In a closed-loop wireless communication system, a codebook-based feedback mechanism is provided to enable non-unitary precoding for multi-stream transmission, where in each stream is optimized with suitable transmission power allocation and AMC. The codebook-based feedback mechanism uses a precoding codebook having a power allocation matrix which is constrained to specify that beamforming always applies full power to a predetermined beam. With this constraint, a one-bit power allocation feedback index may be used to switch between beamforming and spatial multiplexing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed in general to field of information processing. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system and method for precoding feedback in MIMO communication systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication systems transmit and receive signals within a designated electromagnetic frequency spectrum, but the capacity of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum is limited. As the demand for wireless communication systems continues to expand, there are increasing challenges to improve spectrum usage efficiency. To improve the communication capacity of the systems while reducing the sensitivity of the systems to noise and interference and limiting the power of the transmissions, a number of wireless communication techniques have been proposed, such as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), which is a transmission method involving multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas. For example, space division multiple access (SDMA) systems can be implemented as closed-loop systems to improve spectrum usage efficiency. SDMA has recently emerged as a popular technique for the next generation communication systems. SDMA based methods have been adopted in several current emerging standards such as IEEE 802.16 and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) platform.
FIG. 1 depicts a MIMO wireless communication system 100 in which a transmitter 102 having a first antenna array 106 communicates with receiver 104 having a second antenna array 108, where each antenna array includes one or more antennas. The communication system 100 may be any type of wireless communication system, including but not limited to a MIMO system, SDMA system, CDMA system, OFDMA system, OFDM system, etc. In the communication system 100, the transmitter 102 may act as a base station, while the receiver 104 acts as a subscriber station, which can be virtually any type of wireless one-way or two-way communication device such as a cellular telephone, wireless equipped computer system, and wireless personal digital assistant. Of course, the receiver/subscriber station 104 can also transmits signals which are received by the transmitter/base station 102. The signals communicated between transmitter 102 and receiver 104 can include voice, data, electronic mail, video, and other data, voice, and video signals. In operation, the transmitter 102 transmits a signal data stream (e.g., signal s1) through one or more antennas 106 and over a channel H1 to a receiver 104, which combines the received signal from one or more receive antennas 108 to reconstruct the transmitted data. To transmit the signal s1, the transmitter 102 prepares a transmission signal, represented by the vector x1, for the signal s1. (Note: lower case bold variables indicate vectors and upper case BOLD variables indicate matrices). The transmission signal vector x1 is transmitted via a channel represented by a channel matrix H1, and is received at the receiver 104 as a receive signal vector y1=H1x1+n1 (where n represents co-channel interference or noise). The channel matrix H1 represents a channel gain between the transmitter antenna array 106 and the subscriber station antenna array 108. Thus, the channel matrix H1 can be represented by a k×N matrix of complex coefficients, where N is the number of antennas in the base station antenna array 106 and k is the number of antennas in the subscriber station antenna array 108. The value of k can be unique for each subscriber station. As will be appreciated, the channel matrix H1 can instead be represented by a N×k matrix of complex coefficients, in which case the matrix manipulation algorithms are adjusted accordingly so that, for example, the right singular vector calculation on a k×N channel matrix becomes a left singular vector calculation on a N×k channel matrix. The coefficients of the channel matrix H1 depend, at least in part, on the transmission characteristics of the medium, such as air, through which a signal is transmitted. A variety of methods may be used at the receiver to determine the channel matrix H1 coefficients, such as transmitting a known pilot signal to a receiver so that the receiver, knowing the pilot signal, can estimate the coefficients of the channel matrix H1 using well-known pilot estimation techniques. Alternatively, when the channel between the transmitter and receiver are reciprocal in both directions, the actual channel matrix H1 is known to the receiver and may also be known to the transmitter.
While the benefits of MIMO are realizable when the receiver 104 alone knows the communication channel, these benefits are further enhanced in "closed-loop" MIMO systems when the transmitter 102 has some level of knowledge concerning the channel response between each transmit antenna element and each receive antenna element. Precoding systems provide an example application of closed-loop systems which exploit channel-side information at the transmitter ("CSIT"). With precoding systems, CSIT can be used with a variety of communication techniques to operate on the transmit signal before transmitting from the transmit antenna array 106. For example, precoding techniques can provide a multi-mode beamformer function to optimally match the input signal on one side to the channel on the other side. In situations where channel conditions are unstable or unknown, open loop MIMO techniques such as spatial multiplexing can be used. However, when the channel conditions can be provided to the transmitter, closed loop MIMO methods such as precoding can be used. Precoding techniques may be used to decouple the transmit signal into orthogonal spatial stream/beams, and additionally may be used to send more power along the beams where the channel is strong, but less or no power along the weak, thus enhancing system performance by improving data rates and link reliability. In addition to multi-stream transmission and power allocation techniques, adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) techniques can use CSIT to operate on the transmit signal before transmission on the array 106.
Conventional precoded MIMO systems may obtain full broadband channel knowledge at the transmitter 102 by using uplink sounding techniques (e.g., with Time Division Duplexing (TDD) systems). Alternatively, channel feedback techniques can be used with MIMO systems (e.g., with TDD or Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) systems) to feed back channel information to the transmitter 102. One way of implementing precoding over a low rate feedback channel is to use codebook-based precoding to reduce the amount of feedback as compared to full channel feedback. However, such precoding feedback can introduce delay when transmission-related decisions (such as whether to use spatial multiplexing or beamforming, i.e., multi-stream or single stream transmission, or whether to use open loop or closed loop transmission) are made at the transmitter only after receiving the channel information feedback signal and/or when the transmission-related decisions are made in the upper software layers (e.g., the MAC layer) of the transmitter 102. In addition, the quantization techniques used in existing codebook systems to compress the channel feedback information can introduce errors in the feedback signal. Moreover, the limited feedback resources require that any practical system be designed to have a low feedback rate, and existing codebook systems can have unacceptably high feedback data rates. This may be illustrated with the example of a MIMO system 100 having a four-antenna transmit array 106 and a two-antenna receive array 108, where a unitary precoding matrix W and a non-unitary power allocation precoding matrix D (not shown) are applied at the transmitter 102 to precode the transmit signal vector s1 (such that x1=WD s1). With such a system that is used to provide both spatial multiplexing and beamforming, the power allocation values d1, d2 of the non-unitary precoding matrix
  D  =      [                                        d            1                                    0                                      0                                      d            2                                ]  are each selected from the set of {0, 1, ½}, and each power allocation value is represented by a two-bit feedback value to choose from the set of three possible values. The two-bit feedback allows each of the power allocation values to be specified for spatial multiplexing—(d1, d2)=(½, ½)—and also separately for each instance of beamforming—e.g., (d1, d2)=(1, 0) and (d1, d2)=(0, 1). However, using two or more feedback bits to specify just the d1 and d2 values, not to mention additional precoding feedback bits for W, can impair feedback performance.
Accordingly, an efficient feedback methodology is needed to provide precoding feedback to the transmitter using a codebook to reduce the size of the feedback signal while sustaining a minimal loss in link performance. There is also a need for an improved feedback system which avoids degrading uplink performance and reduces long feedback delay. In addition, there is a need for a system and methodology for reducing the average precoder feedback rate to reduce uplink performance loss and feedback delay. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional processes and technologies will become apparent to one of skill in the art after reviewing the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings and detailed description which follow.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for purposes of promoting and improving clarity and understanding. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the drawings to represent corresponding or analogous elements.

MIMO precoding enabling spatial multiplexing, power allocation and adaptive modulation and coding


A method of selecting a neutral position of an automatic or automated transmission and a parking gear to immobilize a motor vehicle. The neutral position and parking device can be set or activated, depending on a gear selected by the driver with a selector device and depending on other vehicle operating parameters. Only when the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor vehicle is electrically interrupted and a “Neutral” (N) gear is selected by a selector device occur simultaneously, can an N-holding phase, in which the transmission is in a friction-free neutral position, be activated by a separate control device provided in addition to the selector device, as long as an energy management system of the motor vehicle allows activation of the N-holding phase.

