A soil extraction and measurement tool is described. In one example, the tool has a guide having a sleeve and a plate. The sleeve is attached to the plate, extending substantially horizontally from the plate, and having an opening to receive a probe. A probe has a point at an end configured to be inserted into the sleeve of the guide and to extend through the sleeve past the plate. The point is configured to pierce through soil below the plate. The probe has an inner cavity that is open at the point and configured to receive soil when the point pierces through soil, and a window through the probe to the inner cavity configured to allow the soil in the inner cavity to be viewed through the probe.

In a variety of different construction methods, layers of material are laid over a substrate or base layer. The thicknesses of these layers or lifts are controlled and determined by engineering design for quality, cost, and regulatory purposes. As an example, in the construction of transportation systems such as state highways and local roadways, an aggregate base course is applied to the ground and a paving surface of asphalt hotmix, warm-mix or concrete is then laid over the aggregate base course. To ensure the durability of the eventual roadway, the aggregate base course is processed in place and compacted. Resulting in a particular thickness over the natural ground or native soil (sub-base), to a tolerance of plus or minus one inch (+/−1″) (2.5 cm) with an accuracy of a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm).
The thickness of the various layers is often measured using a pick-axe, shovel, straight edge, and a tape measure. The tester breaks through the various layers of compacted material using a pick axe to then dig a hole using a shovel, post hole digger, or other digging tool. The straight edge is then placed across this hole after the mound of displaced material is scraped off flat to the same plane as the surrounding surface. Then a tape measure is placed into the resulting hole against the straight edge, which now marks the top or surface of the material to measure the total depth of the layers. For large construction projects many tests are made across the surface of the material at a required frequency or distance using a random sampling plan to assure compliance with specifications and standards of various federal, state or local agencies throughout the construction.


A connector device includes a housing mounted on a mother board and having a slot for receiving a daughter board. A retainer is used for securing the daughter board to the housing, and includes a base having a channel for receiving the daughter board, and a seat having a bore for slidably receiving a latch. A spring may bias the latch to engage with the daughter board and to lock the daughter board to the base and the seat of the retainer. The latch includes an end portion having an angled surface for allowing the daughter board to move the latch against the spring.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector device, and more particularly to a card connector device having a retainer for solidly and effectively retaining or latching daughter boards to mother boards.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical card connector devices have been provided for securing daughter boards to mother boards. One of the typical card connector devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,124 to Wang, and comprises a retention arm having a latch projection for engaging with and for locking the daughter board to a housing of the card connector device.
However, the retention arm is formed integral with the housing with molding processes. When the card connector device is formed or manufactured with a softer material, the retention arm will have no suitable resilience to retain or to latch the daughter board to the housing.
On the contrary, when the card connector device is formed or manufactured with a relatively harder or stronger material, the daughter board may not easily move over or beyond the retention arm, and the retention arm may have a good chance to be broken by the users when the retention arm is bent relative to the housing.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional card connector devices.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a card connector device including a retainer for solidly and effectively retaining or latching daughter boards to mother boards.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector device comprising a mother board, an elongate housing mounted on the mother board, and including an elongate slot formed therein, a daughter board selectively engageable into the slot of the housing, and a retainer for securing the daughter board to the housing. The retainer includes a base having a channel formed therein for receiving the daughter board, and a seat having a bore formed therein, and a latch slidably received in the bore of the seat, and means for biasing the latch to engage with the daughter board and to lock the daughter board to the base and the seat of the retainer.
The biasing means includes a spring engaged between the latch and the seat, for biasing the latch to move relative to the seat and to engage with the daughter board.
The latch includes an end portion extendible into the channel of the base, and an angled surface formed in the end portion thereof for engaging with the daughter board when the daughter board is engaged into the channel of the base.
A knob is further provided and secured to the latch for moving the latch relative to the seat against the biasing means, and includes a partition having an aperture formed therein, the latch includes an end portion engaged through the aperture of the partition and secured to the knob.
The aperture of the knob includes a non-circular cross section, and the end portion of the latch includes a non-circular cross section engaged in the aperture of the knob, for preventing the knob from rotating relative to the latch.
The latch includes at least one catch provided on the end portion thereof, and engageable with the knob, for locking the knob to the latch. The latch includes a groove formed in the end portion thereof, and a lock having a bar engaged into the groove of the latch.
The knob includes an orifice formed therein for receiving the lock. The knob includes at least one passage formed therein and communicating with the orifice thereof, the lock includes at least one projection extended therefrom and engageable into the passage of the knob, for securing the lock to the knob.
The knob includes an outer peripheral portion having at least one peripheral swelling provided thereon for facilitating movement of the knob relative to the seat and the base.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.

Card connector device having daughter board retainer


A rechargeable lithium battery module includes a first rechargeable lithium battery cell combined with a second rechargeable lithium battery cell, the first rechargeable lithium battery cell being the same or different than the second rechargeable lithium battery cell, and the rechargeable lithium battery module has an output voltage of about 13.6 V to about 15.6 V.

1. Field
This disclosure relates to a rechargeable lithium battery module.
2. Description of the Related Art
An automobile is provided with an Integrated Starter and Generator (ISG) functioning as a starter for starting the engine and as a power generator to improve fuel efficiency of the automobile. The ISG stops the engine when the engine runs idle for a predetermined or set time, and when the brake pedal is released or when the accelerator pedal is pressed, an Idle Stop & Go function, which restarts the engine, is performed.
Lead acid batteries can be used in rechargeable battery modules for supplying power to the ISG. Lead acid batteries, however, have relatively low energy density and high capacity-based volume, and when lead acid batteries are connected with the ISG, the cycle-life of lead acid batteries is reduced as a result of repeated charging and discharging. Also, lead acid batteries have poor low-temperature starting characteristics and take a relatively long time to be charged. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a rechargeable battery module having a small volume, good low-temperature discharge characteristics, rapid charge characteristics and good cycle-life characteristics while supplying voltage in the driving voltage region of the ISG.


A normalized driver performance comparison framework can include predicting a plurality of scenarios of a ground vehicle. A Monte Carlo simulation can be utilized to determine results using the predicted plurality of scenarios and one or more predictive models. Best and worst possible scenarios and associated efficiency for an observed scenario can be determined based on the Monte Carlo simulation results. The efficiency for the observed scenario can be normalized as a function of the best and worst efficiencies.

The operating costs of commercial vehicles include fuel, labor, equipment, insurance and the like. The fuel costs are the largest portion of the operating costs. The profit margin across the commercial truck industry is currently approximately 4.8%. Therefore, if operating costs, through fuel savings, can be reduced by just 5%, the net operating profit margins for a trucking company can be increased by 50%.
Generally, optimal energy efficiency can be obtained while cruising at a steady speed, at minimal throttle and with the transmission in the highest gear on a level roadway. However, the driving environment is highly dynamic and therefore ground vehicles cannot be operated at a steady slate cruising speed, with minimal throttle input in the highest gear. Hills, curves, traffic, weather and the like will require the vehicle to operate at varying speeds, accelerating and braking, and changing between multiple gears. The driving environment and the skill of the given driver can have a significant impact on energy efficiency. The efficiency of the ground vehicle also varies between types of vehicles and applications. For example, some trucks are configured for local deliveries where stop and go style driving is common, loads may be lighter, the average speeds are lower, there are more braking events, and there is more idling time during multiple delivery stops. Other trucks are configured for heavy loads, traveling predominantly on highways, across mountain passes, and at higher average speeds. The efficiency also varies not just between make and model of ground vehicles, but also between vehicles of the same make, model, year and configurations. Each vehicle of the same make, model, year and configuration can exhibit slightly different performance due to manufacturing variations. Finally, efficiency will vary for different routes between the same two points, or for the same route under different weather and or traffic conditions.
Because ground vehicles like commercial trucks are typically operated for long periods of time, day in and day out, and traveling substantial distance, even small differences in efficiency can have an appreciable impact on operating costs. However, with all the impacts on efficiency it is difficult to accurately determine small differences in efficiency between ground vehicles and or drivers. Therefore, there is a need to accurately determine the efficiency of ground vehicles.

