The present invention relates to a manhole (10) with a locking device, and more particular to a manhole with a locking device, which comprises a manhole frame (20) having a plurality of insertion slots (24) inwardly protruded from an inner circumferential surface thereof, each insertion slot (24) having a latching protrusion (26) formed in such a manner that a top surface of the insertion slots (24) is partially opened; a bearing member (30) having a female screw portion formed on the center thereof and a plurality of fastening pieces (36) radially formed outwardly from the outer circumferential edge thereof, so that the bearing member (30) is detachably fastened to the manhole frame (20); and a manhole cover (40) having a through-hole (41) centrally formed therein so that an upper portion of the vertical screw rod (42) is rotatably inserted into the through-hole (41), the vertical screw rod (42) having a male screw portion (45) formed on the lower portion thereof so as to be threadably fastened to the female screw portion (35) of the bearing member, a head portion (43) formed on the upper portion thereof so as to abut against an upside surface of the manhole cover (40), and a support portion (44) formed on the upper portion thereof so as to abut against an underside of the manhole cover (40), so that the manhole cover (40) is closed by rotating the head portion (40) of the vertical screw rod (42). Thus, in a case of the manhole (10) mounted on a vehicle road, the manhole cover (40) is prevented from being separated from the manhole frame (20) without permission by a vehicle running at a high speed as well as from frictional noise generated between the manhole cover (40) and the manhole frame (20). Further, in a case of the manhole (10) mounted on the waterside of a river, the manhole (10) maintains its watertightness and is readily opened and closed by an operator.

Generally, a manhole is mounted in openings of a drainage pipe for drainage of sanitary sewage or storm sewage, or openings of underground facilities installed for buryng electric power lines or communication lines. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional manhole 1 comprises a manhole frame 2 located in openings to access to the sewer or the underground facilities to be buried and installed in the ground surface and a manhole cover 4 rested on a retaining step 3 formed on an inner circumferential surface of the manhole frame 2 for opening or closing the manhole 1.
Meanwhile, in case of the manhole 1 described above, since the manhole cover 4 is merely rested on the manhole frame 2, there occurs a problem in that the manhole cover 4 is separated from the manhole frame 2 without any previous warning. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in case of the manhole 1 installed on a vehicle road, the manhole cover 4 is separated from the manhole frame 2 by a vehicle running at a high speed, and hence, there occur problems such as deviation of the vehicle from the vehicle road or an accident of collision with the following vehicles.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in case where the manhole 1 is mounted on an opening of a sanitary sewer pipe 5 buried in the waterside of a river, if the manhole 1 is submerged in the water due to the flood of a river in rainy weather, the manhole cover 4 is opened by a flow speed of the river or rainy water is flowed into the sanitary sewer pipe 5 through a gap between the manhole frame 2 and the manhole cover 4, both of which results in an increase in volume of the sewage flowed into a sewage treatment plant, to thereby create an unnecessary cost for sewage treatment.
In order to solve the above problems, a variety of fastening means for preventing separation of the manhole cover from the manhole frame and manholes for maintaining watertightness have been devised. However, the fastening means or manholes are so far impossible to be put to practical use due to their structure unsuitable for casting process in spite of most manholes made of cast-ironed material, or due to in-convenience in use and troublesome problems in that the manhole cover is, once locked, hardly opened and the like as well as the complicated configuration.


A system for tracking at least one object configured to be transported by at least one vehicle may include at least one computer system. The at least one computer system may be configured to determine at least one location of the at least one vehicle and determine at least one location of the at least one object. The at least one computer system may be further configured to determine at least one location of at least one geofence adjacent the at least one vehicle based on the at least one location of the at least one vehicle. Also, the at least one computer system may be configured to determine whether the at least one object is located within the at least one geofence to determine whether a load of the at least one vehicle includes the at least one object.

The efficient, safe, and secure shipment of freight, including but not limited to correspondence, materials, goods, components, and commercial products, is an important component in today's business, particularly in view of the international nature of most business enterprises. Freight often is shipped nationally and internationally by means of several different transportation devices, such as trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes. Before the freight reaches its destination, it is often handled by several different entities, such as truck companies, intermediate consolidators, railways, shipping companies, and airlines.
The parcels of freight may be exchanged between entities at different transfer points or hubs. At each hub, the parcels may be separated and transferred by different vehicles to different destinations. The parcels may be unloaded from a vehicle and then loaded onto another vehicle one or more times.
The driver of each vehicle may be provided with one or more documents with identifying information for the parcels to assist in tracking the locations of the parcels in a computer system. For example, when the driver loads or unloads the parcels, the driver may scan the documents so that the computer system may be updated regarding the locations of the parcels and whether the parcels have been loaded or unloaded.
Because the driver enters the identifying information for the parcels each time the parcels are loaded or unloaded, this tracking process may be time consuming and relatively inefficient. Also, there is an increased risk of driver error, for example, if the driver forgets to scan the documents or scans the wrong documents, which may increase the risk of delay in shipping or loss of freight. Also, since the identification information may be provided on the document handled by the driver and not on the parcels themselves, there may be an increased risk of delay in shipping or loss of freight if the driver misplaces the documents.
The disclosed method and system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.


A system, apparatus, and method for changing source gases used for ion implantation is provided. A source chamber has a housing having one or more sidewalls and an extraction plate, wherein the one or more sidewalls and the extraction plate enclose an interior region of the source chamber. One or more inlets provide a fluid communication between one or more ignitable material sources and the interior region. An extraction aperture in the extraction plate provides a fluid communication between the interior region of the source chamber and a beam path region external to the source chamber. One or more diffusion apertures in the one or more sidewalls of the housing further provide a fluid communication between the interior region and a diffusion region external to the ion source chamber, wherein deposited ions are operable to diffuse out of the source chamber through the diffusion apertures.

In the manufacture of semiconductor devices and other products, ion implantation systems are used to impart impurities, known as dopant elements, into semiconductor wafers, display panels, or other work pieces. Typical ion implantation systems or ion implanters treat a work piece with an ion beam in order to produce n- or p-type doped regions, or to form passivation layers in the work piece. When used for doping semiconductors, the ion implantation system injects a selected ion species to produce the desired extrinsic material. Typically, dopant atoms or molecules are ionized and isolated, sometimes accelerated or decelerated, formed into a beam, and implanted into a wafer. The dopant ions physically bombard and enter the surface of the wafer, and subsequently come to rest below the surface.
A typical ion implantation system is generally a collection of sophisticated subsystems, wherein each subsystem performs a specific action on the dopant ions. Dopant elements can be introduced in gas form (e.g., a process gas) or in a solid form that is subsequently vaporized, wherein the dopant elements are positioned inside an ionization chamber and ionized by a suitable ionization process. For example, the ionization chamber is maintained at a low pressure (e.g., a vacuum), wherein a filament is located within the chamber and heated to a point where electrons are created from the filament source. Negatively-charged electrons from the filament source are then attracted to an oppositely-charged anode within the chamber, wherein during the travel from the filament to the anode, the electrons collide with the dopant source elements (e.g., molecules or atoms) and create a plurality of positively charged ions from the source elements. The positively charged ions are subsequently "extracted" from the chamber through an extraction slit via an extraction electrode, wherein the ions are generally directed along an ion beam path toward the wafer.
Typically, a single ion implantation system is utilized to implant several differing dopant ion species into respective batches of wafers, wherein a change in species (e.g., a change from a first species or process gas to a second species or process gas) is necessitated in order to perform the specific ion implantations. One typical change in species is a change from a boron-containing process gas (which produces a p-type implant) to a phosphorus-containing process gas (which produces an n-type implant). One drawback to using a single ion implantation system for implanting various species of ions, however, is that such a change in process species can be quite time consuming, since ions from the first process gas are typically deposited onto internal walls of the ionization chamber, and such deposited materials can adversely affect subsequent implantations using other ion species. For example, upon changing from the first species to the second species, deposited ions of the first species that are attached to the internal walls of the ionization chamber are typically sputtered off by ions of the second species and subsequently exit the chamber through the extraction slit, thus contaminating the desired second species ion beam with ions from the first species. Furthermore, the sputtered first species can affect the ionization of the second species, and as a result, the extracted second species will typically require a substantially long amount of time to stabilize. Conventionally, for some specific species transitions, such as a transition from boron species to phosphorus species, in order to clear the ionization chamber of the previous species, the system is "transitioned" for a period on the order of thirty minutes or longer, wherein the desired species is used to clear the chamber of the previous species. Accordingly, at the end of transition period, ions of the previous species are generally insignificant in the resultant ion beam.
Long transition periods, however, can adversely affect the ion implantation process. For example, long transition times can affect auto-tune times for the implanter, as well as the stability and productivity of the ion implanter. Also, during the transition period, energy and process species are generally wasted while the system purges the previous species from the ionization chamber. Accordingly, a need currently exists for a more efficient ion implantation system and apparatus, wherein a speed in changing from one species to another can be significantly increased.


