Collapsible and transportable systems for supporting miter saw assemblies. In one illustrative embodiment, a table assembly has two opposite main nodes at either end that support an upper bench top therebetween. Two legs extend from each main node to support the table. Two parallel support members extends through the main nodes underneath the bench top. A saw support table may be removably securable to the parallel support members extending out past the bench and allows a miter saw secured thereto to be adjusted such that the miter saw cutting table is co-planar with the bench top. A sliding locking member may be attached to the bench top to define a fixed distance for the length of material being cut. A second saw support table may be disposed on folding adjustable legs attached to the legs extending from a main node to support a table saw coplanar with the bench top.

Typical miter saw stands are either fixed tables that are intended for use at a single location or are small stands to which a saw assembly is attached that may be loaded into a truck or trailer for transport but lacks an adjoining work surface for supporting cut materials.
A collapsible system for supporting a miter saw that could be used to make repeated identical cuts to materials in order to facilitate construction at job sites would be an improvement in the art. Such a system that could be used with a power table saw would be a further improvement in the art.


The present invention relates to a color marker recognizing device using a color marker. The color marker recognizing device includes a coloring unit and a content unit. The coloring unit acquires a sub marker image from color marker images according to contextual information on a user. The content unit outputs a first content demand signal that requests to display a first content corresponding to the sub marker image acquired by the coloring unit. Since the color marker recognizing device uses the color marker, it is possible to provide personalized content services.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of providing contents and a system for performing the same, and more particularly, to a method of providing contents using a color marker and a system of performing the same.
2. Related Art
In an existing augmented reality field, a black-and-white marker has been mainly used in order to provide contents. As a result, a system for providing contents according to the related art cannot provide individual content services for many persons because of characteristics of the white-and-black marker. That is, the system for providing contents cannot provide a personalized service for each person and provides uniform services for an unspecified number of users in consideration of a simple element, such as ages of the users. In recent years, however, a personalized augmented reality service becomes important, and accordingly, the method of providing contents and the system for performing the same according to the related art are no longer effective in the augmented reality field.

Method of providing contents using color marker and system for performing the same

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology


The present invention discloses a software/hardware device with uncertain service function and structural characterization and a method for scheduling the same. The device comprises a policy generator, a scheduler and a plurality of heterogeneous functional equivalents with equivalent functions, wherein, the policy generator is configured for providing a scheduling policy for the heterogeneous functional equivalents to the scheduler; the scheduler is configured for receiving an external service request, determining heterogeneous functional equivalents that provide a service to the external service request according to the scheduling policy given by the policy generator, assigning the service request to the determined heterogeneous functional equivalents, and outputting a service response which has an uncertain relation with uncertain structural characterization according to a feedback and the scheduling policy given by the policy generator. Therefore, the service response provided to the service request has an uncertain correspondence relation with feedback results of the heterogeneous functional equivalents of the device, so that the effectiveness of detection or attack on an unknown loophole, trapdoor of the device is greatly lowered, and the protective ability of the software/hardware device is enhanced.

With the universal application of Internet technologies, a safe and stable network space environment is required more and more, thus network information security is of critical importance. However, various safety risks exist in the network environment. Such risks includes: loopholes existing on the hardware, software or system; backdoors created in the software by a programmer, through which the safety control can be bypassed to obtain an access right on the program or system; and trapdoors established for debugging and testing the program, which are "machineries" set in a certain system or a certain file and by which security policies are allowed to be violated when certain input data are provided. For example, a logon processing subsystem is allowed to process a certain user identification code so as to bypass ordinary password check. Moreover, such loopholes, backdoors and trapdoors are usually unavoidable in a network system.
The network space field includes various software/hardware devices with certain service functions. Such software/hardware devices may be systems, subsystems, components, modules, elements and even apparatuses, and the structural state of such software/hardware devices which is represented outward is referred to as structural characterization. Generally, for a software/hardware device with a given function, a certain mapping relation exists between its external structural form and its internal structural form, and such a mapping relation usually is static and determinate on the technical architecture of the network space field. At the same time, a design deficiency (loophole) or an embedded trapdoor (backdoor) based on this architecture has universality and stability at the systematic level, thus it tends to be utilized by an attacker. For example, based on such a determinate mapping relation, the attacker may detect or utilize a defect (loophole) or a trapdoor (backdoor) that exists or may exist on the internal structure of a device to attain an attack purpose. Once the attacker utilizes such an undetected defect (loophole) or an unknown trapdoor (backdoor), it will cause great asymmetry between the costs of the attacking party and the defending party on the network space, and it will be harmful to the network security environment.
In the prior art, a defensive measure for network space security is to accurately detect the safety of the network space field and take a corresponding measure; however, in such a defensive measure, measures will be taken only when an attack on the network is detected, and an unknown risk caused by the design deficiency (loophole) or the embedded trapdoor (backdoor) on the network space architecture cannot be coped with. As a result, such a defensive measure cannot defend against a network attack in advance.

Software/hardware device with uncertain service function and structural characterization, and scheduling method thereof

China National Digital Switching System Engineering & Technological R&D Center


In an in-store oven system audible customer messages are automatically generated based upon a food product cooked in an oven within the store.

Ovens, such as rack ovens, are commonly used in groceries and supermarkets to produce fresh baked goods for sale to customers. Other types of ovens, such as rotisserie ovens in the meat department, are used to cook food products such as whole chickens for sale to customers. Attracting customers to the bakery section or meat section when product is most fresh would be desired to increase sales.


Journaling technology, in which a tool, that is separate from a journaling process executed by a server system, causes display of an interface that enables user selection of information derivable from journaling data collected by the journaling process. The tool receives, through the displayed interface, user input selecting desired information derivable from the journaling data collected by the journaling process. Based on the user input, the tool determines one or more commands that are understood by the journaling process and that control the journaling process to retrieve journaling data needed to derive the desired information. The tool controls the journaling process to execute the one or more commands, accesses journaling data retrieved through execution of the one or more commands, and reformats the accessed journaling data into a presentable format of the desired information.

Servers may be used to manage files related to a company's business. Several different applications may run on the servers and make changes to files stored in a database. The servers may track changes made to the files to confirm that the applications are operating properly and the files are not being corrupted.


An ink includes a solution of selenium in ethylene diamine solvent and a solution of at least one metal salt selected from the group consisting of an indium salt or a gallium salt in at least one solvent including an organic amide. The organic amide can include dimethylformamide. The organic amide can include N-methylpyrrolidone.

Compounds of Groups IB, IIIA and VIA, especially copper indium diselenide (CIS) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), have been studied as semiconductor materials for a number of thin-film semiconductor applications. One key application is their use as light absorbing materials in solar cell components. The elements forming these compounds are relatively common and fairly inexpensive, and when formulated and processed into light absorbing materials (e.g., CIS and CIGS), they are highly efficient in converting solar energy to electrical energy.
Unfortunately, cost effective methods of fabricating these light absorbing materials, especially in the form of thin films, have been elusive and limited at best. Most current fabrication methods of light absorbing materials (e.g., CIS and CIGS) rely on vacuum deposition techniques (e.g., physical vapor deposition), which are generally expensive and labor-intensive.
Recent advances in the thin film technology involve the use of liquid precursors to deposit precursors of light absorbing materials. Liquid precursors for use in thin film deposition represent less expensive alternatives to vacuum deposition technology. Liquid precursors provide distinct advantages over conventional vacuum deposition technology including higher throughput, lower cost and more efficient material utilization. In addition, liquid precursors are compatible with a broader range of substrate types and surface morphologies including very large substrates or those having considerable flexibility.
Liquid precursors are generally formulated to contain a combination of metal and a multinary chalcogenide material each selected, respectively, from the elements of Group IB, Group IIIA and Group VIA, utilizing hydrazine as a solvent. Upon deposition, the liquid precursor converts into a desired solid precursor or a metal chalcogenide through the application of heat. The deposited solid precursor can then be processed via suitable means in combination with other solid precursors to produce the final light absorbing material (e.g., CIS and CIGS). Of particular interest is the use of precursor solutions for deposition of indium selenide, gallium selenide and indium gallium selenide.
In the past, reducing agents have been used to prepare such liquid precursors. The use of hydrazine as a solvent is problematic. Hydrazine is a volatile, corrosive liquid that is expensive, highly toxic and dangerously unstable. Its use therefore is strictly controlled. For the same reasons, hydrazine-containing liquid precursors require special care and handling, and implementation of extensive safety measures. Thus, the cost and difficulty associated with making and using hydrazine-containing liquid precursors is considerably high.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for liquid precursors and methods of preparing the same that are safer, simpler and more cost efficient, while retaining the desirable properties of liquid precursors.