Normalized performance comparison techniques


A one phase, liquid composition for oral administration comprises a NSAID such as an indoleacetic acid derivative or a pyrroleacetic acid derivative plus a di- or triglyceride of a medium chain fatty acid edible oil which has the characteristics of a pharmaceutical solvent carrier as known to those skilled in the art. Other pharmaceutical additives may be optionally added. An additional stipulation is that ethanol or other monohydric alcohol solvents should not be present.

Liquid oral pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration have been often formulated in the past in vehicles which contain ethanol. Frequently, the compositions thusly prepared do not contain water because of a stability problem, to suppress undesirable organoleptic properties of the composition or to enhance solubility.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (analgesic) drug whose family is known in the art as NSAID's. It has been on the ethical and proprietary markets for years and is in widespread use. While many dosage unit forms of the compound are on the market, few acceptable oral, one phase liquid forms of the compound are on the market, few acceptable oral, one phase liquid forms of ibuprofen have been reported. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,666, and 3,228,831 and U.K. Patent Specification 971,700, are representative of the prior art.
Due to the low solubility of ibuprofen in aqueous vehicles and its poor organoleptic characteristics, certain of us earlier found excellent oral dosage units can be prepared using a vehicle comprising certain edible oils and absolute ethanol. However, now a new problem has been identified.
Ibuprofen, and other NSAID's which have a reactive carboxylic acid moiety in their chemical structures, have been unexpectedly found to form ethyl ester derivatives in the oral edible oil-alcohol vehicle.
Esterification can reduce the quantity of ibuprofen available for absorption. The alcohol-oil vehicles remain, however, excellent products organoleptically when formulated with NSAID active ingredients. The following description will describe a solution we have found to this previously unrecognized problem in the art.

Liquid oral pharmaceutical compositions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs


According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided, comprising providing, via a request module, a user interface, wherein the user interface displays at least one request and a status for each request; receiving selection of one of the displayed requests at a unification layer, via the user interface, wherein the unification layer is provided by the request module; accessing, by the request module, at least one of a first application and a second application based on the received selection; and generating a visualization displayed on the user interface, wherein the visualization includes the at least one request and status for each request, the selected at least one request and a request indicator. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Organizations often use products and/or software applications to perform different tasks. At times, execution of the software application may result in errors whereby the software application does not perform the task as intended. In these instances, a user at the organization may contact a service manager to address error. Typically, the service manager may be responsible for addressing more than one error, and the service manager may access multiple software applications to plan the steps to fix the error and to track and confirm that these steps have been executed. The use of multiple software applications is cumbersome and results in increased time for processing as the service manager has to navigate through multiple applications to determine whether information entered in one application is carried through to another application. Additionally, the use of multiple applications may make it difficult for the service manager to get a sense of the totality of the errors for which they are responsible, and for the status of these errors.
Systems and methods are desired which support the efficient use of planning and confirming the resolution of the errors.

Harmonized multi-column flexi user interface


A system and methods for addressing unique locations in a matrix. According to some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of uniquely addressable locations. A plurality of virtual columns that include a plurality of serially connected switch elements provide addressable access to the locations. The plurality of switch elements may be one of a plurality of responsive types and responsive to at least one of a plurality of possible switching signal types.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for providing a matrix of uniquely addressable locations and, more particularly, to devices that may uniquely address locations in a matrix of addressable locations using a reduced number of address bits.
2. Related Art
Several types of devices require unique locations to be addressed. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, devices that present data such as video displays, devices that may receive and record matrix data such as imaging arrays, and devices that may interconnect internally such as logic arrays. Another type of device which requires unique locations to be addressed is a device which may store and receive data such as a computer memory.
In the context of computer memories, since the advent of the first computer, it has been realized that memory devices for storing information are an essential element of a working computer. Many types of memories for computers have been developed, such as read-only memories (ROMs) and random-access memories (RAMs) as well as magnetic and optical data storage disks. These memories are accessed for read/write operations by the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer.
As computers have gotten smaller and faster, computer and memory unit designers have recognized that the memory devices likewise need to be smaller and operate faster. This has led to very competitive research and development of smaller, faster memory units.
The same has been true of display screens and other devices that may require unique locations to be addressed in order to control their operation. That is, almost all devices of present day that require unique addressing are getting smaller and faster and the trend is continuing.
The basic structure upon which present devices where unique addressing is required (e.g., computer memories, sensor arrays and LCD displays) is based is the row/column array configuration. This structure has been very useful, not only in the field of computer memories but also as a model for conceptually dealing with data structures in the computer science art.
FIG. 1 is an example of a prior art row/column array 1 used to address a unique location. The array 1 includes several rows 2 and columns 3. In some instances, an active component, such as a memory cell, a "pixel" for a display screen or a sensor, may be located at the intersection point of a row and a column.
In order to access a particular element in the array 1, the CPU (not shown) must access both the row and the column corresponding to the location of the element in the array. This entails sending a location address from the CPU to the array 1. The address is then decoded by conventional means such as a multiplexer, and the correct active component may be accessed. Thus, the location of each element may be represented as Nr,c where the r and c represent the row and column, respectively (with the first row and column being denoted as "0" as is conventional).
For example, in the 8×8 array 1 of FIG. 1, if the CPU desired access to the element at the intersection of the third row and the eighth column (n2,7) the CPU would have to send a binary row address of 010 to the row decoder 4 and a binary column address of 111 to the column decoder 5. The row decoder 4 and column decoder 5 are typically implemented as multiplexers. The row decoder 4 converts the three bit row input to a binary representation of 00000100. This output is then transferred to the array 1 through hard wired connections between the output of the row decoder 4 and the array 1. Thus, in order to access each row of the 8×8 array 1, eight physical line connections (as well as the requisite multiplexer) must be included with the array 1. Similarly, the column decoder 5 receives the address 111 and converts it to 10000000 leading to an additional 8 lines (and a second multiplexer) to be connected to the array 1. Thus, a total of 16 physical line connections and two decoders are required in order to access each and every cell of the 8×8 array 1. The interconnections and decoders require space on an integrated chip and therefore serve as a bottleneck when trying to reduce the physical size occupied by the array 1 and its supporting hardware.
When an array is configured in the manner described above, the number of address bits required to access the particular matrix is determined by the size of the array. For example, addressing for a 64 cell, 8×8 matrix 1 requires at least 6 bits, 3 for the row and 3 for the column. Thus, an inherent relationship exists in essentially all conventional array type devices between the requisite number of address bits and the number of active elements in the array 1 as shown in equation (1):addresses=2n  (1)where n is the number of address bits. However, this equation is deceiving; it represents the number of bits the CPU must "send out" in order to access a particular active element of the array 1. In actuality, the number of address bits received by the array 1 is equal to the number of physical line connections to the array 1 as discussed above. Thus, for the 8×8 array discussed above, the array 1 actually receives 16 address bits. This is more than double the number of address bits needed to represent each of the active elements of the array. The transmission of these extra bits requires additional wiring and thus, increases the size and complexity of arrays.
Thus, for a square array containing 2n active elements, 2×2n/2 lines (i.e., 2n/2 columns and 2n/2 rows) must be supplied to and embedded within the array. For example, for an array of 4096 bits (i.e. 212), 128 (i.e., 2×26) lines are necessary, even though the lower limit of binary addresses required from the CPU is only 12—a full order of magnitude less than the row/column scheme requires. This disparity grows exponentially as the array grows in size.
Other issues related to the amount of wiring required in conventional devices include the complex topology necessitated by the perpendicular passage of row and column lines past one another to reach their respective connections to the cell.
Devices having a plurality of uniquely addressable locations of the prior art were typically rigid integrated chips. At times, when repairing or modifying the internal configuration of the product that includes such devices, an integrated chip could be cracked or broken. Further, having the device placed on an integrated chip severely limited the shape the device could take. For example, an array configured in the row/column manner somewhat predisposes the chips to take on a square shape (See e.g., FIG. 1). While the rows and columns may intersect one another at angles other than right angles, the space constraints of the active element which actually stores, displays or receives the information of interest must fit and be connectable to the rows and columns and this limits the row/column configuration.
In addition, there is a lower size limit dictated by the total perimeter necessary to accommodate all interconnections from all lines of the array to external devices. For example, with the 4096 bit array described above, the total perimeter is equal to roughly 128×P, where P is the so called "pitch distance" required between bonding pads. Thus one side of the square array is approximately (128×P/4) in length and the area of the array can be no less than (128×P/4)2. Since bonding pads must be large enough to accommodate ordinary wires, P is a number which cannot be reduced into the microscopic range. Therefore, even if the array itself is reduced to a minuscule area, the overall package cannot be reduced beyond the size dictated by the lower limits of perimeter length. In actuality, the perimeter is even greater than described above since additional grounding lines must be regularly interspersed amongst the signal lines to control inter-line capacitive interference.
The typical row/column configuration may also have inherent signal propagation delays because a signal must traverse the long narrow conduction pathways established in the array before it is read out.
Another source of delay may come in the form of a stabilization timing delay which is inherent in a conventional row/column accessing scheme. Typically, to access, for example, a particular memory cell, sensor or display element, the column is addressed, allowed to stabilize, and then the row is addressed and allowed to stabilize. The timing of the stabilization has received a great deal of attention as it is related to clock cycles with various conventional schemes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and methods for addressing a matrix incorporating virtual columns and addressing layers


