When images recorded in a memory card are read and reduced images of image files are displayed on a liquid crystal monitor in order, printing information of the image files is referred to. An image of which two or more prints have been designated is enclosed by a predetermined-colored (for example, yellow) frame, and a figure is displayed according the number of the prints that have been designated. An image of which any prints have not been designated is not enclosed by the frame. An image that has been printed is enclosed by an another-colored (for example, blue) frame.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital camera and an image displaying method. More particularly, this invention relates to printing information displaying technics in a digital camera with a print order function in which numbers of prints to be produced and the like of images obtained by shooting can be designated.
2. Description of Related Art
In a digital camera, an image obtained by shooting is recorded in a memory built in the camera or a recording medium (a removable medium) such as a detachable IC card or the like as digital image data. The recorded image can not only be displayed on a displaying device such as a liquid crystal monitor but also printed with a personal printer for domestic use or the like. The digital photo print service, for printing out images recorded in the recording medium taken by a user and providing the prints for the user, has recently started.
Japanese patent provisional publication No. 10-126724 discloses an apparatus that displays a list of digital images shot by a digital camera on a monitor for the user to designate images to be printed.
In silver halide photographing, a photo system, in which the number of prints to be produced and titles are recorded in magnetic recording layer of a photo film as magnetic information and the magnetic information is read to be used for a printing processing, has been proposed. For example, Japanese patent provisional publication No. 8-9315 discloses an apparatus that reads images recorded on a developed film having a magnetic recording layer with a line sensor and displays the film images on a monitor, and discloses a method of adding and editing print order information with reference to a list of the images in the film cartridge displayed with the apparatus.
In the conventional digital cameras, however, if print number information of the images is set, it is difficult to realize which image has been designated to be printed, and it is difficult to realize whether one print has been designated or a plurality of prints has been designated, and it is difficult to realize which image has been printed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera and an image displaying method in which it is easy to realize whether or not an image has been designated to be printed, and it is easy to realize whether or not a plurality of prints have been designated, and it is easy to realize whether or not an image has been printed.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital camera which images a subject image with an imaging device and records image data obtained by the imaging in a recording medium, the digital camera comprising: a displaying device that displays an image obtained through the imaging device or an image stored in the recording medium; a printing information adding device that adds printing information with respect to an image to be recorded in the recording medium or an image stored in the recording medium; and a display controlling device that displays the image obtained through the imaging device or the image stored in the recording medium and one or more images on a screen of the displaying device according to the printing information, the display controlling device displaying figures on the screen with respect to images that have been designated for printing according to the printing information.
According to the present invention, when the image obtained through the imaging device or the image stored in the recording medium is displayed on the screen of the displaying device, the printing information of the image is referred to, and the display is changed according to the printing information. The figures are displayed with respect to the images that have been designated for printing. Therefore, the user can easily realize whether or not the images have been designated for printing only by looking at the images on the screen.
The display controlling device displays the images that have been designated for printing with frames and/or shades, and thus the images that have been designated for printing can be differentiated from the images that have not been designated for printing.
The display controlling device cascade-displays images that have been designated for a plurality of prints as if the plurality of prints were piled up. The cascade display makes it easier for the user to realize that the images have been designated for the plurality of prints. The display controlling device displays print numbers of the images that have been designated for printing.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital camera which images a subject image with an imaging device and records image data obtained by the imaging in a recording medium, the digital camera comprising: a displaying device that displays an image obtained through the imaging device or an image stored in the recording medium; a printing information adding device that adds printing information with respect to an image to be recorded in the recording medium or an image stored in the recording medium; and a display controlling device that displays the image obtained through the imaging device or the image stored in the recording medium and one or more images on a screen of the displaying device according to the printing information, the display controlling device displaying figures on the screen with respect to images that have been printed according to the printing information.
According to the present invention, when the image obtained through the imaging device or the image stored in the recording medium is displayed on the screen of the displaying device, the printing information of the image is referred to, and the display is changed according to the printing information. The figures are displayed with respect to the images that have been printed. Therefore, the user can easily realize whether or not the images have been printed only by looking at the images on the screen.
The display controlling device displays the images that have been printed with frames and/or shades.
The figures with respect to the images that have been designated for printing and the figures with respect to the images that have been printed may be displayed on one screen so that whether or not the images have been designated for printing and whether or not the images have been printing can be realized at one time.
The digital camera may have a built-in printing device that prints the image according to the image data recorded in the recording medium. If printing is performed with the built-in printing device, printing information indicating xe2x80x9cPRINTEDxe2x80x9d is added with respect to the image data of the printed image.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image displaying method of displaying an image with printing information or an image without printing information on a monitor, the image displaying method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the image displayed on the monitor has been designated for printing according to the printing information; and changing display of the image displayed on the monitor diagrammatically according to the result of the determination so that it can be realized whether or not the image displayed on the monitor has been designated for printing. Only an image that has been designated for printing may be displayed with a frame and/or a shade, and an image that has been designated for a plurality of prints may be cascade-displayed as if the plurality of prints were piled up.
The number of prints that have been designated is displayed with the image whose display has been diagrammatically changed. Thus, the print number can be confirmed even if the plurality of prints have been designated.
The image displaying method further comprises the steps of: adding, changing or deleting the printing information with respect to the image displayed on the monitor; and recording the printing information in the recording medium with the image.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image displaying method of displaying an image with printing information or an image without printing information on a monitor, the image displaying method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the image displayed on the monitor has been printed according to the printing information; and changing display of the image displayed on the monitor diagrammatically according to the result of the determination so that it can be realized whether or not the image displayed on the monitor has been printed. Only an image that has been printed may be displayed with a frame and/or a shade.

Digital camera and image displaying method


A method and apparatus is described for reworking a printed circuit board having plugged vias and plated through holes. The printed circuit board, supported by a movable local support, is heated from only the bottom side by a heating device near the area on the PCB that contains the plated through hole or holes to be reworked. The heating device is removed when the solder in the plugged PTH is completely melted. At that time, blast air is turned on to remove and blow off the excess solder in the PTH. The compressed air is more effective in displacing the molten solder than is vacuuming, and has less chance of damaging the PCB than do conventional reworking methods, due to the non-contact nature of the invention.

In the past, defective printed circuit boards have been recycled by using a hot air solder leveling tool to clear solder-plugged vias and plated through holes (PTHs). Such a process, however, required prolonged heating of the entire printed circuit board. The prolonged heating often damaged the circuit board, so the proposed process could never be implemented reliably.
The present invention is a new machine and method for clearing the plugged vias and PTHs of printed circuit boards. The new machine and reworking process utilize localized slow heating of the PTHs that minimizes thermal shock. In addition, the invention does not physically contact the PTHs and surrounding land, thus avoiding or minimizing damage to the metal plating during the reworking process. A plugged hole on the defective panel is heated from below by convection; a subsequent air blast clears the molten solder therefrom.

Machine and process for reworking circuit boards

International Business Machines Corporation


Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have produced generations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. However, these advances have increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed. In the mainstream course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. However, this mainstream evolution needs to follow the Moore's rule by a huge investment in facility establishment. Therefore, it has been a study topic that using current semiconductor technology develops more valuable ICs product.
As is well understood in the art, semiconductor devices are typically formed using multiple layers of material, including conductive, semi-conductive, and insulative layers. To provide electrical conductivity between layers in a semiconductor device, a hole or via may be formed through certain layers. The via is then lined with a barrier layer, such as Ti, TiN, or Ti/TiN, and filled with an electrically conductive material, such as a metal, to provide electrical conductivity between the layers.
Currently, a twice-photolithography-twice-etch process is typically used to provide holes or vias with pitches below 115 nm. The cost and processing time is typically double that of a single process for each via layer. Current methods involve long process times, high costs, damage to vias, and concern of via to via overlap. Back-end-of line (BEOL) process issues also need to be minimized. Thus, better methods are needed to define small via pitch dimensions.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods of patterning small via pitch dimensions

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Compnay, Ltd.


