Among the embodiments disclosed herein is an antenna assembly comprising the combination of a dielectrically loaded antenna and a housing, the housing incorporating a connector for coupling the antenna to host equipment. The antenna comprises an insulative core which has an outer surface and is shaped to define a central axis, and a laminate board on the central axis, the laminate board extending proximally from a proximal core surface portion oriented transversely with respect to the axis. The housing comprises a housing body which forms a hollow conductive shield for the laminate board, and is centered on the antenna axis, and the housing is shaped to provide a mounting surface which, in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axis, defines a periphery of an area in the said plane which area is at least as great as the cross-sectional area of the said proximal portion of the antenna.

One known antenna assembly is disclosed in British Published Patent Application No. GB2473676A and corresponding U.S. application Ser. No. 12/887,220 filed 21 Sep. 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In this known assembly, a dielectrically loaded helical antenna with a solid insulative dielectric core has a coaxial feeder which passes through a passage in the core on a central axis of the antenna. Plated on an outer cylindrical surface of the core are four helical antenna elements and a balun sleeve. An end surface of the core adjacent the balun sleeve is also plated and serves to connect the balun sleeve to the outer conductor of the feeder at the base of the antenna. The connector comprises a central pin soldered to the inner conductor of the feeder, and a hollow outer connection member which encircles the pin and is soldered to the plated end surface of the core so that both the pin and the outer connection member project from the base of the antenna. An insulative moulded covering encases both the antenna and the connector.
In Published International Application No. WO2011/092498, there is disclosed a backfire dielectrically loaded quadrifilar helical antenna in which the feeder is in the form of an elongate laminate board housed in the passage of the core.
It is known to provide a backfire dielectrically loaded helical antenna with an integrated low-noise amplifier. In one example, the antenna is mounted on an end surface of a rectangular plated enclosure, the amplifier comprising a printed circuit board housed in the enclosure and coupled, at one edge, to a coaxial feeder projecting from the base of the antenna and, at an opposite edge, to a coaxial connector mounted on the opposite end of the enclosure. The enclosure has a removable conductive lid. Such an assembly is disclosed in a flysheet issued by Sarantel Limited in May 2003 and entitled "GeoHelix-HTM GPS Antenna".


An apparatus for estimating far-end crosstalk RDS-FEXT, i (fd) or an end (C1-2) of a communication line (C1) furthest from a transceiver (10-1) to which the communication line (C1) is connected. The apparatus is configured to: measure upstream noise RUS-Noise(fu) at an upstream frequency (fu), the upstream noise RUS-Noise(fu) induced in the communication line (C1) due to the crosstalk; select a downstream frequency (fd) for which the far-end crosstalk RDS-FEXT, i (fd) is to determined; and estimate the far-end crosstalk RDS-FEXT, i (fd)′ as a function of the upstream Noise RUS-Noise(fu), the upstream frequency (fu) and the downstream frequency (fd). An apparatus reversing upstream and downstream features, a system, a computer readable medium and related methods are also described.

When telecom operators sell digital subscriber line (DSL) services for data transmission over a telecommunication line (or just "line" or "loop") to a customer, it is often a problem that telecommunication line properties that affect DSL services are not sufficiently well known. Because of that, it may not be possible to accurately predict how much line capacity, such as a data transfer rate given in Mbits/second, the line can support and hence which capacity that can be sold to the customer.
An operator end of the line includes a Central Office (CO) at which a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) is typically located while a customer end of the line includes a customer premises (CP) at which a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is typically located. Other examples where a DSLAM can be located includes locations beyond the CO, such as an equipment cabinet or a space in a basement of an office building. The DSL service is set up between the CO and the CP where a downstream transmission refers to CO to CP (or DSLAM to CPE) transmission while upstream transmission refers to CP to CO (or CPE to DSLAM) transmission. The DSL Access Multiplexer in the CO is used for data transmission but can also be used for determining line properties such as attenuation which in combination with knowledge about transmitter power spectral density and noise power spectral density can be used for estimating line capacity.
When determining downstream line capacity accurately in a DSL system, the so called far-end noise must be known, i.e. in this case the noise that would be experienced by a CPE connected to the line. In noise-limited systems, far-end noise can be approximated by knowing the receiver noise (noise at the CPE) or similar prior knowledge. For example, a value of −140 dBm/Hz is often used when assuming far-end noise for a DSL CPE. However, in reality many lines for DSL communication are limited by crosstalk (interference) from adjacent lines.
The crosstalk typically comprises Far End Crosstalk (FEXT) and Near End Crosstalk (NEXT), where FEXT is interference between two adjacent lines, as measured at the end of the line furthest from the transmitter, and NEXT is interference between adjacent lines, as measured at the end of the line nearest to the transmitter. Since a transmitter or transceiver is arranged in each of the DSLAM and CPE, a respective NEXT and FEXT can be determined for each of the DSLAM and the CPE. Since most DSL technologies separate frequency bands for upstream and downstream communication, NEXT is usually not a problem while FEXT is a major cause of line capacity limitation.
Accordingly, determining the FEXT is important when assessing the line capacity of a DSL line, and various techniques for determining FEXT exist, such as i) double-ended line test methods that measure noise at both sides, i.e. both upstream FEXT at the DSLAM and downstream FEXT at the CPE, ii) estimation methods for determining downstream FEXT from DSLAM NEXT, iii) methods for interpolation/extrapolation of measured FEXT couplings to other frequencies and to the opposite transmission direction using reciprocity, iv) methods using extrapolation of measured FEXT level to higher frequencies in the same transmission direction as for the FEXT measurements, v) methods using an average upstream noise level as an estimate of the far-end noise level for all downstream frequencies, and vi) methods employing a 1% worst-case FEXT models, without any input regarding the current noise situation.
More specific examples of techniques relating to determining parameters affecting line capacity can be found in patent documents WO2008/030145, WO2005/114861, US20090092036, US20050057880A1 and WO2008/008015.
The techniques for determining FEXT described above are generally capable of estimating FEXT-values. However, due to various deficiencies the estimated FEXT-values tend to suffer from an inability to accurately reflect a true FEXT-value that may indicate e.g. the true far end noise and/or true line capacity, in particular when no equipment is allocated at the customer premises.

Single ended estimation of far-end crosstalk in a digital subscriber line


The present invention provides improved processes for the synthesis of 1,4-ditosyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonone, comprising deprotecting a compound of formula (C):

Manganese complexes containing the ligands Me3-TACN (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and Me4-DTNE (1,2-bis-(4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane) are of interest for different bleaching of cellulosic and other substrates.
Different methods have been disclosed to synthesise 1,4-ditosyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Ts2-TACN) from 1,4,7-tritosyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Ts3-TACN) as described below.
Ts3-TACN has been treated with a mixture of bromic acid and acetic acid for 20 h at 100° C. and subsequently refluxed for 30 h to yield fully detosylated 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (H3-TACN) as HBr salt, i.e. H3-TACN.HBr; subsequent reaction with 2 equivalents of tosyl chloride afforded Ts2-TACN in 60% yield as disclosed in Inorg. Chem., 1985, 24, 1230.
Ts3-TACN has been treated with a mixture of bromic acid, acetic acid and phenol for 36 h at 90° C., to furnish monotosylated Ts-TACN. Further reaction with 1 equivalent of tosyl chloride to afford Ts2-TACN in a higher yield than using method 1-76% as disclosed in Inorg. Chem., 1990, 29, 4143.
Ts3-TACN has been heated with a mixture of hydrobromic acid and acetic acid under reflux for 3 h to yield a mixture of Ts-TACN.HBr (68%) and Ts2-TACN.HBr(30%) as disclosed in Synthetic Communications, 2001, 31(20), 3141.
Isolation of protonated Ts2-TACN salt with bromide as counter ion has been described in Synthetic Communications 31(20), 3141-3144, 2001; and US 2005/112066 A1.
The reaction of Ts2-TACN with 2 equivalents of ditosyl-ethyleneglycol in DMF to yield 1,2-bis(4,7-ditosyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane (Ts4-DTNE) is also disclosed in Inorg. Chem. 1985, 24, 1230; Inorg. Chem. 1996, 35, 1974-1979; Inorg. Chem. 1998, 37(5), 3705-3713; Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44 (2), 401-409; and J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1994, 457-464.
Ts4-DTNE has also been obtained using O,O′,N,N′-tetratosyl-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine and ethylenediamine (Synthesis 2001, 2381-2383; Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46(1), 238-250; Green Chem. 2007, 9, 996-1007).
Synthesis of 1,2-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane (DTNE) from methine-1,4,7-triazacyclononane and dibromoethane or diiodoethane has been disclosed in J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1987, 886; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 13104-13120; Inorg. Chem. 1993, 32, 4300-4305; Inorg. Chem. 1997, 36, 3125-3132; Chem. Lett. 2000, 416-417; J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2000, 3034-3040.
Synthesis of Me4-DTNE from DTNE using formaldehyde and formic acid can be found in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 13104-13120; Inorg. Chem. 1993, 32(20), 4300-4305; Chem. Lett., 2000, 416-7.
Using the known methods, the binucleating triazacyclononane ligand can be obtained in a reasonable yield. However, as the purity level is insufficient to obtain the dinuclear manganese complex ([MnIVMnIII (μ-O)2(μ-OAc)(Me4-DTNE)]2+) in high yield, an additional purification step, such as vacuum destillation is needed. Although this gives then a high purity material, the yield loss is quite substantial. Therefore there is still a need to be able to synthesise manganese complexes using Me4-DTNE that has been obtained in a more simple synthetic procedure, with preferably without needing to distil Me4-DTNE prior complexation.

