A lighter than air aircraft has a non-jettisonable ballast comprised of a liquefied lighter than air gas contained within an insulated container. The liquefied gas is vaporized and released into the lift compartment of the aircraft which is at least partially filled with a lifting gas. A heat exchanger, separate from the means delivering the vaporized gas to the lift compartment, increases the temperature of the vaporized gas prior to entry of the vaporized gas into the lift compartment, wherein the vaporized gas becomes mixed together with lifting gas and whereby damage to the compartment by excessive cooling is minimized.

Lighter than air aircraft which operate by means of lift afforded by buoyant gas, almost always use a means for controlling the effective lift from the gas. This often entails changing the temperature of the gas (hotter gas provides greater lift and vice versa) or by means of ballast. The ballast, typically in the form of a convenient material such as sand and finely divided metal are commonly used. The ballast, provides a drag or control (i.e., extra weight) for maintaining a desired low altitude with higher altitudes being obtained by the jettisoning thereof since the lighter the aircraft, the greater the effect of the lifting gas and the higher the altitude. Ballast is jettisoned when higher altitude is necessary (when a rapid rise is required or heating of the buoyant gas in not feasible or desired) and buoyant gas is released or cooled (hotter gas occupies greater volume with increased lift) to decrease the buoyancy and to lower the altitude. It may also be desirable to use the ballast to reduce or stop descent to make up for loss in lift that may occur from gas leakage or cooling from decrease in either the amount of incident sunlight or of incident infrared radiation from the surrounding. Control of the aircraft is therefore dependent in some measure on the amount of ballast carried by the aircraft. However, once jettisoned, ballast is lost and not renewable for additional use and control. As a result, effective air loft time or flight time is limited by the amount of available ballast. It is usually prudent to land with some ballast still in the craft to make a controlled and safe landing.
As used herein the term "airship" refers to any craft equipped With propelling means through the surrounding air and which derives at least some of its lift from a lifting gas. This includes blimps and all kinds of non-rigid airships as well as airships with a rigid structure, such as those referred to as Zeppelins or dirigibles which obtain all or most of their lift from a lighter than air gas. It also includes all hybrid craft deriving lift partly from a lighter than air gas and partly by aerodynamic lift generated by moving though an atmosphere. Airships can compensate for changes in lift to some degree by using aerodynamic forces generated by moving though the air. Nevertheless, it is common practice to carry ballast in these craft to land in case of engine failure. It is also often desirable to keep an airship close to equilibrium to minimize power needed to generate aerodynamic forces on the craft.


The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for configuring end user equipment. A service broker may transmit access settings to an access node where the access settings are for a predetermined service provider. The access settings may be transmitted to end user equipment so that the predetermined service provider can access the end user equipment in order to configure the end user equipment to receive a service provided by the service provider.

1. Field
The present invention relates to providing an improved service access between a user and at least one service provider.
2. Description of Related Art
Presently, there are a multitude of different services that are available to a user each of which may be offered by a different service provider. For example, a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) may provide the service of mobile voice and data calls, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) may provide the service of Internet access, a telecommunication operator (Telco) may provide the service of fixed voice calls, an access provider may provide the service of broadband access, a further service provider may provide the service of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) or Video on Demand (VoD) and so on. Furthermore, it is expected that in the future as technologies advance more and more different services will become available to the user where different service providers may also offer those services.
Accordingly, a user that requires more than one service will typically have to sign a contract with each of the different service providers. However, having several contracts with several service providers for different services, where each contract will most likely have different terms and conditions, different tariffs or costs, different points of contact, different contract lengths etc, may cause confusion and difficulties for the user.
Therefore, a user would prefer to have a single contract for all, or for the majority, of the services they want to use which has been recognised in the industry. In order to address this, one service provider, e.g. a Telco, may expand their operations to include further services such as Internet access which they can offer as a package to the user. In another mode of operation, several service providers may agree to offer their services as part of a package with one of the service providers acting as the face to the user. In a further mode of operation, a separate company may have an agreement with the service providers to package several services together where the service broker offers the package to a user.
However, in each of the above modes of operation the user is restricted to receiving the services that are provided as part of the package. For example, one package may include an excellent fixed service and mobile service but a poor Internet access service as there is no flexibility in the package of services. Furthermore, in each of the above modes of operation the company or service provider that is facing the end user and providing a package of services may be known as a service broker.
Typically, in order for a user to receive a service they require specific end user equipment or node, e.g. a set top box, to be connected to the user's home network via an access router. Alternatively, the access router may include the functionality necessary to enable the user to receive the service where the functionality is typically separate to the access router's normal functionality, for example a print server may be incorporated into the access router.
An access router is typically the access point between the user's home network and an external network which may be based on various communication protocols and technologies such as a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, cable network, Passive optical Network (PON), satellite network and so on. Thus, the access router typically includes various functionalities such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DCHP), Network Address Translation (NAT), a firewall and so on. The standard functionality of an access router is well known in the art and therefore not described in detail.
The specific end user equipment is typically provided by the service provider and as such is usually branded by the service provider meaning that it cannot be re-used by a different service provider should the user decide to switch the supplier of a particular service. The service provider supplying the end user equipment will typically also want control over the end user equipment in order to commission the end user equipment but also to prevent users or other third parties from performing any unauthorised alterations to the end user equipment. Moreover, as the service provider supplies the end user equipment then the cost of manufacturing the end user equipment will typically be added to the tariff or subscription charges levied by the service provider.
Thus, there is currently a need to provide the ability to enable a service broker to use generic end user equipment, to be able to flexibly choose any service provider for a particular service and to enable the chosen service provider to configure the generic end user equipment as the service broker may not have the means or the ability to control and configure the end user equipment.


A method for operating and engine having a cylinder with at least an intake and exhaust valve, comprising of performing a combustion cycle in the cylinder in which exhaust valve closing occurs after intake valve opening thereby creating valve overlap, boosting intake air above exhaust pressure, where said boosted intake air is inducted into said cylinder while said intake valve is open and at least a first portion of said inducted boosted intake air flows past the exhaust valve with both said intake and exhaust valves are open during said overlap, directly injecting fuel to said cylinder that is combusted in said cylinder, where a beginning of said fuel injection occurs after said exhaust valve closing and said directly injected fuel is mixed with at least a second portion of said inducted boosted intake air, and combusting said mixture at a rich air-fuel ratio.

Engines may use boosting devices, such as turbochargers, to increase engine power density. However, engine knock may occur due to increased combustion temperature, thus requiring spark retard, which in turn reduced fuel efficiency.
The inventors herein have recognized that under some conditions, utilizing intake manifold pressure boosting in which valve overlap near top dead center (TDC) is present may be advantageous in reducing residuals. Further, such valve timing and pressure boosting, in combination with direct injection fueling (e.g., in-cylinder injection) may be used to reduce charge temperatures and reduce the tendency for auto ignition (knock), thus enabling improved torque output and fuel economy under selected conditions.
However, the inventors have also recognized that under some conditions during valve overlap in which both intake and exhaust valves are concurrently at least partially open near TDC (such as near the end of the exhaust stroke, beginning of intake stroke) and intake manifold pressure is higher than exhaust pressure (due to boosting), fresh charge that does not participate in combustion may flow through to the exhaust manifold. Thus, by in some cases, it may be beneficial to utilize direct fuel injection that begins after exhaust valve closed (to reduce the likelihood of unburned fuel passing through to the exhaust) along with rich combustion so that an overall exhaust mixture may be maintained near stoichiometry. In this way, improved performance along with reduce emissions may be achieved.