A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness for attaching to a user. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap or backpack assembly. A belt is connected to the upper torso harness and extends around a waist and back area of the user. Leg straps are affixed to the upper torso harness proximate to a gluteal area of the user and configured to extend down a hamstring area to cross in front of a knee area and further extend down a calf area to a foot anchor. The leg straps are made of an elastic material with a pocket around the knee area of the user. The foot anchor may extend under the heel to an arch strap, or cross over the talus and under the arch of the foot. The upper torso harness and leg straps are passive without active members.

A variety of human assistance devices provide aid for human motion. Some work tasks and activities demand frequent and heavy lifting or long-term strenuous movement, beyond normal unassisted physical exertion, and can lead to exhaustion and potential injury. In particular, excessive strain on muscles and joints can cause injury to the back, legs, and knees with associated reduction in productivity. The human assistance device as worn by the user is designed to overcome or compensate for the added load or strain and make many work tasks easier to perform.
In one embodiment, the human assistance device uses an exoskeleton with rigid components e.g., linkages and joints, attached to the user's body. The exoskeleton joints are ideally positioned to have an axis of rotation collinear with a natural axis of rotation for adjacent joints. The rigid exoskeleton relies on a framework of linkages connected to the body at select locations via pads and straps to provide the ability to augment human movements that need assistance or otherwise enhance the user's performance, stability, balance, and safety. As the user flexes or extends their limbs, these rigid links move in parallel with the limb, adding considerable inertia to movement. Unfortunately, the rigid exoskeleton also causes considerable restriction to the user's motion that impedes natural and fluid movement.
In another example, U.S. patent publication 2015/0321339 discloses a soft exosuit that generates forces about one or more joints based on anchor elements and connection elements disposed between the anchor elements. The exosuit uses sensors to determine forces on the anchor or connection elements. Actuators are configured to change tension in the soft exosuit in response to the sensors. The exosuit tends to be complex with an overreliance on active components, such as sensors and actuators, to control its operation. The intricate interconnection of anchor elements, connection elements, sensors, and actuators tends to be expensive to manufacture, difficult to configure, slow in response, and overall low reliability.

Personal augmentation suit and method for assisted human motion


Methods of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue include providing fresh biological tissue, cross-linking the tissue, treating the cross-linked tissue with an alcohol for a time sufficient to allow the alcohol to be diffused into the tissue, and treating the alcohol-treated fixed tissue with a polyol for a time sufficient to allow fluid in the tissue to be replaced by the polyol. The methods may include sterilizing the cross-linked tissue in a solution including propylene oxide or peracetic acid either before or after the alcohol treatment step; or drying the alcohol/polyol-treated, cross-linked tissue, sterilizing the dried tissue by exposure to ethylene oxide or peracetic acid, and storing the sterilized tissue in a dry, ambient environment. The treated tissue may be a tissue component for a bioprosthetic valve, a valve assembly for a bioprosthetic valve or a fully assembled bioprosthetic valve incorporating the tissue.

The present disclosure is directed to prosthetic medical devices, in particular, prosthetic heart valves. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to prosthetic heart valves formed from biological tissue, and to the treatment of such tissue to resist calcification.
Bioprosthetic tissue is often used in bioprosthetic devices or to repair damaged tissue in a patient. For example, it has become common practice to replace damaged or diseased native heart valves with bioprosthetic valves. The bioprosthetic valve, which is also generally known as a "tissue valve," may be made with tissue of biological origin, such as tissue of porcine or bovine origin. Such valves are less likely to cause blood clotting and have improved hemodynamic properties compared to mechanical valves that may be made of metal or synthetic polymeric materials.
The most common cause for the failure of implanted bioprosthetic devices is in vivo calcification. The mechanism of calcification of bioprosthetic tissue is not fully understood. Calcification may be due to host factors, implant factors, and extraneous factors such as mechanical stress. Certain components within the bioprosthetic tissue, such as phospholipids, cholesterol, collagen and elastin, are known to be susceptible to calcification. They can become calcified following the implantation of bioprosthetic valves. The calcification can result in undesirable stiffening or degradation of the bioprosthesis, which leads to device failure.
Typically prior to implantation, the biological tissue is chemically cross-linked or fixed with agents such as glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde in order to prevent rejection when implanted into a recipient, to provide sterilization, and to help stabilize the proteins in the tissue, thereby making the tissue and the bioprosthetic device containing such tissue more durable to withstand prolonged use and millions of cycles of opening and closing under circulatory pressure without fatigue. Glutaraldehyde is the most commonly used fixative that can be applied at a physiological pH under aqueous conditions for preparing tissue for implantation. Unfortunately, glutaraldehyde is now known to promote in vivo calcification. The unstable glutaraldehyde creates potential calcium binding sites within the tissue that can lead to calcification.
Various techniques have been developed in the treatment of bioprosthetic tissue for mitigating in vivo calcification. One such attempt, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,566 to Carpentier et al., involves a pretreatment of glutaraldehyde-fixed bioprosthetic tissue with a calcification-inhibiting amount of ferric or stannic ions or a mixture thereof. The CARPENTIER-EDWARDS ThermaFix™ tissue process is an FDA-approved anti-calcification treatment of bioprosthetic tissue that reduces the calcium binding sites by a two-step process, with a first thermal treatment to remove up to 81 percent of the unstable glutaraldehyde and a second chemical treatment to remove 98 percent of the phospholipids. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,516, Seifter et al. disclose a method of treating aldehyde-fixed biological tissue with a liquid polyol to minimize in vivo calcification. The polyol is at least 60% in a solution, and preferably solvent-free. Levy et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,775, discloses a tissue anti-calcification process for a collagenous biomaterial in which the biomaterial is exposed to an alcohol to inhibit calcification. The biomaterial, preferably glutaraldehyde-pretreated, is subjected to an aqueous solution of 60% to 80% of a lower aliphatic alcohol, such as ethanol, for a period of at least 20 minutes, and preferably, 24 to 72 hours. The biomaterial is then rinsed, and stored in a glutaraldehyde solution or ethanol-glutaraldehyde solution. This process reduces the toxicity of glutaraldehyde, and removes 99 percent of the cholesterol and 94 percent of the phospholipids in bioprosthetic tissue, resulting in resistance to calcification in various preclinical models.
To prevent the transmission of disease-causing microorganisms to the device recipient, the tissue and the bioprosthetic device made therefrom should be sterile. The bioprosthetic device should be stored in a sterile and stable condition from manufacture until use. For example, bioprosthetic heart valves, including surgical and transcatheter heart valves, are typically sterilized and stored in an aldehyde solution (i.e., glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde) prior to use. These solutions help keep the tissue in a hydrated state and kill any microbes that may be attached to the tissue. However, both glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde are irritants and have some inherent level of toxicity. Glutaraldehyde is also known to contribute to in vivo calcification. A bioprosthetic device that is stored in such a solution therefore must be extensively rinsed to remove any residual aldehydes prior to implantation.
Attempts have been made to develop a bioprosthetic valve that is in a substantially "dry" form, substantially free of glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde, and ready for implantation with minimal preparation prior to surgery. Chen et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,004, disclose a process for dry storing bioprosthetic devices comprising a tissue component. The process includes treating the fixed tissue component with an aqueous solution comprising dimensional stabilizers such as polyhydric alcohols or their derivatives. Another strategy, described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,748,490 to Dove et al., is to dehydrate the bioprosthetic tissue in a glycerol/ethanol mixture. However, such dehydration processes do not provide the tissue with calcification resistance.
Bioprosthetic tissue in the "dry" form is usually sterilized with ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, or electron beam irradiation. However, ethylene oxide sterilization requires the tissue to be exposed to increased temperatures and water vapor which may damage or rehydrate the tissue. Gamma irradiation is known to cause backbone scission and breakage of collagen fibrils, leading to decreased mechanical and biochemical functionality in the tissue. Electron beam irradiation will also cleave the collagen backbone and lead to deterioration of the tissue structure and reactivity. These types of damage during sterilization and/or storage may contribute to valve deterioration and structural failure.
Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop a method of preparing bioprosthetic tissue or a bioprosthetic device containing such tissue so as to minimize in vivo calcification and allow for sterilization and storage in a non-toxic environment without causing damage to the tissue.

