A new composition and method are described for female fertility therapy. In one alternative, the composition utilizes three nutritional supplements, grape seed, para amino-benzoic acid (PABA), and red clover. When it is administered to females as fertility therapy following the recommended dosage, interleukin-6 is inhibited by the dose of grape seed, blood levels of folic acid are supported by the dose of PABA, and the dose of red clover provides phytoestrogenic isoflavones.

Infertility is defined by most authorities as the inability to achieve a pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. Conception is normally achieved within 12 months in 80-85 percent of couples using no contraceptive measures; thus an estimated 15 percent of couples attempting their first pregnancy will have difficulty conceiving.
Grape Seed and Endometriosis
Resveratrol, a potent isoflavone found in grape seed, is best known for its potential life extending properties as shown by studies in Drosophila Megaloblaster (fruit fly) and budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Canton-S flies cultured on food containing 200 M resveratrol showed an increase in average lifespan of 17% for females and 10% for males and an increase in maximum lifespan of 22% and 20% for females and males, respectively.
Although it is known to exert pleiotropic effects the lifespan extending effect of resveratrol is thought to be mediated by means of the activation of the histone deacetylase Sir2. Sir2 has been implicated in lifespan extension of yeast, nematodes, and fruit flies, and it has been proposed to mediate some of the effects of calorie restriction. Consistent with the importance of Sir2 activity in lifespan determination, scientific data showed that treatment of flies with the Sir2 inhibitor sirtinol leads to shortening of lifespan Bauer, et a., 101(35) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 12980-12985 (2004).
Resveratrol has also been shown to protect ovarian follicles be antagonizing the aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene that sensitizes them to toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Researchers provided molecular evidence for a pathway involved in the elimination of the female germline due to prepregnancy and/or lactational exposure to (PAHs), environmental toxicants found in cigarette smoke. Ovaries of offspring born to mice exposed to PAHs contained only a third of the ovarian follicle pool compared with offspring of unexposed female mice. Activation of the cell death pathway in immature follicles of exposed females was mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), as ovarian reserve was fully rescued by maternal cotreatment with the Ahr antagonist, resveratrol, or by inactivation of the Ahr gene. Furthermore, in response to PAHs, Ahr-mediated activation of the harakiri, BCL2 interacting protein (contains only BH3 domain), was necessary for execution of cell death. Jurisicova, et al 117(12) J Clin Invest 117(12):3971-8 (2007).
One study found, however, that grape seed extract increased IL-6 levels in cultured neurons. Grape polyphenols are known to protect neurons against oxidative stress. Grape seed extract (GSE) from "Koshu" grapes (Vitis vinifera) containing a variety of polyphenols, was subjected transcriptome analysis to determine the effects of GSE on primary cultures of astrocytes in the hippocampus. GSE upregulated various mRNAs for cytokines, among which interleukin-6 (IL-6) showed the biggest increase after treatment with GSE. The GSE-evoked increase in IL-6 mRNAs was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. IL-6 proteins were detected by ELISA in the supernatant of GSE-treated astrocytes and an oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death model in vitro using a neuron rich culture of the hippocampus was developed. Treatment of the neurons with H(2)O(2) caused neuronal cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Exogenously applied IL-6 protected against the H(2)O(2)-induced neuronal cell death, which was mimicked by endogenous IL-6 produced by GSE-treated astrocytes. Taken together, GSE acting on astrocytes increased IL-6 production, which functions as a neuroprotective paracrine, could protect neuronal cells from death by oxidative stress. Fujishita, K, et al, Cell Mol. Neurobiol. 2009 Apr. 21. [Epub ahead of print].
The majority of research shows the contrary. Over recent years, resveratrol, found in grape seed, has been shown to inhibit levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) associated with infertility particularly that resulting from endometriosis. Endometriosis is a benign estrogen-dependent gynecological disease, which affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and is associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrea and infertility. Despite all the research accumulated over the years, the etiology and the pathogenesis of endometriosis are still unclear. Minici, et al, 23(3) Human Reproduction 23(3):530-537 (2008). It has been found in the majority of women with a regular menstrual cycle and infertility. Kunz, G, et al, 20(8) Hum Reprod: 2309-16 (2005).
Kunz, et al, Id., studied 227 women with regular menstrual cycles (mean 29 days, range 21-28) aged 17-46 years (mean 32.5) each after giving informed consent. Together with their male partners, they had a history of infertility prompting them to have a sterility work-up and subsequent treatment in Dr. Kunz' infertility clinic. Of these patients, 160 women (aged 17-46 years; mean 32.3) with a history of infertility of 1-13 years (mean 3.6) were suffering from endometriosis as demonstrated by laparoscopy. Almost one half of these patients presented with minimal or mild endometriosis (n=81) and the rest with moderate or severe endometriosis (n=79), according to the revised classification of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). No additional factors responsible for their female infertility could be identified.
Endometriosis is so highly associated with elevated levels of the inflammatory cyokine that elevated levels of IL-6 in women with endometriosis is used as reliable non-invasive marker for the disease. A serum IL-6 threshold of 25.75 pg/ml afforded a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 83% in the diagnosis of MM endometriosis. Sensitivity and specificity for CA-125 in the diagnosis of MS endometriosis, using 35 IU/ml as the cut-off value, were 47% and 97%, respectively. Martinez, S et al, 22(3) Hum Reprod 836-42 (2007).
The prevalence of adenomyotic lesions in all 160 women with endometriosis was 79%. In women with endometriosis below an age of 36 years and fertile partners, the prevalence of adenomyosis was 90% (P<0.01) With a prevalence of up to 90%, uterine adenomyosis is significantly associated with pelvic endometriosis and constitutes an important factor of sterility in endometriosis presumably by impairing uterine sperm transport. Kunz, G, et al, 20(8) Human Reproduction 2309-2316 (2005)
Even in the absence on adenomyotic lesions, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) that has a negative impact on sperm motility. Even in the absence on adenomyotic lesions, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) that has a negative impact on sperm motility. The expression of IL-6 and its receptor was detected in human granulosa cancer cells. Estradiol secretion was significantly inhibited by adding IL-6, which also suppressed aromatase activity to 50% of the control. The findings demonstrated that IL-6 may reduce estrogen production in human granulosa cells and may support the notion that IL-6 is related to impaired estrogen biosynthesis in patients with endometriosis. Deura, et al, 83 Suppl 1 Fertil Steril 1086-92 (2005).
Other grape polymers have found to have similar activities in modulating IL-6. Researchers examined the potential antioxidant activity and the immunopharmacological activity of new epicatechin conjugates obtained by depolymerization of grape polymeric flavanols in the presence of cysteamine or cysteine and with or without gallate. The compounds studied were (−)-epicatechin (1), cysteinyl-epicatechin (2), cysteamine-epicatechin (3), (−)-epicatechin gallate (4), cysteinyl-epicatechin gallate (5), and cysteamine-epicatechin gallate (6) When incubated with an erythrocyte suspension, flavanols protected the erythrocyte membrane from hemolysis induced by 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride, an azo free-radical initiator. All the epicatechin derivatives tested were more efficient as antioxidant than epicatechin. The compounds were tested for their capacity to modulate IL-1beta and IL-6, which are the main cytokine factors influencing the acute phase of the inflammatory response. (−)-Epicatechin and its related compounds inhibited the production of IL-1beta and IL-6 in whole blood incubated in the presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Mitjans, M, et al, 52(24) J Agric Food Chem 7297-9 (2004).
Other researchers using transvaginal ultrasound examinations measured serum IL-6 concentrations in 14 patients with ovarian endometrioma and 4 patients with benign gynecologic disease without endometriosis. IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with endometrioma than in those without endometriosis at the time of diagnosis. The mean serum IL-6 concentration significantly decreased after the operation for the disease. Yoshida, S, et al, 54 Suppl 1 Gynecol Obstet Invest 24-7; discussion 27-9 (2002).
Detailed studies have demonstrated the effects of various other types of grapes on IL-6 in the context of the mast cell-mediated allergy model in vitro. Kim, S, Kwoh, T, and Shin, T, 233 Experimental Biology and Medicine 192-199 (2008). In the Kim study, a preparation of Methanol Extract of V. amurensis (MEVA) was prepared and assays performed for its effect on TNF-{alpha}, IL-6, and IL-8 Secretion. TNF-{alpha}, IL-6, and IL-8 secretion was measured by modification of an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Cultured cells treated with the extract showed dose-dependently inhibited the secretion of TNF-{alpha}, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells.
Similar findings were observed in animals. The inhibition pattern on the release of IL-6 was similar to that seen with TNF-alpha. In a related in vivo study, rats were fed a diet containing 5% (wt/wt) dried muscadine grape skins (Vitis rotundifolia) for 14 days and then were injected with carrageenan in the foot pad. After 3 h, paw edema was measured and the rats on the grape skin diet had approximately 50% less paw edema than controls (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that the muscadine grape skin powder possesses significant in vitro and in vivo antiinflammatory properties. Greenspan, et al 53(22) J Agric Food Chem 8481-4 (2005).
Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) and Folate Levels
In addition to the well-established association between folic acid deficiency during pregnancy and neural tube and other birth defects, Wolff, T, et al, 150(9) Ann Intern Med 632-9 (2009), the intake of folic acid supplements, with or without additional multivitamins, is associated with a reduction in infertility disorder due to ovulatory disorder. Chavarro J E, et al, 89(3) Fertil Steril 89(3):668-76 (2008). Chavarro, et al, studied 438 women with reported infertility due to ovulatory disorder for 8 years. There was an inverse association between frequency of multivitamin use and ovulatory infertility. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) of ovulatory infertility was 0.88 (0.60, 1.28) for women consuming 2 tablets/week or less, 0.69 (0.51, 0.95) for women consuming 3 to 5 tablets/week and 0.59 (0.46, 0.75) for women consuming 6 or more tablets/week, when compared to women who did not use these supplements (P, trend<0.001). Folic acid appeared to explain part of the association between multivitamin supplement use and risk of ovulatory infertility. Adjusting for multi-vitamin use attenuated, but did not vitiate, the association with folic acid intake alone. The researchers noted that supplementation with folic acid by itself or as part of a multivitamin has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and may prevent other congenital malformations, and suggested that women planning to become pregnant should consider taking a multivitamin as this may also help them to become a pregnant.
Reduced levels of folic acid or folate and increased homocysteine are associated with infertility. Possible mechanisms of the deleterious effects of folate deficiency and homocysteine accumulation on female fertility include, as in the male, reduced cell division (e.g. of oogonia during oogenesis or of granulosa cells during folliculogenesis), inflammatory cytokine production, altered NO metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis and defective methylation reactions. Forges, T, et al, 13(3) Hum Reprod Update 225-38 (2007).
While opposite results have been observed by researchers, Avivia and Boxtel, 11(6) Trop Med Int Health 11(6):804-8 (2006), there are several reports of increased folic acid turnover during pregnancy and a resulting deficit. Gregory, J F, et al, J Nutr 131(7):1928-37 (2001); Higgins, J R, et al, 107(9) BJOG 107(9):1149-54 (2000). Para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) is metabolized into folic acid both by polymorphonuclear neutrophils, Sagone A L Jr, Husney R M & Davis W B 14(1) Free Radic Biol Med 27-35 (1993) and gut bacteria, Camilo E, et al, 110(4) Gastroenterology 991-8 (1996). Hence, the supplementation of PABA in addition to the standard folic acid supplementation provides a pool of folic acid precursor that may be utilized to replenish catabolized folic acid.
Red Clover and Phytoestrogens