Clearinghouse services architectures that support the use of end user devices, such as personal computers, Internet Protocol (IP) phones, cable multimedia terminal adapters, and residential gateways, in an Internet telephony system. The innovative architectures include a proxy-based system model, a direct communication model, and a hybrid proxy/direct communication model. A user can operate an xe2x80x9cintelligentxe2x80x9d end user device. i.e., a device running a client program with knowledge of the architecture particulars, to access a clearinghouse service on an IP network. This enables the user to communicate a telephony call over the IP network and via the combination of a terminating gateway identified by the clearinghouse service and the Public Switched Telephone Network.

The present invention is generally directed to intelligent end user devices for use with a clearinghouse service in an Internet telephony system. More specifically described, the present invention is directed to proxy-based, direct communication, and hybrid proxy/direct model architectures for clearinghouse services in an Internet telephony system supporting communications with intelligent end user devices.
Internet telephony clearinghouse services have been designed and developed for telephony services (voice and facsimile) delivered by gatewaysxe2x80x94devices that bridge Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Internet Protocol (IP) networks. A typical call scenario is supported by the clearinghouse services architecture 100 of FIG. 1. A calling party communicates with an origination gateway 115 via a telephone handset 110 connected to the PSTN 105. The origination gateway 115 uses clearinghouse services at a service point 120 coupled to an IP network 125 to identify and obtain call authorization for one or more termination gateways 130. The origination gateway 115 can select one of the identified termination gateways 130 to accept the call communication from the calling party via the IP network 125. One of the identified termination gateways 130 can complete the call communication to the called party at the handset 110xe2x80x2 via the PSTN 105.
A key characteristic of this architecture is that all access to the clearinghouse services relies on gateways. Gateway operators are the sole users of clearinghouse services; existing services are not visible to, or directly accessible by, end users.
There is a need to extend the clearinghouse architecture to support intelligent end user devices, such as personal computers, IP phones, cable multimedia terminal adapters, and residential gateways. A critical factor in such an expansion is ensuring that the resulting architecture is interoperable with existing clearinghouse services. That will give users of these devices access to existing networks for termination of their calls, and it will provide additional sources of traffic to existing networks.
Three different architectures can accommodate the addition of intelligent end user devices into clearinghouse service networks for an Internet telephony systemxe2x80x94proxy-based services, direct communication, and a hybrid proxy/direct communication model.
The present invention provides a proxy-based system for supporting clearinghouse services for a client device in an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system. The IP telephony system includes at least one client device, a proxy system, such as a proxy server, a service point supporting a clearinghouse service and one or more terminating gateways. Each component is coupled to an IP network, such as the global Internet. To initiate a call communication to a called party, a client application residing at the client device sends a call set-up request to a proxy server. The call set-up request typically comprises a called number for the call communication and user authentication information.
If the client application is a valid user of the services maintained at the proxy server, the proxy server transmits an authorization request to the clearinghouse service running on the service point. The authorization request typically comprises the called number and a call identifier assigned by the proxy server to the call communication.
If the proxy server is a valid user of the clearinghouse services, the service point transmits an authorization response to the proxy server via the IP network. The authorization response typically comprises the identity of one or more terminating gateways coupled to the IP network and available to deliver the call communication. This authorization response may also include an authorization token for each identified terminating gateway.
In response to the authorization response, the proxy server can select one of the terminating gateways to deliver the call communication. In turn, the proxy server transmits a call communication set-up request to the selected terminating gateway via the IP network. This set-up request typically comprises the called number, the call identifier, and the authorization token. If the proxy server is a valid user of the call delivery services of the selected terminating gateway, the selected terminating gateway completes call set-up operations and delivers the call communication to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
The present invention provides a direct communication model for supporting clearinghouse services for a client device in an IP telephony system. The IP telephony system includes at least one client device executing an intelligent application program, a service point supporting a clearinghouse service and one or more terminating gateways. Each component is coupled to an IP network, such as the global Internet. The user can initiate a call via the client device by entering a telephone number to be called into the client program. In response, the client program can automatically initiate a communication with the clearinghouse service operating at the service point. For example, the client application can transmit an authorization request for a call communication to the clearinghouse service. The authorization request typically comprises a called number for the call communication and a call identifier assigned to the call communication.
If the client application is a valid user of the clearinghouse services, the service point transmits an authorization response to the client application via the IP network. The authorization response typically comprises (1) the identity of one or more terminating gateways coupled to the IP network and available to deliver the call communication and (2) an authorization token for each identified terminating gateway. In response, the client application can select one of the terminating gateways to deliver the call communication. Based on this selection of a terminating gateway, the client application prepares a call communication set-up request and transmits that request to the selected terminating gateway via the IP network. The set-up request typically comprises the called number, the call identifier, and the authorization token. If the client application is a valid user of the call delivery services of the selected terminating gateway, the gateway will deliver the call communication via the PSTN to the called number.
The present invention provides a hybrid proxy/direct communication model for supporting clearinghouse services for a client device in an IP telephony system. The IP telephony system includes at least one Web-enabled client device, a proxy system, such as a proxy server, a service point supporting a clearinghouse service and one or more terminating gateways. Each component is coupled to an IP network, such as the global Internet. To initiate a call communication, a client application running on the Web-enabled client device transmits a call set-up request to a proxy server. The call set-up request typically comprises a called number for the call communication and user authentication information.
If the client application is a valid user of the services maintained at the proxy server, then the proxy server transmits an authorization request to the clearinghouse service running on the service point. The authorization request typically comprises the called number and a call identifier assigned to the call communication. If the proxy server is a valid user of the clearinghouse services, the service point transmits an authorization response to the proxy server via the IP network. The authorization response typically comprises (1) the identity of one or more terminating gateways coupled to the IP network and available to deliver the call communication and (2) an authorization token for each identified terminating gateway.
In response to the authorization response, the proxy server can route the identity of each terminating gateway and each authorization token to the client application via the IP network. In turn, the client application can select one of the identified terminating gateways to support the completion of the call communication. Based on this selection of a terminating gateway, the client application sends a call communication set-up request to the selected terminating gateway via the IP network. The set-up request typically comprises the called number, the call identifier, and the authorization token. If the client application is a valid user of the call delivery services of the selected terminating gateway, the selected terminating gateway delivers the call communication to the called number via the PSTN.

Intelligent end user devices for clearinghouse services in an internet telephony system


A fuel flow rate measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine is capable of achieving cost reduction as well as measuring the flow rate of fuel with high accuracy over an entire fuel flow rate range. The apparatus includes an injection pulse width detection part for detecting an injection pulse width to drive injectors, an engine speed detection part for detecting the rotational speed of the engine, an injector driving frequency detection part for detecting an injector driving frequency per revolution of the engine from the rotational speed, a fuel injection amount characteristic setting part for setting at least one fuel injection amount characteristic corresponding to the injection pulse width, and a fuel flow rate detection part for detecting the flow rate of fuel per unit time from the injection pulse width, the injector driving frequency, and the fuel injection amount characteristic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel flow rate measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, a ship or the like, and in particular, to a technique to achieve cost reduction as well as to improve reliability.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known fuel flow rate measuring apparatuses for internal combustion engines, injection pulse widths (the number of drivings or drive frequency of injectors) are detected and added up or integrated, and an amount of fuel injected within an appropriate period of time (the flow rate of fuel per unit time) is calculated from a predetermined constant (unique fuel injection amount characteristic constant) (for instance, see a first patent document: Japanese patent application laid-open No. H6-278505).
In addition, in known fuel flow rate measuring apparatuses for marine internal combustion engines, fuel piping dedicated for measurements of the flow rate of fuel is arranged to extend from internal combustion engine fuel piping at the back side of the hull of a ship up to a fuel flow meter on an instrument panel of a cockpit at the front side of the hull.
In the known fuel flow rate measuring apparatuses for internal combustion engines, only a single parameter (constant) matched for the normally used range is provided for the fuel injection amount characteristic per drive time of each injector, which is not necessarily a linear characteristic over the entire flow rate range. As a result, there is the following problem, for example. That is, there arises a mismatch for the fuel injection amount characteristic at low flow rates (when the width of an injection pulse is short), so errors might occur in the flow rate of fuel measured at the time of low flow rates.
In addition, the existence of piping dedicated for use with the fuel flow rate measuring apparatus results in the following problems. That is, installation man-hours and costs increase, and reliability is reduced due to bending of the piping, etc.

