To correct any discrepancies between the system identifiers captured in a Most Recently Used (MRU) list and those in the latest system preference list (e.g. Preferred Roaming List (PRL) or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list), a mobile device will periodically check a system selection that utilized the MRU list against the carrier's system preference list and when necessary initiate a new scan to select a system based on the current preference list. The device then updates system identification in the MRU list, based on the new system selection obtained in accordance with the preference list.

In recent years, use of mobile communications devices for voice telephone services, email or text messaging services and even multi-media services has become commonplace, among mobile professionals and throughout the more general consumer population. To support broad customer's efficient acquisition of mobile communication networks, many mobile devices today are capable of using various networks and even different network technologies in many different regions, and increasingly, in different countries.
For the efficient acquisition of mobile communication networks, the carriers and their equipment vendors have developed and standardized a number of techniques for selecting systems in different areas for acquiring the network and obtaining service therefrom, in accordance with preferences of the subscriber's service provider/carrier. However, since the 3GPP2 and 3GPP standards bodies are working independently, the system selection procedures that they have established are different and use databases that are structured differently. 3GGP2 uses a Preferred Roaming List (PRL) that contains a table which identifies all of the operators that are roaming partners and which lists those partner operators in priority order. 3GPP uses Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) lists to do the same.
Searching and acquiring a network, using a full PRL or PLMN search, however, takes considerable time and is typically done when a device is first turned-on or has lost all network service for some period of time. Each network listing in a typical preference list, e.g. in a PRL, might include a system ID (SID), a network ID (NID), a channel identification, and identification of a Radio Frequency Band, for each system and be classified by a geographic information index. The search may be time consuming, especially if a system has one or more configurable system parameters, and each such parameter can have one of multiple possible values. In this case, the station may perform acquisition for different possible combinations of values for the configurable system parameters in order to detect the system. Search and acquisition for a large number of possible combinations of parameter values from a long PRL or PLMN may extend search time and consume excessive battery power, both of which are undesirable.
For faster acquisition in other cases, for example, when the mobile device has been powered off briefly or in some cases when the device disconnects from one system while roaming, the device normally searches using a Most Recently Used (MRU) list having information of some much smaller number the most recently connected systems. The MRU list includes modes (CDMA, AMPS, EV-DO, etc.), band classes (Cellular, PCS, etc.) and channels of the most recently used systems. When an network is not found that matches a listing in the MRU list, the mobile device may turn to a more extensive search based on the PRL or PLMN. In this later case, if the device selects a new system, the device adds the system as a new entry in the MRU list for future use.
In this fashion, the MRU data is compiled over time from systems selected based on the carrier's preference list (PRL or PLMN). The preferences and thus the list or lists may change over time, as the carrier changes. To update the preference functionality of the devices of the carrier's customers, updated versions of the PRL or PLMN are provided to the mobile station over the air from time to time by the wireless communication provider. When a PRL is sent to a mobile device, the device does not use the new version until complete loss of signal or catastrophic power loss. Hence, as a result of an update, the acquisition data for one or more systems listed in the MRU may no longer conform to the carrier's latest preferences. In addition, the MRU can become swayed to one channel over the preferred channel due to channel assignment. Selection of such a system via the MRU, therefore, may no longer result in the most favorable financial roaming treatment.
Hence a need exists for technology to correct any discrepancies between the system identifiers captured in the MRU and those in the latest system preference list (e.g. PRL or PLMN) received from the carrier.

Synchronizing mobile station most recently used MRU list with carrier system preference list


An implant assembly for proximal femur fracture comprises of a targeting device and intramedullary nail having plurality of proximal holes directed towards head and neck of femur wherein the axis of the holes makes an ante version angle of about 5° to 20° with the horizontal plane and at the same time axis of plurality of distal holes making 90° angle to longitudinal axis of said nail that holds the femur wherein said nail has reducing cross section area from thigh end to knee end with grooved knee end with anterior curvature even in short length version, plurality of proximal sliding hip pins with smooth shaft for collapsibility, triflanged end with mores taper to hold proximal femur, large head and washer to get impaction and plurality of distal locking screw to hold distal fragment of femur, optional buttress plate and barrels supporting lateral cortex to get controlled limited guided collapse.

The femur bone (thigh bone) has peculiar shape and curvatures (anatomical profile) comprising of its Head (1), Neck (2), Greater Trochanter (3), Lesser trochanter (4) and Shaft (5). Head portion is like a ball composed of dense cancellous bone. Neck has front (anterior) surface (6), back (posterior) surface (7), lower (inferior) surface (8) and upper (superior) surface (9). Neck is not cylindrical in cut section but flat and narrow near posterior and inferior surface having dense good quality bone called as calcar (10) and broad at superior portion containing less dense bone near superior and anterior surface. Axis of centre of shaft (11) makes an angle with axis of centre of neck and head (12) which is known as "neck shaft angle" (13), which generally varies from 120° to 140°. Plane of center of shaft of femur (14) makes an angle with the plane of center of neck and head (15), which is known as "angle of ante version" (16), and which generally varies from 5° to 20°. Hollow shaft of femur with medullary canal (17) has "anterior curvature" (18). Front wall of medullary canal of shaft of femur is called anterior cortex (19), back wall is called posterior cortex (20), inner wall is called medial cortex (21) and outer wall is called lateral cortex (22). Head (1) articulates with socket-acetabulum (23) making the hip joint. Portion of femur bone comprising head (1), neck (2) and upper part of shaft(5) is called as "Proximal Femur". In normal human, various muscles are attached to this part of bone, exerting force and reacting to ground reaction force in different directions and in different amplitudes in different stages of walking, and these loads are cyclic in nature. In intact femur bone these forces are transmitted from proximal femur to shaft of femur effectively.
Incidences of unstable proximal femur fractures in elderly people are very high world wide and management of these geriatric or aged patients has become a challenge. These geriatric patients with old age osteoporosis require early mobilization with assisted full weight bearing. In this situation it is essential that different forces acting on the femur should be transferred efficiently to the fracture fragments without displacement, leading to healing of fracture.
This demands implant assembly with proper biomechanical properties, such as:                The implant should acquire minimum area of the bone to provide anatomical reconstruction with stable biological (MINIMALLY INVASIVE) osteosynthesis (fixation of fractured bone fragments).        The funnel shaped femur medullary canal (17) makes an ante version angle (16) of around 5° to 20° with neck and head of femur bone and the femur shaft has anterior curvature (18). The implant must match completely with the above mentioned anatomic profile of femur bone to distribute the forces evenly like an intact bone.        At the same time implant should be capable to react effectively to large, dynamic (in magnitude and direction) and cyclic loads when patient starts walking bearing the weight on limb. Implant should allow gradual adaptation of the fractured bone fragments by allowing guided limited controlled collapse of gap between the fixed bone fragments leading to early bone to bone contact which results into faster healing.        Implant should be stable enough to provide rotational stability, so that during any rotational forces the implant and the comminuted bone should move as one unit.        Implant design and fixation must be such that it should provide early mobilization and should allow assisted full weight bearing.        The femur size and other related properties vary from person to person. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an implant assembly that would be suitable for any femur which meets the essential parameters. Along with these biomechanical properties, the implant unit should be easy to fix and should provide maximum accuracy of fixation, so that it is adoptable to average surgeon giving reproducible results.
There are a variety of devices used to treat proximal femoral fractures. Fractures of the neck, head or intertrochanter of the femur have been successfully treated with a variety of Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) assemblies as shown in FIG. 4, which generally include a compression plate (24) with a barrel member (25), a lag screw (26) and a compressing screw (27). The compression plate (24) is secured to the exterior of the femur-lateral cortex (22) and the barrel member (25) is inserted into a predrilled hole in the direction of the femoral head (1). The lag screw (26), which has a threaded end (28) and a smooth portion (29), is inserted through the barrel member (25), so that it extends across the break and into the femoral head. The threaded portion (28) engages the femoral head. The compressing screw (27) connects the lag screw (26) to the plate (24). By adjusting the tension of the compressing screw (27), the compression (reduction) of the fracture can be adjusted. The smooth portion (29) of the lag screw must be free to slide through the barrel member (25) to permit the adjustment of the compression screw. Compression screw assemblies are shown by the following patents: Pixel U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,358; Callender, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,786; Pugh et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,543; Griggs U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,355; Blosser, U.S. Pat. No. 3,094,120; and Wagner U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,825. The Blosser and Wagner patents illustrate the use of multiple screws to prevent rotation of the lag screw relative to the compression plate and barrel member. A surgical bone pin, which functions like a lag screw and compressing screw, but which doe's not include a compression plate is shown by Cochran et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,926. These assemblies fail in unstable fractures due to various biomechanical problems.
Subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures have been treated with the help of intramedullary rods which are inserted into the marrow canal of the femur to immobilize the femur parts involved in fractures. A single angled locking screw is inserted through the femur and the proximal end of the intramedullary rod. In some varieties, one or two screws may also be inserted through the femoral shaft and through the distal end of the intramedullary rod. The standard intramedullary rods have been successfully employed in treating fractures in lower portions of the femoral shaft.
The Grosse-Kempf nail, manufactured by Howmedica Company of Rutherford, N.J., is believed to be one of the earliest intramedullary nailing devices introduced into the United States. The Grosse-Kempf nail includes a threaded hole in the intramedullary rod for receiving the interlocking screw. The fully threaded screw cannot slide through the threaded hole to permit the type of compression found in the compression screw assemblies discussed above. Furthermore, the axis of the threaded hole coincides with a line between the greater to lesser trochanter and not in the direction of the femoral neck.
The commercially available Kuntscher Y-nail includes a flanged cloverleaf shaped intramedullary nail which is inserted through a hole in a single femoral neck nail. The rod includes a longitudinal slit. The Kuntscher device is indicated only for unstable trochanteric fractures. Neither the Kuntscher device, nor the Zickel nail, includes distal anchoring means and both therefore are not useful for treating distal fractures. The femoral neck nail of the Kuntscher device, which is angled toward the femoral neck, is locked into place by the intramedullary rod. Thus, the Kuntscher Y-nail is also not indicated for femoral neck fractures.
The Russell-Taylor interlocking nail system, manufactured by Richards Medical Company of Memphis, Tenn., includes an intramedullary rod having two pairs of coaxial holes through its proximal end. The axes of the pairs of holes intersect to provide a left or right orientation for insertion of a single locking screw. The screw is designed to pass from the greater to the lesser trochanter. There is not sufficient mechanical support to allow usage of the locking screw in the direction towards the femoral head because the second pair of coaxial holes weakens the nail when loaded in that direction. Further, the locking screw is a fully threaded screw which does not permit sliding of the screw relative to the intramedullary rod. Another bone-nail which permits left-right orientation by means of 'criss-cross' nail holes is shown by Ender U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,545.
Current intramedullary compression hip screw systems also provide new limitations that hamper their effectiveness. One such limitation is evident in both Lawes' and Durham's designs. These designs require the use of a set screw to prevent rotation of the lag screw; the set screw in the Lawes patent interacts directly with the lag screw, while Durham's is indirect with the lag screw. To ensure proper mating takes place the Smith & Nephew Richards' systems provides a torque wrench, while Howmedica's Gamma Nail system requires tightening of the set screw to full engagement and then backing it off. Over time, loss of calibration of the torque wrench and improper engagement by the surgeon user could lead to an unsatisfactory engagement and decreased usefulness.
As shown in FIG. 5, Howmedica's Gamma Nail system comprises of unitary Gamma Nail (30) with mediolateral angle and has a large proximal diameter (36) and single large hole (71) for a single large transfixing Gamma hip screw (31). Nail's distal end (32) is straight, of short length and pluralities of distal locking screws (33) are in same plane as of proximal hole (71) in nail.
Recently available Synthes -AO PFN, PCT/CH/99/00581 Application Number and WO 01 39679 A1 International Publication Number has described intramedullary nail has provision of plurality of transfixing hip screws, one large screw inferiorly near narrow calcar and one small screw superiorly. Proximal diameter of nail is large and direction of proximal holes and distal holes are in same plane in nail and targeting device. In short length nail, distal end is straight without any anterior curvature, so it is same for right or left side of femur.
Modular nailing systems have two piece nail, one base member and other extension member as disclosed by Simpson et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,141, and other modular nails, taught in prior art, have modular sleeves or inserts, proved to be biomechanically improper and technically very difficult to implant in human body by surgeon.
Mechanical and clinical studies undertaken by inventor have revealed technical problems and disadvantages with prior art.