Known automatic or automated motor vehicle transmissions include a parking lock with which the driven shaft of a transmission can be mechanically locked. In addition to a purely mechanical system to actuate such a parking lock by way of a mechanical functional connection between a selector lever that can be operated by the driver in the interior of the motor vehicle and the parking lock in the transmission, electromechanical and electrohydraulic systems for actuating such a parking lock are known for example from DE 41 27 991 C2. The parking lock in the transmission is connected, via an electrical functional connection, to a selector device in the interior of the motor vehicle operated by the driver. The parking lock can be electromechanically or electrohydraulically actuated by way of a parking lock function implemented in an electronic control device of the transmission depending on a gear chosen on the selector device and depending on other operating parameters of the motor vehicle.
In addition, numerous methods are known for automatically setting such a parking lock. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,105, it is thus proposed to automatically set the parking position of the transmission independently from the gear selected by the driver, when the current in an ignition circuit of the motor vehicle is interrupted and the vehicle simultaneously continues to roll at a speed less than a defined low threshold value.
A method is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,014 in which the parking lock of the transmission is automatically set by an electric motor, if an ignition circuit of the motor vehicle is interrupted and the vehicle speed simultaneously is less than a defined low threshold value, but also if the driver's door of the motor vehicle is open and the driver seat simultaneously has no weight on it and simultaneously the vehicle speed is less than the above-mentioned low threshold value. In both cases, it is envisioned that, upon automatically setting the parking lock, a vehicle parking brake is also automatically actuated. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,014, it is also proposed that, if the ignition circuit is closed without the drive motor of the motor vehicle running, the transmission is automatically shifted to the neutral position by an electric motor without the driver having to take any action.
Finally, a function for automatically setting a parking lock of an automatic transmission is known from EP 0 814 287 B1 in which the parking lock in the automatic transmission is automatically set by the transmission control device, if the vehicle speed of the motor vehicle is zero and an ignition circuit is simultaneously interrupted and, as a simultaneous additional condition, a predetermined time span since the interruption of the of the ignition circuit has expired, or a vehicle door is opened, but at the latest, however this being a sole condition if the ignition key is removed from the ignition lock. In order to obtain greater vehicle reliability, as a peculiarity in all three cases setting the parking lock is prevented if the driver selects neutral with the selector device directly before shutting off the motor or within a predetermined time span after shutting off the motor.
The present invention has the task of creating an alternative method to the state of the art for the automatic selection of the neutral position in an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle and for the automatic selection of a parking device of the motor vehicle provided to immobilize the motor vehicle with sufficient safeguarding of the motor vehicle against a starting or rolling unintended by the driver and with as slight as possible impairment of the vehicle's drivability or ability to move with avoidance of any change of the operating condition of the transmission or motor vehicle that might surprise the driver.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for selecting a neutral position of a motor vehicle transmission and for selecting a parking gear of a motor vehicle


An information storage apparatus records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a recording medium. The apparatus includes a servo error generation detector for detecting a generation of a servo error based on at least one of servo signals including a focus error signal and a tracking error signal which are derived from output signals of a light receiving element, and a data recording resuming section for temporarily interrupting a data recording with respect to the recording medium, temporarily turning OFF a servo and then turning ON the servo again, to thereafter synchronize recording data to recorded data already recorded on the recording medium, and resume recording of the recording data continuing without a discontinuity to an end of the recorded data recorded immediately before the interruption of the data recording, when the generation of the servo error is detected while recording data on the recording medium.

This application claims the benefit of a Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-159986 filed May 30, 2000, in the Japanese Patent Office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to information storage apparatuses, and more particularly to an information storage apparatus, such as an optical disk unit and an optical card unit, which records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a recording medium such as an optical disk and an optical card, by converging a light beam from a semiconductor laser on the recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a first example of a conventional information storage apparatus, there is an optical disk unit which records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a plurality of kinds of optical disks. When recording the information in such an optical disk unit, it is extremely important that the optical disk is in a state under a stable servo, in order to avoid a write error caused by a servo error.
However, a servo signal may be distorted due to various external disturbances, and an off-servo state may occur.
Particularly when a rate at which the information is to be recorded becomes high, it becomes more difficult to carry out a stable servo.
Accordingly, an information storage apparatus which is provided with a means for reducing a light emission power of a laser diode or turning OFF the laser diode when the off-servo state occurs and a servo error is detected during the recording, so as to avoid an erroneous recording, has been proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 5-298736, for example.
As a second example of the conventional information storage apparatus, there is an optical disk unit which records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a plurality of kinds of optical disks. When recording the information in such an optical disk unit, it is extremely important that ATIP information included in the optical disk is accurately detected and decoded, in order to accurately perform a positioning with respect to the information which is to be recorded, and to synchronize the information which is to be recorded with respect to a rotational speed of the optical disk.
However, because a signal level of the ATIP signal is extremely small, it may be difficult to detect the ATIP signal due to various external disturbances.
Particularly when a rate with which the information is to be recorded becomes high, it becomes more difficult to detect the ATIP signal.
Accordingly, an information storage apparatus which is provided with a means for correcting a tracking error when an ATIP error rate increases during the recording, so as to reduce the ATIP error rate, has been proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 5-151600, for example.
As a third example of the conventional information storage apparatus, there is an optical disk unit which records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a plurality of kinds of optical disks. When recording the information in such an optical disk unit, it is important that the recording is carried out continuously without a recording error. For example, the recording error is caused by a shock, vibration or the like.
Accordingly, an information storage apparatus which is provided with a means for interrupting the recording of information when the shock, vibration or the like is detected, has been proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-328830, for example.
As a fourth example of the conventional information storage apparatus, there is an optical disk unit which records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a plurality of kinds of optical disks. When a temperature of such an optical disk unit, particularly a temperature of an optical system portion called an optical pickup, rises, a light emission characteristic of the laser diode which is used for recording the information may change, and an error may be generated during the recording. In addition, even if no error is generated during the recording, a recording quality may be deteriorated by the temperature rise. As a result, there is a possibility of recording an optical disk from which the information cannot be reproduced.
Furthermore, in a high temperature state, it is necessary to increase the light emission power of the laser diode in order to continue recording the information without deteriorating the recording quality, but a serviceable life of the laser diode may be shortened by the increased light emission power.
Accordingly, an information storage apparatus which is provided with a means for changing a converging state of a laser spot by multiplexing with a focus servo when a high temperature is detected during the recording, has been proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-306052, for example.
But in the first example of the conventional information storage apparatus, although it is possible to prevent an erroneous recording on the track by suppressing the light emission of the laser diode at a light emission power which would record information when the servo error is generated, there was a first problem in that the data recorded up to that point in time cannot be utilized.
Particularly in the case of a write-once optical recording medium, such as a CD-R, which can only be recorded with information once, a storage capacity of the optical recording medium may be wasted, and a time used to make the recording up to that point in time may be wasted.
On the other hand, in the above described information storage apparatus, the servo errors include a servo error detected by the tracking error signal.
When the tracking error signal detects the servo error, the focus servo may be in an on-servo state and stable. For this reason, if all of the servos are once turned OFF and then turned ON to obtain the on-servo states, there was a second problem in that it may take too much time for the servos to stabilize.
Further, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the servo error and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there is a possibility that the information is recorded in the off-servo state if the servo error is actually generated. As a result, there was a third problem in that there is a possibility of deteriorating the recording quality of the optical recording medium which is recorded with the information.
Next, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the servo error and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, the cause of the servo error may be dependent on the rotational speed of the optical recording medium on which the information is to be recorded.
In this case, even if the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the servo error and the recording is resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, the servo error is generated again, and a loop for interrupting and resuming the information recording is repeated, and there was a fourth problem in that the information recording may not end.
Moreover, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the servo error and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there was a fifth problem in that the time finally required to record the information may become extremely long if the recording rate is changed at the first detection of the servo error, in a case where the cause of the servo error detection is other than the rotational speed of the optical recording medium.
On the other hand, in the second example of he conventional information storage apparatus, it is possible to reduce the ATIP error rate caused by the tracking error, but there is no effect on the ATIP error rate which increases due to other causes. In some cases, there was a sixth problem in that the recording is performed out of synchronism with respect to the rotational speed of the optical recording medium and a write error may be generated if the situation becomes worse.
Particularly in the case of the write-once optical recording medium, such as the CD-R, which can only be recorded with information once, the recording capacity of the optical recording medium may wasted if the write error occurs, and the time used to make the recording up to that point in time may also be wasted.
In the above described information storage apparatus, one of the causes which increase the ATIP error rate is determined by a relative position (hereinafter referred to as a lens position) of an objective lens of the optical pickup with respect to a carriage which moves the objective lens, an actuator or the like in a radial direction of the optical recording medium.
In other words, even if the ATIP error rate increases and the information recording is interrupted and resumed, there are cases where the information recording is resumed from the position of the objective lens identical to that immediately before the recording was interrupted if the carriage did not move from immediately before the interruption of the recording. In such cases, the ATIP error rate immediately after the recording is resumed is high, and the interruption and resuming of the information recording are repeated. As a result, there was a seventh problem in that the information recording may not end.
Next, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the increase of the ATIP error rate and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there are cases where the increase of the ATIP error rate is dependent on the rotational speed of the optical recording medium on which the information is to be recorded. In such cases, the ATIP error rate is large for the same recording rate, even if the information recording is interrupted and resumed as the ATIP error rate increases. Consequently, there was an eighth problem in that the interruption and resuming of the information recording are repeated, and the information recording may not end.
On the other hand, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the increase of the ATIP error rate and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there was a ninth problem in that the time finally required to record the information may become extremely long if the recording rate is changed at the first detection of the increase of the ATIP error rate, in a case where the cause of the increased ATIP error rate is other than the rotational speed of the optical recording medium.
In the third example of the conventional information storage apparatus, in the case of the write-once optical recording medium, such as the CD-R, which can only be recorded with information once, there was a tenth problem in that the recording capacity of the optical recording medium may wasted and the time used to make the recording up to that point in time may also be wasted, if the recording is interrupted due to the shock, vibration or the like.
Next, in the above described information storage apparatus, if the shock, vibration or the like is due to external causes, the shock, vibration or the like will be eliminated when the external causes are eliminated, to thereby enable the information recording to be resumed stably. However, if the shock, vibration or the like is due to internal causes such as a cause due to the rotational speed of the optical recording medium, the shock, vibration or the like is generated under the same conditions even when the information recording is resumed, and the interruption and resuming of the information recording may be repeated. Consequently, there was an eleventh problem in that the final recording rate may become low, and the information recording may not be resumed and completed.
Moreover, in the above described information storage apparatus, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the shock, vibration or the like and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there was a twelfth problem in that the time finally required to record the information may become long if the recording rate is changed at the first detection of the shock, vibration or the like, in a case where the shock, vibration or the like is temporary because such temporary shock, vibration or the like will not be generated again.
In addition, in the above described information storage apparatus, there was a thirteenth problem in that a shock sensor is required in general to detect the shock, vibration or the like, and a redundant circuit associated therewith needs to be added.
Next, in the fourth example of the conventional information storage apparatus, an operating range of the focus servo is finite, and the converging state of the light beam can only be controlled to a predetermined level even when multiplexing is employed. Hence, the converging state cannot be controlled with respect to a temperature change in a range in which the change exceeds the predetermined level, and there was a fourteenth problem in that the recording quality deteriorates and the recording error occurs.
Particularly in the case of a write-once optical recording medium, such as the CD-R, which can only be recorded with information once, the storage capacity of the optical recording medium may be wasted, and the time used to make the recording up to that point in time may be wasted.
Moreover, in the above described information storage apparatus, if the temperature upon starting of the information recording is high from the initial state, the temperature detected during the recording naturally becomes high. For this reason, the detected temperature easily becomes greater than a predetermined high temperature, and there was a fifteenth problem in that there are possibilities that pause and rewrite of the information recording will occur frequently, and that the write will not be completed in a worst case under the high-temperature condition.
On the other hand, if the initial temperature is extremely low, there is a possibility that the recording quality will deteriorate before the predetermined high temperature is reached.
In addition, in the above described information storage apparatus, the detection of the high temperature may be caused mainly by the light emission of the laser diode which is used for the information recording and urges a temperature rise of the optical pickup. Furthermore, as the recording rate becomes high, the light emission power of the laser diode required for the information recording becomes high, and the temperature easily rises.
In other words, when the information recording is interrupted upon detection of the internal temperature rise due to the high light emission power of the laser diode required because of the high recording rate and the recording is to be resumed so that there is no discontinuity with the data recorded immediately before the recording was interrupted, there was a sixteenth problem in that the interruption and resuming of the information recording are repeated, and the information recording may not end. That is, the temperature rise occurs again for the same recording rate even when the information recording is interrupted by the temperature rise and resumed, if the cause of the temperature rise is dependent on the rotational speed of the optical recording medium on which the information is to be recorded.
Furthermore, in the above described information storage apparatus, if the cause of the detected high temperature is other than the rotational speed of the optical recording medium, the cause is not eliminated by reducing the rotational speed upon the first detection of the high temperature. Consequently, the high temperature is reached again, which results in the interruption of the recording and resuming of the recording at a reduced rotational speed, and there was a seventeenth problem in that the recording rate of the information recording may becomes extremely low.