The need for adequate levels of estradiol to conceive and maintain pregnancy is well-established, and serves as the basis for several of the pharmacological treatments for infertility. Ming-fang Miao and He-feng Huan, 10(1) J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 10(1): 35-45 (2009). The isoflavone genistein GEN is a saponin found in soy (Glycine max) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). The estrogenic activity of GEN is known, and it is widely advertised as a phytoestrogen useful in alleviating climacteric complaints and other postmenopausal disorders. Knowledge of effects of long-term administration of GEN in laboratory animals is scarce, and effects in the uterus and mammary gland after long-term administration have not been studied. The uterus and mammary gland are known to be negatively influenced by estrogens used in pharmaceutical hormone therapy. In rats treated with either of estrogen doses or the high GEN doses, researchers found increased uterine weight, and histologic analysis showed estrogen-induced features in the uteri. In vaginae, these same treatments induced hyperplastic epithelium compared with the atrophic controls. The endometrium was composed of cuboidal inactive cells, and the connective tissue was an unorganized lax syncytium of round nuclei. No mitotic activity was detected in epithelial cells. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone were decreased by estrogen but not by GEN. Rimoldi, et al, 115 (S-1) Environ Health Perspect 62-68 (2007).
The relative oestrogenic activities of 0.1 g each of extracts of phytosterol, soy isoflavone, red clover, kudzu and soybean extracts were determined using this assay and found to be equivalent to 212, 1, 3.2, 132 and 1025 nM of 17 beta-estradiol, respectively. Bennetau-Pelissero, et al C 15(1) Phytochem Analysis 40-5 (2004).
Vitex agnus-castus and Luteal Phase Progesterone
Low levels of progesterone can result in infertility along with short menstrual cycles as the progesterone is required to maintain the corpus luteum prior to fertilization. Chimpanzees in Gombe National Park consume fruits of Vitex fischeri during a short annual fruiting season. This fruit species is a member of a genus widely studied for phytoestrogen composition and varied physiological effects. One particularly well-studied species, V. agnus-castus, also known as chaste-berry, is noted for its documented effects on female reproductive function evidenced in increased progesterone levels and consequent regulation of luteal function. Thompson, E M, 70(11) Am J. Primatol. 2008 November; 70(11):1064-71. (2008)
Results of a small clinical trial involving 96 women with fertility disorders (38 women with secondary amenorrhea, 31 with luteal insufficiency, and 27 with idiopathic infertility) suggested that patients receiving chasteberry achieved pregnancy more readily than did women in the placebo group. The subjects received chasteberry or placebo twice daily for three months. Hormone levels did not differ, but in women with amenorrhea or luteal insufficiency, pregnancy occurred in the active treatment group more than twice as often as in the group receiving placebo. However, the total number of patients conceiving was small (15 women), the treatment was only administered for three months, and the product used contained five additional herbs. Roemheld-Hamm, B, 72 Am Fam Physician 821-4(2005).
In another small study involving 52 patients with luteal phase defects, women in the active treatment group were found to have reduced prolactin release, normalized luteal phases, improved luteal phase progesterone synthesis, and increased luteal phase estradiol. This study appeared to support the use of chasteberry for luteal phase disorders, but the actual effect on fertility was not mentioned. A recent double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study 27 of 30 women showed an increasing trend in midluteal phase progesterone level and an increased number of pregnancies in the 15 women who took a nutritional supplement containing chasteberry for five months. Roemheld-Hamm, B, 72 Am Fam Physician 821-4 (2005).
Even in wild chimpanzees, hyperprogesteronemia has been associated with Vitex fischeri consumption. Chimpanzees in Gombe National Park consume fruits of Vitex fischeri during a short annual fruiting season. This fruit species is a member of a genus widely studied for phytoestrogen composition and varied physiological effects. One particularly well-studied species, V. agnus-castus, is noted for its documented effects on female reproductive function, evidenced in increased progesterone levels and consequent regulation of luteal function. Researchers examined reproductive hormone levels in both male and female chimpanzees during a 6-week period of intense V. fischeri consumption. V. fischeri consumption was associated with an abrupt and dramatic increase in urinary progesterone levels of female chimpanzees to levels far exceeding the normal range of variation. Female estrogen levels were not significantly impacted, nor were male testosterone levels. Thompson, E M, 33(4) Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 205-8 (2006).
An Agnus castus-containing homeopathic preparation was investigated in Germany in 67 women with fertility disorders who received 50 drops of Phyto Hypophyson L or placebo 3 times a day over 3 months or 3 cycles. The outcome measure were spontaneous menstruation, improved concentration of progesterone in the luteal phase, shortening of the cycle, and earlier ovulation. Pregnancy was achieved in 38 out of 67 women, more often from women with oligomenorrhea in the Phyto Hypophyson L group compared to the placebo group (82 versus 45%, p=0.021). However, there was no significant effect when viewing the whole group. The baby take-home rate during therapy and 6 months after the end of therapy showed a ratio of 6:2 (18.7:6.4%), which was not significant. Furthermore, in the oligomenorrhea verum group we observed a significant increase of progesterone during the luteal phase compared to the oligomenorrhea placebo group. Bergmann, 7(4) Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 190-9 (2000).
In another German study of another Vitex agnus castus preparation and placebo, subjects were given 20 mg of either the Vitex agnus-castus or placebo. Aim of the study was to prove whether the elevated pituitary prolactin reserve can be reduced and deficits in luteal phase length and luteal phase progesterone synthesis be normalized. Blood for hormonal analysis was taken at days 5-8 and day 20 of the menstrual cycle before and after three month of therapy. Latent hyperprolactinaemia was analysed by monitoring the prolactin release 15 and 30 min after i.v. injection of 200 micrograms TRH. 37 complete case reports (placebo: n=20, Vitex n=17) after 3 month of therapy were statistically evaluated. The prolactin release was reduced after 3 months, shortened luteal phases were normalised and deficits in the luteal progesterone synthesis were eliminated. These changes were significant and occurred only in the group treated with Vitex agnus-castus. Milewicz, A, 43(7) Arzneimittelforschung 752-6 (1993).
Eleuthero senticosus and phytoestrogens
There are a group of so-called tonic remedies in Far Eastern medicine which are traditionally viewed as harmonizing or adjustive. Ginseng and eleutherococcus are the best known, and there is evidence that they increase arousal, stamina and stress resistance. We have attempted to explore the relationship between the behavioral and the stress effects, and to relate this to traditional concepts. In one series of experiments mice were given ginseng throughout their lifespan. At intervals their behavior response to mild stress was examined and found to be exaggerated compared to controls without ginseng. However, normal ambulatory behavior in the absence of stress was unaffected. A second series of experiments indicated that the binding of corticosteroid to certain brain regions was increased in adrenalectomized rats given ginseng saponin, compared to saline treated controls. This can be interpreted as a result of an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal sensitivity caused by ginseng saponin. This is in accord with traditional concepts of the use of these remedies. Fulder S J, 9(2) Am J Clin Med 112-8 (1981).
Eleuthero senticosis, also known as ginseng, has been shown to attenuate nerve grown factor, associated with polycystic ovaries, in female rats. Polycystic ovary was fully developed in rats with a single intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate. Increased expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) was noted in the ovaries and the brain of rats with polycystic ovaries. Korean red ginseng total saponins administration attenuated NGF expression in the ovaries but not in the brain. Pak, et al 84 Supp 2 Fertil Steril 1139-43 (2005). Ginseng has also been shown to produce increased embryonic growth at 50 micrograms/ml and hindbrain, midbrain and caudal neural tube at 100 micrograms/ml with Ginsenoside Rc and the pGPx mRNA level increased at all doses. Lee, et al, 54(3) J Reprod Devel 164-70 (2008).
Eleuthrococcus has also been shown to protect the developing embryo. Preventive administration of Eleutherococcus extract during prenatal and pre-embryonic periods of development prevents embryotoxic effect of subsequent treatment of pregnant rats with ethanol and sodium salicylate. Eleutherococcus abolishes embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of ethanol manifested against the background of experimental syndrome of iron deficit in pregnant females. Mechanism of its antiteratogenic action is probably based on stimulation of cell detoxification mechanisms, increase in energy potential of cells, as well as on stabilization of structural and functional state of cell membranes. Gordeichuk T, et al, 24(1) Ontogenez. 1993 48-55 (1993)
Panax ginseng and Eleutherococcus senticosus may exaggerate an already existing biphasic response to stress via inhibition of enzymes which limit the binding of stress hormones to their receptors. Specifically, it is suggested that PG inhibits 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase one and ES inhibits catechol-O-methyl transferase, both of which reside in close proximity to stress hormone receptors and catalyse the degradation of stress hormones into inactive compounds. In addition, it is suggested that the increased energy said to result from PG and ES may be a consequence of their occupancy of stress hormone receptors. Gaffney B T, Hugel, H M, and Rich, P A, 56(5) Med Hypothesis 567-72 (2001)
Nutritional therapies have included Vitex agnus-castus, alpha lipoic acid, glucosamine, folic acid, and standard multiple vitamins.
Only a few published teachings claim to affect this serious and prevalent problem in the population through intervention in the nutritional status of patients. U.S. Patent Application No., 20070104801, to Cecchi, teaches an undescribed fertility enhancing and anti-aging composition that may contain any of alpha-lipoic acid, glucosamine sulfate or Peruvian Maca with or without horny goat weed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,650, to Broqua, teaches a method of improving fertility by the administration of an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, wherein said inhibitor is an amino-acyl pyrrolidine or an amino-acyl thiazolidine.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,857, to Hermelin, teaches a method for increasing the possibility of conception while enhancing nutritional stores for a developing embryo or fetus prior to and during pregnancy by administering to an animal during a period commencing prior to at least two weeks before conception a specific dose of vitamin B6 and folic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,657, to Lee, teaches several compositions for enhancing fertility that require a large number of herbs used in Chinese medicine, including Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos, Radix Astragali, Radix Ligustici Wallichii, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,989,164, to Trant, teaches a pharmaceutical composition for oral ingestion having fertility promoting activity in males comprising components present in the proportion in parts by weight of: about 5 to 50% green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, about 10 to 80% L-carnitine, up to about 1% ferulic acid in Dong quai, up to about 1% vitamins B6, B12, and folate, up to about 10% zinc. The combination of L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10, but not Lepidium Meyenii, is taught by another patent to Trant, U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,151 for a pharmaceutical composition having fertility promoting activity in males comprising components present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 20 to 80% L-carnitine, about 5 to 30% vitamins C and E, about 0.1 to 10% coenzyme Q10, about 0.001 to 1% selenium, about 0.2 to 20% ferulic acid, about 0.1 to 2% zinc, and about 0.001 to 1% B vitamins.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,861,079, to Sweazy, teaches a fertility kit to enhance natural fertility and detect female ovulation and male fertility potential comprising specific dose ranges of L-Arginine, L-Cysteine, Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Astragalus, Pycnogenol, Vitamin B-6, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Vitamin A, Folic Acid, at least one phytoestrogen, along with several devices used in the promotion of ovulation timing and intercourse.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,266, to Sweezey, teaches the use of resveratrol in infertility. U.S. Patent Application No. 20070099826, to Wong teaches a compound capable of modulating transcription arising from an egr-1 response element consensus sequence and expression state of a gene in manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or health condition associated with an expression state of a gene associated with an egr-1 response element consensus sequence that may be resveratrol and may be used to treat infertility. Neither of these patents teach the combination of resveratrol with para amino-benzoic acid and red clover extract.
This inventor has discovered the elegant combination of these three nutrients, each with a primary effect on a different aspect of process of conception and pregnancy

