A device for reading and/or writing a disc-shaped information carrier which comprises a support element of a magnetizable material along its circumference. An electromagnetic unit cooperates with the support element and a scanning unit for reading and/or writing the information carrier, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and positioned with respect to the scanning unit in five degrees of freedom except for the rotational degree around the axis of rotation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for scanning a disc-shaped information carrier which is provided, near a circumference, with a support element manufactured from a magnetizable material, which device is provided with an electromagnetic system for co-operating with the support element and with a scanning unit for scanning information present on the information carrier, said information carrier, by co-operation between the electromagnetic system and the support element, being positionable with respect to the scanning unit, rotatable about an axis of rotation directed perpendicularly to the information carrier and displaceable along an X-axis directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.
The invention also relates to a disc-shaped information carrier which is provided, near a circumference, with a support element manufactured from a magnetizable material, which support element is used to co-operate with a device in accordance with the invention.
2. Description of the Related Art
A device and a disc-shaped information carrier of the types mentioned in the opening paragraphs are disclosed in EP-A-0 300 336. The known information carrier is provided, along its circumference, with a ring of a ferromagnetic material for co-operating with the electromagnetic system of the known device. The scanning unit of the known device is secured, in a fixed position, to a frame of the device. The scanning unit includes a read and write head by means of which information present on the information carrier can be read or information can be written on the information carrier. The electromagnetic system of the known device comprises two pairs of rows of electromagnets. Viewed in a middle position of the information carrier along the X-axis and viewed in a direction parallel to a Y-axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation and the X-axis, both pairs are arranged diametrically opposite each other, the ferromagnetic ring of the information carrier being situated, in operation, approximately between the two rows of electromagnets of each pair. Furthermore, said ring is situated, in operation, between the electromagnets of eight pairs of electromagnets which are arranged between the two pairs of rows of electromagnets so as to be distributed along the circumference of the information carrier. The electromagnets of said rows and pairs exert, in operation, electromagnetic forces on the ring of the information carrier. The known device further comprises a system of sensors by means of which a position of the information carrier with respect to the frame and the scanning unit can be measured, and the known device further comprises a control unit by means of which the electromagnetic forces can be controlled such that the measured position of the information carrier with respect to the scanning unit substantially corresponds to a desired position. In operation, electromagnetic forces are used to position the information carrier, with respect to the scanning unit, in five degrees of freedom, i.e. in all degrees of freedom except the degree of freedom about the axis of rotation. In operation, the electromagnetic forces are controlled such that the information carrier is rotated about the axis of rotation and simultaneously displaced along the X-axis in such a manner that the scanning unit follows a spiral-shaped information track present on the information carrier. The construction of the known device thus is very simple compared to that of conventional devices for scanning disc-shaped information carriers, which are provided with a rotatable turntable for the information carrier and with a displacement device for displacing and positioning the scanning unit with respect to the rotating information carrier.
A drawback of the known device resides in that the applied electromagnetic system has a large number of electromagnets. As a result, the construction of the electromagnetic system and the necessary control unit are complicated.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs, which is provided with an electromagnetic system enabling an information carrier of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs to be positioned also in five degrees of freedom with respect to the scanning unit, i.e. all degrees of freedom except the degree of freedom about the axis of rotation, but the construction of said electromagnetic system being simplified.
To achieve this object, a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the electromagnetic system is provided with a single pair of rows of electromagnets arranged along the X-axis, said rows of electromagnets, viewed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, being arranged on either side of the information carrier, and with a first pair of electromagnets and a second pair of electromagnets which, viewed in a middle position of the information carrier along the X-axis and viewed in a direction parallel to a Y-axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation and the X-axis, are arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other, the electromagnets of each pair, viewed in a direction parallel to the X-axis, (Marc, tekst claim 1 wijkt hier af) being arranged on either side of the information carrier, and the magnetic poles of the electromagnets being at substantially the same distances from the axis of rotation (ook hier wijkt tekst af van claim 1) and, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, on one side of a magnetic point of application of the support element.
It is to be noted that the expression xe2x80x9cmagnetic point of applicationxe2x80x9d is to be taken to mean a point at which the electromagnetic force of an electromagnet of the electromagnetic system acts on the support element. As the two pairs are substantially diametrically arranged with respect to each other and the poles of the electromagnets of the two pairs are at substantially equal distances from the X-axis and are situated, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, at one side of the magnetic point of application, the electromagnetic forces of the two pairs comprise, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, both a component parallel to the axis of rotation and a component along the Y-axis, the components along the Y-axis of the two pairs extending in opposite directions. As the rows of electromagnets extend along the X-axis, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, at least one pair of electromagnets of both rows are situated in positions on either side of the magnetic point of application. The electromagnetic forces of the relevant pairs comprise a component extending parallel to the axis of rotation as well as a component extending along the X-axis, the components extending along the X-axis of the electromagnets of each of the relevant pairs extending in opposite directions. The position of the information carrier along the Y-axis can be controlled by controlling said oppositely directed components along the Y-axis of the forces of the first and the second pair by means of a control unit and a system of position sensors. The position of the information carrier along the X-axis can be controlled by controlling said oppositely directed components along the X-axis of the forces of the pair of rows. By controlling said components, directed parallel to the axis of rotation, of the forces of the two pairs and of the pair of rows, both the position of the information carrier parallel to the axis of rotation and the angles of the information carrier about the X-axis and Y-axis can be controlled. As the electromagnetic system comprises only a single pair of rows of electromagnets and two pairs of diametrically arranged electromagnets, the construction of the electromagnetic system is comparatively simple, and the number of electromagnets to be controlled is limited, so that also the necessary control unit is comparatively simple.
A particular embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the magnetic poles of the electromagnets of the two rows, viewed in a plane wherein the axis of rotation and the X-axis are situated, are arranged in a zigzag pattern. By virtue thereof, it is achieved that, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, at least one pair of juxtaposed electromagnets of at least one of the two rows are situated in positions on either side of the magnetic point of application of the support element. Besides, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, the largest possible concentration of electromagnets around the support element is achieved. As a result, optimum use is made of the electromagnets of the two rows, and the number of necessary electromagnets of the two rows is limited.
A further embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the magnetic poles of the electromagnets of the first and the second pair are situated, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, at a larger distance from the X-axis than the magnetic point of application of the support element. By virtue thereof, it is achieved that the magnetic poles of the electromagnets of the two pairs are situated, taking the average of all positions of the information carrier along the X-axis, at a comparatively small distance, parallel to the Y-axis, from the magnetic point of application. As a result, the components directed parallel to the axis of rotation of the electromagnetic forces of the electromagnets of the two pairs, taking the average of all positions of the information carrier along the X-axis, are comparatively large, so that these electromagnets exert a comparatively large supporting force on the information carrier in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.
Yet another embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the electromagnets of the first and the second pair are each provided with a U-shaped core and an electric coil wound about a core base extending substantially parallel to the X-axis, the magnetic poles being formed by end portions of two legs of the core, which legs extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and are directed towards the other electromagnet of the relevant pair. As said base of the core extends parallel to the X-axis, the two magnetic poles of the electromagnets of each pair are situated at substantially equal distances from the X-axis. As a result, it is achieved that, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, the two magnetic poles are situated at the smallest possible distance from the magnetic point of application of the support element, so that the supporting force exerted by the electromagnets of the two pairs on the information carrier in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation is as large as possible.
A particular embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the electromagnets of each row are provided with a U-shaped core and an electric coil wound about a core base extending substantially parallel to the Y-axis, the magnetic poles being formed by end portions of two legs of the core, which legs extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and are directed towards the other row. As said base of the core extends parallel to the Y-axis, the two magnetic poles of the electromagnets of each row are situated at substantially equal distances from the Y-axis. By virtue thereof, it is achieved that the two magnetic poles are situated, in each position of the information carrier along the X-axis, at the smallest possible distance from the magnetic point of application of the support element, as a result of which the supporting force exerted by the electromagnets of the two rows on the information carrier in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation is as large as possible.
A further embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that between the first pair and the second pair of electromagnets, there is a distance which is larger than approximately 4 mm and smaller than approximately 40 mm.
A disc-shaped information carrier in accordance with the invention, which can suitably be used to co-operate with the above-mentioned further embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the information carrier has a diameter which is larger than approximately 4 mm and smaller than approximately 40 mm.
Apart from the scanning unit, the device in accordance with the invention, in principle, only comprises the electromagnetic system and the necessary control unit, as a result of which the device can very suitably be miniaturized. In said further embodiment, the necessary dimensions of the device are limited such that the device can suitably be provided in very small spaces, such as comparatively small pockets in articles of clothing or bags. It has been found that, at a diameter of the information carrier above approximately 4 mm and below approximately 40 mm, a particularly stable support of the information carrier by means of the electromagnetic system of the device in accordance with the invention is achieved.
A still further embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the device can suitably be used for scanning a disc-shaped information carrier whose support element, viewed in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, has a width which varies in the circumferential direction between a minimum value and a maximum value, a substantially constant pitch being present between successive positions where the width has said maximum value, in which device the magnetic poles of at least one electromagnet of at least one of the two pairs or the magnetic poles of each electromagnet of at least one of the two rows are mutually arranged in a substantially tangential direction with respect to the axis of rotation, a pitch which is substantially equal to said pitch of the support element being present between said magnetic poles.
A disc-shaped information carrier in accordance with the invention, which can suitably be used to co-operate with the above-mentioned still further embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the support element, viewed in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, has a width which varies in the circumferential direction between a minimum value and a maximum value, a substantially constant pitch being present between successive positions where the width has said maximum value.
As the pitch between said magnetic poles is substantially equal to said pitch of the support element, said magnetic poles are capable of exerting an electromagnetic force on the support element, in a substantial part of all possible angular positions of the information carrier about the axis of rotation, which electromagnetic force includes a component in said tangential direction. Under the influence of said component of the electromagnet force, the information carrier is rotated about the axis of rotation. A continuous rotation of the information carrier about the axis of rotation at a desired speed of rotation is achieved by controlling said electromagnets in a suitable manner by means of the control unit.
A particular embodiment of a disc-shaped information carrier in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the support element has at least one undulated edge. As the support element has an undulated edge, it is achieved, in a practical manner, that the support element, viewed in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, has a width which varies in the circumferential direction between a minimum value and a maximum value.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Device for scanning an electromagnetically suspended information carrier