1,2-bis-(4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane and intermediate for the synthesis of same

Abstract: wherein P is tosylate or arylsulfonate, with an acidic medium to form 1,2-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane; and subsequently adding formaldehyde and formic acid to the acidic medium to form 1,2-bis-(4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-ethane (Me4-DTNE). The syntheses of intermediates are also disclosed.


An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating intensity values LOG(V), a step of detecting vibration waveforms, a step of calculating a correlation coefficient K based on vibration waveforms, a step of preparing frequency distribution of intensity values LOG(V) smaller than a threshold V(1) and intensity values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle where correlation coefficient K is larger than a threshold K(1), a step of calculating a knock determination level V(KD) based on a median V(50) and a standard deviation σ of intensity values LOG(V), and a step of counting the number of intensity values LOG(V) larger than knock determination level V(KD) as the number of times that knocking has occurred.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for controlling ignition timing of an internal combustion engine, and in particular, to a technique in which a plurality of intensity values relating to the intensity of vibration of the internal combustion engine are detected, and based on the intensity values and the number (frequency) of each intensity value, ignition timing of the internal combustion engine is controlled.
2. Description of the Background Art
In general, a knock determination level is set by multiplying an average value of knock sensor signals with a constant K. Such a KCS (Knock Control System) involves a problem that an optimum K value changes depending on manufacturing variations or temporal changes of engines, knock sensors or the like, whereby knock detection will not be able to be performed accurately. In order to solve this problem, there is a technique for determining presence or absence of knock based on the distribution profile of knock sensor signals.
A knock controlling device for an internal combustion engine described in the publication of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 01-315649 includes: a knock sensor for detecting knock in the internal combustion engine; a knock intensity value detector for detecting knock intensity values V effective for knock detection from signals of the knock sensor; a knock determiner for determining presence or absence of knock by comparing knock intensity values with a knock determination level; a knock controller for controlling knock control factors such as ignition timing or air fuel ratio based on the determination result; a cumulative % point detector for detecting cumulative % point VP of distribution of almost logarithmically converted values of knock intensity values V each time knock intensity value V is inputted; a standard deviation detector for detecting an actual standard deviation value S of almost logarithmically converted values of the knock intensity values each time knock intensity value V is inputted; and a knock determination level setting unit for setting a knock determination level VKD by VKD=Sn×VP (where n≧2.5) based on cumulative % point VP and actual standard deviation values S. Among detected knock intensity values V, those higher than knock determination level VKD are determined as knock intensity values V caused by knocking. That is, the number (frequency) of knock intensity values higher than knock determination level VKD are determined as the number of times (frequency) that knocking has occurred.
According to the knock controlling device described in this publication, cumulative % point VP of distribution of almost logarithmically converted values of knock intensity values V detected by the knock intensity value detector is detected by the cumulative % point detector each time knock intensity value V is inputted, and the actual standard deviation value of the almost logarithmically converted values of knock intensity values V is detected each time knock intensity value V is inputted. Then, based on cumulative % point VP and the actual standard deviation value, the knock determination level is set by VKD=Sn×VP by the knock determination level setting unit, and the knock determination level and knock intensity values are compared by the knock determiner, whereby presence or absence of knock is determined.
Vibration due to operation of a piston slap or an injector or seating of an intake valve or an exhaust valve is caused irrespective of whether knocking being present, so if knock intensity values V are detected from such vibration, a knocking occurrence state may not be determined correctly, whereby ignition timing may not be controlled by performing retarding or advancing of ignition timing. Therefore, knock intensity values V must be detected while eliminating vibration of noise components. However, in a knock control device for an internal combustion engine described in the publication of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 01-315649, such a problem is not considered at all.

Ignition timing control device of internal combustion engine


The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The invention features periodic removal of water preferably while the contents are under pressure. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; and one or more valves for exhausting water periodically as the waste mass is being processed.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating process material and, more particularly, to systems and methods for treating municipal solid waste material, medical waste material, reclaimed paper and the like.
As a result of increasing scarcity of landfills and more stringent environmental regulations, efforts have been made to reduce the volume of process material, such as municipal solid waste ("MSW") and paper material, such as newsprint and other reclaimed and recycled paper products as a step in the process of disposing of the material, either by depositing it in landfills, incinerating it or recycling it.
Systems and methods have been developed to break down such material for disposal, or in the case of paper products, use as insulation.
An example of such a process and device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,226, which discloses an apparatus and method for separation, recovery and recycling of MSW. The apparatus includes a rotating drum which is fed at an upstream end by a reciprocating ram, a steam source which is connected to introduce high temperature steam into the drum, and a spiral rib or flight mounted within the drum to transport material deposited in an upstream end of the drum along the length of the drum.
Another example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,994 that describes a steam treatment vessel held stationary, preferably at an angle to the horizontal.
One of the disadvantages of the arrangements of the prior art is that portions of the waste product charge in the vessel become compacted, either passively by maintaining the vessel at a fixed position with respect to the horizontal, or actively through the use of spiral or helical rib arrangements that urge portions of the charge against active surfaces in a horizontal direction (or a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel) as the vessel is rotated. In some instances, the compacted portions of the waste product charge cause portions of the waste product charge to be sequestered from the steam treatment environment.
Another disadvantage of the prior art is that prior systems and methods do not allow for the most advantageous control and distribution of energy placed into the vessel, and its efficient transfer to the waste charge mass. In addition, each charge of waste products will vary in its constituents, and thereby in its heat capacity and in its energy requirements for effective treatment. In methods of the prior art, either the process parameters (temperature, pressure, or time) had to be varied with each charge of waste, or the consistency of the processed product (i.e., particle size, moisture content, degree of break down and processing generally) varied with batch to batch. This made an economically and technically viable industrial process for the treatment of waste less than efficient.
Accordingly, it is also advantageous to be able to determine the heat capacity of a given charge of waste products thereby to determine the energy requirements for effective treatment of that charge, in order treatment can be carried out with higher efficiency.
One method of attempting to reach achieve more efficient treatment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,492 and involves the continual supply of steam during loading, while simultaneously rotating the vessel, so as to break down the waste during loading to a material of roughly uniform density, so that the same mass of waste is processed in each batch. However, this process requires a separate steam treatment during loading which results in greater overall time requirements for each waste batch.
Accordingly, there remains a need for methods that allow for greater time and energy efficiency while allowing the process of waste in charges that vary in weight and constituents.
In addition, it is also desirable to be able to reduce the amount of water in the processed waste mass to make it amenable for further processing into fuel pellets. As excess water typically must be removed by active drying, this requires additional time and energy investment. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention addresses the need to efficiently remove excess water, especially that in the interstitial spaces of the waste material mass.
The present invention accordingly represents an improvement over prior art apparatus and methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,540,391; 5,116,363; 5,253,764; 5,190,226; 5,361,994; 5,427,650; 5,407,809; and 6,397,492, and in published European Patent Application No. 02758620.5; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention also represents an improvement over co-pending application Ser. No. 11/122,341, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Waste processing apparatus and method featuring water removal