Composition and method for fertility therapy using nutritional supplements


An object of the invention is to provide a component mounting apparatus which includes a plurality of substrate conveying lanes and which efficiently controls the order of carrying in of substrates, thereby capable of improving productivity, and also is to provide a substrate conveyance method in the component mounting apparatus. In a configuration which includes: component supplying units (20A, 20B) positioned lateral to conveyor lines including conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) arranged in parallel; and a substrate distributing unit (M3B) configured to distribute substrates (13) delivered from an upstream apparatus, in the case where a substrate request signal (R) is output for a plurality of conveyors, a new substrate (13) is carried in from the substrate distributing unit (M3B) into conveyors (10A, 10D) which are closest to the component supplying units (20A, 20B) among the conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D). Therefore, substrates can be preferentially carried into conveyors which are more advantageous in component mounting efficiency.

In a component mounting apparatus which mounts components to a substrate to produce a mounting substrate, a substrate conveying mechanism for conveying a substrate from the upstream side to the downstream side is disposed, and a component mounting work of moving and mounting a component picked up from a component supplying unit is performed on a substrate conveyed by the substrate conveying mechanism and positioned and held to a substrate holding unit. For the purpose of improving the efficiency of the component mounting work, a component mounting apparatus including a substrate conveying mechanism including a plurality of substrate conveying lanes is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The Patent Document example shows an example in which two lines of conveying apparatuses (substrate conveying lanes) having a configuration including a pair of conveyor belts arranged in parallel are provided. When this configuration is employed, a substrate conveying operation in one of the substrate conveying lanes and a component mounting operation in the other substrate conveying lane can be performed in parallel. According to the configuration, there is an advantage that interruption of the component mounting work does not occur even when a substrate is conveyed, and the productivity can be improved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Component mounting apparatus and substrate conveyance method in component mounting apparatus


Molten metal fed to a rotating casting wheel is controlled by a vertical pouring spout feeding a tundish below it, a trough from the tundish to the wheel, a sensor to detect the level of metal in the trough, a pin controlled by the sensor to adjust flow through the spout, and a foraminous receptacle in the tundish to receive the flow from the spout and passivate the outflow on its way to the sensor.

Strands of conductive metals, such as aluminum and copper and their respective alloys, are often produced to any desired length and shipped in coils for use in electric transmission lines, for example. A process for this purpose, such as the Properzi process, comprises continually feeding a stream of molten metal into a peripheral groove near the top of a chilled casting wheel as it rotates, covering the part of the groove where the metal solidifies with a traveling belt over the groove, removing the solidified metal from the casting wheel and passing it through forming rolls while under tension, and coiling the resultant metal strand.
Feeding the molten metal onto the casting wheel groove requires care. Overfeeding can overflow the groove and halt the process, and underfeeding can cause voids in the solidified strand which can halt the process by breaking the strand during rolling. Conventional equipment for the process comprises an upper tundish to receive an incoming stream of molten metal; a lower tundish receiving molten metal through a downspout from the upper tundish; a trough extending laterally from the lower tundish to convey molten metal into the casting groove; and a baffle beneath the spout which floats on the molten metal in the lower tundish. As the level of molten metal in the lower tundish rises the baffle rises to reduce the inflow from the spout, and as the metal level falls the baffle moves away from the spout and thereby increases the inflow of molten metal from the spout, thus tending to automatically keep the level reasonably constant under a given set of constant operating conditions.
While a floating baffle works successfully under a given set of operating conditions, it is not adjustable during operation to vary the rate of outflow from the spout independently of the level of molten metal in the trough which feeds into the casting groove; for example, when the level should be higher to more entirely fill the groove, or when the speed of rotation of the casting wheel is altered.

System for feeding molten metal stream to continuous strand caster


This application discloses a display panel, a method for manufacturing a display panel, and a display device. The display panel includes an organic electroluminescent device. The organic electroluminescent device includes an emission layer. The emission layer includes a main body made of mesoporous silica and a dopant made of an organic small molecule luminescent material. The dopant is arranged in the main body.

The description herein provides only background information related to this application, but does not necessarily constitute the conventional art.
Organic Light Emitting Diode or Organic Light Emitting Diode Display (OLED), or referred to as organic electroluminescent diode, is a novel display technology developed since the mid-20th century. Compared with a liquid crystal display, the organic electroluminescent diode has the advantages of all solid state, active light emission, high brightness, high contrast, thin thickness, low costs, low power consumption, fast response, wide viewing angle, wide operating temperature range, and soft screen display. According to molecular sizes, organic light-emitting materials may include small molecule materials and high polymer materials.
Generally, organic light emitting molecules suffer from a severe aggregation-caused quenching effect.

