An improved joint mechanism for an umbrella which has a first connecting device which includes a shaft member which has a channel through its length and is capable of sleeving onto a rib member and a saddle portion with a U-shaped configuration disposed at the middle portion of the shaft member. A second connecting device defines a connecting tube suitable for fixing a tip portion of a stretcher and a yoke portion having a supporting beam which can be rotatably received by the saddle portion of the first connecting device.

The present invention relates to a joint mechanism, more particularly, to a joint mechanism for an umbrella.
An umbrella generally includes stretchers that are connected to a runner which is slidably mounted on a metal rod at one end, and the other end is connected to a rib member via a joint. When the runner moves to its highest position, the stretchers are fully extended and the gore expands.
In the conventional art, the joint is made from metal and the rib members and the stretchers are made from fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) material. In assembly, the joint is firstly fixed to a suitable position, normally in the middle position, then the tip of the stretcher is riveted thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, two holes 222 in line are disposed at the lug of the joint 22 fixed at rib member 11. A cooperating hole is provided at the joint 21 of said stretcher 12. When the holes of joints 21 and 22 are aligned, a rivet 13 is inserted therein and then the other tip of said rivet is expanded to retain said rivet 13 from escaping. From the above description, it will be evident that the assembly is quite complicated and time-consuming as well as costly. Also, the machining of the rivet can only be smoothly done by a technician. Because there are at least eight rivets in a single umbrella, the defect rate cannot be lowered below a certain level. The increased cost and assembling time have a negative effect on the competitive ability of the manufacturer.


Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll.

This invention pertains generally to rechargeable batteries and specifically to rechargeable nickel-zinc batteries. More specifically, this invention pertains electrode assemblies used in rechargeable nickel-zinc batteries and methods of manufacture.
The popularity of cordless portable devices, such as power tools, has increased the needs and requirements for high energy density rechargeable batteries that can also deliver high power. As power and energy density requirements increase, the need for a high cycle life rechargeable electrodes also increases. The alkaline zinc electrode is known for its high voltage, low equivalent weight and low cost. The fast electrochemical kinetics associated with the charge and discharge process enables the zinc electrode to deliver both high power and high energy density. Nickel-zinc batteries can satisfy the need for higher power and higher energy density in e.g. batteries, suitable for electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), consumer electronics and other applications.
Particularly important is life cycle of rechargeable batteries. Nickel-zinc batteries can suffer from electrical shorts due to, e.g., dendrite formation from the negative (zinc) electrode to the positive (nickel) electrode. Previous approaches to this problem include, e.g., chemical modification of the electrodes to reduce the propensity toward shorting, but these are not typically optimal chemistries for high rate discharge and battery capacity. Coating or taping edges of electrodes is difficult to implement on a production scale and typically are not highly effective.
Separators are typically used to block dendrites from creating shorts between the electrodes but dendrites can migrate around separators unless they are sealed to envelop the electrodes. Sealing separators to envelop individual electrodes effectively blocks dendrite growth (or other particle migration) between electrodes, which extends battery life. In prismatic cells individual electrodes are enveloped prior to assembly of the electrode stack.
In wound electrodes, enveloping individual electrodes prior to winding is problematic due to wrinkling, binding and other difficulties attributable to the physical characteristics of the separator materials and the fact that many layers are wound together in the jellyroll. Heat sealing separators post-winding is known, but such methods only address sealing both electrodes on one end of a wound jellyroll electrode assembly. These methods do not allow for flexibility in internal cell design which is often critical in ever changing uses for rechargeable nickel zinc cells.

Method of selectively heat sealing separators for nickel zinc cells


A force sensor includes a diaphragm-like carrier made of ceramic. Arranged on the carrier are thick-film resistors and a circuit of strain-sensitive thick-film conductor tracks, which are formed in particular as a Wheatstone bridge connecting the thick-film resistors to one another. A dielectric layer is arranged between the carrier and the thick-film resistors 5.

The present invention relates to a force sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, having a diaphragm-like carrier made of ceramic, on which are arranged thick-film resistors and a circuit of strain-sensitive thick-film conductor tracks, which are formed as a Wheatstone bridge connecting the thick-film resistors to one another.
In known force sensors, the thick-film resistors and the thick-film conductor tracks are printed onto a carrier made of ceramic by screen printing and subsequently sintered thereon by a sintering process. Afterward, discrete components such as capacitors, ICs or transistors can be soldered onto the thick-film conductor tracks or be contact-connected by silver conductive adhesives.
For the measurement of pressures, resistive pressure sensors are increasingly being used inter alia in applications in the automotive sector. The strain-sensitive thick-film resistors, connected up to one another as a Wheatstone bridge, alter the offset signal present under mechanical bending of the diaphragm-like carrier. What is responsible for this is the so-called k-factor or gauge factor of said thick-film resistors which is a material-specific gain factor.
If low pressures are intended to be measured by the force sensor, only small output signals of a few millivolts are obtainable. These small signals are processed poorly by an electronic unit connected downstream compared to larger signals.


A novel and useful highly maneuverable and disposable resectoscope having a working element such that surgeons are able to more comfortably perform transurethral resections. The resectoscope permits the surgeon to resect anywhere on the bladder or prostate wall while keep their hand in an ergonomic position. This results in more comfortable surgery that causes less fatigue for the surgeons as well a quicker, safer, and more effective operation. The disposable resectoscope includes a completely disposable design, an analog or digital optics system, a handle that is independently rotatable from the remainder of the resectoscope, a rotation mechanism that can independently rotate an electrocautery electrode and optical lens independent of the handle rotation, and a repositioning of surgical cords and cables for a more comfortable hand placement.

Transurethral resection (TUR) is common practice in urologic surgery and is employed in the treatment of conditions affecting the lower urinary channel, including the urethra, prostate, and bladder. More than 150,000 TUR procedures are performed in the U.S. each year to cut out bladder tumors or reduce enlarged prostates. The primary tool for conducting a TUR is a transurethral resectoscope, a surgical instrument that employs an electrode to cut and cauterize tissue. It is a type of endoscope, an instrument that combines a camera and instrumentation that allows surgeons to view and perform surgery through a small incision or orifice.
The resectoscope is a surgical tool designed to be inserted into the urethra to treat conditions related to the prostate or bladder in a minimally invasive fashion. Traditionally, a resectoscope consists of an assembly of components that when put together, make up a full resectoscope. These parts include a working element, a long lens, electrocautery electrode (loop), inner sheath, and an outer sheath. Once fully assembled the user, i.e. the surgeon, inserts the resectoscope into a patient's body to perform the surgery.
The resectoscope's cutting element has a fixed orientation with respect to the handle, meaning that the surgeon has to rotate the handle of the tool in order to reach each cutting area. On many operations, the doctor needs to operate on all walls of the prostate or bladder, which requires a 360-degree rotation of the resectoscope handle. Due to the limited rotation of the surgeon's hand, they are forced to switch to their non-dominant hand or hold the handle upside down. Since the resectoscope is not designed for this, the surgeon's grip on the tool in these positions is less comfortable and results in lower precision. Outside of the ergonomic 90-degrees of rotation achievable by most doctors, they have to operate in an awkward, inefficient, and imprecise position. The result is a less effective, more dangerous, and longer surgery.
The conventional resectoscope is designed as a reusable device, which is normally sterilized after each use, and then repurposed for another patient. This re-sterilization and repurposing can be costly and time consuming, and holds the risk of cross-contaminating resistant organisms from one patient to another. This is especially pertinent in an age where resistant organisms are currently on the rise.
Additionally, the way a conventional resectoscope is designed restricts a surgeon during certain positions. Often surgeons are required to resect in a 360-degree field. However, due to the natural movement of a human wrist, a surgeon is often limited when these positions require him or her to rotate their hand fully counterclockwise.
In response to this uncomfortable hand movement, surgeons often compensate by holding the handle in the opposite hand, or upside down, which is not the intended use of the resectoscope. This unintended hand positioning on a resectoscope can make a surgeon's hand movements unsteady and imprecise, which can put a patient at risk. Additionally, the surgeon's hand is restricted by the presence of irrigation, power for a light source, and camera cables or cords which often get in the way when a surgeon attempts to rotate the resectoscope in 360-degree space.
Considering the above, there is thus a need for an improved resectoscope whose features address the issues of cost effectiveness, patient safety, and surgeon comfort. In addition, there is a need for a resectoscope that is designed to be disposable.