Method of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.


Methods and systems for forced advertising are provided. These methods and systems determine when a forced advertisement is to be presented, determine what forced advertisement is to be presented, and control how the forced advertisement is to be presented. A forced advertisement may be received prior to the time at which the forced advertisement is to be presented or when needed. The forced advertisement may be presented when certain broadcast advertisements are being broadcast, at certain times of the day, or at certain times within a program. The forced advertisements may be selected based upon content of a replaced broadcast advertisement, content of a nearby program, or independently of any broadcast-related factors. Finally, forced advertisements may be presented so that a television viewer cannot escape viewing the advertisement by changing channels or turning off the television.

This invention relates to television advertising. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and systems for providing forced advertisements to viewers.
Television viewers are currently exposed to a wide variety of advertising when watching most non-premium television channels. This advertising is typically presented to promote an advertiser's products and services and, at the same time, sponsor or subsidize the cost of providing television programming. Television advertising in this way is generally viewed as a highly effective means of promoting products and services, but is also recognized as being very expensive.
One problem with television advertising is that television viewers frequently change channels as soon as a television advertisement appears. This act is colloquially known as "channel surfing." Recent technologies have also facilitated skipping commercials when programs are buffered by or stored on personal video recorders which digitally store programs on disk drives. For example, when a program is stored on a disk drive of a personal video recorder, a television viewer may press a button that causes the recorded program to jump in thirty second increments and thereby skip the typical thirty second commercial.
Another problem with television advertising is that television broadcasters typically have exclusive control of the advertisements that are shown on a corresponding channel viewed by a television viewer. This prevents a television distributors, such as cable and satellite television companies, from being able to provide alternate advertising to the television viewer.
Thus, it is desirable to provide methods and systems for forcing advertisements on viewers. Such methods and systems preferably facilitate preventing viewers from changing channels away from, or skipping, television advertisements. These methods and systems also preferably facilitate providing alternative advertising from that provided by television broadcasters to television viewers.


A mechanism is provided for adapting a network topology, in which the network topology comprises a plurality of points, a plurality of connections, each connection connecting a pair of points, and a zoneset comprising a plurality of zones, each zone defining a series of points that are connected. The mechanism performs operations of receiving one or more user inputs, each user input comprising a change to a zone, performing an analysis of the or each user input, to determine one or more consistent universal changes to the zoneset, presenting an output to the user comprising one or more of the determined consistent universal changes to the zoneset, receiving a selection user input selecting a presented consistent universal change to the zoneset, and changing the zoneset according to the selected consistent universal change to the zoneset.

This invention relates to a method of, and a system for, adapting a network topology.
Connections between devices in a network can be represented by a network topology. This topology represents the connections between the different components in the network, and can be a physical topology representing actual physical connections between the components, or can be a logical topology representing how communications are permitted over the existing physical network.
One such network topology is the administration of the connectivity of a fibre channel storage area network. Such a network connects storage disk systems, storage controllers, storage virtualization servers and hosts using fibre channel switches and fibre optic cables. The components of the storage area network that are connected together are each given a unique "world wide node name". An important element of a storage area network is increased reliability by the use of redundant components. To increase redundancy and throughput, each component is likely to support multiple fibre channel ports and each of these is given a unique "world wide port name". To increase redundancy and throughput, each node is also likely to be duplicated and will share with its equivalent partner nodes the particular task in the storage area network, so there is likely to be two or more paired switches, pairs of storage virtualization nodes in an input/output group, paired storage controller front ends and so on.
In the administration of the storage area network connectivity, the goal is generally to configure for the maximum possible redundancy so there are as many as possible redundant paths between any two points. Most nodes will run intelligent multipathing software that will notice a point to point path failing and fail-over to using a second path that is still open. This is ideal from a system reliability point of view. However, the creation of redundancy via storage area network connectivity administration is a more skilful task that the simple describing/configuring of the point-to-point graph of the connectivity between hosts and storage nodes in the storage area network. A well configured storage area network also results in a graph of connectivity between port names that is much more complex than the equivalent simple non-redundant graph of connectivity.
The administration of a network topology that represents a storage area network is a non-trivial task. In particular, the addition or deletion of port connections in the storage area network, when carried out manually, is a process that is heavily prone to error.

International Business Machines Corporation


A foldable extension ladder includes first and second ladder sections; each ladder section including a three foldable sections, each foldable section including a pair of end rails and a plurality of transverse rungs connecting the pair of end rails in a parallel, spaced apart relation, hinges for hingedly connecting together the three foldable sections in end to end relation for movement between an in-line configuration and a folded configuration in which all of the foldable sections are arranged in a substantially parallel, overlaying relation with each other, each hinge including a pivot pin pivotally connecting ends of two adjacent foldable sections, the pivot pins of all hinges of the first ladder section being arranged to a first side of the first ladder section, when the first ladder section is in the in-line configuration, the pivot pins of all hinges of the second ladder section being arranged to a first side of the second ladder section, when the second ladder section is in the in-line configuration, and a pivoted hook assembly releasably locking each hinge in a fixed position when two foldable sections at opposite ends of each hinge are arranged in the in-line configuration; and the end rails of the first and second ladder sections being slidably connected together in the lengthwise direction of the ladder, at second, opposite sides of the first and second ladder sections such that the first and second ladder sections are fully slidable with respect to each other.

The present invention relates generally to ladders, and more particularly, is directed to an extension ladder that is fully foldable into a compact configuration.
A conventional extension ladder includes a lower ladder section and an upper ladder section arranged in parallel, sliding relation to each other. Each ladder section includes two elongated end rails connected together in a parallel, spaced apart relation by a plurality of transverse rungs.
The manner of slidably connecting the first and second ladder sections to each other may take various forms. For example, the upper ladder section may slide within the lower ladder section, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,143 to Kummerlin et al and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,470 to Ashton. Alternatively, the upper ladder section may be connected with the lower ladder section to slide adjacent thereto, for example, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 745,320 to Bruno and U.S. Pat. No. 2,162,040 to Webster.
A problem, however, with conventional extension ladders is that the ladder sections are generally formed as continuous, non-folding straight sections. As a result, each ladder section has a substantial length. Because of this extensive length, a conventional extension ladder can, for all practical purposes, only be carried by a truck, van or the like. In other words, it is impractical to carry a conventional extension ladder in an automobile or the like.
In an attempt to overcome these shortcomings, foldable ladders, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,185 to Wenger and U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,327 to Su, have recently gained in popularity. A conventional foldable ladder includes three or more foldable sections that are hinged together in end to end relation. Thus, the foldable sections can be folded between a fully extended position in which the foldable sections are arranged in-line, that is, in the same plane, and a compact storage position in which the foldable sections are provided in parallel, overlaying relation. In addition, various intermediate configurations can be achieved. In order to provide such movement between the in-line configuration and the fully folded configuration in which the foldable sections are provided in parallel, overlaying relation, the hinges are provided in alternating fashion on opposite sides of the ladder, as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,772 to Weis et al, so that the foldable sections are folded in a zig-zag manner between the fully extended in-line configuration and the compact fully folded storage position.
Although the hinges are conventionally provided in such alternating fashion, U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,432 to Gurley and U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,327 to Su each show a foldable ladder in which the hinges are provided on the same side of the ladder. However, the reason for such arrangement of the hinges is to place the ladder in the shown U-shaped configurations. Thus, all of the foldable sections cannot be folded in a parallel, overlaying relation for compact storage. As a result, transport of the ladder is difficult, since the ladder always occupies a large amount of space.
In any event, all of the aforementioned folding ladders present another problem. Specifically, the number of foldable sections that can be hinged together is limited. This is because, unlike a conventional extension ladder, a foldable ladder only has the thickness of a single ladder section for supporting a person. Thus, the foldable ladder becomes more and more unstable as the length of the foldable ladder increases. In other words, the greater the length of such a foldable ladder, the greater the bending and swaying of the foldable ladder when it is fully extended in the in-line configuration. For this reason, foldable ladders that are now sold are of limited length, for example, twelve to fourteen feet, or the like, which is much less than the length that can be achieved with a conventional extension ladder.
A hybrid ladder is also known, which includes an upper foldable ladder section and at least one lower non-foldable ladder section slidably connected with the upper foldable ladder section. An example of such a hybrid ladder in which the upper ladder section includes two foldable sections is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,470 to Ashton, while an example of such a hybrid ladder in which the upper ladder section includes four foldable sections is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,024,039 to Harting.
However, such a hybrid ladder, while being of a slightly greater length than a conventional foldable ladder, due to the addition of at least one lower non-foldable ladder section, is still limited in its length. This is due to the non-foldable nature of the lower ladder section.
In addition, it will be appreciated that with conventional foldable ladders, the largest bending of the ladder occurs in the middle of the ladder. This is because the lower end of the ladder is in contact with the ground and the opposite upper end of the ladder is in contact with the side of a building. This large bending does not occur with conventional extension ladders due to the fact that the upper and lower ladder sections thereof are connected at the middle of the ladder and thereby provide a double thickness and thereby a reinforcement thereat. With the hybrid ladders, each non-foldable ladder section is connected to a foldable end section of the foldable ladder section, so that, when extended in an in-line arrangement, the middle of the ladder is still of a single thickness, and thereby inherently weak.