An endoscope holding device includes an insertion part that is long and holds the distal end part of an endoscope so as to freely protrude and retract; a distal end face that specifies a protruding direction of the endoscope, and is formed at the distal end of the insertion part, a displacement part which has a displacement face that is curved from the distal end toward a proximal end and provided at a position apart from the distal end face in order to displace living body tissue in front of the insertion part to secure a space for operating the distal end part of the endoscope protruded from the distal end face to curve; and a fixing portion that fixes the displacement part and the insertion part such that the distal end side of the displacement face intersects a direction orthogonal to the distal end face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscope holding device that is used by an endoscope insertion part being inserted into, and an endoscope system including the endoscope holding device and an endoscope.
2. Background Art
In the related art, various kinds of low-invasive medical treatment are being considered in order to reduce the burden given to a patient in the case of a procedure. There is a procedure referred to as a "Natural Orifice Translumenal procedure" as an example of the low-invasive medical treatment, and recently, a surgical case of the Natural Orifice Translumenal procedure is increasing. In this procedure, an endoscope is inserted into a patient's body through a natural opening, such as the mouth or anus or the like of a patient. A through hole for inserting this endoscope into a body cavity is formed, for example, in the alimentary canal wall. The endoscope and a treatment tool are introduced into the body cavity through this through hole to treat living body tissue.
In the Natural Orifice Translumenal procedure, postoperative recovery of a patient is fast since a surgical tool is inserted into the body cavity from the natural opening. On the other hand, in the Natural Orifice Translumenal procedure, a treatment is performed within the body cavity by the surgical tool inserted from the natural opening. Therefore, the surgical tool is limited and it is difficult to perform tasks. Particularly when a surrounding internal organ that becomes a hindrance to a procedure needs to be moved significantly, it is difficult to secure the operative field.
In order to improve this situation, for example, a multifunctional instrument (overtube) is disclosed in FIG. 10 of Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. H10-511589. This overtube includes an elongated tubular inside member (inside tubular member), a tubular outside member (outside tubular member) that is coaxially arranged around this inside member, and an expansion member (expandable member) having two finger portions. The expansion member is a member provided so as to be expandable. The two finger portions of the expansion member are tilted outward such that the distal ends thereof are separated from each other.
An opening is formed between the two finger portions. The far end of a control tube arranged inside the inside member is connected to the opening, and both communicate with each other. The inner cavity of the control tube configured in this way becomes a work channel, so that an imaging instrument such as an endoscope can be introduced into the control tube.
A fluid flows between the inside member and the control tube. As this fluid flows into the expansion member, the expansion member expands in a two-finger type. The expansion member contracts as the fluid flows out of the expansion member.
The expansion member is stored in advance inside the outside member. When a treatment is performed within a body cavity, the outside member is moved in an axial direction with respect to the expansion member. This allows the expansion member to be taken out from the inside of the outside member. In this state, the finger portions receive a tissue or an organic structure within the body cavity by expanding the expansion member. Thereby, a working space can be secured and various kinds of treatment can be performed.

Endoscope-holding device and endoscopic system


A system for loading images includes a read-only memory (ROM) (160) for storing the images; an initialization module (110) for initializing a running environment of the system, and for starting up a procedure for automatically loading the images; an image-searching module (130) for searching the images in the ROM; an image-validating module (140) for validating the images that are found by the image-searching module; an image-loading module (150) for loading valid images to a memory of a network device. A related method for loading images is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to systems and methods for loading images from a memory of a computer.
2. Prior Art
Nowadays, with the development of digital communication technologies and network technologies, embedded systems are applied in a wide variety of electronic devices. Generally, an embedded system is started up solely by a loader completely. The loader is an application for loading images from a read-only memory (ROM) to a memory of the embedded system before a kernel of an operating system (OS) starts up. In addition, the loader is used for building the images of a memory and for adjusting a running environment of the embedded system.
Most conventional loaders load images through two stages. The first stage of loading images is implemented by an application that is programmed by an assemble language. The loader initializes hardware devices and reads space of a memory of the embedded system. The second stage of loading images is implemented by an application that is programmed by a C language. The conventional loader re-initializes the hardware devices, checks a memory map, and reads images from the ROM to the memory of the embedded system. Overall, the running of the conventional loader is complex.
Consequently, a system and method to optimize the running of a loader are desired.

System and method for loading a valid image from one of a plurality of images into a memory of a network device


The present invention provides a hyaluronic acid derivative containing a disaccharide unit represented by formula (I) or formula (I) and (II), and a complex containing the hyaluronic acid derivative and a drug.

