Abstract: A floatation apparel system for discreetly providing buoyancy includes a garment being worn by a user while engaged in aquatic activities. The garment includes a plurality of body apertures having a portion of a person's body extending through. Each body aperture has a perimeter edge, and at least one tubular ring is attached to the garment and is co-extensive with one of the body apertures. Furthermore, at least one tubular ring is buoyant in water.

Abstract: The present invention features interferon-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the treatment comprises administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents to a subject with HCV infection, wherein the treatment lasts for 12 weeks and does not include administration of either interferon or ribavirin, and said at least two direct acting antiviral agents comprise (a) Compound 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and (b) Compound 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A floatation apparel system for discreetly providing buoyancy includes a garment being worn by a user while engaged in aquatic activities. The garment includes a plurality of body apertures having a portion of a person's body extending through. Each body aperture has a perimeter edge, and at least one tubular ring is attached to the garment and is co-extensive with one of the body apertures. Furthermore, at least one tubular ring is buoyant in water.

Abstract: A method of temperature control for maintaining actual temperature at a set point uses a learning period from which to acquire parameters that are used to control temperature. The method defines a learning period as one complete oscillation of the actual temperature about the set temperature. During such an oscillation period, the actual temperature will have been exclusively above and below the set temperature for one segment each.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: Planting structures including a container including a base and defining a container opening opposite the base, a first bulb support structure supported within the container, the first bulb support structure defines a first bulb compartment located proximate the container opening, and a first bulb support structure height selected to position the first bulb compartment a first selected distance from the container opening, and a second bulb support structure supported within the container, the second bulb support structure defines a second bulb compartment located proximate the container opening, and a second bulb support structure height selected to position the second bulb compartment a second selected distance from the container opening. In some examples, the planting structure includes a varmint resistant enclosure extending from the base around an entire periphery of the base, the lateral enclosure terminating opposite the base defining a lateral enclosure opening opposite the base.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: A method for compressing a message is described comprising: identifying a first field and a second field within the message; applying a first set of code words to encode data in the first field; and applying a second set of code words to encore data in the second field.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.

Abstract: A system is described in which, under certain conditions, a wireless data processing apparatus and/or the service to which the apparatus communicates, will enter a batch processing mode. Under the batch processing mode, the apparatus and/or service will combine a series of message transactions (e.g., message viewings, message deletions, . . . etc) before synchronizing with the service and/or apparatus, respectively. Various types of batch processing parameters may be set to determine whether the system should enter batch processing mode and/or how batch processing should be performed once batch processing mode has been entered.

Abstract: A method for compressing a message is disclosed, comprising: identifying a block of data within the message which is found in a previous message; generating a pointer identifying the block of data in said previous message; and replacing the block of data with the pointer in the message.

Abstract: A computer-based training system and related methods utilizing a simulated offshore environment. The training system allows users to safely simulate various job tasks in which they are expected to perform prior to actually performing the job tasks in an offshore environment. Conditions can be altered each time to make the training session easier or more difficult, which also enables users to experience a different training scenario each time. The system allows users to make mistakes in a safe environment, before there are any real consequences, such as an injury or an environmental upset. The training system has reporting and updating capabilities to enable companies to determine the status of employee training and ensure that all of the procedures are current and consistent company-wide.

Abstract: A method for compressing a message is described comprising: identifying a first field and a second field within the message; applying a first set of code words to encode data in the first field; and applying a second set of code words to encore data in the second field.

Abstract: A method for compressing a message is disclosed, comprising: identifying a block of data within the message which is found in a previous message; generating a pointer identifying the block of data in said previous message; and replacing the block of data with the pointer in the message.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus for use with a computer, comprising a transceiver for two-way wireless communication with a plaything, the transceiver having terminals for connection to the computer, and a control device for causing the computer to send and receive information to and from the plaything via the transceiver to enable the plaything to provide interactive fantasy simulation of the behavior of a corresponding real-world object. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for enabling fantasy play using a computer and a plaything, comprising at the plaything, delivering output and receiving input associated with the fantasy play, and generating control signals at the computer for controlling the output based on the input, and by wireless communication sending the control signals from the computer to the plaything and sending the input from the plaything to the computer.