Foldable extension ladder and ladder sections therefor


A gravity gradiometer instrument alternately and sequentially rotatable in opposing angular increments provides a measure of the gravity gradient in-line and cross components without requiring real-time generation of trigonometric harmonic components, continuous demodulation to separate the component data signals, or filtering. Demodulation of the output data is accomplished by simple summing of the data from successive angular positions of radially opposing accelerometers. Precise control of the rotational speed is not required. Further, the accelerometer complement is minimal and because the direction of rotation is periodically reversed, a twist capsule is used rather than slip rings, thereby avoiding the noise and maintenance problems associated therewith.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to gravity gradiometer systems and more specifically to a gravity gradiometer for use in navigation in moving vehicles and in other applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A gravity gradiometer instrument of the prior art has been described in a paper prepared by E. H. Metzger for the AIAA Guidance and Control Specialist Conference, Hollywood, Fla., Aug. 8-9, 1977 and entitled "Recent Gravity Gradiometer Developments", which is hereby incorporated by reference. The instrument employs rotating inertial sensors whose outputs are differentially summed to provide substantially simultaneous measurements of cross and in-line values of gravity gradients. The gravity gradient components may be expressed as a gravity gradient matrix, one such symbology in common use being: ##EQU1##
A cross gravity gradient is defined in the art as the rate of change of a given component of gravity at some point in space with translation of this point in space in a direction transverse to the direction of that component of gravity. The components G.sub.XY, G.sub.XZ, and the like are cross gradients. An in-line gravity gradient is defined as the rate of change of a given component of gravity at some point in space with translation of that point in space in the direction of the gravity component. The components G.sub.XX, G.sub.YY, and G.sub.ZZ are in-line gradients.
The aforementioned Metzger instrument is comprised of a continuously rotated cluster of four accelerometers to obtain continuous measurements pertaining to one cross component of the local gravity gradients and a combination of two in-line components. By mathematical analysis, both the in-line and cross terms may be computed. Data from the rotating accelerometer cluster is transferred by means of slip rings for utilization by an external computer. The external computer is also used to control cluster rotation speed, balance the accelerometer scale factors, and compute the gravity gradient components from the accelerometer outputs. However, this instrument is highly sensitive to variations in rotational speed. Because of this sensitivity, special features are required to reduce both rotation speed variations and their effects. These features are as follows:
1. An encoded disc and associated sensor to provide precise measurement of cluster angular position for use in controlling cluster rotation speed in a closed loop manner. PA1 2. Use of a four-accelerometer cluster, rather than a two-accelerometer cluster needed for a basic gradient measurement, to allow cancellation of the effects of residual speed variations and scale factor imbalances in the accelerometer outputs. PA1 3. Special motor-drive circuitry to induce a small high frequency fluctuation in cluster rotational speed. This allows detection and dynamic correction of imbalances among the scale factors of the four accelerometers. Such imbalances would otherwise cause imperfect cancellation of the effects of residual rotational speed variations. PA1 4. An external microprocessor to control rotor speed on the basis of the angular position data described above, and a firmware program using a second microprocessor to adjust the accelerometer scale factors on the basis of the effects of the forced rotor speed fluctuation introduced by the motor drive circuitry. PA1 1. Slip rings to transfer electrical power and gradient output data to and from the accelerometer cluster. PA1 2. The use of continuous demodulation and filtering to separate the in-line and cross gravity gradient components sensed by the instrument.
Additionally, the continuous rotation of the accelerometer cluster imposes two other requirements on the instruments:


An array of disposable absorbent articles is described herein. The array has a first plurality of absorbent articles and a second plurality of absorbent articles. Each of the first plurality and second plurality of absorbent articles have absorbent cores having patterned end edges each having a plurality of inflection points.

Disposable absorbent articles are widely used to absorb bodily fluid insults. In general, disposable absorbent articles comprise a plurality of layers providing specific functions in absorbing and retaining fluid insults. Each of the plurality of layers are often provided as rolled webs of material which are unrolled and assembled during processing.
There are a number of complexities which may arise during the processing of disposable absorbent articles. For example, the rolled webs of material may have variable widths in a cross machine direction. Additionally, during processing, the webs of material may mis-track (shift) in a cross machine direction. Moreover, the rolled webs of material can shift in a machine direction depending on the tension applied during processing; the web material mechanical behavior and/or the web caliper/thickness changes.
The variable width of a material web can be an important factor where the edges of the web are expected to form an internal or external edge of the resultant absorbent article. Due to the variability of width of the material webs utilized, the utilization of the edges of the web to create edges of the components of the product is generally discouraged. As an example, the utilization of the edges of material webs for topsheets and backsheets can create negative consumer sentiment due to the non-uniform sizes of articles within a single package. Similarly, the edges of the material webs for those components disposed between the topsheet and backsheet may be utilized, e.g. absorbent core, secondary topsheets. However, the variability of the width of these material webs can be equally as visually unappealing to a user as the non-uniform sizes of the article mentioned previously. Such non-uniformity may provide an indication of low quality to the consumer and ultimately erode brand equity.
To avoid this issue, the final shapes of, for example, a topsheet and a backsheet, are cut out of their respective material webs such that the web edges do not form a part of the resultant article. Similarly, components sandwiched between the topsheet and backsheet may similarly be cut such that their respective material webs' edges are not utilized for any internal edges of the absorbent article. Unfortunately, while this practice creates uniformly shaped components for absorbent articles, such processing can lead to a large amount of scrap material which in turn means a loss of revenue.
Based on the foregoing, what is needed is a process for creating absorbent articles which minimizes the creation of scrap material. And, what is also needed are articles that incorporate components which utilize material web edges in their finished state.


