A digital rights management system (DRM) for restricting and permitting content access in a digital content distribution network such as a network used to deliver television programming. The DRM uses distributed authentication and provisioning so that the potentially many different entities involved in the content distribution network can have localized management and control. Distributed authentication can use single or multiple instances of authentication services. A ticket granting service (TGS) is used to allow clients to request services. In one approach, multiple authentication services use a common key that is known to the TGS. In another approach, unique keys are provided to each authentication service and these keys are communicated to the TGS. Distributed provisioning allows different entities to grant access rights or other resources. Provisioning service (PS) processes can execute at multiple different physical locations. Synchronization among the different PSs is provided by a managing entity or in a peer-to-peer transfer to help ensure the uniqueness of user IDs. New clients can make an initialization request from a key management system via an appropriate protocol. The requests can be made from a single, dedicated authentication service, from an authentication service associated with a specific provisioning service, or from multiple authentication services in the network.

This invention is related in general to digital rights management and more specifically to a system using a distributed approach to provide authentication, provisioning, access, authorization and other aspects of digital rights management in a widespread distribution system such as digital cable television.
Digital rights management (DRM) systems attempt to ensure that content creators, publishers, distributors and other commercial handlers of content can restrict access and control delivery and presentation of content. A DRM system also helps ensure that viewers, or users, of the content receive what they expect to receive, i.e., that for which they have paid, subscribed or licensed. However, difficulties arise when trying to implement efficient DRM in a huge, multi-user, multi-provider, system that includes many entities desiring to act without centralized restrictions. Such a system is found, for example, in a digital cable television network. Such a network may have dozens of content providers, hundreds and thousands of distribution entities, and millions of end users.
One traditional approach to authentication and access of services (or content) via a digital network is Kerberos. Kerberos is an authentication service developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Information on Kerberos can be found in RFC 1510 and at other sources, e.g., at http://nii.isi.edu/publications/kerberos-neuman-tso.html, or at http://nii.isi.edu/info/kerberos/. Kerberos uses an authentication server to generate session keys so that a user who requests access to content from another supplier (e.g., a server computer) is provided with a session key and ticket. The user sends the session key and ticket to the server computer so that the desired content (or service) can be obtained.
An approach with a single centralized Kerberos-based Authentication Server and a single centralized Provisioning Server works well for small networks (e.g., campus or corporate local area networks (LANs)) but it is not suitable for a very large network where access grants must come from multiple entities. For example, in a digital cable television network localized distribution occurs at headends, secondary headends, primary nodes and other nodes. Operators at the headends and nodes may have a need to grant or revoke access, change access rights, etc., without going to a central authority. Other entities involved in the system such as broadband operators and content providers may also desire such abilities.
Also, different subscription programs may require different provisioning. For example, cable service providers offer subscriptions that include different content and channels that vary among different physical geographic areas, logical viewer groupings, etc. These subscription programs can change with respect to other programs as, for example, where a local sporting event is blacked out in the city hosting the event. Subscribers may bundle different programs and channels into a given package subscription, etc. Thus, any DRM system must be able to be localized for certain purposes and must be able to handle different access and provisioning rules.
Although the Kerberos architecture provides a general mechanism, called realms, for handling distributed authentication, this mechanism does not adequately address, or improve upon, the deficiencies noted herein for Digital Rights Management systems.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a system that improves upon shortcomings in the prior art.

System for digital rights management using distributed provisioning and authentication


A control system for the autonomous control of a motor vehicle comprises an environmental sensor system, which is arranged and configured to acquire environmental data for the autonomous control of a motor vehicle. The control system further comprises at least one actuator controller, which is configured to control at least one actuator of the motor vehicle. A first control unit is configured to determine control commands for the at least one actuator controller with the environmental data and to transmit these to the actuator controller. The control system further comprises a control monitoring unit, which is configured to check a functionality of the first control unit with the environmental data and with the control commands transmitted to the actuator controller, wherein the control monitoring unit is further configured to determine emergency control commands for the at least one actuator controller with the environmental data, depending on the checking of the first control unit, and to transmit these emergency control commands to the actuator controller. In this case the at least one actuator controller is further configured to execute the emergency control commands of the control monitoring unit prioritised over the control commands of the first control unit.

An improved control system and an improved control method for the autonomous control of a motor vehicle are disclosed here. The control system and the control method can be used in particular in motor vehicles with complete or partially autonomous control. Details of this are defined in the claims; the description and the drawings also contain relevant information about the system and the mode of operation as well as about variants of the system and the method.

Control system and improved control method for the autonomous control of a motor vehicle


The present invention relates to a system used for competency assessment of candidates. More particularly the present invention relates to an automated system for talent acquisition in an enterprise to identify talented candidates who meet the qualification standards specified by enterprise using a secured and light weight method of providing content including questions and responses in a distributed architecture. The data center server of the system may connect to Knowledge center server to receive the secure test content. The test content is transferred to one or more exam center servers from the data center server. The exam center servers assess the competency of candidates connected to them via candidate console devices (computational devices), by generating unique and standardized test content for each candidate. The system enables less effort, time and consequently money, that multiple test administrators may spend traveling to different test locations to support the system infrastructure.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure generally relates a method and apparatus for an automated competency assessment system and a method thereof. More particularly the present invention relates to an automated system for talent acquisition in an enterprise to identify talented candidates who meet the qualification standards specified by enterprise using a secured and light weight method of providing content including questions and responses in a distributed architecture.
2. Description of Related Art
For many years standardized testing has been common method of assessing examinees for the purpose of education, job placements, skill evaluation etc. Due to cost and complexity of tests, computer based testing emerged as a superior method for providing standardized tests but administration of test and evaluation of test results dynamically at a large scale still pose variety of problems like redundancy of questions and lack of harmonization, analytics and scale up.
The need to effectively test and analyze the large pools of candidates for the purpose of talent acquisition or educational assessment has also been long recognized. With increasingly sophisticated workforces of correspondingly increasing accumulated value, the process of testing, analyzing and recruiting a workforce, with effective real-time analytics, can preserve and deliver substantial value to organizations, including employer enterprises and placement agencies.
Several inventions have been made in this domain some of them known to us are described below:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,309 describes a computer based human capital management system that collects information from any combination of position applicants, employees, and reserve pool talent reflective of the position skills, performance, and requirements thereof. In particular, the invention discloses a method for implementing a talent management system, executed on a computer system, providing for the collection and qualification of performance capability information of workforce candidates. The invention however relies on the information collected from the candidates and fails to present a system for secure administration of real-time assessment of candidates in a scalable way.
US Patent Application 20070185757 describe a method for performing Talent Relationship Management (TRM) of candidates. It uses target groups formed for specified purposes from candidates constituting a talent pool. In particular the invention discloses a method of identifying potentially suitable candidates based on stored and organized information sources for filling a vacancy in an organization. In one embodiment, this patent application proposes TRM in distributed computing environments. In another embodiment, it discloses a method that checks skill level and specialty, experience, geographical location of candidate, candidate's aptitude and interests. However, the invention fails to present a system for secure administration of real-time assessment of candidates at several locations in a scalable way.
An automated process for recruiting technicians and pre-certifying them for a job position in distributed over a number of different geographical locations e.g., franchises is disclosed in US Patent Application 20070192172. The process as described in the patent application is controlled from a main office or central station, at a computer or computer server that is connected with a global computer network such as the Internet. However, the invention fails to disclose a system that maintains security of process and transfer of data. The invention also fails to propose a method of assessment where no two candidates are given tests with same questions and yet the questions are of standardized difficulty level and also does not disclose a real-time analytics of the performance of the candidates.
US Patent Application 20020156674 describes a recruiting system and method for providing job offer information via a server connected to a network. is the invention proposes a skill information database for storing skill information concerning skilled people requiring jobs; and an aptitude level determiner for determining an aptitude level for a skill required for each job. The invention fails to disclose a method of secure and scalable test administration.
All the above-mentioned prior-arts fail to disclose a secure and scalable solution to automate the application of competency assessment by providing appropriate level of security to the process and data transfer. The prior art discussed above also fails to attempt the requirements of exclusivity and standardization of the assessment, wherein no two candidates are given tests with same questions and yet the question are of standardized difficulty level. There is also a "long felt need" to solve the vacuum of powerful and real-time analytics in this domain of knowledge assessment systems.
In order to solve the above problems this invention proposes an automated system for competency assessment to identify talented candidates, wherein the system is architected as a scalable, secure and light weight system, designed to operate over a distributed architecture, and provides secure content, including questions and responses, wherein the distinctiveness of the test is maintained and the analysis of the test results is supported at a near real time by powerful analytics engine.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for an automated competency assessment tool.

