At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus which includes an image pickup unit, a first optical member, a film, a second optical member, and a luminosity correcting filter. The image pickup unit includes an image sensor. The first optical member is operatively attached to the image pickup unit and formed of a birefringent crystal material. The film is disposed between the first optical member and an image pickup optical system and formed of an organic material. The second optical member is operatively attached to a first side of the film. The luminosity correcting filter is operatively attached to a second side of the film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having an optical member between an image pickup optical system and an image sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 schematically shows the internal structure of a digital single lens reflex camera as an example of a conventional image pickup apparatus.
In FIG. 1, the digital single lens reflex camera (hereinafter referred to as "DSLR") includes a replaceable photographing lens 1, a reflecting mirror 2, a focal-plane shutter 3, an optical filter 4, an image pickup unit 5, and a finder optical system 6. The reflecting mirror 2 can swing so as to move out of the optical path of the photographing optical system during photographing. The focal-plane shutter 3 mechanically controls the exposure time. The optical filter 4 includes an optical low-pass filter (to be hereinafter described) and a luminosity correcting filter attached to each other. The image pickup unit 5 is disposed at a predetermined focal point of the photographing lens 1 and includes a solid-state image sensor (e.g., a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary MOS)). The finder optical system 6 is disposed above the reflecting mirror 2. After passing through the photographing lens 1, light is led to the finder optical system 6 by the reflecting mirror 2.
The reflecting mirror 2 is located in the optical path of the photographing optical system. When photographing is started by pressing down a release switch (not shown), the reflecting mirror 2 moves out of the optical path of the photographing optical system.
When the reflecting mirror 2 is located in the optical path of the photographing optical system, a subject image formed by the photographing lens 1 can be observed as a finder image through the finder optical system 6. When the reflecting mirror 2 is out of the optical path of the photographing optical system, by releasing the focal-plane shutter 3, the subject image is formed on an image pickup surface of the image pickup unit 5 through the optical filter 4. The image pickup unit 5 outputs an image pickup signal, which is stored in a memory (not shown).
When a subject has high-frequency components, a solid-state image sensor (e.g., a CCD or a CMOS) can generate false signals depending on its sampling frequency. An optical low-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as "optical LPF") can be used for reducing such false signals.
Such an optical LPF includes a combination of one or more quartz birefringence plates and one or more quartz phase plates. In general, a first quartz birefringence plate, a quartz phase plate, and a second quartz birefringence plate can be arranged in this order.
The optical axis of the first quartz birefringence plate is tilted at a predetermined angel, typically at an angle of 45 degrees, with respect to a normal to the entrance plane of the plate. The first quartz birefringence plate is disposed such that the orthogonal projection of its optical axis onto the entrance plane of the plate is in the horizontal direction of the image sensor so as to lower the spatial frequency response. In addition, the first quartz birefringence plate has functions of separating incident light into linearly polarized ordinary and extraordinary rays having predetermined planes of vibration, and of moving the extraordinary ray in the horizontal direction of the image sensor by a predetermined distance.
The optical axis of the quartz phase plate is perpendicular to a normal to the entrance plane of the plate, that is to say, in the plane of the plate. The quartz phase plate is disposed such that its optical axis is at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the orthogonal projection of the optical axis of the first quartz birefringence plate onto the entrance plane of the plate, that is to say, at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In addition, the quartz phase plate has a function of changing the phases of the linearly polarized ordinary and extraordinary rays having predetermined planes of vibration output from the first quartz birefringence plate. The quartz phase plate changes the phases of the incident rays by a phase difference determined by the thickness of the quartz phase plate and the wavelength of the incident rays.
The optical axis of the second quartz birefringence plate is tilted at a predetermined angel, typically at an angle of 45 degrees, with respect to a normal to the entrance plane of the plate. The second quartz birefringence plate is disposed such that the orthogonal projection of its optical axis onto the entrance plane of the plate is in the vertical direction of the image sensor so as to lower the spatial frequency response. In addition, the second quartz birefringence plate has functions of separating incident light into linearly polarized ordinary and extraordinary rays having predetermined planes of vibration, and of moving the extraordinary ray in the vertical direction of the image sensor by a predetermined distance.
In the above-described example, by combining and arranging the first quartz birefringence plate, the quartz phase plate, and the second quartz birefringence plate with the directions of their optical axes appropriately set, the subject image is separated in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image sensor into four images in total, thereby lowering the spatial frequency response in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image sensor corresponding to the separation distance.
However, if a replaceable lens designed for a silver salt film camera is used as a photographing lens for a DSLR such as one shown in FIG. 1, the following difficulties can arise. First, a significant change in the ray aberration of the photographing lens 1 can occur due to the interaction of the ray with the optical filter 4, disposed between the photographing lens 1 and the image pickup surface, and a cover glass, attached to the image pickup unit 5 for protecting the image sensor. In addition, the space between the focal-plane shutter 3 and the image pickup surface for disposing the optical filter 4 will be very small.
To alleviate the above difficulties, the following proposals have been made.
A first conventional technology uses a plate of lithium niobate. The separation distance between ordinary and extraordinary rays is determined by (1) the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of a single crystal material, (2) the angle between a normal to the entrance plane of a single crystal plate and its crystal axis, and (3) the thickness of the plate. On the premise that (2) the angle between a normal to the entrance plane of a single crystal plate and its crystal axis is efficiently set, the separation distance between ordinary and extraordinary rays is determined generally by (1) the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of a single crystal material. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of lithium niobate is bigger than that of quartz. Therefore, when the separation distance between ordinary and extraordinary rays is the same, an optical LPF using a lithium niobate plate can be thinner than an optical LPF using a quartz plate.
A second conventional technology uses a liquid crystal optical filter such that the liquid crystal is injected between two substrates opposite to each other (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-317765). By providing the liquid crystal molecules with a particular alignment, the filter has a large birefringent anisotropy. Therefore, reduction in the size, thickness, and cost of an optical LPF, which is not expected in an optical LPF using a quartz plate, can be achieved.
A third conventional technology uses a polymeric optical LPF (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-122708). A particular photo-polymerizable liquid crystal composition is photo-polymerized, and the obtained optically anisotropic polymeric film is used as an optical LPF. Compared to quartz, a very large anisotropy of refractive index can be obtained. Therefore, reduction in the size, thickness, and weight of an optical LPF can be achieved.
A fourth conventional technology uses an optical LPF formed of a birefringent material as a cover for protecting an image sensor (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-114502). Since a conventional cover glass can be omitted, the thickness of the whole optical plate can be reduced by the thickness of the conventional cover glass.
However, the first to fourth conventional technologies can have the following difficulties.
In the first conventional technology, by forming an optical LPF of a single crystal material of lithium niobate, the whole optical LPF can be thin. However, it can be difficult to polish the plate due to the hardness of the material itself. In addition, since the material has a high refractive index, a high level of antireflective process can be necessary, and therefore the cost increases.
In the second and third conventional technologies, attention is focused on properties of a certain kind of organic material used for liquid crystal and so on, such that the alignment direction of molecules of the organic material is changed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field. Characteristics such that when the alignment direction is uniform, the organic material exhibits an anisotropy related to that of single crystal materials, are applied to an optical LPF. However, it can be difficult to make the alignment direction uniform. Whatever methods are used, alignment nonuniformity remains, and consequently light scattering occurs. A drawback of light scattering is, for example, the fact that, in the case of a point light source, a blur halo can be generated around it to deteriorate the image quality. If liquid crystal layers are layered in the second conventional technology, or if optically anisotropic polymeric films are layered in the third conventional technology, this light scattering is increased approximately in proportion to the number of the layers.
In the fourth conventional technology, since a conventional cover glass for protecting an image sensor can be omitted from the image pickup unit, the thickness of the whole optical plate can be reduced, the spatial efficiency can be improved, and the ray aberration can be reduced. However, in order to be used as a cover glass, the optical LPF needs to be larger than an ordinary optical LPF. In addition, since the optical LPF is close to the image pickup surface, defect control of quartz needs to be stricter. Thus, the cost can be high compared to the case where a conventional cover glass is used.

