All The Claims

1. A picture coding method for coding a current block included in a current picture in direct mode, the picture coding method comprising:
specifying a co-located block which is a block included in a second picture that is different from the current picture, the co-located block being located in the second picture at the same position that the current block is located in the current picture;
determining a first motion vector and a second motion vector of the current block for performing motion compensation on the current block, using a third motion vector which is a motion vector of the co-located block;
generating a first predictive image of the current block using the first motion vector of the current block and a second predictive image of the current block using the second motion vector of the current block;
generating a predictive image of the current block based on the first predictive image and the second predictive image;
generating a difference image of the current block between the current block and the predictive image of the current block; and
coding the difference image of the current block to obtain coded data of the current block,
wherein, the co-located block is motion-compensated using a first motion vector corresponding to a first reference picture of the co-located block and a second motion vector corresponding to a second reference picture of the co-located block, and
wherein, in the case where the first and second reference pictures of the co-located block are both stored in a long-term picture buffer, (i) the third motion vector is determined to be equal to one of the first and second motion vectors of the co-located block, and (ii) the first motion vector of the current block is determined to be equal to the third motion vector, and (iii) the second motion vector of the current block is determined to be a value of 0.
2. The picture coding method according to claim 1,
wherein said one of the first and second motion vectors of the co-located block is a motion vector which refers to a reference picture selected from a reference picture list in which lower identification numbers are assigned with priority to a reference picture located prior to the current picture in display order.
3. A picture coding apparatus for coding a current block included in a current picture in direct mode, the picture coding apparatus comprising:
a specifying unit operable to specify a co-located block which is a block included in a second picture that is different from the current picture, the co-located block being located in the second picture at the same position that the current block is located in the current picture;
a motion vector determining unit operable to determine a first motion vector and a second motion vector of the current block for performing motion compensation on the current block, using a third motion vector which is a motion vector of the co-located block;
a first and second predictive image generating unit operable to generate a first predictive image of the current block using the first motion vector of the current block and a second predictive image of the current block using the second motion vector of the current block;
a predictive image generating unit operable to generate a predictive image of the current block based on the first predictive image and the second predictive image;
a difference image generating unit operable to generate a difference image between the current block and the predictive image of the current block; and
a difference image coding unit operable to code the difference image to obtain coded data of the current block,
wherein, the co-located block is motion-compensated using a first motion vector corresponding to a first reference picture of the co-located block and a second motion vector corresponding to a second reference picture of the co-located block, and
wherein, in the case where the first and second reference pictures of the co-located block are both stored in a long-term picture buffer, (i) the third motion vector is determined to be equal to one of the first and second motion vectors of the co-located block, and (ii) the first motion vector of the current block is determined to be equal to the third motion vector, and (iii) the second motion vector of the current block is determined to equal to be a value of 0.
4. The picture coding apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein said one of the first and second motion vectors of the co-located block is a motion vector which refers to a reference picture selected from a reference picture list in which lower identification numbers are assigned with priority to a reference picture located prior to the current picture in display order.

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

1-48. (canceled)
49. A hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system comprising:
a fuel vessel adapted to store hydrogen-based fuel;
a cartridge valve assembly, coupled to the fuel vessel, to provide exchange of hydrogen with an external unit;
memory to store data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge; and
control circuitry coupled to the memory.
50. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
51. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 50 wherein the control circuitry monitors the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
52. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 51 wherein the control circuitry monitors the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel using: (1) an amount of time the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuel to power unit, or (2) data which is representative of the pressure andor temperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel.
53. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.
54. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 53 wherein the control circuitry monitors the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit using one or more sensors that provides data which is representative of the rate of flow of the fuel, the pressure of the fuel in the vessel andor the temperature of the fuel in the vessel.
55. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the memory stores data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
56. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 55 wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.
57. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes a display to visually display information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter.
58. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry includes a microprocessor or microcontroller.
59. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 58 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically determines the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently or periodically stores data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge in the memory.
60. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 58 wherein the memory and the control circuitry are disposed on the same integrated circuit device.
61. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 further including an electrical interface, coupled to the memory device, to receive data from external circuitry, wherein the data is representative of the at least one operating parameter.
62. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 61 wherein the electrical interface intermittently or periodically receives the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter and the memory, in response thereto, stores the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
63. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 62 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
64. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 62 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.
65. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 49 wherein the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes communication circuitry to provide data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge to external circuitry.
66. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 65 wherein the communication circuitry communicates wirelessly.
67. A hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system, the hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge comprising:
a fuel vessel adapted to store hydrogen-based fuel;
a cartridge valve assembly, coupled to the fuel vessel, to provide exchange of hydrogen with an external unit;
a cartridge interface, including an electrical interface to receive data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge from external circuitry; and
memory to store the data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
68. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 67 wherein the cartridge interface further includes a mechanical interface adapted to connect to the external unit.
69. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 67 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
70. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 67 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.
71. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 67 wherein the memory stores data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.
72. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 67 wherein the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes a display to visually display information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter.
73. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 72 wherein the memory intermittently, continuously or periodically stores the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
74. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 72 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel or the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.
75. A hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system, the hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge comprising:
a fuel vessel adapted to store hydrogen-based fuel;
a cartridge valve assembly, coupled to the fuel vessel, to provide exchange of hydrogen with an external unit;
a cartridge interface, including an electrical interface to provide data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge to external circuitry; and
memory to store the data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
76. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
77. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the control circuitry monitors the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
78. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.
79. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the memory stores data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.
80. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes a display to visually display information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter.
81. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the electrical interface receives wherein data is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge in the memory of the fuel cartridge.
82. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 81 wherein the memory intermittently or periodically stores the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.
83. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 82 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.
84. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 82 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.
85. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 75 wherein the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes communication circuitry to provide data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge to external circuitry.
86. The hydrogen-based fuel cell cartridge of claim 85 wherein the communication circuitry communicates wirelessly.