System and method for automated competency assessment


The invention refers to the obtaining of the preparation for the treatment of the skin disease psoriasis. The object of the invention is a medicinal agent based on two corticosteroids, salicylates and antibiotics which clear the skin from psoriasis effectively, the most quickly and without endangering the integrity of healthy organs and skin regions and relapses approximate to zero point. The procedure according to the invention consists of the preparation of emulsion consisting of previously sterilized oil phase and water, to which are then added solutions of the active ingredients in such a way that all the phases are completed according to the order principle of ingredient stability to specified temperatures.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composition for the treatment of psoriasis and methods for the manufacture and application of the composition.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Skin diseases are as old as the human race and there has been an on-going search for curative agents. Plant extracts, as well as drugs of both organic and inorganic origin, have been used to treat these ailments.
At the present time, over 2000 preparations exist to treat psoriasis. Most of these are based on corticosteroids or combinations of antibiotics and salicylates. The prior art compositions containing corticosteroids, however, cause negative, secondary effects such as skin necrosis and steroidal dermatitis. Secondary effects on the adrenal gland, e.g., adrenal gland suppression, have also been observed.

Procedure for obtaining the preparation for the treatment of the disease psoriasis: drug for the treatment of psoriasis and its application


A method for evaluating subsurface formations includes deploying at least two intersecting seismic transducer lines above an area of the subsurface to be surveyed. Each line includes spaced apart seismic transmitters on one side of the intersection and spaced apart seismic receivers on the other side. On each line, one of the transmitters is actuated and signals are detected at one of the receivers. The foregoing is repeated for each of the remaining receivers. The foregoing is then repeated for each of the remaining transmitters on each line. The detected signals are processed to enhance both specular and non-specular seismic events in the subsurface. The enhanced events may be stored and/or displayed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of seismic exploration of subsurface rock formations. More specifically, the invention relates to high resolution, shallow depth seismic investigation to identify potential subsurface hazards.
2. Background Art
Explorationists are continually adopting new and improved techniques for seismic imaging of subsurface rock formations. In addition to applying traditional seismic processing techniques to novel acquisition geometries, the techniques of arraying and beam forming can be used to enhance seismic resolution for a variety of deep earth and shallow geotechnical investigations or applications. U.S. Patent Application publication No. 2009/0122645 filed by Guigné and Pace, for example, describes a star array for beamforming and steering at depth to identify non-specular features. Such a method leads to the potential for higher resolution structural imaging of deep earth reservoirs and surrounding geology (e.g. faults, stratigraphic inhomogeneities) and for the identification of near surface geohazards (e.g. shallow gas, hydrates, sediment liquefaction). The most important applications from a perspective of reservoir management are the capture of high resolution localization of seismic attributes, which could be used for characterizing complex stratigraphies to a specific volume that is much smaller than is possible with conventional three dimensional (3D) seismic methods.
In the case of near surface geotechnical site investigations in marine environments, the risk of unforeseen sub-seabed conditions is of particular concern to offshore installations as failure to identify sub-seabed hazards can lead to environmental disasters, significant cost overruns and adverse safety impacts. To mitigate such risks, geophysical and geotechnical site investigation procedures are executed before operations on a site begin. The investigations follow industry accepted standards that rely on interpretations of geological features based on interpolations between direct seismic soundings. Consequently, such investigations do not deliver results with resolution that engineering exactness may require. Nevertheless, industry accepted procedures for site evaluation are widely recognized as "best practices." As offshore engineering and exploratory drilling projects become more numerous, and are conducted in ever greater water depths, there will be demand for acquiring more reliable, more detailed information concerning subsurface structure and stratigraphy. It is recognized that shortcomings exist in the site evaluation techniques that are currently being used. Therefore a reevaluation of what constitutes appropriate localized high resolution imaging of discrete targets is underway, be it for deep earth seismic mapping of scattering features or for near surface foundation related studies.
Geophysical and geotechnical site investigation methods recognized as industry standards use continuous seismic surveys, and borehole or well downhole imaging if available. Advantages of continuous seismic profiling include its ability to map the continuity of coherent sedimentary layers. In conventional seismic surveying, the resolution is determined by a combination of the dominant frequency propagated to and from reflectors (e.g., a reservoir) and by the algorithm(s) used to convert the time based data volume to a true depth volume. The vertical resolution is mostly controlled by the source frequency while the lateral resolution is much more controlled by the inversion (migration) algorithm. A particular problem emerges when the sedimentary or sub bedrock character becomes discontinuous because of discrete scattering bodies instead of continuous well defined coherent layered boundaries.
There continues to be a need for improved techniques for sub-bottom evaluation of marine operating sites to identify structural and stratigraphic features in detail.

Method for accentuating specular and non-specular seismic events from within shallow subsurface rock formations


A method of controlling an electronic device that provides a reminder of a task is provided. The controlling method includes receiving an input of a content of a reminder target task, designating a related application that is linked with the reminder target task, and generating and storing the reminder target task of which the content is to be displayed using a predetermined event as a trigger.

Recently, demand for a smart phone or a tablet Personal Computer (PC) has been sharply increased. The smart phone or the tablet PC is an electronic device that integrates a calling function of a mobile communication terminal according to the related art and general functions of a computer, which has a relatively good portability and thus, demand for the smart phone or the tablet PC has been rapidly increased.
According to the related art, a smart phone or a tablet PC generally provides a user with a scheduler application. A scheduler application according to the related art is configured to include a calendar including year/month/day, and to enable a user to enter a schedule for a predetermined day. When a predetermined schedule is entered for the predetermined day, the smart phone or the tablet PC may inform a user of the predetermined schedule on the corresponding day. For example, the smart phone or the tablet PC may push a pop-up window for displaying the predetermined schedule so that a user may check the predetermined schedule.
Although the scheduler application according to the related art has the described reminder function, a user may be informed of the same only on the corresponding day and thus, may have difficulty in preparing in advance for the schedule.
A reminder application according to the related art operates based on time or place information. For example, a reminder application that operates based on the time information may be set to display a schedule at a time corresponding to the schedule. However, the reminder application displays the schedule only at the corresponding time as described above, which may be inconvenient for users.
The reminder application according to the related art may operate based on the place information. For example, a user may input, into the reminder application, a predetermined schedule and a place at which a reminder is to be performed. The reminder application may match location information input from the electronic device to the place at which a reminder is to be performed. When the electronic device is determined to be located in the place at which the reminder is to be performed as a result of matching, the reminder application may provide a user with the predetermined schedule. However, there is a high probability that matching between a name of a corresponding place and location information input from the electronic device, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinate, has an error.
Accordingly, there is a desire for an electronic device that reminds of a task, which decreases a probability of occurrence of an error and provides a user with convenience.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Electronic device for reminding of task and controlling method thereof


A method of determining that a subject electronic device 1021 . . . N is counterfeit. The method involves delivering the web page component to a subject device 1021 . . . N in response to a request. The web page component is adapted to retrieve actual values of a plurality of attributes from the subject device 1021 . . . N. Reference values of the plurality of attributes are retrieved from a device property store 110 and the method determined that the subject device 1021 . . . N is counterfeit when at least one of the actual values of the plurality of attributes is different to the reference value of that attribute.

Electronic devices having web browsers for retrieving information from the World Wide Web broadly fall into two categories: desktop computers and mobile devices. Counterfeits of both these types of devices are increasingly available to consumers, but in particular counterfeit mobile devices.
Counterfeit devices tend to be of inferior quality, often having sub-standard components or running incorrect software. This leads to problems for users, who encounter problems using their counterfeit device. It also creates problems for manufacturers and service providers, not just through loss of revenue from lost sales, but due to having to deal with enquiries from users having problems using counterfeit devices. Other problems of counterfeit devices include a genuine danger to consumers. Counterfeit devices are likely to have a poorer quality batteries (more susceptible to fire) and can also be exposing their users to more EMF radiation than the real device.
In order to address this, attention has so far been focused on limiting the distribution of counterfeit devices. For example, with the assistance of government agencies, efforts have been made to intercept shipments of counterfeit devices. Attempts have also been made to educate consumers so that they do not unintentionally or knowingly purchase counterfeit devices. These measures have not been entirely successful, and there remains a need to improve measures for limiting the proliferation of counterfeit devices.
An internet publication by Netbiscuits Gmbh entitled 'Device Detection', 13 Sep. 2015 discloses a technique to help make web pages work on multiple different devices. There are many other public discussions of this technique. The technique uses server-side detection combined with dynamic properties interrogated from a mobile device in real time. However this approach does not attempt to mitigate against counterfeit electronic devices.
Another publication MOBILE MANUFACTURERS FORUM: 'Counterfeit/Substandard Mobile Phones—A resource guide for governments' dated July 2014 recognises the problem of counterfeit mobile phone devices and mentions at a high level a means by which a mobile device can be detected as possible counterfeit based on a 3GPP telecommunication standard. The publication offers no effective technical solution in which electronic devices can be identified as definitively counterfeit. 3GPP confines itself to the lower level cellular networking aspect of a mobile device.
It is an object to provide a system and method to determine whether an electronic device a counterfeit.


