Magnetic memory element includes recording layer changing magnetization direction by external magnetic field, having easy-axis and hard-axis crossing easy-axis, first conductive layer forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of easy-axis at layout position of recording layer, second conductive layer extending in direction crossing first conductive layer and forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of hard-axis at layout position of recording layer. Recording layer has at least part between first conductive layer and second conductive layer. Planar-shaped recording layer viewed from direction where first and second conductive layers and recording layer are laminated, has portion located on side and other portion located on other side, with respect to virtual first center line of first conductive layer along direction where first conductive layer extends viewed from lamination direction. Area of portion viewed from lamination direction is less than or equal to one-third area of other portion.

The present invention relates to a magnetic memory element and a magnetic memory device, and particularly to a magnetic memory element having a tunneling magnetoresistive effect and a magnetic memory device using the same.
The magnetoresistive (MR) effect is a phenomenon that the electric resistance is changed by applying a magnetic field to a magnetic substance, and is utilized for a magnetic field sensor, a magnetic head, and the like. Particularly, as giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect materials exhibiting a very large magnetoresistive effect, artificial lattice films of Fe/Cr, Co/Cu, and the like have been introduced in non-patent documents 1 and 2 (D. H. Mosca et al., "Oscillatory interlayer coupling and giant magnetoresistance in Co/Cu multilayers", Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 94 (1991) pp. L1-L5, and S. S. P. Parkin et al., "Oscillatory Magnetic Exchange Coupling through Thin Copper Layers", Physical Review Letters, vol. 66, No. 16, 22 Apr. 1991, pp. 2152-2155).
There has also been proposed a magnetoresistive effect element using a lamination structure comprised of ferromagnetic layer/non-magnetic layer/ferromagnetic layer/antiferromagnetic layer having a non-magnetic metal layer which is thick to such a degree as to eliminate the exchange coupling action between the ferromagnetic layers. In this element, the ferromagnetic layer and the antiferromagnetic layer are exchange-coupled to each other. Thus, the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer is fixed, so that only the spin of the other ferromagnetic layer can easily be reversed in the external magnetic field. This is an element known as a so-called spin valve film. With this element, the exchange coupling between the two ferromagnetic layers is weak and hence the spin can be reversed in a small magnetic field. For this reason, the spin valve film can provide a magnetoresistive element with a higher sensitivity than that of the exchange coupled film. As the antiferromagnetic substance, FeMn, IrMn, PtMn, or the like is used. The spin valve film causes an electric current to flow in the film in-plane direction for use, but is used for a reproducing head for high density magnetic recording because of such feature as described above.
On the other hand, a non-patent document 3 (W. P. Pratt et al., "Perpendicular Giant Magnetoresistances of Ag/Co Multilayers", Physical Review Letters, vol. 66, No. 23, 10 Jun. 1991, pp. 3060-3063) shows that the use of the perpendicular magnetoresistive effect of allowing an electric current to flow in the direction perpendicular to the film plane enables to obtain a further larger magnetoresistive effect.
Further, a non-patent document 4 (T. Miyazaki et al., "Giant magnetic tunneling effect in Fe/Al203/Fe junction", Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 139 (1995), pp. L231-L234) also shows a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) effect due to the ferromagnetic tunnel junction. This tunneling magnetoresistance is obtained by, in a three-layer film comprised of ferromagnetic layer/insulating layer/ferromagnetic layer, causing the spins of the two ferromagnetic layers to be parallel or anti-parallel to each other by the external magnetic field and thereby using a difference in magnitude between the tunnel currents in the direction perpendicular to the film plane.
In recent years, the studies on use of GMR and TMR elements for a nonvolatile magnetic memory semiconductor device (MRAM: magnetic random access memory) have been shown in, for example, non-patent documents 5 to 7 (S. Tehrani et al., "High density submicron magnetoresistive random access memory (invited)", Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 85, No. 8, 15 Apr. 1999, pp. 5822-5827; S. S. P. Parkin et al., "Exchange-biased magnetic tunnel junctions and application to nonvolatile magnetic random access memory (invited)", Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 85, No. 8, 15 Apr. 1999, pp. 5828-5833; and ISSCC 2001 Dig of Tech. Papers, p. 122).
In this case, a pseudo-spin valve element in which a non-magnetic metal layer is sandwiched between two ferromagnetic layers different in coercive force, and a ferromagnetic tunneling effect element have been studied. When these elements are used for an MRAM, they are arranged in a matrix form, and an electric current is made to flow into an additionally provided wire so that a magnetic field is applied thereto. Thus, the two magnetic layers forming each element are controlled to be parallel or anti-parallel to each other, so that "1" or "0" is recorded. Reading is performed by utilizing the GMR and TMR effects.
For an MRAM, the use of the TMR effect results in lower power consumption than the use of the GMR effect. Therefore, the use of the TMR element has been mainly studied. In an MRAM using a TMR element, the MR ratio of change is as large as 20% or more at room temperature, and the resistance at the tunnel junction is large. Therefore, a larger output voltage can be obtained. On the other hand, in the MRAM using such a TMR element, spin reversal is not required to be performed upon reading, so that reading is possible with the less current. For this reason, the MRAM using the TMR element has been expected as a low power consumption type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of high-speed writing/reading.
As for the write operation of the MRAM, it is desired that the magnetic characteristics of the ferromagnetic layers in the TMR element are controlled. Specifically, there are demands for a technology of controlling the relative magnetization directions of two ferromagnetic layers interposing a non-magnetic layer therebetween to be parallel/anti-parallel, and a technology of making the magnetization reversal of one magnetic layer in a desired cell with reliability and efficiency. The technologies of controlling the relative magnetization directions of two ferromagnetic layers interposing a non-magnetic layer therebetween to be uniformly parallel/anti-parallel within the film plane by using two crossing wires have been shown in, for example, patent documents 1, 3, 4, and (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11 (1999)-273337, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-353791, U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,800, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-310971).
In an MRAM, when cell miniaturization is performed for higher integration, the reversing magnetic field increases due to the demagnetizing field depending upon the size in the direction of the film plane of the magnetic layer. Thus, a large magnetic field is required for writing, and the power consumption also increases. Therefore, as shown in the patent documents 2, 5, 6, and (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-280637, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-296858, U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,783, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-310971), there have been proposed technologies wherein the shape of the ferromagnetic layer is optimized thereby to facilitate magnetization reversal.
When miniaturization of a magnetic memory element is carried out with higher integration for an MRAM, a larger magnetic field is required for writing due to the effect of the demagnetizing field. Therefore, the effect of the magnetic field exerted on the periphery of the selected magnetic memory element becomes large, and erroneous magnetization reversal becomes pronounced. In order to cope with it, there has been proposed in, for example, the patent document (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-353791), that a wire covered with a material of high magnetic permeability as in Permalloy is formed and a TMR element is caused to concentrate the magnetic field thereon.

Magnetic memory element and magnetic memory device


A clip is disclosed which is attached to the tragus lobe of the ear. The clip has a concave spring with two opposing jaws separated by a slot delineated by an inner surface of the concave spring. The clip also has two opposing pressure pads, each positioned on the end of a different jaw, on the inner surface of the spring, so that they are separated by an opening of the slot. The ear clip additionally has two finger tabs, each having one end attached to an end of a different jaw, on an outer surface of the spring and a second end extending away from the end of the jaw, along the outer surface of the spring.

Acupressure, i.e., the application of pressure to specific topical locations of the body, has been used to control weight loss and to reduce the urge to smoke. It has been proposed that the application of light pressure to the tragus lobe (small cartilage lobe which partially eclipses the opening to the ear canal) slows peristalsis (the wave-like contractions of the intestine). The brain, in turn, may interpret this effect as being caused by a half full stomach. Thus, appetite is reduced. The control of the desire to smoke is less well understood.
The prior art has proposed acupressure ear clips. One ear clip is disclosed in a brochure distributed by Health Care Research, a company located in Patterson, N.J. This ear clip is designed to be secured to the auricle (the external cartilage portion of the ear which projects from the head). A second ear clip is disclosed in a 1990 brochure distributed by Nulife Corp. The Nulife clip is designed for attachment to the tragus and has a single padded arm which is positioned in the ear canal. A third "Chinese Weight Loss Earring" is disclosed in a 1992 "Mail Order Fun" catalogue distributed by the Johnson Smith Company located in Bradenton, Fla. The weight loss earring is an approximately circular shaped plastic device which fits loosely around the auricle and which may be manually squeezed periodically (using the fingers) to pinch the auricle,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tragus clip which is comfortable to wear. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ear clip which is easy to attach to the tragus. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a tragus clip which supplies sufficient pressure to remain attached to the tragus yet is comfortable for use by a large segment of the population. It is further object of the present invention to provide a tragus clip which is easy to manufacture.