Fuel flow rate measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine


A hybrid electromechanical transmission for a tracked vehicle includes a drive motor and a steer motor with separate propulsion paths to output members of the transmission. A two-speed range package is provided, including an input planetary gear set and first and second clutches. The first and second clutches are selectively alternatively engagable to establish two speed ratios between the drive motor and the remainder of the transmission. Additionally, the drive motor and the steer motor are preferably designed with a module construction, allowing for easy connection and removal for serviceability via the use of axial V-clamps.

Tracked vehicles such as tanks run on endless tracks, sometimes referred to as chains, rather than on wheels. The tracked vehicles are able to turn by powering sprockets engaging tracks on one side of the vehicle at a different speed than sprockets engaging tracks on the other side of the vehicle. Typically, a propulsion motor as well as a steer motor are used to power the sprockets. Alternatively, separate propulsion motors may be used to power the opposing tracks, thereby allowing separate speed control of the tracks.


A variable flow infant feeding assembly is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed. Preferably, the assembly includes a baby bottle and a nipple member that has ventilation structure defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter the baby bottle during feeding. Retention structure such as a threaded ring member is provided for securing the nipple member to the baby bottle. Advantageously, variable restrictor structure is provided, preferably so as to be integral with the ring member, for selectively blocking at least a portion of the ventilation structure. By controlling the size of the opening through which replacement air flows into the baby bottle, the variable restrictor structure permits the feeding flow rate through the nipple member to be adjusted by a caregiver.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to nursing systems for feeding liquids to infants and small children. More specifically, this invention relates to a variable flow infant feeding assembly that is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Nipple members for baby bottles typically have a circular mounting flange portion and a nursing portion that is designed to fit in an infant's mouth. The two portions are formed together in a single, unitary piece and are fabricated from the same type and grade of flexible material, usually latex, vinyl, silicone or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE's). Nipple member types having different design flow rates and hole configurations for dispensing different types of liquids are widely available. As an infant grows, she or he will learn and expect to drink faster, and nipple manufacturers sell different types of nipple members to accommodate this. Different nipple member types tend to end up mixed in a single container, and a caregiver will have to search each time for the desired type of nipple member, frequently (as any caregiver who has given a midnight feeding will attest) in dim light. Some identifying legend is usually embossed on the rim, but it can be very difficult to read. Some nipples are color-coded, which makes them easier to identify.
Most baby bottles are configured so that a ring member having a large hole defined therein screws on to the baby bottle to seat the mounting flange of the nipple member against the upper lip of the bottle. In order to permit replacement air to enter the baby bottle during feeding, it is typical for nipple members to have one or more ventilation holes defined in the mounting flange. The ring member is typically designed so as not to create an airtight seal with the upper surface of the mounting flange in the area that is close to where the mounting flange transitions into the feeding portion of the nipple member. Accordingly, replacement air will enter the baby bottle through a gap that is defined between the upper surface of the mounting flange of the nipple member and then through the ventilation holes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,888 to Jacko discloses a baby bottle having an adjustable valving structure that is positioned at the bottom end of the baby bottle, opposite from the feeding end, for adjusting the amount of ventilation air that is permitted to enter the baby bottle during feeding, thereby permitting the feeding flow rate to be adjusted. However, this design apparently never achieved widespread commercial acceptance, possibly because of issues of leakage at the bottom of the baby bottle.
Clearly, it would be advantageous to caregivers and product manufacturers alike if a workable system for permitting feeding flow to be varied without changing nipples could be developed. A need exists for an improved infant feeding system that is able to reliably, inexpensively and hygienically provide variable feed flow rate options to caregivers without necessitating changing components such as nipples.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of adjusting variable flow infant feeding assembly


A motor control device that can control the rotational direction of a rotor with polarity in an initial position detection. The motor control device includes first metering voltage signal generating system for sequentially creating 2N-phase signals to an N-phase motor, current metering system for measuring stator winding current, and first rotational position arithmetic system for detecting an absolute rotational position corresponding to an electrical angle of 180.degree. based on the measured current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control device that detects position of the rotor of a motor and then controls the position and the speed thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to run a motor, the motor control device usually detects the rotational position of the rotor by a rotational position sensing device and energizes the stator winding thereof with the current which controls the position or velocity of the rotor thereof at a desired value. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate conventional motor control. The power transistor 5 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is illustrated in FIG. 11. The rotor 3 is illustrated in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 11, the power transistor 5 is equivalent to the so-called transistor inverter. In this example, the inverter is formed of six transistors 22 and six diodes 23, and a power source 21. The operation and function of the transistors 22 and the diodes 23 are well known. Hence the explanation will be omitted here. The motor is controlled by adjusting the current flowing through the rotor windings 28 of a motor. In order to control of the motor by the power transistor 5, the voltage between the terminals of each rotor winding 28 is controlled by switching respective transistor 22 so that a current at a desired value flows through each rotor winding 28.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rotor 3. In the rotor 3, a certain number of discs are laminated together and mounted on the shaft 19. Each disc has slits 18 on the surface thereof and a certain thickness. The magnetic reluctance of the rotor 3 depends on the rotational position because of the present of the slits 18. FIG. 12 illustrates a 4-phase rotor. Returning to FIG. 9, the motor 2 mainly consists of a rotor 3, a stator 4, and rotational position sensing system 9. The rotational position sensing system 9 is position detection system that can measure the incremental position of the rotor 3. The rotor 4 connects to the power transistor 5 with three-phase power lines through which the motor 2 is energized by the power transistor 5. The motor control system 20 couples the power transistor 5 and the rotational position sensing system 9 with communication lines. In response to the incremental positional data POS2 of the rotor 3 from the rotational position sensing system 9, the motor control system 20 controls the position and velocity by system of a well-known technique, thus calculating a desired current value to energize the motor 2. After calculation of the current value, the motor control system 20 commands the power transistor 5 to supply the current command value Iref The power transistor 5 is controlled by the command value to flow the current Iref through the stator winding 28 in the stator 4 of the motor 2. Thus, the motor 2 generates a rotational force with the current Ip and thus rotates the rotor 3.
Referring to FIG. 10, the motor 2 consists of a rotor 3, a stator 4, rotational position sensing system 9, and origin position detecting system 12. The origin position detecting system 12 is position detecting system that can measure the origin position in one revolution of the rotor 3. The origin position detecting system 12 is coupled to the motor control system 20 by way of communication lines, like the rotational position sensing system 9. The motor control system 20 simultaneously receives data POS2 on incremental position the rotor 3 from the rotational position sensing system 9 as well as data POS 3 on origin poisition of the rotor 3 from the origin position detecting system 13. The motor control system 20 calculates data on position of the rotor 3 based on data POS2 and POS3 and performs the above-mentioned control so as to supply the current Ip to the motor based on the resultant data.
As described earlier with FIGS. 9 and 10, the position of the rotor can be detected by using either the incremental positional data POS2 of the rotor 3 or positional data by obtained combining the incremental positional data POS2 with the origin positional data POS3 of the rotor 3. This allows the motor to be precisely controlled. However, according to the conventional positional detection, the position of the rotor 3 cannot be detected just before the motor 2 is driven by turning on power. The position of the rotor 3 just before the motor is driven is hereinafter referred to as an initial position of the rotor 3. Since the rotational position sensing system 9 senses the incremental position of the rotor 3 when the teeth of a gear, for example, attached on the rotor 3 cross the detection plane thereof, the positional detection cannot be performed when the rotor 3 does not rotate. Moreover, the origin position detecting system 13 detects only one channel grooved in the disc attached on the rotor 3 according to the above-motioned detection method. Hence, the positinal detection cannot be performed if the rotor 3 rotates at least one turn. As described above, the initial position of the rotor 3 cannot be detected by means of only the rotational position sensing system 9 or both the rotational position sensing means 9 and the origin position detecting system 13.
A conventionally-improved positional position sensing device that detects the initial position of the rotor 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13. FIG. 13 shows the relation between terminal voltage V (y-axis) and time (x-axis) and the relation between detection current Im (y-axis) and time (x-axis). In FIG. 11, the current metering system 6 consists of a current detector 24, an insulating resistor 25, an A/D converter 26, and rotational position arithmetic system 27. In FIG. 13, V represents a terminal voltage across the stator winding 28. That is, the stator winding 28 is formed of three phase coils. The terminal voltage between arbitrary two phase coils is V. The detection current Im is a current flowing through one of the two phase coils between which the voltage V is applied. Hence, the relation between V and Im is represented as illustrated in FIG. 11. As described earlier, since the power transistor 5 can control the voltage between the terminals of the stator winding 28 by switching the transistors 22, the terminal voltage V having the waveform shown in FIG. 13 can be applied across the stator winding 28. In this case, the detection current Im flowing through the stator winding 28 increases with a constant slope according to the inductance of the stator winding 28 and then begins to decrease when the terminal voltage V becomes 0. On the other hand, in the current metering system 6, the A/D converter 26 converts a current value draining through the insulating resistor 25 from the current detector 24 into digital data. The rotational position arithmetic system 27 receives data on current value and then calculates the gradient k of the detection current Im to time. Since k is a differential coefficient of detection current Im to time, k=dIm/dt (Eq. 1). The relation between gradient k of detection current Im and terminal voltage V is repressed by the equation V/2=L.times.k+R.times.Im (Eq. 2), where L is inductance and R is a resistance value per phase of the stator winding 28. Hence, the inductance can be obtained by the above-mentioned equation. The inductance of the stator winding 28 contains the mutual inductance between the rotor 3 and the stator winding 28, in addition to the self inductance. Since the mutual inductance varies by the polar position of the rotor 3, the inductance to be measured varies with the position of the rotor 3. Hence, the position of the rotor 3 can be decided by sequentially performing a certain calculation based on the inductance value. The terminal voltage V can be controlled as shown in FIG. 14 by switching the power transistor 5 shown in FIG. 11. In this case, there is the advantage of quickly converging the detection current Im. As described above, the position of the rotor 3 can be decided by means of the current metering system 6.
As described above, the position of the rotor 3 can be decided according to the prior art. However, the position of the rotor 3 to be decided corresponds to a change in inductance per period. FIG. 15 is a waveform showing changes in inductance within an electrical angle of 360.degree. of a conventional N-phase motor. As understood from the figure, There are changes in inductance for two periods within the electrical angle of 360.degree.. Hence, when the position of the rotor 3 is decided according to the inductance position detecting method, only the position for an electrical angle of 180.degree. can be measured. If the rotor 3 is formed of a permanent magnet, the rotational direction of the rotor 3 cannot be controlled because the polarity of the rotor 3 changes every electrical angle of 180.degree.. If a measured position of the rotor 3 differs from an actual position by an electrical angle of 180.degree., the rotor 3 reversely rotates to the direction by the command. As described above, the prior art can detect the initial position of a rotor and measures only the position of the rotor for an electrical angle of 180.degree.. Hence, there is the disadvantage in that where an opposite polarity comes on the rotor of a permanent magnet every electrical angle of 180.degree., the rotor may be reversely rotated.
According to the prior art, the position of the rotor 3 can be measured in the above-mentioned method. However, since the position of the rotor 3 is calculated by metering the detection current Im in active state, this method causes large detection errors. It is may be considered that such a method is unsuitable for precision control. The reason is that the measured value contains large noises upon current detection. As the number of revolutions increases, the errors upon inductance detection increase. Since the precision of inductance to be calculated worsens necessarily, precise control cannot be performed. There is the disadvantage in that the prior art described above is unsuitable for precise control because the initial position of the rotor cannot be detected or the detection error of initial position is large.


