Methods of forming, devices, and apparatus associated with a vertical memory cell are provided. One example method of forming a vertical memory cell can include forming a semiconductor structure over a conductor line. The semiconductor structure can have a first region that includes a first junction between first and second doped materials. An etch-protective material is formed on a first pair of sidewalls of the semiconductor structure above the first region. A volume of the first region is reduced relative to a body region of the semiconductor structure in a first dimension.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory, including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), resistive memory, and flash memory, among others. Types of resistive memory include programmable conductor memory, and resistive random access memory (RRAM), among others.
Memory devices are utilized as non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications in need of high memory densities, high reliability, and data retention without power. Non-volatile memory may be used in, for example, personal computers, portable memory sticks, solid state drives (SSDs), digital cameras, cellular telephones, portable music players such as MP3 players, movie players, and other electronic devices.
A vertical memory cell can include an electrically floating body region adjacent control gates. The electrically floating body region can store electrical charge. The presence or absence of electrical charge stored in the electrically floating body region may represent a logic high or binary "1" data state or a logic low or binary "0" data state respectively.
Generally, the greater the volume of the electrically floating body region, the more electrical charge that can be stored therein. However, as vertical memory cells are fabricated at smaller scales, the volume of the electrically floating body region decreases as well. Electrical charge can leak out from the volume of the electrically floating body region, for example, across capacitance leakage paths across junctions involving the electrically floating body region and other doped materials. There is a continuing trend to employ and/or fabricate advanced integrated circuits using techniques, materials, and devices that improve performance, reduce leakage current, and enhance overall scaling. Controlling charge leakage from the volume of the electrically floating body region becomes increasingly more important as the volume of the electrically floating body region decreases since the total quantity of stored electrical charge is reduced with smaller sized devices.


A clean room is supplied with air at a controllable velocity from a blower with a variable damper mechanism. The ceiling of the clean room is comprised of a plurality of panels of particulate filter material. Associated with at least some of said panels are air dampers comprised of first and second adjacent perforated plates. The first plate is fixed and the second plate is mounted for translational movement relative to the first. By moving the second plate relative to the first, the perforations therein are selectably opened or occluded, permitting the air passing through each panel to be regulated. Air flow through the room as a whole is controlled by the variable air flow feature of the blower.

Clean rooms are increasingly used in industrial facilities for fabrication of precision electrical and mechanical components. Such rooms are typically pressurized so that contaminants, such as dust or the like, cannot enter when a door thereto is opened. The source of the pressurized air is usually a centrifugal fan mounted on the roof of the building that is operated in conjunction with a highly efficient particulate air filter.
In such applications, it is important that the air be moved at a controlled, low velocity. If the air is moved at a high velocity, it may stir up dust and other debris from within the room. Unfortunately, the air velocity through any given point in the ceiling is a strong function of that point's distance from the outlet of the fan. Further, the air velocity requirements may change with environmental changes or the use to which the room is put. A further requirement is that the air handling equipment should be quiet.
The prior art, while recognizing certain of these constraints, nonetheless has not provided a satisfactory air handling system for such clean room applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a satisfactory air handling system.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a clean room is supplied with air at a controllable velocity from a blower with a variable damper mechanism. The ceiling of the room into which this air is to be routed is comprised of a plurality of panels of particulate filter material. Associated with at least some of said panels are air dampers comprised of first and second adjacent perforated plates. The first plate is fixed and the second plate is mounted for translational movement relative to the first. By moving the second plate relative to the first, the perforations therein are selectably opened or occluded, permitting the air passing through each panel to be regulated. Air flow through the room as a whole is controlled by the variable air flow feature of the blower.


A holder for reusable hot/cold packs used topically for the thermo treatment of muscle injuries, aches, inflammations and the like. Each holder is capable of accepting and retaining a corresponding thermo pack. The holder/thermo pack may be used singularly or combined with one or more like holder/thermo packs using a number of corresponding hook and loop strips for treating larger injury areas. One or more elastic bands, affixed at one end to the holder, wrap around the portion of the body being treated, and attach again to the holder by means of a hook and loop fastener system. If the attached elastic bands are not of sufficient length to completely wrap around the treatment area, additional elastic bands of greater length, with hook and loop fasteners on each end, are used and attached to either the holder or an elastic band.

Ice packs and hot water bottles have been around for a long time. Their therapeutic usefulness for treatment of aches, pains, sprains, and the like, have taken on new significance in the field of medicine, particularly so-called sports medicine.
The healing process of torn muscle and connective tissue has been scrutinized by the practitioners of sports medicine to allow the recuperation of injured athletes as quickly as possible.
The severe stress imposed on particular body parts, especially joints, by modern sports, particularly professional and highly competitive sports, has subjected certain athletes to an almost constant recuperative regimen to restore vitality to the affected area.
It is unnatural for the body to be subjected to such strenuous repetitive action of a particular type. For example, pitching a baseball, or stroking a tennis ball employs a natural movement, and damage may occur when one does such activity whether in serious competition or on an occasional basis as a form of recreation. In addition to the application of heat and cold to sports injuries, such treatment is often recommended for ailments such as arthritis as well as ordinary bumps, bruises or strains.
Thermo packs from sub-freezing cold to almost scalding are used to speed and enhance the healing process. Some treatment regimens prescribe alternation of hot and cold to stimulate the restorative process.
Pouches, holders, or coverings for use with heating pads, hot water bottles, and hot/cold packs are well known. The pouch or covering is normally used as a barrier between the thermo pack and the user's skin. This barrier serves several purposes. It may be used to hold moisture when used in conjunction with a hot pack for the purpose of administering moist heat. The holder or barrier may extend the pack's useful life by protecting the pack from sharp objects, etc. which may puncture or tear the pack. Another important use of the pouch is to protect the user's skin from injury due to the extremes of hot or cold temperature which the pack may exhibit.
The present invention is a holder which serves all of the above mentioned functions. Additionally, the holder allows the user to apply a pack to any of a number of places on the body and hold the pack in such a position using an elastic band and a hook and loop adhesive means. The present invention is designed in such a way that the holder may be used alone or in combination with one or more additional holders to apply thermo treatments to a larger area.

Pouch for reusable hot/cold packs for medical usage


The invention relates to a metallized or ceramically coated, biaxially oriented polyester film with high oxygen barrier and built up from at least one base layer B and, applied to this base layer, at least one outer layer A, where this outer layer A has a defined number of elevations of defined height and diameter, and where at least this outer layer A is metallized or ceramically coated. The invention also relates to the use of the film and to a process for its production.

