Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for creating a new annotation for a data source, and for carrying forward annotations to a data source when the data source is modified. According to the method for creating a new annotation, a data source version identifier is generated based on a current version of the data source, and text of the annotation is received. A new annotation record is added to an annotation data store, with the new annotation record including the data source version identifier that was generated and the text of the annotation. In one embodiment, the new annotation record further includes point information indicating coordinates of at least one part of the current version of the data source that the annotation is meant to annotate.

Abstract: A method for distributing web content efficiently across a network of information processing units and intermediate nodes. The method on an information processing unit includes receiving a web content object created by a user that is to be distributed to a set of destinations. Also, the method further includes sending a single copy of the web content object across the network via intermediate nodes to a set of destinations using a reliable multicast technique. Also, the invention includes receiving a packet on an intermediate node where the packet contains address information for a set of destinations. Also, the invention includes determining at an intermediate node the next hop or next hops that the packet should be forwarded to and forwarding a copy of the packet to each of those next hops.

Abstract: A system and method of automating and managing bids within the context of an Internet auction is disclosed. The present invention permits continuous monitoring and verification of auctions on the Internet based on criterion such as highest bid on an item, maximum permissible bid, and a restriction on the number of successful bids in the auctions by any given participant (0109). The present invention permits embodiments incorporating an auction profile database (0101) that is generated by an auction profile configuration tool (0102) to act as input to an item search manager (0104) that takes data from an item database (0105) and control from an item selector (0103) to then interact with an auction bid controller (0106) that communicates with the remote auction site via an auction command interface (0107). In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an information processing system and computer readable storage medium is disclosed for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: A surface heating system consists of a support and a heating layer that contains an electrically conductive plastic. The heating layer is formed by a flexible film. A heatable object made as such a surface heating system. A method for producing a surface heating system, where a heating layer containing an electrically conductive plastic bonded to a support, and where the heating layer is formed by initially applying an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material onto the support and then hardening the plastic material on the support. Alternatively, the method produces a surface heating system with a heating layer of an electrically conductive plastic is bonded to a support. The heating layer is produced from an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material, and then arranged on the support. Another alternative of the method consists of bonding a heating layer with an electrically conductive plastic to a support. A fabric is produced as the support.

Abstract: Semiconductor device (1) and process for fabricating it, the device (1) including an electrical connection support plate (2), an integrated circuit chip placed at a certain location on the support plate (2) and placed at a certain distance from this support plate (2), a plurality of electrical connection balls connecting electrical connection regions (4) of the support plate (2) and corresponding electrical connection pads on the integrated circuit chip, and a fill material at least partly filling the space separating the chip from the plate, and in which the surface of the support plate (2), which has the electrical connection regions (4), is provided with an interlayer (6) made of an insulating material in which apertures (7) are provided above the electrical connection regions (4) and above complementary flow channels (9, 10).

Abstract: A two-phase charge pump is provided that is controlled by first and second clock signals in phase-opposition. The charge pump has a sequence of cascade-connected stages. Each stage includes a capacitive element driven by one clock signal such that capacitive elements of adjacent stages are driven by different clock signals, a pass transistor that transfers electric charge to the capacitive element from the capacitive element of a previous stage, a first biasing circuit that enables the pass transistor during a first phase of the one clock signal, and a second biasing circuit that disables the pass transistor during a second phase of the one clock signal. Also provided is a two-phase charge pump having two branches that each include a sequence of such cascade-connected stages, with each stage of one branch having a corresponding stage in the other branch. A method of operating two-phase charge pumps is also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for providing secure IP-based streaming in a format independent manner is disclosed. The method on a content mastering system begins with an encoded media file consisting of content data and associated metadata. First, the metadata is read from the encoded media file. Next, the encoded media file including the content data and the associated metadata is encrypted. Then, in a streaming server system, the encoded/encrypted media file is divided into more than one data packet, streamed in accordance with one or more parameters in the metadata. Each data packet includes a portion of the encoded/encrypted media file and an offset value corresponding to a location within the encoded/encrypted media file. The data packets are then streamed to a client information processing system (i.e., the client) over a network.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence substantially as denoted by SEQ ID NO:1 and biologically functional homologues and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a prostate in a human body in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the prostate with time in space for the purpose of diagnosing a prostate condition, particularly cancer. A preselected place in the prostate is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a prostate event. The data is indicative of a prostate parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to prostate wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. When a satisfactory map is obtained, the collected data is processed on the basis of the map to obtain an image of the preselected place with each spatial unit thereof correlated with a color hue and a color intensity. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop the calibration map.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame assembly for coupling clip-on auxiliary spectacles to primary spectacles. The primary spectacles having a pair of cavities formed on one of the frame and the inside surface of rear extensions. The clip-on spectacles having a pair of insertable members mounted on a pair of hinged extensions, wherein the insertable members are capable of positively engaging the cavities. The hinged extensions allow the clip-on spectacles to swing up and to place the auxiliary lenses mounted within the clip-on spectacles to be outside the vision path of the user.