A loss control system for an insurance classification plan has a policy holder database, a predictive apparatus and a derived actual loss ratio generator. The policy holder database generates signals indicative of the premium, actual loss, a one a plurality of classification plan variable values and an actual loss ratio for each policy holder. The predictive apparatus generates a plurality of predicted loss ratio signals indicative of predicted loss ratios of the policy holders. The derived actual loss ratio generator generates signals which are indicative of a difference between the predicted loss ratio and the actual loss ratio of the policy holders.

Ideally, an insurance policy holder pays to his insurance company a premium which is a cost for a period of insurance coverage whose magnitude is proportional to his insurance claim(s), also known as losses. A loss ratio, which is a ratio of loss(es) to premium(s), is an effective measure of premium pricing. For example, if a policy holder has losses of $800 and is charged $1000 in premiums, then the loss ratio for the policy holder is : EQU 800/1000=0.80 (1)
Similarly, if a policy holder has losses of $400 and is charged $800 in premiums, then the loss ratio for the policy holder is: EQU 400/800=0.50 (2)
The first of the above two loss ratios, 0.80, is greater than the second loss ratio 0.50. Accordingly, the first loss ratio indicates a policy holder who is charged too little for his premiums with respect to the second policy holder, who is charged too much for his premiums. Similarly, a group of policy holders has a loss and a premium. The loss of a group is a sum of losses of policy holders in the group, and the premium of a group is a sum of premiums of policy holders in the group.
In the highly competitive insurance industry, companies compete for clients by offering lower premiums. As a result, some policy holders who are responsible for high losses are charged too little for premiums. Other policy holders with low losses must then pay high premiums to compensate for those with high losses. An insurance company which charges a policy holder high premiums cannot expect to retain that policy holder if other insurance companies will charge the policy holder lower premiums. Low loss ratio policy holders, like the second policy holder in the above example, are likely to switch to another insurance company which will charge them lower premiums. Thus, an insurance company will tend to lose customers who have low loss ratios while retaining those with high loss ratios. This leads to the undesirable situation of having only policy holders which incur high losses. An insurance company with mostly high loss clients will pay its clients large amounts of money in insurance claims, leaving less money for the insurance company to retain. Furthermore, an insurance company will have to raise premiums to cover the large amount of claims, causing even more policy holders to switch.
To retain the more desirable low loss policy holders, insurance companies establish a desired average loss ratio, which is the ratio of losses of all policy holders to premiums of all policy holders. For example, if an insurance company sets the desired average loss ratio to 0.60, then each policy holder should have a loss ratio of 0.60. Where a first policy holder has losses of $800 and a second policy holder has losses of $400, their respective premiums P1 and P2 would ideally be set so that: EQU $800/P1=0.60 (3) EQU $400/P2=0.60 (4)
Thus, solving for P1 and P2, the premium of the first policy holder would be $1333.33 and the premium of the second policy holder would be $666.67. It is further apparent that if an insurance company successfully establishes a desired average loss ratio, the average loss ratio represents a portion of the total premiums which the insurance company pays out in losses. For example, if the average loss ratio for all policy holders is 0.60, then the insurance company pays out 60% of all premiums to policy holders in the form of losses. The insurance company consequently retains the remaining 40% of all premiums received from policy holders.
Though an overall average loss ratio may be established, in general loss ratios of given groups of policy holders exceed the average loss ratio, while other loss ratios of other groups of policy holders are below the average loss ratio. A group with an above average loss ratio is underpriced, or pays too little in premiums in light of the losses sustained by the group. Similarly, a group with a below average loss ratio is overpriced, or paying too much in premiums. Thus, premiums for groups with higher than average loss ratios should be increased, and premiums for groups with lower than average loss ratios should be decreased in order to obtain equal loss ratios among all groups. Groups of policy holders with above average or below average loss ratios indicate that the insurance company has not successfully predicted the losses of a policy holder based on his characteristics.
Though insurance companies generally prefer to establish a uniform loss ratio for all policy holders, there are situations where allowing a group to have a higher than average loss ratio is a desired business strategy. For example, if an insurance provider is attempting to attract a certain group, the insurance provider may want to charge the group lower premiums than would normally be expected in light of the expected losses of the group. The lower premiums result in a loss ratio of the group which is higher than an loss ratio average.
Regardless of the particular business strategy, it is desirable to provide a loss system which successfully establishes a desired average loss ratio for policy holders. If a given control system does not successfully establish a desired average loss ratio for policy holders, groups of policy holders will have higher loss ratios than desired, indicating that the groups are paying lower premiums than desired. Crucial to establishing a desired average loss ratio is an ability to predict losses of a policy holder so that a premium can be determined accordingly. Insurance companies use a classification plan to predict losses of existing and potential insurance policy holders based on policy holder characteristics obtained by application, questionnaire, credit check and other factual inquiries. A classification plan uses known characteristics of a policy holder to determine the likelihood that the policy holder will submit claims to the insurance company, thereby incurring losses. A classification plan is also used to determine an expected size of claims based on known characteristics of the policy holder. An insurance company which does not accurately predict losses of a policy holder, probably uses a classification plan which does not appropriately utilize known characteristics of the policy holder.
It would be advantageous to provide a system which identifies policy holders which are underpriced or overpriced, i.e. paying too little or too much, respectively, in premiums.
It would also be advantageous to provide a system which improves a classification plan so that the classification plan better predicts the losses of a policy holder based on the known characteristics of the policy holder.
Furthermore, it is often difficult to determine whether improvements to a classification plan are optimal, or whether further attempts to improve the classification plan will actually provide additional improvements. It would be advantageous to provide a system which determines whether an optimal classification plan has been generated.

Insurance classification plan loss control system


Presented are a structured illumination microscopy system using a digital micromirror device and a time-complex structured illumination, and an operation method therefor. A structured illumination microscopy system using a digital micromirror device and a time-complex structured illumination according to an embodiment may comprise: a light source; a digital micromirror device (DMD) for receiving light irradiated from the light source, implementing a time-complex structured illumination, and causing a controlled structured illumination to enter a sample; and a fluorescence image measurement unit for extracting a high-resolution 3D fluorescence image of the sample.