1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a metallized or ceramically coated, biaxially oriented polyester film with high oxygen barrier and built up from at least one base layer B and, applied to this base layer, at least one outer layer A, where this outer layer A has a defined number of elevations (the terms elevation and protrusion are used interchangeably throughout) of defined height and diameter, and where at least this outer layer A is metallized or ceramically coated. The invention also relates to the use of the film and to a process for its production.
2) Prior Art
In many foodstuff packaging applications, there is demand for a high barrier effect against gases, steam and flavors (this having the same significance as low transmission or low permeability). A well known process for producing packaging of this type consists in high-vacuum aluminum metallizing of the plastic films used. Another well known process consists in coating the films with ceramic materials (e.g. SiO.sub.x, AlO.sub.x or MgO.sub.x). Essentially, the coatings used are transparent.
The barrier effect against the substances mentioned above depends essentially on the type of polymers in the film and the quality of the barrier layers applied. Thus a very high barrier effect against gases, such as oxygen and flavors, is achieved in metallized, biaxially oriented polyester films. A barrier effect against steam is achieved in metallized, biaxially oriented polypropylene films.
The good barrier properties of metallized or ceramically coated films mean that they are used in particular for packaging foodstuffs and luxury foods, for which long storage or transport times create the risk that the packed foodstuffs become spoilt, rancid or lose flavor if there is an inadequate barrier; examples are coffee, snacks containing fats (nuts, chips, etc.) and drinks containing carbon dioxide (in pouches).
If polyester films metallized with an aluminum layer or having an applied ceramic layer are used as packaging material, they are generally a constituent of a multilayer composite film (laminate). Bags produced therefrom can be filled, for example, on a vertical tubular bag forming, filling and sealing machine (vffs). The bags are heat-sealed on their inward side (i.e. on the side facing the contents), the heat-sealable layer consisting generally of polyethylene or polypropylene. The composite film here typically has the following structure: polyester layer/aluminum or ceramic layer/adhesive layer/heat-sealable layer. If the laminate thickness is from about 50 to 150 .mu.m, the thickness of the metal or ceramic layer is only from 10 to 80 nm. Even this very thin layer is sufficiently effective to achieve adequate protection from light and very good barrier properties.
The oxygen barrier or the oxygen transmission is generally measured not on the laminate or the packaging itself, but on the metallized polyester film. To ensure good quality of the foodstuffs or luxury foods even after relatively long storage times, the oxygen transmission (identical with permeability) of the metallized film may not be greater than 2 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 bar d, (i.e. not greater than 2 cubic centimeters of oxygen per square meter of film at a pressure of 1 bar per day) but in particular not greater than 1 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 bar d. In future, the demands of the packaging industry will head toward still higher barriers, with attempts to achieve permeability values of significantly less than 1.0 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 bar d for metallized or ceramically coated films.
In the prior art, there is neither sufficient knowledge of the detailed basis for the barrier effect of metallized or ceramically coated polyester films nor of how this may be decisively improved. Variables which are clearly important are the surface of the substrate and the type of substrate polymer and its morphology. It is generally assumed that smooth substrate surfaces result in better barrier properties.
In this connection, Weiss et al., in "Thin Solids Films" 204 (1991), pp. 203-216, studied the influence of the surface roughness of a substrate layer on its permeability. For this, polyester films were coated with lacquer which contained various concentrations of titanium dioxide particles. In his experiments, the concentration of titanium dioxide particles in the lacquer was varied from 2 to 20% by weight. Using this method, the surface roughness of the coated substrate surface could be varied from 43 nm (unlacquered and lacquered film, without titanium dioxide) to 124 nm. In his experiments, increasing roughness (increasing proportion of TiO.sub.2) of the lacquered surface resulted in markedly higher oxygen transmissions after metallizing with aluminum. However, the largest step increase in oxygen transmission was seen when the lacquered film (0% by weight TiO.sub.2) was compared with the unlacquered film, although the surface roughness of the substrate was the same in both cases. The lacquering alone of the film gave a deterioration in the barrier from about 0.43 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 d bar (plain film) to about 19 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 d bar (lacquered film). A further disadvantage of his studies was that the aluminum layer was applied using a laboratory evaporator. When compared with an industrial metallizer, this method achieves essentially low permeability values, and the influence of the substrate surface cannot be seen clearly.
Other detailed results of studies on the influence of the substrate surface of polyester films on their barrier properties can be found in the dissertation by H. Utz (Technische Universitat Munchen 1995: "Barriereeigenschaften aluminiumbedampfter Kunststoffolien" [Barrier properties of aluminum-metallized plastic films]).
According to the studies by Utz (p. 66 ff.), there is no direct correlation between the surface roughness (average roughness height R.sub.a) of the PET film and its oxygen barrier. For example, the film for video applications which has an average roughness height of R.sub.a =22 nm, is particularly smooth and has an oxygen transmission of 1.3 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 bar d compared with a much rougher PET II (R.sub.a =220 nm) film having an oxygen barrier of 1.2 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 bar d.
EP-A-0 124 291 describes a single-layer biaxially oriented polyester film for magnetic recording tape which has the following surface property parameters
a) the average roughness R.sub.a is from 1 to 16 nm, PA1 b) the coefficient of friction .mu.k is from 0.01 to 0.20 and PA1 c) the following relationship exists between R.sub.a and .mu.k EQU 0.1.ltoreq.10 * R.sub.a +.mu.k.ltoreq.0.31. PA1 a) from 0.05 to 1.0% by weight of .theta.-alumina (theta aluminum) having an average particle diameter in the range from 0.02 to 0.3 .mu.m, and PA1 b) from 0.01 to 1.5% by weight of inert particles of a type other than .theta.-alumina and having an average particle diameter in the range from 0.1 to 1.5 .mu.m, these particles being larger than the .theta.-alumina particles. PA1 a) a coated surface A, which is free from particles and PA1 b) a second layer containing particles and having relatively rough surface and composed of PA1 a) has an average roughness R.sub.a (peak-valley value) of not more than 5 nm (60 nm), PA1 b) the number of protrusions having a height of from 0.27 to 0.54 .mu.m is from 0 to 0.2 per mm.sup.2 and PA1 c) is free from protrusions having a height greater than 0.54 .mu.m. PA1 i) a surface having a surface roughness R.sub.a of from 5 to 40 nm and a large number of depressions and a large number of protrusions which are arranged in a particular arrangement or PA1 ii) a surface which has protrusions formed on a level area and which is covered by a layer C, which consists of a lubricant and has a surface roughness R.sub.a of from 5 to 40 nm. PA1 a) contains inorganic particles having an average primary particle size D in the range from 1 to 100 nm and satisfying the equation D<T<200D, where T is the thickness of the layer A; PA1 b) contains particles B having an average primary particle size D1 in the range from 0.3 to 2 .mu.m, where the primary particle size distribution has a coefficient of variation of not more than 0.6; and PA1 c) the average primary particle size D of the particles A is smaller than the average primary particle size D1 of the particles B. PA1 A.sub.h =1.4; B.sub.h =2.5 EQU log N/mm.sup.2.ltoreq.A.sub.d -B.sub.d (log d/.mu.m), 0.01 .mu.m<d<10 .mu.m (2) PA1 A.sub.d =3.4; B.sub.d =2.4 PA1 a) a good oxygen barrier (low permeability values) according to the present invention (FIG. 1a) and PA1 b) a low oxygen barrier (high permeability values) (FIG. 1b). PA1 only a few pigment particles are recorded and PA1 the pigment particles are encountered randomly.
These properties are created by using TiO.sub.2 particles (anatase) or TiO.sub.2 and CaCO.sub.3 particles in a proportion by weight of, respectively, from 0.1 to 0.5% and from 0.1 to 0.3%. The diameter of the TiO.sub.2 particles is from 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m. The surface of this film is formed by a large number of elevations/protrusions ("the excellent slipperiness of the polyester film of this invention is simultaneously achieved by the presence of the many very minute protrusions") and these obey a distribution such that the graph described by the following relationship EQU log y=-8.0 x+4.34, y>10
is not intersected. In this equation, x (.mu.m) is a height above a standard level and y is the number of elevations (number/mm.sup.2) if the elevations are sectioned at a height of x. The distribution of the elevations is determined using standard equipment for measuring roughness.
EP-A-0 490 665 A1 describes a single-layer biaxially oriented polyester film for magnetic recording tape; the film contains
The surface of this film is formed by a large number of elevations/protrusions which are described by the relationship EQU -11.4 x+4<log y<-10.0 x+5 y>30, x>0.05 .mu.m.
In this equation, x (.mu.m) is a height above a standard level and y is the number of elevations (number/mm.sup.2) if the elevations are sectioned at a height of x. The distribution of the elevations is measured as in EP-A-0 124 291.
The prior art also discloses films which have different surfaces (dual surface). These films are suitable in particular for magnetic recording media and essentially have different topographies (e.g. surface A smooth, surface B rough).
DE-A-16 94 404 describes a layered material having more than one layer of an oriented crystallizable thermoplastic film and in which at least one of the outer layers contains an additive. The additives are customary inert inorganic or organic particles, and in the case of inert particles such as SiO.sub.2, are added to the outer layers in concentrations of from 1 to 25% by weight, the particle size being from 2 to 20 .mu.m. The layered materials may, for example, be metallized with aluminum for decorative purposes or used for magnetic tape.
DE-A-22 30 970 describes a magnetic recording medium which is composed of a biaxially oriented polyester film and a thin magnetic metallic layer on the surface A of the polyester film. The film comprises
i) is at least 4 .mu.m thick or PA2 ii) makes up at least 50% of the thickness of the entire film layer; and PA2 i) at least 1% of individual particles of a particular polymer A and PA2 ii) at least 1% of individual particles of a particular polymer B.
EP-B-0 061 769 describes a magnetic recording medium which is formulated from a biaxially oriented polyester film and a thin magnetic metallic layer on the surface A of the polyester film. If desired, there is also a lubricant layer on the other surface B of the polyester film. Features of the film are that the coated surface A
EP-B-0 088 635 describes a coextruded biaxially oriented polyester film having at least two layers, of which a layer A consists of thermoplastic resin and a layer B comprises thermoplastic resin and fine particles. The surface roughness R.sub.a of the outer layer on the layer A in the film is less than 5 nm and the outer surface of the layer B is either
According to Example 1 of this text, the surface layer A is "substantially free of internal particles formed by reaction of the catalyst residue . . . (page 7)". A disadvantage of this film surface is that it blocks with itself and with certain other surfaces (e.g. rubber rolls). The film cannot be processed cost-effectively and, in particular during vacuum metallizing, it tends to tear because of its high blocking tendency, and this can cause great cost problems. The film is unsuitable for the purposes of the object to be achieved.
EP-B-0 502 745 describes a coextruded, biaxially oriented polyester film having at least three layers, of which an outer layer A
It is also known that the oxygen barrier can be improved by selecting particular polymers for the film serving as substrate (Schricker, G.: Metallisierte Kunststoffolien fur hoherwertige Verpackungen [Metallized plastic films for high-quality packaging] in: ICI 5th International Metallizing Symposium 1986, Cannes). Polyesters, for example, are particularly suitable, specifically those made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid or from ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid. Besides these, polyamides, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) and polyvinylidene chloride may also be used with practical advantage. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,014 describes a copolyester made from: (a) from 45 to 85 mol % of terephthalic acid; (b) from 10 to 40 mol % of naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; (c) from 5 to 15 mol % of a dicarboxylic acid having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms; and (d) ethylene glycol; (the molar percentages are based on the total proportion of dicarboxylic acids). This polyester is claimed to have better barrier properties against gases. It is used, inter alia, for producing bottles or containers and films of various thicknesses. A disadvantage of the raw materials mentioned is that they are significantly more expensive than polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or are unsuitable and/or not officially permitted for use in the packaging of foodstuffs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a metallized or ceramically coated, coextruded, biaxially oriented polyester film which exhibits a high oxygen barrier. Less than 0.5 cm.sup.3 of oxygen per square meter and per day should diffuse through the film when it is subjected to an air pressure of 1 bar. In its other properties, the film should be at least equivalent to the known packing films of this type. Moreover it should be simple and economic to produce and should process well on conventional machinery (i.e. not block, for example). It was also an object to improve the optical properties (i.e. in particular the gloss) of the metallized or ceramically coated film.