Liquid precursor inks for deposition of In—Se, Ga—Se and In—Ga—Se


A reluctance motor comprises a stator (11) with poles (1,1', 2,2', 3,3') which are cooperating in pairs, and a rotor (12) made from soft magnetic material and having poles (13) which are disposed diametrically opposite each other in pairs. The stator poles have magnetizing windings (14,15) which for each pair of stator poles are connectable to a DC source (18) under the control of a control device (26) in dependence on a signal from a sensor device (20) which is arranged during the movement of the rotor (12) to indicate the position of the rotor poles (13). The sensor device comprises a sensor (21) which cooperates with a disc (23) rotating with the rotor (12) and having wings (22), the number of which corresponds to the number of stator poles or to the said number multiplied by two. At the start of the motor, the control device (26) is arranged to connect in proper order a predetermined pair (1,1') of stator poles to the DC source (18) and then the next pair of poles (2,2') in the desired direction of rotation and thereafter the next following pair (3,3') of poles in the same direction, etc.

In reluctance motors it is common to provide stator poles which are cooperating in pairs and which are equally disposed along the way of movement of the rotor poles. Like the stator, the rotor has a shape such that its poles are cooperating in pairs. Hence, during the turning of the rotor, the two poles of a stator pole pair simultaneously cooperate with the corresponding poles of a rotor pole pair. In operation, the stator pole pairs are connected to a source of DC voltage in proper order and, in principle, a selected stator pole pair is connected to the DC voltage upon a rotor pole being about to turn over the stator pole. The voltage remains until the rotor pole has been fully turned over the stator pole. For the control of the motor speed the moments of connecting and disconnecting, respectively, of the supply voltage can be varied.
Detailed information about reluctance motors of the kind indicated has been published under the heading "Variable-speed Switched Reluctance Motors" in IEE PROC., Vol. 127, Pt. B, No. 4, July 1980.
The moments of connection and disconnection of the stator pole pairs are controlled by sensors indicating those positions in which a rotor pole begins to overlap a stator pole. In order for the rotor at start to turn in the desired direction, up to now one sensor has been required for each stator pole pair.


A golf bag having an internal strap channel is disclosed herein. The strap channel is affixed to a top collar, is located proximate a rear portion of the golf bag body, and extends from one side to the other side of the bag body. In some embodiments, the strap channel includes a center portion and two openings, which may further include rims made of rubber or another lightweight polymeric material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf bag having an internal channel sized to receive a strap from a golf cart, golf trolley, or other golf bag-receiving or carrying device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golf bags tend to become heavy, bulky, and awkward to carry when they are full of golfing equipment, so golfers often prefer to transport these golf bags via golf carts, trolleys, or other transportation devices while playing a round of golf. The bags can become unstable and fall off these carts or trolleys during use, however, so it is important to have a system in place that secures the bags to the transportation device. One such system is the retaining strap described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0011682. This retaining strap is not ideal, however, because it adds weight to the bag and protrudes in an unsightly way from the bag. Another system is the strap disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,183, which extends around the front portion of the golf bag. This strap also is not ideal, however, because it is visible to a golfer and can be unsightly.
As such, there is a need for a system to releasably but securely retain the golf bag on a cart or trolley so that the golf bag does not fall off the cart or trolley while it is in motion without adding excessive weight to the golf bag or detracting from the overall aesthetic look of the golf bag when it is connected to the cart or trolley.


A sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compound having the average compositional formula:(R1O)(3-p)(R2)pSi—R3—S—(R4—Sm)q—R4—S—R3—Si(OR1)(3-p)(R2)pis prepared at low costs and in high yields by reacting a halogen-terminated organosilicon compound having the formula: (R1O)(3-p)(R2)pSi—R3—S—R4—X, sulfur, and optionally a halide having the formula: X—R4—X with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a sulfide M2S or hydrate thereof in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. R1 and R2 are monovalent C1-4 hydrocarbon groups, R3 and R4 are divalent C1-10 hydrocarbon groups, m has an average value of 2-6, p is 0, 1 or 2, q is 1, 2 or 3, X is halogen, and M is ammonium or alkali metal.

Compounds containing alkoxysilyl and polysulfide groups in the molecule are known. These compounds are utilized as interfacial binders between inorganic materials such as silica, aluminum hydroxide, talc and clay and organic materials such as thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins and rubber, bonding agents for improving the adhesion of rubber to inorganic substrates, primers and the like.
Also known are various rubber compositions having silica loaded therein. Typical are tire tread-forming rubber compositions characterized by low heat generation and abrasion resistance. It is known in the art that compounds containing alkoxysilyl and polysulfide groups in the molecule, for example, bis-triethoxysilylpropyl tetrasulfide and bis-triethoxysilylpropyl disulfide are effective to compositions of this type. The inclusion of these compounds, however, is still insufficient to meet the requirements to further improve tensile strength, resilience and low heat generation.
One approach to improve the requisite properties is found in JP-A 2004-018511 (US Application Publication 2003/0236424 or EP 1375504A1) disclosing a compound having the average compositional formula (5):(R1O)(3-p)(R2)pSi—R3—Sm—R4—(Sn—R4)q—Sm—R3—Si(R2)p(OR1)(3-p)  (5)wherein each of R1 and R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, each of R3 and R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, m is a positive number having an average value of 1 to 3, n is a positive number having an average value of 2 to 4, p is 0, 1 or 2, and q is 1, 2 or 3.
As disclosed therein, the organosilicon compound of the average compositional formula (5) is prepared by reacting a halogen-terminated organosilicon compound of the general formula (6):(R1O)(3-p)(R2)pSi—R3—Sm—R4—X  (6)wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, m and p are as defined above, X is a halogen atom, with an anhydrous alkali metal sulfide or anhydrous alkali metal polysulfide of the general formula (7):M2Sr  (7)wherein M is an alkali metal and r is a positive number of 1 to 4 on average, and optionally a halogen-containing compound of the general formula (8):X—R4—X  (8)wherein R4 and X are as defined above and/or sulfur.
This method, however, has some drawbacks. While it uses substantially completely anhydrous alkali metal sulfide or alkali metal polysulfide, the drying of alkali metal sulfide or alkali metal polysulfide hydrate is time consuming. Filtration of the salt is necessary. Since the method normally uses a reaction solvent, the solvent must be distilled off at the end of reaction. There remains a need for a method for the preparation of sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compounds in a simple step and at a low cost.
For the preparation of sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compounds, the use of phase transfer catalysts is also known. This is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,985, U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,893, U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,245, U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,426, JP-A 2004-521945 and JP-A 2004-521946. Although these patents relate to methods for preparing sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compounds using phase transfer catalysts, no reference is made to a sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compound having an organoxysilyl group at each end and a polysulfide group at a center of the molecule, which are linked through a monosulfide-containing divalent hydrocarbon group.

