The present invention describes microfluidic devices that provide novel fluidic structures to facilitate the separation of fluids into isolated, pico-liter sized compartments for performing multiplexing chemical and biological reactions. Applications of the novel devices including biomolecule synthesis, polynucleotide amplification, and binding assays are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of fluidic devices for carrying out multiplex chemical or biochemical reactions and for performing multiplex chemical and/or biochemical assays. More particularly, this invention relates to devices and methods for distributing fluids into a plurality of compartments for carrying out multiplex chemical and/or biochemical reactions, and detecting a plurality of chemical and/or biochemical compounds.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern drug development, disease diagnosis, pathogen detection, gene discovery, and various genetic-related technologies and research increasingly rely on making, screening, and assaying a large number of chemical and/or biochemical compounds. Traditional methods of making and examining the compounds one at a time are becoming increasingly inadequate. Therefore there is a need for chemical/biochemical reaction systems and devices to perform high-throughput assay and synthesis.
One of the most commonly used high-throughput multiplexing method relies on the use of titer plates. Each titer plate contains 96, 384, or 1,536 microwells or microtubes in which individual chemical and/or biochemical reactions are carried out. (need a reference) In a standard format the reaction media inside individual microwells or microtubes are physically isolated from each other. Chemical and biochemical reagents are delivered into the microwells or microtubes either robotically or manually using pipettes or dispensers. In a standard format the distances between adjacent microwells or microtubes are 9.0 mm, 4.5 mm, and 2.25 mm for 96, 384, and 1,536 microwell titer plates, respectively. To increase throughput, higher densities of the microwells are needed.
Another multiplexing method relates to microarrays. The most well-known microarray is DNA microarray, which, in its most common form, is a glass plate containing a two-dimensional array of DNA materials on its surface. A DNA microarray is used as a multiplexing detection device. Each element of the array has a unique DNA sequence, which is used to specifically recognize or detect a unique complementary DNA sequence in a sample solution. The element density of a DNA microarray is usually much higher than that of a titer plate. On a commercially available DNA microarray the distance between two adjacent elements is between 10 micrometer and 500 micrometer. DNA microarray, are rapidly becoming fundamental tools in genomic, proteomic, and other biological research (Fodor et al. Science 251, 767 (1991), Schena et al. Science 270, 467 (1995) and "The Chipping Forecast II" Nat. Genet. 32 (2002)). In addition to research use, DNA microarray has the potential to be used as a clinical diagnostic tool (Carr et al. Nat. Oncogene. 22, 3076 (2003) and "Microarrays in Cancer: Research and Applications" BioTechniques Supplement March 2003). In addition to DNA microarray there are various other types of microarrays, such as peptide microarray, protein microarray, and tissue microarray, for various research and diagnostic applications (Gao et al. Nature Biotechnol. 20, 922 (2002)).
Microarray technology has fundamentally changed the way of studying biological systems from observing one or a few genes or molecular species at a time to observing pathways, networks, and molecular machines that involve the interplay of a large collection of genes and pools of molecules. DNA microarray chips available today operate based on the hybridization of target DNA or RNA molecules (the sample to be tested) in a solution phase with probe DNA (oligonucleotides or cDNA) molecules immobilized on solid substrates, which are mostly in either plate or bead forms (Rubenstein in BioTechniques Supplement March 2003). The hybridization results are used in monitoring gene expression, determining nucleotide sequences, identifying gene mutations, detecting pathogens, and selecting and measuring activities of ligand molecules such as peptides, proteins, antibiotics and other organic and inorganic molecules.
In spite of the usefulness of the currently available DNA microarrays, their performance is far from being satisfactory for many applications. Inadequate assay specificity is one of a multitude of limitations with the current DNA microarray methodology, which are fundamentally associated with the single-pair hybridization assay, i.e. with results determined by the hybridization of only one pair of nucleotide molecules. Assay specificity relies on hybridization discrimination, which in turn is determined by probe (immobilized DNA) sequence design, probe sequence purity, target (sample DNA) sequence composition, and hybridization conditions. Selection of hybridization probes is a complex issue, particularly for gene expression applications, in which samples contain tens of thousands genes. Shorter oligo probes should theoretically provide higher hybridization discrimination but they tend to have poor hybridization properties leading to lower sensitivity, not to mention the difficulty of finding short unique sequences in large genomes (Shchepinov et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 1155 (1997) and Hughes et al. Nat. Biotechnology, 19, 342 (2001)). As oligo probes become longer, the hybridization discrimination decreases, although detection sensitivity increases and it is easier to find unique sequences in large genomes. It has been found that when the probe length reaches 35, it needs to have at least 3 mismatches to reliably discriminate different target DNA sequences by hybridization. This fundamental problem of limited specificity has lead to different results from chips of different venders and technology platforms (Kuo et al. Bioinformatics 18, 405 (2002)).
Today's DNA microarrays are not suitable for quantitative measurement. This will likely become one of the roadblocks to hinder the technology from being used as a clinical diagnostic tool, although technological efforts have been made to address this problem (Dudley et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99, 7554 (2002)). Studies have shown a significant compression of differential ratios (ratios of hybridization intensities from different samples) in microarray data as compared to real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) data. Real-time PCR has been established as the most commonly used and accepted standard for validating DNA microarrays in gene expression use (Chuaqui et al. Nat. Genet. 32 Supplement 509 (2002)). According to the published data, while about 70% of array results of highly differentiated genes were qualitatively consistent with real-time PCR, consistent validation was not achieved for genes showing less than a four-fold change on the array. For many of the genes examined, significant quantitative differences were found between array- and real-time-PCR-based data (Mangalathu et al. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 3, 26 (2001)). For these reasons, array users often choose for further study only those genes with the highest differential expression ratios. This strategy can easily overlook genes of significant interest. Obviously, it is highly desirable to develop a more robust and quantitative array platform in order to reach a level of confidence for which relatively small differences in gene expression between samples are real and that genes showing such differences are worth further investigation.
The third limitation of today's DNA microarray is detection sensitivity. The single-pair hybridization assay used in the DNA microarray does not involve any amplification and requires a fairly large amount of sample. For example, in gene expression applications with most of the commercial array products, 2 to 5 microgram of total RNA sample is needed for each assay. However, some of the clinical biopsy tissue samples yield less than 1 microgram of total RNA sample. For pathogen detection, microarrays are considered not sensitive enough without the aid of PCR (Call et al. J Microbiol Methods 53, 235 (2003)). Amplification of either DNA or RNA samples during sample preparation has been used to boost the amount of samples before they are applied to array chips (Lockhart et al. Nature Biotech. 14, 1675 (1996)). This method, however, causes concerns for altering ratios of the genes involved.
The challenges of specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity mentioned above can be solved using real-time PCR. Higuchi et al. first demonstrated fluorescence monitoring kinetic PCR amplification process in real-time (Higuchi et al. Biotechnology 10, 413 (1992)). The method has been developed into a powerful tool, often referred as a golden standard, for quantitative measurement of nucleic acids with various applications, including gene expression, pathogen detection, and SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) detection. Due to its reduced detection time and simplification of quantification, the method is believed to potentially have the greatest impact on the general public in environmental monitoring and nucleic acid diagnostics (Walker, Science 296, 557 (2002)).
A real-time PCR system detects PCR products as they accumulate during a PCR reaction process. There are several variations of detection systems. The most well-known and popular system is Taqman system (Heid et al. Genome Res. 6, 986 (1996)). A pair of PCR primers and one fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe are used in the detection of each target sequence. The FRET probe is a short oligonucleotide complementary to one of the strands of the target sequence. Each FRET probe contains a reporter dye and a quencher dye. Taq polymerase is used. If the target sequence is present, the probe anneals downstream from the forward primer site and is cleaved by the 5′ nuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase as this primer is extended. The cleavage of the probe separates the reporter dye from quencher dye, increasing the reporter dye signal and allowing primer extension to continue to the end of the template strand. Additional reporter dye molecules are cleaved from their respective probes with each cycle, causing an increase in fluorescence intensity proportional to the amount of amplicon produced.
Real-time PCR assay is intrinsically highly specific. For one target sequence to be detected, it has to contain all three sequence segments complementary to a detection probe, a forward primer, and a reverse primer, respectively. Any errors produced by one event will likely be filtered out by the other two events. For example, if in one event a forward primer happened to prime to a wrong sample sequence and produced a wrong amplicon, this wrong amplicon will likely either not be recognized by the detection probe or not be further amplified by the reverse primer. In comparison, today's DNA microarrays rely on the hybridization of only one pair of nucleotides and do not have any build-in error-checking mechanism. Even with the multiple-probe approach, such as the one used by Affymetrix (www.affymetrix.com), the assay specificity is not increased in any way and the improvement is only in the reduction of the statistical variance of the data. The benefit of this approach is derived by averaging the results of hybridization of multiple individual probes, which hybridize directly with sample sequences and have no relationship with the hybridization events of any other probes that are designed to target at the same sample sequence or same gene.
Real-time PCR assay is highly sensitive and is quantitative. PCR is an exponential amplification process. In principle, PCR can pick up and amplify a single copy of a target sequence. As a daily practice for RNA detection, real-time PCR requires nanograms of RNA samples as compared to micrograms required by today's DNA microarrays. Moreover, the ability of real-time PCR to quantitatively measure the copy numbers of target sequences in samples is non-existent in today's DNA microarray technology.
Most of existing instruments perform PCR reactions in either 96- or 384-well titer plates. Samples are manually or robotically pipetted into individual wells. Applied Biosystems recently started the sale of a Micro Fluidic Card in a 384-well format (www.appliedbiosystems.com). The new card offers the advantages of reduced consumption of samples and reagents and the elimination of labor-intensive pipetting steps. The new card has the same area size as that of conventional 96- and 384-well titer plates. However, its fluidic design and the operational principle fundamentally limit it from being able to achieve the degree of miniaturization and the level of area density that have demonstrated in DNA microarrays (U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,939).
There have been an increasing number of reports of the development of micro-fabricated PCR devices, including continuous flow and microwell devices made from silicon or plastic materials (Kopp et al. Science 280, 1046 (1998), Nagai et al. Anal. Chem. 73, 1043 (2001), and Yang et al. Lab on a Chip, 2, 179 (2002)). A low-energy consumption and fast thermal cycling silicon-chip-based real-time PCR detection system for field use was also demonstrated (Belgrader et al. Science, 284, 449 (1999)). There are also reports of performing DNA microarray assays using PCR as a sample preparation process involving microfabricated array chips (U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,064). O'Keefe et al disclosed a method for conducting multiple simultaneous micro-volume chemical and biochemical reactions on an array of micro-holes as described in United States Patent Application Publication 2001/0055765 A1. The method is said to be able to perform real-time PCR among several other applications.
For research and many other applications, it is highly desirable to have a flexible way of multiplex synthesis of microarrays of various molecules, including nucleic acids and peptides, and to perform assays of various sequences in a short turn-around time. Gao et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,184 described a method of combining PGR (photogenerated reagent) chemistry, micromirror array projector, and microwell plates to achieve flexible and highly parallel synthesis of microarrays of varieties of molecules. The teaching of which is incorporated herein by reference. In a separate disclosure, PCT WO 0202227, Zhou described a microfluidic device that has the features of dynamic isolation for performing parallel chemical synthesis using PGR chemistry with improved process robustness. The teaching of the disclosure is also incorporated herein by reference. For the purpose of performing real-time PCR and certain other biochemical assays in a microarray format and in a highly multiplexing scale, it is desirable or even necessary to have a build-in static isolation mechanism in a microarray device in addition to a flexible chemical synthesis capability for implementing biochemical probes.
An objective of this invention is to provide microfluidic devices for performing multiplex chemical and biochemical reactions. Another objective of this invention is to provide highly flexible method of implanting a plurality of chemical and/or biochemical molecules into the microfluidic devices. Yet another objective of this invention is to provide methods of multiplex biochemical assays using the microfluidic devices. A further objective of this invention is to provide systems for performing parallel chemical and biochemical assay analysis, including real-time PCR, ELISA (enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay) and other assays.