Delivery systems and methods for forming and delivering biomaterials from two components are described herein. In particular, apparatus and methods for performing controlled delivery of multicomponent delivery of biomaterials into or onto a body part, such as a body lumen are described. More specifically, in some embodiments, the apparatus and methods are directed towards controlled delivery of micro-volumes of biomaterials into or onto a target location, the micro-volumes being defined as 0.001 mL-1 mL (or 1 μL-1,000 μL) of volume.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to delivery devices and method of delivering biomaterials, and more particularly to controlled formation and delivery of a hydrogel to a body lumen.
Biomaterials are natural or synthetic materials (such as polymers) that are suitable for introduction into living tissues as a therapeutic (to treat, augment, repair, modify, or replace a tissue function of the body) or as a diagnostic. Biomaterials such as hydrogel implants have been shown to be useful for embolization, drug delivery, sealing, filling, and occlusion purposes. Hydrogels are highly hydrated polymer chains or networks that are able to absorb significant volumes of water and can have tunable mechanical properties. Biomaterials are often injectable, such as through a needle and/or catheter into the body. When injected, the material may gel or cross-link to form the implant. Many known systems, however, deliver multiple components into the body that are then cross-linked within the body after delivery. As such, the formation of the delivered hydrogel can be dependent on the in vivo conditions. Such known methods can therefore expose the patient to both the underlying components (i.e., the monomers or macromers that form the delivered hydrogel) and the delivered hydrogel itself. Such known methods may also require additional stimulation after delivery into the body to facilitate formation of the hydrogel. Such additional steps can result in longer procedures and increased variability (i.e., patient-to-patient) for the procedure.
Some known systems and methods include injecting and/or implanting a biomaterial product (e.g., a hydrogel) into a small area such as the lumen of a vessel or duct. For example, in some applications, the biomaterial will form an implant that acts as an occlusion or embolization of a lumen. The occlusion can be used for providing contraception to a subject by occluding the vas deferens, fallopian tube(s), or uterus. Such occlusions can also be used to occlude any other body part, such as ducts, tissues, interstitial spaces, or organs such as for drug delivery, spacing, sealing, embolizing, or bulking purposes. Known delivery systems, however, do not provide the desired safety, accuracy, precision, and/or repeatability, particularly when micro-volumes are involved. For example, some known delivery systems and methods are specifically designed to produce a spray (e.g., for wound healing, etc.). Because precise control over the total amount delivered, timing of the delivery, rate of delivery and/or delivery force is not often a significant concern for such applications. Such known systems are not suitable for applications where delivery of a small, precise amount to a specific location is desired.
Some known systems include a manual delivery device, such as a syringe that is operated by hand to deliver the components. Such manual systems, however, can often result in high variability. For example, the manual force applied by a physician on a hand delivery device can vary from procedure-to-procedure, and those variations are further magnified when considering different physicians performing the delivery procedure on different patients under different operating conditions. The variations in manual force applied on known hand delivery devices may drastically impact the total delivery amount administered to a patient and/or to a specific target area, particularly when the desired amount of compositions is very small (e.g., 0.001 mL to 1 mL). Insufficient delivery of compositions may result in the target area not being properly occluded, embolized, or sealed, which may result in a failed operation. On the other hand, excess delivery of compositions may lead to undesired occlusion, embolization, or sealing of non-target areas, and may be problematic if the non-target areas are sensitive to the compositions or need to remain free from occlusion, embolization, or sealing. Excess delivery of composition may also result in delivery of a final amount greater than the capacity of the target area, resulting in damage. For example, if the volume of the compositions delivered exceeds a capacity of a target vessel, the target vessel may rupture or the tissue may experience a histological response.
Some known delivery systems include an electromechanical delivery mechanism, and therefore do not rely on the practitioner to generate the delivery forces and control the timing and delivery process. For example, high-pressure jet injectors have been used to deliver high-viscous materials such as liquids and powders into the body for drug delivery purposes (see Nora C Hogan, Andrew J Taberner, Lynette A Jones & Ian W Hunter (2015), Needle-free delivery of macromolecules through the skin using controllable jet injectors, Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 12:10, 1637-1648). However, these devices are usually only applicable for injections into the epidermis and do not have a needle or catheter attachment to inject liquids or fluids into other confined areas of the body. Furthermore, they are incapable of injecting already-formed gelled materials.
Moreover, such known electronic systems do not include desired control over the velocity, flow rate, and/or force with which the compositions are delivered. Known systems that use an energy storage device (e.g., spring, electromechanical device, etc.) are designed for high volume delivery (e.g., greater than 1 mL) and may also deliver the product at a force that causes damage to target tissue. For example, a high rate delivery or large delivery force may scar or tear the target tissue; the overall safety and efficacy of the product is thus impacted. Such known systems may also deliver the underlying components too quickly such that the resulting biomaterial product to be delivered is not formed in the delivery system, but rather within or on the body tissue.
Known systems and methods of delivery also do not contemplate using a single cartridge for two distinct delivery operations, such as may be the case for procedures associated with symmetrical portions of the anatomy (i.e., where the procedure includes delivery to two target locations). For example, procedures in the reproductive health or reconstructive/plastic surgery may require delivery or implantation of biomaterials to two similar, contralateral, or related locations. Many known systems for delivering biomaterials are one-time use devices or cartridges and are not suitable for executing a precise and controlled delivery of a second micro-volume of a delivered biomaterial implant from the same cartridge.
Many known delivery systems and methods include a "priming" operation to prepare the components for delivery by removing dead volume, expelling undesirable air, and the like. Many known systems and methods include performing such priming operations with the delivery member (e.g., a needle) attached to the delivery device to remove excess air or fluid from the system before delivery. Such known methods, however, are not applicable when the components are formulated to be reacted within the delivery member in a short time period during delivery (i.e., to ensure that the delivered biomaterial product is formed upon being delivered). For example, conventional methods of priming may result in undesirable reactions that clog or otherwise compromise the delivery member prior to the actual delivery step. Such known methods and devices also do not support or contemplate procedures that perform a second priming function where two distinct delivery operations using a single cartridge is desired, as described above.
Moreover, such known systems and methods of priming do not accommodate methods for delivering a priming fluid into certain target locations immediately prior to delivery of the biomaterial product. Specifically, because known methods of priming are often aimed at eliminating air or other fluids, they do not allow for delivery of a priming fluid. Delivery of a priming fluid with a different echogenicity than the biomaterial can improve monitoring and tracking of the biomaterial during an operation. The priming fluid can also include other properties to prepare (e.g., pressurize, lubricate, cleanse, sterilize, assist in cross-linking) a target site for the delivery of the biomaterials.
Thus, a need exists for devices and methods for delivering biomaterials for medical procedures where a controlled rate and volume of the biomaterials is desired. More specifically, a need exists for devices and methods for controlled delivery of a formed hydrogel to a target site of a body where a controlled micro-volume is desired (e.g., 0.001 mL to 1 mL, or 1 μL-1,000 μL of volume). A need also exists to control the rate of delivery and total delivered amount of hydrogel to the target site in order to prevent or minimize damage to the target site and to ensure the amount delivered is safe and effective for occluding or embolizing the target site. A need exists for devices and methods for applying a controlled automated or semi-automated delivery force to replace inconsistent manual forces currently applied on hand delivery devices. A need further exists for devices and methods that support two distinct delivery operations in a single procedure from a single cartridge of components forming the hydrogel. A need also exists for delivery of a priming fluid prior to delivery of the formed hydrogel.

Systems and methods for delivering biomaterials


The present invention is a system for determining vehicle speed. The system has a sensor mounted on a wheel rotatably mounted on the vehicle for sensing centripetal acceleration of said wheel. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the sensed centripetal acceleration, and is arranged to wirelessly transmit the signal. The system additionally has an electronic control unit mounted on the vehicle. The electronic control unit is arranged to receive the signal and determine the speed of the vehicle based on the sensed centripetal acceleration.

A typical contemporary land vehicle employs a speedometer—a device for displaying the vehicle's instantaneous speed. It is common for a speedometer to receive a signal representing vehicle speed from the vehicle's transmission, if the vehicle is so equipped. In such applications, a transmission output shaft is typically utilized to drive the speedometer.
The speedometer is usually driven either mechanically, via a cable, or electronically, via an electrical wire communicating a frequency of measured electronic pulses corresponding to the rotational speed of the output shaft. Whether driven mechanically or electronically, however, a physical connection is typically required to communicate rotational speed of the output shaft to the speedometer.
Such a physical connection may be subject to various assembly and durability concerns, some of which may result in the speedometer displaying incorrect vehicle speed. Additionally, the speed signal supplied by the transmission and displayed on the speedometer is typically calibrated to correspond to a diameter of wheels originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer. If the manufacturer's wheel rims and tires are subsequently replaced by those having an overall diameter that is different from the factory combination, the speedometer reading may become inaccurate.