Formulations containing proteins and peptides as active ingredients have been recently developed as a result of advancement of genetic recombination and chemical synthesis technologies, and the number of such formulations is increasing every year. However, proteins and peptides are not easily absorbed thorough the gastrointestinal tract, mucous membrane, etc. Furthermore, proteins and peptides are unstable in the body and have short halflives in the blood. Therefore, protein and peptide preparations need to be administered by frequent injections, which put a heavy burden on both patients and medical staff. There is a demand for a drug delivery system (DDS) matrix having a sustained release or targeting function for encapsulating a protein or a peptide without impairing its pharmacological activity. Further, in terms of administration efficiency, a matrix is preferred into which a maximal amount of protein and/or peptide can be encapsulated.
Pharmacological activities of proteins and peptides are known to be largely dependent on their conformations and impaired by degeneration and aggregation due to contact with an air interface or an organic solvent, or external conditions such as temperature, pressure, and pH. Denatured or aggregated protein is also known to increase risks, such as being antigenic, when administered into a body. For sustained release preparations containing a protein or a peptide as an active ingredient, the stability of the protein or the peptide needs to be ensured throughout the period from the formulation process, through the storage of the preparation, to the release of the active ingredient in the body after administration.
For low molecular weight drugs, issues concerning the stability of drugs are not big as compared with those for proteins and peptides, but there are yet strong needs for DDS matrices having a function of increasing the solubility of poorly soluble drugs, or a sustained release or targeting function.
In addition, matrices for pharmaceutical use have to be non-antigenic, non-mutagenic, non-toxic, and biodegradable for safety reasons.
Use of polysaccharides as matrices for pharmaceutical carriers has been recently reported. One of them, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biomaterial (polysaccharide) which was isolated from the vitreous body in bull's eye by K. Meyer in 1934 and it has been known for a long time as a main component of the extracellular matrix. HA is a glycosaminoglycan composed of disaccharide units having D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine connected by a β(1→3)glycosidic linkage. The structure of HA does not differ between species in the chemical and physical terms and humans also have a metabolic pathway for HA. Therefore, it is one of the safest biomaterials for medical use, also in terms of the immunity and toxicity.
Besides its properties as a safe material, properties of hyaluronic acid as a bioactive material in the induction of cell adhesion, proliferation, and motility have recently become a matter of interest. Furthermore, in terms of production, mass production of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid has become possible by using microorganisms. For these reasons, DDS studies on hyaluronic acid have been eagerly conducted. Conjugation of drug with hyaluronic acid has been reported to be successfully used in the drug targeting to cancerous tissue (PTL 1), the targeting to liver (PTL 2), and the reduction of anitigenecity (PTL 3). HA receptors, including CD44, RHAMM (Receptor for Hyaluronic Acid-Mediated Motility), LYVE-1 (Lymphe Vessel Endothelial HA Receptor-1), HARE (Hyaluronic acid Receptor for Endocytosis), have been reported to be present in the living body (NPL 7 and NPL 8). In particular, CD44 and RHAMM are overexpressed in many cancer cells. Therefore, attempts to use HA as a matrix of cancer targeting carrier have been made. Examples of such attempts include paclitaxel-HA conjugate (NPLs 9-11 and PTL 12), camptothecin-HA conjugate (PTL 13), doxorubicin-HPMA [N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide]-HA conjugate (NPL 12), butyric acid-HA conjugate (NPL 13), doxorubicin containing HA-PEG-PLGA nanoparticle (NPL 14), siRNA-containing HA gel (NPL 15), and doxorubicin-containing HA-coated liposome (NPL 16). Furthermore, NPL 17 discloses a HA derivative conjugated with cholic acid via an ethylenediamine linker introduced by an amide linkage. These carriers containing HA as a matrix have been reported to be efficiently taken up in vitro by cells highly expressing CD44 (see, for example, NPL 9). However, HA systemically administered in vivo is known to be rapidly eliminated from the blood; immediately taken up via HARE receptors present on, for example, sinusoidal endothelial cells in the liver and metabolized (NPLs 18-20). This short retention time of hyaluronic acid in the blood is a disadvantage against its use for prolonged drug retention or as a DDS matrix for targeting. The receptors seem to recognize six consecutive sugar units in hyaluronic acid. Attempts were made to elongate the retention time in the blood by modifying carboxy (PTLs 4, 5, and 6).
Hyaluronic acid derivatives that have a longer retention time conferred by a high degree of modification of the carboxy in the glucuronic acid moiety in hyaluronic acid were developed and have been shown to be useful (PTL 7). In general, increasing the modification ratio of carboxy in the glucuronic acid moiety prolong the retention of the hyaluronic acid derivative in the blood. However, they do not show a linear correlation, but the retention abruptly changes at a certain threshold value.
Examples of the modification of carboxy in hyaluronic acid with amino acid include modifications with an ethyl ester of glycine by use of 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine)-4-methylmorpholinium (hereinafter referred to as DMT-MM) as a condensation agent, which may be produced by, for example, reacting 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine in the presence of N-methylmorpholine, the modification ratio of which has been reported to be up to 20% (NPL 1). Examples in which a triazine-based compound is used as a condensation agent include hyaluronic acid modified with alanine, which have been reported to have an increased resistance to oxidative degradation and be potentially used as a viscous supplement (NPL 2). Modifications with other amino acids by similar methods have been reported (NPL 3, PTL 9). Examples include a preparation of water-insoluble biocompatible films, in which using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (hereinafter referred to as EDC) as a condensation agent, hyaluronic acid is modified with methyl ester hydrochloride of leucine, methyl ester hydrochloride of valine, methyl ester hydrochloride of isoleucine, methyl ester hydrochloride of proline, methyl ester hydrochloride of phenylalanine, methyl ester hydrochloride of arginine, and methyl ester hydrochloride of histidine, and gel was made without deprotection; however, the modification ratio of which is not known (PTL 8). In addition, PTL 15, which was published after the priority date of the present application, discloses that a hyaluronic acid derivative obtained by modifying carboxy of hyaluronic acid with certain amino-carboxylic acid or an amide thereof has properties of both biodegradability and retention in the blood, and that it has an positive effect on the release of the drug from endosome to cytoplasm.
Further examples of drug carriers derived from polysaccharide include pullulan derivatives modified with a cholesteryl group, which has been reported to form nano-size fine particles in aqueous solution and function as host molecules that form complexes with hydrophobic low molecular weight molecules, peptides, and proteins (NPL 4). Thermodynamic analyses of the pullulan derivatives after protein uptake indicated that the taken-up protein is stabilized by hydrogen bonding with hydroxy groups of pullulan (NPL 5).
Further examples include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC; PTL 10) and chitosan modified with linoleic acid (NPL 6), which have been reported to be used as materials for making complexes with protein. In addition, PTL 11 discloses a composition containing a hyaluronic acid derivative having a crosslinking group and a hydrophilic polysaccharide derivative having a hydrophobic group, wherein the hyaluronic acid derivative having a crosslinking group is prepared by a crosslinking reaction of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof having a group capable of crosslinking in the presence of the hydrophilic polysaccharide derivative. PTL 14 discloses that a hyaluronic acid derivative into which a cholesteryl is introduced as a hydrophobic group forms fine particles by association and forms complexes with drugs in water.

Hyaluronic acid derivative having amino acid and steryl group introduced thereinto


A method and system that enables a customer to delegate or authorize another individual to perform a financial transaction is provided. This system uses a smart card and a biometric scanner or reader writer, or a biometric device without a smart card. The smart card holds personal and financial accounts information about the customer including a set of biometric templates of the customer. The second smart card owner is identified as the true owner of a smart card after the second smart card passes a biometric authentication using a read write device. The first smart card owner specifies the desired transaction that is to be performed by the second smart card. The delegated or authorized transaction created by the first smart card is encrypted and stored in the second smart card and/or to a remote back-end host server.

