All The Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A backup management device for transmitting data across a network from a backup source recording device to at least one backup destination recording device, the backup management device comprising:
a backup destination selector configured to employ the characteristics of multiple available backup destinations to select at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted; and
a data transmitter configured to transmit the data to the at least one backup destination recording device selected by the backup destination selector, wherein the data transmitter is coupled to the backup destination selector.
2. A backup management device for transmitting data for a backup from a backup source recording device through a network to at least one backup destination recording device, the backup management device comprising:
a load calculation unit configured to obtain a load distribution for the network;
a backup destination selector configured to employ the load distribution to select, from among multiple available backup destinations, at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted; and
a data transmitter configured to transmit the data to the at least one backup destination recording device selected by the backup destination selector;
and wherein the backup destination selector is coupled to the load calculation unit and the data transmitter.
3. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein the load calculation unit obtains the load distribution for the network based on the load imposed on the network by the transmission of the data that the data transmitter must transmit for the backup.
4. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein the backup destination selector is configured to select multiple backup destination recording devices; and wherein the data transmitter is configured to divide the data into data segments and to transmit the data segments to each of the multiple backup destination recording devices selected by the backup destination selector.
5. The backup management device according to claim 4, further comprising:
a transmission path storage unit configured to store, for each available backup destination, transmission paths extending from the backup source recording device to the available backup destinations, wherein the transmission path storage unit is coupled to the backup destination selector;
and wherein the backup destination selector is configured to select the at least one backup destination recording device so that, along the transmission path, the delay time resulting from the transmission of the data is equal to or less than a predetermined time.
6. The backup management device according to claim 2, further comprising:
a backup destination count determination unit configured to determine, based on the size of the data, the number of backup destination recording devices to which the data should be transmitted, wherein the backup destination count determination unit is coupled to the load calculation unit;
and wherein the backup destination selector is configured to employ the load distribution to select the at least one backup destination recording device, and wherein the quantity of backup destination recording devices selected by the backup destination selector is the number determined by the backup destination count determination unit.
7. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein the backup destination selector is configured to employ characteristics of the available backup destination to select the the at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted.
8. The backup management device according to claim 7, wherein each of the at least one backup destination recording devices selected by the backup destination selector have large free memory space, and wherein having large free memory space is one of the characteristics of the available backup destinations.
9. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least one backup destination recording devices selected by the backup destination selector are located at distances from the backup source recording device that are equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.
10. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein the backup destination selector is configured to employ the geographical conditions of the locations of the available backup destinations when selecting the at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted.
11. The backup management device according to claim 2, further comprising:
a transmission history storage unit configured to store history data concerning the backup destination recording devices to which data has previously been transmitted by the data transmitter, wherein the transmission history storage unit is coupled to the backup destination selector;
and wherein the backup destination selector is configured to employ the transmission history data when selecting the at least one backup destination recording device.
12. The backup management device according to claim 2, wherein the data transmitter is configured to transmit, in correlation with the data, header data for identifying the backup source recording device and for locating the data stored in the backup source recording device.
13. A method for backing up data over a network, the method comprising the following operations:
obtaining a load distribution for the network;
employing the load distribution to select, from among multiple available backup destinations, at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted; and
transmitting the data from a backup source recording device over the network to the at least one backup destination recording device selected.
14. A method for backing up data over a network, the method comprising the following operations:
employing the characteristics of multiple available backup destinations to select at least one backup destination recording device; and
transmitting the data from a backup source recording device over a network to the at least one backup destination recording device selected.
15. A backup system, comprising:
a first backup source recording device for storing first data for a backup;
a plurality of backup destination recording devices; and
a first backup management device configured to permit the first backup source recording device to transmit the first data to at least one backup destination recording device,
wherein the first backup management device includes:
a load calculation unit configured to obtain a load distribution for a network,
backup destination selector configured to employ the load distribution to select, from among multiple available backup destinations, at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted, and
a data transmitter configured to transmit the data to the at least one backup destination recording device selected by the backup destination selector.
16. The backup system according to claim 15, further comprising:
a second backup source recording device for storing second data for a backup; and
a second backup management device configured to permit the second backup source recording device to transmit the second data to at least one backup destination recording device,
wherein the first backup management device further includes:
a usage status acquisition unit configured to obtain usage status data indicating the usage status of the at least one backup destination recording devices that are employed by the second backup management device;

and wherein the backup destination selector is configured to employ the usage status data to select the at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted by the first backup management device.
17. The backup system according to claim 16, wherein the usage status acquisition unit is configured to obtain, as the usage status data, data indicating a load distribution of the network for the second data that is transmitted from the second backup source recording device to the at least one of the backup destination recording devices employed by the second backup management device.
