The invention relates to a method of treatment or prophylaxis of demyelinating disease, in particular the neurodegenerative phase of demyelinating disease, which comprises administration of an acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) antagonist. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ASIC antagonist in combination with an additional therapeutic agent, in particular an anti-inflammatory or immunmodulatory agent.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the white and grey matter of the central nervous system (CNS). People with MS have patches of damage in the CNS. This damage, in the form of plaques or lesions, can result in partial or occasionally, total loss of bodily functions that are controlled by areas of the CNS.
The CNS is made up of the brain and the spinal cord and contains many neurons which perform numerous functions, such as transmission of information and control of bodily functions. Neurons comprise a cell body, dendrites which are responsible for receiving information from other neurons, and axons (or nerve fibres). The importance of the axons lies in their ability to allow very weak electrical signals to travel along them; in this way, information and instructions are passed from the CNS to the body.
When looked at with the naked eye, areas where the cell bodies and dendrites are clumped together in the tissues of the CNS look grey. For this reason, they are known as 'grey matter'.
The 'white matter' includes those parts of the CNS where the axons are enclosed in myelin which is a fatty substance made up of cell membranes. This substance is wrapped many times around the axons and enables information and instructions (electrical signals or impulses) to be sent more quickly from the brain to the rest of the body, or from a particular part of the body back to the brain (Moffett D, Moffett S, Schauf C (Eds). Human Physiology, 2nd ed. Mosby-Year Book Inc; St Louis, Mo., USA, 1993).
Multiple sclerosis can run at least three clinical courses: (i) relapsing-remitting (RR) MS, which is most frequent (˜85%) and characterised by discrete attacks (exacerbations) and subsequent periods of clinical stability. In most relapsing MS patients, (ii) a secondary progressive (SP) phase ensues, with continuously increasing deficits. About 10-15% of MS patients develop steadily increasing neurological deficits from onset, (iii) the primary-progressive subtype (Nosworthy et al., N Engl J Med 2000; 343, 938-952).
Multiple sclerosis typically comprises two phases: an initial inflammatory phase followed by a neurodegenerative phase.
The brain and the nervous system are nourished by capillaries and are protected by the blood-brain barrier which is an envelope of tightly packed cells that permits only oxygen and nutrients passing over from the blood (Haslet C, Chivers E R, Boon N A et al (Eds). Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine, 19th ed. Churchill Livingstone; Edinburgh: 2002). Sometimes this barrier breaks down and other molecules, such as antibodies and even cells, can cross the barrier. T-cells are key members of the body's immune system and it is generally accepted that the inflammatory phase of MS is caused by abnormally functioning myelin-specific CD4+ T helper 1 (TH1) cells leaking out of the blood vessels and causing swelling and damage (inflammation) in the white matter (myelin) (Hafler, D. A. et al., Immunol Rev 2005; 204, 208-231; Sospedra, M. and Martin, R., Annu Rev Immunol 2005; 23, 683-747).
The T-cells also produce chemicals which attack and break down the myelin sheath of the axons. Both the myelin and the cells that produce myelin are attacked (Noseworthy J H et al., Multiple sclerosis. New Eng J Med 2000; 343: 938-952). This process is an example of an 'autoimmune reaction'. When this 'demyelination' (i.e. damage to the myelin) happens, the passage of information and instructions through electrical signals that travel along the axons is inhibited. When the damage becomes significant, people with MS experience typical symptoms: poor muscle coordination, numbness or tingling, weakness and fatigue and other problems.
Once the inflammation phase of MS subsides, cells within the CNS begin to repair the damaged myelin. This process is called 'remyelination,' or restoration of the myelin. This cycle of damage and recovery occurs repeatedly in the myelin, often unnoticed, especially in the early stages of the disease. When, and to what extent, symptoms become apparent depends on the location, extent and severity of inflammation. If the inflammation occurs repeatedly in the same place, the repair processes may not be able to 'keep up', and permanent damage to the axons may occur which triggers the neurodegenerative phase (Steinman Nature Immunology 2, 762-764 (2001).
The signs and symptoms of MS are variable, but can include numbness, pain, pins and needles, muscle weakness or spasms, blurred vision, and fatigue, inter alia. For some people, MS episodes can be unpredictable and will include periods of relapse and remission. For others, the disease can be progressive.
MS is the commonest neurological disease of young adults, afflicting at least one million people between 17 and 65 years of age worldwide (Kantarci, O and Wingerchuk, D, Curr Opin Neurol 2006, 19:248-254.). The onset of MS will typically occur between the ages of 20 and 40 and generally affects twice as many women as men (Kantarci, O and Wingerchuk, D, Curr Opin Neurol 2006, 19:248-254.)
MS is a lifelong disease. Although no cure exists as yet, there are treatments that have been shown to reduce relapses—and some slow the progression of disability and are often called disease-modifying treatments, such as interferon beta (IFN-β), mitroxantrone and glatiramer acetate.
Another group of compounds, called corticosteroids, have also been used to control some of the symptoms of relapse in people with MS.
Thus, there is an ongoing need to find alternative and effective treatments for multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases.


An in-vivo observation system includes a capsule endoscope and a magnetic field generating apparatus. The capsule endoscope includes an in-vivo observation section, a radio sending section, a battery, a magnetic field detection section for detecting a magnetic field signal, and a power supply control section for controlling state of power supply from the battery to the in-vivo observation section and the radio sending section by toggle operation based on a detection result by the magnetic field detection section. The magnetic field generating apparatus includes a magnetic field generating section, an operation switch for giving a command to start generating the magnetic field signal, a state determination section for determining the state of power supply, and a magnetic field generation control section for controling generation of the magnetic field signal based on the command from the operation switch and a determination result by the state determination section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an in-vivo information acquisition system equipped with an in-vivo information acquisition apparatus introduced into inner part of a subject and an external control apparatus which generates a control signal for controlling activation/stoppage of the in-vivo information acquisition apparatus as well as to a drive method for the in-vivo information acquisition system, and more particularly, to the in-vivo information acquisition system equipped with the in-vivo information acquisition apparatus containing a battery and to the drive method for the in-vivo information acquisition system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an in-vivo information acquisition apparatus which acquires information in the body of a subject, a capsule endoscope which acquires a state in the body as images for observation has been put into practical use. Being swallowed through the mouth of the subject and thereby introduced into the body, the capsule endoscope has a capability to pick up images one after another by moving in body cavities, for example, organs such as the stomach and the small intestine via peristalsis until discharged naturally.
Images picked up in the body by the capsule endoscope moving in the body cavities are sent to the outside one after another through wireless communications and accumulated in a memory provided in an external receiver. By carrying a receiver, the patient can act freely after swallowing a capsule endoscope until the capsule endoscope is discharged.
The capsule endoscope draws drive power from a battery contained in a casing, but it is not possible to dispose a switch or the like on an outer surface of the casing in order for an operator to activate/stop the capsule endoscope because internal circuits and the like are enclosed in the casing.
To deal with this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 01-224553 proposes a capsule endoscope system in which a reed switch operated by an external direct-current magnetic field is installed in a casing and a permanent magnet is installed in a storage case used to house and store a capsule endoscope. The reed switch includes two ferromagnetic reeds encapsulated in a glass tube, facing each other with a gap on one side. When a magnetic field equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold is applied externally, a north pole and a south pole are induced in respective reeds, bringing the two reeds into contact by magnetic attraction and thereby causing the reed switch to short-circuit. When the magnetic field falls below the predetermined threshold, the reed switch opens due to elasticity of the reeds.
The capsule endoscope described above is not driven before use when housed in the storage case in which the permanent magnet is disposed, and starts to be driven by being freed from the influence of the permanent magnet when taken out of the storage case. Consequently, the capsule endoscope can prevent battery drain which will occur if the capsule endoscope starts to be driven before starting to be used.

In-vivo information acquisition system and drive method therefor


Externally supplied program data is latched into data latch circuits DLL and DLR. A judgment is made as to whether or not the latched program data corresponds to any threshold value of multi-levels every time each of plural programing operations is carried out. The program control information corresponding to the judgment result is latched into a sense latch circuit SL. Based upon the latched program control information, the programing operation for setting threshold voltages having multi-levels to a memory cell is carried out in a stepwise manner. Even when the programing operation is ended, the externally supplied program data is left in the data latch circuit. Even when the programing operation of the memory cell is retried due to the overprograming condition, the program data is no longer required to be again received from the external device.