Display panel including an organic electroluminescent device where an organic small molecule luminescent material is disposed in a main body made of mesoporous silica, method for manufacturing the same, and display device


A tuner block in which a modulator and an IF/demodulator circuit are integrally formed. The tuner block has a casing for accommodating a tuner, the IF/demodulator circuit and the modulator, and sixteen pins consecutively disposed at an outside of the casing. A number of the pins is reduced as compared with a conventional tuner block by supplying an electrical power to the modulator and the tuner through a common pin, dispensing with pins carrying unnecessary signals and pins which carry no signal and rearranging other pins. Potential for noise and interference between signals is reduced by maximizing displacements of connector pins which carry signals which are likely to interact. A switching arrangement provides for utilizing either a conventional tuner block or a tuner block according to the present invention on a circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tuner block for a broadcasting signal receiving apparatus such as a VCR, and more particularly, to a tuner block having a modulator, a tuner and IF/demodulator circuit which are built integrally in a casing.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a broadcasting signal receiving apparatus such as a VCR comprises an A/V block 10 for processing a video signal and an audio signal, a deck 20 for recording/reproducing the video signal and the audio signal on/from a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a tuner block 50 for demodulating the video signal and the audio signal from the broadcasting signal transmitted through an antenna 60, and a CPU 30 which controls the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus. The tuner block 50 has a tuner 53 for tuning the broadcasting signal, an IF/demodulator circuit 55 for demodulating the tuned broadcasting signal, and a modulator 51 for modulating the video signal and the audio signal into an RF signal for a TV 70.
Generally, the modulator 51, the tuner 53, and the IF/demodulator circuit 55 are integrally built in a casing, and such a device is called as an integral-type of tuner block. The tuner block 50 is mounted on a printed circuit board in the VCR. The tuner block 50 is connected with other devices such as the A/V block 10 and the CPU 30 mounted on the printed circuit board.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an appearance of the conventional tuner block 50 that has the modulator 51, the tuner 53 and the IF/demodulator circuit 55 integrally formed therein. FIG. 3 is a view showing a layout of an arrangement of a plurality of pins of the tuner block 50 shown in FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tuner block 50 has a casing 50c for embracing the modulator 51, the tuner 53, and the IF/demodulator circuit 55, and an antenna input terminal 50a and an antenna output terminal 50b disposed at an outside of the casing 50c. The antenna input terminal 50a is connected with the antenna 60, and the antenna output terminal 50b is connected with the TV 70. A length of the casing 50c is standardized as 85 mm considering the arrangement of the plurality of pins installed on the casing 50c.
As shown in FIG. 3, twenty-two pins are installed in the casing 50c. The 22 pins consist of five pins (pin 1 through pin 5) corresponding to the modulator 51, twelve pins (pin 6 through pin 16 and pin 21) corresponding to the tuner 53, and five pins (pin 17 through pin 20 and pin 22) corresponding to the IF/demodulator circuit 55.
The five pins allocated to the modulator 51 comprise pin 1 and pin 5 (AUDIO IN, VIDEO IN) to input the audio signal and the video signal, respectively, pin 2 (CH/SW) to input a channel selection signal, pin 3 (MB (5V)) to supply electrical power needed for the modulator 51, and pin 4 (CONTROL) to input a control signal for a mode conversion between a TV mode and a VCR mode.
The twelve pins allocated to the tuner 53 comprise pin 6 (RF AGC) to control a gain of an input signal, pin 9 and pin 10 (SCL, SDA) connected with control buses to communicate with the CPU 30 through I2C communication, pin 13 (X-TAL IN) to input a clock signal, etc. Among the twelve pins allocated to the tuner 53, pin 7, pin 11, and pin 15 are not used.
The five pins allocated to the IF/demodulator circuit 55 comprise pin 19 and pin 22 (AUDIO OUT, VIDEO OUT) to output an audio signal and a video signal, respectively, pin 20 (SIF OUT) to output a sound sub-carrier, etc. Among these pins allocated to the IF/demodulator circuit 55, pin 17 and pin 18 are not used.
Such an arrangement of the pins is determined considering the position of three ICs (Integrated Circuits) corresponding to the modulator 51, the tuner 53, and the IF/demodulator circuit 55 disposed in the casing 50c. In other words, the ICs, which correspond to the modulator 51, the tuner 53, and IF/demodulator circuit 55, are consecutively disposed from an adjacent place to the antenna input terminal 50a and the antenna output terminal 50b in the casing 50c. Considering the position of the ICs, the pins used by the modulator 51 are disposed near to the antenna input terminal 50a and the antenna output terminal 50b, the pins used by the tuner 53 are disposed at a next position, and the pins used by the IF/demodulator circuit 55 are disposed at a farthest place from the antenna input terminal 50a and the antenna output terminal 50b.
Moreover, the arrangement of the pins is determined considering a necessity of maintaining a distance between pins which conduct signals that may cause interference if the pins are disposed closely to each other. For example, where the video output pin and the audio output pin are closely disposed, the video output signal causes interference to the audio output signal, thus noise is added to the audio signal. Therefore, the video output pin and the audio output pin are disposed respectively at pin 22 and pin 19 so as to be spaced by more than a predetermined distance.
However, a size of the conventional tuner block 50 becomes unnecessarily large since more pins are disposed than the number of pins actually needed for the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus. In other words, as described above, pins 7, 11, 15, 17, and 18 are not necessary since these pins are not used. Yet, the conventional tuner block 50 has the pins that are not used, thus the size of the tuner block 50 becomes unnecessarily large. Thus, it is difficult to realize a compact broadcasting signal receiving apparatus because of the unnecessarily large tuner block 50.
Recently, an IC having an integrally formed tuner and IF/demodulator circuit has been developed. Therefore, a tuner block having simpler construction may be manufactured by installing two ICs (a modulator IC and the integrated tuner and IF/demodulator circuit IC) in the casing. Accordingly, a small-sized tuner block may be created.
However, the arrangement of the pins according to the position of the modulator IC and the integrated tuner and the IF/demodulator circuit IC in the casing 50c, and signal interference problem between the pins in accordance with the position of the pins should be considered, even in the case of manufacturing the tuner block by adopting the IC in which the tuner and the IF/demodulator circuit are integrally formed. Therefore, to move some of the used pins to the position of the unused pins (pin 7, 11, 15, 17, 18) to reduce the number of the pins complicates construction of a circuit that connects the modulator IC and the integrated tuner and IF/demodulator circuit IC in the casing 50c and increases a probability that noise caused by the signal interference will be generated.

Tuner block for use in video signal receiving apparatus having modulator, tuner and IF/demodulator circuit


Method and computer program product for reducing storage space requirements in a computer file system comprising linkable files are provided. The method allows creating a list of each file eligible for storage reduction. The listed files are processed to determine files comprising duplicative content. At least one of the following is performed: a) determining a presence of an existent link pointing to files with duplicative content, or b) in the absence of an existent link, creating a link for coupling files with duplicative content. One may then eliminate storage space for any redundant duplicative content, thereby reducing storage size requirements for the file system.

Information used by programmable computers, including data and executable programs, are typically stored on some form of memory device. Each type of known memory storage device presents the user with certain trade-offs regarding cost, speed of information retrieval, and capacity. For instance, electronic memory devices, such as random access memory (RAM), typically offer the user relatively fast data access. This high-speed data access, however, may fall short in connection with maximum storage capacity and cost considerations. Magnetic recording media, including tapes, diskettes, and magnetic hard drives, present the user with somewhat slower access times, but are relatively more cost effective than large electronic storage methodologies.
In order to transfer computer programs and data, many users, including software developers and purveyors, have traditionally shipped those programs and data on magnetic diskettes. These diskettes are typically inexpensive to procure, but have limited data storage capabilities. Large computer programs, for instance, which are shipped on magnetic media, typically require many diskettes to store an entire program or data set. The cost of recording many diskettes for each program sold is a cost factor that must be considered by a software developer or purveyor.
In order to alleviate the foregoing limitations of storage capacity per diskette, the use of compact disk (CD) or digital video data (DVD) technology has gained wide acceptance in the software industry. For example, where a single 3.5″ magnetic floppy diskette is capable of holding typically a maximum of 1.44 Mbytes, a single CD can typically hold upwards of 600 Mbytes of information. The previously discussed trade offs still apply, however, in that while CD or DVD production is very cost effective and the devices themselves hold large amounts of data, the access time to that data is typically slower than that encountered on magnetic hard drives and relatively slower than data retrieval from electronic storage means.
One known practice to attempt alleviate the foregoing issues has been to use compression utilities to produce compressed software packages. The desired result is providing faster installation speed and smaller storage media. While the theoretical advantages of using compressed packages for an initial software installation may be apparent, in practice the compression techniques used in these software packages may be rather complicated, and the utility that installs the compressed software may require special tools that add cost and incremental delays in order to decode the compressed software to a baseline configuration. In some situations, the installation tools use a relatively rigid format and may lack the capability of dealing with the addition of new data compression regarding installation objects.

Method and computer program for reducing storage space requirements in a file system comprising linkable files


According to one embodiment, a playback apparatus includes a decoder, a resolution receiver, and an image quality enhancer. The decoder configured to decode encoded first moving image data to generate second moving image data. The resolution receiver configured to receive a resolution of a display device on which a video image based on the second moving image data is displayed. The image quality enhancer configured to perform image quality enhancement processing to the second moving image data according to the resolution of the display device.

