Abstract: A method of constructing a repair path around a non-available component in a data communications network having, as components, nodes having a network address and links there between comprises the step, performed at a participating node, of receiving from a notifying node in the network, a notification identifying the notifying node and components through which the notifying node can be reached. The method further comprises the step of deriving, from the notification, a network repair address for use in the event of non-availability of a component identified in the notification. The method further comprises the step of constructing a repair path for the repair address.

Abstract: A frequency divider circuit is provided having an even number of amplifier stages connected in series with the output of the last amplifier stage connected to the input of the first amplifier stage; and modulating means responsive to an input signal to be frequency divided, for modulating the propagation delay through each of the amplifier stages about the period of the input signal to be divided, such that when propagation through the odd amplifier stages increases, the propagation through the even amplifier stages decreases. The frequency divider circuit can be used as a pre-scaler of a radio receiver circuit.

Abstract: An unknown RF power is converted to a voltage by a detector (11). The voltage is converted to a number by a digitiser (12). A separate and fixed RF power reference (14) drives a second detector (15), whose voltage output is also converted to a number by the digitiser (12). The RF detectors are thermally coupled. Temperature variations in the RF power to voltage characteristic of the detector (11) are corrected by measuring the RF power reference (14) via the detector (15).

Abstract: A method of forwarding data in a data communications network comprising a plurality of nodes comprises the step of forwarding data according to a forwarding strategy implemented at a forwarding node. Where the implemented strategy comprises a repair strategy to compensate for a change in the network, the method further comprises the step of encapsulating the data in a primary repair encapsulating packet and marking the primary repairing encapsulating packet as repaired.

Abstract: A method of forwarding data in a data communications network having a plurality of nodes comprises the steps, performed at a repairing node, of computing the repair path around a network component to a target node and forwarding data along the repair path. The computing step comprises the step of computing an intermediate node reachable by the repairing node and from which the target node can be reached. The forwarding step includes the step of constructing a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) packet for forwarding to the intermediate node.

Abstract: A variable frequency oscillator comprising: an oscillatory circuit for generating a periodic output dependent on the capacitance between a first node and a second node of the circuit, and having a capacitative element connected between the first node and the second node; the capacitative element comprising: a variable capacitance unit, the capacitance of which is variable for varying the frequency of the output and a plurality of finite capacitances each being selectively connectable in parallel with the variable capacitance unit between the first node and the second node to trim the frequency of the output.

Abstract: A system and method for empowering consumers in a retail environment. Among many other features, the present invention provides a number of menu and item list features to enhance a shopper's experience in a retail environment. In addition, the invention provides an item-level location mapping feature. By the use of the user's shopping list and a database storing information describing the location of items on the list, the system dynamically generates routing maps that show a path the user can take to locate the items on the list. The display may include a map with a route graphically displayed on the map, and/or a text description of the route.

Abstract: Systems are described that disperse the wavelength bands corresponding to the channel centers at a faster rate than the bandwidth of the channels themselves. An embodiment consists of a double element system including a grating, to create the initial separation, and a segmented mirror with multiple flat facets of different tilt, which reflect each spatially separated channel at a different angle. The size, position and angle of the facets are designed to match the spacing and position of individual channels of known wavelength and number that are diffracting from a grating with a predefined period, a set distance from this device. This system enables the individual channels to be re-imaged at some later point with a large separation between the channels, relative to their spatial size.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synchronizing a data communications network. The data communications network comprises a plurality of existing nodes forming one or more synchronization domains and a node entering the network. Each existing node in a synchronization domain stores a common representation of the synchronization domain and is configured to flood the synchronization domain with domain representation information. In a synchronization domain identification step formed at the entering node, the entering node exchanges entering node domain representation information with a first neighboring existing node. The entering node identifies as a first synchronization domain common with the first neighboring existing node all neighboring existing nodes from which the entering node domain representation information is flooded back the entering node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in a metal working fluid comprising adding to the metal working fluid a benzisothiazolin-3-one of the Formula (1): wherein R is C4-5-alkyl; R1 is hydroxy, halogen (especially chlorine), C1-4-alkyl or C1-4-alkoxy; and n is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: Liquid spraying equipment, for example for paint, adhesives and chemicals, comprises a spray gun (30) having a luid outlet (53) to which liquid is pumped from a container, the outlet being adjaceent a pressurized air or other fluid outlet (34) to entrain the liquid and thereby atomize it. The liquid pump is housed in a separate unit of which a removable liquid container can be sealingly coupled. The unit also contains a pump to deliver pressurized air to a chamber with a hose ocnnection to the spray gun and with a tapping to the liquid container so as to pressurize the liquid and assist the liquid pump to deliver it to the spray gun through a pipe, possibly within the pressurized air hose. The flow of liquid through the outlet is regulated by a pin (38) or the like slidably mounted in a bore (35). A trigger mechanism (36) retracts the pin from the outlet against the force of a restoring spring (40). An adjustable limit stop (49) determines the degree of opening of the liquid outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulation of an endoscopy operation. A dummy endoscope (1) is inserted into a unit (2) which monitors the position of the dummy instrument and provides force feedback to the instrument in accordance with a stored software model. A virtual image simulating the view from the endoscope is displayed. Additional simulation is provided of an external condition to the patient body, for example patient orientation (8), external pressure applied to the body (9), (10) and trans-illumination (11).