An apparatus for friction stir welding includes a rotatably drivable pin having a drive end and a free end; a cylindrical engaging portion provided between the drive end and the free end and including a circumferential surface for engagement with one or more workpieces; and first and second shoulder elements arranged concentrically around the pin and positioned on respective sides of the of the engaging portion adjacent the drive end and the free end, respectively. The first and second shoulder elements include respective first and second bearing surfaces facing the engaging portion and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. The mechanical and thermal loading of the pin and the thermal loading of the workpieces are reduced by merit of the second shoulder element being connected to the pin so as to be freely rotatable about the axis of rotation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for friction stir welding with a pin, which can be driven in a rotating manner about an axis of rotation and has a drive end and a free end, wherein between the drive end and the free end there is provided a cylindrical engaging portion, which extends axially in the direction of the axis of rotation and the circumferential surface of which is intended for engagement with one or more workpieces, with a first shoulder element, which is arranged on the side of the engaging portion that is facing the drive end concentrically around the pin with respect to the axis of rotation and which has a first bearing surface, facing the engaging portion and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, and with a second shoulder element, which is arranged on the side of the engaging portion that is facing the free end concentrically around the pin with respect to the axis of rotation and which has a second bearing surface, facing the engaging portion and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, wherein the second bearing surface extends right up to the engaging portion and wherein the first shoulder element is intended for bearing against the first surface and the second shoulder element is intended for bearing against the second surface, opposite from the first, of one or more workpieces.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The principle of friction welding involves the material of one or more workpieces being initially plasticized by friction between the workpiece and a further workpiece or a tool and then solidifying again. In friction stir welding, the two workpieces to be joined, which are generally metallic, are initially placed against one another. This may mean, for example, that two metal plates or sheets are placed surface against surface (lap joint) or else positioned next to one another such that the narrow side faces lie against one another (butt joint). After that, a friction stir welding tool in the region of the contact surface is introduced into the material of at least one of the two workpieces—for example via a bore or from the edge.
The friction stirring process is brought about by the rotation of the tool, the tool rubbing against at least one workpiece and plasticizing the material of at least one of the two workpieces. The friction stir welding tool may optionally be moved at the same time along the interface of the two workpieces. The plasticized material at the interface of the two workpieces subsequently cools down and forms the weld that keeps the two workpieces together.
Numerous apparatuses for friction stir welding are already known from the prior art, such as for example WO 2006/055530. Common to all of these apparatuses is a substantially cylindrical or conical pin with an engaging portion for engaging with at least one workpiece and with a shoulder element for bearing against the surface of the at least one workpiece. The pin and the shoulder element are driven in a rotating manner, the pin penetrating for example between two workpieces that are to be joined and have been placed one against the other so far into the workpieces that the shoulder element bears against the surface of the workpieces.
The friction of the pin and the shoulder element against the workpieces has the effect that the material in the adjacent region of the workpieces plasticizes. With a simultaneous forward movement of the apparatus along the contact surface of the two workpieces, material plasticized by the rotating pin is transported behind the pin, as seen in the direction of movement thereof, where it joins other plasticized material of the two workpieces and forms a weld.
To be able to support the friction stir welding tool on both surfaces and to align the workpieces with one another and press them against one another, an apparatus for friction stir welding with a first and a second shoulder element—known as a bobbin tool—may be used, the first and second shoulder elements bearing against opposing surfaces of the workpiece or workpieces. Such an apparatus is known, for example, from JP 2008/296285 or from EP 1 738 856 B1.
However, the problem with the apparatus for friction stir welding of the bobbin configuration is that, in order to transfer a torque to both shoulder elements and at the same time rub against the region to be plasticized of the at least one workpiece, the pin must absorb very high mechanical and thermal loads. In order not to destroy the apparatus, the achievable speed in the forward movement of the pin is consequently limited by the workpiece, as a result of which the duration of the overall welding process is also increased. However, the limited speed, necessary from mechanical aspects, in the forward movement of the pin leads to excessive process temperatures in the plasticized region of the workpiece and in the region of the pin, which on the one hand may have adverse effects on the quality of the welded joint and on the other hand may damage the pin itself.
Furthermore, when a bobbin tool is used, the process speeds are well below the process speeds of conventional friction stir welding tools. For these reasons, the friction stir welding process using bobbin tools has so far only been of secondary importance.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum fur Material-und Kustenforschung GmbH


A knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such as to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the surface of the sleeve 2, and a receptacle portion 12 formed in the pallet 1 to retain the hook member 4. Alternatively, a knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such that it is accommodated in a cut-out portion 21 formed in the sleeve 2.

Conventionally, knockdown containers consisting of a pallet that forms the bottom when transporting cargo, sleeves placed on grooves provided in the peripheral portions of the pallet to form side walls, and a lid part placed on top of the sleeves have been used.
Such conventional knockdown containers are provided with fastening mechanisms between the pallet and the sleeves to fasten them so that they do not come apart when the knockdown container is subjected to impact or the like during transport.
For example, in one such mechanism, as described in Patent Literature 1, a rod claw 100 is thrust out horizontally from a side wall of a groove portion formed in a pallet 300, to be inserted into a receptacle 201 formed in a sleeve 200, so that the sleeve 200 and the pallet 300 are fastened together (see FIG. 10). In this mechanism for fastening the sleeve 200, a knob portion 101 is formed to protrude at a base end of the rod claw 100 for preventing the once thrust-out rod claw 100 from easily coming off of the receptacle 201. That is, a transfer passage 301 in which this knob portion 101 slides is formed with a constricted part where the passage is partly narrower, so that, once the rod claw 100 is inserted into the receptacle 201 by forcibly thrusting the knob portion 101, the rod claw 100 does not readily come off of the receptacle 201 unless a force above a given magnitude is applied to the rod claw 100.    Patent Literature 1: Jpn. PCT National Publication No. 6-504749


A computer apparatus and computer-implemented apparatus for logging audio to an audio logger. Audio is transmitted from a source communication device. At least one receiving communication device receives the audio. The audio is logged to an audio logger, for example by the source communication device and the receiving communication device. A hash of the audio is computed and the hash of the audio and communication parameters related to the audio are stored in a blockchain.