An apparatus and method are disclosed to aid a transceiver chip, in a wide-band serial data communications system, in receiving data at multiple data rates. A multi-rate filter within the transceiver chip is implemented as at least one adjustable-rate filter stage and a limiting stage. The at least one adjustable-rate filter stage is used to generate a filtered serial data signal from a received serial data signal. The limiter stage generates a full-swing serial data signal from the filtered serial data signal. A bandwidth of the at least one adjustable-rate filter stage is adjustable in order to receive serial data signals at multiple data rates. The bandwidth of the multi-rate filter within the transceiver chip is selectable by the user of the wide-band communication system.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus and method corresponding to a transceiver chip that is part of an optical serial data communications system, and more particularly to reception, signal conditioning, and filtering of multi-rate serial data signals received by the transceiver chip.
High-speed digital communication networks over copper and optical fiber are used in many network communication and digital storage applications. SONET, Ethernet and Fibre Channel are widely used communication protocols used today and continue to evolve to respond to the increasing need for higher bandwidth in digital communication systems.
The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (ISO standard) was developed to establish standardization for linking heterogeneous computer and communication systems. The OSI model includes seven distinct functional layers including Layer 7: an application layer; Layer 6: a presentation layer; Layer 5: a session layer; Layer 4: a transport layer; Layer 3: a network layer; Layer 2: a data link layer; and Layer 1: a physical layer. Each OSI layer is responsible for establishing what is to be done at that layer of the network but not how to implement it.
Layers 1 to 4 handle network control and data transmission and reception. Layers 5 to 7 handle application issues. Specific functions of each layer may vary to a certain extent, depending on the exact requirements of a given protocol to be implemented for the layer. For example, the Ethernet protocol provides collision detection and carrier sensing in the data link layer.
The physical layer, Layer 1, is responsible for handling all electrical, optical, and mechanical requirements for interfacing to the communication media. The physical layer provides encoding and decoding, synchronization, clock and data recovery, and transmission and reception of bit streams. Typically, high-speed electrical or optical transceivers are the hardware elements used to implement this layer.
The Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) is an interface standard for synchronous optical fiber transmission, applicable to the Physical Layer of the OSI Reference Model.
SONET comprises a set of signal rates for transmitting and receiving serial digital data signals over optical fiber. The base rate (OC-1) is 51.84 Mbps. Multiples of the base rate are also provided. For example:                OC-3 (155.52 Mbps)        OC-6 (311.04 Mbps)        OC-12 (622.08 Mbps)        OC-24 (1.244 Gbps)        OC-48 (2.488 Gbps)
It is desirable to use the same hardware to transmit and receive variable data rates since it is easier to develop and maintain only one system which can handle multiple tasks. In addition, switching and routing functions may be performed dynamically which improves the flexibility of the network.
However, possible problematic situations may occur when driving lower data rate signals into wide-bandwidth components. For example, when OC-3, OC-6, OC-12, or 1 Gigabit Ethernet rate signals are driven into OC-48 optical components, the signals may not be properly filtered.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of signal ringing that may occur in an eye pattern of a lower rate serial data signal (e.g., a 311 Mbps OC-6 signal) when the lower rate serial data signal passes through a filter stage having a wider bandwidth corresponding to a higher data rate serial data signal (e.g., an OC-48 signal). The filter stage has almost no filtering effect on the OC-6 signal. Ringing, overshoot, and undershoot as a result of impedance mismatches and discontinuities on the signal transmission path imposed on the OC-6 signal pass through the OC-48 filter stage and may result in bit errors.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of eye pattern corruption that may occur in an eye pattern of a lower rate serial data signal (e.g., an OC-12 signal) when the lower rate serial data signal passes through a wider bandwidth filter stage (e.g., an OC-48 filter stage). The eye pattern is not clean and is beginning to close, which may generate mask violations.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Multi-rate on-chip OCN filter for a transceiver system


A telephone reads out caller information between rings even if a caller is unregistered. The telephone includes a caller information receiver for receiving a call ring and caller information coming in from a caller identification service, a caller information memory for storing the received caller information, a voice generator for generating voice data from the caller information, a speaker for outputting the voice data, and an output-time monitor for monitoring appropriate and inappropriate time for announcing the caller information in voice form.

The present invention relates to telephones and cordless telephones to which caller identification service is applicable.
Telephones and cordless telephones supporting caller identification service features informing a callee of caller information on a display or through a voice announcement. More specifically, received caller information and caller information registered in a receiving apparatus by the callee are collated. If the received information matches the registered information, the callee is informed that the incoming call is from a registered caller on display or through a voice announcement. For example, a distinctive ring may be used, or a recorded voice message is output to inform the callee that the incoming call is from a specific caller.
In conventional telephones and cordless telephones, caller information announced in voice form is available to the callee only when the caller is registered in the telephone. An unregistered caller cannot thus be announced in voice form. In addition, in the conventional telephones, the incoming call ring may drown out the voice announcement on caller information.
A telephone and cordless telephone allow caller information to be output in voice form even if a caller is unregistered.
The telephone includes a caller information receiver for receiving an incoming call ring and caller information; a caller information memory for storing the caller information; a voice generator for generating voice data from the caller information; and an audio output unit for outputting the voice data.
The cordless telephone has a base unit and handset. The base unit includes a caller information receiver for receiving an incoming call ring and caller information; a caller information memory for storing the caller information; and a voice generator for generating voice data from the caller information. The handset includes an audio output unit for outputting the voice data and establishes bi-directional wire communications with the base unit.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A surveillance system and method that utilize computer vision technology and background subtraction to monitor, recognize, and track objects or unusual activities within user specified boundaries. The system and method comprises at least one camera and at least one computer with a software program showing one or multiple windows of camera's field of views in real time. The program allows users to define one or multiple boundaries within any window. The program further utilizes background subtraction technique to establish normal “home-position” of objects within defined boundaries. The program compares current image of the objects against the normal “home-position” to determine/calculate the difference of pixel intensity values. If the difference is beyond the predetermine threshold, the program will flag the movement of the object and give off alert.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to surveillance systems and methods, and more particularly to surveillance systems and methods that utilize background subtraction and computer vision technology to monitor, recognize, and track objects and unusual activities in real time for residential, commercial offices and warehouse.
2. Description of Related Art
A programmable boundary pet containment system for providing invisible fence to control the access of animals to areas outside of programmed boundaries is known in prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,748 to Touchton et al. discloses a programmable boundary pet containment system that comprises a programmable relay collar which is provided on an animal to transmit positional data as detected from positional satellites to a remotely located processing station. The processing station calculates the relayed data to determine the position of the animal relative to a configuration data file establishing confinement area boundaries. Similar inventions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,271,757; 6,700,492; and 6,903,682.
Security systems that monitor living or nonliving, moving or standing objects other than pets are also known in prior art. They may utilize different technologies involving sensors or video cameras.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,068,166 to Shibata et al. discloses a break-in detection system including a detection sensor of an FBG type fiber optics for detecting an intruder to climb over a fence around a premises, and a detection sensor of an OTDR type for detecting an intruder trying to demolish the fence.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,084,761 to Izumei et al. discloses a device including a security system which emits a radio wave from a building to a predetermined area outside the building to detect an object and on the basis of output of the object detecting unit, a judgment is made as to whether or not the object will intrude into the predetermined area.
Systems designed to monitor predetermined area, places or objects using video cameras that provide a continuous feed of video data that is either displayed in real time on a display device and/or recorded to a recording device are known in the art and in marketplace. While these systems provide for capture and recordation of video data depicting the conditions and/or occurrences within the monitored area, they do not provide a means of easily determining when and where an occurrence or condition has taken place. Nor do they provide for any means of analyzing the information depicted by the video data. Therefore, U.S. Pat. No. 7,106,333 to Milinusic (2006) discloses a system for collecting surveillance data from one or more sensor units and incorporating the surveillance data into a surveillance database. The sensor unit is configured to monitor a predetermined area, and is further configured to detect any changes in the area and capture an image of the changes within the area.
In the past, computational speed and technique has limited the real-time monitoring, processing and analysis applications of video camera surveillance data. As a consequence, most of the video camera surveillance data are watched, monitored or analyzed by local or remote security guards. There could be human bias or neglect when the surveillance video data are monitored and analyzed by human. Thus, there exists a need to have surveillance systems and methods that monitor, recognize, and track objects and unusual activities by computer software programs. Based on advanced computational technique and software, as well as sophisticated hardware that are currently available in the field, the present invention provides systems and methods that can monitor, recognize, and track the objects, and determine when and where an occurrence or condition has taken place without using additional sensor units.

Surveillance systems and methods to monitor, recognize, track objects and unusual activities in real time within user defined boundaries in an area


A band for securing a tube device to a limb or other body member is disclosed. A primary stretchable strap is designed to be secured about a body member at a position therealong at which the tube is to be secured. The primary strap length is adjustable to accommodate body members of varied circumference. A flexible secondary strap designed to retainably engage the tube is secured to and aligned with the primary strap. The secondary strap has a non-stretchable portion that forms a seat for the tube and a stretchable portion, both of which are coated with high-friction material. The tube is enveloped between the lower seat and the upper stretchable portion of the secondary strap, which is pulled and folded in overlying engagement with the tube, and is held in such configuration by Velcro-type fastener means that releasably engages the primary strap.

