A dehydrated composition is provided that includes freeze-dried platelets. The platelets are loaded with trehalose which preserves biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. The trehalose loading is conducted at a temperature of from greater than about 25xc2x0 C. to less than about 40xc2x0 C., most preferably at 37xc2x0 C., with the loading solution having trehalose in an amount from about 10 mM to about 50 mM. These freeze-dried platelets are substantially shelf-stable and are rehydratable so as to have a normal response to an agonist, for example, thrombin, with virtually all of the platelets participating in clot formation within about three minutes at 37xc2x0 C.

The present invention generally relates to the therapeutic uses of blood platelets, and more particularly to manipulations or modifications of platelets, such as in preparing freeze-dried compositions that can be rehydrated at the time of application and which when rehydrated have a normal response to thrombin and other agonists with respect to that of fresh platelets. The inventive compositions are useful in applications such as transfusion therapy, as hemostasis aids and for drug delivery.
Blood transfusion centers are under considerable pressure to produce platelet concentrates for transfusion. The enormous quest for platelets necessitates storage of this blood component, since platelets are important contributors to hemostasis. Platelets are generally oval to spherical in shape and have a diameter of 2-4 xcexcm. Today platelet rich plasma concentrates are stored in bloodbags at 22xc2x0 C.; however, the shelf life under these conditions is limited to five days. The rapid loss of platelet function during storage and risk of bacterial contamination complicates distribution and availability of platelet concentrates. Platelets tend to become activated at low temperatures. When activated they are substantially useless for an application such as transfusion therapy. Therefore the development of preservation methods that will increase platelet lifespan is desirable.
Several techniques for preservation of platelets have been developed over the past few decades. Cryopreservation of platelets using various agents, such as glycerol (Valeri et al., Blood, 43, 131-136, 1974) or dimethyl sulfoxide, xe2x80x9cDMSOxe2x80x9d (Bock et al., Transfusion, 35, 921-924, 1995), as the cryoprotectant have been done with some success. The best results have been obtained with DMSO. However, a considerable fraction of these cells are partly lysed after thawing and have the shape of a balloon. These balloon cells are not responsive to various agonists, so that overall responsiveness of frozen thawed platelets to various agonists is reduced to less than 35% compared with fresh platelets. The shelf life of cryopreserved DMSO platelets at xe2x88x9280xc2x0 C. is reported to be one year, but requires extensive washing and processing to remove cryoprotective agents, and even then the final product has a severe reduction in ability to form a clot.
Attempts to dry platelets by lyophilization have been described with paraformaldehyde fixed platelets (Read et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92, 397-401, 1995). U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,608, issued May 11, 1999, inventors Read et al. describe and claim a surgical aid comprising a substrate on which fixed, dried blood platelets are carried. These dried blood platelets are fixed by contacting the platelets to a fixative such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, gutaraldehyde, or permanganate. Proper functioning of lyophilized platelets that have been fixed by such fixative agents in hemostasis is questionable.
Spargo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,313, issued Apr. 7, 1998, have described a method in which platelets are loaded overnight with an agent, preferably glucose, and subsequently lyophilized. The platelets are preincubated in a preincubation buffer and then are loaded with carbohydrate, preferably glucose, having a concentration in the range of about 100 mM to about 1.5 M. The incubation is taught to be conducted at about 10xc2x0 C. to about 37xc2x0 C., most preferably about 25xc2x0 C.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,741, Beattie et al., issued Oct. 27, 1998, discloses cryoprotectants for human platelets, such as dimethylsulfoxide and trehalose. The platelets may be suspended, for example, in a solution containing a cryoprotectant at a temperature of about 22xc2x0 C. and then cooled to below 15xc2x0 C. This incorporates some cryoprotectant into the cells.
Trehalose is a disaccharide found at high concentrations in a wide variety of organisms that are capable of surviving almost complete dehydration (Crowe et al., Anhydrobiosis. Annu. Rev. Physiol., 54, 579-599, 1992). Trehalose has been shown to stabilize certain cells during freezing and drying (Leslie et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1192, 7-13, 1994; Beattie et al., Diabetes, 46, 519-523, 1997).
Other workers have sought to load platelets with trehalose through use of electroporation before drying under vacuum. However, electroporation is very damaging to the cell membranes and is believed to activate the platelets. Activated platelets have dubious clinical value.
Platelets have also been suggested for drug delivery applications in the treatment of various diseases, as is discussed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,542, issued Jun. 2, 1998, inventor Gurewich. This patent discloses the preparation of a complex formed from a fusion drug including an A-chain of a urokinase-type plasminogen activator that is bound to an outer membrane of a platelet.
Accordingly, a need exists for the effective and efficient preservation of platelets such that they maintain, or preserve, their biological properties, particularly their response to platelet agonists such as thrombin, and which can be practiced on a large, commercially feasible scale. Further, it would also be useful to expand the types of present vehicles that are useful for encapsulating drugs and used for drug delivery to targeted sites.
In one aspect of the present invention, a dehydrated composition is provided comprising freeze-dried platelets that are effectively loaded with trehalose to preserve biological properties during freeze-drying and rehydration. These platelets are rehydratable so as to have a normal response to at least one agonist, such as thrombin. For example, substantially all freeze-dried platelets of the invention when rehydrated and mixed with thrombin (1 U/ml) form a clot within three minutes at 37xc2x0 C. The dehydrated composition can include one or more other agents, such as antibiotics, antifungals, growth factors, or the like, depending upon the desired therapeutic application.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a process for preparing a dehydrated composition comprising disposing platelets in an oligosaccharide solution for loading an oligosaccharide from the oligosaccharide solution into the platelets, preventing a decrease in a loading efficiency gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets, and lyophilizing the platelets. The preventing a decrease in a loading efficiency gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets may comprise maintaining a concentration of the oligosaccharide in the oligosaccharide solution below about 50 mM. The preventing a decrease in a loading efficiency gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets may also comprise maintaining a positive gradient of loading efficiency (%) to concentration (mM) of the oligosaccharide in the oligosaccharide solution.
Embodiments of the present invention also provide a process for preparing a dehydrated composition comprising disposing platelets in an oligosaccharide solution for loading an oligosaccharide from the oligosaccharide solution into the platelets, preventing a decrease in a loading gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets, and lyophilizing the platelets. The preventing a decrease in a loading gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets may comprise maintaining a concentration of the oligosaccharide in the oligosaccharide solution below about 50 mM. The preventing a decrease in a loading gradient in the loading of the oligosaccharide into the platelets may also comprise maintaining a positive gradient of concentration of oligosaccharide loaded into the platelets to concentration of the oligosaccharide in the oligosaccharide solution.
In another aspect of the invention, a hemostasis aid is provided where the above-described freeze-dried platelets are carried on or by a biocompatible surface. A further component of the hemostasis aid may be a therapeutic agent, such as an antibiotic, an antifungal, or a growth factor. The biocompatible surface may be a bandage or a thrombic surface, such as freeze-dried collagen. Such a hemostasis aid can be rehydrated just before the time of application, such as by hydrating the surface on or by which the platelets are carried, or, in case of an emergency, the dry hemostasis treatment aid could be applied directly to the wound or burn and hydrated in situ.
Methods of making and using inventive embodiments are also described. One such method is a process of preparing a dehydrated composition comprising providing a source of platelets, effectively loading the platelets with trehalose to preserve biological properties, cooling the trehalose loaded platelets to below their freezing point, and lyophilizing the cooled platelets. The trehalose loading includes incubating the platelets at a temperature from greater than about 25xc2x0 C. to less than about 40xc2x0 C. with a trehalose solution having up to about 50 mM trehalose therein. The process of using such a dehydrated composition further may comprise rehydrating the platelets. The rehydration preferably includes a prehydration step wherein the freeze-dried platelets are exposed to warm, moisture saturated air for a time sufficient to bring the water content of the freeze-dried platelets to between about 35 weight percent to about 50 weight percent.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a drug delivery composition is provided comprising platelets having a homogeneously distributed concentration of a therapeutic agent therein. The drug delivery composition is particularly useful for targeting the encapsulated drug to platelet-mediated sites.
Practice of the invention permits the manipulation or modification of platelets while maintaining, or preserving, biological properties, such as a response to thrombin. Further, use of the method to preserve platelets can be practiced on a large, commercially feasible scale, and avoids platelet activation. The inventive freeze-dried platelets, and hemostasis aids including the freeze-dried platelets, are substantially shelf stable at ambient temperatures when packaged in moisture barrier materials.