This invention generally relates to a method and system for a person to securely and reliably delegate or authorize the execution of a financial transaction to another person, and for reliably verifying the identity of the person to whom the financial transaction has been delegated or authorized. For example, it relates to a commercial bank where a bank customer, i.e., a person who holds an account with the bank, delegates or authorizes another individual to perform one or more transactions against the customer's account.
The processes involved in banking transactions have improved significantly in the past several years due to automation and network communication. However, currently, there is no reliable and secure way for an individual to delegate or authorize another individual to perform a banking transaction. For example, at present, a bank customer cannot reliably and securely delegate or authorize another individual to cash a check, or withdraw funds from his or her bank account if the bank customer is unable to go to the bank. At present, to conduct the above transaction, the bank customer has to delegate or authorize another individual to perform the above transaction on his or her behalf; thereafter, the delegated individual has to counter-sign the check in the bank customer's branch for signature verification to complete the above transaction. However, the bank cannot guarantee that the bank customer actually signed the check before the check was given to the delegated or authorized individual, as the bank can only manually verify the bank customer's signature against an archived signature of the bank customer. This manual verification also cannot guard against the event where the bank customer's check was stolen and where the signature of the bank customer was thereafter forged on the stolen check.
Where the financial institution is a bank, and where the financial transaction is delegated or authorized by the bank customer to another individual, the bank may attempt to contact the bank customer via telephone to validate the transaction. In some instances, the bank may require that the individual authorized or delegated by the customer have an account with the bank to protect the financial institution in the event of fraud. In either case, it is almost impossible for the delegated or authorized individual to go to any branch of the financial institution other than the branch where the account was opened to conduct the transaction, if the delegated or authorized individual does not have an account with that financial institution. The above verification methods are unreliable, time-consuming and inherently subject to fraud.
In one conventional approach, the biometric data of the individual whose identity is to be authenticated is captured on a smart card. The smart card encrypts the biometric data and transmits it to a remote host server for authentication and authorization. The e-commerce transaction system comprises a wireless communication device for transmitting and receiving data and a contact-less smart card reader.
The above approach for biometric delegation and authorization of the bank customer does not provide a method or system for reliably verifying the identity of the delegated individual and for authorizing a transaction from one smart card to another smart card, and an adequate level of authentication and authorization. There is an unsatisfied need in the market for a secure financial transaction delegation or authorization process.
The present invention uses a smart card and biometric scanner or reader. The smart card may hold personal information regarding an individual, for example the individual's photo image, bank account information, etc., and the individual's biometric profile, for example, a set of fingerprint templates. Fingerprint templates are commonly used to authenticate the identity of the smart card holder. Only one individual can be authenticated as the owner of a smart card. For a banking delegation or authorization, or an authentication process, the bank customer writes the relevant information regarding a checking or savings account transaction to a remote backend host server and/or in the delegated individual's smart card, using a biometric scanner or reader controlled by a host application. If the delegated individual is not available to allow the delegated transaction to be written into the delegated individual's smart card using the biometric scanner or reader, the delegation or authorization transaction information is written by the bank customer to the back-end host server. The transaction information may consist of an amount, check number, delegated transaction expiration date, etc. The delegated or authorized individual can now transact the delegated transaction at any branch of the customer's bank; After verifying the delegated or authorized individual's identity, the bank personnel can reliably process the transaction. The information stored in the delegated or authorized individual's smart card is secure since only the bank customer can write the delegated or authorized transaction into the delegated or authorized individual's smart card. Furthermore, information stored in the smart card of the delegated or authorized individual is accessible only after a successful authentication of the owner of the smart card.
In another embodiment of this invention, only a biometric device is used to create the delegation or authorization records. In this scenario, the biometric device holds the device owner's biometric profile information with a unique biometric profile code which is used to access the device owner's personal and account information. Upon successful authentication of the biometric device owner, the associated biometric profile code is used to retrieve the device owner's account information for delegation or authorization. To process a delegation or authorization, the delegated or authorized person is authenticated using the delegated or authorized individual's biometric device, and the associated biometric profile code is used to retrieve the delegated or authorized transaction.
The delegation or authorization process, authentication of the delegated or authorized individual, and delegated transaction execution encompasses four major processes—enrollment, delegation or authorization, processing, and card recreation. This invention is directed to the above four processes.

Biometric delegation and authentication of financial transactions


An image sensor includes an effective pixel region formed of a pixel group which is irradiated with light, and an optical black region formed of a pixel group which is shielded from light. In the image sensor, when the image sensor is used for a light quantity measurement, the effective pixel region is sectioned into a measurement region used for the light quantity measurement and a light shielding region which is used for a calculation of a value of one of an offset component and a noise component and is shielded from light.

The present disclosure relates to an image sensor, a light quantity measurement method, and a microscope system, and in particular to an image sensor, a light quantity measurement method, and a microscope system which are capable of measuring a quantity of light with which pixels are irradiated irrespective of an arrangement position on a light receiving surface with desirable accuracy.
An image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) has a light receiving surface constituted of a plurality of pixel groups and is used to measure a light quantity in some cases in addition to a typical usage of taking an image.
On the light receiving surface of the image sensor, there are an effective pixel region formed of a pixel group which is irradiated with light and an optical black region formed of a pixel group which is shielded from light. In the image sensor used for a light quantity measurement, an output value of a pixel in the optical black region is subtracted from an output value of a pixel in the effective pixel region, thereby removing a noise or an offset of the output value of the pixel due to heat or a circuit structure (see, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-300179).

Image sensor, light quantity measurement method, and microscope system


A piece of furniture (1) has a first piece (4) attached to second and third pieces (2) being perpendicular to the first piece (4) and where two opposing edges (5) of the first piece (4) are attached to one of the second and third pieces (2) each. The edges (5) of the first piece (4) are received in a groove (10) of each of the second and third pieces (2), that the first piece (1) is perpendicular to the second and third pieces (2) and that the second and third pieces (2) are placed parallel to each other. The mounting of a back of a cupboard is made in that two opposing vertical edges of the back is received in a vertical groove each at the edge of two side pieces, which two side pieces are arranged at the two opposing vertical edges of the back.

In sale of different pieces of furniture it is common that the piece of furniture is delivered in a non assembled condition. The consumer is then to assemble the piece of furniture. In order to facilitate the assembling for the consumer it is beneficial if the mounting may be made in a simple but yet reliable way. If possible the way to assembly the piece of furniture should be more or less self-explaining. It is also positive if the piece of furniture can be assembled in only one way.


A method of sizing a sleeve of electrically conductive material includes the steps of inserting the sleeve in a die having a seamless inner surface, positioning a magnetic coil inside the sleeve in the die, and sealing the die after the insertion of the sleeve and the positioning of the magnetic coil. A vacuum is created inside the die to avoid air pockets between the outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the die and the magnetic coil is energized to create a magnetic field to expand the sleeve against the inner surface of the die. The process may also be used to form a composite sleeve having an outer layer of material unresponsive to the magnetic field and an inner layer of electrically conductive material.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to methods of sizing metal sleeves, and particularly relates to a method of sizing metal sleeves using a magnetic field.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The process of sizing metal sleeves generally includes expanding the metal sleeve, or at least a portion thereof, to a desired finished shape. Several methods of sizing metal sleeves are known in the art. One known method provides for the insertion of a mandrel into the metal sleeve. An inner surface of the metal sleeve is generally coated with a lubricant and the mandrel contacts the inner surface to expand the metal sleeve to a desired size. Another method, known as hydroforming, uses hydraulic pressure to expand the metal sleeve. Fluid is passed through the metal sleeve and contacts the inner surface. The resulting pressure is controlled to expand the metal sleeve to a desired size.
Another known method of metal forming uses a magnetic field to exert pressure on the sleeve. This method generally requires the use of sleeves composed of electrically conductive material. The conductive sleeves are placed in a split die with a magnetic coil. The magnetic coil generates a magnetic field which induces current in the conductive sleeve, thereby creating an opposing magnetic field. The net magnetic force between the two opposing magnetic fields exerts substantial pressure on the sleeve to expand the sleeve against an inner surface of the die. This process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,907, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Several applications require the sized metal sleeves to have precise and uniform dimensions, and highly polished outer surfaces. For example, components used in xerographic apparatus, such as photoreceptor substrates, must be uniformly sized and have highly polished outer surfaces to ensure that a toner powder image formed on the photoreceptor substrate is accurately transferred to a copy sheet to clearly depict an image of the original document.
The aforementioned methods cannot consistently produce sized sleeves having uniform dimensions and highly polished outer surfaces. The hydroforming and mandrel methods, which require physical contact with the inner surface of the sleeve, do not consistently produce sized sleeves having precise and uniform dimensions. Additionally, these methods may also damage the inner surface of the sleeve due to the requirement of physical contact. The method of sizing using a split die and magnetic coil can generally produce sized sleeves having more precise and uniform dimensions than those requiring physical contact with the sleeve. However, the outer surfaces of the sized sleeves are not always highly polished since surface deformities caused by the joint of the split die may occur. Additionally, air pockets between the inner surface of the split die and the outer surface of the metal sleeve during the sizing process may cause the metal sleeve to become deformed. As a result, these processes usually require additional machining of the outer surface of the metal sleeve to ensure that the outer surface is precise, uniform, and highly polished.

Method of sizing metal sleeves using a magnetic field


A temperature sensor assembly for monitoring railroad car wheels includes an array of temperature detectors arranged to generate a temperature profile of the wheel. The array may be formed integrally with imaging elements and signal conditioning elements on a single IC chip. The assembly may be arranged to monitor the wheel either transversely or in parallel to the direction of wheel movement.