Implant assembly for proximal femoral fracture


Tape that visually indicates a tear site of a section of tape from a longer length of tape and that visually distinguishes the tear site from the remainder of the length of tape, so that the end of the roll can be readily identified. The tear site becomes visible upon the reaction of a chromogenic material. The reaction of the chromogenic material is initiated by tearing of the tape, so that a visible mark or indicator results from tearing or cutting the tape.

After tearing or cutting tape from a roll of tape, the user of the tape, such as masking tape, has trouble visually detecting where the tape was last torn. The end of the tape is not visually apparent, since the end of the tape is the same color as the remainder of the roll of tape, and the end of the tape adheres to the remainder of the roll. The user has to feel around the roll to find the end, which may be difficult to find by feel if the end of the tape has adhered to the roll of tape. There is a need for a tape that is contained in a roll to have a visual indicator that differentiates the end of the roll of tape from the remainder of the roll of tape, so that the end can be readily ascertained, and used to extract a segment of tape from the roll.


The disclosure relates to a package comprising a sleeve and an insert received in the sleeve, where the insert is movable between a retracted and extended configuration. The insert includes a carrier having a passage, and a band extending around a wall of the carrier and through the passage. The insert further includes a first member located within the passage when the insert is in the retracted configuration, the first member being attached to the band, wherein at least a portion of the band that overlies the wall is exposed for attachment to the sleeve of the package at a second coupling location on the exposed portion of the band.

In general, cards such as credit cards or gift cards that are delivered to a customer in the post are packaged in a paper envelope along with a letter containing any relevant information that may be required. The card is usually attached to the letter using an adhesive such as glue, before the letter is folded to the required size for the chosen envelope and inserted into the envelope ready for sending. To retrieve the card from the package, the customer simply opens the envelope and removes the letter fully from the envelope before pulling the card off of the letter paper.
It is important that letters that are mailed through the postal system are able to undergo postal processing without damage. Such processing involves significant bending and manipulation of the letter. Letters or packages that are inflexible and cannot go through such processing generally attract higher postal charges and hence are undesirable, particularly for posting of items such as bank cards, which often need to be posted in high volumes at minimum cost.
The present disclosure has been devised in view of this background, and provides an insert for a package that addresses at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.


A key interlock device includes a solenoid that holds a plunger when the solenoid is excited, and a link member that includes a shaft around which the link member is rotatable, and engages with the plunger so as to transmit a restraining force opposing an operation force of a key when the solenoid is excited. The shaft of the link member is disposed on a virtual line extending from a line of force of the operation force of the key. The key interlock device may include an engaging part through which the key interlock device is attached to a body of a steering lock device and which is disposed behind the shaft to which the operation force of the key applies.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a key interlock device that is attached to a steering lock device for a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Steering lock devices have been popularized that are equipped with a key interlock device to restrain a steering key (i.e., ignition key) from being turned form an "ACC" position to "LOCK" position when the vehicle is driven. The key interlock device uses an attraction type solenoid that is operable to attract a plunger when it is excited (e.g., JP-A-2000-229557).
The attraction type solenoid operates to attract the plunger when a drive current is fed (i.e., the solenoid is excited or energized), so that a problem arises that the power consumption increases. Therefore, in recent years, the key interlock device is desired to use a retention type solenoid that can relatively save the power consumption.

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


A lead-to-pacemaker adapter allows the use of a smaller diameter lead connector than that for which the pacemaker was designed. The pacemaker is shipped with the adapter installed. If the adapter is not to be used, provision is made for its easy removal. The adapter is shown and described for use in a unipolar lead system. The adapter permits direct electrical connection from the terminal pin electrode to the pacemaker connector block and its terminal set screw without the interposition of any intermediate connecting elements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to adapters for electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an adapter for electrically and mechanically coupling the terminal end of a pacemaker lead of one size to a pacemaker lead receptacle of another, larger size.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cardiac pacemakers, sometimes referred to as "pacemakers", are electrical devices that function to regulate the pace of the heartbeat. These vital therapeutic devices are surgically implanted in the patient's body, where they may remain for years. A typical implanted pacemaker operates by furnishing, through an electrical lead attached to the ventricle of the heart, stimulation pulses which the heart is not providing.
The pacemaker includes one or more plug-type receptacles into which the terminal electrode assembly of the electrical lead may be inserted when the pacemaker is implanted. The electrode is typically held in place in the plug receptacle of the pacemaker by a connector block and a set screw. This retaining set screw may be loosened to permit withdrawal of the terminal electrode assembly from the plug receptacle of the pacemaker, as, for example, when the pacemaker is to be replaced.
The terminal electrode assembly of the heart-stimulation leads customarily comes in different sizes. Those of more recent construction are undersized relative to earlier models. Likewise, the pacemaker receptacle which receives the terminal electrode assembly of the heart-stimulation leads comes in different sizes and varies significantly between manufacturers. In view of the fact that the installed heart-stimulation lead generally lasts longer than the cardiac pacemaker, it would be advantageous to be able to re-use the lead by adapting it to any given pacemaker model, independent of the particular size jack for the heart lead terminal electrode assemblies. This goal can be achieved by providing an adapter which is of the proper size to plug into the pacemaker receptacle and at the same time receive the implanted lead terminal electrode in a manner which establishes a reliable mechanical and electrical connection between the lead and the pacemaker.
One such adapter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,543 of Peers-Trevarton. The device of that patent, however, is relatively complex in structural design, constituting a separate receptacle for the undersized terminal electrode assembly of the heart lead and a corresponding separate adapter terminal electrode assembly to couple into the full size pacemaker jack. Essentially, the adapter is constructed with the portion which couples to the pacemaker being configured like the large size terminal electrode assembly for which the pacemaker is designed.
What is presently desired is a simplified adapter which provides a match between the disparate sizes of the lead terminal electrode assembly and the pacemaker receptacle while facilitating the integrity of the connection between the pacemaker receptacle and the undersized terminal electrode assembly of the heart lead. The adapter of the present invention fulfills this need as a device which is easier and more economical to manufacture than those which are known in the prior art, as well as being at least as reliable in use.