Preparation of sulfide chain-bearing organosilicon compounds


A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250xc2x0 C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250xc2x0 C. for a predetermined time.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for selectively increasing the photosensitivity of selective portions of optical fibers. Specifically, the present invention comprises an apparatus for rapidly diffusing hydrogen or deuterium into selective regions of silica glasses to increase the photosensitivity of these glassy materials, and in particular of optical fibers. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is used in an in-line system for the manufacture of Bragg gratings.
Optical fibers and optical fiber devices are widely used in signal transmission and handling applications. Optical fiber-based devices are vital components in today""s expanding high-volume optical communications infrastructure. Many of these devices rely on fiber Bragg gratings (FBG""s) to perform light manipulation. An FBG is an optical fiber with periodic, aperiodic or pseudo-periodic variations of the refractive index along its length in the light-guiding region of the waveguide. The ability to produce these refractive index perturbations in a fiber is necessary to manufacture FBG""s and, hence, a number of optical components, such as optical sensors, wavelength-selective filters, and dispersion compensators.
Gratings are written in optical fiber usually via the phenomenon of photosensitivity. Photosensitivity is defined as the effect whereby the refractive index of the glass is changed by actinic radiation-induced alterations of the glass structure. The term xe2x80x9cactinic radiationxe2x80x9d includes visible light, UV, IR radiation and other forms of radiation that induce refractive index changes in the glass. A given glass is considered to be more photosensitive than another when a larger refractive index change is induced in it with the same delivered radiation dose.
The level of photosensitivity of a glass determines how large an index change can be induced in it and therefore places limits on grating devices that can be fabricated practically. Photosensitivity also affects the speed that a desired refractive index change can be induced in the glass with a given radiation intensity. By increasing the photosensitivity of a glass, one can induce larger index perturbations in it at a faster rate.
The intrinsic photosensitivity of silica-based glasses, the main component of high-quality optical fibers, is not very high. Typically index changes of only xcx9c10xe2x88x925 are possible using standard germanium doped fiber.
However, it has been observed that by loading the glass with molecular hydrogen before irradiating it with actinic radiation, one can increase significantly the photosensitivity of the glass. Exposing Ge-doped silica optical fibers to hydrogen or deuterium atmospheres at certain temperatures and pressures photosensitizes the fibers. Index changes as large as 10xe2x88x922 have been demonstrated in hydrogenated silica optical fibers.
Prior references have emphasized upper limits on the temperature for such hydrogen loading. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,659 and 5,287,427 discuss a method for exposing at least a portion of a waveguide at a temperature of at most 250xc2x0 C. to H2 (partial pressure greater than 1 atmosphere (14.7 psi), such that irradiation can result in a normalized index change of at least 10xe2x88x925. U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,031, a continuation-in-part of the above-mentioned ""659 patent, speaks of a method of exposing the glass to hydrogen or deuterium at a pressure in the range of 14-11,000 psi and at a temperature in the range 21-150xc2x0 C. The parameters described in these references are probably typical for hydrogen-loading an optical fiber
The ""031, ""659 and ""427 references point out problems with hydrogen loading methods in which temperatures exceed 250xc2x0 C., or even 150xc2x0 C. In teaching away from higher temperatures, the ""659 Patent indicates that at high-temperatures xe2x80x9ctypical polymer fiber coatings would be destroyed or severely damagedxe2x80x9d (column 1, lines 51-54). It further emphasizes the fact that xe2x80x9cthe prior art high temperature sensitization treatment frequently increases the optical loss in the fiber and/or may weaken the fiberxe2x80x9d (column 1, lines 54-56). Finally, the ""659 patent differentiates itself from the prior art by stating that a high temperature treatment involves xe2x80x9ca different physical mechanismxe2x80x9d than does a low-temperature treatment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,659 explicitly indicates that temperatures of xe2x80x9cat most 250xc2x0 C.xe2x80x9d should be used.
It has been observed that at higher temperatures the polymer coating, (usually an acrylate material), that protects the glass from harmful chemical reactions in a normal environment will degrade or oxidize (bum). Coatings that have degraded or oxidized and lost their protective value need to be removed and replaced, which can be a difficult and expensive process. Uncoated fiber is fragile, and requires great care during handling.
Most of the gratings written today by industry involve about 5 cm (2 inches or less) of the length of a fiber, depending on the type of grating to be written. Traditionally, it has been taught to place an entire length of optical fiber in a vessel containing hydrogen or deuterium atmospheres at certain temperatures and pressures. The grating manufacturing process usually entails a first process of placing a fiber spool in a hydrogen or deuterium containing vessel, placing the vessel in an oven and loading the entire fiber through the polymer coating.
To achieve the desired level of hydrogen in fiber with conventional hydrogenating methods (xcx9c1 ppm), one will typically expose fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere for several days and, in some cases, for several weeks. Exemplary exposures such as 600 hours (25 days), 21xc2x0 C., at 738 atm or 13 days, 21xc2x0 C. at 208 atm are reported as typical. Obviously, such long exposures extend the time required to fabricate optical devices that rely on photosensitive glass. Because of the long duration needed for traditional fiber hydrogenation, several pressure vessels are needed in a high-volume production environment to increase throughput and avoid idle time. These vessels are costly to install safely and increase the potential for serious accidents, especially when multiple vessels with separate control valves and gas supply cylinders are involved. Although installing multiple vessels can increase production throughput, the hydrogenation process hampers grating fabrication cycle time, thus new product and specialty product development time can be compromised severely.
Once the length of fiber has been hydrogen-loaded, the coating is stripped (mechanically, chemically or by other means) from the area where the grating is to be written. A technician then uses a source of actinic radiation to write each grating individually. The fibers are then annealed by again heating the fiber to reduce the degradation curve of the gratings. The portion of the fiber that was stripped is then recoated.
The traditional Bragg grating manufacturing processes are slow and do not lend themselves to mass manufacturing. The traditional hydrogen loading techniques require that the entire length of fiber be subject to the hydrogen loading and heating cycles. The need to expose the entire fiber may result in optical effects on the fiber and places constraints on materials, such as fiber coatings, that may be used. One negative effect of hydrogen loading at higher temperatures is that it may increase the optical loss characteristics of an optical fiber. Furthermore, high-temperature heating cycles may deteriorate optical fiber coatings.
The need remains for a process and enabling machinery that is amenable to higher speed mass manufacturing and that reduces deleterious effects on the optical medium.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for selectively exposing only a selected portion of an optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen gaseous atmosphere. The chamber includes a heating element that locally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. In high-temperature embodiments, the heating element heats the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250xc2x0 C. Also, the loading chamber may be a pressure chamber capable of containing a pressurized atmosphere. In one particular embodiment, the chamber is designed to contain pressures up to 3,000 psi.
The selected portion may be a midspan portion of a continuous length of fiber, where the loading chamber encloses only the selected portion of the continuous optical fiber.
In one exemplary embodiment, the loading chamber comprises a tube concentrically surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber. Gas seals positioned at ends of the tube contain the hydrogen atmosphere while allowing passage of the length of optical fiber. Gas seals also may be attached to end sections of the selected portion of the optical fiber, so the tube becomes sealed as the fiber is placed into position. In another embodiment, the loading chamber comprises a vessel enclosing the entire optical fiber. The vessel may further include a reel-to-reel arrangement, wherein end portions of the length of the optical fiber are wound on laterally spaced reels and the selected portion is suspended midspan. Where the optical fiber is held in a reel-to-reel arrangement, the heating region may be positioned at the midspan portion of the optical fiber.
In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a first and a second clamping vessel blocks. The vessel blocks have pockets that define the loading chamber when the vessel blocks are clamped together. The fiber is positioned between the blocks and the blocks close about the selected portion of the fiber to be loaded. Elastomeric re-closable seal may be used to clamp the ends of the selected portion and to contain the gas atmosphere. Alternatively, at least one pressure seal adapted to help contain a hydrogen atmosphere within the loading chamber may be physically affixed to the optical fiber.
The elastomer may be a curable elastomer. The pressure seal may be located at a boundary between the selected portion of the optical fiber and a non-selected portion and/or at the ends of a cooling area.
Gas inlet and vent lines may inject and vent the gaseous atmosphere in the loading chamber. A pre-heating chamber may be used to heat the hydrogen atmosphere prior to introducing the hydrogen atmosphere into the loading chamber.
Particular embodiments include cooling regions that cool or dissipate heat along the portions of the fiber adjacent to the selected portion. A cooling device may regulate the temperature of the cooling region. In one embodiment, cooling tubes are attached to ends of a loading chamber tube. The cooling tubes may include seals that separate the cooling areas from the loading chamber. An embodiment further includes a mechanism that allows the fiber to be moved from the loading chamber to the cooling region. In one specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a movable magnet and a magnetic body attached to the fiber.
A method in accordance with the present invention for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber includes the step of placing at least the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere. The term hydrogen atmosphere in the present description is intended to include atmospheres including H2, D2, tritium, or molecules such as HD that combine these isotopes of hydrogen. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250xc2x0 C. The selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250xc2x0 C. for a predetermined time.
In a particular embodiment of the process, only the selected portion of the optical fiber is placed in the hydrogen-containing atmosphere. Pressure seals may be located at a boundary between the selected portion of the optical fiber and a non-selected portion. The pressure seals even may be physically affixed to the optical fiber to help contain a gaseous atmosphere within the loading chamber. In one particular embodiment, the seals are re-closable seals including an elastomeric collet.
The temperature of adjacent portions of the optical fiber may be controlled, either by heat dissipation or by active cooling.
After the step of exposing, the method may further include the step of rapidly changing the atmosphere surrounding the selected portion after the exposing step. This may be done by venting the hydrogen-containing atmosphere from the loading chamber or by physically removing the selected portion from the loading chamber.
The method may further include the step of rapidly cooling the selected portion of the optical fiber after the predetermined time. This may be done, for example, by replacing the hydrogen atmosphere with a cooled inert gas or by physically removing the selected portion from the loading chamber into a cooling chamber.

Method for selective photosensitization of optical fiber


A swivel joint includes a pipe part and a swivel nut. The pipe part has a first end and a second end and the swivel nut has a first end and a second end. The swivel nut is positioned on the pipe part such that the first end of the swivel nut forms a swivel connection with the first end of the pipe part. The swivel nut and the pipe part include shoulders against each other for preventing separation of the swivel nut from the pipe part. The swivel nut is made such that the swivel nut and the pipe part are connected together by pushing the first end of the swivel nut towards the first end of the pipe part whereby the swivel nut and the pipe part are connected by a snap joint.