Determination and wireless communication of sensed vehicle data for computing vehicle speed


A pool skimmer basket includes a basket rim, a basket bottom opposite the basket rim, and a lower basket portion. The lower basket portion includes porous sidewalls positioned between the basket rim and the basket bottom. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid inlet above a first part of the basket rim, and within a perimeter of the basket rim. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid outlet below a second part of the basket rim, and above the basket bottom. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication.

1. Technical Field
Aspects of this document relate generally to pool skimmer systems.
2. Background Art
Most swimming pools have a skimming device connected to the suction of a pump to draw water from the pool at or very near the pool surface. These devices usually include a basket or strainer to separate larger debris such as leaves and other floating particles. Water drawn from the skimmer can be connected to the suction of a pump that is connected to a typical swimming pool filter system and returned back to the pool in one or more ordinary ways well known in the art. It is common to connect the suction of several pumps to a skimmer in order to enhance skimming action. There are skimmers, commonly called Venturi skimmers, equipped with a pressure jet located to entrain water within the skimmer and eject it back to the pool through a relatively short, unobstructed conduit. This method produces a significant flow increase through the skimmer, resulting in improved surface debris entrapment.
Typically, the pump suction connected to a skimmer is also connected to one or more other drains within the pool. This provides protection to the skimmer basket should it become blocked by debris. The suction is simply diverted to the other drain thereby protecting the skimmer basket from deformation or bursting.
In the case of connecting pump suction to a skimmer only, the basket will usually fail when totally blocked by debris, resulting in the expense and labor of cleaning the system of debris and replacement of the damaged basket. In the case of a Venturi skimmer, when the debris basket becomes blocked, the Venturi return line becomes a point of suction that can be very dangerous to a bather. This is particularly true when the suction of a pump is also connected to a Venturi type skimmer as the flow through the Venturi return is reversed when the basket becomes full or otherwise blocked due to the suction of the separately attached pump.
There are skimming devices that provide air relief in an effort to solve the forgoing problems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,350 to Price describes a skimmer basket that has a central perforated pylon extending from the basket bottom to above the basket rim. The pylon consumes a portion of the basket capacity and is difficult to manufacture (e.g. has to be made in multiple pieces, etc.). U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,576 to Blake describes a conventional Venturi skimmer with an external tube running from the upper interior of the main skimmer body to a location below the skimmer basket in the main skimmer body. This method results in a necessarily small tube on the exterior of the skimmer which is very difficult to clean (due to the 90 degree turns involved) and costly to manufacture. Furthermore, the chance of damaging the skimmer during the construction process is increased due to its exterior nature.
Skimmer baskets typically sit below the water level, in a recess that collects pieces of debris found floating in the pool. In addition to the debris typically collected in a skimmer basket from a pool, other undesirable elements that may be found collected in the skimmer basket recess can include insects, snakes, and other unpleasant animals. Many skimmer baskets have handles below the water level, requiring a person to reach their hand into the collected debris, insects, and animals.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for relieving excessive suction within swimming pool skimmers


The present disclosure includes a binding apparatus for use on a splitboard. The binding apparatus may be used to change the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The binding apparatus can include at least one board joining device. The binding apparatus can also include a binding interface configured to receive a boot and selectively attach to a ride mode interface in a snowboard configuration and to a tour mode interface in a ski configuration.

The present disclosure relates to split snowboards, also known as splitboards, and more specifically to a binding apparatus with a ride mode for joining two skis into a snowboard and a tour mode comprising a free heel binding attached to each ski.
Splitboards are used for accessing backcountry terrain. Splitboards have a "ride mode" and a "tour mode." In ride mode, the splitboard is configured with at least two skis held together to form a board similar to a snowboard with bindings mounted somewhat perpendicular to the edges of the splitboard. In ride mode, the user can ride the splitboard like a snowboard down the mountain. In tour mode, the at least two skis of the splitboard are separated and configured with bindings mounted like a cross country free heel ski binding. In tour mode, the user attaches skins to create traction when climbing up a hill. When the user reaches the top of the hill or desired location the user can change the splitboard from tour mode to ride mode and snowboard down the hill. There are relatively few inventions that provide this basic splitboard functionality.
The Voile Split Decision system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,324 to Wariakois was one of the first to give basic splitboard function. While functional, the system has its drawbacks. The binding assembly comprises an aluminum channel to span toe and heel slider blocks. The binding assembly is attached to a standard snowboard binding. The combination of the binding assembly and the standard snowboard binding creates a heavy system. Extra weight in backcountry touring equates to more energy expended by the user. In addition to the heavy weight, in order for the design of Wariakois to be strong enough for typical use the slider blocks and binding assembly channel are sized such that the standard snowboard binding sits five eighths of one inch to three quarters of one inch off of the snowboard. The extra height is referred to as "stack height." The extra stack height causes a user to over leverage the edge of the snowboard while turning making it difficult for the user to control the snowboard.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/409,860 to Ritter improves upon the Wariakois system by integrating the binding assembly with a standard snowboard binding. The invention of Ritter shares many similar drawbacks with the Wariakois system. Both systems of Ritter and Wariakois take significant time to change from ride mode to tour mode and vice versa. The main reason being the user must remove the snowboard bindings from his or her feet before sliding the binding assembly off of the heel and toe slider blocks. Both systems also require the removal and insertion of pins. Long change over times may lead to the user becoming very cold in extreme winter conditions and may discourage use of the product.
In tour mode, both Ritter and Wariakois require a pin that slides through the toe portion of the binding assembly and the ski binding attached to the separate skis. In order for the pin to be easily removed and inserted, clearance must be added to the holes in the binding assembly and the ski binding. This clearance in the holes leads to slop in the tour mode causing the binding assembly to rattle on the ski binding. While touring in icy or crispy snow conditions, slop between the binding assembly and ski binding leads to difficulty in holding an edge while traversing. Instead of creating a high edge angle driving forces directly into the edge of the ski, the slop reduces the ski edge angle thus decreasing the leverage a user can apply to the edge of the ski for gripping into icy snow.
In ride mode, the interference slip fit of the slider blocks and binding assemblies of the Ritter and Wariakois systems are very susceptible to problems from manufacturing tolerances and wear. The design requires a very tight tolerance for the binding assembly channel to slide over the slider blocks. If the slider blocks fit too tight to the binding assembly channel, the user cannot slide the binding assembly channel over the slider blocks without modifying the slider blocks with a knife or file. If the slider blocks fit too loosely to the binding assembly channel, then the bindings can rattle while riding leading to an unresponsive and unsafe ride down the hill.
The conjoining apparatus for holding the skis together for the Wariakois system is a set of interlocking hooks. This mechanism requires a net fit on the hooks for the skis to be held together tightly to form a snowboard. If manufacturing tolerances are slightly off on either the hooks or the skis or if the hooks wear down, the splitboard will be held loosely together causing the splitboard to rattle and come apart while riding.
Another device that provides the basic splitboard function is the Burton Splitboard system U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,851 to Maravetz. Maravetz tries to improve upon Wariakois by eliminating removable loose pins. Maravetz uses an intricate binding interface on the bottom of a snowboard binding to attach and join the splitboard. In normal winter snow conditions, snow can pack into the binding interface causing the attachment to function unreliably. In some cases the binding interface will not attach to the board interfaces and in others the attachment device can become frozen in place. Binding malfunctions such as these can strand a user in the backcountry for hours. Splitboard binding system must function properly in the harshest winter conditions.
The Poacher offered by Atomic Snowboarding also provides basic splitboard function. However, the Atomic Poacher requires a special lever tool to change from ride mode to tour mode and vice versa. Without the lever tool, the Atomic Poacher cannot be changed over. In addition, during change over, the Atomic Poacher turns into many small loose parts before they can be assembled into tour mode or ride mode. Loose parts such as the special lever tool and board clips can easily be lost in the deep backcountry snow leaving the user stranded.
In addition to the loose parts and change over troubles of the Atomic Poacher, its tour mode performs similarly to the Wariakois and Ritter devices. In order for the Atomic Poacher binding interface to attach to the ski bindings in tour mode easily, a substantial amount of clearance is left between the attachment pin and the tour mode interface, leading to the same decrease in the ski's ability to grip in icy snow conditions.


