Author: claimsbot

1. A time certifying server comprising:
a clock unit for outputting time information;
time acquiring means for acquiring from the time information units of time equal to or larger than a predetermined unit;
correction time acquiring means for acquiring a correction time from a correction time generating unit;
time correcting means for correcting units of time from the time information smaller than the predetermined unit using the acquired correction time and without correcting the acquired units of time equal to or larger than the predetermined unit;
reference time receiving means for receiving a reference time from a reference time distributing server that distributes reference time;
verification means for verifying that the clock unit operates at a precision falling within a predetermined range by confirming that, in the time of the units equal to or larger than the predetermined unit, the time acquired by the time acquiring means and the received reference time coincide with each other;
certification target information receiving means for receiving certification target information that serves as time certification target from a client terminal;
time certification information generating means for generating time certification information of the received certification target information after verification of the operational precision of the clock unit and using the corrected units of time; and
time certification information transmitting means for transmitting the generated time certification information to the client terminal.
2. A time certifying server according to claim 1; wherein the verification means verifies that the clock unit operates at a precision falling within the predetermined range when it is confirmed that the reference time used for the verification is a time later than the time used at a previous verification.
3. A time certifying server according to claim 1; further comprising predetermined unit changing means for changing the predetermined unit.
4. A time certifying server according to claim 3; wherein the predetermined unit changing means sets the predetermined unit to a first unit; and wherein the predetermined unit changing means sets, using the first unit, the predetermined unit to a second unit smaller than the first unit when the verification means verifies a precision of the clock unit.
5. A time certifying server according to claim 1; further comprising operational mode switching means for switching between a first operational mode in which the verification means and the time certification information generating means operate and a second operational mode in which the time correction means operates; and wherein the operational mode switching means switches the operational mode after an operation is completed in each of the operational modes.
6. A time certifying server according to claim 5; wherein the first operational mode includes a verification mode in which the verification means verifies the clock unit, and a time certification information generating mode in which the time certification information generating means generates the time certification information; and wherein the operational mode switching means switches, in the switching between the verification mode and the time certification information generating mode, the operational mode to a mode switching destination after the operation in a mode switching source is completed.
7. A time certifying method executed by a computer having a clock unit for outputting time information, the method comprising:
acquiring from the time information units of time equal to or larger than a predetermined unit;
acquiring a correction time;
correcting units of time from the time information smaller than the predetermined unit using the acquired correction time and without correcting the acquired units of time equal to or larger than the predetermined unit;
receiving a reference time from a reference time distributing server that distributes reference time;
verifying that the clock unit operates at a precision falling within a predetermined range by confirming that, in the time of the units equal to or larger than the predetermined unit, the acquired time and the received reference time coincide with each other;
receiving certification target information that serves as time certification target from a client terminal;
generating time certification information of the received certification target information after verification of the operational precision of the clock unit and using the corrected units of time; and
transmitting the generated time certification information to the client terminal.
8. A time certifying method according to claim 7; further comprising setting the predetermined unit to a first unit and setting, using the first unit, the predetermined unit to a second unit smaller than the first unit when the precision of the clock unit is verified.
9. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer program instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
acquire from previously output time information units of time equal to or larger than a predetermined unit;
acquire a correction time;
correct units of time from the time information smaller than the predetermined unit using the acquired correction time and without correcting the acquired units of time equal to or larger than the predetermined unit;
receive a reference time from a reference time distributing server that distributes reference time;
verify that the clock unit operates at a precision falling within a predetermined range by confirming that, in the time of the units equal to or larger than the predetermined unit, the acquired time and the received reference time coincide with each other;
receive certification target information that serves as time certification target from a client terminal;
generate time certification information of the received certification target information after verification of the operational precision of the clock unit and using the corrected units of time; and
transmit the generated time certification information to the client terminal.