The Regents of the University of California


A hub-bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a motor vehicle wheel on a suspension strut having a wheel hub to support the wheel of the vehicle and having an axial shoulder, a bearing unit providing a radially outer stationary ring constrained to the strut; a first radially inner rotating ring mounted on the hub, and a second radially inner rotating ring defined by the hub, two rows of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer stationary ring and the two radially inner rotating rings inside a first raceway and a second raceway formed, respectively, the first inner ring providing a substantially non-deformable Hertzian portion, on which is formed the second raceway, and an accumulation portion integral with the Hertzian portion and interposed between the Hertzian portion and the axial shoulder for accumulating elastic energy during cold deformation to obtain the rolled edge.

Known hub-bearing assemblies enable a wheel of a motor vehicle to be rotatably mounted on a suspension strut or upright of the vehicle and include a wheel hub and a bearing unit, where the wheel hub has a flange that is designed to bear, when in use, the wheel of the vehicle and performs the function of a radially inner rotating ring of the bearing unit, and this latter includes a stationary outer ring that is designed to be constrained, when in use, to the strut or upright, a respective radially inner rotating ring mounted on the wheel hub, and two rows of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer stationary ring and the two radially inner rotating rings.
The radially inner ring of the bearing unit is made separately from the wheel hub to enable assembly of the hub-bearing assembly and is mounted on the wheel hub axially behind an axial shoulder of the wheel hub such as to be locked there, axially on the opposite side of the shoulder, by a rolled edge formed directly behind the radially inner ring by cold deformation, or by orbital roll forming in a radially outward direction of an axially free end of the wheel hub.
Although the axial locking of the radially inner ring of the bearing unit by orbital roll forming on one hand enables very rapid and efficient axial locking with obvious benefits both in terms of cost and production times, it entails some technical problems that could, in extreme cases, have an impact both on the performance and the reliability of the known hub-bearing assemblies described above. The orbital roll forming of the radially inner ring on the wheel hub has always been considered to result in the permanent preloading of the bearing unit or, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, it has always made it possible to eliminate one of the most common causes of breakage of the bearing units, namely the loss of the preloading. However, when in use, the radially inner ring is subjected to "hammering" caused by the bending of the flange that causes separation of some circular portions of the radially inner ring from the shoulder, and a simultaneous axial compression of other circular portions of the radially inner ring on the shoulder. In the long term, the more acute this phenomenon becomes, the greater the risk of the hub-bearing assembly breaking.


An apparatus receives an indicating signal representing a parameter at a monitoring locus and includes: (a) A first measuring unit having a first input coupled for selectively receiving the indicating signal and presenting a first output signal that includes a first monitoring signal representing change in the indicating signal during a first time interval and a first benchmark signal indicating change imparted to signals by the first measuring unit. (b) A second measuring unit having a second input coupled for selectively receiving the indicating signal and presenting a second output signal that includes a second monitoring signal representing change in the indicating signal during a second time interval and a second benchmark signal indicating change imparted to signals by the second measuring unit. (c) An accumulating and indicator unit coupled for receiving and evaluating the first and second output signals and generating an indicator signal that represents the evaluating.

The present invention is directed to apparatuses and methods for monitoring parameters in devices. The present invention is especially useful in battery monitoring circuits for monitoring charge levels in battery devices.
By way of example and not by way of limitation, the present invention will be described in an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus and method for monitoring charge level in a battery device. The teachings of the present invention apply generally to any arrangement for monitoring a parameter in a host device where the parameter can be represented by an indicator signal, such as by an indicator voltage signal.
Presently available devices for monitoring charge level in a battery device (sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cgas gaugesxe2x80x9d) are generally accurate for coulomb counting in carrying out battery monitoring operations. One important parameter that affects coulomb counting accuracy is the device input offset. Further, input offset may vary, or drift, with changes in temperature or applied supply power. In today""s market smaller sizes of devices and lower operating voltages are increasingly prevalent with a result that sense elements in battery packs for sensing charge levels are smaller and power dissipation in portable electronic devices is reduced. These changes make accurate xe2x80x9cgas gaugingxe2x80x9d or charge monitoring increasingly difficult, especially when the offset experienced by a monitoring circuit or apparatus is of the same order of magnitude as the standby voltage developed across the sense resistor used to generate a representative voltage for effecting charge monitoring. Challenges in accurate charge monitoring further increase when the monitoring apparatus offset drifts with temperature, or applied supply voltage, or another factor.
Prior art solutions for accommodating or allowing for offset cancellation have been based upon an offset value that is measured one time at a particular extant temperature and supply voltage. Such a static determination of offset at fixed temperature and supply voltage values for use throughout an operational period for a monitoring apparatus does not permit accurate accommodation for offset based upon realistic and up to date evaluations of currently extant conditions affecting offset as the host device and monitoring apparatus operate. Accordingly, offset values may approach levels that significantly exceed allowances made for the offset (based upon once-determined measurements) and thereby cause inaccuracies in indications by a monitoring circuit.
There is a need for an apparatus and method for determining offset cancellation that permits realistic accommodation of currently extant factors affecting offset over time.
An apparatus receives an indicating signal representing a parameter at a monitoring locus and includes: (a) A first measuring unit having a first input coupled for selectively receiving the indicating signal and presenting a first output signal that includes a first monitoring signal representing change in the indicating signal during a first time interval and a first benchmark signal indicating change imparted to signals by the first measuring unit. (b) A second measuring unit having a second input coupled for selectively receiving the indicating signal and presenting a second output signal that includes a second monitoring signal representing change in the indicating signal during a second time interval and a second benchmark signal indicating change imparted to signals by the second measuring unit. (c) An accumulating unit coupled for receiving and evaluating the first and second output signals and generating an accumulated signal that represents the evaluating. (d) An indicator unit coupled with the accumulating unit for receiving the indicator signal and presenting an indication relating to excursion of the indicating signal.
A method for measuring a parameter in a host device providing an indicating signal representative of the parameter at a signal monitoring locus includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a first voltage measuring unit having a first input locus and a first output locus; (2) providing a second voltage measuring unit having a second input locus and a second output locus; (3) providing an accumulating unit coupled with the first output locus and the second output locus; the accumulating unit having at least one accumulated indicator output locus; and (4) providing an indicator unit coupled with the at least one accumulated indicator output locus. (b) Coupling the first input locus with the monitoring locus, and coupling the second input locus with ground during a first time interval. The first voltage measuring unit receives the indicating signal at the first input locus and presents a first monitoring signal at the first output locus. The second voltage measuring unit presents a second benchmark signal at the second output locus. The first monitoring signal represents change in the indicating signal during the first time interval. The second benchmark signal indicates changes imparted to signals by the second voltage measuring unit when traversing the second voltage measuring unit during the first time interval. (c) Coupling the second input locus with the monitoring locus, and coupling the first input locus with ground during a second time interval. The second voltage measuring unit receives the indicating signal at the second input locus and presents a second monitoring signal at the second output locus. The first voltage measuring unit presents a first benchmark signal at the first output locus. The second monitoring signal represents change in the indicating signal during the second time interval. The first benchmark signal indicates changes imparted to signals by the first voltage measuring unit when traversing the first voltage measuring unit during the second time interval. (d) Operating the accumulating unit to receive the first output signal and the second output signal, to evaluate the first output signal and the second output signal and to generate at least one accumulated indicator signal at the at least one accumulated indicator output locus. The at least one accumulated indicator signal represents the evaluating. (e) Operating the indicator unit to receive the at least one accumulated indicator signal and present an indication relating to excursion of the indicating signal.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for measuring a parameter in a host device that permits realistic accommodation of currently extant factors affecting offset to facilitate accurate determination of offset cancellation.
Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Apparatus and method for measuring a parameter in a host device