Image pickup apparatus having, disposed between an image pickup optical system and an image pickup unit, a birefringent crystal optical member, a phase-difference-changing crystal optical member, and a birefringent organic film


An agricultural tilling assembly has an elongate structure, and at least one ground engaging tool sub-assembly. The sub-assembly includes a hub having a mounting portion, a ground engaging tool securable to the hub or integrally formed therewith, and a weight having a body with an open aperture having a mouth, the mouth configured for enabling the weight plate to be threaded over the elongate structure so that the elongate structure extends through the aperture, and the open aperture configured so that the weight plate is maneuverable over a portion of a length of the hub whilst in situ on the elongate structure and to be beatable on the mounting portion. The ground engaging tool is connectable to a respective one of the hubs of the tilling assembly whilst that hub is retained interconnected in situ on the tilling assembly, and without removing another ground engaging tool from the tilling assembly.

The present invention relates to an agricultural tilling assembly. The present invention also relates to components of an agricultural tilling assembly.
Growing agricultural crops requires careful management of the soil in order to maximise crop yield. To this end, well prepared soil enables effective water penetration to the seeds and roots, and the roots are able to grow through the soil with ease. Tilling prepares the soil before seed is cast for sowing. Harrowing equipment works the top soil, typically breaking up clods, and also root beds of previous crops (in other words, stubble), and/or weeds. The intent of harrowing is to disturb the topsoil so as to provide a fine particulate layer within which to be able to sow seeds, but not to disturb subsoil layers.
Overly aggressive harrowing results in the subsoil being mixed into the topsoil, which is not ideal for crop yield. Harrowing too lightly will be ineffective in breaking up clods in the topsoil.
While a variety of types of modern agricultural harrows are used, these all use sets of ground engaging tools that are shaped to tear and/or cut the soil as the harrow is pulled across the field. Typically, the depth of ground penetration is determined by three factors: soil characteristics, the cutting efficacy of the ground engaging tools, and the self weight of those tools/harrow. In this regard, most harrows rely on self weight of the tools and supporting structures, rather than an applied downward pressure, to influence depth of ground penetration.
Moisture content in soil can cause significant changes in soil characteristics, which affects the ability of the ground engaging tools to break up clods. Moisture content can vary dramatically from one season to another, and also change on a daily basis. As will be appreciated, the ability of a farmer to control the depth of ground penetration is limited to managing the cutting efficacy and, if the harrow permits it, the self weight of the harrow.
An agricultural harrow typically has its greatest cutting efficacy when new. Over time, the ground engaging tools wear and/or are damaged by impact with hard objects in the soil, both of which reduce the cutting efficacy. In many instances, the only control that a farmer has on the cutting efficacy is when to replace individual ground engaging tools. Each individual harrow can have hundreds of individual ground engaging tools, so replacing these tools can be an involved and laborious process.
Attempts have been made to provide harrows with the capacity to increase the weight, if desired, and thus increase the ground penetration. These harrows have not been widely adopted, at least in the additional weights are
There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Agricultural tilling system and components


A method and apparatus for camera shake effect image stabilization determines a most favorable image sharpness metric out of image sharpness metrics from a plurality of images that were captured at a same lens position. A final image is selected based on the most favorable image sharpness metric.

Handheld, or mobile, devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), audio and/or video players and other handheld devices have transformed the modern world by providing many practical bundled features within a single package. One such feature is the built in camera. A typical camera for a mobile device is capable of performing still image and video capture. However, due to the limited space and battery life available for camera equipment within mobile devices, the photographic functionality is limited when compared to conventional digital cameras.
For instance, a mobile camera typical has a short, typically 2 to 6 mm, fixed focal length with a fixed aperture (e.g., f/#=2.8). In addition, a mobile device camera has limited memory and digital signal processor ("DSP") capabilities when compared to conventional digital cameras. Mobile device cameras are typically more inexpensive than conventional digital cameras as well.
One problem associated with all forms of handheld photography is hand shake blur. The movement of the camera due to a user hand shake during a picture capture creates a motion blur. Unlike other forms of motion blur, hand shake blur exhibits a random pattern and is difficult to predict based on past motion of the camera.
In the past, one solution that reduces the degree of hand shake blur is to capture images using shorter exposure intervals. This, however, increases the amount of noise in the image, especially in dark scenes. An alternative approach is to try to remove the blur off-line. Blur is usually modeled as a linear convolution of an image with a blurring kernel. Image deconvolution is the process of recovering the unknown image from its blurred version, given a blurring kernel. In most situations the blurring kernel is unknown as well, and the task also requires the estimation of the underlying blurring kernel. Such a process is usually referred to as blind deconvolution. However, blur caused by hand shake cannot be predicted as to direction and speed from one image to the next, which makes blind deconvolution less reliable.
Conventional digital cameras may employ techniques to reduce hand shake blur which are unavailable for mobile device cameras. One technique commonly known in the art is optical image stabilization (OIS). OIS attempts to stabilize the image by altering the optical path to the sensor within the lens itself. Typically hand shake is sensed using one or more gyroscopic sensors and a floating lens element is moved using electromagnets. Such additional components are not feasible in mobile phone cameras due to size and weight, expense and power consumption.
Another technique employed in conventional digital cameras to reduce hand shake blur is known as mechanical image stabilization where the sensor may be moved to counteract the motion of the camera. Manufacturers include components such as angle speed sensors, drive motors, and DSP chips to analyze motion and move the sensor accordingly. As with OIS technology, the size and weight, expense and power consumption of mechanical image stabilization precludes use in mobile device cameras.
Digital image stabilization is a technique where extensive image processing tries to use consecutive frames taken at a high speed, or various extrapolation techniques to reconstruct a less blurred image. However, a typical mobile device camera does not capture the appropriate frames per second to reconstruct an image adequately and the image processing required to extrapolate a less blurred image is expensive and can increase power consumption.
A need exists for hand shake image stabilization in mobile devices that may be robust, repeatable under various conditions and relatively inexpensive. The disclosed operations do not add size or weight and do not unnecessarily reduce battery life.

