Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring a substrate for semiconductor lithography with a reference interferometer for ascertaining the change in the ambient conditions, wherein the reference interferometer comprises a means for changing the optical path length of a measurement section of the reference interferometer, wherein the means is configured to bring about a change in the refractive index.

Abstract: A method, by a multipath control entity, to control a transmission of a user data plane stream between a mobile entity and a proxy, wherein the user data plane stream is exchanged between the mobile entity and an application server connected to the proxy. In a split decision, it is determined that the user data plane stream is split into at least two stream parts and over which of the supported network technologies each of the at least two stream parts is transmitted between the mobile entity and proxy. A multipath connection module in the mobile entity is informed in a first control message which stream part is transmitted by which network technology in accordance with the split decision, and a multipath connection module provided in the proxy is informed in a second control message which stream part is transmitted by which network technology in accordance with the split decision.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage device for a gaming system are provided. For plays of the game, the gaming system determines and displays symbols in reels. Additionally, the gaming system determines a per-reel count of trigger symbols among the displayed symbols, and updates trigger counters corresponding to the reels using the per-reel count of the trigger symbols. The gaming system also determines whether one or more of the trigger counters is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold and initiates a bonus game upon determining that one or more of the trigger counters meets the predetermined threshold. Further, the gaming system displays and locks special symbols in the reels having trigger counters greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold such that the special symbols are not replaced by other symbols displayed in the bonus game.

Abstract: The gaming system and method may provide a game that includes a first set of symbol display areas and one or more second sets of symbol display areas. In some implementations, the gaming system adds symbols to the one or more second sets of symbol display areas based on winning symbols displayed in the first set of symbol display areas. In some implementations, a second set of symbol display areas may correspond to a particular type of symbol such that the gaming system does not mix symbol types when adding symbols to the second set of symbol display areas. In some implementations, when the gaming system determines that a second set of symbol display areas includes a threshold quantity of symbols, the gaming system may provide the player with a secondary award.

Abstract: A gaming system and method provide a game that can increase the quantity of a displayed predetermined symbol based on a suitable game event. In some implementations, the suitable game event can be a non-winning event associated with a displayed predetermined symbol. Increasing the quantity of a displayed predetermined symbol provides additional ways for a player to obtain winning symbol combinations and awards.

Abstract: A technique for registering a device (10) with a rights issuer system (12) in a digital rights management (DRM) context is described. The device (10) is provided with DRM registration information that is required to use protected content. The DRM registration information is generated from rights issuer information on the one hand and device information on the other hand. The DRM registration technique described herein does not require an interactive registration protocol between a rights issuer server (12) and the device (10). Rather, the DRM registration information may be generated and transferred to the device (10) even if the device (10) is offline, inactive or switched-off.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method perform operations including generating and displaying symbols, where a player collects and stores predetermined symbols. The operations also include converting the predetermined symbols into awards for the player. The operations further include generating and displaying a new plurality of symbols and enabling the player to collect and store predetermined symbols from the generated new plurality of symbols while the gaming system also displays nudge symbols. The operations further include moving symbols in a column of displayed symbols when one of a plurality of columns of displayed symbols includes a nudge symbol. The nudge symbols in a column of displayed symbols may prevent replacement of the displayed symbols in the column with the newly generated symbols.

Abstract: The application relates to Network Function Virtualisation as standardised by ETSI GS NFV002 VI.2.1. The standard provides for dynamic instantiation and management of VNF instances. When using base stations as platforms on which VNFs can be instantiated, it has to be decided how this is done in an efficient way. The application proposes that in case a UE moves from an area covered by a source base station (210) to an area covered by a target base station (220), at least one VNF (250) is deployed on the target base station. This VNF may be a clone of a VNF (240) hosted by the source bases station.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method perform operations including generating and displaying symbols, where a player collects and stores predetermined symbols. The operations also include converting the predetermined symbols into awards for the player. The operations further include generating and displaying a new plurality of symbols and enabling the player to collect and store predetermined symbols from the generated new plurality of symbols while the gaming system also displays nudge symbols. The operations further include moving symbols in a column of displayed symbols when one of a plurality of columns of displayed symbols includes a nudge symbol. The nudge symbols in a column of displayed symbols may prevent replacement of the displayed symbols in the column with the newly generated symbols.

Abstract: The application relates to Network Function Virtualisation as standardised by ETSI GS NFV002 VI.2.1. The standard provides for dynamic instantiation and management of VNF instances. When using base stations as platforms on which VNFs can be instantiated, it has to be decided how this is done in an efficient way. The application proposes that in case a UE moves from an area covered by a source base station (210) to an area covered by a target base station (220), at least one VNF (250) is deployed on the target base station. This VNF may be a clone of a VNF (240) hosted by the source bases station.