System and method for boosted direct injection engine


Generally disclosed is a capo and related methods of use. Operably, the capo may be secured to the neck of stringed musical instruments to barre its strings. Suitably, the capo may (1) generally feature a replaceable and adjustable strap, (2) be configured for quick relocation among the frets of a stringed musical instrument with a tapering neck, and (3) be configured for quick adjustment of the pressure applied to strings barred thereby.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the field of capotastos for use with stringed instruments.
2. Background of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to attachments for stringed instruments, more specifically capos and improvements thereto.
Often musicians playing stringed instruments desire to raise the pitch of the instrument. This is common with fretted instruments, such as guitars, mandolins, and banjos, among others. One way musicians have accomplished achieving a higher pitch is to attach a device known as a capotasto, also called a "capo" for short. A capo can be attached to the neck of a stringed instrument, usually one which is fretted, in such a manner so as to press the strings to the fret, or the neck itself in the case of an unfretted instrument. Pressing the strings in such a manner effectively shortens the portion of the string actually played with each strum, thus resulting in a higher pitch. Playing the instrument in a higher pitch allows the musician to perform a piece in a certain key using different finger positions as compared to the "open" position (i.e., without the use of a capo).
There have been various styles of capos in the prior art. One common type of capo is the "trigger-style" capo. This style typically has two bars, one rubber-covered to barre the strings (i.e., press the strings against the fret), and another which presses against the back of the neck of the instrument to secure the capo to the instrument. Commonly, the two bars may be connected via a hinge mechanism, and utilize a spring or screw mechanism to securely fasten the capo to the instrument. Although such capos may offer the benefit of a quick-release mechanism, they also typically lack the ability to easily adjust the pressure of the capo against the strings. Such capos apply the maximum pressure to hold strings against the frets, which can negatively impact the tuning of some guitars.
Another common capo type is the strap-on capo. These types of capos typically have a rubber-covered bar which is placed across the strings in order to barre them, and then a strap attached to either end of the bar, and wrapped around the back of the neck of the instrument, to firmly secure the capo to the instrument. Straps for such capos are typically composed of elastic or fabric, and can be adjusted to set tightness through a ratcheting or clamping mechanism. A typical strap-on capo is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,012 to Dunlop. The strap allows for even pressure against the strings. However, because such straps are stretched, over time they can suffer a loss of elasticity and eventual failure due to excessive wear. When the strap breaks or becomes incapable of providing adequate tension, the entire capo needs to be replaced.

Adjustable strap-on capotasto with replaceable strap and method of use


A photoinitiated polymerizable composition for 3D printing, the polymerizable composition comprising a nanogel component that comprises nanogel particles, wherein the nanogel particles comprise a copolymer with polymerizable reactive groups suitable for reacting with each other or a reactive diluent monomer, a reactive oligomer, a resin, or a combination thereof that is present in the polymerizable composition upon photoinitiation, wherein the nanogel component has a glass transition temperature that is in a range of about −50 C and about 20 C and an average molecular weight that is in a range of about 10 kg/mol and about 100 kg/mol, and wherein the nanoparticles have an average hydrodynamic radius that is in a range of 1 nm to about 5 nm.

Photopolymer-based three-dimensional printing is used widely with conventional techniques including the stereo lithography apparatus (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), and polyjet/inkjet printing. Problems or concerns with current 3D printing operations and resulting products include, for example, anisotropy in mechanical properties, volumetric shrinkage and shrinkage stress, diffusion of monomer and radical species across interfaces, which tends to results in distortion of edges, conversion gradients in formed layers.
Thus, a need still exists for polymerizable materials suitable for 3D printing and/or methods of 3D printing that addresses one or more of these problems.

3D printing with polymeric nanogel particles

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO


An image forming apparatus is provided with a processing unit that performs a predetermined process, a power-supply shutting unit that shuts off power supply to the processing unit when a predetermined door is opened, a voltage detecting unit that detects a decrease in voltage at a point located posterior to the power-supply shutting unit, and a communication control unit that does not initiate communication with the processing unit if the decrease in voltage is detected by the voltage detecting unit before a start of the communication with the processing unit, and judges the just-ended communication as abnormal if the decrease in voltage is detected by the voltage detecting unit after the end of the communication with the processing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting a communication error and a communication control program product.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image processing of an image forming apparatus is controlled by communication among a plurality of units for performing various controls in the image forming apparatus. In some units, the power may be turned off when the predetermined door provided for the image forming apparatus is opened (hereinafter this trigger may be referred to as "door opening"). In the image forming apparatus provided with such a kind of unit, the normal communication is not initiated between the apparatus and the unit if the door opening occurs.
In order to overcome this inconvenience, there is a known method of detecting the communication error by the parity check, and checking the opening/closing status of the door after the communication error is detected, in order to determine whether the communication error is caused by the door opening or by a trouble of the communication means or lines.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H04-213271 discloses a configuration provided with a door opening/closing detecting unit for detecting the opening/closing status of the door in order to determine the communication error is caused by the door opening or by the trouble of the communication means or lines (the true communication error), a communication status detecting unit such as parity check for detecting that the communication is normally initiated, a communication monitoring unit for storing the detection result, and a self diagnosing unit for diagnosing the status of the apparatus on the basis of the detecting result of the door opening/closing detecting unit and the content stored in the communication monitoring unit.
However, the disclosed method has a problem as follows. In a case that the door opening occurs in the middle of communication, the parity check may fail in detecting the communication error at some timing between the data transfer and the door opening detection. Therefore, there is a risk that a wrong data is retrieved.

Image forming apparatus and communication control program product


A method and a portable device that support the control of a data communication setting are provided. The portable terminal includes a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card interface into which the SIM is inserted. The device further includes a control unit, a memory unit, and a radio frequency unit. The control unit extracts Mobile Country Code/Mobile Network Code (MCC/MNC) information from the inserted SIM, determines data communication setting information corresponding to the MCC/MNC information from a policy table containing the data communication setting information for each MCC/MNC information, and establishes a data communication by using the determined data communication setting information. The memory unit stores the policy table, and the radio frequency unit performs the established data communication with a specific service operator network related to the SIM under the control of the control unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a data communication setting control method and portable device based on a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) which may allow an update of data communication setting and also allow an update of fast dormancy information according to SIM types.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable devices are becoming increasingly popular based on their mobility and the various additional and useful functions that they now provide. A mobile communication device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc., are representatives of such a portable device. A mobile communication device is equipped with a module for supporting a mobile communication function and supports voice and data communications with other mobile communication devices through a base station. A PDA has a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a memory, an Operating System (OS), various programs based on the OS, and various other components, and may perform information gathering, storing, creating and searching. With these capabilities, a conventional portable device supports a mobile communication function or supports a specific user function based on various programs stored in the memory. Additionally, a conventional portable device supports the operation based on a SIM.
Such a portable device accesses a network, provided by a specific service operator, depending on data communication setting information stored in the SIM, and sends or receives information required for data communication. The portable device may access a network of another service operator for any of various reasons such as roaming. In this case, data communication setting information offered by a current service operator may often be different from that offered by the former service operator. This may cause a problem in that the portable device fails to perform a proper data communication. Furthermore, inconsistency in data communication setting information between service operators may give rise to various restrictions in a data communication, so that a conventional portable device may have difficulty in providing seamless communication services.

Data communication setting control method based on subscriber identification module and portable device for supporting the same


A protective pad to be employed by a person engaged in athletic activity utilizes to protect the user's hands formed from a very thin rectangular piece of rubber having a thickness of approximately 0.032 inch. On the top side of the protective pad are located treads upraised from the top surface of the pad. The treads are evenly spaced and approximately ½ inch apart and have triangular cross sections. The bottom side of the protective, which is the side placed against the grip portion of the piece of athletic equipment, is generally flat and has a tacky surface. The user wraps the protective pad around the grip portion of the piece of athletic equipment with the bottom tacky side of the pad adjacent to the grip.

Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the force or gravity (in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weighted stacks) to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction. Weight training uses a variety of specialized equipment to target specific muscle groups and types of movement. Weight training differs from bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting and strongman, which are sports rather than forms of exercise. Weight training, however, is often part of the athlete's training regimen. Weight training can be one of the safest forms of exercise, especially when the movements are slow, controlled and carefully defined. However, as with any form of exercise, improper execution can result in injury. Aside from the obvious dangers such as pulled muscles, weight trainers must also look out for their hands. Applying too much pressure on the bars and handles can quickly result in painful blisters and unattractive calluses. To help prevent this, weight trainers typically employ protective gloves, wearing these as they work out. Unfortunately, gloves can present a couple of challenges. Particularly, these athletic accessories tend to be quite expensive, and can provide an impractical expense for many. In addition, most weight trainers feel that the gloves can hinder hand control, resulting in slippage as well as inaccurate weight pressure.
Revealed in the prior art are several devices to be employed either as gripping aids or protective pads for gripping weights or for use with other such devices having grips or handles. None of the prior art, however, includes all of the unique combination of elements of the present invention protective pad, which unique elements are disclosed herein. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,400 B1, entitled Hand at Rest Grip, issued to Pope on Feb. 6, 2001 discloses an attachment device for dumbbells and the like. The device is made up of two parts hingedly attached together to form a grasping area. Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,295 B2 issued to Tillim on Jun. 24, 2006 which patent shows an apparatus for gripping.
As none of the prior art disclosed the combination of elements of the present invention, the following are objectives of the protective pad disclosed herein. The protective pad would be simple to manufacture and lightweight and therefore facilitates the athlete carrying one or several of the pads of the present invention in his or her gym bag. The pad is manufactured from durable yet comfortable very thin rubberized material and is generally rectangular. On the top side of the invention, which is the side adjacent to the user's hands during employment, are disposed a plurality of treads to improve gripability and tactile feel. The bottom side of the invention is generally flat. Both surfaces and the treads have a tacky or static surface which slightly adheres to the grip of the dumbbell.
One object of the present invention is to absorb pressure placed onto the hands during the course of weight training thereby providing the user with a comfortable grip. Another objective of the present invention is to provide the user with a firm and stable grip onto the gripping portion of an exercise machine or barbell or dumbbell. This in turn obviates the necessity for the athlete to purchase, carry and employ more expensive, yet clumsier weight training gloves. A further advantage of the present invention is that the protective pad of the present invention could be utilized in a wide variety of athletic endeavors such as in connection with golf, tennis baseball and the like.
Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art, upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claim or claims.