Amines such as methyl amine are reacted with materials such as reducing sugars in hydroxy solvents such as methanol to prepare N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines. Accordingly, glucose is reacted with methyl amine and the resulting adduct is hydrogenated to yield N-methylglucamine. The N-alkyl polyhydroxyamines can be subsequently reacted with fatty esters to provide polyhydroxy fatty acid amides useful as detersive surfactants. Thus, detersive surfactants are available from non-petrochemical precursors such as sugars and sugar sources such as corn syrup, and fatty acid esters derivable from various fats and oils.

The manufacture of N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines, such as N-methylglucamine, has been known for many years, and such materials are available commercially. In the main, however, their use has been somewhat limited and such materials have been relatively expensive. Recently, there has been occasion to employ N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines in reactions with fatty acid esters to prepare fatty acid polyhydroxy amide detersive surfactants for use in cleaning products. As can be imagined, were the cost of N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines to remain high, this laundry detergent use of the fatty acid polyhydroxy amide surfactants would be impossible. Accordingly, there is a continuing search for quick, inexpensive means for preparing N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines on a commercial scale.
Moreover, it is has been determined that care must be taken in preparing N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines in a form that is suitable for subsequent reaction with fatty acid methyl esters, since contamination of the N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines with, for example., hydrogenation catalysts such as Raney nickel, unreacted sugars, water, and the like, can seriously impact on the formation of the fatty acid polyhydroxy amide formation. For example, browning reactions, with the formation of undesirable color bodies, can occur. The formation of various undesirable by-products such as cyclic materials and/or ester-amides can also occur. In a worse case scenario, by-product formation can be so high that the desired reaction of the N-alkyl polyhydroxy amine with the fatty acid methyl ester is essentially stopped in its entirety, with the formation of black, intractable tarry products.
The present invention provides a simple means for preparing N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines, especially N-methylglucamine, in high yields, with low color formation, and in a form that is particularly suited for subsequent reaction with fatty acid esters.

Process for preparing N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines


A service request is processed according to a computation graph associated with the service by receiving inputs for the computation graph from a service client, providing the inputs to the computation graph as records of a data flow, receiving output from the computation graph, and providing the output to the service client.

Complex business systems typically process data in multiple stages, with the results produced by one stage being fed into the next stage. The overall flow of information through such systems may be described in terms of a directed data flow graph, with vertices in the graph representing components (either data files or processes), and the links or "edges" in the graph indicating flows of data between components.
Graphs also can be used to invoke computations directly. The "CO>OPERATING SYSTEM®" with Graphical Development Environment (GDE) from Ab Initio Software Corporation, Lexington, Mass. embodies such a system. Graphs made in accordance with this system provide methods for getting information into and out of individual processes represented by graph components, for moving information between the processes, and for defining a running order for the processes. This system includes algorithms that choose interprocess communication methods and algorithms that schedule process execution, and also provides for monitoring of the execution of the graph.
A distributed services architecture allows computer programs to access capabilities of other programs through a network interface, such as the world wide web, without having to incorporate the functionalities of those programs into their own operating code.

Distributing services in graph-based computations

Abstract: Data flows are processed concurrently in a graph-based computation by potentially concurrent execution of different types of requests, potentially concurrent execution of similar request types, and/or potentially concurrent execution of work elements within a request.


At a vehicle, pressure probes are arranged, which generate signals from which differences and differential quotients are formed. As a result, quantities may be generated by a computer which reflect the angle of incidence as well as the ram pressure of the cross wind on the vehicle.