Method and apparatus for camera shake effect image stabilization


A semiconductor device manufacturing method including forming a dummy capacitor in a fuse region to avoid a step height between plate electrodes in a cell region and in a fuse region, is disclosed herein. The method can be used so that only an insulating film at a target thickness may remain on an upper part of the plate electrode in the fuse region during an etching process for forming a fuse open region, and a fuse failure due to laser blowing can be prevented.

The present invention relates in general to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device; and, more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using a plate electrode as a fuse.
For a semiconductor memory device, high capacity DRAM devices are widely available. DRAM is defined into a memory cell region storing data or information as charge, and a peripheral circuit region for data input/output. Basically, a conventional DRAM cell consists of one transistor and one capacitor. However, reduction in design rule for highly integrated memory devices has made it difficult to ensure the required electrostatic capacity of the capacitor.
As an attempt to resolve this, a three-dimensional structure, such as a cylindrical structure or a concaved structure, was introduced for a capacitor's storage node.
In case of the cylindrical-capacitor storage node, a trench (cavity) where a capacitor's storage node is formed is provided in an oxide film, and a titanium nitride (TiN) film is deposited on the inside of the trench to form a storage node. The storage node oxide film is then removed by a full dip-out process, and a dielectric film and a plate electrode are formed.
Meanwhile, emerging trends in semiconductor devices of a high degree of integration called for an increase in memory capacity and a larger-size chip. Yet the yield of those semiconductor devices is rather low because if one single cell among numerous microcells was detected to have a defect during the manufacture of such a semiconductor device, the entire device was considered defective and had to be discarded or condemned.
Now, a memory has pre-constructed redundancy cells inside to replace cells having a defect caused during the manufacturing process, so that the entire memory can be revived, leading to an increase in the yield of chips.
When a defective memory cell is identified through a test after the completion of a wafer fabrication process, the repair work using those redundancy cells executes, in an internal circuit, a program changing an address of the defective memory cell to an address of a spare cell. Therefore, when an address signal corresponding to a defect line is input, a spare line is selected in replacement of the line having a defective cell.
To repair a defective circuit after completion of manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, an oxide film on an upper part of a fuse line is removed to open a fuse box, and a laser beam is used to blow and cut a fuse. The wiring that is disconnected by the laser beam emission is called a fuse line, and the region around the fuse line is called a fuse box.
FIGS. 1a through 1f are cross-sectional views stepwisely showing a conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 1a, an interlayer insulating film 23 is formed over a semiconductor substrate 21 arranged for a cell region and a fuse region, and a storage node contact hole 25 exposing the semiconductor substrate 21 is formed by using a storage node contact mask.
The storage node contact hole 25 is filled to form a storage node contact plug 27.
The formation of the storage node contact plug 27 over the semiconductor substrate 21 will now be explained in detail as follows.
First of all, a device isolation film is formed over the semiconductor substrate 21 arranged for a cell region and a fuse region, and a recess gate is formed in a region arranged for a gate (not shown).
A lower insulating layer (not shown) is formed on an entire upper surface. The lower insulating layer is then etched by a lithographic-process using a landing plug contact mask, so that a landing plug contact hole is formed (not shown), exposing the semiconductor substrate 21 in a bit line contact region and in a storage node contact region.
Next, the landing plug contact hole is filled to thus form a landing plug (not shown), and a first interlayer insulating film is formed on an entire upper surface (not shown).
The first interlayer insulating film is etched by a lithographic-process using a bit line contact mask, to form a bit line contact hole (not shown).
The bit line contact hole is filled up with a conductive film to form a bit line contact plug (not shown).
A bit line (not shown) is formed on an upper part of the bit line contact plug, and a second interlayer insulating film covering the bit line 23 is formed.
The second interlayer insulating film and the first interlayer insulating film in the cell region are etched by a lithographic-process using a storage node contact mask, to form a storage node contact hole 25.
The storage node contact hole 25 is filled up with a conductive film to form a storage node contact plug 27.
An etch stop film 29 is formed on an upper part of the interlayer insulating film 23. At this time, the etch stop film is composed of a nitride film.
Next, a first sacrifice oxide film 31, a second sacrifice oxide film 33, a hard mask layer 35, and an anti-reflective film 37 are sequentially formed on an upper part of the etch stop film 29.
A first photoresist (not shown) is formed on an upper part of the anti-reflective film 37. The first photoresist is exposed and developed by a storage node mask (not shown) to form a first photoresist pattern 39.
With the first photoresist pattern 39 as a mask, the anti-reflective film 37, the hard mask layer 35, the second sacrifice oxide film 33, the first sacrifice oxide film 31, and the etch stop film 29 are etched to form a storage node region 41. Next, the first photoresist pattern 39, the anti-reflective film 37, and the hard mask layer 39 are removed (FIG. 1b).
Referring to FIG. 1c, a conductive film 43 is formed on an entire upper surface including a storage node region 41.
At this time, the conductive film 43 has a laminated structure made up of a titanium (Ti) film and a titanium nitride (TiN) film.
Referring to FIG. 1d, a second photoresist (not shown) is formed on an entire upper surface. The second photoresist is planarized until the second sacrifice oxide film 33 is exposed, and a storage node 44 is completed in this way.
Next, the second photoresist is removed, and a capping oxide film 45 is formed on an entire upper surface.
Referring to FIG. 1e, the capping oxide film 45, the second sacrifice oxide film 33, and the first sacrifice oxide film 31 are completely removed by a full dip-out process in presence of a chemical solution.
Next, a dielectric film 47 is formed on an entire surface of the storage node 44.
Referring to FIG. 1f, a TiN film 49a and a polysilicon film 49b are sequentially laminated on an upper part of the dielectric film 47 to form a plate electrode 49. In this manner, the structure of a capacitor is thus completed.
At this time, the plate electrode 49 in the fuse region is used as a fuse.
Later, a fourth interlayer insulating film (not shown), a first metal wire contact plug (not shown), a first metal wire (not shown), a fifth interlayer insulating film (not shown), a second metal wire contact plug (not shown), a second metal wire (not shown), and a protective film (not shown) are stacked on an upper part of the plate electrode 49.
A fuse open region (not shown) is formed by lithographic-process using a fuse open mask (not shown). The fourth interlayer insulating film of a designated thickness is the only thing remaining on an upper part of the plate electrode 49 in the fuse region.
Next, the plate electrode 49 in the fuse region corresponding to a defective cell is cut by a laser beam (this is a fuse blowing process).
FIGS. 2a and 2b are photos illustrating problems in a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the prior art.
Referring to the photos, a large step height is formed between the plate electrodes 49 in a cell region and in a fuse region because the capping oxide film 45, the second sacrifice oxide film 33, and the first sacrifice oxide film 31 are completely removed during a full dip-out process. The fourth interlayer insulating film is thickly formed on an upper part of the plate electrode 49.
Due to the shortness height of an existing etching target, the fourth interlayer insulating film on an upper part of the plate electrode 49 may not be removed sufficiently but is formed at a thickness greater than its target thickness (about 2500 Å).
That is, the fourth interlayer insulating film having a thickness of about 12500 Å is formed in the fuse box edge section, while the fourth interlayer insulating film having a thickness of about 14000 Å is formed on the inside of the fuse box (FIG. 2b).
In short, according to the related art manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, the fourth interlayer insulating film is formed thickly on an upper part of the plate electrode due to the full dip-out process for forming a cylindrical shaped capacitor, and this causes a shortage of the etching target during the lithographic-process using a fuse open mask.
Consequently, the fourth interlayer insulating film formed on an upper part of the plate electrode has a thickness greater than its target (about 2500 Å). This thick plate electrode is not easily cut by laser blowing, but causes defects.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A sealable decontamination holding vessel configured to isolate contaminated items being held therein until safe opening of the vessel occurs during a high pressure and temperature sterilization cycle in an autoclave. The vessel basically includes an outer container, a perforated inner receptacle, containment bag and cover lid. The inner receptacle fits into the outer container. The containment bag fits within the inner receptacle with an open end of the bag draped over an open top lip of the inner receptacle. The cover lid is secured and sealed over the open top of the outer container. Patches of self-adhering sealing materials are placed over vent holes in the outer container and cover lid so as to seal the same until they unseal in response to contact with sterilizing steam in the autoclave allowing flow of the steam through the outer container into the inner receptacle and containment bag.