Fluidic devices and methods for multiplex chemical and biochemical reactions


A spatulated needle is provided wherein a six-sided cross-sectional portion results from a parallel or tapered pair of upper and lower surfaces connected by needle walls and a pair of fluted edges. At the tapered end of the needle, the upper surface alternates resulting in a five-sided cross-section. This improved configuration results in ease of tissue penetration, minimized tissue distortion, and minimized wound trauma. The resultant needle therefore is desirable for usage with refined surgery such as ophthalmology, microsurgery and plastic surgery.

The performance criteria of surgical needles can be measured in three interrelated ways. First, needle sharpness is necessary to reduce penetration resistance between needle and tissue. Greater sharpness lessens the external force required to embed the needle into tissue during surgery. Second, it is desirable to improve the needle cross-section so that the tissue opening, more commonly referred to as the wound opening site, is also reduced. As suspected, with improved penetration, the wound opening is also reduced. Third, when wound opening size is reduced, this will generally minimize the amount of tissue distortion and trauma during penetration of the needle.
With improved penetration, reduced wound opening and minimized tissue distortion, tissue apposition is generally improved As a result, finer and more approximate surgery is possible. Thus, with improved needle sharpness, it is increasingly possible to perform more specialized surgery, especially in such highly refined areas as ophthalmology, microsurgery or plastic surgery.
Generally, it has been found that the optimal needle point must have a sharply tapered end, as well as a reduced cross-section. With a sharply tapered end, it is possible to achieve penetration without maximum tissue distortion. The reduced cross-section in this case will also reduce the wound opening area. It has been found that needles triangular in cross-section have performed quite well in conjunction with tapered ends.
Nevertheless, even these triangular needles require refining in order to improve the previously stated needle sharpness criteria. That is, none of the generally triangular needles have acceptably improved all the criteria in order to configure an optimal needle. Triangular shaped cross-section needles usually sacrifice one criterion for an increased benefit in another criterion.
What is needed, therefore, is a needle with improved sharpness which also reduces penetration resistance, as well as reducing wound opening area and minimizing tissue distortion. With this optimized needle cross-section, improved tissue apposition is possible, and highly refined surgery is generally more likely.

Surgical needle configuration with spatula geometry


Methods for intelligent automatic merging of source control queue items are performed by systems and apparatuses. Project changes are submitted in build requests to a gated check-in build queue requiring successful builds to commit changes to a code repository according to source control. Multiple pending build requests in the build queue are intelligently and automatically merged into a single, pending merged request based on risk factor values associated with the build requests. For merged requests successfully built, files in the build requests are committed and the build requests are removed from the queue. Merged requests unsuccessfully built are divided into equal subsets based on updated risk factor values using information from the unsuccessful build. Successful builds of subsets allow for committing of files and removal from the build queue, while unsuccessful builds are further divided and processed until single build requests are processed to identify root cause errors.

Project designers, such as software developers, hardware designers, etc., use design environments that include source control features. Source control provides a mechanism by which a designer or developer submits changes to portions of a project, such as source code, design code, media/multi-media objects, etc., and the changes may be "committed" to a central repository (e.g., added to the repository as the latest changes to that part of the source code) for the project upon successful completion of a build. A build may include performing compilation of code, unit/baseline tests, and/or the like, that are used to determine if errors or incompatibilities are present in the changes that would adversely affect the project. This type of source control acts as a gated check-in mechanism.
A build queue for these build requests is often used to govern the gated check-in decision. When a build request is submitted, it is placed in the build queue for processing of a build for the new or changed portions of the project. In larger projects, multiple build requests may be pending in the build queue waiting for verification of the build request at the head of the build queue to be performed. Upon completion of the build request at the head of the build queue, the next build request in the build queue is processed while the build requests below it remain pending, and so on. In such cases, a build request near the bottom of the build queue must wait for each build request above it before it is processed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Intelligent automatic merging of source control queue items


A stop element for at least one solar module holder, which can be fastened to a substructure by means of fastening means. The stop element comprises: two opposite stop portions and at least one connecting element that connects the two opposite stop portions. One of the two stop portions is coupled to the at least one solar module holder, and the other of the two stop portions is coupled to the fastening means or to a further solar module holder in order to generate a torque on the solar module holder caused by a load.

One problem with the fastening of solar modules by means of module clamps is that in the case of very high tensile loads (e.g. caused by wind), a fastening to a substructure can become unstable. This can lead to the solar module slipping or twisting out of the module clamps if, for example, high suction loads act on the solar modules. This slipping out of the module from the module clamps is also referred to as a loss of position.
The loss of position depends on the module rigidity, on the rigidity of the module clamp and on the mounting rail. Depending on these stiffnesses, increased tensile loads lead to the deformation or torsion of the module and the module frame, for example. The deformation and torsion of the module lead to the frame slipping out of the module clamps, which in turn leads to a greater laminate deflection. The deflection of the laminate in turn leads to an increased risk of cell breakage.
So far, attempts have been made to prevent these problems by increasing the number of module clamping points (fastening points) from its current number of 4 to 6 or more. For these additional two module clamping points, however, additional substructure rails had to be installed in the center of the module, which causes additional installation work and additional costs. Another solution was to use special module clamps that withstand the required suction load. Another approach was to delimit the module clamping regions.
However, all of these solutions are associated with increased effort.
In DE 20 2008 000 997 U1, a fastening system is disclosed which fastens two modules by a latching mechanism of a fastening device against each other and on a frame. The two modules are then positioned edge to edge with each other. By this, a slipping or twisting out of position can be prevented, but only as long as two modules are inserted together. The fastening device is merely clamped to the frame. The fastening of the modules to the frame is therefore accomplished only by means of latching and clamping two neighboring modules. A fastening at a boundary, or if there is an interspace between the modules, is therefore not possible.
Furthermore, the document EP 2 573 486 A2 discloses a fastening system by which two modules are fixed to a support beam by an interlocking element located between them. For each module, the interlocking element is equipped with a clamping means, under which the frame of the module can be fixed. This fastens the respective module against tensile forces, but cannot counteract torques acting on the module.
There is therefore a need for an improved fastening of solar modules to the substructure, which prevents the solar module from losing its position even under high tensile loads.