Biaxially oriented polyester film with high oxygen barrier, its use, and process for its production


The embodiments of the invention disclose a method, a device and a system for uniform number communication and relate to the technology field of mobile communication. The application of the uniform number service on a home gateway can be optimized by automatically configuring a uniform number and the incoming call priority of the bound numbers on the home gateway, and thus the user experience is improved and simultaneously the maintenance workload is reduced. The method for the uniform number communication includes the following steps: binding the terminal numbers of the terminals which are connected to an interface of the home gateway to a uniform number; configuring binding relation for the bound terminal numbers, wherein the binding relation includes the bound terminal numbers and the incoming call priority of the bound terminal numbers; and sending a uniform number binding message that carries the uniform number and the binding relation.

As shown in FIG. 1, a traditional home gateway apparatus may support a dual-upstream of Voice Over IP (VoIP) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and thus a voice upstream in a CS (radio circuit bearer) domain in external data card mode or built-in wireless module mode may be provided.
On a home gateway apparatus, the above three kinds of voice paths may exist simultaneously. Because these three kinds of voices belong to three kinds of different networks, all the three numbers can be called on one user phone.
In the field of telephone communications, various information is communicated via a uniform number in a uniform number mode, and it is not necessary to remember each terminal number. The communication function of the uniform number lies in that, when the uniform number is called, the system may sequentially connect a mobile phone, a fixed line telephone or other specified telephone, and when the call cannot be connected, it may be automatically transferred to a voice mailbox or a secretary.
When implementing the above solution, the inventors find that the technical solution of the prior art at least has the following problems: if there are multiple phones existing under one home gateway and a certain phone thereof occupies an upstream path (for example, VoIP) for conversation, at this point, when this VoIP number is called again, a busy tone may be presented, and no connection can be established. Under the application scene of a home gateway, a wireless module is of plug-and-play, that is, the wireless number may vary. When the numbers under a home gateway are integrated by a user in the uniform number mode, the variation of wireless numbers may cause a confusion of numbers under the home gateway.

Method, device and system for uniform number communication on a home gateway


Novel tricyclic arylsulfonamides useful for treating hypertension and bronchoconstiction, as well as to their pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the same.

Numerous references teach bicyclic arylsulfonamides useful as anti-hypertensive agents such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,857,301 and 4,634,770. However, art which teaches the treatment of hypertension employing tricyclic arylsulfonamides is relatively sparse. Japanese Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP No. 63,305,173(88,305,173) 13 Dec. 1988, Appl. No. 87/140,924, 05 June 1987 teaches certain tricyclic arylsulfonamides useful as pigment dispersants. There is a need to develop new and improved compounds useful in the treatment of hypertension which have not been discovered.


A display control device includes: a receiver configured to receive an image signal; a measurer configured to measure the number of vertical scanning lines and horizontal scanning time of the image signal; a table generator configured to generate a provisional signal table when data measured by the measurer has not been retained in a previously prepared signal table; a detector configured to detect data for regulating an active display region of an image, from the image signal; and an updater configured to update the provisional signal table, based on a detection result by the detector.

The present invention relates to a display control device.
A two-dimensional display device, such as a liquid crystal display or a projector, (hereinafter, simply referred to as a display device) is used for displaying various image signals output from a video source of, for example, a personal computer, a video tape recorder (VTR), or digital versatile disc (DVD) player.
There are various types of image signals to be input to the display device, based on different types of resolution Examples of the image signals include video graphics array (VGA), super VGA (SVGA), extended graphics array (XGA), wide XGA (WXGA), super XGA (SXGA), and SXGA+, that have been standardized (hereinafter, referred to as a standard signal). A large number of display devices support these standard signals (for example, refer to JP 11-282443 A).
However, there is a video source that outputs a non-standard image signal (hereinafter, referred to as a non-standard signal). The display devices cannot display such non-standard image signal.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display control device capable of displaying even a non-standard image signal (a non-standard signal).

Display control device for displaying an image based on image signals


The subject invention is an air deflector for a motor vehicle that is adapted to be attached to the posterior portion of a roof structure of a motor vehicle for purposes of directing the flow of air over the roof of a moving motor vehicle downwardly over the rear surface of the motor vehicle, said deflector comprising an air collector member having an internal air passage that is curved downwardly to deflect air movements from a horizontal flow pattern to a substantial vertical flow directed downwardly adjacent to the posterior surface of the vehicle, such device having a concave lower surface adapted to fit conformingly over the rear portion of the roof, with attachment means affixed to such lower surface.

The subject invention relates to the devices and processes used to deflect the aerodynamic flow of air over the upper surface of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is moving. Such deflectors are variously and differentially structured to accomplish one or more functions. Some air deflectors are structured and deployed to deflect air away from vehicle surfaces that directly blunt the air flow, such as flat, vertical surfaces facing towards the vehicle's usual direction of movement, such air deflectors are primarily equipped and structured to reduce the resultant drag effect on the movement of the vehicle and thereby improve gas mileage.
Other air deflectors are appropriately structured to deflect the air flow over the roof of a vehicle to help yield downward force components to keep the rear portion of the vehicle stabilized relative to the wheel contact with the roadway.
Still other functions are accomplished by air deflectors, one of which is to direct the flow of air over the roof of a moving vehicle downwardly over the posterior vertical surface of the vehicle. Such deflectors are adapted to utilize air flowing over such surface process whereby the resultant redirected air flow cleanses dust, dirt, and other material accumulation that obscures the view through windows on such rear surface. The rear portion of the vehicle particularly the relatively vertical, flat surface of such vehicle, tend to collect dirt, dust and it is difficult to keep such clean for viewing and other purposes.
There are several devices conceived and structured in the existing art that are adapted to be retrofitted over the roof of a vehicle, particularly the van-type structure. Such devices are adapted to be affixed in some manner to the upper rear surface of the vehicle having means to receive the rearward flow of air to deflect it as stated.
In this regard there are several disadvantages to existing devices. One such disadvantage is that they are not generally structured as a universal fit to conform to the various roof structures of the different vans manufactured. Another disadvantage is that the existing air deflection structures are structured with attachment means that invade the integrity of the vehicle or roof. More specifically, most such air deflectors are affixed through insert means that are adapted to penetrate the vehicle's metallic roof or outer surface, which damages the vehicle. Other disadvantages exist in this regard.
By reason of these shortcomings, the subject invention is conceived as a means to improve such air deflector structures, and the subject invention is conceived accordingly, with the following objects.


A magnetic field sensor includes: a substrate; a transmission coil formed on the substrate, the transmission coil being configured to generate a direct magnetic field; a sensing bridge that is formed on the substrate, the sensing bridge being configured to detect the direct magnetic field and a reflected magnetic field that is generated by a target, the reflected magnetic field being generated in response to eddy currents that are induced in the target by the direct magnetic field; a processing circuitry being configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of a position of the target, the output signal being generated by normalizing a first signal with respect to a second signal, the first signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, and the second signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, wherein the second signal is based on the detected direct magnetic field.

Magnetic field sensors employ a variety of types of magnetic field sensing elements, for example, Hall effect elements and magnetoresistance elements, often coupled to a variety of electronics, all disposed over a common substrate. A magnetic field sensing element (and a magnetic field sensor) can be characterized by a variety of performance characteristics, one of which is a sensitivity, which can be expressed in terms of an output signal amplitude versus a magnetic field to which the magnetic field sensing element is exposed. Some magnetic field sensors can detect a linear motion of a target object. Some other magnetic field sensors can detect a rotation of a target object. The accuracy with which magnetic field sensors detect an intended magnetic field can be adversely affected by the presence of stray magnetic fields (i.e., fields other than those intended to be detected).

Stray field immune coil-activated sensor


A telecommunications network environment (10) includes a signaling server (20) accessible by maintenance interfaces (12) and network interfaces (14). The signaling server (20) includes a signaling link controller (83) that receives and processes signaling information received from network elements and other signaling servers. The signaling link controller (83) extracts a data portion of the signaling information for message transfer part level two processing. For additional processing, the data portion of the signaling information may be routed over an Ethernet switch (76) to another signaling link controller (83) or to a signaling services controller (99) for signaling connection control part processing. The signaling services control element (99) may perform local number portability lookup and global title translation on the received data portion. After processing, the signaling link controller (83) generates a return message in response to the signaling information.