Abstract: A method, by a multipath control entity (100), to control a transmission of a user data plane stream via different network technologies between a mobile entity (200) and a proxy (300), wherein the user data plane stream is exchanged between the mobile entity (200) and an application server (410) connected to the proxy (300). It is determined which network technologies are supported by the mobile entity (200), and which network technologies are available for the mobile entity (200). In a split decision, it is determined that the user data plane stream is split into at least two stream parts and over which of the supported network technologies each of the at least two stream parts is transmitted between the mobile entity (200) and proxy (300) taking into account the supported and available network technologies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling, by a multipath control entity (100), a remote access from a client device (300) to a server (235) connected to a residential multipath entity, via a multipath connection. The multipath connection includes at least two transmission networks (11, 12) between the client device (300) and the server (235). The method comprises the following steps: First, a session request for an establishment of a data session is received from the residential multipath entity (200), the session request indicating that the session request is for the remote access to the server (235). Then, a session identifier is determined for the remote access including the multipath connection. Then, in a response to the received session request the determined session identifier is transmitted back to the residential multipath entity.

Abstract: Presented is a technique for broadcasting content data from a broadcaster (including a multicaster) to a plurality of clients. After a client receives content data from the broadcaster, a plurality of available proxy servers may be contacted, within a specified time interval, for post-processing after the content data broadcast is determined. The client subsequently randomly selects one of the available proxy servers to contact for post-processing after the content data broadcast. The client then randomly selects a delay time within the contact interval for the selected proxy server, at which time the client contacts the selected proxy server at the delay time to initiate post-processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling, by a multipath control entity (100), a remote access from a client device (300) to a server (235) connected to a residential multipath entity, via a multipath connection. The multipath connection includes at least two transmission networks (11, 12) between the client device (300) and the server (235). The method comprises the following steps: First, a session request for an establishment of a data session is received from the residential multipath entity (200), the session request indicating that the session request is for the remote access to the server (235). Then, a session identifier is determined for the remote access including the multipath connection. Then, in a response to the received session request the determined session identifier is transmitted back to the residential multipath entity.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the distribution of content via broadcast bearers and non-broadcast bearers is described. A method embodiment of this technique includes the steps of providing a plurality of content channels, each content channel being associated with at least one of a first bearer type and a second bearer type, maintaining mapping information for the content channels, the mapping information being indicative of the bearer associations between content channels and bearer types, and controlling content distribution in accordance with the associations between content channels and bearer types.

Abstract: Presented is a technique for broadcasting content data from a broadcaster (including a multicaster) to a plurality of clients. After a client receives content data from the broadcaster, a plurality of available proxy servers may be contacted, within a specified time interval, for post-processing after the content data broadcast is determined. The client subsequently randomly selects one of the available proxy servers to contact for post-processing after the content data broadcast. The client then randomly selects a delay time within the contact interval for the selected proxy server, at which time the client contacts the selected proxy server at the delay time to initiate post-processing.

Abstract: A system, method, and media edge proxy, MEP, for providing media data such as Internet Protocol Television, IPTV, or Internet radio channels to a media client. The MEP obtains the media data from a media server utilizing a temporary unicast connection and provides the media data obtained from the server to the media client for an initial time period. Upon determining that the initial time period has expired, the MEP obtains the media data via multicast from a multicast router, provides the media data obtained from the router to the media client, and releases the temporary unicast connection. The invention reduces channel switching delay and thus improves quality-of-experience for the end-user. The invention also avoids excessive IGMP JOIN/LEAVE signaling when a user switches quickly through channels.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a technique for broadcasting content data from a broadcaster (including a multicaster) to a plurality of clients. After a client receives content data from the broadcaster, a plurality of available proxy servers may be contacted for post-processing after the content data broadcast is determined. The client subsequently randomly selects one of the available proxy servers to contact for post-processing after the content data broadcast. The client may further randomly select a delay time within a contact interval for the selected proxy server, at which time the client contacts the selected proxy server at the delay time to initiate post-processing.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a transmission capability of a transmission link (TL) is disclosed. A sending entity (SE) sends data packets at a sending rate to the transmission link (TL), which transmits the data packets according to its transmission capability to a receiving entity (RE) receiving the data packets at a receiving rate. The sending rate is modulated with a rate modulation and the following steps are executed by an analysis entity (AE): obtaining the sending rate, obtaining the receiving rate, comparing the obtained sending rate and the obtained receiving rate to determine a relation of the obtained sending rate and the obtained receiving rate and to determine an appearance of the rate modulation of the sending rate in the obtained receiving rate, and obtaining the information about the transmission capability based on the determined relation and the determined appearance of the rate modulation.

Abstract: A system, method, and media edge proxy, MEP, (17) for providing media data such as Internet Protocol Television, IPTV, or Internet radio channels to a media client (12). The MEP obtains the media data from a media server (18) utilizing a temporary unicast connection and provides the media data obtained from the server to the media client for an initial time period. Upon determining that the initial time period has expired, the MEP obtains the media data via multicast from a multicast router (27), provides the media data obtained from the router to the media client, and releases the temporary unicast connection. The invention reduces channel switching delay and thus improves quality-of-experience for the end-user. The invention also avoids excessive IGMP JOIN/LEAVE signaling when a user switches quickly through channels.