A system and method for enabling searchable encryption of encrypted documents stored by a client on one or more storage providers includes a broker server in communication with the client and the one or more storage providers. The broker server is adapted to transfer the encrypted documents between the client and the one or more storage providers and to maintain information indicating where the encrypted documents are transferred. The broker server further stores information for at least one encrypted index for the encrypted documents and a test function for a searchable encryption mechanism used to encrypt the at least one encrypted index.

Many cloud-based services (e.g. data storage, webmail services, advertising, geolocation services, and the like) provide the ability to operate on a client's stored data (e.g. files, email, location, etc.) by providing access to the stored data. This allows the client to search for specific pieces of data stored using the cloud-based services. However, this ability to operate on the client's stored data may be at odds with the client's data privacy needs, which often require encryption to protect the data, because many storage providers do not support searchable encryption. Therefore, the client's ability to operate on encrypted data that is stored by one or more cloud storage providers can be limited.

Systems and methods for enabling searchable encryption


A portable radio receiver assembled in a case. In accordance with the present invention, the case is also employed as an antenna of the portable receiver. The case is composed of a pair of parallel-opposed square conductor plates interposed therebetween a space sufficiently smaller than the wavelengths of received waves of the portable radio receiver, a frame of insulating material interposed in the space. Feeding terminals of the portable radio receiver are provided at desired positions on one pair of opposed sides of the parallel-opposed square conductor plates. Each of short-circuit elements of high-frequency-wise is provided on other pair of opposed sides of the parallel-opposed square conductor plates so that the direction of the plane of polarization of the antenna can be changed by short-circuiting any one of the short-circuit elements. A control circuit is provided in the case for selectively short-circuiting one of the short-circuit elements to obtain a larger received output from the feeding terminals.

The present invention relates to a portable radio receiver.
Conventionally, portable radio receivers mostly employ loop antennas or monopole antennas and they are adapted for operation primarily in the plane of vertical polarization. In receiving electric waves sent as vertically polarized waves from the transmitting station, a service area of communication greatly varies depending upon whether the receiving antenna is held vertical or horizontal.
For example, in a case of a card-typed pager receiver utilizing a loop antenna, its receiving sensitivity markedly differs depending upon whether the receiver is held vertical or horizontal, and this poses a problem in the actual use of the receiver
In conventional radio receivers, however, no measures have been taken against this desadvantage.
For example, the prior art pager receiver is equipped with an antenna in such a manner that the receiving sensitivity is maximum when it is carried vertically in a breast pocket of user's shirt, but in practice, it is often carried in a pocket of a jacket, a bag, a handbag, or the like. In such a case, the pager receiver is usually laid at its side, that is, it is kept in the direction in which the directivity of the antenna is the lowest, resulting in the coverage of communication being seriously impaired.


An interferometric measurement system measures a spun optical fiber sensor that includes multiple optical cores configured in the fiber sensor. A calibration machine includes a calibration fixture having known dimensions, one or more automatically controllable actuators for wrapping the fiber sensor starting at one end of the fiber sensor onto a calibration fixture having known dimensions, and an actuator controller configured to control the one or more actuators with actuator control signals. Interferometric detection circuitry, coupled to the actuator controller and to the other end of the fiber sensor, detects measured interferometric pattern data associated with each of the multiple cores when the fiber sensor is wrapped onto the calibration fixture. Data processing circuitry determines compensation parameters that compensate for variations between an optimal configuration of the multiple cores and an actual configuration of the multiple cores in the fiber sensor based on the detected measured interferometric pattern data. The compensation parameters compensate subsequently-obtained measurement interferometric pattern data for the fiber sensor.

Optical strain sensing is a technology useful for measuring physical deformation of a waveguide caused by, for example, the change in tension, compression, or temperature of an optical fiber. A multi-core optical fiber is composed of several independent waveguides embedded within a single fiber. A continuous measure of strain along the length of a core can be derived by interpreting the optical response of the core using swept wavelength interferometry. With knowledge of the relative positions of the cores along the length of the fiber, these independent strain signals may be combined to gain a measure of the strain profile applied to the multi-core optical fiber. The strain profile of the fiber refers to the measure of applied bend strain, twist strain, and/or axial strain along the length of the fiber at a high (e.g., less than 50 micrometers) sample resolution.
Previous patents have described shape sensing with multi-core optical fibers (e.g., see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,781,724 and 8,773,650 incorporated by reference). Some applications for shape sensing fiber require a high degree of confidence in terms of the accuracy and reliability of the shape sensing output. A non-limiting example application is robotic arms used in surgical or other environments.
In performing position and shape sensing measurements of the fiber, accuracy is limited by how well the strain signals from the independent optical cores can be recombined. Further, if accuracy levels are required that are for example on the order of 0.1% of the length of the measurement fiber, compensation for these variations is important. An ideal structure for this purpose occurs when the core waveguides are located exactly as specified by the design of the fiber after manufacture, and the physical properties of the cores are identical. But in practice, manufacturing processes are not capable of producing an ideal fiber structure. Therefore, variations, such as in core location, length, and index of refraction are observed in actual fiber structures. Unfortunately, variations from an ideal fiber structure cannot be physically measured to this desired degree of accuracy by known techniques.
In order to calculate the shape of a multi-core fiber, certain things must be known about the fiber including for example the core locations (referred to as "core geometry" and expressed as a radius and an angle), the spin rate of the fiber, and the group index of the cores. Determining these parameters through various measurement techniques is referred to as calibrating the fiber or fiber sensor. Known methods for fiber sensor calibration are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,531,655 and 8,773,650, which are incorporated by reference.
One drawback with known sensor calibration techniques is that they are manual techniques which are time-intensive and expensive. Another area for improvement is that known sensor calibration techniques are not suited to a manufacturing environment because they do not account for all of the possible variations in the fiber properties that are possible in fiber manufacture. For example, previous calibration techniques did not account for variations in fiber diameter along the length of a sensor, the effect of spin rate variations on twist sensitivity, variations in the strain optic coefficients core-to-core, or variations in the thermo-optic coefficients core to core. In addition, known calibration and/or measurement techniques do not account for the effects of tension on the fiber. New calibration technology is needed to more completely calibrate a sensor and to do so in an automatable way.

Methods and apparatus for calibration for a fiber optic shape sensor


In a handle-returning device of a cylinder lock assembly, a support base has an inner annular flange and an axial spring-retaining lug. A rotation driver has an inner tubular wall extending into the inner annular flange of the support base, and a spring driving element. A torsion spring is disposed around the inner annular flange and between the support base and the rotation driver, and has a spring leg abutting the spring-retaining lug and the spring driving element. A rotary plate abuts the support base opposite to the rotation driver, and has an engaging part engaging a tongue projecting from the rotation driver. A reinforced structure is thus provided to oppose high torsional stresses produced upon rotation of a lever handle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cylinder lock assembly, and more particularly to a handle-returning device, which can rotate along with a tubular spindle of a cylinder lock assembly when a handle is rotated, and which can return the handle to an original rest position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cylinder locks typically include a latch operator to operate a latch, a tubular spindle connected to an operating lever handle or knob to actuate a latch operator, and a handle-returning device that is rotatable along with the tubular spindle and that includes a torsion spring to return the operating lever handle or knob to an original rest position thereof. When the operating lever handle or knob is rotated, the tubular spindle operates the latch operator to retract the latch, and at the same time rotates the handle-returning device. When the operating lever handle or knob is released, the torsion spring of the handle-returning device returns the operating lever handle or knob to the original rest position.
Generally, the handle-returning device has a rotating member disposed around and in engagement with the tubular spindle for simultaneous rotation. Like the operating knob, the operating lever handle has a casing body surrounding the tubular spindle. Examples of cylinder lock assembles having lever handles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,657, 5,666,833, 7,073,829. Because the operating lever is heavier than the operating knob and has an L-shaped configuration with a center of gravity usually eccentric to the axis of the tubular spindle, compared to the operating knob, the operating lever handle can impose a relatively high torsional stress on the tubular spindle and the handle-returning device. As a result, after a long time of use, the operating lever handle is prone to droop, and the torsional spring is liable to fatigue failure losing its capability to return the lever handle to its horizontal rest position. When a large force is applied to the lever handle, the tubular spindle can become twisted, or even break.