There are many instances in which it is desirable to retain or hold a tube-like member in generally fixed position relative to a limb, such as an arm or leg, of a human. The most obvious need arises in hospitals or other patient care facilities. However, any number of situations exist wherein it is necessary or preferable for a tube-like member to be maintained in a fixed or secure position relative to the body so as not to become caught or snagged during movement or activity, or so as not to slip into a position wherein the tube could be bent or crimped or otherwise damaged.
Examples of such applications might include patient-care catheter tubes or intravenous tubes. Such tubes must be positioned so as not to be bent, pinched, crushed, snagged or pulled by movement of the patient or by those administering to the patient.
A number of techniques and apparatus have been used in the past to address the problem. The tube can be directly taped to the patient. However, such taping is not particularly comfortable to the patient and does not lend itself readily to replacement or servicing of the tube. Besides, the tape can leave undesirable residue on the tube and on the patient's body.
A commonly used non-tape retainer has been an adjustable strap member configured for attachment to the leg or arm of the patient, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,863. The retaining band of such structure includes a rigid metal clip or buckle through which a secondary strip of material passes, to form a loop that can be retainably tightened around a catheter tube or the like, for holding the tube in position against the band. Such structure provides improved flexibility for use with patients of varied size limbs and for use with tubes of varied outer circumference. However, the rigid clip or buckle of such device adds to the cost of the device, and permits slippage of the tube relative to the strap if not tightened enough, or undesirable bending and restriction of the tube, if tightened too much. Further, the presence of the rigid metal clip can cause discomfort to the wearer and can be difficult to secure since the tube retaining tab must be threaded through the clip or buckle in order to secure the tube.
The present invention addresses the above shortcomings of prior art retaining straps and generally provides an improvement over such prior art devices. The retaining strap of the present invention eliminates the rigid metal clip or buckle of the prior art, making it easier to manufacture, less expensive, more convenient to use, and more comfortable for the patient. Further, the retaining strap of the present invention minimizes the chance of damage or bending or crimping of the tube being held thereby.

Band for anchoring a tubular device to the body


According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a case including a base with a bottom wall, a drive motor on the bottom wall of the base, a plurality of disk recording mediums rotatable by the drive motor, a magnetic head configured to perform data processing on the recording mediums, a carriage on the bottom wall of the base, configured to support the magnetic head for movement relative to the recording mediums, a drive section including a yoke and a magnet on the bottom wall of the base and configured to drive the carriage, and a spoiler including a main body, which includes a magnetic shield member between the yoke and the recording mediums, and a baffle plate extending from the main body and between the adjacent disk recording mediums.

In general, a magnetic disk drive, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), comprises a magnetic disk, spindle motor for rotating the magnetic disk, magnetic head for reading data from and writing data to the magnetic disk, carriage supporting the magnetic head, voice coil motor for driving the carriage, board unit, etc. These elements are accommodated in a substantially sealed housing. A drive section, comprising the spindle motor, carriage, voice coil motor, etc., and the board unit are mounted on the bottom wall of the housing.
In the magnetic disk drive, the rotation speed of the magnetic disk must be increased to achieve high-speed data processing. If the magnetic disk rotates at high speed, however, airflow is produced in the direction of rotation of the magnetic disk, and a phenomenon called disk flutter occurs such that the magnetic disk is caused to vibrate by turbulence of the airflow. Further, airflow disturbance acts on the carriage that supports the magnetic head, thereby displacing the carriage. In this case, the positioning accuracy of the magnetic head relative to the magnetic disk is reduced, so that the recording density cannot be improved. In order to suppress the occurrence of air turbulence due to high-speed rotation of the magnetic disk, a magnetic disk drive has been proposed in which a spoiler for use as a baffle plate is disposed between magnetic disks.
In Enterprise and Nearline HDDs used for server application, moreover, a strongly-magnetized magnetic circuit is used for the voice coil motor to facilitate high-speed seek of the carriage. In a typical conventional structure, outward leakage of magnetic flux from this magnetic circuit is prevented by a return yoke configuration formed by bending a top or bottom yoke of the voice coil motor.
In the case where the return yoke is used to prevent leakage of magnetic flux toward the magnetic disk, the return yoke must be located near the magnetic disk. If the spoiler is also assumed to be used in this case, consideration must be given to interference between the return yoke and spoiler during assembly and installation. If the conventional configuration is expected to allow the use of the spoiler while preventing leakage of magnetic flux, the installation of the spoiler is very difficult, and the shapes of the spoiler and yoke and methods for securing them are restricted in design.

Disk drive with spoiler having shield member


An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The anvil assembly includes a cut ring assembly having a body and a cover. The cover has a first layer of material having a first hardness to allow penetration by a knife of a surgical stapler and at least one additional layer of material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness to minimize penetration of the cover by a knife of a surgical stapler.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an anvil assembly for use with a stapler. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an anvil assembly having an improved cut ring particularly suited for use with a surgical stapler.
2. Background of Related Art
Anastomosis is the surgical joining of separate hollow tissue organ sections such that the hollow tissue organ sections communicate with each other. Typically, anastomosis follows surgery in which a diseased or defective section of hollow tissue is removed and the remaining end sections are to be joined. In a circular anastomosis procedure, the two ends of organ sections, e.g., the colon, are joined by means of a stapling instrument which drives a circular array of staples through the end sections of each organ section and simultaneously cores any overlapping tissue to free a tubular passage. Coring is effected by translation of an annular knife blade through the overlapping tissue.
Generally, a diseased or defective section of hollow tissue is removed using a linear stapling device which simultaneously cuts the hollow tissue and provides one or more linear rows of staples or fasteners on each side of the cut. The staples or fasteners seal the cut ends of the hollow tissue sections. This operation is performed on each end of the diseased or defective tissue such that each end of the diseased or defective hollow tissue and each end of the hollow tissue sections is sealed. Subsequently, a circular anastomosis stapling or fastener applying device is used to join the ends of the remaining hollow tissue sections and to core overlapping tissue.
The use of cut rings in anvil assemblies of circular anastomosis stapling or fastening devices are well known. Cut rings provide an abutment surface into which the annular knife blade of a circular anastomosis stapler abuts and/or penetrates during firing of the stapler to enhance cutting of tissue. Typically, cut rings are formed of a soft material, e.g., polyethylene, to allow some degree of knife penetration into the cut ring. During an anastomosis procedure, staples may inadvertently become positioned between the annular knife blade and the cut ring. In conventional staplers, because the cut ring is formed of a soft material, contact between the knife blade and a staple typically presses the staple into the cut ring and does not effectuate cutting of the staple.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved surgical stapler which can not only effectively cut tissue but also effectively cut through existing staples in the tissue.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A shore power HVAC system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a vehicular HVAC system with an engine compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve and an evaporator coupled to each other in series by a plurality of conduits. The shore power HVAC system includes an electric compressor structured to compress a coolant fluid and a diverter valve structured to allow fluid to pass through a selected fluid path. The electric compressor is coupled to, and in fluid communication with the evaporator and the diverter valve. The diverter valve is further coupled to the engine compressor. Thus, a first coolant fluid loop and a second coolant fluid loop are created. The first coolant fluid loop passes through, in series, the engine compressor, the diverter valve, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. The second coolant fluid loop passes through, in series, the electric compressor, the diverter valve, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator. The diverter valve selectively directs which loop the coolant fluid may pass through.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an auxiliary power system for a vehicle and, more specifically, to an auxiliary power system that includes an HVAC system.
2. Background Information
Owning to a nautical origin, a land based auxiliary power system for providing electricity to a ship while the ship is docked is identified as a "shore power system." Shore power systems are also used to provide electrical power to land based vehicles such as trucks and recreational vehicles. Such shore power systems include both a stationary base assembly, located, for example, at a truck stop, and a vehicle assembly. The base shore power assembly and vehicle shore power assembly are coupled together to provide the vehicle with electrical power.
During normal road operation, a vehicle utilizes both electrical and mechanical energy provided by the vehicle's engine. Electrical power, created by a generator that is powered mechanically by the engine, is used to operate components such as the radio, lights, electric motors, such as the windshield wiper motors and fan motors, as well as any electrical control systems. The electrical system on a vehicle in the United States typically operates at 12V direct current. In other countries, vehicles may use a 24V direct current system. In addition to operating the generator, and providing propulsion, mechanical power is also used to cool the engine and operate the compressor for the vehicle HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system. Also, thermal energy from the engine is used to provide beat to the HVAC system.
When the vehicle is at rest, many of the electrical systems, including recreational systems, are still used. That is, while the engine is not operating, the driver may still listen to the radio. If the electrical system is only used for a short time, electricity may be drawn from the vehicle battery. However, for extended use, such as an overnight stopover at a truckstop, the battery cannot provide sufficient power. Thus, the vehicle must be connected to a shore power system that provides electricity for components such as radios, televisions, computers, telephones and other such devices. Generally, electricity is provided at 12V DC or 24 V DC, whichever corresponds to the native current for the vehicle electrical system. However, many electrical components used in long haul trucks and recreational vehicles, such as computers and televisions, are structured to operate with an alternating current. Thus, the current must be converted to an AC current. This conversion process is very inefficient, especially if, as is typical, the electricity supplied to the shore power system is an AC current that the shore power system converts to a DC current.
During road operation, the vehicular HVAC cooling system passes a coolant fluid through the fluid loop as shown in FIG. 1. The coolant fluid is delivered to the engine compressor 62 as a low pressure gas under suction. The engine compressor 62, which is powered mechanically by the engine 3, raises the pressure, and therefore temperature, of the coolant fluid. As the coolant fluid leaves the engine compressor 62, it is a high pressure gas under positive pressure. The high pressure gas coolant fluid is passed through a condenser 66 where it is cooled. A fan, which is powered mechanically by the engine 3, enhances the air flow over the condenser 66. Because the pressure remains constant, the coolant fluid is condensed into a liquid as the temperature is lowered. The high pressure liquid coolant fluid is passed through the expansion valve 68 before entering the evaporator 70. The evaporator 70 and an evaporator fan 71 are disposed in an enclosure 34 in, or adjacent to, the vehicle cabin. As the liquid coolant fluid expands to a gas in the evaporator 70, the evaporator 70 is chilled. The evaporator fan 71 disposed adjacent to the evaporator 70 draws air over the chilled evaporator 70 and blows the cooled air into the cabin. Often, the chilled air is too cold and heat from the road HVAC heating system is added to the cabin enclosure 34 to raise the temperature of the chilled air. After the evaporator 70, the coolant fluid is again a low pressure gas under suction which is returned to the engine compressor 62.
The vehicle's HVAC compressor, which requires a considerable amount of energy to drive, is, as noted above, mechanically driven and not the vehicle's electrical system. Thus, to heat or cool the vehicle cabin, truckers typically allow the vehicle engine to idle in order for the engine to provide heat or the normal mechanical power to the compressor. This solution to providing heat or power to the condenser is very inefficient, results in high engine maintenance and creates exhaust emissions.
There is, therefore, a need for an inexpensive solution for providing temperature controlled air for a vehicle at a shore power station.
There is a further need to provide temperature controlled air for a vehicle at a shore power station that does not require extensive vehicle modification.
There is a further need to provide alternating current for a vehicle at a shore power system.