The present invention is related to a semiconductor device having a non-volatile storage element capable of storing at least 4 values of information (namely, 2 bits of information) into a single memory cell, for example, an electrically reprogramable non-volatile semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, and furthermore, is related to a technique effectively applicable to a data processing system such as a file memory system with using this non-volatile semiconductor memory device.
Conventionally, non-volatile semiconductor storage devices such as flash memories have been proposed. These storage devices are capable of storing information by injecting and/or extracting electrons with respect to floating gates. A flash memory owns a memory cell transistor having a floating gate, a control gate, a source, and a drain. In this memory cell transistor, when electrons are injected into the floating gate, a threshold voltage would be increased, whereas when electrons are extracted from the floating gate, the threshold voltage would be decreased. The memory cell transistor may store therein information in response to the higher/lower threshold voltages with respect to a word line voltage (namely, voltage applied to control gate) used to read out data. Although not having restriction intentions, the lower threshold voltage condition of the memory cell transistor will be referred to as an "erasing state", and the higher threshold voltage condition thereof will be referred to as a "writing state"in this specification.
Among these flash memories, such a flash memory is available that information having more than 4 values can be stored in a single memory transistor. For example, such multi-level memories are described in Japanese Publication "NIKKEI MICRODEVICE" issued in November, 1994, pages 48 to 49, and further Japanese laid-opened Patent Application No.9-297996/1997 opened in 1997.

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory including a controller for providing an improved reprogram operation


A method for measuring ash/slag deposition in an operating utility boiler. The method has the following steps: i) providing a probe for the boiler wherein the probe has at least one thermocouple therein or thereon for measuring temperature; ii) measuring the temperature at the thermocouple at a baseline time; iii) measuring the temperature at least one thermocouple at a pre-determined time later than the baseline time; and iv) comparing the temperature at the baseline time to the temperature at the pre-determined time to correlate to a level of deposition. There is also a utility boiler system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of the present invention for measuring ash/slag deposition in an operating utility boiler.
2. Description of the Related Art
Utility boilers or furnaces are employed in industry for generation of heat, production of steam, and generation of electricity utilizing steam. Utility boilers typically have a furnace therein wherein a fossil fuel, such as residual oil, #6 fuel oil or coal, is oxidized or burned to generate heat. Along with generating heat, utility boilers will generate or evolve an exhaust gas that will contain carbon dioxide (product of oxidation of fuel oil), residual oxygen (unreacted), inert air components, i.e., nitrogen and argon, and emissions, such as sulfur-based and nitrogen-based compounds. Exhaust gas is typically treated and then vented to the atmosphere.
A problem with the operation of a boiler or furnace is the buildup of ash and/or slag deposits on internal boiler and heat exchanger contact surfaces. The buildup impedes heat transfer and can cause boiler or furnace temperatures to rise unnecessarily and/or diminish steam production and/or otherwise diminish efficient operation of the boiler or furnace.
Buildup of ash and/or slag has proven difficult to characterize and measure over the course of operation of the boiler or furnace.
Effective characterization and measure of buildup would enable operating conditions within the boilers and furnaces to be optimized or regulated to best advantage.
It would be desirable to have a method for measuring the buildup of slag and/or ash deposition in boilers or furnaces. It would be further desirable to be able to carry out such measurements in real-time method.

Method for measuring ash/slag deposition in a utility boiler


The invention provides methods of protecting solid-state proteins from the effects of ionizing radiation which comprise combining the protein with a radiation-protecting amount of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde; radiation-protecting amounts of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; or radiation-protecting amounts of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol, prior to exposing the protein to ionizing radiation. The invention further provides radiation-resistant pharmaceutical formulations comprising a protein and a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde; a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; or a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol. The invention still further provides a composition comprising a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid, and for the use of such composition in pharmaceutical formulations as a radioprotectant.

The instant invention relates to the use of methoxysalicylaldehyde derivatives, preferably o-vanillin, and to methoxysalicylaldehyde derivatives, preferably o-vanillin, in combination with Trolox(copyright) or isopropanol, in protecting solid-state proteins from the effects of ionizing radiation. The invention further relates to radiation-resistant formulations comprising solid-state proteins and methoxysalicylaldehyde derivatives, preferably o-vanillin, and to radiation-resistant formulations comprising solid-state proteins and methoxysalicylaldehyde derivatives, preferably o-vanillin, in combination with Trolox(copyright) or isopropanol.
During the process of sterilizing pharmaceutical formulations, especially during terminal sterilization, it is critical that the formulation be protected against incidents detrimental to the activity and/or bioavailability of the active agent or agents comprising the formulation. For solid formulations not easily amenable to sterilization by standard protocols such as sterilizing filtration, alternative methodologies have been developed, including, for example, irradiation. Accordingly, the necessity of protecting certain labile synthetic and biological substrates from the effects of ionizing radiation during the sterilization process is well documented. See, for example, B. D. Reid, PDA J. Pharm. Sci. and Tech., 49 (2), 83-89 (1995), G. P. Jacobs, J. Biomaterials App., 10, 59-95 (1995), and N. G. S. Gopal, Radiat. Phys. Chem., 12, 35-50 (1978).
The methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative o-vanillin, also known as 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, is a well-known anti-oxidant that has been employed in a variety of additional contexts, for example, as an enhancer of growth hormone release. See Clark, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,627.
The compound Trolox(copyright), also known as 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid, has also been employed as an anti-oxidant as well as a radioprotectant in various contexts. For example, Trolox(copyright) and certain phenolic agents related thereto are useful in protecting solid-state polymers against radiation-induced oxidation. See Soebianto, et al., Polymer Degradation and Stability, 50, 203-210 (1995) and Klemchuk, Radiat. Phys. Chem., 41, 165-172 (1993). This compound has also been employed to ameliorate oxidation in foodstuffs. See, for example, Cort, U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,980. The compound has also been used to promote the repair of amino acid radicals derived from radiolytic protein degradation while in solution. See Bisby, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 119, 245-251 (1984).
The present invention is directed to prophylactically protecting solid-state proteins from the effects of ionizing radiation by employing either a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, in combination with the protein; a mixture of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid in combination with the protein; or a mixture of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol, in combination with the protein, prior to exposing the protein to ionizing radiation.
The invention further provides radiation-resistant pharmaceutical formulations comprising a protein and a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde; a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; or a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol.
The invention provides methods of protecting solid-state proteins from the effects of ionizing radiation which comprise combining the protein with a radiation-protecting amount of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde; radiation-protecting amounts of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; or radiation-protecting amounts of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol, prior to exposing the protein to ionizing radiation.
The invention further provides radiation-resistant pharmaceutical formulations comprising a protein and a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde; a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; or a protein and a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and isopropanol.
The invention still further provides compositions comprising a combination of a methoxysalicylaldehyde derivative, preferably 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid, and for the use of such compositions in pharmaceutical formulations as a radioprotectant.

Use of o-vanillin and o-vanillin/trolox combinations


Methods and systems for determining the identity of a genuine Base Station (BS) that serves a rogue BS, i.e., the genuine BS used by the rogue BS to exchange the communication between the solicited terminal and the cellular network. The ability to identify rogue-serving BSs is a valuable tool in combatting rogue BSs. For example, the rogue BS will often be located in close proximity to the rogue-serving BS, at least in closer proximity than other genuine BSs. Identifying the rogue-serving BS may therefore assist in locating the rogue BS. Additionally or alternatively, identifying the rogue-serving BS may assist in interfering with the operation of the rogue BS, and/or obtaining information regarding wireless terminals solicited by the rogue BS.

Rogue base stations are used in various applications that involve tracking, eavesdropping and/or collecting information on cellular phones or other mobile communication terminals. Some rogue base stations solicit a tracked terminal to reveal its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). Therefore, rogue base stations are commonly referred to as "IMSI catchers."
Examples of IMSI catching techniques are described, for example, by Strobel in "IMSI Catcher," Jul. 13, 2007, by Asokan et al., in "Man-in-the-Middle Attacks in Tunneled Authentication protocols," the 2003 Security Protocols Workshop, Cambridge, UK, Apr. 2-4, 2003, and by Meyer and Wetzel in "On the Impact of GSM Encryption and Man-in-the-Middle Attacks on the Security of Interoperating GSM/UMTS Networks," proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, Barcelona, Spain, Sep. 5-8, 2004, pages 2876-2883, which are all incorporated herein by reference.
Several techniques for detecting IMSI catchers are known in the art. For example, the Open Source Mobile Communication Base Band (OsmocomBB), or Open Source GSM Baseband project, supports free software that can be uploaded to a mobile phone. The program configures a cellular phone to detect and report to the subscriber when the phone is being tracked by an IMSI catcher. Nethawk Oyj (Oulu, Finland) offers a product called Nethawk-C2 that performs cell scanning and IMSI catcher detection.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,351,900, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for detecting a rogue base station. A disclosed method receives signaling messages by a mobile apparatus at least from one base station of a cellular network, interprets a received signaling message, searches for an anomaly with at least one signaling parameter of the received signaling message from a first base station to a known comparison signaling parameter, and gives an alert if the comparison gives an unequal result concerning at least one signaling parameter.