A new and distinct variety of Ficus benjamina plant named `TooLittle` which is particularly characterized by its unique, small leaves which curl downward, its very tight internode space, and its dense and extremely slow growth habit.

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new variety of a Ficus benjamina plant that has been named `TooLittle.`
`TooLittle` is a chance mutant of Ficus benjamina that was discovered in April of 1988 by James K. Atchison, growing in a cultivated planting of Ficus benjamina plants at Parrish Tropicals, Inc., a nursery in Delray Beach, Fla. Cuttings from the mutant plant were taken by James K. Atchison, and they were asexually reproduced at the nursery in May of 1988 under the direction and supervision of James K. Atchison. It was subsequently found that the plants which were replicated asexually from the original cuttings, and also in succeeding propagations made over ten generations from cuttings, held the distinguishing characteristics of `TooLittle.`
`TooLittle` can be distinguished from the parent, Ficus benjamina by its unique, small curled leaves, very tight internode space, and dense and extremely slow growth. `TooLittle` is a very full plant, whereas the parent Ficus benjamina is less dense in nature.
The `TooLittle` plant has leaves approximately 7 to 10 times more in quantity than that of the parent Ficus benjamina variety. The `TooLittle` leaves are approximately 1/4 to 1/3 the size of the parent Ficus benjamina leaf, and curl downward slightly. The numerous quantity of leaves gives this plant its dense appearance. The plant can be pruned to tree form and it can also be grown as a shrub. The small size and the extremely slow growth of the Ficus benjamina `TooLittle` make it an excellent candidate for the Bonsai market.
The branching of the Ficus benjamina `TooLittle` differs both in that it branches without pruning (from each node), and has extremely tight internode space compared to that of the parent Ficus benjamina. Branching of the `TooLittle` plant is numerous, expansive, upright and spreading. Branching of the parent Ficus benjamina plant is much more sparse and has a weeping appearance.
The bark of `TooLittle` is light green with new growth, and a gray-brown with old growth, which is similar to that of the parent Ficus benjamina. Small and medium aerial roots form near the base of the plant, as is common with many Ficus varieties. Very large, yet sparse, roots form under the soil level. These roots can be exposed to add to a Bonsai effect.


An integrated circuit device includes a device layer having devices spaced in accordance with a predetermined device pitch, a first metal interconnection layer disposed above the device layer and coupled to the device layer, and a second metal interconnection layer disposed above the first metal interconnection layer and coupled to the first metal interconnection layer through a first via layer. The second metal interconnection layer has metal lines spaced in accordance with a predetermined metal line pitch, and a ratio of the predetermined metal line pitch to predetermined device pitch is less than 1.

In advanced integrated circuit nodes, the shape of connection pins to transistor and other active devices, such as input/output (I/O) connection pins, is limited to a rectangular shape. Polysilicon lines and connections pins also need to be located on predefined tracks. The typical approach is to locate all connection pins on the metal-I (M1) interconnection layer and set the pitch of the M1 tracks to match the pitch of the polysilicon lines at the device layer. That is, there is a one-to-one (1:1) ratio of M1 track pitch to polysilicon line pitch. This approach enlarges the M1 pitch, i.e., to match the pitch of the polysilicon lines, and also reduces the amount of routing resources available in the M1 interconnection layer. This approach also limits the ability to locate device cells directly under power lines that are formed in the M1 interconnection layer, as both the power lines and all connections pins are located in the M1 layer.

Integrated circuit device with improved layout

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.

In an effort to progressively improve the functionality of a portable electronic device, new ways of configuring an accessory device are desirable. A variety of accessory devices are available that can augment the functionality of host electronic devices such as tablet computers, smart phones, laptop computers, etc. These accessory devices often include electronic circuitry and one or more embedded batteries that power the electronic circuitry. In many such devices the batteries can be charged by connecting an appropriate cable to a charging port. Such ports and the contacts positioned therein can be susceptible to damage, etc. Consequently, an accessory device with more robust and/or protected charging contacts is desirable.


A printing system comprises a first bearing support for a first media roll of a first print medium and a second bearing support for a second media roll of a second print medium. Said first and second bearing supports are spaced apart from one another. A first print transport path extends from the first bearing support from the first media roll to a main transport path of the printing system. A second print transport path extends from the second bearing support to the main transport path of the printing system. An attachment transport path extends between the first and the second bearing support. The attachment transport path allows both print media to be brought together and attached to one another. Thereby, a relatively stiffer medium may be attached as a leader section to a relatively weaker medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a printing system and a method for feeding a web-based medium.
2. Description of Background Art
Web-based media are supplied into a printing system from media rolls in a loading bin of the printing system along a media transport path to an inkjet printing assembly for depositing an image on the media. The loading bin generally holds multiple media rolls for increased productivity and versatility. The media rolls may be of the same media type for forming a media supply or of different media types to accommodate different types of print jobs. After changing from a first media roll to a second media roll, the leading edge of the web from the second media roll needs to be guided through the printing system along the media transport path to e.g. a take-up roller arranged for winding the web onto it. This is referred to as "roll-to-roll" printing. Some media types however cannot be easily fed through the printing system. For example, certain media may be too weak or flexible to be pushed along the media transport path. These media types need first to be engaged by a pulling transport mechanism, such as the take-up roller or a transport pinch. Said mechanism is then able to pull these media types through the printing system. A drawback of these weak media is that an operator is required to guide said media manually through the media transport path to the pulling transport mechanism in a time-consuming process during which the actual printing is halted. This results in a decreased productivity and increased costs.


A container includes a container body, a cover, a reclosable fastener, a track, and a slider. The reclosable fastener is disposed between the container body and the cover and is adapted to fasten the cover to the container. The track includes a fastener portion formed on the reclosable fastener and a ramp. The ramp extends from a first end of the reclosable fastener and is at an angle with respect to a plane defined by the first end of the reclosable fastener. The slider is movable along the track to open or close the reclosable fastener.

Flexible storage bags for use in the containment and protection of various items, as well as the preservation of perishable materials such as food items, are well known in the art. Such bags typically comprise an elongate reclosable fastener such as an interlocking rib-type seal integrally formed with the bag, to seal contents disposed in the bag. Sliding closure mechanisms, which utilize a sliding plastic sleeve to bias interlocking ribs into and out of engagement, have become popular due to their comparative ease of operation and visual and tactile confirmation that the seal formed by the reclosable fastener has been successfully completed.
Rigid and semi-rigid containers are also well known in the art. Such containers have realized a fair degree of commercial success in providing a means for storing a wide variety of contents. These containers typically incorporate lids which are usually sealed to the container by a reclosable fastener comprising interlocking protruded and recessed elements such as bulbs and grooves. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,055 issued Jan. 8, 1974 to Anderson, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,756 issued Jul. 6, 1976 to Barish, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose containers utilizing plug seals.
While such mechanical closures can be effective in preserving container contents, some consumers experience difficulty in fully completing the closure operation and confirming for themselves that a satisfactory closure has been achieved. This is particularly so when the physical change in position of the cover between interlocked and non-interlocked positions is comparatively small.
Traditional sliders used with reclosable fasteners on flexible storage bags assure the user that the fastener is opened or closed during use, however, such sliders typically embody sidewalls limiting their operation to unidirectional fasteners. An example of a traditional type slider is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,875 issued May 9, 1972 to Gutman, and incorporated herein by reference. Since rigid and semi-rigid containers typically incorporate lids sealed by fasteners extending in multiple directions, the traditional sliders are unsuitable for opening or closing such fasteners.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide containers including a slider for opening or closing a reclosable fastener wherein the slider is movable in multiple directions. Particularly, it is desirable to provide containers including a slider that is slidably attached to the reclosable fastener and capable of easily and effectively opening or closing the fastener and pivoting around corners. Further, it is desirable to provide containers including a slider having the aforementioned attributes that can effectively open and close the reclosable fastener requiring minimal maneuvering by the consumer other than moving the slider along the fastener. More particularly, it is desirable to provide a fastener that does not interfere with the normal operation and function of the container when not in use, but also interfaces easily with the reclosable fastener when in use.