A mobility management optimizing function in a wireless network receives geographic location information associated with a user equipment device (UE), wherein the UE is associated with a vehicle and generates a predictive handover schedule based on the received location information. Handover processing is initiated based on the predictive handover schedule, wherein initiating the handover processing comprises: transmitting one or more handover initiation messages to a plurality of cell sites in a service provider wireless network at times based on the predictive handover schedule, wherein, upon receipt of a handover initiation message, the plurality of cell sites will initiate handover processing based on the received handover initiation message.

Next Generation mobile networks, such as Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, are expected to operate in the higher frequency ranges, and such networks are expected to transmit and receive in the gigahertz (GHz) band with a broad bandwidth near 500-1,000 megahertz (MHz). The expected bandwidth of Next Generation mobile networks is intended to support download speeds of up to about 20 gigabits per second. The proposed 5G mobile telecommunications standard, among other features, operates in the millimeter wave bands (e.g., 14 (GHz) or higher), and supports more reliable, massive machine communications (e.g., machine-to-machine (M2M), Internet of Things (IoT), etc.). Next Generation mobile networks, such as those implementing the 5G mobile telecommunications standard, are expected to enable a higher utilization capacity than current wireless systems, permitting a greater density of wireless users, with a lower latency. Next Generation mobile networks, thus, are designed to increase data transfer rates, increase spectral efficiency, improve coverage, improve capacity, and reduce latency.
Millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies are proposed to be used in advanced wireless systems, such as, for example, 5G systems. mmWave frequencies are limited in coverage, but are able to penetrate buildings more than lower frequency waves. Due to these limitations, cell sites containing the system antennas need to be close to the network user to make up for the signal losses. This requires a greater cell density in the advanced wireless systems, relative to current systems. Additionally, to satisfy the improved utilization capacity requirements of advanced wireless systems, a greatly increased number of antennas, relative to current systems (e.g., Fourth Generation (4G) systems), will need to be deployed to support high bandwidth connections to each wireless device. In current wireless systems, the typical distance between adjacent antennas is about 1.5-3.2 kilometers (km). In contrast, for proposed advanced wireless systems, such as 5G systems, the distance between adjacent antennas may need to be reduced to about 200-300 meters. Therefore, next generation wireless systems may need as many as one hundred times the number of antennas as compared to current wireless systems.

System and method for optimized mobility management in a wireless network


A switched capacitor buffer operating by the push-pull method is taught. The buffer may include a pull-up device and a pull-down device. A switched capacitor circuit may be used to control the pull-up device and the pull-down device to achieve accurate push-pull operation. According to some embodiments, the switched capacitor buffer displays an optimal combination of design simplicity, low power consumption and high-frequency response.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to buffers. More particularly, the present invention relates to buffers employing push-pull operation.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Buffers are well known in electronics. FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of one type of prior art buffer 100a, which is configured as a source follower. The buffer 100a includes a transistor M1, a transistor M2, and a load CL, which is illustrated as a capacitor. In the illustrated example, transistors M1 and M2 are NMOS transistors. A drain terminal of transistor M1 is connected to a voltage supply VDD, while a gate terminal of transistor M1 receives an input signal Vin. Transistor M2 is configured as a current source, and is biased by signal Vbn. An output signal Vout of buffer 100a is provided by a source terminal of transistor M1, which corresponds to a drain terminal of transistor M2. A load CL is also connected to this terminal. When input signal Vin transitions from a low to high state, output signal Vout is able to closely track signal Vin. However, the buffer 100a exhibits an inadequate negative slew rate, such that when input signal Vin transitions from a high state to a low state the output signal Vout is unable to accurately follow input signal Vin. This is due in part to the limited current which transistor M2 can sink. Another drawback of buffer 100a is that it may also exhibit high power consumption when input signal Vin is static.
FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of another prior art buffer 100b, referred to as a low swing push-pull buffer. The buffer 100b includes a transistor M1 and a transistor M2. Transistor M1 is an NMOS transistor and has a drain terminal connected to a voltage supply VDD. Transistor M2 is as a PMOS transistor and has a drain terminal connected to ground. A load CL is connected between a source terminal of transistor M1 and ground. Output signal Vout is provided by the source terminal of transistor M1. Buffer 100b operates by the push-pull method. A splitter 12 using a linear circuit is used to split the input signal Vin into two outputs to drive the gates of NMOS transistor M1 and PMOS transistor M2 to achieve the push-pull operation. The buffer 100b suffers from a headroom problem when used with a low voltage design, and specifically with a low value of VDD. The headroom problem can be caused by the fact that the threshold voltage of the MOS transistors can limit the ability of Vout to reach the value of Vin, the two values being different from each other by a value of the MOS transistor threshold voltage.
FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of another prior art buffer 100c, referred to as a high swing push-pull buffer. The buffer 100c includes a transistor M1 and a transistor M2. Transistor M1 is a PMOS transistor and has a source terminal connected to a voltage supply VDD. Transistor M2, which is an NMOS transistor, has a drain terminal connected to the drain terminal of transistor M1. The drain terminal of transistor M1 is also connected to a terminal of load CL. A second terminal of load CL is connected to ground. An input signal Vin is supplied to a splitter 12, which uses a linear circuit to produce two outputs to drive the gates of transistors M1 and M2. Drawbacks of the buffer 100c include the fact that it generates additional poles and does not always meet power consumption constraints. Furthermore, the design is complex and the buffer demonstrates poor high frequency response.
In general, design constraints considered when designing a buffer may include the ability of the buffer to drive a large load, the dynamic and static power consumption of the buffer, frequency response, the complexity of design and manufacture of the buffer, and/or other characteristics of the buffer structure and operation. The circuits described thus far do not optimally satisfy all design constraints in various applications.


The invention lies in the field of skydiving and relates to a securing aid (100) for parachutists (20), which has a leg strap connector (101) and a connection element (102) for securing a parachutist (20) in an airplane (104) during the flight preceding the parachute jump. The securing aid (100) is connected or connectable, for example, to the leg strap (13) of a parachute system (10). The securing aid (100) according to the invention thus contributes to increasing the safety of parachutists (20) during the flight preceding the parachute jump.

