A magnetic levitation magic cube includes edge blocks, corner blocks and center blocks. Inner sides of two side faces close to the corner blocks of the edge block each are provided with three magnet mounting grooves, and a magnet is mounted in each of the magnet mounting grooves. The center block includes a center block body and a center block cover. The center block cover covers and is spliced to the opening of the center block body. The center block further includes an upper magnetic disk and a lower magnetic disk. The upper magnetic disk is provided with a through-hole for fastening a central shaft of the magic cube. The lower magnetic disk is provided with a through-hole for the central shaft of the magic cube to pass through. Two repelling annular magnets are fixedly mounted in each of the upper magnetic disk and the lower magnetic disk.

Currently, a conventional magic cube is a six-sided cube made of hard plastic rich in elasticity. The core is a shaft, and a magic cube consists of 26 blocks. The 26 blocks include 6 inner center blocks that are fixed and colored on only one side, 8 rotatable corner blocks, and 12 rotatable edge blocks. When the toy is ready for sale, each side of the cube can have the same color by arranging the blocks. When one side of the large cube is rotated by translation, a single color of each adjacent side of the large cube is disrupted, and a cube with a new pattern is formed. The cube changes again upon further rotation, and each side is spliced by blocks with different colors. The playing method is to restore the disordered cube back to a cube with a single color on each of the six sides as quickly as possible by rotation.
Since the advent, the magic cube has a very strong intelligence development function for human beings, and therefore it is popular around the world. The magic cube is easy to understand and ever changing and flexible, and therefore players must be able to concentrate their mentality, keep thinking and be patient in order to play the magic cube well. In a sense, the magic cube has become a special intelligence development toy and a toy for assessing the level and maturity of the players' intelligence, and therefore attract players batch after batch.
A more complex magic cube is usually adopted as a competition prop in a magic cube competition, and competitors need to rotate rapidly in order to complete the reordering of the magic cube in the shortest time. Rotation of the conventional magic cube relies on accurate rotation of a player, and the magic cube needs to be rotated by 90 degrees each time, so that the magic cube is not easily stuck. A magic cube with magnetic positioning blocks maybe attracted by magnetic attraction force in a state of 90 degrees, thereby achieving more accurate positioning.
However, existing magnetic magic cubes have the following defects.
1. Some existing magnetic magic cubes have positioning magnets in edge blocks. When magnetic force of the positioning magnets is too small, positioning may be inaccurate during high-speed rotation, positioning points may be missed, and the positioning magnets may swing around the positioning points. When the magnetic force of the positioning magnets is large, the resistance of start is relatively large upon initial rotation of the stationary magic cube, which is not conducive to fast restoration of the magic cube.
2. Some existing magnetic magic cubes have magnetic positioning apparatuses, typically magnets. The whole magic cube needs to be disassembled, and then the magnets can be attached to inner walls of blocks by glue or other chemical substances. However, glue is not environmentally friendly, assembly precision is relatively poor, and magnets are difficult to replace, the magnitude of magnetic force of each block is difficult to change and the magnitude of magnetic force of a layer where the blocks are located is difficult to change.
3. In most of existing magic cubes on the market, center blocks press corner blocks and edge blocks by elastic force of springs. Rotation force is adjusted by adjusting the elastic force. The springs are in contact with the center blocks, and therefore friction resistance is relatively large, which is not conducive to increasing a rotation speed.
4. In some existing magic cubes, an axis is in full contact with center blocks, and rotation resistance is relatively large.
5. In some existing magic cubes, elastic force and an axis distance are adjusted by screwing iron screws, and there is no obvious reference mark and positioning, and operations are not convenient or precise enough.
6. Magic cubes on the market cannot be effectively compatible with multiple levels of magnetic force and multiple levels of elastic force.

GUANGZHOU GANYUAN INIELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The present invention relates to methods for promoting somatic embryogenesis from a tissue or organ of a plant, by overexpressing a Wuschel gene in said tissue or organ. In one embodiment, such overexpression can be used as a silent selectable marker for transgenic plants. In another embodiment, such expression can be used to confer apomixis to a plant. In another embodiment, such overexpression can be used to create haploid plants, which can be used to produce dihaploid plants.

Somatic embryogenesis is a unique pathway for asexual propagation or somatic cloning in plants. The developmental process of somatic embryogenesis shares considerable similarity with that of zygotic embryogenesis (Zimmerman, 1993; Mordhorst et al., 1997) and this is likely due to the conservation in the underpinning cellular and molecular mechanisms between the two processes. Therefore, somatic embryogenesis provides an attractive model system for studying zygotic embryogenesis, particularly because zygotic embryos are encased by maternal tissues and difficult to access by biochemical and molecular tools. Moreover, in biotechnological applications, most economically important crop as well as non-crop plants are regenerated via somatic embryogenesis.
In contrast to organogenesis, which requires a high cytokinin to auxin ratio (Skoog and Miller, 1957; Sugiyama, 1999; Sugiyama, 2000), somatic embryogenesis does not require any external cytokinins, but rather is dependent on high concentrations of 2,4-D (Zimmerman, 1993; Mordhorst et al., 1997; Sugiyama, 2000), a synthetic chemical that has long been used as a functional analog of auxin. It is generally believed that somatic embryogenesis is mediated by a signaling cascade triggered by external auxin or 2,4-D (Zimmerman, 1993; Mordhorst et al., 1997; Schmidt et al., 1997). However, very little is known about the signal transduction pathway, particularly the molecular mechanism involved in the transition of a vegetative cell to an embryogenic competent cell.
During the last two decades, considerable efforts have been made to identify genes with altered expression patterns during somatic embryogenesis (Schmidt et al., 1997; Lin et al., 1996; Thomas, 1993). Most of these genes, however, are up-regulated only in late developmental stages, suggesting that they do not play a direct role in the vegetative-to-embryogenic transition. Thus far, the only exception is the carrot Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-like Kinase (SERK) gene the expression of which appears to mark the vegetative-to-embryogenic transition; however, its function remains unclear (Schmidt et al., 1997). An additional molecular approach was attempted by manipulating certain embryo-specific genes. The Arabidopsis Leafy cotyledon 1 (LEC1) gene, encoding a subunit of the HAP heterotrimeric transcription factor complex (HAP3), has been proposed as a key regulator for embryonic identity (Lotan et al., 1998). Mutations in the LEC1 locus result in defective embryo maturation as well as the conversion of cotyledons into true-leaf-like structures (Lotan et al., 1998; Meinke, 1992; Meinke et al., 1994). Constitutive overexpression of LEC1 leads to severely abnormal plant growth and development with occasional formation of somatic embryo-like structures (Lotan et al., 1998). The developmental fate of these embryo-like structures, however, remained unknown due to the lethality of LEC1 overexpression.
The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention, and in particular, cases to provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated herein by reference, and for convenience, are referenced by author and date in the text and respectively grouped in the appended List of References.

Promotion of somatic embryogenesis in plants by


A system and method for preventing cheating in a video game environment by obfuscating game variables in memory.

Cheating in video games is an ongoing problem in the game development industry. Unscrupulous players can cheat in several ways, ranging from technical hacks of the game to engaging in poor sportsmanship. For example, on the technical side, a player might use memory-editing software to teleport a character around the game map, change player attributes (e.g., health), or spawn powerful items to gain an unfair advantage in the game. Video game players may seek to manipulate (or otherwise hack) the software and/or data of the game in order to (a) acquire unauthorized in-game content, (b) create/maintain an unfair advantage in relation to the other players, and (c) circumvent security mechanisms placed in the game. For example, a player looking to gain one of these advantages may monitor the games' memory during game play to identify where in memory certain useful program (e.g., crown jewel) variables are stored. Examples of these useful program variables include the player's health, ammunition count, in-game-currency, etc. If the locations of these variables are found in memory, their values can be illegitimately changed using direct memory manipulation techniques. This would, for example, (a) enable a player to teleport to anywhere in the game world, by modifying the value of their coordinates, (b) enable a player to make themselves invulnerable by continuously setting their health value to the maximum every microsecond, (c) enable a player to modify the value of a damage multiplier to give them an unfair advantage against other players, and more similar attacks that disrupt an otherwise honest gaming experience, and (d) execute functionality not typical in normal gameplay (e.g., calling game code or scripts designed to support developer troubleshooting or debugging).
In an attempt to prevent players from easily identifying the location or value of these important game variables and constants, developers of conventional games create systems to encrypt, encode, and/or obfuscate those values or their respective locations. Additionally, these conventional systems may implement integrity checks on the data or maintain copies (encrypted, obfuscated, or in-the-clear) for consistency checking and detection if one of them is illegitimately modified.
These systems, however, have many disadvantages. For example, (a) they are difficult for programmers to implement, as they must be applied in every part of the game code that reads or writes to these sensitive values, (b) they must fit within the exceedingly high performance expectations so as to not impact the otherwise fast-paced environment modern gaming has set the standard for, (c) their functionality must withstand changes made by the operating-system that can seem illegitimate, even though perfectly normal, and (d) they can be easily identified in the game's memory at run-time, allowing attackers to find them and determine how to circumvent them.
Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for detecting and preventing cheating in online games in an effort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of conventional video game systems.
It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the FIGURES. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The FIGURES do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Method and apparatus for preventing cheating in a video game environment by providing obfuscated game variables