An AV application, which is installed in a recent computer and is used to play back a moving image, tends to incorporate image quality enhancement processing, so as to differentiate from applications of other companies.
Currently, image quality enhancement processing is executed based on a single setting irrespective of a monitor used to display a moving image. Currently, a moving image is output to an external display device such as a TV or display in some cases. However, display panels included in computers have various sizes and various numbers of pixels.
When a moving image is displayed on a high-resolution monitor, since it tends to be sharply viewed, it is preferable to soften the image. When a moving image is displayed on a low-resolution monitor, it is preferable to sharpen the image. Therefore, the setting of the image quality enhancement processing is preferably changed depending on the resolutions of display devices.


In a printer, an MPU makes a flash ROM store a temperature read by a temperature sensor at the time of setting of a correction value and a misalignment correction number indicating a misalignment correction value. At the time of reciprocating print motion of a printer, the printer makes the temperature sensor measure an actual ambient temperature before backward printing and obtains a difference between the present temperature and the temperature at the time of setting of the correction value. A print start delay time which indicates timing between a point of time of driving a carriage motor and a point of time of starting the backward printing is corrected in accordance with the temperature difference. The printer starts the backward printing at the timing delayed for the corrected print start delay time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a serial printer and a print control method which reduce misalignment between forward printing and backward printing due to a change in ambient temperature.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a serial printer conducts, as a high speed printing means, reciprocating printing (bidirectional printing) in which printing is performed both at the time of left movement and at the time of right movement, in order to improve throughput.
In the bidirectional printing, misalignment (print misalignment of backward printing relative to forward printing) is caused by backlash of a driving section such as a gear, a drive shaft or a timing belt in a carriage mechanism, shift of motor load or ribbon load, etc. It is known that the misalignment varies according to the ambient temperature in the printer (actually, the temperature of the printer itself). As the temperature decreases, the backlash, motor load or ribbon load increases, that is, the amount of misalignment tends to increase. Therefore, there has been proposed a technique in which an ambient temperature is measured at the time of printing so that a time delay is applied to printing timing of opposite direction printing to one direction printing in accordance with misalignment pre-measured at the measured temperature to thereby prevent the misalignment (e.g., see JP-A-58-8666, JP-A-62-286778 and JP-A-4-82764).
In a printer capable of performing bidirectional printing, the amount of misalignment usually varies according to deterioration with age or external factors even in the case where the temperature does not change remarkably. In JP-A-58-8666, JP-A-62-286778 and JP-A-4-82764, there is however a problem that a satisfactory misalignment correction value cannot be obtained when the amount of misalignment varies according to deterioration with age or external factors because the misalignment correction value is a fixed value.
On the other hand, there is a printer provided with a correction value setting function in which a misalignment correction value can be set by an operator. In such a printer, there is however a problem as follows. For example, when adjustment is performed outdoors at a low temperature, correlation between the estimated amount of misalignment and the actual amount of misalignment is broken if the actual service environment is at a high temperature. Accordingly, the misalignment cannot be adequately corrected even when the setting function is merely provided.


A multilayer surrounding plate type heat dissipating structure comprises: a heat dissipating base module; a heat conducting insert, with an end coupled to the heat dissipating base module, and another end having a distal head portion; at least one light emitting element, installed at the distal head portion of the heat conducting insert; and a multilayer surrounding plate, installed to a ceiling, and having a through hole formed thereon, for passing the heat conducting insert, such that a heat source produced by the light emitting element can be dissipated through the multilayer surrounding plate or an airflow passage between multilayer surrounding plate to achieve an excellent heat dissipating effect, assure the functions of the light emitting element, and extend their lifespan.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat dissipating structure, and more particularly to a light emitting source heat dissipating structure that combines a light emitting element with a multilayer plate installed at a light steel frame of a ceiling to provide an excellent heat dissipating effect.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to energy crisis, traditional incandescent lamps are sold less and less in the illumination equipment market. Furthermore, environmental protection becomes increasingly serious, and the mercury pollution issue of the incandescent lamps is brought to our attention.
In recent years, green optoelectric products become a hot industry, and thus the development of light emitting diodes (LED) having the advantages of high efficiency, power saving, long lifespan, cool light without infrared spectrum, quick response and color consistency over the traditional light emitting elements plays an important role in the industry, and the light emitting diodes are used extensively in the area of illumination, and the LED, which is a main research and development subject for the illumination industry, gradually substitutes the application of traditional incandescent lamps. Therefore, the lifespan and function of the light emitting diode relates to the heat dissipation of the light emitting diode, and the heat dissipation is a key factor of the development and application of the light emitting diode. To overcome the heat dissipation issue of the conventional light emitting diode, a light emitting diode is combined with a heat dissipating base, wherein the heat dissipating base further includes a plurality of heat dissipating fins for achieving the heat dissipating effect of guiding and eliminating the heat flow from the heat dissipating fins. Therefore, the heat dissipation technology of the conventional light emitting diode has the heat dissipating effect to a certain level, but it is necessary to match with the appearance and size of the existing light bulb (such as incandescent lamps with MR16 or another specification, so that the heat cannot be dissipated efficiently, or the working efficiency cannot be improved effectively.
Therefore, it is an important subject for manufacturers and designers of the related industry to overcome the shortcomings of the application of the conventional heat dissipating structure of the light emitting element.
In view of the shortcomings of the application and the deficiency of the structural design of the conventional heat dissipating structure of a light emitting element, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience in the related industry to conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finally developed a multilayer surrounding plate type heat dissipating structure in accordance with the present invention, in hope of enhancing the heat dissipating effect, providing an economic and practical service to the general public, and promoting the development of the industry.

Multilayered surrounding plate type heat dissipating structure

ACPA Energy Conversion Devices Co., Ltd.


A semiconductor light emitting device, which includes a light transmissive electrode layer formed using a conductive thin film and an insulating thin film to substitute for a transparent electrode layer, comprises a substrate; a first semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; an active layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; a light transmissive electrode layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, the light transmissive electrode layer having a structure in which at least one conductive thin film and at least one insulating thin film are deposited; and a first electrode formed on the light transmissive electrode layer, wherein the light transmissve electrode layer includes at least one contact portion for contacting the at least one conductive thin film with the first electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor light emitting device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor light emitting device has a light emitting region containing ultraviolet, blue, and green regions. In particular, a GaN-based semiconductor light emitting device may be used for an optical device of a blue/green light emitting diode (LED), and an electronic device with high speed switching and high output power performance such as a metal semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET), a hetero junction field effect transistor (HEMT), etc.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of such a general semiconductor light emitting device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor light emitting device 100 includes a substrate 110, a buffer layer 120, an undoped semiconductor layer 130, an N type semiconductor layer 140, an active layer 150, a P type semiconductor layer 160, a transparent electrode layer 170, a P type electrode 180 formed on the transparent electrode layer 170, and an N type electrode 190 formed on the N type semiconductor layer 140 exposed by partially etching the active layer 150 and the P type semiconductor layer 160. Although the active layer 150 and the P type semiconductor layer 160 are partially etched in FIG. 1, a part (upper portion) of the N type semiconductor layer may additionally be etched.
In the aforementioned semiconductor light emitting device 100, the transparent electrode layer 170 is generally formed using indium tin oxide (ITO) to desirably inject a current into the light emitting device 100 without current crowding when the light emitting device 100 is driven.
However, problems occur in that the ITO is expensive and contains indium, which is a rare metal and thus may be exhausted later.
Also, if the transparent electrode layer 170 is formed using the ITO, since light transmittance of the ITO is more than 90%, light may re-enter the light emitting device due to scattering with a phosphor or other material included in the light emitting device package, whereby the light may be lost. For this reason, a problem occurs in that light efficiency may be deteriorated in the semiconductor light emitting device package.

Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same


A catalyst loading and unloading system for chemical reactors has an extendable catalyst transfer tube that is fed by a catalyst hopper and controlled by a tube displacement mechanism; more particularly, by a winch mechanism. As the reactor chamber fills with catalyst, a lower end of the extendable catalyst transfer tube is displaced upward by the tube displacement mechanism to correspond with the rising height of the catalyst bed within the chamber. The extendable catalyst transfer tube may further be used to vacuum old catalyst out of the reactor chamber.