In order to obtain a fluorescence image of a cell, a fluorescent protein is expressed in a specific organ (molecule) of the cell or dye is attached thereto. If an excitation light source is incident into the expressed fluorescence material, the fluorescent protein emits a fluorescence signal of another wavelength after absorbing the excitation light source. An image of an inner structure of a cell may be distinguished and measured through the fluorescence signal.
Recently, a structured illumination microscopy is applied to a method of increasing the resolution of a fluorescence image. The structured illumination microscopy is a method of obtaining an image of an ultrahigh-resolution, which exceeds the value of a diffraction limit by making an excitation light source incident onto a cell with a specific pattern and measuring a signal that is beyond an optically measurable range.
At first, the structured illumination microscopy forms a pattern by allowing a light to pass through a diffraction lattice to obtain an image (non-patent documents 1 and 2). The structured illumination microscopy may measure an image from various patterns while rotating and horizontally moving a lattice pattern and may obtain an image of a high resolution from the image of a low resolution through the algorithm. Recently, it is possible to improve the resolution by using the nonlinear structured illumination microscopy (non-patent document 3).
In addition, a method of obtaining a 3D fluorescence image through the optical sectioning using a digital micromirror device (DMD) based on the patterned low coherent light and the z-axis shift stage has also been suggested (non-patent documents 4 and 5).
However, a technique using a physical diffraction lattice (non-patent document 2) has a disadvantage in that vibration and speed limitation are generated and the diffraction lattice pattern cannot be changed because the diffraction lattice pattern has to be mechanically moved. In addition, since a technique using a conventional digital micromirror device (DMD) (non-patent document 4) is a method of inputting a binary pattern into a digital micromirror device (DMD), an incoherent light source such as an LED is required to generate a sinusoidal pattern so that it is impossible to make high-speed measurement. When using a coherent light source such as a laser to increase the speed, an undesired noise pattern occurs due to the diffraction that occurs in the binary pattern, so that the image analysis is impossible.

Structured illumination microscopy system using digital micromirror device and time-complex structured illumination, and operation method therefor

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


A computer system (for example a blade server system) includes a connection framework for receiving at least two replaceable units (e.g., service processor units). Where a first replaceable unit is provided in the connection framework, the first replaceable unit can, on a second replaceable unit being received in the framework, allow restricted use of a default admin user login without a password for up to the end of predetermined period following receipt of the second replaceable unit. On receipt of an admin login with a configured password during the period, or on expiry of the period, the system can revert to normal operation.

The present invention relates to computer systems, in particular to multiprocessor systems, for example multiprocessor server systems.
One application for the present invention relates to high density computer systems, for example, computer server systems for telecommunications applications. In telecommunications applications, it is important to provide high reliability and high capacity of operation. Various approaches have been taken to providing such high-performance, high reliability systems. Typically such systems are designed around providing redundant resources so that if one component of the system develops a fault, the system remains operational using the redundant resources. Fault tolerance can also be achieved, for example, with multiprocessor systems that provide redundancy through dynamic, e.g., software-controlled, task distribution. High density systems are typically rack mountable, with one or more processor systems occupying a shelf in the rack. The trend in recent times is to make the computers with smaller form factors. This means that more computers can be located in a rack. This has the advantage of increasing the processing density within the racks, and also the advantage of reducing the distance between the computer systems.
In such a multiprocessor computer system that includes field replaceable system units, password control for at least parts of the system is desirable. Moreover this can lead to difficulties where the system units are to be replaced by customers, and the entry of password information is to be facilitated. The present invention seeks to address this.


Methods for modulating inflammation by administering HIF-1α inhibitors or compounds affecting HIF-1α expression and/or transcriptional activities are disclosed. HIF-1α affecting compounds include compounds that directly inhibit HIF-1α and/or interfere into expression of other proteins and regulation of biochemical pathways that target HIF-1α for degradation in vivo. Also disclosed are methods to enhance the inflammatory response and the destruction of pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria) and thereby preventing or minimizing pathogen-induced tissue injury. Also disclosed are methods to enhance the anti-tumor T cell response and the destruction of cancerous tumors and thereby preventing or minimizing metastasis-induced tissue injury. Also provided are methods to accomplish the opposite goal and decrease collateral damage by overactive T cells and thereby protect tissues of vital organs in a novel anti-inflammatory treatment.

Mammals require molecular oxygen for essential metabolic processes including oxidative phosphorylation in which oxygen serves as electron acceptor during ATP formation. Systemic, local, and intracellular homeostatic responses elicited by hypoxia (the state in which oxygen demand exceeds supply) include erythropoiesis by individuals who are anemic or at high altitude (Jelkmann, Physiol. Rev. 72:449-489, 1992), neovascularization in ischemic myocardium; White et al., Circ. Res. 71:1490-1500, 1992), and glycolysis in cells cultured at reduced oxygen tension (Wolfe et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 135:405-412, 1983). These adaptive responses either increase oxygen delivery or activate alternate metabolic pathways that do not require oxygen. Hypoxia-inducible gene products that participate in these responses include erythropoietin (EPO) (reviewed in Semenza, Hematol. Oncol. Clinics N. Amer. 8:863-884, 1994), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Shweiki et al., Nature 359:843-845, 1992; Banai et al., Cardiovasc. Res. 28:1176-1179, 1994; Goldberg & Schneider, J. Biol. Chem. 269:4355-4359, 1994), and glycolytic enzymes (Firth et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:6496-6500, 1994; Semenza et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269:23757-23763, 1994).
The induction of HIF-1α activity by 1% oxygen was detected in many mammalian cell lines (Wang & Semenza, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:4304-4308, 1993). The EPO enhancer directed hypoxia-inducible transcription of reporter genes transfected into non-EPO-producing cells (Maxwell et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:2423-2427, 1993). RNAs encoding several glycolytic enzymes were induced by 1% oxygen. These experiments support the role of HIF-1α in activating homeostatic responses to hypoxia.
Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a mammalian transcription factor expressed uniquely in response to physiologically relevant levels of hypoxia (Wang, G. L., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:5510-5514, 1995; Wang, G. L., and Semenza, G. L., J. Biol. Chem. 270:1230-1237, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,914). HIF-1 is a basic helix loop-helix protein that binds to cis-acting hypoxia-responsive elements of genes induced by hypoxia (Wang, G. L., and Semenza, G. L., Curr. Opin. Hematol. 3:156-162, 1992; Jiang, B. H., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 212:19253-19260, 1997). The genes that are activated by HIF-1 in cells subjected to hypoxia include EPO, vascular endothelial growth hormone (VEGF), heme oxygenase-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and glycolytic enzymes aldolase A, enolase 1, lactate dehydrogenase A, phosphofructokinase I, and phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Semenza, G. L., et al., Kid. Int. 51:553-555, 1997). HIF-1 DNA binding activity and HIF-1 protein concentration increase exponentially as cells are subjected to decreasing oxygen concentrations (Jiang, B. H., et al., Am J. Physiol. 271:C 172-C1180, 1996).
The Hypoxia-Inducible transcription Factor 1α (HIF-1α) has been critically implicated in fundamental and pathophysiological mechanisms of regulation of metabolism and functions of many different types of cells and tissues. The adaptation of mammalian cells to low oxygen conditions is mediated in large part by the transcriptional induction of gene expression. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is crucial in the transcriptional response of cells to hypoxia. (Semenza G. Nat Rev Cancer 2003, 3, p. 721; Giaccia A, Siim B G, Johnson R S. HIF-1 as a target for drug development. Nat Rev Drug Discov. October 2003; 2(10):803-11).
HIF-1 stability and activity are regulated by post-translational modifications, chaperone function and alternative splicing. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is an oxygen-dependent transcriptional activator, which plays crucial roles in the angiogenesis of tumors and mammalian development. HIF-1 consists of a constitutively expressed HIF-1β subunit and one of three subunits (HIF-1α, HIF-2α or HIF-3α). The stability and activity of HIF-1α are regulated by various post-translational modifications, hydroxylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. Therefore, HIF-1α interacts with several protein factors including PHD, pVHL, ARD-1, and p300/CBP. Under normoxia, the HIF-1α subunit is rapidly degraded via the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene product (pVHL)-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The association of pVHL and HIF-1α under normoxic conditions is triggered by the hydroxylation of prolines and the acetylation of lysine within a polypeptide segment known as the oxygen-dependent degradation (ODD) domain. On the contrary, in the hypoxia condition, HIF-1α subunit becomes stable and interacts with coactivators such as p300/CBP to modulate its transcriptional activity. Eventually, HIF-1 acts as a master regulator of numerous hypoxia-inducible genes under hypoxic conditions.
The target genes of HIF-1α are especially related to angiogenesis, cell proliferation/survival, and glucose/iron metabolism. Moreover, it was reported that the activation of HIF-1α is closely associated with a variety of tumors and oncogenic pathways. New evidence suggests that at least two members of the family of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylases that regulate HIF stability in response to oxygen availability are themselves also targeted for proteosome-dependent degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligases Siah1a and Siah2. (Nakayama K, Frew I J, Hagensen M, Skals M, Habelhah H, Bhoumik A, Kadoya T, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P, Frappell P B, Bowtell D D, Ronai Z., Siah2 regulates stability of prolyl-hydroxylases, controls HIF1α abundance, and modulates physiological responses to hypoxia. Cell. Jun. 25, 2004; 117(7):851-3.)
HIF-1α activities in myeloid cells are considered to play a pro-inflammatory role since the HIF-1α is required for the inflammatory effects of cells of the innate immune system (Cramer T, Yamanishi Y, Clausen B E, Forster I, Pawlinski R, Mackman N, Haase V H, Jaenisch R, Corr M, Nizet V, Firestein G S, Gerber H P, Ferrara N and Johnson R S. HIF-1alpha is essential for myeloid cell-mediated inflammation. Cell 112: 645-657, 2003.).
The inflamed local tissue environments are hypoxic and the tissue damage-associated hypoxia is conducive to accumulation of elevated levels of extracellular adenosine. The recently provided genetic evidence for the critical role of extracellular adenosine and of Gs protein coupled A2A adenosine receptors in down-regulation of activated immune cells in vivo (Ohta A and Sitkovsky M. Role of G-protein-coupled adenosine receptors in downregulation of inflammation and protection from tissue damage. Nature 414: 916-920, 2001) suggested that inflammation-induced, local tissue damage-associated hypoxia and oxygen sensors may serve as primary signals of excessive tissue damage in order to de-activate immune cells.

