Abstract: A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding video using directional discrete waveform transforms (DDWT), such as within a codec device. DDWT can be utilized to replace the use of intra transforms and inter transforms within the encoding system. In many ways the output of the DDWT can be compared with that provided using MDDT, however, it does not require a training process while it also provides enhanced encoding of feature edges with desirable visual characteristics. The transforms are applied in at least two passes, along the prediction direction, and then across the prediction direction, instead of being applied in fixed vertical and horizontal directions. Directional scaling is not required prior to the second stage of transforms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention enable a large number of wireless communication networks to be efficiently used while the size of a device operated by a user is reduced and power is saved by providing a communication terminal whose connection with different wireless communication networks can be dynamically reconfigured. A communication terminal whose connection with a plurality of wireless communication networks can be dynamically reconfigured is provided with a data communication aggregation device, a communication application executing device, and a local communication path therebetween. The data communication aggregation device interfaces with the plurality of wireless communication networks and communicates with the communication application executing device through the local communication path. The communication application executing device executes an application for communicating with an outside communication network.

Abstract: A flat-fold filtering face piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 that has a transversely-extending line of demarcation 22 and a longitudinal axis 34. First and second weld patterns 32a, 32b are disposed above and not traversing the line of demarcation on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Third and fourth weld patterns 32c, 32d are disposed below and not crossing the line of demarcation 22 on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth weld patterns 32a-32d is a two-dimensional enclosed pattern. This combined weld patterns can provide a mask body that exhibits crush resistance without the need for additional or heavier layers, which may cause higher pressure drops across the filtering structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting fraudulent activities made over a network-based transaction facility using a machine. In responsive to a first event with respect to the network-based transaction facility and initiated under a first user identity from the machine which is coupled to the network-based transaction facility via a network, the method causes a first identifier associated with the first user identity to be stored on the machine. In responsive to a second event with respect to the network-based transaction facility and initiated under a second user identity from the machine, the method causes a detecting of a potentially fraudulent activity by detecting a lack of correspondence between the first identifier stored on the machine and a second identifier associated with the second user identity.

Abstract: A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coding images geometric vector quantization (GVQ) having an over-complete dictionary which produces a sparse vector of coefficients as it contains large runs of zeros. The sparse encoding is particularly well suited for use with run-length entropy coding techniques. Image blocks are sparse coded using GVQ, with the vector of coefficients converted to RUN-LENGTH symbols, and binarized into a set of binary symbols. At least a portion of the binary symbols are used as contexts which can be selected when performing binary arithmetic coding of the binary coded RUN and LENGTH data to generate a bit stream containing the encoded image that provides enhanced compression.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption for scanning and maintain communication quality by reducing the time for scanning or connection when a wireless communication terminal switches between networks or base stations. A wireless communication terminal 1 enabling connection with a plurality of base stations disposed in different positions which includes a base station scanning unit 100 detecting and scanning a base station capable of communication at the current position of the wireless communication terminal, a simultaneous detection base station recording unit 101 recording simultaneously detected base stations as simultaneous detection information in a storage unit, a connection candidate extraction unit 102 and a first communication unit 103 performing communication by connection with the extracted connection candidate base station.

Abstract: A computing system provided according to an aspect of the present invention includes a developer system which sends a set of patches along with metadata in a package. The metadata may include hierarchical paths, with each path indicating a corresponding target (file or archive) which is to be replaced to apply the corresponding patch. A patch tool receives the package and applies the patches using the metadata. According to another aspect of the present invention, a patch tool forms a tree structure based on the hierarchical paths in the metadata. In an embodiment, the tree structure is traversed each time to perform a corresponding patching operation (e.g., backup, and replace). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, only the required archives are unarchived while applying the patches. In an embodiment, the patch tool determines the required archives based on the information in the received metadata.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a composition comprising at least one acid ester stemming from the biomass and an organic biosolvent is provided. The method comprises the esterification reaction between at least one acid stemming from the biomass and at least one alcohol, in the presence of an acid catalyst and of the organic biosolvent, the organic biosolvent being selective of the ester or of the esters formed relatively to the acid or to the starting acids and non-miscible with the alcoholic solution of the acid stemming from the biomass.

