A multi-channel arrangement for measuring weak magnetic fields in living tissues, and for localizing the current sources which cause the magnetic fields by evaluating the topical magnetic values measured by individual sensors of the apparatus mounted in a vertically adjustable fashion to a patient support, the patient support being longitudinally and transversely adjustable, has a bicycle ergometer disposed at a foot end of the patient support, the bicycle ergometer consisting exclusively of components which are nonmagnetic and which do not generate a magnetic field. The bicycle ergometer is used by an examination subject so that signals can be obtained by the subject at rest and at a defined exertion level. The bicycle ergometer is mounted and constructed so that the examination subject can operate the ergometer after being positioned in a fixed position on the support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for measuring weak biomagnetic fields which are physiologically generated by an examination subject, the biomagnetic fields appearing topically and chronologically in the body of a patient, and in particular to an apparatus which permits such fields to be measured while the patient is in an exercise condition and in a resting condition.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to measure the chronological course of electrical pulses emanating from the beating heart using electrodes applied to specific locations on the body surface, and to record this signal in an electrocardiogram. Frequently such measurements are undertaken with the patient being at rest and exercising, so as to obtain an "at rest" ECG and an exercise ECG. The latter measurement is taken immediately after the patient has undergone defined physical exercise, usually using an ergometer so that the exercise level can be recorded. Because the electrodes affixed to the body are connected to the ECG measuring instrument via flexible lines, these measurements are independent of the position and movements of the body during each measurement.
Electrocardiograms produced in this manner are diagnostically valid with respect to the amplitude and frequency of the pulses which are generated by the heart. Such electrocardiograms are not suitable, however, for localizing specific electrical events occurring in the heart muscle, and thus cannot be used to provide conclusive information as to the spatial position of electrical events and their chronological course.
It is also known to employ magnetic methods for measuring and analyzing local bioelectrical currents in the biological tissue complexes, particularly the brain and the heart, and to perform such and measurements so as to produce magneto-encephalograms (MEG) and magneto-cardiograms (MCG).
A known apparatus which is suitable for this purpose is described in an article entitled "Biomagnetismus" by Hohnsbein in the periodical Bild der Wissenschaft, No. 8, 1986, pages 76-83. This known apparatus is capable of measuring extremely weak biomagnetic signals, for example, the magnetic fields which arise in living tissue complexes due to directed current flows, having a field strength on the order of magnitude of 10.sup.-12 T and below. These signals can be measured only by special sensor arrangements when the patient and measuring equipment are carefully shielded from external magnetic fields. The sensor arrangement consists of a plurality of measuring devices known as gradiometers so that an exact localization of the current source in the tissue can be identified. These gradiometers are coupled to a corresponding number of SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices). Both the gradiometer and the associated SQUID must be accommodated in a cryostatic temperature regulator, in which a temperature prevails at which the SQUID and the gradiometer are superconducting. The error with which the current source can be localized has a defined relationship to the number of sensors, i.e., to the number of measuring points, as explained in the article "MCG Inverse Solution, Influence of Coil Size, Gride Size, Number of Coils, and SNR," Abraham-Fuchs, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 35, No. 8, August 1988, pages 573-575, particularly section C of that article in combination with FIG. 5 of the article. In order to obtain a localization error which is sufficiently low for clinical use, the magnetic signals must be simultaneously measured with at least 10 to 12 channels dependent on the signal-to-noise ratio.
Among other reasons, because of their low temperatures, magnetic sensors, differing from ECG electrodes, can not be affixed to the body of the patient and connected to a central unit via flexible lines. By contrast, these magnetic sensors must be arranged at a specified distance from the examination subject. This means that the body of the examination subject cannot change spatially relative to the magnetic sensors during a measuring event. This means that the body of the patient must be situated in a fixed position relative to the magnetic sensors, including the time when measurements are undertaken after exertion on the part of the patient. It is necessary to undertake an exercise measurement immediately after the exertion by the patient insofar as possible. Consequently, it is not possible to lead the patient to a support table after the ergometer exertion, and to affix the patient at that location in order to subsequently register the MCG. The time which passes would be too long to permit a diagnostically relevant exercise measurement to be taken.
In other medical areas, it is known to provide an exercise mechanism at the foot end of a patient's bed, to permit the bed-ridden patient to avoid the formation of embolisms after an operation. Such exercise equipment, however, does not include an ergometer which permits a diagnostically relevant measurement of an exercise ECG or an exercise MCG to be taken.

Arrangement for measuring physiologically generated weak biomagnetic signals while the examination subject is at rest and exercising


Hardware interrupts are routed to one of multiple processors of a virtualized computer system based on priority values assigned to the codes being executed by the processors. Each processor dynamically updates a priority value associated with code being executed thereby, and when a hardware interrupt is generated, the hardware interrupt is routed to the processor that is executing a code with the lowest priority value to handle the hardware interrupt. As a result, routing of the interrupts can be biased away from processors that are executing high priority tasks or where context switch might be computationally expensive.

Hardware interrupts are used in modern computing systems for a variety of purposes including notifying processors of external events and facilitating inter-processor communication. When a hardware interrupt occurs, the processor that is assigned to handle the interrupt performs a context switch between the code it is then executing and the interrupt handling code, known as an interrupt service routine ("ISR"). When the processor finishes executing the ISR, it resumes execution of the code it was executing at the time of the interrupt.
In a virtualized computer system configured with multiple processors, hardware interrupt handling is distributed among the multiple processors. As a way to direct and arbitrate the flow of interrupts in such a system, programmable interrupt controllers are employed. In Intel® x86 based systems, programmable interrupt controllers known as Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controllers (APICs) are commonly used. The APIC architecture is described in IA-32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3A: System Programming Guide, Part 1, Chapter 10, September 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
According to a current interrupt handling technique in virtualized computer systems, hardware interrupts are routed to the least busy processor, and the ISR is executed on that processor. A potential problem with this technique is that the identification of the least busy processor is made on a fairly coarse time scale, and the processor selected for executing the ISR may no longer be the least busy when the hardware interrupt actually occurs and is routed to that processor. In addition, a guest code may be running in the processor identified as the least busy, and the cost of handling an interrupt on such a processor is quite high (about 2000 to 3000 cycles). One solution to this problem would be to identify the least busy processor and processors running in guest context on a finer time scale, but performing such a process is computationally expensive and would add an undesirable amount of overhead if carried out too frequently.

Hardware interrupt arbitration in virtualized computer systems


Video server systems and methods for providing video streams to a plurality of remote clients are described. In one implementation, the video streams are based on game states received from a remote game server. The game states are dependent on game commands received by the video server system from the remote clients and forwarded to the remote game server. The video server system is configured to appear, from the point of view of the game server, as more than one client. For example, the video server system may receive game states from the remote game server at more than one different Internet Protocol address and each of these Internet Protocol addresses may be associated with a different game session.

Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of computer programming and specifically in the field of server side execution of computer programs.
Related Art
Execution of computer programs can generally occur using one of two approaches. In one model the computer program is executed on a single device where input is received from a user, such as a game player, and program output is presented to the user. In the other model program execution occurs on a remote server under the control of one or more clients. A user provides inputs at the client and receives program output for display at the client. Communication between the client and the server takes place over a communication network, such as the internet. As used herein the terms "remote server," "remote client," etc. are meant to indicate devices that are geographically remote, e.g., in a different building, different town or different state. The term "remote" is intended to exclude devices in the same room or building.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Massive multi-player online (MMO) games server and methods for executing the same

Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC


A light scanning unit and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided. The light scanning unit includes a light source emitting the light beams according to an image signal, an incident optical system including a flux-limiting element limiting the flux of light beams emitted by the light source, an optical deflector deflecting the light beams emitted by the light source in a main scanning direction, and an image forming optical system including a scanning optical element imaging the light beams deflected by the optical deflector on a scanning target surface, the light scanning unit forming an electrostatic latent image by scanning the light beams to the scanning target surface of the image bearing member. The scanning optical element of the scanning optical elements of the image forming optical system is eccentrically arranged from a central optical axis of the image forming optical system in a sub-scanning direction.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiment of the present invention relate to a light scanning unit and an image forming apparatus including the same, and more particularly, to a light scanning unit and an image forming apparatus including the same, the light scanning unit improving a problem of multiple reflection of light beams in an image forming optical system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers, digital copiers, multifunctional printers (MFP) have a configuration in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning light to a photosensitive medium by using a light scanning unit, the formed electrostatic latent image is transformed to a developed image by using a developer such as a toner, and the developed image is transferred onto a printing medium.
A light scanning unit employed by an image forming apparatus scans light beams to a main scanning direction by using an optical deflector such as a polygonal rotating mirror and a vibrating mirror, the apparatus including an incident optical system for incidence of the light beams to the optical deflector and an image forming optical system forming an image on a scanning target surface, that is, a photosensitive medium using the light beams scanned while being deflected by the optical deflector. However, when an optical axis of the incident optical system in a sub-scanning direction is identical to that of the image forming optical system in a sub-scanning direction, multiple reflected light beams occurring between an incident surface and an emitting surface of a scanning optical element (an element featuring a "fθ characteristic") of the image forming optical system are scanned to an effective image area of the scanning target surface, leading to deteriorated uniformity in density of an image. Conventionally, in an attempt to address such problems, reflection occurring between an incident surface and an emitting surface of a scanning optical element of an image forming optical system may be maximally suppressed by forming a non-reflective coating layer on the surfaces, or an optical axis of the scanning optical element may be separately disposed from an optical axis of an incident optical system to be eccentric in such a way that multiple reflected light beams avoid an effective image area of normal scanning light beams.