Highly maneuverable disposable resectoscope


A vehicle includes a dual linkage assembly coupled to two front wheels and a fork. The dual linkage assembly includes arms coupled at pivot points. Each arm rotates independently at the pivot points and responds to force applied by the rider, such that both front wheels maintain contact with the ground. The vehicle further includes a lock assembly including a lever and a lock block coupled to the front fork, a first piece with a first notch coupled to one or more of the arms, and a second piece with a second notch coupled to a head tube. When locked, the lock block engages the first notch, preventing the dual linkage assembly from rotating, and engages the second notch, preventing the fork from rotating. The vehicle is then capable of standing upright without assistance from a rider or stand.

Conventional three-wheeled scooters have either two wheels in the front or back. When a rider makes a turn with the scooter, the rider typically leans the scooter, which can cause one of the two wheels to lift off the ground or otherwise lose some contact with the ground. This results in instability.
Further, when not being ridden, conventional three-wheeled scooters are unable to stay upright without the assistance of an integrated or separate stand. This makes the scooter difficult to store.

Dual linkage front fork with steering lock for scooter


A target program is instrumented during execution by using statements in high-level programming languages, without restarting the target and without modifying the compiled binary of the target on disk. The target and the analysis program modifying it may each include managed code. The target program is presented by an instrumentation API as a queryable database, rather than a mere sequence of processor-level instructions. An instrumentation context for the target program's execution image is obtained, with identifications of functions, individual instructions, and other instrumentable items that satisfy criteria specified in a query. Functions and low-level instructions may be identified as satisfying the query regardless of whether they have executed yet. High-level statements transform query-satisfying items in the target's execution image, by appending code, injecting a fault, replacing an individual instruction, or replacing an individual operand. Instrumentation transformations may be reverted without restarting execution and without reverting to the pre-execution image.

A large gap exists between technology designs that are readily understood by people, on the one hand, and working computational technology implementations, on the other. People are most comfortable and fluent with natural languages and visual descriptions in a product design, whereas computational technology is ultimately implemented as bits flowing through circuits. Over several decades the gap between design and implementation has been bridged by using high-level programming languages and their development environments. A software product development cycle generally includes a high-level design, which guides developers in writing software in one or more high-level programming languages, which is then compiled into lower level instructions (possibly by way of intermediate code such as bytecode or assembly language) until instructions are generated that can be executed (possibly after suitable linking and loading operations) by a computing system.
Changing the lower-level instructions poses technical challenges, but some mechanisms do exist to modify lower-level instructions in some ways. For example, one may dynamically load additional instructions through a plug-in or a dynamically loaded library, and one may modify jump tables to swap one function for another as the destination of a function call. Debuggers and profilers insert instructions along a program's execution path to halt execution, or to log when a particular piece of code is executed, for example. Tools may also be used to patch a binary file before it is loaded for execution. Some relatively simple programs also contain self-modifying code. Some types of malware produce copies of themselves as an effect of their execution. Sometimes changes to low-level instructions are undesirable, as when bugs or malware cause bits to be written at memory locations that were not intended for that purpose by the original software's developer.
However, the most widely used and typical approach used to legitimately modify the low-level instructions of a software program is to edit the program's source code. The altered source code is then recompiled to generate modified low-level instructions, so the changes in program functionality caused by the source code edits will occur the next time the program is executed.

Revertable managed execution image instrumentation


Methods and systems for synchronizing a configuration of resources across multiple computing devices are described. Associated with the master computing device is a configuration of resources that are desired to be synchronized across the additional computing devices. The master computing device is configured to develop a list that describes aspects of its configuration of resources. Additional computing devices are configured to receive the list that is developed by the master computing device and evaluate the list to determine whether its particular configuration of resources is synchronized with those of the master computing device. If a particular additional computing device""s configuration of resources is not synchronized with those of the master computing device, the additional computing device prepares a second list that describes its resource configuration needs and sends the second list to the master computing device. The master computing device receives the second list, evaluates it, and sends data to the corresponding additional computing device for use in synchronizing its configuration of resources.

This invention relates to methods and systems for synchronizing multiple computing devices. In particular, the invention relates to methods and systems for synchronizing multiple different web servers.
As the popularity of networked systems, e.g. distributed computing systems, continues to grow and find use in contemporary times, there is an ever increasing need to ensure that certain computing devices within such systems are synchronized. By xe2x80x9csynchronizedxe2x80x9d it is meant that the configuration of resources that each computing device uses to perform its job are the same, and that any associated resource settings are standard across all of the computing devices. Specifically, many times, due to scalability issues (i.e. adding additional computing devices to service a larger or growing client base), it becomes desirable to implement a particular functionality across multiple computing devices. In these instances it is highly desirable for each different computing device to operate identically. This is important because it is likely that different clients will be serviced by different computing devices. Accordingly, it is highly desirable for each client to receive the same service and be able to accomplish the same tasks even though they are using different computing devices. In order for the computing devices to operate identically, the pertinent resource configurations should be the same across all of the computing devices. Yet, often times this is not the case. When the configuration of resources is not standardized, inconsistent results can occur.
As a more concrete example, consider the case of a computing device in the form of a server that is programmed to function as a Web server. The World Wide Web or xe2x80x9cWebxe2x80x9d works on a client/server model in which client softwarexe2x80x94known as a Web browserxe2x80x94runs on a local computer. The server software runs on a Web server. Client machines effect transactions with Web servers using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is a known application protocol providing users with access to files (e.g., text, graphics, images, sound, video, etc.) using a standard page description language known as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). HTML provides basic document formatting and allows the developer to specify xe2x80x9clinksxe2x80x9d to other servers and files. In the Internet paradigm, a network path to a server is identified by a so-called Uniform Resource Locator (URL) having a special syntax for defining a network connection. Use of an HTML-compatible browser (e.g., Internet Explorer) at a client machine involves specification of a link via the URL. In response, the client makes a request to the server identified in the link and receives in return a document formatted according to HTML. The Web server is usually a standalone file server that services various Web document requests. One particular type of Web server is Microsoft""s Internet Information Server (IIS).
One of the problems that has arisen, and one which is particularly illustrated in the context of Web servers, is that customers often need to scale Web servers so that its services are widely available and highly reliable. One way of doing this is to incorporate multiple servers into a networked system. Each of the individual servers should operate identically in order for the same services to be rendered regardless of which server is used to the render services. In order for the servers to operate identically, their resource configurations should be the same. If the resource configurations are not the same, then inconsistent results can occur. Computing devices such as Web servers can typically have many different types of resources and settings. As an example, Microsoft""s IIS has resources that include, but are not limited to files, metabase entries, registry keys, and cryptographic functions. Current solutions are inadequate to solve the problems of synchronizing multiple servers. For example, there are solutions that copy files from one server to another, or that replicate a resource setting from one machine to another, but these solutions fall far short synchronizing non-file resources and, in particular, multiple different resources and settings.
Accordingly, this invention arose out of concerns associated with providing systems and methods for synchronizing resource configurations across multiple computing devices.
Methods and systems for synchronizing a configuration of resources across multiple computing devices are described. In the described embodiment, a computer network comprises a master computing device and a plurality of additional computing devices communicatively linked with the master computing device. The master computing device comprises a configuration of resources that are desired to be synchronized across the additional computing devices. The master computing device is configured to develop a set of lists that describe aspects of its configuration of resources. Each additional computing device is configured to receive the lists that are developed by the master computing device and evaluate the lists to determine whether its particular configuration of resources are synchronized with those of the master computing device. If a particular additional computing device""s configuration of resources is not synchronized with those of the master computing device, the additional computing device prepares a second set of lists that describe its resource configuration needs and sends the second set of lists to the master computing device. The master computing device receives the second list set, evaluates it, and sends data to the corresponding additional computing device for use in synchronizing its configuration of resources. Each of the additional computing devices can send separate independent lists that describe their resource needs and the master computing device is capable of individually responding to each one. In one aspect, the computing devices are computer servers that are configured as Web servers.
One aspect provides a server software architecture that comprises a replication engine to handle communication between a master server and a plurality of member servers. At least one driver is provided and is capable of communicating with the replication engine. The driver is associated with a particular resource type (a.k.a. store) that is accessible from the master server. Resources could potentially be stored on a remote location (e.g., a remote file system). In the described embodiment, each resource type of interest has its own separate driver that is programmed to interact with it. Each driver is configured to prepare lists that describe characteristics of its associated resource and articulate the lists to the replication engine. The replication engine is configured to receive the lists from the driver(s) and send the lists to one or more of the member servers so that the member servers can use the lists to synchronize a resource that corresponds to the resource with which the driver(s) is associated. In the described embodiment, each of the member servers has an architecture that mirrors the architecture of the master server. Accordingly, each member server has a replication engine to handle communication with the master server, and a collection of member servers drivers that are individually associated with different resource types that are resident on the member server. Each of the member server drivers is configured to evaluate the resources with which it is associated in response to its replication engine receiving a list from the master server""s replication engine. The member server driver then determines whether its resources are synchronized with a corresponding resource on the master server. The member server driver is further configured to prepare a response to the master server that describes resource needs of the member server in the event that a resource is determined not to be synchronized with the corresponding resource on the master server. The master server receives the response with its replication engine and passes the response to the corresponding master server driver that is associated with the resource of interest. The master server driver then prepares a reply to the response that includes data that can be used by the member server driver to update or synchronize its resource type. The reply is sent to the member server and processed by the member server""s replication engine. The replication engine passes the reply to the appropriate driver so that the driver can synchronize the resource of interest.
Another aspect automatically synchronizes resource configurations across multiple computing devices so that any time a resource configuration is updated or changed on, a master computing device, those changes get promulgated to a plurality of member servers. In the described embodiment, promulgation of the resource configuration changes takes place in a list-based manner.

