signal to a pre-stored value having an assigned pressure, and operating the signal conditioning unit to generate a signal representative of the assigned pressure of the pre-stored value that is correlated to the sampled signal.

Abstract: An extensible file access method for accessing a first foreign file system from a data processing system with a first native file system, said first foreign file system and said first native file system implementing different file system protocols. The foreign file system is accessed by issuing a request according to the native file system protocol for data stored in the foreign file system; translating the native file system request to an intermediate programming interface, wherein the intermediate programming interface is different from both the native file system protocol and the foreign file system protocol; translating the intermediate file system request to the foreign file system protocol; and returning to the client a response from the foreign file system responsive to the translated request.

Abstract: A software system is provided to allow a computer to install and process web applications according to the invention. Such web applications are written as web pages that have access to the full range of operating system resources, including those not accessible through a web browser. Preferably, a web application is built using three types of languages used for constructing web pages, namely: (a) a visual presentation language; (2) a data modeling language; and (3) a scripting language for embedding logic. The software system preferably comprises a web application manager, an operating system interface module, a scripting language interpreter, and optionally a web browser and/or a data modeling language processor. Various other features such as data caching and security filtering are provided in accordance with such a system.

Abstract: Method for detecting response to damage or disease in a plant or crop comprising detecting Active Oxygen Species (AOS), in a quantitative assay; diagnostic reagent comprising an extract of damaged or diseased plant or crop tissue, or active component thereof, or synthetic equivalent or derivative thereof; use of the method or reagent in detecting response to damage or disease in a plant or crop selected from potato (seed, processor or consumer), apple, lychee, pear, apricot, peach, orange (juice), banana, leaf or stem browning in cut flowers, lettuce, pomegranate, grape, mushroom, logan fruit, loquat fruit, blueberry, carambola, dog rose, rambutan, coconut, avocado, plantain, pineapple, walnut, artichoke, sugarbeet and onion; apparatus and kit therefor; and associated methods for modifying and selecting varieties, growth or environmental conditions of a plant or crop; and use therein of a computer programmed with data relating to susceptibility of a plurality of plants and crops to damage or disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to regulating access by users to a scarce resource, wherein the resource is capable of handling multiple concurrent accesses. A request for access to the scarce resource is received and it is determined whether the access level for the scarce resource is at a desired maximum. Responsive to determining that said access level is at a desired maximum, the requester is placed in a queue for access to said scarce resource. The requester is then provided with a notification that the request has been enqueued. Access is available to the requester upon reaching the head of the queue when the access level drops below the desired maximum.

Abstract: The invention relates to regulating access by users to a scarce resource. A request for access to the scarce resource is received. It is determined whether the access level for the scarce resource is at a desired maximum and responsive to determining that it is, the requester is allocated to an access slot. The requester is then provided with a notification of their allocated access slot. Access is available to the requester when the allocated slot is enabled.

Abstract: An extensible file access method for accessing a first foreign file system from a data processing system with a first native file system, said first foreign file system and said first native file system implementing different file system protocols. The foreign file system is accessed by issuing a request according to the native file system protocol for data stored in the foreign file system; translating the native file system request to an intermediate programming interface, wherein the intermediate programming interface is different from both the native file system protocol and the foreign file system protocol; translating the intermediate file system request to the foreign file system protocol; and returning to the client a response from the foreign file system responsive to the translated request.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluororethane in which 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane is subjected to chlorination by bringing the 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane into contact with chlorine within a reaction vessel characterised in that the process is conducted in the liquid phasein the presence of a chemical free radical initiator under a pressure of from 1 to 20 bar and at a temperature within the range 50 to 120° C., and the product is separated from the reaction mixture by fractional distillation. The product is useful in the manufacture of insecticides.

Abstract: A computer based system and method orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors reach study is electronically performed to determine occupant reach with respect to the at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the vehicle, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or any combination thereof, so that the design meets the reach criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the reach criteria.

Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle based on occupant vision orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors vision study is electronically performed to determine occupant vision with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined vision criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the vision criteria.