Container including a slider, a reclosable fastener and a track including a ramp


A method of forming on a substrate a waveguide lens having a predetermined distribution of refractive index, for converging or diverging light rays which propagate through a two-dimensional waveguide formed on a surface of the substrate. The method includes a step of forming a film of a diffusion metal having a constant thickness, a step of removing local portions of said film, by using a mask so that a density of the removed local portions of the film per unit area is continuously varied, and a step of effecting thermal diffusion of the remainder of the film into the substrate. Alternatively, the method includes a step of forming a mask having a multiplicity of separate openings whose density per unit area is continuously varied, a step of exposing a multiplicity of separate exposed areas of the substrate aligned with the separate openings to a material which serves to change a refractive index of the substrate, and a step of moving the material from the surface of the substrate into its interior.

The present invention relates to a method of forming a waveguide lens having a predetermined distribution of refractive index.
Known waveguide lenses formed in a two-dimensional waveguide on a substrate having an optical integrated circuit formed thereon include: a mode index lens which is formed by diffusion of an impurity into a region 50 of the surface of a substrate 10, which region 50 has a configuration similar to the cross sectional shape of an ordinary convex lens, as indicated in FIG. 6; a geodesic lens which is produced by first forming a small part-spherical concavity 52 in the surface of the substrate 10, and then forming a two-dimensional waveguide 12 over the entire surface of the substrate 10, as indicated in FIG. 7; and a fresnel lens which is formed by diffusion of an impurity into a region 54 of a surface of the substrate 10, which region 54 has a shape similar to the cross sectional shape of an ordinary fresnel lens, as indicated in FIG. 8. However, the above types of lenses have respective drawbacks. More specifically, with the mode index lens it is inherently difficult to obtain a sufficiently small F number, and the geodesic lens suffers from difficulty in forming the part-spherical concavity 52. Further, the fresnel lens tends to have a high degree of scattering of an incident light.
On the other hand, it is proposed to form a waveguide lens on a substrate, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the refractive index of the lens continuously changes in a direction intersecting a direction of propagation of a light beam. The waveguide lens having a refractive index distribution thus formed exhibits comparatively excellent optical properties, even if the size of the lens is relatively small, and is therefore free of the drawbacks as encountered with the known types of lens discussed above.
A conventional method for producing such a waveguide lens having a refractive index distribution requires a step of forming a thin film 56 of a suitable diffusion metal which is deposited on the surface of the substrate 12, for diffusion of the metal into the substrate in a subsequent step. However, as shown in FIG. 9 by way of example, the diffusion metal film 56 must have a continuously varying thickness, so that the density of the metal diffusion within the substrate is continuously changed. Since the thickness of the metal film 56 is inherently small, it is difficult to accurately control the thickness of the thin film 56 so that a variation of the thickness exactly corresponds to the desired distribution of refractive index of the waveguide lens to be obtained. Therefore, the above method has been found difficult to practice for large-scale production of such waveguide lenses without a fluctuation in the refractive index distribution from one lens to another.

Method of forming waveguide lens having refractive index distribution


Aspects of the disclosure provide a wireless encoding device, one or more wireless decoding devices, and a method for wirelessly broadcasting media packets. The wireless encoding device comprises an interface circuit and a controller. The interface circuit is configured to receive a bidirectional control signal and the media packets from a source device. The controller is configured to generate a unidirectional control signal based on the bidirectional control signal to enable each wireless decoding device to receive the media packets from the source device and at least one recovery packet from the interface circuit of the wireless encoding device. The controller also generates at least one recovery packet based on the media packets using an error correction technique to enable the one or more wireless decoding devices to recover distorted media packets received from the source device and to play the decoded media packets.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Wireless devices can transmit and receive signals wirelessly using one or more wireless communication standards in various networks, such as personal area network, local area network, metropolitan area network, wide area network, and the like. In an example, the signals including data packets such as video packets and multimedia packets can be broadcasted to wireless devices using a wireless communication standard. The signals can subsequently be played by the wireless devices.

Devices and method for wirelessly broadcasting media packets


A facility for managing filesystem object storage quotas (i.e., size limits) in a storage environment is disclosed. The facility enables users to establish, modify, and remove quotas on directories and files within a filesystem. Each quota acts as a soft limit on the size of the associated filesystem object, including any child objects of the filesystem object. The facility improves the speed at which the system can test for and identify violations of quotas established for individual filesystem objects by using aggregation and reconciliation techniques rather than constantly traversing a filesystem in its entirety to test for violations of quotas.

Enterprise filesystems can store large volumes of data on behalf of large numbers of users. These filesystems can have thousands of accounts, each account storing any amount of data. Enterprises, businesses, and individuals alike now use large scale filesystems to store data that is remotely accessible via a network, such as a cloud based storage environment. Such filesystems are often accessible via closed (e.g., enterprise) and open (e.g., Internet) networks and allow concurrent access via multiple client devices. Furthermore, the amount of data stored for a particular account may grow or shrink without notice.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Managing storage quotas in a shared storage system


The disclosed invention is a method of injecting a solution or emulsion containing about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of urea as a sacrificial agent for surfactants into an underground formation in enhanced oil recovery operations, said underground formation having a temperature greater than about 130.degree. F.

This invention relates to a method of injecting chemicals into a hydrocarbon reservoir for the purpose of increasing hydrocarbon recovery. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of urea as a sacrificial agent to decrease adsorption of surfactants within hydrocarbon reservoirs.
One of the most vexing problems in the use of surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery is the frequent, substantial loss of surfactant due to adsorption on the formation matrix and precipitation by polyvalent cations such as calcium and magnesium. A significant percentage of surfactants are also physically entrapped within the pore spaces of the rock matrix. Of chief concern is surfactant adsorption on the formation matrix which significantly decreases surfactant flood efficiency, making it necessary to inject a greater quantity of surfactant and increasing the cost of any surfactant flood.
Additionally, most surfactants are satisfactory for surfactant flooding only if the calcium and magnesium concentrations of the formation water fall below about 500 ppm. Alkyl or alkylaryl sulfonates, the most popular type of surfactants, precipitate where divalent ion concentrations exceed about 500 ppm. Such precipitation renders the sulfonates inoperative for recovering oil and in some instances, causes formation plugging.
The main cause of surfactant loss is adsorption within the formation due to physical contact of the surfactant with the formation matrix or entrapment within pores of the matrix. Surfactant systems contacting a sandstone matrix encounter a range of adsorptive sites. Although a number of adsorptive sites in sandstone are negatively charged, there are also a number of positively charged sites. For example, the surfaces of clay platelets, which are invariably present in sandstone reservoirs, have negatively charged sites, and the edges of clay platelets frequently have positively charged sites. The presence of small amounts of limestone or dolomite in sandstone will additionally introduce positively charged absorptive sites. Of course, different types of clays will have different adsorptive characteristics.
In addition to the composition of the formation matrix, it is known that the pH of the formation brine and of injected solutions can have a marked effect on adsorption of anionic surfactants. See M. J. Rosen, Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. (1978) p. 47.
The most promising approach for reducing the amount of surfactants retained by the formation matrix has been to use sacrificial agent compounds, either in a preflush solution injected before the surfactant-containing solution, or in the surfactant solution. The compounds are sacrificial in that their loss to the formation matrix reduces the loss of the more expensive surfactants and solubilizers contained within the surfactant solutions.
Various chemicals have been employed as sacrificial agents to decrease the adsorption of surfactants or to tie up polyvalent cations and prevent them from precipitating surfactants from the flooding medium. Lignosulfonates form one class of compounds which have been found to have excellent properties as sacrificial agents. They are economically attractive because they are by-products of the pulp industry. Supply is plentiful and product costs are much less than the costs of surfactants employed in enhanced oil recovery floods. The use of various lignosulfonates has been disclosed extensively in the literature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,214 discloses the use of synthetic tannin materials as sacrificial agents in surfactant floods. The synthetic tannins may be condensation products of formaldehyde and naphthalene sulfonic acids, various phenols and sulfonated phenols, diaryl sufones, urea, melamine and diamide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,370 discloses the use of urea as a cosurfactant with hydrocarbon sulfonates and alcohol in a surfactant system for enhanced oil recovery.

Method of using urea as a sacrificial agent for surfactants in enhanced oil recovery


An uninterruptible power supply device has a main power source and a backup power source and supplies power to a computer. The uninterruptible power supply device has an output power detection circuit and a control circuit which measures time until a completion of the power-off process of the computer. The control circuit alerts or extends a set time until the power-off according to the measured time.