A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a railroad wheel sensor and more particularly to a temperature sensor with a plurality of infrared detectors arranged in an array for detecting hot wheel flanges and/or hot wheel bearings.
B. Description of the prior art
A major source of problems in the field of railroad transportation and especially freight railroad trains have been overheated bearings. Am overheated bearing on a single car truck may collapse, causing the car to overturn and the train to derail. Such derailments are extremely dangerous, and can cause immense economic expense. In order to prevent such derailments, infrared hot bearing detecting apparatus are presently in service on railroads in virtually every major country in the world. The original system for these detectors was installed in the United States in 1956. Typically, such systems use an infrared scanner disposed on the railroad bed adjacent to the track and oriented at an angle upwardly so that it scans successively the bearing covers and the bottom of the railroad car. The readings obtained from the car bottom is used as an indicia of the ambient temperature. Over the years various changes have been made in the design of railroad cars and the detectors must have the ability to scan and accurately measure the temperature of the bearings on a large number of car configurations. Existing detectors have problems accomplishing this task successfully. For example, the latest articulated freight cars do not present a uniform bottom to the scanner which can be used as an accurate ambient temperature reference. Another problem with existing detectors has been that the bottom of empty freight cars may get heated up by the sun giving a false indication of the ambient temperature.
Another problem for railroads results from overheated wheels due to defective brake mechanisms. These mechanisms heat the wheels of a car to dangerous levels, causing the wheel flanges to lose their tensile strength. Of course the dangerous temperature limit for a hot wheel flange is much higher that the dangerous temperature limit for a hot bearing and therefore a temperature for a wheel flange may be perfectly acceptable but may be too high for a bearing. Until now this and other various physical constraints dictated the use of separate hot wheel flange and hot bearing detectors. In fact many hot bearing detectors included means for occluding any hot wheel flange readings to insure that a normal wheel flange reading does not result in a false hot bearing reading. Of course a false hot bearing reading (or for that matter, a false hot wheel flange reading), while not as dangerous, is also very expensive if it result in the stopping of a train. Moreover, existing detectors used only a single temperature sensor and required complicated circuitry to properly recognize a hot wheel flange or wheel bearing.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,818,508 to Johanson et al. discloses a hot bearing detector with a scanner oriented transversely to the train movement, and a wheel sensor which disables the scanner to insure that hot wheel readings are excluded.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,005 to Gallagher discloses a hot bearing detector with a mechanical shutter operated by a wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,140 to Sibley et al. discloses a system with an angled detector for recording the temperature of a wheel hub, wheel web and wheel flange.

Railroad wheel temperature sensor with infrared array


An elevator system comprises a plurality of low rise elevators providing service between a lobby floor and the highest floor of a low rise in the building, high rise elevators providing express service between a lobby floor and the lowest floor of a high rise in the building as well as providing service to floors between the lowest floor of the high rise and the highest floor of the high rise, and a plurality of high-only elevators which provide service only to floors between the lowest floor of the high rise and the highest floor of the high rise, having no express zone to extend service downward to the lobby. Hall calls are entered as up calls, down calls, or lobby calls distinct from the down calls. The lobby calls are assigned only to the high rise elevators having express zones to provide service to the lobby. Up calls and down calls (not to the lobby) may be preferentially assigned to the high-only elevators.

The capacity of an elevator system, which is defined during the design phase of creating a new building, must serve the elevator traffic in the building in dependence upon the nature of expected building usage. Things that can result in adequate service with fewer elevator shafts include the manner of handling up-peak rush traffic, and the manner of handling down-peak rush traffic, along with the expected level of interfloor traffic (neither primarily up nor down and primarily not involving a lobby). Buildings which intend to serve multi-floor tenants, particularly high-density multi-floor tenants, are expected to have a high degree of interfloor traffic. In larger buildings, significant interfloor traffic may occur contemporaneously with the up-peak rush traffic from the lobby, the down-peak rush traffic to the lobby, as well as the noon traffic lobby down-peak and up-peak.
In extremely tall buildings (for instance, over 80 stories), significant interfloor traffic at the high end of the building may be served by a substantially complete elevator system, which provides no service at all below a certain floor. Access to and from the ground levels (e.g., the lobby) is by means of totally separate shuttle elevators, the upper end of which is designated as a lobby floor, referred to sometimes as a "sky lobby". However, the use of a sky lobby is inconsistent with smooth flowing traffic, and is found to be objectionable by passengers in other than the very tallest buildings.
In many instances, when the best dispatching techniques are employed, with elegant up-peak rush dispatching modes and elegant down-peak rush dispatching modes, there nonetheless arises a situation in which there is significant interfloor traffic in the highest end of the building, which alone results in the need for additional high rise elevators. Typically, high rise elevators only serve a group of contiguous upper floors, with a non-service express zone reaching to the ground levels.

Elevator system having high rise elevator without express zone


In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided systems and methods for implementing and maintaining sampled tables in a database system. According to a particular embodiment such a system includes a processor and a memory to execute instructions at the system; a database to store database records; a query interface to submit queries to the database and receive results from the database; triggers to initiate a hash function on database insert transactions, the hash function to hash a primary key of each database record to be inserted into the database to determine whether a first hash value of the primary key of the database record to be inserted satisfies a sampling condition; a sample table to store a sample record corresponding to any database record to be inserted into the database which satisfies the sampling condition based on the hash function; a primary key index providing a first index of the primary keys of the sample records stored in the sample table; and an ordered hash index providing a second index on a second hash value corresponding to a second hash of the primary key of the sample records stored in the sample table ordered numerically by the second hash value. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to embodiments of the claimed inventions.
Database systems provide a means by which large quantities of information may be persistently stored, queried, and updated through a variety of query mechanisms, such as the Structured Query Language (SQL). Conventional Database Management Systems (DBMS) provide a suite of computer software providing the interface between users and the database system. In the most general sense, a database or database system stores information which may later be queried to return a dataset.
Query optimization is the process of determining a more efficient manner to query for data stored in the database. For instance, a structured query may be presented for execution against the database, but may not be structured in its most efficient form. Query optimization, or a query optimizer, may alter the query in such a way to return the same resulting dataset, but with a decreased computational load on the database system.
Table indices are an effective means by which to reduce computational load when executing a query against the databases. Indices are effective when queries that are requested for execution against the database specify common or frequently utilized columns or filters, and thus, correspond to previously indexed columns. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to index every available column of every table in a database, yet, customers are permitted to execute queries against any column in a table, regardless of whether that column has been indexed. Therefore, when a query arrives with a less common query filter, it is likely that the corresponding column will not have been indexed by the database system, leaving the query optimizer with insufficient information by which to perform its query optimization.
In such a situation, the query may thus be executed as is, without optimization, which will yield the correct result set, but may be unduly burdensome in its use of computational resources.
The present state of the art may therefore benefit from the systems and methods for implementing and maintaining sampled tables in a database system as is described herein.

Systems and methods for implementing and maintaining sampled tables in a database system


A cordless shade assembly having a primary panel with a face surface and a back surface. A plurality of horizontal support rods are affixed to primary panel at spaced intervals. A plurality of magnetic elements are supported by at least some of the horizontal support rods. The magnetic elements magnetically interconnect at least some of the horizontal support rods together whenever the primary panel is lifted to a raised position and at least some of the support rods come close enough together for the magnetic elements to magnetically interconnect and maintain that raised position.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to the structure of window shades, such as Roman shades. More particularly, the present invention relates to cordless shade retracting systems that are used to raise and lower shades to a selected height.
2. Prior Art Description
A variety of window shades exist where the panels of the shades are raised and lowered by the use of pull cords. In such prior art shades, the pull cords are attached to the various panels of the shade. The pull cords then extend up and around pulleys. As such, when the pull cords are pulled downwardly, the panels of the shades rise up.
The problem that occurs with such prior art shades is that as the pull cords are pulled down to raise the panels of the shade, the cords become longer and more exposed. Exposed pull cords then become an entanglement danger. Both children and pets have been known to become entangled and even killed in exposed pull cords. Accordingly, many shade manufacturers have attempted to reduce the danger created by pull cords.
In many prior art designs, shade manufacturers have attempted to limit the exposure of pull cords by hiding much of the length of the pull cords within the structure of the shade. The pull cords in these types of shades are housed internally. However, the pull cords extend at odd angles and actually become dangerous if the shade becomes damaged. Furthermore, such hidden cord retraction systems tend to be particularly complicated to both manufacture and operate since such retraction systems typically require the use of numerous small parts that easily malfunction. Additionally, the use of such complex cord retraction systems are difficult to adapt to complex shades, such as Roman shades that have billowing panels.
A need therefore exists for a shade retraction system that can raise and lower a shade, wherein the dangers and complexities caused by the use of internal and/or external pull cords is eliminated. A need also exists for a cordless retraction system for raising and lowering shades that can be simply and inexpensively applied to complex shade systems, such as Roman shades. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

Cordless shade system with magnetic retraction elements


The switching DC-DC converter comprises an inductor, a control circuit with an oscillator and an output stage, the output stage being coupled to the inductor, a diode coupled to the inductor, and a feedback loop for generating a stabilized output voltage. An output voltage of the output stage is coupled with an oscillator input of the control circuit, for example via an impedance, for synchronizing an oscillation cycle of the oscillator with a current pulse of the output stage.