This invention relates to permission based collaborative health record system. Specifically, it relates to systems of and methods for creating authorized health records that care givers and patients can use to document their diagnoses, symptoms, outcomes, instructions and participation in the effort toward wellness.

To achieve better treatment outcomes, healthcare service providers are continually striving to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the quality of treatment. Unfortunately, in the course of a traditional caregiver and patient relationship, poor communication, poor documentation and poor instruction (or the inability to correctly recall the instructions) inhibits the accuracy and efficacy of the diagnosis and the treatment plans. For example, data is typically entered into a health record by a nurse or credentialed professional who takes notes during the physical engagements based upon conversations with the patient. This requires the patient to recall from memory all the symptoms and issues that make up the related patient illness, a difficult task if some of the symptoms were not recurring or occurred sometime prior to the caregiver visit. The care giver then has to determine the best course of action and treatment plan based upon this data. Physically returning for caregiver visits during the treatment plan and follow up telephone calls are the only methods of communication to alter the course of action, note any challenges with treatment, change medications, and document all of this change process accurately. This leads to a higher cost of healthcare and longer patient durations toward improvement. Accordingly, an improved method of communication, documentation and instruction between patient and caregiver is desirable.


An SRAM circuit structure and method for reducing leakage currents and/or increasing the speed of the devices. Various forms of SRAM devices may be fabricated utilizing the techniques, such as single port and dual port RAM devices. By way of example the SRAM structure utilizes separate write and read lines, splits the circuit into portions which can benefit from having differing threshold levels, and can allow splitting read path transistors for connection to a first terminal and a virtual node connected to a source transistor. The structure is particularly well suited for forming transistors in a combination of NMOS and PMOS, or solely in NMOS. Memory arrays may be organized according to the invention in a number of different distributed or lumped arrangements with the reference read paths and sense blocks being either shared or dedicated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to semiconductor memory, and more particularly to static random access memory circuits.
2. Description of Related Art
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) is a form of electronic data storage which retains data as long as power is supplied. Static RAMs are widely utilized within all manner of electronic devices, and are particularly well-suited for use in portable or hand-held applications, as well as in high performance device applications. In portable or hand-held device applications, such as cell phones, SRAMs provide stable data retention without support circuits, thus keeping complexity low while providing robust data retention. In high performance applications, such as microprocessor caching, since the SRAM can provide fast access times while not requiring the cell data refresh operations required in Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM).
FIG. 1 shows a typical SRAM cell consisting of six transistors (6T SRAM) and related peripheral circuits. For example, when node C_i is precharged at Vdd (data H), mp2_i is turned off and mn2_i is turned on. Node CB_i is set Vss (data L). Therefore, mp1_i is turned on and mn1_i is turned off. Hence, as long as power is supplied, data at C and CB are maintained high and low respectively.
FIG. 2 shows a read timing diagram of the conventional 6T SRAM cell shown in FIG. 1. In a precharge cycle, PPREi is at logic low and mpp1_i and mpp2_i are turned on. So, bit line pairs (BL_i and BLB_i) are precharged at Vdd, logic high. When a word line (WL_i) is enabled, a bit line is discharged depending on the stored data. For example, node C_i is high and CB_i is low. According to the word line enabling, mn3_i and mn4_i are turned on. Since CB_i is low and mn2_i is turned on, the voltage of BLBi is discharged slowly through mn4_i and mn2_i. When a certain amount of voltage difference between bit line pairs arises, a sensing enable signal (PSAEi) is enabled to amplify the signal difference. The voltage difference on the bit line pairs is amplified by the sense amplifier (i) and a full CMOS output pairs (Di and Dbi) are generated at the outputs of the sense amplifier.
Since the typical 6T SRAM cell creates a signal difference on bit lines by itself, the read speed of SRAM is faster than that of DRAM, in which a charge sharing time between the bit line and cell capacitances is needed and read speed is slowed. This 6T SRAM cell has a very stable structure and is widely used in typical SRAM design. However, there is a trade-off between power consumption and read speed. As the minimum feature size (i.e. design rule) decreases and the threshold voltage of transistors is reduced to maintain performance as operating voltage is lowered, the leakage current (i.e. standby current) becomes an important factor. In this example, since C_i is at a high level and CB_i is at a low level, mp2_i and mn1_i are turned off. Even though these two transistors are in an off state, there is a current flowing through the devices referred to as a cell leakage current. At 0.18 μm technology, this leakage current is on the order of fA (10e-15) and can be substantially ignored for most applications.
However, with regard to more advanced technology such as 0.13 μm technology, since this current is then on the order of tens of nA (10e-9), the level of current can no longer be ignored. For example, for a 16 Mb SRAM, when a cell leakage current is about 10 nA, the total current is 16*1024*1024*10*1 e-9=16 mA. This level of leakage current equates to a large portion of the total power consumption for the device. It should also be appreciated that this leakage current is temperature dependent, increasing in response increasing temperature. For more advanced technology such as 0.11 μm technology, the cell leakage current increases significantly. Therefore, the power consumption component which arises as a result of cell leakage current becomes quite substantial. As the systems relying on SRAM become increasingly complex, the density of SRAM will continue to increase, and the total power consumed by cell leakage currents based on conventional SRAM architectures will continue to increase.
As mentioned earlier, there is a trade-off to be made between power consumption and cell read speed. Since the cell read speed is determined by how fast a bit line node (e.g., CB_i) is discharged through the cell pull-down transistor (mn1_i or mn_i). Therefore, the sizes of the cell access transistor (mn3_i or mn4_i) and the cell pull-down transistor (mn1_i or mn2_i) need to increase to enhance the read speed. However, when these cell access transistors and cell pull-down transistors increase in size, leakage currents flowing through these transistors also increase. In this example, when these transistors increase in size, leakage current flowing through a pair of mn4_i and mn2_i and mn1_i increases. Therefore, a trade-off between the cell leakage current and the cell read time makes SRAM design complicated and difficult as the operating voltage goes down.
In general, two classes of SRAM cells are implemented depending on the whether the SRAM is used with a low power or high performance application. With regard to low power applications, such as low power hand-held devices, the stand-by current (i.e. power consumption while the chip is in a stand-by mode), is often the most important consideration as these low power portable applications often rely on battery operation wherein stand-by current is a major determiner of battery life. This is in contrast to high performance applications such as cache memory, wherein cell data read speed is of critical importance. However, due to a drastic increase of the cell leakage current, the conventional 6T SRAM cell structure is facing a technical barrier to meet the design requirement. When device sizes increase and the threshold voltage of transistors decreases to meet the required speed, the power consumption due to the cell leakage current is a concern. When device sizes are scaled down and the threshold voltage of transistors increases to suppress leakage current, the cell read speed is degraded due to reduced current driving capability of the cell access and pull-down transistors.
Accordingly, a need exists for advanced SRAM circuits and methods for reducing leakage currents without sacrificing read speed. The present invention fulfills that need and others, while overcoming the drawbacks found in conventional SRAM architectures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An optical lens of this invention comprises a first optical member array, in which a plurality of columnar optical members acting on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting device are arranged in an array, and a second optical member, formed into a columnar shape from transparent material and within which the first optical member array is embedded along the column axis direction; the refractive index of the constituent material of the plurality of columnar optical members is higher than that of the transparent material of the second optical member. Because the first optical member array is embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, it is possible to easily place the lens in a position such that each incident light ray is acted upon. Further, the protruding and depressed portions due to the curved surfaces of the plurality of columnar optical members are covered by the second optical member and not exposed to the outside, so that there is no accumulation of dirt or the like in these portions, and an optical lens with excellent light emission performance is realized.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical lens, optical lens unit, stacked type optical lens, optical system, and semiconductor laser apparatus which act on each of the rays of light emitted from a light-emitting unit which is a plurality of light-emitting devices arranged in an array, and in particular, relates to an optical lens, optical lens unit, stacked type optical lens, optical system, and semiconductor laser apparatus which collimates and condenses each ray of light.
2. Related Background of the Invention
An optical lens collimates (parallelizes) rays emitted from a semiconductor laser device as a light-emitting device, and the light is focused onto a minute spot at the light-receiving portion of an optical fiber or the like. The semiconductor laser device often takes the form of a semiconductor laser array, in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in a row; in this case, the optical lens also takes the form of an array which collimates each of the rays of light from each of the light-emitting portions. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. H7-98402 discloses an optical path converter in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses are arranged in parallel. International Unexamined Patent No. WO99/57791 and European Unexamined Patent No. EP1006382A1 disclose an optical lens for semiconductor lasers in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses are formed integrally. These optical path converters and cylindrical lenses for optical lenses each collimate rays of light emitted from each of the light-emitting portions of a semiconductor laser array.
As a result of studies of the above conventional type optical lenses, the inventor of this invention discovered that the above conventional optical lenses have the following problems.
(1) Using the optical path converter disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. H7-98402, it is extremely difficult to arrange each of the cylindrical lenses to collimate incident rays one-to-one with the light-emitting portions of semiconductor laser devices.
(2) In the optical lenses disclosed in International Unexamined Patent No. WO99/57791 and European Unexamined Patent No. EP1006382A1, cylindrical lenses are formed integrally, so that problems such as in (1) do not occur; but there is the problem that, because the depressions and protrusions of each cylindrical lens are exposed to the outside, dirt tends to accumulate in such places, and this blocks light and affects the light emission performance.
An object of this invention is to provide an optical lens, optical lens unit, stacked type optical lens, optical system, which promote a simple arrangement to a position enabling action on each ray of light emitted from each of a plurality of light-emitting portions of a light-emitting device, the light-emitting portions of which are arranged in an array, and which can adequately prevent adverse effects on the light emission performance, and semiconductor laser apparatus.
In order to attain the above object, the optical lens of this invention is an optical lens which, after acting on each of the rays of light emitted from a light-emitting device the plurality of light-emitting portions of which are arranged in an array, emits the rays of light, and which comprises:
one or a plurality of first optical member arrays, each having a plurality of columnar optical members comprising a first optical action portion, which has a curved surface on either the light incidence side or on the light emission side and which acts on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion in the x-axis direction, and in which each columnar optical member is arranged on the same plane; and,