The invention relates to a swivel joint comprising a pipe part having a first end and a second end, and a swivel nut having a first end and a second end, whereby the swivel nut is positioned on the pipe part such that the first end of the swivel nut forms a swivel connection with the first end of the pipe part, the swivel nut and the pipe part comprising each at least one shoulder against each other for preventing separation of the swivel nut from the pipe part.
Document WO 2005/080852 discloses a pipe coupling system. The pipe coupling system comprises a pipe provided with a flange. A swivel nut is fitted onto the pipe. A stopper is formed at the rear end of the swivel nut and the stopper is locked to the flange of the pipe to prevent separation thereof. The flange is formed by bending the end of the pipe in a direction perpendicular to a circumferential surface thereof. It is quite difficult to manufacture the parts of the coupling, and thus the coupling is quite expensive. Making the pipe coupling also requires many manufacturing steps.
Document EP 1 760 382 discloses a pipe connection. The pipe connection comprises a pipe stub and a swivel nut. The pipe stub comprises a locking groove for engagement of a locking ring. The locking ring locks the pipe stub and the swivel nut together. The use of the locking ring requires that the parts of the pipe connection are quite complex and the pipe connection also comprises many parts, whereby manufacturing the parts of the pipe connection is quite difficult and expensive and it is quite difficult to make the pipe connection reliable or secure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A system for hands-free nursing and breast pumping includes a breast compression device with a plurality of thermoformed fluid bladders designed to fit adjustably against each breast and inflate and deflate with minimal power requirements. The compression device and its controller fit inside of a nursing garment designed to receive the device and controller for optimal compression. The nursing garment and the compression device have openings over the nipples so that a breast pump flange can be inserted through them and used in a typical manner for the extraction of breast milk, thus increasing the amount of milk expressed.

It is known that manual breast massage increases the amount of milk expressed in a breastfeeding session (Bowles, B. C. (2011). Breast Massage: A "Handy" Multipurpose Tool to Promote Breastfeeding Success. Clinical Lactation, 2(4), 21-24.). Health benefits of compression massage during breastfeeding or breast pumping include preventing and relieving mastitis, plugged ducts, and engorgement (Witt, A. M. et. al. (2016). Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation for the Management of Engorgement, Plugged Ducts, and Mastitis. Journal of Human Lactation, 32(1), 123-31.). When combined with electric pumping, manual massage both increased milk production (Morton, J. et. al. (2009). Journal of Perinatology, 29, 757-64.) and caloric content (Morton, J. et. al. (2012). Journal of Perinatology, 32, 791-96.) for preterm infants. The benefit is not limited to preterm infants, however. Compression stimuli around the areola increases breast pump efficiency more generally by stimulating the release of necessary hormones (Alekseev, N. P. et. al. (1998). Compression stimuli increase the efficacy of breast pump function. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 77(2), 131-39.). While manual massage has been used for centuries, the ability to pump efficiently hands-free would greatly improve the modern mother's productivity.
There are existing systems that combine hands-free compression and pumping. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,840 B1, for example, discloses a simple hands-free bra that supports a breast pump system. It does not, however, address the need for compression. Some breast pumps have been designed to mimic manual compression, such as that described by the application US 2005/0234370 A1, which discloses that pressure is applied by a "plurality of opposing pairs of expression bellows." At least two patent applications describe hands-free compression systems to be used in conjunction with breast pumps using pneumatic modes of compression (US 2014/0378946 A1 and US 2015/0065994 A1). However, the prior art does not incorporate systems or methods that effectively mimic the best practices of manual compression, as indicated by research and expertise of lactation specialists, in an efficient device with low power requirements.

Automated compression nursing and pumping system


An analog-to-digital converter is provided wherein an analog input signal and one of a series of predetermined reference potentials are stored across first and second capacitors, respectively, to establish a balanced zero differential signal across the first and second inputs of a comparator. The output signal of the comparator drives a logic circuit for generating first and second portions of a digital control signal wherein the first portion selects between the lower resolution reference potentials searching for a first reference potential of the greatest value which when compared to voltage stored across the first capacitor provides the least magnitude differential signal across the first and second inputs of the comparator thereby resolving a major portion of the analog input signal. The second portion of the digital control signal selects between the fine resolution reference potentials searching for a second reference potential which minimizes the differential signal thereby resolving the remaining portion of the analog input signal. The first and second portions of the digital control signal provides the most significant bits and the least significant bits of the digital output signal, respectively. A parallel operation is also provided wherein the reference potentials are simultaneously compared in two steps to the voltage stored across the first and second capacitors via a number of comparators. The first step provides the MSB of the digital output signal and the second step provides the LSB of the digital output signal.

This invention relates in general to analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, and more particularly, to an A/D converter which varies both inputs of a comparator during a search by successive approximation to resolve the analog input signal into a multi-bit digital output signal.
A/D converters are well enough known in the art and many techniques have been developed for achieving the conversion from analog to digital format. One common A/D converter utilizes a large number of serially coupled resistors, 255 or more for 8-bit resolution, to generate an equal number of reference potentials each of which is compared to the analog input signal. A digital control signal systematically selects between the 255 reference potentials until the one closest in magnitude to the analog input signal is identified. The corresponding value of the 8-bit digital control signal provides the 8-bit digital output signal of the analog-to-digital conversion. One undesirable feature of the aforedescribed A/D converter is the requirement to generate 255 reference potentials and the need for 255 plus switches to sequential select therebetween. It is desirable to reduce the complexity of the A/D converter by limiting the number of reference potentials needed for the conversion.
In another known A/D converter, a subtraction technique is used to reduce the number of reference potentials wherein for each 8-bit A/D conversion, the analog input signal is sampled and applied to a first 4-bit A/D converter. A string of sixteen resistors is serially coupled between first and second power supply conductors, the latter of which are energized to positive and negative supply potentials representing the upper and lower acceptable limits of the analog input signal. The string of sixteen resistors provides a equal number of linearly graduated reference potentials which are systematically applied to the first A/D converter through respective switches for comparison to the sampled analog input signal. The first A/D converter generates the four most significant bits (MSB) corresponding to the highest reference potential that is still lower than the sampled analog input signal. The selected reference potential is then applied to the non-inverting input terminal of a unity gain operational amplifier, while the sampled analog input signal is applied the inverting input terminal thereby providing an output signal equal to the difference of the analog input signal and the selected reference potential. A second A/D converter is coupled to the output of the operational amplifier for resolving the difference signal into the four least significant bits (LSB). The combination of the four MSB and the four LSB is the 8-bit digital output signal representative of the magnitude of the analog input signal.
The previous A/D conversion technique suffers from a speed penalty because of the settling time of the operational amplifier. In addition, the offset voltage of the operational amplifier is typically amplified by a factor of two due to the interaction of the dynamic input signals which can cause an error of one LSB or more in the digital output signal. Hence, it is desirable to eliminate the need for the intermediate operational amplifier.
Hence, what is needed is an improved A/D converter using a search by successive approximation to reduce the number of reference potentials wherein a major portion of the analog input signal is first resolved into the most significant bits leaving a smaller portion thereof to be resolved into the least significant bits of the multi-bit digital output signal.

Analog-to-digital conversion by varying both inputs of a comparator utilizing successive approximation


Context based menus are customizable to extend features to meet user demand. An application providing the context based menu reads a custom configuration from an XML file or receives input through a user interface to construct a context based menu. The custom configuration hosts attribute information for placement of controls, visualization or controls, and/or behavior of controls in the menu. Custom configuration is editable and provides features to add and remove controls from a default context based menu.

With the proliferation of computing and networking technologies, two aspects of computing devices have become prevalent: non-traditional (e.g., mouse and keyboard) input mechanisms and smaller form factors. User interfaces for all kinds of software applications have been designed taking typical screen sizes and input mechanisms into account. Thus, user interactions in conventional systems are presumed to be through keyboard and mouse type input devices and a minimum screen size that enables users to interact with the user interface at a particular precision.
Limited display real estate burdens many portable devices from providing full featured content management functionality. Furthermore, gestural commanding is not efficient using conventional menus including support for limited displays or just taking into account where the user's finger/mouse/pen is. Additionally, display devices such as projectors, monitors, and televisions may lack controls for providing content management functionality. Modern software solutions such as on screen keyboards may be awkward to type and encompass valuable display area. Lack of adequate software solutions for managing content on non-traditional devices largely limit device use to content consumption. Carrying multiple devices for content management and consumption defeats portability and unnecessarily takes away from an enriching singular source for content consumption and management.
Limited screen space in mobile devices provide a significant challenge to delivering effective control interfaces. For example, in conventional systems, a desktop application can provide layered menus to partition functionality across menu structures. Lack of display surface forces developers to cut back on deployed features for in control menus for mobile devices. Customization of controls menus in mobile devices tend to be one of the features missing from mobile systems. Most software deployed in mobile systems tend to be locked and rarely enable the user to adjust control surfaces that provides a diminished user experience compared to conventional counterparts.