The invention relates to an arrangement for determining the effects of cross winds on vehicles, particularly motor vehicles or the like, having several pressure probes which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical central longitudinal plane of the vehicle, are spaced away from one another in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and are connected with the input side of a computer which analyzes the measured pressure values.
German Pat. Specification (DE-PS) 11 08 091, teaches to arrange one pressure sensor respectively on two opposite sides of a vehicle for sensing air pressure influenced by cross winds. Each pressure sensor is connected with a control element, which responds to the differential pressure and controls steering motions of the vehicles which are directed against the cross winds to compensate for the influence of the cross winds on the vehicle.
Although this arrangement recognizes that pressure differences occur between the vehicle sides as a result of cross winds, it was found to be impossible in practice to actuate the steering for the compensation of the cross wind effects solely as a function of these pressure differences.
In the text "ISATA-Proc. 87057 (1987) 16th Int. Symposium on Automotive Technol. and Automation (Florence 1987), Proc. Vol. 2", Page 233-243, it is described how wind effects on a motor vehicle can be determined directly during test drives. For this purpose, a plurality of pressure transducers are arranged on both longitudinal sides of the vehicle as well as at the vehicle front end and the vehicle rear end, in order to determine the air pressure at the respective measuring points during the driving operation of the vehicle. Utilizing a computer, which analyzes the measured values, the aerodynamic forces affecting the vehicle can then be determined. In particular, it can be determined how large the moments are which seek to influence the vehicle in the sense of a pitching motion or rolling motion and how large the side force is which seeks to press the vehicle sideways in cross wind.
It is the main purpose of this known arrangement to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of motor vehicle bodies during test drives on a test site. The information derived in this manner can be used to supplement, or to obviate the need for, data from tests with models of the motor vehicle in wind tunnels.
However, this text does not contain any information as to how data concerning the wind velocity and/or the wind direction may be supplied to the driver of a motor vehicle during the driving operation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement, for determining information indicative of the wind velocity as well as the direction of a cross wind on the vehicle which can be constructed at a comparatively low cost in terms of both labor and equipment expenditure.
According to advantageous preferred embodiments of the present invention, these and other objects are achieved in that a computer generates a signal representative of the wind direction relative to the vehicle utilizing a quotient value which is formed from the difference of the signals generated by a first probe on one vehicle side and of a second probe on the other vehicle side arranged asymmetrically with respect to the first probe and from the difference of the signals of the probes which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the two above-mentioned probes. The computer also generates a signal representative of the ram pressure, in that the difference of the signals of two probes arranged asymmetrically with respect to one another on different vehicle sides is functionally related with a factor which is given or can be determined and which is dependent on the signal representative of the wind direction.
When determining the wind direction, a preferred embodiment of the present invention advantageously utilizes the recognition that a vehicle (which, in a conventional manner, is shaped symmetrically with respect to a vertical central longitudinal plane), when cross winds are present, is surrounded by fluid flow asymmetrically with respect to the vertical central longitudinal plane. At the same time, the surprising recognition is utilized that this asymmetry of fluid flow and thus the angle of incidence of the cross winds relative to the vehicle can be determined sufficiently precisely utilizing only a few probes which are arranged in the indicated manner.
In addition, when determining the ram pressure, i.e., an essential quantity of the cross wind which is predominantly dependent only on the wind velocity, the unexpected realization is utilized that a determination of the ram pressure is possible from a pressure difference which can be measured by means of two pressure probes merely if correction factors are known which are correlated with the angle of incidence of the cross wind relative to the vehicle. These correction factors may be determined empirically for each respective vehicle shape by means of wind tunnel experiments.
As a function of the angle of incidence as well as of the ram pressure of the cross wind, the computer, if necessary, can influence a steering or also aerodynamic devices or the like of the vehicle in order to compensate for the effect of the cross wind or to make it more manageable for the driver.
An advantageous feature of preferred embodiments of the present invention is that it is possible to react very rapidly to the cross wind, because the disturbance variable, i.e., the angle of incidence as well as the ram pressure of the cross wind, can be taken into account due to the realizatin that the ram pressure is functionally related with the angle of incidence of the cross wind. As a result, a particularly steady vehicle handling is ensured.
In principle, it is also possible to reduce the effects of cross winds by way of a disturbance variable deviation control, in which case, for example, yaw velocity sensors are used in the vehicle in order to register its rotation around a vertical axis of the vehicle. If the steering angle and the vehicle reaction do not coincide, a control system intervenes in the steering, possibly in a rear wheel steering, in order to minimize the deviation. However, in contrast to the system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, deviations from the course must first take place as the result of the cross wind, before a correction can be effective. The preferred embodiments of the present invention, in contrast, permit an anticipating correction.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure probes are, in each case, arranged interiorly spaced from a body shell of the vehicle at an opening or bore which leads to the outside, the diameter or cross-section of which may be quite small. For example, bores with a diameter of about 3 mm are sufficient.
With a view to a higher measuring precision, it is extremely expedient and advantageous for the pressure probes, to each be connected, by means of pipes or hoses or the like, to a common reference space and to generate signals which are a function of the pressure difference between the surroundings of the probe and the reference space. Thus, each pressure probe practically represents a differential-pressure gauge. This type of an arrangement is possible because, in the case of the system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, to determine both the angle of incidence as well as the ram pressure of cross winds only the relative differences between the pressure values measured, in each case, by two pressure probes or the signals emitted by two pressure probes, must be measured or determined as essential quantities. Thus the pressure level in the reference space has no influence on the precision of the system. The pressure in the reference space may even fluctuate with respect to time. However, fast pressure fluctuations in the reference space should be avoided, because, as a result, turbulences or pressure waves may arise in the connecting lines between the pressure probes and the reference space which affect the different pressure probes at different times and thus falsify the quantities to be determined. For this reason, it is, as a rule, expedient to connect the reference space with the atmosphere by a throttle path in order to reduce the rapidity of pressure changes in the reference space.
In addition, for example, in the case of motor vehicles, a hollow space in the body can be connected with the pressure probes as a reference space.
With a view to a high measuring precision, it is also advantageous for the pressure probes to be arranged such that the signals of each probe, during wind in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, are large in amount and approximately proportional to the ram pressure. In the case of a constant wind velocity, at least in an angular area of the wind directions it is advantageous if the signals generated by the probes are dependent clearly on the wind direction. A position of the pressure probes which is optimal in this respect may be determined empirically by wind tunnel experiments.
In order to determine the angle of incidence of cross winds impinging at the front of the vehicle at angles up to 75.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, it is sufficient to arrange two front and two lateral pressure probes at the vehicle. If arbitrary directions of incidence are to be taken into account, two additional lateral pressure probes are to be provided. In this latter arrangement, it is advantageous, in the case of a passenger car, for the additional lateral pressure probes to be arranged approximately at the lateral vehicle center and for the above-mentioned lateral pressure probes to be arranged close to the forward vehicle corners. Also for the front-end pressure probes an arrangement close to the corners is usually advantageous.
Even if a total of six pressure probes are provided for the correlated values of the wind incidence angle and the ram pressure, only values from four of the six pressure probes are required to determine the wind incidence angle and ram pressure in each case. So that the computer takes into account the respective appropriate pressure probes, it is preferably provided that the signals of both symmetrically arranged front-end probes as well as two symmetrically arranged lateral probes are processed to determine the desired values when the difference between the signal of the front-end probe on one vehicle side and the signal of the other front-end probe has the same preceding sign as the difference between the signal of one lateral probe on one vehicle side and the signal of the respective symmetrically arranged lateral probe. If the two differences have an opposite preceding sign, the signals of the four lateral probes are utilized.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Arrangement for determining the effects of cross winds on vehicles


A velocity determination system determines a three dimensional velocity of an object wherein the three dimensional velocity comprises a radial velocity and a transverse velocity. A velocity determination system receives a first signal from the object. The velocity determination system then receives a second signal from the object. The velocity determination system then correlates the first signal and the second signal. The velocity determination system determines the radial velocity based on a ratio of the correlation of the first signal and the second signal. The velocity determination system then determines a transverse velocity based on a ratio of the correlation of the first signal and the second signal in a forward mode and a backward mode along a transverse direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject matter of the present invention involves methods, software products, and systems that determine three dimensional velocity of an object. More particularly, the methods, software products, and systems determine radial and transverse velocities of the object.
2. Statement of the Problem
Some systems that measure the velocity of moving objects use the Doppler effect, where a change of frequency occurs depending on the motion of the object toward or away from the observer. The Doppler effect occurs in various forms of waves including sound, light, and electromagnetic waves. Doppler radar was developed during World War II to detect aircraft and other moving objects. Doppler radar has also been used in meteorological applications to measure precipitation and wind. In one meteorological application, mono-static Doppler radar measures the radial velocity of wind.
Other meteorological applications use Doppler radar to measure the velocity of wind. One example of a meteorological application is a multiple Doppler radar system, where two or more radar are directed towards a region from different directions. The Doppler radar systems then obtain the velocity of the wind from different directions and generate a two dimensional or three dimensional wind field. Unfortunately, using multiple Doppler radar systems is expensive. Also, synchronization between the multiple Doppler radar systems is difficult to achieve.
Another example is a bi-static radar network that includes one transmitter and at least two receivers placed at different angles. The multiple receivers obtain the velocity of wind from each of the receiver directions. Problems of the bi-static radar network include sidelobe, varying sample volume, and limited spatial coverage.
Another example is a Doppler beam swing (DBS) wind profiler. The DBS wind profiler points the radar beam in different directions and obtains the velocity in corresponding directions. One problem is the DBS wind profiler is only applicable to highly homogenous wind so that the different sample volume has the same wind. Unfortunately, wind is not necessarily homogenous.
Another method for determining velocity is the interferometry technique. The interferometry technique determines the transverse velocity from the interference effect of the scattered wave since the interference pattern moves with the scatterer""s motion. In one example, the interferometry technique is understood as a change in correlation. If the sample volume follows the motion of the distributed scatterers, the correlation is maximum. Otherwise, the correlation of the scattered wave signal decreases. If the sample volume is in the opposite direction of the motion of the target distributed scatterers, the correlation is even less.
One example of the interferometry method is the spaced antenna (SA) system. In the SA system, multiple receivers are co-located with the transmitter. The SA system then processes the received signals to determine the cross-correlation function and the wind velocity. One prior system by Liu et al in 1990 relates the complex cross correlation to the wind and refraction index xcex94n statistics. Another prior system by Doviak et al in 1996 derives the cross-correlation function and extends it to a large class of xcex94n statistics.
One prior system by the National Center for Atmospheric Research is the Multiple Antenna Profiler (MAPR). The MAPR system includes 4 vertically pointing sub-arrays for reception and uses SA techniques to measure wind. The MAPR measures the motion of atmospheric echoes as the scatterers in the atmosphere move over the radar.
One processing method for obtaining the transverse wind is the full correlation analysis by Briggs et al in 1984. Another processing method is the intersection method by Doviak in 1994 and 1995. The intersection method estimates both auto-and cross-correlation functions. Another processing method is the cross/auto-correlation by Doviak et al in 1997. Another processing method is the slope at zero lag method by Lataitis et al in 1995. The slope at zero lag method is difficult to obtain high accuracy in the case of time lag interval comparable to the time shift of the correlation peak. One problem with these methods is the effect of system noise on auto-correlation.
The invention solves the above problems by determining a three dimensional velocity of an object wherein the three dimensional velocity comprises a radial velocity and a transverse velocity. A velocity determination system receives a first signal from the object. The velocity determination system then receives a second signal from the object. The velocity determination system then correlates the first signal and the second signal. The velocity determination system determines the radial velocity based on a ratio of the correlation of the first signal and the second signal. The velocity determination system then determines a transverse velocity based on a ratio of the correlation of the first signal and the second signal in a forward mode and a backward mode along a transverse direction.
In one embodiment, the velocity determination system transmits a third signal towards the object. In some embodiments, the object comprises wind. In some embodiments, the first signal and the second signal comprise electromagnetic waves, light waves, or sound waves. In one embodiment, the velocity determination system determines a cross correlation coefficient for the first signal and the second signal. The velocity determination system then determines a ratio of the cross correlation coefficient for the first signal and the second signal.
In other embodiments, the velocity determination system combines the first signal end the second signal. In one embodiment, the velocity determination system receives one other signal from the object and correlates the combination of the first signal and the second signal with the others signal. The velocity determination system then determines the radial velocity based on a ratio of the combination of the first signal and the second signal with the other signal and determines a transverse velocity based on ratio of the correlation of the combination of the first signal and the second signal with the other signal in the forward mode and the backward mode along the transverse direction.