Device for adapting a pacemaker lead to a pacemaker


The present invention relates to a device comprising a coherent manmade vitreous fibre substrate (MMVF substrate) and at least one first conduit (2) and at least one second conduit (3), each conduit having first and second open ends, wherein the MMVF substrate (1) comprises man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition, wherein the first open end of the first conduit and the first open end of the second conduit are each independently in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate, wherein the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, wherein at least a portion of the MMVF substrate is disposed between the first and second conduits. The MMVF substrate provides for an increased water storage ability due to the hydrophilic behaviour of the substrate and its increased surface.

Precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet, hail and the like can be collected in reservoirs or tanks and then can be treated and used as mains water. Drainage systems can be set up, separate from sewage systems, to collect such water from precipitation. Water from precipitation requires less treatment before it can be used as mains water than is required by water from sewage systems and it is therefore desirable to collect water from precipitation separately from water from sewage systems. Water from precipitation can be collected separately from water from sewage systems by directing water that has been collected in guttering of buildings down drainpipes and piping it to storage tanks or reservoirs. The capacity of such a drainage system as at risk of being overwhelmed with water during storms and it is consequently desirable to prevent an excessive amount of water arriving at a reservoir or tank. The arrival of a large volume of water in a short period of time can cause localised flooding.
It is known to use water attenuation tanks to store storm water, and then gradually release the water to a reservoir or other tank. These are costly to install since they are often made of concrete or steel and the delivery costs and the installation time are high. There is also the need for continual maintenance to ensure that the water is released to the reservoir or other tank at the required time. The water can be released by manual intervention, or by an automated system.
US2011/0255921 A1 discloses a storm water retention cell containing an assembly of hollow frustrum-shaped bodies arranged and supported on a horizontal support. The assemblies are arranged in alternately invert layers with the ends of the frustrum-shaped bodies interconnected to form vertical support columns within the cell which are horizontally stabilised by horizontal support structure. The aim is to collect and store storm water.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,718 discloses a container for receiving and storing fluids gathered and discharged from a drainage structure. The container comprises an impermeable plastic envelope around a supporting framework of at least two vertically stacked laterally extensive mats. Each mat comprises a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced support members projecting from said backing grid, whereby fluid may flow vertically through said backing grid and laterally between said support members. The aim is to collect and store water in the container. Such containers are often structurally unstable and relatively expensive to manufacture and install, thus limiting their practical utility.
A further solution is to provide a device containing a pipe which takes a long route through the device by undulating back and forth through the device. This device slows the movement of the water to the reservoir by increasing the distance traveled by the water to reach the reservoir or tank. It is essential that the pipe remains clear as any blockage will prevent the water from reaching the reservoir. Such a device is usually wrapped in a geo-textile material to prevent earth and sediment reaching the device. This requirement adds an additional and difficult step in the installation process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,409 discloses a drain field container system which filters sewage water. The system comprises a distribution box buried beneath the ground for receiving liquid waste from a septic tank. The liquid waste flows from the distribution box via a plurality of pipes to a plurality of drain field containers. The drain field containers are constructed of a sturdy waterproof material. Each drain field container contains a filter made from gravel, crushed stone, pea stone, sand or a filter cartridge constructed using a honeycombed nylon mesh. The sides and top of the container are waterproof so that unfiltered water cannot seep out the container but must pass through the filter to exit the container. The filtered water can then percolate out of the bottom of the container into the earth or be piped into a storm drain. The purpose of the system is to filter sewage water. This document does not discuss the problems associated with handling a large volume of storm water in a short period of time.
There is a need for a storm water delay device which can be easily installed. There is a need for a device which has a reduced likelihood of becoming contaminated with earth from the ground. There is a need for a device which does not need to be controlled to release water, but that releases water without any manual or automated intervention. There is a need for a device that can hold a greater amount of water per unit volume. There is a need for a device which is environmentally acceptable and economical in terms of production, installation and use. The present invention solves these problems.


A laser level includes: a covering; a stand on which the covering is mounted; a laser unit provided in a space surrounded by the covering and the stand; and a radiation window, provided in the covering, through which a laser beam emitted from the laser unit is radiated to an exterior of the covering. The laser level includes removal means which removes moisture in the space.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a laser level which, being used in a construction site and the like, radiates a laser beam as a reference line.
2. Description of Related Art
An example of a hitherto known laser level is shown in FIG. 10. A laser level 1 having a laser unit 5 rockably attached to an upper portion of a stand 2, a laser beam is radiated from a radiation window 4 to an exterior of a covering 3.
The radiation window 4 being covered with a light transmissive member such as glass or a thin film, the laser beam emitted from the laser unit 5 is transmitted through the light transmissive members, and radiated from the radiation window 4 to the exterior of the covering 3 (for example, refer to JP-A-2004-309213).