The present invention relates in general to telecommunications network processing and more particularly to a signaling server for processing signaling information in a telecommunications network.
SS7/C7 packet signaling has become the communication medium of choice between telephony networks and network elements worldwide. These flexible but complex multi-layered ANSI/ITU based protocols have replaced the relatively primitive signaling and switching techniques developed in the early days of telephony. Today, they provide the interface that binds the autonomous networks together to provide a one network transparency that telephone subscribers have come to expect. The exponential increase in the number of local telephone lines, mobile telephone subscribers, pagers, and fax machines coupled with deregulation is driving a demand for small size high capacity signal transfer points (STP). These STPs must be easy to maintain, provide full SS7/C7 functionality, and provide the capability to support future functionality, features, and expansion as the need arises. Further, with the advent of Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services, STPs were used in conjunction with SCPs to support such capability. However, to reduce equipment costs, network facility costs, maintenance costs, and network complexity, a single flexible platform is needed to support large database, high transaction AIN services, and high capacity packet switching. Therefore, it is desirable to have a STP that can handle the telephony demands of today and well into the future.
From the foregoing, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a need has arisen for a flexible and robust signaling server. In accordance with the present invention, a signaling server for processing signaling information in a telecommunications network is provided that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with conventional signal transfer points.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a signaling server for processing signaling information in a telecommunications network that includes a signaling link controller operable to receive signaling information from a network element. The signaling link controller extracts a data portion from the signaling information and processes the data portion of the signaling message. The signaling link controller generates a return message in response to processing of the data portion of the signaling information. An Ethernet switch is operable to route the data portion for further processing.

Signaling server for processing signaling information in a telecommunications network


Process for making a tow pre-preg (or tow-preg) comprising long continuous fibers coated with a thermoplastic polymer. A spread tow of long continuous fibers, preferably carbon or glass, is grounded and coated with electrostatically charged particles. The fiber diameter is about 5-50 microns and the mean particle diameter is about 0.1-40 microns. A particle laden air stream is formed by aspirating fluidized polymer particles into a flowing air stream whose velocity exceeds the settling velocity of the particles. The particles in the flowing air stream are continuously electrostatically charged by means of an applied voltage of at least about 20 kV. The flowing air stream with electrostatically charged particles suspended therein is then contacted with the continuously moving grounded spread fiber tow. The particle laden air stream is flowing downwardly and the fiber tow moving horizontally at the time of contact. The fibers with thermoplastic particles clinging thereto are continuously heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion of the thermoplastic polymer. This results in long continuous fibers coated with the thermoplastic polymer. The resulting tow-preg, or tow of coated fibers, is useful in the preparation of structural composites in which the fibers service reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic coating polymer is a high performance polymer, such as thermoplastic polyimide (TPI), where high performance and the structural composite is desired. Polymer coating weights may vary from about 20% to about 90% of the total tow-preg weight.

Fiber-reinforced resin composites have gained an increasing market share for high performance parts used in various industries, as for example automotive and aircraft components. In the composite industry, continuous carbon and glass fibers are impregnated with polymeric resins, then wound or layered against rigid mold surfaces and cured into structural parts.
Two classes of resins are used in composites. A thermosetting resin reacts in the presence of heat or a catalyst to produce a 3-dimensional structure that cannot be reshaped. Epoxies and certain polyimides are examples of thermosetting resins used in composite technology. A thermoplastic resin retains its two-dimensional structure in the presence of heat and pressure. As a result, thermoplastic resins can be softened or melted many times, thus allowing for re-shaping. Polyether-etherketone (PEEK), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polybenzimidozole (PBI) are examples of high performance thermoplastics used in forming composites. In general, the art of forming high performance thermosetting resin composites is more advanced than the art of forming high performance thermoplastic composites.
A problem encountered in the preparation of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites is that it is difficult to obtain good wetting of the reinforcing fibers or filaments, and consequently it is difficult to obtain composites in which air bubbles are absent at the interfaces between resin and reinforcing fiber. As a consequence, it is desirable to produce pre-pregs of fiber-reinforced resins in which the fibers constitute a relatively high percentage of the weight of the pre-preg and then incorporate this pre-preg into the resinous composite.
Various methods of coating fibers with the desired coating polymer are known. Basically, these are as follows:
1. Solution coating, i.e. dissolving the polymer in a solvent, coating the resulting solution onto a fiber tow, evaporating away the solvent, leaving the polymer as a coating on the fiber surface.
2. Suspension or emulsion coating, i.e. suspending or emulsifying a polymer powder in a non-solvent, coating the fiber tow with the resulting liquid suspension or emulsion, then evaporating the non-solvent carrier, leaving the polymer powder in intimate contact with the fibers. An additional thermal process step, to fuse the powder on to the fiber surface, is usually required.
3. Melt impregnation of a fiber tow with molten polymer.
4. Spinning processes, i.e., spinning a fiber of the polymer, weaving or commingling these fibers with the tow, then heating the fiber structure to melt the polymer fibers on to the adjacent reinforcing fibers.
Each one of these processes has one or more technical limitations. Solvents can be toxic or noxious, and in any case, are very difficult to remove from most high performance polymers. Solvents trapped in the final composite product can result in porosity and weak areas in the structure.
High polymer viscosity inhibits resin impregnation of the reinforcing fiber bundle with molten polymer.
Suspensions and emulsions usually require the addition of emulsifiers or suspending agents, which remain in the finished composite and which can adversely affect mechanical performance.
Commingling requires production of a polymeric fiber from the matrix material. This can be difficult to do and can be quite expensive.
Another coating process is electrostatic coating. Basically, charged particles of a desired coating agent are applied to the surface of a substrate which is either oppositely charged or grounded. While electrostatic coating techniques have been used to coat flat surfaces, e.g. sheets, and single rods or wires, only very recently (in 1989) has the use of dry powder coating techniques for coating of reinforcing fiber tows been reported in the literature.
Muzzy et al, in a publication, i.e. 34th International SAMPE Symposium, May 8-11, 1989, pages 1940-1951, describes preparation of thermoplastic tow pregs by electrostatic deposition of charged fluidized thermoplastic polymer particles directly from a fluidized bed on to a spread continuous carbon fiber tow. The tow, which is grounded, is passed through a fluidized bed of electrostatically charged polymer particles. The polymer particles are both electrostatically charged and fluidized by ionizing (or charging) a flowing air stream and then passing this air stream upwardly through a bed of polymer particles. The tow with particles deposited thereon is then heated in an oven to cause the polymer particles to melt and coat the tow fibers.
A disadvantage of the Muzzy et al process is that it works best with comparatively coarse polymer particles, e.g. those having average sizes of about 80 microns or larger, and does not work particularly well with finer particles. Better results in ionizing of air and charging of polymer particles are obtained at comparatively high air velocities than at lower air velocities. On the other hand, these comparatively high air velocities correspond to the fluidizing velocities of comparatively large particles (say about 80 microns or larger); the fluidizing velocities for particles approximately 5 to 10 microns in diameters i.e. in the same range as the fiber diameter, are well below those required for optimum air ionization and polymer particle charging.
Other electrostatic coating processes, such as the process shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,109 to Christ et al, are also known.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,873,389 to Daniels describes a process and apparatus for pneumatically spreading thin carbon filaments from a tow bundle to form a sheet or tape in which the individual filaments are parallel. This is achieved by passing the tow continuously through a pair of slot venturi spreaders, with air flowing concurrently with the tow in the first and countercurrently to the tow in the second. The spread tow may then be continuously passed through a bath of impregnating material, which is usually a plastic resin of the epoxy, phenolic or polyimide type.
Cross, in Chemistry in Britain, Vol. 17, no. 1, pages 24-26, (1981), discloses several electrostatic powder coating processes for depositing dry charged paint, resin or pigment particles onto a grounded workpiece. In one embodiment (FIG. 1), fluidized powder particles are drawn into an electrostatic gun in which the particles are charged. The charged particles are sprayed onto the grounded workpiece.

Method of depositing and fusing charged polymer particles on continuous filaments


A technique for obtaining information regarding a state of periodontal tissue involves deriving a substantially whole curve measure of similarity of an observed bandshape of an isolated spectral component attributed to water within the infrared region. Subtle variations in the bandshape of the water bands have been found to correlate with inflammatory periodontal diseases and using whole curve measures such as weighted integrals or measure of fit parameters these variations can be detected and used to classify periodontal tissues.