As the data storage needs of agencies increases over time, the agencies may utilize centralized databases to store and manage data. That said, conventional database systems may pose numerous technical challenges from a data management perspective. For example, the data stored on individual databases may be vulnerable to data corruption, loss, and/or modification. If the database on which the data is stored suffers a failure or an attack, it may be difficult to recover the original, unmodified data. In some instances, it may be difficult for the agency to determine whether the data has been modified. Furthermore, centralized databases may serve as a single point of failure, such that corruption or unavailability of the centralized database may prevent the other computing devices within the agency's system from fully accessing data therein. Accordingly, there is a need for a more secure and resilient system for validating, storing, and managing incident-related data.
Public safety users heavily rely on real time group communications. In these real time group communications, all participating radios join and listen to the multicast communications in a distributed fashion. Depending on each target radio's operation and coverage or actions by the radio user, the intended communication could be partially or completely missed without the radio user knowing. This can result in the need for post-event reconstruction and even liability actions.
In current distributed communication networks, there is a lack of capability to detect and verify group communication accountability. Further, there can be a lack of trust of the person gathering and preparing the data for the auditing.
Current central audio logging solution only logs one copy of audio, whether the audio is audio alone or an audio portion of a video stream. There is no accountable end-to-end verification of whether a targeted radio gets the intended audio content and call information.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method to log audio in a distributed, immutable transaction log for end-to-end verification and auditing


The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for packet processing. One method embodiment for packet flow control includes deconstructing a transport layer packet into a number of link-control layer packets, wherein each of the link-control layer packets has an associated sequence number, communicating the number of link-control layer packets via a common physical connection for a plurality of peripheral devices, and limiting a number of outstanding link-control layer packets during the communication.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits and/or external removable devices in computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones, among various other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), phase change random access memory (PCRAM), and flash memory, among others.
A system can include a host, host system memory, and a number of peripheral devices such as memory devices. The host can have control circuitry including one or more of a number of processors, a host controller, host controller memory that is located on the host controller, and a number of internal memory devices. The host can communicate with peripheral devices to perform operations on the peripheral devices, such as receiving data from the devices to the host system or transferring data from the host system to the peripheral devices. The commands that control the receiving and/or transferring of data can be issued by the host system.
Data may be communicated, e.g., transferred and/or received, between a host and one or more peripheral devices using a flow of packets. Such packets may be generated by a transport layer protocol, e.g., a communication/transport layer protocol, which both the host and the one or more peripheral devices understand. Generation of such transport layer packets can be independent of the method of communication of the packets. Where the host and a particular peripheral device are directly connected, data flow packets generated by the transport layer protocol can be communicated between the host and the particular peripheral device directly. However, where more than one peripheral device is connected to the host via a common physical connection, a link-control layer may be utilized to provide flow control for concurrent data communication between the host and the peripheral devices.

Packet deconstruction/reconstruction and link-control


There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: an input device to input an image signal; a processor for processing the input image signal and outputting an image reproduction signal; a detecting circuit to detect characteristics of the input image signal; and a control circuit to control conditions of processing of the image signal by the processor by means of a fuzzy inference based on characteristics of the image signal which were detected by the detecting circuit. Such characteristics of the image signal include the kind of image such as character, screen, and photograph. The optimum spatial filtering process can be executed for areas of each of the character, screen, and photograph types. A mixing ratio of the edge emphasis and the smoothing can be continuously changed for characteristic amounts of an original. Membership functions of a plurality of parameters are synthesized and a consequence is derived by the fuzzy inference algorithm. Thus, erroneous judgment for a vague image area is prevented and discontinuity which occurs at a change point of the image processes can be also eliminated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for executing a predetermined processing on an input image and for outputting the processed image.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, there has existed an apparatus for executing image processes such that a spatial frequency filtering process is digitally executed on input image data, spatial frequency characteristics are changed and the processed data is output. As such an apparatus, a technique in which an input image is separated into three kinds of original, character original, screen (or dot) original, and photograph original and different respective processes are executed them, has been shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,221. On the other hand, a technique in which an edge emphasis process and smoothing filtering process are switched in accordance with an original has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,114, assigned to the same assignee as is the present invention.
However, according to the above conventional technique, for instance, in the case where the kind of input image has been erroneously discriminated, there is a fear that a character of an output image may become extremely dull, the mire of any screen used may be emphasized, or the like, so that the picture quality is remarkably deteriorated. On the other hand, there is a case where, in a portion where the kind of image changes, the picture quality suddenly changes, so that the output image cannot be seen well.
Generally, in a color image copying apparatus, color separation signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are input from an image input device and are subjected to processing such as luminance (light amount)--density conversion, masking, and the like, and a processed image is printed and recorded by an image output device by an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method. In the masking process, color signals of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are obtained by matrix calculations from density signals D.sub.r, D.sub.g, and D.sub.b after the density conversion. However, ordinarily, the optimization of masking coefficients a.sub.ij, that is, the non-linear masking, is executed by a method of least squares or the like so as to minimize the color differences within a color reproduction range by using high-order terms such as D.sub.r D.sub.g, D.sub.g D.sub.b, D.sub.b D.sub.r, D.sub.r.sup.2, D.sub.g.sup.2, D.sub.b.sup.2, and the like as well as D.sub.r, D.sub.g, and D.sub.b in consideration of the non-linearity or the like of the image reproducing characteristics of the printer. ##EQU1##
On the other hand, since the discriminating capability of human beings for achromatic color, flesh tints, or the like is high, an advanced color reproducibility is required for a copy image with regard to an original including such colors.
However, according to the above conventional technique, in order to raise the reproducibility of the achromatic color, skin color, or the like and to realize a sufficient color reproducibility in the whole color reproduction range, the masking process including the terms of higher order must be executed. Thus, there are drawbacks in that the masking circuit becomes complicated and determining the optimum coefficients becomes troublesome.
On the other hand, there are circumstances such that there are individual differences in the degree when colors such as achromatic color, skin color, or the like are perceived by the visual sense of human beings and such degree is dominated by vague parameters based on subjectivity to a certain extent.

Image processing apparatus capable of using fuzzy logic


An electro-chemical sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a semiconductor channel in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes. The semiconductor channel includes a trapping material. The trapping material reduces an ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct a current of charge carriers by trapping at least some of the charge carriers to localized regions within the semiconductor channel. The semiconductor channel includes at least a portion configured to be exposed to an analyte to be detected, and the trapping material, when exposed to the analyte, interacts with the analyte so as to at least partially restore the ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct the current of charge carriers.

1. Field of Invention
The field of the currently claimed embodiments of this invention relates to electro-chemical sensors, and more particularly to electro-chemical sensors that have analyte-responsive semiconductors.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In recent years, various chemical sensors based on organic field effect transistors (OFETs) have been proposed and investigated, as they possess advantages of easy tuning of the chemical and physical properties, low-cost processing, and flexible mechanical properties.1,2 Most OFETs exposed to various chemical compounds such as polar solvents including water vapor, and particularly, nitroaromatic explosives, showed decreased output current and mobility.1,3-11 The degradation of the transistor performance by exposure to the chemical compounds was caused by reduced charge transport dipoles causing charge trapping at grain boundaries.1,5
However, even though many organic semiconductors have been shown to result in current decreases when environmental agents contact them as voltage is applied, they have limited specificity since the responses are similar. Also, the absolute current level is limited to the non-exposed state. There thus remains a need for improved electro-chemical sensors.
References for Background Section
(1) See, K. C.; Becknell, A.; Miragliotta, J.; Katz, H. E. Adv Mater 2007, 19, 3322.
(2) Torsi, L.; Tanese, M. C.; Cioffi, N.; Gallazzi, M. C.; Sabbatini, L.; Zambonin, P. G.; Raos, G.; Meille, S. V.; Giangregorio, M. M. J Phys Chem B 2003, 107, 7589.
(3) Huang, J.; Miragliotta, J.; Becknell, A.; Katz, H. E. J Am Chem Soc 2007, 129, 9366.
(4) Huang, J.; Sun, J.; Katz, H. E. Adv Mater 2008, 20, 2567.
(5) Huang, J.; Dawidczyk, T. J.; Jung, B. J.; Sun, J.; Mason, A. F.; Katz, H. E. J Mater Chem 2010, 20, 2644.
(6) Royer, J. E.; Lee, S.; Chen, C.; Ahn, B.; Trogler, W. C.; Kanicki, J.; Kummel, A. C. Sensor Actuat B-Chem 2011, 158, 333.
(7) Zhu, Z. T.; Mason, J. T.; Dieckmann, R.; Malliaras, G. G. Appl Phys Lett 2002, 81, 4643.
(8) Li, D. W.; Borkent, E. J.; Nortrup, R.; Moon, H.; Katz, H.; Bao, Z. N. Appl Phys Lett 2005, 86.
(9) Crone, B.; Dodabalapur, A.; Gelperin, A.; Torsi, L.; Katz, H. E.; Lovinger, A. J.; Bao, Z. Appl Phys Lett 2001, 78, 2229.
(10) Chang, J. B.; Liu, V.; Subramanian, V.; Sivula, K.; Luscombe, C.; Murphy, A.; Liu, J. S.; Frechet, J. M. J. J. Appl. Phys. 2006, 100.
(11) Torsi, L.; Marinelli, F.; Angione, M. D.; Dell'Aquila, A.; Cioffi, N.; De Giglio, E.; Sabbatini, L. Org Electron 2009, 10, 233.

