Abstract: A tool is disclosed that allows a hardware designer using a behavioral synthesis tool to view a calculated execution time for a group of related loops identified in source code describing a hardware design circuit. Further, a designer can then interactively unroll and/or pipeline a selected loop without having to modify the source code description of the circuit. Using a graphical user interface (GUI), the designer can modify the loop design easily and see the results of the new loop configuration without having to generate the RTL code, perform RTL synthesis, etc. For example, the designer can readily view the relative loop execution time of the circuit to better determine whether the design is acceptable. Additionally, the designer can execute an area-versus-latency analysis, and, if the analysis is not satisfactory, the designer can unroll and or pipeline selected loops using the GUI.

Abstract: A system (FIG. 2) and method for billing in a radio telecommunications network, comprising: means (HLR) for storing billing class identifier information associated with a predetermined subscriber or subscriber services; and charging gateway means for receiving call information together with the relevant billing class identifier information and for passing the call information to a relevant billing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for analyzing the concentration of an analyte in a sample and to automatic analyzing apparatus. The invention will be described herein with particular reference to a method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of glucose or other analytes in blood but is not limited to that use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor adapted for electrical connection to a power source having an electrical contact means (3). The sensor has a first insulating substrate (1) carrying a first electrode (2) and a second insulating substrate (7) carrying a second electrode (6). The electrodes are disposed to face each other in spaced apart relationship, sandwiching a spacer (4) therebetween. A first cut-out portion extends through the first insulating substrate (1) and a spacer (4) to expose a first contact area (23) on the second insulating substrate (7). This permits the electrical contact means (31) to effect electrical connection with the first contact (23) which in turn is in electrically conductive connection with the second electrode (6). A similar contact arrangement may be disposed on the opposite side of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for treating a gas stream containing one or more perfluoro-organic compounds to remove the perfluoro-organic compound(s) therefrom, which comprises bringing the gas stream in to contact with an alkali metal fluoride in the presence of carbon and water vapor at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000°C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor adapted for electrical connection to a power source having an electrical contact means (3). The sensor has a first insulating substrate (1) carrying a first electrode (2) and a second insulating substrate (7) carrying a second electrode (6). The electrodes are disposed to face each other in spaced apart relationship, sandwiching a spacer (4) therebetween. A first cut-out portion extends through the first insulating substrate (1) and a spacer (4) to expose a first contact area (23) on the second insulating substrate (7). This permits the electrical contact means (31) to effect electrical connection with the first contact (23) which in turn is in electrically conductive connection with the second electrode (6). A similar contact arrangement may be disposed on the opposite side of the sensor.

Abstract: A biosensor for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample is provided including: an electrochemical cell having a first electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, a second electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, the substrates being disposed with the electrically conductive materials facing each other and being separated by a sheet including an aperture, the wall of which aperture defines a cell wall and a sample introduction aperture whereby the aqueous liquid sample may be introduced into the cell; and a measuring circuit.

Abstract: A method for estimating the concentration of a reduced (or oxidised) form of a redox species in a liquid comprises contacting an area of a first electrode (2) with a sample (5) of the liquid, contacting the sample (5) with a second electrode (2) spaced apart from the first (2), applying a potential between the electrodes while the electrodes are sufficiently closely spaced that reaction products formed at each electrode diffuse to the other electrode while the potential is applied, measuring or estimating a value indicative of the change in current as a function of time and a value indicative of the steady state current, and determining from said volume, said current as a function of time, and said steady state current the concentration of reduced (or oxidised) form of the species in the liquid sample.

Abstract: A cooling head for attachment a skin treatment laser has a metal body with a mount at one end for attachment to a laser head to secure the metal body to the head. A cooling surface at the other end is for application to a patient's skin and has an aperture therethrough. A bore extends from the mount through the body to the aperture in the cooling surface to allow a laser beam to be passed therethrough to a treatment area of the patient's skin. An extraction port enables removal of debris from the treatment area and for connection to a vacuum source. An optically transparent window is disposed in the body to allow the treatment area at the aperture in the cooling surface to be viewed by a surgeon using the laser. A cooling means such a liquid flow heat exchanger or Peltier device enables heat removal from the body in use in order to cool the cooling surface.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to security system inoperability due to damage of a telecommunications line interconnecting the security system to its central monitoring service system requires origination of a wireless telephone call. A wireless unit is interconnected to the security system and originates an emergency call upon detection of telecommunications line abnormalities. Upon establishing a call connection between the wireless unit and the central monitoring service system, the wireless unit relays dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals which identify the security system affected by the breach so that appropriate authorities may be dispatched. In alternative embodiments, the wireless unit is programmed to place calls to other designated telephone numbers.

Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement comprising a circuit board and an electrical component attached thereto by a plurality of solder joints. The sizes of the joints are chosen according to a characteristic (for example the frequency) of signals to be conducted through them. The joint sizes are inversely proportional to the frequency of signals which they are arranged to conduct. The expected fatigue life of the arrangement is greater than one in which all joints are of a smaller size, as required for example for high frequency signals, and this reduces the need for component underfill.

Abstract: A method of placing markings on a polymer plastic grave marker. Firstly, providing a polymer plastic grave marker of a known polymer composition. The polymer plastic grave marker is of a first color. Secondly, removing material from a surface of the polymer plastic grave marker to form hollow markings. Thirdly, providing liquid polymer that is capable of bonding with the known polymer composition, in one or more other colors. Fourthly, filling the hollow markings in the polymer plastic grave marker with the liquid polymer. The liquid polymer bonds with the known polymer composition, thereby providing integral colored markings. The polymers used are chosen to have the same coefficient of thermal expansion and moisture absorption and are preferably the same polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for practicing the method of making toric contact lenses having a toric axis and ballast axis located on the anterior and posterior surfaces of a lens. Detectable features are formed on the anterior and posterior mold sections corresponding to the location of the toric axis and ballast axis, respectively. An axis alignment tool having detecting means thereon is used to set the mold sections to a known angular position. The desired axial offset is input into a computer which establishes the axial offset between the mold sections.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell having a porous substrate and a first and a second electrodes separated by an ion diffusion inhibiting partition is disclosed. The ion diffusion inhibiting partition between the two electrodes is defined by compressing the substrate and/or blocking pores of the substrate so as to inhibit but not entirely block ion diffusion between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a thin layer electrochemical cell (FIGS. 12, 14) comprising the steps of: forming an aperture (11) extending through a sheet (1) of electrically resistive material, said aperture defining a side wall of the cell; mounting a first thin electrode layer (13) to one side of the sheet and extending over aperture (11) whereby to define a cell first end wall; mounting a second thin electrode layer (13) to the other side of the sheet and extending over aperture (11) whereby to define a second cell end wall in substantial overlying registration with the first electrode; and providing means (16) for admission of a liquid into the cell.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a thin layer electrochemical cell (FIGS. 12, 14) comprising the steps of: forming an aperture (11) extending through a sheet (1) of electrically resistive material, said aperture defining a side wall of the cell, mounting a first thin electrode layer (13) to one side of the sheet and extending over aperture (11) whereby to define a cell first end wall, mounting a second thin electrode layer (13) to the other side of the sheet and extending over aperture (11) whereby to define a second cell end wall in substantial overlying registration with the first electrode, and providing means (16) for admission of a liquid into the cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fouling effect of a feedstream on a filter having known characteristics disclosed. The method comprises passing the feedstream through a filter (5) having known characteristics; determining the change in resistance to flow of the feedstream across the filter, either continuously or over a number of time intervals and from this data, calculating a feed fouling index (FFI) representative of the fouling characteristics of the feedstream with respect to the filter. A method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a filtration system is also disclosed the method comprising sampling system parameter values at selected locations within the filtration system at a predetermined sampling rate; generating a parameter profile characteristic from the sampled parameter values at predetermined intervals of time; and analysing the parameter profile characteristic to determine correct operation of the filtration system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing redundancy for security systems served by the public switched telephone network (PSTN) includes a cable modem interconnected to a security system controller. Upon detection of inoperability of a telecommunications line serving the system via the PSTN, the cable modem extends an alert message to a security monitoring service via a packet data network. Advantageously, the cable modem can also send video images and audio from the secured premises to the security monitoring system due to the bandwidth capabilities of the packet data network.

Abstract: In a receiver for signals set in time slots within fixed length time frames, noise is supplied as an input signal and the received signal value is stored with measured temperature values. Temperature corrections for temperature are determined and stored to be applied subsequently.