Protective pad for use during athletic activities


The present disclosure proposes a method and an apparatus for converting English speech information into a text. The method may include: receiving the English speech information inputted by a user, determining a target speech recognition model according to a preset algorithm, and identifying original phonemes of the English speech information by applying the target speech recognition model; performing a matching on the original phonemes by applying a phonetic model generated by pre-training English texts and a preset probability model, and determining a target phoneme matched successfully; and acquiring a target English text corresponding to the target phoneme, and displaying the target English text on a speech conversion textbox.

Artificial intelligence (AI for short) is a new technology for studying and developing theories, methods, technologies and application systems for simulating, extending and expanding human intelligence. AI is a branch of computer science, intending to know essence of intelligence and to produce an intelligent machine able to act in a way similar to that of human intelligence. Researches on the AI field refer to robots, speech recognition, image recognition, natural language processing and expert systems etc. A significant branch of AI is the speech recognition technology.

Method and apparatus for converting English speech information into text

BAIDU ONLINE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.


A needle that consists of two pieces: the first piece has a tip, a shaft, a spring and a bi-color indicator, and the second piece has two parallel hollow lumens; one lumen is for fluid entrance and passage, and the other lumen configured to receive the first piece. When the hypodermic needle tip touches the skin or being inside a tissue the spring will be squeezed and the first piece will be situated backward in its primary position. When the tip of the needle just enters any cavity or any vessel the spring will be freed and pushes the first piece forward with the change of the color of the bicolored indicator.

When using an ordinary needle to get a blood sample from or to inject medication in a blood vessel, we enter blindly through the skin and tissue to reach the vessel, so it is possible to get in and continue out of the vessel without even knowing that we pass through it, which unfortunately will rupture the vessel and cause discomfort to the patient, so one application of the spring hypodermic needle is that it prevents the blindly passing through a vessel. Another application is with many emergency cases when we have a collapsed patient who needs immediate cannula insertion, and in those cases the blood vessels are collapsed and attenuated, which makes it difficult to get in, so the usage of the spring hypodermic needle and cannula will make it easier and quicker to get inside a vessel and save patient's life. Another application is in lumber puncture procedure, as it is known we enter blindly using regular needles that may eventually induce injuries and serious complications to the spine, and by using the spring hypodermic needle we will know immediately when the needle just gets inside the spinal cavity, so we avoid and prevent serious complications.


A hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine utilizes either internal or external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), while providing an overall stoichiometric fuel/air ratio. An EGR system provides recirculated exhaust gas to the engine, and an engine controller regulates fuel flow to control torque and achieve a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio. A three-way catalyst can be applied to the exhaust gas to produce near-zero emissions. In addition, turbocharging or mechanical supercharging can also be used to increase power.

A perfectly balanced air and fuel mixture is commonly known as a 'stoichiometric' mixture. Theoretically, this type of mixture will burn all of the available fuel charge using all of the oxygen available in the air charge. The normalized fuel/air equivalence ratio, designated φ, or phi, is defined as the actual fuel/air ratio divided by the stoichiometric fuel/air ratio for any particular fuel of interest in any consistent set of units (mass ratio, volume ratio, etc.). The fuel/air ratio φ, or phi, is also equivalent to the inverse of the normalized fuel/air ratio known as lambda, or λ. φ equals 1 for a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio. When excess fuel is present (φ greater than one), the mixture is referred to as a 'rich' mixture. On the other hand, when excess air is present (φ less than one), the mixture is referred to as a 'lean' mixture.
A problem with the use of hydrogen as a motor fuel occurs due to the high flame speed of hydrogen. Hydrogen has an extremely rapid flame speed near stoichiometric fuel/air ratio conditions, which leads to unstable combustion, high oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, and an audible "knocking" sound. The knocking sounds occur even when the combustion is not in a state of true knock from preignition or detonation. For these reasons, most hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines have only been operated at lean fuel/air ratios.
To slow the hydrogen flame speed for stable combustion, fuel/air equivalence ratios of approximately 0.8φ or less are necessary, and acceptable NOx emissions may require equivalence ratios of 0.5φ or less. The wide flammability range of hydrogen allows operation down to equivalence ratios of about 0.2φ. These lean fuel/air ratio conditions limit the specific power output of hydrogen engines, so supercharging or turbo charging is often used to bring the output back up to typical diesel or gasoline power levels.
For the lowest possible exhaust emissions, it is generally desirable to operate spark-ignited internal combustion engines at a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio. This allows the use of a three-way exhaust catalyst, which oxidizes any unburned fuel and carbon monoxide, and reduces almost all of the NOx emissions and any unreacted oxygen. Emissions with a three-way (HC+CO+NOx) catalyst are much less than lean-burn emissions, especially regarding NOx. Current catalyst technology cannot effectively reduce NOx emissions of lean-burn engines. The extremely lean operating conditions possible with hydrogen fuel can dramatically reduce NOx emissions, but only at the expense of specific power and efficiency.
Lean burning engines avoid high NOx emissions by diluting the charge with extra air to reduce peak flame temperature. This dilution also reduces flame speed, which is excessive for near-stoichiometric hydrogen/air mixtures. Using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), with stoichiometric overall fuel/air ratio, the dilution effects are similar. The flame speed and combustion temperatures are reduced to stabilize the combustion and further decrease NOx formation. The EGR diluted, stoichiometric exhaust lacks excess oxygen to interfere with the NOx-reduction activity of the three-way catalysts, and less oxygen is available in the combustion chamber for NOx formation, relative to lean-burn air dilution. Any unburned hydrogen is a powerful reducing agent for efficient catalysis of nitrogen oxides at low exhaust temperatures.
In the typical spark ignited engine, there are efficiency losses due to throttling, known as pumping work. A throttle plate is used to control airflow through the intake manifold into the combustion chamber. It is advantageous to keep the pressure drop across the throttle to a minimum, whenever possible, to avoid efficiency losses. However, there are problems associated with the operation of lean-burn hydrogen engines at wide open throttle. At very low loads, throttling is typically needed to control the combustion stability of hydrogen. This also limits the unburned hydrogen emissions. At medium to high loads, the power output of a lean-burn hydrogen engine may be controlled by varying the fuel/air ratio at wide open throttle, but a reasonable power output for a given engine size requires fuel/air ratios rich enough to substantially increase the NOx emissions.
The methods of EGR can be broadly classified as either 'internal' or 'external'. By closing the exhaust valve early or leaving it open through the intake valve opening and the beginning of the intake stroke, exhaust gases can either be trapped or drawn back into the engine cylinder for internal EGR. With a naturally aspirated hydrogen engine, a fixed-timing cam with delayed exhaust valve closing can be designed to deliver an appropriate EGR percentage at wide open throttle. At lower loads, as the air intake throttle is closed, the intake manifold pressure is reduced relative to the exhaust manifold pressure. This reduces power by both throttling the intake air charge and by drawing in additional EGR. However, the amount of throttling at a given part-load condition is greatly reduced, which also reduces pumping losses and improves part-load efficiency. Internal EGR may also be controlled with variable valve timing control, common on many modern gasoline engines. With variable valve timing, the EGR percentage can be directly controlled between the exhaust valve closing and intake valve opening times, and no throttling is necessary.
Internal EGR is hot EGR, which may increase the likelihood of preignition and/or intake backfiring. Hydrogen fuel has a fairly high autoignition temperature, but the ignition energy requirement is extremely low. Therefore, hot exhaust gases, particles, or residual combustion reactions may ignite the incoming air/hydrogen mixture. These risks can be mitigated by combustion chamber design details and good lubrication oil control. In addition, the simplicity of the fixed-cam-timing, internal EGR system may outweigh the small efficiency losses resulting from slight throttling, compared to completely unthrottled, variable valve timing or external EGR systems. On the other hand, designing a fixed-timing cam for turbocharged engines may be difficult, due to the uncertain relationship between the intake and exhaust manifold pressures at various operating conditions. Internal EGR with fixed cam timing may also require delayed intake valve opening and near-zero valve timing overlap for supercharged engines, since the intake pressure is almost always greater than the exhaust pressure. In this case, additional part load throttling may also be required.
In contrast to internal EGR control systems, external EGR is plumbed from the exhaust manifold, or further downstream, back to the intake manifold, or further upstream, through a separate metering valve or flow control device. This external EGR flow can be further categorized as 'hot' or 'cooled'. For conventional gasoline engines utilizing hot EGR, the EGR flow is relatively small, so the passive cooling provided by the EGR plumbing and mixing with cooler intake air is sufficient to avoid any problems due to excessive intake temperature. However, modern diesel engines utilizing very high EGR flow rates use a dedicated EGR heat exchanger, cooled by the engine coolant loop. Hydrogen engines with EGR for torque control can have EGR flow rates even higher than typical diesels, and they can utilize the EGR coolers developed for similar or somewhat larger diesel engines.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