Electro-chemical sensors, sensor arrays and circuits


A steam injection nozzle for controlling the flowrate of steam injected into a hydrocarbon containing reservoir comprises a passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the passage comprises a first, pressure dissipating section and a second, pressure recovery section.

Subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs are generally accessed by one or more wells that are drilled into the reservoir to produce the hydrocarbon materials contained therein. Such materials are then brought to the surface through production tubing.
The wells drilled into the reservoirs may be vertical or horizontal or at any angle there-between. In some cases, where the hydrocarbons comprise a highly viscous material, such as heavy oil and the like, steam, gas or other lower viscosity fluids may be injected into one or more sections of the reservoir to stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons into production tubing provided in the wellbore. Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage, "SAGD", is one example of a process that is used to stimulate the flow of highly viscous oil. In a SAGD operation, one or more well pairs, where each pair comprises two vertically separated horizontal wells, are drilled into a reservoir. Each of the well pairs typically comprises a steam injection well and a production well, with the steam injection well being positioned generally vertically above the production well. In operation, steam is injected into the injection well to heat and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon materials in its vicinity, in particular viscous, heavy oil material. After steam treatment, the hydrocarbon material, now mobilized, drains into the lower production well owing to the effect of gravity, and is subsequently brought to the surface through the production tubing.
Cyclic Steam Stimulation, "CSS", is another hydrocarbon production method where steam is used to enhance the mobility of viscous hydrocarbon materials. In a CSS process, a single well is used to first inject steam for a period of time into the reservoir through tubing. Thereafter, steam injection may be ceased and the heat from the injected steam is allowed to be absorbed into the reservoir (a stage referred to as "shut in" or "soaking"), during which the viscosity of the hydrocarbon material is reduced. Following such stage, the hydrocarbons, now mobilized, are produced in a production stage, often through the same tubing.
Tubing used in wellbores typically comprises a number of coaxial segments, or tubulars, that are connected together. Various tools may also be provided along the length of the tubing and positioned in lines with the tubulars. The tubing, for either steam injection or hydrocarbon production, generally includes a number of apertures, or ports, along their lengths. The ports provide a means for injection of steam, and/or other viscosity reducing agents, or for the inflow of hydrocarbon materials from the reservoir into the pipe and thus into the production tubing. The segments of tubing having ports are also often provided with one or more filtering devices, such as sand screens, which serve to prevent or mitigate against sand and other solid debris in the well from entering the tubing.
As known in the art, due to the length of tubing that is used in a typical hydrocarbon well (which may be in the range of several thousand meters), steps must often be taken to ensure that the injection of steam and/or other such materials is accomplished evenly along the length of the tubing, or at specific desired locations, so as to avoid preferential stimulation of one or more regions of the reservoir over others. Similar steps are often also required for ensuring that even production of hydrocarbon materials occurs along the length of the production tubing.
Various devices have been proposed for controlling the rates of production and/or injection between tubing and a reservoir. In some cases, a device such as a flow restrictor or similar nozzle is associated with the "base pipe" of the tubing to impede the flow of fluids flowing into or from the pipe. Examples of such flow control devices are described in the following references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,518,455; 9,638,000; 9,027,642; 7,419,002; 8,689,883; and, 9,249,649.
There exists a need for an improved flow control means to control the flow of steam injected into a reservoir.


There is provided a seal device for a face protector such as respirators used in a state fitted closely to a user's face which includes a seal member formed by using the user's face as a mold, an airtight elastic member provided between the seal member and the face portector and an airtight elastic member secured to the surface of the seal member on the side of the user's face. There is also provided a face protector having this seal device mounted on a face protector main body which is worn by a user in a state fitted to the user's face. There is further provided a method for forming a seal device for a face protector including steps of heating, at a relatively low temperature, a material which is softened when heated at the relatively low temperature and hardens at room temperature, placing the heated and softened material on a user's face and manually forming the material into a seal member in conformity with contour of the user's face and cooling the seal member until it hardens, and securing airtight elastic members on both sides of the seal member.

This invention relates to a face protector, a seal device for a face protector and a method for making such seal device and, more particularly, to a seal device for a face protector having an improved fitness to the user's face.
Various face protectors are used for securing safety for a person working in an adverse or dangerous environment. For protecting the respiratory system, for example, respiratory system protectors including a dust proof mask, a gas mask, an air supply mask, an air respirator and an oxygen respirator are used. For protecting eyes, for another example, protectors including a shading protector and eye protecting glasses for welding are used. There are also some protectors having these functions of protecting the respiratory system and eyes combined together.
The face protectors such as these respiratory system protectors and eye protecting glasses which are worn by users must be fitted closely to their face and there should be no leakage between the protectors and their face. Otherwise, the function of the face protectors would not be performed fully and an adequate level of safety would not be secured.
A respiratory system protector in the form of a half face mask covering the user's mouth and nose, for example, must be completely sealed in its peripheral portion because otherwise concentration of newly supplied air or oxygen would not be maintained at a predetermined value.
For improving seal characteristics of such half face mask, the prior art half face mask is provided with a seal member made of an elastic material such as rubber at the peripheral portion of the mask and, besides, masks of many sizes are prepared for enabling the user to choose a mask of an optimum shape and size which fits his face most closely.
Since, however, the contour and skeletal structure of the user's face differs in minute details from one person to another, the prior art half face mask which is adapted to fit the user's face by utilizing elasticity of the seal member and choosing a suitable one from masks of various sizes is still insufficient for satisfying all users of the mask in wearing the mask in an adequately fitted state.
A safety measure is taken to cope with such situation by conducting a fitting test for masks by a relevant organization or by conducting a mask wearing training for persons who want to wear the masks. Thus, fitting of face protectors is a great problem for manufacturers as well as users of the face protectors.
For coping with the situation, it is conceivable to increase the types of masks or manufacture a mask in conformity with the face of an individual user. These measures however are not practicable because they will require molds for forming masks and this will require a long period of time in completing masks and will also be very costly.
It is also conceivable to make a mold for a mask by placing a lump of plaster on a user's face and forming this plaster into a mold in conformity with his face. This method however has the problems that it takes a long time before the plaster mold hardens and that it is extremely difficult for the user to form such plaster mold by himself without assistance by other person.
An improvement in straps attached to these face protectors is also proposed in addition to the improvement in the face protector themselves but a remarkable success has not been reported yet.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a seal device for a face protector capable of fitting a face protector to the user's face closely regardless of difference in the contour or skeletal structure of the user's face from one user to another.
It is another object of the invention to provide a face protector having such seal device.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a method for forming such seal device for a face protector.