Light scanning unit and image forming apparatus including the same


The light fixture mounting has a body with a base releasably attached thereto. The base includes fastening means for attaching the base to the mounting surface. In one embodiment, the fastening means comprises a circular strap retained within a slot or channel formed in the base. The strap has an adjustable diameter which allows the base to be attached to a structure such as a tree trunk or limb by encircling the trunk or limb with the strap, then tightening the strap around the trunk or limb. In a preferred embodiment, the base is configured both with slots for receiving a strap and bores for receiving screws to allow a single base configuration to be used for different mounting situations. Once the base is mounted on the mounting surface, the body is attached to the base by means of a releasable attachment means such as a bayonet mounting or locking screws inserted through the body into the base. The distal end of the body is adapted for attachment to a light fixture, typically by providing a threaded bore for receiving a threaded boss extending from the light fixture.

This invention relates to a device for mounting a light fixture to a surface, and more particularly, to a device capable of mounting a light fixture to structures having curved or flat surfaces.
Architectural lighting has become increasingly popular as a method of accenting a structure and/or its surrounding landscape. Architectural lighting systems have been used to direct light into a tree from below, known as uplighting, to direct light downward from the tops of trees and eves, known as downlighting, and for other purposes. In such systems, individual lights are positioned in various manners to direct light towards various targets. In some situations, lights are attached to stakes and placed in the ground. In others, lights are attached to trees. Typically, the lights are attached to the trees using screws and nails. While nailing or screwing a light fixture to a tree is a cost efficient method of attaching a light to a tree, it unnecessarily injures the tree and may even result in death of the branch or the entire tree. This may especially be true when the xe2x80x9ctreexe2x80x9d is a tall cactus or succulent. Further, light fixtures that are capable of being attached to a tree may have a base that is shaped differently than the same styled light fixture that is capable of being attached to a wall. As a result, light manufacturers are often required to offer several different bases for use in different applications. Thus, a need exists for a light fixture having a base that can be attached to a tree, or other generally curved surface, without requiring that nails or screws be driven into the tree and that can be attached to either a curved surface, such as a tree, or to a generally flat surface.
In an exemplary embodiment, a light fixture mounting has a body and a base releasably attachable to the proximal end of the body. The base may be shaped to conform to a mounting surface and includes fastening means for attaching the base to the mounting surface. In one embodiment, the fastening means comprises a circular strap retained within a slot or channel formed in the base. The strap has an adjustable diameter which allows the base to be attached to a structure such as a tree, pole or post by encircling the structure with the strap, then tightening the strap around the structure. In a second embodiment, the fastening means comprises at least one bore through which a screw or other fastener may be passed for attachment to a wall or column. In a preferred embodiment, the base is configured both with slots for receiving a strap and bores for receiving screws to allow a single base configuration to be used for different mounting situations. Once the base is mounted on the mounting surface, the body is attached to the base by means of a releasable attachment means such as a bayonet mounting or locking screws inserted through the body into the base. The distal end of the body is adapted for attachment to a light fixture, typically by providing a threaded bore for receiving a threaded mounting post extending from the light fixture.
For mounting on a tree trunk or branch, one end of the strap is released from the base and passed around the structure then is inserted back into the base so that a circle is formed around the structure. A screw or clamp mechanism is used to tighten the strap so that the base is held firmly against the structure. In this application, it is unnecessary to insert a fastener into the trunk or branch so that the tree is undamaged.


The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, characterized in that it comprises providing at least one donor semiconductor substrate comprising at least one useful silicon layer; inspecting the donor substrate via an inspecting machine in order to detect whether the useful layer contains emerging cavities of a size larger than or equal to a critical size, said critical size being strictly smaller than 44 nm; and manufacturing a semiconductor substrate comprising at least part of the useful layer of the donor substrate if, considering cavities of a size larger than or equal to the critical size, the density or number of cavities in the useful layer of the donor substrate is lower than or equal to a critical defect density or number.

In certain processes for manufacturing semiconductor substrates, it is necessary to transfer thin useful semiconductor layers from a donor substrate to a receiver substrate.
This is especially the case during the manufacture of FDSOI (fully depleted silicon-on-insulator) substrates.
These FDSOI substrates are increasingly used in the microelectronics industry.
These substrates comprise a thin useful silicon film, which is generally less than 300 Ångströms in thickness, placed on a buried oxide layer.
During the manufacture of FDSOIs, sample FDSOI substrates belonging to substrate batches are inspected at the end of the manufacturing process in order to check the defect density present in the useful layer.
It has been observed that defect density varies from one substrate to another and from one batch of substrates to another. Therefore, it is necessary to implement procedures enabling the quality of these FDSOIs to be controlled.
Furthermore, certain FDSOIs obtained from certain manufacturing lines prove to be unusable because of the presence of crystal defects.
This has an impact on manufacturing costs, which would be desirable to reduce.
Finally, the quality of the manufacturing processes used could be improved, with a view to standardizing the process and improving the quality of the manufacture.

Process for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, and semiconductor substrate obtained


The described technologies can be used for customizing and evolving user interfaces. In one embodiment, a method can comprise storing a default graphical user interface template. A user-customized graphical user interface template can be stored in a repository of user-customized graphical user interface templates. A popularity of the user-customized graphical user interface template can be measured. The popularity of the user-customized graphical user interface template can be incorporated into a graphical user interface selection process.

A user interface can be the primary method that a user of a software program interacts with the software program. Software programs that have highly usable, user-friendly interfaces are typically more desirable to a user and can provide a competitive advantage to a software vendor when the user interface is well designed. Thus, software vendors can spend considerable resources on researching and experimenting with the usability of their programs, causing potentially increased development costs and slower release cycles.
However, even when the software vendor creates a well-designed interface for one individual user, a different individual may prefer a different interface. Currently, typical user interfaces provide minimal customization so each user is constrained to use essentially the same interface as every other user. Further, user expectations and skills change over time and so it may be desirable for the user interface to also change over time. However, changing the user interface can be time-consuming and expensive for the developer and the user must typically wait for the next release cycle to see any changes to the user interface. Thus, it can be challenging for a software vendor to evolve a user interface in line with the needs of an individual user and the needs of a community of users.


In an image processing system, a charging process for an executed print process is executed using one of a first charging method and a second charging method. Especially, when executing a print process of an image including a plurality of pages, it is determined before the start of the print process of the image including the plurality of pages on the basis of balance information managed in advance whether execution of the print process of the image including the plurality of pages is possible. When the first charging method is selected, execution of the print process is controlled on the basis of the result of determination. When the second charging method is selected, the print process is executed without determination.