Asymmetric stress in the tip of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is measured using the photoelastic effect to determine the fiber polarization axes of two fibers appointed to be joined. The fibers are rotated to align their respective polarization axes and are joined together. A single polarization-maintaining optical fiber is thereby produced in an accurate, reliable, time efficient and cost effective manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fully automatic passive rotational alignment system for the splicing of polarization-maintaining single mode fiber.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Polarization-maintaining single mode fibers present special difficulty in splicing or coupling. Ordinary single mode fibers must be aligned with each other laterally and longitudinally to within about 1 micron, and in angle to within a fraction of a degree. Polarization-maintaining fibers must also be aligned azimuthally; that is, they must be rotated relative to each other about their common axis until the fast and slow axes in their respective cores are also aligned. This is because it is essential for the successful application of these fibers that the transmitted light remain in the preferred polarized mode--either fast or slow--in crossing the splice. If the mode alignment is off by more than about 1 degree very serious losses take place. Not only does the projected power become divided between the two orthogonal modes of the receiving fiber, but the coupling into the originally-excited mode is very poor. An effective means of aligning such fibers is thus clearly desirable.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,028, there is disclosed a polarization-preserving single mode fiber coupler made without mutually aligning the polarization axes of the fibers by twisting the fibers together over a selected length and fusing them. A critical requirement of this coupling method is that the initial misalignment be not close to 90 degrees.
As taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,156,663 and 4,911,524, the principal manner of aligning polarization maintaining single mode fibers has heretofore been to rotate a first fiber relative to a second fiber while exciting the first fiber and monitoring the output from the second. That is, the first "transmitting" fiber must be aligned with a polarized light source for injection of light aligned with the preferred axis. Likewise, the output end of the "receiving" fiber must have its preferred axis aligned with a polarizing filter and detector. Thereafter, the ends of the fibers to be spliced or coupled are brought together in a suitable stage or housing, for instance on a fusion splicer. After the ends have been aligned laterally with each other in x, y, and z dimensions, to maximize the coupling of power across the gap, one fiber is rotated slowly relative to the other while the power received at the photodetector is monitored. Eventually an orientation is found at which the coupling of power into the preferred axis is optimum. The fusion or mechanical splice is then completed, by fixing the oriented ends together permanently.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,977 to Anjan, et al. discloses a fiber optic polarization apparatus for use in the fabrication of fused optical couplers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,345 to Itoh, et al. discloses a method for fusion splicing of polarization maintaining optical fibers, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,350 to Itoh, et al. discloses an apparatus for fusion splicing of optical fibers. In each of these systems, light is injected into a free end of one fiber and detected at a free end of the second fiber. The fibers are aligned by monitoring the light transmitted through the joining surfaces as a function of angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,814 to Dyott discloses an optical fiber comprising a core and cladding having different refractive indices and forming a single-mode guiding region, where the core has a noncircular cross-section defining two refractive indices. Like the Anjan, et al. and Itoh, et al. systems, the Dyott system discloses a fiber in which light is injected along its length. The injection of light in the Dyott system is accomplished by a beam splitter.
Coupling of fibers using the methods described hereinabove require light to be injected along the length of the joining fibers. Rotational alignment is, alternatively, accomplished by the following methods: (1) coupled power monitoring, which is difficult and time consuming, and requires expensive input and output source and detector alignments; (2) axial imaging, which requires the fiber to have obvious and distinctive features; and (3) lateral imaging, in which the fiber must have obvious internal features amenable to a precisely-alignable image. With the first (power injection/detection) fiber alignment method, the set-up required to power and monitor the fibers is difficult and time-consuming to establish. Highly-skilled personnel are required; and the splicing procedure is itself time-consuming. If more than one pair of fibers is to be spliced, the process time and procedural difficulty increase dramatically. Methods (2) and (3) depend on imaging distinctive internal physical features of the fibers. If alignment is to be automatic, the system therefore requires sophisticated, expensive, and delicate image processing technology. If it is to be manual, the ability of a user to visually match two low-contrast images is oftentimes not accurate enough to yield rotational alignments of the required precision of 1 degree or better. Furthermore, few pm fibers exhibit images with distinguishable features, either in the axial or lateral views. Thus methods (2) and (3) are both difficult to implement and limited in applicability to a small proportion of the available pm fibers.
There remains a need in the art for an improved method for coupling polarization-maintaining single mode fibers.

Alignment system for splicing of polarization-maintaining single mode optical fiber


A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

The present application relates to a method and apparatus for examining tissue for the presence of predefined target cells therein, and also to a probe for use in such method and apparatus. The invention is particularly useful for detecting cancerous cells in a real-time manner during a surgical operation for removing, e.g., a breast tumor. The invention is therefore described below with respect to such an application, but it will be appreciated that the invention is useful in many other applications.
During a surgical operation for the removal of a tumor, it would be highly desirable to provide the surgeon with a real-time indication of the nature of the tissue at the surgical site, i.e., whether it is normal tissue or cancerous tissue. In the absence of such a real-time indication, the surgeon may remove more tissue than really necessary in order to provide better assurance that the entire tumor is removed.
Existing medical instruments, such as computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) devices, electrical bioimpedance scanning devices (T-scan), ultrasound, and other similar instruments, are commonly used in pre-operative guided biopsy procedures to obtain samples of tissues in order to delineate the extent of the cancerous tissue. However, the accuracy of such instruments and procedures for the delineation of cancerous tissue depends to a high degree on the accuracy by which the sample was taken, and the expertise of the surgeon in translating such information to the actual conditions at the tumor site.
My above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/035,428, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, briefly reviews various electrical techniques described in the prior art for examining tissue in order to indicate its nature according to the dielectric properties of the examined tissue. That patent application is directed to an improved method of making such an examination, by applying an electrical pulse (or a sequence of pulses) to the tissue to be examined via a probe, which generates an electrical field in the examined tissue and produces a reflected pulse therefrom. The reflected electrical pulse is detected, and its electrical characteristics are compared with those of the applied electrical pulse to provide an indication of the dielectric properties of the examined tissue, and thereby, the extent of the presence of cancerous cells therein.
However, because of the critical importance of this information to the surgeon during a surgical operation, efforts are continually being made to provide methods, apparatus and probes, which are capable of more accurately determining the extent of the presence of cancerous cells in a real-time manner.

Method and apparatus for examining tissue for predefined target cells, particularly cancerous cells, and a probe useful in such method and apparatus


Techniques that enable content from a web page to be shared directly with one or more targets, which may be an application, a buddy from a buddy list (e.g., in a chat application), and the like. An embodiment of the present invention can identify contents on a web page that are to be made sharable and make the identified contents sharable. The content that is made sharable can then be shared with a share target using, for example, drag and drop operations. For example, a user may select sharable content on a web page, drag the content to a target, and drop it directly on the target thereby sharing the content with the target.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to sharing of information, and more particularly to techniques for sharing content from a web page.
Web pages contain content of different types including text, images, video, flash, advertisements, embedded content, and the like. However, in spite of advances in web page content, the ability to easily share the content is still not available. For example, if a user wants to share an image displayed on a web page with a friend the user is having a conversation with in an instant messaging (IM) chat client, the user has to first store the image from the web page as a file on the user's computer. The user then has to select the stored file and send the file to the friend. This is quite cumbersome. Accordingly, better techniques for sharing web page content are desired. In another example, if a user wants to send this page to another friend in an instant messenger, the user must copy the URL from the address bar and then paste the URL into an IM window. Accordingly, better techniques for sharing web page content are desired.

