Abstract: Systems and methods ensure that datagrams retain integrity in light of the problems associated with the internetworking protocol's use of datagram identifiers drawn from a first pool of datagram identifiers. The methods involve controlling the use of datagram identifiers to ensure that only certain identifiers are allowable. A second pool of datagram identifiers is created that is different from the first pool. A datagram identifier is drawn from the second pool and assigned to a datagram in a manner that the datagram identifier is controlled from being reused during the lifetime of the datagram. In alternative embodiments the number of available datagram identifiers is either increased through optional header fields, or reduced through tracking allowed datagram identifiers. A first host notifies a second host of an allowed identifier. The second host uses the allowed identifier as a datagram identifier.

Abstract: A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. These media items are pre-emptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis.

Abstract: An audio-based guide arrangement is provided for guiding a user along a target path by the use of virtual audio beacons. The user's current location is sensed and compared to the target path. Sounds are fed to the user, for example through stereo headphones, to simulate one or more audio beacons appearing to be located in a direction at least approximating the direction of the target path onward from the user's current position. Preferably, each successive location of the audio beacon is determined by determining a segment onward from the user's current position of a piecewise linear approximation to the target path, and setting the apparent location of the beacon at or relative to the end of this segment.

Abstract: For members of a party visiting a space with which media objects are associated, the shared experience can be enhanced by the sharing of such objects by the group members for presentation on devices for example carried by the group members. Where the media object is a streamed media object, the experience can be further enhanced by coordinating the consumption of the object by the group members. To this end, a server streaming the media object to a first device is arranged to respond to a request for coordinated consumption by establishing streaming of the object to a second device starting from a position in the media object that is dependent on progress of the streaming/presentation of the object to/at the first device.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating raw meat to prevent bacterial growth, including Clostridium perfringens and Listeria, on or in the meat. The compositions of the invention are applied to the surface of the meat, mixed into the meat or both to obtain antibacterial effect.

Abstract: Improved and outgrowth protection against Clostridium perfringens in meat products is obtained by incorporating into the meat product 0.05 to about 2% of sodium acetate or sodium diacetate in addition to about 0.2% to about 4% of citric acid buffered sodium citrate.

Abstract: An audio-based guide arrangement is provided for guiding a user along a target path by the use of stereo audio cues. The user's current location is sensed and compared to the target path. Sounds are fed to the user through left and right audio channels and these sounds are varied to indicate the user's divergence from the target path. In particular, the left and right channel sounds are varied in a complementary manner preferably by increasing the frequency of the sound in one channel whilst simultaneously decreasing the frequency of the sound in the other channel and vice versa.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about a real-world space such as an exhibition space. In a preferred embodiment, users visiting a space are equipped with mobile devices in communication with a service system. The mobile devices are arranged to deposit virtual markers with the service system as the users progress around the space. These markers are stored used to provide trail information concerning use of the space. An operator provided with an interface to the service system can directly modify the stored markers or their significance to thereby modify the trail information.

Abstract: A system is provided for changing the critical speed of a shaft that includes: a first shaft supported for relative rotational movement with respect to a stationary structure, a forward bearing disposed at the forward end of the shaft, an aft bearing disposed at the aft end of the shaft, at least one active bearing disposed between the forward bearing and the aft bearing, and means for changing the support stiffness of the active bearing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for coating a medical device comprising the steps of applying to at least a portion of the surface of said medical device, an antimicrobial coating layer and a non-pathogenic bacterial coating layer, wherein the antimicrobial and non-pathogenic bacterial coating layers inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacterial and fungal organisms. The non-pathogenic bacterium used in the bacterial coating layer is resistant to the antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic bacterium layer includes at least one of the following: viable whole cells, non-viable whole cells, or cellular structures or extracts. The antimicrobial agent and non-pathogenic bacterium are used to develop a kit comprising these compositions in one container or in separate containers. The kit is used to coat a catheter prior to implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for coating a medical device comprising the steps of applying to at least a portion of the surface of said medical device, an antimicrobial coating layer and a non-pathogenic bacterial coating layer, wherein the antimicrobial and non-pathogenic bacterial coating layers inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacterial and fungal organisms. The non-pathogenic bacterium used in the bacterial coating layer is resistant to the antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic bacterium layer includes at least one of the following: viable whole cells, non-viable whole cells, or cellular structures or extracts. The antimicrobial agent and non-pathogenic bacterium are used to develop a kit comprising these compositions in one container or in separate containers. The kit is used to coat a catheter prior to implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about a real-world space such as an exhibition space. In a preferred embodiment, users visiting a space are equipped with mobile devices in communication with a service system. The mobile devices are arranged to deposit virtual markers with the service system as the users progress around the space. These markers are stored and decayed with time, either individually or in location-dependent marker aggregations, and data on the current strength values of the markers or marker aggregations is used to provide information concerning use of the space.