Methods and systems for synchronizing multiple computing devices


An electronic device (e.g., integrated circuit) and method of making the electronic device is provided that reduces a strength of an electric field generated outside a package of the electronic device proximate to the low voltage lead pins. The electronic device includes a low voltage side and a high voltage side. The low voltage side includes a low voltage die attached to a low voltage die attach pad. Similarly, the high voltage side includes a high voltage die attached to a high voltage die attach pad. Lead pins are attached to each of the low and high voltage attach pads and extend out from a package of the electronic device in an inverted direction.

Integrated circuits (IC) require electrically conducting connections to provide an electrically conductive connection between the IC's contact pads to the IC package leads or lead pins. In some applications, IC's include a low voltage side having a low voltage die and a high voltage side having a high voltage die. When the IC is energized, an electric field is generated inside a package (internal e-field) of the IC between die attach pads of both the low voltage side and the high voltage side. The internal e-field is isolated by the package and has a negligible effect on the IC. The electric field, however, extends outside the package (external e-field) on the low voltage side of the IC toward low voltage lead pins.
The external e-field creates arcing between the lead pins on the low voltage side of the IC. Arcing may also occur between the low voltage lead pins and electrical terminations on a printed circuit board upon which the IC is mounted. Arcing ultimately leads to damaged electronic components including the IC.

Electronic device having inverted lead pins


Anonymously providing purchasing analytics associated with customer to a website while the customer is accessing the website. Specifically, a financial institution, having access to a customer's transactional data, can analyze the data to determine analytical purchasing data. Once the customer authenticates themselves at a financial institution website, a networked application or the like, an anonymous cookie that is configured to identify the analytical purchasing data is generated and stored in the web browser cache. In response to the customer using the device to access a website that displays advertisements, the anonymous cookie is retrieved from the web browser cache and the analytical purchasing data is provided to the website. In specific embodiments of the invention, the website uses the analytical purchasing data of the customer to determine which of the plurality of advertisements are to be displayed to the customer while they visit the website.

Currently, targeted electronic advertising is implemented through the use of browser cookies—which are a small text files sent to your web browser by a website that you visit. Conventionally, cookies contain information about your visit that you may want the site to remember, like your preferred language and other settings. The web browser stores this data and retries the cookie the next time you visit the site to make the next trip easier and more personalized.
In addition, cookies are used in online advertising for the purpose remembering your interests (i.e., what webpages you've visited) and subsequently showing you related (i.e., targeted) advertisements as you visit other locations throughout the Internet. For example, a user/customer may visit an electronic-commerce (e-commerce) website that sells a product the user is interested in purchasing and the user may browse various web pages on the website, each web page associated with a different product. The e-commerce website may be configured to generate and drop cookies in the user/customer's web browser that identify the web page(s) visited and the content/product associated with those web pages. When the user/customer leaves the e-commerce website and browses other websites on the Internet that have advertising, and more, specifically advertising associated with the previously visited electronic commerce website, the other website may retrieve the cookies and use the information stored therein to provide the user/customer with targeted advertisements. Typically, this means that the user is presented with advertisements for the product(s) that were on the webpages previously visited by the user/customer (i.e., the products that the user/customer showed an interest in).
However, such targeted advertising may be highly ineffective because it does not take into account the fact that in many instances the user/customer has already purchased the product prior to being presented the advertisement, either at another e-commerce website, at a physical retail location (i.e., brick and mortar location) or, in some instances, at the same e-commerce website which generated and dropped the cookies (i.e., the same e-commerce retailer that is providing the user/customer the targeted advertising). In addition, such targeted advertising is limited, in that it is solely based off of previously visited websites and does not take into account any other information or factors that may be relevant to providing more effective targeted advertisement (i.e., advertising that will result in the user/customer responding to the advertising and purchasing the product or service associated with the advertisement).
Therefore, a need exists to develop systems, apparatus, computer program products, methods and the like that provide for serving a website or the website advertiser more robust information about customer without actually identifying the customer. In this regard, the desired systems, apparatus, computer program products, methods and the like should provide for a website or an advertiser advertising on the website to be provided information other than what previous websites or specific webpages within a website a customer has previously visited. Moreover, the desired systems, apparatus, computer program products, methods and the like should provide such relevant robust purchasing-related information to the merchant or advertiser while the customer is concurrently visiting the merchant's website or the site at which the advertiser advertises without divulging the identity of the customer.

Serving anonymous cookies associated with purchasing analytics


Disclosed herein is a magnetic paste that generally includes a magnetic component and a liquid organic component. The magnetic component includes a plurality of discrete nanoparticles, a plurality of nanoparticle-containing assemblies, or both. Magnetic devices can be formed from the magnetic paste. Methods of making and using the magnetic paste are also described.

The present disclosure generally relates to magnetic composites and more specifically to magnetic pastes for use in high frequency applications.
The integration of magnetic components into electronic circuits has become a significant barrier to reducing the size of electronic devices. Current micrometer sized magnetic materials can only be used at low frequencies. For example, high permeability bulk ferrites can only be used at frequencies less than 1 megahertz (MHz) and bulk Ni-ferrites, which may be used up to about 100 MHz, have non-optimal initial permeabilities. Accordingly, existing commercial converters are designed to operate at frequencies less than about 2 MHz.
One method for integrating higher frequency magnetic devices into a circuit is through thick film screen-printing. Thick film screen-printing allows for the deposition of a magnetic material in paste form onto a ceramic substrate. The paste material generally consists of ceramic or metallic particles suspended in a polymer paste. Unfortunately, the permeabilities of these pastes are very low (e.g., less than about 3), resulting in large eddy current losses.
After printing, the paste undergoes a heat treatment that ultimately burns off the polymer and densifies, or sinters, the ceramic or metallic material. The result is a dense pattern formed from the ceramic or metallic material. Using this technique, for example, a conducting coil can be printed onto a layer of ferrite, and then covered with another layer of ferrite to form an inductive coil. Successive layers can be printed to increase the inductance of the device. The heat treatments, result in increased permeabilities, but are accompanied by increased eddy current losses at higher frequencies. Furthermore, the high temperature (about 700 to about 900 degrees Celsius) of the heat treatment makes these pastes incompatible with low temperature printed wiring board (PWB) or printed circuit board (PCB) processing procedures.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for new and improved magnetic pastes that have a desirable combination of properties, such as inductance, permeability, and/or permittivity at the desired frequency, and that may be used in devices that are processed at low temperatures.

Magnetic composites and methods of making and using


Pressure regulator assemblies that are overall small in size, have a thin form factor, can be repeatedly manufactured at relatively low cost and which can avoid the use of poppet valves, pivots, sliding members or rubber and metal diaphragms are disclosed. These pressure regulator assemblies can find utility in small or micro-fluidic applications, such as fuel cell systems, for example. The fluid to be regulated by the assemblies can be a liquid or gas.

Electronic components, such as portable electronic devices, are trending smaller in size while increasing in performance. As electronic components are designed smaller in size and incorporate sophisticated and complex technology, the demands on the associated power source become greater.
One example of a power source is a fuel cell system. Fuel cell power sources used in portable and other small scale power generating applications demand the use of small and compact components (e.g., fluidic pressure regulators, valves, check valves and interface ports), which are configured to maintain high overall system energy densities. Also, the components used within such small or 'micro' fuel cell systems should be manufacturable at low cost to compete with less complex battery power sources. If these components are bulky or require excessive precision in manufacture, then many of the benefits of a fuel cell can be diminished. This is particularly the case for battery replacement applications of fuel cells where volume utilization is at a premium.
In order to make a smaller fuel cell system, various innovative and technical requirements need to be met while attempting to accommodate the reduced space requirements.


Embodiments described herein provide multi-panel display systems and methods for operating the same. Content is generated on a first display device based on first user input received through a user interface device coupled to the first display device. Second user input is received on the user interface device. The generated content is displayed on a second display device in response to the receiving of the second user input on the user interface device.