Bio-research institutes have problems in safely transporting airborne pathogens from under hoods and into an autoclave without exposing people to aerosols from open containers. Hospitals dealing with people in isolation have problems with limiting exposure to, and safe sterilization of, their contaminated clothing, needles, trash and other items. Contaminated items have to be sealed until they are ready to be transferred for introduction into an autoclave. Once at the autoclave, the bags holding contaminated items are opened in order to transfer the contaminated items to the autoclave. Unfortunately, this conventional process enables aerosols to potentially contaminate individuals handling the bags and other individuals exposed to the aerosols.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an innovation that will overcome the drawbacks, disadvantages and limitations of conventional approaches to the aforementioned problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sealable decontamination holding vessel for isolating contaminated items


A nozzle and sprayer system for aerosolizing liquid for its even application to foliage. The frustoconical nozzle housing body defines a longitudinal axis, a wall, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, the housing wall at the distal portion being thicker than the housing wall at the proximal portion, and an air chamber defined by the housing wall of the proximal portion. The housing also defines a plurality of tapered air conduits that are spirally and radially arranged about the longitudinal axis that create a vortex in expelled air. The housing also defines a liquid conduit defining a bend. The outlets of the plurality of air conduits are radially arranged about the outlet of the liquid conduit, such that fluid ejected from the outlet of the liquid conduit into the vortex is sheared to create a fog or mist of small liquid particles suspended in air.

The application of treatment fluids, such as insecticides, fungicides and other crop treatment chemicals, including water and horticultural oils, to plants has been widely practiced for protection of the plants, including trees, row crops, nursery plants, and even residential plants. The highest distribution of insects and pathogens on a plant is commonly on the leaves, especially on the undersides of the leaves. However, it is generally very difficult to get adequate coverage of the undersides of the leaves when spraying the foliage with a fluid. For this purpose, fans or blowers are used which direct an open stream of air at high velocity into the plant foliage. This agitates the foliage to expose all leaf surfaces to the applied liquid. Although this may be effective for causing leaf movement, such a direct, high-velocity air stream may also damage tender leaves of plants that are sensitive to physical injury. As physical injury provides a point of entry for pathogens, this can result in significant crop loss or loss of the plant's aesthetic value.
In the past, there have been a wide variety of agricultural sprayers which are typically drawn by tractors, trucks or the like for spraying of liquid chemicals. Generally, prior art sprayers have large propellers or a number of propellers which create an air flow that carries the chemicals to the foliage. However, this type of prior art sprayer uses large amounts of chemical spray and does not always provide full or uniform coverage of the tree foliage. In addition, these sprayers generally spray at random while the trees vary in size, shape and distance between trees, requiring larger amounts of chemical sprays which increases the costs of spraying the trees while wasting chemicals and dispensing excess chemicals into the environment.
Additionally, commonly used sprayer systems include nozzles that are integrated with or otherwise permanently affixed to some part of the sprayer, such as a boom arm or the sprayer housing. Further, many systems have an integrated fan or air source for propelling the fluid onto the plants. Therefore, previously known systems require the applicator to have several complete sprayer units to apply a fluid to a variety of plant types. For example, an applicator may require both a sprayer system having nozzles affixed to a high, vertical boom arm and an integrated fan for spraying citrus trees, and a sprayer system having a low, horizontal boom arm without a fan for spraying delicate row crops such as berries and leafy greens.
Therefore, it is desired to provide a sprayer assembly that aerosolizes an applied fluid and allows for the application of a fluid to any of a variety of targets (for example, plants, buildings, open areas, ponds, or the like), even without a fan for propelling the aerosolized fluid from the sprayer assembly. It is further desirable to provide an interchangeable nozzle that aerosolizes an applied fluid and that may be used with any of a variety of sprayer types, even without a fan for propelling the aerosolized fluid from the nozzle.


