Author: claimsbot

1. An apparatus comprising:
a channel estimator to provide a channel estimate;
a multiplier coupled to the channel estimator to multiply a quantized output of a demodulator with the channel estimate to produce N symbols of a signal corresponding to a carrier, wherein N is an integer greater than one;
a de-interleaver coupled to the multiplier to de-interleave the N symbols; and
an averager coupled to the de-interleaver to average the N de-interleaved symbols to generate a channel response at the carrier.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a first quantizer to generate the quantized output of the demodulator; and
a second quantizer to generate input to the channel estimator corresponding to the carrier; and
a slicer coupled to the averager to slice the channel response to provide a decoding decision.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the averager comprises:
N\u22121 storage elements connected in cascade to store N\u22121 de-interleaved symbols; and
an adder coupled to the (N\u22121) storage elements to add the N de-interleaved symbols including the N\u22121 stored de-interleaved symbols.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein N is a power of two.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal is received from a power line.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the demodulator is compatible with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).
7. A method comprising:
providing a channel estimate;
multiplying a quantized output of a demodulator with the channel estimate to produce N symbols of a signal corresponding to a carrier, wherein N is an integer greater than one;
de-interleaving the N symbols; and
averaging the N de-interleaved symbols, the averaged N de-interleaved symbols representing a channel response at the carrier.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
generating the quantized output of the demodulator; and
generating input to the channel estimator corresponding to the carrier; and
slicing the channel response to provide a decoding decision.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein averaging comprises:
storing N\u22121 de-interleaved symbols in N\u22121 storage elements connected in cascade; and
adding the N de-interleaved symbols including the N\u22121 stored de-interleaved symbols.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein N is a power of two.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein the signal is received from a power line.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the demodulator is compatible with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).
13. A system comprising:
a demodulator to demodulate a signal received from a power line; and
a decoder coupled to the demodulator to decode the demodulated signal, the decoder comprising:
a channel estimator to provide a channel estimate,
a multiplier coupled to the channel estimator to multiply a quantized output of the demodulator with the channel estimate to produce N symbols of a signal corresponding to a carrier, wherein N is an integer greater than one,
a de-interleaver coupled to the multiplier to de-interleave the N symbols, and
an averager coupled to the de-interleaver to average the N de-interleaved symbols to generate a channel response at the carrier.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

That which is claimed is:

1. A process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions, which process comprises:
providing a high-boiling hydrogenation feedstock comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons and sulfur-containing organic compounds, the feedstock consisting essentially of material boiling between about 200 C. and about 425 C. and having a sulfur content up to about 2,500 ppm;
contacting the high-boiling feedstock with a gaseous source of dihydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of hydrogen into one or more of the sulfur-containing andor nitrogen-containing organic compounds and under conditions suitable for hydrogenation of one or more of the sulfur-containing organic compounds; and
recovering a product comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds and having a sulfur content less than about 35 ppm of sulfur.
2. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogenation catalysts are the same or different and comprises at least one active metal, selected from the group consisting of the d-transition elements, each incorporated onto an inert support in an amount of from about 0.1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of the total catalyst.
3. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogenation catalyst comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, molybdenum and tungsten.
4. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 1 wherein the recovered product contains less than about 15 ppm of sulfur.
5. A process for the production of refinery transportation fuel or blending components for refinery transportation fuel having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm, which process comprises:
hydrotreating a petroleum distillate consisting essentially of material boiling between about 50 C. and about 425 C. and having a sulfur content up to about 25,000 ppm, by a process which includes reacting the petroleum distillate with a source of hydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to assist by hydrogenation removal of sulfur andor nitrogen from the hydrotreated petroleum distillate, thereby producing a hydrotreated petroleum distillate having a sulfur content less than about 500 ppm;
fractionating the hydrotreated petroleum distillate by distillation to provide at least one low-boiling blending component consisting of a sulfur-lean, mono-aromatic-rich fraction having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm, and a high-boiling feedstock consisting of a sulfur-rich, mono-aromatic-lean fraction containing the balance of the sulfur;
contacting the high-boiling feedstock with a gaseous source of dihydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of hydrogen into one or more of the sulfur-containing andor nitrogen-containing organic compounds and under conditions suitable for hydrogenation of one or more of the sulfur-containing andor nitrogen-containing organic compounds;
recovering a liquid comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds, and having a sulfur andor nitrogen content less than the high-boiling feedstock; and
treating at least a portion of the recovered liquid with a solid sorbent, an ion exchange resin, andor a suitable immiscible liquid containing a solvent or a soluble basic chemical compound, to obtain a product having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm.
6. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 5 wherein the hydrotreating of the petroleum distillate employs at least one bed of hydrogenation catalyst comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, molybdenum and tungsten.
7. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 5 wherein the contacting the high-boiling feedstock with a gaseous source of dihydrogen employs at least one bed of hydrogenation catalyst comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten.
8. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 5 wherein the treating of recovered liquid employs at least one bed of solid sorbent comprising alumina.
9. A process for the producing a refinery transportation fuel or blending components for refinery transportation fuel having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm, which process comprises:
providing a refinery distillate comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds, the mixture having a sulfur content up to about 25,000 ppm and consisting essentially of material boiling between about 200 C. and about 425 C.;
hydrotreating the refinery distillate with a source of hydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to assist by hydrogenation removal of sulfur andor nitrogen from the hydrotreated distillate, to recover a hydrotreated distillate having a sulfur content less than about 500 ppm;
fractionating the hydrotreated distillate by distillation to provide at least one low-boiling blending component consisting of a sulfur-lean, mono-aromatic-rich fraction having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm, and a high-boiling feedstock consisting of a sulfur-rich, mono-aromatic-lean fraction containing the balance of the sulfur;
contacting the high-boiling feedstock with a gaseous source of dihydrogen at hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of hydrogen into one or more of the sulfur-containing organic compounds and under conditions suitable for hydrogenation of one or more of the sulfur-containing organic compounds; and
recovering a high-boiling liquid having a sulfur content less than about 15 ppm.
10. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 9 wherein the hydrotreating of the refinery distillate employs at least one bed of hydrogenation catalyst comprising cobalt and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten, each incorporated onto an inert support in an amount of from about 0.1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of the total catalyst.
11. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 9 wherein the contacting the high-boiling feedstock with a gaseous source of dihydrogen employs at least one bed of hydrogenation catalyst comprising nickel and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of, molybdenum and tungsten, each incorporated onto an inert support in an amount of from about 0.1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of the total catalyst.
12. The process for the production of fuel or blending component of fuels according to claim 9 wherein the treating of recovered liquid employs at least one bed of solid sorbent comprising alumina.
13. The process according to claim 9 which further comprises treating at least a portion of the high-boiling liquid with a solid sorbent, an ion exchange resin, andor a suitable immiscible liquid containing a solvent or a soluble basic chemical compound, to obtain a high-boiling product having a sulfur content less than about 10 ppm.
14. The process according to claim 13 which further comprises blending at least portions of the low-boiling blending component and the high-boiling product to form fuel for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines, and wherein the fuel exhibits a suitable flash point of at least 38 C. as measure by ASTM D93, and contains less than 15 ppm sulfur.
15. The composition according to claim 14 wherein the fuel exhibits a suitable flash point of at least 49 C.
16. The process according to claim 9 which further comprises blending at least portions of the low-boiling blending component and the high-boiling liquid to form fuel for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines, and wherein the fuel exhibits a suitable flash point of at least 38 C. as measure by ASTM D93, and contains less than 15 ppm sulfur.