Abstract: A time indicator comprising a first reservoir (13), a migration medium (11) and activating means for bringing liquid from the first reservoir (13) in contact with the migration medium (11) so that after activation the liquid migrates through the migration medium (11) producing a colour change therein. The activating means comprises a second reservoir (16) connected between the first reservoir (13) and the migration medium (11) whereby after activation the liquid travels relatively rapidly from the first reservoir (13) to the second reservoir (16) and then migrates relatively slowly along the length of the migration medium (11) over time.

Abstract: A technique modifies an asynchronous flooding algorithm associated with a link state routing protocol operating within an area of a computer network from a per-interface to a per-neighbor paradigm. A router executes the flooding algorithm to distribute its local state over its interfaces and throughout an area of the network to each neighboring router with whom it has an adjacency. The router maintains a list of neighbors within an area data structure. When a new neighbor (adjacency) arises on an interface belonging to the area, the router updates the neighbor data structure describing that adjacency by linking it to a corresponding entry in the list of neighbors. Utilizing information contained in the list of neighbors, as well as information describing the types of interfaces used by the neighbors in the list, the router marks each interface data structure within the area as either flooding-active or flooding-passive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (24) for use as a borescope or endoscope for viewing an object at a remote or inaccessible location. The apparatus (24) comprises a tube (22) having a proximal end and a distal end and means in the tube for obtaining an image of an object and transmitting it to a viewing device. The apparatus (24) also comprises illumination means comprising an array (20) of light emitting diodes (10) mounted on a substrate (12) and covered by a common protective shield (18) of optically clear material. The array (20) may be mounted at the distal end of the tube (22) adjacent a viewing port (26). Alternatively, the array (20) may be mounted at the proximal end of the tube, adjacent the end face (38) of a bundle of optical fibers which transmit light to the distal end of the tube (22). The arrangement eliminates the need for an external light source ande light guide, thereby reducing light losses and making the apparatus more compact.

Abstract: A computer system includes an object oriented framework that provides a set of application integration interfaces that support programmatic updating operations for maintaining locally stored copies of resources such as hypertext document pages from remote servers on a computer network. The updating operations continually check for updates to the data at the remote server and download updated versions of the resources to maintain concurrency of the locally stored copy. The updating operations are performed while a connection to the remote network is left idle, to maximize usage of on-line connection time. The updating operations also can be programmatically scheduled by a client program of the updating operations. The updating operations include updating the contents of a folder or directory in a local file system as specified in a file at a remote server on the network, and providing automatically updating and populating groups of sites or document pages organized by category.

Abstract: Herein, immunoglobulin variable region polypeptides are fused at their N-terminus to a bacterial signal sequence. In one embodiment, the immunoglobulin variable region polypeptides are fused to a tag that that is placed in between a bacteriophage signal sequence and the N-terminus of the immunoglobulin variable region polypeptide. In another embodiment, the N-termini of single-domain antibodies (dAb) are fused to a bacterial signal sequence in the absence of a tag. In a further embodiment, the immunoglobulin variable region antibody fusion proteins are fused to a bacteriophage coat protein and expressed on the surface of bacteriophage providing an efficient way to select small antibody fragments that are labeled and that have high affinity to target ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid 13-hydroperoxide lyase protein from guava (Psidium guajava) and the gene encoding the protein. Expression systems for recombinant guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase and methods of using recombinant guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase for the production of green notes are provided.

Abstract: There is described a communication system in which data is received by and/or transmitted to a telecomunications apparatus using an acoustic data channel. In embodiments, The data is encoded within the audio track of a media broadcast or other public broadcast. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, relevance to a cellular communication system. There are also described acoustic position detection systems for determining the position of a telecomunications apparatus.