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

1. A method for treating a load of woody material made up of stacked elements, particularly a load of wood, by high-temperature heat treatment, using an enclosed treatment space which comprises means for processing a load of woody material that is to be treated (5), this load of woody material delimiting, within said enclosed space, a first volume (8) known as the \u201craised-pressure chamber\u201d, situated upstream of the load that is to be treated (5) and a second volume (9) known as the \u201crecovery chamber\u201d, situated downstream of said load, heating means (10) for heating a heat-transfer fluid circulating in said enclosed space (1), circulating means (11) continuously circulating said heat-transfer fluid, monitoring means for monitoring the temperature and moisture content of the enclosed space, regulating means (12) for regulating the temperature and humidity of the enclosed treatment space, and sealing means sealing the top and bottom of the load of material, said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting:
in permanently monitoring and measuring the atmosphere in each of said chambers using the temperature monitoring means then in comparing the data emanating from these monitoring means so as to act simultaneously and uniformly on the altering of the power of the means (10) for heating and, if any, on the cooling, of the heat-transfer gas by the regulating means (12) thus running a heat-treatment cycle, the rise in temperature of which is either linear or in steps, the temperature step levels and their duration being preestablished; this rise in temperature is then governed as a function of the behavior of the load of woody material (5) in terms of its thermal conductivity and as a function of equilibrium between the flow rate and the speed of the heat-transfer fluid between the two chambers (8, 9).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of the temperature levels in the treatment cycle is reached when there is equilibrium between the temperature (T1) in the raised-pressure chamber (8) and the temperature (T2) in the recovery chamber (9), and in that equilibrium is determined using the following formulae:
T1=T2\u2212\u0394\xb0 C. when the temperature in the treatment cycle is rising, and
T2=T1+\u0394\u2032\xb0 C. when the temperature in the treatment cycle is falling, where \u0394 and \u0394\u2032 are temperature constants ranging between 5 and 25 degrees Celsius.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the constants \u0394 and \u0394\u2032 are respectively equal to 5 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius.
4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that progression to a level at least equal to 100 degrees Celsius is permitted only if the volume of the enclosed space (1) contains less than 3% oxygen.
5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that if an incident concerning the heating means (10) is detected above a mean temperature in excess of 120 degrees Celsius, the temperature regulating means (12) are set off until a mean temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius is detected in the chambers (8, 9) before any resumption of the treatment cycle is permitted.
6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control means controlling the oven are also connected to computerized equipment that allows all the data from the sensors arranged in the enclosed space to be printed out during a treatment cycle together with the temperature curves, in real time.
7. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed at which the heat-transfer fluid circulates is kept constant in the enclosed treatment space by monitoring said speed and acting on the flow rate of the means that propel said heat-transfer fluid.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for managing computer memory comprising the steps of:
maintaining multiple sets of free blocks of memory wherein free blocks are added to sets based on size of the free blocks;
in response to a request for a free block of a request size exceeding a first threshold, searching a set for a free block which is at least as large as the request size but smaller than the request size plus a second threshold; and
if the free block is found, allocating the free block in its entirety.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining multiple sets of free blocks includes the steps of maintaining the multiple sets of free blocks on a disk.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining multiple sets of free blocks includes the steps of maintaining the multiple sets of free blocks in main memory.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
if the free block is not found but at least one block at least as large as the request size is found, splitting the at least one block at least as large as the request size; and
satisfying the request with a second block resulting from the splitting step.
5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one block being split is a smallest found block larger than the request size.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the multiple sets include a set of largest blocks and the first threshold is larger than or equal to a smallest permitted block size for the set of largest blocks and further comprising the step of searching the set of largest blocks to satisfy the request.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of searching includes the step of searching the set which includes a list, the list including memory block allocation information for the set.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of dynamically adjusting at least one of the first and the second thresholds to tune performance.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
maintaining a contiguous block of memory;
selecting the set of free blocks based on the request size;
in response to the set of free blocks being non-empty, allocating at least part of a first block located in the set; and
in response to the set being empty, satisfying the request from the contiguous block of memory.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
maintaining a pointer to the contiguous block for a first pointer location;
in response to a request for storage of a given size,
incrementing the pointer by the given size to point to a second pointer location; and
satisfying the request using a part of the contiguous block beginning at the first pointer location.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of deallocating an allocated block to a new set of free blocks based on the size of the allocated block.
12. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for managing computer memory, the method steps comprising:
maintaining multiple sets of free blocks of memory wherein free blocks are added to sets based on size;
in response to a request for a free block of a request size exceeding a first threshold, searching a set for a free block which is at least as large as the request size but smaller than the request size plus a second threshold; and
if the free block is found, allocating the free block in its entirety.
13. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of maintaining multiple sets of free blocks includes the steps of maintaining the multiple sets of free blocks on a disk.
14. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of maintaining multiple sets of free blocks includes the steps of maintaining the multiple sets of free blocks in main memory.
15. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
if the free block is not found but at least one block at least as large as the request size is found, splitting the at least one block at least as large as the request size; and
satisfying the request with a second block resulting from the splitting step.
16. The program storage device as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one block being split is a smallest found block larger than the request size.
17. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein the multiple sets include a set of largest blocks and the first threshold is larger than or equal to a smallest permitted block size for the set of largest blocks and further comprising the step of searching the set of largest blocks to satisfy the request.
18. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of searching includes the step of searching the set which includes a list, the list including memory block allocation information for the set.
19. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of dynamically adjusting at least one of the first and second thresholds to tune performance.
20. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
maintaining a contiguous block of memory;
selecting the set of free blocks based on the request size;
in response to the set of free blocks being non-empty, allocating at least part of a first block located in the set; and
in response to the set being empty, satisfying the request from the contiguous block of memory.
21. The program storage device as recited in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:
maintaining a pointer to the contiguous block for a first pointer location;
in response to a request for storage of a given size,
incrementing the pointer by the given size to point to a second pointer location; and
satisfying the request using a part of the contiguous block beginning at the first pointer location.
22. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of deallocating an allocated block to a new set of free blocks based on the size of the allocated block.
23. A method for managing a block of contiguous persistent memory comprising the steps of:
maintaining a first pointer in main memory for determining a first free byte in a first block of memory;
maintaining headers in the persistent storage for a plurality of blocks wherein the headers include at least one code byte; and
allocating a second block from the first block by setting the at least one code byte for the second block to indicate that the second block is no longer part of the first block and updating the first pointer in the main memory.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, further comprising the step of adding a block, b, to the first block, the step adding comprising the steps of:
modifying a code byte corresponding to b to indicate that b is part of the first block;
updating the first pointer in the main memory.
25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the at least one code byte serves other functions in addition to indicating that the second block is no longer part of the first block.
26. The method as recited in claim 23, further comprising the step of periodically updating a second pointer in the persistent memory based on the value of the first pointer in the main memory.
27. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of, in response to a system failure, updating the first and second pointers by examining the at least one code byte.
28. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the headers are initialized using a single block write.
29. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for managing a block of contiguous persistent memory comprising a main memory and at least one disk memory device, the method steps comprising:
maintaining a first pointer in main memory for determining a first free byte in a first block of memory;
maintaining headers in the persistent storage for a plurality of blocks wherein the headers include at least one code byte; and
allocating a second block which from the first block by setting the at least one code byte for the second block to indicate that the second block is no longer part of the first block and updating the first pointer in the main memory.
30. The program storage device as recited in claim 29, further comprising the step of adding a block, b, to the first block, the step adding comprising the steps of:
modifying a code byte corresponding to b to indicate that b is part of the first block;
updating the first pointer in the main memory.
31. The program storage device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least one code byte serves other functions in addition to indicating that the second block is no longer part of the first block.
32. The program storage device as recited in claim 29, further comprising the step of periodically updating a second pointer in the persistent memory based on the value of the first pointer in the main memory.
33. The program storage device as recited in claim 32, further comprising the step of, in response to a system failure, updating the first and second pointers by examining the at least one code byte.
34. The program storage device as recited in claim 29, wherein the headers are initialized using a single block write.
35. A method for coalescing adjacent free blocks in persistent storage comprising the steps of:
maintaining a header for each block indicating a size and an allocation status of the block;
coalescing the free blocks by examining header information to combine adjacent free blocks; and
periodically storing information in the persistent storage indicating a level of coalescing achieved.
36. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps as recited in claim 35.
37. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising the step of:
in response to a system failure during coalescing, reading information in the persistent storage to determine the level of coalescing achieved before the system failure; and
resuming coalescing at a point based on the information in the persistent storage.
38. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps as recited in claim 35.