In recent years, display systems, such as those using liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, have become increasing integrated in various industries and product lines.
One example is the automotive industry. It is very common for new automobiles to be equipped with one or more display panels so that the driver and/or the passengers have access to various features while in the vehicle. Examples of such features include a Global Positioning System (GPS), entertainment (e.g., movies, games, etc.), and even access to the Internet.
However, often the display systems are configured such that they may not allow certain features to be used while the vehicle is in motion, as there is a concern that the driver may become distracted by either preparing and/or viewing the content.

Mutli-panel display system and method for operating the same


A dredge includes a primary grizzly with a sieve for separating dredged material initially into recoverable and discharge portions. A second or auxiliary grizzly and sieve are also provided on a chute extending from the primary grizzly to further remove remaining recoverable material from the portion of material discharged from the primary grizzly. A gate is provided for selectively opening and closing access to the auxiliary grizzly depending upon the make-up of the material discharged from the top of the primary grizzly. The combination of the primary and auxiliary grizzly provide for increased efficiency and effectiveness in recovering a larger percentage of recoverable material from a water-based dredging operation.

This invention relates to dredges, and, more particularly, to grizzlies for such a dredge which separate recoverable material from material to be discharged or waste material.
Water-based and floating dredges typically include one or more bucket or clamshell-types grabs which are lowered into a waterway to collect sand, clay, gravel or the like from the bottom of the waterway. The grab typically deposits the collected material onto a grizzly which often includes a sieve having a plurality of generally parallel bars. The dredged material often contains components whose value justifies recovering them such as sand and gravel. Other components, such as clay, are not desirable for recovery and are simply collected for removal and disposal. Separating the recoverable material from the material to be discharged, however, in the past has been an inefficient and often time consuming process. Frequently, the dredged material includes a wide variety of materials. In other words, rarely does the dredged material include entirely recoverable material or entirely waste material to be discarded.
The time and expense involved in recovering useful material through a water-based dredging operation are very significant. Therefore, it is important to effectively and efficiently retain all of the available recoverable material from a given load. Currently, one common method for dredging is to deposit or dump the load of dredged material in the grab onto a primary grizzly for further processing. Once the dredged material is deposited onto the grizzly, smaller materials, such as sand and gravel, pass through the bars of the grizzly for recovery and further processing. The material remaining atop the grizzly is then discharged therefrom.
One manner of discharging the material remaining atop the grizzly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,536 issued to the present inventor and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In that patent, the dredge includes a bi-directional grizzly which includes a rake structure that can be operated in either of two opposite directions. If the material remaining atop the grizzly includes sufficient recoverable material for further processing, the rake is operated in a first direction to discharge that material directly into in a crusher or the like. However, if the material remaining atop the grizzly is not worthy of recovery, the rake is operated in a second opposite direction for discharge of the material down an inclined chute and onto a refuse barge, conveyor or the like.
However, the material remaining atop the primary grizzly often includes a mixed variety of components. For example, the remaining material may include larger rocks, gravel or the like which are too large to pass between the spaced bars of the primary grizzly but are still worthy of recovery for further processing. Nevertheless, the material remaining atop the primary grizzle often includes clay and/or other waste along with the recoverable components. The operator of the dredge then must decide whether to discard the entire contents of the material atop the primary grizzly or further process the waste material included therein in an effort to retain the available recoverable material. This dilemma often results in the discharge of a significant quantity of worthwhile recoverable material or processing of clay and other undesirable elements resulting in an inefficient and ineffective dredging operation.


A method for copying a segment from a video file having a multiplicity of video frames, where at least some of the frames are encoded as predicted frames. The method includes the steps of selecting a mark-in location in the video file such that the mark-in location defines the beginning of the copied segment. Once the mark-in location is selected, each of the frames positioned between the mark-in location and a final group frame associated with a group of frames that includes the mark-in location are decoded. Each decoded frame will have an associated first format. The decoded frames are then re-encoded into an associated second format such that the re-encoded second format of at least one of the decoded frames is different than its associated first format. The re-encoded frames are then stored. The method then generates a copied segment that includes at least the re-encoded frames.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods for editing video files. More particularly, the invention relates to various methods and apparatuses for processing video frames and video segments to facilitate editing. In one aspect, methods and apparatuses for copying a segment of video from an input data stream and processing the copied segment to be independent of information contained in the original input data stream are disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
MPEG (motion pictures experts group) is a standard promulgated by the International Standards Organization (ISO) to provide a syntax for compactly representing digital video and audio signals. The syntax generally requires that a minimum number of rules be followed when bit streams are encoded so that a receiver of the encoded bit stream may unambiguously decode the received bit stream. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a bit stream will also include a "system" component in addition to the video and audio components. Generally speaking, the system component contains information required for combining and synchronizing each of the video and audio components into a single bit stream. Specifically, the system component allows audio/video synchronization to be realized at the decoder.
Since the initial unveiling of the first MPEG standard entitled MPEG-1, a second MPEG standard known as MPEG-2 was introduced. In general, MPEG-2 provided an improved syntax to enable a more efficient representation of broadcast video. By way of background, MPEG-1 was optimized to handle data at a rate of 1.5 Mbits/second and reconstruct about 30 video frames per second, with each frame having a resolution of 352 pixels by 240 lines (NTSC), or about 25 video frames per second, each frame having a resolution of 352 pixels by 288 lines (PAL). Therefore, decoded MPEG-1 video generally approximates the perceptual quality of consumer video tapes (VHS). In comparison, MPEG-2 is designed to represent CCIR 601--resolution video at data rates of 4.0 to 8.0 Mbits/second and provide a frame resolution of 720 pixels by 480 lines (NTSC), or 720 pixels by 576 lines (PAL). For simplicity, except where distinctions between the two versions of the MPEG standard exist, the term "MPEG," will be used to reference video and audio encoding and decoding algorithms promulgated in current as well as future versions.
Typically, a decoding process begins when an MPEG bit stream containing video, audio and system information is demultiplexed by a system decoder that is responsible for producing separate encoded video and audio bit streams that may subsequently be decoded by a video decoder and an audio decoder. Attention is now directed at the structure of an encoded video bit stream. Generally, an encoded MPEG video bit stream is organized in a distinguishable data structure hierarchy. At the highest level in the hierarchy is a "video sequence" which may include a sequence header, one or more groups of pictures (GOPs) and an end-of sequence code. GOPs are subsets of video sequences, and each GOP may include one or more pictures. As will be described below, GOPs are of particular importance because they allow access to a defined segment of a video sequence, although in certain cases, a GOP may be quite large.
Each picture within a GOP is then partitioned into several horizontal "slices" defined from left to right and top to bottom. The individual slices are in turn composed of one or more macroblocks which identify a square area of 16-by-16 pixels. As described in the MPEG standard, a macroblock includes four 8-by-8 pixel "luminance" components, and two 8-by-8 "chrominance" components (i.e., chroma red and chroma blue).
Because a large degree of pixel information is similar or identical between pictures within a GOP, the MPEG standard takes particular advantage of this temporal redundancy and represents selected pictures in terms of their differences from a paticular reference picture. The MPEG standard defines three general types of encoded picture frames. The first type of frame is an intra-frame (I-frame). An I-frame is encoded using information contained in the frame itself and is not dependent on information contained in previous or future frames. As a result, an I-frame generally defines the starting point of a particular GOP in a sequence of frames.
A second type of frame is a predicted-frame (P-frame). P-frames are generally encoded using information contained in a previous I or P frame. As is well known in the art, P frames are known as forward predicted frames. The third type of frame is a bi-directional-frame (B-frame). B-frames are encoded based on information contained in both past and future frames, and are therefore known as bi-directionally predicted frames. Therefore, B-frames provide more compression that both I-frames and P-frames, and P-frames provide more compression than I-frames. Although the MPEG standard does not require that a particular number of B-frames be arranged between any I or P frames, most encoders select two B-frames between I and P frames. This design choice is based on factors such as amount of memory in the encoder and the characteristics and definition needed for the material being coded.
Although the MPEG standard defines a convenient syntax for compactly encoding video and audio bit steams, significant difficulties arise when a segment of an encoded bit stream is clipped out for use in a new bit stream. In particular, because P-frames use information from previous frames in the bit stream, and B frames use information from both previous and future frames, clips must be performed at I-frames. That is, the clipped segment must have an I-frame as a starting frame and a P or an I frame as the final frame in the clipped segment. Performing clips at I-frames therefore eliminates producing video clips that have beginning and ending frames which cannot be decoded without the reference frames contained in the original bit stream.
Unfortunately, typical encoded video bit streams have a larger number of P and B frames in between I-frames. Consequently, this disadvantageously limits the locations at which a clip may be performed, and therefore renders encoded MPEG bit streams unsuitable for the video editing industry which demands frame accurate precision.
In view of the forgoing, what is needed is a method and apparatus for editing video bit streams with frame accurate precision. In particular, there is a need for a method and apparatus for clipping segments in a video bit stream which allow beginning and ending clipped segments of video at any frame within the bit stream without losing the ability to decode frames in the clipped segment.