Determining three dimensional velocity of a object

University Corporation for Atmospheric Reserch


A leisure fitness bike has a front frame hinged to a rear frame, a handlebar and a front wheel. A pedal body is installed at upper and lower ends of the front frame. The rear frame includes a saddle, a rear wheel and a rear wheel transmission device. A driving device is between the front and rear frames and coupled to a rear wheel transmission device. After a rider sits on the saddle and puts both hands and legs onto the handlebar and the pedal body, the front frame is moved forward and backward by stretching and contracting forces, and the driving device drives the rear wheel transmission device to roll the rear wheel and move the bike body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a leisure fitness bike, and more particularly to the improved leisure fitness bike with the features of a simple structure and an easy and convenient use. Unlike riding a conventional fitness bike, riders can enjoy the recreation, fan and diversity of the bike with both transportation and exercise effects.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among various different types of fitness bikes, the bicycles used for outdoors are the representative ones, and the way of installing and operating the bicycle mainly installs a chain wheel and left and right cranes to a bottom bracket, wherein a pedal is installed separately at the left and right cranes and the two pedals are installed with an included angle equal to 180 degrees, so that a rider's legs can pedal both pedals alternately by a circular motion. When the chain wheel rotates, a free wheel drives the rear wheel to rotate and move forward. In other words, the conventional way of pedaling and driving a bicycle is achieved by the circular pedaling of both legs of the rider, which is a pedal driving method. As to the bicycle rider, such pedal driving method provides a very high efficiency and is commonly used. In addition, the bicycle is generally used for short-distance transportation or for exercises, so that the operation requirement is not intended to give fun to the riders. However, a leisure fitness bike with the purposes of recreation and exercise, the way of driving and operation of the bicycle is relatively rigid without much diversity or refreshing, or even is too boring for the riders to continue their ride.


Wireless communications systems supporting carrier aggregation and selective distributed routing of secondary cell component carriers based on transmission power demand or signal quality are disclosed. The wireless communications system includes a signal router circuit communicatively coupled to a signal source. The signal router circuit is configured to distribute a primary cell component carrier, including control information, to each of multiple remote units to be distributed to any mobile device in a respective coverage area of any remote unit to avoid the need to support handovers. In addition, the signal router circuit is configured to selectively distribute one or more secondary cell component carriers to any subset of the remote units based on at least one of transmission power demand or signal quality associated with the remote units.

The disclosure relates to wireless communications equipment, systems, and related networks, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTSs), its offspring Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5th Generation New Radio (5G-NR) described and being developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and more particularly to supporting carrier aggregation and selective distributed routing of secondary cell component carriers based on transmission power demand or signal quality.
Wireless customers are increasingly demanding wireless communications services, including in areas that are poorly serviced by conventional cellular networks, such as inside certain buildings or indoor and outdoor areas where there is little cellular coverage. In this regard, wireless communications systems, such as distributed antenna systems (DASs) or cloud radio access networks (C-RANs), are being deployed to provide voice and data services to poorly serviced areas. A wireless communications system, such as a DAS, generally includes remote antenna units (RAUs) configured to receive and transmit communications signals to mobile devices within the antenna range of the RAUs. A wireless communications system can be particularly useful when deployed inside a building or other indoor/outdoor environment where the wireless communications devices may not otherwise be able to effectively receive radio frequency (RF) signals from a source.
In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional DAS 100 that is configured to distribute communications services to remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N), where 'N' is the number of remote coverage areas. The DAS 100 can be configured to support cellular communications services. The remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N) are created by and located about RAUs 104(1)-104 (N) connected to a central unit 106. The central unit 106 may be communicatively coupled to a base transceiver station (BTS) 108. In this regard, the central unit 106 receives downlink communications signals 110D from the BTS 108 to be distributed to the RAUs 104(1)-104 (N). The downlink communications signals 110D can include data communications signals and/or communication control signals on multiple frequency communications bands. The central unit 106 is configured with filtering circuits and/or other signal processing circuits that are configured to support a specific number of communications services in a particular frequency bandwidth (i.e., frequency communications bands). The downlink communications signals 110D are communicated by the central unit 106 over a communications link 112 over their frequency to the RAUs 104(1)-104 (N).
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the RAUs 104(1)-104 (N) are configured to receive the downlink communications signals 110D from the central unit 106 over the communications link 112. The downlink communications signals 110D are configured to be distributed to the respective remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N) of the RAUs 104(1)-104(N). The RAUs 104(1)-104(N) are also configured with filters and other signal processing circuits that are configured to support the communications services (i.e., frequency communications bands) supported by the central unit 106. Each of the RAUs 104(1)-104(N) includes an RF transmitter/receiver 114(1)-114(N) and a respective antenna 116(1)-116(N) operably connected to the RF transmitter/receiver 114(1)-114(N) to wirelessly distribute the communications services to user equipment 118 within the respective remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N). The RAUs 104(1)-104(N) are also configured to receive uplink communications signals 110U from the user equipment 118 in the respective remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N) to be distributed to the BTS 108.
The capacity of wireless communications systems, including distributed wireless communications systems such as the DAS 100 in FIG. 1, may be improved through carrier aggregation. For example, carrier aggregation is a feature of LTE-advanced and newer telecommunications systems which provides for more efficient use of capacity across a set of wireless media, such as multiple wireless spectrum frequency bands. In carrier aggregation, a component carrier refers to a communication channel used for data transmission. Multiple such component carriers may be combined for data transmission even where the component carriers may be transmitted on separate frequency bands. According to carrier aggregation, for each user equipment, there is one component carrier used as a primary cell that provides control information and functions, such as Non-Access Stratum (NAS) mobility information, Radio Resource Control (RRC), and connection maintenance. In the downlink, the carrier corresponding to the primary cell is the downlink primary component carrier, while in the uplink it is the uplink primary component carrier. One or more other component carriers are referred to as secondary cells and are used for bandwidth expansion for the particular user equipment. The cell where an initial access is performed by the user equipment is the cell which is related by the network as the primary cell. Changing of a primary cell is performed only via a handover procedure. The network can configure additional component carriers as secondary cells only for a carrier aggregation-capable device with an RRC connection on a primary cell. The configuration of secondary cells is done via dedicated RRC signaling to the user equipment, as well as any addition, reconfiguration, or removal of secondary cells.
Using carrier aggregation, a wireless communications system may recurrently perform activation/deactivation of the secondary cell(s) while trying to provide the necessary throughput required by the user equipment and keeping the user equipment power consumption low whenever possible. The activation/deactivation of the secondary cell(s) is performed by the network independently for each of the secondary cell(s) serving the user equipment, according to internal algorithms of the network (aiming, for example, to meet the user equipment's current traffic demand). Thus, a handover is not required for moving between secondary cells while a primary cell is active for user equipment.
In this regard, FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional implementation of carrier aggregation with the DAS 100 of FIG. 1. According to a conventional carrier aggregation approach, the central unit 106 would transmit and receive a primary cell component carrier CC1 and a secondary cell component carrier CC2 from the BTS 108. Each component carrier CC1, CC2 is transmitted and received at a different RF carrier frequency f1, f2, respectively. The central unit 106 distributes both the primary cell component carrier CC1 and the secondary cell component carrier CC2 to all RAUs 104(1)-104(N), and the RAUs 104(1)-104(N) transmit and receive each component carrier CC1, CC2 wirelessly at a different RF carrier frequency f1, f2, respectively. The secondary cell component carrier CC2 is used to provide additional capacity in addition to the primary cell component carrier CC1. Because both component carriers CC1, CC2 are distributed to all remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N) of the DAS 100, no handover procedure is required for user equipment which moves between remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N).
Under this conventional approach, the additional wireless capacity provided by the secondary cell component carrier CC2 is uniformly distributed to all remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N). The additional capacity is not localized, and a remote coverage area 102(1) with higher wireless traffic needs does not receive an allocation of additional capacity different from the other remote coverage areas 102(2)-102(N). In addition, each RAU 104(1)-104(N) broadcasts both component carriers CC1, CC2, requiring the RAUs 104(1)-104(N) to use the same amount of power to have similar size remote coverage areas 102(1)-102(N).
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.