The present invention is an image processing device that certainly restores a non-linearly corrected image. A processing unit 4 restores a non-linearly corrected original image or an original image without being non-linearly corrected from a non-linearly corrected initial image data which has been fluctuated like deterioration and was non-linearly corrected by a predetermined way. The processing unit 4 repeats processing using any of fluctuation-factor information data which becomes a factor of fluctuating an image, the initial image data which is non-linearly corrected and the initial image data without being non-linearly corrected which is not non-linearly corrected and obtained by performing inversely non-linear correction against the non-linearly corrected initial data. The processing unit gradually generates any one of the non-linearly corrected initial data and comparison data which is approximated to the initial image without being non-linearly corrected and gradually approximates the energy of the non-linearly corrected initial data to zero. The processing unit performs basic processing of forming the original image data or the non-linearly corrected original image data.

When an object is shot by an image processing device such as a digital camera, the shot image is normally corrected with gamma correction and output. Gamma correction is to adjust the relative relationship between color data of an image and signals at the time of outputting color data in order to obtain a more natural and displayed image. A gamma value is a ratio of a fluctuation of a voltage value to a fluctuation of image brightness. The gamma value is normally non-linear. Further a shot image is deteriorated such as a blur due to hand jiggling (camera shaking.) Hence, in order to attain a higher grade of a restored image from a deteriorated image, the patent document 1 discloses an image processing device for forming a restored image using a deterioration function which is obtained based on information about characteristics of the image processing device after an inverse gummer correction is performed (refer to the summary of the patent document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-20691.
A transfer function such as the degradation function, however, normally has weakness in noise and the like and the value of it largely fluctuations. Hence, an obtained restored image is far from an image shot without a blur, being actually useless. Further, when an image is restored in consideration of noise and the like, a solution may be estimated using singular value decomposition about solutions in simultaneous equations. But calculated values for such estimation run into astronomical numbers, actually yielding a high risk of remaining unsolved.
In order to overcome such problem, the present invention is to provide an image processing device which is able to certainly restore an image performed with non-linear correction.


Disclosed are an electronic device for wireless communication and a method thereof. The electronic device may include an interface module and a processor. The processor may be configured to establish a first Ethernet tethering connection with an external electronic device by using an Ethernet driver, provide an Internet service to the external electronic device using a first IP address allocated to the external electronic device, deactivate the Ethernet driver in response to identifying that the IP address of the electronic device is changed and the first Ethernet tethering connection is in the bridge mode, reactivate the deactivated Ethernet driver, establish a second Ethernet tethering connection with the external electronic device by using the reactivated Ethernet driver, and provide the Internet service to the external electronic device using a second IP address allocated to the external electronic device.

A user may access various data networks (for example, the Internet) using various electronic devices such as, for example, smart phones, tablet computers, notebooks, laptop computers, and desktop computers. In one example, while the smart phone may provide mobile access to phone and computer processing functions to the user, the tablet computer may be carried by the user and may provide a larger screen than the smart phone. Portable notebook or laptop computer may not only provide larger screens than the smart phone but also provide built-in hardware keyboards that allow for efficient word processing. Meanwhile, desktop computer or smart TV may provide larger screens for media viewing but cannot be easily carried due to size and weight thereof.
The user can use various electronic devices according to his or her need. Some electronic devices, for example, portable notebook, laptop computer, or personal computer may provide more various improved computing environments to the user, but may not include a communication circuit (or a wireless communication module) capable to directly accessing a wireless or wired network. And even when the electronic device includes the communication circuit or the wireless communication module supporting one access technology such as wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular communication, the user may desire to access the Internet using another access technology which is not supported by the electronic device.
A dongle is an electronic device that accesses an external electronic device (for example, a terminal device) and allows the external electronic device to access the Internet through wireless broadband network or secure network. For example, an external electronic device having no Wi-Fi communication function or cellular communication function such as 2G, 3G, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G), or New Radio (NR) may be connected to a dongle supporting cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication through wired or wireless means, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB), and may access the Internet through the dongle. For example, the dongle supporting the Wi-Fi connection may be referred to as a Wi-Fi dongle.
With the proliferation of 5G, a 5G dongle making 5G cellular connections to USB Ethernet or Wi-Fi rather than a smart phone is being researched. The 5G dongle may have a direct cellular connection with the 5G cellular network, and may be connected to an external electronic device through USB Ethernet and may provide the cellular connection to the external electronic device through the USB Ethernet.

Electronic device and method for wireless communications


An administration set for an infusion pump includes a free-flow prevention device having a movable plunger that includes a cam surface defining an uneven profile along a direction of movement of the plunger, wherein the shape of the cam surface profile indicates the administration set is authorized for use with the infusion pump and may further indicate the specific type of administration set. A sensor in the infusion pump senses movement of the plunger as a platen of the infusion pump is latched and generates a profile signal in the time domain representative of the cam surface profile. A processor evaluates the profile signal and controls operation of the pump to protect a patient from improper loading of an administration set, use of an unauthorized administration set, and/or use of an invalid type of administration set for a chosen infusion protocol.

Programmable infusion pumps are used to carry out controlled delivery of liquid food for enteral feeding and medications for various purposes, for example pain management. In a common arrangement, an infusion pump receives a disposable administration set comprising flexible tubing having a tubing segment designed to be engaged by a pumping mechanism of the infusion pump. The administration set may further comprise a pair of mounting components fixedly attached to the flexible tubing at predetermined locations at or near opposite ends of the tubing segment, whereby the mounting components are receivable by respective mating features on the infusion pump to secure the tubing segment in proper position for operative engagement by the pumping mechanism. One of the mounting components may provide additional functionality beyond helping to properly locate the tubing segment. For example, one of the mounting components may be configured as a free-flow prevention device operable to selectively stop and permit flow of the infusion liquid through the tubing. Upon loading the administration set in the pump, the free-flow prevention device is actuated from its normal flow-stopping closed position to its open position allowing flow. An example of the arrangement described above is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,921 to Moubayed et al.
It is known to provide different types of administration sets all of which are intended for use with a particular infusion pump model or models. The various types of administration sets may be distinguishable from one another according to design specifications that are chosen based on the specific intended use of the administration set. For example, the tubing segment of the administration set may be dimensioned with a specific inner diameter and wall thickness for carrying certain liquid formulations of known viscosity, and may be formed of a material having a specific durometer. The material durometer, inner diameter, and wall thickness of the tubing segment are held within close manufacturing tolerances to ensure that the administration set provides intended flow characteristics when the tubing segment is acted upon by the pumping mechanism of the infusion pump.
Various types of administration sets may also be distinguishable from one another based on coupling hardware and other structural features provided as part of the administration set. For example, an end of the administration set may be provided with a bag for storing liquid, a vented vial spike, or a non-vented spike. As another example, the administration set may include a filter of a predetermined pore size, or it may not include a filter. Other structural features that may or may not be included in a particular administration set are an anti-siphon valve and a Y-connector having a check valve.
For safety reasons, it is desirable to ensure that the type of administration set chosen for use with a particular infusion pump to deliver an intended infusion protocol is the proper administration set. As an initial matter, it is desirable to confirm that an administration set is installed in the infusion pump. The installed administration set should be authentic from the standpoint that it is approved by the infusion pump manufacturer for use with the infusion pump. The installed administration set should also be of a type that is configured for delivering a selected infusion protocol which the infusion pump is programmed to execute.
What is needed is an administration set detection and authentication scheme that is easily implemented without adding hardware to the administration set or the infusion pump, that determines whether or not an administration set is installed and is authentic, and that distinguishes among different types of authentic administration sets to identify the type of administration set that is installed.

