Abstract: One embodiment relates to a transmission regulation method is for implementation by a station having at least one frame for transmission via a telecommunications network, the station belonging to a first group of stations sharing the same contention resolution mechanism. The method comprises participating in a tournament serving to decide, within the first group, between stations entitled to transmit at the end of the tournament and stations not entitled to transmit, and when the station is entitled to transmit, the method comprises transmitting the frame in a time period during which stations of a second group performing another contention resolution mechanism are not entitled to transmit in the network.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for pulling a crown plug from a subsea horizontal christmas tree, the method comprising: (a) providing a subsea lubricator having a longitudinal through bore and a jack attached to the subsea lubricator, the jack having a landing area, and the landing area having an opening which is fluidly connected to the lubricator's through bore; (b) providing a jacking string which includes a landing sub and a crown plug connector, the sub having a landing surface; (c) without the jacking string in step “b”, lowering the subsea lubricator of step “a”, to the horizontal christmas tree and attaching the lubricator to the christmas tree; (d) lowering the jacking string to the lubricator, and, while the landing surface of the landing sub is spaced above and not supported by the landing area of the jack, connecting the plug connector to the crown plug while the landing sub is above and not touching the landing area of the jack; (e) jacking up the jack such that the landing area of the jack c

Abstract: A rod holder mounting system including first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies adapted to couple to first and second opposing ends of a rod holder sub-assembly. The first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies respectively couple to first and second opposing ones of a vehicle's existing tie down bracket coupling locations, existing tie down brackets, or a tool box, and the rod holder sub-assembly includes a cross bar with rod holder tubes and first and second locking systems adapted to removably couple the cross bar to the first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies, respectively. The rod holder mounting system allows for the transportation of fishing rods and reels in a vehicle and locks both the rod holder sub-assembly to the vehicle and the rods and reels to the mounting system.

Abstract: A delivery device 1010 for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve 200, the delivery device including an inner shaft 1026, a distal sheath 1024 disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment 1023 with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being movable relative to one another, and a handle 1020 including a frame 1030 having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the handle further including a deployment actuator 1021 and a hub 1100, each of the deployment actuator and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, the hub further including a hub actuator 1600 coupled to the inner shaft.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention planting containers and associated trays for the production, distribution and display of plants where the planting containers have a channel in the base for engaging with a production or display tray for positioning plant pots in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the plant container is a flower pot which comprises an upper part; a middle part connected at one end to the upper part; and a bottom part connected to an opposite end of the middle part; the bottom part having a channel extending from one side of the bottom part to the other side of the bottom part; said channel having an apex perpendicular to an axis of the pot, first and second sides, and a plurality of slots at the apex for engaging with a rail system on the tray having teeth.

Abstract: A rod holder mounting system including first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies adapted to couple to first and second opposing ends of a rod holder sub-assembly. The first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies respectively couple to first and second opposing ones of a vehicle's existing tie down bracket coupling locations, existing tie down brackets, or a tool box, and the rod holder sub-assembly includes a cross bar with rod holder tubes and first and second locking systems adapted to removably couple the cross bar to the first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies, respectively. The rod holder mounting system allows for the transportation of fishing rods and reels in a vehicle and locks both the rod holder sub-assembly to the vehicle and the rods and reels to the mounting system.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for pulling a crown plug from a subsea horizontal christmas tree, the method comprising: (a) providing a subsea lubricator having a longitudinal through bore and a jack attached to the subsea lubricator, the jack having a landing area, and the landing area having an opening which is fluidly connected to the lubricator's through bore; (b) providing a jacking string which includes a landing sub and a crown plug connector, the sub having a landing surface; (c) without the jacking string in step “b”, lowering the subsea lubricator of step “a”, to the horizontal christmas tree and attaching the lubricator to the christmas tree; (d) lowering the jacking string to the lubricator, and, while the landing surface of the landing sub is spaced above and not supported by the landing area of the jack, connecting the plug connector to the crown plug while the landing sub is above and not touching the landing area of the jack; (e) jacking up the jack such that the landing area of the jack c

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a transmission regulation method is for implementation by a station having at least one frame for transmission via a telecommunications network, the station belonging to a first group of stations sharing the same contention resolution mechanism. The method comprises participating in a tournament serving to decide, within the first group, between stations entitled to transmit at the end of the tournament and stations not entitled to transmit, and when the station is entitled to transmit, the method comprises transmitting the frame in a time period during which stations of a second group performing another contention resolution mechanism are not entitled to transmit in the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to connection management in a telecommunication network and particularly relates to a method (30) for managing telecommunication network connections, comprising a step of creating at least one list (L1, L2, . . . , LN, LN+1) of connections, said list being associated to a time interval (DL1, DL2, . . . , DLN, DLN+1) having a predetermined period and used to record at least one active connection (C1), for example, for which a transfer of a packet has been detected, in the time interval associated to the considered list.

Abstract: A sleep device for newborns and infants that provides a separate but proximate sleep area near a caregiver or parent's bed and at the same level the caregiver is sleeping at for increased visibility of infant and easier access to the infant without the need for the parent to leave their own bed. The sleep device allows for more convenient access to the infant, better ability to soothe and comfort the infant thru close, yet safe contact, and easier access and egress to the adult bed. The sleep device can include a bumper that slopes downwardly in a direction from a rear bumper portion to a front bumper portion so that a rear side wall portion has a vertical height that is greater than a vertical height of a front side wall portion.

Abstract: A method of improving computing efficiency of a computer may include receiving instructions for performing an overall calculation comprised of a plurality of sub-calculations. Whether a sub-calculation has been previously performed may be determined and the sub-calculation may be identified as a prior sub-calculation. Whether the prior sub-calculation was calculated with a time-dependent data set having original data may be determined. Whether the time-dependent data set has changed data since the prior sub-calculation may be determined. The sub-calculation may be performed to include a new sub-calculation with the changed data to obtain changed sub-calculation results. The overall calculation may be performed with the changed sub-calculation results. If the time-dependent data set does not have changed data, an original sub-calculation result based on the time-dependent data set having the original data may be identified and utilized in the overall calculation instead of performing the new sub-calculation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and visually monitoring the wear of a continuous conveyor chain without having to stop the conveyor chain. The method and apparatus provides first and second sensors fixedly spaced along the conveyor chain at a predetermined distance and first and second opposing visualization devices oppositely positioned at a point along the conveyor chain. The first and second sensors generate signals corresponding to the presence and absence of successive links provided in the conveyor chain. The generated signals are received and processed, and the necessary time intervals are calculated for providing an output indicative of chain wear of any portion of the chain. Several parameters of chain wear may be calculated, including chain stretch and instantaneous chain speed. The first and second visualization devices capture visual images of each of the links so as to visually inspect and identify any problems associated with the links.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a computer processor coupled with a call center device positioned to receive an input communication containing PII data and originating from a telephone caller, wherein the computer processor implements code to suppress at least a portion of the received PII data without requiring a physical interrupt of the input communication so that the received PII data is not conveyed to a call center agent or to a computer of the call center agent.