Stop element for a solar module mounting


A text processing device and text processing method are provided. The method includes steps: receiving input characters; displaying current input characters with a predetermined magnification ratio; judging whether length of the input characters is more than the predetermined maximum length, if not, receiving input characters, and if yes, adjusting display state on the text processing device according to the predetermined magnification ratio and the predetermined maximum length.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a text processing device and a text processing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, input characters that near a mouse cursor are very small, users have to stare at input characters in order to check correctness when inputting characters, as a result, it usually causes eye fatigue and decreases work efficiency.

Text processing device and text processing method thereof

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A dosing apparatus for fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprises a pump which has a filling nozzle which forms a suction opening of the pump in order to pump the pasty substance out of a container. An adapter has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a neck or an opening of the container to the filling nozzle of the pump. The outlet opening can be connected to the suction opening. The apparatus includes a two-part adapter housing where the upper part can be substituted for using different sized and shaped containers. The connection between the suction opening of the pump and the outlet opening of the adapter is designed to be releasable. The filling nozzle is formed coaxially to the adapter.

The invention relates to a dosing apparatus for fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprising a pump which has a filling nozzle which forms a suction opening of the pump in order to pump the pasty substance out of a container, an adapter which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a neck or an opening of the container to the filling nozzle of the pump, wherein the outlet opening can be connected to the suction opening.
The invention also relates to a pump for dosing fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprising a basic body, a filling nozzle which is formed on the basic body and which forms a suction opening for sucking in a pasty substance, an outlet nozzle which is formed on the basic body and which is connected to an outlet valve, for dispensing the pasty substance.
The invention also relates to an adapter for a dosing dispenser with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a pump to a container, comprising a fixing sleeve or fixing means which is or are arranged on the inlet opening, for holding a neck or a connecting portion of the container, a line portion which connects the pump to the container, wherein a valve which determines a flow direction in the line portion is arranged in the line portion, a sealing member which has a sealing membrane which forms a sealed connection between the line portion and the neck or the connecting portion, a housing to which the sealing membrane and the fixing sleeve or the fixing means are fastened.
Such metering devices serve to provide defined amounts of the pasty substance from a supply container and thus facilitate the handling.
WO 2005/070272 A1 discloses a dosing apparatus for dispensing toothpaste onto a toothbrush head. Here, a sleeve of the dosing apparatus is connected to a toothpaste container. The sleeve is also connected to a pump bellows which can produce both an overpressure and a negative pressure. By means of two non-return valves, the toothpaste can be sucked out of the container, conveyed through the bellows and be dispensed dosed from a spout valve.
DE 299 06 082 U1 discloses a tube holder which comprises a suction pump and a tube holder housing into which a tube to be emptied can be screwed. Here, the suction pump is fixedly connected to the tube holder housing.
A disadvantage with the known tube holders and dosing apparatus is that only one connecting sleeve is provided for connecting a supply container and thus only a defined supply container can be used. A further disadvantage is that the whole pumping device has a closed design and it is thus made more difficult to clean the pumping device to remove, for example, dried-on or spoiled substances.


The power saw is provided with a shoe pivotally mounted on a post which is mounted in a cavity of the nose section of the gear case of the saw. The post has a multiplicity of grooves separated by lands which are flat between the grooves. A lock pin is mounted in the nose section transverse and spaced from the post. When the pin is in its normal locking position, the round exterior of the pin engages one of the grooves on the post to retain the post and shoe in position relative to the saw. The lock pin has a flat section which is parallel to and spaced from the flats on the post when the pin is rotated to the release position freeing the post and shoe for movement to adjust the position relative to the saw. A lever is mounted on the end of the pin which projects through the side of the gear case. The inside of the lever has a dimple which engages the soft boot covering the gear case. This develops enough friction to hold the lever in its normal position until manually actuated to release position allowing adjustment of the shoe position.

Reciprocating power saws are provided with a guide shoe to aid in positioning the saw on the work. The shoe has limited pivotal motion to accommodate changes in position of the saw relative to the work. It is desireable to adjust the spacing of the shoe relative to the body to adjust the depth of cut or the portion of the blade which will be effective, thus allowing all of the blade length to be used. A typical support for the shoe comprises a pair of support arms which lie on each side of the nose of the power tool. Screws pass through slots in the arms and thread into the nose of the tool to clamp the arms in the desired position. A screwdriver or wrench is necessary to make the adjustment, which takes appreciable time.
This invention simplifies adjustment and/or release of the shoe by eliminating the need for special tools.


A data processing system comprises a number of processing nodes, each having a processor and a local store. The workload of the system is represented by packets, including function packets specifying a function and pointers to one or more argument packets to which the function is to be applied.. The argument packets include stateholder packets, which represent variable values, such as semaphores real time clocks and so on. When a node processes a function packet, it checks whether any of its arguments is a stateholder resident in a different processing node. If so, the function packet is exported to the node in which the stateholder resides. This avoids the need for making copies of stateholder packets, and hence avoids any problems of copy consistency. Each function packet is allowed no more than one stateholder as a strict argument.

This invention relates to data processing systems.
More specifically, the invention is concerned with a multi-processor data processing system of the kind in which the workload of the system is divided into packets, each packet specifying a function and one or more arguments to which the function is to be applied. One system of this kind is described, for example, in "Flagship Computational Models and Machine Architecture", I. Watson, et al, and "Flagship Hardware and Implementation", P. Townsend, both in the ICL Technical Journal Vol 5, Issue 3, May 1987, published by the Oxford University Press, England.
In such a system, it is desirable that, when a function packet is processed, all its arguments should be available in the local store of the processing node in which the function packet resides. If some of the argument packets are resident in other nodes, then it is necessary to create local copies of those packets in the local store.
Argument packets may be considered to be of two types: constructor packets, representing fixed data structures, and stateholder packets, representing variable values which may change during the course of a computation. For example, a stateholder packet may represent a real-time clock value or a semaphore value.
Stateholder packets present a problem in that, if local copies of a stateholder packet are made, it is difficult to keep all these copies consistent with each other.
The object of the present invention is to provide a way of overcoming this problem.

Multi-processor data processing system and method for processing function packets


An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus. At least a portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable between a range first ratio and a range second ratio. The portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable, at least in part, in response to a fluid pressure. The range chamber is selectively in fluid communication with a vent. The shift inhibitor includes a main section neutral interlock having an interlock chamber. At least a portion of the main section neutral interlock is moveable between a first condition and a second condition. The interlock chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the vent. The range chamber can be exhausted such that the range section is selectively switched from the first ratio to the second ratio. The interlock chamber can be exhausted such that the main section neutral interlock is selectively switched from the first condition to the second condition.

Compound transmissions of the range or combined range/splitter type are well known in the prior art. Such transmissions typically comprise a multiple speed main transmission section connected in series with a range type auxiliary section wherein the range step is greater than the total ratio coverage of the main transmission section.
In such transmissions, the main section is typically shifted by means of a shift housing assembly controlled by a manually operated shift lever or the like. In contrast, the auxiliary range section is shifted by means of a button or switch. In the prior art, a switch operated by the main section shift mechanism controls a remote slave valve/actuator mechanism. The valve/actuator mechanism controls operation of a range selection actuator. The range selection cylinder includes a fluid-actuated piston that divides an actuator cylinder into a low-range and a high-range chamber. The piston is made to move in response to selective pressurization of one chamber while simultaneously exhausting a second chamber. Since the range section often utilizes synchronized jaw clutches, a range shift is preferably initiated and completed while the main transmission section is in neutral, to provide acceptable shift quality and to prevent undue wear and/or damage to the synchronized jaw clutches.
Prior art compound range type transmissions usually include a control system, which is typically a pneumatic control system having interlock devices, that allows a range shift to be preselected using a selector button or switch at a master control valve. To prevent damage to the jaw clutches, the control system prevents shift initiation until the main transmission section is shifted to, or at least towards, the neutral condition. One method for preventing shift initiation utilizes mechanical type interlock devices on the range section actuator mechanical linkage that physically prevent movement of the range section shift fork until the main section is shifted into neutral. A second, more common method of preventing shift initiation utilizes logic-based interlock devices of the type wherein the valve supplying pressurized fluid to the range section cylinder is either disabled or not provided with pressurized fluid until a shift to main section neutral is sensed, or is only activated and provided with pressurized fluid while the main section is shifted to and remains in neutral. Examples of such transmissions and the control systems therefor may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,654,268; 3,138,965, 4,060,005 and 4,974,474.
Prior art systems are particularly concerned with protecting the range synchronizer during range upshifts, or upshifts to the high range. It has been discovered that for certain systems, successful completion of a high range shift is more likely to be achieved in a timely fashion relative to the shifting of the main section. In such transmissions, it is highly desirable to provide a mechanism for protecting the low range synchronizer.