For generating a stabilized DC output voltage, more and more switching regulators are used for DC-DC conversion, because of the high efficiency of the switching power supplies. New equipment designs and low parts costs with a simple design make the use of switching regulators more pronounced over that of linear regulators. A further advantage of a switching regulator is the increased application flexibility of the output voltage, which can be less than, greater than, or of opposite polarity to that of the input voltage.
When using a monolithic control circuit as a driver circuit for a switching transistor, only a few circuit parts are required for designing a DC-DC converter. Control circuits of this kind comprise an internal temperature compensated reference voltage, a comparator, a controlled duty cycle oscillator with an active current limit circuit, a driver stage and a high current output switch. A known monolithic control circuit of this kind is for example the integrated circuit MC34063 manufactured by ON Semiconductor Components Industries and Unisonic Technologies Co, or the integrated circuit μA78S40.

Switching DC-DC converter with improved stabilization


Technology is described for an anode including a substrate, a target, and an anode shield. The substrate including a substrate material includes a first portion with a first cross-sectional dimension, and a second portion with a second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension. The target includes a target material attached to a first surface of the first portion of the substrate. The anode shield includes a shield material attached to a second surface of the second portion of the substrate, and the substrate material differs from the target material and the shield material.

X-ray assemblies and systems may generally include a cathode that directs a stream of electrons into a vacuum, and an anode that receives the electrons. When the electrons collide with a target on the anode, some of the energy may be emitted as x-rays, and some of energy may be released as heat. The emitted x-rays may be directed at samples to determine information about the samples. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this disclosure and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.


A retractable flexible handle includes a support (50) with at least one through slot (60), a flexible grip (20) which passes through the at least one slot (60) with a first portion (21) including at least one strap loop (30) cooperating with at least one guide tab (40) arranged at least partially on a side of an inner face (52) of the support (50), and at least one stop, such that the grip (20) is configured to slide between a carrying position in which the at least one strap loop (30) of the first portion (21) of the grip (20) is in contact with the at least one stop, and a retracted position in which the second portion (22) of the grip (20) substantially hugs the outer face (51) of the support (50). A bag including at least one such handle is also described.

When an article of leather goods or luggage is used, it is sometimes convenient for at least one handle to be retractable in order to occupy the least possible space, visually and/or physically.
It is moreover desirable for the handle to still be robust enough to support the article and, where necessary, the contents thereof.
This aspect is particularly important for articles made from leather, fabric or similar materials for which a tear is, for example, often irreparable, in particular to the extent that a sewn repair would leave a mark which would not only be unacceptable from an aesthetic point of view, but also, from the point of view of the robustness of the article, would create a local weakness which could more easily result in a new tear.
There are numerous retractable handles in existence, among them the one shown in FIG. 1. This handle 1 comprises a grip 2 suitable for sliding in strap loops, such as the strap loop 4, that are fixed on a support 5. Each end of the grip 2, for example the end 3, is typically shaped like a spearhead, forming a stop when the grip 2 is in a carrying position, i.e. when a user carries the article of which at least one part comprises the support 5. At rest, the grip 2 can adopt a retracted position in which it at least partially hugs a surface of the support 5.
However, such a handle has drawbacks, in particular in terms of robustness and as regards some of the practical aspects thereof.


Disclosed are a composition for use in sculpturing, which comprises a resin composition consisting essentially of a polyoctenamer resin and an inorganic filler, and a process for manufacturing a sculptured product comprising using a sculpturing material composition comprising a polyoctenamer resin.. The composition for use in sculpturing can be not only molded at moderate temperature by hands and a trowel but also sculptured or shaved with a chisel or a boaster, and even polished with a rasp or a sandpaper.. The composition can be made easier by mixing with an inorganic filler and said mixing provides excellent surface smoothness and massiveness effects in handling the sculptured products.

Hitherto, materials for modeling and/or sculpturing composed of clays, used for the manual production of plastic representations or sculptures or the like of all types, for example, a plaster of Paris, an oil-based clay such as Plasticine (ex. U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,340, Japanese Patent Kokai No. 53436/1977, No. 36324/1979), an oil-based wheat flour (ex. Japanese Patent Kokai No. 111128/1976, No. 533/1977), a mixture of wood powder, hydrocarbon oil and rubber-reinforced styrene resin (ex. U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,976), a mixture of crushed paper or pulp and binding material (ex. Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1117/1975, No. 38427/1978), a mixture of synthesized latex, starch and bread powder (ex. U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,054), a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol powder and polyhydric alcohol (ex. Japanese Patent Kokai No. 125446/1976), and the like, are widely well known.
These materials for modeling and/or sculpturing have been widely used by professional sculptors, artists, non-professional hobbyist including student or children and other workers as pliable materials.
Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,340 describes a process of coating an object of oil or wax-based modeling clay which comprises several steps.
On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,456 describes a modeling compound which comprises polyvinyl chloride powder and alkyl polyglycolether and kaolin, and the like.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,071 describes a plastic compound which is deformable by hand and serves for the production of models, motifs and other kinds of plastic representations.
The plastic compound for modeling contains binding agents such as polyvinyl chloride or cellulose ether or ceresin wax, plasticizers and/or solvents, as well as fillers such as aluminum hydroxide.
The above-mentioned compounds can be molded with dies or by hands, and be sculptured with a chisel or a boaster and also be polished with a rasp or a sandpaper.
However, the above-mentioned compounds have many problems or disadvantages as described hereinafter.
For example, typically, the compounds cannot be used repeatedly and, for example, a work-piece or product in a partially broken condition cannot be repaired or re-shaped, meaning that a change from the softened state to the solidified state is typically irreversible.
Furthermore, fine hair cracks in a work-piece or product tend to occur over a long after it has solidified.
And also, thin or fine parts are extremely difficulty to shape because of weak flexural strength or self-supporting ability.
There is also a problem of dusting arising during handling, generally be requirement of a long time for drying or solidification.
Another disadvantage is the difficulty in painting with colored paint brightly or clearly, because of a typical lack of smoothness or of the above-mentioned fine hair cracks of the surface.
It is also difficult to color such work-piece or product to be colored clearly by blending pigments or dyes.
In order to overcome the above disadvantages, various kinds of resins have recently been proposed.
Examples of these include epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, acrylic resins, and polycaprolactones.
Of the above-mentioned resins, however, epoxy resins and polyurethane resins can be used only in special cases because of their irreversible hardenability.
Acrylic resins can only be sculptured or shaved, and their softening temperature is high, which considerably restricts their scope of application.
On the other hand, a lactone resin such as a polycaprolactone resin is one of the thermoplastic resins which can be softened at temperatures of approximately 60.degree. to 80.degree. C., so that the lactone resins have recently been used as a resin for modeling compound.
For example, the polycaprolactone resin for kneading and modeling compound was disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent publication (Kokai) No. 42679/1986 [entitled "The Use of a Resin for Modeling Compound"].
Furthermore, Japanese unexamined patent publication(Kokai) No. 113457/1989 [entitled "A Resin composition and The Use of a resin for modeling compound"] and Japanese unexamined patent publication(Kokai) No. 213353/1989 [entitled "The Use of a resin for modeling compound"] disclose that the thermoplastic polycaprolactone is mixed with a chlorinated polyethylene or a chlorinated paraffin in order to delay the solidification process after softening.
Still further, Japanese unexamined patent publication(Kokai) No. 196090/1989 [entitled "The Use of a resin for modeling compound"] discloses that the thermoplastic polycaprolactone is mixed with a polycarbonate resin for lowering softening temperatures.
However, the caprolactone resin cannot be sculptured or shaved with a chisel or a boaster, etc., and cannot polished with a rasp or a sandpaper because of its hardness and hair cracks in spite of its moderate softening temperatures, that is, modeling temperatures and other excellent properties.