There is conventionally a system which connects a charging apparatus such as a coin vendor or a card vendor to an image forming apparatus and charges for a print process such as copy or printing. Such a system is used in a store such as a convenience store that provides a print service to many and unspecified users or in a company where the number of used print paper sheets is managed in each department.
More specifically, a user who wants to use, e.g., a copy service pays a charge necessary for a print process in advance by putting coins into a coin vendor or using a prepaid card. The user sets various copy parameters (e.g., number of document sheets, number of copies, paper size, and monochrome/color) and instructs execution of the print process. The print operation starts after confirming that a balance corresponding to the charge for printing based on the set parameters exists. If the balance of the paid amount is short, the print process is not executed.
A user can pay a charge for a print process such as copy or printing by using not only the above-described cash or prepaid card but also a credit card. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-132901 describes a print system which allows a user to select a desired one of print charge paying methods such as "credit card" and "automatic withdrawal".
However, the prior art described above has the following problem. When a user pays a print charge using a coin vendor or a prepaid card, the print process is preferably executed within the range of the balance of cash put in advance or the balance represented by information recorded on the prepaid card. Hence, control must be done such that whether the balance necessary for the print process exists is determined first before the start of the print process. If a sufficient balance exists, the print process is executed. If no sufficient balance exists, execution of the print process is inhibited.
When a user pays a print charge using a credit card, it is possible to execute a print process regardless of the balance unless the used amount of the credit card itself reaches the line of credit. More specifically, after the end of all print processes, the credit company is billed the total charge for the print processes. For this reason, it is unnecessary to determine whether a print process can be executed before the start of the print process.
Conventionally, however, execution of a print process is not controlled in accordance with a charging method, although there are a plurality of charging methods usable for paying a charge for a print process, as described above. For this reason, even if a printing apparatus which allows a user who is going to pay a print charge to select one of a paying method using cash put into a coin vendor and a paying method using a credit card exits, control must be done in the following way. That is, it is always determined before the start of a print process whether execution of the print process is possible, or it is not determined at all before the start of the print process whether execution of a print process is possible.
This problem is especially serious in a system formed by connecting a charging apparatus to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, in a system formed by connecting a charging apparatus to an image forming apparatus, it is not easy for the image forming apparatus side to determine the charging method selected on the charging apparatus side. Assume that use of a credit card is selected as the print charge paying method, and the image forming apparatus still inquires of the charging apparatus about whether execution of a print process is possible before the start of the print process. This decreases the print process efficiency.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and has as its object to provide an image processing system for controlling execution of a print process in accordance with a selected charging method, an image forming apparatus, a control method of the same, a program, and a storage medium.

Image processing system, image forming apparatus, control method of the same, program, and storage medium


A fishing reel includes a central shaft, a drive gear coupled to the central shaft, a spool connected to the drive gear and winding a fishing line thereon, a drive washer mounted to the central shaft to interlock with the central shaft, an auxiliary washer mounted to the central shaft and having a projection to interlock with the drive gear, and a clicking sound generator. The clicking sound generator includes a click member operated in conjunction with the central shaft or the drive gear and having a spring contact part, and a click spring operated in conjunction with the drive gear or the central shaft and having a protruding part coming into contact with the spring contact part, and an elastic part integrated with the protruding part to put the protruding part in contact with the spring contact part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fishing reels with clicking sound generating means and, more particularly, to a fishing reel, which includes a clicking sound generating means formed using various washers arranged between a drive gear operated in conjunction with a spool for winding a fishing line thereon and a central shaft for the drive gear, thus enabling easy manufacture and assembly while minimizing the changes made to the structure of a conventional fishing reel, and ensuring a superior clicking sound generating function while having cost competitiveness, therefore providing a rhythmical clicking sound for enhancing the attractiveness of fishing, in addition to preventing the fishing line from being damaged or cut by a pre-existing brake function.
2. Description of the Related Art
An earlier patent disclosure that deals with the art of generating a clicking sound when a spool is rotated as a fishing line unwinds is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 0547269 of BANAX Co., Ltd, which was registered on Jan. 20, 2006 and is entitled 'clicking sound generating device of fishing reel'. This device is constructed so that a user turns on or off a clicking sound. However, the device is problematic in that its construction is complicated, so that assemblability and productivity are low, and it fails easily.
Further, Korean Patent No. 0665068 of HYUPSUNG Precision Co., Ltd, which was registered on Dec. 28, 2006 and is entitled 'fishing reel', discloses a structure which has a clicking pin on a drag plate which rotates along with the rotation of a main shaft. The click pin is elastically biased by a coil spring type of click spring to continuously collide with a click notch and thereby generate a clicking sound.
However, such a structure makes assembly difficult and easily breaks.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-34005 of DAIWA Precision Co., Ltd, which was laid open on Feb. 19, 2009, is similar to the above patent No. 0665068 and has the same problems as does the patent No. 0665068.
The applicant of the present invention is a company specializing in the field of fishing reels and possesses many intellectual properties in the field of reels. Among them, Korean Patent No. 0508962, which was registered on Aug. 9, 2005 and is entitled 'clicking sound generating device for bait reel', discloses a fishing reel with a clicking sound generating means.
This patent is directed to a clicking sound generating device which is mounted to a tension nut that controls a casting distance by adjusting the rotational speed of a spool shaft using frictional force. The device is constructed so that a click spring comes into contact with a click plate having on an inner circumference thereof a spring contact part, thus generating a clicking sound.
The inventor(s) of the present invention changed and expanded on the spirit of patent No. 0508962, and thus are proposing a fishing reel which generates a clicking sound while a spool is rotated by the unwinding of a fishing line when a fish takes the bait.

Fishing reel with clicking sound generating means


When encoding a block of data elements in an array of data elements, the data values for data elements in the block are represented and stored in a data packet as truncated data values using a subset of one or more most significant bits of the respective bit sequences for the data values of the data elements. A rounding mode is selected from a plurality of available rounding modes that can be applied when decoding the block of data elements and an indication of the selected rounding mode is provided along with the encoded data packet. The rounding mode is associated with one or more rounding bit sequence(s) that can then be applied to the truncated data values when decoding the data packet to obtain decoded data values for the data elements in the block.

The technology described herein relates to a method of and apparatus for encoding data in data processing systems, and in particular to methods for compressing and storing image data such as texture or frame buffer data in graphics processing systems. Also described are a corresponding decoding method and apparatus.
Graphics processing systems often store generated image data within a frame buffer. The frame buffer typically contains a complete set of data for a frame (image), e.g. that is to be displayed, including, for example, brightness (luma) values for each of the (e.g.) pixels within that frame (e.g. when the image data represents a grayscale image). A suitable display driver is then able to read the contents of the frame buffer and use the image data stored therein to drive a display to display the desired frame (image).
However, the storage and access of the image data in the frame buffer (the 'frame buffer data') can place relatively high demands on the, e.g., storage and/or bandwidth resource of the data processing system (or conversely lead to a reduced performance when such demands are not met).
To reduce the burden imposed on the graphics processing system, it is therefore desirable to be able to store such frame buffer data in a "compressed" format. This is particularly desirable in data processing apparatus, e.g. of portable devices such as digital cameras, or mobile devices including such cameras, where processing resources and power may be relatively limited.
Another example, also in the context of graphics processing, would be when storing texture data, e.g. in the form of an array of texture elements (or 'texels') each representing given texture data (such as colour, luminance, etc.) that can then be mapped onto respective sampling positions (e.g. pixels) of a render output being generated. Again, the storage and access of this texture data can place relatively high storage and/or bandwidth requirements on the data processing system.
Of course similar considerations apply to various other instances of data processing where it is desired to reduce the amount of data needed for the storage and/or transmission of a certain piece of information.
Accordingly, it is common when processing data to encode arrays of data elements so as to compress the data in order to reduce bandwidth and memory consumption. To this end, various data compression schemes have been developed.
Some data compression schemes encode the data in a lossless manner such that the original array of data elements can be perfectly reconstructed from the encoded data. However, for some applications it may be acceptable to lose some output fidelity and it may be more desirable to be able to guarantee a given bandwidth (bit rate).
Thus, other data compression schemes may encode to fixed-size data packets. In that case, the compression into the fixed size data packets is inherently 'lossy' (since once a fixed size data packet is full any remaining bits are not then included into the data packet and those bits are therefore effectively discarded at this point, and the information associated with the discarded bits is therefore lost).
The Applicants believe that there remains scope for improved arrangements for encoding data, especially when using such lossy compression schemes.
The drawings show elements of data processing apparatuses and systems that are relevant to embodiments of the technology described herein. Like reference numerals represent like elements in the drawings, as appropriate.


There is herein described a method and apparatus for photoimaging. More particularly, there is described a method and apparatus for photoimaging a substrate (e.g. a web) covered with a wet curable photopolymer wherein a rotatable phototool is pressed and rotated against the substrate to create an imaged substrate which is used to form images suitable for forming electrical circuits such as for printed circuit boards (PCBs), flat panel displays and flexible circuits. There is also described a method and apparatus for directly photoimaging a substrate covered with a wet curable photopolymer, wherein the photoimaged substrate is used to form images such as electrical circuits and a method and apparatus for exposing at least part of a solder mask on a printed circuit board (PCB) using a wet curable photopolymer wherein an imaging process may thereafter occur on the area above the solder mask.