Modulation of immune response and inflammation by targeting hypoxia inducible factors


An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reference image extracting section for extracting a reference image as an object for display; a parameter managing section for managing a plurality of parameters and their values for the extracted reference image; a parameter setting section for selecting any two arbitrary parameters and setting the selected parameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis; a peripheral image preparing section for preparing peripheral images each obtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected for the reference image by a specified amount; and an image display controller for providing display controls by correlating parameter values of peripheral images to those for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the reference image so that the reference image is displayed at a specified position of a screen and also peripheral images thereof are displayed surrounding the reference image in n layers.

In the first type of conventional technology, when plurality of parameters such as brightness, chroma, hue, and contrast or the like of an image are to be changed, the parameters are changed by separately entering an appropriate value for each parameter from an input device such as a keyboard, or by adjusting the parameter values using a control volume based on a GUI (Graphic User Interface) or an adjustment bar displayed on a screen with a pointing device such as a mouse. The image being displayed on the screen itself changes in response to change of the parameter values.
In the second type of conventional technology, an image obtained by editing and processing an original image is stored separately from the original image. For instance, an image is stored in a state where the original image has been rotated by a specified angle, or a portion of the original image is separated and stored.
As specific examples in which an original image is rotated by a specified angle, there is a case where, when a picture as an original image, especially a photograph showing a human face is originally inclined, the original image is rotated to correct the inclination in order to use the photo for adhering on an ID card or the like. Further, although the original image is not inclined, the image is intentionally rotated to realize a higher designing effect in order to use the original image on a leaflet or a pamphlet, and in this case the image is stored in the rotated state.
As specific examples in which a portion of an original image is separated in a specified form, there is a case where only a portion corresponding to a human face is separated to use the photograph for adhering on an ID card or the like. Further, there is a case where a section showing a human face is separated in a shape of heart mark for a decorative purpose such as publishing it on a pamphlet for a wedding party or the like, and in that case the image is stored in the separated state.
As the technology for retrieving a file of stored images, conventionally there is the technology for displaying a plurality of contracted images for retrieval obtained by contracting the original images, namely the thumb-nails are displayed on the screen and retrieving a file with the help of the contracted images as a key for retrieval.
When an edited and processed image is stored, generally the image is stored with a rectangular area including the image. During this, the blank section is previously colored with a specified color and then is stored together with the edited and processed image. To synthesize the stored images, it is required to execute the processing for marking the blank section transparent, and this clearing processing is executed by making the colored section transparent according to a color used for coloring the blank section for storing as a key.
In the first type of conventional technology described above, however, each time the parameter values are changed an image displayed on a screen changes so that comparison of the images before and after the change can not be made concurrently and a degree of change of the image can not be grasped immediately. Therefore, it is required to restore the original image before change many times for comparison. Persons experienced in this kind of job for editing and processing an image can easily carry out this work, but the work is rather disadvantageously difficult for beginners.
Further, in the first type of conventional technology as described above, when there are a plurality of parameters, the parameter values are required to be changed one by one, and when it is desired to obtain desired parameter values by finely adjusting a change rate of each of two or more discrete parameter values, it is required to check the image each time, and this work is easy for experienced persons, but is difficult for those who are not experienced.
In the second type of conventional technology described above, a contracted image for retrieval is prepared by referring to the size of the original image, so that, even in case of an edited and processed image, a contracted image is prepared with the same magnification as that for the original image. Therefore, for instance, when a rectangular image is rotated, a portion of the image goes out of the frame of the contracted image and the entire image rotated as described above can not be displayed, which makes it impossible to fully grasp the rotated state of the image.
Further, in the second conventional technology, when a portion of an original image is separated in a specified form like in a case where only a section corresponding to a face is separated from a photograph showing the whole body, the separated section is contracted with the same contraction ratio, so that the separated image is shown with a small size in the contracted image, and in some situations the contents of an original image can not fully be grasped from the contracted image.
Further, in the second type of conventional technology, a color as an object for making transparent cannot be changed, and when there is the same color as that to be made transparent in many places, not only the blank section, but also sections having the same color as that to be made transparent are disadvantegeously made transparent.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program for image processing recorded thereon


The drivetrain with multiple differentials includes a common side gear. The side gear has a cylindrical body with a central bore. Receiving members are on the bore to receive a shaft. An annular member is on the body with the bore extending through the annular member. A plurality of teeth is formed on an external surface of the annular member. A plurality of steps is formed in the wall defining the central bore. The steps extend towards the body from the annular member. A retaining mechanism, to retain the side gears on the shaft, is positioned in one of the plurality of the steps.

The present invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to vehicle drivetrains which include front and rear differentials which utilize the same side gears.
In motor vehicles, in order to transfer power from an engine to the vehicle wheels, differentials are utilized to transfer power from one rotating shaft to another. In vehicles which have four wheel or all wheel, drive, the vehicle utilizes front and rear differentials in order to transfer power to the wheels. Ordinarily in vehicles which have front and rear differentials, the differentials have different gear arrangements. Specifically, the front and rear differentials have side gears which, while looking the same, are different. Accordingly, when the differentials are built, if a front or rear side gear becomes misplaced for the other rear or front side gear, the mistake ordinarily, is not uncovered until after the differential is completely built. If a side gear is incorrectly placed into the wrong differential, the differential must be torn down in order to fix the mistake. This requires substantial man hours in order to remedy the mistake. However, due to the different requirements in the front and rear axles, different side gears are required in the different differentials. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a single side gear which could be utilized in both the front and rear differentials in order to eliminate any type of mistake which would require tearing down and rebuilding the differential assembly.
In accordance with the present invention, a side gear is provided which can be utilized in both front and rear differentials. The present side gear provides a unitary spacer that eliminates conventional spacers and reduces weight, as well as the number of components in the differential. The present invention provides a single side gear which eliminates the possibility of placing an improper or incorrect side gear in the wrong differential. The present invention utilizes different retaining mechanisms to retain the side gears on different shafts.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a side gear comprises a cylindrical body with a central bore. Receiving members are formed in the bore to receive a shaft. An annular member is unitarily formed with the cylindrical body with the bore extending through the annular member. A plurality of teeth are formed on the external surface of the annular member. A plurality of stepped portions are formed in the central bore. The stepped portions extend towards the body from the annular member. A mechanism to retain the side gear on the shaft is positioned in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A different mechanism to retain a different shaft may be positioned in a different stepped portion depending upon the differential into which it is to be placed. A snap ring may be received in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A C-lock may be retained in one of the plurality of stepped portions. When a retainer is positioned in a specific step of one of the plurality of steps, it retains a specific shaft of a plurality of shafts such that by changing the retainer, the side gear can be retained on a different shaft, wherein the side gear may be used with multiple differentials and the side gears of the differentials are the same.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a differential comprises a housing with an input shaft that includes a pinion gear. A ring gear meshes with the pinion gear and is coupled with the rotatable housing. An axial shaft includes a first side gear rotatable with the rotatable housing. A cross pin is rotatable with the first side gear. The cross pin includes a pair of pinion gears. A second side gear is rotatable with the pair of pinion gears. The first and second side gears comprise a cylindrical body with a central bore. Receiving members are formed in the bore to receive the shaft. An annular member is unitarily formed with the cylindrical body with the bore extending through the annular member. A plurality of teeth are formed on the external surface of the annular member. A plurality of stepped portions are formed in the central bore. The stepped portions extend towards the body from the annular member. A mechanism to retain the side gear on the shaft is positioned in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A different mechanism to retain a different shaft may be positioned in a different stepped portion depending upon the differential into which it is to be placed. A snap ring may be received in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A C-lock may be retained in one of the plurality of stepped portions. When a retainer is positioned in a specific step of one of the plurality of steps, it, retains a specific shaft of a plurality of shafts such that by changing the retainer, the side gear can be retained on a different shaft, wherein the side gear may be used with multiple differentials and the side gears of the differentials are the same.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a drivetrain comprises a front differential and a rear differential coupled with one another. The front differential comprises a housing with an input shaft that includes a pinion gear. A ring gear meshes with the pinion gear and is coupled with the rotatable housing. An axial shaft includes a first side gear rotatable with the rotatable housing. A cross pin is rotatable with the first side gear. The cross pin includes a pair of pinion gears. A second side gear is rotatable with the pair of pinion gears. The first and second side gears comprise a cylindrical body with a central bore. Receiving members are formed in the bore to receive the shaft. An annular member is unitarily formed with the cylindrical body with the bore extending through the annular member. A plurality of teeth are formed on the external surface of the annular member. A plurality of stepped portions are formed in the central bore. The stepped portions extend towards the body from the annular member. A mechanism to retain the side gear on the shaft is positioned in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A different mechanism to retain a different shaft may be positioned in a different stepped portion depending upon the differential into which it is to be placed. A snap ring may be received in one of the plurality of stepped portions. A C-lock may be retained in one of the plurality of stepped portions.
From the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims, the objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Axle assembly with side gears having dual shaft retention features