Abstract: Device for inductive power supply and guidance of a moving object, with a primary inductance element extending as a conductive loop along a path provided for the object. A secondary inductance element is arranged on the object and can be coupled magnetically with the primary inductance element for power transmission. Several receiver inductance elements are arranged on the object and output measurement signals dependent on the magnetic field of the primary inductance element. An evaluation device determines a measure for the position of the object with reference to the conductive loop from the measurement signals. A regular arrangement of receiver inductance elements is provided, which extends on the object at least perpendicular to its direction of motion. The receiver inductance elements are simultaneously also connected to a data receiver device, which contains a way for extracting a data signal from the output voltage of at least one of the receiver inductance elements.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis system for diagnosing faults in complex equipment. The system includes means for storing a set of diagnostic signatures which relates a set of known faults which may occur in the equipment to respective fault symptoms which are deemed indicative of said known faults; and means for processing the diagnostic signatures and a set of fault symptoms identified for a current state of the equipment to calculate diagnostic data for identifying a fault causing the current state of the equipment. The diagnostic data includes a plurality of values which are indicative of different relative non-zero likelihoods of each of a plurality of different known faults causing the current state of the equipment.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a firing mechanism for a small arm, particularly a rifle, with a trigger (2) that can be pivoted about a trigger axis (12), with a trigger rod (4) that is displaceably arranged within a housing (1) and serves for respectively retaining and releasing a prestressed firing pin (6), and with an articulated lever (3) that is arranged within the housing (1) such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis (20) and is connected in an articulated fashion to the trigger rod (4), with said articulated lever being connected to the trigger (2) via the trigger rod (4).

Abstract: A digital circuit operating frequency characterizer provides a combination of frequency and duty cycle characterization. The digital circuit operating frequency characterizer includes a programmable frequency generator, a programmable edge variator, a test engine, and a control circuit. The programmable frequency generator provides one or more output signals, and the programmable edge variator is coupled to one or more outputs of the programmable frequency generator for adjusting duty cycle. The test engine uses the outputs from the programmable edge variator and/or programmable frequency generator to apply a defined test signal sequence to a circuit under test and produce a status output after evaluating the outputs received from the circuit under test. The control circuit is connected to the control inputs of the programmable frequency generator, programmable edge variator, and the status output of the test engine.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a flip-flop in which an output state (0 or 1) becomes definite according to a phase difference between signals inputted to two input units, a delay unit for producing the phase difference in these two input signals, and a feedback circuit for controlling the phase difference so that an occurrence ratio of 0 or 1 of an output from the flip-flop by the input signals is constant within a specified repetition cycle.

Abstract: An improved voltage tolerant protection circuit for input buffer comprising a transmission gate circuit receiving input from the pad for passing the input signal to the input of the input buffer, a control signal generator electrically coupled between the transmission gate circuit and the pad to provide a control signal for operating the transmission gate circuit, and an N-Well generation circuit electrically coupled between the pad and the transmission gate circuit, and also electrically coupled to the control signal generator for generating a bias signal for the transmission gate circuit and the control signal generator. Thus, the present invention provides a voltage tolerant protection circuit that prevents electrical stress on transistors, minimizes power supply consumption and transfers signals without any change in amplitude.

Abstract: An elongate spring pad for a sheet ironing machine includes an elongate backing strip, coil springs, and top plates. The backing strip encircles a roller of a sheet ironing machine. The coil springs are longitudinally spaced along the backing strip. Each coil spring has a connecting portion at a first end engaging the backing strip and a fixing portion at a second, opposite end that transverses the coil spring. Each of the top plates is provided on the second end of the respective coil spring. Positioning means on each top plate engage the respective coil spring. A claw projects outwardly from the top plate for releasably engaging a felt cover. Each top plate contacts an adjacent top plate so that there are no spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A method and system for preserving the integrity of a negotiation that includes providing an architecture which includes a center A, and a plurality of users B.sub.1, B.sub.2, . . . , B.sub.n. each user B.sub.i generates an input X.sub.i, which is input to the center A. The center A computes and publishes a function F(X.sub.1, X.sub.2, . . . , X.sub.n) based on the input messages it receives. Each user B.sub.i (1<=i<=n) communicates with the center A, exclusively. Center A publishes additional information which lets each of the users verify that F was computed correctly, and prevents a coalition of any one subset of the users from learning anything which cannot be computed just from the output of the function, F(X.sub.1, . . . ,X.sub.n), and from their own inputs, or information about the inputs of other users.

Abstract: A device for power factor correction in a forced switching power supply unit is provided. The device includes a converter and a control device coupled to the converter so as to obtain from an input alternating mains voltage a direct regulated voltage on the output terminal. The converter includes a power transistor, and the control device includes an error amplifier having its inverting terminal coupled to a first signal that is proportional to the regulated voltage and its non-inverting terminal coupled to a reference voltage. A drive circuit of the power transistor is coupled to the output terminal of the error amplifier. The control device also includes a circuit for generating a current signal that is representative of the effective input voltage. The current signal is coupled to the inverting terminal of the error amplifier to vary the regulated voltage in reply to variations in the effective input voltage.

Abstract: For indicating on a data medium (9) a sector referenced by a binary word (16) formed of a number M of first bytes each comprising a number L of bits, the method includes steps of etching onto the data medium locally at this sector a succession of M second bytes each corresponding to a first byte, each second byte being equal to a vector of N components, each with a value of +1 or ?1, such that N=2L?1 and such that the scalar product of said vector with any other vector to which another second byte is equal, is at most equal to +1. The data medium (9) is, for example, an optical disk.