Providing customization of context based menus


A method and system for covertly determining and predicting air-to-air target data relative to a predetermined position passively senses the target (84) to produce a passive target data set. Next, the method and system transform (14) the passive target data set to produce a transformed passive data set. Then, the system compares (22) the transformed passive data set to a predicted data set (20) to generate a measurement error. By actively sensing (38 and 40) the target for a minimally detectable period (42) of time to produce an active target data set (28), the system applies constraints (28) and therefrom computes penalties (26) that relate to the measurement error (22) to produce a system error. Then, in response to the system error (24) the method and system compute the direction (30) and magnitude (32) for a perturbation or a response (44) to the predicted target data (18). These steps are repeated to covertly determine target data relative to the predetermined position (16) for improved covert air-to-air ranging.

For a wide variety of military and civilian aviation scenarios air-to-air passive ranging provides a useful way to determine distances between aircraft. The goal of air-to-air passive ranging is to determine the range from one aircraft, called "ownship," to another, called "target", by detecting energy emanating from the target. For this purpose, "ownship" may be equipped with directional receivers that measure the angle of the arriving energy during a data collection interval. To this are added fixes of "ownship's" position and heading obtained from an inertial navigation system (INS) on-board ownship. For most applications, the energy will be in the radio-frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
A RF system may monitor radar transmissions and RF communications from the target for these purposes. Very long detection ranges are feasible that substantially exceed those at which target could acquire ownship on its own radar. Thus, ownship may be able to locate target without itself being detectable. In this situation, the primary advantage of passive ranging is gained: stealth. Long acquisition range also affords ownship more time to detect target's presence. The directional receiver may be implemented by a two-axis RF interferometer or several such units covering different fields of view.
The infrared system would sense black body radiation emanated from the target. Therefore, operation does not depend on target transmission protocol. Detection range is considerably reduced and ownship would be within range of target's radar. Two factors mitigate this risk: (1) the target might restrict radar usage to avoid detection and (2) convergence time is considerably less for IR passive ranging systems. The latter is attributable to the shorter operating ranges and the higher spatial resolution of the IR sensor. The directional receiver may be implemented using a FLIR imager and video tracker.
A principal deficiency in all air-to-air passive ranging method is ill-conditioning. This is a condition in which small errors in the measurements can cause much larger ones in the computed ranges. There are two principal causes of ill-conditioning: (1) a limited baseline for ranging data; and (2) the need to infer target motion from the data. The relation between baseline ranging accuracy may be explained in terms of triangulation. This is appropriate, although there is no explicit triangulation step in the ranging algorithm, since a triangulation principle is at work whenever range is estimated from sightings at different locations. Factors affecting triangulation accuracy will have similar effects on ranging accuracy. Two of these are the lengths and direction of the baseline ranging data.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system that avoids ill-conditioning in passive air-to-air ranging by overcoming the limited ranging data baseline and target motion inference problems of the prior art.


Bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is provided with several bellows elements connected together, whereas each bellows element is showing two opposite legs in the initial state of the bellows, whereas, for additional thermal insulation and silencing, each of the two opposite legs (4, 5) of a bellows element are provided on their inner side with at least one strap-joint (10, 20) provided with a coated tissue, whereas the two strap-joints (10, 20) are overlapping.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to a bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is provided with several bellows elements connected together, whereas each bellows element is showing two opposite legs in the initial state of the bellows.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A bellows of the type mentioned above is component part of the connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, for example of an articulated bus, whereas the connecting corridor does not only comprise the bellows but also an intercommunicating gangway, having for example the aspect of an articulated gangway. Depending on the requirements, the bellows may be designed as an expansion bellows or as a concertina bellows. Such a bellows consists in individual folds or bends standing in interconnection with each other and having the structure of an accordion. Thanks to this structure, they are able to yield to all occurring travelling motions of the vehicles, and more particularly in curves and to swaying and nodding movements.
DE-A1 4127 535 discloses an expansion bellows having between its individual folds elastic distance pieces whose function it is to bring the bellows back into its initial position after a curve.
DE-A1 4138 922 describes the bellows of a connection cover that is characterized by additional stiffening means in order to invest the bellows altogether with a higher stability.
DE-GM 1964739 describes a fire-resisting bellows, whereas the bellows is provided with a coating made of polychloroprene.
DE-A 1057 639 discloses a multi-layer wall of a connecting corridor that improves the thermal insulation and the silencing.
DE-C2 2457 634 discloses a cover for a connecting corridor made of individual swellings which have to constitute, on the outer side of the vehicle, an essentially smooth surface. The surface of the individual swellings may hereby be divided on the outer side, in order to facilitate the deformation of the swellings during corresponding travelling motions of the vehicles. The function of the swellings is to improve thermal insulation and silencing as compared with a usual bellows. The disadvantage is that, due to the division of the swellings in the outer area, dirt may accumulate very fast in the swellings. This accelerates the destruction of the bellows.
Another known procedure is to provide particularly fast trains with a so-called double concertina bellows (EPA1 544 203), in order to screen the connecting corridor against noises coming from outside. Such a double concertina bellows essentially consists in two bellows radially arranged one behind the other. Such a double concertina bellows requires quite a lot of space, whereas so much space is not very often at disposal, all the more if the clear corridor between two vehicles that is covered by the bellows has to be as big as possible.


A method and system for enabling input of diacritic characters on a handheld electronic device. The method includes detecting an input associated with a selected key and determining a likelihood that the input reflects selection of a diacritic character. The time after which the set of possible diacritic characters that are utilized is rendered in response to a selected key being engaged in a press-and-hold operation is based on the determined likelihood.

The present disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devices including touch screen display devices and a method of enabling input comprising diacritic characters on a handheld electronic device.
Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread use and can provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices can include several types of devices including mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless PDAs, and laptop computers with wireless 802.11 or Bluetooth capabilities. These devices run on a wide variety of networks from data-only networks such as Mobitex and DataTAC to complex voice and data networks such as GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS and CDMA2000 networks.
Portable electronic devices such as PDAs or smart telephones are generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable for portability. A touch screen display or a keyboard for input and output is particularly useful on such handheld devices as such handheld devices are small and are therefore limited in space available for user input and output devices. Further, the screen content such as the plurality of operations associated with a particular key on the touch screen display devices are modified depending on the functions and operations being performed. However, these devices are limited in efficiently rendering content for user interaction, for example, displaying the plurality of diacritic characters that are associated with a particular key.
Improvements in a more efficient display of characters are therefore desirable.

Method and system for rendering diacritic characters


The microfilm storage and retrieval system (MegaSAR) of the present invention puts microfilm images on line in a document imaging system. A MegaSAR could be connected to a PC lan base document imaging system with specialized software. A remote user then has the ability to retrieve images of the stored microfilm.

Microfilm storage and retrieval systems presently use old analog technology and because of that, have a number of problems. Cartridge retrieval is done using theoretical values which do not work because of the mechanical variations and tolerances inherent within the alignment of the hardware elements used in the system. The prior art systems are only capable of fixed resolution and fixed window size image scanning. Very primitive fixed thresholding techniques are sometimes used to convert grey levels into binary data. The systems generally have no built-in intelligence for error recovery or self-diagnostics. The reliability of present systems is a main problem. The breakdown of such systems appear to be nearly an everyday affair. Most of the motors are driven using analog logic without any feedback and nearly always employ open loop controls. Primitive belt-driven motion control techniques are commonly used. No velocity profiles are generated or motions monitored. Using existing systems, no optimization is possible for the motion (based on distance to be moved). Inherently, compromised speeds must be picked for both short and long moves. Furthermore, the performance of existing systems appears very poor with limited band width.
Most existing systems accept only particular types of film (24X, 32X ) with many restrictions. Image quality is generally governed by primitive thresholding techniques. Using the prior systems, it is not possible to extract information from the noisy data. There exists no provision for loading the cartridges using software without jeopardizing safety requirements.
In the storage and retrieval unit of the present invention, all the electronics are redone. Digital technology is used throughout and brand new algorithms and theory are used. State-of-the-art technology is used; thus, many capabilities are added. Latest hardware technologies are employed. Software is completely redone with new ideas, new algorithms and in C language. Many of the mechanical subsystems are redesigned. All mechanical subsystems involved in cartridge retrieval are looked into, and a number of improvements are made to improve system reliability and function. The MegaSAR of the present invention is an on-line microfilm jukebox. The system architecture allows for any future expansion or additions. Hardware and software subsystem designs are modular. The system is a closed loop system developed with state-of-the-art technology.