In order for a computer to operate successfully, it is necessary to supply stable power to the computer. For a supply of the stable power to the computer, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS: Un-interruptible Power Supply) device has been used. The uninterruptible power supply device (hereinafter referred to as UPS) is provided with a battery as a backup power. For this reason, by switching the power supply to the battery, in the event of a power failure, it is possible to supply power to the computer.
In view of power saving, it is effective to cut the power supply to the computer from the UPS, when the computer does not require the power supply. Therefore, a method of indicating the power-off from the computer to the UPS has been proposed. For example, at the time of power-off, the computer software issues command to cut the UPS output after a few minutes (setting time), to the UPS. When the setting time elapses after receiving the command, the UPS cuts the power supply output unconditionally.
Within the designated time, the computer saves data, performs end processing of the application, and stops OS (Operating System). That is, because the computer is unable to control the UPS, after the OS is stopped, the setting time of the UPS was set to longer time with a margin.

Uninterruptible power supply device with alerts abnormal end of power-off processing of a computer system


An item of expandable luggage includes a substantially rigid main peripheral frame and a substantially rigid secondary peripheral frame. A peripherally continuous gusset of flexible material is connected between the two peripheral frames. Opposite wall panels of the main peripheral frame are joined to corresponding opposite wall panels of the secondary peripheral frame by bridge assemblies, one such assembly being associated with each of the opposite wall panels of the respective frames. Each bridge assembly includes a receiving member affixed to the wall panel of the first component, the receiving member having an aperture therein, and a substantially rigid bridge plate affixed to the wall panel of the second component and slidably received by the receiving members, the plate having a first and second tongue capable of cooperating with the aperture.

The needs of travelers for luggage space can vary considerably, depending on the duration of a trip, the nature of the trip in terms of the types of clothing and other gear required, and the climate of the destination. For example, regardless of the purpose and the climate, a traveler does not need as much luggage space for a trip of short duration as for a long one. Generally, a business traveler does not need as much luggage space as a recreational traveler, especially one who needs both casual and dress clothes.
One way for travelers to provide for both smaller and larger luggage space requirements is to have a moderately-sized suitcase for some trips and a large one for other trips. Another way is to have two moderate-sized suitcases and use only one when possible and use both when a larger capacity is needed. There have also been various proposals for expandable luggage. An expandable item of luggage offers the traveler a possible savings in cost as compared to the costs of purchasing more than one piece of luggage. Moreover, the capability of expanding a piece of luggage permits a traveler to change the carrying capacity during the course of a trip. Not infrequently, a traveler will make purchases on a trip and will need more room for the return trip than for travel to a destination.
Most previously known luggage having a variable volume is of the "soft" type, such as a duffle bag with expandable sections that can be collapsed and secured to a main section. The expandable "hard" luggage that is currently available lacks rigidity when expanded due to inadequate linking of separate rigid frame components that move away from each other when the luggage is expanded.


An LED device such as a lamp or light comprises an LED for emitting light and electronics for powering the LED. An enclosure retains at least a portion of the electronics. A heat sink for dissipating heat from the LED assembly is provided where a portion of the heat sink clamps the enclosure to secure the heat sink structure to the enclosure.

Light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems are becoming prevalent as replacements for older lighting systems and are used in many other applications. LED systems are an example of solid state lighting (SSL) and have advantages over traditional lighting solutions, such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting, because they use less energy, are more durable, operate longer, and generally contain no lead or mercury. A solid-state lighting system may take the form of a lighting unit, light fixture, light bulb, or a lamp. An LED lighting system may include, for example, a packaged light emitting device including one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may include inorganic LEDs, which may include semiconductor layers forming p-n junctions and/or organic LEDs, which may include organic light emission layers.


A composition and method are given for self-destructive fluid loss additives and filter cakes in wellbores and subterranean formations. The fluid loss additives and filter cakes are formed from a mixture of particulate solid acid-precursors, such as a polylactic acid or a polyglycolic acid, and particulate solid acid-reactive materials, such as magnesium oxide or calcium carbonate. In the presence of water, the solid acid-precursors hydrolyze and dissolve, generating acids that then dissolve the solid acid-reactive materials. The composition is used in oilfield treatments such as drilling, completion and stimulation where it disappears when it is no longer needed without the use of mechanical means or injection of additional fluids.

This invention relates to a composition and method for generating self-destructing filter cakes in wellbores and in subterranean formations. More particularly it relates to a composition and method for injection of solids-containing fluids that form filter cakes in which acids are generated after the filter cakes have been placed. Finally, it relates to using the composition and method in oilfield applications.
There are many oilfield applications in which filter cakes are needed in the wellbore, in the near-wellbore region or in one or more strata of the formation. Such applications are those in which without a filter cake fluid would leak off into porous rock at an undesirable rate during a well treatment. Such treatments include drilling, drill-in, completion, stimulation (for example, hydraulic fracturing or matrix dissolution), sand control (for example gravel packing, frac-packing, and sand consolidation), diversion, scale control, water control, and others. Typically, after these treatments have been completed the continued presence of the filter cake is undesirable or unacceptable.
Solid, insoluble, materials (that may be called fluid loss additives and filter cake components) are typically added to the fluids used in these treatments to form the filter cakes, although sometimes soluble (or at least highly dispersed) components of the fluids (such as polymers or crosslinked polymers) may form the filter cakes. Removal of the filter cake is typically accomplished either by a mechanical means (scraping, jetting, or the like), by subsequent addition of a fluid containing an agent (such as an acid, a base, or an enzyme) that dissolves at least a portion of the filter cake, or by manipulation of the physical state of the filter cake (by emulsion inversion, for example). These removal methods usually require a tool or addition of another fluid (for example to change the pH or to add a chemical). This can sometimes be done in the wellbore but normally cannot be done in a proppant or gravel pack. Sometimes the operator may rely on the flow of produced fluids (which will be in the opposite direction from the flow of the fluid when the filter cake was laid down) to loosen the filter cake or to dissolve the filter cake (for example if it is a soluble salt). However, these methods require fluid flow and often result in slow or incomplete filter cake removal. Sometimes a breaker can be incorporated in the filter cake but these must normally be delayed (for example by esterification or encapsulation) and they are often expensive and/or difficult to place and/or difficult to trigger.
There is a need for a new composition and method in which a filter cake is formed from at least two components, one of which slowly reacts with water, and the second of which reacts with a reaction product of the first to destroy the filter cake spontaneously.


The present invention relates to a new feature for e-mail services which provides a telephone call alert to a particular e-mail user when their e-mail server, web page e-mail server, or other e-mail receiving server receives new e-mail addressed to them. One or more designated telephone number (or numbers) are automatically called by an auto dialer at the e-mail server in response to the receipt of particularly identified high priority e-mail senders (e.g., from clients, from family, etc.). The particular designated telephone number(s) to call for a particular user are configured in a priority alert profile for that particular user, as are the possibility to limit the activation of the telephone call alert system to electronic messages received only from a select list of senders, and/or after a predetermined number of electronic messages have been received, and/or if a current time corresponds to a predetermined time to alert a recipient.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic messaging. More particularly, it relates to an improved notification of received electronic mail to a user.
2. Background of Related Art
Electronic messaging (e.g., e-mail) has become a mainstay in today's world. While paper mail services (commonly referred to in the electronic messaging world as "snail mail") continue to serve useful purposes, electronic mail services (commonly referred to as "e-mail") has become an indispensable part of communication in today's society.
Various architectures exist for providing e-mail services. For instance, the two most common e-mail system architectures either employ an e-mail server in communication with the Internet, or a web page on the Internet providing access to a group of e-mail users.
An e-mail server has an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and is connected to the Internet. The e-mail server processes electronic messages (e.g., e-mail) for a particular group of users, and parses out the group addressed mail to individual account users, providing services for sending and for receiving e-mail.
When new mail is received addressed to a particular group of users, a conventional e-mail server typically assembles a list of new messages for a user to retrieve the next time that they log on to their individual user account on the e-mail server. Thus, a user is alerted to the receipt of a new e-mail message once properly logged on to the e-mail server.
For example, in a Unix system, the e-mail server provides a textual message to the addressed user in the group indicating "you have new mail . . . " or a similar message upon receipt of at least one newly received e-mail message. As another example, AMERICA ONLINE™ Internet service includes a proprietary mail server which audibly announces "You've got mail" upon receipt of at least one new incoming e-mail message. However, the textual and/or audible announcements regarding new e-mail are limited to receipt by a logged on e-mail user currently accessing the e-mail server.
A web page based e-mail server operates somewhat similarly to a more traditional e-mail server with respect to the individual users. In particular, using a web page based mail server, a web page is established for each user. Each user accesses and logs on to their individual e-mail web page access using a suitable web browser such as NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR™ or MICROSOFT EXPLORER™. Using their web browser, a user accesses their e-mail web page, provides the appropriate password information, and then reviews their incoming mailbox to determine if they have received any e-mail messages. Examples of web based mail servers are hotmail.com™ and Yahoo!mail™.
In any event, a user must have their computer turned on, and conventionally provide an account name and password before being notified of whether or not incoming e-mail has been received. Thus, using either an e-mail server or a web page mail server, a user is notified of a received e-mail message only after they provide the requisite log on information and refresh or re-access the appropriate e-mail service.
Many users do not keep their computer terminal on at all times, or are in transit from one computer terminal to another. Unless a user has their computer terminal powered up and properly logged on to the appropriate e-mail service, conventional e-mail servers and web page e-mail servers do not provide indication to a user about the receipt of e-mail. Moreover, the requirement for the user to input an account name and password (either manually or automatically using an appropriate e-mail program such as MICROSOFT OUTLOOK™ to automatically input the account name and password) each time e-mail is to be checked is cumbersome, and causes delays between the time that the e-mail was actually received and when the user is finally notified of such receipt.
Accordingly, a disadvantage in the current electronic messaging systems (i.e., either traditional mail server or web based mail server) is that the user must power up a computer, log into the computer system and network service, and have an account name and password entered and confirmed into an e-mail server or web page e-mail server, before they are even notified as to whether or not new e-mail messages were received for them. This extensive effort can be burdensome for some users, and in some instances can cause significant delays between when the e-mail was received and when the user is actually notified of such of days and even weeks, particularly for users who receive e-mail infrequently and/or power up their computer infrequently.
There is a need for an improved electronic messaging architecture and technique which provides a more timely notification to users regarding the receipt of e-mail messages, particularly to the casual user of computers and/or e-mail services.