Transmission auxiliary unit timed shift inhibitor


A method and apparatus are provided for enhancing search results generated by a search engine. A graphical user interface may display search results, which may include at least one multi-part record comprising a plurality of independent documents. Upon receiving a selection of the multi-part record from the search results a detailed view of the record may be displayed. The detailed view of the record may include a listing of the multiple documents that form the record along with an indication of whether keywords from the search criteria are present in the documents. By providing an indication of exactly which documents of a multi-part record include keywords associated with a search, embodiments of the invention allow users to easily identify desired materials from a list of search results comprising the multipart record.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to data processing, and more specifically to enhancing search results generated by a search engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern computer systems generally have access to large amounts of data stored in a memory of the computer system or on other linked computer systems. Retrieving desired data from the vast amount of available data may generally involve using applications known as search engines. A search engine is generally capable of receiving requests for desired data, retrieving the desired data from one or more locations within the computer system or in other linked computer systems, and providing the desired data to a requesting entity.
A wide variety of different search engines exist today. For example, search engines are used in electronic mail (email) client applications to allow users to retrieve desired emails from an email box that may contain several thousands of emails. Web based search engines are used to retrieve desired web content from the Internet. A database search engine may be used to retrieve data from a database containing data organized using relational techniques.

International Business Machines Corporation


An optical waveguide portion is provided on one surface of a substrate portion. A luminous flux for measurement is caused to be incident on one end face of the optical waveguide substrate, and only leaking light having passed through the substrate portion is received. The cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index of the optical waveguide portion is measured from changes in the received quantity of light.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index of an optical waveguide used for optical communication.
To measure the cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index of an optical waveguide, there is a refracted near field method (RNF method). This RNF method features high measuring accuracy and high resolution and is considered to be currently the most superior method of measuring the cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index on an optical waveguide.
In the RNF method, as shown in FIG. 9, an optical waveguide substrate 1, which comprises a substrate portion 2 and an optical waveguide portion 3 formed on one surface of the substrate portion 2, is immersed in liquid 9 having a refractive index nL near the refractive index n(r) of the optical waveguide portion 3. In this state, a laser beam converged by an objective lens 8 is caused to be incident at an incident angle .theta. on an end face of the optical waveguide portion 3, and the light leaking from the optical waveguide portion 3 is detected to measure the refractive index of the optical waveguide portion 3.
When n(r) represents the refractive index of the optical waveguide portion 3 at the point of incidence of the laser beam, and n.phi. is the refractive index of air or liquid on the incidence side of the optical waveguide portion 3, the exit angle .beta. corresponding to the incident angle .theta..phi. is defined by the Snell's law and simply given as the following equation 1. EQU n.sup.2 (r)=n.phi..sup.2. sin.sup.2 .theta..phi.+nL.sup.2.cos.sup.2 .beta.(1)
Thus, by scanning the point of incidence of the laser beam in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide portion 3 or in the perpendicular direction to the thickness, the exit angle .beta. is changed according to the refractive index n(r) at each point. More specifically, the exit angle .beta. is reduced with increasing refractive index and increased with reducing refractive index.
Thus, it is possible to know the refractive index n(r) of the optical waveguide portion 3 by judging the state of leaking light.
The apparatus for measuring the cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index of an optical waveguide by the RNF method, is based on the above principle.
Referring to FIG. 9 again, a detector 5 for receiving light leaking from the optical waveguide portion 3 is provided sidewise of the optical waveguide substrate 1. Further, a semi-circular shielding plate 6 is provided such that it blocks a central portion of the leaking light flux 4. The detector 5 thus receives leaking light 4 having a half-doughnut-like sectional profile lacking a central portion. The light receiving quantity P is given as the following equation 2, where .theta..phi.max represents the exit angle of the outermost light receiving point of the leaking light, and .theta..phi.min represents exit angle of the innermost light receiving point shielded by the shielding plate 6. ##EQU1##
In the above equation, I(.theta..phi.) represents the angle dependency intensity distribution of the incident light. The light receiving surface of the detector 5 is made sufficiently large lest the leaking light 4 should get out of the light receiving surface. Thus, .theta..phi.max in the equation 2 is determined by the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens and is given as the following equation 3. EQU n.theta..phi.. sin.theta..phi.max=NA (3)
The exit angle .beta.max is changed, i.e., the outermost light receiving point of the leaking light is shifted, according to the refracting power of the optical waveguide portion 3, but the exit angle .beta.min is determined absolutely by the positions of the edge of the shielding plate 6, and is not influenced by the refractive index of optical waveguide portion 3.
The incident angle .theta..phi.min corresponding to the exit angle .beta.min can be obtained by the equation 4, which is a rearrangement of the above equation 1. EQU n.phi..sup.2. sin.sup.2 .theta..phi.min=n.sup.2 (r)-nL.sup.2. cos.sup.2 .beta.min (4)
The incident angle .theta..phi.min is an important factor in determining the refractive index of the optical waveguide portion 3. That is, the quantity of light that can be obtained by the equation 2 is changed according to the refractive index.
When it supposed that light receiving quantity at a driven point in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide portion 3 or in the perpendicular direction to the thickness is P(n(r)), this light receiving quantity P(n(r)) is given as the following equation 5 . ##EQU2##
Next, if the angle dependency I(.theta..phi.) of the incident light intensity has a Lambert distribution [I(.theta..phi.)=I.phi. cos.theta..phi.], by scanning the laser spot position in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide portion or the perpendicular direction to the thickness and by measuring the change of light quantity .DELTA.P, the following equation 6 can be obtained from the above equation 5, and .DELTA.n(r) can be obtained from the equation 6. EQU .DELTA.P=a..DELTA.n(r) (6)
In this equation, the proportionality constant a is determined by the known refractive index n.sub.L.
As the light source, a laser is usually used. In this case, the incident light intensity distribution I(.theta..phi.) is a Gauss distribution rather than a Lambert distribution, and change in the light quantity and change in the refractive index are not so simple as the equation 6. However, it is possible to obtain .DELTA.n(r) by correction by calculation.
In the above conventional type apparatus for measuring the cross-sectional refractive index distribution of an optical waveguide, the substrate portion of the optical waveguide is immersed in a liquid having a refractive index near, preferably higher than, that of the optical waveguide substrate portion in order to prevent total reflection of light in the optical waveguide portion and permit effective leaking of light incident on the optical waveguide portion to the outside thereof. That is, in the conventional type apparatus immersion liquid is indispensable.
In the case of an optical waveguide portion made of glass, the refractive index is about 1.5, and the immersion liquid can be comparatively readily selected. However, in many cases where an optical waveguide portion is formed by thermally diffusing Ti in a monocrystalline substrate of LiNbO.sub.3, LiTaO.sub.3, etc., the substrate portion has a refractive index of 2.0 or above.
With such optical waveguide substrate an immersion liquid having substantially the same refractive index is necessary. However, liquid with a refractive index of 2.0 or above is harmful to the human body. Further, depending on the material of the substrate, there may be no adequate immersion liquid even if the refractive index is low. Therefore, depending on the material of the optical waveguide portion the measurement is difficult or hazardous, or it is impossible.
The present invention has been intended in view of the above circumstances, and it seeks to permit the measurement of the refractive index distribution of optical waveguides without any immersion liquid.
The applicant has earlier proposed an another system for solving the problems pertaining to the invention in Japanese Patent Application 15481/1991.

Apparatus for measuring cross-sectional distribution of refractive index of optical waveguide


A video processor receives original video data, an original synchronization signal, and an original data valid region signal from a video signal source, supplements insufficient part of the original video data relative to a predetermined valid pixel region, and outputs new video data having the predetermined valid pixel region and a new data valid region signal indicating the predetermined valid pixel region. The video processor includes a valid position regeneration controller delaying at least one of the original video data or the original synchronization signal to match positions of color-difference signals in the original video data to positions of color-difference signals in the new video data in determining based on the original synchronization signal and the original data valid region signal that the color-difference signals in the new video data are displayed while being replaced with each other; and a controller controlling operation of the valid position regeneration controller.