Abstract: A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. Preferably, these media items are preemptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis. In order to reduce load on the service system and the related communication infrastructure, a media item needed by a mobile device is first sought from a nearby device using a short-range communication mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about a real-world space such as an exhibition space. In a preferred embodiment, a user visiting a hall is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. The mobile device is arranged to deposit virtual markers with the service system as the user progresses around the hall. These markers are aggregated with markers deposited in respect of other users thereby enabling information such as trail information to be built up for use by other users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about a real-world space such as an exhibition space. In a preferred embodiment, users visiting a space are equipped with mobile devices in communication with a service system. The mobile devices are arranged to deposit virtual markers of more than one type with the service system as the users progress around the space. These markers are stored may be decayed with time, either individually or in location-dependent marker aggregations. Information concerning use of the space is derived using data about stored markers of a specific type or combinations of types selected according to the nature of the information to be provided.

Abstract: A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. These media items are pre-emptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for coating a medical device comprising the steps of applying to at least a portion of the surface of said medical device, an antimicrobial coating layer and a non-pathogenic bacterial coating layer, wherein the antimicrobial and non-pathogenic bacterial coating layers inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacterial and fungal organisms. The non-pathogenic bacterium used in the bacterial coating layer is resistant to the antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic bacterium layer includes at least one of the following: viable whole cells, non-viable whole cells, or cellular structures or extracts. The antimicrobial agent and non-pathogenic bacterium are used to develop a kit comprising these compositions in one container or in separate containers. The kit is used to coat a catheter prior to implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: A system is provided for changing the critical speed of a shaft that includes: a first shaft supported for relative rotational movement with respect to a stationary structure, a forward bearing disposed at the forward end of the shaft, an aft bearing disposed at the aft end of the shaft, at least one active bearing disposed between the forward bearing and the aft bearing, and means for changing the support stiffness of the active bearing.

Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) package is disclosed comprising an IC chip with a microcontroller therein having an n-bit data bus, and up to n pins electrically coupled to the microcontroller. The IC package also includes a control register coupled to the microcontroller for receiving enable and disable signals from the microcontroller. One or more of the pins have one or more functional block associated thereto. Each functional block defines a specified function for its corresponding pin. Thus, each pin having a plurality of corresponding functional blocks has a number of potential functions equal to the number of corresponding functional blocks. The specific function for a given pin is selected by the enable signal from the control register which selects the appropriate functional block upon appropriate command from the microcontroller. By using pins with multiple functions, the instant invention permits an n-bit architecture microcontroller to use less than or equal to n pins.

Abstract: An audio-based guide arrangement is provided for guiding a user along a target path by the use of virtual audio beacons. The user's current location is sensed and compared to the target path. Sounds are fed to the user, for example through stereo headphones, to simulate one or more audio beacons appearing to be located in a direction at least approximating the direction of the target path onward from the user's current position. Preferably, each successive location of the audio beacon is determined by determining a segment onward from the user's current position of a piecewise linear approximation to the target path, and setting the apparent location of the beacon at or relative to the end of this segment.