System and method of stoichiometric combustion for hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines


In a method for identifying and classifying premature atrial contractions, a cardiac lead having multiple electrodes, electrically separated from each other, at its tip is placed in contact with cardiac tissue, so that at least two of the electrodes are simultaneously in contact with the cardiac tissue. When a depolarization wave arrives at the tip, respective unipolar signals are detected from multiple electrodes in contact with the cardiac tissue, and these signals are analyzed, such as by identifying a time offset between pairs of the signals, to identify a propagation direction of the depolarization wave. Dependent on this propagation direction, the depolarization wave is classified as representing a normal sinus beat or a premature atrial contraction. By further analysis, the premature atrial contraction, if present, is classified as originating either from the right atrium or the left atrium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for detecting premature atrial contraction (PAC), and in particular to such a method and apparatus employing a cardiac lead having a multi-electrode tip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Analysis of signal morphology, and time offsets between recurring features of an IEGM signal, for the purpose of classifying the signal as representing a particular type of cardiac activity, are known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,095 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,554. In the known techniques described in these patents, either a single signal is analyzed as it is received over time, or multiple signals, respectively received from relatively widely spaced apart electrodes, are analyzed. Since the electrodes are spatially separated, the propagating wavefront arising due to cardiac electrical activity will completely pass a first of the electrodes in its propagation path before reaching subsequent electrodes in its propagation path. In the intervening propagation distance between the spaced apart electrodes, the signals may be corrupted by noise, and it may further be difficult to determine whether the xe2x80x9csamexe2x80x9d signal is being received at the subsequent electrode as was xe2x80x9cseenxe2x80x9d by the first electrode. This makes it difficult to analyze features of the respectively received signals relative to each other, because there is an uncertainty as to whether any differences in the respectively received signals which are identified are truly indicative of a particular type of cardiac activity, or instead arise due to changes in the signal as it moves along its propagation path.
This is particularly true with regard to a conventional lead with a unipolar configuration, wherein the cardiac lead has an electrode at its distal tip, and whereby the stimulator housing, or a portion thereof, is used as the indifferent or return electrode. Clearly the spacing between the distal tip of the cardiac lead and the stimulator housing is many times larger than the size of the propagating wavefront. Even in the case of a conventional bipolar configuration, wherein a single lead carries an electrode at its distal tip, and another electrode, such as a ring electrode, disposed slightly behind the distal tip electrode, the spacing between the tip electrode and the ring electrode will still be larger than the propagating wavefront.
An electrode lead for a cardiac pacemaker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,292 which has a distal tip with a number of closely spaced electrodes thereon, with the remainder of the hemispherical surface of the distal tip of the electrode being non-conducting. Circuitry in the pacemaker housing, connected to the respective electrodes via the electrode lead cable, allows the total conductive area and geometry of the distal tip of the cardiac lead to be selectively varied, by activating the electrodes in different combinations. For example, the combination of electrodes (i.e. conductive surfaces) at the tip of the cardiac lead which provides the lowest stimulation threshold can be determined by an autocapture unit, so that energy consumption can be reduced.
Premature atrial contraction (PAC) is not an uncommon occurrence and, by itself, usually is not a cause for immediate concern, although its presence over an extended period of time may be an indication that the patient is a likely candidate for atrial tachyarrhythmias in the future.
A premature atrial beat generates a premature P-wave, which may or may not be conducted to the ventricles. The premature P-wave is often difficult to locate when it is superimposed on the preceding T-wave. If the premature P-wave is conducted to the ventricles, this usually occurs with a QRST configuration that is almost identical to the surrounding normal sinus beats. Some premature P-waves conducted to the ventricles, may closely simulate ventricular premature beats.
An IEGM which contains a P-wave originating from a premature atrial contraction which is not recognized as such, may be mis-diagnosed, which may in turn result in erroneous treatment.
It is therefore not only important to be able to reliably detect the presence of a PAC, but also to identify its source of origin, i.e., whether it arises from the left atrium or the right atrium.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus which allow reliable identification of a premature atrial contraction.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus which additionally allow identification of the general location of the origination of a premature atrial contraction.
The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention in a method and an apparatus employing a cardiac lead having a multi-electrode tip, wherein the electrodes are separated from each other but are spaced closely enough relative to each other so that respective unipolar electrical signals obtained from the different electrodes arise from the same propagating wavefront, and wherein these respective unipolar electrical signals are analyzed in terms of relative time offset and/or signal morphology in order to identify a premature atrial contraction.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cunipolarxe2x80x9d does not necessarily mean a signal referenced to the pacemaker housing, but means a signal referenced to a designated reference point, which is the same (i.e., is used in common) for all of the unipolar signals.
Because of their close spacing relative to each other, the individual electrodes (dots) on the distal tip of the cardiac lead will xe2x80x9cseexe2x80x9d the same wavefront, but that wavefront will arrive at different dots at slightly different times, so that the respective unipolar signals obtained from each electrode dot will be slightly shifted in time relative to each other. If the wavefront (i.e., the depolarization wave) arrives from the right, for example, the unipolar signal from the electrode dot at a right side of the distal tip will arrive at a detector connected to the lead in advance of the unipolar signal from the electrode dot at the left side of the distal tip. If the depolarization proceeds from the left, the opposite will occur. If the depolarization arrives in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the distal tip (either from in front or behind the distal tip), all of the electrode dots will see the polarization at the same time, and there will be little, if any, time offset in the respective unipolar signals.
The respective unipolar signals which arise upon the occurrence of normal sinus activity (i.e., without any PAC), can be identified in advance, and deviations from this normal set of signals can then be determined and ascertained as representing an occurrence of a PAC. Moreover, such deviations from the normal signals can be classified as representing a PAC generated in the left atrium, as distinguished from a PAC generated in the right atrium.
The time differences (offsets) between the signals from respective pairs of electrode dots can be identified in several ways. In one embodiment the time offset, is found by identifying features of the different signals. The direction of the wavefront is calculated using simple trigonometric formulas, and the beat is classified based on this direction and on morphological information in the signals representing the beat.
In another embodiment, the components of the unipolar signals representing the depolarization in question are correlated with each other to identify different delays. This processing is undertaken retroactively, i.e., not in real time so that the signals can be correlated for a number of different delays. The more closely that two signals resemble each other, the higher their correlation. The highest correlation will be obtained for the delay representing the time it takes for the depolarization wavefront to proceed from one electrode to the next.

Method and apparatus for detection of premature atrial contraction


There is described inter alia a device having a surface comprising a layered coating wherein the outer coating layer comprises a plurality of cationic hyperbranched polymer molecules characterized by having (i) a core moiety of molecular weight 14-1,000 Da (ii) a total molecular weight of 1,500 to 1,000,000 Da (iii) a ratio of total molecular weight to core moiety molecular weight of at least 80:1 and (iv) functional end groups, whereby one or more of said functional end groups have an anti-coagulant entity covalently attached thereto.