A method of improving uplink transmission of TTI bundling for a MAC layer of a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes receiving a first signaling and a second signaling, and when a transmission collision happens between a first transmission corresponding to the first signaling and a second transmission corresponding to the second signaling, handling the transmission collision according to a type of the first signaling and a type of the second signaling.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and related communication device in a wireless communication system for improving uplink transmission, and more particularly, to a method and related communication device for improving uplink transmission of transmission time interval bundling.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A long-term evolution (LTE) system, initiated by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), is now being regarded as a new radio interface and radio network architecture that provides a high data rate, low latency, packet optimization, and improved system capacity and coverage. In the LTE system, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) includes a plurality of evolved Node-Bs (eNBs) and communicates with a plurality of mobile stations, also referred as user equipments (UEs). The radio protocol stacks of the E-UTRAN is given including a radio resource control layer (RRC), a packet data convergence protocol layer (PDCP), a radio link control layer (RLC), a media access control layer (MAC), and a physical layer (PHY).
In order to improve uplink (UL) coverage of LTE at cell edge, transmission time interval (TTI) bundling is introduced. Activation or deactivation of TTI bundling is controlled by an RRC command and a parameter TTI_BUNDLE_SIZE, which provides the number of TTIs of a TTI bundle, is 4. Within a TTI bundle, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmissions are non-adaptive and are performed without waiting for feedback of previous transmissions. A HARQ feedback, e.g. positive-acknowledgement (ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) information, for a TTI bundle is only received for the TTI corresponding to the TTI_BUNDLE_SIZE, which is the last TTI of the bundle. A retransmission of a TTI bundle is also a TTI bundle. Note that, for transmission of an uplink message containing the a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) MAC control element or an uplink message including a common control channel (CCCH) service data unit (SDU) during random access, TTI bundling does not apply.
A HARQ entity at a UE maintains a number of parallel HARQ processes allowing transmissions to take place continuously while waiting for the HARQ feedback on the successful or unsuccessful receptions of previous transmissions, and also carries new transmission parameters, e.g. a new data indicator (NDI) and spectral resources including a physical resource block (PRB) and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), etc., for each HARQ process. At a given TTI, if an UL grant is indicated for the TTI, the HARQ entity identifies a HARQ process where a transmission in the TTI should take place. Based on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the HARQ entity also determines whether a retransmission is adaptive or non-adaptive and provides transmission parameters for adaptive retransmission. When an ACK for a HARQ process is received, the HARQ entity considers the HARQ process suspended and stops generating non-adaptive retransmission for the HARQ process.
For a HARQ process, an adaptive transmission, which is a new transmission or an adaptive retransmission, is performed on the resource including PRB and MCS indicated on the PDCCH, and a non-adaptive retransmission is performed on the same resource with the same MCS which is used for the last transmission attempt. Whether an adaptive transmission is a new transmission or an adaptive retransmission is recognized by the NDI provided in the HARQ entity. A transmission in which the NDI is toggled compared to the value in the previous transmission of this HARQ process is a new transmission, while a transmission in which the NDI is not toggled is an adaptive retransmission.
The UE cannot act on TTI bundling activation or TTI bundling deactivation immediately when receiving an RRC command of bundling activation/deactivation because there is an indefinite processing delay between when the UE receives the RRC command and when the UE decodes the RRC command. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of TTI bundling deactivation, a non-bundled transmission (whether it is a new transmission or a non-adaptive retransmission) may collide with a bundled transmission (whether it is an adaptive transmission or a non-adaptive retransmission).
Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are timing diagrams illustrating a transmission collision between a non-bundled transmission and a bundled transmission according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, there are two PDCCH UL grants. The earlier PDCCH UL grant is received during the processing delay of TTI bundling deactivation, so that a transmission corresponding to the earlier PDCCH UL grant is still a bundled transmission, which takes place at 4 TTIs after the earlier PDCCH UL grant is received. The later PDCCH UL grant is received after the processing delay, and a corresponding non-bundled transmission takes place at 4 TTIs after the later PDCCH UL grant is received. As a result, the non-bundled transmission collides with the bundled transmission. In FIG. 2, similarly, a non-bundled retransmission triggered by a NACK collides with a bundled transmission requested by a PDCCH UL grant.
In addition to the processing delay, another reason for the transmission collision is the limited processing power of the eNB. When TTI bundling is activated, the eNB may assign colliding UL grants, which result in the transmission collision, carelessly, or report HARQ feedbacks successively and is not aware of the transmission collision. Besides, when the traffic load of the eNB is heavy, the eNB may have no way to avoid colliding UL grants in time even though it is aware of the collision. For this reason, a bundled transmission (whether it is an adaptive transmission or a non-adaptive retransmission) may collide with another bundled transmission (whether it is an adaptive transmission or a non-adaptive retransmission), which is illustrated in detail as follows.
Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a timing diagram illustrating transmission collisions between bundled transmissions according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 3, a transmission before TTI bundling is activated is transmitted unsuccessfully and thus the UE receives a NACK. The bundled non-adaptive retransmission is triggered by the NACK and takes places at 8 TTIs after the previous transmission. At the same time, after TTI bundling is activated, the eNB assigns PDCCH UL grants frequently without considering the possible transmission collision. As a result, these bundled transmissions denoted as AAAA, BBBB, . . . , and FFFF in FIG. 3 collide with the non-adaptive retransmission triggered by the NACK. Moreover, these bundled transmissions requested by the PDCCH UL grants also overlap with each other.
Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which are timing diagrams illustrating a transmission collision between bundled transmissions according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 4, two colliding PDCCH UL grants cause a transmission collision. A bundled adaptive transmission requested by an earlier PDCCH UL grant overlaps another bundled adaptive transmission requested by a later PDCCH UL grant at the last two TTIs. As shown in FIG. 5, a transmission collision is caused by two NACKs. A bundled non-adaptive retransmission triggered by an earlier NACK overlaps another bundled non-adaptive retransmission triggered by a later NACK at the last TTI.
In a brief, for the UE, the transmission collision on TTI bundling is resulted from the indefinite timing of TTI bundling deactivation and the uncertainty that the eNB may not deal with the timing of PDCCH UL grant assignment and HARQ feedback carefully. Note that, like the PDCCH UL grant does, the transmission requested by a persistent UL grant, e.g. a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) resource, may also collide with another transmission.

Method and apparatus for improving uplink transmission of transmission time interval bundling in a wireless communication system


A computerized system and method for measuring physical activity to advance play in a game. In example embodiments, a cell phone generates a screen display and the game is played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity progresses the player through the game by progressing the player through “game days,” by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. A specified number of steps equates with a game day and a complete game is measured in game days. The device tracks physical activity, related game days, and completion of games. During a game day, a player advances in the game as well as encounters challenges and obstacles and may be prompted to make other decisions related to the game play.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for numerous reasons. First, it can have a huge impact on the quality of a person's life. People who are healthy tend to be happier, and more successful in day-to-day endeavors. Furthermore, as the life span of individuals continues to grow, leading a healthy life increases the odds that the later years of life are enjoyable. Second, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can have an impact on the costs of health care. Individuals who are healthy tend to require less medication, less treatment for ailments, less hospital time, etc.
Unfortunately, there are many existing factors that encourage individuals to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. The increasing convenience of many technologies has caused people to be more sedentary than ever before. Teens and adults in particular are spending more and more time in front of televisions and computers and less and less time partaking in healthy activities such as physical exercise. In particular, many individuals are choosing to spend their time playing video games that do not require much physical movement rather than getting involved in sports or games that require the exertion of significant physical energy. While some video gaming systems have created fitness programs, these fitness programs do not typically incorporate a game. Furthermore, because most video gaming systems are connected to a television or incorporated into a computer (desktop or laptop) the amount of physical activity that can be performed while playing the game is limited.
There is a need in the art for a game that incorporates walking, jogging, running, or other physical activity. In an example embodiment, the game is played on a mobile device (such as a cell phone) where the mobile device comprises an accelerometer based pedometer that records the player's step count. The mobile device may record a step count according to the player's selection of a location for holding the device such as pocket, bag, hand, arm, or belt. The accuracy of step count may vary depending on where the player holds the device while walking. In some embodiments, a screen of the mobile device is used to display a virtual avatar. The virtual avatar may be selected by the game player. Within the game, there may be a map with multiple nodes where the avatar moves from one node on the map to another according to the step count of the player. In an example embodiment, the avatar's speed of travel is determined by the player's step count. Thus, in order to move the avatar through the game on the mobile device, a player takes numerous steps that in turn contribute to improving the player's health.
In an example embodiment, a game of the present invention implements a pedometer to measure the number of steps taken by the game's player and utilizes the measurement to progress the player through the game. There are a variety of ways the physical activity measurement can be utilized to progress a player through the game. For example, a game could comprise a map and the number of steps measured by the pedometer could determine how quickly the player moves from one point on the map to another. In another embodiment, a player takes a certain number of steps to progress from a current position in the game to another position (such as from one node on a map to the next). Some embodiments may utilize a measurement of the player's physical activity to award points to the player in the game. In an example embodiment, a game comprises a certain number of segments and a mobile device being utilized to play the game records a predefined level of physical activity by the player in order to move from one segment to the next. For example, a game may comprise seven "game years" or 2,555 "game days" where each "game day" expires upon the player having taken 500 steps. In this embodiment, completion of the game requires the player to take 1.27 million steps. In embodiments comprising an avatar, a measurement of physical activity may be utilized to buy accessories for the avatar that can be utilized by the avatar in game play.
In some embodiments of the game, an objective is to manage a growing gold rush business and build the biggest fortune possible. In these embodiments, the game comprises a map of a gold rush state, such as the State of California, where the map has various towns, cities, and claims. By leaving miners at various claims, gold can be mined and then taken to banks for safe-keeping. During game play, the player may encounter special characters and items that assist the player in accomplishing game objectives. A game may additionally comprise virtual villains that interfere with or attempt to impede a player's game progress. In example embodiments where mining for gold is a game objective, a player utilized a cellular phone comprising a pedometer that measures the number of steps taken by the player. In example embodiments, the screen of the cell phone is utilized to generate a screen display and the game is thus played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity is utilized to progress the player through the game by progressing the player through "game days," by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. There are many ways the physical activity of a player can be utilized to progress a player through a game.