18. A program embodied in a storage medium, for a backup management device that transmits data for a backup across a network from a backup source recording device to at least one backup destination recording device, wherein the program for the backup management device comprises:
a load calculation unit configured to obtain a load distribution for the network;
a backup destination selector configured to employ the load distribution to select, from among multiple available backup destinations, at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted; and
a data transmitter configured to transmit the data to the at least one backup destination recording device selected by the backup destination selector.
19. A device for backing up data, comprising:
means for obtaining a load distribution for the network;
means for employing the load distribution to select, from among multiple available backup destinations, at least one backup destination recording device to which the data should be transmitted; and
means for transmitting the data from a backup source recording device over the network to the at least one backup destination recording device selected.
20. A backup device, comprising:
means for employing the characteristics of multiple available backup destinations to select at least one backup destination recording device; and
means for transmitting the data from a backup source recording device over a network to the at least one backup destination recording device selected.

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 of hydrogenation of heavy oil, comprising the steps of:
preheating untreated heavy oil by passing the untreated heavy oil through a heat exchanger through which passes treated heavy oil;
injecting hydrogen gas into the preheated untreated heavy oil;
heating the untreated heavy oil containing hydrogen in a heater to bring the untreated heavy oil up to a reaction temperature and lower the viscosity of the untreated heavy oil;
pumping the untreated heavy oil containing hydrogen through a continuous pipe reactor of uniform pipe diameter defining a serpentine flow path to create a turbulent flow of untreated heavy oil containing hydrogen and promote addition of hydrogen into the untreated heavy oil, the continuous pipe reactor being separate and distinct from both the heat exchanger and the heater; and
controlling the reaction temperature by injecting make up hydrogen at spaced injection points along the continuous pipe reactor.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, including a further step of introducing a catalyst upstream of the heater by means of one of a metering pump or a eductor, to promote the addition of hydrogen into the untreated heavy oil.
3. The method as defined in claim 2, including a further step of positioning a catalyst recovery separator downstream of the continuous pipe reactor for the purpose of recovering and recycling catalyst.
4. The method as defined in claim 1, including a further step of positioning a hydrogen recovery separator downstream of the continuous pipe reactor for the purpose of recovering and recycling hydrogen.

1. An inkjet printer comprising:
a plurality of print nozzles;
an edge guide projecting into a print zone into which at least one of the plurality of print nozzles may be transported for deposition of a fluid onto a print media;
computer readable medium having a printmask defining a print disable zone including a pre-selected area of the print zone substantially equal to an area of the edge guide that projects into the print zone.
2. An inkjet printer according to claim 1 wherein the print disable zone further comprises an area of the print zone substantially equal to a length of the edge guide times a width of a print media.
3. An inkjet printer according to claim 1 wherein the print disable zone further comprises an area of the print zone substantially equal to a length of the edge guide times a width of a portion of the print media that lies beneath the edge guide.
4. An inkjet printer according to claim 1 further comprising the printmask defining a narrow margin print zone located adjacent to the print disable zone.
5. An inkjet printer according to claim 4 further comprising the printmask defining a graduated print zone located between a narrow margin print zone and a full image density print zone.
6. An inkjet imaging device comprising: a printer controller;
a media transport assembly connected to and controlled by the printer controller for transporting a print media along a media travel direction;
a printhead including a plurality of print nozzles, the printhead connected to and controlled by the printer controller for controllably activating the print nozzles to eject drops of ink, the printhead connected to a carriage for transporting the printhead across the print media;
a print zone defined by a height of the plurality of print nozzles and the width of the print media:
an edge guide located adjacent to a marginal edge of the print media, the edge guide located in The print zone; and
a computer readable medium having a printmode including a printmask defining a print disable zone including a pre-selected area of the print zone substantially equal to an area of the edge guide that projects into the print zone.
7. A printmode according to claim 6 wherein the print disable zone further comprises an area of the print zone substantially equal to an aggregate length of the edge guide times a width of a print media.
8. A printmode according to claim 6 wherein the print disable zone further comprises an area of the print zone substantially equal to a length of the edge guide times a width of a portion of the print media that lies beneath the edge guide.
9. A printmode according to claim 6 further comprising the printmask defining a narrow margin print zone located adjacent to the print disable zone.
10. A printmode according to claim 9 further comprising the printmask defining a graduated print zone located between a narrow margin print zone and a full image density print zone.