17. The composition according to claim 9 wherein the fuel exhibits a suitable flash point of at least 49 C.

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
displaying an interface screen to allow an applicant from a first company to electronically enter a nondisclosure agreement number corresponding to a non-disclosure agreement;
electronically determining whether the non-disclosure agreement number matches a non-disclosure agreement number in authorization data as part of a request for access from the applicant; if not, sending a denial email to the applicant;
if so, electronically determining whether the first company has executed the non-disclosure agreement;
if so, electronically determining whether the applicant is associated with the first company;
if so, displaying an interface screen comprising terms of an authorized disclosure letter and further displaying a choice of accepting the terms or not;
electronically determining whether the applicant agrees to the terms;
if the applicant agrees to the terms, displaying an interface screen to allow the applicant to select one of a plurality of programs, each of which is associated with a corresponding list of company names authorized to exchange information with the applicant;
responsive to a selection by the applicant of one of the plurality of programs, displaying the corresponding list of company names; and
responsive to a selection by the applicant of a second company name from the list of company names, electronically providing the applicant with access to information belonging to the second company.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises confidential information belonging to the second company.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether the first company is authorized to a program.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second company is authorized to the program.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the information is associated with the program.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the program comprises a joint-development program in which the first and second companies are participants.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether an owner of a program gives approval for the first company to participate in the program.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether a field representative gives approval for the first company to participate in a program.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a controller;
a display; and
an input device;
the controller to display an interface screen on the display to allow an applicant from a first company to electronically enter into the input device a non-disclosure agreement number corresponding to a non-disclosure agreement;
the controller to electronically determine whether the non-disclosure agreement number matches a nondisclosure agreement number in authorization data as part of a request for access from the applicant;
if not, the controller to send a denial email to the applicant;
if so, the controller to electronically determine whether the first company has executed the non-disclosure agreement;
if so, the controller to electronically determine whether the applicant is associated with the first company;
if so, the controller to display an interface screen on the display comprising terms of an authorized disclosure letter and further to display a choice of accepting the terms or not;
the controller to electronically determine whether the applicant agrees to the terms;
if the applicant agrees to the terms, the controller to display an interface screen on the display to allow the applicant to electronically select one of a plurality of programs, each of which is associated with a corresponding list of company names authorized to exchange information with the applicant;
responsive to an electronic selection by the applicant of one of the plurality of programs, the controller to display on the display the corresponding list of company names; and
responsive to an electronic selection by the applicant of a second company name from the list of company names, the controller to provide the applicant via the display with access to information belonging to the second company.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the authorization data comprises data regarding which company names companies are authorized to the selected program.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of programs comprises a joint-development program in which the first and second companies are participants.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the information comprises confidential information belonging to the second company.
13. A signal-bearing medium comprising instructions, wherein the instructions when read and executed by a processor comprise:
displaying an interface screen to allow an applicant from a first company to electronically enter a nondisclosure agreement number corresponding to a non-disclosure agreement;
electronically determining whether the non-disclosure agreement number matches a non-disclosure agreement number in authorization data as part of a request for access from the applicant;
if not, electronically sending a denial email to the applicant;
if so, electronically determining whether the first company has executed the non-disclosure agreement;
if so, electronically determining whether the applicant is associated with the first company;
if so, displaying an interface screen comprising terms of an authorized disclosure letter and further displaying a choice of accepting the terms or not;
electronically determining whether the applicant agrees to the terms;
if the applicant agrees to the terms, displaying an interface screen to allow the applicant to select one of a plurality of programs, each of which is associated with a corresponding list of company names authorized to exchange information with the applicant;
responsive to an electronic selection by the applicant of one of the plurality of programs, displaying the corresponding list of company names; and
responsive to an electronic selection by the applicant of a second company name from the list of company names, electronically providing the applicant with access to information belonging to the second company number.
14. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
providing an access control interface, wherein the access control interface allows the second company to control access to the information.
15. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
providing a request access interface, wherein the request access interface allows the applicant to request access to the information.
16. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
providing a display of companies who are participants in the program.
17. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
providing a display of companies authorized to exchange information with the applicant on a per-program basis.
18. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
providing a display of contact information for companies who are participants in the program.
19. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise:
managing the information.
20. The signal-bearing medium of claim 19, wherein managing the information further comprises at least one of adding, viewing, deleting, and updating the information.