What is claimed is:

1. A cover (20, 20) for a vessel (10) for reducing the evaporation of a liquid from the vessel andor the introduction of gases, especially of carbon dioxide, into a liquid (11) in the vessel, wherein the cover has at least one through opening (24) through which a pipette or another device can be inserted into the interior of the vessel from the outer space and the cover contains a material (23) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture andor absorbs gas.
2. The cover of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means (21, 21) for attaching the cover (20, 20) to the vessel (10) or to a rack (30).
3. The cover of claim 2, in which the attachment means is a thread for screwing it onto the thread of a vessel.
4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the material is an absorbent substance which is impregnated with an aqueous liquid.
5. The cover of claim 4, wherein the aqueous liquid is alkaline in order to absorb carbon dioxide as well as to release moisture.
6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the material is surrounded by a housing (22) in such a manner that an escape of moisture into the outer space or an uptake of gases from the outer space is essentially restricted to the area of the opening.
7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the ends of the at least one opening (24, 24, 24) are closed prior to using the cover.
8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the opening is closed by a pierceable material.
9. The cover of claim 1, wherein a tube is connected to the opening which protrudes into the vessel when the cover is attached to the vessel for its intended use.
10. A system for storing liquids comprising a vessel (10, 10, 10) and a cover attached to the vessel (20, 20) for reducing the evaporation andor the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, into a liquid in the vessel, the cover having at least one opening (24, 24, 24) through which a pipette or the like can be inserted into the vessel interior, wherein the cover contains a material (23) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture andor absorbs gas.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the vessel contains a reagent liquid.
12. The system of claim 10, which has a rack (30) for holding two or more vessels and wherein the at least one cover (20) has openings (24, 24, 24) which correspond to the vessel openings.
13. A system with a cover for reducing the evaporation of liquids from vessels andor the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, comprising a storage space (110) for holding at least one vessel (130) and a cover (120) with at least one opening (121), the cover containing a material (123) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture andor absorbs gas, wherein the cover is arranged on the storage space in such a manner that gas flows through the opening when gas is exchanged between the storage space and the outer space and the cover releases moisture andor removes gases and is also arranged such that a pipette (140) or another device can be inserted through the at least one opening into the at least one vessel.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the material is impregnated with a liquid which releases moisture andor absorbs carbon dioxide.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the material is surrounded by an insulating material in such a manner that the escape of moisture into the outer space or the uptake of gases from the outer space is essentially limited to the area of the opening.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the storage space has a transport device (112) which can be used to position the vessels in the storage space in such a manner that a pipette or another device can be inserted through the at least one opening into a vessel positioned for this purpose.
17. The system of claim 13, which has at least one closure device which can close the opening in such a manner that no gas exchange takes place between the device and the outer space.

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. An all-terrain wheeled vehicle comprising:
a frame having a handle assembly extending from a first end thereof, said handle assembly for allowing a person to propel the wheeled vehicle;
at least one pair of large diameter wheels disposed on opposite sides of the frame;
a load carrier disposed intermediate the pair of large diameter wheels; and
a wheel positioning system including a wheel track adjuster for adjustably positioning said wheels a desired distance from each other and a wheel height adjuster for individually adjusting the height of each of the large diameter wheels with respect to the load carrier.
2. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the large diameter wheels have a diameter substantially larger than five feet.
3. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the large diameter wheels include suspension spokes.
4. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes two independently height adjustable handle arms.
5. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheel positioning system comprises a pneumatic power supply, a wheel track adjustment pneumatic cylinder, a wheel height adjustment cylinder for each wheel and a pneumatic control system for controlling pneumatic power to each pneumatic cylinder to adjust the relative positions of each wheel with respect to the load carrier and each other.
6. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 5, wherein the pneumatic power supply includes a high pressure air tank containing a volume of high pressure air.
7. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 5, wherein the pneumatic control system includes a pneumatic valve assembly for directing pneumatic power to each pneumatic cylinder and a controller for controlling the valve assembly.
8. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 7, wherein the controller includes an electric power supply, an electronic valve controller and an operator input device for controlling the electronic valve controller.
9. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheel positioning system comprises a manually adjustable wheel track positioner.
10. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheel positioning system comprises a manually adjustable wheel height positioning system configured to independently adjust a wheel height of each wheel with respect to said load carrier.
11. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein said load carrier comprises a chair.
12. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein said load carrier comprises a baggage carrier for carrying baggage, tools, equipment and the like.
13. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein said load carrier comprises a stretcher for carrying an occupant in a prone position.
14. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a power assist drive mechanism.
15. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 14, wherein said power assist drive mechanism comprises at least one drive motor selectively engaging at least one drive hub provided on at least one vehicle wheel.
16. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 15, wherein said power assist drive mechanism comprises a rotating drive mechanism provided on each said drive motor, said rotating drive mechanism frictionally engaging a frictional drive surface on said at least one drive hub.
17. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 16, wherein said frictional drive surface comprises a toothed drive surface and wherein said drive mechanism comprises a toothed sprocket.
18. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 16, wherein said frictionally engaging, rotating drive surface comprises a smooth surface and wherein said drive mechanism comprises a friction drive wheel.
19. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a braking system.
20. The all-terrain wheeled vehicle of claim 19, wherein said braking system comprises a frictional braking system provided for at least one of said pair of large diameter wheels, said frictional braking system configured to frictionally engage a braking surface associated with at least one of said pair of large diameter wheels.