An external skin-care composition comprising (A) a low-strength agar having a jelly strength of 250 g/cm.sup.2 or lower as measured at an agar concentration of 1.5 wt. %; (B) a water-soluble polymer; (C) a cooling agent; and (D) water. The external skin-care composition has a high cooling effect, a feeling of coolness and excellent stability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an external skin-care composition which has a high cooling effect and excellent stability properties.
2. Discussion of Background
Agar has been used for a long time as a food material. Agar is also used as a thickener for cosmetic compositions and drugs for external application.
However, products for external application containing agar as a thickener undergo water separation when they are stored for a long period of time or kept at a high temperature, so that their uses have been limited. For example, a facial preparation for dry skin is disclosed in USSR Patent No. 719630 and contains a rennet ferment, carboxymethyl cellulose, glycerol, ethanol, perfume base and water, where sufficient amounts of neutral proteinase, elastase, collagenase, agar, boric acid, dye and menthol are added for the purpose of improving the skin tissue-softening effect and vital tissue-regenerating effect.
In recent years, agar having high flowability such as the low-strength agar disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56625/1994, has been developed, and are used in cosmetic compositions to improve their properties.


A device for treating at least one container, preferably for filling at least one container with a fill product and/or for reshaping a container, comprising an isolator chamber containing a defined atmosphere, in which the treatment of the container is carried out, and at least one container channel for conveying the container into the isolator chamber or for conveying the container out of the isolator chamber, and a suction device for sucking air out of the container channel and out of the isolator chamber, and a supply air preparation unit for preparing the air to be fed to the isolator chamber, wherein the suction device is connected with the supply air preparation unit in such a manner that at least a portion of the air sucked out of the container channel and/or the isolator chamber is fed to the supply air preparation unit for renewed preparation.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device and a method for treating at least one container, preferably for filling a container with a fill product in a beverage filling plant and/or for reshaping a container, for example for molding a preform into a container to be filled with fill product by stretch blow molding, wherein the treatment of the container takes place in an isolator chamber.
2. Related Art
For treating containers, and in particular for filling containers with a fill product, for example in a cold aseptic beverage filling plant, it is known to carry out the actual treatment of the containers inside a so-called isolator chamber. An isolator chamber is understood to mean a space sealed off from its surroundings in which a defined atmosphere is present, which is distinguished from the surroundings by having, for example, a reduced bacterial count, a reduced spore count, a reduced particle count, a defined temperature and/or a controlled humidity. Such an isolator chamber is typically fed with supply air which is prepared by a supply air preparation unit in order to achieve the desired atmosphere. In the supply air preparation unit, the air is for example cleaned using filter systems, brought to a defined humidity using suitable dehumidifiers or humidifiers, and brought to a defined temperature by suitable temperature control means.
For cold aseptic filling of beverages in a beverage filling plant, for example for filling containers with dairy products, it is necessary that at least in the filling area a certain temperature is not exceeded, and that the entry of bacteria and spores is reduced during filling. This can be achieved by controlling the air supplied to the isolator chamber, with the filling then being carried out inside the isolator chamber. It is possible to carry out in the isolator chamber not only the actual filling, but also, for example, sterilization of the containers to be filled and/or the closing of the filled containers, so that the defined environmental conditions can also be maintained for these treatments of the containers. The low bacterial and spore counts are of fundamental importance for the shelf life of the filled product. The lower the bacterial contamination of the filled product, the longer is its shelf life. The growth of bacteria can be further slowed by a reduced temperature in the isolator chamber.
Condensation of water from moist air can lead to increased growth of the microorganisms that are already present on the surfaces of the treatment device that the condensation moistens. Condensation can occur, for example, on filling valves, supply vessels or product feed lines, which are cooled by the flow of fill product or a separate cooling device, or on the cooled cavities of a molding tool when preforms are molded. This condensation must therefore be avoided in order to achieve hygienically acceptable treatment of the containers.
From the state of the art, it is known to supply the isolator chamber with prepared air via a central supply air preparation unit. This central supply air preparation unit normally takes in the air from the area surrounding the isolator chamber, for example from the production hall in which the device for treating the containers is installed. This ambient air is then treated by means of filters, dehumidifiers or humidifiers, and temperature control devices, then fed to the isolator chamber. The air is preferably then sucked out of the isolator chamber in a controlled manner, in order thereby to ensure a constant feed of prepared air, and to remove from the isolator chamber any particles which may have been introduced via the fill product or the container treatment process, and which are detrimental to the atmosphere in the isolator chamber, as well as for example disinfectant vapors. The extraction of disinfectant vapors may also be carried out for the protection of the operators of the plant.
The preparation of the supply air further serves to maintain a positive pressure in the isolator chamber with respect to the surroundings, in order to achieve the sealing off of the atmosphere in the isolator chamber. The extracted air is usually discharged into the open air.
In order to channel the containers that are to be treated into or out of the isolator chamber, at least one container channel is usually provided, for example in the form of an isolator intake or an isolator outlet, which serves as the transition between the surroundings and the isolator chamber. Accordingly, a transition from the ambient atmosphere to the defined atmosphere in the isolator chamber also takes place in the container channel. For this purpose the container channel is for example operated with a slight negative pressure, so that a constant flow of air occurs from the isolator chamber in the direction of the container channel, in order in this manner to prevent the ingress of ambient air into the isolator chamber via the container channel. The air sucked out of the container channel, which comprises a mixture of the air flowing from the isolator chamber and the air sucked in from the surroundings, is usually discharged into the open air.
Sterilization of the isolator chamber and those components of the plant that are located in the isolator chamber take place for example using gaseous H2O2, which is fed via the air supply to the isolator chamber, where it acts upon the applicable surfaces. The H2O2 is then sucked out of the isolator chamber and the container channel together with the other air in the isolator. For emission protection reasons, however, the H2O2 cannot be discharged directly into the open air, but must be elaborately scrubbed by means of a gas scrubber.
Since only ambient air is prepared in the supply air preparation unit, it is always necessary for 100% of the air that is fed to the isolator chamber to be prepared fully. The dimensions of the equipment used must therefore be correspondingly large.
When a preform is molded into a container to be filled with a fill product, for example by stretch blow molding, it is important for the quality of the container to be filled that condensation is avoided on the blow molds and in particular in the cavities of the tools. Since these cavities are usually cooled, they can be the site of condensation of moisture in the air, which impairs the quality of the molded containers and can also serve as the breeding ground for the multiplication of microorganisms that are already present. Here too, condensation should therefore be avoided.