On-line microfilm storage and retrieval system


Method and related apparatus for generating fixed packets while writing data into CDs. The present invention records a total-block number of a write-in data with a counter, and a waiting-coding number with another counter, so as to generate fixed packets efficiently and correctly, and prevent buffer under run when writing the write-in data to the CD.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a method for generating fixed packets while writing data into CDs and related apparatus, and more particularly, a method for generating fixed packets with counters counting non-encoded data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In modern information society, small, light, high-density, and low-cost optical disks have become one of the most popular non-volatile storage media. As high-speed optical disk drives capable of recording become popular, buffer under run becomes a serious problem. So-called buffer under-run occurs when a sequence of write-in data of a computer flows with a higher speed than an optical disk drive of the computer burns. In other words, a burning program of the computer reads data from a hard disk or an optical disk, and stores the read data in a buffer of the optical disk drive pending being written to an optical disk. Because the data in the hard disk or the optical disk is not continuous (that is, the buffer is sometimes full, and sometimes empty), once the buffer is empty, buffer under-run takes place.
One common cause of buffer under-run occurs when a user executes another program while burning is taking place. The computer has to stop transmitting data to the optical disk drive in order to boot the required program from the hard disk and rearrange system resources. Another cause is data source errors (like surface damage on the source optical disk), so that the computer is unable to find data, in turn causing the buffer to empty and so leading to buffer under-run.
A prior art optical disk drive can prevent buffer under-run by means of fixed packet burning, which means that the drive divides a sequence of data into a plurality of fixed packets, and inserts data between two fixed packets for connecting and separating the fixed packets before writing these fixed packets to an optical disk. The method of fixed packet burning prevents buffer under-run completely, consequently burning data by means of fixed packet burning with lower cost of product and higher efficiency has become a key development issue for modern information companies.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a prior art fixed packet 10. The fixed packet 10 includes a front data FC (including 5 blocks generally), a partial write-in data PD (including 32 blocks generally), and a back data BC (including 2 blocks generally). The purpose of the front data FC is to indicate a start of the fixed packet 10. The partial write-in data PD is a part of the write-in data, which has been encoded into the fixed packet 10. The purpose of the back data BC is to indicate an end of the fixed packet 10. If a prior art optical disk drive of a computer burns write-in data into an optical disk by means of fixed packet burning, the drive moves and inserts data in the write-in data stored in a hard disk of the computer to transform the write-in data into a plurality of fixed packets, as shown in FIG. 1, and then burns the fixed packets into the optical disk.
However, the prior art fixed packet burning should move and insert data in the computer, which decreases burning speed and efficiency especially when burning data and executing programs at the same time, and may cause burning error if some error takes place when moving data.
In summary, the prior art fixed packet burning operates with low efficiency, and may cause burning error.

Method and related apparatus for generating fixed packets while writing data to CDs


The present invention concerns a nucleotide aptamer having the sequence 5′ GCCUUAGUAACGUGCUUUGAUGUCGAUUCGACAGGAGGC3′ (SEQ ID No. 1) for use in the treatment and/or prevention and/or diagnosis of an EGFR induced disorder and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis of a EGFR induced disorder in a patient from which a sample is obtained and relative diagnostic kit.

In cancer an increasing number of proteins involved in cell growth, including growth factors, receptors, intracellular mediators and transcription factors have been found to be altered through multiple mechanisms of activation. Dysregulation of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family by over-expression or constitutive activation promotes tumor processes including angiogenesis and metastasis and is associated with poor prognosis in many human malignancies (Yarden Y, 2001; Mitsudomi T and Yatabe Y, 2010). The EGFR/ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) comprises the four members: EGFR (also known as HER1 or ErbB1), ErbB2 (Neu, HER2), ErbB3 (HER3) and ErbB4 (HER4), which are type I transmembrane glycoproteins containing an extracellular ligand binding region, a single membrane-spanning region and an intracellular tyrosine-kinase-containing domain. Unlike the rest of the ErbB family, ErbB3 lacks tyrosine kinase activity and ErbB2 has no known ligand. EGF and transforming growth factor α bind directly only to EGFR, whereas neuregulins (also known as heregulins) are specific for ErbB3 and ErbB4 (Hynes N E and Lane H A, 2005). Ligand-induced activation of EGFR by dimerization mediates the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways e.g the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT 3), which play pivotal roles in cellular events such as proliferation and survival (Schlessinger, 2004; Lurje and Lenz, 2009).
Two major classes of EGFR inhibitors are in clinical use: the anti-ErbB monoclonal antibodies, that bind to the extracellular domain of EGFR on the surface of tumour cells and small-molecule tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) that compete with ATP for binding to the tyrosine-kinase domain of the receptor (Li et al., 2005; Spicer J and Harper P, 2005; de La Motte Rouge et al., 2007; Cardó-Vilaa et al., 2010). The treatment of tumour cells with these agents affects many of the intracellular pathways that are essential for cancer development and progression. However, despite clinical success, the vast majority of patients receiving these treatments show primary or acquired resistance to the inhibitors (Kruser T J and Wheeler D L, 2010). Thus, new strategies to overcome TKI resistance are under active exploration and there is the urgent need to design new EGFR-targeting drugs for a more specific and selective tumour therapy.
An emerging wave of targeted therapeutic molecules against RTKs is composed of nucleic acid-based aptamers. They are short structured single-stranded RNA or DNA ligands that bind with high selectivity and sensitivity, due to their specific three-dimensional shapes, to their target molecules. Aptamers have a number of important advantages over proteins as therapeutic reagents (Cerchia et al., 2002; Cerchia and de Franciscis 2010). Indeed, they are entirely chemically synthesized by an in vitro evolution-based approach named SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment), thus avoiding the use of animal cells and assuring a rapid production process with high batch fidelity Furthermore, aptamers can be readily chemically modified by the addition of polyethylene glycol and other moieties to enhance their bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Aptamers are non-immunogenic and, in addition, RNA made with pyrimidines modified at the 2′-position, which renders them resistant to extracellular nucleases, are even less immunogenic than natural RNA.
Li et al performed an in vitro selection against the purified extracellular domain of EGFR. The resulting RNA aptamer was then used to deliver gold nanoparticles to the intracellular compartment of cancer cells, offering proof-of-concept for further delivery strategies with this aptamer (Li et al., 2010). No functionality has been associated to the aptamer by Li et al. In the present invention a neutralizing RNA-aptamer specifically inhibiting the EGFR was identified.

EGFR aptamer inhibitor for use in therapy and diagnosis


A vibration-damping device (10) in the present application includes a first limiting passage (51) and a second limiting passage (52). The first limiting passage (51) includes pressure loss units (53a, 53b). Each of the pressure loss units (53a, 53b) is provided with an intermediate chamber (55), a first communication passage (57), and a second communication passage (58). An opening axis (L1) of a first opening (59) that opens toward the inside of the intermediate chamber (55) in the first communication passage (57) and an opening axis (L2) of a second opening (60) that opens toward the inside of the intermediate chamber (55) in the second communication passage (58) are offset from each other. At least one of the first opening (59) and the second opening (60) opens toward a wall surface that defines the intermediate chamber (55). The pressure loss units (53a, 53b) include a first pressure loss unit (53a) in which the first communication passage (57) directly communicates with the first liquid chamber (14) and the first opening (59) opens toward the wall surface that defines the intermediate chamber (55). In the first pressure loss unit (53a), a portion that faces the first opening (59) and that is in the wall surface that defines the intermediate chamber (55), is formed by the elastic membrane (39).

Conventionally, as this type of vibration-damping device, for example, a configuration described in the following Patent Document 1 has been known. This vibration-damping device includes a tubular first attachment member that is coupled to any one of a vibration generating part and a vibration receiving part, a second attachment member that is coupled to the other thereof, an elastic body that couples both the attachment members together, and a partition member that partitions a liquid chamber within the first attachment member having a liquid enclosed therein into a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. A limiting passage that allows both of the liquid chambers to communicate with each other is formed in the partition member. A first limiting passage of the limiting passage that resonates with input of a first vibration, and a second limiting passage of the limiting passage that resonates with input of a second vibration with a greater amplitude than the amplitude of the first vibration. The partition member is provided with a plunger member.
In this vibration-damping device, the limiting passage through which a liquid flows between both of the liquid chambers is switched by moving the plunger member to open and close the first limiting passage when vibration is input. Accordingly, the liquid flows through the first limiting passage when the first vibration is input, and the liquid flows through the second limiting passage when the second vibration is input.