Gingivitis is a reversible infectious disease of the periodontia characterized by an inflamed periodontia that bleeds readily. Periodontitis is an infectious, destructive inflammatory disease of the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth and is the leading cause of edentulism. Moderate periodontitis occurs in a majority of adults, while the prevalence of severe, generalized disease is in the region of 10%.1 Increasing evidence suggests that periodontitis may be associated with increased risk of vascular diseases (including coronary artery disease and stroke), diabetes mellitus, lung diseases (COPD and pneumonia), and pre-term delivery.2-4
Periodontitis is currently diagnosed on gross clinical manifestations, i.e. signs of gingival inflammation (e.g. redness, swelling), periodontal pocketing, and periodontal attachment or alveolar bone loss.5 Such manifestations are measured by periodontal probing and radiographs. Alveolar bone and periodontal attachment loss represent the results of the destructive aspects of host defense mechanisms responding to the microbial plaque biofilm present in the gingival sulcus, as well as the direct effects of virulence factors of periodontal pathogens. Longitudinal studies have indicated that progression of chronic periodontitis, in terms of loss of periodontal attachment, is infrequent and episodic, and most progression occurs in a smaller proportion of highly susceptible individuals.1,6 Furthermore, traditionally used diagnostic procedures (clinical signs) do not distinguish between disease-active and disease-inactive sites. In other words, without long-term longitudinal assessment, it cannot be determined if periodontal destruction is current or a reflection of past disease.5,7 Unfortunately tools for such longitudinal studies are not available. Thus, major diagnostic and prognostic problems exist for periodontitis.
Potential diagnostic tests that have been studied include: (a) the presence of specific bacteria (including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans),8,9 or (b) their products (e.g. volatile sulfur compounds and proteolytic enzymes),10,11 (c) biomarkers which are involved in the disease process but produced by the host (e.g. matrix metalloproteinase-8,12 neutrophil elastase; aspartate aminotransferase; glucuronidase; and alkaline phosphatase,13 (d) biomarkers that occur as a consequence of tissue damage (e.g. collagen fragments),14 and (e) other markers of the inflammatory process e.g. subgingival temperature probes; prostaglandin E2; and interleukin-1.13-15
To date, however, the predictive value of all potential markers has not been high enough for routine use in clinical practice. In addition, most diagnostic methods that have been investigated are too complicated for routine chair-side use. Furthermore, due to the complex nature of periodontitis—which involves a multifaceted immune and inflammatory reaction to a polymicrobial flora—a composite analytical approach to tissue and/or gingival crevicular fluid analysis is much more likely to prove successful than analysis of one or, at best, a few individual biomolecules.
If diagnosis using spectroscopy is viable, it would be widely applicable in dentistry. In general, spectroscopy is an attractive technology to apply to the study of periodontal inflammation and periodontal diseases as spectra can be captured instantly, no consumables need be purchased or developed (such as antibodies, substrates, or molecular probes), and, once the equipment is in place, it is very inexpensive to operate. Furthermore, commercially available portable spectrometers are small, they do not require cryogenic cooling, and therefore, can be readily utilized in small clinical environments, such as a periodontal operatory, and require minimal training to obtain reliable and reproducible data. Additionally, it is an entirely non-invasive technique that uses low energy radiation. Future studies are warranted that will establish the spectra that are characteristic of healthy and diseased periodontal sites in individual subjects with gingivitis and/or periodontitis.
Furthermore, the successful application of NIR spectroscopy to the study of periodontitis could provide great potential research benefits. It is generally accepted that the accuracy, reproducibility, and validity of the clinical index reporting are sensitive to subjective components.32 Indeed, Rosin et al.32 point out that non-invasive inflammatory indices (redness and edema) are even more susceptible to the negative influence of subjectivity than invasive measures. Thus, we propose that spectroscopy could conceivably represent a means of standardization of clinical measures of inflammation in periodontal tissues. Such standardized methods would have obvious benefits to both clinical studies and mechanistic studies.
EP 0 049 905 to Schief teaches a device for measuring gingival color intended especially for assessing gingival diseases. It provides that the light of a light source is fed via an optical fiber to a probe and illuminates the gingival tissue at the outlet. Via a second returning optical fiber, the reflected light is evaluated in a plurality of wavelength regions by means of filters, and fed to photoelectric components. The signals are then evaluated in an electronic device. It is not explicitly stated in the Schief patent which wavelength bands are examined, but it appears that the filters are chosen to detect blood flow with the measurement of deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,182 to Nathel et al. teaches the assessment of gingivitis by non-ionizing radiation. Specifically, Nathel et al. teach the mapping of a periodontal pocket to determine an attachment level of a tooth as well as alveolar bone level. Nathel et al. also teach absorption spectral analysis of teeth to distinguish active or inactive cavities from healthy teeth.
Several absorption bands in the visible and near infrared (NIR) spectral region reflect key inflammatory events.16,17 For instance, tissue edema—an index that is commonly used as a marker of gingival inflammation16,19—can be measured using MR spectroscopy.16,17 Thus, monitoring the intensity of the water bands in gingival tissues is expected to provide an index of tissue hydration representing a simple indicator of inflammation at specific periodontal sites.
In addition to measuring tissue water intensity, spectroscopy offers a non-invasive means of assessing the balance between tissue oxygen delivery and oxygen utilization. Hemoglobin and oxygenation indices have been previously measured in periodontal tissues with the data suggesting that the increase in blood supply during inflammation is insufficient to meet the oxygen demand in inflamed gingivae.21 The electronic transitions stemming from the heme ring and central metal ion of hemoglobin are particularly strong in the visible region. Spectroscopy can measure relative concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated (Hb) hemoglobin by fitting optical attenuation spectra to the known optical properties (extinction coefficients) of HbO2 and Hb.17,22 Thus, spectroscopy provides a measure of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation of tissues and the degree of tissue perfusion.
Increased hemoglobin levels are indicative of an increased blood perfusion, which, if severe enough, is clinically reflected in bleeding on probing. We have been able to use NIRS to show increased tissue perfusion in diseased tissues by monitoring hemoglobin dynamics. Thus, due to the strong signatures of hemoglobin molecules in the MR spectrum, NIRS provides a reliable indicator of both clinically-evident and sub-clinical tissue perfusion. We have also been able to use NIRS to show that oxygen saturation is significantly decreased in diseased periodontal tissues.
Tissue hypoxia occurs because of increased oxygen consumption by host cells during inflammatory reactions. Interestingly, it has been shown previously that tissue oxygen saturation correlates well with oxygen tension in periodontal pockets21 and the progression of inflammatory disease is known to be dependent upon infection with a complex microflora whose climax community is dominated by Gram negative anaerobic bacteria. Tissue oxygen saturation is not currently measured clinically, NIRS can provide a further index of inflammation that may prove useful to the periodontist. This suggests that spectroscopy has the potential to diagnose and assess inflammatory periodontal diseases.
Furthermore, the 960 nm water band is known to shift with tissue temperature and changes in electrolyte concentration.20
Given the inadequacies of current techniques, there is a need for the development of a non-invasive technique for diagnosing periodontitis and other inflammatory diseases of the peridontia. Particularly desirable are diagnostic and prognostic tests having the following features:    1—simplicity and user friendliness which leads to easy training and reliable test results (low variability of results in dependence upon the tester),    2—low consumable, reagent-free application for minimizing costs associated with storage, spoilage, etc.,    3—chair-side applicability with equipment that is not massive, inordinately expensive, complex, susceptible to damage or malfunction, excessively sensitive to operating conditions, etc., and    4—targeted for site-specific diagnosis as opposed to a systemic test.

Method and apparatus for periodontal diagnosis


An antenna structure which has a platform defining at least six sectors having a vertex contained substantially within the platform. At least six dual polarized antennas are positioned on the platform for transmitting and receiving signals substantially in each of the at least six sectors, respectively.