Techniques for sharing content on a web page


A wireless communication device for presenting alternative media during an out of signal condition is disclosed. The device comprising a receiver configured to receive a primary media stream. A memory coupled to the receiver to store a secondary media. A user interface to output one of the primary media stream and the secondary media stream. A detector module that detects when a first predetermined characteristic has been met, the characteristic preventing the output of the primary media stream received from the broadcast transmitter. A media selector module that selects between the primary media stream from the receiver and the secondary media from the memory in response to the detector module detecting that the first predetermined device characteristic has been met.

Streaming media is generally delivered to remote devices and presented on a user interface. The remote devices will present the media as it is received in "real time" or at least near real time as some buffering may be required. However, the buffer size may not have the capacity to accommodate gaps in the streamed media to due reception failure or degradation. For example, the signal may be lost when the remote device moves into a tunnel or may be traveling though variable terrain such as mountains. As a result there is a gap in the presentation of the media which is undesirable for the user.
Because the steaming media is generally broadcast to a plurality of remote devices, the media is not replayed to accommodate one device that experienced reception problems. One solution for video streaming is to present, in freeze frame fashion, a still image of the last good frame received until the streamed media can be resumed. This however still provides a glitch in the presentation of the media. Further, one method for handling poor reception of streaming media is to terminate the media player software requiring the user to restart the application.
Therefore, a better solution is necessary to provide continuous uninterrupted media to the user
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.


A method for automatically activating a brake application in a vehicle includes using at least one detection device, detecting at least one object in the environment of the vehicle and, using at least one processor, determining that a vehicle is on a collision course with the at least one object, determining an S-shaped avoidance trajectory of the vehicle and at least one avoidance criterion based at least in part on the S-shaped avoidance trajectory, determining two extreme values of a transverse acceleration of the vehicle from the S-shaped avoidance trajectory, determining whether the at least one avoidance criteria is fulfilled by comparing the two extreme values with a threshold value, wherein the avoidance criteria is fulfilled when the two extreme values fall below the threshold value, and activating an automatic brake application in the vehicle when an activation criterion for the automatic brake application is fulfilled.

Emergency brake systems of the general type under consideration are used in commercial vehicles to effect a brake application upon detection of an imminent collision with an object. The term "collision" means an impact of the vehicle with the object, which can be moving, such as another vehicle that is traveling ahead of the vehicle, or stationary, such as a road sign or a non-moving vehicle.
In order to assess whether the vehicle is on a collision course with an object, once the object is determined to be in the environment of the vehicle, the future driving behavior of the vehicle with regard to the object is determined, In so doing, consideration is given to the dynamic parameters of the vehicle and also of the object, including whether the vehicle can still avoid the object or whether an impact can be prevented by means of a brake application, in other words whether the driver can theoretically still prevent the collision. If the driver is no longer able to prevent a collision, an emergency brake application is performed automatically.
A brake system of this general type is described in DE 10 2010 006 214 A1. Once an object is detected in the environment of the vehicle, the last possible moment to intervene for a brake application is determined by taking into consideration the prevailing dynamics of the vehicle and the object and also the reaction time of the driver. Based thereon, a brake application is initiated in order to prevent a collision and to reduce the consequences of a collision. Furthermore, the last possible moment for avoiding a collision is taken into consideration by assuming that the avoidance trajectory of the vehicle corresponds to a parabola or a circle.
EP 1 057 159 B1 describes a method for preventing a collision, wherein a calculation is performed to determine a minimum distance that is required with respect to a vehicle ahead in order at a maximal possible vehicle deceleration to avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead. The relative velocity and the relative acceleration between the two vehicles are taken into consideration. Furthermore, a minimal distance is also taken into consideration that is required for a possible avoidance maneuver (steering the vehicle past the vehicle ahead).
With reference to these two distances, an emergency brake application is initiated in the event of a possible collision.

Method for determining an activation criterion for a brake application and emergency brake system for performing the method


Clinical application of oxidative compositions, alone or in combination with polymer or salt stabilizers, for use in bone proliferation applications, such as spinal surgery, arthroplasty, or osteosarcoma. Additional applications include use in dental artificial tooth implants, orthopedic implantable prostheses for small and large bones, implantation into other surgical sites (e.g., dental implants, bone graft additive, face reconstruction, etc.) where bone growth is desired.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly being reshaped by osteoblasts, which produce and secrete matrix proteins and transport minerals into the matrix, and osteoclasts, which break down the tissue. The osteoclasts are the only cell type other than osteoblasts and osteocytes that are structural components of bone, although within the hollow inside of bones are many other cell types of the bone marrow. Components of the bone marrow that are essential for osteoblast bone formation include mesenchymal stem cells, the precursors of osteoblasts, and blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrients for bone formation. Bone is a highly vascular tissue, and active formation of blood vessel cells, also from mesenchymal stem cells, is essential to support the metabolic activity of bone.
There are more than 30,000 orthopedic implant revision surgeries necessary each year in part due to poor implant fixation with juxtaposed bone. A further emphasis on the current problems associated with insufficient bone implant performance is the fact that many patients are receiving hip implants earlier in life, remaining active older, and that the human lifespan is continuously increasing. Collectively, it is clear that there is a strong clinical need to improve implant performance through proper, prolonged fixation. Because of the important role of osteoblasts in the healing and regeneration processes of bone, an ability to enhance the proliferation of these cells and improve the bone implant fixation remains a desirable objective. Natural bone insufficiency can be caused by: gum disease, tooth development defects, wearing dentures long term, an injury to the face or trauma, spaces left empty in the mouth after teeth are removed, and dental procedures where efforts were not made to restore natural bone.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots inserted into the jaw to replace missing teeth. Today, implants with attached crowns are the preferred method for treating tooth loss because they function the same as natural teeth and help preserve the jaw structure by preventing atrophy from bone loss. Permanent implants maintain proper chewing function and exert appropriate, natural forces on the jawbone to keep it functional and healthy.
Implants are generally titanium screws a dentist inserts into the jawbone and affixes a prosthetic tooth or crown. Titanium implants over time fuse naturally with bone, a process known as osseointegration. Implant surgery can replace one or more teeth provided there is sufficient bone to support the implants. Would-be implant patients should have the procedure done as soon as possible after losing a tooth to prevent bone loss at the site. However, often, titanium implants fail to fuse with the bone or the patient does not have the ability to efficiently grow the jawbone (i.e. elderly patients).
Several techniques are used to rebuild bone. Bone grafting is a safe and highly successful procedure that involves the "building up" or adding bone. Bone is built up in the jaw by using the patient's own natural bone from another location and/or by using a donor, processed or synthetic bone materials. Often the new bone can be obtained from inside the mouth. Implants will be placed after the grafted bone has fused or become a strong, integrated part of the existing bone. The amount of time the integration takes varies depending on the location of the graft and the density of the bone. It may take three or more months.
Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation or Sinus Elevation) is a procedure used when the back teeth in the upper jaw are missing the sinus cavity becomes larger as the natural bone deteriorates over time. A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, is a bone-augmentation procedure for patients who have insufficient natural bone in this area for dental implant placement. The procedure involves adding bone below the sinus so that one or more implants can be placed. After the bone has been given time to develop, usually for approximately four to 12 months, dental implants can be placed. Ridge Expansion (Ridge Modification) is a procedure where bone graft material can be added to a small ridge, or space, that is created along the top of the jaw. In some situations implants can be placed right after a ridge expansion. Other situations require approximately four to 12 months to ensure that the ridge has fully healed first.
Because the time to grow new jaw bone is rather long, patients have to wait up to 12 months to have tooth implants. It is therefore desirable to speed up the "building-up" of the jaw bone and to reduce the amount of time for bone graft integration. Likewise, it is also desirable to add a coating to the titanium implants that may generate new bone growth and bone calcification.