When a medical device is placed in the body, or in contact with body fluids, a number of different reactions are set into motion, some of them resulting in the coagulation of the blood in contact with the device surface. In order to counteract this serious adverse effect, the well-known anti-coagulant compound heparin has for a long time been administered systemically to patients before the medical device is placed in their body, or when it is in contact with their body fluids, in order to provide an antithrombotic effect.
Thrombin is one of several coagulation factors, all of which work together to result in the formation of thrombi at a surface in contact with the blood. Antithrombin (also known as antithrombin III) ("AT" or "ATIII") is the most prominent coagulation inhibitor. It neutralizes the action of thrombin and other coagulation factors and thus restricts or limits blood coagulation. Heparin dramatically enhances the rate at which antithrombin inhibits coagulation factors.
However, systemic treatment with high doses of heparin is often associated with serious side-effects of which bleeding is the predominant. Another rare, but serious complication of heparin therapy is the development of an immunological response called heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) that may lead to thrombosis (both venous and arterial). High dose systemic heparin treatment e.g. during surgery also requires frequent monitoring of the activated clotting time (used to monitor and guide heparin therapy) and the corresponding dose adjustments as necessary.
Therefore solutions have been sought where the need fora systemic heparinisation of the patient would be unnecessary or can be limited. It was thought that this could be achieved through a surface modification of the medical devices using the anti-coagulant properties of heparin. Thus a number of more or less successful technologies have been developed where a layer of heparin is attached to the surface of the medical device seeking thereby to render the surface non-thrombogenic. For devices where long term bioactivity is required, the heparin layer should desirably be resistant to leaching and degradation.
Heparin is a polysaccharide carrying negatively charged sulfate and carboxylic acid groups on the saccharide units. Ionic binding of heparin to polycationic surfaces has been attempted, but these surface modifications tended to suffer from lack of stability over time resulting in lack of non-thrombogenic function, as the heparin leached from the surface.
Thereafter different surface modifications have been prepared wherein the heparin has been covalently bound to groups on the surface.
One of the most successful processes for rendering a medical device non-thrombogenic has been the covalent binding of a heparin fragment to a modified surface of the device. The general method and improvements thereof are described in European patents: EP-B-0086186, EP-B-0086187, EP-B-0495820 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,665.
These patents describe the preparation of surface modified substrates by first, a selective cleavage of the heparin polysaccharide chain, e.g. using nitrous acid degradation, leading to the formation of terminal aldehyde groups. Secondly, the introduction of one or more surface modifying layers carrying primary amino groups on the surface of the medical device, and thereafter reacting the aldehyde groups on the polysaccharide chain with the amino groups on the surface modifying layers followed by a reduction of the intermediate Schiff's bases to form stable secondary amine bonds.
Other methods of modifying surfaces are known. For example, US 2005/0059068 relates to a substrate for use in microassays. An activated polyamine dendrimer is covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate through a silane containing moiety. The dendrimer has branch points which are tertiary amines and terminal residues which are NH2, OH, COOH or SH groups. Molecules containing OH or NH2 functional groups can be bound to the dendrimer via the terminal residues of the dendrimer. Since the substrate is for use in microassays, it is usually a slide, bead, well plate, membrane etc. and the moiety containing the OH or NH2 group is a nucleic acid, protein or peptide.
WO 03/057270 describes a device, for example a contact lens, with a lubricious coating having high surface hydrophilicity. A number of examples of coating materials are given including glycosaminoglycans (e.g. heparin or chondroitin sulfate) and PAMAM dendrimers. PAMAM dendrimers are said to be among the preferred coatings. The document exemplifies a contact lens having multiple layers of PAMAM dendrimer and polyacrylamide-co-polyacrylic acid copolymer (PAAm-co-PAA). The coating is formed by consecutively dipping the contact lens into solutions of the two coating materials, with the outer layer being PAAm-co-PAA.
US 2003/0135195 teaches a medical device such as a catheter with a highly lubricious hydrophilic coating formed from a mixture of colloidal aliphatic polyurethane polymer, an aqueous dilution of poly(l-vinylpyrrolidone-co-2-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-PVP and dendrimers. The document teaches that the coating may be applied to the device by dipping the device in a colloidal dispersion of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer in a solution of poly(l-vinylpyrrolidone-co-2-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-PVP and an active agent (e.g. heparin) in a mixture of dendrimer, water, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and triethylamine. The document teaches that heparin may be contained in the voids within the dendrimers. The document also teaches that the loaded heparin will elute from the hydrophilic polymer matrix at a predetermined rate.
US 2009/0274737 teaches implants such as stents having a hydrophilic surface with a wetting angle of ≤80°. There may be one, two or more anti-coagulant ingredients permanently bound to the surface and examples of anticoagulants include heparin and certain dendrimers, especially sulphated dendrimers. The surface may be functionalised in order to bind the anticoagulant and examples of functionalization are silanization and reaction with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,767 relates to a polymeric material which is able to adsorb high quantities of heparin. The material is a block copolymer in which polyurethane chains are interconnected with polyamidoamine chains.
Our earlier application WO 2010/029189 relates to a medical device having a coating with an anticoagulant molecule such as heparin covalently attached to the coating via a 1,2,3-triazole linkage. The document describes the azide or alkyne functionalisation of a polyamine; the preparation of alkyne or azide functionalised heparin (both native and nitrous acid degraded heparin); and the reaction to link the derivatised heparin to the derivatised polymer via a 1,2,3-triazole linker.
The product described in WO 2010/029189 has many advantages but we have sought to develop an improved material in which the bioavailability of the heparin or other attached anti-coagulant molecule is increased, which may have greater stability on aging and which can be manufactured by a process which is robust and produces a product of high consistency.
Heparins have the ability to bind a wide variety of biomolecules including enzymes, serine protease inhibitors (such as antithrombin), growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins, DNA modification enzymes and hormone receptors. If used in chromatography, heparin is not only an affinity ligand but also an ion exchanger with high charge density. Thus biomolecules can be specifically and reversibly adsorbed by heparins immobilized on an insoluble support. Immobilised heparins therefore have a number of useful non-medical applications, particularly for analysis and separation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A medical suture needle made of stainless steel includes a cutting blade component and a body part continuing to the cutting blade component. The cutting blade component, whose degree of thickness decreases from the body part to a sharp point, includes a first cutting blade part and a second cutting blade part continuing from the first cutting blade part. The first cutting blade part includes two first slanted surfaces formed sandwiching an apex and a first bottom surface sandwiched by the two first slanted surfaces. Cutting blades are formed at an edge constituting the apex and at edges where the first bottom surface and the two first slanted surfaces intersect. The second cutting blade part includes first slanted surfaces, second slanted surfaces having rims approximately parallel to the apex and formed on the respective first slanted surfaces, and a second bottom surface sandwiched by the second slanted surfaces.

Multiple kinds of medical suture needles having optimum shapes corresponding to the target suture sections are provided. Among them is a medical suture needle constituted by a sharp point and a cutting blade part continuing from the sharp point, wherein the cutting blade part has a triangular cross-section.
A medical suture needle described in Patent Document 1, for example, has a first cutting blade part, a second cutting blade part, and a third cutting blade part formed in a cutting blade component having a triangular cross-section. The first cutting blade part has side blades on either side of the peripheral surface formed as cutting blades, without a cutting blade formed on an apex. The second cutting blade part has a first recess part formed through parallel translation of slanted surfaces on either side of the peripheral surface toward the center of the triangular shape, thereby forming side blades on either side of the peripheral surface and forming a ridge blade on the apex. Furthermore, the third cutting blade part has side blades formed on either side of the peripheral surface and a ridge blade formed on the apex with each of the cutting blades that form the second cutting blade part keeping their respective angles.
Patent Document 1 discloses that large wall thickness and high bending strength can be obtained even when blade angles formed by the side blades and the ridge blade are made relatively small, and that the third cutting blade part can be formed continuing to the needle tip in a sharp state even when blade angles formed by the side blades and the ridge blade is made relatively small due to a second recess part, thereby providing high insertion property.
Moreover, reduction of resistance (improvement of insertion property) when passing the medical surgical needle through tissue, so as to reduce fatigue of the doctor when performing a suture operation is desired. In response to such desire, a medical suture needle called a cobra head shape where the size of the cutting blade part is larger than degree of thickness of the body part is provided.