A mouse device with a separable transmission cable includes a mouse body, a transmission cable and a buckling means. The mouse body further has a buckling jack and a body connection port located close to the buckling jack. The transmission cable further includes a first terminal and a second terminal, in which the first terminal has a first connection port for engaging the body connection port and the second terminal has a second connection port for engaging a computer. The buckling means for buckling the first terminal inside the buckling jack of the mouse body is located at the first connection port.

(1) Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to a point-indexing device, more particularly to a mouse device with a separable transmission cable.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In the art of computer science, the most important human-machine interfaces include definitely the mouse and the keyboard. Conventionally, a transmission cable is used to establish the communication between the mouse and the computer. However, to a busy computer system, more than two transmission cables are usually adapted at the same time to connect with the peripherals of the computer system. Under such a circumstance, it is easy to expect a terrible desk top space. Especially, in the case that an improper installation location happens to the computer, the problem of a too-short or too-long cable is usually found this busy computer. Even more, problems including ill-tension in some cables, loosen peripherals, unexpected fall-to-floor damages become inevitable.
Accordingly, emerge of the wireless communication technique to the desk-top system provides some answers. A clear advantage of the wireless communication is to reduce the number of the transmission cables. Yet, some other new disadvantages may also rise while introducing the wireless communication between the computer and its various peripherals. One of those disadvantages is the peripheral (the mouse for example) needs to have a built-in power source (the battery for example). For the transmission between the wireless peripheral and the computer is usually busy, it can be foreseen that the replacement or recharge of the battery might be quite frequent. Further, to the user in computer drawing or in some specific professionals, current wireless communication technique cannot provide sufficient transmission capacity to meet their needs.
In the following discussion of the present invention, the mouse is introduced to represent the typical peripheral of the computer system.

Mouse device with a separable transmission cable


Apparatus and methods for deriving a dietary plan. In one embodiment, the method comprises enabling a user to enter a long-term dietary goal at a health tracking device; accessing user profile information relating to the user; generating at least one value representative of a short-term dietary goal for the user based at least in part on the long-term dietary goal and the user profile information; dividing the at least one value of the short-term dietary goal among a plurality of dietary portions; and enabling the user to adjust the relative amount of the at least one value apportioned to each of the plurality of dietary portions.

Health and fitness tracking devices are increasingly utilized by individuals interested in tracking metrics related to their personal health and fitness. Some health and fitness tracking devices allow user to enter foods and beverages consumed by the user. In response to the foods and beverages entered by the user the health and fitness tracking devices provide the user with associated data concerning calorie consumption and nutritional intake. This data may be used to assist the user in meeting various goals related to weight loss, sugar intake limits, proper nutrition, or any of various other healthy lifestyle goals.
Challenges exist with user goals in health tracking systems. In particular, for users with long-term goals it is often difficult for these users to determine what daily behaviors will be best in helping the user achieve the desired goal. For example, for a user wishing to lose ten pounds in a month, it may be difficult for the user to which set of activities and/or meals in a given day will best assist the user in achieving the desired goal. Furthermore, even if the user has a plan to achieve the goal, the user may not understand the impact of straying from the plan or how to get back on course toward achieving the desired goal.
In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a health tracking system and related method that allows users achieve a desired larger goal via utilization of a series of smaller goals. It would also be advantageous if such a health tracking system enabled the user to more easily understand the impact of daily decisions on the plan for achieving the desired long-term goal. Moreover, it would be advantageous if such a health tracking system could provide tools and resources to help a user who strays from smaller goals to get back on course toward achieving the desired larger goal.


Application of electrical pulses is made in a controlled manner, in order to increase the absorption of substances applied previously on the skin. Optionally, mechanical vibrations may also be provided to the skin to increase the absorption effect. The electrical pulses are provided to the skin by way of an array of electrodes disposed on a vibrating head plate, and the mechanical vibrations are provided to the skin by way of the vibrating head plate being made to vibrate (if that option is utilized). Preferably, the electrical and mechanical vibrations are at the same frequency and phase with respect to each other, in order to increase the absorption effect. Also, at the same time the electrical pulses are provided to the skin, a syringe containing a skin enhancement substance or a drug is actuated so as to move a particular amount of the substance from the skin, whereby the substance is passed through a tube and then into a groove surrounding a central electrode of the array of electrodes disposed on the plate. The substance is absorbed within the skin as a result.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to application of electrical pulses and mechanical vibrations to the skin in a controlled manner, in order to increase the absorption of a substance that is applied at the same time to the skin by way of a syringe.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that an electrical pulse applied to the skin is useful in order to increase the absorption of a substance previously applied to the skin, whereby this technique is known as electroporation. Such a substance to be applied to the skin may be a liquid, a gel, a lotion, or a cream, for example.
It is desired to provide an apparatus and a method to increase the absorption of a substance to be applied to the skin, in order to obtain an increased (e.g., moisturizing) affect of the substance applied to the skin.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for enhancing the absorption of a substance to be applied on the skin.
To accomplish this, the present invention uses a sequence of electrical pulses (between 20 and 200V peak to peak, preferably, and between 50 and 15,000 Hz preferably) provided to electrodes that are placed in contact with the skin. There is also provided a corresponding surface vibration to the skin, by application of a mechanical vibration to the skin. The mechanical vibration is preferably of the same frequency and phase as the electrical pulses applied to the skin. The mechanical vibration is provided by way of a vibrating plate that also contains the electrodes (which provide the electrical stimulus to the skin at the same time the mechanical vibration is provided to the skin). In an alternative configuration, only electrical pulses are provided to the skin, whereby mechanical vibrations are not utilized.
The substance to be absorbed by the skin is applied to the skin by way of a syringe, which outputs the substance by way of a tube that is connected to an output of the syringe at one end of the tube and where the other end of the tube is disposed adjacent to a groove (or trough) surrounding a central electrode of an array of electrodes. Such a substance that is provided to the skin may be a cream, liquid or gel (for example, collagen, or cocoa butter, or suntan oil, or other types of skin enhancement lotions), or a drug to be administered into the skin.
The method according to an embodiment of the invention includes:
1) An apparatus which includes the following elements to perform the following treatment:
a) a probe having an array of electrodes on a head portion of the probe, with a central electrode disposed at a central location on the head portion and with a plurality of circumferential electrodes disposed around the central electrode.
b) a pulse generator connected to the array of electrodes.
c) a vibrator which vibrates the head portion of the probe at a same time the electrical pulses are provided to the array of electrodes on the head portion.
d) a syringe that provides a substance to the skin under control of a motor that outputs the substance from the syringe in a controlled manner, whereby the substance is provided to a groove or trough that surrounds the central electrode.
During operation, as electrical pulses are provided to the skin by way of the electrodes on the head of the probe, and, at the same time, mechanical vibrations are provided to the skin by way of the vibrating head portion, the substance disposed within the trough surrounding the central electrode is absorbed within the skin due to the skin pores opening up as a result of the electrical pulses and mechanical vibrations being applied to the skin. Alternatively, only electrical pulses are provided to the skin, which does not provide as good a skin absorption effect as using both electrical pulses and mechanical vibrations.

