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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A laser transmitter comprising a laser diode (1) and a monitoring photodiode (2) adapted to receive a small part (LS1) of a light signal (LS) of the laser diode and to derive therefrom an output current (SC). The transmitter further comprises regulation means (4) adapted for receiving the output current and for sending a signal (CS) to a current driver (5) in order to regulate the input current (IC) of the laser diode (1) as a function of this output current (SC). The transmitter also comprises a register (6) adapted to store data to be used by the regulation means (4) or to be read by a serial interface, and pattern detection means (7) adapted to scan all the traffic and thus all the packets of the upstream flow to the laser diode (1) to check whether pre-determined bit-patterns are present.

Abstract: A method to divide upstream timeslots in a multiple access system that couples a line terminator (LT) via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NT16) and that distributes downstream data packets by the line terminator to the plurality of network terminators.

Abstract: A method to determine a switching moment (Ti) of a switch (SWi) is provided. The switch is coupled to an optical combiner (OC) of a tree-like optical network. The optical combiner enables multiple access of information signals (IN1, . . . , INi, . . . INn) which are upstream transmitted from network units (NU1, NU1′, NU1″, . . . , NUi, . . . , NUn) to a line terminator (LT) via the cascade connection of dedicated branches (B1, . . . , Bi, . . . , Bn), the optical combiner and a common branch (BC). The switch passes an information signal (INi) at an approximated switching moment (APP-Ti) when the information signal is present and interrupts the branch when the information signal is not present.

Abstract: A device for fastening a first flat component (1) to a second flat component (2) comprises a spring clip (3). The second component (2) has a rectangular recess (4) which is engaged by the first component (1) with two opposing, angled plane material sections (5) in which slot-type recesses (6) are configured oriented parallel to the second component (2). The spring clip (3) has a U- or V-shaped cross-section and outwardly bent flanges (7). These flanges (7) are inserted between the material sections (5) and supported in the first component (1). The angled flanges (7) of the spring clip (3) extend in a final fitted position through the slot-type recesses (6) and engage behind the second component (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the solvent-free and dry production of particles from plastics. According to the invention, the plastic is heated to form a viscous material, in this form, is conveyed as material stream through an outlet into a comminution device and there, with spraying of a pressurized liquid atomization medium against it, is comminuted into fibrids and/or fine particles.