a second optical member, formed in a columnar shape from a transparent material, in the interior of which are embedded in parallel one or two first optical member arrays, along the column axis direction; and, in which
the constituent material of each columnar optical member has a refractive index differing from that of the transparent material of the second optical member.
In such an optical lens, because the first optical member array acting on incident light from the light-emitting device is embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, arrangement in a position to enable action on each of the incident rays of light can be easily performed.
Moreover, because the depressions and protrusions due to the convex curved surfaces of each columnar optical member, formed by arrangement in an array of each columnar optical member, are covered by the second optical member and are not exposed to the outside, there is no accumulation of dirt on these portions.
Further, the first optical member array is reinforced by the second optical member, and so has excellent strength.
In this specification, xe2x80x9cacts on a ray of lightxe2x80x9d means that the angle of divergence of an incident divergent ray of light is reduced before the ray of light exits.
It is desirable that the columnar optical members be in mutual contact in the array arrangement. In this case, the array pitch of the columnar optical members is shorter than in the case in which the plurality of columnar optical members are mutually separated in the array, so that the lens can easily be applied to a semiconductor laser array which is a light-emitting device in which the array pitch of the light-emitting portions is short. Also, each of the first optical action portions of the columnar optical member acts precisely in the X-axis direction on the ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion.
Each of the columnar optical members has a pair of contact plane surfaces, formed on the side faces and mutually parallel; it is further desirable that the first optical member array be formed with each of the columnar optical members arranged in the array in mutual contact at the contact plane surfaces. By this means, it is easy to form the first optical member array, and the optical lens becomes inexpensive.
Each of the columnar optical members may be formed integrally. When the columnar optical members are formed integrally, the operation of arrangement of the individual columnar optical members becomes unnecessary, and the optical lens can be manufactured efficiently, and the lens so becomes inexpensive.
It is desirable that the second optical member have a curved surface which acts on either incident light or exiting light. The optical lens comprises two optical members capable of acting on light, so that it is possible to manufacture the optical lens where the refractive indices of the two optical members are set appropriately, and in particular so that the refractive index difference is made large. xe2x80x9cX-axis directionxe2x80x9d means the direction of arrangement of each light-emitting portion in the light-emitting device when the direction of arrangement of the plurality of columnar optical members and the direction of arrangement of the plurality of light-emitting portions are parallel; that is, xe2x80x9cX-axis directionxe2x80x9d means the direction of arrangement of the plurality of columnar optical members.
For example, the curved surface of the second optical action portion may be formed at the exit face of the second optical member, to act in the X-axis direction on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion. By this means, it is possible to condense each of the rays emitted from the first optical member array.
As the curved surface of the second optical action portion, either the incident surface or the exit surface of the second optical member is formed into a curved surface, to act in the Y-axis direction on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion. By this means, emitted light is obtained which has been acted on in both directions by the optical lens, in addition to the action in the X-axis direction by the first optical action portion of the columnar optical member. Here, xe2x80x9cY-axis directionxe2x80x9d signifies the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and to the optical axis.
It is desirable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the constituent material of the columnar optical members be higher than that of the transparent material of the second optical member. If the optical lens is manufactured with a material of high thermal expansion coefficient covered by a material with a low thermal expansion coefficient, a crimping effect results in a durable structure which resists cracking.
It is desirable that the constituent material of columnar optical members have a yield point which is higher than that of the transparent material of the second optical member. The difference in yield points can be utilized to manufacture an embedded type optical lens using a drawing process.
The optical lens unit of this invention comprises the above optical lens, and a juxtaposed optical lens, placed adjacent to the above optical lens, and comprising a third optical action portion which acts in the Y-axis direction on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portions. Because the juxtaposed optical lens comprising the third optical action portion is provided separately, it can be placed in a desired position.
In the optical lens unit of this invention, the above optical lenses, each comprising a first optical member array, are arranged into an array of two parallel rows. In such an optical lens unit, the two optical lenses are arranged into two rows, and so it is possible to adjust the distance between the optical action portions in each of the optical lenses.
It is desirable that the second optical member of one of the two rows of optical lenses arranged in parallel is formed with a curved surface at either the light incidence face or the light exiting face of the second optical members, to comprise a second optical action portion which acts in the Y-axis direction on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion.
The first optical member array of the optical lens arranged on the exit side of the two rows of optical lenses arranged in parallel, has a plurality of columnar optical members comprising first optical action portions, with curved surfaces formed on the light incidence side and on the light emission side, and which act on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion. The first optical member array of the optical lens arranged on the incidence side of the two rows of optical lenses arranged in parallel may have a plurality of columnar optical members comprising first optical action portions, with a curved surface formed on the light incidence side, and which act on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion. By means of the optical lens arranged on the incidence side, it is possible to act on light incident from light-emitting devices according to the divergence angle of the light incident from each light-emitting portion and the pitch of the columnar optical members, and to adjust the emitted light.
An optical lens unit of this invention further comprises a juxtaposed optical lens, juxtaposed to two rows of optical lenses arranged in parallel, and comprising a third optical action portion, which acts in the Y-axis direction on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting portion. Because the juxtaposed optical lens comprising the third optical action portion is provided separately, the juxtaposed optical lens can be placed in a prescribed position.
An optical system of this invention comprises a light-emitting device in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in an array; the above optical lens, which acts on each ray of light emitted from the light-emitting device; and a light-receiving device, in which one or a plurality of light-receiving portions which receive light emitted from the optical lens are arranged in an array.
In this optical system, when rays of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting portions of the light-emitting device are incident on the optical lens, the first optical action portions of the plurality of columnar optical members in the optical lens act on the incident light in the X-axis direction. Consequently the divergence angle and the like of the emitted light can be adjusted. Hence even in cases when the light-receiving portion of the light-receiving device is extremely small, or when the array pitch of light-receiving portions is extremely small, each ray of light emitted from individual light-emitting portions can be reliably guided to the respective light-receiving portions. Also, because the plurality of columnar optical members of the first optical member array are constrained by the second optical member, when the optical lens is placed relative to a light-emitting device in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are placed in an array, it is possible to position the optical lens more simply than when columnar optical members are positioned independently for each light-emitting portion, so that simple installation of the optical system is possible. Also, when a plurality of columnar optical members are placed in an array, protruding or depressed portions are formed due to the first optical action portions of the plurality of columnar optical members, because curved surfaces are formed in the first optical action portions; in the above optical lens, these protruding or depressed portions are covered by the second optical member and are not exposed to the outside, so that dirt and the like does not accumulate on these portions. Hence excellent light emission performance can be maintained over extended periods of time, without exchanging, cleaning, or the like of the optical lens. Moreover, because the optical lens is excellent in strength, the frequency with which the optical lens is-replaced in an optical system is sufficiently reduced.
Also, an optical lens of this invention comprises:
one or a plurality of first optical member arrays, having a plurality of columnar optical members arranged in an array along the X-axis direction, which have curved surfaces formed in each of the above plurality of columnar optical members, and which have a first optical action portion which acts in the above X-axis direction on light rays incident on the above columnar optical members; and,
a second optical member, which constraines the above plurality of columnar optical members of the above first optical member arrays, which covers the above first optical action portions of the above plurality of columnar optical members, and which is formed from a transparent material; and wherein
the refractive indices of the constituent material of the above columnar optical members and of the above transparent material of the above second optical member are different.
In this optical lens, the plurality of columnar optical members of the first optical member array are constrained in place by the second optical member. Consequently when the optical lens is positioned with respect to a light-emitting device in which are placed a plurality of light-emitting portions in an array, the operation of placing the optical lens can be performed extremely easily compared with the case in which columnar optical members are placed independently for each light-emitting portion. Further, when the optical lens is placed opposing the above light-emitting device, if the light rays emitted from each of the light-emitting portions of the light-emitting device are incident on columnar optical members of the optical lens, the first optical action portions of the columnar optical members act in the X-axis direction on the light incident on the columnar optical members. Also, when a plurality of columnar optical members are positioned, because the first optical action portion forms a curved surface, protrusions and depressions are formed by the first optical action portions of the plurality of columnar optical members, but these protrusions and depressions are covered by the second optical member and are not exposed outside, so that dirt and the like does not accumulate in these portions. Further, the first optical member array is constrained and reinforced by the second optical member, so that the strength of the optical lens is superior to that in cases where the first optical member array is not constrained by a second optical member.
An optical lens unit of this invention comprises the above optical lens, and a juxtaposed optical lens, which is placed juxtaposed with the above optical lens, and which comprises a third optical action portion which acts in the Y-axis direction on incident rays of light.
In this optical lens unit, the first optical action portions of columnar optical members in the above optical lens act in the X-axis direction, and the third optical action portion of the juxtaposed optical lens acts in the Y-axis direction. Hence by means of this optical lens unit, incident light rays can be acted on in both the X-axis and the Y-axis directions. Furthermore, the juxtaposed optical lens is provided separately from the columnar optical members, so that the distance between the first optical action portions and the third optical action portion can be adjusted as appropriate to the purpose.
An optical lens unit of this invention may have a first optical lens and second optical lens placed to be mutually parallel, in which the above first optical lens and the above second optical lens are each the above-described optical lens, which comprises the above-described first optical member array. In such an optical lens unit, because two optical lenses are placed in a parallel array, the distance between the respective optical action portions can be adjusted.