Electronic mail priority alert service via telephone


In some embodiments, image input data is received from multiple sources. The received image input data may then be aggregated and mapped to create a set of image input data. An event in the set of image input data may be automatically detected, such as by being triggered by a rule and an associated tag. An image mining result database may be updated by adding an entry to the database identifying each detected event and the triggering rule. An indication associated with the image mining result database may then be transmitted to a plurality of risk applications.

An entity, such as an enterprise that analyzes risk information, may want to analyze or "mine" large amounts of data, such as image data. For example, a risk enterprise might want to analyze tens of thousands of image files to look for patterns (e.g., a particular type of damage has occurred more frequently under particular circumstance). Note that an entity might analyze this data in connection with different types of risk-related applications, and, moreover, different applications may need to analyze the data differently. For example, a picture of a business or residence might have different meanings depending on the types of risk being evaluated. It can be difficult to identify patterns across such large amounts of data and different types of applications. In addition, manually managing the different needs and requirements (e.g., different business logic rules) associated with different applications can be a time consuming and error prone process. As a result, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods for efficiently and accurately mining image data in connection with risk-related applications.

System and method for evaluating images to support multiple risk applications


Methods and apparatuses for predicting characteristics of coffee using only a portable communications device having data processing capabilities and an embedded camera. Images of a comminuted substance are captured by the camera, with particle characteristics being quantified and entered into a data processor of the portable communications device. This information is combined with archived data such as known characteristics of ground coffee. The combined information is processed to predict the final characteristics of the brewed coffee. Predicted final characteristics may be displayed on a display of the portable communications device.

Many useful fluids have been prepared by dispersing comminuted solids therein. Such fluids may have relatively great utility, if certain qualities or characteristics are present. These qualities or characteristics may be highly reliant upon the amount of the comminuted solid is present in the fluid, or how much of one or more critical components of the comminuted solid has been extracted therefrom and dispersed within the fluid.
In one example of the present disclosure, brewing coffee has been part of our culture for centuries. Today, there are three main methods of brewing coffee: gravitational percolation such as drip brewing, infusion through steeping such as a French press and pressurized percolation such as espresso. The common thread of all coffee brewing is the proper extraction of the coffee that produces the desired strength for personal taste or regional preferences. The "ideal" cup of coffee has the optimum balance of extraction and strength for a brew method and type of coffee.
It is generally agreed among the various coffee associations that the ideal coffee extraction should range from 18 percent to 22 percent. However, the recommended range for strength is 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent for the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), 1.20 percent to 1.45 percent for the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE), and 1.30 percent to 1.55 percent for the Norwegian Coffee Association (NCA). These organizations confirm that coffee strength preferences are regional as well as personal.
Each of these organizations sponsor the "Golden Cup Award" to those coffee purveyors who have proven their ability to brew coffee to defined standards of quality. The SCAA defines five points of quality: (1) proper ratio of coffee to water, (2) proper grind, (3) proper equipment operation, (4) good water, and (5) clean equipment. In order to qualify for the Golden Cup Award, the coffee formula must fall between 92 grams and 120 grams of coffee for 1.9 liter of water, resulting in strength from 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent as the amount of total dissolved solids which is commonly represented as TDS percent. Each of these organizations publish a "Coffee Brewing Control Chart" that graphically parameterize extraction (solubles yield), strength percent (solubles concentration), and brew ratio (mass coffee to volume water). The chart assumes the brewing method is drip percolation with a constant absorption factor built into the formulas. The absorption factor relates to the amount of fluid that is retained in the coffee bed of grounds.
The Coffee Brewing Control Chart is referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 7,952,697, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Coffee Brewing Control Chart has served the industry well for several years but lacks the flexibility to adapt to alternative brewing methods. The Coffee Brewing Control Chart was developed using drip brewers and does not consider immersion or espresso type brewers. There are many types of brewer apparatus in existence and many of them would require a custom chart for proper coffee brewing to meet these standards.
There are additional essential elements to brewing good coffee. The coffee grind quality and size distribution will affect extraction and taste over brew time. Adjusting the grind size is the most effective way to control bitterness and astringency but is never mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 7,952,697, nor used within the Coffee Brewing Control Chart. The brewing method or equipment must control contact time, water temperature and turbulence. The SCAA and industry leaders teach that "particle size dictates brew time" (Ephraim, D., 2010 Optimizing Brewed Coffee Quality through Proper Grinding. SCAA Event Lecture). For example, the fine grind of an espresso under pressure will require a much shorter contact time than a traditional automatic drip brewer that uses a coarse grind without pressure. However, brew time is not easily adjusted for the majority of brewing apparatus which have a fixed dispersion rate of hot water onto the coffee bed of grounds. The brewer temperature as the water is emerging onto the coffee bed should be between 92 to 96 degrees C., per the SCAA. Lower temperatures will not extract properly and will result in a weak brew. Higher temperatures result in an over-extraction and contribute to the astringency and/or bitterness of the coffee. Turbulence is the amount of mixing action or agitation used during the brewing cycle. Turbulence will also cause a temporary increase in coffee extraction and assist in creating a uniform dispersion of water around the coffee grounds. Each brewing method and equipment will have its own ideal brewing settings or recipes. This is the art of brewing and will determine the best values for each brewing parameter for each individual or regional preference and type of coffee.
Because coffee consists of over 98 percent water, the quality of the water will affect extraction rate and overall taste. Water quality must be controlled for accurate coffee brewing. There are ideal ranges of TDS (125 to 175 mg/l), hardness (1-7 gr), calcium (17-120 mg/l) and an absence of iron and chlorine. Dissolved solids actually contribute to good taste; so pure water is never used.
Another element that contributes to coffee brewing quality is the filtering medium. The choices will depend on the brewing equipment and method. Cloth filters were the first used and are still in use today. The most common are the micro-etched metal screens and paper filters. The amount of residue or sediment allowed to pass through the filter will affect the mouth feel of the coffee but may also become an irritant for some people.
Brewing a superior cup of coffee requires control of more parameters than the three major ones described in the traditional Coffee Brewing Control Chart, such as that depicted in FIG. 1. A more comprehensive approach to determining the ideal brew ratio is needed that uses the mean coffee grind size as an input parameter as well as all the essential contributors to the coffee brewing method.
Coffee grind size distribution is critical in evaluating and determining coffee extraction characteristics. Coffee grinders are not calibrated to established standards and are adjusted to proprietary markings from fine to course. Without a known mean grind size, predictions of coffee extraction are inaccurate. Additionally, reproducing a coffee recipe accurately using different grinders is possible if the grinders are calibrated to each other. When the user can provide a measured average grind size, the coffee model's accuracy is greatly improved and as a result, its predictions of coffee extraction. Conventionally, coffee grind size or the particle profile is not often calculated due to expensive or labor intensive equipment. The three primary methods of determining particle size distributions are calibrated sieving trays, laser diffraction, and image analysis.
Coffee grind analysis may be performed using stacked screen sieves corresponding to U.S. standard sieves numbers 12, 16, 20 and 30. The sample is placed in the top sieve corresponding to the coarsest screen and covered. Normally, the sieve stack is placed on a mechanical shaker for 5 minutes and then each sieve weighed to determine the particle size profile. Laser diffraction is based on the principal that the intensity of the light scattered by a particle is directly proportional to the particle size. The laboratory equipment used for laser diffraction is bulky and very expensive besides having inaccuracies when measuring non-spherical particles such as coffee grounds. Computer image analysis offers very accurate representation of irregular shaped objects that are clearly delineated from the image's background or other particles. Dispersing the particles without overlap is the primary challenge using this technique.
Reducing coffee "fines" to an acceptable level is critical for eliminating over extracted coffee which results in bitter taste. This, along with a graphical representation of grind distribution, is extremely important in conveying a coffee taste profile from cupping the same coffee within distribution channels.
There remains a need in the prior art for improved ways of modeling the characteristics of brewed coffee.