A device that provides safe handling of catalysts and that increases the quality of catalysts when loaded to a reactor is in demand. Catalysts are present in all oil refineries as well as in chemical and petrochemical plants. They make many processes possible or reduce the energy required for chemical reactions to occur. These reactions take place in chemical reactors, which are loaded with the catalyst (making them catalytic reactors).
Depending on the reactor type, the catalyst installation/uninstallation is performed using different methods, but the common characteristic of all these methods is that operators (technicians) are working in a confined space for extended periods. The catalyst can be manually poured or scooped into buckets and other containers, such as hoppers with a calibrated volume, or otherwise handled and transferred into the reactor vessel. Sometimes, a crane can be used to hold the super sack of catalyst above the reactor vessel while the catalyst is gradually emptied and loaded into the reactor using a sock-like outlet hose. However, flat open space to stage and store catalysts is frequently limited and working space for operators is confined to the area surrounding the reactor. Because the confined space is a special category of working environment, the safety standards and procedures are extremely high and extensive, respectively. Consequently, all activities related to the catalyst replacement are time consuming and affect processing unit utilization time. Finally, accidents, including fatalities, can occur during catalyst replacement activities.
The catalyst for hydroprocessing reactors can be loaded using the sock or dense loading method. In the sock loading method, the operator must move constantly to avoid causing height differences of the loaded catalyst. In addition, the operator must use snowshoes or walk on the panels to avoid breaking the catalyst pellets. In the dense loading method, whereby the catalyst pellets are sprayed onto the reactor space, to maintain spraying of the catalyst over the reactor cross section, the machine must be stopped periodically and the rotational speed should be adjusted for the new falling height. Catalyst is typically a brittle, fragile material and is highly expensive, so it is desirable to keep the catalyst intact as much as possible and to avoid breaking or crushing it. Thus, any stopping and starting of the catalyst loading by dense loading machines will increase the breakage of the catalyst pellets and decrease the quality of loading.
Another problem with conventional loading/unloading methods is the requirement for the machine operator's presence in the reactor. The hydroprocessing reactors, for example, sometimes require the operator to spend long hours more than 150 ft deep in the reactor. Any break is time consuming, and if avoided based on time pressures, it can result in serious consequences arising from the dehydration or fatigue of the operator. In addition, currently available methods of unloading require the presence of a technician, and any effort to reduce or fully eliminate this presence would directly reduce accident rates.
Thus, there is a need to decrease human presence in the reactor space, increase the quality of the catalyst loading, decrease unit off-stream time, and consequently increase the benefits to all parties.
The present invention is aimed at solving the problems associated with a conventional catalyst loading and unloading system and procedures through an innovative device designed for this purpose.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Catalyst loading and unloading system for chemical reactors


Isopropyl alcohol is a very useful chemical that is widely used in the industry as a solvent. Economical and easy process to make ispopropyl alcohol using novel composite catalyst is described in the instant application. Production of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) from dimehtyl ketone (DMK) and hydrogen (H2) in gas-phase using a ruthenium nano-particle-supported on activated charcoal/nano-zinc oxide composite catalyst is described. Gas phase production of isopropyl alcohol using DMK and hydrogen is also described using optimal time on stream, temperature, catalyst ratio and DMK/H2 ratio. Ruthenium nano-zinc oxide composite catalyst is formulated using different ratios of ruthenium activated charcoal and n-ZnO is described. CAT-IV is shown to be the best performer for the efficient production of isopropyl alcohol.

The conversion of low-cost commodity chemicals such as DMK to high-value chemicals such as branched monoalchols, diols, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, and α,β-unsaturated ketones is important for the industry. IPA is used as a solvent and for manufacturing different chemicals such as isopropyl amines and ethers. IPA has also other applications in medicine and industry. Several catalysts have been used for hydrogenation of DMK in the liquid-phase to produce IPA. An activated supported ruthenium catalyst was tested for the production of IPA via direct hydrogenation of aqueous DMK stream in the liquid phase (U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,055). A process and catalyst, which is capable of producing IPA by controlling the reaction conditions to make it economical, would be desirable for industry.

Composite catalyst and using the same for making isopropyl alcohol

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)


A very high efficiency NOX aftertreatment system is provided for use in lean burn engines. A lean NOX adsorber is synergistically combined with a selective catalytic reduction catalyst to use the ammonia formed within the NOX adsorber, during regeneration of the NOX adsorber while periodically operating the engine in a fuel-rich combustion mode, to reduce NOX remaining in the exhaust gas stream after passage through the NOX adsorber during normal operation of the engine in a lean burn combustion mode.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines and more particularly to a NOX aftertreatment system for lean burn engines.
2. Background Art
Worldwide emissions regulations slated for introduction during the next five to ten years will require that gasoline and Diesel engines be equipped with some form of exhaust aftertreatment device. Perhaps of most concern to the Diesel engine industry are the proposed reductions in NOX (the various oxides of nitrogen) emissions, because they are the most difficult to eliminate from the exhaust stream of fuel-lean, better known as lean burn, combustion. Lean burn gasoline and Diesel engines offer the benefits of higher thermal efficiency, but suffer from difficulty with NOX emissions. Nitrogen is present in the air we breathe, and in the air that an engine consumes. Nitrogen replaces the air by approximately 75%. Nitrogen does not burn, but it can oxidize at temperatures over 2500xc2x0 F. NOX ix a health hazard and one of the EPA""s primary emission problems.
Without a major advance in catalyst technology, automobiles using lean burn engines will not be able to meet current and projected emission standards. Two of the main candidate technologies being considered for use in Diesel engines are selective catalytic reduction (SCR) using urea or other means to generate ammonia, and lean NOX adsorber catalysts. Neither one of these technologies has yet demonstrated the ability to meet the very stringent U.S. 2007 standards. Moreover, both technologies have considerable drawbacks. Selective catalytic reduction currently requires that a urea/water mixture be carried on-board and injected into the exhaust system, or some other form of on-board bulk ammonia generation. If excessive urea is injected, excessive ammonia (NH3) is generated and there is a possibility of emitting toxic ammonia into the atmosphere. Lean NOX adsorber catalysts must be regenerated periodically by passing products of rich combustion through the adsorber. In order to obtain the highest NOX conversion efficiency possible, more rich products must be passed through the adsorber than are required to reduce the trapped NOX. However, this has recently been discovered to produce NH3 in the exhaust stream. As noted above, NH3 is toxic and must be prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere. The only alternative heretofore has been to pass the gas containing NH3 through an oxidation catalyst where it forms NO in the presence of an oxidizing atmosphere. However, this is not desirable since the aim of the aftertreatment itself is to eliminate NO and NO2 in the first place.
An alternative for regenerating NOX adsorption catalysts is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,079 B1 issued Jan. 23, 2001, to Konrad, et al. for a PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING NITROGEN-OXIDE EMISSIONS IN EXHAUST GAS, proposes using three serially connected catalyst units; a NOX adsorption catalyst followed by separate ammonia-producing and ammonia-adsorption catalysts. The process proposed by Konrad, et al. is directed at maximizing the production of ammonia. In similar fashion, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,452 issued Sep. 19, 2000 to Kinugasa, et al., and more recently, U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,244 B1 issued Jan. 15, 2002, to Guenther, et al. are also directed to the intentional production of ammonia to optimize nitrogen-oxide emissions reduction. However, as noted above, ammonia is a toxic material and its release into the atmosphere must be prevented.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems associated with the intentional production of ammonia as proposed by Konrad, et al., Kinugasa, et al., and Guenther, et al. It is desirable to have a high efficiency NOX aftertreatment system that does not require the intentional production of large amounts of ammonia which could be released into the atmosphere if the ammonia-adsorption catalyst becomes saturated. It is also desirable to have a high efficiency NOX aftertreatment system for use with lean burn engines that advantageously uses ammonia undesirably generated when the engine control system is optimized to maximize the NOX conversion efficiency of the NOX adsorber system. This important feature of the present invention allows engine control systems to be tuned for the very high NOX conversion efficiency demanded by future engine emissions laws.
In one aspect of the present invention, a NOX aftertreatment system for a lean burn internal combustion engine adapted to selectively operate normally in a lean burn combustion mode and periodically in a defined fuel-rich combustion mode includes an exhaust system in fluid communication with at least one combustion chamber, a NOX adsorber and a selective reduction catalyst. The NOX adsorber is disposed in the exhaust system and is adapted to store at least a portion of NOX produced during operation of the engine in the lean burn combustion mode. The NOX stored in the NOX adsorber is reduced, and the NOX adsorber regenerated, during operation of the engine in the defined fuel-rich combustion mode. The defined fuel-rich combustion mode includes continued operation of the engine in a fuel-rich combustion mode for a period of time sufficient to provide more products of combustion than required to reduce the NOX stored in the NOX adsorber, whereby a portion of the excess products of combustion form ammonia. The selective reduction catalyst is also disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the NOX adsorber and is adapted to store ammonia formed during periodic operation of the engine in the defined rich combustion mode. During normal operation of the engine in the lean burn combustion mode, the stored ammonia provides a reducing agent for NOX remaining in the exhaust gases after passage through the NOX adsorber during normal operation of the engine in the lean burn combustion mode.
Other features of the NOX aftertreatment system embodying the present invention include a particulate matter filter disposed in the exhaust system of the NOX aftertreatment system.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing NOX emissions from a lean burn internal combustion engine includes normally operating the engine in a lean combustion mode and storing NOX generated during operation of the engine in the lean combustion mode in a NOX adsorber positioned in an exhaust system of the engine. The method further includes periodically operating the engine in a defined rich combustion mode in which the defined rich combustion mode includes continued operation of the engine in the fuel-rich operating mode for a period of time sufficient to provide more products of combustion than required to reduce the NOX stored in the NOX adsorber during operation of the engine in the lean combustion mode. During the periodic operation of the engine in the defined fuel-rich combustion mode, the portion of the excess products of combustion form ammonia. The ammonia formed during the defined fuel-rich operating mode is stored in a selective reduction catalyst disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the NOX adsorber and, during operation of the engine in the normal lean combustion mode, NOX remaining in the exhaust gases after passage of exhaust gases through the NOX adsorber are reduced by the selective reduction catalyst.
Other features of the method for reduced NOX emissions from a lean burn internal combustion engine include passing exhaust gases discharged from a combustion chamber of the engine through a particulate matter filter prior to discharge of exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

NOx aftertreatment system and method for internal combustion engines


A retention system for an aircraft seat dress cover defines a cable channel sewn around the periphery of a back portion. A cable in the cable channel is tightened to tighten the aircraft seat dress cover around an aircraft seat back. Adjustable buckles at terminals of the cable interlock and allow the cable to be tightened. A midpoint strap is disposed on opposing sides of the periphery to allow the aircraft seat dress cover to more fully conform to the structure of the aircraft seat.