Administration set detection and authentication using cam profiles


The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for compensating frequency shifting of an antenna, applicable to a wireless communication device having at least one frequency shifted operating mode, in which a frequency shifting exists due to a variation of a device use mode or an environmental condition, wherein the method comprises setting in the antenna at least one compensation matching circuit corresponding to the at least one frequency shifted operating mode; detecting the use mode, in which the wireless communication device operates; when the wireless communication device is in the frequency shifted operating mode, switching to a compensation matching circuit corresponding to the frequency shifted operating mode as detected. In the present invention, the difficulty in the bandwidth design of the antenna is reduced, and the effect of the variation of the use mode or environmental condition on the performance of the antenna is compensated adaptively.

With development of the communication technique, various types of wireless communication devices such as computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and the like emerge. The wireless communication devices have a function of wireless communication and thus, facilitate transmission of information and data greatly.
A wireless communication device has an antenna to implement the function of wireless communication. In general, the antenna is designed for a typical use mode of the wireless communication device. When the wireless communication device operates in the typical use mode, the antenna has a good working performance, so that the wireless communication device can communicate efficiently.
Nevertheless, it is necessary for the current wireless communication devices to operate in a variety of environments, and the functions of the wireless communication device have been enhanced gradually to possess different use modes. When the wireless communication device changes the use mode thereof and is not within the typical use mode, the working band of the antenna designed for the typical use mode shifts, thus causing the deterioration of the performance of the antenna. Hence, a traditional antenna is not suitable for all of the use states; the performance of the antenna may deteriorate, and the antenna might even malfunction. In addition, when the environment, where the wireless communication device is located, varies, for example, when the wireless communication device is close to the human body or close to an electromagnetic environment, the working band of the antenna can also shift. Therefore, the traditional antenna cannot deal with the effects that result from the variation of the use mode or the environmental condition.
When the working band of the antenna shifts, generally, the working band thereof is broadened to compensate the effect of the frequency shifting due to the variation of the use mode or the environmental condition. However, a great deal of human power and time to adjust the shifted working band is needed, and as the limitations of various techniques, it is difficult to increase the working band of the wireless communication device. Therefore, there are disadvantages to addressing the issue of the frequency shifting by increasing the working band of the antenna, such as high cost, poor effect, and the like. In addition, under a certain environmental condition, for example, in the case that a human body is close to the antenna, the performance of the antenna is often deteriorated artificially to satisfy SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) standard of the electromagnetic radiation to comply with the requirements of a certification test. Hence, the traditional antenna cannot meet the requirements of both the high radiation efficiency and that of the SAR standard.

Method and apparatus for compensating frequency shifting of antenna


The conductive rubber member of the invention has a conductive elastic layer to which conductivity has been imparted and which serves as an outermost layer, and a surface-treated layer formed through impregnating a surface of the conductive elastic layer with a surface-treatment liquid containing at least an isocyanate component and an organic solvent, wherein the surface-treated layer is formed of an upper portion on the outermost side, and a lower portion beneath the upper portion, the upper portion has a density of the isocyanate component which is greater on the inner side than on the surface side within the upper portion, and the lower portion has a density of the isocyanate component that gradually decreases inwardly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conductive rubber member particularly suitable for a conductive roller (e.g., a charge-imparting roller, an image-transfer roller, a development roller, a toner-supply roller, or a cleaning roller), a cleaning blade, a transfer belt, etc., for use in an image-forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic or toner-jet-type copying machine or printer.
2. Background Art
Conductive rubber rollers, which have rubber elasticity and controlled conductivity, are important members in an electrophotographic process. However, the molecule of the rubber for constituting a rubber roller generally does not have resistivity required for the process (104 to 109 Ωcm), and such rubber roller employed in practice is formed from a limited rubber species such as epichlorohydrin rubber. In many cases, in order to ensure required levels of elastic modulus, mechanical strength, and temperature/moisture characteristics, electrical conductivity is imparted to a chemically stable rubber substrate such as silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM), or polyurethane through addition thereto of conductive microparticles such as carbon black, and a coating layer on the roller is formed in order to prevent staining of an organic photoconductor (OPC) and other members, adjust resistance of the roller, and prevent electrical, leakage.
In recent years, the melting point of a toner binder for use in an electrophotographic copying machine has become lower and lower. In response to this trend, a development roller is required to have low hardness so as to provide a sufficient deformation to ensure charging of the toner. Japanese Patent application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2005-283913 discloses a development roller for satisfying the above requirement. The proposed roller, which includes an elastic layer, a urethane resin coating layer, and a thin layer formed of a hardened isocyanate, maintains softness over the entirety of the roller and has a hard surface.
Formation of a coating layer is not preferred, in that cumbersome steps are required, thereby increasing production cost. In an attempt to readily solve the problem, Japanese Patent application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 5-158341 discloses an approach including chemically treating a roller surface. Although the chemical treatment is an effective approach, a surface-treated conductive roller tends to have a hard surface. In practical use of a hardness-reduced roller, the surface of the roller is considerably deformed. Therefore, such a roller is required to have resilience in response to deformation. A roller having a hard surface-treated layer has insufficient resilience in response to deformation and may cause damage to an OPC or other members, and electrical resistance varies during use thereof, which are problematic.
Japanese Patent application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2007-199694 discloses a conductive roller having a surface-treated layer and maintaining low hardness to a certain extent. However, the surface-treated layer is formed by use of, for example, a surface-treatment liquid which encounters difficulty in entering a conductive elastic layer, and the thus-formed layer is relatively thin. Therefore, the surface-treated layer exhibits insufficient performance in some uses, making the conductive roller unsatisfactory.