Methods and systems for predicting and evaluating coffee characteristics


Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. According to the present invention, an USG (undoped silicate glass) layer is utilized during a process of forming a capacitor to leave a hard mask layer and a polysilicon layer on the top surface of a peripheral circuit region, and then a plate electrode layer on the peripheral circuit region is removed in a subsequent process to prevent a cut fuse pattern from being oxidized, thereby improving device characteristics and reliability of the semiconductor device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory device. In particular, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more specifically to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device wherein an USG (undoped silicate glass) layer is utilized during a process of forming a capacitor to leave a hard mask layer and a polysilicon layer on the top surface of a peripheral circuit region, and then a plate electrode layer on the peripheral circuit region is removed in a subsequent process to prevent a cut fuse pattern from being oxidized, thereby improving device characteristics and reliability of the semiconductor device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
FIGS. 1a through 1d are cross-sectional views illustrating a conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 1a, a barrier nitride film 17 is formed on the entire surface of a semiconductor substrate 10 having a lower structure such as a storage electrode contact plug 13 and a first interlayer insulating film 15, and then a first oxide film 20 and a nitride film (not shown) are sequentially deposited on the barrier nitride film 17. Next, the nitride film on a cell region 1000a is etched using a capacitor mask as an etching mask to form a nitride film pattern 35 exposing the first oxide film 20 in a capacitor region.
Referring to FIG. 1b, the exposed first oxide film 20 is etched using the nitride film pattern 30 as an etching mask to form a first oxide film pattern 25 defining the capacitor region.
Referring to FIG. 1c, the barrier nitride film 17 exposed in the capacitor region is etched to expose the lower structure, and then a lower electrode layer 60 is formed on the entire surface of the resultant. Next, a second oxide film 65 filling up the capacitor region is formed on the entire surface. A CMP process is performed until the first oxide film pattern 25 is exposed so as to remove the nitride film pattern 35.
Referring to FIG. 1d, the second oxide film 65 is removed to expose the lower electrode layer 60, and then a dielectric layer 70 and a plate electrode layer 80 are sequentially formed on the entire surface. Next, a planarized polysilicon layer 90 filling up at least the capacitor region is formed on the entire surface of the resultant. Thereafter, the polysilicon layer 90, the plate electrode layer 80 and the dielectric layer 70 on the peripheral circuit region 1000b adjacent to the cell region 1000a are etched by a predetermined width to expose the first oxide film pattern 25 on the peripheral circuit region 1000b.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut fuse pattern of the semiconductor device according to the conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 2, a fuse pattern (not shown) is formed on the peripheral circuit region 1000b according to the above conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. A metal line 93 is formed in the fuse pattern serving as a repair fuse. When a circuit with a defect is found during a test process for the semiconductor device, the fuse pattern corresponding the fault circuit is cut using a laser in order to prevent the fault circuit from being worked. However, according to the conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the fuse pattern includes the plate electrode layer 80 made of a metal material such as TiN, W and Cu. In the case of the cut fuse pattern, the exposed plate electrode layer 80 is oxidized to degenerate the electric characteristic of a semiconductor device even in a normal circuit.
In order to solve such a problem, a metal line 97 for an oxidation stopper is further formed between the metal line 93 and the blown portion of the fuse pattern so as to prevent the oxidation of the plate electrode layer 70 exposed in the blown portion from causing the metal line 93. However, the metal line 97 for an oxidation stopper must have an additional formation process, thus lowering the yield of the semiconductor device.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device


Techniques are described for interpreting selected portions of a user's computer text input as a query for data, performing a web search responsive to the query to generate query results, and interpolating the query results into the existing text input without the user having to leave the application in which the text input was entered. For example, textual delimiters may be defined for use by a given application that—when inserted into a text box—signal a query that the user wishes to have performed. For example, the delimiters and the associated text may be used to trigger a given query, and once the query has been performed, the delimiters and associated text may be replaced by the query results without the user ever having to leave the program or make a separate entry outside the text box in which the user is working when the query is generated.

Queries, such as Structured Query Language (SQL) queries can be a powerful tool for obtaining information. However, such queries cannot presently be performed and their results returned in computer input fields which are designated for text entry. For example, often a user may be typing text in a text-input field (in HTML parlance—a<textarea> or a <input type="text" I>, when a situation arises in which additional information is required in order to complete the text entry. For example, a user may be responding to an instant message from another user who asks: "Which places in Spain did you visit last year?" In preparing a response, the user must either try to recall the places in Spain that the user visited by memory, or perform a separate search of information—perhaps information stored elsewhere on the user's computer—before responding with, "Last year in Spain I visited Seville, Mallorca, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Granada and Cordoba."
So, even if the user is able to recall the places specifically, completing this text entry takes a considerable amount of typing and memory. And, if the user does not recall the answer to her friend's question, she will be forced to leave the text-input field, and likely leave the instant messaging application altogether to perform a separate search. Then, any such search results are likely to be returned in a fashion which may not readily lend itself to the text input window, or which at a minimum must undergo several additional operations to return them to the text-input field in which the user desires to include the information reflecting the search results in her text response.
Therefore, there exists an opportunity to improve technologies for interpreting selected portions of a user's computer text input as a query for data, performing a web or other search responsive to the query to generate query results, and interpolating the query results into the existing text input without the user having to leave the application in which the text input was entered.

Query interpolation in computer text input


A theme park permits interactions between visitors and remote viewers in Mixed Reality. The park has devices controllable by visitors and viewers. A viewer uses an app to interact. A visitor can use an app on a mobile device. Viewers watch or follow a visitor (akin to esports). A viewer can change physical aspects at the park. Including opening and closing a door or window, moving a vehicle, adjusting a fountain. Visitor and viewer can form a team. A viewer can aid or hinder a visitor. Visitor and viewer can trade virtual assets. The park makes a movie for a theatre. The viewer watches the movie and captures items that the visitor uses in the park. There can be multiple Mixed Realities.

Theme parks have exhibits or themes. These are interactive experiences for visitors. Parks struggle to make unique and more memorable experiences so visitors will keep visiting, as well as having others visit the park for the first time. The competition is other parks and other recreational pursuits, including computer games.
A problem a theme park can have is the physical size. There are legal limits on maximum attendance. While the marginal cost of an extra visitor might be small, it is expensive in terms of land and buildings for a park to significantly expand its footprint.
Another problem is that visiting a park is too expensive for many people. In terms of travel time and accommodation. Or also if the people are in less developed countries, with lower incomes compared to the incomes of most visitors.
Esports have become popular. Fans watch players play computer games. The fans might watch on their own computers (mobile phones, laptops, PCs . . . ) via an aggregated viewing platform like Twitch™. The platform shows live or recorded video of games. The players are playing (or have played) the games. The fans are remote from the players. In general, the fans are also remote from each other. They can be at many different locations in the world.
In another esports modality, players and fans are in a stadium. The game is also broadcast so that fans not in the stadium can watch remotely.


A vehicle decklid system uses a planetary gear drive to move a decklid relative to a vehicle body. The planetary gear drive includes a rotatable gear that is disposed between two fixed gears. One fixed gear is rigidly mounted to the decklid and one fixed gear is rigidly mounted to the vehicle body. A rotating link connects centers of the rotatable gear and two fixed gears. The combination of the planetary gear drive and rotating link make it possible to provide powered complex, two-dimensional motion of the decklid requiring a four-bar linkage.