An application program or an extended application program is installed that extends the functionality of this application program. If the application program is installed, a license file used in this application program is stored in a storage unit. If the extended application is installed, then control is executed so as to install the extended application using the license file stored in the storage unit and used in installing the application program corresponding to the extended application program.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for installing applications, a method of controlling the information processing apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing such control.
2. Description of the Related Art
An information processing apparatus in which all application programs (also referred to simply as applications) have been embedded in firmware in advance is now equipped with a platform that enables applications to be installed dynamically. In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible for a device to be customized to the optimum configuration in conformity with usage by the user. Available as an application platform is the OSGi Service Platform (referred to as "OSGi" below), which is an embedded-device-oriented Java (registered trademark) application platform. OSGi defines bundles as units of software module management and defines the specifications for managing a life cycle comprising install, start, stop, update and uninstall. Such an application platform is capable of supplying an application with embedded functions such as copying, scanning and printing.
It is well known that when one application utilizes a management function or embedded function of an application platform as is without verification, this will have unpredictable effects upon other applications and the device proper. In general, therefore, operation verification is carried out for the purpose of assuring operation of all applications. Further, applications whose operation has been verified are encrypted by respective application-specific encryption keys, and the application platform is adapted in such a manner that only an encrypted application can be installed. As a result, when an application is installed, a license file containing decryption-key information is required to be installed together with the application file.
Accordingly, the application proper is made a host bundle that has been defined by the OSGI specifications. Further, a revised or extended portion of an application [an extended application program (also referred to simply as an "extended application")] is made a fragment bundle that has been defined by the OSGi specifications. A "fragment bundle" is a bundle that does not perform any action by itself; the fragment bundle per se is attached to the class-loader space of the host bundle. If, when an application is revised or extended in such case, it is so arranged that the application is revised or extended using a fragment bundle, this is efficient because the size of the file installed is reduced.
However, in a case where an extended application is installed anew, the corresponding license file must be installed anew. Furthermore, in a case where a license file is downloaded upon being issued by a license issuing server, installation requires additional labor and operating efficiency declines as a consequence.

Information processing apparatus, method of controlling thereof, and computer-readable storage medium storing program therefor


An IC card includes a frame of a rectangular border-shape, a printed circuit board, and one pair of shells. The printed circuit board is disposed on an interior portion of the frame and equips an electronic component. The one pair of shells cover the area surrounded by the frame with both faces of the shells, and constitute an outer shell of the IC card. One of the shells has a plurality of intermittent bent pieces on a periphery thereof. The bent pieces face an edge portion of the frame. The bent pieces establish one pair of hook pieces which protrude from a plate thickness surface (a flat side) on a front end portion thereof. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to a front end portion of the bent pieces while an edge portion of the frame is subjected to pressure, joining the bent pieces to the frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an IC card. In particular, it relates to a structure of IC cards such as CFast that connect to a slot installed on a computer.
2. Related Art
For example, in order to expand functionality of a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "PC"), an expansion card, in which a connector is added to a printed circuit board that has been equipped with a microcomputer, is connected to an expansion slot of a PC. The CFast card is one type of expansion card standardized for a PC, and connects to a PC, achieving high speed communication.
Although the CFast card is one type of IC card, a printed circuit board equipped with a microcomputer is housed in a rigid body frame thereof. Accordingly, the CFast card can be classified as a different microcomputer card from a memory card in which a memory chip is sealed within a plastic package. Furthermore, in recent years, a CFast card equipped with a keyboard has appeared, and CFast cards can also be classified as multifunction cards.
Such IC cards have a printed circuit board disposed on an interior portion of a rectangular flat frame. The frame has a connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and both sides of the connector and the frame are covered by a metal plate shell, thereby constituting a rigid outer shell.
An IC card having such a structure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-279388 (hereinafter called "Patent Document 1"). Patent Document 1 discloses an IC card and manufacturing method thereof in which irregularities in bonding strength between a metal plate shell and a synthetic resin frame are eliminated, resulting in having a more stable and robust bonding force, and allowing for a reduction in a manufacturing cost.
The IC card according to Patent Document 1 has a printed circuit board including an electronic component in an interior portion thereof, and is formed by covering a synthetic resin frame with a metal plate shell. Then, the frame forms a groove for fitting the shell on a side bordered by the shell. Furthermore, on the shell is established a protruding portion which is inserted into the groove. The protruding portion is shaped such that a front end section is wider than a base section. In addition, the groove of the frame and the protruding portion established on the end face of the shell are joined by ultrasonic welding (pressure welding).
The IC card according to Patent Document 1 is such that the metal plate shell is composed of stainless steel, and a plate thickness is 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. Furthermore, the IC card according to Patent Document 1 is such that, if a groove portion of a frame on a protruding portion is subjected to pressure and vibrated with ultrasonic waves, then a portion of a synthetic resin frame hardens after welding, allowing the protruding portion to be joined.
However, the IC card according to Patent Document 1 is such that, although welded synthetic resin flows into a base portion of the protruding portion, the plate thickness of the protruding portion is so thin that the protruding portion easily peels off from the frame. It is believed that when a force to separate from the frame acts upon the shell, the protruding portion destroys the welded portion of the frame in a manner similar to a thin blade slicing the frame, and there is a problem in that a joining strength between the shell and the frame is insufficient.


Von Willebrand's Factor (VWF) is produced using an expression vector that includes: 1) a DNA sequence encoding a functional VWF protein; and 2) regulatory DNA capable of effecting expression of that DNA sequence in a host cell transformed with the vector. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP's) associated with the VWF gene are identified and used in a probe for determining the source of a VWF gene in a DNA sample. The gene for VWF is localized to the short arm of human chromosome 12 (12p).

This invention relates to mammalian Von Willebrand Factor (VWF), which is also known as Factor VIIIR, and to methods for obtaining and using VWF and for analyzing a mammalian DNA sample for the presence of VWF gene.
Blood coagulation in mammals involves the interaction of a number of protein factors and tissue components. One coagulation factor complex is called Factor VIII and is composed of at least two distinct proteins: Factor VIIIC (antihemophilic factor, the protein that corrects the coagulation disorder known as hemophilia A), and VWF. VWF is a protein that binds to platelets and is an essential component in platelet-vessel wall interaction during the clotting process. Zimmerman et al., Progress in Hematology Vol. XIII, "Factor VIII/Von Willebrand Factor", (Grune & Stratton 1983). Diminished or abnormal VWF activity can result in Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD), a relatively common and complex hereditary bleeding disorder. The Factor VIII complex, obtained as a cryoprecipitate from donor blood, is administered as a therapy for VWD. Mitra, U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,068. cDNA's specific for other coagulation proteins, e.g., Factor VIIIC, have been cloned and expressed in host systems [Wood et al (1984) Nature 312:330-3371].
VWF is particularly difficult to analyze and produce because it is very large and there has been very little, if any, sequence data available heretofore. Moreover, cells that produce substantial amounts of VWF, e.g., endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, are difficult to grow in culture.

DNA encoding Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) and methods and cells for producing VFW, and VFW produced by the DNA, methods and cells


This valve device includes a body having passages and valve shaft holes, a valve shaft passed through the valve shaft holes in a rotatable manner, and butterfly valves. The butterfly valves include first contour parts and second contour parts forming outer contour parts that are smaller than the first contour parts. The first and second contour parts are fixed to the valve shaft in order to close off the passages at positions set apart from the valve shaft holes toward the downstream side (upstream side) of the passages, and are disposed flanking a straight line parallel to the valve shaft to form prescribed outer contour parts. The body includes first seal parts with which the first contour parts are brought into contact and second seal parts with which the second contour parts are brought into contact within the passages. Fluid leakage in a closed state can thereby be reliably prevented.

As a conventional valve device, a valve device that includes a housing that has a fluid passage, a valve shaft that is held by the housing in a rotatable manner, a butterfly valve with a circular plate shape that is secured to the valve shaft and opens and closes the fluid passage, and two semicircular-arc-shaped sheet parts that are formed to protrude from an inner surface of the fluid passage such that the butterfly valve is brought into contact with the semicircular-arc-shaped sheet parts dining closure, and the like is known (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
In this valve device, contact surfaces of the sheet parts with which the butterfly valve is brought into contact are disposed at positions that overlap with bearing holes of the valve shaft in an extending direction of the fluid passage. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the sheet part in ranges in which the valve shaft and the butterfly valve rotate.
In addition, although a covering part that is continuous with the sheet parts is provided to partially cover the circumference of the valve shaft, it is not possible to cover the entire circumference of the valve shaft.
Therefore, there is a concern that fluid leakage may occur from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the region where the sheet parts and the covering part are not present.
In addition, another valve device that includes a housing that has a fluid passage, a valve shaft that is held by the housing in a rotatable manner, a circular plate-shaped butterfly valve that is secured to the valve shaft via a spacer to open and close the fluid passage, two arc-shaped stepped surfaces that are formed in an inner circumferential surface of the fluid passage with which the butterfly valve is brought into contact during closure, and the like is known (see Patent Literature 2, for example).
In this valve device, the stepped surface with which the butterfly valve is brought into contact is disposed at a position set apart from a bearing hole of the valve shaft in an extending direction of the fluid passage, and the butterfly valve is secured to the valve shaft at a position deviating from the rotation center of the valve shaft by a prescribed amount.
Therefore, in order for the butterfly valve to be able to rotate to a closing position, it is not possible to provide the stepped surface such that an outer edge (diameter part) of the butterfly valve does not interfere with the stepped surface in a region in the vicinity of the valve shaft in which the butterfly valve is turned.
Therefore, there is a concern that fluid leakage may occur from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the region where the stepped surface is not present.