System and method for identifying genuine base stations that serve rogue base stations


The present disclosure relates to a method comprising incorporating a utilization level field for a set of materialized views of database system in a database catalog of the database system. A computer process may be generated to run during a defined time period on a spare host of the database system. The computer process is configured to monitor utilization of the set of materialized views and to collect data of utilized materialized views in a dedicated registry. A check if each materialized view of the set of materialized views is present in the registry may be periodically be performed. The utilization level of a materialized view may be adapted based on its collected data in the registry. A check in catalog utilization levels of the set of materialized views may periodically be performed and based on the utilization levels utilization of the set of materialized views may be adapted.

The present disclosure relates to the field of digital computer systems, and more specifically, to a method for a database system comprising a set of materialized views.
During database planning, and later in database tuning, a database administrator may have to react on the performance issues of the database by creating materialized views. The materialized views may improve the overall performance of the database as they may reduce the data access time. Adding a particular materialized view may address one class of the problems. However, the materialized view may also weigh down the system if it is not optimally used.

International Business Machines Corporation


A frame-backplate assembly, a backlight module and a display device are provided. The frame-backplate assembly includes a frame, including four side edges connected end to end in turn and enclosing a hollow frame structure, wherein each of the four side edges is adjustable in length; and a backplate located inside the hollow frame structure enclosed by the frame, wherein four side edges of the backplate are detachably connected with four sides in the frame.

With application and development of a liquid crystal display (LCD), more and more types of products are produced. In order to meet requirements of products in various works of life, display modules in different sizes are also gradually produced. In spite of a small overall demand for display module of different sizes, a development cycle of products that meet needs of various works of life is the same as that of products with a large batch size, and a focus thereof is on a frame and a backplate of a display module. It usually takes at least 15 days from a design of the frame and the backplate to mold-making of a first version for the frame and the backplate, and debugging also needs to be made later. In order to reduce a corresponding development cycle of such special-sized display module, reduce a mold-making cost and increase a revenue, it is particularly important to use a general-purpose frame and a general-purpose backplate.

Frame-backplate assembly, backlight module and display device

Beijing Boe Chatani Electronics Co., Ltd.


A tray having a base defined by the upper portions of two sidewalls, a forward edge extending between the upper portions of the sidewalls and a raised back wall extending between the opposite ends of upper portions of the sidewalls. The sidewalls are the apexes of the triangles located at the forward edge of the base so that the base extends at an upward angle from the forward edge to the base of the raised back wall. A plurality of individual depressions are formed in the base and a plurality of individual recesses are formed in the raised back wall. Each depression and each recess is intended to hold an item.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a tray and more particularly to a tray made of a plastic material and having multiple compartments sized and shaped to removably hold various functional items which are frequently used by bedridden persons, immobile persons and persons with limited mobility.
When a person is partially immobile or bedridden, there are many small functional items which must be conveniently located for the person to readily use without calling for assistance. In the past, these items have generally been stored in a bedside stand or in a drawer of a bed table. However, these arrangements are generally unsatisfactory because the items become intermixed and entangled so that it is often difficult for the person to locate and grasp the desired item and remove it for use. Additionally, some items, such as a clock, must be visible at all times to be of value. In addition to providing individual storage compartments for various items, the tray provides compartments to hold a plate, a beverage container and eating utensils.


The invention provides for a formulation for coating one or more microprojections which reduces or minimizes the loss of counterions from the coating in order to achieve a pH-stabilized formulation.

Drugs are most conventionally administered either orally or by injection. Unfortunately, many medicaments are completely ineffective or have radically reduced efficacy when orally administered since they either are not absorbed or are adversely affected before entering the bloodstream and thus do not possess the desired activity. On the other hand, the direct injection of the medicament into the bloodstream, while assuring no modification of the medicament during administration, is a difficult, inconvenient, painful and uncomfortable procedure, sometimes resulting in poor patient compliance.
Hence, in principle, transdermal delivery provides for a method of administering drugs that would otherwise need to be delivered via hypodermic injection or intravenous infusion. Transdermal drug delivery offers improvements in both of these areas. Transdermal delivery when compared to oral delivery avoids the harsh environment of the digestive tract, bypasses gastrointestinal drug metabolism, reduces first-pass effects, and avoids the possible deactivation by digestive and liver enzymes. Conversely, the digestive tract is not subjected to the drug during transdermal administration. Indeed, many drugs such as aspirin have an adverse effect on the digestive tract. However, in many instances, the rate of delivery or flux of many agents via the passive transdermal route is too limited to be therapeutically effective.
The word "transdermal" is used herein as a generic term referring to passage of an agent across the skin layers. The word "transdermal" refers to delivery of an agent (e.g., a therapeutic agent such as a drug) through the skin to the local tissue or systemic circulatory system without substantial cutting or piercing of the skin, such as cutting with a surgical knife or piercing the skin with a hypodermic needle. Transdermal agent delivery includes delivery via passive diffusion as well as by external energy sources including electricity (e.g., iontophoresis) and ultrasound (e.g., phonophoresis). While drugs do diffuse across both the stratum corneum and the epidermis, the rate of diffusion through the stratum corneum is often the limiting step. Many compounds, in order to achieve a therapeutic dose, require higher delivery rates than can be achieved by simple passive transdermal diffusion. When compared to injections, transdermal agent delivery eliminates the associated pain and reduces the possibility of infection.
Theoretically, the transdermal route of agent administration could be advantageous in the delivery of many therapeutic proteins, because proteins are susceptible to gastrointestinal degradation and exhibit poor gastrointestinal uptake and transdermal devices are more acceptable to patients than injections. However, the transdermal flux of medically useful peptides and proteins is often insufficient to be therapeutically effective due to the large size/molecular weight of these molecules. Often the delivery rate or flux is insufficient to produce the desired effect or the agent is degraded prior to reaching the target site, for example while in the patients bloodstream.
Transdermal drug delivery systems generally rely on passive diffusion to administer the drug while active transdermal drug delivery systems rely on an external energy source (e.g., electricity) to deliver the drug. Passive transdermal drug delivery systems are more common. Passive transdermal systems have a drug reservoir containing a high concentration of drug adapted to contact the skin where the drug diffuses through the skin, and into the body tissues or bloodstream of a patient. The transdermal drug flux is dependent upon the condition of the skin, the size and physical/chemical properties of the drug molecule, and the concentration gradient across the skin. Because of the low permeability of the skin to many drugs, transdermal delivery has bad limited applications. This low permeability is attributed primarily to the stratum corneum, the outermost skin layer which consists of flat, dead cells filled with keratin fibers (keratinocytes) surrounded by lipid bilayers. This highly-ordered structure of the lipid bilayers confers a relatively impermeable character to the stratum corneum.
Active transport systems use an external energy source to assist drug flux through the stratum corneum. One such enhancement for transdermal drug delivery is referred to as "electrotransport." This mechanism uses an electrical potential, which results in the application of electric current to aid in the transport of the agent through a body surface, such as skin. Other active transport systems use ultrasound (phonophoresis) and heat as the external energy source.
There also have been many attempts to mechanically penetrate or disrupt the outermost skin layers thereby creating pathways into the skin in order to enhance the amount of agent being transdermally delivered. Early vaccination devices known as scarifiers generally had a plurality of tines or needles which are applied to the skin to and scratch or make small cuts in the area of application. The vaccine was applied either topically on the skin, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,726 issued to Rabenau or as a wetted liquid applied to the scarifier tines such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,926, issued to Galy or U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,655 issued to Chacornac, or U.S. Pat. No. 3,136,314 issued to Kravitz. Scarifiers have been suggested for intradermal vaccine delivery in part because only very small amounts of the vaccine need to be delivered into the skin to be effective in immunizing the patient. Further, the amount of vaccine delivered is not particularly critical since an excess amount achieves satisfactory immunization as well as a minimum amount. However a serious disadvantage in using a scarifier to deliver a drug is the difficulty in determining the transdermal drug flux and the resulting dosage delivered. Also due to the elastic, deforming and resilient nature of skin to deflect and resist puncturing, the tiny piercing elements often do not uniformly penetrate the skin and/or are wiped free of a liquid coating of an agent upon skin penetration. Additionally, due to the self healing process of the skin, the punctures or slits made in the skin tended to close up after removal of the piercing elements from the stratum corneum. Thus, the elastic nature of the skin acts to remove the active agent coating which has been applied to the tiny piercing elements upon penetration of these elements into the skin. Furthermore the tiny slits formed by the piercing elements heal quickly after removal of the device, thus limiting the passage of agent through the passageways created by the piercing elements and in turn limiting the transdermal flux of such devices.
Other devices which use tiny skin piercing elements to enhance transdermal drug delivery are disclosed in European Patent EP 0407063A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,326 issued to Godshall, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,097 issued to Ganderton, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,544 issued to Gross, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,023 issued to Lee, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,482 issued to Gerstel, et al., Reissue 25,637 issued to Kravitz, et al., and PCT Publication Nos, WO 96/37155, WO 96/37256, WO 96/17648, WO 97/03718, WO 98/11937, WO 98/00193, WO 97/48440, WO 97/48441, WO 97/48442, WO 98/00193, WO 99/64580, WO 98/28037, WO 98/29298, and WO 98/29365; all incorporated by reference in their entirety. These devices use piercing elements of various shapes and sizes to pierce the outermost layer (i.e., the stratum corneum) of the skin. The piercing elements disclosed in these references generally extend perpendicularly from a thin, flat member, such as a pad or sheet. The piercing elements in some of these devices are extremely small, some having dimensions (i.e., a microblade length and width) of only about 25-400 μm and a microblade thickness of only about 5-50 μm. These tiny piercing/cutting elements make correspondingly small microslits/microcuts in the stratum corneum for enhanced transdermal agent delivery therethrough.
Generally, these systems include a reservoir for holding the drug and also a delivery system to transfer the drug from the reservoir through the stratum corneum, such as by hollow tines of the device itself. Another alternative is to provide a coating containing the active agent on the microprojections themselves. Such an approach has been disclosed in published United States patent applications No. 2002/0132054, 2002/0193729, 2002/0177839, and 2002/0128599, all which are incorporated herein by reference.
Using a microprojection device to transdermally deliver an agent coated on the microprojections confers a number of benefits. However, some of the formulations used for coating the microprojections do not achieve a coating that is readily solubilized upon piercing the skin.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a coating that has improved solubility.
It is another object of the invention to provide a coating that stabilizes the pH of the coating and can increase the amount of uncharged biologically active agent, which is less soluble in physiological fluids.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Formulations for coated microprojections containing non-volatile counterions