21. A system server to facilitate exchange of confidential information about a plurality of controlled-communication programs, comprising:
a memory to store an authorized disclosure letter, authorization data, and a controller having a plurality of instructions;
a display;
an input device; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the display, the processor to execute selected ones of the instructions to:
display an interface screen on the display to allow an applicant from a first company to enter into the input device a non-disclosure agreement number corresponding to a non-disclosure agreement;
determine whether the non-disclosure agreement number matches a nondisclosure agreement number in authorization data as part of a request for access from an applicant;
if so, determine whether the first company has executed the non-disclosure agreement;
if so, determine whether the applicant is associated with the first company;
if so, display an interface screen on the display comprising terms of an authorized disclosure letter and further displaying a choice of accepting the terms or not;
determine whether the applicant agrees to the terms, using the input device;
if the applicant agrees to the terms, display an interface screen on the display to allow the applicant to select, using the input device, one of a plurality of controlled-communication programs, each of which is associated with a corresponding list of company names authorized to exchange information with the applicant;
responsive to a selection by the applicant, using the input device, of one of the plurality of programs, display the corresponding list of company names on the display; and
responsive to a selection by the applicant, using the input device, of a second company name from the list of company names, provide the applicant with access to information belonging to the second company.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A micro device comprising a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a thin film coil,
said first magnetic layer and said second magnetic layer being formed so as to be opposite to each other and magnetically connected via a joint,
said thin film coil including a planer round portion winding around said joint in between said first and said second magnetic layers and a perpendicular round portion provided perpendicularly to said planer round portion.
2. The micro device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first leading conductor and a second leading conductor,
said thin film coil including a first coil terminal provided at the most inner side thereof and a second coil terminal provided at the most outer side thereof,
said second leading conductor being connected to one end of said second coil terminal,
one end of said first leading conductor being connected to one end of said first coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer,
the other end of said first leading conductor being pulled out in an opposite direction to said first coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said first leading conductor and said first coil terminal.
3. The micro device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first leading conductor includes plural conductive parts,
one end of one of said conductive parts being connected to one end of said first coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer,
the other end of said one of said conductive parts being pulled out in an opposite direction to said first coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
said conductive parts being electrically connected to one another at their respective ends,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said first leading conductor and said first coil terminal.
4. The micro device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first leading conductor and a second leading conductor,
said thin film coil including a first coil terminal provided at the most inner side thereof and a second coil terminal provided at the most outer side thereof,
said first leading conductor being connected to one end of said first coil terminal,
one end of said second leading conductor being connected to one end of said second coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer,
the other end of said second leading conductor being pulled out in an opposite direction to said second coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said second leading conductor and said second coil terminal.
5. The micro device as defined in claim 4, wherein one end of said first leading conductor is connected to one end of said first coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer, and the other end of said first leading conductor is pulled out in an opposite direction to said first coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said first leading conductor and said first coil terminal, and said second leading conductor and said second coil terminal.
6. The micro device as defined in claim 4, wherein said second leading conductor includes plural conductive parts,
one end of one of said conductive parts being connected to one end of said second coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer,
the other end of said one of said conductive parts being pulled out in an opposite direction to said second coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
said conductive parts being electrically connected to one another at their respective ends,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said second leading conductor and said second coil terminal.
7. The micro device as defined in claim 6, wherein said first leading conductor includes plural additional conductive parts,
one end of one of said additional conductive parts being connected to one end of said first coil terminal passing below said second magnetic layer,
the other end of said one of said additional conductive parts being pulled out in an opposite direction to said first coil terminal above said second magnetic layer,
said additional conductive parts being electrically connected to one another at their respective ends,
whereby said perpendicular round portion is made of said first leading conductor and said first coil terminal, and said second leading conductor and said second coil terminal.
8. A thin film inductor comprising a micro device as defined in claim 1.
9. A thin film magnetic head comprising a micro device as defined in claim 1.
10. The thin film magnetic head as defined in claim 9, further comprising a reading element with a giant magnetoresistive effective element.
11. The thin film magnetic head as defined in claim 10, said giant magnetoresistive effective element includes a spin-valve film or a ferromagnetic tunnel junction.
12. The thin film magnetic head as defined in claim 9, further comprising a slider, wherein said micro device is supported by said slider.
13. A thin film magnetic head device comprising a thin film magnetic head as defined in claim 9 and a head supporting device to support said thin film magnetic head.
14. A magnetic recordingreproducing device comprising a thin film magnetic head device as defined in claim 13 and a magnetic recording medium to be magnetically recorded and reproduced commensurate with said thin film magnetic head.