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

1. A system for emulsion formation, comprising:
a microfluidic device having a plurality of emulsion formation units each including a sample well, a droplet well, a sample inlet channel extending from the sample well to a channel intersection, and a droplet outlet channel extending from the channel intersection to the droplet well; and
an instrument that operatively receives the microfluidic device and including a fluidics assembly having a pressure sensor, the instrument being configured (a) to apply pressure to the emulsion formation units in parallel with the fluidics assembly to drive parallel generation of droplets at the channel intersections of the emulsion formation units and parallel collection of emulsions of the droplets in the droplet wells of the emulsion formation units, (b) to monitor the pressure with the pressure sensor, and (c) to stop application of the pressure to all of the emulsion formation units when the pressure sensor detects a change in pressure indicative of air entering any one of the sample inlet channels from a corresponding sample well.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket defining a plurality of orifices configured to provide fluid communication between the microfluidic device and the fluidics assembly such that pressure can be applied to the emulsion formation units by the fluidics assembly.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the gasket is configured to be engaged with the microfluidic device such that an orifice of the gasket overlaps each droplet well.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured to receive an actuation signal from a user, and wherein the actuation signal causes the instrument, without any further user input or participation, to apply the pressure, to monitor the pressure, and to stop application of the pressure.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluidics assembly includes a pump that functions as a source of the pressure, and wherein the pressure is applied by the instrument to the emulsion formation units while the pump is fluidically isolated from the emulsion formation units.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured to apply negative pressure to the droplet wells of the emulsion formation units.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein each emulsion formation unit includes an oil well to hold a continuous phase for an emulsion, and wherein the instrument is configured to apply positive pressure to the sample wells and the oil wells of the emulsion formation units.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured to apply pressure to the emulsion formation units with a gas phase that contacts liquid contained by the microfluidic device.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gas phase is composed of air.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluidics assembly includes a manifold providing a plurality of ports through which a negative pressure is applied to the droplet wells.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured to concentrate the emulsions by selectively driving a continuous phase of an emulsion from each of the droplet wells.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluidics assembly includes a valve, and wherein adjustment of the valve stops application of the pressure to all of the emulsion formation units.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the fluidics assembly includes a pump operatively connected to a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to apply a negative pressure to the droplet wells while fluidically isolated from the pump, and wherein adjustment of the valve fluidically isolates the reservoir from the emulsion formation units.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the adjustment of the valve vents the droplet wells.
15. A method of emulsion formation performed with the system of claim 1, the method comprising:
applying pressure with the fluidics assembly to the emulsion formation units, to drive droplet formation at the channel intersections and collection of emulsions of the droplets in the droplet wells;
monitoring the pressure with the pressure sensor; and
stopping application of the pressure when the change in pressure is detected.