A stacked type optical lens of this invention is a stacked type optical lens which, after acting on each of the rays of light emitted from a light-emitting device in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in an array, emits the rays of light, and has the form of a stack of a plurality of levels of the above optical lenses.
According to such a stack type optical lens, the first optical member array acting on incident light from the light-emitting device is embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, so that placement in a position enabling action on each incident light ray can be performed simply. Further, by placing columnar optical members in an array, the protruding and depressed portions due to the curved surfaces of the columnar optical members are covered by the second optical member and are not exposed to the outside, so that dirt and the like does not accumulate on these portions. Moreover, because the first optical member array is reinforced by the second optical member, the optical lens is excellent in strength. And, because the optical lens has a form in which a plurality of levels are stacked, the optical lens is adaptable to a light-emitting device in which light-emitting portions are stacked in a plurality of levels.
It is preferable that the second optical member in each level have a second optical action portion which forms a curved surface on the ray incidence face of the second optical member, and acts in the Y-axis direction on each incident light ray; and that the second optical member further comprise a condensing portion in which curved surfaces are formed in the entirety of the light emission face of the second optical member in each level, and which acts on each emitted light ray in both the Y-axis direction and in the X-axis direction, and condenses light in one place.
By this means, each of the emitted light rays from the light-emitting devices stacked in a plurality of levels can all be condensed in one place by the condensing portion.
Moreover, an optical system of this invention comprises a light-emitting device in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in an array; the above-described stack type optical lens, which acts on each of the rays of light emitted from the light-emitting device; and a light-receiving device, in which one or a plurality of light-receiving portions which receive rays of light emitted by the stack type optical lens are arranged in an array.
Thus, an optical system is provided comprising a stack type optical lens which can easily be positioned with respect to a light-emitting device in which, for example, a plurality of semiconductor laser arrays, each of which has light-emitting portions arranged in a row, are stacked in a plurality of levels, and which is excellent in light emission performance without accumulation of dirt or the like.
Also, a stacked type optical lens of this invention comprises:
one or a plurality of first optical member arrays, each having a plurality of columnar optical members arranged in an array along the X-axis direction, each of which has a curved surface, and has a first optical action portion which acts in the above X-axis direction on rays of light incident on the above columnar optical members; and,
a second optical member, having a third and a fourth face formed on both sides of the first optical member arrays, in which at least one of the above third and fourth faces has a plurality of curved surfaces having second optical action portions which act on incident light rays in the Y-axis direction, and which is formed from a transparent material.
In such a stacked type optical lens also, the first optical member arrays which act on incident light rays from a light-emitting device are embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, so that placement in a position enabling action on each of the incident light rays can be easily performed. And the protruding and depressed portions due to the curved surfaces of columnar optical members, formed through placement in an array of the columnar optical members, are covered by the second optical member and not exposed to the outside, so that there is no accumulation of dirt or the like on these portions. Also, because the first optical member arrays are reinforced by the second optical member, the stacked type optical lens is excellent in strength. And because the stacked type optical lens has a form in which the optical lens are stacked in a plurality of levels, it is adaptable to a light-emitting device in which semiconductor laser arrays, in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in a row, are stacked in a plurality of levels.
Also, an optical lens of this invention comprises:
a first optical member array, having a plurality of columnar optical members formed in a columnar shape from a transparent material, to include, in the external face on at least one side, a first optical action portion consisting of a curved surface parallel to a first axis, and in which the above plurality of columnar optical members are placed in an array shape such that the above plurality of first axes are mutually parallel in a prescribed plane; and,
a second optical member, formed in a columnar shape from a transparent material having an index of refraction different from that of the above columnar optical members, to include, in the external face on at least one side, a second optical action portion consisting of a curved surface parallel to a second axis, and with at least the above first optical action portions of the above first optical member array embedded therein, such that the above second axis is perpendicular to the above plurality of first axes; and in which
the first and second optical action portions act on light on optical axes which intersect orthogonally in a prescribed plane.
According to the optical lens of this invention, the first optical member array, which acts on incident light rays from a light-emitting device, is embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, so that placement in a position enabling action on each of the incident light rays can be easily performed. Also, because the protruding and depressed portions due to the curved surfaces of each of the columnar optical members, formed by arrangement in an array of columnar optical members, are covered by the second optical member and not exposed to the outside, there is no accumulation of dirt or the like on these portions. And, because the first optical member array is reinforced by the second optical member, the optical lens is excellent in strength.
An optical lens with simple structure can easily be manufactured using known methods in minute sizes. Consequently manufacturing can be performed with the size of the second optical member, and the sizes and number of the columnar optical members in the first optical member array, easily adjusted according to the conditions of placement of a plurality of light sources arranged in an array, or the conditions of placement of a plurality of illumination spots arranged in an array. Hence it is possible to make the first optical action portions of a plurality of columnar optical members in the first optical member array correspond to each minute light source; and, the optical lens can easily be placed in a minute range before the onset of overlapping of light rays emitted from adjacent minute light sources, so that incident light rays from light sources can be acted on independently for each light source. Further, even when the plurality of minute light sources have astigmatism and are arranged in an array, because in an optical lens of this invention the second optical action portion of the second optical member and the plurality of first optical action portions in the first optical member array are arranged as described above, so that the vertical components and parallel components of beams emitted from the light sources, with different divergent angles, can be acted on together.
Also, the first optical action portions of the plurality of columnar optical members constituting the first optical member array can correspond to a plurality of illumination spots arranged in an array one-to-one, and the plurality of emitted light rays which have been subjected to action can be illuminated together, a plurality of prescribed corresponding illumination spots.
Here the xe2x80x9cfirst axisxe2x80x9d is the axis (central axis) passing through the geometrical centers of the two base faces of the columnar optical members, and refers to the axial line which is parallel with the extending direction of the columnar optical members. The xe2x80x9csecond axisxe2x80x9d is the axis (central axis) passing through the geometrical centers of the two base faces of the columnar second optical member, and refers to the direction of arrangement of the columnar optical member (the axial line parallel with the extending direction of the second optical member).
It is preferable that the transparent material of the above columnar optical members have a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the transparent material of the second optical member. If the optical lens is manufactured with a material having a high thermal expansion coefficient covered by a material with a low coefficient, a crimping effect results in a durable structure which resists cracking.
It is preferable that the transparent material of the above columnar optical members have a yield point higher than that of the transparent material of the above second optical member. The difference in yield points can be utilized to manufacture an embedded type optical lens using a drawing process.
The above columnar optical members may, for example, be formed into cylindrical shapes.
The above columnar optical members may be formed into semi-cylindrical shapes, with the outer face of the side opposite the above curved surface be formed into a planar surface.
It is preferable that the above columnar optical members be formed with a pair of planar side faces between the above curved surface, and the outer face opposite the above curved surface, and that the above first optical member array be formed by arranging in an array the above columnar optical members, so as to be in mutual contact at the above planar side faces. Because planar side faces are formed, the plurality of columnar optical members can be easily arranged in an array, and the optical lens can be manufactured efficiently. As a result, the optical lens becomes inexpensive.
The above second optical member may be formed into, for example, a cylindrical shape.
The above second optical member may be formed into, for example, a semispherical shape, with the outer face opposing the curved surface formed into a planar face.
The above optical lens may further have a pair of rolling prevention means, provided on both ends of the second optical member, which prevents rolling of the above second optical member. Through these rolling prevention means, rolling of the second optical member is prevented, so that when mounting the second optical member on a semiconductor laser array in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are placed in an array, the mounting operation is extremely easy. Also, the angle of mounting of the optical lens on the semiconductor laser array is determined.
It is preferable that the above pair of rolling prevention means have contact faces consisting of planar faces respectively.
In this case, because the contact face is a plane, when the rolling prevention means of adjacent optical lenses are brought into mutual contact at the contact faces, it is possible to easily stack a plurality of optical lenses, so that, for example, the operation of mounting on a light-emitting device in which semiconductor laser arrays are stacked in a plurality of levels becomes easy.
A semiconductor laser apparatus of this invention has a semiconductor laser array, in which a plurality of light-emitting portions are arranged in an array; ray parallelizing means, which parallelizes and emits light rays emitted from the above plurality of light-emitting portions; and a condensing optical system, which condenses and outputs the rays emitted by the above ray parallelizing means; the above ray parallelizing means is the above optical lens, and the direction of the array of the above plurality of light-emitting portions in the above semiconductor laser array is parallel to the direction of the array of the above plurality of columnar optical members in the above optical lens.
In this semiconductor laser apparatus, the number of columnar optical members in the first optical member array is matched with the number of light-emitting portions of the semiconductor laser array used; in addition, when the pitch of the plurality of columnar optical members is made equal to the pitch of the array of light-emitting portions used, the second optical member acts in the Y-axis direction on the laser beams emitted from the respective plurality. of light-emitting portions, and the columnar optical members act in the X-axis direction on the laser beams emitted from the respective plurality of light-emitting portions.
It is preferable that the two end faces of the above columnar optical members be exposed from the second optical member. If the two end faces are thus exposed from the second optical member, when the optical lens is being placed with respect to a semiconductor laser array, positioning of the first optical action portions with respect to the light-emitting portions becomes easy, and the region up to the interface of the second optical member can be regarded as the first optical action portions.