Handle-returning device for a cylinder lock assembly


A load-bearing fairing element for a flap adjustment mechanism of an aircraft comprises a shell-shaped fairing housing with an at least partly U-shaped profile with an open side, a closed side, and a direction of main extension, at least one first cover panel that along the direction of main extension covers part of the open side, and a load-bearing bridge element. The bridge element is arranged in the fairing housing and with a base area conforms so as to be flush against an internal surface of the fairing housing and extends towards the open side. The bridge element comprises an essentially planar cover area that covers the base area on the open side in order to produce a closed profile contour that is circumferential on the direction of main extension. The bridge element comprises means for holding a shaft feed-in of a central flap drive and means for holding an adjustment mechanism that is couplable to the shaft feed-in. Consequently there is no need to provide complex stiffening structures within the fairing element.

For the purpose of controlling flight, aircraft usually comprise adjustable flaps that are rotatorily and/or translatorily moved by way of actuators. In particular, high-lift flaps carry out a very substantial translatory and at the same time rotatory movement relative to the wing. The adjustment mechanism used for this is frequently driven by a central power control unit in the region of a wing root, which power control unit is coupled, by way of a gear shaft, to the adjustment mechanism. Often, spindle gear arrangements are used in the adjustment mechanism, in that spindle gear arrangements a driven rotary spindle engages a spindle nut and slides this spindle nut along the longitudinal axis of the spindle. Because of its size, the adjustment mechanism often projects beyond the underside of the wing on that the adjustable flap is arranged, and is aerodynamically enclosed by a fairing element.
Such a fairing element is, for example, known from DE 10 2007 048 449 A1, which comprises a load-bearing structure with a multitude of separately manufactured stiffening elements that fulfill a load-bearing function for the adjustment mechanism.
In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Load-bearing fairing element for a flap adjustment mechanism and aircraft having such a fairing element


Systems and methods for controlling transmission of signals are described. A camera-side modem is configured to receive two signals from a video camera and to extract a received passband signal from a transmission line. A detector in the camera-side modem generates an enable signal when the received passband signal is identified. The enable signal is used to control transmission of at least one of the baseband video signal and the passband video signal. The passband signal may be identified by an estimate of mean square error in a quadrature amplitude demodulator, a measurement of reliability provided by a constellation detector, a measurement of reliability based on a sequence of frame synchronizations and/or an estimate of mean square error in an equalizer. The detector may monitor a gain factor in an automatic gain control module of the camera-side modem and/or a magnitude of the received passband signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to multimedia transmission systems and more particularly to systems and methods for transmitting high definition digital video and standard definition analog video over a single cable.
2. Description of Related Art
With the advent of digital broadcast television and streaming video technologies various video cameras, monitors and video recorders have become available with enhanced resolution and advanced features. Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems now offer high definition video outputs and compressed digital video signals for use in applications such as premises surveillance, access control and remote monitoring of facilities. However, legacy systems remain in place and standard definition analog video signals are in widespread use and will continue to be used during the transition to all-digital, high-definition systems. In particular, coaxial cable (coax) has been extensively deployed to carry signals from analog CCTV cameras to monitoring stations. Also, some deployed CCTV cameras transmit compressed digital video signals over local area networks, and these cameras may use the Internet Protocol (IP) as a communications means for transmitting the compressed video signal over category 5 (CAT5) twisted pair cable.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional system using coax cable 14 to carry standard definition analog video. A basic analog camera 10 typically generates a composite video baseband signal (CVBS) that can be transmitted up to 300 meters or more using Coax 14. The CVBS signal is commonly provided to a video recording system 18 which often comprises a digital video recorder (DVR) that digitizes the CVBS signal and records it. A conventional monitor or display device 16 may be connected directly to coax 14 to display live standard definition video and to the DVR 18 for playback of recorded video. The standard definition (SD) video typically has a resolution of 720×480 pixels.
FIG. 2 illustrates conventional approaches to transmitting high definition (HD) video (1920×1080 pixels) in conventional systems. An IP based, HD camera 20 generates a compressed digital HD video signal which is transmitted using 100 Mbps Ethernet over standard CATS twisted pair cable 24 for distances of up to 100 meters. The signal is received by a host processor and DVR 28. The HD video can be viewed live and also recorded for non-real time playback. The use of IP networking to enable the camera 20 to transmit digital video allows these systems to add some upstream communications from monitor-side to camera-side; this upstream communications consisting of camera control and audio signals. It should be noted that for the live video, noticeable delay may occur due to latency in the IP network and due to the time needed for a processor (e.g. in host DVR 28) to reconstruct the compressed digital video. However, the use of IP networking enables the use of networking tools, including routers, to combining traffic to or from multiple cameras and/or DVR recording and monitoring devices in different network connected locations.
Framing in Digital Communications Systems
Almost all digital data streams have some sort of frame structure such that the data is organized into uniformly sized groups of bits or bytes. Any system that uses block based forward error correction (FEC) will have frames organized around the error correction code word size. Also, if the system uses interleaving to combat impulse noise, the frame structure will be arranged with the interleaver parameters in mind. If the system uses data randomization to achieve a flat spectrum, the pseudo-random sequence utilized may be synchronized to the frame structure, restarting at the beginning of each frame.
For an RF digital communications system, a receiver must typically first achieve carrier and symbol clock synchronization and equalization. It can then recover the transmitted data. But, to make sense of this incoming data stream, the receiver must also synchronize to the frame structure. In other words, the receiver must know where the error correction code words start and end. It also must be able to synchronize receiver modules such as the deinterleaver to match the interleaver operation of the transmitter so that the resultant deinterleaved bits or bytes are correctly ordered, and the de-randomizer to match the starting point of the pseudo-random sequence used in the transmitter to flatten the spectrum.
Conventional systems often provide for receiver frame synchronization by appending a known pattern of symbols of a fixed length at the beginning or end of the frame. This same pattern repeats every frame, and it often consists of a 2 level (i.e. binary) pseudo-random sequence with favorable auto-correlation properties. This means that while the auto-correlation of the sequence with itself at zero offset yields a large value, if the offset is non-zero the correlation value (side-lobe) is very small. Also the correlation for this frame sync sequence with random symbols will yield a small value. Therefore, if the receiver executes a correlation of the incoming symbols with a stored version of the frame sync pattern, it should expect to yield a large value only at the exact start of each frame. The receiver can then easily determine the starting point of each frame.
There can be several modes of operation for the communication system. The modes can include a variety of combinations of symbol constellations, trellis codes, and interleave patterns. The receiver must have knowledge of the mode in order to successfully recover the transmitted data. This can be achieved by adding additional mode symbols to the frame sync pattern. These mode symbols can be reliably received by using correlation methods since they are sent repeatedly every frame. They can be made even more robust by encoding them using a block code.


Methods and apparatus to route communications at an interexchange carrier are disclosed. One method of routing communications may include receiving a communication at the interexchange carrier, determining a destination at which the communication is to terminate, and routing the communication from the interexchange carrier through a terminating access charge free line to a terminating mobile telephone switching office.

Wireless communication systems, such as cellular and personal communication systems, have become increasingly popular. Years ago, subscriber cost of owning a wireless communication device (e.g., a cellular telephone), which included the hardware and the service plan provided by the wireless carrier, was quite high. As the cost of ownership has decreased, the number of wireless communication system users has increased.
The widespread popularity of wireless communications has lead to intense competition in the marketplace. Wireless carriers heavily advertise and structure multiple, differentiated service plans to entice customers to subscribe to their service(s). This competition has also increased price pressure on wireless carriers, thereby driving wireless carriers to find more and more efficient business practices.
One major source of cost for wireless carriers are the interconnection charges incurred when routing wireless calls through landline networks. For example, when a wireless subscriber places a call directed outside his/her local access and transport area (i.e., an inter-LATA call), a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) receives the call information from the wireless communication device (e.g., the subscriber's cellular telephone). The MTSO routes the call through dedicated access lines (DALs) to a long distance carrier (LD), which may also be referred to as an interexchange carrier (IXC). In the alternative, DALs may not be present and the MTSO may route the call to the LD or IXC via a first local exchange carrier (LEC). The LD, in turn, routes the call into a second LEC over direct end office trunks (DEOTs) or access tandem trunks. The connection from the LD to the LEC causes the LD to incur terminating access charges for the use of the LEC. The LD may pass these terminating charges to a wireless carrier, which may, in turn, pass the terminating charges onto the wireless subscriber. These charges are either borne by the LD or passed on to the wireless carrier, thereby reducing profitability of the wireless carrier. If the charges are further passed to a wireless subscriber, such charges affect the subscriber usage cost and, in turn, possibly affect the subscriber's value perception of the service subscription.