Method and apparatus for editing video files


A method is disclosed for continuously measuring the temperature of a semiconductor substrate in a chamber is disclosed. The first step of the method involves providing a substantially clean semiconductor substrate having a layer a reflective surface thereon into a chamber. A film is formed superjacent the surface by introducing a gas comprising at least one of N.sub.2, NH.sub.3, O.sub.2, N.sub.2 O, Ar, Ar--H.sub.2, H.sub.2, GeH.sub.4, or any fluorine based gas and photon energy in situ. The photon energy, having a wavelength substantially in the absorption band of silicon, generates a temperature substantially within the range of 500.degree. C. to 1250.degree. C. Subsequently, the reflectivity of the surface is measured prior to introducing the gas, and continuously, while forming the film until the film is substantially formed. The substrate is exposed to photon energy having a power level responsive to the measured reflectivities of the film.

In the fabrication of semiconductor wafers, one recurring problem has been temperature measurement and control. When processing a semiconductor substrate, the temperature of the to side of the substrate being processed is of critical importance. Overheating can cause dopants to permeate subjacent layers, and under-heating can produces layers which are unreliable and subject to lower tolerances. In this light, several solutions have been put forth to gauge the substrate's temperature to avoid overheating and underheating, and thus provide a uniform ramp up, steady state and/or ramp down cycle.
Referring to FIG. 1, a pyrometric system for measuring the temperature of a semiconductor substrate in a chamber known in the art is illustrated. In this system, a lamp 100 is employed to heat substrate 110. Substrate 110 is situated within chamber 120, and the substrate's top side 115 is positioned in association with lamp 100 accordingly. To maintain the stability of substrate 100, a series of supports, 130 and 130', emanate from the bottom of chamber 120. A sensor (not shown) is positioned between supports 130 and 130' and in association with the underside 116 to sense the temperature of the underside 116 of substrate 110.
The pyrometric system depicted in FIG. 1 is inadequate for precise temperature measurements. By measuring the underside of the substrate, this approach yields only an approximate measurement of the top side at best. Moreover, the underside is not traditionally processed, and as such, measurements with regards to that portion of the wafer are superfluous.
Referring to FIG. 2, a system configuration for measuring the temperature of a semiconductor substrate in a chamber known in the art is illustrated. In this system, a substrate 210, positioned within a chamber 220, is positioned in association with lamp 200 for heating purposes. Instead of the approach of FIG. 1, here a sensor 230, positioned on the side of substrate 210, is employed to detect the thermal expansion of substrate 210, which is directly translatable to the substrate's temperature.
However, the system depicted in FIG. 2 also has several shortcomings. Firstly, though a relationship exists between thermal expansion and temperature, an accurate temperature measurement is formidable to obtain because of the difficulties in fabricating sufficiently sensitive sensors to detect expansion. Second, several layers are formed superjacent the substrate, with each layer having a different thermal coefficient. As such, most measurements of the thermal expansion of the substrate are inaccurate. Third, in actual semiconductor manufacturing, substrate's are exposed to several thermal steps. Thus, actual measurements of expansion are transitory.

Method for repeatable temperature measurement using surface reflectivity


A dispenser box having a modified rectangular shape with leaf-shaped end walls and partly curved main walls that may form symmetrically or non-symmetrically configured halves of the dispenser box. The first main wall has a substantially flat surface extending from a first side edge of the dispenser box and changing into a curved surface when moving in a direction from the first side edge towards a second side edge of the dispenser box. The second main wall has a corresponding substantially flat surface at the second side edge, which changes into a curved surface when moving in a direction towards the first side edge.

A common type of combined package and dispenser for flexible consumer articles such as different kinds of wipes is a rectangular cardboard box in which the wipes are arranged in a likewise rectangular stack of sheets which can be removed from the box through a dispensing opening provided in the top surface of the box. The rectangular box shape is excellent with regard to stackability and economy of space during storage and transport. Moreover, as it can be safely stood on a countertop or a shop shelf resting on any one of its rectangular surfaces, it works very well as a stable and reliable package and dispenser.
However, a combined package and dispenser has numerous functions. It serves as an information bearing medium conveying information about the contents in the package and it provides protection, containment and dispensing of the consumer articles inside the package/dispenser. While placed on a shop shelf, it is desirable that as large an area of the package as possible may be exposed to a viewer of the package in order to convey information allowing determination of the type of article contained in the package, the brand of the article, the number of articles in the package and other information of relevance to a viewer such as a shop assistant or a presumptive buyer. However, bulky or oddly shaped containers which take up a proportionally large space on a shop shelf or during storage and transport and which cannot be efficiently stacked are not appreciated by the retail business.
Some examples of packages that may present a relatively larger exposed surface than a conventional rectangular box are disclosed in US 2006/0144909 A1, US 2008/0054012 A1 and FR 2 869 882 A1. All these packages have rounded surfaces allowing improved exposure of information printed on the packages. However, the prior art packages suffer from the drawback that they cannot accommodate conventional rectangular stacks of wipes or other sheet material without considerable distortion of the stack configuration. Moreover, the prior art packages cannot be stacked in a space conserving and stable manner.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved combined package and dispenser for stackable articles having good display properties as well as containment and dispensing functions.


An erasable electro-optic storage disk for use in focused laser beam operated data handling systems comprises a semiconductor substrate with a storage layer arranged on top of it that is capable of trapping charge carriers. Electric contacts are connected to the semiconductor substrate and to the storage layer, respectively. An energy barrier with associated depletion zone is formed in the substrate near the interface with the storage layer. Upon simultaneous application of a control voltage to the contacts and of a focused laser beam directed at a storage site, electron pairs are generated in the depletion zone, and charge carriers are transferred towards the interface. This causes a reduction of the depletion zone and thus of the voltage over the depletion zone, and an increase of the field in the storage layer, whereby charge carriers are injected into and trapped in the storage layer; method of recording, reading data and apparatus therefor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns an erasable electro-optic storage disk for use in focused laser beam operated data handling systems, and more particularly to a disk consisting of a semiconductor substrate with a storage layer on top of it that is capable of trapping charge carriers and having electric contacts connected to the semiconductor substrate and to the storage layer, respectively.
2. Description of the Related Art
Erasable optical disks are suitable for use in rotary disk data storages often found in data processing systems. They represent a promising alternative to the widely used magnetic disk. Further applications of optical disks are feasible, for instance, in digital optical computing systems where optical devices or arrays having storage capabilities are required to implement logic functions. Here, the optical disk is an alternative to the more commonly used liquid-crystal light valves.
At present, the most widely used storage medium in random access rotating memories is the magnetic disk. However, compact optical disks have become a competitive contender particularly in view of the potentially high data densities.
Size and shape of the bit storage sites are defined by the narrow focal point of a laser beam, making the round bit site only about one micron in diameter.
For erasable optical storage, there are currently two leading contenders: magneto-optic and phase-change technologies. Both techniques employ glass or plastic disks coated with thin films of storage media and use semiconductor laser diodes for recording. However, they differ markedly in the approach to writing and reading information.
Magneto-optic recording relies on heating from a laser and on an externally applied magnetic field to write data onto a disk coated with a thin film of magnetic material. Data are stored magnetically, the direction of magnetization defining the stored bit values.
In phase-change recording, a short burst of laser light converts a tiny spot on the storage media's highly reflective crystalline surface to the less reflective amorphous, or semicrystalline, state. This is done by rapidly heating the material to a temperature above its melting point and then abruptly quenching it, freezing it into the amorphous state.
Critical concerns about these technologies include media stability and reliability, cyclability, i.e., the number of times information can be rewritten, data access and transfer speeds, and the limited availability of lasers with sufficient power.
An alternative technique is provided by the basically different electro-optic storage devices which rely upon optical and electrical properties of the materials and structures used. Again, focused laser beams serve to address and to define the storage sites. Binary data are stored by trapping charge carriers in a continuous storage medium that may, e.g., consist of silicon nitride.
Trapping of charge carriers in silicon nitride has been studied extensively for application in non-volatile memories. The feasibility has, e.g., been demonstrated in an article "The Metal-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (MNOS) Transistor--Characteristics and Applications" by D. Frohmann-Bentchkowsky in Proc. IEEE, Vol. 8, No. 8, August 1970, p. 1207-1219. Charge can be stored reliably and can be retained for very long periods of time.
Various storage systems employing devices having layers capable of trapping charge carriers have already been described. The following articles published in the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin (TDB) are representative of the state of the art:
"Electro-optical Memory with Write, Read and Erase Characteristics" (IBM TDB, Vol. 15, No. 4, September 1972, p. 1237/38). The disclosed structure comprises an electro-optical crystal with two dielectric films having different electron energy bandgaps deposited on one of the crystal surfaces. A light beam generates, in the crystal, a pattern of electrons. Upon application of an electric voltage, the electrons tunnel through the first thin insulator layer and become trapped between the interface state of the two dielectric layers. Since the trapped electrons cannot return, a permanent charge pattern is formed in the crystal. It induces a variation of the index of refraction and information can be read out using polarized light.
"Non-Volatile Semiconductor Electro-Optical Memory Device" (IBM TDB, Vol. 15, No. 11, April 1973, p. 3455/56). Here, the storage structure consists of a semiconductor with a thin silicon dioxide and a silicon nitride layer on top of it. Traps at the oxide-nitride interface become charged, representing stored data, at cell sites defined by a scanning light beam and transparent strip electrodes to which a positive voltage is applied. Data are read by scanning the device with a light beam. At sites with positively charged traps, a change in voltage is induced that can be detected.
"Memory and Solar Cell" (IBM TDB, Vol. 20, No. 8, Jan. 1978, p. 2995). This article describes a single storage cell consisting of a thick SeTe layer with an Al-oxide film and a transparent Al layer on top of it. The oxide layer functions as a capacitor in which a charge, representing data, can be stored when a light spot is focused on the storage site and contacts to the Se-Te and the Al-layer are simultaneously bridged by a low impedance connection. A light beam and a load are applied for reading: by detecting the presence or absence of current flow, which depends on the data stored, the cell conditions can be sensed.
These known systems suffer from deficiencies such as loss of data due to the large leakage or dark currents, charge spreading and electron recombination which are detrimental to reliable storage operations, particularly in high density systems. Also, fabrication processes are critical.