The present disclosure relates to video processors, and more particularly to video processors according to a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard and systems using the video processors.
According to the HDMI standard, in which a high-definition image is transmitted as uncompressed digital data, the data transmitted from a transmitter needs to meet the CEA-861 standard, which is the standard for uncompressed digital video. The CEA-861 standard defines a valid pixel region in horizontal and vertical directions.
Where data having a smaller valid pixel region than the valid pixel region defined by the CEA-861 standard is input to an HDMI transmitter circuit, insufficient pixels relative to the valid pixel region according to the CEA-861 standard are colored black and then the data is output. For example, where 714-pixel data is input to a horizontal valid region of 720 pixels according to the CEA-861 standard, three pixels on each of the right and left in the horizontal direction are colored black, and then the data is output.
However, according to the HDMI standard, when color-difference signals are transmitted from a transmitter in the form of Cb0, Cr0, Cb1, . . . , the receiver recognizes that the signals start from Cb. That is, where the odd number of pixels are colored black on each of the right and left sides in the horizontal direction, as described above, the receiver recognizes the inverted version of the original color-difference signals.
A conventional television signal processor includes a horizontal compression circuit for automatically determining the aspect ratio of 4:3 (normal) or 16:9 (wide) in a wide-screen television and for efficiently utilizing the display as much as possible. However, this television signal processor fails to solve the problem occurring in coloring black, insufficient pixels for a valid pixel region according to the CEA-861 standard to output data.
Therefore, there is a need for a video processor, which outputs video data not causing color inversion at a receiver, even if a pixel region of input video data has a size out of the specification.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An adapter (e.g., connector, dongle) is used to connect a component video television, such as an SDTV or HDTV, to a video providing unit, such as a computer or any other suitable video providing unit, that includes a plurality of video input pins, a plurality of video output pins, a plurality of control pins and a circuit. The circuit is operative to identify to a video providing unit through the control pins, that the component video input television is not of a display type that the video providing unit expects.

The invention relates generally to connectors or adapters, and more particularly to connectors or adapters used to provide video signals from one unit to another unit.
Video signal providing devices, such as graphics accelerators, desktop computers, laptop computers and any other suitable devices may provide video signals that may be output to differing types of monitors or display devices. For example, a personal computer or laptop device may be able to drive a VGA monitor having different resolutions and refresh rates and other types of monitors. Differing monitor manufacturers have differing resolutions and accordingly, graphics accelerators and other video signal providers attempt to provide the proper video signaling to the monitor depending upon the monitor type.
To allow a video signal provider to configure for a number of different monitor types, an industry standard has been adopted to provide a display data channel (DDC) which is a two wire interface that uses I2C protocol to identify monitors. For example, a graphics processor through the DDC wires will send a display configuration request to a monitor using I2C protocol to find out the proper configuration necessary for that monitor, immediately upon boot up of the video signal provider. As a result, a user is presented with a proper display upon power up of a personal computer, for example. Typically, conventional video signal providers default to a VGA type monitor and provide 680 by 480p resolution. Moreover, the output may be in RGB format whereas for high definition televisions and other component video input televisions, such as SDTVs, such devices typically require a component video signal format such as Y, Pr, Pb format. Computer monitors are equipped with a microprocessor or other suitable interface circuit to respond to a display monitor identification request via the DDC wires.
A problem arises with component video input televisions such as HDTVs and SDTVs that do not have a monitor identification system, such as a DDC wiring scheme. Conventional VGA outputs are not suitable for component video input televisions. VGA may be considered a non-component video input television display mode. Accordingly, the conventional video signal providers that can connect to differing types of monitors usually have a default display mode of a non-component video input television type. Accordingly, when a conventional video signal provider is connected to an HDTV through a PC, the video signal provider defaults to an RGB 640 by 480p or other mode and not to the required Y, Pr, Pb 480I, 480p, 720p 1080I or 1080p standard recognized by an SDTV or HDTV. Accordingly, the image display upon power up can be unsuitable It is also known that an SDTV or HDTV may provide a graphic user interface to allow a user to select differing display resolutions. It is also known in wide screen signaling standards, such as the European standard, to require a user to enter a TV model via a graphic user interface. The model type then indicates which type of control information is sent to the TV to alter the television aspect ratio or scan rate if the television is a wide screen, for example. However, such systems typically require a user to enter TV model information and also do not typically interface with video signal providers that provide video signals for differing formats of video signals. Moreover, SDTV""s or HDTVs may support multiple scan rates and do not typically communicate this information over a communication link automatically. Accordingly, with video signal providers that attempt to connect to HDTVs, such video signal providers do not know what TV monitor type that is being connected and do not know the TV monitor capabilities so that the display upon power up is unsuitable. Upon booting up, a conventional laptop computer, graphics accelerator, or any other suitable video signal providing device automatically assumes that the monitor is a VGA type. However, many SDTVs and HDTVs do not support the RGB color space format. Accordingly, the non-component video input television display mode being used outputs, for example, horizontal synchronization pulses and vertical synchronization pulses on pins that are not connectable to the HDTV or SDTV.
In addition, it is known to have VGA to SDTV or HDTV connector boxes that perform (at least one of) color space conversions and timing to convert video signals from VGA (RGB) color space to SDTV or HDTV (Y, Pb, Pr) color space. However, such converter boxes typically duplicate the functions of graphics accelerators and other video signaling providers that perform the color space conversion outside of the converter boxes and can be quite costly.
Accordingly, a need exists for an adapter and method to facilitate an interconnect between a video providing unit having a non-component video input television default display mode, and a component video input television.

Adapter and method to connect a component video input television to a video providing unit


A system and machine-implemented method for generating a customized news collection based on social groups, the method comprising receiving an indication of one or more social groups associated with a user, wherein each of the one or more social groups is associated with the user's account in a social networking service, determining, one or more contacts associated with each of the identified one or more social groups at a social networking service, selecting a set of news items including one or more news items associated with the one or more identified contacts and generating a news collection including a number of the one or more news items of the set of news items for provision to a user.

The subject disclosure generally to presenting online news items to a user, and, in particular, to managing the collection of news presented to a user based on social networking information.
Reading news online is becoming more popular. News items are available from a large array of News Providers and on a variety of topics. While the availability of a large collection of news items is useful for providing internet readers with a variety of news from different sources and on different topics, the selection of the right items to read may become burdensome as readers have to go through large numbers of items to find what they are looking for.
Furthermore, usually the news is presented from the point of view of editors (i.e., the news they deem important). Various systems have been implemented to filter news for readers based on user profile information and other criteria indicated by the reader or collected by monitoring reader behavior on the internet. Still, the news items presented to the reader may not reflect the most desirable choices for the reader and may be too large in number for efficient consumption by the reader.
Thus, a more efficient and customized method for presenting online news items to a user may be desirable.

Creating a customized news collection based on social networking information


A WCD system is configured to detect when a therapy administered to a patient by the WCD system is unsuccessful, and in response determine whether to send notifications to remote non-witness responders. The WCD system may be configured to decide to send such notifications after the WCD system determines it has administered a predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks to the patient. The predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks may be the maximum number of unsuccessful shocks the WCD system will administer to a patient, or every Xth shock (e.g., 3rd shock). The WCD system can be configured to periodically resend the notification. The notifications may be in form of SMS, voice messages, emails, app notifications, etc. sent to cell phones, smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets etc. of the responders either directly, via a server, or via a CAD-coupled server.

When people suffer from some types of heart arrhythmias, the result may be that blood flow to various parts of the body is reduced. Some arrhythmias may even result in a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). SCA can lead to death very quickly, e.g. within 10 minutes, unless treated in the interim.
Some people have an increased risk of SCA. People at a higher risk include individuals who have had a heart attack, or a prior SCA episode. A frequent recommendation is for these people to receive an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ("ICD"). The ICD is surgically implanted in the chest, and continuously monitors the person's electrocardiogram ("ECG"). If certain types of heart arrhythmias are detected, then the ICD delivers an electric shock through the heart.
After being identified as having an increased risk of an SCA, and before receiving an ICD, these people are sometimes given a wearable cardioverter defibrillator ("WCD") system. A WCD system typically includes a harness, vest, or other garment for wearing by the patient. The system includes a defibrillator and external electrodes, which are attached on the inside of the harness, vest, or other garment. When a patient wears a WCD system, the external electrodes may then make good electrical contact with the patient's skin, and therefore can help monitor the patient's ECG. If a shockable heart arrhythmia is detected, then the defibrillator of the WCD system delivers the appropriate electric shock through the patient's body, and thus through the heart.

Wearable cardiac defibrillator systems and methods and software for contacting non-witnessing responders


A fully exchangeable integrated-wire dilation catheter for performing angioplasty is disclosed having a flexible small diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged diameter distal end portion and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual function fluid conducting lumen adapted to receive the guide wire extending therethrough. The distal end of the tubular shaft is connected to the proximal end of an expandable balloon provided with a coaxially aligned distal orifice having means for releasably engaging the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire in sealing relationship. In a preferred embodiment the sealing means is a flexible sleeve extending from the distal orifice of the expandable balloon and dimensioned to slidingly engage the correspondingly sized enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Associated procedures for utilizing the dilation catheter are also disclosed.