Methods and apparatus to perform wireless peering in communication systems


Ophthalmic lens including a base of polymeric material with a coating having an interferential, anti-reflective, anti-iridescent and infrared filter multiple layer structure. An interphase, a first layer (of 91-169 nm) with a refraction index higher than 1.8, a second layer (of 128-248 nm) with a refraction index lower than 1.65, a third layer (of 73-159 nm) with a refraction index higher than 1.8 and a fourth layer (of 40-138 nm) with a refraction index lower than 1.8. A total thickness of the multiple layer structure is less than 600 nm. The structure can have intermediate layers with intermediate refraction indices, in which case a doublet of two adjacent layers that fulfill the thicknesses above is replaced by a triplet so that the thickness and an optical thickness of the triplet differ from those of the doublet by less than 5%, respectively.

The technology of multiple layer structures is known for creating interferential effects on optical surfaces.
In the field of ophthalmic lenses, it is usual to use interferential multiple layer structures to create anti-reflective or reflective surfaces of different intensities and residual colors, usually anti-reflective of green color with visible light reflection percentages lower than 2.5%, or even lower than 1.5% for each surface including a multiple layer structure.
Also known is the use of treatments for filtering a percentage of the IRA (infra-red A) or blue radiation selectively. However, the IR light filtering requires complex solutions that are not easily applicable to transparent lenses without coloring. In particular, layers of metals can be applied that absorb or help to reflect part of the IRA radiation but these materials absorb at the same time visible light, and so they do not enable obtaining high visible transmittance lenses with these features.
Interferential filters exist (for example the ones of the heat mirror type) that are used in applications for precision optics on a mineral lens, and they enable reducing the IRA radiation transmittance while maintaining a high visible transmittance: these filters have a multiple layer structure with between 40 and 100 layers and they have a total thickness over 1000 nm (nanometers), These filters are designed specifically for a certain angle of incidence of the incident radiation, and therefore if the angle varies, they display the typical effects of iridescence. Also, these treatments usually have a slight residual coloring which, in comparison with the anti-reflective lenses, makes them rather unattractive in aesthetic terms.

Ophthalmic lens with a base of polymeric material and a coating having an interferential, anti-reflective, anti-iridescent and infrared filter multiple layer structure coating


The present invention is to provide a telescopic multi-color inkpad assembly with easy-demountable-and-assembling inkpad bases. The inkpad base can be freely demounted from and assembled to the base so that it is convenient for the user to grasp the inkpad. Color-staining problem between two neighboring inkpads is prevented and the base can freely extend to open and contract to close causing variant configurations and shapes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a multi-color inkpad assembly for use in seal, painting, or children painting education tool. In particular, the present invention relates to a telescopic multiple inkpad assembly that is equipped with easy-demountable-and-assembled inkpad bases.
2. Description of the Related Art
In everyday lives, the inkpad is used as an auxiliary tool for seal stamping, for example, a repeatable-used stamping mark, the oriental personal seal and so on. Thus, the color of ink paste is relatively simple and is, generally, in the scope of red, black and blue color. However, if an inkpad assembly is provided with multi-color assembled inkpads, it is possible to use as a painting tool or a children painting education tool.
A conventional multi-color inkpad assembly, for example, the multi-color inkpad assembly (a) described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,569 is provided with eight similar inkpad assemblies (as shown in FIG. 1). Each inkpad assembly contains an absorbent pad (b1) integrated with ink for use in inkpad, an inkpad base (b2) that contains a plate (b21) for loading the inkpad (b1), several junctures (b22) that are perpendicular to the plate (b21), and a base (b3) that contains several slots (b31) each corresponding to a juncture (b22). The shape of the base (b3) corresponds to the shape of the inkpad base (b2) and the inkpad base (b2) is demountable from and assembled-able to the base (b3) by way of the prescribed axles of junctures (b22) and slots (b31). A user can apply the color of inkpad to a canvas by handing the inkpad base (b2). Multiple inkpads (a) are manually assembled into a multi-color inkpad base.
However, several problems are found when the conventional multi-color inkpad assembly (a) is used, for example:
(1) the absorbent pads (b1) are adjoined together without intervals between each other so that different colors may spread to each other between each two adjoined absorbent pads resulting to a color staining problem;
(2) the inkpad base (b2) for loading the absorbent pads (b1) is in plate-configuration so that when the ink absorbing ability of absorbent pad (b1) is over-loaded the problem of color staining between each two adjoined inkpads still exists and the unabsorbed ink from the inkpads will move downward to stain the base causing a cleaning problem; and
(3) when the inkpad base (b2) (including the absorbent pads (b1)) is removed from the base (b3), though, the user may apply the colors in the inkpads to a canvas by handing the inkpad base (b2), only the juncture (b22) is graspable, such that the force-applying points are few and the force-applying area is little resulting to color staining to hands, thus, it is especially unsuitable for children painting education.
Therefore, the conventional multi-color inkpad assembly (a) contains a using problem caused by the problem of demountable equipments.

Telescopic multi-color inkpad assembly with easy-demountable-and-assembled inkpad bases


Embedded flush circuitry features are fabricated by providing a conductive seed layer on the sidewalls and bottom of laser ablated trench features plating a layer of conductive metal onto the seed layer and depositing a later of dielectric material.

The present invention relates to providing a structure having circuitry features and in particular to embedded flush circuitry features. The present invention is especially advantageous for fabricating buried interconnection levels that are in close proximity to one another in a printed circuit board structure.
Printed circuit boards find a wide variety of uses in the electronics industry with the demand for high performance, printed wiring, or circuit boards for various applications steadily increasing. For instance, the complexity, compactness and electrical performance requirements of printed boards have significantly increased over the last several years. The demands on printed circuit boards require high density packaging, fine interconnection, multilayer formation and the need to form a plurality of interconnections in a small space.
Currently, printed circuit board interconnection levels are built on top of a dielectric thin film layer. Circuitry features are formed using photolithographic and subtractive etch techniques. In a typical method, a metallic foil and especially copper foil is laminated to the substrate followed by using photolithographic and subtractive etching to create the circuitry. The copper foil includes a roughened or dendritic backside surface for inducing mechanical adhesion to the substrate. Smooth copper layers do not adequately bond without an auxiliary bonding agent.
Great difficulties exist in adequately etching dendrites especially when dealing with small spaces. Moreover, along with the concern areated by dendrites, the width of the lines (e.g. about 0.5 mils wide), and photolithographic issues (e.g. resolution of fine features, 0.7 mil wire with 1.1 mil space, in a thin photo resist film), and subtractive etch undercut and pad rounding, render clearly and fully resolving small line spaces such as the 1.8 mil pitch features presently desired very difficult. Additionally, this subtractive etch approach results in unprotected circuitry features referred to as xe2x80x9cskyscrapersxe2x80x9d that extend above an underlying plane of dielectric barrier material.
In many structures, it is important to plate another metal such as gold or nickel-gold onto the copper circuitry. The xe2x80x9cskyscraperxe2x80x9d structure causes a problem of bridging or shorting between lines especially where there exist closely spaced fingers.
The present invention provides for obtaining a structure having dense embedded flush circuitry features. The present invention makes it possible to create circuitry features that are much more densely configured than those fabricated using current methods. This is made possible since the final structure is a circuitry feature having dielectric regions and conductive features that are coplanar.
In particular, the present invention relates to a structure comprising a first dielectric layer of a polymeric material having a first top surface; a second dielectric layer of polymeric material on said first top surface of said first dielectric layer of a polymeric material, having a second top surface, said second layer of polymeric material also having trench features therein; electrically conductive material deposited in said trench features forming electrically conductive circuit lines and being substantially flush with said second top surface of said second dielectric layer of polymeric material.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for fabricating a structure having embedded substantially flush circuit features. The method comprises providing a first dielectric layer of a polymeric material with a top surface; depositing a second dielectric layer of polymeric material on said top surface of first dielectric layer of a polymeric material, said second dielectric layer of polymeric material also having a second top surface; defining trench features with sidewalls and bottoms, substantially in said second dielectric layer of polymeric material; providing a seed layer only on said sidewalls bottoms of said trench features; depositing electrically conductive material in said trench features such that said electrically conductive material is substantially coplanar with said top surface of said second dielectric layer of polymeric material.
A still further aspect of the present invention related to another method for fabricating a structure having embedded substantially flush circuitry features which method comprises:
providing a first layer of polymer resin having a metal dispersed therein and having a top surface;
depositing a second dielectric layer of a dielectric polymeric material on said top surface of said first layer of polymer resin, said second dielectric layer of a dielectric polymeric material also having a second top surface;
defining trench features with sidewalls and bottoms, substantially in said second dielectric layer of a dielectric polymeric material and into said first layer of dielectric polymer resin and thereby exposing metal in sidewalls and bottoms of said trench features to provide a seed layer;
depositing electrically conductive material in said trench features such that the electrically conductive material is substantially coplanar with said second top surface of said second dielectric layer of dielectric polymeric material.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The present invention also relates to structures obtained by the above-disclosed processes.