11. A method for narrow margin printing with an inkjet printer including the steps of:
selecting a printmode including a printmask defining a print disable zone including a pre-selected area of the print zone substantially equal to length of the edge guide times a width of a portion of the print media that lies beneath the edge guide;
transporting a print media into a print zone defined by a height of the plurality of print nozzles and a width of the print media; and
selectively depositing ink from the print nozzle to the media forming an image including a narrow margin by printing in a narrow margin mode only in those marginal areas that are not occupied by the edge guide.
12. A method for narrow margin printing according to claim 11 wherein the step of defining a print disable zone further includes defining an area of the print zone substantially equal to a length of the edge guide times a width of a print media as the print disable zone.
13. A method for narrow margin printing according to claim 11 further including the step defining a narrow margin print zone located adjacent to the print disable zone.
14. A method for narrow margin printing according to claim 11 further including the step defining a graduated print zone located between a narrow margin print zone and a full image density print zone.

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. Seed of maize inbred line designated G06-NP2482, representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8936.
2. A maize plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing the seed of claim 1.
3. The maize plant of claim 2, wherein said plant has been detasseled.
4. A tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from the plant of claim 2.
5. Protoplasts produced from the tissue culture of claim 4.
6. The tissue culture of claim 4, wherein cells of the tissue culture are from a plant part selected from the group consisting of leaf, pollen, embryo, root, root tip, anther, silk, flower, kernel, ear, cob, husk and stalk.
7. A maize plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 4, said plant having all the morphological and physiological characteristics of inbred line G06-NP2482, representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8936.
8. A method for producing an F1 hybrid maize seed, said method comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with a different maize plant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybrid maize seed.
9. A method of producing a male sterile maize plant, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a nucleic acid molecule that confers male sterility.
10. A male sterile maize plant produced by the method of claim 9.
11. A method of producing an herbicide resistant maize plant, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers herbicide resistance.
12. An herbicide resistant maize plant produced by the method of claim 11.
13. The maize plant of claim 12, wherein the transgene confers resistance to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, L-phosphinothricin, triazine and benzonitrile.
14. A method of producing an insect resistant maize plant, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers insect resistance.
15. An insect resistant maize plant produced by the method of claim 14.
16. The maize plant of claim 15, wherein the transgene encodes a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
17. A method of producing a disease resistant maize plant, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers disease resistance.
18. A disease resistant maize plant produced by the method of claim 17.
19. A method of producing a maize plant with decreased phytate content, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a transgene encoding phytase.
20. A maize plant with decreased phytate content produced by the method of claim 19.
21. A method of producing a maize plant with modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism, said method comprising transforming the maize plant of claim 2 with a transgene encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of stearyl-ACP desaturase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, alpha-amylase, invertase and starch branching enzyme.
22. A maize plant produced by the method of claim 21.
23. The maize plant of claim 22, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from the group consisting of waxy starch and increased amylose starch.
24. A maize plant, or part thereof, having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the inbred line G06-NP2482, representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8936.
25. A method of introducing a desired trait into maize inbred line G06-NP2482, said method comprising:
(a) crossing G06-NP2482 plants grown from G06-NP2482 seed, representative seed of which has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8936, with plants of another maize line that comprise a desired trait to produce F1 progeny plants, wherein the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, disease resistance and waxy starch;
(b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have the desired trait to produce selected F1 progeny plants;
(c) crossing the selected progeny plants with the G06-NP2482 plants to produce backcross progeny plants;
(d) selecting for backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait and physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times in succession to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the desired trait and all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.
26. A plant produced by the method of claim 25, wherein the plant has the desired trait and all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.
27. The plant of claim 26, wherein the desired trait is herbicide resistance and the resistance is conferred to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, L-phosphinothricin, triazine and benzonitrile.
28. The plant of claim 26, wherein the desired trait is insect resistance and the insect resistance is conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
29. The plant of claim 26, wherein the desired trait is male sterility and the trait is conferred by a cytoplasmic nucleic acid molecule that confers male sterility.
30. A method of modifying fatty acid metabolism, modified phytic acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism into maize inbred line G06-NP2482, said method comprising:
(a) crossing G06-NP2482 plants grown from G06-NP2482 seed, representative seed of which has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8936, with plants of another maize line that comprise a nucleic acid molecule encoding an enzyme selected from the group consisting of phytase, stearyl-ACP desaturase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, alphaamylase, invertase and starch branching enzyme;
(b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have said nucleic acid molecule to produce selected F1 progeny plants;
(c) crossing the selected progeny plants with the G06-NP2482 plants to produce backcross progeny plants;
(d) selecting for backcross progeny plants that have said nucleic acid molecule and physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times in succession to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise said nucleic acid molecule and have all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.
31. A plant produced by the method of claim 30, wherein the plant comprises the nucleic acid molecule and has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line G06-NP2482 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.