Shore power system including a HVAC system


This invention relates to a 1-8% crosslinked terpolymer of alkyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride and a C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 alkyl (meth)acrylate in a critical molar ratio of from 1-3:1:0.01-0.08, which polymer has a pH of from about 4 to about 11, a Brookfield viscosity of from about 10,000 to about 150,000 cps and is characterized as having significantly improved salt tolerance and stability. The invention also relates to liquid or gel compositions of the crosslinked terpolymer containing a salt and a method for the preparation of said crosslinked terpolymer gel.

Water-soluble polymeric dispersing and thickening agents of lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride optionally including .alpha.-olefin monomer have been used in many latex and other formulations. However, high concentrations of these relatively low molecular weight polymers are required to provide improved results. In order to enhance their molecular weight and efficient use as thickeners, the polymers may be crosslinked with a polyfunctional compound, e.g. a C.sub.8 to C.sub.14 diene. It has been found that this innovation is not entirely satisfactory for, although crosslinking initially increases the viscosity, the salt tolerance of these crosslinked polymers is extremely low. Thus, upon addition to compositions containing a substantial amount of salt component, such as the ammonium and metal sulfates, citrates, chlorides, EDTA, etc. normally present in a concentration of about 1% in most cosmetic formulations, the polymer looses between 80 to 95% of its initial viscosity and fails to provide the desired thickening affect. Additionally, the salt containing polymeric compositions do not possess sufficient stability for storage and are subject to precipitation and phase separation. These affects are particularly troublesome when calcium or sodium chlorides are present in the composition.
Non-crosslinked alkyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride and higher alkyl methacrylate terpolymers also have been employed as latex thickeners as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,378. However, these terpolymers are also subject to phase separation and, being of relatively low molecular weight and viscosity, do not provide a high degree of thickening. Additionally, these terpolymers do not form hydrogels.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a crosslinked terpolymer hydrogel having high salt tolerance which retains up to 75% of its initial viscosity in salt containing compositions.
Another object of this invention is to provide a crosslinked terpolymer which is stable in compositions containing up to 1% salt.
Still another object is to provide a crosslinked terpolymer which is compatible with hard water and retains a viscosity of from about 20,000 to about 100,000 cps over extended periods of use or storage.
Yet another object is to provide a commercially feasible process for the preparation of a salt tolerant crosslinked terpolymer.

Crosslinked terpolymers of high salt tolerance


A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an opening having a sidewall in a substrate and forming a first epitaxial layer in the opening. The first epitaxial layer is formed in a first portion of the sidewall without growing in a second portion of the sidewall. A second epitaxial layer is formed in the opening after forming the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer is formed in the second portion of the sidewall. The first epitaxial layer is removed after forming the second epitaxial layer.

Semiconductor devices with capacitors are commonly used in many applications. Each capacitor has two electrodes separated by an insulating layer. Such capacitors may be stacked capacitors, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors, trench capacitors and vertical-parallel-plate (VPP) capacitors.
Trench capacitors are used to increase the capacitance per unit area. However, the figure of merit of semiconductor devices including capacitors has to increase with every generation of semiconductor technology. One way to improve capacitors is by increasing the capacitance per unit area further so that deeply scaled device may be fabricated. The capacitance per unit area can be increased by increasing the trench depth, but the maximum trench depth is limited for technical reasons. Therefore, new capacitor structures and methods of manufacturing are necessary to increase capacitance without compromising other requirements.

Trench capacitors and methods of forming the same


A method and apparatus for estimating the phase differential of a transmitted electromagnetic signal from the amplitude envelope of the signal. The apparatus includes a sampler, phase estimator and demodulator. The phase estimator uses a Hilbert transform or an approximation of the Hilbert transform to estimate the phase differential. The method may be applied to time domain or frequency domain signals. The phase differential is estimated by taking the differential of a function of the envelope, and applying the Hilbert transform to this differential. The resulting phase differential, after correction for sign ambiguity may be used to demodulate the received signal.

In wireless communication networks in which a moving portable radio may be communicating with a fixed base station, the received signal may be severely degraded by the many paths the signal may take from the portable to the base station. The many paths may include reflections from hills, buildings and overhead wires. Because the signal takes many paths, different reflections will arrive at an antenna slightly separated in time, and the combination of the multiple signals at the antenna may result in the cancellation of the signal for a period of time. Such a loss of signal is called a fade. The length of the fade will depend on the frequency of the signal and the speed at which the portable is moving. The problem caused by this signal degradation is called the multi-path problem.
The solution of the multi-path problem has received a great deal of attention by researchers. In part this is because of the increasing use of cellular telephones, whose use suffers greatly from the multi-path problem. Signal degradation caused by multiple paths of the signal increases the probability of error in the reception of the signal by altering the phase of the received signal. This is important because the emerging standard for digital cellular communications in North America uses a phase modulation scheme, namely .pi./4 offset differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK). See Cellular System, "Dual Mode mobile station-base compatibility standard." EIA/TIA, Project no. 2215, Electronic Industries Association, January 1990.
With mobile radio channels short term fading may result in fades or nulls about every one half wavelength of the wave in question (.apprxeq.0.175 m for 850 MHz waves). If this pattern is assumed to be stationary, for simplicity, then an antenna mounted on a vehicle travelling at 27.7 m/s(.apprxeq.100 km/hr) will encounter a null about every 6.3 ms. With FM modulation, this leads to click noise at about 159 Hz. With DQPSK having 24.3 kSymbols/s, this noise may appear not to be long enough to introduce a symbol error. However, if the differential phase of the standing wave pattern is composed of long intervals of constant value (corresponding to intervals of constant amplitude) and short intervals of spikes (corresponding to nulls in the amplitude) say of 1% of the 6.3 ms, then the antenna will traverse a spike in 0.063 ms every 153.1 symbols, long enough to introduce a symbol error.
The multi-path problem has been approached in several ways. Several approaches have considered envelope modelling with little emphasis on phase modelling. Also, neural networks have been proposed as in Provence, U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,757 issued Dec. 5, 1989. Several researchers have done phase modelling of an rf channel, but have not looked at phase prediction using the amplitude. Also, phase estimators using open loops have been proposed, but these have focused on the Gaussian channel. Estimation and tracking of phase changes of a carrier signal has been carried out by the use of phase locked loops (PLLs). Phase locked loops may include a squaring amplifier, a feedback loop and a divide by two amplifier. In a phase locked loop a signal of the same frequency as the carrier is generated locally using a voltage controlled oscillator. The phase of the output of the VCO is made to track the phase of the received carrier through a feedback loop. In this manner, the phase of the incoming signal may be tracked.
However, phase locked loops are not of great use for example in the proposed North American digital cellular standard because they cannot track the incoming signal fast enough and because with information on the signal, the operation of the phase locked loop is disturbed. To operate a phase locked loop with information on the signal, the signal must be averaged or have the information filtered out first, thus adding to the complexity of the receiver.
Other techniques for phase tracking include sending a pilot tone which allows the receiver to synchronize its local oscillator to the carrier frequency. However, the use of pilot tones also adds to the complexity of the receiver because an additional signal must be sent, received and processed. It would be preferable to be able to extract phase information from the amplitude of the received signal itself.
However, it has previously been considered that a fading channel is not a minimum phase channel and that there was no relationship between the envelope and phase of radio signals transmitted over such channels.
However, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to relate the amplitude and characteristics of the phase of a radio signal transmitted over a fading channel, and that an estimation of the phase differential may be made from sampling the amplitude of the transmitted signal. The estimated phase differential may be used to modify or demodulate the received signal. The inventors have published their findings in "Estimation of Phase Differential of Signals Transmitted Over Fading Channels", Electronics Letters, Vol. 27, No. 20, 1823-1824, September, 1991.
The invention may be applied to a signal in which the information in the signal is carried in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the case of the frequency domain, a frequency transform may be taken of the signal and the method applied to the amplitude values for the frequency transform. In either case, it is preferred that, firstly, a differential of a function of the amplitude determined to produce a data record, and then a transform of the differential is taken to produce a signal corresponding to the estimated phase differential of the data record. This produces an estimated phase differential with sign ambiguity which may then be resolved using known techniques and the received signal may then be modified using the estimated phase differential to produce a corrected signal.
Preferably, the differential may be computed by using the logarithm of the amplitude samples, and uses adjacent amplitude samples. The preferred transform is the Hilbert transform, and the phase estimation is computed in the case of the time domain from EQU .DELTA..phi.(t)=H[.DELTA.ln(A(t))]
in which H denotes the Hilbert transform, .DELTA..phi.(t) is the estimated phase differential, and A(t) is the amplitude samples. In the case of the frequency domain, "t" in the above expression and other expressions used in this patent document is replaced by "f".
Alternatively, the phase estimation may be obtained by:
constructing data frames of a number of consecutive amplitude samples of the electromagnetic signal; PA1 selecting segments of the data frames where the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal is at least a predetermined number of dB less than its mean; PA1 for each segment, estimating the phase differential .DELTA..phi.(t) from EQU .DELTA..phi.(t).apprxeq.-t.sub.0 /(t.sub.0.sup.2 +t'.sup.2)
where t'=t-t.sub.min, t is the time from the beginning of the segment, t.sub.min is the time in the segment when the absolute value of the signal reaches its minimum, and t.sub.0 is the period of time from the instant the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal reaches its minimum during the segment until the amplitude reaches double its minimum during the segment.
For simplicity, the sign of the phase differential need only be determined for segments with phase differentials greater than a preselected threshold.