Optical lens, optical lens unit, stacked type optical lens, optical system and semiconductor laser apparatus


The present invention includes methods and compositions for ameliorating symptoms or treating one or more adverse reactions triggered by infectious diseases or disease conditions that trigger a widespread release of cytokines in a subject comprising the steps of: identifying the subject in need of amelioration of symptoms or treatment of the infectious diseases or disease conditions that trigger a widespread release of cytokines; and administering one or more pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a curcumin extract, curcuminoids or synthetic curcumin (S-curcumin) and derivatives thereof, or empty liposomes, dissolved or dispersed in a suitable aqueous or non-aqueous medium sufficient to reduce the level of cytokines in the host.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with infectious diseases and disease conditions that trigger, e.g., an anaphylactic cytokine cascade.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,276, issued to Har-Noy, entitled, "T-cell compositions that elicit type I cytokine response", relates to a method of manipulating allogeneic cells for use in allogeneic cell therapy protocols is described. The method provides a composition of highly activated allogeneic T-cells, which are infused into immunocompetent cancer patients to elicit a novel anti-tumor immune mechanism called the "Mirror Effect". The inventors argue that, in contrast to current allogeneic cell therapy protocols where T-cells in the graft mediate the beneficial graft vs. tumor (GVT) and detrimental graft vs. host (GVH) effects, the allogeneic cells of the invention stimulate host T-cells to mediate the "mirror" of these effects. The highly activated allogeneic cells of the invention are said to stimulate host immunity in a complete HLA mis-matched setting in patients that have not had a prior bone marrow transplant or received chemotherapy and/or radiation conditioning regimens.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,309,519, issued to Li, et al., is entitled "Compositions and methods for inhibiting vascular permeability" and relates to compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis. These inventors teach methods for producing and screening compounds and compositions capable of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis. It is said that the compositions described are useful in, methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis, including methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis induced by specific angiogenic, permeability and inflammatory factors, such as, for example VEGF, βFGF and thrombin.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,498, issued to Keller, is entitled "Treatments for viral infections" and relates to improved methods and compositions for treating viral infections and other diseases and conditions that induce a cytokine storm. It is further said that the invention relates to novel compositions comprising quercetin, and an anti-convulsant, such as phenytoin, in combination with multivitamins as an anti-viral composition and methods of use thereof.
United States Patent Application No. 20100075329, filed by O'Toole, et al., is entitled "Methods For Predicting Production Of Activating Signals By Cross-Linked Binding Proteins" and relates to human binding proteins and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL21R), and uses therefore. The invention is said to include methods to predict whether the binding proteins of the invention may take on agonistic activities in vivo and produce a cytokine storm. In addition, the invention is said to provide methods for determining whether an anti-IL21R binding protein is a neutralizing anti-IL21R binding protein, based on the identification of several IL21-responsive genes. Finally, it is said that the binding proteins can act as antagonists of IL21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL21R in particular.

Suppression of cytokine release and cytokine storm


The present invention provides a transition for millimetre wave circuits. The transition comprises a tapered slot antenna and a microstrip feed line coupled to the antenna. The transition is adapted to provide a tuneable frequency response.