The present invention is directed to vehicle decklid control systems, and more particularly to a system that uses a planetary gear drive to move a vehicle decklid relative to a vehicle body.
Vehicle decklids for both trunks and hoods often use four-bar linkages to provide two-dimensional movement (i.e., rotational and translational movement) to the decklid. When designing a four-bar linkage, care must be taken to ensure that the four-bar linkage is strong enough to handle a decklid load. Often, the four-bar linkage requires additional reinforcement, which increases the overall cost of the four-bar linkage.
Further, four-bar linkages use two pin joints to mount the linkage to the vehicle body. These pin joints are also subjected to high load forces, causing the pin joints to wear quickly and have a short lifespan. Although it is possible to design pin joints with an increased lifespan by making the pin joints thicker or sturdier, increasing the strength of the pin joints also induces a great deal of friction in the four-bar linkage. The additional friction is detrimental to the overall performance of the decklid system.
There have been proposed systems that include gear trains driven by an electric motor to move the decklid between open and closed positions and potentially reduce the load applied to the four-bar linkages and the pin joints. However, these systems often require a gear reduction mechanism to drive the links directly, creating a large system package. Moreover, currently known decklid driving systems only provide rotational, circular movement of the decklid and not any translational movement, making it impossible to provide powered operation of the complex, two-dimensional movement provided by four-bar linkages.
There is a desire for a system that operates without a four-bar linkage, and which can provide powered operation of a vehicle decklid in a complex, non-circular motion.

Vehicle decklid system with planetary gear


The present invention relates to a process for an epimerization of a saccharide in a microdevice consisting of a network of micron-sized channels in presence of molybdenum containing catalyst. It further relates to the use of a microdevice consisting of a network of micron-sized channels for the epimerization reaction of saccharides and the oligomerization of the thus obtained epimerized saccharide, preferably into manno-oligosaccharides.

In order to continually improve physical standards of living for greater number of people, it is necessary to achieve more results with fewer resources. Therefore there is the tendency towards building and manufacturing smaller-scale products due to the desire for size efficiency. Most recently, scientists have learned that not only electronic devices, but also mechanical devices, may be miniaturized and batch-fabricated, promising the same benefits to the mechanical world as integrated circuit technology has given to the electronic world.
Saccharide epimerisation reactions are well known and it is in particular known that glucose may be epimerised to give an equilibrium mixture of glucose and mannose by means of a molybdenum catalyst. The earliest reference to this reaction is by V. Bilik in Chem. Zvesti, 26, 183-186 (1972) while U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,878, published 14 Jun. 1977, contains a description of a process using the catalytic reaction. Examples of suitable molybdenum catalysts given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,878 include molybdic acid, isopolymolybdic acids, heteropolymolybdic acids and acid salts such as sodium phosphomolybdate and silicomolybdic acid. This patent also describes the possibility of using as catalyst an anion exchange resin in which the hydroxyl ions have been replaced by molybdate ions.
A later Japanese patent JP 55076894 discloses the use of molybdate immobilised on anion exchange fibers. When activity of the molybdate-anion exchange fibre conjugate diminishes, the epimerisation process is stopped and the exhausted catalysator is leached off with alkali. Immobilisation of fresh molybdic acid on the original anion exchange fibre ensures a new active molybdate-anion exchange fiber conjugate.
European Patent 0 400 641 B1 also describes the use of molybdate exchanged anion exchange resin for epimerisation purposes. In this patent operation parameters are chosen in such a way that a minimal amount of bound molybdenum is leached out during epimerisation.
EP 0 710 501 describes the catalyst regeneration of a supported molybdenum catalyst.
Kockritz describes in Applied Catalysis A: General 334 (2008) pages 112-118, a rearrangement of glucose to mannose catalysed by polymer-supported molybdenum catalysts in the liquid phase.
Japanese patent publication (JP 4-368347, published 21 Dec. 1992) describes the use of a supported catalyst on a macroporous, strongly basic anion exchange resin.
In general, the benefits of miniaturized systems have been recognized but there is still a need for further developing the use of these systems in reactions for epimerization reactions and/or oligomerisation of saccharides.


A columnar air moving device can comprise separately formed modular stator vanes in a stator vane assembly. The stator vanes can be arranged in a radial pattern, and can direct air in an axial direction. The modular stator vanes, as well as other components of the stator vane assembly, can be replaced, adjusted, and/or removed from the columnar air moving device.

1. Field of the Inventions
The present application relates to heating, ventilating and air conditioning air spaces, and more particularly to systems, devices and methods for moving air in a columnar pattern with minimal lateral dispersion that are particularly suitable for penetrating air spaces and air temperature de-stratification.
2. Description of the Related Art
The rise of warmer air and the sinking of colder air creates significant variation in air temperatures between the ceiling and floor of buildings with conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Such air temperature stratification is particularly problematic in large spaces with high ceilings such as warehouses, gymnasiums, offices, auditoriums, hangers, commercial buildings, and even residences with cathedral ceilings, and can significantly increase heating and air conditioning costs. Further, both low and high ceiling rooms can have stagnant or dead air. For standard ceiling heights with duct outlets in the ceiling there is a sharp rise in ceiling temperatures when the heat comes on.
One proposed solution to air temperature stratification is a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are relatively large rotary fans, with a plurality of blades, mounted near the ceiling. The blades of a ceiling fan have a flat or airfoil shape. The blades have a lift component that pushes air upwards or downwards, depending on the direction of rotation, and a drag component that pushes the air tangentially. The drag component causes tangential or centrifugal flow so that the air being pushed diverges or spreads out. Conventional ceiling fans are generally ineffective as an air de-stratification device in relatively high ceiling rooms because the air pushed by conventional ceiling fans is not maintained in a columnar pattern from the ceiling to the floor, and often disperses or diffuses well above the floor.
Another proposed solution to air temperature stratification is a fan connected to a vertical tube that extends substantially from the ceiling to the floor. The fan may be mounted near the ceiling, near the floor or in between. This type of device may push cooler air up from the floor to the ceiling or warmer air down from the ceiling to the floor. Such devices, when located away from the walls in an open space in a building, interfere with floorspace use and are not aesthetically pleasing. When confined to locations only along the walls of an open space, such devices may not effectively circulate air near the center of the open space. Examples of fans connected to vertical tubes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,342 to Hughes, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,479 to Whiteley.
A device that provides a column of air that has little or no diffusion from the ceiling the floor, without a vertical tube, can effectively provide air de-stratification. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,473,000 and 4,662,912 to Perkins disclose a device having a housing, with a rotating impeller having blades in the top of the housing and a plurality of interspersed small and large, vertically extending, radial stationary vanes spaced below the impeller having blades in the housing. The device disclosed by Perkins is intended to direct the air in a more clearly defined pattern and reduce dispersion. Perkins, however, does not disclose the importance of a specific, relatively small gap between the impeller blades and the stationary vanes, and the device illustrated creates a vortex and turbulence due to a large gap and centrifugal air flow bouncing off the inner walls of the housing between the blades and vanes. Perkins also discloses a tapering vane section. The tapering vane section increases velocity of the exiting air stream.
A device with a rotary fan that minimizes the rotary component of the air flow while maximizing the axial air flow quantity and velocity can provide a column of air that flows from a high ceiling to a floor in a columnar pattern with minimal lateral dispersion that does not require a physical transporting tube. Such a device can reduce the energy loss by minimizing the rotary component of the air flow, and therefore minimizes turbulence. Such a device can minimize back pressure, since a pressure drop at the outlet of the device will cause expansion, velocity loss and lateral dispersion. The device can have minimum noise and low electric power requirements.

Columnar air moving devices, systems and method


A method and system operative to process color image data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise the steps of receiving color image data, determining the color ranges to be applied to the color image data, assigning each of the pixel positions in the image data a color range, assigning a different spatial binary pattern to each color range, and assigning each of the pixel positions a binary output pixel value that corresponds to the spatial binary pattern assigned to the color range assigned to that pixel position. The resulting binary image data can be written to a file for subsequent storage, transmission, processing, or retrieval and rendering. In other embodiments, a system can be made operative to accomplish the same.

Image sensor based terminals are known to be used in industrial data collection applications. For example, image sensor based indicia reading terminals have been used for a number of years for purposes of decoding information encoded in bar code symbols. Commercially available image sensor based terminals can have color image sensors that are capable of taking color pictures. However, the resulting files used to store the colored images can sometimes be large, and can be of varied and sometimes proprietary formats that limit their usability to systems that require proprietary hardware or software to process them. Binary image data structures can be used to represent color, but are limited to only two colors, typically black and white. It would be useful to have a system and method for storing and retrieving color images in binary format, whereby each pixel in the image is represented by a single binary value while retaining the rich color information in the original image, thereby reducing storage space requirements and facilitating processing of that image by legacy systems designed to process binary files.

Method and system operative to process color image data