Although prior techniques exist in the art for producing thin lines suitable for forming electrical circuits such as PCBs, many of these techniques suffer from a number of significant disadvantages. For example, many previous techniques suffer from poor resolution. Moreover, techniques which do provide high resolution usually require complex apparatus. A further problem is that previous techniques have required the use of dry films of photopolymer which are usually supported on a polyester (e.g. Mylar) film. The thickness of these dry films has a detrimental effect on the resolution and/or definition of photoimaged surfaces as this allows unwanted undercutting (i.e. light shadowing) to occur during the photoimaging process. There are also problems in adhering partially cured dry films to substrates and contamination problems which once again causes problems in the photoimaging process. Dry films are also expensive when used in large quantities. Such systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,270 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,421, which are incorporated herein by reference.
At the present time the market for printed circuit imaging may be identified as having two separate types of resist:
(1) Wet resist which is coated on a panel by a variety of means and then pre-dried with hot air to drive off the solvents. This leaves a 'dry' surface which is photo-imageable using UV light. The raw materials for wet resist are inexpensive but processing costs (heat etc) substantially add to the overall cost of using a wet resist.
(2) Dry film resist which starts out as a liquid coating that is pre-dried and supplied sandwiched between two layers of protective film. The user laminates the dry film to a copper panel using heat and pressure. In the
process the protective films are removed which requires labour and presents a landfill issue at disposal.
In the prior art both wet resist and dry film resist are exposed using UV light, either by photolithography or by laser direct imaging (LDI).
Today there is an increasing use of UV cured inks in the printing industry. This is because the avoidance of solvents is attractive from an environmental standpoint. It has been customary to use high powered lamps such as mercury discharge lamps to cure the wet ink immediately after it is printed on a moving web of material. However, such lamps consume large amounts of electrical power, generate significant amounts of unwanted heat and also create ozone which needs extraction. Although these types of lamps consume large amounts of power the amount of usable UV energy is a small percentage of the overall output.
By contrast, UV LED's have a much higher output percentage of UV compared to mercury halide filled tubes. They do not create ozone and heat dissipation is minimal and they do not require large bulky ducting. In addition, since the mercury halide lamps do not re-strike immediately when they are switched off then back on again, they have to be left running on partial power even though the line may have stopped for some reason. This involves further heat management as the output from the mercury halide lamp has to be contained usually with shutters which get very hot.
Again, using LED's which have more or less instant start up saves wasted power on standby and overall electrical power used with LED's is a fraction of that used with conventional mercury halide lamps.
The one weakness of LED's is that they produce significantly lower levels of overall UV power albeit they are efficient at what they do. This means that a printer seeking to use LED's for curing will typically have to run their line slower to allow longer time for the ink to cure.
One reason for slow cures is a phenomenon known as oxygen inhibition whereby the presence of air at the cured surface interferes with the tendency for the ink to cure under UV light. To get round this, some printers create an atmosphere of inert gas (e.g. nitrogen) in the curing area which effectively prevents oxygen from interfering with the process. This is an expensive means to an end.
We also hereby refer to WO2010/007405, incorporated herein by reference, which refers to using a resist that is different to pre-dated prior art resists in that it is made up of 100% solids so has no solvents involved in the related processing. In this process, the ink is coated on a panel but is not pre-dried prior to imaging but is sandwiched under a layer of clear film. During exposure to UV light the resist hardens in the exposed areas only. After imaging, the protective polyester is peeled off for re-use and the unexposed (liquid) resist is washed off the panel. The resist in WO2010/007405 can also be exposed using either photolithography or laser direct imaging (LDI). WO2010/007405 also solely relates to using a fixed and non-rotatable phototool.
The outside surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) is usually covered with a protective insulative layer which assists soldering by confining it to specific areas such as electrical components or pads. As components and circuitry size decreases the need for accurate registration of the solder mask is becoming increasingly important. The need is to apply the same imaging accuracy using laser direct imaging (LDI). However, the solder mask can be relatively thick (e.g. 75 microns) so exposure using a laser is a slow job. As lasers are expensive to buy and operate it is a major commercial decision for a manufacturing company to make this extra investment.
We also hereby refer to WO2010/007405, incorporated herein by reference, which refers to using a photopolymer that is different to pre-dated methods in that it is made up of 100% solids so has no solvents involved in the related processing. In WO2010/007405, the ink is coated onto a panel but is not pre-dried prior to imaging and is sandwiched under a layer of polyester or other UV transparent material. During exposure to UV light the photopolymer hardens in the exposed areas only. After imaging, the protective polyester is peeled off for re-use and the unexposed (liquid) photopolymer is washed off. The photopolymer in WO2010/007405 can also be exposed using either photolithography or laser direct imaging (LDI). WO2010/007405 also solely relates to the exposure of the photopolymer using a phototool.
It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved method for photoimaging surfaces.
It is a yet further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a cost efficient method for producing electrical circuits with high resolution and small track widths (i.e. fine lines).
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a cost efficient method for producing high density electrical circuits suitable for PCBs, flat panel displays and flexible circuits.
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved method for photoimaging surfaces with high resolution and small track widths over a large area.
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved method for exposing at least part of a solder mask.


A valve (V, V1, V2) includes a housing (VG) and a piston (VK) displaceably guided therein. A first end (VK1) of the piston (VK) can be acted upon by a force, with the aid of which the piston (VK) is displaceable against a spring (F) acting upon a second end (VK2) of the piston (VK). The valve (V, V1, V2) has four switching conditions, in which four ports (A, B, P, T) in the housing (VG) are selectively connectable to one another or blocked with respect to one another. In a first switching condition, none of the ports (A, B, P, T) are connected to one another. The spring (F) is configured in such that, in the absence of an application of force onto the first end (VK1), the piston (VK) is held in a position, which corresponds to the first switching condition of the valve (V, V1, V2).

Patent application DE 10 2007 033 690 A1 describes a hydraulic system for the open-loop control of a dual clutch transmission. Four double pistons, which are controlled by an open-loop system via a shift valve and two shift control valves, are utilized for shifting the gears. The shift valve and the two shift control valves are designed as electromagnetically actuated 4/4 directional valves. In the de-energized condition of the shift valve and of the shift control valves, two of the four double pistons are hydraulically locked. The remaining two double pistons are switched to disengage or contribute no force, so that they are freely movable. In order to hydraulically shut off all double pistons, the shift valve must be supplied with energy.
Patent application DE 10 2011 080 667 A1 describes a 4/4 directional valve as a slide valve, which is provided for a hydraulic open-loop control in an automatic transmission. The slide valve is spring-loaded and includes an intake port, two working ports, and a drain port. The valve slide is displaceable against the spring force with the aid of an actuator. In the non-energized condition of the actuator, the two working ports are connected to the drain port; the intake port is hydraulically disconnected from the remaining ports. In order to hydraulically shut off the working ports, the actuator must be supplied with energy.

Valve, hydraulic system and motor vehicle gearbox


An apparatus including an upper tray orthogonally mounted to and directed rearwardly of a central post is spaced above a lower tray directed forwardly of the central post, with a plurality of wheels mounted to a rear edge portion of the lower tray. A triangular support stand is pivotally mounted to the support post and locked in a lowered or raised position. A handle member secured to a rear frame portion of the upper tray is pivotally and lockably mounted thereto, and includes an illumination member mounted in a spaced relationship to the handle. A battery support container mounted to the lower tray includes a battery therewithin for providing energy to the illumination member.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to fishing apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved fishing caddy apparatus wherein the same presents a mobile and readily transportable support arrangement for use in a fishing environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various fishing support structure has been utilized in the prior art for securement and positioning of various components during a fishing procedure. The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art in providing an organization that provides storage for various fishing components, as well as utilizing a handle supporting an illumination means, with the handle pivotally mounted relative to the organization to permit orientation of the light as desired. Examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,262 to Morin wherein a fishing rod carrier device supports a plurality of rod handles within a container of the device, with a central plate directed upwardly of the container oriented for enabling manual support and transport of the organization.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,503 to Humphries, et al., sets forth a transport cart for use in a garden environment, wherein spaced trays are aligned in parallel and overlying relationship relative to one another to enable transport of various garden implements thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,484 to Huffman, et al., sets forth a utility cart including a plurality of baskets mounted onto the cart, with the cart including a plurality of wheels mounted in a generally "L" shaped framework.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,122 to Van Der Zyl includes a plurality of racks mounted to a rod member to overlie a base. Fishing poles are stored within the racks and mounted upon the base in a storage relationship.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,790,711 to Johnston sets forth an apparatus for transport of an outboard motor, wherein a transport dolly includes a bracket member medially thereof for support of an outboard motor thereon.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved fishing caddy apparatus wherein the same addresses the problems of ease of use, as well as effectiveness in construction in the transport and securement of various components utilized in a fishing situation.