In millimetre or sub millimetre wave applications, the transfer of signal energy between conductive media and airborne media requires the use of a transition or probe.
One type of probe which is commonly used to perform such a function is a dipole. The dipole is inserted into a waveguide at a determined point and provides broadband performance. However, one drawback of a dipole is that it must be inserted at the side of a waveguide. It also requires a supporting quarter wavelength cavity in order to be effective.
Another type of probe which is used for millimetre wave applications is the tapered slot (Vivaldi) antenna. This antenna comprises a slot with a constant taper on a planar substrate. A microstrip line provides the feed for the slot. The tapered slot is an in-line transition, and therefore not as disruptive to the design process as a dipole. However, this antenna suffers from the drawback that the pass band of the antenna is not tuneable.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above mentioned problems.


A display apparatus comprising a plurality of planar elements which interconnect to form a display board is described herein. The display apparatus includes a box configured to support the display board in a substantially vertical position. The box is also configured to enable the plurality of planar elements to be packed away inside the box for storage. A method of assembling the display apparatus is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display apparatus for displaying moveable display elements on a board, the box in which the display board is stored being additionally configured to support the display board in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that it is educationally beneficial for children of all ages to play with substances such as water and sand. For very young children it helps them understand basic cause and effect, while for older children it helps with physical concepts such as gravity and flow.
However, water tables and sand tables are bulky to store, and often do not provide any configurable elements. Thus, they tend to be suitable for only one age group and to provide an incomplete learning experience, as children cannot experiment with changing the flow of the water or sand.


Light emitting devices are formed on a surface of a solid state imaging device and are used as illumination light sources. In a solid state imaging device for use in an electro-endoscope or the like, an illumination light source need not be provided independently of the solid state imaging device. Hence, the electro-endoscope can be miniaturized and simplified in structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to solid state imaging devices and, more particularly, to a small solid state imaging device having a simple structure capable of picking up an image in a dark place, i.e., a solid state imaging device for use with an electro-endoscope.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a conventional electro-endoscope in which an endoscope scope has on its top a small solid state imaging device which derives a picture in the form of an electrical signal.
As shown in FIG. 1, there are provided an endoscope scope a and a solid state imaging device b provided at a position inwardly and within an interior of the scope a. The solid state imaging device b receives a source voltage from a signal processing system 12 provided at the outside of the endoscope a and supplies an image signal to the signal processing system 12. Light guides c, c are made of optical fibers, for example, to emit a light supplied thereto from a light source 13 provided outside the endoscope a through the inside of the endoscope a from the top surface of the endoscope a.
An objective lens d is disposed ahead of the solid state imaging device b. A blast outlet e is used to clean smudges on the objective lens d by the jetting of air supplied thereto from an air and water conveyance system 14. A water conveyance outlet f is used to jet water supplied thereto from the air and water conveyance system 14. The solid state imaging device b and the signal processing system 12 are coupled via a wiring g. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 designates a control system and reference letters h denote a television monitor and i a recording apparatus.
Demands from users that the electro-endoscope be made as small as possible is unlimited and the manufacturers intend to produce smaller solid state imaging devices. However, such requirements of the users cannot be satisfied even when the solid state imaging device is made compact in size. The reason for this is that, although solid state imaging devices are miniaturized by the development of micro-lithography, the conventional electro-endoscope needs a light source provided separately from the solid state imaging device and therefore there is a large limit on miniaturizing the electro-endoscope.

Solid state imaging device having a light emitting diode


Systems and methods for determining access to a home automation system may include receiving a command from a user to perform a home automation function, and determining a privilege for the user, which may be based on the location of the user. The methods may include comparing the command and the user privilege to an authorization list, where the authorization list defines system access to perform home automation functions based at least on individual commands and associated privileges. The methods may also include determining whether to allow the user access to the home automation system to perform the commanded home automation function.

Home automation systems provide a plethora of valuable benefits. From monitoring ongoing activities to securing the home, these systems can be configured to monitor many activities, and can be operated by any number of users both in the home and away. While providing convenient access to the system, such flexibility may produce security issues as well. For example, a user whose phone is stolen may then have concerns about the integrity of their home.
Thus, there is a need for improved methods and systems for authorizing users to provide home automation system commands. These and other needs are addressed by the present technology.

Restricted access for home automation system

ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION


A user interface for creating relationships between visual modeling (e.g., UML) elements on a diagram is disclosed. The user interface utilizes two connector handles that represent “source to target” and “target to source” relationships. The connector handles are consistent across all shapes/elements in the diagram and are made to appear on the edge of an element shape nearest to the cursor. The source to target connector handle is used for gestures involving outgoing connections. The target to source connector handle is used for gestures involving incoming connections. The user creates a new relationship between a source and a target by selecting one of the connector handles on the source shape and dragging to the target context (element shape or blank area). Next the user is prompted to qualify the gesture by selecting from a menu the type of relationship desired to be created. A connection or edges in the diagram of the type representative of the user's selections is produced.

In the art of computer programming, there are various tools to assist with the designing of a software program (e.g. application program). One category of such program design tools is the visual modeling type. The UML is an example visual modeling language (with formal syntax and semantics) for communicating a model or conceptionalization. The modeling language specification specifies modeling elements, notation and usage guidelines and not order of activities, specification of artifacts, repository interface, storage, run-time behavior and so forth.
In general, at the modeling level a "problem" is posed in terms of a customer's needs and requirements and may be referred to as the business problem system. The software designer develops a "solution" software product and or service that addresses the problem. The UML syntax enables software designers to express (specify and document) the subject problems and solutions in a standardized manner, while the UML semantics enable knowledge about the subject system to be captured and leveraged during the problem solving phase. See "UML in a Nutshell" by Simon Si Alhir, published by O'Reilly & Associates, September 1998. As such, the UML enables the sharing of information (including prior solution portions) and extension (without reimplementation) of core object oriented concepts (analysis and design) during the iterative problem-solving process for designing software products.
One of the problems with many visual modeling applications is that they are difficult to use. A palette often provides the possible tools that can be used to create shapes and connectors. This requires the user to constantly be going back and forth between the palette and the drawing surface. It is also difficult to provide hints as to what types of things the user should be creating (e.g., what types of connectors should go between certain shapes). The user, especially those new to UML, effectively play a guessing game as to which connections are legitimate between UML elements on the working diagram.
Existing modeling tools (i.e., ArgoUML) have some solutions for this in the form of connector handles around a shape from which new connectors can be created. The typical implementation has a set of connector handles each representing a different semantic relationship type for the user to create. The problem is that for shapes that support a lot of relationships, the border of the shape can get quite cluttered. This leads to some usability issues which ironically is what the connector handles are trying to solve. First, when the handles are invoked, this creates an "explosion" of handles around the shape which can cause the user to be inhibited by the choices available. Often the user won't understand the symbolic meaning of the handles and just know that a relationship needs to be created. The assumption is that the user has expert level domain knowledge of the relationships and what the relationships mean.
For different types of elements, the handles that are available around the shape change because different elements may support different types of relationships as a source. This means that the user interface (UI) for the handles becomes inconsistent across shapes and semantic domains. As a result the user does not gain a familiarity of the UI across all shapes and needs to learn the available handles and positions on a per shape basis.
Another issue is that typically these handles are only available for source to target relationship creation. This is assuming that the user only considers creation of relationships in this manner. If a user is thinking contextual to the target and who may consume the capabilities of this target, the user's mouse cursor is probably hovering over that shape. However, if the user now wishes to create a relationship to the target, the user must navigate his mouse/cursor to the source shape, invoke the handles and then draw the relationship. This partially defeats the purpose of the handles in that it is forcing movement of the mouse when a contributor to the relationship was literally under hand! A similar issue is if the target of the mouse cursor is on the opposite side of the source shape from the connector handle, the user is required to move the cursor across the source shape to the connector handle and drag across the source shape to the target. This feels awkward since the source shape effectively gets in the way of the gesture and forces redundant mouse/cursor movement.

Computer method and apparatus for connection creation in a software modeling system

International Business Machines Corporation


The image display method displays image information to be viewed by a person on display screens of a plurality of display apparatuses, is capable of setting a mode of display as a registrable mode which includes combination of at least two selectable items selected from the group consisting of presence or absence of need for tracking display, presence or absence of need for continued display, presence or absence of need for identification of the person, and setting of a stop condition and controls the display of the image information on the display screens of the plurality of display apparatuses in accordance with the setting of the registrable mode.