Method and apparatus for skin absorption enhancement and transdermal drug delivery


Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods of determining online identity reputation. In aspects, an online identity of an entity may engage in online interactions. The content provided by the online identity may be accessed and analyzed to determine interaction characteristics and reputation metrics for the online identity. Based on the reputation metrics, the online identity and/or entity (and content therefrom) may be filtered from further online interactions. In some aspects, interaction data may be stored in a data store. An interaction mapping component having access to the data store may analyze the data store data to determine mappings between online identities, entities and interactions. In at least one aspect, an opt-in certificate system may also be provided. The opt-in system may provide an online identity or entity a certificate to securely validate identity.

Many of the online interactions that occur today involve conversations between one or more entities. Often times, both of the entities are real people with legitimate interests. However, in some instances, the entities are artificial personas, such as advertising bots, machine-created chat bots and people misrepresenting their identities. These artificial personas may be designed to solicit sensitive personal information (e.g., passwords, financial data, etc.) for the purpose of identity theft, nuisance activities (e.g., public releases of private data, data tampering, etc.), and/or other criminal activities. Accordingly, it is desirable to ensure entities—whether real or machine personas—are reputable and trustworthy prior to/while conducting online interactions.
It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the aspects disclosed herein have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems may be discussed, it should be understood that the examples should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background or elsewhere in this disclosure.


The present disclosure provides a mura compensation device, display panel, display device, and mura compensation method, which belongs to the field of panel technology. The mura compensation device includes a first flexible circuit board and a de-mura circuit, including a storage unit for storing mura compensation data, wherein the de-mura circuit is provided in the first flexible circuit board.

With the rapid development of display panel technology, the demand for large-size high-resolution display panels is increasing. As the demand for large-size high-quality display panels surges in the market, various LCD panel manufacturers have established high-generation lines, and shipments of large-size panels of 65 or larger inches have greatly increased. However, due to the panel manufacturing process, the large-size panels are more prone to mura defects than small- and medium-size panels, which affects product yield. Therefore, de-mura technology is required to improve image display quality.
Therefore, there is a need for a new mura compensation device, display panel, display device, and mura compensation method.
It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Mura compensation device, display device and mura compensation method


The present invention provides a high strength steel having unprecedentedly superior CTOD (fracture toughness) properties satisfying not only the CTOD properties of the FL zone at −60° C., but also the CTOD properties of the ICHAZ zone in small and medium heat input multilayer welding, etc.; and a method of production of the same. The steel of the present invention is steel superior in CTOD properties of the heat-affected zone containing, by mass %, C: 0.015 to 0.045%, Si: 0.05 to 0.2%, Mn: 1.5 to 2.0%, Cu: 0.25 to 0.5%, Ni: 0.7 to 1.5%, P: 0.008% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Al: 0.004% or less, Ti: 0.005 to 0.015%, Nb: 0.005% or less, O: 0.0015 to 0.0035%, and N: 0.002 to 0.006%, PCTOD: 0.065 or less, CeqH: 0.235 or less and the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities.

In recent years, steel materials used in harsh usage environments have been demanded. For example, as high strength steel materials suitable for steel structures such as offshore structures or earthquake-resistant buildings used in cold regions such as the Artic, steel materials superior in the indicator of the fracture toughness, that is, the CTOD (Crack Tip Opening Displacement) characteristic, have been demanded. The weld zones are considered to require superior CTOD properties.
The CTOD properties of a weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) are evaluated at positions (notches) of two locations of the FL zone (boundary between WM (weld metal) and weld HAZ (heat-affected zone)) and the ICHAZ zone (Intercritical HAZ: boundary between the HAZ and BM (base material)), but up to now, only the FL zone has been covered.
This is because under conditions of not that harsh a test temperature, if the CTOD properties of the FL zone are satisfied, a sufficient value of the CTOD properties of the ICHAZ zone is obtained, so this was not an issue.
However, under harsh conditions of −60° C. or so, it is learned that cases where a low CTOD value is exhibited in the ICHAZ zone occur with a considerable frequency. Measures against this have been sought.
For example, there is art showing that good CTOD properties are obtained at the harsh test temperature of −60° C. in a small to medium heat input weld joint (for example, Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2007-002271). Here, the CTOD properties of the ICHAZ zone are not described.

Steel superior in CTOD properties of weld heat-affected zone and method of production of same


Systems and methods for printing a document over a network are described. The system may include an authentication code generation module coupled to a processor to receive a document to be printed from a user. Further, the authentication code generation module ascertains whether the document is confidential, based on a confidentiality determination criterion. On ascertaining that the document is confidential, an authentication code corresponding to the document is generated to provide print control to a predefined set of authorized users. The authentication code is provided to the predefined set of authorized users including the user.

Generally, in a shared printer environment, a plurality of computing devices is connected to at least one printer over a network. Print jobs can be assigned to the printer by a user using any of the computing devices connected to the network. Nowadays, to increase mobility, reduce costs, and simplify IT administration, cloud printing solutions are being implemented in the shared printer environments for centralized print management. In such a case, the printer receives an assigned print job from the computing devices through the cloud printing solution.
In a typical cloud printing environment, the documents to be printed may be mailed or uploaded to the cloud by one of the users. Further, such documents may be printed upon receiving a print request, through the cloud printing solution, from any one of the users connected to the printer.

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


Methods for adjusting the solubility of a botanical oil in water, along with the resulting modified botanical oil and related products (e.g., treatment compositions, wipes, absorbent articles, etc.) are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the botanical oil to form a reactive product (e.g., having a hydroxyl group); and attaching a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid salt, a sugar, etc.) on the reactive product to form a modified botanical oil. The modified botanical oil generally, in most embodiments, has a greater solubility in water than the botanical oil (e.g., a solubility in water of about 10 grams per 100 grams of water or greater, such as completely soluble in water). The botanical oil includes, in one particular embodiment, an essential oil, such as those essential oil that include at least one terpene compound.

Like other species of the genus Candida, Candida albicans is a diploid fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells. More specifically, C. albicans is a dimorphic fungus, which has both a yeast-like growth habit and a filamentous form consisting of both hyphae and pseudohypae. C. albicans exists as part of the normal microbial flora in humans, but can produce opportunistic infections ranging from topical infections such as oral thrush to life-threatening disseminated mycoses. In response to changes in its environment, C. albicans can transition from budding yeast to its filamentous morphology. The filamentous morphology is important for its virulence and causes both skin and mucosal infections. Quorum sensing has been identified as a phenomenon contributing to C. albicans' morphogenic transition from its conidial to filamentous form.
Quorum sensing systems have been found to coordinate virulence and biofilm development of pathogenic microorganisms. Manipulation of quorum sensing systems has been recently considered a promising strategy for developing antimicrobial agents since the manipulation of quorum sensing systems only inhibits the virulence but not the growth of microorganisms.
Generally, essential oils are volatile aromatic oils derived from plants through distillation. Essential oils have been found to act as a quorum sensing inhibitor to decrease the rate that C. albicans transitions from budding yeast to the filamentous form. Terpenes, such as sesquiterpenes (e.g., farnesol), are among the primary chemical constituents of most essential oils, and are derived from units of isoprene. This high terpenein essential oils may contribute to the ability to attenuate germ tube formation in C. albicans.
While essential oils are known to be environmentally friendly and effective in combating microorganisms, they nevertheless suffer from significant problems. For example, essential oils are highly volatile and unstable in the presence of oxygen, which ultimately limits their effectiveness in most applications in which wipes are commonly employed (e.g., food service wipes). Attempts to overcome this problem often involve the use of a larger amount of the essential oils to prolong antimicrobial activity. Regrettably, this often leads to another problem in that high concentrations of essential oils can cause damage to certain types of food products, such as fruit.
As such, a need currently exists for an improved formulation that is safe, stable, and capable of being used as a quorum sensing inhibitor of C. albicans in a practical manner.