A composition that is useful for treating and/or ameliorating the diseases of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema and/or the symptoms associated therewith, and is non-stinging to the eyes is disclosed. The composition contains from about 0.5 weight percent to about 16 weight percent of at least one amphoteric surfactant; from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of at least one anionic surfactant; from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of at least one non-ionic surfactant; and from about 0.1 percent to about 15 percent active ingredient selected from Undecylenamidopropylbetaine, Undecylenic Acid, and mixtures thereof. A method for treating and/or ameliorating the diseases of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema and/or the symptoms associated therewith including topically applying an effective amount of the composition to the area desired is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition that is useful for treating and/or ameliorating the disease of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis And eczema and/or the symptoms associated therewith and has a low degree of ocular and skin irritation. More specifically, this invention is related to such compositions comprised of undecylenamidopropylbetaine and mixtures thereof with undecylenic acid which are suitable for such uses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that many surfactants used in shampoos are irritating to the eyes, which is of particular concern in shampoos used on infants and children. As a result, several less irritating surfactants have been developed.
However, as children approach the age of puberty, hormonal changes associated with the development of scalp conditions normally associated with dandruff, such as scalp irritation and scaling, often occur. Unfortunately the active ingredients that are effective in treating such conditions are irritating to the eyes. For example, Undecylenic Acid, which is commercially available from Elf Atochem of France, and its betaine derivative, Undecylenamidopropylbetaine, which is commercially available from CECA-ATO of France under the tradename, "Amphoram U," are known as being useful for antidandruff properties in shampoos, but not without the disadvantage of eye irritancy. Therefore, there is a need for a shampoo formulation, which is not only suitable for use by children to effectively treat the skin conditions cited above, but also possesses a low degree of ocular and skin irritation.

Composition for treating and/or ameliorating the diseases of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema and symptoms thereof

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.


Power factor is improved, and line current total harmonic distortion (THD) is reduced by feeding high frequency current from a voltage source directly to one of the AC-side rectifier terminals. The low frequency power source presents a low value capacitive source impedance to the AC-side rectifier terminals. A resonant load lamp circuit is connected between an inverter output node and one of the DC outputs of the input rectifier circuit. A high frequency capacitor is connected between an AC-side terminal of the input rectifier circuit and a voltage source such as one of the lamp terminals or the inverter output. If the connection is to the inverter output, preferably a second high frequency capacitor is connected from the other of the AC-side terminals to the inverter output.

The invention relates to electronic ballasts for operating discharge lamps such as fluorescent lamps, and in particular to such ballasts having a minimum number of active components.
Most magnetically coupled self-oscillating inverters are manufactured in large quantities for sale in a highly competitive market. Half-bridge inverters are widely used because they have a relatively low parts count. Such inverters may be classified into two groups: those using a current transformer having a saturable core, generally together with power BJT's (bipolar junction transistors); and those using a current transformer having a linear core, generally together with MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors). As those of ordinary skill will recognize, in this context a linear core is one in which operation is over a region having a curved B-H characteristic, rather than a sharp B-H characteristic; that is, at all times the flux level is such that a significant increase in magnetizing current will be accompanied by a significant increase in flux level.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,295 discloses such a ballast circuit having a linear core resonance inductor in a series connected load circuit between the inverter output and signal ground. The inductor has secondary windings connected to the control electrodes of the switching transistors. The load circuit includes a tuning capacitor C8 and the primary winding of a matching transformer. Fluorescent lamps are connected to a secondary winding or windings of the matching transformer, and one or two additional tuning capacitors are connected across the lamps. A feedback conductor is connected between a tap on the primary winding of the matching transformer and a node between two 47 nf feedback capacitors which are connected in series across the AC input to a full wave bridge rectifier circuit. This patent teaches that the low frequency (power line) input current modulates in amplitude the high frequency feedback current which works as a carrier in order to transfer the low frequency input current through the bridge rectifier over most of the low frequency cycle. Accordingly it is clear that the line current is still discontinuous.

Electronic lamp ballast with voltage source power feedback to AC-side

Philips Electronics North America Corporation


A needle magazine for holding a plurality of injection needles (50) is described. The needle magazine comprises a first opening adapted to receive the device fluid access portion (120) of a medical delivery device. Each needle (50) is selectively moveable from a respective storage position not aligned with said first opening into a needle mounting position aligned with said first opening. The needle magazine further comprises needle positioning means (41). configured to alter the mutual position between a needle selected from said plurality of needles (50) relative to a neighbor needle when said selected needle moves from its storage position to the needle mounting position.

Medical injection devices are used to deliver selected doses of medication to patients. Some medication, such as insulin is self-administered. The typical diabetes patient will require injections of insulin several times during the course of the day. In order to prevent infections it is recommended to use a sterile needle assembly for each injection. Needle assemblies are often delivered in magazines where each magazine contains only one needle assembly in a sterile compartment. Such a magazine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,966. Using a needle assembly of this kind requires the patient to open the magazine and to fasten the needle assembly on to the injection device prior to each injection. The storage of sterile needle assemblies of this type and the final disposal of used needle assemblies present a problem since new sterile needle assemblies are often carried loosely in purses or briefcases. Furthermore, used needle assemblies are often disposed of unsafely.
To overcome these problems a needle magazine for storing and dispensing a plurality of needle assemblies has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,589. The needle magazine is provided as a container having a plurality of cavities each accommodating a needle assembly. A cover is rotatably mounted on top of the container. When aligning a slot in the cover with one of the cavities, the user can access the cavity. The needle assembly is connected to the injection device by forcing the tip of the injection device into the cavity where the needle assembly is force fitted, e.g. by a well-known luer-coupling, onto the tip of the injection device. The needle assembly can then be detached from the magazine. When the used needle is to be returned to the magazine the user has to conduct a reverse procedure.
The above prior art needle magazine is attached to the injection device by fitting the entire magazine into an open end of the removable cap of a pencil-shaped injection device. Due to the dimensions of a pencil-shaped injection device only five needle assemblies can be contained in the magazine. An ordinary disposable injection device usually contains 300 IU of insulin. For many diabetes patients this is sufficient for 10 to 20 injections, therefore one magazine of needle assemblies are not enough for the lifetime of one disposable injection device, which is very inconvenient.
US 2002/0020646 discloses another needle magazine which is intended to be mounted onto the dispensing portion (the distal end) of an injection device. The needle magazine includes a rotatable cassette holding a plurality of needles in a circular array configuration. By sequentially rotating the cassette, each of the needles can be brought into alignment with the distal end of the injection device. By moving the injection device in the distal direction, the back needle of the particular selected needle penetrates a septum in the cartridge. Further distal movement causes the front needle to penetrate a seal in a distal face of the needle container to bring the selected needle into an injection position.
Even though the needle magazine according to US 2002/0020646 may include a large number of needles, this needle magazine is rather bulky and takes up much space in the plane which includes the array. If the needle magazine is dimensioned to hold several needles, the circular array extends quite far in a direction transverse to the needle which is aligned with the cartridge, particular in the direction which intersects the centre axis of the circular array. Thus, the geometric form of the needle magazine according to US 2002/0020646 is practically not adaptable to all kinds of injection devices, in particular not to injection devices of the pen-shaped form factor.


In response to detection of a note-on instruction, a CPU assigns a tone generating unit comprising two tone generating channels and sets tone color control data of the assigned tone generating unit into tone generator registers. The tone color control data includes a parameter common to the two channels. Once the CPU gives a tone generation start instruction to a tone generator, the tone generator accumulates a frequency number common to the two channels to thereby generate a progressive phase common to the two channels. Waveform readout section reads out left-channel and right-channel waveform data from a waveform memory on the basis of the phase and waveform selecting information of the left and right channels. Tone characteristics of the read-out left- and right-channel waveform data are controlled by a characteristic control section on the basis of a characteristic control parameter common to the two channels.