This invention relates to an image display method, particularly to an image display method capable of displaying an image in response to a person located in front of an image display apparatus.
The recent development of computer networks has made mobile computing a commonplace, in which people use notebook-sized PCs having communication capabilities, PDAs (personal digital assistants), cell phones, etc. and send or receive information on the Internet, by e-mail or some other means so that it can be browsed while the user is moving.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 250009/1999 discloses a network server apparatus with which web data in request is so converted as to comply with the specifications of a PDA and permit browsing of a desired web page with the PDA, as well as a web data conversion system which converts web data to allow for faster browsing of a web page with the PDA.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-324555 discloses a mobile terminal device that is to be connected to the Internet via radio communication means and which receives initial screen information for the address designated with browsing software so that the received information is represented on a display section, characterized by having initial screen setting means capable of selectively executing a home page displaying action for receiving data for the home page of a preset address or a designated page displaying action for designating the page of another address and receiving data for that page, so that the user can receive the necessary information rapidly and correctly.
When you are watching television in a room of your home, you may sometimes have to leave the room for some reason (e.g. taking a bath or washing your hands). If you want to continue to watch the TV program, you must either carry a portable TV set along or install a TV receiver at every place you are supposed to go to, turn on the TV receiver in the place you have moved to and tune it to the program you have been watching.
However, the practices described above have their own problems. Using the terminal devices of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 250009/1999 and 2000-324555 in order to browse information on the Internet while you are moving requires that you always carry such terminal devices along. This is also true with the case of carrying a portable TV set along in order to ensure that you can watch a TV program without interruption wherever you go in your home.
The method of installing a TV receiver in every place of your home to which you are supposed to go is not an exception and has two problems. For one thing, a conventional CRT-based TV requires a large space of installation. Secondly, in order to avoid the need to switch a particular TV receiver on and off, you must carry a remote control along.


A method and system for applying a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network to support QoS in general packet radio service (GPRS) is disclosed. An E-LSP tunnel with reserved bandwidth is pre-configured between Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and each Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN), and between any two SGSNs. Before an Mobile Station (MS) wishes to transmit or receive packets, it need to ask its designated SSGN for establishing an on-demand L-LSP from the SGSN to the Corresponding Node (CN). This L-LSP is required to tunnel through the pre-configured E-LSP that was mentioned above and here we apply the label stack technique from MPLS. Therefore, the packets of the on-demand L-LSP can be tunneled through the pre-configured E-LSP to the SGSN in which the MS is located, and then the SGSN is able to recognize and locate the mobile station according to the corresponding label in on-demand L-LSP.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the technical field of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and, more particularly, to a method and system for applying a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network to support Quality of Service (QoS) in general packet radio service (GPRS).
2. Description of Related Art
GPRS is defined to provide transmission service of packet switching and accordingly transmit high rate data and control message in GSM network. FIG. 1 shows a GPRS core network 10 and its architecture, while FIG. 2 shows the signaling plane and transmission plane at the Gn interface of the GPRS architecture, which are five-layer and six-layer structures, respectively. The transmission plane in the Gn interface stack protocol has GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) such that data packets include GTP headers, each having International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI) and Network Layer Service Access Point Identifier (NSAPI) corresponding to a mobile station (MS). Therefore, in this case, SGSN12 can recognize and locate corresponding MS(s) according to the IMSI and NSAPI.
Because GPRS architecture clearly distinguishes between wireless sub-network and wired sub-network, the backbone network formed by the wired sub-network can be constructed by repeatedly utilizing the existing network architecture, such as the Internet, or new network architecture such as Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). A method for distinguishing between wireless sub-network and wired sub-network is accomplished by two newly defined network nodes, which in FIG. 1 are the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 12 connected to the base station of the wireless network, and the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 13 connected to the external packet switching network 15. SGSN 12 is responsible for tracing and managing the position of a Mobile Station 14 (MS), performing the functions of verification, scheduling and medium access control in packet transmission. GGSN 13 is responsible for routing to the external packet switching network 15 to exchange packets, and utilizing the IP-based GPRS backbone 11 to communicate with the SGSN 12.
For a specific MS 14, GGSN 13 can use IP tunneling techniques to establish a dedicated communicating tunnel particularly between SGSNs 12 that the MS 14 belongs to, such that the MS 14 can access data of the external packet switching network 15. The establishment of this dedicated communicating tunnel and its location and verification information are accomplished by a PDP context activation procedure. This procedure will establish related PDP context tables in MS 14, SGSN 12 and GGSN 13, respectively, for storing information related to the communicating tunnel, mobile station identification and verification, wherein the PDP context tables in SGSN/GGSN are stored with the IP addresses of the GGSN/SGSN corresponding to the two ends of the communicating tunnels. In addition, the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) in the GPRS protocol defines the GPRS control messages, including control messages related to the PDP context activation procedure, and also defines the packet format and GTP header of the data packet in using IP tunnel techniques. The GTP header includes a set of Tunnel IDs (TIDs) for use by SGSN to identify a specific mobile station in the wireless sub-network.
As GPRS backbone network uses IP tunnel techniques to establish a dedicated communicating tunnel between GGSN 13 and SGSN 12, MS 14 is able to access data of the external packet switching network 15. However, such a technique also results in drawbacks such as increasing the length of the packet header, increasing the IP route delay and difficulty in supporting the quality of service. These drawbacks severely influence the GPRS backbone network transmission efficiency. Therefore, it is desirable for improvements in the above conventional GPRS architecture.

Method and system for applying an MPLS network to support QoS in GPRS

Industrial Technology Research Institute


The present invention relates to a process for preparing nanoporous VSB-5 molecular sieves, and more particularly, to a process for preparing nanoporous VSB-5 molecular sieves useful as a hydrogen storage material, a catalyst, a catalyst supporter and an adsorbent, performed in such a manner that low-cost inorganic base or monoamine instead of a template essential in the conventional process is, as a pH modifier, incorporated into raw materials comprised of nickel and phosphorous compounds and crystallized to give VSB-5 molecular sieves in an economical and efficient manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for preparing nanoporous VSB-5 molecular sieves, and more particularly, to a process for preparing nanoporous VSB-5 molecular sieves useful as a hydrogen storage material, a catalyst, a catalyst supporter and an adsorbent, performed in such a manner that low-cost inorganic base or monoamine instead of a template essential in the conventional process is, as a pH modifier, incorporated into raw materials comprised of nickel and phosphorous compounds and crystallized to give VSB-5 molecular sieves in an economical and efficient manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
A nanoporous material of nickel and phosphorous, the so-called VSB-5 molecular sieve with pore openings composed of 24-membered ring of oxygen atoms has pores of about 6.4 Å, exhibits a catalytic activity for selective hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, and shows relatively higher thermal stability. Therefore, the VSB-5 molecular sieve has been highlighted as a porous solid inorganic material standing comparison with conventional zeolitic molecular sieves.
However, the synthesis procedures for VSB-5 molecular sieve have not been suggested yet in diverse manners. The representing process comprises the addition of the diamine bases from 1,2-ethylene diamine to 1,8-octane diamine to nickel and phosphorous compounds (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125:1309-1312(2003); and Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 40:2831-2834(2001)). As the diamine base, 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) is mainly employed. The composition of VSB-5 molecular sieve includes as mole ratio of about 1.0 Ni: 2.1 P: 5.0 DAP: 140 H2O, which undergoes a hydrothermal reaction for 5-6 days at 180° C. to yield VSB-5 molecular sieve. However, the diamines used a base are generally expensive and requires heat treatment for the removal of amines after the synthesis of VSB-5 molecular sieve. Furthermore, the heat treatment results in the disruption or occlusion of pore structures of VSB-5 molecular sieve, which highly decreases the surface area of VSB-5 molecular sieve to exhibit the reduced efficiency on its application.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art for the development of a novel process for preparing VSB-5 molecular sieve by use of low-cost amines, not requiring the heat treatment.