Method and apparatus for demodulation of a signal transmitted over a fading channel using phase estimation


A communication system, for use with a communications network, includes a client configured to communicate with the server via the network. The client includes an input configured to receive a communication from a server via the network, a data set with identifiable portions, and an apparatus coupled to the interface and coupled and configured to select a portion of the data set, the apparatus being further configured to process the selected portion of the data set and a portion of the communication in accordance with an authentication function to produce an authentication result, where the selected portion of the data set is configured to serve a function independent of being used in accordance with the authentication function.

Communication between clients and servers over networks frequently involve sensitive information and/or commands. Clients may be providing credit card numbers or other personal data. Servers may be providing similar sensitive data, and may also issue commands that it would be undesirable to respond to if the entity issuing the command is not in fact the server. Information and commands are frequently carried over common networks that are freely accessible to numerous persons, some of whom may unethically, and even illegally interfere with or use communications not intended for them. For example, an attacker could bombard a client with undesired messages, "listen in" on communications not intended for the attacker, and even prompt communication from the server or the client and have the response directed to the attacker.
An example of client-server communications is voice over IP (VoIP) telephony, with exemplary VoIP phones being "stimulus" devices. No intelligence resides in the client/phone other than for responding to commands or sending status. The client sends telephony state status such as on-hook/off-hook, and keypad closures, and accepts commands from the server. All other intelligence between the client and server is contained in the server. The call server maintains the telephony state, issues all commands, and writes directly to the display of the phone. These commands and status are issued over a common Internet Protocol (IP) network. Since the IP network is open to anyone who can connect to the network, there is a serious security concern because persons could easily issued commands to i2004 phones. Malicious persons could, e.g., deny service to the phone, disrupt phone service, or even take command of the phone. A possible, serious attack could involve an attacker turning on a microphone of the i2004 phone set, directing the audio from the microphone to the attacker's location, and listening to this audio. Using the technique, the attacker could listen in to any audio in the vicinity of the phone, such as conversations in the phone user's office, unbeknownst to the phone user.


Described herein are crystalline forms of Compound 1 useful for the prevention and treatment of angiogenic ocular conditions; methods of treating a disease comprising; processes for preparing; and kits comprising, the same.

Growth factors play an important role in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vasculogenesis. Growth factors regulate angiogenesis in a variety of processes including embryonic development, wound healing, and several aspects of female reproductive function. Undesirable or pathological angiogenesis is associated with diseases including diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, atheroma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and hemangioma. Angiogenic ocular conditions represent the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in developed countries. In the United States, for example, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration are the principal causes of blindness in infants, working age adults, and the elderly, respectively. Efforts have been developed to inhibit angiogenesis in the treatment of these conditions.
Therefore, there is a need for new therapeutic compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the aberrant signaling of growth factors and diseases associated with angiogenesis, such as cancer, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Crystalline forms of therapeutic compounds and uses thereof


“Mitchel's Tone Ring Mate” is completely new to the banjo world. The “Mitchel's Tone Ring Mate” is a smaller tone ring in itself, sitting on top of the original raised head tone ring at 25 thousands higher and at opposite angles, thus converting the original raised head tone ring to a flat head tone ring. Being completely different than any other invention. This doing, by design, composition and development, unknown in manufacturing there into.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the stringed musical instrument properly known as the banjo.
2. Description of Prior Art
The major components of a banjo rim assembly (circular part of banjo) are 1. head (skin or plastic) 2. tone ring (metal) 3. shell (usually wood): "Mitchel's Tone Ring Mate" (FIG. 1) installed on top and sitting in the raised head ring converting it to a flat head 4. sub parts to make previously mentioned parts into a single taut assembly.
Banjos Typically are of Two Types:                1. Raised head—having a tone ring that reduces the main vibrating area of the head to the approximate inside diameter measurement of the shell.        2. Flat head—having a tone ring that maintains the vibrating area of the head to the approximate outside diameter measurement of the shell.


The invention relates to cyanine dyes, which have alkyl substituents in the meso position of the methine chain, sulphoaryl groups as well as at least one reactive group which permits the binding to a target substance.

The invention relates to cyanine dyes for use as fluorescent markers.
Fluorescent dyes are used as markers in many different ways for the analysis of a major part of clinically, biologically, biochemically or chemically relevant substances, such as for example cells, antibodies, proteins, hormones, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, carbohydrates or amines and mercaptanes. In combination with the easily detectable fluorescence induced by laser (LIF; Laser-Induced Fluorescence), rapid analyses are possible in the aforementioned areas.
By means of covalent bonding, a larger number of dye molecules are able to be attached to a specimen than is possible in the case of a non-specific non-covalent bond, so that the intensity of the fluorescent light signal is stronger. Furthermore, a covalent bond enables unequivocal marking of a specific target structure in a mixture. For covalent bonding of the fluorescent dye to the specimen, therefore, the dyes are provided with reactive groups. Suitable reactive groups are, for example, the iodacetamid group, the isothiocyanate group, N-succinimide-esters of alkyl carboxylic acids or phosophoramidites of hydroxy alkyl groups.
In the case of antibodies, proteins, hormones, nucleic acids and other biomolecules, mercapto (xe2x80x94SH), amino (xe2x80x94NH2) and hydroxy groups (xe2x80x94OH), among others, are available.
Cyanine dyes are increasingly being used as fluorescent markers. Generally, however, cyanine dyes in solution and at surfaces tend to form aggregates [SCHEIBE: Angew. Chem. 49 (1936) 563; JELLEY: Nature 138 (1936) 1009]. These polymeric dye systems, in contrast with the individual molecule, exhibit a markedly changed absorption and fluorescence behaviour.
As a result of the aggregation, the absorption maximum may be shifted in comparison with the monomer hypsochrome (Dimers, H-aggregates) or bathochrome (J-aggregates) [DIETZE: J. Signal AM. 1 (1973) 157]. This different absorption behaviour depends on the different dislocation angle between the molecule and aggregate axis as well as the intermolecular spacing of the dyes molecules in the aggregate (packing density). Independently of these influencing variables, it was found that at least seven dye molecules are needed for the formation of J-aggregates [DALTROZZO et al.: Photogr. Sci. Eng. 20 (1974) 441], i.e. J-aggregates are only able to form with raised packing density.
It is important when using cyanine dyes as fluorescent markers in aqueous systems to prevent the formation of dye aggregates, which fluoresce much more poorly. In addition, there is the fact that the tendency towards increased dye aggregation is accompanied by an increased tendency towards non-specific interactions of the dye at an arbitrary biomolecule.
Aryl sulpho groups lead to a marked improvement in the water solubility of a dye and should at the same time prevent the formation of dimers or H-aggregates. Corresponding fluorescent markers are described in DE 3.912.046, US 5.268.486 and [MUJUMDAR et al.: Bioconjugate Chem. 4 (1993) 105].
Using the example of the dye with the following structure
it could be shown that J-aggregates form in aqueous solution, whereas coupled with proteins, a very marked dimer band could be detected [MUJUMDAR et al.: Bioconjugate Chem. 7 (1996) 356], as a result of which a considerable fluorescence quenching occurs. It goes on to describe how the dimer formation is suppressed by the introduction of two further sulpho groups.
It has been shown, however, that the fluorescence quantum yield of the protein conjugates both of dye 1 and also 3 decreases by around xc2xc compared with free, unconjugated dyes [MUJUMDAR et al.: Bioconjugate Chem. 7 (1996) 356; Terpetschnig: NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Conference Paper, Trieste, 1997].
The object of the invention is to provide new cyanine dyes which do not exhibit the aforementioned drawbacks and which in particular exhibit a low tendency towards aggregation both in solution as well as on the target molecule and are suitable for application as fluorescent markers in the range from 500 to 700 nm.
This object is solved by a cyanine dye with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and applications emerge from the dependent claims.


