Abstract: The present invention provides a method implemented by a server for transmitting a content stream through a network to a client. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a request from the client to play the content stream; (b) generating a list of candidate segments; (c) determining the best candidate segment for every position; (d) storing the plurality of segments; (e) sending each specified segment to the client.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system (3) that provides more than one technique for delivering media and advertisements to consumers (26a) and consumers (26b) over a network (23) and, where a technique permits, measuring the exposure of consumers (26a) and (26b) to the media and advertisements with precision and, where a technique does not permit, using exposure information from other techniques to demonstrate consumer (26a) and (26b) exposure to the media and advertisements. Advantageously, offline consumer (26b) exposure to downloaded media content and advertisements can be demonstrated, which significantly increases the attractiveness of downloaded media content to advertiser (5).

Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatographic column for use with chromatographic materials packed in a defined manner. Said chromatographic column is characterized in that the chromatographic material in a defined compressed state is enclosed in a column body (1), which is preferably cylindrical and is provided with a discharge opening (9), between two filter plates which are fixed at a specified distance from one another by contact with support surfaces situated inside the column body.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system (3) that provides more than one technique for delivering media and advertisements to consumers (26a) and consumers (26b) over a network (23) and, where a technique permits, measuring the exposure of consumers (26a) and (26b) to the media and advertisements with precision and, where a technique does not permit, using exposure information from other techniques to demonstrate consumer (26a) and (26b) exposure to the media and advertisements. Advantageously, offline consumer (26b) exposure to downloaded media content and advertisements can be demonstrated, which significantly increases the attractiveness of downloaded media content to advertiser (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal membrane filter (1) and to a method and apparatus for the production thereof. The metal membrane filter (1) has rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2), which are arranged statistically distributed on the metal membrane filter surface (3) in a density of from a single filter pore (2) per cm2 up to 107 filter pores (2) per cm2. The average diameter of the filter pores (2) is uniform for all filter pores (2) and is from a few tens of nm up to several micrometers. The metal membrane filter (1) comprises a metal electro-deposited with rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2) or a correspondingly electro-deposited metal alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatographic column for use with chromatographic materials packed in a defined manner. Said chromatographic column is characterized in that the chromatographic material in a defined compressed state is enclosed in a column body (1), which is preferably cylindrical and is provided with a discharge opening (9), between two filter plates which are fixed at a specified distance from one another by contact with support surfaces situated inside the column body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal membrane filter (1) and to a method and apparatus for the production thereof. The metal membrane filter (1) has rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2), which are arranged statistically distributed on the metal membrane filter surface (3) in a density of from a single filter pore (2) per cm2 up to 107 filter pores (2) per cm2. The average diameter of the filter pores (2) is uniform for all filter pores (2) and is from a few tens of nm up to several micrometres. The metal membrane filter (1) comprises a metal electro-deposited with rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2) or a correspondingly electro-deposited metal alloy.

Abstract: When fine filter dust is melted in conventional crucible or induction furnaces, a great deal of dust is generated once again. Compression of the dust is highly complex and is not always possible. According to the invention, the filter dust is collected in a dust-tight top chamber located upstream from the inlet opening of a melting aggregate that is thermally connected to a combustion chamber. The dust particles in the top chamber sink due to the effect of gravity in the melting aggregate and are melted therein. The procedure can be supported by an additional pressure gradient along the melting aggregate. The discharge of dust is largely avoided. The process is also suitable for vitrifying contaminated dust in particular.

Abstract: When waste glass that is strongly laden with organic impurities is melted, the organic constituents present in the melt give rise to so-called “black hearts” which can no longer be eliminated in a subsequent refining process, thus impairing the quality of the glass. According to the invention, gas nozzles for introducing oxygen are installed in the area of the inlet opening of a melting unit thermally connected to a combustion chamber. This allows a targeted oxidation of the organic constituents, which are then exhausted in the form of exhaust gas. With the invention, even highly contaminated waste glass such as, for instance, glass fibers, can be returned to the production process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to perform central control of in-line element (Ei) in a tree-like network by a line terminator (LT). A plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NTi, . . . , NTn) are coupled via one or more of such in-line elements (Ei) to the line terminator (LT) by dedicated branches and by a common branch, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet material having metal points (8) and surfaces (2 and 3) located opposite one another, wherein the sheet material (1) has through-holes (4) from one surface (2) to the surface (3) located opposite. Those through-holes (4) are filled with needle-point-shaped conical pins (5) or through-contacts (6) of electrically conducting material, whereas the surrounding sheet material in a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of an insulating plastics material (7). In a further embodiment of the invention, instead of the insulating plastics material (7) there are provided needle-shaped pins that are surrounded by air or some other gaseous medium. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such a sheet material (1) and to forms of use of the sheet material (1).