Eraseable electro-optic storage disk, method of and apparatus for recording and reading data therefor

International Business Machines Corporation


In a communication system, the following describes a method for the communication system to more efficiently process control information when the control channel is temporarily used as a voice channel. When a communication unit has control information to transmit to the communication resource allocator, it determines whether the monitored voice channel is busy. When the monitored voice channel is not busy, the communication unit transmits the control information to the communication resource allocator on the monitored voice channel. Regardless of whether the monitored voice channel is busy or not, the communication resource allocator transmits recommended channel parameters on the monitored channel wherein the recommended channel parameters comprises at least one recommended channel. When the monitored voice channel is busy, the communication unit decodes the recommended channel parameters to ascertain the at least one recommended channel. Having done this, the communication unit determines whether the at least one recommended channel is usable, and when the recommended channel is usable, the communication unit transmits its control information on that channel to the communication resource allocator.

Trunking communication systems are known to comprise a plurality of communication units arranged into a predetermined number of communication groups, a limited number of communication resources that are transceived via a predetermined number of repeaters, and a communication resource allocator that allocates the limited number of communication resources among the plurality of communication units. The communication resource may be a time division multiplex (TDM) slot(s), a frequency carrier, a pair of frequency carriers, or any other radio frequency (RF) transmission means. Of the communication resources, one is typically selected as a control channel while the remaining communication resources act as voice channels. The control channel transceives outbound signalling words (OSW) from the communication resource allocator to the communication units and also inbound signalling words (ISW) from the communication units to the communication resource allocator. OSWs and ISWs are data which indicate system operations to be performed or system features that are desired to be accessed by the communication units. For example, when a communication unit desires to transmit a message to another communication unit, it transmits an ISW to the communication resource allocator requesting access to a communication resource and identifies the target communication unit. If the communication resource allocator grants the communication units request, it transmits the OSW to the communication unit indicating to both the initiating communication unit and the target communication unit which communication resource the conversation will take place on.
At times, the communication resource allocator will not grant the communication unit's request for a communication resource primarily due to an overloading of the system, i.e. all of the communication resources are allocated and there are several requests waiting to be granted. Under such conditions, the communication resource allocator, which typically includes a queue to store the request that cannot be granted upon receipt, is saturated and cannot handle, for that moment, another request for a communication resource. To handle this overload condition, a prior art system may temporarily use the control channel as a voice channel thus increasing the number of voice channels which in turn reduces the communication resource request backlog. When the control channel is acting as a voice channel, the communication resource allocator cannot receive ISWs or transmit OSWs which leaves communication units that are not presently in a communication or the communication resource request queue temporarily incapable of communicating with the communication resource allocator. This presents a serious problem when a communication unit needs to immediately communicate with the communication resource allocator, for example, when the unit has an emergency condition.
One approach to overcome this problem is to select one of the communication resources to act as a voice/control channel when the actual control channel is being used as a voice channel. In such a system, the communication units may transmit a select number of control functions to the communication resource allocator via the control/voice channel. The control information is transmitted in a low frequency signalling manner, i.e. frequency below 300 hertz. This overcomes the problem of communication units not being able to access the communication system when the control channel is being used as a voice, however, this approach limits the access to a select number of control functions that can be executed. Therefore, a need exists for a method that allows communication units to transmit any control information to the communication resource allocator when the control channel is being used as a voice channel.


A method for forming a nanofluidic channel measuring system is disclosed. The method includes forming a first trench in a substrate, forming a second trench in the substrate, the first trench and the second trench are separated by a first width, providing a first conductor pad at a first location, providing a second conductor pad at a second location, forming a first nano-wire for coupling the first conductor pad with the second conductor pad, and forming a nano-channel through the first nano-wire, the nano-channel also coupling the first trench and the second trench, the nano-channel configured to sever the first nano-wire. A nanofluidic channel measuring system is also disclosed.

In recent years technologies directed to sensing presence of particles in a channel have made significant advances. One such technology is a Coulter counter, designed and developed by Wallace H Coulter in 1947. The Coulter counter is used for counting and sizing particles and cells. The theory behind a Coulter counter is that there is a change in electrical conductance of an electrically conducting liquid flowing through the channel when a small non-conducting particle passes through the channel. Cells can be modeled as spheres with a non-conducting outer shell, i.e., the cell membrane. As will be discussed below, the coulter counter can detect cells in the channel, thereby allowing the cells to be identified and counted.
The Coulter counter operates by measuring the electrical resistance of a channel. When the channel is dry, the electrical resistance is high, i.e., an open circuit. When an electrically conducting liquid fills the channel, the electrical resistance drops significantly. However, when a cell, with a non-conducting outer membrane, passes through the channel that is filled with the conducting liquid, the cell displaces the liquid. The displacement of the conducting liquid with the cell having a non-conducting membrane results in an increase in the resistance of the channel. The increase in the resistance can be correlated to the size of the cells and the number of the cells.
Today, the Coulter counter is the core of many laboratory equipment used in hospital laboratories. For example, a complete blood count testing machine is used for counting the cells and determining the size of other particles present in a blood sample in an automated manner. The complete blood count testing machine can provide its results in minutes. The function of the complete blood count testing was traditionally performed manually by laboratory technicians. The manual process involved preparing a blood cell stain and manually counting each type of cell under a microscope. This type of manual counting is time consuming and prone to variation from technician to technician.
While Coulter counters have replaced manual counting of blood cell constituents, counters capable of effectively counting smaller nano-sized particles, i.e., particles with sizes in the nano-meter range, i.e., 10−9 m, are only now becoming available. Many of these new systems use expensive and sophisticated equipment. For example, a line of nano-size particle identification technologies are based on imaging light that scatters from the particles. The light scattering technology may use an electron multiplication charge coupled device camera system for improving sensitivity. In addition to expense, these systems have limited capabilities. In particular, the lower limit for particle size may be 10 nm.
In addition to counting nano-sized particles, recent developments in Deoxyribonucleic acid molecule (DNA) sequencing and Ribonucleic acid molecule (RNA) sequencing have generated a need for manipulating DNA and RNA molecules. The DNA and RNA molecules are made of strands with feature sizes as small as 1-2 nm. As a result, a DNA/RNA molecule manipulator must be sensitive to the single-digit nm sized features of the DNA/RNA strands.
Therefore, there is a need for both a counter that can count single nano-meter sized particles and further control and manipulate these particles.

Nanofluidic channel with embedded transverse nanoelectrodes and method of fabrication for same


A contoured vehicle seat back and a belt restraint which cooperate to safely secure and immobilize a rearwardly handcuffed prisoner for transport is disclosed. The contoured seat back includes a pair of downwardly converging channels therein for receiving and engaging the arms of the occupant. A central lower pocket for receiving the cuffed hands of the occupant is recessed into the seat back proximate the lower extremities of the channels. The belt restraint includes a cinching handle detachably mounted to the seat belt latching mechanism which can be detached from the latching mechanism and used to tighten the seat belt urging the occupant into engagement with the contoured seat back.