System and method of measuring physical activity to progress in game


A connecting structure of lamp rod and lamp base for all kinds of for lamps, comprising a lamp base coupled to a side of the wire connection box and a lamp rod inserted into the interior of the lamp base; wherein a socket is coupled to an end of the lamp base, and a guiding hole is protruded from a side of the lamp base to provide an embedding member for the fixture, and the embedding member further comprises a steel ball placed in a guiding groove of the lamp base in advance, a spring disposed behind the steel ball, and a stopcock disposed at the rear end of the spring; working together with a blocking groove disposed at the position at the head of the lamp rod corresponsive to the embedding member for accommodating the insertion of the lamp rod such that the resumption of spring pushes the steel ball back into its original position, and the steel ball will press against and be stuck in the blocking groove for inserting the lamp rod into the lamp base. After the user has bought the lamp, the user just needs to insert the lamp rod into the lamp base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a do-it-yourself connecting structure of lamp rod and lamp base; by means of a guiding hole protruded from a side of the lamp base, an embedding member coupled onto the guiding hole, and working together with a blocking groove disposed at the position at the head of the lamp rod corresponsive to the embedding member of the lamp base, the present invention provides a way to let the head of the lamp rod push the steel ball backward and compress the spring so that after the lamp rod is inserted, the resumption of the spring pushes the steel ball back to its original position, and the steel ball presses against the blocking groove to insert the lamp rod into the lamp base. Such arrangement enables users to assemble the lamp on their own.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional structure of inserting a conductive set of a lamp, regardless a wall lamp, a table lamp, or a floor lamp, uses screws and nuts for the fixing. However, this kind of assembly by screws and nuts may easily collide the finished goods during the assembling, and has to use working tools such as wrench and screwdriver for the fixing. The friction produced during the assembling may expose the electric wire easily and may even cause the hazard of electric shock. Therefore, the traditional way causes trouble for the assembling, and is definitely not suitable for DIY users to assemble the lamp by themselves. The manufacturers have to assemble the wire connection box with the lamp rod first before selling the lamp, which may increase the cost. In view of these shortcomings, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience accumulated from the engagement in the related industry conducted extensive research to resolve the aforementioned shortcomings and invented the present invention.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a do-it-yourself connecting structure of lamp rod and lamp base, comprising a lamp base coupled to a side of the wire connection box and a lamp rod inserted into the lamp base; wherein a socket is coupled to an end of the lamp base, and a guiding hole is protruded from a side of the lamp base to provide an embedding member for the fixture, and the embedding member further comprises a steel ball placed in a guiding groove of the lamp base beforehand, a spring disposed behind the steel ball, and a stopcock disposed at the rear end of the spring; working together with a blocking groove disposed at the position at the head of the lamp rod corresponsive to the embedding member for accommodating the insertion of the lamp rod such that the resumption of spring pushes the steel ball back into its original position, and the steel ball will press against the blocking groove to insert the lamp rod into the lamp base. After the user has bought the lamp, the user just needs to insert the lamp rod into the lamp base for the application, and thus enables users to assemble the lamp on their own.
To make it easier for our examiner to understand the objective of the invention, its structure, innovative features, and performance, we use a preferred embodiment together with the attached drawings for the detailed description of the invention.

Electrical connecting structure for a lamp

Chuang Ya Tsun, Hsiu Shui Hsiang, Chang Hua Hsien


Novel alterations in the glycerol kinase gene are described. Also described are methods of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Glycerol kinase (GK) catalyzes the entry of glycerol into the glucose and triglyceride metabolic pathway. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and hypertriglyceridemia are associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease. The relationship between glycerol and the risk of IGT, however, is poorly understood.
Work described herein details the identification of alterations in the glycerol kinase (GK) gene which result in severe hyperglycerolemia and impaired glucose metabolism and body fat distribution. Glycerol levels are shown to be highly heritable and associated with significant variations in glucose tolerance. This work indicates that glycerol is a potentially significant predictor of the magnitude of glucose tolerance and thus of increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease.
Work described herein assessed the association of fasting plasma glycerol concentration with 2-hour glucose following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in a cohort of 1056 unrelated French Canadians presenting with a family history of hypertriglyceridemia. The familial resemblance of fasting glycerol in these subjects"" families has been estimated, and the GK gene was screened for the presence of mutations.
Family screening in the initial cohort identified 18 individuals with severe hyperglycerolemia (values above 2.0 mmol/L). These individuals were shown to carry a missense mutation (N288D) in exon 10 of the GK gene. Analysis of the biological variables among the N288D carriers led to the observation that variation in glycerolemia was a predictor of impaired glucose metabolism and of abdominal fat accumulation. In the absence of severe hyperglycerolemia, a significant familial resemblance for fasting glycerol concentration (F ratio:6,3; p less than 0.0001) was observed. Furthermore, multivariate analyses performed in the initial cohort revealed substantial variation in fasting glycerolemia which was associated with significant differences in glucose tolerance, independent of known covariates such as age, gender and body mass index as well as fasting triglyceride, glucose, insulin and free fatty acid concentrations. These results suggest an important genetic connection between glycerol and glucose homeostasis and indicate that assessment of glycerol levels could be a clinically useful tool in the prediction of IGT.
The invention relates to a method of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycerolemia and/or cardiovascular disease in an individual, comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample from an individual; and assessing the glycerol level in said sample, wherein an increased level of glycerol in said sample as compared with a control sample is predictive of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycerolemia and/or cardiovascular disease in the individual. In one embodiment, the increased glycerol level is greater than about 0.08 mmol/L. In another embodiment, the biological sample is a blood sample. In one embodiment, the glycerol level is a plasma glycerol level, and in one embodiment the sample is a fasting sample.
The invention also relates to a method of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in an individual, comprising the steps of obtaining a nucleic acid sample from an individual; and determining the nucleotide present at nucleotide position 29 of exon 10, wherein presence of a guanine at said position is predictive of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in the individual as compared with an individual having an adenosine at said position.
The invention also relates to a method of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in an individual, comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample comprising the glycerol kinase protein or portion thereof from an individual; and determining the amino acid present at amino acid position 288, wherein presence of an aspartate at said position is predictive of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in the individual as compared with an individual having an asparagine at said position.
The invention further relates to a method of identifying an agent which is an agonist of glycerol kinase, comprising the steps of providing a recombinant host cell of the invention; contacting said host cell with an agent to be tested; and assessing the ability of the agent to increase glycerol kinase activity, wherein an agent which increases glycerol kinase activity is an agonist of glycerol kinase activity. In one embodiment, the step of assessing is performed by determining the level of one or more downstream effects of a glycerol metabolic pathway and comparing said level with a level in an appropriate control.
The invention further relates to a method of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in an individual, comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample from an individual; and assessing the level of glycerol kinase gene expression in said sample, wherein a decreased glycerol kinase gene expression level in said sample as compared with a control sample is predictive of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in the individual.
The invention also relates to a method of predicting or assisting in the prediction of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in an individual, comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample from an individual; and assessing the level of active glycerol kinase in said sample, wherein a decreased level of active glycerol kinase in said sample as compared with a control sample is predictive of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and/or hyperglycerolemia in the individual.
The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NOS: 1-4. The invention further relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a portion of SEQ ID NOS: 14, wherein said portion is at least 10 nucleotides in length and wherein said portion comprises a polymorphic nucleotide position occupied by the alternate (non-wildtype) nucleotide. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs and recombinant host cells comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention. For example, the recombinant host cell can be selected from the group consisting of adipocytes, lymphoblasts and fibroblasts.
The invention further relates to gene products, e.g., mRNA or polypeptides, encoded by the nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Glycerol as a predictor of glucose tolerance

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research


Methods and apparatuses are described for configuring a downlink (DL) reference signal (RS) for an electronic device (ED). Configuration information associated with the DL RS is received in a first communication from a location management function (LMF) via LTE positioning protocol (LPP). In a communication from a serving cell via radio resource control (RRC), an identifier (ID) of the DL RS and a cell ID of a cell that originates the DL RS are received. The configuration information received in the first communication also includes the ID of the DL RS and the cell ID. A sounding reference signal (SRS) is transmitted to the cell identified by the cell ID, according to path loss (PL) information or spatial domain transmission filter (TF) information associated with the DL RS.

