Abstract: An Online Charging System (“OCS”) that processes charging on a telecommunications network receives an indication of usage of a telecommunications service by a subscriber. In response to the indication, the OCS determines a configured offering for the service, where the configured offering includes a time period, and a credit and/or debit. The OCS determines if the usage of the service is a first usage within the time period, and when the usage is the first usage, applies the credit and/or debit. The OCS then determines a charge for the usage based on credit and/or debit.

Abstract: An Online Charging System (“OCS”) for charging a data session of a subscriber, in response to a request to initiate the data session provides a first granted service units of data for the data session. During the data session, the OCS receives a change in charging conditions for the subscriber and, in response to the change, sends a re-authorization message to the subscriber. In response to the re-authorization message, the OCS receives from the subscriber a first update message that includes a used service units for the data session since the previous update message. In response to the update message, and based on the change in charging conditions and the used service units, the OCS then provides a second granted service units of data for the data session.

Abstract: A method (1005) generates one or more linear blends. Initially, the method has a list of already received one or more fill-paths defining a current linear blend, and a newly received fill-path, where the fill-paths each comprise a single colored parallelogram (eg. 700). The method adds (1090) the new fill-path to the list to become the last fill-path in the list, if the difference (1230) in color between the new fill-path and the last fill-path in the list is no greater, in each color channel, than a predetermined threshold value multiplied by the difference in color between the last and second-last fill-paths in the list. The predetermined threshold value is preset to such a value so that the new fill-path will not be added to the list if the new fill-path does not visually form part of the current linear blend. The method repeats this step for each new fill-path received until the aforementioned condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A method of rendering a plurality of graphical objects, each having a predetermined object outline, a predetermined z-order, and an associated fill, the object outline for a particular object defining an area in which the particular object is filled, includes the steps of (a) combining each of the objects to form a grouped object, the grouped object having a grouped object outline and an associated compound fill, the compound fill comprising a plurality of fill data structures describing the fills associated with the graphical objects, and (b) rendering the grouped object according to the grouped object outline, wherein one or more fills used to render the grouped object are determined according to the compound fill.

Abstract: A graphics rendering system (400) and method (500) are disclosed for forming object groups from input objects (431 through 438). The graphics rendering system (400) comprises an number of detection schemes (421 to 423), a managing module (410) and a rendering module (405). Each detection scheme (421 to 423) has a priority and an associated object group type, and is operative to detect whether an object forms part of an object group of the associated object group type. The managing module (410) passes data describing a received input object to at least one of the detection schemes (421 to 423), and receives notification from the detection scheme(s) whether the object forms part of the object group(s). The managing module (410) then determines whether one or more of the object groups are completely formed, where at least partly formed object groups form a list.

Abstract: A graphics rendering system (400) and method (500) are disclosed for forming object groups from input objects (431 through 438). The graphics rendering system (400) comprises an number of detection schemes (421 to 423), a managing module (410) and a rendering module (405). Each detection scheme (421 to 423) has a priority and an associated object group type, and is operative to detect whether an object forms part of an object group of the associated object group type. The managing module (410) passes data describing a received input object to at least one of the detection schemes (421 to 423), and receives notification from the detection scheme(s) whether the object forms part of the object group(s). The managing module (410) then determines whether one or more of the object groups are completely formed, where at least partly formed object groups form a list.

Abstract: A method (1005) generates one or more linear blends. Initially, the method has a list of already received one or more fill-paths defining a current linear blend, and a newly received fill-path, where the fill-paths each comprise a single colored parallelogram (eg. 700). The method adds (1090) the new fill-path to the list to become the last fill-path in the list, if the difference (1230) in color between the new fill-path and the last fill-path in the list is no greater, in each color channel, than a predetermined threshold value multiplied by the difference in color between the last and second-last fill-paths in the list. The predetermined threshold value is preset to such a value so that the new fill-path will not be added to the list if the new fill-path does not visually form part of the current linear blend. The method repeats this step for each new fill-path received until the aforementioned condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A communication network for an area such as an underground mine. A plurality of cascaded base stations (13) are serially interconnected in a ring structure (11) to form a network backbone. One of the base stations (13) at one end of the network backbone forms a network controller (15) for controlling the network. A plurality of portables (17) are adapted for communication with any of the base stations via a common air interface. A backbone network protocol (19) is provided for communicating between the network controller (15) and all of the base stations (13) and between the base stations (13) along the network backbone themselves. A common air interface protocol (21) is provided for communicating between a portable (17) and a base station (13). The other base stations (13) function as slaves relative to the network controller (15).

Abstract: Disclosed is a large alloy forging, the forging having an alloy composition selected from one of a nickel base alloy, a cobalt-chromium-nickel base alloy, a nickel-cobalt base alloy and an iron-nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy, the forging having a grain size of ASTM grain size 3 or finer, as measured by ASTM method E112 and having a tensile strength in the range of 135 to 175 KSI.

Abstract: Disclosed is a large alloy forging and method for making it. The forging having an alloy composition selected from one of a nickel base alloy, a cobalt-chromium-nickel base alloy, a nickel-cobalt base alloy and an iron-nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy and having a grain size of ASTM grain size 4 or finer, as measured by ASTM method E112 and having a tensile strength in the range of 135 to 175 KSI. The process includes: (1) four upset forgings, (2) a rapid cooling after the final upset cooling, (3) a first and second upset forging with a reduction greater than 50%, (4) a third upset forging with a reduction greater than 25.%, and (5) a forging process with a fourth upset forging with a reduction greater than 50%.