Method of preparing a nanoporous nickel phosphate molecular sieve

Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology


In a misfire detector device for use in internal combustion engine, an electrical interrupter circuit on-off actuates a primary current flowing through a primary circuit of an ignition coil to induce a spark plug voltage. A check diode is provided in a secondary circuit of the ignition coil to prevent a current flowing back to the ignition coil. The spark plug has a center electrode, a front end of which is projected from an insulator, and an outer surface area of the projected front end being 25 mm.sup.2 or more. A spark plug voltage detector circuit detects an attenuation time length of a spark plug voltage waveform presented subsequent to a predetermined time period occurring after an end of a spark action of the spark plug. On the basis of the attenuation time length, a distinction circuit determines whether a misfire occurs in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a misfire detector device for use in an internal combustion engine which is conceived on the finding that a spark plug gap resistance is distinguishable in the case in which a spark ignites an air-fuel mixture gas from the case in which the spark fails to ignite the air-fuel mixture gas injected in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Prior Art
With the demand of purifying emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines, it has been necessary to detect the firing condition in each cylinder of the internal combustion engine so as to protect the internal combustion engine against any type of misfire. In order to detect the firing condition in each of the cylinders, an optical sensor has been installed within the cylinders. Further, a pressure-sensitive element has been attached to a seat pad of the spark plug, or the ion current due to an ignition circuit has been measured.
However, it is troublesome and time-consuming to install the optical sensor to each of the cylinders, thus increasing the installation cost, and at the same time, taking much time in carrying out periodic checks and maintenance. In addition, a high voltage withstanding diode is needed to introduce the ion current to a secondary circuit.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a misfire detector device for use in an internal combustion engines which is capable of precisely detecting a misfire by checking a spark plug voltage waveform applied to the spark plug installed in each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. A further object is to create the device with a relatively simple structure, and that is easy to install and maintain.

Misfire detector device for use in an internal combustion engine


A vane is mounted to a turbulence generator in a headbox by a mounting arrangement that includes an assembly bar that is rigidly connected to an anchoring element of the turbulence generator. The anchoring element has an engagement groove of dovetail shape that receives a similarly shaped protrusion on the assembly bar to rigidly mount the assembly bar to the anchoring element. The assembly bar also includes a continuous journaling groove configured to receive a pivot member of the vane to fix the vane to the assembly bar while leaving the vane free to pivot about a pivot axis that extends in the cross-machine direction.

The present invention relates to a headbox for delivering a jet of stock to a forming zone in a former for wet-forming a fiber web, and relates more particularly to the mounting of vanes within a slice chamber of a multi-layer headbox via an arrangement that allows each vane to pivot about its attachment to a turbulence generator of the headbox.
In papermaking, a web is formed in a former of the papermaking machine by delivering a jet of papermaking stock from a headbox to a forming zone of the former. A headbox generally comprises a slice having a slice chamber and a slice opening, and a turbulence generator that includes a plurality of turbulence channels that open out into the slice chamber for delivering stock into the slice chamber. Within the slice chamber, the flow of stock is divided into a plurality of separate channels by vanes that are mounted in the slice chamber, each vane typically being mounted to an elongate anchoring element arranged between adjacent rows of turbulence channels of the turbulence generator. The anchoring element typically has a continuous engagement groove that is open towards the slice chamber to facilitate mounting the vane to the anchoring element.
SE-511 684 C2 describes a multi-layer headbox with vanes that each have a connection bar with a flexible engagement part for pivotable journaling of the vane to an anchoring element that is fixedly arranged between two rows of turbulence channels. The headbox is of the rectilinear type, i.e., at least the intermediary channels extend in line with the turbulence channels. However, the described fastening of the vane directly to the anchoring element is not suitable in the case of a headbox of the angled type, in which all the vanes and channels in the slice chamber extend at an angle to the turbulence channels, as the axis of pivot is located inside the anchoring element such that the pivoting capacity of the vane would be insufficient, and the vane and connection bar are too close to the opening of the turbulence channel. Furthermore, the described fastening is not applicable in the case of an anchoring element having a dovetail-shaped groove for the connection bar.
Various solutions have been suggested for mounting a vane aligned at an angle to an anchoring element in a turbulence generator. U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,715 describes turbulence vanes that each have a connection bar consisting of a flexible material and having an extended intermediate part and a wedge-shaped engagement part that is received in a dovetail groove. A change in the position of the vane, due to differences in pressure between the two channels separated by the vane, result in corresponding bending of the long intermediate part. Repeated bending results in flexure fatigue in the material and a risk of the intermediate part fracturing. The bending of the intermediate part also causes the vane to be displaced in its plane so that the downstream end of the vane changes its position relative to the slice opening in proportion to the magnitude of the bending of the intermediate part. Such a change in position of the downstream edge is not acceptable in respect of a stock-separating vane in a multi-layer headbox, as it would affect the layers of the jet of stock detrimentally in the proximity of the slice opening.
WO 98/50625 describes vanes that each have a connection bar made of stainless steel. The connection bar has an extended intermediate part that is curved to retain the vane at an angle to the turbulence channel. The engagement part of the connection bar is dovetail-shaped to co-operate securely with the dovetail groove in the engagement part to provide a rigid joint. It will be appreciated that the vane and the connection bar are subjected to significant and repeated strains when differences in pressure arise between the two channels that are separated by the vane, so that there is a significant risk of a fracture occurring in the vane adjacent to the connection bar and/or in the connection bar, especially at the root of the dovetail-shaped engagement part. The last-mentioned document acknowledges the problem with such a rigid anchoring of the vane and therefore suggests a modified connection bar, the engagement part of which is fashioned with a circular cross section to form a joint so that the vane can pivot. A potential pivoting of the vane results in a change in position of the downstream edge of the vane, which is not acceptable for a stock-separating vane in a multi-layer headbox. However, it will be appreciated, of course, that the pivoting function is lost after a relatively short period of operation, as the circular joint will get wedged and assume a stationary position impervious to pivoting, which wedge locking occurs because of the tensile forces created by the stocks in the vane. Accordingly, the modified connection bar will function in the same unsatisfactory way as the first described connection bar with the rigid dovetail joint.
When a vane and/or its connection bar with the fastening systems described above has (have) been damaged, there has hitherto been no alternative and better arrangement for the mounting of the vane to reduce the operational disruptions and replacements. This applies particularly to headboxes where the anchoring elements of the turbulence generator are provided with dovetail grooves and the vanes are positioned at an angle relative to the turbulence channels.
Further suggestions for fastening a vane to a turbulence generator are described in SE-440 924, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,091, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,950, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,406.
The present invention addresses the problems mentioned above and seeks to provide a mounting arrangement for the vanes of the headbox that is simple in its construction and easy to install and which reduces the risk of damage to the vanes and their potential connection bars. The invention offers a simple and reliable way to replace existing fastening systems with a mounting arrangement in accordance with the invention, for instance in connection with re-construction of an already installed headbox. A headbox and mounting arrangement in accordance with the invention includes a slice defining a slice chamber and a slice opening, at least one vane arranged in the slice chamber to divide the flow of stock into at least two separate channels, a turbulence generator defining a plurality of turbulence channels corresponding to the number of channels in the slice chamber, each turbulence channel feeding stock to one of the channels in the slice chamber, the turbulence generator having an anchoring element for each vane, each anchoring element being arranged between adjacent turbulence channels, and a mounting arrangement for mounting each vane to the corresponding anchoring element. The mounting arrangement comprises a coupling element disposed at an upstream end of the vane, and an assembly bar extending along the anchoring element and adapted to receive the coupling element of the vane.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, the headbox, as well as the mounting arrangement, is characterized in that the assembly bar has
a protrusion that is arranged to be received in the engagement groove of the anchoring element to form a rigid joint and
a continuous journaling groove that is arranged at a pre-determined distance from the anchoring element and is open towards the vane by way of a side opening, and has opposite pivot surfaces, and that the pivot member of the vane is arranged to be received in the journaling groove to co-operate with its pivot surfaces to form an axis of pivot.
In accordance with the invention, the method is characterized in that an assembly bar, having a longitudinal protrusion with a cross section adapted to said pre-determined cross section of the engagement groove, is brought into engagement, by way of said protrusion, with the engagement groove of the anchoring element so that a butt, bending resistant joint is formed therebetween, and in that the pivot member of the vane is brought into engagement with an elongate journaling groove in the assembly bar to cooperate with opposite pivot surfaces in the journaling groove to form an axis of pivot, the vane pivoting about the same.

Headbox and arrangement and method for mounting a vane thereof