In conventional cellular networks, each cell is associated with a coverage area and includes one or more base stations (BSs) (also referred to as transmit-receive points (TRPs)), each having a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Each cell is assigned a physical cell identifier (PCID) that may be common among all BSs within the cell. The PCID in part facilitates control channel and data channel communications from the cell to an electronic device (ED) (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) and from the ED to the cell. The cell that is presently serving an ED is referred to as the serving cell for that ED. The network may maintain the association between the serving cell and the ED, through an assigned PCID, until a handover is triggered.
The network may implement a location management function (LMF), which provides location services such as determining the location of an ED (also referred to as "positioning" of the ED) based on the received measurements from other entities in the network such as cells (including serving and non-serving cells) and/or the ED. The LMF may be implemented in a cell (e.g., LMF services may be provided by a BS of the cell), or may be implemented in the core network, for example.
An ED transmits a sounding reference signal (SRS) that can be used by a network side device to determine channel characteristics about the channel between the ED and the network device. In Release 15 (Rel. 15) New Radio (NR), the use of SRS is performed with regard to a network side device that is presently serving the ED. That is, the SRS is currently intended to be received and measured only by the serving cell.
It would be desirable to provide solutions that enable the ED to transmit a SRS that is intended to be received by other than the serving cell. Such solutions may enable the SRS to be used for positioning purposes, for example at the LMF, or for inter-cell or intra-cell mobility purposes.

Methods and apparatuses for configuration of sounding reference signal for serving and neighboring cell measurements


Methods and systems of authorizing transaction requests are disclosed. A financial institution computing system includes a network circuit exchanging information over a network, a customer database storing financial and identification code information for a plurality of customers, and a transaction circuit. The transaction circuit receives a transaction request over the network that specifies a financial account and includes a first identification code provided by an authentication device in conjunction with a separate customer computing device. The transaction circuit authenticates the transaction request by determining whether the first identification code is associated with an authorized user of the financial account specified in the transaction request, authorizes the transaction request, and transmits a confirmation to a transaction terminal over the network via the network circuit.

Many financial institution customers are able to complete various financial transactions through their computing devices. Customers may set up their computing devices to organize and selectively exchange payment information with transaction terminals in the absence of physical payment cards. Payment information may be managed by various software programs, including "mobile wallets" offered by financial institutions or other third party software developers. Such software programs may require additional authentication information before initiating a given transaction, such as unlocking the computing device, entering a personal identification number into the computing device, and so on.

Systems and methods for authentication device-assisted transactions


An osteotomy blade saw is provided in left-offset and right-offset embodiments for performing sagittal ramus osteotomies. The blade saw has first and second straight arm portions forming an obtuse angle between them, the end of the second arm terminating in a neck portion which angles acutely away from the plane containing the arms and terminates in an end portion on which a cutting blade is mounted. The blade lies in a plane parallel to the plane containing the arms and is offset to the right and left depending on the embodiment. Supplying reciprocating linear motion to the first arm allows the saw to be used in cutting bone. The blade saw in its two preferred embodiments can be used to score and cut the underside of the right and left inferior borders of the mandible, respectively, through incisions inside the mouth.

This invention relates to surgical tools, and in particular to a blade saw for scoring and cutting the underside of the mandible at its left and right inferior borders.
In facial surgery a sagittal osteotomy procedure is used to correct either excessive or insufficient protrusion of the lower jaw. With respect to such a procedure there exists a need for a device for scoring and cutting the mandible to facilitate the breaking of the lower jawbone along predetermined lines on both sides of the jaw.
The general idea is to fracture the mandible in the sagittal plane, and then move the now separate central portion of the mandible forward or backward to a more appropriate position, and fix the new jawbone configuration in place so that healing of the fractures can occur. In present methods for accomplishing this type of operation using various types of blades and chisels, there are difficulties in getting the jawbone to split along the desired osteotomy lines.
It would be a great boon to the art of facial surgery if there were a surgical blade saw which could be inserted through an incision in the mouth in an anterior and superior direction so that the blade-containing tip of the saw would be directed inferiorly and posteriorly. The underside of the jawbone could then be scored and cut by back-and-forth motion of the saw blade along a desired line to facilitate breakage of the bone in a controlled manner along a predetermined plane.
Depending on whether the left or right side of the jawbone was being worked on, the blade saw would have to have a right- or left-offset blade-carrying portion to avoid mechanical interference with the jawbone itself. Ideally, such a blade saw would constitute the interchangeable end portion of a motor driven tool providing back-and-forth reciprocating motion along a line. In that case the change from a right-offset blade saw to a left-offset blade saw could be easily made as required during the course of the operation.
The following U.S. Patents are deemed to be of some relevance to the present application.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date ______________________________________ 812,507 W. H. Ludewig Feb. 13, 1906 1,455,621 W. H. Joyner Jun. 22, 1921 2,702,550 K. R. Rowe Feb. 22, 1955 2,951,482 G. B. Sullivan Sep. 6, 1960 3,495,329 B. Bothe Feb. 17, 1970 3,554,197 A. K. Dobble Jan. 12, 1971 3,905,105 M. A. Tuke Sep. 16, 1975 3,905,374 R. P. Winter Sep. 16, 1975 4,188,952 V. I. Loschilov et al. Feb. 19, 1980 4,501,484 V. C. Giampapa et al. Mar. 5, 1985 4,615,119 D. S. Johnson et al. Oct. 7, 1986 4,617,930 G. A. B. Saunders Oct. 21, 1986 ______________________________________
The patent to Ludewig is directed to a surgical operating-engine designed to be held in the hand and used as the operative handle for saws, files, chisels, and other instruments used by physicians in operations in nasal passages and other internal cavities of the body. The engine is also adapted for use with dental instruments such as pluggers and cutters. The engine is intended to be connected to a motor to provide reciprocating motion to a surgical tool.
The patent to Sullivan is directed to a surgical saw with a handle shaped to fit the surgeon's hand and a cutting blade which, in one embodiment, is directed at right angles to the hand grip, the shape of the blade having two right-angle bends in it.
The patent to Giampapa et al. is directed to a nasal surgical saw having a concavely curved cutting edge with an angularly offset tip. The shape of the blade is designed to follow the anatomic curve of the nasal-maxillary junction so as to be suitable for use in cosmetic and reconstructive nasal surgery.
The patent to Rowe is directed to a power driven oscillating cutting implement for use in performing surgery in confined spaces. A semicircular saw blade on a long narrow mounting is rapidly oscillated to enable the bony structure of the nose to be cut without damaging the soft membranes.
The patent to Johnson et al. is directed to a vibratory cutter having a plurality of serrated teeth provided on one side of the center line of the cutting blade angled in a first direction, and a plurality of serrated teeth provided on the second side of the center line angled in a second direction, the angles of the teeth provided on either side of the center being equal to one another. The cutting blade is arcuate in nature and the blade vibrates in a back and forth motion in a plane parallel with the object to be severed. The blade cuts in two directions parallel to this surface.

Left and right inferior border osteotomy blade saw


A circuit board structure with an embedded semiconductor chip and a fabrication method thereof are provided, including the steps of providing a semiconductor wafer having an active surface with a plurality of electrode pads, a connection metal layer formed on the electrode pads: forming a protective layer on the connection metal layer and the semiconductor wafer, performing a cutting process to form a plurality of semiconductor dies, providing a carrier board having at least one cavity for receiving the semiconductor chip; and forming sequentially on the protective layer covering the semiconductor chip and the carrier board a dielectric layer and a circuit layer electrically connected to the connection metal layer of the semiconductor chip. The present invention is a simple, in process and low in process cost, due to the connection metal layer covered by the protective layer formed on the semiconductor chip protected from oxidation and contamination.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit board structure with an embedded semiconductor chip and a fabrication method thereof, and more particularly, to a circuit board structure for embedding a semiconductor chip in a circuit board and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The structure of semiconductor packages and chips is becoming smaller in line with the trend towards high integration. In view of this, a circuit board functioning as a semiconductor chip circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a circuit board or carrier) is generally densely disposed with electrical connection pads in order to allow a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit board to be electrically connected to the circuit board, thereby allowing the semiconductor chip to operate. To reduce package size, the area occupied by integrated circuits (IC) may be reduced by using high circuit density, multi-pin packages with a ball grid array (BGA) structure, flip chip structure, chip size packages (CSP), or multi-chip modules (MCM). However, before a semiconductor chip is mounted on a circuit board and packaging begins, a connection metal layer is formed on an exposed surface of the electrode pads for the semiconductor chip so as to provide for electrical connection elements, such as gold wires, bumps, and solder balls, for electrical connection with the circuit board, and also to prevent the electrode pads from extrinsically induced oxidation.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing how to form in a known manner a connection metal layer on the surfaces of electrode pads of a semiconductor chip. The prior art involves forming a passivation layer 13 on the surface of a semiconductor wafer 1 having undergone a required front-end process and formed with a plurality of electrode pads 12; forming a plurality of openings 130 in the passivation layer 13 to expose the electrode pads 12; electroplating a connection metal layer 14 onto the electrode pads 12 in the openings 130 using an electroplating process; performing a cutting process whereby the semiconductor wafer 1 is cut into a plurality of semiconductor dies, wherein a plurality of connection metal layers 14 are disposed on the electrode pads 12 of the semiconductor dies; and performing a packaging process on the semiconductor dies so as to finalize the outward electrical connection required for the semiconductor dies.
Although the aforesaid prior art enables a connection metal layer to be formed on the surfaces of the electrode pads so as to protect the electrode pads from oxidation and protect the electrode pads on the surface of the semiconductor chip against contamination during a subsequent packaging process performed on the semiconductor chip, electrical quality may be affected due to a surface of the connection metal layer being exposed to and therefore oxidized by air, because the connection metal layer is typically formed by copper electroplating.
Accordingly, a need exists for a solution that simplifies processing, reduces costs, and protects the electrode pads of a semiconductor chip from oxidation or contamination.