A computer program product (190), and a geometric modeling system which executes the program, provides a visual depiction of a three dimensional object upon a display device (158). The program (190) detects insertion of a generic movant solid shape into a scene for relating the movant sold shape to a target or host solid shape. Upon detection of insertion, the program configures data representative of one of the movant solid shape and the target solid shape. The representative data is configured so that one of the solid shapes of the relation is depicted on the display device as having a particular attribute(s) in accordance with (1) an attribute of the solid shape with which it relates; and/or (2) one or more predetermined rules. The program can configure the representative data of the movant solid shape in accordance with an attribute of the target solid shape in various ways (e.g., as having a particular size or dimension for compatibility with the target solid shape, or as having a particular position or physical orientation relative to the target solid shape). The predetermine rule(s) by which the program can configure the movant solid shape can be based on diverse criteria (e.g., as a particular member of a class of solid shapes represented by a generic solid shape, as a preferred procurement item). In an example implementation, configuration of the movant solid shape, and in some situations the target solid shape, is facilitated by the program allocating a part object for each of solid shape, with each part object having one or more connector objects conceptually associated with corresponding physical locations on the respective solid shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to computerized three dimensional geometric modeling systems.
2. Related Art and other Considerations
The computer has greatly affected essentially all forms of information management, including the geometric modeling arts. Nowadays there are numerous computer program products that allow the user to create, store, and modify geometric models and their graphical renderings of various types on a display screen, and to print or otherwise output such geometric models and their renderings. Such geometric models and their graphical renderings span the gambit from simple to complex, and can vary in subject matter, e.g., artistic, industrial, etc. Some geometric modeling computer program products are two dimensional, providing only length and width dimensions of solid shapes or parts. The more complex three dimensional (3D) computer program products, on the other hand, provide three dimensions—length, width, and depth/thickness.
Three dimensional geometric modeling programs can generate a scene or part which can comprise one or more constituent 3D solid shapes. Some three dimensional geometric modeling programs utilize Component Object Modeling (COM) and operate in conjunction with COM interfaces. Component Object Modeling and COM interfaces are described, e.g., in such publications as Rogerson, Dale, Inside COM (Microsoft Press, 1997), ISBN 1-57231-349-8. In one example object-oriented geometric modeling computer program, an executable object is used to define and generate each solid shape. The object for each solid shape can have several associated components, the components being a combination of executable code and data structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,310, entitled "Intelligent Shapes For Authoring Three-Dimensional Models", incorporated herein by reference, discloses solid shapes having various components including a boundary representation component, an historical component, a visual component; a physical component; a functional component; and a user interface behavioral component. The user interface behavioral component defines actions to be taken on specific user interface events such as drag, drop, and others.
Examples of three dimensional geometric modeling systems are provided in the following, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,392,645; 6,489,957; and 6,525,745.
In a typical three dimensional geometric modeling program (whether COM-based or not), using a graphical user interface (GUI) a human designer can select a solid shape from a catalog or the like. The catalog with its library of solid shapes is usually displayed alongside or as a window adjacent a display of an assembly-in-progress on a screen of a display device. Upon selection of the solid shape, the designer can drag or drop the selected solid shape into the assembly. In some systems, one or more of the operations of selecting, dragging, or dropping the solid shape may be accomplished using a graphics tool. An example of such a suitable graphics tool is described in the following, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,861,889; 6,128,631; and, 6,295,069.
For example, if the selected solid shape is a threaded screw, the designer can drag or drop the screw into a screw hole provided in a solid shape which already comprises the assembly (e.g., into a screw hole of a block already included in the assembly). But before doing so, the designer must select the appropriate screw from the catalog. There may be many different types of screws included in the catalog, for example: flat head screws, cross head screws, arch-headed screws, single-threaded screws, double-threaded screws. Each of these types may further be classified as Phillips head or otherwise. The designer must decide which type of screw is appropriate for the screw hole (the screw hole having already been graphically constructed in the block). Of course, the designer must also select a screw having an appropriate size (e.g., diameter and shaft length) for the existing screw hole. The designer must locate the appropriate size screw in the catalog, which may feature many sizes of screws from which to select. In fact, there may be so many screws available to the designer that the catalog may have several sub-catalogs. For example, upon the designer mentally determining that desired screw is a flat head screw, the designer may have to open a special catalog for screws, and within the screw catalog select a sub-catalog for flat head screws, and within the flat head screw sub-catalog select the exact screw of appropriate diameter and length. Further, the price, availability, experience, company preference, and other factors may affect the decision as to which particular type of screw to use. Nowadays the human designer must be cognizant of these factors if the factors are involved, although such cognizance is often achieved only with considerable experience and dependent upon mental recall.
After selecting the exact screw of the precise screw type and size, the designer must place (e.g., drop and/or drag) the screw into the correct position on the receiving solid shape, e.g. into the screw hole. Placing the selected solid shape (e.g., the selected screw) in the assembly involves precisely locating the movant solid shape relative to the target solid shape (e.g., precisely locating the screw relative to the screw hole), and then orienting the screw properly (e.g., so that the screw shaft extends into the hole in the proper direction). Once the screw is put into the assembly, the designer may want to apply a constraint between the hole and the screw to maintain their relative position.
Some geometric modeling programs assist manual positioning of a selected solid shape into an assembly by providing a snap attachment or insertion of the selected shape into the assembly. There are essentially two types of "snaps". A first type of snapping involves positioning the selected shape in the assembly based on discrete positions of a 3D grid underlying the space occupied by the assembly. A second type of snapping involves certain specific geometrical elements, such as the center of sphere, axis of cylinder, vertex point or middle point of an edge, etc.
While various graphical tools such as those mentioned above facilitate selection and movement of a solid shape into an assembly, the operations described above require considerable attention and expertise for the designer. For example, the designer must know which type of screw is appropriate for the assembly, and remember the requirements of the screw hole for selecting the size of the screw. Moreover, other than what may be mentally recalled, the designer is unable to utilize business, historical, expertise, or environmental factors in selecting the particular solid shape for inclusion in the assembly.
In the Pro/Engineer product of PTC the behavior of a design is captured in behavioral features which appear on a part model tree. Supposedly a behavioral feature can be used to drive Part geometry through sensitivity, feasibility, and optimization studies.
The IX Functional Modeling of ImpactXoft is a behavior-driven approach to modeling in which a geometric model is generated automatically to meet certain requirements. The functional modeling approach places an emphasis on the way that volumes and features interact in the context of a part design. The three essential elements of functional modeling include functional bodies, volumes and features.
Both behavioral modeling and functional modeling provide certain intelligence in determining part geometry to satisfy functional and/or behavior requirements. However, they do not provide the intelligence in selecting parts from part libraries in considering the price, availability, experience, company preference, and the sizing and position of the parts.
Companies today are facing ever increasing competitive pressures from a growing global market place. These pressures are requiring companies to dramatically shorten the design cycle and time to market, while providing even better product quality. What is needed, therefore, and an object of the present invention, is a geometric modeling system which aids a designer in selecting, sizing, and positioning of parts, whether in assembly design or in other areas such as computer aided engineering (CAE) (e.g., for bringing intelligence about engineering simulation into part selection and positioning as well as boundary condition creation).

Geometric modeling system with intelligent configuring of solid shapes


The present disclosure provides an image sensor and an image collection system. The image sensor includes: a pixel collection circuitry array including a plurality of pixel collection circuitries, each pixel collection circuitry being configured to monitor a change in a light intensity in a field of view and enter a triggered state when the change in the light intensity meets a predetermined condition; a boundary triggered pixel determination array configured to determine a boundary triggered pixel collection circuitry in the pixel collection circuitries in the triggered state; and a reading unit configured to respond to the boundary triggered pixel collection circuitry and output address information about the boundary triggered pixel collection circuitry.

Image sensor is applied to various application fields, e.g., the detection of a moving object. In this application field, as compared with a conventional image sensor (e.g., a valid pixel sensor), a dynamic vision image sensor has attracted more and more attention due to its unique advantages.
The dynamic vision image sensor (dynamic vision sensor for short) merely responds to dynamic information in a field of view, and directly collects a change in a light intensity in the field of view, so it is particularly applied to such a field as machine vision. In the dynamic vision sensor, each pixel collection circuitry operates independently and asynchronously, so as to detect the change in the light intensity at a certain region in the field of view. When the change in the light intensity has been detected, the pixel collection circuitry outputs an event. An external reading circuitry manages an entire array of pixel collection circuitries, and read information about the generated event.
Because the dynamic vision sensor merely responds to the dynamic information in the field of view, as compared with the conventional image sensor where the event is outputted at a fixed frame rate, it is able to significantly reduce a bandwidth and provide a response more rapidly. However, when there is a large amount of dynamic information in the field of view, e.g., when a near object moving rapidly in the field of view is detected, a large quantity of events will be generated by the array of pixel collection circuitries within a short time period. The reading circuitry needs to read the events one by one, so the advantage of the dynamic vision sensor in terms of low bandwidth is not obvious. In addition, it takes a certain time to read each event, leading to a congestion in a reading channel. At this time, the events generated by the array of pixel collection circuitries need to wait in line to be read, and a very large reading delay occurs. The reading delay may cause an error in time information about the event, and a backend application may also be adversely affected.
Based on the above, there is an urgent need to provide a new image sensor so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.

Image sensor and image collection system

OMNIVISION SENSOR SOLUTION (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD


A tub (100) for a washing machine, and a washing machine comprising the same are disclosed. The tub (100) is formed through injection molding with a bearing housing (200) inserted therein, and the washing machine comprises the same. Here, the bearing housing (200) comprises a flange (210) extending to have a protruded part (216) and a recessed part (215) in a radial direction. The tub (100), and the washing machine comprising the same solve the problems of the conventional washing machine, and fulfill various requirements. The tub (100) has excellent strength and rigidity of the rear wall thereof, exhibits a strong coupling force with respect to the inserted bearing housing (200), and reduces manufacturing costs. Thus, the washing machine has all the characteristics of the tub (100).

