Author: claimsbot

1. A system for managing an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service comprising an IPTV application server, and a content distribution and storage server, wherein the system further comprises:
a conversion device configured to:
receive a message sent by a user terminal in a protocol format compatible with an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS),
convert the messages between a message in the protocol format compatible with IMS and a message in a protocol format compatible with an IPTV system, and
transmit the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to one of the IPTV application server and the content distribution and storage server according to a content of the message.
2. The system for realizing an IPTV service of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:
a home subscriber server configured to store a user service data of the user in the IMS and the IPTV system and an association relations between the user service data in the two domains, wherein the user service data comprises a user identification;
the conversion device further configured to acquire the user service data of the user in the two domains and the association relations between the user service data in the two domains from the home subscriber server, store the user service data and the association relations, and convert the user identification between the acquired user identification in the IMS and a user identification in the IPTV system.
3. The system for realizing an IPTV service of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:
a business and operation support system configured to store a user service data of the user in the IMS and the IPTV system and an association relations between the user service data in the two domains, wherein the user service data comprises a user identification;
the conversion device further configured to acquire the user service data of the user in the two domains and an association relation between the user service data in the two domains from the business and operation support system, store the user service data and the association relations, and convert the acquired user identification in the IMS to a user identification in the IPTV domain.
4. The system for realizing an IPTV service claim 3, wherein the conversion device is further configured to perform one of the following conversions:
convert the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a message in the private protocol format compatible with the IPTV system during a service control process; and
convert the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format compatible with the IPTV system during a media session control process.
5. A conversion device, which is applied to an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service based on IMS service control system, wherein the conversion device comprises:
a receiving unit configured to receive a message in a protocol format compatible with an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) sent by a user terminal;
a conversion unit configured to convert the message between a message in the protocol format compatible with IMS and a message in a protocol format compatible with an IPTV system; and
a request processing unit configured to transmit the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message.
6. The conversion device of claim 5, wherein the conversion device further comprises:
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire and store a user service data of the user in the IMS and the IPTV system and an association relations between the user service data in the two domains, wherein the user service data comprises a user identification; and
the conversion unit, further adapted to convert the user identification between the user identification in the user service data in the IMS and a user identification in the user service data in the IPTV system.
7. The conversion device of claim 6, wherein the request processing unit is further adapted to transmit a converted response message returned from the corresponding entity in the IPTV system in the protocol format compatible with IMS to the user terminal.
8. The conversion device of claim 6, wherein the conversion unit is configured to perform one of the following conversions:
convert the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a message in the private protocol format compatible with the IPTV system during a service control process; and
convert the message in Session Initiation Protocol format based on the IMS to a message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format compatible with the IPTV system during a media session control process.
9. A method for realizing an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service, comprising:
receiving a message sent by a user terminal in a protocol format compatible with an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS);
converting the message between a message in the protocol format compatible with the IMS and a message in a protocol format based on an IPTV system; and
transmitting the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message.
10. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 9, further comprising:
acquiring and saving the user service data of the user in the IMS and the IPTV system and the association relations between the user service data in the two domains, wherein the user service data comprises a user identification; and
converting the user ID of the user service data in the IMS to a user identification in the IPTV system.
11. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 10, further comprising:
transmitting a converted response message returned from the corresponding entity in the IPTV system in the protocol format compatible with the IMS to the user terminal.
12. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 10, wherein
if the message received from the user terminal is a subscription request message, the converting the message between the message in the protocol format based on the IMS and a message in a protocol format based on an IPTV system further comprises: converting the request message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a request message in the private protocol format compatible with the IPTV system;
the transmitting the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message further comprises: sending the request message in the private protocol format compatible with the IPT V system to an authentication and authorization center.
13. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 10, wherein
if the message received from the user terminal is a content request message, the converting the message between the message in the protocol format based on the IMS and a message in a protocol format compatible with an IPTV system further comprises: converting the request message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a request message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format compatible with the IPTV system;
the transmitting the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message further comprises: transmitting the request message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a content distribution and storage server.
14. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 13, wherein if the content request message is an on-demand request message, the converting and transmitting steps further comprise:
converting the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format based on the IMS to a message in the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) format and a message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format compatible with the IPTV system, sending the converted message in the HTTP format to the authentication and authorization center, and receiving an authentication response message returned from the authentication and authorization center;
sending the converted message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format to a media center control unit for requesting an address of media server according to the address of the media center control unit in the authentication response message, and receiving the address of media server returned from the media center control unit; and
sending the request message in the Real Time Streaming Protocol format to the media server for requesting on-demand content according to the address of media server.
15. The method for realizing an IPTV service of claim 13, wherein if the content request message is a live program request message, the converting message between a message in the protocol format based on the IMS and a message in a protocol format compatible with an IPTV system, transmitting the converted message in the protocol format compatible with the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message further comprises:
converting the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format compatible with the IMS to a message in the HTTP format compatible with the IPTV system, sending the converted message in the HTTP format to the authentication and authorization center, receiving an authentication response message returned from the authentication and authorization center;
converting the authentication response message returned from the authentication and authorization center to a message in the Session Initiation Protocol format, sending the message in the Session Initiation Protocol format to the user terminal, the message comprising a multicast address, wherein the multicast address is used by the user terminal for joining a multicast group.
16. A computer program readable medium, comprising computer program code, which, when executed by a computer unit, will cause the computer unit to perform the steps:
receiving a message sent by a user terminal in a protocol format compatible with an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS);
converting the message between a message in the protocol format compatible with the IMS and a message in a protocol format based on an IPTV system; and
transmitting the converted message in the protocol format based on the IPTV system to a corresponding entity in the IPTV system according to the content of the message.