The invention relates generally to antennas and, more particularly, to an antenna structure for positioning antennas to cover six sectors of a wireless communication cell.
A wireless communication network is generally divided into cells which are circular in shape and sized according to the range with which antennas located at a Base Station Transceiver System (BTS), centrally located within the cell, can transmit to and receive from mobile stations without interfering with signals transmitted in adjacent cells. Each mobile station operating within a cell requires a certain amount of bandwidth to operate and, because the total bandwidth of base antennas is limited, the number of mobile stations which can operate within a cell is limited.
To increase the number of mobile stations which can operate within a cell, cells are typically divided into three sectors, each of which sectors cover 120xc2x0 of the cell. Furthermore, to improve the reception of signals transmitted from mobile stations, two antennas are typically provided for each sector, such that each cell is provided with a total of six base antennas. Of the two antennas in each sector, one is a xe2x80x9cmainxe2x80x9d antenna and the other one is a xe2x80x9cdiversityxe2x80x9d antenna. The main antenna both transmits and receives signals to and from a mobile station in a respective sector, while the diversity antenna only receives signals from a mobile station. The diversity antenna is spaced apart from the main antenna to provide xe2x80x9cspace diversityxe2x80x9d so that if one of the two antennas is not able to receive a signal transmitted from a mobile station, which may result from an obstruction in the path of transmitted signal, then the other antenna may receive the signal. A structure for supporting the six antennas for each cell is typically configured as a triangular platform, each side of which supports two antennas for one of three sectors of a cell.
To further increase number of mobile stations which can operate within a cell, cells may be divided into six sectors. There are, however, a number of problems associated with dividing cells into six sectors. For example, a hexagon-shaped (i.e., six-sided) platform configured for supporting twelve antennas with two antennas on each side sufficiently spaced apart to provide diversity would be six times larger than a triangular platform which provides that same space diversity for three sectors. Such a larger platform would cost more to build and install, be more visibly conspicuous, be more susceptible to weather such as wind currents. A larger platform would also weigh more and may also require a stronger mast to support it. While a six-sector platform is being installed to replace a three-sector platform, downtime would also be incurred during which mobile stations in the cell would not be operable. Alternatively, if a smaller platform is used which compromises the space diversity, then signal quality is degraded.
Accordingly, a continuing search has been directed to the development of an antenna structure which would support a six sector cell with acceptable space diversity to maintain good signal quality, but which does not require that a new larger and more costly platform be installed, and possible a new mast also be installed, during which installation wireless communications in the cell would be interrupted.
The present invention, accordingly, provides an antenna structure which supports a six sector cell. The antenna structure of the present invention includes a platform defining at least six sectors having a vertex contained substantially within the platform. At least six dual polarized antennas are positioned on the platform for transmitting and receiving signals substantially in each of the at least six sectors, respectively.
In another aspect of the present invention, an antenna structure includes a platform defining an equal number of first sectors and second sectors, wherein each first sector is associated with one corresponding second sector to define a respective pair of sectors. Each respective pair of sectors includes a first main antenna and a first diversity antenna positioned in opposing first and second sectors of the respective pair of sectors, the first main antenna being configured for transmitting and receiving signals substantially only in the first sector, and the first diversity antenna being configured for receiving signals substantially only from the first sector. Each respective pair of sectors further includes a second main antenna and a second diversity antenna positioned in opposing first and second sectors of the respective pair of sectors, the second main antenna being configured for transmitting and receiving signals substantially only in the second sector, and the second diversity antenna being configured for receiving signals substantially only from the second sector.
By use of the present invention, capacity of a BTS may be increased by a factor of at least 1.7 without incurring high installation costs and interruption in service.


According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method may include obtaining a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) schema that corresponds to legacy data. The legacy data may include a plurality of legacy data points corresponding to device features of a legacy device. The plurality of legacy data points may be delimited according to a legacy data format. The JSON schema may include a plurality of property definitions corresponding to the legacy data points. The JSON schema may additionally include a legacy object that describes the legacy data format in a manner that allows for processing of the legacy data using the JSON schema. The method may also include processing the legacy data using the plurality of property definitions and the legacy object included in the JSON schema in a manner that allows the legacy device to be used as a web-of-things Thing.

The Web-of-Things (WoT) includes software standards and formats that are configured to allow objects (referred to as "Things" in the WoT context) to be part of and/or interacted with through the World Wide Web ("Web"). The WoT often uses existing Web standards as the software standards to more seamlessly integrate the Things with the Web.
For example, Thing Descriptions are used to describe Thing data for WoT clients (e.g., other Things, software modules, etc.) in which the Thing Descriptions provide information to the WoT clients, e.g., based on the Thing data, as to how the clients may interact with (e.g., communicate with, control, etc.) the corresponding Things. In some cases, according to WoT standards, the Thing Descriptions are formatted according to one or more Web standards, for example, Representational State Transfer (REST), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the JavaScript Object Notation ("JSON") format.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.


A method for making a cross-linked polymer network is disclosed herein. A mixture is formed of i) an electro-optic chromophore, ii) any of a cross-linkable monomer or a cross-linkable oligomer, and iii) an initiator in a solvent. Poling of the electro-optic chromophore is initiated by exposing the mixture to an electric field. While the mixture is being exposed to the electric field, the mixture is subjected to ultraviolet light or heat to initiate cross-linking of the any of the cross-linkable monomer or the cross-linkable oligomer to form a matrix of the cross-linked polymer network.

Electro-optic materials may be suitable for use in a number of devices and/or systems that include both optical and electrical components. The use of electro-optic materials may contribute to a reduction in optical loss and an improvement of thermal and photochemical stability of the device and/or system. In many instances, the electro-optic material is in intimate contact with one or more of the optical and/or electric components. Examples of devices and/or systems that may include electro-optic materials are optical interconnects, waveguides, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chips, resonator modulators, displays, etc.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A balanced-unbalanced conversion-type elastic wave device includes an unbalanced signal terminal, first and second balanced signal terminals, and first to fifth interdigital transducers disposed along an elastic wave propagation direction. One end of each of the first, third, and fifth interdigital transducers is connected in common to the unbalanced signal terminal, one end of each of the second interdigital transducer and the fourth interdigital transducer is connected to the first and second balanced signal terminals respectively, a first inductance is connected between the first interdigital transducer and a ground potential, and a second inductance is connected between the fifth interdigital transducer and the ground potential. First and second inductance values of the first and second inductances, respectively, are different.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to elastic wave devices having unbalanced-balanced conversion functions, and particularly relates to elastic wave devices having five IDT-type unbalanced-balanced conversion functions and duplexing devices that use such elastic wave devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, duplexers are being connected to antenna terminals in mobile wireless communication applications, such as in cellular phones. A duplexer includes a transmission filter and a reception filter. An unbalanced-balanced filter circuit is used in the reception filter in order to connect to an IC in the next stage.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-313540 discloses an elastic wave device for configuring this type of unbalanced-balanced filter circuit. FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the circuit configuration of the elastic wave device.
As shown in FIG. 10, an elastic wave device 1001 includes an unbalanced signal terminal 1002, a first balanced signal terminal 1003, and a second balanced signal terminal 1004. The elastic wave device 1001 is a five IDT-type longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter. As shown in FIG. 10, first to fifth interdigital transducers (IDTs) 1011 to 1015 are disposed along an elastic wave propagation direction. The first to fifth interdigital transducers 1011 to 1015 are configured so that the phase of a signal obtained at the first balanced signal terminal 1003 and the phase of a signal obtained at the second balanced signal terminal 1004 are opposite from each other.
Meanwhile, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-249842, indicated below, discloses a duplexer that employs an unbalanced-balanced conversion elastic wave filter such as that mentioned above as a reception filter circuit.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the duplexer according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-249842. A duplexer 1021 includes an unbalanced signal terminal 1002 connected to an antenna terminal 1022. A transmission filter 1023 is connected between the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 and a transmission terminal 1025. A reception filter 1024 is connected between the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 and first and second balanced signal terminals 1003 and 1004. Note that a matching circuit 1026 is connected between the reception filter 1024 and the unbalanced signal terminal 1002.
The elastic wave device 1001 has an unbalanced-balanced conversion function such as that described above. However, there has been a problem in that when the elastic wave device 1001 is used, differential transmission characteristics, including isolation characteristics, between transmitted signals and received signals have been insufficient. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
In FIG. 12, the solid line indicates amplitude characteristics between the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 and the second balanced signal terminal 1004 in the elastic wave device 1001, whereas the broken line indicates amplitude characteristics between the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 and the first balanced signal terminal 1003. As is clear from FIG. 12, the amplitude characteristics differ between the two. The reason for this is as follows. An electrical signal obtained from the first balanced signal terminal 1003 and an electrical signal obtained from the second balanced signal terminal 1004 have opposite phases. However, signals transmitted in a bridged manner between the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 and the first and second balanced signal terminals 1003 and 1004 have the same phase. Accordingly, in the case where the signals transmitted in a bridged manner have the same phase as the electrical signal flowing from the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 to the second balanced signal terminal 1004, for example, the signals will strengthen each other. In this case, the signal flowing from the unbalanced signal terminal 1002 to the first balanced signal terminal 1003 has a phase opposite from the stated signals transmitted in a bridged manner, and thus these signals will weaken each other. A difference in amplitude characteristics between the signal obtained from the first balanced signal terminal 1003 and the signal obtained from the second balanced signal terminal 1004 will arise as a result, as shown in FIG. 12. This difference is more marked in higher frequencies.
Assume now that the duplexer shown in FIG. 11 is configured using the elastic wave device 1001 as a reception filter circuit. In this case, the amplitude characteristics of the signal transmitted from the transmission terminal 1025 to the first balanced signal terminal 1003 or the signal transmitted from the transmission terminal 1025 to the second balanced signal terminal 1004 will be as indicated by the solid line and the broken line shown in FIG. 13. Accordingly, transmission characteristics, isolation characteristics, and so on tend to drop when operating in a differential mode.

Elastic wave device and duplexing device


The present disclosure relates generally to controlled extension medical stents, and more particularly to controlled extension devices positioned in the body to stent the ureter and facilitate drainage from the kidney to the bladder.