An improved misting bottle and fan apparatus capable of both convective cooling and evaporative cooling independent of either other. The operator can select to have the convective cooling effects of air being blown over the operator. The operator can select to have the evaporative cooling effects of pressurized fluid forced through a small orifice showered down at the operator. In the alternative, the operator is able to select both style of cooling using this device. The positioning and shape of the atomizing device in relation to the forced air is unique as well as the shaping of the air flow optimizes the cooling effects. Location of the atomizing device is proscribed as to prevent the occurrence of drips and runs commonly associated with misting fans.

There are a multitude of different personal cooling devices. They generally fall into three classifications; 1) those devices that supply a mist of fluid, 2) those devices with only a fan and 3) those that have misting capabilities with some form of fan device.
In respect to the development of those devices which supply a mist of fluid, it can easily be seen in the prior art disclosed that the concept is not unique to this invention. The vessel that is used to contain the fluid during pressurization can be in many shapes, from square (U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,056) to cylindrical (U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,590) to product shaped (U.S. Des Pat. D439966) and the pressurization method can either come from a pump, manually driven (U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,388) or motor driven (U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,270), that pressurizes the fluid or that inflates a bladder (U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,056), that when pressurized or inflated thereby increases the volume of air in the vessel, thereby creating pressure according to Boyle's Law. Due to this pressure, when the fluid is released to the atmosphere, through a restrictive throttling where it is atomized, heat is extracted heat but not exchanged. This process is also known as the Joule-Thompson effect or evaporative cooling. It is obvious that motor driven pumps are either subject to increased weight for pump mechanism and power sources or failure of power when the device is most needed.
Personal fans have been disclosed in many different shapes but all have a basic design whereby fan blades are attached to a central hub and air is exhausted therethrough. The purpose is primarily cooling through the evaporation of moisture on one's skin through an adiabatic process. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,155,782 and 5,667,732)
It has also been disclosed by prior art that fans have been used to disperse the air that has been cooled through evaporative cooling. This convective cooling principle works where air, that has been cooled through evaporative cooling now flows over surfaces of greater heat, thereby cooling those surfaces. The rate of heat loss of a body is proportional to the difference in temperatures between the body and its surrounding as by Newton. Prior art has several methods of dispersing this air cooled through evaporative cooling. U.S. Pat. No. 2,079,117 details fluid being dispensed from a centralized hub along the blades of the fan. The problem with this approach is that the fluid will coalesce along the blades as the is the air pressure over the blades is much higher than the air immediately in front of the blade, causing a vacuum effect, very similar to the concept that propels sailboats going upwind. Mist will form up along the edges of the blades and will whip off circumferentially negating the cooling effects of the fluid. Other disclosures have the fluid emanate from behind the fan structure (U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,495)) or where the misting device is placed in front of the fan at varying distances away from the actual fan itself (U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,270 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,388). Both devices suffer from a deficient design that does not optimal utilize the cooling effect. Being behind the blade causes the blade to intersect the fluid stream causing drips and those devices that place the misting device in front of the fan suffer from the centripetal forces caused by the rotation of the air about the center of the fan hub. The main stream of the fluid flow from the fan rotates about the central axis of the fan whereby the fluid streams "rifle" away from the fan. This "rifling" of heavy moisture laden air causes the mist to be concentrated into a narrow beam of cooling.
What is needed then is a device which has the ability to produce a cooling effect upon people through the use of evaporative and convectional cooling which does not have any of the negative attributes of the prior art.
What is needed is a device that combines the best attributes of convective cooling and the best attributes of evaporative cooling effect while eliminating the problems associated with the prior examples of the art and then let the operator choose the desired effect.


An amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity includes a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly. The first portion is capable of floating on water while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water""s bottom. The valve assembly allows the vehicle to move between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode.

Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Field of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention relates generally to an amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity and in particular to a vehicle comprised of a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly for quickly, simply, and economically converting the vehicle between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode. In the submerged mode, the first portion is capable of floating on the surface while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water""s bottom.
Amphibious vehicles were first developed over 50 years ago primarily to support oil and gas exploration operations conducted in marshy or swampy terrain. Examples of such a vehicle are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,508 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,875, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such vehicles typically include a pair of pontoons connected to a center platform. The pontoons are preferably constructed from steel or aluminum as rigid hollow structures or enclosures to provide sufficient buoyancy or xe2x80x9cflotationxe2x80x9d in amphibious environments to stabilize and support machinery even on marshy or swampy terrain. The pontoons are usually surrounded by a track system which is capable of engaging ground or land of the water or swamp to propel the vehicle. One or more endless chains are preferably driven by a sprocket, or other means, and surround each pontoon. The endless chains support the tracks and are guided along the outer surface of the pontoon by guide channels. The tracks are driven about the periphery of the pontoons in order to provide a thrust to the vehicle. By varying the amount and direction of thrust, or track travel, applied to each pontoon, the vehicle can be advanced, turned, or reversed.
The center platform is used to support machinery, typically including a boom crane. The amphibious vehicle also includes a drive system with a lower drive train. The drive system is used to independently rotate the tracks about their respective pontoons. The rotation of tracks is the primary method of positioning and guiding the amphibious vehicle. By varying the speed and direction of each track, the amphibious vehicle is able to advance, change course, or reverse.
Additionally, it is well-known in the art to mount a dredge on the vehicle and use the dredge having tools attached thereto such that the tools can be extended to the seabed. Examples of such a dredge are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,052, U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,879, U.S. Pat, No. 5,146,699 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,145. Such dredges typically include a boom coupled to the hull of the amphibious vehicle. The boom is typically extendable and retractable and includes a tool attached to its leading end. It is further well known in the art to use a submersible vehicle along the water""s bed. Such vehicles can be used to install and bury cables or pipes.
Still other prior art includes a mobile platform on the vehicle which is vertically extendable and retractable by a set of legs, as seen for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,932 and No. 3,403,597 A1 and British Patent No. 1,212,172. However, such platforms lack the ability of being used in swampy or marshy terrain because the platforms do not generate sufficient low ground pressure to avoid becoming repeatedly stuck in the soft terrain.
An embodiment of the invention relates generally to an amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity and in particular to a vehicle comprising a surface portion and a submersible working portion coupled by an extension. The surface portion is capable of floating on the surface while the working portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the bottom. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a surface portion in the form of a barge capable of floating on the surface of a body of water, a submersible working portion with pontoons capable of driving engagement with the bed of a body of water, an extension with upper and lower ends, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly allows quick, simple, and economic transition from an amphibious mode to a submerged mode, and vice versa.
The prior art does not include a system that allows quick, simple, and economical conversion between submerged work, floating work, and marsh/swamp work. The present invention overcomes this shortcoming. Specifically, the present invention expands the high mobility capability of the original concept of a pontoon based amphibious vehicle to economically also work as a submerged tool carrier, as a base for a tool floating on the surface of the water, or as a tool carrier in marsh or swamp lands to perform a diverse variety of submersible jobs, including pipeline laying, installing communication cable, power line construction work, and in environmental or remediation projects. The transformation between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode is accomplished quickly, simply, and economically by use of a valve assembly. In the amphibious mode, the present invention allows an operator to work in soft terrain environment with little water for floatation because the present invention generates low ground pressure. In the submerged mode, an operator can work at depths of up to approximately 300 ft of water.
Preferably, the invention involves a vehicle system which has at least three parts: a submersible portion configured to work as a high mobility track type amphibious vehicle with a valve system built therein to allow the unit to work submerged as required for a specific project; an umbilical device, either rigid or flexible, designed to convey power, communications, etc. to the submerged portion; and a floating portion arranged to be carried or towed by the submersible portion. Additionally, the valve built into the submerged portion is a multi-function valve which automatically allows water to flow in or out of the pontoons while the vehicle is operating in a submersible mode, and also keeps marine sediments and other foreign materials out of the internal areas on the pontoons. The valve also allows access to the interior of the pontoons and can be economically sealed or opened to quickly, simply, and economically convert the system between the amphibious mode and the submerged mode, or vice versa.
Thus, the invention comprises a combination of features and advantages which enable it to overcome various problems of prior devices. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity


A gateway device includes PDTN line terminating portion 1, audio data processing portion 2, header processing portion 3, packet network line terminating portion 4 and gateway control processor 5. Header processing portion 3 receives an RTP packet with session number from audio data processing portion 2 and outputs an IP packet attached with UDP/IP header information to packet network line terminating portion 4. Header processing portion 3 receives an IP packet from packet network line terminating portion 4 and checks UDP/IP header thereof When the IP packet is an audio packet, header processing portion 3 deletes the UDP/IP header, attaches a session number thereto and outputs an RTP packet with session number to audio data processing portion 2 and, when the IP packet is an audio packet, header processing portion 3 transfers it directly to audio data processing portion 2 to send the audio data to the PSTN through PSTN line terminating portion 1.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting audio data through a packet network and, in particular, an audio gateway device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The IP (Internet Protocol) telephone services (IP Telephony) for transmission of audio data through a packet network has been popular. Besides, the movement of reducing a working cost of the existing telephone network of line switching type by unifying telephone services thereof with packet services by constructing a backbone of telephone network with a packet network has become active year after year.
In the telephone service using a packet network, a gateway device for transferring existing telephone audio data through the packet network is necessary. In such gateway device, an audio processing and a session control (session ON/OFF control) are performed. An example of the conventional audio gateway device is VoIPMedia Gateway Module, a production of AudioCodes corporation.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the conventional audio gateway device. As shown in FIG. 6, the audio gateway device includes PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line terminating portion 41, audio data processing portion 42, packet network line terminating portion 43 and general purpose processor 45. In the conventional audio gateway device constructed as mentioned, UDP/IP (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol) processing of all input packets is performed by processing the input packets by transferring them to general purpose processor 45 through processor bus 44 and performing the RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol: RFC 1889. A standard for real-time transfer of various real-tie media of such as audio, video or other input data on an IP network) processing and the processing by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) constituting audio data processing portion 42.
However, in a case where a gateway device capable of processing data of channels, for example, 700ch to 2000ch, is realized by using the above mentioned conventional audio gateway device in which all packets are temporarily processed by processor 45, a large amount of packets is processed by a software. Therefore, the processing performance of the gateway device is limited by the processing performance of the processor and the performance (data transfer speed, etc.) of processor bus 44. This is a practical problem.
Further, since the audio packet and the control packet are transmitted through same processor bus 44, there are other problems of delay of audio data and influence thereof on jitter.


The guide rail has a longitudinal groove arranged along its upper rail side and a cover strip which closes off the groove and bears flush against the plane of the upper rail side. The spacing between opposite groove walls of the groove is smaller than the leveled cover strip. In order to retain the cover strip, each of the groove walls are provided with an undercut and retaining strips provided at both longitudinal sides of the cover strip engage into the undercuts. The cover strip is plastically curved around an axis which is parallel to the guide rail, such that the curved cover strip is smaller than the spacing between the groove walls, and after being inserted into the longitudinal groove, the curved cover strip is leveled by means of plastic deformation, such that the retaining strips are displaced into the undercuts.

For example, DE 101 53 016 A1 has disclosed an arrangement of a cover strip on a linear guide. The guide rail has bores for fastening screws, with a cover strip being inserted into a longitudinal groove of the guide rail. The groove walls of the longitudinal groove have undercuts. Material lips of the cover strip are pressed into said undercuts by means of deformation. This takes place by the cover strip, which is partially inserted into the longitudinal groove, being arranged entirely within the longitudinal groove by being rolled therein. The cover strip is retained in said state by means of a form-fitting connection in the regions of the undercuts in the guide groove. In order for a proper deformation of the material lips by means of the compressive forces exerted on the cover strip to be properly possible, the cover strip is formed from two layers: an upper top layer which is exposed to the surroundings is produced from a corrosion-resistant steel. A deformation layer which bears the material lips is preferably formed from high-grade aluminum. In comparison to steel, high-grade aluminum can easily be plastically deformed.

Guide rail with a cover strip for a linear bearing


A rigid video-endoscope having an optical system which provide a rotatable image of an object to be observed is shown and described. The optical system is inside a rigid tube. A camera who's axis is in alignment with the optical axis of the optical system picks up the image provided by the optical system. A bundle of optical fibers passing along the tube is connected to a light source for illumination of the object to be observed. Rotation of the image provided by the optical system which adjusts the orientation of the image relative to an observer. The rotating device is disposed inside a handle of the video-endoscope together with the camera and disposed between the camera and the optical system.

Conventional rigid endoscopes are essentially constituted by a metal tube for gaining access to the object to be observed and an optical system disposed inside the tube and having a set of lenses at one end and an eyepiece at the other end. An object is observed by placing the eye against the eyepiece, thereby receiving an image as conveyed by the optical "collectors".
Some systems allow a TV camera to be fitted to the eyepiece, with the overall assembly then being relatively heavy and mechanically inconvenient. These are called rigid video-endoscopes.
Given that it is rare, in practice, for an observer or a camera to be optimally oriented relative to an object to be observed, it is necessary to be able to adjust the orientation of the image provided by the optical system relative to the observer or to the above-mentioned camera.
In general, such image rotation is obtained in the prior art merely by rotating the tube that gives access to the objects to be observed. However, this manual operation is very fiddly because of the large number of connecting optical and electrical cables which end up by becoming tangled.
The object can be viewed either directly or obliquely (in particular at 90.degree. or 60.degree.) relative to the optical axis of the endoscope, with oblique viewing normally being obtained by means of a mirror disposed at the distal end of the tube giving access to the above-mentioned object.
However, at present, different endoscopes are used depending on whether the object is to be viewed directly or obliquely (or laterally), thereby increasing cost. In addition, when viewing obliquely, the use of a mirror presents at least two drawbacks, of which the first is due to reflection both on the silvered surface of the mirror and on the glass supporting the silvered surface, thereby creating an optical effect of superposed images which hinders viewing, and the second drawback is due to the deposition of pollutants (in particular dust) which are difficult to remove by virtue of the difficulty of gaining access to the inside of the tube containing the mirror and the danger of damaging the support glass, in particular by abrading it, which would therefore further degrade viewing.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a rigid video-endoscope which is more suitable for practical requirements than previously known rigid video-endoscopes seeking to perform the same function. In particular, the present invention seeks to make it easy to orient the image of the object to be observed as provided by the optical system without any danger of tangling the various cables.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rigid video-endoscope which can be used either for direct viewing or for oblique viewing, depending on requirements, thereby avoiding the need to use two different devices.

Rigid video-endoscope having a rotatable device for adjusting the orientation of an image relative to an image receiving device

Fibres Optiques Recherche et Technologie


A control panel may prevent access to one or more aspects of the control panel based at least in part on one or more security parameters. The security parameters may include a default locked status and a takeover locked status. The default locked status may prevent a user or other personnel from accessing the software, code, or other intellectual property on the control panel while still allowing the user to interface with the security and/or automation system. The takeover locked status may prevent any access or use of the control panel. To protect the automation system and the automation system provider, it may be desired to use a unique identifier to unlock at least one or more aspects of the control panel. The unique identifier may be loaded onto an external storage device which the control panel may automatically recognize.

The present disclosure, for example, relates to security and/or automation systems, and more particularly to unlocking a control panel and/or device using unique information.
Security and automation systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication and functional features such as monitoring, communication, notification, and/or others. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with a user through a communication connection or a system management action.
In some instances, the control panel may be susceptible to one or more undesirable scenarios. For example, the control panel may experience an unauthorized takeover, unauthorized alterations, inept software, or software with a bug, and the like. A competitor may attempt to reverse engineer the software located within the control panel. The unauthorized takeover may be a competitor attempting to utilize the hardware provided by the current automation system provider. A user may also attempt to make one or more alterations to a control panel. In some embodiments, a larcenist may attempt to install software to illicitly access one or more aspects of the automation system. The control panel may need to protect itself from one or more of these scenarios.