Structure having laser ablated features and method of fabricating

International Business Machines Corporation


Monoclonal antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, which bind to Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus are provided.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes a variety of suppurative (pus-forming) infections and toxinoses in humans. It causes superficial skin lesions (such as boils, styes and furunculosis), more serious infections (such as pneumonia, mastitis, phlebitis, meningitis, and urinary tract infections), and deep-seated infections (such as osteomyelitis and endocarditis). S. aureus is a major cause of hospital acquired (nosocomial) infections of surgical wounds and infections associated with indwelling medical devices. S. aureus causes food poisoning by releasing enterotoxins into food, and toxic shock syndrome by releasing superantigens into the blood stream.
S. aureus expresses a number of factors that interfere with host defense mechanisms. One such factor is Protein A. Protein A is a surface protein of S. aureus which binds the Fc region of immunoglobulins. In serum, the bacteria will bind IgG molecules in an orientation on their surface which disrupts opsonization and phagocytosis. Mutants of S. aureus lacking protein A are more efficiently phagocytosed in vitro, and mutants in infection models have diminished virulence. Protein A binds with high affinity to human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 as well as mouse IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3. Protein A binds with moderate affinity to human IgM, IgA and IgE. It does not bind with human IgG3 or IgD, nor will it bind to mouse IgM, IgA or IgE.


It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can take a bright photograph in a dark place. If a light value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, an aperture regulation for a diaphragm is cleared, and the aperture of the diaphragm is set at a value within a range between a first maximum value and a second maximum value smaller than the first maximum value depending on the light value measured by a photometric section, the range including the first maximum value itself.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera that carries out photographing by capturing object light entered via a photographing optical system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cameras have hitherto been known which comprise a photographing optical system having a variable focal distance, e.g. a zoom lens to take a photograph on a photograph film. A camera comprising a zooming lens uses a so-called zooming function that varies a magnifying power by varying a focal distance to enable more variable framing than a camera comprising a single focus lens, e.g. enable a far object to be photographed as a larger image than the latter.
The maximum aperture of a camera comprising a zoom lens is determined, when the camera is designed, on the basis of the focal distance measured when the zoom lens is set to use a long focal distance as well as an F value of the zoom lens. However, if the zoom lens of the camera is set to use a short focal distance, when a photograph is taken with the diaphragm opened so as to obtain the maximum aperture, the quantity of light in peripheral portions of the angle of view of the photograph decreases compared to a central portion thereof, so that peripheral portions of the resulting photograph, notably the four corners thereof appear dark. It is known that the decrease in quantity of peripheral light can be resolved by reducing the aperture of the open diaphragm by about one or two levels.
Thus, for a camera comprising a zoom lens, a decrease in quantity of peripheral light is resolved by employing a diaphragm comprising an aperture regulating mechanism that regulates the aperture to a value smaller than the above described maximum value if the zoom lens is set to use a short focal distance.
In general, with a camera comprising a photographing lens with a focal distance of about 30 mm, a shutter speed of {fraction (1/30)} second is said to be the lowest shutter speed at which photographing can be achieved without using any fixture such as a tripod, i.e. without being affected by image shakes.
However, with the camera comprising the diaphragm aperture regulating mechanism, to prevent a decrease in quantity of peripheral light described above, the zoom lens is set to use a short focal distance to regulate the aperture of the diaphragm to a value smaller than the maximum value, so that when a photograph is taken in a dark place, the photograph appears dark. In this case, to obtain a brighter photograph, the shutter speed may be reduced. However, when the shutter speed is reduced to shorter than {fraction (1/30)} second, a fixture such as a tripod is required to prevent image shakes.
In view of these circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can take a bright photograph in a dark place.
To attain the above object, the present invention provides, according to a first aspect thereof, a camera comprising a photographing optical system having a variable focal distance and a diaphragm having a maximum aperture regulated, in response to the photographing optical system being set to use a predetermined focal distance or shorter, to a second value smaller than a first value used when the photographing optical system is set to use a predetermined long focal distance, the camera carrying out photographing by capturing object light entered via the photographing optical system and the diaphragm, the camera further comprising:
a photometric section that measures a light value; and
a diaphragm restriction clearing section that clears an aperture regulation for the diaphragm and sets the aperture of the diaphragm at a value within a range between the first maximum value and the second maximum value depending on the light value measured by the photometric section, the range including the first maximum value itself, if the light value measured by the photometric section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
In general, if a photograph is taken in a dark place, e.g. a night view is photographed, a decrease in quantity of peripheral light does not substantially affect the resultant photograph. The present invention is completed in view of this point. If the light value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the aperture regulation is cleared, and the aperture of the diaphragm is set at a value within a range between a maximum value obtained when the photographing lens is set to use a predetermined long focal distance and a second maximum value smaller than the first maximum value, depending on the light value measured by the photometric section, the range including the first maximum value itself. Accordingly, a camera is implemented wherein when a photograph is taken in a dark place where a decrease in quantity of peripheral light does not affect the resultant photograph, a bright photograph can be taken without using any fixture.
In this case, the diaphragm restriction clearing section may set the aperture of the diaphragm at the first maximum value when the aperture regulation for the diaphragm is cleared.
When the aperture is set at the first maximum value, no mechanisms are required which regulate the aperture to a value between the first maximum value and the second maximum value. Consequently, the structure of the diaphragm is simplified.
In a preferred aspect, the diaphragm restriction clearing section clears the aperture regulation for said diaphragm if the light value measured by said photometric section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value set equal to or smaller than LV6.
Thus, the light value at which the aperture regulation for the diaphragm is cleared is preferably set equal to or smaller than LV6, which is smaller than that obtained when a photograph is taken indoors.
Further, preferably, the camera has a photosensitized material loaded therein to take a photograph on the photosensitized material.
The present invention focuses on the fact that photographing of a night view is not affected even by the aperture of the diaphragm with which a decrease in quantity of peripheral light is noticeable when a photograph is taken in a well lighted place. For a digital camera, image processing may be used to correct the decrease in quantity of peripheral light on image data after photographing. However, for a camera of a type that takes a photograph on a photosensitized material, the decrease in quantity of peripheral light cannot be corrected. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for a camera of a type that takes a photograph on a photosensitized material. However, even for a digital camera, application of the present invention eliminates the need to take trouble to correct the decrease in quantity of peripheral light by image processing.
To attain the above object, the present invention provides, according to a second aspect thereof, a camera comprising a photographing optical system and a diaphragm which is opened so as to obtain a predetermined first maximum aperture and which has the maximum aperture regulated to a predetermined second value smaller than the first value, the camera carrying out photographing by capturing object light entered via the photographing optical system and the diaphragm, the camera further comprising:
a photometric section that measures a light value; and
a diaphragm restriction clearing section that clears an aperture regulation for the diaphragm and sets the aperture of the diaphragm at a value within a range between the first maximum value and the second maximum value depending on the light value measured by the photometric section, the range including the first maximum value itself, if the light value measured by the photometric section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
According to the camera according to the second aspect, if the light value measured by the photometric section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the aperture regulation for the diaphragm is cleared and the aperture of the diaphragm is set at a value between the first maximum value and the second maximum value smaller than the first maximum value depending on the light value measured by the photometric section. Consequently, when a photograph is taken in a well lighted place, the quantity of peripheral light is reduced. On the other hand, when a photograph is taken in a dark place, the range in which a bright photograph can be taken is increased without using any fixture.

Camera with diaphragm restriction clearing section


Systems and methods are described that allow users to continue utilizing their user accounts and user devices associated with a first authorization entity for transactions conducting with a second authorization entity. A processor server computer may translate a first data set including first account identifier and a first verification value associated with a first authorization entity during authorization processing into a second data set including a second account identifier and a second verification value that can be processed by a second authorization entity. The processor server computer may modify an authorization request message based on the translated data set. The processor server computer may also enable the authorization request message to be routed to an appropriate authorization entity during authorization processing.