Described embodiments provide systems and methods for establishing an end-to-end cryptographic context. A service node may be located intermediary between a client and server which provides a service to the client. At least one network device may be located intermediary between the service node and the server. The service node may obtain information for validating the service. The service node may establish an end-to-end cryptographic context between the service node and server through the network device(s). A first network device of the network device(s) may share a cryptographic context with the service node, which existed prior to establishment of the end-to-end cryptographic context. The service node may transmit a message to the network device encrypted using the first cryptographic context. The encrypted message may inform the first network device to pass through traffic that is encrypted using the end-to-end cryptographic context.

In a typical computing environment, a client (also referred to as a client device) receives information, traffic, packets, etc., from a server. Packets may be encrypted by a server using various cryptographic algorithms prior to transmission over a network. In some instances, the packets may be communicated from the server, through one or more networks or other intermediary devices, and to the client. At each stage, the packets may be decrypted, re-encrypted, and finally decrypted at the client. This process may lead to excess consumption of computing resources, such as processing bandwidth, memory, and energy, throughout the computing system.

Method for securely negotiating end-to-end cryptographic context using inline messages through multiple proxies in cloud and customer environment


Disclosed herein is a hydrophobic cable, particularly a cable for medical devices having a hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic cable includes a conductive unit arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cable, an insulating sheath coated onto an outer portion of the conductive unit and made of a PVC material, and a coating film formed outside the insulating sheath. Here, the coating film may be formed by curing a coating solution including at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of a silane compound and a siloxane compound.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cable, and more particularly, to a hydrophobic cable having a hydrophobic coating film formed on a surface thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A cable is composed of a bundle of electrical conductors used to connect two or more devices. The cable may be prepared so that the cable includes a conductor configured to transmit electrical signals, and a protective sheath serving as an insulator configured to surround the conductor.
A packing material may be used to prevent contamination of the exterior of such a cable. Such a packing material may serve to protect the exterior of the cable from being contaminated or damaged, the events of which may be caused during shipment of the cable.
It is very important to maintain medical devices cleanly in their use environments. When a cable itself is contaminated after a packing material of the cable for medical devices is removed from the cable, the medical devices may give unpleasant feelings to patients.
Therefore, users should use the cable in a state in which a packing material is not separated from the cable so as to prevent the exterior of the cable from being contaminated even after the cable is installed in an installation site.

Hydrophobic film coated cable for medical device


Disclosed herein are a method of fabricating a stretchable electrical circuit and an apparatus for fabricating a stretchable electrical circuit, wherein the method of fabricating a stretchable electrical circuit includes stretching a stretchable substrate, forming a plurality of alignment marks on a surface of the stretchable substrate, forming a first axis extending from a line connecting two alignment marks among the plurality of alignment marks, and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, marking one point of the surface of the stretched stretchable substrate with coordinates made by the first axis and the second axis, and disposing electrical components using the coordinates.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a stretchable electrical circuit and an apparatus for fabricating a stretchable electrical circuit.
A conventional stretchable electrical circuit is formed by forming rigid regions, which are harder than a stretchable substrate, on the stretchable substrate, disposing electrical components in the rigid regions, and electrically connecting rigid islands. Processes of disposing the electrical components and electrically connecting the rigid islands are manually performed by users themselves.

Method of fabricating stretchable electrical circuit

Seoul National University R&DB Foundation


In order to improve the mounting of the drums 15 in drum-type washing machines, a bearing ring 31 which is at least partially exchangeable through an opening in the housing 13 of the washing machine is arranged between the cylindrical bearing connection piece 29 of the drum 15 and a bearing shell 26 fixed on the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a washing machine with a drum which is mounted in a housing and has in at least one end wall thereof an opening for introduction of the material to be washed and/or removal of the washed material. The drum is rotatably mounted by means of a cylindrical connection piece surrounding the drum opening on a cylindrical bearing shell provided on the housing and is driven by a drive means.
2. Description of the Related Art
A washing machine of this kind for batches of material passing from one drum to the next is known from German Patent 2,606,350. In this known washing machine, the bearing of the drum is designed as sliding bearing. The bearing shell of the housing consists of a plastic material, while the connection piece of the drum is made of the drum material, i.e., of steel. This results in the bearing shell wearing relatively quickly in its lower region.
Replacement of the worn bearing shell involves great effort.


An electronic key system that performs ID verification communication to verify an ID of an electronic key. The ID verification communication is started by transmission of a wireless signal from a vehicle and performed between the vehicle and the electronic key. The electronic key system determines the location of the electronic key in accordance with the received signal strength of a radio wave used for the ID verification communication. A signal strength measurement circuit measures a first signal strength, which is the received signal strength when a signal from the electronic key is received, and a second signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio wave during a vacant time when the electronic key is performing the ID verification communication. A control unit controls operation of the electronic key in accordance with a measurement result of the first and second signal strengths.

The present invention relates to an electronic key system that permits operation of an in-vehicle device through communication between an electronic key and a vehicle and to an electronic key for such an electronic key system.
An electronic key system for a vehicle includes an electronic key, which serves as a vehicle key. The electronic key transmits an ID code through wireless communication to the vehicle. The vehicle verifies the ID code. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-118899 describes one example of such an electronic key system.
In the electronic key system of the publication mentioned above, the vehicle transmits a request signal. The electronic key receives the request signal, measures the strength of the request signal, and automatically sends the measurement (received request signal strength) and the ID code back to the vehicle. Then, the vehicle performs ID verification. A vehicle transmitter transmits the request signal to the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment. A vehicle controller compares the received request signal strength, which is provided from the electronic key, with a predetermined passenger compartment interior threshold and a predetermined passenger compartment exterior threshold. When the received request signal strength is greater than the interior threshold, the vehicle controller determines that the electronic key is located inside the passenger compartment. When the received request signal strength is greater than the exterior threshold but less than or equal to the interior threshold, the vehicle controller determines that the electronic key is located outside the passenger compartment. If the electronic key is located outside the passenger compartment when ID verification is successful, the vehicle controller permits the locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors. If the electronic key is located inside the passenger compartment when ID verification is successful, the vehicle controller permits the starting of the engine.
In the electronic key system of the publication mentioned above, noise may be mixed with the request signal received by the electronic key due to the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Due to such mixed noise, the received request signal strength at the electronic key may differ from the actual received request signal strength. In such a case, the vehicle controller may not be able to correctly determine the location of the electronic key. Further, it is a drawback that the power consumption of the electronic key is increased for noise determination.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic key system and an electronic key that accurately determine the presence of noise in a communication environment and lower power consumption of the electronic key.
One aspect of the present invention is an electronic key system that performs ID verification communication to verify an ID of an electronic key. The ID verification communication is started by transmission of a wireless signal from a vehicle and performed between the vehicle and the electronic key, and the electronic key system determines the location of the electronic key in accordance with a received signal strength of a radio wave used for the ID verification communication. The electronic key system includes a measurement signal transmission circuit that transmits a signal strength measurement signal from the vehicle to the electronic key. A signal strength measurement circuit measures a first signal strength, which is the received signal strength when the signal strength measurement signal from the electronic key is received, and a second signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio wave during a vacant time when the electronic key is performing the ID verification communication. A control unit controls operation of the electronic key in accordance with a measurement result of the first signal strength and the second signal strength.
A further aspect of the present invention is an electronic key for use with an electronic key system. The electronic key system performs ID verification communication to verify an ID of the electronic key. The ID verification communication is started by transmission of a signal from a vehicle and performed between the vehicle and the electronic key. The electronic key system determines the location of the electronic key in accordance with a received signal strength of a radio wave used for the ID verification communication. The electronic key includes a receiver that receives the signal strength measurement signal. A signal strength measurement circuit measures a first signal strength, which is the received signal strength when the signal strength measurement signal is received, and a second signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio wave in a vacant time during the ID verification communication. A control unit controls operation of the electronic key in accordance with a measurement result of the first signal strength and the second signal strength.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

Electronic key system and electronic key for measuring radio wave signal strength during a vacant time

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


A braking system for braking an electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a brake pedal having a regenerative-braking range of pedal displacement from an initial position of the brake pedal to a maximal-recuperation position of the brake pedal, and a mechanical-braking range of pedal displacement starting from the maximal-recuperation position of the brake pedal. A brake controller activates deceleration of the vehicle based on the pedal displacement. The brake controller activates deceleration of the electric vehicle based on regenerative braking within the regenerative-braking range and based on mechanical braking within the mechanical-braking range. The regenerative-braking range is adjusted based on a state of charge of a traction battery of the electric vehicle.