The present invention relates to a tone generation apparatus capable of efficiently generating tones even where the number of tone generating channels is increased.
Among the conventionally-known tone generation apparatus are ones which include: a performance information input section that receives performance information from any of a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), keyboard, sequencer, etc.; a control section (CPU) that generates tone generator parameters for use in tone generation; and a tone generator section that generates tones on the basis of the tone generator parameters. In response to input performance information, the control section (CPU) performs control processing, such as channel assignment and generation of tone generator parameters, and supplies a tone generation start instruction and tone parameters to the tone generator section. The tone generator section includes a tone generator register for storing therein tone parameters for use in tone generation, and a tone generation processing section that performs tone generation processing. The tone parameters supplied from the control section (CPU) are stored into the tone generator register, and the tone generation processing section performs the tone generation processing on the basis of the tone parameters stored in the tone generator register. By the tone generation processing being performed on the basis of the tone parameters stored in the tone generator register like this, a tone is generated as instructed by the control section (CPU). As the tone generator section, there has heretofore been known a waveform-memory type tone generator that includes a waveform memory having actual tone waveforms recorded therein as waveform data. Different waveform data (more specifically, different waveform data set) is stored for each of various tone colors and for each of various pitch ranges in such a waveform-memory type tone generator, and the tone generation processing section reads out waveform data corresponding to a tone color and tone pitch of a tone to be generated and then characteristics of the read-out waveform data are controlled by use of control waveforms, such as a tone volume control envelope, generated on the basis of the tone generator parameters. Further, in order to simultaneously generate a plurality of tones, a plurality of tone generating channels are formed in the tone generation processing section, and the tone generation processing is performed time-divisionally in the individual tone generating channels. Thus, per sampling period, tone waveform samples are arithmetically generated in the plurality of tone generating channels, so that tones corresponding in number to the tone generating channels are generated.
Once a new tone generation command (i.e., note-on event) is generated, an empty tone generating channel is detected and assigned to the tone generation, and a tone is generated in the assigned tone generating channel. Note that the empty tone generating channel means a free channel which is not assigned to generate any tone currently. In such a case, if the tone generation processing is currently being performed in all of the tone generating channels, i.e. if all of the tone generating channels are currently assigned to tone generation, one of the tone generating channels which would present the least influence even if the tone generation in that channel is stopped on the way is selected. Then, so-called truncate processing is performed on the selected tone generating channel, in which the tone volume of the tone being generated in the selected tone generating channel is attenuated (or dumped) rapidly and the selected tone generating channel is released for new tone generation. Further, it has been a common practice in the art to select, as the channel where the truncate processing is to be performed (i.e., truncate channel), the channel where the tone currently being generated therein is the smallest in volume among all of the tone generating channels.
Generally, in such tone generation apparatus, an output section is of a stereo construction, and, in order to generate a high-quality tone, stereo waveform data are prestored in the waveform memory so that stereo waveform data corresponding to a tone to be generated is read out from the waveform memory to generate stereo tones.
In order to perform one stereo tone generation, i.e. for generation of left-channel and right-channel tones, it has been conventional for the known tone generation apparatus to use two tone generating channels. Namely, the control section (CPU) performs tone generation assignment processing for assigning two tone generating channels as the left and right channels to thereby secure or reserve the two tone generating channels. Further, because tone generator parameters for the individual tone generating channels (i.e., tone-generating-channel-specific tone generator parameters) are stored in the tone generator register, tone generator parameters for the left and right channels are stored in the tone generator register. The tone generation processing section reads out, on the basis of the tone-generating-channel-specific tone generator parameters, waveform data from the waveform memory at a rate corresponding to a designated tone pitch and then controls tone characteristics of the read-out waveform data by use of control waveforms, such as a tone volume control envelope. Namely, in the tone generating channel assigned as the left channel, left-channel waveform data is read out from the waveform memory and the tone characteristics of the read-out waveform data are controlled, on the basis of the tone generator parameters for the left channel, to generate tone waveform data of the left channel. Similarly, in the tone generating channel assigned as the right channel, right-channel waveform data is read out from the waveform memory and the tone characteristics of the read-out waveform data are controlled, on the basis of the tone generator parameters for the right channel, to generate tone waveform data of the right channel.
With the aforementioned conventionally-known tone generation apparatus, where two tone generating channels are required for generation of stereo tone waveform samples, there has been a need to increase the number of the tone generating channels, and there has been a tendency of increasing the number of tone generating channels capable of being handled by tone generating integrated circuitry (tone generator LSI). However, there is also encountered the problem that the increased number of tone generating channels in the tone generator section would lead to increased loads of various processing, such as tone generation assignment processing in which, in response to a tone generation instruction, a tone generating channel is assigned from among a multiplicity of tone generating channels that are objects of tone generator control processing performed by the control section (CPU), parameter setting processing for setting parameters of the multiplicity of tone generating channels into the tone generator register, etc. Also, the increased number of channels in the tone generator section would lead to an increased size or scale of the tone generating integrated circuitry. Furthermore, in order to control characteristics of the tone generating channels currently generating stereo tones in the tone generation processing section, control processing has to be performed for both of the left and right channels, and thus, the load on the tone generation processing section would increase. In such a case, although monaural tone generation requires controlling of characteristics of only one channel, the stereo tone generation requires simultaneous controlling of characteristics of the left and right channels within a same sampling period, because, otherwise, tones different in characteristic between the left channel and the right channel would be undesirably generated depending on the timing of tone generation, which would further increase the load on the tone generation processing section. Examples of such conventionally-known tone generation apparatus are disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. 2671690, 3666346 and 2915452.


The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for generating accurate digital media clusters corresponding to predicted distribution classes from a repository of digital media based on network distribution history. For example, a digital media clustering system can apply machine learning models at a remote server (based on network distribution history of a network account of a user) to generate predicted distribution classes for future electronic communications. The remote server can provide the predicted distribution classes to a user client device for secure local analysis of digital media stored at the client device. Based on the predicted distribution classes and the stored digital media, the client device can suggest digital media items to distribute via a networking system. Thus, the disclosed system can surface digital media content without providing any information regarding the digital media items stored at the client device to a remote server.

Recent years have seen significant technological improvements in hardware and software platforms for transmitting digital content stored in diverse media repositories corresponding to multiple client devices across computer networks. For example, conventional digital content transmission systems can select and transmit digital images or digital video stored at a client device to multiple recipient client devices together with various electronic messages (e.g., social networking posts or instant messaging communications). Moreover, conventional digital content transmission systems can organize digital media repositories (e.g., based on date) to allow for selection and transmission of previously captured digital files to other client devices (e.g., as part of an electronic message crafted for other client device users).
Despite these advancements, conventional digital content transmission systems have a number of problems in relation to efficiency, accuracy, security, and flexibility of operation. As one example, conventional systems are inefficient in that they require excessive interactions with various user interfaces to identify and transmit digital content from large digital media repositories. Indeed, it is now common for individual client devices to store thousands of digital media items. To identify a particular digital content item from such repositories using current digital content transmission systems requires a significant amount of time and user interactions to sort, scroll, and review individual digital files.
In addition, conventional digital content transmission systems are also inaccurate. Indeed, conventional digital content transmission systems often identify and transmit digital content that fails to accurately correspond to user intent and/or corresponding electronic messages. Indeed, users of client devices often seek to generate an electronic communication that conveys a particular concept, and conventional systems often result in inaccurate misalignment between identified digital content and the particular concept conveyed in a digital message. In some instances, the inaccuracy and inefficiency of conventional systems leads client device users to abandon the effort of generating and transmitting electronic messages (and/or to leave digital content transmission system for alternative systems).
Conventional systems also have shortfalls in relation to digital security. Indeed, many conventional digital content transmission systems operate at remote servers. Conventional systems, thus, access and analyze digital content stored at individual client devices via these remote servers. However, recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of digital attacks and security breaches at servers that maintain client information. Accordingly, conventional systems can introduce digital privacy and security concerns with regard to sensitive client information accessed by remote servers on client devices.
In addition, conventional systems are inflexible. For instance, conventional digital content transmission systems provide a rigid approach to identifying and transmitting digital content to users. To illustrate, conventional digital content transmission systems provide the same sorting and analysis tools (e.g., sort-by-date) for all users, across all accounts, for all client devices. This rigid approach further contributes to the inaccuracies and inefficiencies of conventional systems discussed above.
These along with additional problems and issues exist with regard to conventional digital content transmission systems.

Generating digital media clusters corresponding to predicted distribution classes from a repository of digital media based on network distribution history


A radio frequency filtering circuitry includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a conductive loop. The first inductor receives a first current that induces a second current in the second inductor upon receiving the first current. The first inductor and/or the second inductor induce a third current in the conductive loop. The conductive loop adjusts the third current to reduce a first gain peak of an output signal to correlate to a second gain peak of the output signal.