Generally, washing machines perform washing operation, rinsing operating, spin-drying operation, and the like through rotation of a rotational tub and a pulsator via driving force of a motor. Upon washing operation, water and laundry in the rotational tub are agitated such that the laundry is washed via friction between the laundry and the tub as well as the water. The washing machines can be classified into pulsator type washing machines, agitator type washing machines, drum type washing machines, and the like according to manners of washing operation.
In particular, the drum type washing machines can be classified into an indirect-coupled type in which driving force of a motor is indirectly transferred to a drum via a belt wound around a motor pulley and a drum pulley, and a direct-coupled type in which the driving force is directly transferred to the drum via a rotor of a BLDC motor which is directly coupled to the drum.
For the indirect-coupled type, as the driving force of the motor is not directly transferred to the drum, but indirectly transferred thereto through the belt wound around the motor pulley and the drum pulley, there are problems in that energy waste and noise generated during transfer of the driving force are excessive.
Currently, there is an increasing tendency of using the direct-coupled type drum washing machine which employs the BLDC motor in order to solve the problems of the conventional drum washing machines.
The construction of the direct-coupled type drum washing machine will be described briefly as one example of conventional washing machines with reference to FIG. 1 as follows.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the convention drum washing machine which comprises a tub 2 installed within a cabinet 1, and a drum rotatably installed coaxially in the tub 2.
The tub 2 is provided at a rear side with a motor which comprises a stator 6 and a rotor 5. The stator 6 is fixed to a rear wall of the tub 2, and the rotor 5 surrounding the stator 6 penetrates the tub 2 and is then coupled to the drum 3 via the shaft.
FIG. 2 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a part of the rear wall of the tub.
The rear wall of the tub 2 is provided at its center with a metallic bearing housing 7, which can support bearings positioned on an outer periphery of both ends of a shaft 4, and receives the stator 6 fastened thereto.
The rear wall of the tub 2 is formed with stepped sections 21 and non-stepped sections 22. Each of the stepped sections 21 has a stepped coupling portion 23 formed adjacent to the center of the tub 2 where the bearing housing is positioned, such that the stator 6 is coupled to the coupling portion 23. Each of the non-stepped sections 22 is provided with a reinforcing rib 22a.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the stator 6. The stator 6 comprises a ring-shaped core 61 around which a oil 66 is wound, insulators 62 and 63, a hole sensor assembly 64, and a tab housing assembly 65 for connection with a power source.
Here, the insulators 62 and 63 comprise a first insulator 62 and a second insulator 63 formed to encase upper and lower surfaces of the core 6 as shown in the drawing. The insulators 62 and 63 have a plurality of bulges 62a and 63a formed on an inner side thereof so as to define fastening holes 62b and 63b therein, respectively.
The fastening holes 62b and 63b are fastened to the coupling portions 23 on the rear wall of the tub 2 by means of bolts.
Here, the upper surface of the first insulator 62 is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions 62c adjacent to the bulges 62a to allow the stator 6 to be positioned on the rear wall of the tub when the stator 6 is coupled to the rear wall of the tub. Correspondingly, on the rear wall of the tub 2, the coupling portions 23 are formed with a plurality of positioning holes 23a in which the positioning protrusions 62c will be inserted, respectively.
For the washing machine in which the drum 2 is directly rotated by means of the BLDC motor, the stator 6 is directly mounted to a securing side on the rear wall of the tub 2 as shown in FIG. 4. When considering the weight of the stator 6, vibration thereof upon rotation of high speeds, and shaking and deformation of the rotor 5, a fastening portion between the stator 6 and the tub 2 is required to have a strong structure. In particular, for a large capacity drum washing machine which comprises a stator 6 having a weight of 1.5 kg or more, and has a rotational speed of 600˜2,000 rpm upon spin-drying operation, it is necessary to have a higher structural strength.
Meanwhile, even for other types of washing machine as well as the direct-coupled type washing machine, the rear wall of the tub is required to have high strength and rigidity in the case where the bearing housing is inserted in the rear wall of the tub. The reason is that vibration of a rotational shaft serving to rotate the drum is transferred to the rear wall of the tub via the bearing housing, thus requiring the rear wall of the tub to have a sufficient structural strength.
Thus, if the tub is formed by injection molding with the bearing housing inserted therein, it is desirable that the bearing housing have a flange. The flange is designed to enhance the strength and rigidity of the rear wall of the tub. In addition, the flange serves to enhance coupling force between the bearing housing and the tub.
Accordingly, for the tub formed by the injection molding with the bearing housing having the flange inserted therein, the structure of the flange is very important. When the flange is designed, the strength and rigidity of the rear wall of the tub and the coupling force between the bearing housing and the tub need to be taken into consideration. In addition, since the flange is inserted in the rear wall of the tub, the shape of the flange influences an inner volume of the tub, and as a result, influences the capacity of the washing machine. As such, when constructing the flange, various factors as mentioned above mist be considered.
Further, the structure of the flange also influences manufacture of a mold for the tub as well as manufacture of a mold for the bearing housing. Thus, the flange must be designed to allow easy manufacturing of the mold therefor while redoing costs for manufacturing the mold. That is, the flange must have a simple structure in order to reduce the costs for the mold while allowing easy manufacturing thereof.

Tub for a washing machine with a bearing housing inserted therein


A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor package includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip, a package body and an antenna layer. The semiconductor chip is disposed on the substrate. The package body encapsulates the semiconductor chip and includes an upper surface. The antenna layer is formed on the upper surface of the package body and includes two antenna slot groups connected together. Each antenna slot group includes a wave guiding slot extending along a first direction, and an irradiation slot group extending along a second direction, wherein the irradiation slot group is connected to the wave guiding slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a semiconductor package with an antenna layer and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, typically include antennas for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. Conventionally, a wireless communication device includes therein an antenna and a communication module, each disposed on different parts of a circuit board. Under the conventional approach, the antenna and the communication module are separately manufactured, and electrically connected together after being placed on the circuit board. Accordingly, manufacturing costs are incurred for both devices. Further, it is difficult to reduce device size to attain compact product design. In addition, an RF signal transmission path between the antenna and the communication module may be long, reducing the quality of a signal transmitted between the antenna and the communication module.

Semiconductor package including antenna layer and manufacturing method thereof

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.


The present invention discloses a display apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof. The display apparatus comprises a display device, an out-cell device and a flexible printed circuit board for being connected to an external signal. The display device has a first category of leads and a second category of leads; the out-cell device has reserved leads, and the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads; and the flexible printed circuit board has a first category of pins and a second category of pins, the first category of leads are electrically connected to the first category of pins, and the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins. In this way, the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads, while the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins, thereby enabling conduction between the out-cell device and the external signal. As compared with the prior art in which the out-cell device and the display device are provided with their respective flexible printed circuit boards, the display apparatus as provided in the embodiments of the present invention omits the step of separately making a flexible printed circuit board of the out-cell device, thereby reducing the cost of production of the display apparatus and at the same time further simplifying the structure of the out-cell device of the display apparatus.

In recent years, with the fast development of display technology, touch control display technology, three-dimensional display technology, and electrochromic display technology are also rapidly developed. Generally, it is usually required to set a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) on an out-cell device such as a touch control device, a three-dimensional device and an electrochromic device in an existing display apparatus, which is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board on the display panel, to enable conduction between the out-cell device and an external signal and finally realize the normal display function of the display apparatus.
However, in some cases, a small number of signal channels are required by the flexible printed circuit board connected to the out-cell device in the display apparatus. For example, referring to FIG. 1, a naked-eye three-dimensional liquid crystal display is taken as an example. The display panel of the display mainly comprises a first substrate 01, a second substrate 02 and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the first substrate 01 and the second substrate 02. A liquid crystal barrier as the out-cell device of the display mainly comprises a third substrate 03, a fourth substrate 04 and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the third substrate 03 and the fourth substrate 04. Furthermore, the display panel and the out-cell device are both provided with their respective FPCs, i.e., an FPC1 electrically connected to the first substrate 01 and an FPC2 electrically connected to the third substrate 03, as shown in FIG. 1. However, with respect to such out-cell liquid crystal barrier, in order to achieve black-white display effect, only two electrode signal channels are usually required to obtain stripes alternating between brightness and darkness, thereby realizing three-dimensional display effect. However, the display structure as shown in FIG. 1 needs to additionally make an FPC2 connected to the three-dimensional liquid crystal barrier. This would cause an increase in the cost of manufacturing the display and does not facilitate simplification of the structure of the out-cell device.
Therefore, on the premise of guaranteeing the conduction between the out-cell device in the display apparatus and the external signal, how to simplify the structure of the out-cell device and reduce the cost of manufacturing the display apparatus are problems to be solved by those skilled in the art.