Abstract: A method to divide upstream timeslots in a multiple access system that couples a line terminator via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminators and the line terminator distributes downstream data packets to the plurality of network terminators. The line terminator includes a grant, associated with one of the network terminators, in the downstream packet. A network terminal, upon recognizing its associated grant in the downstream packet, transmits data in a packet placed in a predefined upstream timeslot. Depending on the type of line terminator (high or low order) and the placement of the grant in the downstream packet, the data transmitted by the network terminator, in response to the grant recognition, is placed in a high or low order timeslot for transmission to the line terminator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet material having metal points (8) and surfaces (2 and 3) located opposite one another, wherein the sheet material (1) has through-holes (4) from one surface (2) to the surface (3) located opposite. Those through-holes (4) are filled with needle-point-shaped conical pins (5) or through-contacts (6) of electrically conducting material, whereas the surrounding sheet material in a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of an insulating plastics material (7). In a further embodiment of the invention, instead of the insulating plastics material (7) there are provided needle-shaped pins that are surrounded by air or some other gaseous medium. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such a sheet material (1) and to forms of use of the sheet material (1).

Abstract: When waste glass that is strongly laden with organic impurities is melted, the organic constituents present in the melt give rise to so-called “black hearts” which can no longer be eliminated in a subsequent refining process, thus impairing the quality of the glass.

Abstract: The atomizing systems employed according to the state of the art in the production of powders are normally successively charged with liquid material from one or more melting pots for atomizing purposes. Due to the different ambient conditions that prevail inside the pot or in different pots during the melting or during the transfer of the melt, the resulting powder tends to be quite non-homogeneous. According to the invention, a device that serves to continuously melt a material is installed upstream from an atomizing system. A preferred example of such a device is the device known from WO 97/05440. The invention makes it possible to considerably improve the homogeneity of the powder produced by atomization. The system according to the invention allows not only the atomization of metallic material but also the production of non-metallic powder, especially glass powder.

Abstract: Up until now, in the case of smelting furnaces, especially smelting furnaces used to melt glass and having a melting unit accommodated in a combustion chamber, the melt being discharged from an outlet opening of the melting unit is regulated by mechanical means using a stopper rod. This entails the disadvantage that the melt flow is very irregular, in addition to which the risk exists that foreign particles might infiltrate the melt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet material having metal points (8) and surfaces (2 and 3) located opposite one another, wherein the sheet material (1) has through-holes (4) from one surface (2) to the surface (3) located opposite. Those through-holes (4) are filled with needle-point-shaped conical pins (5) or through-contacts (6) of electrically conducting material, whereas the surrounding sheet material in a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of an insulating plastics material (7). In a further embodiment of the invention, instead of the insulating plastics material (7) there are provided needle-shaped pins that are surrounded by air or some other gaseous medium. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such a sheet material (1) and to forms of use of the sheet material (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal membrane filter (1) and to a method and apparatus for the production thereof. The metal membrane filter (1) has rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2), which are arranged statistically distributed on the metal membrane filter surface (3) in a density of from a single filter pore (2) per cm2 up to 107 filter pores (2) per cm2. The average diameter of the filter pores (2) is uniform for all filter pores (2) and is from a few tens of nm up to several micrometres. The metal membrane filter (1) comprises a metal electro-deposited with rectilinear, cylindrical filter pores (2) or a correspondingly electro-deposited metal alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas generator comprising an outer housing made of plastic, in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge and an igniter having its own igniter housing are accommodated. The igniter housing consists at least partially of plastic and is welded with the outer housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator comprising a gas-tight outer housing consisting of at least two parts, a first part of which being a receiving part for pyrotechnic material and a second part of which being a base part which is connected with the receiving part by welding so as to form the outer housing. One of both parts has a radially projecting, surrounding flange with an outer peripheral edge and the other part has an axially extending, rim-like projection circumferentially surrounding said peripheral edge and having an inner surface which is contacted by the peripheral edge. The welding of the first and second parts is provided at the flange.