A method and associated apparatus in aid of optimum self-examination of the breast by women for early detection of breast cancer.

This invention relates to a method and associated apparatus in aid of optimum self-examination of the breast by women for early detection of breast cancer. The importance of monthly self-examination by women to detect breast tumors is universally accepted and recommended by the medical profession. Early detection of breast cancer leads to significantly higher chances of survival for the breast cancer patient because treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, is most effective when initiated at the early stages of the carcinoma.
The method and associated products of the present invention ties the clinically recommended monthly self-exam to the female menstruation cycle. The menstruation cycle is used as an "internal clock" with which a woman can regulate self-examination of her breasts. Normally, a woman's breasts are the least enlarged (that is to say smallest in size) and softest seven to twelve days after the onset of menstrual bleeding. Breast tumors usually present themselves as lumps of various sizes embedded in the soft tissues of the breast with a relatively hard and bumpy skin surface in relation to surrounding skin covering a woman's chest.
Since the female breast is smallest and softest seven to twelve days after the onset of bleeding, breast tumors are easier to detect within this "time window." During this period, the surrounding soft tissue is much softer than the cancerous lump, and the tumor is presented more prominently because of the smaller size of the overall breast. Because the lump is easier to palpitate during this period, the clinically suggested optimum time for self-exam is the six day "window" in the woman's menstrual cycle.
However, such recommendations, like other medical advice, meets with compliance problems. The problem that is often clinically encountered is encouraging women to remain on such a regulated course of self examination. Women have different cycles, different levels of social and educational backgrounds, and different motivations and health goals. These factors all lead to less than strict compliance with regular monthly self-examinations. Continuous monthly self-exams are usually altogether forgotten by the time of the next appointment with the gynecologist.
There has been a particular need for a product and method that can aid women in regulating self-examinations based on external criteria. There is a need for a systematic method whereby a woman can set a regular schedule of self-exam depending on set, repeatable, external factors. The external criteria set by the present invention, uses a schedule that coincides with conditions when tumors can best be detected by self-examination. This method increases a woman's chance of detecting cancer at an early stage by providing reminders to enhance compliance with recommended monthly self-exams.
Female hormone supplements (commonly referred to as birth control pills) can be such an external system used as constant reinforcers of the need for self-examination. Birth control pills regulate a woman's menstruation cycle by controlling levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent implantation of a fertilized embryo onto a female's womb. This regulation is utilized as the basis for this invention.
Most birth control pills contain estrogen, some in larger relative quantities and others in relative combinations with progesterone. Medical research has linked breast cancer with the use of estrogen as a female hormone supplement. Thus, users of estrogen containing birth control pills have a relatively higher risk of developing breast cancer. This invention will increase the chances of early detection of tumors in women who use estrogen containing birth control pills by increasing compliance with the recommended monthly self-exams.

Method and apparatus for optimum self-examination of breasts by users of birth control pills


A scheme for profiling function calls for an application is provided. The scheme includes tracking invocations of the application methods and executing a sampling thread concurrently with the application. The executing includes periodically activating the sampling thread to set a flag to a true state and checking if the flag is true for the tracked invocations for the application methods. If the flag is true, then the scheme includes recording a current timestamp for the application method and charging a time difference between the current timestamp and a previous timestamp to the application method. A computer readable media and a system for performing profiling for an application are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to profiling schemes, and more specifically to profiling schemes having a low overhead.
2. Description of the Related Art
Profiling is a general term for techniques that allow software developers to collect data on various characteristics of running computer applications. The collected data can then be used to understand what parts of the application being profiled (also called "target application") may be modified in order to improve the performance of the application. The term "CPU profiling" is used for those techniques that measure the time that an application spends in various parts of its code. These "parts" may be source code-level functions (subroutines, methods) of the application, basic blocks of code, individual source code lines, machine instructions, etc. A CPU profiling tool ultimately presents the user with the data (many formats are possible) showing which parts of the application code consumed what proportion of the total execution time.
In practice, and especially when working on large applications, developers often need to know not just in which parts of the code the application spent most of its time, but also something about why this happened. One category of data that often helps to answer that question, is the number of calls made to every function in the application. For example, the information that the application spent 50 percent of its execution time in function foo( ) is useful, but it is even more useful to know whether this time was spent in just a single call to foo( ), or in 1000 calls to foo( ). In the former case, the focus would be on how to improve foo( ) itself, whereas in the latter case, it also makes sense to think how to decrease the number of calls to foo( ). Additional data that can help in this situation is the knowledge of all contexts in which foo( ) was called. For example, it may be determined that foo( ) is called 10 times by function bar1( ), and 990 times by function bar2( ). If every call to foo( ) takes the same amount of time, it makes sense for the developer to look at the code of bar2( ), in order to decrease the number of calls to foo( ). Changing the number of calls to foo( ) from bar1( ) will not make a significant improvement and as such, does not require a developer to focus his efforts here.
Another example that illustrates the importance of recording of the number of calls to functions, is when the application contains a call that has far-reaching side effects. For example, just a single quick call to a special function that turns on/off security checks in many other functions, may dramatically affect the overall performance of the application. It is therefore important to know whether such calls have been made, and if so, how many calls have been made, even if they are relatively short. However, it turns out that recording both the exact number of calls and the exact timing information during profiling is quite computationally expensive under an instrumentation based profiling scheme.
In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to implement a scheme for an improved profiling technique that provides the benefits of instrumentation-based profiling (information about the exact number of calls) at an overhead that is much smaller than that for conventional instrumentation-based profiling.


A dynamic throughput allocation method and framework are disclosed. The method includes initially providing an interface having a finite throughput. The data calls are allocated varying portions of the connection""s available throughput. A throughput allocation server assigns portions of the finite throughput supported by the interface to connections between ones of a set of internal nodes and ones of a set of external nodes connected to ones of the set of internal nodes. The throughput allocation server includes a table describing the portions of the finite throughput assigned to each one of the connections. A throughput allocation controller monitors the available throughput. When under heavy usage, the throughput allocation controller determines that available throughput is less than a minimum desired value, and in response de-allocates a portion, but not all, of the throughput previously allocated to at least one data call.