Oxidative compositions and methods for stimulating the growth of osteoblasts and use in dental coatings and jaw bone augmentation


A positionable handle device for use with a wheelchair comprises a first member attachable to an existing handle of the wheelchair, a second member pivotally connected to the first member and, a locking mechanism to lock the second member in either a first upwardly extending position or a second downwardly extending position. The locking mechanism comprises a first tenon extending from the first member, a second tenon extending from the second member, and a slidable mortise into which the first and second tenons dispose. The mortise contains a first aperture extending therethrough and a second aperture at least partially extending inward from a lower portion of one side containing the second tenon. The mortise is positionable between a lowered and raised position. When in the lowered position, the mortise locks the tenons in place. When in the raised position, the mortise permits the second tenon to pivot.

The present invention is generally directed at wheelchairs. More specifically, the present invention includes an ergonomic extension handle attachable to an existing wheelchair handle such that the extension handle is positionable between a first generally upright position, as opposed to a generally horizontal position, and a second generally downward position.
Wheelchairs are well known in the art as a means of assisting or transporting those who can not, or have a difficult time, walking on their own. Wheelchairs of the prior art generally have two rearwardly positioned handles by which an assistant can grab hold of and maneuver the wheelchair. The handles are generally extend horizontally relative the ground. Because of the positioning of the handles, most users must bend over or hunch downward when grasping the handles in maneuvering the wheelchair. For assistants having greater than average stature, this can lead to discomfort and back pain as this is an unnatural position. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,255, the entirety of which is incorporated herewith by this reference, discloses a handle attachable to a foldable wheelchair which includes a vertically oriented portion. However, in instances where the wheelchair needs to be transported in a car or other vehicle, the vertically oriented handles can at times be a hindrance to placing the wheelchair into the vehicle.
There therefore exists a need in the art to provide a wheelchair with a positionable handle such that the wheelchair can be easily placed or stowed in a vehicle during transport.


System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving mapping of a surrounding environment by a mapping vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying dynamic objects within the surrounding environment that are proximate to the mapping vehicle from sensor data of at least one sensor of the mapping vehicle. The dynamic objects are trackable objects that are moving within the surrounding environment. The method includes generating paths of the dynamic objects through the surrounding environment relative to the mapping vehicle according to separate observations of the dynamic objects embodied within the sensor data. The method includes producing a map of the surrounding environment from the paths.

Maps, in digital form and otherwise, may represent roads as simple lines that approximate road geometries at a course level. In general, widths of the lines can represent an actual width of the road and/or a type of the road. However, maps that use lines in various styles for representing roadways do not convey information about finer aspects such as a number of lanes, the presence of additional exit lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and so on. This lack of information is, in part, because the information is generally unavailable and is also difficult to acquire.
For example, in one approach, lanes and other more granular features of a road are not encoded within the map and must be manually annotated. In further approaches, various vehicles are outfitted with GPS and used as probes to determine lane configurations. For example, GPS locations of a vehicle are logged in order to determine lane-level paths within a road. However, using GPS information in this manner generally requires a vehicle to drive along each lane of a road including exit ramps, turn lanes, and so on. This type of approach to acquiring the map information for a single intersection or segment of the road may represent a multitude of logged passes through the segment/intersection in order to acquire a complete representation. Moreover, the information itself (e.g., GPS information) does not always provide an accurate representation since buildings, tunnels, and other forms of interference can impair the accuracy and/or overall ability to precisely determine locations of a vehicle.

System and method for mapping through inferences of observed objects


A long haul optical fiber transmission system includes a transmitter, a receiver optically coupled to the transmitter with at least two composite optical fiber spans, at least one amplifier between each composite optical fiber span, each composite optical fiber span having a length of at least 50 km. Each composite optical fiber span also includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. When the second optical fiber has positive dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm, the composite optical fiber span has, at a wavelength of 1550 nm, an average attenuation of less than 0.180 dB/km. When the second optical fiber has negative dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm, the composite optical fiber span has, at a wavelength of 1550 nm, an average dispersion with a magnitude from about 2 to about 5 ps/nm/km, an average attenuation of less than 0.205 dB/km, and each composite optical fiber span has an average dispersion slope with a magnitude less than about 0.02 ps/nm2/km.

The disclosure relates generally to an optical transmission system and more particularly to an optical transmission system having low nonlinear optical effects. The transmission system is particularly applicable for long haul submarine transmission applications.
In long haul submarine transmission applications, it is not possible to transmit optical signals over very long distances without amplification due to attenuation. Accordingly, long haul submarine optical transmission systems include amplifiers repeated at certain distances along the length of the system. Because amplification equipment adds to the expense of the system, it is desirable to have as few amplifiers as possible per system length, while at the same time not adversely affecting the signal transmission characteristics of the system.
One possible strategy for reducing the number of amplifiers in a given system is to increase the amount of power launched into to the fiber at each amplification site. However, increasing the launch power above a certain threshold level for a given fiber (or combination of fibers) increases nonlinear optical effects such as four-wave mixing (FWM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM), such that optical signal transmission through long-haul optical networks becomes unsatisfactorily degraded. While dispersion reduces nonlinear effects such as FWM and XPM, the interplay of the accumulation of large amounts of chromatic dispersion and self-phase modulation (SPM) creates noise and distortion in the optical system.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative long haul optical fiber transmission systems having increased length between amplifiers without adversely affecting the signal transmission characteristics of the system to unsatisfactory levels.

Low nonlinearity long haul optical transmission system


A data processing method for a convolutional neural network includes: (a) obtaining a matrix parameter of an eigenmatrix; (b) reading corresponding data in an image data matrix from a first buffer space based on the matrix parameter through a first bus, to obtain a next to-be-expanded data matrix, and sending and storing the to-be-expanded data matrix to a second preset buffer space through a second bus; (c) reading the to-be-expanded data matrix, and performing data expansion on the to-be-expanded data matrix to obtain expanded data; (d) reading a preset number of pieces of unexpanded data in the image data matrix, sending and storing the unexpanded data to the second preset buffer space, and updating, based on the unexpanded data, the to-be-expanded data matrix; and (e). repeating (c) and (d) until all data in the image data matrix is completely read out on the to-be-expanded data matrix.

Neural networks and deep learning algorithms have been successfully applied and are rapidly developing. It is commonly expected in the industry that such novel calculation approaches can help implement more common and more complex intelligent applications. A convolutional neural network (CNN) plays an important role in deep learning because of its effect in the field of images, and is one of the most widely applied neural networks.
A convolution operation of the CNN is mainly focused on the convolutional layer, and the convolution operation of the CNN may be divided into two processes, namely, data expansion and matrix multiplication. However, during a data expansion process of the CNN, some pieces of data are repeatedly read many times, easily resulting in increment of data bandwidth or enlargement of storage space required for the convolution operation, and degradation of the data processing capability of the processing system for the CNN.
The disclosed methods and systems are directed to solve one or more problems set forth above and other problems.

Data processing method and apparatus for convolutional neural network

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


The present disclosure discloses a display panel and a display apparatus. The display panel includes a base substrate; a plurality of light emitting devices and a plurality of light sensors, disposed on the base substrate; thin film transistor structures disposed between the base substrate and the light emitting devices; a pixel definition layer configured to define positions of the light emitting devices; a first planarization layer disposed on a side, facing the base substrate, of the pixel definition layer; a light shading layer; and reflection parts each corresponding to a respective one of the light sensors; wherein: the light emitting devices are electrically connected with the thin film transistor structures; the reflection parts are disposed on sides, facing the base substrate, of the light sensors, and a side, facing the respective one reflection part, of the each light sensor is a light inlet side of the each light sensor.

In recent years, with the rapid development of touch control technologies, mobile products with a biological identification function gradually enter people's life and work, and the fingerprint identification technology has attracted people's attention by virtue of its unique identity characteristics. Press-type and slide-type fingerprint identification technologies based on a silicon-based technology have been integrated into the mobile products, and the fingerprint identification technology in a display area will be focused by people in the future.

Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A fabric (16) is formed from a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising an acetal resin, the fabric having utility as a fuel filter fabric. The acetal resin presents a material that is stable and does not swell in alternative fuels.