A multi-layer molded composite paving block having a first layer comprising reclaimed asphalt, thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic, monofilament fibre material and elastic material, and a second layer comprising thermoplastic such as polyethylene or thermosetting plastic, and an aggregate material, is disclosed. The first layer comprises about 75% to about 95% of the block while the second layer comprises about 5% to about 25% of the block. The plastic constituent in each of the first and second layers at opposing surfaces thereof are heat and pressure bonded with plastic constituent in the other of the first and second layers, so as to form a securely interlocked structural interface between the first and second layers, so as to thereby form a single integral structure.

In North America, and indeed in most of the civilized and populated areas of the world, roads have become an integral part of cities, towns, suburbs, and so on. Indeed, most towns and cities contain hundreds or thousands of miles of roads within their boundaries, and also driveways or parking lots for virtually every building within a city or town.
The conventional way and indeed the most popular way to provide roads, driveways, and parking lots with a top surface is to use asphalt for the top surface. A best estimate is that several million miles of roads and several million acres of parking lots within North America are surfaced with asphalt.
However, there are two fundamental problems with asphalt. One problem is that asphalt is oil based, or at least largely so, and therefore a raw material that is in limited supply is being used when it could be being used for other purposes. Secondly, there is a question of durability, which is now generally recognized as a very significant problem. Many existing roadways and parking lots, even very new ones, are degraded considerably largely due to broken asphalt, and cracks or potholes can be found at any given time. The amount of asphalt roadway in North America that has asphalt damage is quite extensive. Most of the damage is caused by weather cycles, which cause expansion and contraction of the asphalt. Any roadway that does not have asphalt damage has most likely been constructed or repaired in the last few years. This is generally unsightly and also quite expensive. Further, oil and other fluids that drip from vehicles while the vehicle is parked or in motion also cause a significant problem. The amount of damage that is done by oil and other fluids from vehicles is considerable. This damage can be seen in virtually every parking lot, driveway, and roadway intersection in North America. Not only does the oil, or whatever fluid that might be leaking from a vehicle, leave a very unsightly stain on the asphalt surface of a roadway, parking lot or driveway, the asphalt surface in time will start to degrade to a point where it is crumbling and needs to be replaced.
While it is possible to replace small portions of the asphalt surface, at least in most cases, this leaves an unsightly patch--or indeed several patches--of new asphalt.
One alternative that has been recently fairly widely accepted in Noah America as an alternative for resurfacing driveways and small parking lots is interlocking blocks. Interlocking blocks are made of a cementitious or a cement based material having a small relatively constant sized aggregate therein. These blocks come in various shapes and sizes. Basically, these blocks interfit with one another such that the blocks can be installed on a surface to completely cover the surface. The blocks may need to be cut around the perimeter of a surface in order to fit exactly to the outline of the surface. Among the advantages of interlocking blocks are that they do not require the same heavy equipment to install as it takes to create a surface of asphalt, they are easy to replace, only the damaged blocks need replacing which can be done relatively quickly and inexpensively, and they last much longer than an asphalt surface and are much more resistant to damage--including weathering, impact, and leaking oil. They are, however, more expensive to install initially than an asphalt surface, although the cost factor can be spread over many more years since interlocking blocks are generally much more durable than asphalt. Further, it generally takes longer to install a given area of interlocking blocks than to pave the same area with asphalt, which adds to the initial cost. Largely because of the lower initial cost, many parking lots and driveways are still paved with asphalt instead of being surfaced with interlocking blocks. However, because of the long term cost benefits, it is becoming more and more acceptable to use interlocking blocks even where cost is an important and an accountable factor, such as in municipal roads and parking lots or shopping mall and office complex parking lots.
Another advantage of interlocking blocks is that they can, in most cases, allow for ground movement without breaking. The blocks merely shift slightly with respect to one another or in some cases separate slightly :from one another, which is usually acceptable. Further, moisture can pass between interlocking blocks which means that normal water seepage into the ground is not interfered with significantly.
A problem with the present interlocking blocks, however, is that they are cement based and therefore somewhat porous. This means that they can absorb moisture which tends to cause them to crack or break when the moisture freezes during winter weather conditions.
Although some prior art paving blocks, particularly those that are cement based, are available in a variety of colours, there is no known prior art that provides both the structural aspects of an asphalt based block which also includes plastic, rubber and the like, with the aesthetic features of other blocks, or with the aesthetic features and functional features of other materials not normally incorporated into paving blocks. For instance, at the present time, it is generally not possible to match asphalt based paving blocks to the colour of different types of building materials such as bricks, granite, natural stone, and the like. Nor is it possible to provide a paving block having a top surface including materials that are chosen only for their aesthetic properties or for their frictional or tractional properties, or for their cushioning properties but not for their structural properties. All known paving blocks are made of a single mixture that is relatively homogenous in consistency, the components of which must generally be chosen for their structural properties. It is not known to provide a paving block having a separate layer that exhibits aesthetic and mechanical properties that are different than the aesthetic and mechanical properties of the main structural layer or body of the paving block. Further, it is not known how to produce such a two layer block wherein the two layers are bonded with one another so as to form a securely interlocked structural seam therebetween.
Presently, many situations exist where present paving solutions, including interlocking blocks, are not completely satisfactory. In parking lots, for instance, cement based paving blocks may be used, but are generally not suitable as they are not rugged enough to withstand the rigour of parking lot traffic, including heavy trucks, and also snow ploughs during the winter months. Alternatively, asphalt based paving blocks can be used. However, use of strictly asphalt paving blocks would result in a black colour parking lot. While a black colour parking lot is generally acceptable, it may be desirable to have another colour available. This is especially true where other paved surfaces are concerned, such as driveways, patios, playgrounds, and so on.
What is required is an asphalt based paving block having a second top layer containing materials other than asphalt, wherein this top layer may be any suitable colour. Further, the top layer may include materials having specific properties that are desirable in specific situations. Suitably manufactured paving blocks could have a top layer that has a specific resistance to oil and salt, for example.
Such two layer paving blocks could be used to outline specific areas of a parking lot or to provide the lines between parking spaces. Further, two layer paving blocks could also be used to provide the dividing lines on public roads and the "stop lines" at intersections, and the like.
Public roadway intersections, which are known to be prone to being slippery during rainy weather due to the amount of oil that has dripped from cars could have blocks having a top layer that has very high traction characteristics so as to allow for reduced stopping distances even in slippery conditions.
Materials that are sensitive to temperature and that change colour in response to changes in temperature, could be used to indicate when temperatures are around freezing and driving conditions might be slippery.
Paving blocks having increased sound absorbency characteristics could be used on downtown city streets.
Paving blocks having a somewhat soft top layer could potentially be used playgrounds to provide a top surface having relatively high physical cushioning properties.