Data associated with user accounts that is utilized for conducting authorization processes processed by an authorization entity typically cannot be utilized for conducting authorization processes with other authorization entities. This is because the data may include information specific to the authorization entity with which it is meant to be utilized. As a result, when the responsibilities of managing authorization processing for a group of user accounts is shifted from one authorization entity to another authorization entity, the data utilized with the original authorization entity can become obsolete. This is cumbersome, since the users may have to perform re-registration processes to enable generation of new data that can be utilized by the new authorization entity. This can be especially frustrating because such a shift, in many instances, can occur unbeknownst to the users.
In an exemplary case, a portfolio of card accounts originally issued by a first authorization computer may be transferred to a second authorization computer. In some cases, this transfer may be performed without knowledge by the users of the cards. Card numbers associated with the cards typically include an identifier, which may be known as a bank identification number (BIN), corresponding to the first authorization computer that issued the cards and are meant to authorize transactions conducted utilizing the card numbers. However, after the card accounts are transferred to the second authorization computer, their corresponding card numbers still indicate that they should be routed to the first authorization computer. To remedy this issue, the second authorization computer typically reissues the whole portfolio of card accounts to generate new accounts and corresponding plastics cards, which is inconvenient and a waste of resources.
Hence, conventional methods do not enable an effective way to address situations in which changes to authorization entities handling authorization processing for a certain group of user accounts occur. For example, re-registration processes for registering users with a new authorization entity can result in data originally utilized for authorization processes with one authorization entity to be completely replaced. Further, any additional information that may have been associated with the replaced data can be lost as well. Hence, there is a need to enable a smoother transition when dealing with changes to authorization entities conducting authorization processing.
Embodiments of the invention address this and other problems, individually and collectively.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System for data set translation of accounts


Technology for contention free physical uplink shared control channel (PUSCH) transmission using listen before talk procedure is disclosed. In an example, an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having circuitry configured to achieves low latency synchronization with an anchor enhanced Node (eNB) by sensing for a predetermined time period if any physical uplink shared channels (PUSCH) are idle with the anchor eNB for uplink (UL) synchronization; providing a unique UE identification in a PUSCH transmission; and communicating the PUSCH transmission in one of the idle PUSCH channels for contention free communication with the anchor eNB for uplink synchronization.

Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a node (e.g., a transmission station) and a wireless device (e.g., a mobile device). Some wireless devices communicate using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) in a downlink (DL) transmission and single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in an uplink (UL) transmission. Standards and protocols that use orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for signal transmission include the third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 standard (e.g., 802.16e, 802.16m), which is commonly known to industry groups as WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access), and the IEEE 802.11 standard, which is commonly known to industry groups as WiFi.
In 3GPP radio access network (RAN) LTE systems, the node can be a combination of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node Bs (also commonly denoted as evolved Node Bs, enhanced Node Bs, eNBs, or eNBs) and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), which communicates with the wireless device, known as a user equipment (UE). The downlink (DL) transmission can be a communication from the node (e.g., eNB) to the wireless device (e.g., UE), and the uplink (UL) transmission can be a communication from the wireless device to the node.
In LTE, data can be transmitted from the eNB to the UE via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) can be used to acknowledge that data was received. Downlink and uplink channels or transmissions can use time-division duplexing (TDD) or frequency-division duplexing (FDD).
The air latency for a 3GPP LTE communication can be on the order of tens of milliseconds, depending on the type of communication. This latency can be sufficient for voice communications and audio/visual communication. However, the latency of current 3GPP LTE systems may not be conducive for future 5G systems.
Reference can now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language can be used herein to describe the same. It can nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended.

Contention free physical uplink shared control channel (PUSCH) transmission using listen before talk


A wind-actuated, spinning novelty device enabling a user to quickly, easily and interchangeably mount and transport a dual-head rotational device on a vehicle and to enjoy an active display along with coincident display of a selected logo, mascot depiction, design and/or vocal, thereby enabling a user to demonstrate patriotism, support for a sports team or to display any other personal interest capable of visual and/or audible expression by providing a dynamic showcase for individual interests and/or beliefs through the incorporation of effects such as, for exemplary purposes only, holographic images, reflective ornamentation, distinctive coloration, lights, insignias, licensed characters, other special visual effects and/or other notable styles or features.

The present invention relates generally to wind-actuated novelty devices and, more specifically, to a mountable, spinning novelty display device. The present invention is particularly useful wherein, although not strictly limited to, an individual desires to mount and transport a pinwheel-type display device on a vehicle, wherein the rotational display device is quickly, easily and removably secured to a vehicle window, enabling a user to enjoy an active display of a selected logo, design and/or vocal.
Most individuals enjoy expressing their support for popular sports teams, collegiate affiliations, political candidates and/or personal interests or beliefs. Vehicle displays can be an effective means of such expression, since road trips typically provide encounters with numerous cars and trucks and the passengers riding therein. In fact, many individuals utilize their vehicle as a forum by affixing specialty bumper stickers and decorative or personalized license plates.
However, some vehicle owners prefer to avoid affixing traditional decorative or display articles to the bumpers or other surfaces of their car or truck primarily because of the potential for damage to the finish of the vehicle and/or the relative permanence of such displays. Vanity license plates are also generally permanent, much like bumper stickers. Furthermore, each such permanent display can limit a vehicle owner to repeatedly expressing the same message or team support. Although magnetic signs that removably affix to vehicle doors have been designed, thereby allowing a user to interchange between a variety of fairly inexpensive displays, such signs are typically two-dimensional and are usually only visible from one side of a vehicle.
To provide a more noticeable display, removable flags are available in a variety of colors and designs, wherein a user can display support for a sports team in the morning and a political organization in the afternoon, simply by replacing the flag on a vehicle window frame. Such flags and windsocks can be eye-catching, but have become somewhat commonplace thus disadvantageously losing some appeal.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for an easily noticeable wind-actuated novelty display device enabling a user to removably and securely mount and display a pinwheel-type device on a vehicle, wherein each display device can incorporate a variety of logos, specialty coloration effects, rotationally activated visual effects and/or sound effects, thus preventing the above-discussed disadvantages.
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a vehicle-mountable, spinning novelty display device, wherein a user can quickly, easily and interchangeably mount and transport a wind-actuated rotational display incorporating a selected logo, mascot, design or vocal.
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is a wind-actuated, rotational novelty display device enabling a user to demonstrate patriotism, support for a selected sports team or to display any other personal interest capable of visual and/or audible expression, wherein the present invention can be handheld, positioned on or in the ground, or removably secured to a moving or stationary vehicle to provide a dynamic showcase for individual interests or beliefs.
More specifically, the present invention is a dual head display member positioned on a support arm, wherein the support arm enables secure and removable placement and display of the spinning novelty device on a vehicle. The dual head rotational member is preferably a pair of generally flat, circular shaped disks, each with a plurality of air receiving and deflecting ports extending outwardly therefrom and defined therethrough, wherein air received and deflected through the ports results in rotational movement of each head. The rotational members of the dual head display member are opposingly positioned on the distal end of the support arm and are securely and rotationally retained thereon. The base of the support arm provides a mount or bracket for removably secure fastening to a vehicle window or doorframe. The dual head display member is aesthetically designed to provide a dynamic visual show and can incorporate many effects such as, for exemplary purposes only, holographic images, reflective ornamentation, distinctive coloration, lights, insignias, logos, mascot depictions, licensed characters, special visual effects and/or other notable styles or features. Wind-actuated audible effects may also be incorporated, wherein cheers, mascot vocals or musical tunes would accompany the visual display.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a method for visually communicating personal interests or beliefs to others.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to enable a user to quickly and easily change from one type of display to another.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a dynamic visual display.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an audible display in combination with a dynamic visual display.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide two rotating disks, wherein each can carry a different logo or visual display.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide two rotating disks, wherein the dual rotation can enable the creation of specialized visual effects.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a wind-actuated novelty display, wherein visual and audible effects are wind-driven.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to incorporate and display logos, mascot depictions, emblems and notable coloration to enhance visual display and to endorse a sports team, patriotic cause, product, holiday or any other targeted representation.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to enable a handheld, vehicle mounted, or otherwise supported wind-actuated display device.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.


A system for providing a real-time user notice or alert for traders and daytraders based on stockmarket events or other market data is disclosed. The system provides for receiving a user selection of a first market event setting, and receiving user input specifying a maximum period of time, and providing the alert only if within the maximum period of time specified a first market signal corresponding to the first market event occurs and a second market signal corresponding to the first market event occurs, the first and second market event both corresponding to the same market event selection but being at different values. Also, customizable business or market news-based alerting is disclosed to allow signals and/or filters to be set for news-driven alerts.