Parachutists have to secure themselves in the airplane. For this purpose, securing features, for example straps, are made available on the floor or the walls of the airplane and usually have to be fastened to the leg straps of the harness of the parachute system that is worn by a parachutist. A parachute system consists of a harness and of a container which is sewn onto the latter and which accommodates the parachutes, which are in turn connected to the harness. Elements of the harness include the leg straps, which are guided through the leg strap fastener in the front region and which are fitted on the leg strap connector.
However, conventional parachute systems have no dedicated connection pieces to which the securing strap from the airplane can be fastened. Therefore, the securing of fully equipped parachutists is always a difficult challenge. The same applies when undoing any securing means prior to the parachute jump. By way of illustration, most airplanes used in skydiving do not have any seats for the parachutists. The parachutists in most cases sit on the floor of the airplane or one behind another astride benches, specifically so close together that the freedom of movement of individual parachutists is restricted to such an extent that fitting the securing strap from the floor or from the wall of the airplane to the parachute harness is made very difficult. However, the parachutists need to be secured in order to prevent the parachutists from sliding during the flight, particularly during take-off or during sudden flight maneuvers. Particularly when a large number of parachutists are on board the airplane, the sliding of the parachutists during such flight maneuvers could, like the sliding of unsecured loads in a cargo plane, adversely affect flight safety and cause injuries to the parachutists or even cause the airplane to crash.
It is known to equip aircrews with parachute harnesses in which the parachute and in some cases auxiliary equipment, for example a dinghy, are fastened to the wearer by a system of straps which form a supporting cradle for the wearer during the parachute jump, and also a safety strap which comprises a further strap system by which the wearer, during maneuvers of the airplane, is secured safely to a seat and which can function as an impact absorber in the airplane during events such as an emergency or a crash-landing. In this arrangement, the usual practice is that the pilot, when taking his seat in the airplane, first of all connects the safety strap and adjusts it via the top of the parachute cable harness. These procedures in many cases require the assistance of ground staff. GB 794831 A, for example, discloses such a safety strap combined with a parachute system, wherein the parachutist is secured on the airplane seat via the safety strap on the upper body of the parachutist.
GB 854768 A relates to an aircraft ejector seat with leg-restraining means, wherein a strap is fastened to the seat structure rather than to the safety strap of the airplane seat. When the ejector seat is actuated, the leg-restraining means hold the legs of the pilot on the ejector seat. When the pilot leaves the seat, either automatically or voluntarily, the leg-restraining means are released by a mechanism.
The safety straps and leg-restraining means known from GB 794831 A and GB 854768 A, respectively, are not suitable for use in skydiving, since the parachutists, as described at the outset, do not sit in seats but on the floor of the airplane.


The composition described here comprises at least one hole-transporting compound, wherein the hole-transporting compound comprises a core covalently bonded to at least two arylamine groups, wherein the arylamine group optionally comprises one or more intractability groups. The composition can provide good film formation and stability when coated onto hole injection layers. Solution processing of hole transporting layers of OLEDs can be achieved with the composition described here. Good mobility can be achieved.

A need exists to provide better organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) including better materials used in the devices. In particular, better OLED devices and materials, including hole transporting materials, are needed. An OLED operation is based on injection, transport and recombination of two types of charge carriers: holes and electrons. It is important in an OLED device to control the injection and transport of these two types of carriers so as to enable the recombination to occur in the emissive layer where the luminescent species are located. The location where these species meet and recombine can dictate the efficiency and lifetime of the device.
In particular, a need exists for novel hole transporting materials with great properties such as solubility, thermal stability, and electronic energy levels such as HOMO and LUMO, so that the materials can be adapted for different applications and to function with different materials such as light emitting layers, photoactive layers, and electrodes. In particular, good solubility and intractability properties are important. The ability to formulate the system for a particular application and provide the required balance of properties are also important.
Additional background material can be found in, for example, (a) Charge carrier transporting molecular materials and their applications in devices, Shirota, et al., Chem. Rev., 2007, 107, 953-1010, (b) Organic electroluminescent diodes, Tang, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 1987, 51, 913-915. Hole transport is important for a variety of electronics applications.

Hole transport materials including OLED applications


A stylus that operates utilizing magnetic fields, wherein a permanent magnet is disposed within a passive stylus that is detectable by a plurality of magnetic sensors that remove the magnetic field of the stylus from the earth's relative magnetic field to thereby obtain vectors that are used in a triangulation equation to determine the location of the stylus in two or three dimensions, depending upon the number of magnetic sensors that are used, wherein one set of magnetic sensors can be used as a reference for earth's magnetic field, and wherein each of the magnetic sensors includes a polarizing coil to change direction of sensitivity, a null coil and a flipping coil.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to input devices for electronic information devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a sensing system and a stylus that is operable in two or three dimensions, and which is utilized to provide input such as lines that represent movement of the stylus within a field of operation, or cursor control for computers and portable information appliances such as laptops, PC tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other types of electronic appliances such as mobile telephones.
2. Background of the Invention
The state of the art of input devices utilizing a stylus is generally characterized by digitizing tablets or a touchpad. A digitizing tablet is generally a large surface that is used to input data with a stylus that is coupled to the tablet or touchpad. For example, a cable connects the stylus to the tablet, and movement of the stylus is detected or tracked as it moves across the surface of the tablet. The movement is typically portrayed as lines on a display.
The basis of operation for most stylus-based tablets is reliance upon electromagnetic sensors. A magnetic field is formed by electric current that is flowing in a loop. The pen has a coil that picks up this magnetic field and sends it back to a convertor that determines the X and Y position from this data. This type of pen generally requires a tether between the pen and a base device to transfer the data, or the use of an active pen that is battery powered and generates some type of signal that is detectable by the touchpad.
It would therefore be an advantage over the prior art to provide a pen or stylus-based system for data input or cursor control which does not require a tethered stylus or an active pen. It would also be advantageous if the stylus did not require an internal power source to operate.
The prior art also describes using a stylus with personal digital assistants (PDAs). When a stylus requires pressure in order to be detectable, the writing surface of the PDA can be damaged. In addition, the writing area for the stylus is typically very small. It is also difficult to use a stylus when there is no visual feedback or "inking trail" to show the writer what has been written. Inking can also be difficult if there is a delay between stylus movement and the appearance on a display screen of what is being written.
Accordingly, it would be an advantage over the prior art to provide an off-screen inking surface to prevent damage to a PDA screen. It would also be an advantage to provide a larger writing surface for the PDA, as well as visual feedback that is rapid.
The prior art also fails to teach any type of stylus which can operate without making contact with a surface that can detect the presence of the stylus. In other words, the surface being written on is some surface that is capable of detecting the stylus. Accordingly, it would be an advantage to be able to detect and track movement of a stylus on a surface, where the surface is not a stylus detection surface.
The prior art also teaches that some type of sensing surface must be used with a stylus. Accordingly, it would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a stylus which does not require any sensing surface in order to be detectable. It would also be an advantage to therefore enable a stylus to be detectable as it moves within three dimensions.
Another aspect to be addressed is the ability to turn writing on and off. Typically, this type of function has required a sensitive surface, possibly a tether from the pen to another device, or an active pen. Accordingly, it would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a stylus that can be actuated to turn on and off writing-on an associated display, where the stylus is a passive device that does not write on a special sensing surface, and is not physically tethered to another device.
A final aspect of the invention is the ability to implement a stylus for use in a very small area. Consider the mobile telephone user that wants to input and email message and send it. It is a tedious and time consuming task with state of the art input options on cell phones. It would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a very small keyboard that is actuated by the stylus so that it can be used in mobile situations, and with relatively small devices.

Stylus input device utilizing a permanent magnet


Methods and systems for controlling exposure for medical imaging devices is provided. The method includes varying the exposure level of X-rays within an X-ray imaging system to generate a plurality of images having different exposure levels and combining the plurality of images in an additive process to form a single X-ray image.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems and, more particularly, to methods and systems for controlling exposure of images in X-ray imaging devices.
The dynamic range of image processing, particularly in X-ray medical imaging systems, has increased, resulting in improved imaging. High dynamic range images and still single images are needed for three-dimensional (3D) image processing that use improved dynamic range processing software and hardware. The images processed by the improved dynamic range processing software and hardware are limited by the dynamic range of the image sensors. Consequently, imaging sensors having improved dynamic ranges are needed to provide these high dynamic range images. As a result, and partly based on medical need and market drive for the needed dynamic range improvement, solid state detectors have been developed for providing this higher dynamic range. However, solid state detectors are much higher in cost.
Many X-ray systems use lower cost image sensors, such as image intensifiers to convert X-rays to camera inputs. These lower cost image sensors, however, limit the dynamic range of the images produced. Thus, using these lower cost image sensors, reconstructed images are not provided at a higher dynamic range because of the limited dynamic range of the image sensors, such as image intensifiers. Therefore, the uses and applications of these image sensors are limited.