Semiconductor devices are providing including a first isolation region configured to define a first fin active region protruding from a substrate, first gate patterns on the first fin active region, and a first epitaxial region in the first fin active region between the first gate patterns. Sidewalls of the first epitaxial region have first inflection points so that an upper width of the first epitaxial region is greater than a lower width of the first epitaxial region.

Fin active regions and source/drain regions that are epitaxially grown are typically formed by recessing and epitaxial growth processes. Accordingly, due to a wet etching process and an anisotropic etching process for forming recess regions, the recess regions may have uneven sidewalls that can be shaped like, for example, spherical balls. Uneven sidewalls are generally not good for the performance of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor.

Semiconductor devices having fin active regions


According to an aspect of the invention, a binding device includes a first rotary member including a first serrated portion on its circumferential surface, a second rotary member including, on its circumferential surface, a second serrated portion to be engaged with the first serrated portion at an engaging position and configured to perform a binding process by rotating together with the first rotary member with a bundle of sheets pinched therebetween to form serrations in the sheet bundle in thickness direction and bring the sheets into engagement with each other while relatively moving the sheet bundle in a predetermined moving direction, and a clamping unit configured to, when the binding process is performed, clamp the sheet bundle at a clamping position upstream of the engaging position to apply a predetermined pulling force acting in a direction opposite to the moving direction to the sheet bundle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a binding device configured to perform a sheet-bundle binding process by bringing two rotary members, each including a serrated portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary member, into engagement with each other with a sheet bundle pinched therebetween, and an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction circumferential having two or more of a copier function, a printer function, and a facsimile function including the binding device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known type of binding devices mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer includes serrated portions and binds a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of sheets by pressing the serrated portions against the sheet bundle to form serrations in the sheet bundle in the thickness direction and bring the sheets into engagement with each other, thereby performing a binding process without using a metal staple. An example of such a binding device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5253453.
More specifically, the binding device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5253453 includes two rotary members each including a serrated portion (i.e., having a serrating embossing profile) formed all around the outer circumferential surface of the rotary member. The binding device performs a binding process on a desired area of a sheet bundle (a bundle of a plurality of sheets) by rotating the two rotary members with the sheet bundle pinched therebetween to form serrations in the sheet bundle while moving the sheet bundle in a moving direction which lies along a rotating direction of the two rotary members.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2013-180883 discloses a technique implemented as a binding device that performs a sheet-bundle binding process by bringing serrated portions, each formed on one of facing surfaces of two nonrotary members, into engagement with each other with a sheet bundle pinched therebetween. The binding device includes a sheet pressing member that holds the sheet bundle being bound to prevent the sheet bundle from becoming untidy in the binding process.
However, such a conventional binding device has a disadvantage that, when performing a sheet-bundle binding process by bringing two rotary members, each including a serrated portion formed on its outer circumferential surface, into engagement with each other with a sheet bundle pinched therebetween, the serrated portions pull the sheet bundle in a moving direction which lies along a direction in which the rotary members rotate, thereby distorting the sheet bundle. As a result, the sheets of the sheet bundle that have become untidy are bound unfavorably in terms of appearance.
As can be seen, there is a need for a binding device that, even when performing a sheet-bundle binding process by bringing two rotary members, each including a serrated portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary member, into engagement with each other with a sheet bundle pinched therebetween, is less likely to cause a problem that sheets of the sheet bundle become untidy and are bound unfavorably in terms of appearance, and an image forming apparatus including the binding device.

Binding device and image forming apparatus including the same


A system and apparatus for automatically executing process steps by processing devices transmitted, over a communication channel, using a workflow file to specify the process steps. Devices are used to edit, initiate, and observe workflow execution. Editing comprises selecting process steps, executing parameter selection software supplied by the processing device, and drawing links between icons. Once workflow execution is initiated, workflow data is passed from one processing device to the next. Each processing device performs the process step specified by the workflow file with the selected parameters and optionally sends status information to observing devices. This sequence continues until all process steps are executed or an error occurs.

The present invention relates in general to automated systems and in particular to independently controlled, networked computing systems.
Many workflows require a plurality of process steps to be executed by a plurality of performers (e.g., machines and/or people) in order to realize an objective. For example, printing workflows typically involve several process steps, often performed at disparate locations. For example, in a simple printing workflow, a publisher generates content for delivery to a printer, who in turn transforms the content in a series of pre-press operations, often performing such functions as color correction and imposition. Typically, the printer must also deliver the pre-press output back to the publisher for proofing. After several possible iterations of transformation and approval, printing plates are produced.
In the past, such process steps were performed manually with physical objects. For example, original artwork was used to produce four color films, which were exposed onto photosensitive materials to produce proofs for determining color correctness. If modifications were required, the process steps were repeated. When the proofs were finally approved, printing plates were produced. The logistics of even this simple workflow were time consuming and expensive.
In digital printing systems, the content is supplied as digital data and many of the process steps are performed by computers. However, the material is still commonly delivered by conventional means and each process step is typically initiated by a human operator. For example, a publisher creates digital files representing the content and stores them on a disk. The disk is then physically shipped to the printer, who downloads the files from the disk to a computer. Each file is verified and possibly proofed for correctness. Transformations are performed on the computer, one file at a time, with the aid of a human operator. Proofs are produced and sent back to the publisher for approval. After final approval, printing plates are produced from the digital files. This manual movement and operation is costly, time consuming, and difficult to track.
Considerable effort is expended in an attempt to control and streamline these workflows. Flow charting applications and other specialized workflow drawing programs have been used to record existing workflows, design new workflows, and specify new process steps. Although these tools facilitate the understanding of workflows, they do little in the way of reducing cost or automating otherwise manual operations.
Workgroup applications, such as Lotus Notes(copyright), have been used to manage the flow of information, but centralized, proprietary servers are often required to supervise the workflow. For this reason, these applications typically have only been useful to implement a workflow wholly contained within a single organization, or within a group of organizations, each of which is controlled by central servers (e.g., Lotus Notes(copyright)). Further, these centrally controlled workflows require the information processing to be accomplished in a manner compatible with the central server, thereby restricting the workflow devices that may be used. Still further, these workgroup applications are intended to simplify the flow of information from person to person, with automation being limited to messaging related to this flow. Consequently, human operators are still required to perform the necessary work, albeit often with the aid of a computer application.
The present invention implements a plurality of process steps by processing devices at potentially disparate locations. The process steps are executed independently and even complex workflows can be undertaken quickly and inexpensively.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a device operable to execute a function included in a workflow to be implemented by a device network including the device is provided. The apparatus comprises means for accepting from the device network a workflow file that defines the workflow and identifies the function to be executed by the device. The apparatus also comprises means responsive to the accepting means and the workflow file for executing the function according to the workflow file and independently of the device network.
In the preferred embodiment, the workflow file may identify a parameter required to execute the function, and, the executing means may be responsive to the parameter. In such an instance, the function may comprise a first operation and a second operation. Further, the parameter may specify an authorization code for the first operation. Still further, the executing means may comprise means responsive to the authorization code for performing the first operation and means responsive to the performing means for electing whether to execute the second operation.
The transmitting means may include means for sending the second data to the second device with the modified process data. Further, the initiating means may be operable after the particular step is executed; and/or the apparatus may optionally be remote from the first and second devices. Further, the device may comprise memory wherein the accepting means comprises means stored in the memory for recognizing the workflow file.
Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device network may comprise an antecedent device and a communication link between the antecedent device and the device. In addition, the accepting means may comprise means for receiving the workflow file via the communication link from the antecedent device. In such an instance, the antecedent device may be remote from the device and the antecedent device may comprise an initiating device. Further, the device may comprise the initiating device. In addition, the workflow file may identify the antecedent device and a corresponding antecedent function to be executed by the antecedent device.
Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device network may comprise a subsequent device and a communication link between the device and the subsequent device. Further, the workflow file may identify the subsequent device. In such an instance, the device may further comprise means responsive to the workflow file for generating a modified workflow file in response to the executing means and, means responsive to the modifying means for sending the modified workflow file to the subsequent device via the communication link. In addition, the subsequent device may be remote from the device. Further, the device network may comprise a network selected from the group consisting of an intranet, a wide area network, a local area network, a telecommunications network, and an Internet. Still further, the device may comprise means for receiving process data, wherein the executing means may comprise means for modifying the process data to obtain modified process data. The device may further comprise, means for transmitting status information to an observing device identified in the workflow file. In such an instance, the device may be in combination with the observing device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for implementing a particular process step after a prior step is executed by a first device and before a subsequent step is executed by a second device is provided. The apparatus comprises means for accepting a workflow file from the first device, the workflow file including a first indication identifying the particular process step and a second indication identifying the second device. The apparatus also includes means responsive to the first indication and operable substantially independent of the first and second devices for executing the particular step. In addition, the apparatus is provided with means responsive to the second indication and operable after the particular step is executed for sending the workflow file to the second device.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for performing a sequence of first and second process steps is provided. The system comprises means for developing a workflow file representing the sequence of process steps. The system also includes first and second computing devices including first and second means for executing the first and second process steps, respectively, in a substantially autonomous manner. In addition, the system is provided with means for sending the workflow file from the first processing device to the second processing device after the first computing device has executed the first process step.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a distributed network is provided. The distributed network comprises a plurality of computing devices and means for linking the computing devices together. Each computing device includes means for accepting a workflow file, the workflow file including an indication of a function to be performed by the computing device and an indication of an ordered sequence of computing devices in the network, each computing device further including means operable substantially independent of other computing devices in the network for performing the function and means for sending the workflow file to a next computing device in the ordered sequence once the function has been performed.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a particular computing device is provided. The method comprises programming the computing device to accept a workflow file, wherein the workflow file includes an indication of an ordered sequence of computing devices including the particular computing device and wherein the workflow file further includes an indication of a function to be performed by the particular computing device. The method also comprises causing the particular computing device to perform the function. Further, the method comprises operating the particular computing device to send the workflow file to another computing device in accordance with the ordered sequence.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for implementing a particular process step after a prior step is executed by a first device and before a subsequent step is executed by a second device is provided. The apparatus comprises means for accepting first limited workflow data from the first device, the first limited workflow data including a first indication identifying the particular process step and a second indication identifying the second device. The apparatus also comprises means responsive to a first control signal and operable substantially independent of the first and second devices for executing the particular step. Additionally, the apparatus comprises means responsive to the second indication and operable after the particular step is executed for sending a second control signal to the second device.
Using the present invention, workflow details can be hidden from people who simply desire work products. No time is wasted contemplating and communicating details that are already known or not of interest. Each process step of a workflow is independent, and can therefore be mixed and matched to meet different requirements and individually refined for overall optimization. Execution and communication are automatic, decreasing costs and cycle times. Complex workflows remain consistent, increasing quality and facilitating continual improvement.