Over the last decade the medical procedure known as angioplasty has become widely accepted as a safe and effective method for treating various types of vascular diseases. For example, angioplasty is widely used for opening stenoses throughout the vascular system and particularly for opening stenoses in coronary arteries. At present, the most common form of angioplasty is called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). This procedure utilizes a dilation catheter having an inflatable balloon at its distal end. Using a fluoroscope and radiopaque dyes for visualization the distal end of the dilation catheter is guided into position through a guide catheter and across the stenosis and the balloon is inflated for a brief duration to open the artery and establish adequate blood flow. Typically, inflation of the balloon is accomplished by supplying pressurized fluid through an inflation lumen in the catheter which is connected to an inflation apparatus located outside the patient's body. Conversely, applying a negative pressure to the inflation lumen collapses the balloon to its minimum dimension for initial placement or removal of the balloon catheter within the target blood vessel.
In the past years a number of balloon catheter designs have been developed which have contributed to the safety and acceptability of PTCA and similar medical procedures. The most common design is known as an "over-the-wire" balloon catheter. This prior art device typically utilizes a relatively large lumen for passage of a guide wire and injection of angiographic visualization dye to assist in the placement of the device. A second parallel lumen is provided for inflation and deflation of the balloon. Typically, a steerable guide wire is positioned within the larger lumen and the entire assembly is maneuvered into an initial position within the target artery through a previously positioned large diameter guide catheter. Once near the site of the stenoses the guide wire can be rotated and axially extended or retracted into position across the lesion. The catheter is subsequently advanced along the guide wire to position its balloon end across the lesion prior to inflation of the balloon and dilation of the stenosis.
Though successful at opening stenotic lesions, these dual lumen catheters are relatively bulky and stiff which makes their use difficult for any lesions except those that are proximal and localized in nontortuous, easily accessible vessels. Moreover, these early design over-the-wire balloon catheters require an additional implanting physician or assistant to control the guide wire during positioning of the assembly because catheter and wire movement are independent of one another. This complex coordinated activity requires both experience and skill and may result in a slower insertion procedure than desired.
An alternative over-the-wire catheter assembly utilizes a non-removable guide wire that allows for longitudinal or axial movement. However, this design has a significant drawback because the entire non-removable guide wire catheter assembly must be removed to accomplish replacement or exchange of the balloon. In some cases of PTCA it is necessary to replace the balloon with one of different diameter or configuration following the initial dilation. Additionally, cases of acute reclosure have been noted where the lesion recloses following dilation and removal of the balloon catheter. This alternative system increases the difficulties of these subsequent procedures by requiring that the replacement catheter renegotiate the entire placement path without the advantage of a guide wire.
A "monorail" variant of the standard balloon-over-a-wire system also has been developed where only the distal portion of the balloon catheter tracks over the guide wire. This system utilizes a conventional inflation lumen and a relatively short guiding or through lumen at the distal end. Its principal benefits are the reduction of frictional drag over the length of the externally located guide wire and the ease of balloon exchange. It provides the ability to recross an acutely closed vessel or to exchange balloons without removing the guide wire. However, a disadvantage of this design is the increased difficulty in steering the guide wire because the guide wire is not supported by the balloon catheter. Additionally, the dual lumen distal design produces a larger profile and shaft size.
Another prior art innovation in dilation catheter design is the "fixed-wire" or integrated "balloon-on-a-wire" dilation catheter. These single lumen designs utilize a relatively narrow wire positioned within the inflation lumen and permanently fixed to the distal end of the balloon. This produces a low-profile assembly which is able to cross severely narrowed lesions and to navigate tortuous vascular pathways. Additionally, the fixed guide wire bonded at the distal end of the balloon improves the steerability and pushability of these designs which enhances their maneuverability. The thin shaft design also improves coronary visualization and enables all but the tightest critical lesions to be crossed. However, though able to provide relatively quick and simple balloon placement as well as providing access to lesions otherwise unsuitable for PTCA, balloon-on-a-wire systems sacrifice the ability to maintain guide wire position across the lesion when exchanging balloons or the safety advantage of being able to recross an acutely closed vessel without repositioning the entire assembly.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a balloon-on-a-wire dilation catheter which incorporates all of the benefits of a small diameter fixed wire system yet allows for removal, reengagement or replacement of the balloon while leaving the guide wire in place to preserve an easily renegotiated path along the blood vessel being treated.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an integrated-wire dilation catheter offering an extremely low profile and a small shaft size to facilitate maneuverability and placement of the catheter as well as to provide it with the ability to negotiate tortuous vessels and to pass highly stenosed lesions.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integrated-wire balloon catheter having a steerable guide wire releasably fixed inside the catheter to provide enhanced torqueability, pushability, and maneuverability in order to facilitate the rapid, single operator placement and positioning of the assembly.

Exchangeable integrated-wire balloon catheter


A one piece blow molded cover panel removably positionable in an access opening in a structure adjacent to a threshing region of an agricultural combine. The cover panel includes an inner wall, an outer wall generally co-extending with the inner wall in spaced relation thereto defining at least one cavity therebetween, and elongate upper and lower peripheral edge, and elongate spaced, side peripheral edges. A lower inner lip extends downwardly from the inner wall and the lower peripheral edge along substantially the length thereof, and an outer upper lip extends upwardly from the outer wall and the upper peripheral edge along substantially the length thereof, the cover panel having a size for insertion into the access opening in covering relation thereto with the lower inner lip in abutting relation to a lower edge of the structure defining a lower periphery of the opening and the outer upper lip in abutting relation to an upper edge of the structure defining an upper periphery of the opening, providing effective retaining, sealing, and enclosing functions.

This invention relates generally to a cover panel for an access opening to a threshing region of an agricultural combine, and more particularly, to a unitary blow molded cover panel insertable into and positionable in the access opening for blocking access to and escape of crop material from the threshing region therethrough.
It is well known to provide cover panels for access openings through side sheet frame members adjacent to the threshing region of an agricultural combine, including plastic molded cover panels. Reference in this regard, Haar et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,713 B1, issued Dec. 4, 2001 to Deere and Company. However, such known molded plastic cover panels disclose only a separate gasket added to the edges thereof to provide effective sealing against passage of crop material from the threshing region through the access opening, particularly along a lower peripheral edge thereof. Additionally, the lower edge of the reference cover panel seals along the outer surface of the side sheet, not the inner surface thereof facing the threshing region, such that crop material can collect on the lower inner edge defining the access opening, and could be more likely to escape if the panel becomes loosened or is removed.
Accordingly, what is sought is an improved molded cover panel that eliminates the need for added gaskets, and which provide a better sealing arrangement along the lower peripheral edge of an access opening to a threshing region of another agricultural combine.
According to the present invention, a one piece blow molded cover panel removably positionable in an access opening in a structure adjacent to a threshing region of an agricultural combine, which provides many of the above sought features and advantages, is disclosed. The structure typically includes an elongate upper edge facing away from the threshing region, an elongate lower edge opposite the upper edge and facing toward the threshing region, and spaced side edges extending between the upper edge and lower edge, defining and extending around the access opening, the access opening having a predetermined upward to downward extent between the upper and lower edge and a predetermined side to side extent between the side edges. The cover panel preferably includes an inner wall, an outer wall generally co-extending with the inner wall in spaced relation thereto defining at least one cavity therebetween, an elongate upper peripheral edge connecting the inner and outer walls and enclosing an upper periphery of the at least one cavity therebetween, an elongate lower peripheral edge connecting the inner and outer walls and enclosing a lower periphery of the at least one cavity therebetween, and elongate spaced, side peripheral edges connecting the inner and outer walls and enclosing opposite side peripheries of the at least one cavity. A lower inner lip extends downwardly from the inner wall and the lower peripheral edge along substantially the length thereof, and an outer upper lip extends upwardly from the outer wall and the upper peripheral edge along substantially the length thereof, the cover panel having an upward to downward extent as measured between the upper peripheral edge and the lower peripheral edge thereof only marginally smaller than the upward to downward extent of the access opening, and the panel preferably having a sideward extent as measured between the side peripheral edges marginally smaller than the sideward extent of the access opening, such that the cover panel is positionable in covering relation to the access opening with the lower inner lip in abutting relation to the lower edge of the structure and the outer upper lip in abutting relation to the upper edge of the structure, providing effective retaining, sealing, and enclosing functions.