In recent years, software has been developed to help traders, including daytraders, to sort through on a real time basis the voluminous market data being generated every day. For example, a trader interested in monitoring a particular stock on the New York Stock Exchange may wish to be notified in real time when the symbol associated with the stock reaches a 52-week high, or a 52-week low, or comes within a pre-specified percentage from the 52-week high or 52-week low. Software has been developed to provide real time alerts based on user-provided criteria for such situations. For example, the Trade-Ideas software allows a user to specify symbols in which he is interested and various events associated with the symbol will generate an alert. NexTrend has also provided the Filescan product to provide a similar service.
Traders, however, still face a problem of receiving too many alerts ("noise"), and not enough quality or relevant information of the type that is of interest to them upon which trades are warranted ("quality signals"). A related problem is that systems known to date do not provide a sufficient level of granularity to the trader to allow for customization—to generate alerts tailored to the needs to the user. For example, instances of a certain market pheonomenon may be repeated and the user may wish to focus only when they follow within a certain period of time. Further, combinations of user criteria in connection with a given symbol for generating an alert are not sufficiently provided for in current market alert systems. In addition, the user may wish to be alerted when news affecting companies or securities is reported.

Market data alert and news-driven alert system


A position indicator for producing a variable maximum, variable resistance for supplying a variable amplitude signal to a computer indicating the degree of displacement of a controlled element along an axis includes a variable resistance resistor; a variable displacement element coupled to the variable resistor for varying the resistance of the variable resistor according to displacement of the element along an axis; a first fixed resistance resistor connected to first and second terminals of a transistor, the transistor being connected in series with the variable resistor to form a first series circuit; a second fixed resistance resistor, a potentiometer having a fixed resistance and a variable position contact, and a third fixed resistance resistor connected in series as a second series circuit that is connected in parallel to the first series circuit; and an amplifier having a first inverting input terminal and a second non-inverting input terminal connected to the variable resistor and the variable position contact, respectively, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the transistor.

Many personal computers include input ports for joysticks, trackballs, and mice. Each of these input devices controls a variable signal indicating the position or displacement of some element. The input devices are employed in playing computer games or supplying input information to the computer.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional joystick 1 intended for use with IBM and IBM compatible computers. The joystick 1 includes a housing 2 that forms the base of the joystick and a shaft 3 that is gimbaled so that the shaft of the joystick may be displaced by pivoting about two orthogonal axes. Generally, the joystick includes a "home" position for the shaft so that signals are provided that indicate the displacement of the shaft 3 relative to the home position. In many joysticks, a mechanical release permits the shaft to "float" and move in any direction without restraint or returning to a home position.
FIG. 2 is an internal view of the housing 2 schematically indicating the mechanical elements of the joystick 1. Electrical interconnections are not shown. The joystick includes X and Y potentiometers 10 and 11, i.e., resistors with movable contacts. Each potentiometer includes a rotatable shaft for moving the contact along the fixed resistance element between the input and output terminals of the potentiometer. The joystick shaft is mounted on a portion of a gimbaled sphere 12. Displacement of the joystick in the X direction causes pivoting of a U-shaped member 13 that is pivotally supported at its opposite ends. That member 13 is mechanically connected to the X potentiometer 10 so that displacement of the joystick shaft 3 in the X direction causes a rotation of the shaft of the X potentiometer 10 and, thereby, of the position of the variable position contact of the potentiometer 10. Likewise, displacement of the shaft 3 along the Y direction causes pivoting of a second support member 14 that is pivotally mounted on the U-shaped member 13. The support member 14 is mechanically connected to the shaft of the Y potentiometer 11 so that a Y direction displacement of the joystick shaft 3 rotates the shaft of the Y potentiometer 11 and, thereby, changes the position of the variable position contact with the Y potentiometer 11.
FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the electrical operation of the positional signal information part of the joystick 1. The potentiometers 10 and 11 are electrically connected as variable resistors. One terminal of each of the potentiometers 10 and 11 is connected to the source voltage V.sub.cc, typically 5 volts. Output terminals 15 and 16 are connected to the respective variable position contacts 17 and 18 of the potentiometers 10 and 11. The output terminals 15 and 16 are connected to a computer. The computer senses a part of the supply voltage V.sub.cc depending upon the position of the contacts 17 and 18. The analog amplitude of those voltage signals are processed within the computer and supplied as X and Y input signals to the computer program to produce a response on the computer screen corresponding to the displacement of the joystick shaft 3. Typically, each of the variable resistors formed from the potentiometers 10 and 11 are connected to respective one-shot multivibrators that are part of an input circuit of the computer. The time constants of the respective multivibrators are determined by the values of the variable resistors, i.e., the X and Y displacements of the joystick 3. The durations of the output signals produced by the multivibrators are determined by the respective time constants. The durations of the output signals are detected and used by the computer to control the motion and position of an image on a cathode ray tube or other display device connected to the computer.
The joystick 1 also generally includes X and Y thumbwheels 19 and 20. These thumbwheels are used to adjust the initial positions of the variable position contacts 17 and 18 of the potentiometers 10 and 11 in order to establish desired zero or home positions for signal representing the respective axes. Generally, the thumbwheels 19 and 20 are mechanically connected to the potentiometers 10 and 11, respectively, and cause rotation of the bodies of the potentiometers (while the shafts are stationary), thereby adjusting the home positions of the respective variable position contacts of the potentiometers 10 and 11.
FIG. 4 is a view of a trackball 20 that has basically the same function as the joystick 1. However, instead of using a shaft 3 that is pivotally displaceable, a rolling ball or a sphere 21 is employed to adjust the positions of sliding contacts of respective potentiometers. Likewise, a mouse uses the same structure as a trackball except that the rolling ball is recessed and on the under side of the housing. In each case, frictional engagement between the rolling element and a movable element of a potentiometer provides a variable resistance and, thereby, a variable part of V.sub.cc to a computer input terminal.
The analog joystick and similar position-indicating input devices traditionally employed with IBM and IBM compatible personal computers have numerous difficulties in operation. Frequently, the center or zero position of the joystick is not stable and will shift the controlled image on the computer screen right, left, down, up, toward the upper or lower right hand, or the upper or lower left hand corner of the screen. Sometimes the joystick cannot move the corresponding image on a screen fully downward, fully to the right side, or fully to the lower right hand corner of the screen. There are a variety of explanations for these problems. The analog signals produced by the joystick are supplied to an interface card that includes the game port of the computer. Sometimes the values of some of the electrical components on the interface card are outside of tolerance limits and, therefore, the interface card supplies inaccurate signals to the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer. In addition, the tolerances of the maximum resistance, and taper, i.e., resistance as a function of variable contact position, of the potentiometers used in a joystick may contribute error in joystick operation.
Generally, the potentiometers employed in the conventionally-available joysticks have maximum resistances of 100 to 150 k.OMEGA.. In some instances, certain game software requires a higher or a lower resistance than is used in the generally available joysticks. Software designed for different resistance potentiometers providing different amplitude ranges of the analog signals does not produce correct results with the conventionally-available IBM compatible joysticks. Specially constructed joysticks are expensive and increase the effective cost of the games for which they are needed.
The problems with conventional IBM compatible joysticks can be remedied in several ways. Specially designed game port interface cards may be added to a computer in order to improve the accuracy of the response to a joystick. However, this solution is relatively expensive. Game software can be modified to take into account errors, variations, or the limited range of a particular joystick. However, the software may not be successful in accommodating the characteristics of more than one joystick. Moreover, that accommodation may only be effective with a single computer program.


A bowel control probe and method of detecting and preventing bowel incontinence. The probe has a body with a distal end which is permeable to gas. Conductivity sensors on the probe will establish an electrical circuit in the presence of fecal matter to send an alert signal to a control unit. The sensors may be partially shielded by a removable sleeve to reduce false alarms resulting from moisture. The control unit may issue an audible or visual alarm and may transmit a signal to a remote nursing station. An air cuff about the probe body is cyclically inflated and deflated to block passage of fecal matter and to protect tissue and capillaries in the rectal area.