The present invention relates to a prisoner restraint system for transporting prisoners in a vehicle, and more particularly to a contoured transport seat back and cooperating restraint assembly for supporting and substantially immobilizing a rearwardly handcuffed prisoner while seated in a vehicle.
The transport of prisoners while in the custody of law enforcement personnel presents numerous risks to the safety of both the officers and prisoners involved. When not effectively restrained rearwardly handcuffed prisoners are subject to injury from potentially violent contact with the interior of the vehicle passenger compartment, particularly when the vehicle decelerates abruptly or negotiates roadway turns. With their hands cuffed behind them, prisoners are unable to use their hands or arms for lateral support. Further, such prisoners are frequently intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, ill or otherwise incapacitated thereby further limiting their capacity to maintain a fully upright seated position. Such incapacitated persons are subject to vomiting, increasing risk of suffocation if the subject is not maintained upright.
Traditional belt restraints in cooperation with traditional rear seat configurations fail to provide sufficient lateral support to a rearwardly cuffed prisoner. Prisoners could slip down in the seat so that the belt could become entangled around their necks. Rearwardly handcuffed prisoners are also subject to injury to the arms, shoulders, wrists or back when restrained by seat and shoulder belts in traditional rear seats with hands pinned between the prisoner and the seat back.
When not effectively restrained, prisoners are an obvious potential risk to the safety of law enforcement personnel during transport. The officer is particularly at risk when in close proximity while reaching across the prisoner with both hands to secure a traditional belt restraint.
Traditional fabric seats present costly maintenance problems. Such seats are easily torn by the handcuffs worn by the prisoners occupying the vehicles. Further, it is not uncommon for such prisoners to discharge bodily fluids which are difficult to remove from fabric traditional upholstery. Traditional seats typically define an opening between the seat back and seat bottom where weapons or other contraband can be hidden by the prisoners occupying the seat.
These and other problems result in increased maintenance time for law enforcement vehicles, increased risk of bodily injury to law enforcement personnel, and increased liability on the part of governmental agencies for injuries sustained by those taken into custody.
In recent years, single-piece, hard-surfaced rear seats have been introduced in police and similar vehicles in an attempt to eliminate some of the deficiencies encountered in the use of traditional rear seats and prior art belt restraints. Such assemblies do have certain advantages over conventional seats, particularly in connection with ease of cleaning and prevention of hidden contraband. Such rear seats, however, fail to effectively immobilize in an upright position a seated prisoner for transport and fail to minimize an officer's proximity to a prisoner while engaging and tightening a belt restraint around such a potentially dangerous individual. In fact, the hard slippery surface of such seats increase the likelihood that handcuffed prisoners will slide along the seat or be thrown about in the rear of the police vehicle.


A dynamic bus clock rate adjusting method is to be executed by a bus controller and a CPU. The bus controller is coupled with a bus that is coupled with a plurality of slave devices. The method comprises the steps of: configuring the bus controller to generate, upon receipt of a request signal from one of the slave devices, an access instruction including an address from which the request signal is sent; and configuring the CPU to determine which of the slave devices the address of the access instruction corresponds so as to obtain a working clock rate thereof, and to set the bus controller to adjust an operating clock rate of the bus according to the working clock rate, and to perform the access instruction on the slave device via the bus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bus clock rate adjusting method, more particularly to a dynamic bus clock rate adjusting method for dynamically adjusting an operating clock rate of a bus according to a working clock rate of a slave device to be accessed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a bus 10 of a computer system, such as a System Management Bus (SMBus) or an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus, is provided to be electrically coupled with a plurality of slave devices, such as an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) 11, an embedded controller (or a keyboard controller) 12, and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) transceiver 13. Moreover, a bus controller 14, such as a SMBus controller or an I2C bus controller, is coupled electrically to the bus 10, so as to decide an operating clock rate of the bus 10 and to access or perform setting operations on the slave devices 12, 13 and 14 via the bus 10.
Owing to the characteristics of the SMBus and the I2C bus, a device which operates at a lower working clock rate, such as the embedded controller (or the keyboard controller) 12 with a working clock rate ranging from 10 KHz to 100 KHz, is incapable of working on a bus with a higher operating clock rate. While a device which operates at a higher working clock rate, such as the HDMI transceiver 13 with a highest working clock rate of 400 KHz, is capable of working on a bus with a lower operating clock rate. Based on the aforementioned limitations, conventionally, a central processing unit (CPU) 15 is configured to set the bus controller 14 such that the operating clock rate of the bus 10 is set to a working clock rate at which the slowest slave device operates, such as the highest working clock rate at which the embedded controller (or the keyboard controller) 12 operates, i.e., 100 KHz.
Furthermore, since the aforementioned EEPROM 11 is only accessed by the CPU 15 during a booting process, and the HDMI transceiver 13 is only required to transmit a control signal via the bus 10 when an external display device (not shown) is connected thereto, for most of the time, the bus 10 is primarily used for reading of a scan code of a keyboard temporarily stored in the embedded controller (or the keyboard controller) 12. Moreover, it is favorable in terms of power saving for the bus 10 to operate at a lower operating clock rate. Therefore, taking power saving into consideration, the operating clock rate of the bus 10 should be set to the lowest working clock rate of the embedded controller (or the keyboard controller) 12, i.e., 10 KHz.
Nevertheless, in this way, since the EEPROM 11 may not be accessed at a higher clock rate, booting efficiency is limited by the operating clock rate of the bus 10. Moreover, efficiency of the HDMI transceiver 13 when connected with the external display device would also be limited by the operating clock rate of the bus 10, such that the external display device may not display images timely.

Dynamic bus clock rate adjusting method and device


An absorbent article includes a particulate chemical mixture, which is exothermically reactive in the presence of air or moisture, for heating at least a portion of the absorbent article. The heat generated improves the absorption of body fluids by lowering the viscosity of the absorbed fluids. The absorbent article can be formed as a sanitary napkin.

The present invention relates generally to an absorbent article, and particularly to an absorbent article having a mixture that generates heat when exposed to air and/or moisture.
All manner and variety of devices or appliances configured for absorption of body fluids, such as menses, are well known. Sanitary napkins are the most frequently used of these devices. The prior art is replete with patents relating to protective pads and sanitary napkins for the absorption of body fluids and protecting the undergarment from staining. It has been suggested that from 20-25 percent of all sanitary napkins leak. A contributing factor to the leakage is that menses is a viscous fluid having aqueous and mucus-like components.
A problem in the performance of the absorbent is that the more viscous the material the slower the rate of absorption. Basically, the low viscous materials readily pass through the cover of the sanitary napkin and are absorbed by the absorbent. The higher viscosity materials in the menses may not be absorbed and can remain on the cover. Alternatively, the higher viscosity materials may be absorbed but remain at or near the point of insult occluding absorption of the lower viscosity materials. This limits the effectiveness of the absorbent and the utilization of the absorbent capacity of the sanitary napkin. Moreover, the absorbent may contain superabsorbent materials which preferentially absorb the aqueous constituents from low viscous materials thereby increasing the viscosity of the remaining material. This exacerbates the problem of the absorbent to absorb the viscous components of the menses.
Until now, surfactants have been used to improve the absorption of body fluids. One or more of the materials used in constructing the sanitary napkin, such as the cover and/or absorbent, have been treated to improve the material wettability. The problem of using a surfactant is that the surface energy of the coated material is modified but the surfactant does not appreciably modify, if at all, the viscosity of the body fluid. Thus, the higher viscosity materials are still not efficiently absorbed.
Accordingly, there is a need for an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, which can modify the viscosity of a viscous material so that it can be absorbed.
This invention contemplates adult feminine hygiene articles for absorbing body fluids from a wearer and comprises a liquid permeable cover; a liquid-impermeable baffle; an absorbent enclosed between the cover and the baffle; and heat cell material as an integral part of the adult feminine hygiene article, for heating the absorbent, the heat cell material being free to receive menses from outside the adult feminine hygiene article, the heat cell material being reactable with menses to generate heat such that, in use, heat is generated when menses from the wearer is received at the adult feminine hygiene article, the heat being effective to lower the viscosity of the menses, thereby increasing the capability of the adult feminine hygiene article to absorb the resulting lower-viscosity menses. The adult feminine hygiene article has a liquid absorption capacity of about 1 milliliter up to about 30 milliliters.
In some embodiments of the invention, the heat cell material of the adult feminine hygiene article comprises a chemical mixture distributed throughout the absorbent, the chemical mixture being reactable in the presence of aqueous liquid to generate heat. The chemical mixture can be distributed randomly or substantially uniformly at multiple locations throughout the absorbent.
In some embodiments, the absorbent includes superabsorbent materials which absorb aqueous constituents from lower viscosity materials.
In some embodiments, the heating apparatus includes an air and moisture-permeable material enveloping the heat cell material.