Unitary blow molded cover panel for a threshing region of an agricultural combine


In a structure for protecting scale graduations, in which a graduation unit formed on a scale base is protected by a scale cover arranged on the top surface side of the graduation unit, a space between the scale base and the scale cover along the entire lateral periphery of the graduation unit is sealed using an adhesive agent mixed with a powder material such as a glass powder for blocking penetration of graduations-deteriorating components, to form a periphery adhesive layer. The scale cover may be supported on the scale base by a height regulating unit provided along the periphery of the graduation unit, so that variations in encoder output due to unevenness in thickness of the adhesive agent for joining the scale cover with the graduation unit can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure for protecting scale graduations and, more particularly, to a structure for protecting scale graduations that is suitably applicable to the cases where aged deterioration of the scale used for a linear encoder, arc encoder, rotary encoder and the like is to be avoided, and where output variations caused by the scale are to be reduced.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional linear encoder, for example as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating its outline, has a scale 10 and a detector 20 arranged to face each other. The linear encoder detects a relative displacement between the scale 10 and the detector 20 by relatively moving the scale 10 and/or the detector 20 in a measurement direction shown by a double-headed arrow.
In such a conventional scale 10 adapted to the encoder, a pattern of a graduation unit 14 is formed by a deposition technique on a main surface of a scale base 12 made of glass.
In some encoders, in which the scale 10 mainly made of glass and the detector 20 are arranged to face each other, a cover glass 16 is joined with the scale 10 to be a single unit in order to protect the graduation unit 14 of the scale 10 from scratches and stains, as shown in FIG. 2.
However, in order to join the cover glass 16 with the scale 10 to be a single unit as described above, as in FIG. 2 schematically showing the scale 10, an upper adhesive layer 18 is disposed between the top surface portion of the graduation unit 14 and the cover glass 16. In this case, aged deterioration of the graduation unit 14 is caused because a common adhesive agent is mainly made from an acrylic or epoxy resin and is likely to absorb graduations-deteriorating components including moisture and gas from the surrounding atmosphere. In particular, when the graduation unit 14 is made from metal, contrast decreases because its surface tarnishes, and when it is made of a photosensitive material, its properties change, thus resulting in the problem of reducing detection accuracy in both cases.
This problem similarly exists even when a space between the scale base 12 and the cover glass 16 along the entire lateral periphery of the graduation unit 14 is sealed using a periphery adhesive layer 18A including an adhesive agent of the same kind, in addition to the upper adhesive layer 18 between the top surface portion of the graduation unit 14 and the cover glass 16, as shown in FIG. 2.
Moreover, when the cover glass 16 is arranged on and joined with the adhesive layer (agent) 18 formed on the top surface portion of the graduation unit 14, another problem of variations in encoder output, which is outputted from the detector 20 as detection values, is caused due to unevenness in thickness of the adhesive agent existing in measurement (movement) direction orthogonal to the width direction in the drawing.
It should be noted that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-318137 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Literature 1) discloses a technique of preventing intrusion of harmful coolant, oil and the like upon a scale electrode side by forming a coating layer on the scale electrode (graduation unit) with its pattern formed on a board. However, the similar problem also exists in this scale structure, because an adhesive agent is used to join the coating layer with a scale cover corresponding to the cover glass.

Structure for protecting scale graduations


A combination of Mannich type reaction products of ethoxylated alkylated phenol, and alkylated arylamine possess excellent antioxidant properties. The presence of alkylated phenol in the structure is believed to provide a synergistic antioxidant activity with the aromatic amine. Presence of the alkylated aromatic moiety is believed to provide enhanced lubricant solubility compared to unalkylated diphenylamine type antioxidants. Application of these synergistic mixtures of additives and synthetic base stocks in premium automotive and industrial lubricants will significantly enhance stability and extend service life.

Lubricants, such as lubricating oils and greases, are subject to oxidative deterioration at elevated temperatures or upon prolonged exposure to the elements. Such deterioration is evidenced, in many instances, by an increase in acidity and in viscosity, and when the deterioration is severe enough, it can cause metal parts to corrode. Additionally, severe oxidation leads to a loss of lubrication properties, and in especially severe cases this may cause complete breakdown of the device being lubricated. Many additives have been tried, however, many of them are only marginally effective except at high concentrations. Improved antioxidants are clearly needed.
Antioxidants or oxidation inhibitors are used to minimize the effects of oil deterioration that occur when hot oil is contacted with air. The degree and rate of oxidation will depend on temperature, air and oil flow rates and, of particular importance, on the presence of metals that may catalytically promote oxidation. Antioxidants generally function by prevention of chain peroxide reaction and/or metal catalyst deactivation. They prevent the formation of acid sludges, darkening of the oil and increases in viscosity due to the formation of polymeric materials.
Water (moisture) is another critical problem. In spite of even extraordinary precautionary efforts water is found as a film or in minute droplets in vessels containing various hydrocarbon distillates. This brings about ideal conditions for corrosion and damage of metal surfaces of the vessels and the materials contained therein. Also in the lubrication of internal combustion engines, for example, quantities of water are often present as a separate phase within the lubricating system. Another serious problem in respect to metallic surfaces in contact with adjacent metallic surfaces is the surface wear caused by the contact of such surfaces. One material capable of simultaneously effectively coping with such problems as these is highly desirous.
It has now been found that the use of a combination of Mannich type reaction products of ethoxylated alkylated phenol, and alkylated arylamine provide exceptional antioxidant activity. These remarkable benefits are to be expected for a variety of synthetic and mineral oil based lubricants.
To the best of our knowledge, this combination has not been previously used as additives in lubricating oils or greases. The additive products themselves and lubricant compositions thereof are both believed to be novel.
The use of arylamines as antioxidants in a variety of lubricant polymers and rubber applications is known. Also, the use of phenols are reported as having antioxidant properties, especially a low temperatures.
It has now been found that incorporative elements of phenol with alkylated arylamine provide exceptional synergistic antioxidant and high temperature stabilities. These elements also provide for good fluidity and enhanced oil solubility, far surpassing expectations.


Noise of a vehicular fuel pump is reduced by determining the major frequency range of the objectionable noise and the deformation patterns of vibrating elements of the pump, and providing a passive vibrator which has designed mass, stiffness and damping values that cause it to resonate in the major frequency range and to provide an out-of-phase reaction force which is of sufficient magnitude to offset the undesired vibration. The passive vibrator may be mounted on the pressure or return line of the pump.

As automobile design has become more sophisticated, the level of noise inside the vehicle (so-called interior noise) has been dramatically reduced, to the point that in at least one case it is said is the loudest sound is the ticking of the clock. Sources of noise which were previously ignored have now become relatively more significant, and it has become desirable to reduce the interior noise from such sources. The noise of the fuel pump is relatively low but the fact that it operates continuously whether or not the vehicle is moving, makes its noise level more noticeable when other sources are inactive. Indeed, servicing of fuel pumps to reduce their contribution to interior noise is becoming a significant component of warranty service on new cars.
Fuel pumps are typically housed in a sealed, removable "sender unit" which is suspended inside the fuel tank itself. In addition to the pump, the sender unit also includes a pressure or feed line and a return line for returning fuel not consumed at the engine. Some sender units also include a "pulsator" between the pump and the pressure line, the purpose of which is to minimize the transmission of pump pressure pulsations to the pressure line.
When a fuel pump is operating it produces forces at its fundamental operating speed and at the harmonics of that speed. Those forces are converted into vibrational energy which is the source of noise inside the vehicle. The fuel pump vibration, which varies in both amplitude and frequency depending on the specific configuration of the pump, lines, tank, and vehicle body, is primarily transmitted from the pump to the sender unit through the pressure line and/or the return line, through a mounting cap to the tank and the vehicle body where it contributes to the interior noise.
The usual approach to controlling pump noise has been to reduce the level of vibration caused by the pump. This has been a particularly difficult problem to solve in practice. Elaborate attempts have been made to reduce pump vibration, including isolating the pump, damping the resonant vibration, and fine tuning the geometry of the lines at different locations. However, such attempts have been only partially successful because the dynamics of the system (pump, lines, tank, body, and interior cavity) are very complex and any change (even small) in the assembly, its age and operating conditions can tend eventually to minimize, or even negate any improvement. For example, previous attempts to isolate the pump vibration forces have resulted in good reduction in the vertical direction, but not in other directions. Vibrational energy is transmitted in all directions from the pump, that is, longitudinally of the pump axis as well as rotationally and laterally, and it is not practical to isolate vibration in directions other than vertical. For this and other reasons, prior attempts to reduce pump noise have proven insufficient, and there has been a need for a better way to reduce the noise component generated by the fuel pump in a vehicle.