The present invention relates to a system for controlling episodes of bowel incontinence and more particularly relates to a probe for detecting the presence of fecal mass in the rectum.
Fecal incontinence is a disabling and distressing condition. Many patients have little or no control over bowel movements. This condition can be embarrassing resulting in curtailed activities and limited social involvement. In addition, bowel incontinence presents problems to nursing homes and caretakers as attending personnel are required to remove and replace soiled linens, blankets and gowns and are often required to bathe the patient after an episode. These tasks are unpleasant and also require substantial time and effort on the part of attending personnel. Increased monitoring of patients is also necessary to prevent infections due to prolonged contact with fecal material on the skin surfaces.
There are several approaches to the problem of bowel incontinence. A simple and commonly used technique is the use of absorbent, disposable pads to protect the bed and the patient. Use of pads may minimize the time required on the part of attending personnel after an episode but pads do not in any way serve to detect or prevent such episodes.
Many patients suffering from this condition may show a significant improvement of their symptoms either with conservative medical treatment or surgery. Various types of surgeries are performed to remedy this condition including sphincter repair, gracilopalsty, and gluteoplasty.
However, there are a considerable number of patients who have had surgical treatments that have failed. In some instances surgery is inappropriate due to the patient""s poor general medical condition or as a result of a personal choice on the part of the patient.
One non-surgical approach to the problem of fecal incontinence is bio-feedback. The success rate for bio-feedback approaches to bowel incontinence is variable and may not be of significant long-term value to a patient with isolated deficiency in internal sphincter function.
Another non-surgical approach has been to provide devices that sense the presence of fecal material in the human colon. Such devices are designed to provide the patient and attendants sufficient time and warning so that the patient will be able to act to avoid an embarrassing or unpleasant episode.
Japanese Patent Publication 101569182 discloses a method and device for detecting fecal material. The purpose is to prevent incontinence of a patient confined to a bed by detecting the presence of fecal matter in the colon from the intensity difference of reflected light from the fecal material. The remote end section of a disposable probe is attached to a coupling member and is inserted into the colon by using a hypodermic syringe. When a sensor at the forward end of the probe comes into contact with fecal material, a tip formed as a flexible end cap and a flexible reflection strip composed of Mylar are deformed. Light is directed to the strip from a control unit through a fiberoptic cable and the intensity of the instant light and the reflected light are sampled and compared. When the signal variation is larger than the prescribed value, an audible or visual warning signal is provided to alert the patient and attendants.
Another bowel probe and method for controlling bowel incontinence is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,422. This patent discloses a bowel control apparatus and method for sensing and preventing incontinent episodes. The probe comprises a catheter with an infrared (IR) sensor tip for sensing fecal mass in the rectum and a cuff which is inflated to prevent passage of the fecal mass. The method of sensing and preventing incontinent episodes include the steps of inserting the probe in the rectum, inflating the cuff, transmitting IR light into the rectum, monitoring the reflectance of IR light and generating an alarm signal when a predetermined amount of IR light is measured.
While devices, as described above have, to some extent, been successful in detecting a potential incontinent condition and generating an alarm, the use of optical or light reflecting systems in such an environment are not always reliable. Further, it has been found that use of inflatable cuffs without sensors to block discharge of fecal mass until the patient reaches a bathroom may have the potential, over prolonged time, to cause damage to the rectal tissue and restrict capillary blood flow.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for sensing the presence of fecal matter in the human colon.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for detection of a potentially incontinent condition to a patient and to generate an alarm, either a local alarm or centralized alarm, to alert nursing or attending medical personnel to the condition.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for detecting an incontinent condition and when detected will temporarily block the discharge of fecal matter in a manner to minimize injury or irritation to the rectal tissue even over prolonged periods of usage.
Briefly, the present invention provides a catheter-like probe fabricated from a biochemically inert material which defines a lumen. The distal tip of the probe is configured for ease of insertion into the rectum and incorporates a pair of spaced-apart conductivity sensors which are connected to a monitoring system through electrical wires extending through the lumen or along the probe. The presence of fecal matter will complete a circuit between the conductivity sensors causing an electrical signal to be to monitoring equipment. The conductivity sensors may be spaced-apart, conductive rings or point contacts enclosed within an aperture sleeve which sleeve may be removed for cleaning. The signal will activate an alarm to alert attending medical personnel to an impending incontinent episode. The alarm device may be a pager device located at the patient which may also be capable of sending a remote signal to a centralized monitoring station.
The distal tip of the probe further incorporates flatus venting means which may be ports or vent holes in the distal end or, in the alternative, a portion of the probe may be a porous material which will allow gas to vent through the lumen. Lumen may incorporate a filter of charcoal or other odor eliminating material. An expandable, annular sealing sleeve extends abut the probe and is located so that when inserted, the sealing sleeve is positioned in the area of the anus.
Located at an intermediate location between the distal and proximate ends of the probe is an inflatable cuff similar to that found on bladder-type catheters. The cuff is inflatable to block the rectum entrance preventing discharge of fecal matter from the colon until the patient reaches a bathroom. The bladder cuff may be connected to an air-pulsing system having an air pressure reservoir or plenum chamber connected to an air pump across a check valve. A valve is connected to the air supply reservoir. The cuff is inflated by air from the air supply reservoir to a predetermined volume as for example 20 cc of air. The valve will allow the cuff to slowly deflate over a period of time, as for example to 18 cc volume in one hour. The pump then activated to re-inflate the cuff to a predetermined volume. The pulsating or cyclic deflation and inflation of the cuff will stimulate rectal tissue preventing necrosis of rectal tissue and prevent unnecessary or undue restriction of capillary blood flow in the rectum.
When a patient is able to care for himself or herself, the patient can be provided a pager-type device which will alert the patient and nearby care-givers of an impending episode by providing an alarm. When the patient is dependent upon a care-giver or nurse, the alert signal from the probe can be transmitted by an RF signal or a hard wire such as a telephone line to a centralized PC station providing an alert to attending personnel to provide an attendant. The PC can monitor and track a large number of patients using probes according to the invention. If the patient is receiving home care, the probe signal may be transmitted to a pager carried by a home care attendant.

Bowel probe and method for controlling bowel incontinence


An example operation may include one or more of generating a local audio file comprising audio captured of a user participating in a teleconference, receiving one or more other local audio files of the teleconference captured by one or more other audio devices that participated in the teleconference, determining a synchronized playback order for audio portions of the generated local audio file and audio portions of the one or more received local audio files based on timing information included in the generated local audio file and the received timing information, and outputting a playback of the audio portions of the generated local audio file and the detected audio portions of the one or more received local audio files synchronized together based on the determined synchronized playback order.

Current telecommunication systems support teleconferencing (live telephone exchange) by providing services such as audio, video, and data to participants during a live telephone call. Meanwhile, Internet teleconferencing (live web exchange) includes internet telephone, videoconferencing, web conferencing, and even augmented reality conferencing, and provides participants with the same services via the Internet. During a teleconference, participants are linked together by a telecommunication system and are able to perform a live exchange of spoken conversation and data sharing. Participants are often communicating with one another through telephones, computers, headsets, mobile devices, appliances (televisions), and the like.
However, access to teleconference information after the teleconference has been performed is very limited. Often, a participant must record the teleconference from their own perspective (i.e., user device) which can limit the call quality and clarity. For example, the user device is only capturing the live speech of the person who is using that device while other users involved in the teleconference are being heard through the telecommunication network which can create noise, static, loss of quality, and the like. As a result, the recorded teleconference can have audio that is poor in quality. Furthermore, when multiple users participate in a teleconference, significant speech overlap can occur when multiple users speak at the same time. As a result, parts of the teleconference can be unintelligible. Accordingly, what is needed is a system that can improve teleconference call quality and simplify collaboration between participants.

Teleconference recording management system

International Business Machines Corporation


To suppress power consumption and enhance signal quality as compared with the case where first and second semiconductor elements are terminated only by on-chip input termination resistor circuits. A first semiconductor element with a switching function and a second semiconductor element with a switching function are connected to each other with a substrate interconnection, and a resistor element is connected in parallel with the substrate interconnection. The resistor element is placed at an arbitrary position or a branch point on the signal interconnection.

In recent years, low cost, high speed, and high capacity storage devices are being demanded. Accordingly, in some of recent storage devices, a system configuration for connecting a plurality of semiconductor memories to a memory bus and a circuit configuration for placing an on-chip input termination resistor circuit on the semiconductor memory have been employed. It is to be noted that the on-chip input termination resistor circuit is also referred to as an ODT (On Die Termination) circuit or an OCT (On Chip Termination) circuit. In the following description, the term "ODT circuit" will be used.
The ODT circuit is a circuit placed for the purpose of matching the impedance on the side of semiconductor memories with the characteristic impedance on the side of the substrate interconnection to secure waveform quality. However, a resister element (at 50 ohms, in general) matched with the characteristic impedance of the substrate interconnection is connected in series between a power source and a ground (GND). Accordingly, direct-current (DC) electricity constantly flows between the power source and the ground (GND), which causes a problem of increased power consumption in the semiconductor memories. The increased power consumption in the semiconductor memories also causes increased power consumption in the entire signal transmission system. In the case where the semiconductor memory is a flash memory in particular, the increased power consumption results in higher chip temperature, which leads to a larger leakage current and a shorter data retention period (retention period). This causes a problem of a shortened life span of the flash memory.