Display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof


A hearing aid comprising a frequency shifter (20) has means (22) for detecting a first frequency and a second frequency in an input signal. The frequency shifter (20) transposes a first frequency range of the input signal to a second frequency range of the input signal based on the presence of a fixed relationship between the first and the second detected frequency. The means (34, 35, 36) for detecting the fixed relationship between the first and the second frequency is used for controlling the frequency transposer (20). A speech detector (26) configured for detecting the presence of voiced and unvoiced speech is provided for suppressing the transposition of voiced-speech signals in order to preserve the speech formants. The purpose of transposing frequency bands in this way in a hearing aid is to render inaudible frequencies audible to a user of the hearing aid while maintaining the original envelope, harmonic coherence and speech intelligibility of the signal. The invention further provides a method for shifting a frequency range of an input signal in a hearing aid.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to hearing aids. The invention, more specifically, relates to hearing aids having means for reproducing sounds at frequencies otherwise beyond the perceptive limits of a hearing-impaired user. The invention further relates to a method of processing signals in a hearing aid.
Individuals with a degraded auditory perception are in many ways inconvenienced or disadvantaged in life. Provided a residue of perception exists they may, however, benefit from using a hearing aid, i.e. an electronic device adapted for amplifying the ambient sound suitably to offset the hearing deficiency. Usually, the hearing deficiency will be established at various frequencies and the hearing aid will be tailored to provide selective amplification as a function of frequency in order to compensate the hearing loss according to those frequencies.
A hearing aid is defined as a small, battery-powered device, comprising a microphone, an audio processor and an acoustic output transducer, configured to be worn in or behind the ear by a hearing-impaired person. By fitting the hearing aid according to a prescription calculated from a measurement of a hearing loss of the user, the hearing aid may amplify certain frequency bands in order to compensate the hearing loss in those frequency bands. In order to provide an accurate and flexible amplification, most modern hearing aids are of the digital variety. Digital hearing aids incorporate a digital signal processor for processing audio signals from the microphone into electrical signals suitable for driving the acoustic output transducer according to the prescription.
However, there are individuals with a very profound hearing loss at high frequencies who do not gain any improvement in speech perception by amplification of those frequencies. Hearing ability could be close to normal at low frequencies while decreasing dramatically at high frequencies. These steeply sloping hearing losses are also referred to as ski-slope hearing losses due to the very characteristic curve for representing such a loss in an audiogram. Steeply sloping hearing losses are of the sensorineural type, which are the result of damaged hair cells in the cochlea.
People without acoustic perception in the higher frequencies (typically from between 2-8 kHz and above) have difficulties regarding not only their perception of speech, but also their perception of other useful sounds occurring in a modern society. Sounds of this kind may be alarm sounds, doorbells, ringing telephones, or birds singing, or they may be certain traffic sounds, or changes in sounds from machinery demanding immediate attention. For instance, unusual squeaking sounds from a bearing in a washing machine may attract the attention of a person with normal hearing so that measures may be taken in order to get the bearing fixed or replaced before a breakdown or a hazardous condition occurs. A person with a profound high frequency hearing loss, beyond the capabilities of the latest state-of-the-art hearing aid, may let this sound go on completely unnoticed because the main frequency components in the sound lie outside the person's effective auditory range even when aided.
High frequency information may, however, be conveyed in an alternative way to a person incapable of perceiving acoustic energy in the upper frequencies. This alternative method involves transposing a selected range or band of frequencies from a part of the frequency spectrum imperceptible to a person having a hearing loss to another part of the frequency spectrum where the same person still has at least some hearing ability remaining.
2. The Prior Art
WO-A1-2007/000161 provides a hearing aid having means for reproducing frequencies originating outside the perceivable audio frequency range of a hearing aid user. An imperceptible frequency range, denoted the source band, is selected and, after suitable band-limitation, transposed in frequency to the perceivable audio frequency range, denoted the target band, of the hearing aid user, and mixed with an untransposed part of the signal there. For selecting the frequency shift, the device is adapted for detecting and tracking a dominant frequency in the source band and a dominant frequency in the target band and using these frequencies to determine with greater accuracy how far the source band should be transposed in order to make the transposed dominant frequency in the source band coincide with the dominant frequency in the target band. This tracking is preferably carried out by an adaptable notch filter, where the adaptation is capable of moving the center frequency of the notch filter towards a dominant frequency in the source band in such a way that the output from the notch filter is minimized. This will be the case when the center frequency of the notch filter coincides with the dominating frequency.
The target frequency band usually comprises lower frequencies than the source frequency band, although this needs not necessarily be the case. The dominant frequency in the source band and the dominant frequency in the target band are both presumed to be harmonics of the same fundamental. The transposition is based on the assumption that a dominant frequency in the source band and a dominant frequency in the target band always have a mutual, fixed, integer relationship, e.g. if the dominant frequency in the source band is an octave above a corresponding, dominant frequency in the target band, that fixed integer relationship is 2. Thus, if the source band is transposed an appropriate distance down in frequency, the transposed, dominant source frequency will coincide with a corresponding frequency in the target band at a frequency one octave below. The inventor has discovered that, in some cases, this assumption may be incomplete. This will be described in further detail in the following.
Consider a naturally occurring sound consisting of a fundamental frequency and a number of harmonic frequencies. This sound may e.g. originate from a musical instrument or some natural phenomenon like e.g. birdsong or the voice of someone speaking. In a first case, the dominant frequency in the source band may be an even harmonic of the fundamental frequency, i.e. the frequency of the harmonic may be obtained by multiplying the frequency of the fundamental by an even number. In a second case, the dominant harmonic frequency may be an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency, i.e. the frequency of the harmonic may be obtained by multiplying the frequency of the fundamental with an odd number.
If the dominant harmonic frequency in the source frequency band is an even harmonic of a fundamental frequency in the target band, the transposer algorithm of the above-mentioned prior art is always capable of transposing the source frequency band in such a way that the transposed dominant harmonic frequency coincides with another harmonic frequency in the target frequency band. If, however, the dominant harmonic frequency in the source frequency band is an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency, the dominant source frequency no longer shares a mutual, fixed, integer relationship with any frequency present in the target band, and the transposed source frequency band will therefore not coincide with a corresponding, harmonic frequency in the target frequency band.
The resulting sound of the combined target band and the transposed source band may thus appear confusing and unpleasant to the listener, as an identifiable relationship between the sound of the target band and the transposed source band is no longer present in the combined sound.
Another inherent problem with the transposer algorithm of the prior art is that it does not take the presence of speech into account when transposing the signal. If voiced-speech signals are transposed according to the prior art algorithm, formants present in the speech signals will be transposed along with the rest of the signal. This may lead to a severe loss of intelligibility, since formant frequencies are an important key feature to the speech comprehension process in the human brain. Unvoiced-speech signals, however, like plosives or fricatives, may actually benefit from transposition, especially in cases where the frequencies of the unvoiced-speech signals fall outside the perceivable frequency range of the hearing-impaired user.

Hearing aid and a method of improved audio reproduction


The arrangement of a combustor and a device for selective non-catalytic reduction includes a nozzle for injecting a reagent, a control system for controlling the flow from the nozzle, the control system being arranged for generating a pulsed flow from the nozzle.

Boilers comprise tubed walls defining an inner space; a fuel such as coal, oil, waste is supplied into the inner space and is combusted with an oxidizer, such as air or oxygen. During the combustion flue gas is generated that is rich in NOx, whose amount has to be reduced below given limits before the flue gas is vented into the atmosphere.
In order to remove NOx from the flue gas, a regent such as ammonia (NH3 as liquid solution) or urea (CH4N2O as liquid solution) can be injected into the flue gas and the flue gas can be passed through a catalyzer, for the NOx to be converted into Na and H2O (selective catalytic reduction, SCR); this reaction occurs at low temperatures, e.g. between 250-450° C.
The catalyst is expensive and can be damaged during operation, for this reason a method has been developed according to which ammonia or urea are injected into the flue gas having a high temperature, e.g. in the range 750-1300° C., such that the NOx conversion into Na and H2O occurs without the need of a catalyst (selective non-catalytic reduction, SNCR).
WO2012/059 184 discloses a boiler for waste to energy applications (i.e. waste is used as a fuel in the boiler). The boiler has an aperture at its top wall such that a device for selective non-catalytic reduction is introduced into the inner space through this aperture. The device for selective non-catalytic reduction has a tubular lance and a hose sliding into the lance. The hose has a nozzle at its end housed in the inner space. During operation the lance hangs from the top wall of the boiler and the hose extends from the lance; the reagent passes through the hose and is injected through the nozzles upwards.
The reagent after injection has to evaporate to mix with the flue gas, for the mixture to undergo the selective non-catalytic reaction for NOx removal. The inventors have found that evaporation occurs in a limited space around the nozzle; it would be beneficial to have a larger evaporation zone for a larger amount of the flue gas to mix with vapor reagent and thus treat a larger portion of flue gas by selective non-catalytic reaction.

Arrangement of a combustor and a device for selective non-catalytic reduction and pulsed injection method


Methods for producing a fibrin matrix comprising a fusion peptide are described herein. In some embodiments, the method includes providing three different components, including a first component containing fibrinogen or a fibrinogen precursor and optionally, transglutaminase or a transglutaminase precursor, a second component containing thrombin or a thrombin precursor, and a third component containing a fusion peptide. In these embodiments, neither the first component nor the second component includes the fusion peptide. In some embodiments, the first or second components are premixed with the third component. The first, second and third components are mixed to form a fibrin matrix comprising a covalently linked fusion peptide. The mixing is carried out in a time frame of not more than 5 days. A kit for producing the fibrin matrix comprising a covalently linked fusion peptide is also described herein.