Carrier board structure with embedded semiconductor chip and fabrication method thereof


A silver halide photographic light-sensitive materially having at least one silver halide emulsion layer comprising a magenta coupler represented by formula I and negative type silver halide grains having a core-shell structure which consists of:. (a) an inner core consisting essentially of silver bromide or silver iodobromide; and PA1 (b) a plurality of shells consisting essentially of silver bromide or silver iodobromide comprising:. (i) an outermost shell containing 0 to 10 mol % of silver iodide; PA2 a high iodide-containing shell provided inside said outermost shell having a silver iodide content at least 6 mol % higher than that of the outermost shell; and PA2 (iii) an intermediate shell provided between the outermost shell and the high iodide-containing shell having a silver iodide content at least 3 mol % higher than that of the outermost shell, and at least 3 mol % lower than that of the high iodide-containing shell: ##STR1## Wherein Z represents a group of non-metallic atoms necessary to complete a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring, X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a releasable group, and R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent group.

This invention relates to a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.
Heretofore, in the field of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, a 5-pyrazolone type coupler has popularly been used for a magenta dye image coupler. However, this kind of couplers cannot avoid unnecessary secondary absorption because they have a yellow component around 430nm and this phenomenon has sometimes caused a color turbidity. Accordingly, for the purpose of solving the color turbidity problems, there have been the proposals of the 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-C]-S-triazole type couplers, (namely, a coupler comprising an 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-C]-S-triazole derivative), (Refer to U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,067; British Patent Nos. 1,252,418 and 1,334,515; and Japanese Patent No. O.P.I. Publication Nos. 99437/1984 and 228252/1984). With this type of couplers, the above-mentioned problems may be solved, because such couplers may be able to avoid nearly all of the unnecessary secondary absorption. In some coupler, the color density thereof may sometimes be lowered by formalin (which is used as an insecticide to furnitures and the like). In contrast with such a coupler, this type of couplers have the advantages that the density lowering is substantially less in a formalin atmosphere and the preservation thereof may easily be made and further the sensitivity thereof is high.
On the other hand, it was found that this type of couplers have such undesirable photographic characteristics as that fogs are increased or the sensitivity is lowered at a high temperature and during a long lapse of time before the couplers which were mixed with an emulsion are coated on a film surface and dried.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,373 and Japanese Patent No. O.P.I. Publication No. 212092/1984 each disclose such a means that a coating solution stability is to be improved in such a manner that an emulsion and a dispersed liquid are mixed up together immediately before coating the resulted mixture on and the mixture is coated on and dried up. These means are still not fully satisfied and have been unable to improve the above-mentioned stability particularly in a high temperature preservation of film.
In recent years, as there have been more strict requirements for silver halide emulsions for photographic use, so have increased the demands for the high-level photographic characteristics such as a high-speed, an excellent graininess, a clear-cut sharpness, a low fog-density, a sufficiently wide exposure range and so on.
There have been the well-known high-speed emulsions such as a silver iodobromide emulsion containing iodide in an amount of from 0 to 10 mol % of the emulsion, to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements. About the processes of preparing the above-mentioned emulsions, there have so far been the well-known processes including, for example, an ammonia process, a neutral process, such a process as an acid process in which the conditions of pH and pAg values are controlled, and such a precipitation process as a single-jet or double-jet process.
Based upon the above-mentioned prior art and with the purposes of making the sensitivity of light-sensitive materials higher and improving the graininess thereof and, further, achieving both of the high sharpness and low fog thereof, the technical means have so far been researched with an utmost precision and have then been put into practice. A silver iodobromide emulsion which is an object of the invention have been studied so as to control not only the crystal habits and grain distribution but also the iodide density distribution in an individual silver halide grain.
For realizing the photographic characteristics including, for example, a high speed, excellent graininess, high sharpness or low fog density, the most orthodox process therefor is to improve the quantum efficiency of a silver halide used. For realizing this purpose, the observation of solid state physics and the like have positively been adopted.
There are the researches in which the above-mentioned quantum efficiency was theoretically computed and the influence on a graininess distribution was also studied. One of the researches is described in, for example, the preprints of 1980 Tokyo Symposium on Photographic Progress, titled `Interactions Between Light and Materials`, p. 91. This research predicts that a quantum efficiency could effectively be improved if a monodispersed emulsion may be prepared by narrowing a grain distribution. Further, in the so-called chemical sensitization process for sensitizing a silver halide emulsion (This process will be described in detail later.), it may be reasonably presumed that a monodispersed emulsion may also be advantageous to effectively make a light-sensitive material highly sensitive with keeping a low fog level.
For industrially preparing such a monodispersed emulsion, it is desired, as described in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection (hereinafter called Japanese Patent No. O.P.I. Publication) No. 48521/1979, to apply both of the theoretically predetermined conditions of the feeding rate controls of silver ions and silver halide ions to be fed into a reaction system and the satisfactory conditions of the agitation thereof to the preparation process under the strict controls of the pAg and pH values of the emulsion. When a silver halide emulsion is prepared under the above-mentioned conditions, it is in either one of the cubic, octahedral and tetradecahedral crystal forms. That is to say, such an emulsion comprises the so-called normal crystal grains each having both of the (100) and (111) planes in various ratios. It is well-known that a high sensitization may be achieved by making use of the above-mentioned normal crystal grains.
Meanwhile, it has so far been well-known that the silver halide emulsions suitably used in high speed photographic films include a silver iodobromide emulsion comprising polydispersed type twinned crystal grains.
Also, silver iodobromide emulsions each containing tabular shaped twinned crystal grains are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 113927/1983 and others.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 22408/1978; Japanese Patent Examined Publication No. 13162/1968; `Journal of Photographic Science`, No. 24, p. 198, 1976; and the like each describe, respectively, that a development activity is increased or a high sensitization is realized by making use of multilayered type silver halide grains applied with a plurality of shells on the outside of the inner cores of the grains.
Further, West German Patent No. 2,932,650; Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 2417/1976, 17436/1976 and 11927/1977; and the like describe the respective silver halide grains each provided with a covering layer through a halogen substitution so as to serve as the outermost layer of the silver halide grain. These silver halide grains are practically unable to serve as any negative type emulsion, because a fixing time may be shortened thereby, however, to the contrary, a development may be thereby inhibited, so that a satisfactory sensitivity may not be obtained.
There is also well-known positive type (i.e., an internal latent image type) silver halide grains each provided outside the inner core thereof with a plurality of covering layers prepared through a halogen substitution, of which are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,592,250 and 4,075,020; and Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 127549/1980. These silver halide grains are often used in an internal latent image type direct positive light-sensitive material such as those for diffusion transferring use. However, they cannot be used at all in any negative type emulsion to which the invention directed, because the internal sensitivity thereof is excessively high from the very nature of things.
There is a further silver halide grain provided on the inner core thereof with shells, as described above, and in which various iodide contents of the respective layers thereof are taken into account. This type of grains are described in, for example, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 181037/1983, 35726/1985 and 116647/1984.
In the field of silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials, color light-sensitive materials each having an ISO speed of 1000 or over have recently been introduced, thanks to the various technical progress. It is, however, usual that such a light-sensitive material is deteriorated in graininess and sharpness as it becomes higher in sensitivity, and such a high speed light-sensitive material is yet very unsatisfactory for the consumers who want to admire a good photograph because its image quality is not good enough as compared with those of a conventional light-sensitive material. Therefore, a high-speed negative type light-sensitive material excellent in graininess and image sharpness has so far been demanded.
For astronomical photography, indoor photography, sport photography and the like, a further high-speed negative type light-sensitive material has particularly been demanded.

Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material