A modular high-frequency converter includes submodules, each having an input-side half bridge and a DC link circuit with a DC link capacitance connected in parallel to the half bridge. A DC link circuit voltage drop across the DC link capacitance of each submodule is controlled to a target voltage by adjusting a duty cycle with a closed-loop control structure having a pilot control and a downstream closed-loop error control. Within the framework of the pilot control, a target value for each duty cycle and a target value for the supply current are determined, using a mathematical model of the converter, based on the load-side output currents flowing out of the DC link voltage circuits and on target values of the DC link circuit voltages. Switch position parameters, which map the effect of the switch positions of the input-side half bridges, are each replaced by an associated duty cycle.

The present invention relates to a modular high-frequency converter. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a converter.
The following discussion of related art is provided to assist the reader in understanding the advantages of the invention, and is not to be construed as an admission that this related art is prior art to this invention.
Conventional modular high-frequency converters (abbreviated to MHF converter) are designed to convert a DC voltage from a traction battery of the vehicle into a number of AC voltages. The individual AC voltages in such cases are generated by a number of submodules which are connected in series into the supply circuit of the traction battery. Each submodule is connected here on the input side to the supply circuit via a half bridge. To generate the AC voltage each submodule has a single-phase full bridge (H bridge) on its output side, which is connected via a load circuit to a phase winding of the drive motor of the vehicle. Within the submodule the input-side half bridge and the full bridge are connected in parallel, together with a link circuit capacitance, in a (DC) link circuit.
In normal operation (drive mode) of the MHF converter, in which electrical power is transported via the submodules of the converter out of the supply circuit into the respective load circuit, the input-side half bridges of the submodules are operated in collaboration with an inductance arranged in the supply circuit as boost converters. For this purpose the DC link circuit capacitances of the submodules are usually switched into the supply circuit with offset clocking. For this purpose, the input-side half bridges are activated as a rule with periodic carrier signals which are offset by the same phase angle.
In addition to the drive mode, the input-side half bridges of the submodules can also be operated in a feedback mode, in which electrical power is fed back from the load circuit via the respective associated submodule into the supply circuit.
The DC link circuit voltages of the submodules are regulated individually for each submodule by variation of the sampling cycle (also known as the control factor, pulse-pause ratio or duty cycle), with which the respective input-side half bridge of the respective submodule is activated.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to obviate prior art shortcomings and to provide an improved MHF converter and an improved method for its operation.

Modular high-frequency converter and method for operating the same


A revolving door with a drive unit drivingly connected to a turnstile of the revolving door. The revolving door has at least one glass ceiling element. The drive unit is gearlessly constructed and has an electronically commutated multipole motor. The multipole motor is arranged at the glass ceiling element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a revolving door with a drive unit drivingly connected to a turnstile of the revolving door, wherein the revolving door has at least one glass ceiling element.
2. Description of the Related Art
A generic revolving door with a drive unit which is drivingly connected to a turnstile of the revolving door is known from DE 197 11 460 A1. The drive unit is floor-mounted and drives the turnstile of the revolving door by a gearbox by a motor. The large structural dimensions of the motor and gearbox for driving the turnstile prohibit ceiling-side mounting because the revolving door has a glass ceiling element. The turnstile of the revolving door comprises a plurality of revolving wings that reach to the underside of the glass ceiling element, and the revolving wings are connected to one another in a common rotational axis by swing arms. The diagram shows the filigree construction of a glass ceiling element at which facade elements abut above the revolving door. An arrangement of the drive unit below or above the glass ceiling element for driving the turnstile of the revolving door would not be possible without a considerable expenditure.
EP 2 072 737 A2 shows a revolving door with a drive unit drivingly connected to a turnstile of the revolving door. The drive unit is ceiling-mounted. A revolving door construction of this kind illustrates the installation space required for integrating the drive unit above the turnstile. This type of arrangement of the drive unit combined with a filigree glass ceiling element of the revolving door cannot be reasonably implemented.

Revolving door with a drive unit arranged at a glass ceiling element


A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemun plant named ‘Dekamiata’, characterized by its single-type inflorescences with oval to obovate-shaped, red-colored ray florets and green-colored disc florets; strong and upright flowering stems; freely flowering habit; early and uniform flowering response; and good postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Chrysanthemum×morifolium, commercially grown as a cut flower and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Dekamiata'.
The new Chrysanthemum is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hensbroek, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely flowering single-type Chrysanthemum cultivars with unique ray floret coloration and excellent postproduction longevity.
The new Chrysanthemum originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Hensbroek, The Netherlands on Dec. 16, 2005 of a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum×morifolium identified as code number 04.42347.01, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum×morifolium identified as code number 04.42094.01, not patented. The new Chrysanthemum was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Hensbroek, The Netherlands on Apr. 12, 2006.
Asexual reproduction of the new Chrysanthemum by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Hensbroek, The Netherlands since Jun. 2, 2006, has shown that the unique features of this new Chrysanthemum are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A circuit arrangement for forming the difference and the sum of two detector signals has two photodetectors connected in back-to-back fashion. The difference signal is provided by a first operational amplifier connected to the junction between the two back-to-back connected photodetectors. The sum signal is formed by two further operational amplifiers, whereby one further operational amplifier inverts the signal from one detector and supplies the inverted signal to the input of the other operational amplifier. Thus, the difference signal and the summing signal are directly formed and accessible.

Signal adding and differentiating circuits are known in various versions. Reference is made, for example, to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,440,498; 4,653,917; and 4,479,715. Such circuits are also used in the so-called "Sagnac-Interferrometer" employing a fiber optical gyro, whereby a 3.times.3-coupling device and two or three detectors are used and the output signals are produced as a function of the so-called gyro rate. Reference is further made to an article "Integrated Optics for Fiberoptical Sensors" published in the Trade Journal "Laser and Opto-Electronics", No. 21(I)/1989.
All known circuits of this type, however, have certain disadvantages as will be described below. Known circuits are not capable to permit in a simple manner a direct access to the difference signal and to the sum signal of the two input signal currents. Another drawback of conventional circuits of this type is seen in the fact that they require a substantial effort and expense for the analog-to-digital conversion that follows.
At small gyro-angular rates, the two detectors of a fiber optical gyro with a 3.times.3-coupler receives signals having signal values corresponding to 20 to 30% of the maximum signal. A precise resolution of small gyro rates thus makes it necessary to achieve a very precise measuring of small changes which are superimposed on a large or high d.c. signal component. Thus, when such signals are digitized, it is necessary that the entire signal is digitized with the precision with which the small signal component is determined, and which small signal component is generated by the gyro rotation. As a result, expensive and high resolution signal converters are required. Additionally, it is necessary to operate the photo-diodes practically in a short-circuit operation in order to evaluate the d.c. signal components because only in this manner it is possible to assure the stability of the zero point or, in other words, the linearity of the signal conversion.

Circuit arrangement for forming the difference and the sum of two detected signals


When executing super-resolution processing, both reduction in necessary memory capacity and generation of high-resolution image data having a desired image quality are achieved. This invention provides an image forming method in an image forming apparatus capable of executing super-resolution processing using a plurality of low-resolution image data to generate high-resolution image data. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of low-resolution image data, selecting image data to be deleted from the plurality of acquired image data on the basis of spatial frequency information or color information of each image data, deleting the selected image data, and storing, as image data used in the super-resolution processing, remaining image data which are not deleted among the plurality of image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and image forming method and, more particularly, to an image forming technique in an image forming apparatus which performs super-resolution processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a super-resolution processing technique of performing data interpolation processing for a plurality of low-resolution image data having different phases to generate high-resolution image data (see, e.g., Ricoh Technical Report No. 24, November 1998).
There is also known a system which reads low-resolution image data whose phase is changed by adding an offset value to a scanner, and generates high-resolution image data by a super-resolution processing technique (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-98009).
However, the super-resolution processing requires a plurality of low-resolution image data. To execute this processing, an image forming apparatus having a memory capacity large enough to hold these low-resolution image data needs to be used.
The memory capacity may be reduced by decreasing the number of low-resolution image data used in super-resolution processing. In this case, high-resolution image data generated by super-resolution processing may not satisfy a desired image quality depending on low-resolution image data to be reduced.

Image forming apparatus, method, and program for executing super-resolution processing by deleting selected image data based on a spatial frequency characteristic or color