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices that transmit and receive radio frequency signals for wireless communication.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
An electronic communication device may include radio frequency filtering circuitry that enables pass-through or blocks certain frequencies in an outgoing signal so that the signal may be transmitted over a desired frequency. By way of example, many electronic devices utilize radio frequency filtering circuitry that includes wide-band filters to allow signals within a wide bandwidth (e.g., large range of frequencies) to pass through. The radio frequency filtering circuitry may include one or more coupled resonators to form one or more filters. A resonator may refer to a device, system, or circuit that exhibits oscillation with relatively great amplitude at some frequencies (e.g., resonant frequencies). Resonant circuits include discrete components that act as resonators when both inductors and capacitors are included. In such circuits, oscillations may be limited by the inclusion of resistance, either via a specific resistor component, or due to resistance of the inductor windings (e.g., a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit).

Transformer-based wideband filter with ripple reduction


Pickup truck exhaust back pressure reduction system is composed of a base plate that is an exhaust inlet which is mounted to the pickup truck bed floor just behind the cab, a rotating barrel tower which is stationary and vertically mounted on top of the base plate as a trap for the exhaust stream, a rotating barrel and bearings assembly which rotate in the inside top of the rotating barrel tower, a flywheel being attached to the upper bearing shaft and the motor being attached to the trim plate which surrounds the rotating barrel tower adjacent the flywheel and within engaging distance of the flywheel. The rotating barrel is actuated by a variable D/C voltage current which is powered by the pickup trucks engine and rotates slow at low engine r.p.m.'s and higher at high engine r.p.m.'s which then at high r.p.m.'s the turbine which is located in the lower hollow end of the rotating barrel starts to create vacuum which pulls the exhaust stream and creates back pressure reduction.

Pickup trucks are designed and expected to perform tasks such as towing, hauling and a variety of heavy duty jobs that aren't expected of automobiles, vans or SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and need a more efficient means of releasing exhaust in mid to high r.p.m. (revolutions per minute) ranges to relieve manifold exhaust pressure and increase horse power and torque faster.


The systems and methods described herein relate generally to the detection of retinal abnormalities. More particularly, the systems and methods are used to analyze a fundus or other image of the retina. In some implementations, the image is analyzed by interdependently smoothing and segmenting the image. Using the smoothed and segmented image, retinal features can be identifying in the image. The systems and methods can then analyze the detected retinal features to identify retinal abnormalities.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of several systemic diseases that attack the retina and damages it by causing lesions. The disease often has no early signs and, at a relatively advanced stage, the lesions can cause loss of vision. Diabetes affects more than 194 million individuals worldwide today, is on the rise, and is projected to claim 333 million patients by 2025. DR will affect up to 80% of patients who have diabetes for a decade or longer. DR is the leading cause of vision loss in developed countries today, is on the rise, and is projected to affect over 275 million persons worldwide.
The severity of the visual loss from diabetes can be mitigated if patients are rigorously evaluated in a timely manner. Preservation of vision necessitates lifelong care and periodic, accurate diagnosis of DR severity. Each patient should have DR severity evaluated at least once a year, requiring a worldwide minimal throughput capacity of 24 eyes per second.
There are many challenges that stand in the way of meeting this need. First, many diabetics, including 25% of the U.S. diabetic population, lack awareness of their health status. Second, a large percentage of patients, especially in developing countries, do not reside within reach of a clinical facility. Third, DR diagnosis requires special training, and many clinics do not have clinicians with such training. Finally, even if care is available and within reaching distance of an aware patient, capacity is limited, the diagnostic procedures are inconvenient and subject to human inconsistencies and error.
The methods and systems described herein were inspired by these and other challenges of retinal imaging.

Systems and methods for detecting retinal abnormalities

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A ball joint includes an inner layer of a fiber-reinforced plastic resin and an outer layer of a self-lubricating plastic resin substantially covering the inner layer. A spherical inner chamber in the outer layer slidably holds a ball portion of a ball stud. A stud portion of the ball stud projects from the spherical inner chamber for connection to an external device. A link rod having first and second ball joints at distal ends of a rod portion is also disclosed. The link rod and housings of the first and second ball joints include inner and outer layers as above. In one embodiment, the link rod includes a metallic rod embedded at each end in the plastic resin of rod portions affixed to respective ball joints.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ball joint.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A link rod is shown in FIG. 4 as an example for which a conventional ball joint is used.
A link rod referred to herein has a rod portion 1 and ball joints 2 provided at both ends thereof. More precisely, the link rod includes a housing 4 made of synthetic resin, having a housing portion 3 integrally formed at each end of rod portion 1. A ball stud 5 is attached to each of housing portions 3 at the ends of housing 4.
In the same manner as in ordinary ball joints, ball joint 2 at each end of a link rod, such as the one described above, includes a ball portion 6 of ball stud 5 pressed into an inner chamber 7 of housing portion 3 where it is slidably supported. A shank portion 8, integrally formed with ball portion 6 of ball stud 5, movably protrudes from the opening of housing portion 3. Naturally, an inner diameter of an opening 9 of housing portion 3 is smaller than the outer diameter of ball portion 6 of ball stud 5 in order to resist a large load when ball portion 6 of ball stud 5 is pulled out of inner chamber 7 of housing 3. The load maximum load before ball portion 6 is withdrawn from housing portion 3 is hereinafter called the breakaway load.
Housing 4, which consists of housing portions 3 and rod portion 1, requires sufficient rigidity and strength to resist compression and/or traction in the direction parallel to rod portion 1. To attain such rigidity and strength, rod portion 1 and housing portions 3 are made sufficiently thick or include reinforcing ribs. Thick sections add weight to the part. Ribs make the part more complicated to mold.
Another way to attain rigidity and strength of housing portions 3 and rod portion 1 is to reinforce the synthetic resin used for molding these portions using reinforcing glass fiber, carbon fiber or other similar material. Such a method, however, reduces the elasticity of the synthetic resin of housing portions 3 due to the presence of the reinforcement fiber. As a result, it is difficult to separate inner chamber 7 of housing portion 3 from the mold at completion of molding. This sometimes damages or breaks housing portion 3. In addition, housing portion 3 is subject to breakage when ball portion 6 of ball stud 5 is pressed into inner chamber 7. Increasing the inner diameter of opening 9 of housing portion 3 in order to solve the above problem undesirably decreases the breakaway load of ball portion 6 of ball stud 5 from housing portion 3.
Another example of a link rod having a ball joint is shown in FIG. 5. This link rod includes a rod 11 having a ring-shaped metal holder 12 integrally formed at each end thereof. A housing 14 of ball joint 13 is supported in each metal holder 12. Housings 14 are made of synthetic resin to permit presssing of a ball portion therin. However, such configuration increases the number of parts, complicates the assembly and increases the cost.
As described above, ball joint 2 that include a housing 4 made of synthetic resin achieves its strength and rigidity at the expense of large size and heavy weight or of complicted assembly. Trying to maintain sufficient strength by reinforcing the synthetic resin with glass fiber, carbon fiber or other similar materials causes reduced breakaway load.
An object of the present invention is to provide a ball joint having a housing made of synthetic resin which consists of a housing portion and a rod portion integrally formed with the outer side of the housing portion, wherein the strength and rigidity of the housing portion and rod portion can be easily attained without reducing the breakaway load of the ball stud or increasing the size or weight.


A helical gearing for driving an adjusting element, which may be an actuator or a piston of a piston-cylinder unit, is driven by an electric motor. The adjusting element may be moved along an axis. The drive apparatus has a rotor, or a translator rotatably mounted in a housing by a bearing and fixedly connected to the input of or formed integrally with the helical gearing. The output of the helical gearing is connected to or formed integrally with the adjusting element. An anti-twist means may prevent the adjusting element from twisting in the circumferential direction about the axis. The helical gearing and/or at least part of the adjusting element is/are formed to be transversely elastic to the axis of rotation, at least in one region.

The present invention relates to an electric-motor-driven helical gear mechanism for driving an adjustment element, in particular in the form of an actuator or a piston of a piston-cylinder unit, wherein the adjustment element is movable back and forth along a path, in particular axis, by means of an electric drive and a helical gear mechanism, in particular in the form of a spindle drive, wherein the drive has a rotor which is mounted rotatably in a housing by means of a first bearing and which is fixedly connected to or formed integrally with the input of the helical gear mechanism, and that the output of the helical gear mechanism is connected to or formed integrally with the adjustment element, wherein a rotation-preventing securing means prevents a rotation of the adjustment element in a circumferential direction about the path or axis.