Fibrin sealants such as ARTISS® or TISSEEL®, both from Baxter Healthcare AG, are known products for the use in tissue repair. ARTISS® and TISSEEL® consist of two components that are mixed immediately prior to, or during, the application. One component contains fibrinogen, factor XIII and aprotinin while the other component contains thrombin. Upon mixing the two components, thrombin on one hand cleaves fibrinogen leading to fibrin polymers and on the other hand activates Factor XIII to form Factor XIIIa, a transglutaminase which crosslinks fibrin polymers to form a solid fibrin matrix.
A fibrin matrix is the product of a process in which fibrinogen is cleaved by thrombin and the resulting fibrin polymers crosslink in the presence of a calcium ion source and Factor XIIIa to form a three-dimensional network.
It is known that certain bioactive factors may promote bone repair. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is an 84 amino acid peptide that is made and secreted by the parathyroid gland. This hormone plays a primary role in controlling serum calcium levels through its action on various tissues, in particular bones. This makes PTH particularly interesting for the treatment of bone disorders.
Approaches have been undertaken to combine the fibrin sealant ARTISS or TISSEEL® with PTH. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,618 B2 describes the mixing of a fusion protein containing PTH with either the fibrinogen or thrombin solution, referred to in this application as "pre-mixing". To form the fibrin matrix, the diluted precursor-solution containing the fusion protein and fibrinogen was injected into the second precursor-solution containing the thrombin at room temperature. The mixture is then applied to the site of the bone disorder and forms a fibrin matrix. The bioactive factor, PTH, is released from the matrix and triggers regeneration of the bone tissue locally.
Surprisingly, it was found, that the fusion peptide containing PTH in a fibrinogen solution degrades over a relatively short period of time at room temperature (Example 1). This is in particular surprising since the fibrinogen solution of ARTISS® and TISSEEL® contain aprotinin. It was expected that aprotinin would prevent any proteolysis of the compounds. However, it was observed, that exposure of the fusion peptide to the fibrinogen solution for more than 5 days at room temperature caused a substantial degradation of the fusion peptide containing PTH. Since the degradation occurs in a time frame typically needed for industrial manufacturing of a tissue sealant, the approach used in the aforementioned prior art to produce a fibrin matrix containing the fusion peptide has severe drawbacks as to reproducibility and consistency.

Methods and kits for producing a fibrin matrix


The present invention relates to a crane control system for controlling and/or for the hydraulic supply of hydraulic loads of a crane, as well as a crane having at least one crane control system.

Crane control systems are known for cranes having crane actuators that can be hydraulically actuated by a so-called load sensing system. This allows different crane operations to be carried out independent of one another. The controller determines the pressure that is required by each crane actuator and calculates the maximum required pressure. The controller thereupon automatically sets the hydraulic pump to the calculated pressure.
This relates to safe and robust operation. The respective crane actuators can then be supplied with the hydraulic medium through proportional valves.
In the load-sensing system according to the prior art (also see FIG. 2), most loads are connected together hydraulically in the open hydraulic circuit. Only the rotating mechanism is separated, since it must also be operated in the "closed hydraulic circuit" mode.
However, each crane actuator requires an individual hydraulic pressure and an individual hydraulic flow rate.
The luffing cylinder typically requires a high hydraulic pressure, and a winch frequently requires a high hydraulic oil flow rate.
If the luffing mechanism requires 330 bar and 100 l/min and the winch, for example, a pressure of 60 bar and a hydraulic oil flow rate of 200 l/min, then the hydraulic pressure must be reduced in the proportional valve assigned to the winch. The difference between 300 bar−60 bar=240 bar is then reduced in the proportional valve and converted into heat. The power that is converted into heat in this case is approx. 80 kW. The following formula can be used in practice:
      P              [      kW      ]        =                    PressureDifference                          [          bar          ]                    *              VolumeFlowRate                                          [                  l                                /                              min                ]              600
It is clear that the "losses" become larger the greater the pressure difference and the greater the volumetric flow rate.
Thus the object of the present invention is to improve upon a crane control system of the type indicated here in an advantageous manner.
This objective is achieved according to the invention by a crane control system for controlling and/or for the hydraulic supply of hydraulic loads of a crane, having at least one first pump means and at least a second pump means, at least one first split control block and at least one second split control block is provided by means of which at least one hydraulic load of the crane can be respectively supplied with hydraulic medium, wherein the first pump means is connected to the first split control block and can be driven at a first hydraulic pressure, and wherein the second pump means is connected to the second split control block and can be driven at a second hydraulic pressure.
This gives rise to the advantage, in particular, that the first hydraulic load of a crane that must be supplied with the hydraulic medium at a low or relatively low operating pressure can be supplied without a corresponding reduction in the operating pressure of the hydraulic medium, for example, by the first pump means and the first split control block. In addition, a second hydraulic load, which must be supplied with hydraulic medium at a high or relatively high operating pressure, can be supplied directly at the appropriate operating pressure of the hydraulic medium, for example, by the second pump means and the second split control block.
It can be provided that at least one valve means is arranged or provided between the first split control block and the second split control block, by means of which the first split control block and the second split control block can be hydraulically connected and/or separated. A hydraulic short circuit can advantageously be produced by opening it, so that, for example, more rapid crane operations are possible if needed. In this case the previously mentioned power losses must be accepted as a consequence of the necessary pressure reduction.
It is also possible that at least one switching means is provided by which the valve means can be actuated. The crane operator can be cognizant of the energy saving crane control system that has changeover control blocks that are separated from one another by the valve means, i.e., not switching hydraulically short circuited changeover control blocks, through the switching means, which can be a switch or a so-called "economy switch". Splitting into the at least two changeover control blocks can thereby be activated by the crane operator when the instantaneous situation enables energy to be saved. The crane operator activates the "economy switch" directly in this case in order to turn on the energy saving function. If the crane operator knows in advance that he often requires high volumetric flow rates of the hydraulic medium for continuous lifting operations with the crane, based on the necessary actuation of hydraulic loads of the crane at high operating pressures of the hydraulic medium, the economy switch is not activated, or is suitably switched or deactivated.
In addition, it can also be provided that at least one third pump means and at least one third split control block is provided, by which at least one hydraulic load of the crane can be supplied with hydraulic medium, wherein the third pump means is connected to the third split control block and can be driven by a third hydraulic pressure.
It is furthermore possible that at least one second valve means is arranged or provided between the third split control block and the first split control block and/or the second split control block, by which the third split control block can be hydraulically connected and/or disconnected from the first split control block and/or the second split control block.
It is also possible that at least one additional switching means is provided by means of which the second valve means can be actuated and/or that it is also possible to actuate the second valve means through the switching means by which the valve means can be actuated.
It can be provided that at least one crane control element, in particular a crane controller, is provided by which the at least one first hydraulic pressure and/or the at least one second hydraulic pressure is adjustable, wherein it is further advantageously provided that the third hydraulic pressure can be adjusted by the crane control system.
In addition, it is possible that the first or second hydraulic pressures can be equalized by the crane control element, wherein the respective lower hydraulic pressure can advantageously be equalized to the higher hydraulic pressure and thereby increased.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the respective at least one hydraulic load of the crane is a crane actuator, wherein the crane actuator is in particular a rotating mechanism, a luffing cylinder, a winch, a telescoping drive mechanism and/or a caterpillar drive.
Hydraulic loads, and thus crane actuators, can in particular be luffing cylinders, telescoping cylinders, caterpillar drives, auxiliary loads (e.g., luffing or telescoping of the cabin arms, ballast cylinders) and/or winches for lifting operations or luffing mechanisms.
In addition, the present invention relates to a crane having the features of claim 10. It is accordingly provided that the crane is provided with at least one crane control system according to one of the claims 1 to 9. The crane can, for example, be a mobile crane.
Additional details and advantages of the invention will now be explained with the aid of the embodiments shown in greater detail in the drawings.


A media stream processing method, a communication system, and a relevant device are disclosed, so as to improve the user experience. The method includes the following steps: a first media receiving device receives media streams, where the media streams include a first media stream and a second media stream; and the first media receiving device processes the first media stream quickly and plays the second media stream normally so that media play progress of the first media receiving device is synchronous with media play progress of the second media receiving device, where the second media receiving device is configured to receive multicast media streams, and the first media receiving device and the second media receiving device are in the same multicast group. A communication system and a relevant device are also disclosed herein. In this way, the user experience is improved.