The present invention generally relates to the area of integrated communications network and more particularly to methods and mechanisms for controlling connections on one or more physical links supporting both fixed throughput (voice/video) and variable throughput (data) connections between an external network and a set of end nodes on an internal network.
Historically, businesses with external data links have included at least two separate and distinct sets of physical communications lines to their places of business. A first set of lines provide communication links between a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a private branch exchange (PBX) system including phones and other telephony. A set of PSTN lines terminate at a business site at a PBX connected to a business"" internal phone lines. A second set of lines provide links between external data networks and internal local area networks (LANs) for the businesses. Examples of such lines are T1, E1, ISDN, PRI, and BRI. One may add a third line for supporting reception and/or transmission of video signals.
Certain inefficiencies may arise from maintaining two or more separate networks in a place of businessxe2x80x94one for voice calls and/or video calls, and the other for data calls. A first inefficiency is the increase in network hardware needed to accommodate the two physically separate line groups. A second inefficiency arises from the inability to share excess capacity that arises in a first line group with a second line group when a need arises for additional throughput on the second line group.
In recognition of the potential efficiencies arising from converging two physically and operationally distinct networks into a single network, the network technology industry has sought to define and implement a single, converged, network meeting the demands for all types of communications including voice, facsimile, data, etc. As a result, a new telephony/data transmission paradigm is emerging. The new paradigm is based upon a packet-based, switched, multi-media network. Data and voice, while treated differently at the endpoints by distinct applications, share a common transport mechanism.
When implemented, the new network communications standards and protocols will enable businesses to determine their total required communications throughput and base their leasing/purchasing decisions on the total need rather than purchasing/leasing distinct lines for specific operations. In addition to potentially reducing the amount of xe2x80x9cwirexe2x80x9d in the office or place of business, a business may increase the total pool of communications throughput at a lower cost than purchasing/leasing specific-purpose lines.
In recognition of the shortcomings of the prior software distribution facilities, a dynamic throughput allocation method is presented as well as a framework for carrying out the dynamic throughput allocation method. Throughput is a generic term referring to the total communications flow capabilities of a system, such as an interface between an external and internal network. For example, in a frequency divided communications interface, the throughput can be expressed in the total communications flow that is handled in a set of frequency divided channels serviced by the communications interface. Alternatively, in a time divided communications interface, the throughput can be expressed in the total communications flow that is handled by a set of time divided frames.
The method includes initially providing a network interface having a finite throughput. Data calls are allocated varying portions of the interface""s available throughput. In an embodiment of the present invention, an external link connected to the network interface supports voice and data calls, and may even carry video signals.
During the course of operation of the interface, a throughput allocation server assigns portions of the finite throughput supported by the interface to connections between ones of a set of internal nodes connected to an internal network and ones of a set of external nodes connected to ones of the set of internal nodes via the external link. While voice/video calls are typically assigned only a single channel or fixed portion of the throughput supported by the interface, data calls utilize portions of the throughput having a variable magnitude. In order to track the assigned portions of the total available throughput, the throughput allocation server includes a table describing the portions of the finite interface throughput assigned to each one of the connections. A throughput allocation controller monitors the available throughput.
When under heavy usage, such as simultaneously running a number of multimedia data calls, the throughput allocation controller determines that available (free) throughput is less than a minimum desired value, and in response de-allocates a portion, but not all, of the throughput previously allocated to at least one data call. The de-allocated portion is then returned to a pool of available (free) throughput of the communications interface.

Dynamic throughput allocation in a converged voice/data services network interface


Integrated circuit antifuse circuitry is provided. A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) antifuse transistor serves as an electrically-programmable antifuse. In its unprogrammed state, the antifuse transistor is off and has a relatively high resistance. During programming, the antifuse transistor is turned on which melts the underlying silicon and causes a permanent reduction in the transistor's resistance. A sensing circuit monitors the resistance of the antifuse transistor and supplies a high or low output signal accordingly. The antifuse transistor may be turned on during programming by raising the voltage at its substrate relative to its source. The substrate may be connected to ground through a resistor. The substrate may be biased by causing current to flow through the resistor. Current may be made to flow through the resistor by inducing avalanche breakdown of the drain-substrate junction or by producing Zener breakdown of external Zener diode circuitry connected to the resistor.

This invention relates to antifuses, and more particularly, to electrically-programmable integrated circuit antifuses.
Programmable fuses and antifuses are used in a variety of integrated circuit applications. For example, a programmable logic device may have logic that is customized by programming appropriate fuses or antifuses on the device. Fuses and antifuses may also be used to permanently switch redundant circuitry into place to fix reparable defects during the integrated circuit manufacturing process. Sometimes it may be desired to use fuses or antifuses to program a serial number or other special information into a circuit (coding).
Fuses and antifuses may be programmed using special laser-based systems or may programmed electrically.
Laser-programmable fuses are often used for integrated circuits that have aluminum interconnects. Polysilicon and aluminum fuses can be blown open by focusing a precisely-aligned laser beam on the appropriate fuses. Because each fuse must be serially-programmed, the programming process can be lengthy. The programming equipment used in laser-based systems may also be complex and expensive.
There are additional concerns when using laser-based fuses with the increasingly-popular copper interconnects. Because copper has a high reflectivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion, it is generally more difficult to use a laser to blow open a copper fuse than an aluminum fuse. There is a range of acceptable laser energies that can be used to properly blow a copper fuse. The laser energy must be sufficient to complete the laser cut through the copper. At the same time, the laser energy cannot be too high to avoid cracking.
Laser-based antifuses have also been proposed. With this type of arrangement, a vertical conducting link between two adjoining metal layers may be formed by application of the laser beam. As with laser-based fuses, laser antifuses only work within a certain range of laser energies. Laser-based antifuse programming equipment can also be complex and expensive.
Electrically programmable fuses are attractive because the need for laser-based programming equipment is eliminated and programming speeds can generally be increased.
Non-volatile memory fuses such as fuses based on electrically-programmable read-only memory (EPROM) technology or electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) technology have been used. These fuses generally require high voltages to store charges in their floating gate memory cells. The high voltages may be supplied using external equipment or using integrated charge pump circuitry. While it is possible to scale down the programming voltages of these floating-gate cells by thinning the tunnel dielectric, the tunnel dielectric cannot be too thin or the data retention time of the cell will suffer. Moreover, it can be difficult to integrate non-volatile memory-based fuses into many logic circuit designs, because the special fabrication steps needed to produce the non-volatile memory-based fuses may add otherwise unnecessary constraints to the logic fabrication process.
Another type of electrically-programmable fuse that has been investigated uses silicided polysilicon devices. When high current is applied to these fuses, the resulting agglomeration of salicide on top of the polysilicon resistor increases its resistance. The programming of this type of fuse typically requires application of a programming current of 20 milliamps for a duration of 100 ms. The sensing circuits used with such fuses also tend to dissipate a large amount of power when the fuses are in their unprogrammed states. The programming process also may not be entirely permanent, because over time cobalt may migrate into the boundaries between silicide grains, thereby reducing resistance.
Electrically-programmed antifuses have been proposed that are programmed using insulator breakdown. A thin insulator is provided between two adjacent metal layers. When a sufficient voltage is applied to the metal layers, the insulator breaks down, thereby shorting the metal layers together. Although these antifuses can generally be programmed using lower powers than those used to program silicided polysilicon devices, the antifuses can be difficult to fabricate. In particular, deposition and etch-back steps needed to provide a thin oxide for the antifuses under the normally clear contact regions on the device may add undesirable complexity to the fabrication process.
Electrically-programmed antifuses based on floating-gate structures with two shortable polysilicon layers have also been proposed. With this arrangement, an oxide between the lower of the two polysilicon layers and a substrate can be broken down using a high voltage programming signal. These antifuses require 20 volts for programming. Moreover, because two polysilicon layers are required, these antifuses cannot be used on circuits that are fabricated using a single-layer polysilicon process.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved integrated circuit fuses or antifuses.