Abstract: To provide a method of selecting an optimal base station for each application when accumulating communication quality in response to an application type for a base station and a communication terminal switches base stations. A communication quality database 31 is prepared by assigning a current location of a communication terminal device, a currently running application program and a communication quality when executing an application program. When making a new connection with a base station, the current application and location is used to select a base station having an optimal communication quality from the communication quality database 31. This mechanism may be provided in the communication terminal device or may be provided as a communication system including a server device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication system and the like that can avoid interference even if a plurality of networks coexist. The wireless communication system includes a primary user, cluster head equipment, and a secondary user. The cluster head equipment is for providing a local area network to a cluster region containing the abovementioned primary user. Also, the cluster head equipment contains: an acquisition means that acquires one or both—of information regarding the primary user and information regarding a primary signal—and the like; and a transmission means that transmits information to the secondary user. Then, using this wireless communication system, the secondary user performs cognitive wireless communication or the like on the basis of the information received from the transmission means of the cluster head equipment.

Abstract: Image encoding for changing representation of zero coefficient clustering and for utilizing a novel directional transform for exploiting the directional properties of image energy. The apparatus and methods can be applied to numerous applications, such as within image codecs. A ring-tree method is taught for representing the grouping of zero transform coefficients as ring-trees into a new symbol for more efficiently coding images. Directional transforms are taught which provide enhanced energy compactness of coefficients, and which capture directional energy resulting in generating enhanced visual quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication system capable of avoiding interference even when a network including a secondary user coexists. The wireless communication system includes a primary user belonging to a first network, a first secondary user belonging to a second network, and a coexistence manager (CM). The coexistence manager (CM) acquires information relating to spectrum holes that are, at least temporarily, not in use by the primary user. In addition, the coexistence manager (CM) determines whether or not usage of the spectrum holes by the first secondary user causes interference. If the determination result is that interference is caused, coexistence manager (CM) notifies to this effect a second secondary user belonging to a third network, which differs from the second network.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless communication system capable of increasing safety in the aviation industry, and applicable to the aviation industry. The wireless communication system comprises a control device and a spectrum sensor. The spectrum sensor performs spectrum sensing using a measurement SAP, receives a signal from a wireless communication device, and transmits information relating to the received signal as sensing information through a communication SAP. On the other hand, the control device receives the sensing information from the spectrum sensor through the communication SAP. Subsequently, the sensing information is analyzed using an application SAP. Thereby, whether or not the signal from the wireless communication device interferes with the radio waves of the airband used in the aviation industry is specified.

Abstract: A method and system to automate payment for a network-based commerce transaction provide a buyer an option to enable an automatic payment service, wherein automatic payment service automatically provides payment to a seller upon a termination event of a network-based commerce transaction. Payment information of the buyer is provided to a network-based payment system upon the occurrence of the termination event.

Abstract: Provided is a spectrum sensor for cognitive wireless communication whereby it is possible to improve communication efficiency. In a cognitive wireless communication system, a spectrum sensor senses spectra in multiple frequency bands. A spectrum sensor is configured to be able to operate in one operation mode selected from among a spectrum sensing mode for sensing spectra, and a communication mode for communicating with a wireless communication device. Further, the spectrum sensor is provided with a controller for controlling the operation mode. The controller switches between the above-mentioned operation modes during the symbol period of an ultra-wideband physical layer (UWB PHY).

Abstract: Provided is a power control method, etc., in cognitive radio communication, by which power control can be effectively performed without a large indirect cost. In the power control method, a target value of SNR is estimated on the basis of the control information relating to interference. Subsequently, communication power used for the cognitive radio communication is adjusted on the basis of the estimated target value of SNR. Thereby, power control can be effectively performed without a large indirect cost.

Abstract: There is disclosed a channel adjusting method capable of suppressing the occurrence of interference between a cognitive pilot channel (CPC) and an auxiliary control channel (ACS) in cognitive wireless communications. According to the channel adjusting method for use in cognitive wireless communications, initially, a connection using a cognitive pilot channel (CPC) is set up. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a spectrum sensing channel (ACS) is to be utilized. If yes, it is then determined whether or not any interference occurs between the spectrum sensing channel (ACS) and the set-up cognitive pilot channel (CPC). This allows an adjustment to be performed such that no interference occurs between the cognitive pilot channel (CPC) and the spectrum sensing channel (ACS).

Abstract: In a cognitive radio communication device, before a communication link for the cognitive radio communication is established, a control channel which is a common channel which can be used by a plurality of cognitive radio communication devices is detected. By exchanging sensing information and sensing control information among the plurality of radio communication devices using the detected common channel, the information is shared. The plurality of cognitive radio communication devices share the sensing information and the sensing control information, and use the information for determining a channel used for spectrum monitoring and data communication, and the like.