Apparatus and method for reducing vehicular fuel pump noise


A marine propulsion device includes an internal combustion engine powering the marine propulsion device and an engine compartment containing the engine. A primary exhaust passageway routes exhaust gas away from the engine and out of the engine compartment. A sound enhancement assembly communicates with the primary exhaust passageway. The sound enhancement assembly includes a sound enhancement device tuned to amplify exhaust sounds of a predetermined frequency and a sound duct downstream of the sound enhancement device that transmits the amplified exhaust sounds to an area outside the engine compartment. The sound enhancement device isolates the sound duct from the exhaust gas. A method for modifying sounds produced by an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine is also disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,359,981 discloses an outboard motor including a system for enhancement of a first subset of sounds having a desired frequency, and a method for modifying sounds produced by an air intake system for an internal combustion engine powering the outboard motor. The method includes collecting sounds emitted in an area proximate a throttle body of the engine. A first subset of the collected sounds, which have frequencies within desired frequency range, is then amplified. The amplified first subset of sounds is then transmitted to an area outside a cowl covering the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,376,195 discloses an outboard motor comprising an engine having an exhaust gas discharge opening, a midsection housing coupled below and supporting the engine, and an exhaust pipe having an exhaust inlet in fluid communication with the exhaust gas discharge opening. The exhaust pipe extends downwardly to a primary exhaust outlet. An idle relief port in the exhaust pipe is located in a fluid path between the exhaust inlet and the primary exhaust outlet. A sound-attenuating plenum chamber has an interior that is in fluid communication with an interior of the exhaust pipe by way of the idle relief port. The plenum chamber is a separate component that is exterior to the midsection housing, and exhaust gas flows from the interior of the exhaust pipe to the interior of the plenum chamber without first flowing through the midsection housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,376 discloses exhaust systems for outboard marine engines that are configured to propel a marine vessel in a body of water. An intermediate exhaust conduit is configured to receive the exhaust gas from the primary exhaust conduit. A primary muffler receives the exhaust gas from a intermediate exhaust conduit. A secondary muffler receives the exhaust gas from the primary muffler. An idle relief outlet discharges the exhaust gas from the secondary muffler to atmosphere. A bypass valve is positionable into an open position wherein the exhaust gas is permitted to bypass the secondary muffler and flow from the primary muffler to the idle relief outlet and into a closed position wherein the exhaust gas is not permitted to bypass the secondary muffler and instead flows from the primary muffler to the idle relief outlet via the secondary muffler.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,180,121 discloses an outboard motor including an internal combustion engine and a cowl covering the engine. An air vent allows intake air into the cowl, an air intake duct routes the intake air from the air vent to the engine, and a throttle body meters flow of the intake air from the air intake duct into the engine. A sound enhancement device is located proximate the throttle body. A sound duct is provided, and has an inlet end located proximate the sound enhancement device and an outlet end located proximate an outer surface of the cowl. The sound enhancement device is tuned to amplify a first subset of sounds having a desired frequency that are emitted from the throttle body, and the sound duct transmits the amplified sounds to an area outside the cowl. A method for modifying sounds produced by an air intake system of an outboard motor is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,909,545 discloses an outboard motor including an internal combustion engine powering the outboard motor and a cowl covering the engine and having a vent allowing air under the cowl. A throttle body meters flow of the air into the engine and an intake structure downstream of the throttle body delivers the metered airflow to one or more combustion chambers in a cylinder block of the engine. A sound enhancement assembly in acoustic communication with the intake structure collects sounds emitted by the engine. The sound enhancement assembly is configured to amplify a subset of the collected sounds that have frequencies within a desired frequency range. A method for modifying sounds produced by an air intake system of an internal combustion engine powering an outboard motor is also disclosed. The method includes positioning a sound enhancement assembly in acoustic communication with an air intake passageway located downstream of the engine's throttle body.
The above patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Exhaust sound enhancement assembly and method for a marine propulsion device


Disclosed is a friction device of a lockup clutch which comprises an annular and plate-shaped piston linking with pressure to the input portion of a torque converter, an annular driven plate linking to the turbine of the torque converter, and damper springs for coupling the piston and driven plate in the circumferential direction, in which a friction mechanism is disposed between the internal circumferential portion of the piston and the turbine hub, and this friction mechanism is provided with a first friction member not rotatable relative to the turbine hub and a second friction member not rotatable relative to the piston, and these two friction members are pressed to each other so as to produce friction in the friction members by the relative rotation of piston and turbine hub.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lockup clutch to be incorporated into a torque converter of automobiles and the like, and more particularly to a friction device to be assembled in such lockup clutch.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Lockup clutches to which the invention is applied are disclosed, for example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,532, the Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-28126, and the Japanese Utility Model Application Nos. 61-170593 and 61-170594.
In such clutches, the piston as the input portion and the driven plate as the output portion are linked in the circumferential direction by means of plural damper springs (compressive coil springs), and the torque vibrations are absorbed by the expansion and contraction of these springs.
The torque vibration absorbing characteristics of clutches depend, generally, not only on characteristics of damper springs but also on friction characteristics of discs. That is, when the piston and driven plate of the lockup clutch deflect relatively, it is composed to cause a proper friction corresponding to such deflecting action, thereby building up a proper hysteresis torque on the deflection characteristics of the disc, so tha the torque vibrations may be effectively absorbed.
In the conventional lockup clutches, however, since there is no particular mechanism for generating the friction, the hysteresis torque cannot be set accurately to a desired value.


A golf tee support includes a base having a planar configuration for positioning on the ground, and a cylindrical body having an integral floor with an opposing open end providing an access to a cavity therein. The cylindrical body is secured to the base. A plurality of rigid fingers made of durable plastic or rubber have one end secured to the floor so that the fingers are orientated parallel to the cylindrical body for receiving a golf tee portion and holding the golf tee portion in a vertical orientation. The rigid fingers have opposing ends terminating at the top edge of the cylindrical body. The opposing ends are tapered for facilitating the entry of the golf tee into the cavity. The plurality of rigid fingers are packed in the cylindrical body to occupy at least 75-90% of the volume of the cavity, but allowing each rigid finger to be spaced from an adjacent rigid finger.

Golf tees are commonly used at driving ranges and golf courses to position the golf ball above the ground to simulate conditions of a natural golf course. The typical golf tee at a driving range has a generally cylindrical body set at a predetermined height for anchoring a golf ball. The golfer is forced to use that predetermined height when hitting the golf balls from the tee. Generally, golfers tee their golf balls higher for drivers and lower for iron club. In the golf tee assembly of the prior art, the location of the ball relative to the ground cannot be raised or lowered at the golfer's discretion. The golf tee assemblies of the prior art do not allow for these variances in height.


A smart filing system and method of use. The filing system includes a sanding or filing surface and a sensor for sensing the filed or sanded surface. An analyzing module analyzing the information obtained from the sensor and is capable of directing the system to modify the sanding. This modification may include changing the size of grains used for sanding or using a different sanding pattern and the like. A method for using the system is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a sanding or filing system and, more particularly, to a sanding or filing system which is capable of determining a smoothness/roughness of a surface and providing such information to a user for either automatic or manual adjustment of the sanding or filing.
2. Background Description
The sanding or filing of surfaces is typically accomplished by sanding the surface of the object with sandpaper, a file or other such apparatus which has a course surface. In use, an artisan or craftsman may sand the surface to a certain smoothness by either manually sanding the surface in a certain pattern or, alternatively, attaching the sandpaper to a belt sander or other similar mechanism.
In sanding the surface, the craftsman will periodically check the smoothness or roughness of the surface by sliding one""s hand across the surface. Although this can provide a certain assurance of smoothness, there is no objective criteria to determine the exact smoothness of the surface. That is, there may be portions of the surface which are not the same smoothness as other portions and which cannot be ascertained simply by sliding one""s hand across the sanded surface. Also, using these common systems cannot provide the same smoothness, to any accurate degree of certainty, as a similarly sanded surface. In addition, even if a rough spot was found by using the above method, there is no known mechanism to isolate only that region in order for only that region to then be sanded.
In one aspect of the present invention a smart filing system is provided. The smart filing system includes a sanding or filing surface adapted for working a surface and at least one sensor for sensing the level of roughness or smoothness of the surface. The system further includes a module for analyzing the level of roughness or smoothness of the surface. The analyzing module obtains the level of roughness or smoothness of the surface from the at least one sensor. A communication module is provided for communication between at least the analyzing module and the at least one sensor. In embodiments, a display and a database for storing information is provided. The filing system may also include a comparator module, a camera, a control planning module, a directing module and a graphical user interface.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for working (sanding or filing) a surface is also provided. The method includes the following steps:
(a) placing a sanding or filing surface on a surface to be worked;
(b) moving the sanding or filing surface along the surface in a predefined pattern;
(c) obtaining data about the surface via sensors;
(d) determining a roughness of the surface from the obtained data;
(e) determining whether the surface is at a predetermined smoothness based on the roughness of the surface obtained in step (d); and
(f) determining that the surface is at a predetermined smoothness and ending the working.
A third aspect of the present invention includes a computer programmable code for implementing the steps of the present invention.

International Business Machines Corporation