Electrically-programmable integrated circuit antifuses


An expandable mechanical distension device for hollow organ growth comprising a spring stent structure to elongate hollow organs by mechanical expansion. The device preferably expands radially to engage the internal walls of the hollow organ segment at a desired treatment location and expands axially to enlarge the hollow organ segment. The distension device may be configured for the treatment of patients with insufficient hollow viscus, e.g. hollow organ deficiency such as short gut syndrome, to enhance their gut length by mechanical force.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to a mechanical distention device and methods, and more particularly to a mechanical distension device for manipulating hollow organ growth.
2. Description of Related Art
Short bowel syndrome (SBS), also known as short gut syndrome, occurs in patients with insufficient length of intestine to maintain normal digestion and absorption. In the US alone more than 100,000 patients suffer from this life threatening disease every year. SBS is a condition that results in malnutrition, malabsorption and dehydration due to loss of large amounts of intestinal tissue. Typically, symptoms appear with greater than 70% of small bowel loss, although this varies and often depends on the presence of an ileocecal valve. The most common causes of SBS in the pediatric population are necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal atresias, volvulus and abdominal wall defects.
Currently, the treatment for SBS includes medical therapy with total parenteral nutrition to provide necessary nutrients and hydration, and surgical therapy to increase absorption capacity and decrease transit time.
Surgical treatment options for SBS include procedures that increase length, slow down transit time and intestinal transplantation. These procedures have thus far been met with limited success and are associated with significant complications. Hyperalimentation via the parenteral route remains the mainstay of treatment, but is associated with significant complications which include catheter related infections, liver failure and osteoporosis. In addition, the management of patients with SBS is associated with a significant financial burden, with the average cost of care for the first year of management averaging over $500,000 per patient and subsequently home care alone surpassing $100,000 dollars per patient annually.
Recently however, the concept of using mechanical force to lengthen intestinal tissue has been studied using a variety of tissue expander devices. Several methods of applying mechanical force to an intestinal segment have been developed, including repeated injections of saline solution, gradual advancement of a screw, and use of a hydraulic piston. Many of these methods require repeated interventions such as serial screw advancements or saline injections. In addition, all of these techniques incorporate a device that is at least partly outside the abdominal cavity, introducing risks such as dislodgement, damage to the exterior component, infection, fistula formation and increased inflammation and adhesions making potential re-implantation of isolated segments very difficult. Furthermore, because these devices deliver force in only one direction, the ability to lengthen intestinal segments is limited by the confines of the abdominal cavity.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a method to achieve intestinal lengthening using a completely internal device that does not require repeated interventions during the lengthening procedure. At least some of these objectives will be met in the description described herein.

Expandable distension device for hollow organ growth

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A Braille user interface for a Braille communication system on a touch screen-enabled electronic device with a touch screen and a touch screen-enabled interface. A user inputs a six-bit Braille character composed of raised dots and non-raised dots. Raised dot are created by a swipe in a first direction (say right) while non-raised dots may be created by a swipe in a second direction (say left). Swiping may be performed on an input area of the touch screen which is smaller than the touch screen. The user is offered an opportunity to perform a character check of entered Braille characters. A character check may include playing back the entered character and then offering the user the option of correcting that entered character.

Among the many challenges faced by the visually impaired is communicating with others by writing. One (1) successful way for the visually impaired to communicate by writing is by using the Braille writing system. The Braille writing system is so widely used in the visually impaired community that it can be considered the gold standard in written communication with the visually impaired.
The Braille writing system uses a three-by-two (3×2) array of dot-based elements to depict letters, numbers and symbols. One skilled in the Braille writing system can effectively read information written in Braille. While the Braille writing system has proven itself to be highly useful, the modern computer driven world has highlighted some of its limitations. One (1) major issue is the speed at which computers can gather and disseminate information. To make effective use of computers some method of rapid text entry by the visually impaired is needed.
Recent advances in computer systems such as touch screen enabled smartphones, tablet computing platforms, e-book readers, vending machines and ATM's have enabled visually challenged people to make use of voice-to-text (read-aloud), text-to-speech and haptic feedbacks. While such advances have been highly beneficial to the visually impaired, in practice they require a steep learning curve that must be surmounted by a visually impaired person to make efficient use of every device they encounter.
In addition, the simple and most effective way to communicate in many occasions remains written. For example, text can be used to write emails, to interface and to interact with a computer system, and to generate letters and other documents. The visually impaired still have problems generating text, particularly on non-keyboard-based systems such as touch-screen enabled devices. In addition, data entry correction is a major problem for the visually impaired.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a standard Braille user interface system for use with touch screen-enabled devices. In practice that user interface should enable a Braille user to not only write text for emails, letters and other documents but also to interface with computer-based systems. Preferably such a user interface would enable a visually impaired person to make corrections to entered text. Ideally such a user interface would enable a visually impaired person to make corrections at the character, word, sentence, and paragraph levels.

Gesture-based braille-to-text conversion system


Structures that include stacked field-effect transistors and methods for forming a structure that includes stacked field-effect transistors. A structure includes a first fin, a second fin arranged over the first fin, a first dielectric layer between the first fin and the second fin, and a first inverter. The first inverter includes a first field-effect transistor with a channel region in the first fin and a second field-effect transistor with a channel region in the second fin. The first field-effect transistor and the second field-effect transistor share a first gate structure having an overlapping arrangement with the channel region in the first fin and the channel region in the second fin. The first fin has a longitudinal axis, and the second fin has a longitudinal axis that is aligned at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first fin.

The present invention relates to semiconductor device fabrication and integrated circuits and, more specifically, to structures that include stacked field-effect transistors and methods for forming a structure that includes stacked field-effect transistors.
Static random access memory (SRAM) may be used, for example, to temporarily store data in a computer system. When continuously powered, the memory state of an SRAM persists without the need for data refresh operations. An SRAM device includes an array of bitcells in which each bitcell retains a single bit of data during operation. Each SRAM bitcell may include a pair of cross-coupled inverters and a pair of access transistors connecting the inverters to complementary bit lines. The two access transistors are controlled by word lines, which are used to select the SRAM bitcell for read or write operations.
Traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) structures for a field-effect transistor include a source, a drain, a channel situated between the source and drain, and a gate electrode configured to respond to a gate voltage by selectively connecting the source and drain to each other through the channel. Field-effect transistor structures can be broadly categorized based upon the orientation of the channel relative to a surface of a semiconductor substrate associated with their formation. Planar field-effect transistors and fin-type field-effect transistors constitute a category of transistor structures in which the flow of gated current in the channel is oriented in a horizontal direction parallel to the substrate surface.
Improved structures that include stacked field-effect transistors and methods for forming a structure that includes stacked field-effect transistors are needed.

Circuits constructed from stacked field-effect transistors


In a window covering system with a shade roll, a counterbalanced motorized shade roll system includes a shade roll with a hollow interior connected with a window covering system. A motor is located within the hollow interior. A torsion spring is also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll and the torsion spring is connected with the motor on one end and with the hollow interior on another end. Batteries are also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll opposite from the motor and after the connection of the torsion spring with the hollow interior of the shade roll such that the torsion spring does not surround the batteries.