Existing aircraft seat dress covers are difficult to install and require special tools. Aircraft seats often have special contours that require specially manufactured seat dress covers. Loose fitting or poorly attached seat dress covers may pull-out or detach from the aircraft seat.
It would be advantageous to have an easily installed aircraft seat dress cover that could be secured to the seat back frame to prevent pull-out, and that could be used on different types of aircraft seats.


A gaming system, gaming device, and method providing an obstacle board slot game. A wagering game including object starting and ending areas spaced apart in relation to one another, a plurality of obstacles and a plurality of designated target areas between the object starting area and the object ending area, and a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols is displayed. The gaming system receives a wager, causes the reels to display a plurality of the symbols, and displays an object moving from the object starting area to one of the designated target areas and/or the object ending area along one of a plurality of object paths through the obstacles. If the object moves into one of the designated target areas, the gaming system determines whether to cause one of the reels to move and causes one of the reels to move if it so determines.

Many gaming devices generate and display symbols in response to a wager by a player. For example, certain gaming devices employ a plurality of reels that each include a plurality of symbols. These gaming devices enable a player to place a wager on one or more paylines associated with symbol positions. For each of the reels, certain of the symbols on that reel are generated independently from the symbols on each of the other reels to provide a combination of symbols. A single activation of the set of reels typically leads to a single display of symbols arranged along the paylines to be evaluated for any awards. If a winning symbol or winning combination of symbols is generated and displayed along a wagered-on payline, an award is provided for that payline. If a winning symbol or combination of symbols is not generated and displayed along a wagered-on payline, no award is provided for that payline.
There are a variety of games to play in casinos and other gaming environments, such as online gaming environments, that involve the use of an obstacle board such as a peg board. One such known game utilizes a quincunx board, also known as a Plinko or Galton board. One mechanical quincunx board is a vertical board including a plurality interleaved rows of pins, pegs, or nails. The pins, pegs, or nails are arranged in a geometric pattern known as a quincunx. The quincunx includes five coplanar pins, pegs, or nails, four of them forming a square or rectangle and a fifth at the square or rectangle's center. Each pin, peg, or nail is typically equidistant from each of the pins, pegs, or nails diagonally adjacent to it. Each pin, peg, or nail is typically equidistant from each of the pins, pegs, or nails horizontally adjacent to it. Each pin, peg, or nail is typically equidistant from each of the pins, pegs, or nails vertically adjacent to it. The distance between diagonally adjacent pins, pegs, or nails is not necessarily equal to the distance between horizontally adjacent pins, pegs, or nails, which in turn is not necessarily equal to the distance between vertically adjacent pins, pegs, or nails. During play of the game, balls or discs are dropped from the top of the quincunx board. As gravity pulls the balls or discs through the array of pins, pegs, or nails, the balls or discs collide with the pins, pegs, or nails and change direction, speed, and/or rotation as a result. Eventually, the balls or discs reach the bottom of the quincunx board and are collected into bins. Computerized or video games that mimic a mechanical quincunx board have also been implemented.
Pachinko is another such known game. A mechanical pachinko device includes of a network of mechanical pins, pegs, or nails spaced apart in a predefined, sometimes irregular manner extending from a board or background. The pachinko device utilizes small steel balls. A player places a wager on the pachinko game and receives a number of the balls in a loading area. In one known system, the player pulls a spring-loaded pinball-like handle or knob and shoots a single ball into an upright or angled play area where the ball bounces from one pin, peg, or nail to another, through the network of pegs or nails. In another known system, the player sets a motor speed so that the ball speed falls somewhere between barely entering the play area to entering the play area at a high rate of speed. In either system, the ball falls through the network of pins, pegs, or nails either unsuccessfully to the bottom of the play area or successfully into a winning pocket, whereby the player wins a prize and/or a special mode of operation is activated. Computerized or video pachinko games that mimic a mechanical pachinko game have also been implemented. Games involving a quincunx board and pachinko games are simple, interactive, and considered by many to be fun and exciting to watch or play.
Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Players are also attracted to gaming devices that provide new game schemes and interactive features. Therefore, to increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with new types of games, game schemes, and features for gaming devices. A continuing need thus exists to provide new and exciting gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods of operating these new and exciting gaming systems and gaming devices.

Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing an obstacle board slot game


A fast-settling digital automatic gain control circuit comprises first and second gain-controllable amplifiers in series. Each amplifier can be digitally switched between minimum and maximum gains by control logic that receives inputs from a multi-level voltage comparator. A peak detector connected to the output of the first gain-controlled amplifier is used to set the overall operating ranges for several threshold detectors. Four reference voltages are generated from the peak detector. The highest reference voltage is used to clock and reset the gain control logic with a hysteresis comparator to the instantaneous input signal from the first gain-controlled amplifier. The three other lower reference voltages are used to provide three-bits of digital input data to the gain control logic. Two digital controls are output, a min/max gain bit for the first gain-controlled amplifier, and a similar min/max gain bit for the second gain-controlled amplifier.

Analog and video sources can vary widely in the signal amplitudes they produce. Receivers and input amplifier circuits, however, are limited in the ranges of voltages and currents they can process. So a strong input signal in the first stages of amplification with the gain set too high can result in saturation and clipping, the output will therefore be highly distorted and not very useful. Too little amplification on a faint signal may also produce an output that is not useful.
Automatic gain control (AGC) circuits were first widely used in television and radio receivers where the channels being tuned can vary widely in strength. AGC allows the audio volumes and video contrasts to be presented at consistent levels. Audio AGC has also been employed recently to maintain a consistent volume between programs and commercials, and in Internet telephony applications. Originally, purely analog AGC methods were used, but now digital circuits allow the implementation of digital automatic gain control (DAGC).
Jum-Han Bae in U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,133, issued Feb. 27, 2001, and Pascal Audinot, et al., in U.S. patent application Ser. No. US 2004/0259510, published Dec. 23, 2004, describe DAGC implementations that necessitate or involve the use of A/D converters. A/D converters tend to increase the costs and increase AGC settling times. While an AGC circuit hunts for the right level and the controlled amplifiers settle in to these new levels, the signal outputs can be distorted or otherwise useless, and such will limit the applications for which the AGC circuit can be employed.
In view of this, what is needed is a DAGC system that is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and that settles quickly.

Fast-setting digital automatic gain control

Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


Technologies for providing adaptive power management in an accelerator sled include an accelerator sled having circuitry to determine, based on (i) a total power budget for the accelerator sled, (ii) service level agreement (SLA) data indicative of a target performance of a kernel, and (iii) profile data indicative of a performance of the kernel as a function of a power utilization of the kernel, a power utilization limit for the kernel to be executed by an accelerator device on the accelerator sled. Additionally, the circuitry is to allocate the determined power utilization limit to the kernel and execute the kernel under the allocated power utilization limit.

In data centers in which sets of operations (e.g., workloads) are performed on behalf of customers, certain operations may benefit from being executed by an accelerator device (e.g., any device or circuitry, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. capable of performing a set of operations faster than a general purpose processor), to meet the requirements (e.g., a target latency, a target number of operations per second, etc.) of a service level agreement (SLA) between the customer and the data center owner. In some data centers, multiple accelerator devices may be physically located on the same circuit board to perform acceleration for multiple different customers. In doing so, the circuit board may provide full power to all of the accelerator devices on the circuit board (e.g., allow each accelerator device to operate at its own physical power utilization limit). However, doing so may strain the thermal and/or electrical limitations of the circuit board and may lead to added expenses, in the form of cooling expenses for the data center and equipment replacement costs (e.g., due to wear on the components), which may not be easily recovered by the owner of the data center (e.g., if the accelerator devices were operating faster than needed to satisfy the corresponding SLAs).