Workflow distributing apparatus and method


A servovalve includes a fluid transfer valve assembly comprising a supply port and a control port and a moveable valve spool arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port to the control port in response to a control signal. The servovalve also includes a jet pipe assembly configured to direct fluid to the ends of the spool to axially move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow. The jet pipe assembly comprises a jet pipe a connector header fluidly connecting the jet pipe to a nozzle. The spool has one or more openings 28 is provided in the spool such that fluid from the supply port flows into the interior of the spool and into the jet pipe.

Servovalves find a wide range of applications for controlling air or other fluid flow to effect driving or control of another part e.g. an actuator.
A servovalve assembly includes a motor controlled by a control current which controls flow to a valve e.g. an air valve to control an actuator. Generally, a servovalve transforms an input control signal into movement of an actuator cylinder. The actuator controls e.g. an air valve. In other words, a servovalve acts as a controller, which commands the actuator, which changes the position of an air valve's (e.g. a so-called butterfly valve's) flow modulating feature.
Such mechanisms are used, for example, in various parts of aircraft where the management of air/fluid flow is required, such as in engine bleeding systems, anti-ice systems, air conditioning systems and cabin pressure systems. Servovalves are widely used to control the flow and pressure of pneumatic and hydraulic fluids to an actuator, and in applications where accurate position or flow rate control is required.
Conventionally, servovalve systems operate by obtaining pressurised fluid from a high pressure source which is transmitted through a load from which the fluid is output as a control fluid. Various types of servovalves are known—see e.g. GB 2104249, US 2015/0047729 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,309,900.
Electrohydraulic servovalves can have a first stage with a motor, e.g. an electrical or electromagnetic force motor or torque motor, controlling flow of a hydraulic fluid to drive a valve member e.g. a spool valve of a second stage, which, in turn, can control flow of hydraulic fluid to an actuator for driving a load. The motor can operate to position a moveable member, such as a flapper, in response to an input drive signal or control current, to drive the second stage valve member e.g. a spool valve.
Particularly in aircraft applications, but also in other applications, servovalves are often required to operate at various pressures and temperatures. For e.g. fast acting air valve actuators, relatively large flows are required depending on the size of the actuator and the valve slew rate. For such high flow rates, however, large valve orifice areas are required. For 'flapper' type servovalves, problems arise when dealing with large flows due to the fact that flow force acts in the direction of the flapper movement and the motor is forced to overcome the flow forces. For clevis-like metering valves such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,046,061 and 6,786,238, the flow forces, proportional to the flow, act simultaneously in opposite directions so that the clevis is balanced and centered. The clevis, however, needs to be big due to the requirement for bigger orifices to handle larger flows.
Jet pipe servovalves provide an alternative to 'flapper'—type servovalves. Jet pipe servovalves are usually larger than flapper type servovalves but are less sensitive to contamination. In jet pipe systems, fluid is provided via a jet pipe to a nozzle which directs a stream of fluid at a receiver. When the nozzle is centered—i.e. no current from the motor causes it to turn, the receiver is hit by the stream of fluid from the nozzle at the centre so that the fluid is directed to both ends of the spool equally. If the motor causes the nozzle to turn, the stream of fluid from the nozzle impinges more on one side of the receiver and thus on one side of the spool more than the other causing the spool to shift. The spool shifts until the spring force of a feedback spring produces a torque equal to the motor torque. At this point, the nozzle is centred again, pressure is equal on both sides of the receiver and the spool is held in the centered position. A change in motor current moves the spool to a new position corresponding to the applied current.
As mentioned above, jet pipe servovalves are advantageous in that they are less sensitive to contamination e.g. in the supply fluid or from the valve environment. These valves are, however, more complex and bulkier. Additional joints are required for the fluid supply pipe and the supply pipe from the fluid supply to the jet pipe is mounted outside of the servovalve body in the torque motor chamber. In the event of damage to the pipe, this can result in external leakage. The pipe, being external, adds to the overall size and is more vulnerable to damage.
There is a need for a servovalve arrangement that can handle large fluid flows effectively, whilst retaining a compact design and being less vulnerable to contamination, damage and leakage.
European Patent Application 16461572 teaches a jet-pipe type servovalve wherein fluid is provided to the nozzle via a connector header in fluid communication with the interior of the spool, the spool being provided with one or more openings via which fluid from the supply port enters the interior of the spool and flows into the connector header and to the nozzle.
The servovalve includes drive means for steering the nozzle in response to the control signal. The drive means may include a motor such as a torque motor arranged to steer the nozzle by means of an induced current. Other drive means may be used to vary the position of the nozzle. The drive means may be mounted in a housing attached to the valve assembly.
The arrangement of EP 16461572 enables the conventional outside supply pipe to be removed and allows the jet pipe to be fed with fluid via the spool and a feedback spring. To avoid clogging of the jet pipe/nozzle etc. due to contamination in the fluid, the fluid should be filtered. Conventionally, the fluid will be filtered by an external filter before it enters the jet pipe. This, however, requires filter components to be incorporated in e.g. the connector header, which is difficult to do.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a simpler, more convenient and reliable fluid filtering in such a jet-pipe servovalve.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a spool for a servovalve, the spool being provided with one or more openings via which, in use, fluid enters the interior of the spool; wherein the one or more openings comprises filter means for filtering the fluid entering the interior of the spool.
The present disclosure also provides a servovalve comprising: a fluid transfer valve assembly comprising a supply port and a control port; a moveable valve spool arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port to the control port in response to a control signal; and a jet pipe assembly configured to axially move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow; wherein the jet pipe assembly comprises a steerable nozzle from which fluid is directed to the ends of the spool in an amount determined by the control signal; and wherein fluid is provided to the nozzle via a connector header in fluid communication with the interior of the spool, the spool being provided with one or more openings via which fluid from the supply port enters the interior of the spool and flows into the connector header and to the nozzle; and further wherein the one or more openings comprises filter means for filtering the fluid entering the interior of the spool.
The filter means can be e.g. in the form of a perforated sheet around the spool where the opening(s) is/are provided. Alternatively, the spool body may be provided with a perforated wall section wherein the perforations function both as the opening(s) and the filter means.
Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.