Prior art shade and curtain devices designed to selectively cover and uncover openings exist in an astounding number of forms. As used herein, the term "shade" and "curtain" are used in their common manner and given their common meaning. Thus, for the purposes of providing background, but not by way of limitation, "shade" and "curtain" include window shades and curtains used to selectively cover and uncover windows and other openings in a structure. These prior art devices often require additional components such as guides, cables and pulleys to ensure the shade moves to the desired locations.
Further, prior art window covering systems are bulky, complicated devices more or less by necessity because they must include enough shade to cover the length and breadth of a window and they must be sturdy enough to support all of the related operational parts. As a result, many if not most of these prior art window covering systems, for example only, are custom made or made to a selected assortment of lengths. This variety is useful but not completely satisfactory since window and door sizes are not uniformly standard and a user may have multiple numbers of different sized openings to cover. The prior art devices are not adjustable or adaptable to different sizes themselves.
Further, prior art curtain and shade systems have of necessity been robust and large when the opening was large because of the weight of the shade that must be manipulated. A persistent and common problem is "drift". Drift is what happens when the system manipulating a shade is not strong enough to prevent the curtain from moving from a selected position. If the system is not strong enough, the weight of the shade will drag it down. Prior art solutions include locks, brakes or use of a motor to hold the shade in place. Every added element adds weight, complexity and bulk.
Further, as the weight and bulk increase, the size of other elements increases as well. Motorized systems then become large, noisy systems. The connection of the motor to a power source becomes an intrusive and ugly addition that has prompted development of battery operated systems that do not require external connection to a power source. Likewise, however, prior art battery operated systems include battery packs that are unsightly as well and do not address the motor noise problem in any significant manner.
By way of continued discussion, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,605 to Bavis discloses a conveyor system for conveying items and including a carrier for such items to be moved between at least two spaced-apart stations and a first guide track extending between the spaced apart stations. A flexible drive tape having a leading edge and a trailing edge is reciprocally mounted within the first guide track for moving the carrier between the spaced-apart stations, wherein the flexible drive tape is attached to the carrier adjacent the leading edge by a plurality of connectors. At least one of the connectors allows controlled relative movement between the tape and the carrier. A toothed cog wheel is preferably provided around a substantial portion of the periphery of which the drive tape is wound within a cog surround which at least partly encloses the cog wheel and the wound drive tape. The surround further includes a pair of tape peeler tips oppositely disposed adjacent the cog wheel to peel the tape away from the cog wheel as the wheel is rotated in use. The carrier is supported adjacent the first guide track as it is conveyed by the drive tape between spaced apart stations, and a second guide track is provided for receiving the trailing edge of the drive tape. In a preferred embodiment, docking members provide additional support for said carrier at the stations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,399 to Hiller et al. discloses an improved blind unit or shade having no pull cord for raising and lowering the blind members of the blind unit. The lower rail is movable upwardly from the lowermost position thereof when an upwardly directed force is applied to cord structure coupled with the blind members and the lower rail. When the lower rail moves progressively upwardly or downwardly with reference to the head rail above the blind members, the lower rail supports a progressively greater or lesser number of blind members. A variable, upwardly directed force is applied to the cord structure with the force being substantially equivalent at all times to the combined weights of the lower rail and the blind members supported on the lower rail when the lower rail is above its lowermost operative position. The force applying means, in one embodiment includes at least one conical member coupled to a constant force spring. In another embodiment, the force applying means includes a variable force leaf spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,487 to Long et al. discloses a power operating system for a vehicle door includes a motor operable to power the door open or closed. When a manual movement of the door a predetermined distance is detected while the motor is inactive, the motor is energized so as to move the door in the direction of the detected movement to complete the manually initiated door movement. This patent is directed at a horizontal sliding door such that there is no need for counterbalancing. There is no separation between manual movements to establish a new position of the door. Any manual movement beyond a predetermined amount will activate the motor to power the door in either the fully open or the fully closed position before the motor will disengage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,100 to Kubar discloses a cordless, balanced Venetian blind or shade with a constant variable spring motor includes conventional window covering components without the outside hanging lifting cords or cord locking mechanisms. One or more constant variable force spring motors are employed, preferably comprising springs which vary in thickness or in width along their length as they are wound around storage drums. A cord spool, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled to one of the spring drums to serve to wind the cords to cause the blind to be raised or lowered, simply by manipulation of the bottom bar of the blind system. Due to the difference in thickness or width of the spring, the system compensates for the increasing weight on the cords as the window covering is raised and for the decreasing weight as it is lowered.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,377 to Mao discloses a drapery actuator to open and close draperies and the like, comprising a housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord. A motor is supported by the housing for reversibility rotating the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme position and a second extreme position. A first electrical switch is operatively connected to the motor and a second electrical switch is also operatively connected to the motor. Switch actuator cooperate with the drive pulley such that the first electrical switch is actuated when said drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first extreme position and the second electrical switch is actuated when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second extreme position whereby when the drapery cord is in the first extreme position and the second extreme position the motor is deactivated and the drapery cord ceases moving. This is a conventional motor operated system that employs switches that can become damaged or deteriorate over a period of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,433 to Vafaie et al. discloses a flexible curtain rollup door that is driven between open and closed positions by an adjustable frequency AC electric drive motor including a controller which is operable to accelerate and decelerate the motor by supplying AC electrical power at variable frequencies over a predetermined time period and for operating the motor at selected speeds during a continuous run phase of operation. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is operably connected to the controller for the drive motor and is operable to receive signals from upper and lower door position sensors, door bottom edge bar breakout sensors, a door bottom edge bar contact sensor, area sensors on one or both sides of the door for detecting the presence of an object within certain areas adjacent the door opening and manually operable switches to control opening and closing movements of the door. A position sensor is connected to the motor and generates signals correlated with motor and curtain roll drum revolutions to provide backup door position signals. An operating setup procedure includes teaching the PLC signals corresponding to the open and closed positions of the door to provide backup motor shutoff signals in the event that the door position or bottom bar breakout sensors fails to effect shutoff of the drive motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,177 to Mao discloses a drapery actuator to open and close draperies, comprising housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord coupled to a drape. A motor, typically a D.C. motor, is supported by the housing for providing torque to reversibly rotate the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme (typically closed) position and a second extreme (typically open) position. A first electrical switch operatively connected to the motor functions as a cut-out switch and reversing switch to stop the motor from continued turning in a given direction and thereafter switching polarity, to allow the motor to turn in an opposite direction when the switch is re-activated. A torque-activated mechanism is provided, adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first position, and is further adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second position.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a system for covering openings, in particular a window covering system for example but not by limitation, that is not bulky, that is adjustable to fit any required opening, that controls the shade such that drift is eliminated, that is quiet in operation and that is operated by batteries that are not exposed such that no external power source connection is required.
It, therefore, is an object of the invention to provide a window covering system that is not bulky and is adjustable to fit any required opening but that is strong enough to control the shade such that drift is eliminated, that is quiet in operation and that is operated by batteries that are not exposed such that no external power source connection is required.

Counterbalanced motorized shade roll system and method


A bifurcated trash bin includes a rectangular housing having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion defining a cavity therein. A divider member is removably positionable along the top portion for bifurcating the cavity into a pair of substantially symmetric partitions. The trash bin further includes a plurality of rectangular lids pivotally connected to the housing and a plurality of bag-supporting members pivotally connected to the housing adjacent to the lids. A mechanism for maintaining the lids and the bag-supporting members at closed positions is disposed about a partial perimeter of the housing.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a trash bin and, more particularly, to a bifurcated trash bin for receiving and storing disposable items therein.
2. Prior Art
The use of trash bins are well known in the prior art. Regular trash containers are commonly made having only one holding space for collecting waste materials. For collecting differently classified waste materials, several garbage containers usually need to be used.
It appears that at least 50% of waste materials are recyclable and can be removed to significantly reduce the amount of solid waste that is disposed of in landfills. The recyclables may be re-used for economic advantage providing income to the waste collection agency. It is noted that the terms "refuse" and "waste" are used interchangeably to denote discarded materials which are generated by man.
During the last two or more decades the public collection of recyclables such as cans of various compositions, glass bottles, plastics, paper products and other nominal waste materials which can be recycled has come more and more to the fore. Public bodies such as municipalities, state and federal parks as well as corporate entities such as large companies and the like have undertaken to provide recycling and refuse receivers in public places to encourage the public to both dispose of their refuse and to aid in the collection of recyclables for further processing.
Unfortunately, many individuals are discouraged from recycling due to the fact that such recycling usually requires the maintenance of one or more recycling bins in addition to their regular trash bin. The locations of the trash and recycling bins, respectively, may be so far apart as well that some recyclables tend to end up in the regular trash bin because it is to time consuming to separate the trash and deposit each type in their respective bins.
Accordingly, a need remains for a bifurcated trash bin in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a trash bin that is durable, versatile in use, compact in size, has aesthetic appeal, and is effective and easy to use. Such a trash bin makes the separation of paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and other recyclables from regular trash easy by providing both receptacles in one container. The bifurcated trash bin is neat and provides valuable space savings in the home as well as in garages and offices.


In one aspect the present disclosure is directed to a media system having a base unit and a portable media player. The base unit may be adapted to playback and record media content being received from an external media source. The base unit may further be adapted to analyze the media content and to automatically extract therefrom, without intervention by a user of the system, intermittent, designated portions of the media content as the media content is received by the base unit, and to store the designated portions of the media content as media files for subsequent playback. The portable media player may be docked to the base unit so that stored media files from the base unit may be uploaded to the portable media player.

Various devices are known for downloading and or recording music and other media content to a portable device. Such devices generally download or record particularly selected content in the form of individual songs, albums or podcasts, for example.
To a more limited extent, it is known to record audio broadcasts to a device and edit any commercials or unwanted non-song content from the recorded content. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,442 discloses a method and a system for locating and recording time-limited signal sequences in media channels that may contain undesirable signal components (e.g., recording music in radio transmissions). The disclosure of this document is hereby incorporated by reference in full into the present disclosure. The signals are continuously buffered in a memory. The user identifies a desired source material. Out of this desired source material a section may be taken as a search key. The device may also select search keys automatically. If a second instance of the search key is detected, signal sequences that in time are connected to the search keys are compared. The signal sequences that by comparison are substantially identical are identified as belonging to the same, wanted, source material.
Previously developed media storage and playback systems have often been complicated to setup or to operate. This has made their operation challenging by users with limited experience with electronic devices.
Accordingly, it remains desirable in the pertinent art to provide an improved method and system for downloading and managing an edited media stream for future playback.