Stents developed for implantation or insertion into patients are known for various purposes including stenting, drainage, etc., of lumens, tracts, vessels, and cavities within the body. As an example, polymeric ureteral stents are widely used to facilitate drainage in the upper urinary tract (e.g., drainage from the kidney to the bladder), for example, following ureteroscopy, endourerotomies, and endopyelotomy for ureteral strictures, as well as in other instances where ureteral obstruction may occur.
An exemplary stent 10 of this type is illustrated in FIG. 1. The stent 10 has a proximal end 10p and a distal end 10d. It is a tubular polymer extrusion having a shaft 12, a distal renal retention member (e.g., renal "pigtail" 14), and a proximal retention member (e.g., bladder "pigtail" 16). These retention members when present prevent upward migration of the stent toward the kidney or downward migration of the stent toward the bladder. Once properly deployed in the ureter, the stent 10 supports the ureter and allows the passage of urine through the stent and, since the ureter naturally dilates around foreign bodies, allows urine to flow around the stent as well. The stent 10, as exemplified by FIG. 1, may further be provided with any one or more of the following: (a) a tapered tip 11, to aid insertion, (b) multiple side ports 18 (one numbered), which may be arranged in a spiral pattern down the length of the body to promote drainage, (c) graduation marks 25 (one illustrated), which are normally used for visualization by the physician to know when the appropriate length of stent has been inserted into the ureter, and (d) a suture 22, which aids in positioning and withdrawal of the stent.
During placement, such ureteral stents 10 may be typically placed over a urology guide wire, through a cystoscope or flexible ureteroscope, and advanced into position with a pusher and/or other positioning device that may engage and release the stent 10. Once the distal end of the stent is advanced into the kidney/renal calyx, the guide wire is removed, allowing retention members, such as pigtails 14, 16, to form in the kidney 19 and bladder 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The renal pigtail 14 of the stent may be closed or tapered on the end, depending on the method of insertion (e.g., the use of a guide wire or otherwise). As shown in FIG. 2, the stent 10 extends through the ureteral orifice 21a and into the bladder 20. For clarity, the ureter entering bladder 20 through the opposite ureteral orifice 21b is not shown.
These types of implanted stents may be associated with patient discomfort or pain after being positioned within the body, for example, in regard to ureteral stents, pain and/or discomfort in the bladder and flank area after insertion. Another potential issue is that various applications and anatomies require stents of different diameters and lengths, e.g., differences in individual ureteral anatomies require different diameters and lengths between the end retention members of ureteral stents. Consequently, hospitals and other facilities inventory stents of different diameters and for each diameter, stents of different lengths, in some cases as much as six stents of different lengths for each diameter.
Generally, a physician must estimate ureter length before beginning a procedure. If the estimate is near the end of a particular length range, it is possible to select a stent that is slightly too long or too short. However, that fact may not be ascertainable until the stent has been implanted. The procedure for correcting any incorrect selection may involve removing that stent and placing a longer or shorter stent in the ureter thereby complicating the procedure and potentially increasing patient trauma.
Variable length stents may include offset or planar coils as one or both of the end retention members that can be unwound to increase or decrease the effective length between the structures. Another ureteral stent example includes a stent with multiple coils at the bladder end that may be clipped off outside of the body when the length of the stent has been estimated by the physician.
Although these examples may reduce inventory requirements, excess retention member left in the bladder may occupy a considerable volume which may increase a risk of tissue irritation. Additionally, stents clipped to length outside of the body prior to placement without reference markings may ultimately result in a length that is too short, requiring a new stent to be used, or too long, in which case the excess material and irritation concerns remain. Even if the estimated length is correct at the time of positioning the stent, a patient's body movements may cause the stent to migrate out of position. Therefore, there exists a need for stents and methods of use for stents that are capable of controlled extension.


Techniques for rescheduling one or more timing intervals associated with a channel of a communication system. Responsive to a detected change in a property of the channel, a rescheduling algorithm identifies a given one of the timing intervals, within a schedule for the channel, that violates a system requirement in view of the detected change. The algorithm determines if the interval can be rescheduled to accommodate the detected change and if so reschedules the interval. If the interval cannot be rescheduled to accommodate the detected change, the interval is removed from the schedule. The rescheduling process may be repeated for each of the intervals in the channel schedule. The intervals in an illustrative embodiment may include, for example, grants, polls, free intervals or initial-maintenance intervals (IMIs) of an upstream channel in a DOCSIS-compliant CATV system.

In many communication system applications, communication channel properties such as slot size and modulation characteristics can be varied dynamically during system operation. It is important that these channel property changes be taken into account in the scheduling of data transmissions over the channel. One application in which such issues arise is in the scheduling of an upstream data transmission channel in a cable television system, also commonly referred to as a community access television (CATV) system, as will be described below.
In a CATV system, cable modems (CMs) communicate with a cable-modem termination system (CMTS) over a CATV network. The cable-industry-backed standard that specifies how a CM and CMTS communicate with each other is called DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), and is described in the DOCSIS specification documents, which are incorporated by reference herein.
A DOCSIS-compliant network is frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) into one or more downstream (CMTS-to-CM) and one or more upstream (CM-to-CMTS) channels, with each channel corresponding to one FDM frequency. Data sent on a downstream channel is physically broadcast to all CMs that can receive that channel, and each CM picks off the packets that are intended for that CM. During normal operation a CM listens on only one downstream channel and transmits on only one upstream channel. CMs cannot directly communicate with each other. All data sent on a given upstream channel goes to the CMTS serving that channel. A typical CMTS serves between about 500 and 2,000 CMs.
In order to maximize the throughput of an upstream channel, a CMTS will typically want to change the properties of that channel when, for example, the channel becomes less noisy. Hence, DOCSIS provides a simple mechanism that lets the CMTS change the properties of an upstream channel at any time.
Although the DOCSIS protocol for changing upstream properties is simple, the internal CMTS ramifications are not. Often, a property change causes the current upstream schedule to become illegal, in which case the CMTS must reschedule the upstream. However, DOCSIS does not disclose or suggest any particular techniques by which a CMTS might provide such rescheduling.
A need therefore exists for techniques for performing rescheduling operations in cable-modem upstream channels in a CATV system, as well as in other communication system applications.

Method and apparatus for rescheduling a communication system channel after a channel property change


A real time detector system for monitoring ram alignment in a can bodymaker measures ram (10) position immediately before and during impact with the dome forming station (1). Displacement measurements of the ram enable the user to adjust dome (1) position or otherwise correct ram (10) alignment and avoid multiple can failures.

In the manufacture of two piece cans, a punch on a bodymaker ram is used to push a drawn metal cup through wall ironing dies in order to iron the side wall and make a taller can. After passing through dies, the punch carries the drawn and wall ironed can into contact with a doming station.
Although the ram is supported in bearings, alignment of the ram will vary due to friction and wear. In addition, vibration of a high speed reciprocating ram means that the can still does not always contact the doming station in a fully concentric and aligned position.
Undesirable vibration of the ram will arise not only due to the variable 'droop' of the cantilever supported ram as it moves towards and back from its fully extended position, but also due to the impact of the can at the dome forming station.
Misalignment of the ram/punch when it carries a can into contact with the doming station will ultimately lead to split domes, particularly in aluminium cans. When the ram is only slightly misaligned, an arcuate split (referred to hereinafter as a 'smile') in the base of the can could arise which subsequently may result in burst cans at the fillers or customer. Base faults like smiles are not easily detectable by the naked eye during manufacture.
This invention seeks to provide an apparatus for detecting base defects such as split domes during manufacture and for measuring ram alignment dynamically.

Detector system for fixing to a can bodymaker and method to dynamically measuring ram alignment in a can bodymaker


A non-binary affinity measure between any two data points for a supervised classifier may be determined. For example, affinity measures may be determined for tree, kernel-based, nearest neighbor-based and neural network supervised classifiers. By providing non-binary affinity measures using supervised classifiers, more information may be provided for clustering, analyzing and, particularly, for visualizing the results of data mining.

This invention relates generally to data mining.
Data mining involves the statistical analysis of complex data. In one application, data mining technology may be utilized to implement machine learning. Generally, data mining may be used to learn from data. Data features enable predictions to be made. A training set of data may be observed to find the combination and weighting of those features that are determinative of data outcomes of interest. A predictive model is developed to predict a corresponding outcome based on the previously found combination and weighting of features as they appear in new data.
A dataset may include a collection of data points which have a set of features. Supervised data contains labels or predictors. That is, a dataset may contain a collection of features and a label or predictor for those features. As an example, a dataset may include a collection of features about mushrooms, such as cap type, color, texture, and so on, and a label such as edible, poisonous, medicinal, and so on, or a predictor, such as a numeral value representing the toxicity of a mushroom.
A supervised classifier takes as an input the data point features and is trained on and learns to associate the label or predictor of that data point. In a test mode, where only the features of a data point are available, the classifier attempts to produce the correct label or predictor for a data point.
Tree based classifiers make sequential decisions on a selected feature at each branch point in order to arrive at a final label or prediction at the leaves of a tree. A classifier may be used to decide which data points meet a given criteria. At each branch point, data points are sorted into their appropriate branch according to how they meet the criterion. This classification proceeds downwardly from a root or starting point to leaves or ending points. A forest consists of many trees, each of which give a weighted vote for the label or prediction value.
A kernel uses a radial kernel, such as a Gaussian kernel, to measure distances between data points and kernel centers. Kernel methods achieve localization using a weighting function of each kernel that assigns a weight to a data point based on its distance from each kernel center.
Nearest neighbor classifiers associate a label or predictor of a new point with that of its nearest neighboring points. Classification is based on the majority vote of those nearest neighbors.
It would be desirable to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of various supervised classifiers on any given dataset.