Helical gearing driven by electric motor for driving an adjusting element, and installation device


The invention relates to an apparatus for counting objects, which includes a light emitting system intended to form an emission zone, a light receiving system forming a plurality of substantially aligned reception points, a passage between the emission zone and the reception points to allow the conveying of objects to be counted substantially perpendicularly to the alignment of reception points, and a counting system provided to determine the number of conveyed objects as a function of the variations of light received at the reception points, which variations are due to the interpositioning of objects between the emission zone and the reception points. The receiver system includes a plurality of receivers intended to each form a reception point, while the emitter system includes as many individual emitters are there are receivers, and forms a plurality of substantially aligneed emission points; the emitters being provided to each emit a directive light beam and the receivers being associated by pairs with the emitters so that each receiver is provided to collect to receive, in the absence of an object, the light beam from the emitter with which it is associated and a consequently generate a signal.

1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for counting objects which are conveyed in said apparatus, the objects which may be for example, quick-frozen goods. The invention is however more particularly adapted to count small animals such as chicks, ducklings, young turkeys, young guinea fowl, etc.
2) Description of Background and Other Information
In an automated packing line, it is known to count the goods at the end of the line to place them by group in containers such as boxes.
The problem becomes obviously difficult when it involves counting loose goods whose shapes are not truly defined or different depending on the position that they can take, like quick-frozen croissants, for example.
Finally, it is clear that the difficulties are further increased when it involves counting living animals, which can of course move and be presented by groups or by unit, as in an incubator equipment line, for example.
A known counting apparatus includes a light emitting system adapted to form an emission zone, a light receiver system forming several reception points, which are substantially aligned, a passage between the emission zone and the reception points, to permit the conveying of objects to be counted in a manner substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the reception points, and a counting system, which is provided to determine the number of objects conveyed with respect to the variations of the light received at the reception points. These variations are due to the interposition of objects between the emission zone and the reception points.


Disclosed is a novel apparatus and method that combines a nightlight and an air freshener in a single device. The apparatus includes circuitry where a single resistor heats a heating block that heats and releases a volatile aromatic. The resistor also limits the current that passes through one or more light emitting diodes. The aromatic may be liquid scented oil held by a container. The container may also include a protruding wick that is heated by the heating block to facilitate oil evaporation. The light emitting diodes illuminate the housing and a decorative shield. The diodes may also illuminate fiber optic cables. The apparatus receives alternating current from a standard wall outlet. The circuitry utilized by the device ensures that the resistor is continuously powered during both half-cycles of the alternating current resulting in optimal heating of the aromatic.

Air fresheners have existed for quite some time. Generally, an air freshener is used to emit a pleasant aroma into a room or enclosed area. Often the aroma is used to mask unpleasant odors. Alternatively, the aroma released by an air freshener may be used to create a mood or invoke a psychological response. In some instances, aromas are used for therapeutic purposes.
One of the most common methods for implementing an air freshener is to use a heating element to motivate the evaporation of an aromatic or fragrant compound into the atmosphere. Usually, an air freshener is plugged into a standard wall outlet, which provides both power and physical support. The wall outlet supplies power in the form of alternating current ("AC") to the heating element, which in turn heats the fragrant compound. The heat causes the fragrant compound to evaporate, thereby emitting an aroma.
For example, one known device utilizes scented liquid held by a bottle. The bottle contains a wick that is submerged in the scented liquid at one end and protrudes from the bottle at the other end. The wick draws up the scented liquid by means of capillary action. The end of the wick protrudes from the bottle is located next to a heating element so that the drawn up scented liquid is evaporated by the heat emitted from the heating element. The evaporated liquid disperses into the atmosphere, thereby emitting an aroma.
Air fresheners may utilize a variety of heating elements. For example, some air fresheners utilize positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements. Alternatively, a series of resistors may be used to heat the fragrant compound. It is also known to use resistors to heat a ceramic block, which in turn heats a wick saturated with a scented liquid. Using a power source (such as a standard wall outlet) in conjunction with one or more resistors has proven to be an effective way to emit an aroma.
Nightlights have also existed for some time. They are often used in a room or an enclosed area. Nightlights are used to assist in navigation and vision when it is desirable to forego the use of standard lights. For example, a resident of a house who may wake during the night can navigate a living area more expeditiously by using a nightlight. In doing so, he or she may be able to perform a variety of tasks without disturbing the other residents by turning on brighter lights. Additionally, like air fresheners, nightlights may be used to create a mood or invoke a psychological response. For example, a nightlight may be utilized in a child's room to allay a child's fear of the dark.
Also, like air fresheners, nightlights may be plugged into wall outlets for power and support. Specifically, the wall outlet is used to power the lighting element of the nightlight. For example, a nightlight may contain a circuit with a small incandescent bulb wired in series to a resistor and a pair of male terminals configured to be plugged into a standard 120 V, 60 Hz electrical socket. When this nightlight is plugged in, the bulb receives power from the wall outlet and illuminates.
The advantages of combining nightlight and air freshener capabilities are well-known. The applicant is aware of several devices that perform both of these functions.
Despite the existence of such devices, there is a clear need for a device that optimally combines air freshener and nightlight capabilities. The present invention improves upon existing devices and includes circuitry that optimally and efficiently combines air freshener and nightlight components. Additionally, the present invention includes configurations for optimal illumination and includes structures that enhance the decorative and illuminative effects of the nightlight components.

Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.


A canister vacuum cleaner includes a floor cleaning unit having a rotatable brush driven by a brush motor and a remotely disposed canister having a vacuum or suction motor for providing suction to perform cleaning operations. The floor cleaning unit is mechanically and pneumatically interconnected with the canister through a rigid wand and a wand handle and hose assembly. The wand handle and hose assembly includes a wand handle, disposed between the rigid wand and a flexible hose, with a three-position electrical control switch mounted thereon. The control switch enables the deenergization of both the brush motor and the vacuum motor in a first position, enables the energization of the vacuum motor only in a second position and enables the energization of both the vacuum motor and the brush motor in a third position. An electrical control system includes an electrical control circuit for electrically interconnecting the control switch, the brush motor and the vacuum motor with a source of alternating current power by means of three electrical conductors internally disposed within and along the length of the flexible hose and two electrical conductors externally disposed along the length of the wand. The control system further includes a motor relay physically disposed in the canister and electrically interconnected in the control circuit such that the electrical current required to operate the vacuum motor does not pass through the wand handle and hose assembly. The electrical control circuit is configured to facilitate the manufacture of canister vacuum cleaners and to enable the wand handle and hose assembly to be used interchangeably with different models of canister vacuum cleaners.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to canister vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to a canister vacuum cleaner with an electrical control system including a three-position control switch mounted on the wand handle of a wand handle and hose assembly disposed between a floor cleaning unit and the canister of the vacuum cleaner.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical control systems for controlling the energization of a plurality of electrical motors, particularly in vacuum cleaners, are old and well known in the prior art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,072,689; 2,354,787; 3,070,732; 3,413,779; 3,458,892; 3,525,876; 3,579,706; 3,588,943; 3,669,145; 4,021,879; 4,070,586; and 4,357,729. All of the above patents, except the '787 patent and the '732 patent, relate to electrical control systems for vacuum or suction cleaning systems. Furthermore, the '876 patent, the '706 patent, the '943 patent, the '879 patent and the '729 patent all relate to vacuum cleaning systems in which a rotatable brush is driven by a brush motor in a floor cleaning unit remotely located from and interconnected through a wand and a wand handle and hose assembly to a suction or vacuum motor, typically located in a canister. As is conventional, the wand handle and hose assembly may have incorporated therein electrical conductors for energizing the brush motor in the floor cleaning unit without the need for external conductors extending between the canister and the floor cleaning unit. In many of the prior art patents, a control switch for controlling the energization of the brush motor or the vacuum motor is located on the wand handle disposed between the wand and the hose; and a two-wire system or a three-wire system or a combination of both is used to electrically interconnect the control switch and the brush motor and the vacuum motor.
While the electrical control systems of the above prior art patents may be suitable for their intended purposes, there is a need in the vacuum cleaner art for constant improvements in such control systems in order to facilitate the manufacture of vacuum cleaners, to reduce the number of parts required to be kept in stock for the manufacture of vacuum cleaners and to prevent the possibility of damage to certain models of vacuum cleaners displayed on a showroom floor when a wand handle and hose assembly associated with one vacuum cleaner model is inadvertently or intentionally used in connection with a different vacuum cleaner model.

Canister vacuum cleaner and method of manufacture