Method and system for downloading and managing an edited media stream to a portable media device


A system for monitoring actions performed on a data processing device by one or more users. The system comprises a plurality of user data processing devices including a mechanism for interacting with a user and a system monitor that can communicate with each user device and a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the monitor includes a plurality of software agents for carrying out specific functionality. These agents may be distributed over one or many different machines. Each user device includes at least one sensor for detecting events occasioned by interaction of a user with the data processing device. These sensors are operable to create a data structure representing a detected event, and communicate that data structure to the monitor. Once these structures are received, the monitor records them in the database. By analyzing the event data for specific users, user profiles can be created, which can be used to authenticate users.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a user's actions on a computing device. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a system and method for remotely monitoring a user's actions performed on a web browser program.
2. Description of Related Art
In many instances it is desirable to be able to monitor actions of a user on a computer device or computer network. This is particularly the case where the internet is being accessed, because in such circumstances there is a possibility that the computer network is being used to access inappropriate websites or material. A number of monitoring systems are known which allow restriction of internet access. The simplest form of system relies on a predetermined list of keywords or forbidden websites. If a user attempts to access any site on the list, they are forbidden from doing so, and the attempt may be logged. However, this suffers from limitations arising from the use of a predetermined list of sites, in that such sites may change their URL frequently. Further, it may still be possible for a user to access inappropriate sites that do not use the restricted keywords.
Alternative systems may make use of 'cookies' stored on a user's computer. Cookies are short character strings encoding certain information regarding the user's browsing habits, sites visited, and so on. The difficulties with cookies are that they rely on the user allowing them to be stored on their computer. Also, their information storage capacity is relatively low, typically being restricted to user identifiers and time of last site visit. Hence, in practice, it is difficult to use cookies to monitor a user's website access other than on a broad level such as time of visits to particular sites.
More sophisticated systems may rely on intercepting actual data flows to and from the user's computer. However, a typical such system executes as a separate program from the web browser, which makes it possible for the user to relatively easily detect the execution of the program and identify that they are being monitored. Further, typical systems monitor either activity on the user (client) device or on the server device. However, in practice, it may be beneficial to be able to monitor activity on both devices if desired. Conventional systems are also relatively large program files, which may lead to an appreciable drop in performance of the user's computer, as well as making the files more visible to a user. A further disadvantage of conventional systems is that they are unable to identify the user who is being monitored. Although sophisticated systems may identify the network username or the computer terminal identity, and so make some association between users and access to inappropriate websites, they rely on users adopting rigorous security procedures and not allowing others to use their username and password, logging off terminals when leaving them unattended, and so on. Further, such systems are not proof against malicious user impersonation. It would be beneficial to be able to confirm the identity of a monitored user.
As well as the conventional systems described above, various other monitoring systems have been proposed. For example, GB 2350211 describes a system that monitors users at the Operating System level. However, it is designed to operate only on a client computer, and does not allow remote monitoring or logging of activity. WO 01/26291 A2 is concerned with the remote "health" evaluation, maintenance and support of systems in general (be they computers or other devices). It is not intended to monitor user activity via a web browser or on other systems. Furthermore, the technology appears to be applicable to only one site. WO 00/08570 describes a system, which is hardwired to a given site (it appears to act on a site which operates as a proxy server, else it accesses documents local to one site only). This system also accesses the http stream (the normal communication between a browser and a web site) in order to obtain the information for monitoring purposes.
EP 0 953 920 A2 describes yet another system, which includes a tailor-made client. An agent, which appears to be a proxy server, is integrated into a viewer provided by the vendor. The overall process indicates that the technology accesses the http stream in order to acquire the information needed for monitoring. The system interacts with the user and the agent questions the user to extract information. As a still further example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,722A describes an application specific to blocking access to Internet sites, documents, emails etc. based on dynamic libraries/dictionaries. It has no means of extracting user information from browser activities nor does it possess an inference mechanism of particular sophistication. Further, in collecting information over Internet connections, this system interferes with the http connection. This approach can lead to several undesirable effects such as corruption of the data stream or performance bottlenecks.

Remote monitoring by tracking, storing, and analyzing user interactions with an operating system of a data processing device


A port for an electronic device is described that is common to an acoustic transducer and an indicator lamp. On example pertains to an apparatus that includes an external housing, an acoustic port through a surface of the external housing, an acoustic transducer, a tube between the port and the acoustic transducer having a channel to conduct audio from the port to the acoustic transducer, and a lamp to illuminate the channel so that the channel conducts light out the port.

Small electronic devices continue to strive for attractive simplistic designs that blend well with household, and office decor. At the same time, functional needs continue to add ever more openings and holes. In devices such as phones, tablets, 2-in-1 computers, notebook computers, home automation hubs, televisions, and other voice or visual interface devices, there are multiple openings or holes in the industrial design to accommodate microphone inputs, speakers, indication lamps, fans, connector ports, control interfaces, cameras, proximity sensors, illuminators, etc. With newer spatial technologies, the number of holes and ports is increasing. Some devices may have four microphone holes. Some have monaural and stereo speaker holes for close and far listening. Some have arrays of cameras on multiple sides and with different characteristics and different illuminators, such as infrared and visible light.
All of these many ports and holes make it more difficult to produce a unique and attractive system design. Traditionally these holes were hidden behind grills or perforated surfaces that were integrated into the overall appearance. Some holes and ports are placed at seams or next to a button or other part to make the port less noticeable. In some cases some of the ports and holes are placed on a back side of the device. Many of the connections have been made wireless in an effort to eliminate holes for electrical data and power connections. These techniques must be balanced against the required function of the hole or port so that audio, video or other functions are not hindered. There are also efforts to hide indicator lights or blend them into the design.

Common acoustic transducer and indicator lamp port for electronic devices


An electrical contact used in an electrical connector adapted for electrically connecting with an integrated circuit (IC) package and a printed circuit board is provided. Each contact comprises a base section, an upper resilient arm and a lower elastic arm extending from two opposite ends of the base section, respectively. The electrical connector comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a mating surface, a mounting surface, and a plurality of contact passageways passing through the mating surface and the mounting surface. The lower elastic arm of the contact at least partially projects below the mounting surface of the insulative housing. The lower elastic arm includes a first resisting portion for guiding the contact to be inserted into a via of the printed circuit board and resisting against inner wall of the via of the printed circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a contact terminal, and more particularly to a contact terminal having a foothold arrangement which can properly interlock with a via of a printed circuit board. The present invention also relates to a connector using the same.
2. Description of Prior Art
Land grid array (LGA) sockets are widely used in various electrical devices to establish electrical connection between a land grid array package and a circuit substrate. Basically, a land grid array socket includes an insulative housing defining a number of passageways and a number of conductive terminals resided in corresponding passageways, respectively. Each conductive terminal includes a resilient arm sticking out of the housing to mate with a grid array package. In use, under compression of the land grid array package, the resilient arm is deflected from its natural position and elastically abuts against the land grid array package thereby forming electrical engagement between the land grid array package and the conductive terminal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,271 issued to Liao, et al. on Jul. 26, 2005 discloses a socket, for electrically connecting a package and a printed circuit board, including a dielectric housing and a plurality of conductive terminals secured in the housing. The housing defines upper and lower surfaces and a number of cells. Each terminal has a retention body secured in a corresponding cell defined on the housing. The retention body has an upper end projecting beyond the upper mating surface and a lower end projecting beyond the lower surface. Upper and lower protrusions extend from the upper and lower mating surfaces of the housing respectively, for supporting the package and abutting against the printed circuit board, respectively.
However, in the existing so called LGA contact terminal, the tail portion of each contact terminal is disposed between an upper surface of the printed circuit board, and a bottom surface of a socket connector. As a result, there is always a gab therebetween such that it is unlikely to reduce the overall height of the socket. On the other hand, in order to have the contact terminal be securely secured within the socket, each contact terminal has to have a certain holdup within the socket such that the thickness of the socket has to be remained to a certain range. If the socket is too thin, then its housing could be broken apart when the contact terminal is inserted. Accordingly, it would be preferably to keep the socket within the certain range, while its overall height can be reduced.
Hence, an improved electrical contact for being used in an electrical connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

Contact terminal having foothold arrangement capable of interlocking via of printed circuit board