Composition for use in sculpturing and a process for manufacturing a sculptured product


The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal in which part of the display unit can be bent or flexed, and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal may include a display unit with flexibility configured to be placed in a first state in which a specific region is planar and a second state in which the specific region is protruded, and a controller configured to change the specific region from the first state to the second state when an event has occurred in an application, and display an icon indicating the event in the specific region. Here, the controller may execute at least one function associated with the event when the second state is restored to the first state.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal in which part of the display unit can be bent or flexed, and a control method thereof.
2. Background of the Disclosure
Terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility.
A mobile terminal may include all devices having a battery and a display unit, which are formed to display information on the display unit using power supplied from the battery, and can be carried by a user. Furthermore, the mobile terminal may include an apparatus for recording and playing video, an apparatus for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI), and the like, and may include a laptop computer, a portable phone, glasses and a watch for displaying screen information, a gaming device, and the like.
The functions of a mobile terminal have been diversified. The diversification of the functions of the mobile terminal have been implemented in the form of a multimedia player with complex functions. Furthermore, the improvement in the aspect of structure and/or software of a mobile terminal may be taken into consideration to support and enhance the functions of the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal has been evolved with various forms of design, and ongoing efforts for developing the mobile terminal in a newly created form have been carried out to meet the needs of a user who wants new and various forms of design. The new form may include a structural change and improvement for allowing the user to use the mobile terminal in a more convenient manner. As one of the structural change and development, a mobile terminal in which at least part of the display unit can be bent or flexed has been received attention.
As such a mobile terminal in which at least part of the display unit can be bent or flexed has been received attention, a new user interface for which its application has been restricted or has not been allowed in the related art may be taken into consideration.

Mobile terminal with a display that can be bent or flexed


An acid dental etch having improved taste, which comprises an acid in an amount effective to etch a surface of a tooth; a flavoring formulation that improves the flavor of the dental etch and is stable in the acid, in an amount that is effective in improving the flavor of the dental etch; and preferably, sufficient gelling agent to form a gel.

The present invention relates to the amelioration of the bad taste of dental etching compositions by incorporating a flavor formulation into them that improves their taste.
In dentistry, it is sometimes necessary to etch the enamel or dentin surfaces of the teeth with an acid etch, particularly to increase the bonding of a subsequently applied coating to those surfaces. In addition to cleaning those surfaces, the etching also creates micropores and thereby roughens them and increases the mechanical bonding for strength of the coating to be subsequently applied to the roughened surfaces. Generally, the dental etching compositions also contain a gelling agent, the purpose of which is to help the dental etching compositions adhere to the enamel, thereby making the etching composition more effective. Commercially available dental etching gels contain phosphoric acid as the active ingredient. The major problem with currently commercially available dental etching gels, however, is that they have a bad taste. This is particularly a problem where the etches are used on the teeth of children, whose taste buds are particularly acute. Therefore, there is a definite need for a better tasting dental gel that would be more palatable to both young and old alike.
A number of patents mention dental etches, but none of them recognizes the bad taste of the etches, let alone addresses the bad taste and offers a solution to improve the taste. These patents are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,376,673; 5,766,012; 5,385,728; 5,256,065 and 5,061,183.
It is understood that one commercially available dental etch comprises water, ethanol, polyglycol, H3PO4, silica and colorants.
It has now been found that it is possible to improve the taste of dental etching gels by incorporation of a flavoring formulation either into the commercially available dental etching gels or as part of an overall formulation of the dental gel, including the flavoring formulation of the invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flavoring formulation to improve the bad taste of dental etching gels.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flavoring formulation that may be incorporated into currently commercially available dental etching gels in order to improve the taste of those dental gels.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a total etching gel that includes the flavoring formulation of the invention in an overall product that has a much better taste than the currently commercially available dental etching gels.
These objects, as well as further objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by an acid dental etch having improved taste, which comprises:
(a) an acid that is effective in etching tooth surfaces in an amount effective to etch a surface of a tooth;
(b) a flavoring formulation that improves the flavor of the dental etch and is stable in the acid, in an amount that is effective in improving the flavor of the dental etch.
The acid is preferably phosphoric acid, which may be present in the etch in an amount of from about 10% to about 40% by weight of the gel. The flavoring formulation comprises a flavoring agent. Examples of flavoring agents are bubble gum flavor, cherry flavor, grape flavor, anise oil, cassia oil, vanilla extract, vanilla creme, orange flavor, anethole, licorice, and spearmint oil. The flavoring formulation may also comprise a sweetener. Examples of suitable sweeteners are neohespiridin dehydrochalcone, xylitol, and Sucralose.
Preferably, the dental etch in one embodiment of the invention also comprises a sufficient amount of gelling agent to form a gel. In the total acid gel of the invention, the gelling agent may be comprised of sodium alginate, a sequestrant, and a source of calcium. Preferably, the sequestrant is sodium citrate. The source of calcium may be dicalcium phosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the gelling agent may be silica.
The acid dental etching gel composition having improved taste comprises an acid in an amount effective to etch the enamel or dentin of a tooth; a flavoring formulation that improves the flavor of the dental etching gel composition and is stable in the acid, in an amount that is effective in improving the flavor of the dental etch; and sufficient gelling agent to form a gel.
Preferably, the acid is phosphoric acid. The acid may be present in the etch in an amount of from about 10% to about 40% by weight of the gel composition. Preferably, the acid is present in the etch in an amount of at least about 25% by weight of the gel composition. More preferably, the acid is present in the etch in an amount of from about 30% to about 40% by weight of the gel composition. The usual formulation contains about 35% of the acid by weight of the gel composition.
The flavoring formulation comprises a flavoring agent. Preferably, the flavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of a bubble gum flavor, a cherry flavor, grape flavor, anise oil, cassia oil, vanilla extract, vanilla creme, orange flavor, anethole, licorice, spearmint oil, phenylacetaldehyde diisobutyl acetal, and mixtures thereof. Children prefer bubblegum, grape and strawberry flavors. Adults prefer mint and vanilla flavors. The amount of the flavoring agent is from about 5 percent to about 25 percent.
The flavoring formulation may also comprise a sweetener. Preferably, the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of neohespiridin dehydrochalcone, xylitol, Sucralose, and mixtures thereof. An effective amount of the sweetener is used, e.g., from about 0.5 percent to about 50 percent.
In one embodiment of the invention, the gelling agent may be comprised of sodium alginate, a sequestrant, and a source of calcium. Preferably, the sequestrant is sodium citrate. Preferably, the source of calcium is dicalcium phosphate. An effective amount of sodium alginate is from about 1 percent to about 5 percent. The effective amount of sequestrant is preferably from about 0.5 percent to about 3 percent. The amount of the source of calcium is from about 0.05 percent to about 2 percent.
When a sodium alginate, e.g., Keltone HV, is used, it requires a cross-linking agent, e.g., a calcium salt, and a sequestrant in order to properly gel. However, when an alkylene glycol alginate is used, neither a calcium salt nor a sequestrant is required in order to gel. The alkylene group may contain from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms. The alkylene glycol alginate should be non-toxic. Preferred is from about 1 to about 15 percent of proylene glycol alginate, which is commercially available as Kelcoloid HVF. When using Kelcoloid HVF, it is preferred to hydrate it first and then add the flavoring agent and the acid etching compound. The gelling agent is stable in the low pH environment caused by the acid etching compound.
In another embodiment of the invention, the gelling agent may be comprised of silica in an amount of from about 4% to about 18% of the total formulation. Preferably, the silica is present in an amount of from about 4.5% to about 7% of the total formulation. Most preferably, the silica is present in an amount of about 5%. Generally, the smaller particle sizes are preferred. A minimum of 200 screen size is preferred.
In this embodiment of the invention, water, ethanol, polyglycol and colorants may also be present in the formulation:
Water may be present in an amount of from about 20% to about 45% of the total formulation. Preferably, water is present in an amount of from about 23% to about 34% of the total formulation. Most preferably, water is present in an amount of about 23%.
Ehtanol may be present in an amount of from about 8% to about 14% of the total formulation. Preferably, ethanol is present in an amount of from about 8% to about 11% of the total formulation. Most preferably, ethanol is present in an amount of about 9%.
Polyglycol may be present in an amount of from about 3% to about 5% of the total formulation. Preferably, polyglycol is present in an amount of from about 3% to about 4% of the total formulation. Most preferably, polyglycol is present in an amount of from about 3% to about 3.5% of the total formulation.
Colorant may be present in an amount of from about 0.005% to about 0.15% of the total formulation. Preferably, colorant is present in an amount of from about 0.005% to about 0.01% of the total formulation. Most preferably, colorant is present in an amount of about 0.006%. Illustrative of colorants that may be used are FDandC Blue, titanium dioxide, turmeric yellow, and the like.
The following Examples provide samples of the preferred embodiments of the invention.