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 filter circuit receiving the values of a pixel to be observed and of each pixel within a window containing the pixel to be observed as input data expressed by integers, for replacing the value of said pixel to be observed with the value of pixel at a predetermined ordinal position in an ascending or descending order within said window, said filter circuit comprising:
an extreme value retaining means for obtaining and retaining an extreme value of the values of the pixels within said window; and
a data retrieval determination means receiving extreme value data from the extreme value retaining means and the input data, for obtaining the value at a predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order by cumulatively adding frequencies of occurrence of the values of the pixels within said window.
2. The filter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said data retrieval determination means comprises:
a data retrievable memory capable of storing the values of each pixel located within said window and capable of outputting information of the number of addresses having coincident values by effecting data retrieval;
a retrieval data forming means for inputting retrieval data to the data retrievable memory; and
a counter means for cumulatively adding the information of the number of addresses having values coinciding said retrieval data.
3. The filter circuit according to claim 2, wherein said data retrievable memory arranges the values of each pixel within said window into groups each of pixels of a same row or column and stores data thereof with assigning an address to each group so that, in obtaining the value of pixel at the predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order corresponding to one frame by relocating said pixel to be observed and said window containing said pixel to be observed in a predetermined direction, only the data of the group of the pixels of the row or column excluded from said window are updated using data newly added to said window.
4. The filter circuit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said data retrievable memory comprises a contents-addressable memory.
5. The filter circuit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said retrieval data forming means forms said retrieval data by using said extreme value retained at said extreme value retaining means as an initial value.
6. The filter circuit according to claim 4, wherein said retrieval data forming means forms said retrieval data by using said extreme value retained at said extreme value retaining means as an initial value.
7. The filter circuit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said counter means outputs a carry at a count of or more than said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order and uses the carry as a heuristic signal of the value of pixel at said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
8. The filter circuit according to claim 4, wherein said counter means outputs a carry at a count of or more than said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order and uses the carry as a heuristic signal of the value of pixel at said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
9. The filter circuit according to claim 5, wherein said counter means outputs a carry at a count of or more than said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order and uses the carry as a heuristic signal of the value of pixel at said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
10. The filter circuit according to claim 6, wherein said counter means outputs a carry at a count of or more than said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order and uses the carry as a heuristic signal of the value of pixel at said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
11. The filter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said extreme value retaining means arranges the values of each pixel within said window into groups each of pixels of a same row or column and obtains and retains an extreme value separately for each group so that, in obtaining the value of pixel at the predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order corresponding to one frame by relocating said pixel to be observed and said window containing the pixel to be observed in a predetermined direction, only the extreme value of the group of the pixels of the same row or column excluded from said window are updated using an extreme value of data of the group newly added to said window.
12. The filter circuit according to claim 7, wherein said data retrieval determination means outputs said retrieval data at the time of the outputting of said heuristic signal from said counter means as the value of pixel of said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
13. The filter circuit according to claim 8, wherein said data retrieval determination means outputs said retrieval data at the time of the outputting of said heuristic signal from said counter means as the value of pixel of said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
14. The filter circuit according to claim 9, wherein said data retrieval determination means outputs said retrieval data at the time of the outputting of said heuristic signal from said counter means as the value of pixel of said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.
15. The filter circuit according to claim 10, wherein said data retrieval determination means outputs said retrieval data at the time of the outputting of said heuristic signal from said counter means as the value of pixel of said predetermined ordinal position in the ascending or descending order.

What is claimed is:

1. A sorption heating apparatus for use a down hole tool housing deployed on a wire line tool or a drill stem comprising:
a container of liquid forming a first region within a down hole tool;
a desiccant located in a second region of the tool; and
a vapor passage between first region containing the liquid and the second region containing the desiccant, thereby enabling vapor generated during evaporation of the liquid to pass from the first region through the vapor passage to the desiccant in the second region.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a filter located between the first region containing the liquid and the second region containing the desiccant for controlling the evaporation rate of the liquid.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the filter comprises a water wet porous medium for retarding the rate of evaporation from the liquid.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the desiccant comprises a thermal-sensitive device which enables evaporation when a selected temperature is exceeded.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the electronics or sensor and adjacent to liquid supply are surrounded by a phase change material.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the filter comprises a device which enables evaporation based on the temperature history of the first region.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the electronics or sensor and adjacent to liquid supply are contained in a Dewar flask.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the desiccant further comprises fins of thermally conductive material extending from the desiccant to the tool housing to transfer heat from the desiccant to the tool housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the desiccant comprises a molecular sieve.
10. A method for heating a region in a down hole tool deployed on a wire line tool or a drill stem comprising the steps for:
evaporating liquid from a container of positioned in a first region within a down hole tool;
providing a desiccant located in a second region of the tool;
providing a check valve to prevent spillage of the liquid; and
providing a vapor passage between first region containing the liquid and the second region containing the desiccant, thereby enabling vapor generated during evaporation of the liquid to pass from the first region through the vapor passage to the desiccant in the second region, thereby transferring heat from the first region to the second region.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step for:
providing a filter located between the first region containing the liquid and the second region containing the desiccant for controlling the evaporation rate of the liquid.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the filter comprises water wet porous medium for retarding the rate of evaporation from the liquid.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the desiccant comprises a thermal-sensitive device which enables evaporation when a selected temperature is exceeded.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronics or sensor and adjacent to liquid supply are surrounded by a phase change material.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronics or sensor and adjacent to liquid supply are contained in a Dewar flask.
16. The method of claim of claim 11 wherein the filter comprises a device which enables evaporation based on the temperature history of the first region.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the desiccant comprises a molecular sieve.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step for:
providing fins of thermally conductive material extending from the desiccant to the tool housing to transfer heat from the desiccant to the tool housing.
19. The method of claim 10 wherein a sample chamber is located adjacent the dessicant for heating the sample chamber.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a sample chamber in thermal communication with the second region of the tool.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein a clock crystal is located adjacent the dessicant for heating the clock crystal.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a clock crystal in thermal communication with the second region of the tool.

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 removable insert adapted to fit within an illuminated sign comprising a sign housing and a sign legend to be displayed by the illuminated sign, the insert comprising:
(a) at least one inner wall and at least one outer wall, wherein the at least one outer wall is shaped to be inserted into and generally correspond to a shape of a sign housing and wherein the at least one inner wall is shaped so as not to encroach on a sign legend;
(b) a plurality of cavities defined between the at least one inner wall and the at least one outer wall, wherein the plurality of cavities define discrete compartments adapted to house, store, or mount various sign components; and
(c) at least one structure for supporting a circuit board.
2. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one inner wall substantially conforms to an exterior of the sign legend.
3. The removable insert of claim 1, further comprising a light source positioned at either a top or a bottom area of the sign insert and a reflector positioned opposite the light source at the other of the top or bottom of the sign insert.
4. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector comprises two angled side walls oriented relative to each other and forming a cavity.
5. The removable insert of claim 4, where the angled side walls are oriented between about 40 degrees to about 120 degrees relative to each other.
6. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector comprises an inverted tip.
7. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector is integrally formed with the insert, removable from the insert, or hingedly attached to the insert, such that it forms an additional cavity for sign components.
8. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the insert snap fits into the sign housing.
9. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the insert snap fits into the sign housing via at least one cooperating protrusion and recess system located on portions of the removable insert and the sign housing.
10. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one structure that supports the circuit board comprises grooves into which the circuit board can slide.
11. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the compartments are adapted to store, house, or mount one or more of a battery, a voltage conversion device, an additional power supply, a directional indicator assembly, or a speaker.
12. The removable insert of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing structure adapted to bear against and exert pressure on a canopy of a mounting device in order to bias the mounting device against a mounting surface.
13. The removable insert of claim 12, wherein the at least one biasing structure is a spring.
14. An illuminated sign system comprising a sign housing and the removable insert of claim 1 positioned within the sign housing.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a mounting device comprising:
(a) a mounting plate comprising a mounting base having at least one positioning element and at least one lip element formed thereon;
(b) a canopy element adapted to be positioned over the mounting plate, the canopy element comprising (i) at least one positioning element aperture adapted to receive the at least one positioning element; (ii) at least one lip element aperture adapted to receive the at least one lip element; and (iii) at least one upstanding stabilizing element extending from an upper surface of the canopy; and
(c) a locking clip adapted to cooperate with at least a portion of the mounting plate and the canopy element.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the insert has at least one side wall with at least one guide track defined therein, and wherein the locking clip has at least one leg with at least one tab that is adapted to be received in the at least one guide tack.
17. The removable insert of claim 1, comprising at least one mounting aperture adapted to receive one of a mounting device or a plug that covers any unused mounting apertures.
18. The removable insert of claim 17, wherein the plug comprises a base from which at least one leg extends and wherein the at least one leg comprises a protrusion distal the base and adapted to engage a biasing structure on the sign insert.
19. A method of assembling an illuminated sign comprising:
(a) providing a first sign housing;
(b) providing a first removable sign insert according to claim 1; and
(c) positioning the first removable insert in the first sign housing.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
(d) providing a second sign housing;
(e) removing the first removable insert from the first sign housing and positioning the first removable insert in the second sign housing.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
(d) providing a second removable insert;
(e) removing the first removable insert from the first sign housing and positioning the second removable insert into the first sign housing.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first removable insert is adapted to be snap fit with respect to the first sign housing.
23. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a polymeric material and wherein the sign housing comprises a metal housing.