A signal generator 16 is disclosed. The invention is adapted for use with industrial positioning systems and includes an integrating circuit 22 for integrating an input error signal to provide an output error signal and a limiting circuit 24, connected between the input and output of the integrating circuit 22 for limiting the output error signal. The output error signal is then used in a conventional manner to control a work piece or an implement. The integration of the low level input error signal rapidly increases the power delivered to the positioning system to overcome initial static friction. When the amplitude of the error signal indicates that the industrial apparatus is within a predetermined tolerance, the amplitude of output error signal decreases exponentially to diminish rapidly the power delivered to the positioning system. The apparatus will therefore be positioned within a given tolerance range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to positioning systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems for the detection and correction of spatial errors in the position or alignment of an industrial apparatus.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
2. Description of the Related Art
In manufacturing, a variety of apparatus need to be positioned or aligned with respect to a reference or ideal position. Such alignment may be necessary to process a plurality of work pieces and ensure consistency and quality of manufacture. Accordingly, industrial positioning systems have been developed to provide automated positioning of a work piece relative to a tool or other implement. Such industrial positioning systems typically include error detection and correction systems to optimize the performance of the positioning system.
A common type of error detection and correction system adjusts the position of the work piece in response to an error signal. The error signal is often an analog signal which is developed by a detection device as a linear function of the spatial error between the actual position of the piece and a desired or reference position. As the spatial error decreases, the amplitude of the error signal decreases. Ideally, power to the positioning system should decrease to zero as the amplitude of the error signal decreases to zero. Should the piece subsequently become misaligned, an error signal having the same linear proportionality to the spatial error would again be developed. Through feedback, the stability at the reference position is ideally maintained.
Unfortunately, in most mechanical systems, static and dynamic friction operate to impair the performance of the system. For example, in the typical industrial positioning system, the amplitude of the error signal, for relatively small spatial errors, may be insufficient to supply enough power to the mechanical driver to overcome static friction in the system. Thus, notwithstanding the detection of a spatial error in the alignment of the piece and the development of an appropriate error signal, the misalignment may not be corrected as the signal level may have been too low to overcome the effect of friction.
Mechanical and electrical solutions have been proposed to counteract the effects of static friction. These approaches have tended to either impair the performance of the system or substantially increase the cost thereof. For example, an electrical solution to the problem compensates for static friction by adding a constant offset voltage to the error signal. An inherent limitation of this approach is due to the fact the offset voltage is constant and monopolar regardless of the error signal amplitude and sign.
A further limitation on this approach is due to the fact that the offset voltage has to be precisely calibrated to the mechanical backlash of the system in addition to the static friction. (Mechanical backlash results from an overshoot of the desired position caused by momentum in the mechanical implement or piece under movement. This causes another error signal to be generated which forces the implement or piece to be moved rapidly in the reverse position toward the desired position.) Calibration is critical as the presence of the offset voltage could otherwise cause the summed voltage to have a zero amplitude even though there is a spatial error. Yet such precise matching requires costly and extensive field adjustment by trial and error.
These problems are particularly acute in certain applications, such as focused ion beam semiconductor manufacturing systems, requiring a high degree of accuracy in the alignment of a work piece or sample relative to an implement or tool. There is therefore a need in the art for an inexpensive yet effective system and/or technique for controlling the position of a work piece or sample relative to an industrial implement.

Signal generator for use in industrial positioning systems


A vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive has a transfer case including a center-differential which delivers driving power to both front and rear axle assemblies when needed and is shiftable between a two-wheel and a four-wheel drive mode of operation and between a differential-locked and a differential-unlocked drive mode of operation. A free wheeling drive mechanism with a clutch member is incorporated in an output shaft of an axle differential in association with wheels non-driven in the two-wheel drive mode of operation and is adapted to disconnect when the vehicle is in the two-wheel drive mode of operation. A controller causes a forced drive mode shift of the center-differential from the four-wheel differential-underlined drive mode of operation either to the four-wheel differential-locked or to the two-wheel drive mode of operation when the disconnection of the free-wheeling drive mechanism is detected while the vehicle is in the four-wheel differential-unlocked drive mode of operation.

The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with part-time four-wheel drive.
In general, part-time four-wheel drive transfer cases used on vehicles deliver driving power normally only to front or rear axle assembly and, if desired, to both the front and rear axle assemblies. When the vehicle with its transfer case shifted into a two-wheel drive mode of operation is in motion, non-driven wheels, to which no driving power is transmitted when the transfer case is in the two-wheel drive mode, cause a rotational motion of gears of an axle differential case in connection with the non-driven wheels and gears of a transfer case connected to the axle differential, producing a loss of driving power.
In an attempt at avoiding such a loss of driving power caused in the part-time four-wheel transfer case, free-wheeling drive means or split axle drive means, with its incorporated clutch means, is provided in an axle shaft between one of the non-driven wheels and an axle differential associated with the non-driven wheels to split the axle shaft when the transfer case is in the two-wheel drive mode of operation so as to disconnect the transmission of motion from the non-driven wheels to the axle differential. Owing to the provision of such a free-wheeling drive means, the transfer case is independent of the motion of the non-driven wheels. One such a free-wheeling drive means is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,281 entitled "Split Axle Drive Mechanism" issued July 27, 1982.
Meanwhile, in part-time four-wheel vehicles equipped with a free-wheeling drive means, if the free-wheeling drive means is accidentally disconnected due to some causes such as wrong actions of an actuator of the free-wheeling drive means, breakage of a drive circuit and so on, while the vehicle is running with the center-differential in the differential-free four-wheel drive mode of operation, the transmission of driving power is disconnected from the wheels.


There is disclosed an automatic cleaning apparatus for a septic tank filter. The cleaning apparatus has a brush operable to move across a screen disposed internally of the filter. The brush is tethered, via a cable and at least one pulley, to a weighted float disposed in an effluent pump chamber associated with the septic tank. The brush therefore moves vertically across the screen with vertical changes the level of effluent in the septic tank.

Septic tank filters can be bypassed as a result of becoming clogged. This invention will keep the filter clean.
Septic tank filters become clogged and generally are not cleaned as often as necessary. Servicing most present-day filters requires opening the septic tank, manually removing the filter screen and washing it with either a hose or in a bucket; a messy and unsanitary job. Once the filter screens are clogged, waste from the septic tank bypasses the filter. This results in harmful particles entering the tank's pump chamber and subsequently the associated drain field. These particles will eventually clog the drain field.


Wireless telecommunications is inhibited within a limited region by generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunications and broadcasting the noise signal into the limited region. A system for inhibiting wireless communications includes a radio frequency noise generator generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunication. At least one antenna broadcasts the noise signal into the region. Control logic initiates or suspends broadcasting of the noise signal based on at least one control input.

The use of wireless communication devices, such as cellular and PCS telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, have become ubiquitous. Such devices offer many advantages including the ability to establish communication at almost any location and at almost any time. Thus, wireless users can talk with friends and colleagues, receive updates on the weather or the stock market, send and receive e-mail, receive audible alarms for important events, and many other useful activities.
While wireless communication undoubtedly brings many benefits, there are occasionally some drawbacks. The ringing of a wireless telephone is an unwanted event at public performances such as movies, plays, lectures, concerts, and the like. Portable wireless devices may create a distraction to learning in schools. Operation of a wireless handset may create a hazardous distraction to vehicle operators. Operation of various wireless devices may also interfere with the safe operation of commercial aircraft.

Wireless telecommunications signal inhibition


Synchronous local and cross-site switchover and switchback operations of a node in a disaster recovery (DR) group are described. In one embodiment, during switchover, a takeover node receives a failover request and responsively identifies a first partner node in a first cluster and a second partner node in a second cluster. The first partner node and the takeover node form a first high-availability (HA) group and the second partner node and a third partner node in the second cluster form a second HA group. The first and second HA groups form the DR group and share a storage fabric. The takeover node synchronously restores client access requests associated with a failed partner node at the takeover node.

A storage server is a computer system and a form of storage controller that is used to store and retrieve data on behalf of one or more clients on a network. A storage server operates on behalf of one or more clients to store and manage data in a set of mass storage devices, such as magnetic or optical storage-based disks or tapes or solid state storage such as flash memory. A storage server may be configured to service file-level requests from clients, as in the case of file servers used in a Network Attached Storage (NAS) environment. Alternatively, a storage server may be configured to service block-level requests from clients, as done by storage servers used in a Storage Area Network (SAN) environment. Further, some storage servers are capable of servicing both file-level and block-level requests, such as certain storage servers made by NetApp®, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.
To improve storage availability and performance, multiple individual storage servers can be integrated into a clustered storage system. A computer cluster typically consists of a set of loosely connected computers that work together so that, in many respects, the computers can be viewed as a single system. The components of a computer cluster are usually connected to each other through fast local area networks, each node (e.g., computer used as a server) running its own instance of an operating system. In this manner, each storage server in a clustered storage system can be used to access and store critical data, among other purposes. Additionally, a clustered storage system is able to provide load-balancing and/or failover capabilities.
To provide data backup in a storage system, including a clustered storage system, a data backup technique known as "aggregate mirroring" can be implemented. Aggregate mirroring involves backing up or replicating data stored in mass storage devices (also referred to as aggregates) at a primary site with an exact duplicate (i.e., mirror image) of the data in mass storage devices at a remote or secondary site. Thus, if data or connectivity is ever lost at the primary site, the data can be recovered or is accessible to a client from the secondary site.
In a storage server that handles large volumes of client requests, it may be impractical to save data modifications to the mass storage devices every time a write request is received from a client. This is primarily because disk accesses tend to take a relatively long time to complete in comparison to other operations. Accordingly, a storage server can store or cache write requests received from clients in a temporary data cache and periodically write the data in the data cache out to the mass storage devices or disks. The event of saving or writing the data in the data cache out to the mass storage devices or disks is called a "consistency point." At a consistency point, the storage system saves any data that is modified by the write requests received from clients to its mass storage devices and triggers a process of updating the data stored at the mirror site to reflect the updated primary volume.
In prior art solutions, if a failure occurred in a storage system or in a storage cluster in between consistency points (i.e., prior to the data in the data cache being written out to disk), then although the clustered storage environment provides for failover to another node or cluster, the recovery process at the failover storage system will still be asynchronous because the failover node does not have access to the cache data associated with the node that failed. That is, the data that is stored in the data cache system of the failed node will be lost or temporarily unavailable to client systems.

Synchronous local and cross-site failover in clustered storage systems