With the development of the multicast technology, media streams are usually transmitted in multicast mode in a point-to-multipoint media stream transmission system. For example, the multicast technology is widely applied in the media services such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), web TV, mobile TV, and Digital Television (DTV).
The original video streams are oversized and inconvenient for being transmitted over the network, so the media stream transmission systems generally compress the original video streams before the transmission. The conventional video coding and compression technology works in an intraframe compression mode and an interframe compression mode to compress the original video streams significantly. However, the decoding and the play of most video frames depend on intraframe-coded frames. In other words, the media receiving device is unable to decode or play videos after the media receiving device receives interframe-coded frames but receives no intraframe-coded frame.
When the media streams are sent in multicast mode, if a new media receiving device joins a multicast group, the new media receiving device cannot play videos until it receives intraframe-coded frames of the media streams in the multicast group. Consequently, the new media receiving device that joins the multicast group may need to wait for a long time before it is able to play videos.
In order that a new media receiving device in a multicast group may start playing videos as soon as practicable, a method for sending media streams quickly in the prior art is follows: After a target media receiving device joins the multicast group, media streams are sent to the target media receiving device from the intraframe-coded frame in a current Group of Pictures (GOP) quickly. In this way, the target media receiving device may start playing videos soon. When the progress of the quickly sent media streams coincides with the progress of the normal multicast media streams, the network side starts sending the normal multicast media streams to the target media receiving device.
However, the target media receiving device joins the multicast group halfway, so the network side sends the media streams from the intraframe-coded frame in the GOP when sending the media streams to the target media receiving device, and the sending speed is higher than the speed of sending the normal multicast media streams. Therefore, the data in the video buffer of the target media receiving device is more than the data in the video buffer of the original media receiving device that receives the normal multicast media streams. When the target media receiving device plays videos at the same speed as the original media receiving device, the real-time content played by the target media receiving device is always later than the content played by the original media receiving device because the video buffer of the target media receiving device stores more data, which affects the user experience.

Method, system and device for processing media stream


According to one embodiment, a computer program product for determining future facility conditions includes a computer readable medium having computer readable program code stored therein. The computer readable program code includes computer readable program code for calculating a time period specific maintenance cost, for calculating a time period specific modernization factor, and for calculating a time period specific backlog factor. Future facility conditions equal the time period specific maintenance cost plus the time period specific modernization factor plus the time period specific backlog factor. In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for calculating future facility conditions includes calculating a time period specific maintenance cost, calculating a time period specific modernization factor, and calculating a time period specific backlog factor. Future facility conditions equal the time period specific maintenance cost plus the time period specific modernization factor plus the time period specific backlog factor. Other embodiments are also presented.

The rate of degradation, deterioration, and failure of facilities and infrastructure over time is not well modeled or estimated by current techniques. Additionally, current techniques do not allow for successfully managing and/or predicting future facility conditions due to lack of research and information in this particular area. There exist some current predictive models which do not successfully account for all the variables and nuances of predicting future facility conditions.
Accordingly, it would be greatly beneficial to facility management, budgeting, and capital projects to be able to more accurately predict future facility conditions. In addition, being able to account for expected or known adaptation of facilities based on technological and code upgrades would also be useful.

Method and computer program product for maintenance and modernization backlogging

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC


A metal-air battery includes a canister and a spiral wound electrode assembly disposed within the canister. The electrode assembly includes an ion permeable and substantially gas impermeable anode, a catalytic cathode, and a dielectric separator disposed between the anode and cathode.

Metal-air batteries are electro-chemical reactors that produce electric current by oxidizing metal with oxygen. These reactors can have high energy densities and be relatively inexpensive to produce. Sizes can range from the small to power hearing aids or cameras to the large to power vehicles.
A mass of metal can form a porous anode that is saturated with an electrolyte. During discharge, oxygen reacts at a cathode to form hydroxyl ions that migrate into the metal/electrolyte paste to form a metal hydroxide, releasing electrons to travel to the cathode. The metal hydroxide decays into metal oxide and the resulting water returns to the electrolyte. The water and hydroxyls from the anode are recycled at the cathode, so the water is not consumed. The reverse process can also occur. During charge, electrons react with the metal oxide to reform the metal, releasing hydroxyl ions that migrate to the cathode. The hydroxyl ions are then oxidized to oxygen gas and water.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Metal-air battery and gas impermeable anodic conductive matrix


A digital positioning system using digital AM and FM radio stations for use in the environment of a plurality of digital AM and FM (AM/FM) radio stations which comprises a customer service center and a reference station which regularly and passively receives signals from all local digital AM/FM stations and measures variations in key parameters of frequency and wavelength thereof and provides AM/FM correctional data signals corresponding to each AM/FM station frequency and wavelength variation to the customer service center. The customer service center is adapted to provide the AM/FM correctional data signals to each of the digital AM/FM radio stations for insertion into ancillary digital data broadcast from each digital AM/FM radio station. A plurality of mobile receivers in the environment of AM/FM radio stations, each of the mobile receivers receiving and processing three or more digital AM and/or FM signals and estimating and updating its position at periodic intervals and sending the results thereof to the customer service center via cellular or other network.

Recent years have witnessed ever-increasing interest in radio positioning and navigation systems, with interest spanning a very broad range of government and commercial applications. Probably the best known, and most applied system to date is the U.S. Government Global Positioning System (GPS), which relies on many simultaneous, and globally distributed satellite broadcasts. All satellite transmissions rely on highly stable, and mutually synchronized clocks, and apply well-established spread-spectrum signaling techniques. In the absence of blockage (e.g., from buildings in urban areas) or multipath, suitable equipped radio receivers can provide highly accurate position (e.g., 100 meter to even centimeter accuracy). GPS performance, however, degrades rapidly when blockage and/or multipath is present, thereby dramatically reducing its effectiveness for a broad range of personal services in urban and suburban areas--including traveler services and FCC-mandated, wireless 911.
In recognition of the importance of enabling positioning in urban/suburban regions, considerable effort has been expended in recent years in defining and developing terrestrial-based approaches that can overcome or mitigate propagation phenomena in such difficult regions. These include: passive or active positioning via the evolving digital cellular and PCS networks; positioning via existing terrestrial AM radio transmission; positioning via existing FM radio transmission; positioning via existing TV transmissions; hybrids of GPS and terrestrial signaling. Each of these approaches offers benefits but also limitations. For example, the IS-95 spread-spectrum signal is ideally suited for ranging and positioning, but the power control inherent in the system limits the ability to simultaneously receive from multiple, geographically distributed cell-sites/base stations; multipath degradation is also a factor if very accurate positioning is desired. On the other hand, FM and TV transmissions offer very high power, but multipath, range resolution and/or geometry may limit positioning accuracy. Tracking of AM carriers offer extremely attractive resolution, and the long wavelength of AM makes it fairly immune to multipath, but AM is very sensitive to burst noise and nighttime propagation phenomena. In addition, several of these approaches require additional terrestrial infrastructure and interfaces to enable calibration of inherent error sources (e.g., oscillator clock biases).
What is clearly needed is a system approach and implementation that simultaneously draws upon the strengths of several of the above, and does so in a manner that simultaneously mitigates inherent weaknesses of any one of the approaches. In other words, two or more approaches are applied in a complementary fashion, and leverages inherent capabilities not exploited to date. Furthermore, the system approach must minimize infrastructure/interface augmentation.
The GPS system is an example of prior art in regards to positioning systems. It is a spread spectrum system where each satellite transmits a unique Pseudo Noise (PN) sequence. A GPS receiver correlates to these different PN sequences generating an impulse signal that mark the arrival time from each satellite signal. The time differences between these signals are then used to calculate a position. To maximize position accuracy, these PN Sequences are selected for their good auto-correlation properties (i.e., close to impulse). It can be shown that an OFDM symbol also has an excellent auto-correlation properties, and can be used in a similar but unique way.
It is easiest to understand the OFDM's excellent auto-correlation property by examining the signal in the frequency domain. An OFDM symbol is typically constructed by placing a symbol in each carrier (i.e., frequency bins), performing an Inverse Fast Fourier Transforms (IFFT), and transmitting the time domain signal. Assuming PSK modulation, the OFDM symbols have a constant magnitude across its bandwidth and "information" on the phases on each carrier. If the phase "information" is removed, then the resulting signal has a constant magnitude and phase. This resulting signal is the frequency response of a discrete impulse. Note that removal of phase information can be performed by bin-wise multiple across the OFDM symbol with a complex conjugate of itself. This operation is the equivalent to a circular auto-correlation in the time domain.
It should be noted that most OFDM systems have a guard interval after (and/or before) each OFDM symbol and that this guard interval contains a repeated portion (i.e., circular shift) of the OFDM symbols. This makes the system more tolerant to intersymbol caused by timing offset or multipath. It also is beneficial to positioning techniques using the circular correlation operation.

Digital AM/FM positioning system (DAFPS)--an international positioning system