Current electric vehicles, in particular hybrid vehicles, employ recuperative and/or regenerative braking techniques to utilize a maximum amount of kinetic energy of the vehicle by using the electric engine as a generator to recharge a traction battery of the vehicle and/or to power equipment of the vehicle during a braking maneuver. By employing regenerative braking, the range of electric vehicles may be increased and the fuel consumption and thus the CO2 emissions may be reduced significantly, in particular in urban traffic situations involving frequent braking and/or acceleration.
In case of conventional braking systems, normally both a mechanical brake (e.g. a vacuum pressure actuated friction brake for braking the wheels) and a regenerative brake operate in parallel, that is, simultaneously, such that a less than optimal amount of energy may actually be recuperated. To improve on such conventional systems, cooperative braking systems have been introduced. These systems provide a direct distribution of braking power to a mechanical brake and an e-machine brake depending on the specific driving situation. For example, the braking power of the e-machine may be used in regenerative mode under average driving conditions. However, the available e-machine power may vary based on factors such as speed and battery state of charge. Accordingly, in specific cases and/or for specific states of charge of the battery, the friction brake may be used to support and/or substitute the regenerative braking, e.g. for rapid deceleration, at low speed and/or in stationary situations.
Such systems are particularly useful in case of electric engines with high power output. However, in some use cases, e.g. mild hybrids or other hybrids with small electric engines, regenerative braking may be limited. In these and other cases the above solutions may be over-engineered and/or too costly.

Braking system for braking an electric vehicle


There is provided an imaging apparatus which includes image acquiring means for acquiring an image of an object; storing means for temporarily storing an image acquired by the image acquiring means; and control means for detecting a portion having changed upon comparison of a first image and a second image which are stored in the storing means, each image acquired by the image acquiring means at a different time, and to focus on the portion having changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for imaging an object, and, that in particular, it relates to a technology for ensuring that a desired object is automatically focused in.
2. Description of Related Art
When capturing an image of an object with an imaging apparatus, focusing of the object is actuated by pressing a shutter release button. However, in a case of using a so-called self timer function, which automatically starts capturing an image after a preset time elapses, there occurs a problem that when the timer starts counting by pressing the shutter release button before an object is set, a background scene is focused without the presence of the object to be photographed.
Further, even in a case of imaging an object with its focus fixed at a preset distance, it is not easy to secure the object to be positioned exactly at the preset distance.
Therefore, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-274619, a technology to illuminate an object with an auxiliary light when the self timer is activated and to measure a distance at which it is to be focused in is proposed.
However, according to the technology described in the above related art, there was a disadvantage that because of a difficulty in specifying an object which is to be focused in, it is likely that the focus is set at a background scenic spot or the like behind the object instead thereof.


A system and method of printing an image on corrugated material may include receiving a digital representation of an image. A print target may be printed on a first corrugated material with respect to a print location. It may be determined whether an error distance between the print target and a die cut target is less than a threshold. The print location may be automatically adjusted based on the error distance. The image may be printed on a second corrugated material based on the adjusted print location.

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for printing images on corrugated material.
Corrugated material is customarily used for packaging containers. For example, corrugated boards are typically made of a paper-based construction material and include a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards.
Information, such as assembly instructions, advertising, a manufacturer's name and/or a logo, is often printed on a corrugated board. However, the board's thickness and wavy surface makes high quality printing on it difficult and inexact.
Current techniques for printing on corrugated material include feeding the material through a print station where flexographic printing occurs. The print station includes various flexographic print rollers and die cutter cylinders. The rollers include a reversed raised copy of the image. Each flexographic roller is associated with a different color ink. When the corrugated material is sent through the print station, the rollers rotate over the corrugated material creating an image. Additionally, one or more die cutter cylinders are used to cut the corrugated material so it can later be folded to create a packaging container.
Adjusting the timing of the rollers and the die cutter cylinders is a time and labor intensive process. Each flexographic roller needs to be manually positioned or timed to place its image in proper registration to the other colors or images. Determining a precise location for each roller is typically performed using an iterative process to ensure both proper placement of the image on the corrugated material and proper color blending between the images produced by each roller. Additionally, the die cutter cylinders must be manually repositioned or timed in order to properly cut the corrugated material.

System and method for image registration for packaging


A mobile tube bundle cleaning apparatus comprised of a truck mounted fluid and hydraulic pressure sources including high pressure pumps and diesel engines. The apparatus further includes a trailer mounted tube bundle cleaning system including an articulable mobile crane, outriggers for stabilizing the trailer during cleaning operations and a system for supporting and rotating a tube bundle during cleaning operations. The apparatus further includes a remote control pedestal from which an operator may control the fluid pressurizing system, the crane and the operation of the tube bundle rotating system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for handling and cleaning a heat exchanger tube bundle on site.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heat exchanger tube bundles are used for the transfer of heat from a fluid median passing through a series of conduits. During this process, carbonaceous and calcareous deposits will form on the interior of the individual tubes and debris and other dirt will collect on the surface of the individual tubes. Therefore, in order to maintain efficient operation of the facility it is necessary to periodically remove the tube bundles and clean them.
The preferred way to clean a heat exchanger tube bundle is on location. However, this requires a mobile unit which is adapted to provide a high pressure cleaning system and other support facilities. An example of such a unit is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,653 to Krajicek et al. Essentially, Krajicek discloses a mobile tube cleaning device which uses a water discharge system to provide point source cleaning of a tube bundle or to support a multi-lance tube cleaning system. However, the Krajicek disclosure has a number of significant limitations, such as the inability to provide support to a tube bundle and coordinate the tube bundle's cleaning with the operation of the mobile cleaning system.
Therefore, the need exists for an improved tube bundle cleaner which is capable of manipulating and cleaning a heat exchanger tube bundle in such a manner that it is thoroughly cleaned on-site of all deposits and debris along its entire length in an efficient and thorough manner. While there are other disclosures directed to the cleaning of heat exchanger bundles (such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,535 and 4,095,305), none disclose or suggest an integral, mobile device which is capable of efficiently handling and cleaning an entire tube bundle.

Apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles


A method and system are provided for communicating digitized data associated with a purchase made by expenditure of a monetary credit account, such as a gift card account. The digitized data may be or comprise audio, photographic or video data. A gift card may be provided that relates to a monetary credit account that may specify an expendable monetary value, a benefactor who initiated the account, and a beneficiary who may use the monetary card. The gift card may record of at least part of the monetary credit account. The system may enable the generation of an electronic message that includes digitized data representing a purchased item and the message may be communicated to a photo-sharing webservice and/or an address associated with the benefactor. The digitized data may be a photograph, icon or a graphic image and the purchased item may be a service, good, license, lease, rent, or permission.

Use of stored-value instruments has increased dramatically in recent years. Consumers purchase or otherwise obtain stored-value instruments, often in the form of gift cards, and use a monetary value associated with these instruments to purchase goods or services at associated merchants or as accepted by credit card network participants, such as affiliates of credit card accounts, such as VISA™, MASTER CARD™, DISCOVER™ or AMERICAN EXPRESS™ systems or programs or retail store credit cards or programs offered or associated with retail operators, such as MACYS™, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, J.C. PENNEY'S™ or the like.
Prior art gift cards provide a restricted monetary equivalent or scrip that is issued by retailers or banks to be used as an alternative to a non-monetary gift. Highly popular, gift cards ranked in year 2006 as the second-most given gift by consumers in the United States and the most-wanted gift by women, and the third-most wanted by males. Gift cards have become increasingly popular partially because their use relieves the benefactor of the gift card of the responsibility of selecting a specific gift. In addition, the gift card process enables a recipient, or beneficiary, of the gift card to expend and associated monetary value at his or her discretion within the restrictions set by the issuing agency.
Gift cards are often purchased and given as gifts by a benefactor who wishes to create or strengthen a personal, social or business relationship with a beneficiary-recipient of the gift card or a gifted monetary value account. Yet the prior art fails to optimally enable or even encourage communication between a benefactor who buys or originates a gift card or gifted monetary account and a beneficiary who receives the gift card or control over a gifted monetary value account.

System and method for communicating purchases related to a gift card credit