Water soluble essential oils and their use


Systems and methods are provided for improved processing of forms using color. One aspect is a method for processing a plurality of test answer sheets in a standardized test system. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of completed test answer sheets is recorded. The completed test answer sheet is scanned, an identifier for the completed test answer sheet is determined, and three or more colors are electronically recorded to form a multicolor image on a computer readable medium. The multicolor image is representative of the scanned completed test answer sheet. The multicolor image is associated with the identifier in a database. Each of the plurality of completed test answer sheets is scored. Scoring the test answer sheets includes digitally modifying at least one color in the multicolor image at an image use point to assist with scoring the completed test answer sheets. Other aspects are provided herein.

One method for evaluating the knowledge or skill of a person such as a student includes the use of standardized tests. Some tests include questions that are answered by filling in an appropriate oval in an associated bubble-type answer sheet. Some standardized tests include open-ended questions for which the answers to those questions are evaluated and scored by a human reviewer or a computer, also referred to herein as a reader. Some test-takers write answers outside of a scanned answer area, and some handwritten answers are difficult to read and process.
FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an answer sheet 100 for a standardized test. A section answer area 102 is used to answer multiple choice questions for a section of questions, and each multiple choice question is associated with a specific question answer area 104. Some test-takers unintentionally enter their answer at the incorrect location or wrong line on the answer sheet.
Known image scanners for processing large numbers of forms, such as standardized test answer sheets, drop out at least part of the visible spectrum (e.g. certain color(s)). For example, test-takers have been required to use a pencil such that the answer markings are capable of being detected by a dropout scanner. The ovals and the lettering are printed with a dropout background color so that the background does not interfere with detecting the answer markings. FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a scanned image of the answer sheet of FIG. 1 when the answer sheet 200 is marked with markings (such as a pencil or some black inks) which are detected by the scanner. However, some test-takers mark their answers using a color ink pen or other writing utensil that is not detected by the scanner. For example, some systems do not recognize blue, red or green ink. FIG. 3 illustrates one example of an image of the answer sheet of FIG. 1 when the markings on the answer sheet 300 are not detected. The resulting image is not able to be scored as it does not contain answer markings.
The illustrated answer sheet 100 of FIG. 1 also includes registration marks such as corner fiducials 106 and row fiducials 108 that can be detected by the dropout scanner. The fiducials are used to accurately position or register the answer sheet (without the dropped out background color) allowing the detected answer markings to be accurately scored. However, the detectable fiducial markings and the dropout background color are printed using different print stations, which can introduce a print registration error between the printed fiducial markings and background color. Scoring errors result when the print registration errors are large enough to cause an improper association between the answer and the answer choices.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide improved systems and methods for processing forms such as standardized tests.

System and method for processing forms using color


The present invention relates to novel therapies that utilize stabilized exogenous HSP70 for the treatment of disorders or conditions regulated by HSP70 through administration of degradation resistant formulations of HSP70. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to methods comprising the administration of stabilized exogenous HSP70 for use in the treatment of HSP70 related disorders or conditions, for example, for increased endurance or alleviating fatigue syndrome.

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), one of several proteins in the general class of heat shock proteins (HSPs), has been implicated in many processes including folding and unfolding of nascent proteins, activation of a multi-enzymatic complex, and protein transport. Additionally, HSPs are important for the maintenance of cell integrity during normal growth as well as during pathophysiological conditions (Vigh et al. 1997). It has been shown that tissue injury, whether caused by surgery, trauma or disease, results in the induction of heat shock/stress proteins. An inducible form of the 70 kDa heat shock protein family HSP72 has been detected intra- and extra-cellularly in different organs, including skeletal muscles in response to exercise.
The biological significance of these processes appears to be related: to aid cell survival and chaperone misfolded and denatured proteins. As molecular chaperones, HSPs are also fundamental in facilitating cellular remodeling processes inherent to the training response (Morton et al. 2009; Whitman et al. 2008). Moreover, the beneficial effects of HSPs have been implicated in a number of different diseases such as diabetes; wound healing (Atalay et al. Curr. Pep. Prot. Sc. 2009; 10:85); cancer (Ciocca et al., Stress Cell Chap. 2005; 10:86; Guzhova et al. Tsitologia 2005, 47:187); sepsis (McConnell et al.; J. Immun. 2011; 186:3718; Kustanova et al. Cell Stress Chap. 2006; 11:276); cardiac injury (Knowlton et al. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Cir. Physiol. 2001; 280:H455); muscular injury and degeneration; recovery from physical and exercise stress (Morton et al. Sports Med. 2009; 39(8):643); neuro-degeneration including Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Turturici et al., Biochem. Res. Int. 2011); spinal cord injury (Reddy et al. Neurosurg. Focus 2008, 25(5):1); traumatic brain injury; stroke; eye neurodegenerative diseases including glaucoma and macular degeneration (Levin, Surv. Ophthalm. 2003; 48:S21); and epilepsy (Ekimova et al. J. Neurochem. 2010; 115:1035).
At the same time, it has been found that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) present an accentuated exercise-induced oxidative stress. Compared with controls, resting CFS patients had low levels of HSP70 and delayed and marked reduction of HSP70 levels in response to maximal exercise (Jammes et al. 2009). In this regard, HSP70 has been implied as a main mediator of the phytoadaptogens such as Rhodiola rosea and Eleutheroccoccus senticosus that improve attention, cognitive function and mental performance in fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome as well as increase endurance. HSP70 inhibits the expression of the NO synthase II and affects the levels of circulating cortisol via direct interaction with glucocorticoid receptors and JNK pathway. Consequently, prevention of the stress-induced NO and associated decrease in ATP production result in increased performance and endurance (Panossian et al. 2009).
In effort to capitalize on the involvement of HSP70 in many of these disorders or conditions, several patent applications have reported the utility of HSPs in relation to the recovery from injury (Slepian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,345; Srivastava, US Patent Application US 2003/0012793). Additional applications have focused on compounds that induce HSP70, such as geranylgeranylacetone, which have been described to protect subjects from the effect of ischemic-reperfusion injury (Takahashi N, U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,845 B2).
Although evidence has suggested the role of HSP70 in certain indications, current treatments that have adopted strategies to control in vivo HSP70 production have not met the need in this arena. Moreover, the use of exogenous HSP70 has been limited in application due to issues of low stability. As such, there is strong need for novel therapies that address this current demand.

Degradation resistant HSP70 formulations and uses thereof


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system and a method for presenting a set of icons in a display so that the icons can be selected by a user via a keypad. During operation, the display presents a set of icons to the user. The user can then select an icon from the set of icons by entering input into the keypad. The set of icons are presented in the display such that the spatial layout of the set of icons is substantially the same as the layout of the keypad, resulting in an intuitive interface that allows the user to select desired choices quickly and easily.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to user-interfaces for computer systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus that uses advanced graphics rendering capability to solve user interaction issues in selecting and running multiple applications on screens with physical size limitations.
2. Related Art
The Internet has made seamless access to information a common facet in the everyday life of millions of computer users. Advances in communications and computing technology have led to dramatic changes in the way and the frequency with which people access information, and have led to an expectation that data should be accessible anywhere and at any time via mobile devices. As a result, devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and car navigation systems have grown to become increasingly sophisticated. While such devices have in the past supported only a limited number of applications run serially, they have begun to evolve to include a larger number of applications, with multiple applications running concurrently.
Attempts to apply the set of interface techniques developed for personal computers to mobile devices have led to user-interface issues. For example, due to physical limitations in screen size, individual mobile applications typically fill the entire screen. The combination of screen size and computing constraints make it a challenge to display multiple applications and to cleanly switch between applications. For example, abrupt application changes can give the user a false impression that an application has terminated. Other metaphors for displaying current running applications, such as a taskbar (common on desktops) or a key-triggered application list (common on palm-pilot PDAs), also suffer in such an environment.
Ongoing hardware developments offer potential for improvement. Some devices have incorporated unique input methods, such as a jog dial and touch screen, as well as advanced output methods, such as stereo sound. The latest high-end mobile phones include a three-dimensional (3D) accelerator that provides a significant improvement in graphics rendering capability. However, to date such graphics capabilities have primarily been used to display "eye candy," and have not led to changes in the user-interface paradigm.
Hence, what is needed is a method and an apparatus that remedies the above-described interaction issues on small devices.

Visual representation and other effects for application management on a device with a small screen