Using affinity measures with supervised classifiers


Urea-isocyanurate copolymers are obtained by the reaction of:. (a) an organic polyisocyanate compound, PA1 (b) a polyamino compound having at least two amino groups connected by a flexible chain, and PA1 (c) optionally an amino chain extender in which the amino groups are substantially less reactive towards the polyisocyanate (a) than are the amino groups of compound (b), the reaction being effected in the presence of PA1 (d) a trimerisation catalyst effective to convert a polyisocyanate to a polyisocyanurate in the reaction the ratio of the number of equivalents of isocyanate groups to the total number of moles of amino groups is at least 8.7, and the ratio of the number of equivalents of chain extender (c)--if used--to the number of equivalents of polyamino compound (b) is a maximum of 5:1.. The copolymers are especially useful for producing articles by Structural Reaction Injection Moulding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the production of urea-isocyanurate copolymers which are useful particularly but not exclusively in Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) applications and Structural Reaction Injection Moulding.
2. Discussion of the Background
Reaction Injection Moulding employs intimate mixing (usually by impingement) of at least two streams of reactive liquids followed by their injection into a mould where polymerization and fabrication occur simultaneously. A development of the RIM technique is Structural Reaction Injection Moulding (SRIM) which is used for the production of composite materials. In SRIM, a reinforcing material (usually a fibrous mat) is pre-placed in a mould so as to be incorporated in the final moulded article. The successful operation of the SRIM technique requires that the reinforcement be adequately wetted by the reactive liquids prior to gelling.
It is well known to produce polyurethane and polyurea articles by RIM. Thus for example polyurea formation may be effected by mixing a liquid stream comprising a polyisocyanate compound (e.g. an MDI derivative) and one or more other liquid streams which comprise polyamino compound having a flexible chain (usually a polyalkyleneoxy chain) connecting the amino groups, and a chain extender which is a comparatively low molecular weight aromatic diamine. Typically the chain extender is used in an amount of at least two equivalents (of chain extender) per equivalent of the polyamino compound (see for example WO-A89/06251).
However, such polyureas have the disadvantage that they have a high mould filling viscosity and a very short gel time and are unsuitable for SRIM processing.
Polyisocyanurate polymers are already known and are obtained by trimerisation of an organic polyisocyanate compound in the presence of a trimerisation catalyst (many examples of which are known) to produce a high cross-link density product which comprises of the `interconnected` isocyanurate rings.
Solid polyisocyanurates generally suffer from brittleness resulting from the high cross link density. Attempts to overcome the brittleness problem and produce polymers which are useful in RIM applications is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,741 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,742 which disclose the reaction of the polyisocyanate with up to a total of about 0.4 equivalents of specific polyol combinations (to provide adducts containing urethane linkages) prior to trimerisation of the remaining free isocyanate groups to form the isocyanurate networks. The resulting products are thus urethane isocyanurate copolymers. However, such products are associated with the disadvantage that they have limited stability above 100.degree. C. due to the presence of the PU catalysts required for their preparation.
It has also been proposed in U.S. Ser. No. 247,270 to form urea isocyanurate copolymers which are useful in RIM applications. The copolymers disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 247,270 are produced, in the RIM process, by the reaction impingement mixing of a polyalkylene oxide amino, an amino terminated chain extender, and an aromatic polyisocyanate as well as a catalyst for effecting isocyanurate formation. The preferred isocyanate index of the mixture is in the range of about 1.2-2.0. The reaction proceeds by initial `capping` of the aminos by the excess isocyanate followed by trimerisation to form the isocyanurate network and thereby produce a urea isocyanurate copolymer. However, a disadvantage of such products is that they have mould filling viscosities which are too high for successful use in SRIM applications.


The carcinostatic agent of the present invention is an extract from seeds of Aeginetia indica and has interleukin-2 and interferon-.gamma. inducing potency. As shown in FIG. 1, all of the mice, to which this extract was not given, (.DELTA.) died from tumor (6 mice). In contrast, in the mice, to which the extract was given by 0.6 mg/kg (.quadrature.), 1.2 mg/kg (+), and 2.5 mg/kg ( ) intraperitoneally once in every two days from the day of tumor grafting, all mice showed increase in the survival rate. Thus, the extract exhibits excellent carcinostatic effect.

An interleukin or interferon inducing agent is a substance to induce interleukin (IL) or interferon (IFN) by exerting action on human or animal cells. A wide variety of natural substances are known to have such action. For example, a Chinese herb medicine "Tohki" is processed with hot water, and a substance having IFN inducing activity is isolated from the extract (Japanese Provisional Patent Publication No. 53-32107), or another substance having IFN inducing activity is isolated from a Chinese herb medicine "Souhakuhi" (Japanese Provisional Patent Publication No. 53-99313).
Broomrape (Aeginetia indica L; AIL) has been known as a roborant and is an annual non-chlorophyllous plant of broomrape family, Aeginetia indica genus. It lives on roots of such plants as eulalia, Japanese ginger, sugar cane, etc., and its fruit contains innumerable fine seeds similar to dust ("General Medicinal Plants", Hirokawa Publishing Co., 1936; pp. 106-107).
The present inventors have found that a substance extracted from the seeds of Aeginetia indica contains a component having prominent IL-2 and IFN-.gamma. inducing activity but giving no side effect. It is an object of the present invention to provide a carcinostatic agent containing an extract from the seeds of Aeginetia indica.


An alternative registry lookup Java naming and directory interface (JNDI) provider is used to lookup a service endpoint in a registry of a Web service. The alternative registry lookup JNDI provider examines the new registry file for a service-ref-name element and determines if the element is present. If the element is present, the registry lookup JNDI provider retrieves location of the service endpoint using information in the new registry file. If the element is absent, lookup of the service endpoint is deferred to a standard JNDI provider, which determines the location of a service endpoint based on a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) file.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to Web services architecture. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for registry lookup of Web services. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for alternative registry lookup of Web services without impacting existing client implementation.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, the use of Internet has greatly increased as more consumers are connecting to the World Wide Web. As a result, consumers demand a wider variety of services to be available online. In order to meet this demand, vendors make their services available by using a mechanism called Web services.
Generally, Web services are services offered by one application, such as a vendor Web site, to other applications, such as consumer applications, via the World Wide Web. By obtaining Web services, consumer or client applications may aggregate these services to enable business transactions. An example Web service may be a client requesting a stock quote online, in which the request of the current price for a specific stock is sent from the client application to a service provider. This request is sent to a given universal resource locator (URL) using common networking communication protocols, such as, for example, simple object access protocol (SOAP) and hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The URL identifies the location of the service provider or the service endpoint location. When the service provider receives and processes the request, a response is sent from the service provider using similar protocols to the client application. In this example, the stock price for the requested stock is returned to the client application.
In order to make their services available for client applications, service providers define abstract service descriptions using a language called Web Services Description Language (WSDL), a language specification available from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WSDL provides definition of a service endpoint in the form of a markup language. A concrete service, known as the concrete service description, is created using the abstract service description in WSDL. Service providers may then publish the concrete service description to a registry, such as, for example, a universal description, discovery and integration (UDDI). Using a registry mechanism like UDDI, a service requester locates a service description from which the requestor selects and uses a concrete implementation of the service.
Currently, existing client applications locate service providers in a registry dynamically. Even when a URL of the service provider changes, in failover situations, or multiple implementations of WSDL port type exist for a client to potentially use, a client application may still locate the service provider, but only if custom coding for dynamic lookup is incorporated into the client application explicitly. No standardized mechanism specifying where and how to look up an endpoint location for a Web service currently exists.
Existing lookup mechanisms, such as, for example, Java API for XML registries (JAXR) and UDDI for Java (UDDI4J), require developers of client applications to perform registry lookup each time a service is requested. This repetitive lookup uses machine resources for each lookup and adds to the client execution time as additional requests are sent from the client application. In addition, changes to existing client application implementation are required when location of the service endpoint changes.
Furthermore, existing lookup and registry mechanisms conflict with other solutions, such as, for example, Java API for XML-based remote procedure call (JAX-RPC) and Web services for Java 2 enterprise editor (JSR-109), products available from Sun Microsystems, Inc. These mechanisms use a naming and directory technology called Java naming and directory interface (JNDI) application programming interface (API), which provides methods for client applications to access Web services.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method, apparatus and computer instructions for alternative registry lookup of Web services without impacting existing client implementation. It would also be advantageous to have an improved method that leverages existing standards like JAX-RPC and J2EE Web services.

Alternative registry lookup of web services

International Business Machines Corporation