Acetals are polymers of formaldehyde which are technically known as polyoxymethylenes. Heretofore, these thermoplastic polymers have been used extensively in various injection molding and tubing applications. In particular, acetals have been used in the automotive industry to make molded automobile parts ranging from door handles to fuel tank caps. In addition, the housing components of current fuel filter assemblies are typically made from acetal.
Other automobile components which may be made from acetal are the subject of various patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,130 which discloses an acetal casing for a float operated fuel level sender; U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,416 which discloses a back-up fuel tank composed of polyacetal; U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,271 which discloses a fuel tank filter having a solidly constructed separator made from acetal resin to hold the porous filter toward the bottom of the tank; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,768 which discloses a fuel tank having a plastic magnet formed by adding a magnetic powder to an acetal resin.
In addition to having high load bearing and excellent durability characteristics, acetals generally have excellent physical properties for filtration. Some of these properties are noted in U.S. Pat. No. 3.568,846 which relates to an improved filter media prepared from discrete particles of plastic material having irregular, nonuniform shaped surfaces. The plastic materials include such materials as polyoxymethylenes, also known as polyacetals.
Fuel filters are commonly employed in vehicular fuel systems to separate any undesirable contaminants from the fuel required for the operation of the vehicle's engine. Most, if not all, fuel filters today use some type of fabric within the fuel filter to preclude flow of any unfiltered fuel into the engine which could subsequently damage the engine.
Woven fabrics of various compositions have long been known and used in fuel filters. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,850 discloses the use of woven threads of nylon or Saran, a polyvinylidene chloride thermoplastic polymer and a trademark of the Dow Chemical Company. In that patent, the woven fabric was used in an in-tank fuel filter to filter gasoline in the vehicular fuel system.
However, none of the present compositions of fabric have been able to meet the stringent requirements for flex fuel filtration in vehicles such as automobiles. While most, if not all, of the present compositions for fuel filter fabrics perform well in conventional fuel systems which use gasoline as the fuel, the same cannot be said for those same compositions and fuels filter fabrics where alternative fuels are used in the fuel system.
Specifically, alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and grain alcohol are rapidly being developed for use in vehicular fuel systems. However, these alternative fuels cause the currently developed fabrics used in the fuel filters to swell and starve the engine of fuel.
Thus, a need exists liar a fuel filter fabric which can readily be welded to the housing component of the fuel filter, and whose monofilaments or fibers will not be affected by the presence of alternative fuels, so as to starve the engine of fuel or allow a contaminant to pass through the fuel filter.


A door beam arrangement is provided for a vehicle door having a door panel with a hinge mounting flange and a latch mounting flange. A first hollow tube of high-strength steel has one end fixedly mounted on one of the flanges, and a second end. A second hollow tube of a non-ferrous material has one end fixedly mounted on the other of the flanges and is of smaller diameter than the first hollow tube and inserted into the first hollow tube and is slidable therein to accommodate variations in the distance between the hinge mounting flange and the latch mounting flange.

It is known in motor vehicles to provide a door having a front flange that is connected to a front pillar by a pair of hinges and a rear flange that carries a door latch for latching the door to the rear pillar of the vehicle body. It is also known to provide a beam which extends within the door from the front flange to the rear flange to resist intrusion into the passenger compartment.
It would be desirable to provide an improved door beam construction of high strength, low weight and having the ability to accommodate the dimensional change that results from the affects of wide variation in ambient temperature on the various ferrous, non-ferrous and plastic materials that are commonly employed in the manufacture of modern vehicle body and vehicle door systems.


A printer generates a public key dependent on printer position information and transmits it to a print client. The print client encrypts a common key with this public key and transmits it to the printer, and encrypts print data with this common key and transmits it to the printer. The printer generates a private key dependent on printer position information to decrypt the encrypted common key, and decrypts the print data with the common key. Consequently, the printer capable of restricting the place where a print operation can be executed can be provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer and a print system, and particularly relates to a printer capable of restricting the place where print data can be printed and a print system including such a printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
These days, as a business model using a printer, a model, in which a printer manufacturer lends a printer to a user without charge and the user pays the printer manufacturer only usage fees proportional to the number of sheets the user printed with this printer, is attracting considerable attention. In such a business model, in addition to a charge proportional to the number of printed sheets, a charge proportional to the period of use, a charge proportional to the amount of ink used, and the like are conceivable.
There is a demand that when print data is transmitted from a print client such as a computer to a printer, the security of the print data be ensured by restricting the position of a printer capable of printing this print data. In response to such a demand, there is disclosed a technique for not only encrypting print data and transmitting it from a computer to a printer, but also restricting the position of a printer capable of decrypting this encrypted print data in Japanese Patent application Laid-open No. Hei 11-331144 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1).
In a print system in this Patent Document 1, an encryption server manages an encryption key and a decryption key. When a computer which transmits data acquires the encryption key from the encryption server, the computer designates a position to which the decryption key may be transmitted and simultaneously encrypts the print data with the encryption key and transmits this encrypted print data to the printer. The printer which has received the encrypted print data transmits the position of the printer to the encryption server. The encryption server transmits the decryption key to the printer only when the position of the printer matches the position designated by the computer.
In the aforementioned business model in which the printer is lent without charge, if the user sells the printer borrowed from the printer manufacturer without permission or lends the printer to another person, the printer manufacturer cannot charge for the use of the printer. Therefore, the printer manufacturer wants to limit the place where the lent printer can be used, that is, the place where a proper print operation can be executed to a place of the user to whom the printer is lent.
In the print system in Patent Document 1, when the encrypted data is transmitted, only the position of the printer capable of decrypting the data can be designated, and therefore even in the case of a printer moved without permission, a print operation can be executed if the position of the printer is correctly designated.


An intelligent messaging server (herein ‘messaging server’) that is communicably coupled to trusted directory nodes receives an electronic request from a first computing device. The electronic request includes at least a unique identifier of a second user (herein ‘second user identifier’). Using the second user identifier, the messaging server determines that the second user has multiple accounts. Responsively, the messaging server generates and transmits an electronic selection message to the second user. The electronic selection message includes a link to a secure web page that lists the multiple accounts and prompts the second user to select one of the multiple accounts. Responsive to receiving the second user's selection, the messaging server generates an electronic record that includes at least an account identifier of the account selected by the second user, providing enhanced security to the second user's data via the trusted directory nodes.

Electronic messaging systems may be used by one or more parties (involved parties) to communicate with each other or to enable electronic message communications with each other. Existing electronic messaging systems require the involved parties to share personal and critical information with each other over an open network to complete an activity. However, with the recent increase in identity theft, the involved parties may not desire to share such personal and critical information to avoid potential risk of their personal and critical data being stolen or misused.
Further, existing messaging systems are proprietary in nature and are accordingly, limited to providing services to users that exist within the closed environment of the respective proprietary systems. That is, existing electronic messaging systems may not be interoperable with each other, may not have information from users being maintained and protected or secured as would be preferable, and may not provide services to users that are outside the closed environment of the respective proprietary systems. This limits the number, quality, and/or type of services that existing electronic messaging systems can provide to their users because of their closed nature. For example, conventional electronic messaging systems may not provide a service that connects multiple accounts of a user, where the multiple accounts may be associated with one account handling/provider entity or associated with multiple distinct account handling/provider entities. Consequently, when the user having multiple accounts receives a service, the user may not be able to choose the account that the user wants to associate with the received service, thereby limiting account handling flexibility. Furthermore, if a user of a proprietary electronic messaging system has multiple accounts, the user may have to create multiple profiles, e.g., one profile for each account, and consequently may have to remember and manage the multiple profiles which may be inconvenient. Additionally, in said proprietary electronic messaging systems, the user may not have the option to send a message to and complete an activity with a user that is not registered with the electronic messaging system until the user fully registers with said electronic messaging system. Such limitations of above mentioned conventional electronic messaging systems may prove to be limiting and inconvenient to the involved parties. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies.