Device and method for treating at least one container


The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating or preventing diseases, disorders or conditions related to diabetes mellitus using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

The invention relates generally to Therapeutic proteins (including, but not limited to, at least one polypeptide, antibody, peptide, or fragment and variant thereof) fused to albumin or fragments or variants of albumin. The invention encompasses polynucleotides encoding therapeutic albumin fusion proteins, therapeutic albumin fusion proteins, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, formulations and kits. Host cells transformed with the polynucleotides encoding therapeutic albumin fusion proteins are also encompassed by the invention, as are methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention using these polynucleotides, and/or host cells.
Over the past few decades, an increasing percentage of the population has become diabetic. Diabetes mellitus is categorized into two types: Type I, known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), or Type II, known as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). IDDM is an autoimmune disorder in which the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells of the islets of Langerhans are destroyed. In these individuals, recombinant insulin therapy is employed to maintain glucose homeostasis and normal energy metabolism. NIDDM, on the other hand, is a polygenic disorder with no one gene responsible for the progression of the disease.
In NIDDM, insulin resistance eventually leads to the abolishment of insulin secretion resulting in insulin deficiency. Insulin resistance, at least in pant, ensues from a block at the level of glucose uptake and phosphorylation in humans. Diabetics demonstrate a decrease in expression in adipose tissue of insulin-receptor substrate 1 ("IRS1") (Carvalho et al., FASEB J 13(15):2173-8 (1999)), glucose transporter 4 ("GLUT4") (Garvey et al., Diabetes 41(4):465-75 (1992)), and the novel abundant protein M gene transcript 1 ("apM1") (Statnick et al., Int. J. Exp. Diabetes 1(2):81-8 (2000)), as well as other as of yet unidentified factors. Insulin deficiency in NIDDM leads to failure of normal pancreatic beta-cell function and eventually to pancreatic-beta cell death.
Insulin affects fat, muscle, and liver. Insulin is the major regulator of energy metabolism. Malfunctioning of any step(s) in insulin secretion and/or action can lead to many disorders, including for example the dysregulation of oxygen utilization, adipogenesis, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, glucose uptake, protein synthesis, thermogenesis, and maintenance of the basal metabolic rate. This malfunctioning results in diseases and/or disorders that include, but are not limited to, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, insulin deficiency, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperketonemia, and diabetes.
Numerous debilitating diabetes-related secondary effects include, but are not limited to, obesity, forms of blindness (cataracts and diabetic retinopathy), limb amputations, kidney failure, fatty liver, coronary artery disease, and neuropathy.
Some of the current drugs used to treat insulin resistance and/or diabetes (e.g., insulin secratogogues—sulfonylurea, insulin sensitizers—thiazolidenediones and metformin, and α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitors) are inadequate due to the dosage amounts and frequency with which they have to be administered as a result of poor pharmacokinetic properties, the lack of effective control over blood sugar levels, and potential side effects, among other reasons. Diabetes Therapeutic proteins in their native state or when recombinantly produced exhibit a rapid in vivo clearance. Typically, significant amounts of therapeutics are required to be effective during therapy. In addition, small molecules smaller than the 20 kDa range can be readily filtered through the renal tubules (glomerulus) leading to dose-dependent nephrotoxicity.
Diabetes Therapeutic proteins in their native state or when recombinantly produced are typically labile molecules exhibiting short shelf-fives, particularly when formulated in aqueous solutions. The instability in these molecules when formulated for administration dictates that many of the molecules must be lyophilized and refrigerated at all times during storage, thereby rendering the molecules difficult to transport and/or store. Storage problems are particularly acute when pharmaceutical formulations must be stored and dispensed outside of the hospital environment. Many protein and peptide drug compositions also require the addition of high concentrations of other protein such as albumin to reduce or prevent loss of protein due to binding to the container. For this reason, many therapeutic proteins are formulated in combination with a large proportion of albumin carrier molecule (100-1000 fold excess), though this is an undesirable and expensive feature of the formulation.
Few practical solutions to the storage problems of labile protein molecules have been proposed. Accordingly, there is a need for stabilized, long lasting formulations of proteinaceous therapeutic molecules that are easily dispensed, preferably with a simple formulation requiring minimal post-storage manipulation.
Human serum albumin possesses many desirable characteristics. HSA is found throughout the body, but more specifically in the interstitial space and in blood at serum concentrations of 40 g/L which is equivalent to 0.7 mM (Yeh et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:1904-1908 (1992)). HSA is considered to be the most abundant protein of the serum and is responsible for maintaining osmolarity. HSA has favorable pharmacokinetic properties and is cleared very slowly by the liver displaying in vivo half-lives up to several weeks (Yeh et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:1904-1908 (1992); Waldmann, T. A., Albumin Structure, Function and Uses, pp. 255-273 (1977)). HSA lacks enzymatic activity and antigenicity thereby eliminating potentially undesirable side effects. HSA acts as a carrier for endogenous as well as exogenous ligands. Combined, these features can be extended, at least partially, onto albumin fusion proteins. The poor pharmacokinetic properties displayed by Diabetes Therapeutic proteins can then be circumvented.
Human serum albumin (HSA, or HA), a protein of 585 amino acids in its mature form (SEQ ID NO:327) of approximately 66 kDa, is responsible for a significant proportion of the osmotic pressure of serum and also functions as a carrier of endogenous and exogenous ligands. At present, HA for clinical use is produced by extraction from human blood. The production of recombinant HA (rHA) in microorganisms has been disclosed in EP 330 451 and EP 361 991.
The present invention is directed to albumin fusion proteins comprising a Therapeutic protein (e.g., a polypeptide, antibody, or fragment or variant thereof) fused to albumin or a fragment (portion) or variant of albumin. The present invention also encompasses polynucleotides comprising, or alternatively consisting of, nucleic acid molecules encoding a Therapeutic protein (e.g., a polypeptide, antibody, or fragment or variant thereof) fused to albumin or a fragment (portion) or variant of albumin that is sufficient to prolong the shelf life of the Therapeutic protein, increase serum half-life, and/or stabilize the Therapeutic protein and/or its activity in solution (or in a pharmaceutical composition) in vitro and/or in vivo. In one embodiment, an albumin fusion protein encoded by a polynucleotide described in Table 1 or 2 has extended shelf life. In a second embodiment, an albumin fusion protein encoded by a polynucleotide described in Table 1 or 2 has a longer serum half-life and/or stabilized activity in solution (or in a pharmaceutical composition) in vitro and/or in vivo than the corresponding unfused Therapeutic molecule described in Table 1 or 2. The present invention also encompasses polynucleotides, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins comprising a Therapeutic protein (e.g., a polypeptide, antibody, or fragment or variant thereof) fused to albumin or a fragment (portion) or variant of albumin. Albumin fusion proteins encoded by polynucleotides of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are host cells containing these polynucleotides, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these polynucleotides, and/or host cells. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides encoding therapeutic albumin fusion proteins, therapeutic albumin fusion proteins, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, formulations and kits.


A fixer for handheld, portable, mobile devices includes an extension rod that has one end provided with a positioning frame for holding and positioning an external mobile device, and has an opposite end provided with a securing member for attaching and securing the extension rod and the positioning frame onto an external article, wherein the securing member and the external article are fixedly connected by a locking unit so as to suspend the mobile device. The fixer is portable and can be easily and quickly mounted on or dismounted from any nearby handrail, particularly as one typically provided in a public transportation vehicle.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to fixers for handheld, portable, and/or mobile devices, and more particularly, to a fixer that is portable and configured to hold and thereby suspend a mobile electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a portable game player, an electronic book, a GPS device or a tablet computer.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, handheld, mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have been popular, and nowadays almost everyone has one. While these mobile devices are relatively compact and light-weight, holding them in hand for a sustained time period is still a significant, accumulative burden to muscle, and this is particularly true for people lacking exercise.
There are some fixers designed for small-size mobile devices, but these fixers commonly fail to provide the advantages desired by users, such as being easy to mount and dismount, being compact and light, and being retractable, thereby being more portable.
The existing fixing tools for mobile devices are mainly using a flexible hose ended with a clamp that is configured to hold the whole tool on a table plate. While such an existing fixing tool is effective in suspending a mobile device over a table, it is structurally weak and tends to deform and come down after a long term of suspension. Also due to its weakness, for operating the mobile device, a user has to first use one hand support the mobile device from its back and then use the other hand to touch the touch screen. Thus causes the existing fixing tools to be unfavorable to mobile device operation.
Moreover, in the existing fixing tool, the clamp can only work well with a planar support. However, when leaving a house and used in a public transportation vehicle, such as a MRT train, a subway or a bus, where there are only vertical mop stick handrails, the fixing tool fails because its clamp cannot engage with the handrails effectively. The above-mentioned problems are for us to solve.

Fixer for handheld, portable, mobile device