Intelligent messaging system based multiple account selection for electronic message communications


An improved semiconductor memory device having a memory array, a dummy cell and a redundancy cell column is disclosed. At least one dummy capacity cell is connected to the reference bit line to which the dummy cell is connected, and also to a redundancy bit line to which redundancy cells are connected. Therefore, since a capacity on the reference bit line is roughly equalized to that on the redundancy bit line by these dummy capacity cells, it is possible to prevent erroneous potential level determination by a sense amplifier for comparing both the potentials on both the bit lines, without being subjected to the influence of supply voltage fluctuations.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a non-volatile semiconductor memory device provided with a differential sense amplifier.
In non-volatile semiconductor memory devices provided with a differential sense amplifier, for instance such as ultraviolet light erasable programmable read-only-memories (EPROM), a potential read according to a memory data stored in a memory cell selected by an address is compared with a reference potential read from a reference (dummy) cell by the sense amplifier, to determine whether the stored data level is "1" or "0".
In the EPROM as described above, the total capacity of a plurality of dummy capacity cells DC each of whose drain terminals is connected to a reference (dummy) bit line DBL is so determined that the capacity produced at each bit line BL is roughly equal to that produced at the dummy bit line DBL.
Recently, on the other hand, redundancy techniques whereby a memory device including some defective memory cells is usable as a non-defective memory device have been widely adopted with remarkably increasing memory capacity. In the EPROM, therefore, it has become important more and more to alleviate not only the row defectiveness but also the column defectiveness, in particular. In this case, in addition to memory cells arranged in m (rows) x n (columns) matrix form, a plurality of redundancy cell columns are provided by arranging the same memory cells in m-column form. In case one of the memory cells MC arranged in m (rows) x n (columns) matrix form is defective and further a column address for selecting a cell column including a defective memory cell is inputted, one of the redundancy cell columns is selected, instead of the cell column including the defective cell memory, for relief of the defective memory cell.
The EPROM is usually provided with a current drive capability in the output buffer circuit, in order to generate an output compatible with that of a transistor-transistor logic circuit TTL. Therefore, when data are outputted, potential fluctuations (noise) occur on an inner voltage supply line within a chip. To suppress the above noise, a method has so far been proposed whereby the voltage supply line for the output buffer circuits is separated from that for the other inner circuits. In this method of separating the two voltage supply lines, however, it is impossible to perfectly suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned noise. Once noise is generated on the voltage supply line, since each potential at each node of the inner circuit to which voltage is supplied via the voltage supply line fluctuates, potentials of the bit lines BL, the reference bit lines DBL, the sense line SL, and the reference potential line RL all change according to supply voltage fluctuations.
In the prior-art EPROM, a plurality of dummy capacity cells DC are connected to the reference bit line DBL so that the capacity produced at each bit line for selecting a memory cell MC arranged in m (rows) x n (columns) matrix form is equal to that produced at the reference bit line DBL. Therefore, in case the supply voltage Vcc fluctuates, since the potential V.sub.R on the reference potential line RL connected to the reference cells fluctuates in synchronism with that V.sub.S at the sense line SL generated whenever data are read out of the memory cells MC, there exists no problem in that the data read out of the memory cells MC are erroneously determined to be "1" or "0".
In general, however, since the capacity produced on the redundancy bit line to which drains of cells of the redundancy cell column is not determined equal to that produced on the reference bit line DBL, when a redundancy cell column is selected when the supply voltage is fluctuating, the potential V.sub.R on the reference potential line RL does not necessarily fluctuate in synchronism with that V.sub.S on the sense line SL, thus resulting in a problem in that the read data potential level is erroneously determined to be "1" or "0".


A cross point variable nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array including: first memory cells (e.g., part of a memory cell array) having a common word line; and second memory cells (e.g., another part of the memory cell array or a compensation cell unit). When a predetermined memory cell among the first memory cells is written to by changing the predetermined memory cell to a first resistance state, a word line write circuit supplies a first voltage or a first current to a selected word line, a first bit line write circuit supplies a third voltage or a third current to one bit line of the first memory cells, and a second bit line write circuit supplies the third voltage or the third current to A bit line or lines of the second memory cells.

In recent years, research and development are conducted on a nonvolatile memory device having memory cells that include variable resistance elements. A variable resistance element is an element that has a property that a resistance value changes (reversibly changes between a high resistance state and a low resistance state) according to an electrical signal and enables information to be written through this change in resistance value.
Exemplary structures for the memory cells using the variable resistance elements include a cross point structure as a structure suitable for high integration. In the cross point structure, each memory cell is placed at a different one of cross points of orthogonally arranged bit lines and word lines so as to be provided between a bit line and a word line. Various types of such cross point variable resistance nonvolatile memory devices are developed in recent years (see Patent Literatures (PTLs) 1 and 2, for instance).
PTL 1 discloses a nonvolatile memory device having memory cells that use bidirectional variable resistors in a cross point structure. With a view to reduce a so-called leakage current (leak current) flowing through unselected memory cells, PTL 1 discloses that, for example, a varistor is used as a bidirectional nonlinear element included in a memory cell, that writing to a selected memory cell is performed by applying a write voltage Vpp, Vss, and a voltage Vpp/2 to a selected bit line, a selected word line, and unselected word lines and unselected bit lines, respectively, at a time of writing, and that erasing of a selected memory cell is performed by applying a write voltage Vpp, Vss, and a voltage Vpp/2 to a selected word line, a selected bit line, and unselected word lines and unselected bit lines, respectively, at a time of erasing.
Similarly, PTL 2 discloses a nonvolatile memory device having a cross point memory cell array in which each memory cell including a bidirectional variable resistor and a bidirectional nonlinear element is placed at a different one of cross points of word lines arranged in parallel with each other and bit lines arranged orthogonal to the word lines, so as to form a matrix. PTL 2 discloses that the bidirectional nonlinear element is designed to reduce a leakage current that flows through unselected memory cells. Since, however, an amount of leakage current depends on an array size of a memory cell array, an increase in array size causes a significant increase in leakage current. In response to such a problem, PTL 2 discloses, as a method of reducing a leakage current, a means for applying a predetermined voltage to an unselected word line and an unselected bit line, thereby enabling more stable reading.

Cross point variable resistance nonvolatile memory device and method of writing thereby

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A power supply includes a rotor having an undulated surface (658, 858, 958, 10, 58) and a magnetostrictive material disposed adjacent to the undulated surface. The undulated surface alternatingly compresses the magnetostrictive material as the rotor rotates, inducing an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.

The present disclosure relates generally wellbore operations and, more particularly, to magnetostrictive power supplies for bottom hole assemblies with rotation-resistant housings.
Power for use in a downhole environment generally has been either stored in a device, such as a battery, and conveyed downhole, or it has been transmitted via conductors, such as a wireline, from another remote location. More common as of late is the use of vane turbines in the mud flow which use magnets and stator windings to generator power.
As is well known, batteries have the capability of storing only a finite amount of power and have environmental limits, such as temperature, on their use. Additionally, batteries are not readily recharged downhole. And vane turbines are subject to wear and lock up in the event of unfavorable debris in the flow.
Electrical conductors, such as those in a conventional steering tools where a cable is run on the outside of the drill pipe and enters the bottom hole assembly through a side wall port to power the down hole equipment, provide a practically unlimited amount of power, but require special facilities at the surface for deployment and typically have depth limitations and the drill string can not be rotated etc. while the conductors are in the flowpath.
In wellbore operations, a wide variety of mechanical devices are used that convert electrical power to mechanical energy in order to perform work downhole. Those mechanical devices may be subject to a variety of forces, and much of the mechanical energy may be directed to the performance of that work, while some of the energy may be released in secondary ways. What is needed is a method of harvesting mechanical energy downhole and generating electrical power therefrom.
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.

Magnetostrictive power supply for bottom hole assembly with rotation-resistant housing


A method including acquiring dimension information of an image; determining dimensions of texture memory corresponding to the image based on the dimension information of the image; and dividing the image into multiple image blocks based on the dimensions of the texture memory, and storing the multiple image blocks obtained after the division in the texture memory according to a preset storage rule. The methods and apparatuses for storing an image in texture memory save the memory capacity and increase the image processing speed.

Image processing has been widely applied as computer technologies develop. Generally, texture memory is firstly applied for an image in the process of processing the image. The image is stored in the texture memory and then processed. If the values of the width and the height of an image texture are powers of 2, a computer graphics card can rapidly process the image.
An existing method for storing an image in texture memory generally includes: applying for texture memory for an image, the width of the texture memory being greater than or equal to the original image width and being a power of 2, the height of the texture memory being greater than or equal to the original image height and being a power of 2, and a minimum value being usually selected from an available range as the value of the power. For example, texture memory for an image having a size of 100 pixels×100 pixels has the size of 128 pixels×128 pixels. The image is stored in the texture memory which is applied for.
The conventional techniques have at least the following problems: In the existing method for storing an image in texture memory, the size of the texture memory is made to be greater than or equal to the height or width of the image and be a power of 2. In some cases, for example, for an image having a size of 65 pixels×65 pixels, the size of the texture memory needs to be 128 pixels×128 pixels in order to meet the requirement that the width and the height of the image texture are the powers of 2. The size of the texture memory is much greater than the actual size of the image. Therefore, the existing method for storing an image in texture memory may waste a large amount of memory capacity, and reduce the image processing speed.

Method and apparatus for storing image in texture memory


A first thin film diode (100A) has a first semiconductor layer (10A) and a first light blocking layer (12A) disposed on the substrate side of the first semiconductor layer. A second thin film diode (100B) has a second semiconductor layer (10B) and a second light blocking layer (12B) disposed on the substrate side of the second semiconductor layer. An insulating film (14) is formed between the first semiconductor layer (10A) and the first light blocking layer (12A) and between the second semiconductor layer (10B) and the second light blocking layer (12B). A thickness D1 of a portion of the insulating film (14) positioned between the first semiconductor layer (10A) and the first light blocking layer (12A) is different from a thickness D2 of a portion of the insulating film (14) positioned between the second semiconductor layer (10B) and the second light blocking layer (12B). The intensity of light in a first wavelength region incident on the first semiconductor layer (10A) is higher than the intensity of light in the first wavelength region incident on the second semiconductor layer (10B). The intensity of light in a second wavelength region including a wavelength longer than the maximum wavelength of the first wavelength region incident on the second semiconductor layer (10B) is higher than the intensity of light in the second wavelength region incident on the first semiconductor layer (10A).

In recent years, electronic equipment such as a display device or an image sensor provided with an optical sensor portion utilizing a TFD has been developed.
Patent Document 1 discloses an image sensor in which an optical sensor portion utilizing a TFD and a driving circuit utilizing a thin film transistor (Thin Film Transistor: TFT) are provided on one and the same substrate. Patent Document 2 discloses a display device provided with an optical touch panel. In this display device, an optical sensor portion utilizing a TFD is provided in a display area of a liquid crystal display device, so that an object such as a finger which touches the screen can be detected by utilizing ambient light. In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a display device provided with an optical touch panel in which an object such as a finger which touches the screen can be detected by utilizing not only ambient light incident on the display panel but also reflected light of light from a backlight.
In the above-described display devices or in the image sensors, the TFD is formed by utilizing a low-temperature poly-silicon film, for example. In this case, since a semiconductor layer (the low-temperature poly-silicon layer) of the TFD is thin, the semiconductor layer of the TFD cannot sufficiently absorb light having relatively longer wavelength (e.g. red light) and there is some possibility that high sensitivity cannot be attained. It is considered that the semiconductor layer of the TFD is made thicker. However, if the semiconductor layer is made thicker, the process for crystallizing an amorphous silicon film by laser crystallization or other means functions as the rate-limiting factor. Accordingly, in view of the productivity, it is difficult to greatly increase the thickness of the semiconductor layer of the TFD.
Therefore, conventionally, in order to improve effective sensitivity of an optical sensor utilizing a TFD, it is necessary to increase the area of the light receiving region by arranging a large number of diodes in parallel on a substrate. However, if such a configuration is applied in a touch panel type display device, a large number of diodes are arranged in the pixel area, thereby significantly deteriorating the display characteristics.
On the contrary, Patent Document 4 suggests that a reflecting film is disposed via an insulating film below the semiconductor layer of the TFD, and that the thickness of the insulating film is optimized so as to increase the reflectance of light having long wavelength (red light). Due to the suggestions, the document describes that it is possible to increase the sensitivity of optical sensor to the red light.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same


A mold for injection molding including a cylindrical outer mold and a columnar inner mold. The inner mold is provided, on its external circumferential surface, with a large number of tooth-shaped grooves extending in the axial direction thereof, and it is placed inside the outer mold to define an annular cavity between the external circumferential surface of the inner mold and the internal circumferential surface of the outer mold. The outer mold is provided with a plurality of runners extending axially near the internal circumferential surface. The runners are arranged at regular annular intervals along the circumference of the outer mold. Furthermore, slit-shaped gates are formed along the full length of the runners, the gates opening into the internal circumferential surface of the outer mold, in such a way that the inflow of molten molding material flowing from each runner into the cavity is gradually reduced along the runner from the upstream side towards the downstream end.

This invention relates to a mold for injection molding of toothed power transmission belt having embedded cords as the tensile element.
Up to the present time, toothed power transmission rubber belts have usually been produced using a vulcanizer by the following method. First, canvas for protecting the teeth flanks, cords serving as tensile elements, and unvulcanized rubber sheets are wound in multiple layers around a mold having tooth-shaped grooves on the outer circumferential surface thereof. After that, the assembly is placed in a vulcanizer, and high pressure steam is introduced into the vulcanizer to pressurize and heat the assembly so as to effect cross-linking (vulcanization) of the rubber sheets. Then the tubular molded part together with the mold is removed from the vulcanizer, and the molded part is removed from the mold. The part is cut crosswise into shorter width rings having the desired width and finished to form power transmission belts, the final product.
This production method using a vulcanizer has a problem related to productivity. The production of belts by this method involves many steps since it is necessary, first, to produce rubber sheets with a desired thickness by means of a calender or the like, and then to wind the rubber sheets in layers around the canvas and cords that have been wound around the mold. Furthermore, the cross-linking cannot be completed in a short time. The cross-linking takes much time since the thermal conductivity of rubber itself is low whereas the cross-linking reaction is promoted by the heat transfer from the steam.
The above production method using a vulcanizer also has a problem regarding quality. In case of a rubber sheet material of which fluidity is low even when heated by steam, the material may not be sufficiently forced into the tooth grooves on the mold, resulting in a defective forming of the teeth of the belt. In such a case, it may improve the teeth forming to raise the steam pressure. The practical steam pressure, however, has a limit.
Injection molding may produce good molding of teeth since it allows the use of a high injection pressure. In practice, however, it is difficult to apply injection molding techniques to the production of a belt which is a compound body of rubber, cords, etc. One reason is that the flow pressure of the material being injected into the mold will disturb the alignment of the cords that have been wound in advance around the mold, which will result in the production of belts that always meander or deviate to one side in use. Another problem may be a greater tendency to occur faults such as short shot and weld line.
Injection molding is a highly efficient method of production, and is generally used in the production of rubber vibration isolators and the like. With regard to the production of belts, however, there is only one instance, described in the Japanese Provisional Publication No., SHO.47-11692. The method of production described in the publication is for producing a V-shaped rubber belt, wherein an assembly of a stretching element (rubber) and tensile elements (cords) is molded beforehand and mounted in a ring-shaped recess in a mold, and then molten rubber is injected into the residual space in the recess by injection molding to form a V-shaped belt.
According to the method of production described in the above publication, the cords are integrated with a portion of the rubber before being placed in the recess of the mold. Hence the alignment of the cords will not be disturbed by injection molding. The process, however, is complicated and low in productivity, and does not exhibit the merits of injection molding.

Mold for injection molding of toothed power transmission belt