Multi-layer composite block & process for manufacturing


A vegetable cutting device producing shaped vegetable products which can be attached and assembled to form shaped objects allows adults or children to assemble the various shaped vegetable products to promote an interest in a child consuming fresh raw vegetables in the form of edible toys. The counter or table top cutting device provides a cutting base, and a spring activated safety push plate and a plurality of interchangeable cutting surfaces and pressing templates to cut the vegetables into the several shapes, primarily carrots, celery, radishes, potatoes, broccoli, or other raw nutritional solid fruits or vegetables.

1. Field of Invention
A vegetable cutting device producing shaped vegetable products which can be attached and assembled to form shaped objects allows adults or children to assemble the various shaped vegetable products to promote an interest in a child consuming fresh raw vegetables in the form of edible toys. The counter or table top cutting device provides a cutting base, and a spring activated safety push plate and a plurality of interchangeable cutting surfaces and pressing templates to cut the vegetables into the several shapes, primarily carrots, celery, radishes, potatoes, broccoli, or other raw nutritional solid fruits or vegetables.
2. Description of Prior Art
The following United States patents were discovered and are disclosed within this application for utility patent. All relate to vegetable and fruit cutting devices.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,678 to Plant, an apparatus cuts a potato into a heart shaped core or by splitting the potato after which the opposing sections are scooped out or blades laterally flex to carve out a cavity when the shaft is rotated. The parts are not adapted to be interconnected to form an object. A table top slicing device cuts fruit or vegetables into multiple wedges and drops the pieces into a container below the cutting device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,756 to Muro. An automated device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,096 to Marton, peels, cores and shapes vegetables in to certain football shaped objects by multiple cuts to the vegetable and multiple blades working consecutively to form the vegetable objects. Scoop shaped pieces are formed by use of the cutting blade assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,771 to Mendenhall by a singular fixed blade array as the vegetable is forced through the blade array.
None of the objects disclose a plurality of blade sets which form vegetable objects out of several different raw vegetables which can be assembled to form a shaped object as does the present invention. Herein lies the novelty of the present vegetable cutting device.

Vegetable cutting device for producing interlocking shaped consumable vegetable objects


A dental implant having an external thread configuration and/or a structure which facilitates a single step, immediate load dental implant/prosthesis installation, which significantly reduces healing time between surgeries and which comprises a threaded implant shaft having a core to thread ratio of about 0.45 to about 0.70. The invention also relates to a method for installing such a dental implant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a dental implant, and more particularly to a dental implant with a thread design and structure which provides for dramatically improved loading to thereby facilitate an immediate load implant or an implant with dramatically reduced healing time. The present invention also relates to a method of installing the above identified implant.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dental implants of various configurations currently exist in the art. These implants are installed into prepared bone sites and function as a device for anchoring a component such as a tooth or dental appliance in the patient's mouth. Examples of currently available dental implants are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,800 issued to Niznick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,160 issued to Leuschen, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,299 issued to Laxnaru. Existing dental implant devices commonly include an implant having external threads for installation into a prepared bone site and a hollow interior with internal threads extending from its superior or top end downwardly into the interior of the main body of the implant. Such internal threads are used for connecting an implant mount during the installation process and for connecting a healing cap or a replacement tooth or other prosthesis when the installation is complete. During installation, the implant mount is connected with the implant via a threaded clamp screw. The implant mount interfaces with the implant through a hex connection which enables the implant to be rotated via rotation of the implant mount. It is common for the implant to be provided to the attending surgeon in a pre-mounted position with the implant mount connected to the implant by the clamp screw.
Installation of a dental implant in accordance with current procedures can be summarized as follows. After preparation of the bone site, a dental hand piece with a placement adaptor is positioned onto the implant mount via a hex or other connection. The implant is then positioned in the prepared bone site and installed by rotation of the implant mount, and thus the implant, in a forward or clockwise direction. The hand piece with attached placement adaptor is then removed from the implant mount and an open end wrench or other tool is positioned onto the hex end of the implant mount to remove the same. Because the interface between the threads of a conventional implant and the surrounding bone or tooth tissue is insufficient to resist the compressive forces resulting from normal chewing or biting action, it is necessary to allow the bone or tooth tissue in contact with such threads to heal before a replacement tooth or other prosthesis can be applied. In most cases, this period can be six months or more. Thus, following installation of a conventional implant and removal of the implant mount, a protective cover or healing screw is screwed into the internal threads of the hollow interior for the duration of the required healing time. In some cases the soft tissue surrounding the implant is extended and sutured over the healing screw, while in other cases the top of the implant is substantially flush with the surrounding tissue and the healing screw remains exposed during the healing period.
After the healing period has passed, the surgeon removes the protective screw and installs a healing cap. This healing cap is nonfunctional and remains in place while the tissue heals, generally 4-6 weeks. After this time period, the restoring doctor installs the replacement tooth or other prosthesis. The replacement tooth or other prosthesis commonly includes a mounting stem with external threads to be received by the internal threads of the hollow interior. Several drawbacks exist with respect to the current procedure. The primary drawback is that current procedures require two surgeries at intervals spaced by the required healing time: one surgery to install the implant, and a second surgery to remove the healing screw and install the healing cap and then later, the replacement tooth or prosthesis. The required healing time can be up to six months or longer. With conventional implants, the six month or more waiting time is needed because the external threads of the implant do not efficiently distribute the load and the bone is not strong enough immediately after installation to be fully loaded or to support the implant with a connected replacement tooth or other prosthesis. Thus, with current implants embodying current external designs, a healing period of up to six months or more is required after the first surgery (installation of the implant) to allow the tooth bone to grow around the implant and to heal.
Prior implant designs have existed that allowed a tooth to be placed on the implant immediately. However, these designs utilized osseointegration rather than the current bone implant connection. A further design utilized a threaded implant in combination with a series of tapping instruments to obtain the required compressive force resistance for immediately loading the tooth. Neither of these designs, however, has been widely accepted.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved dental implant with an improved thread configuration and an improved implant structure which eliminates the second surgery or dramatically reduces the time interval between the first surgery and placement of the final prosthesis.

Threaded dental implant with a core to thread ratio facilitating immediate loading and method of installation


Electronic circuitry comprising a data processing circuit for processing a digital signal (DS), such as a digital to analog converter (DAC), and a current compensation circuit (CMP). Both the digital to analog converter (DAC) and the current compensation circuit (CMP) are powered by a single power supply (U1). The current taken from the power supply (U1) by the digital to analog converter (DAC) is normally dependent on the digital input signal (DS). This would lead to distortion since the loss-resistances (R11, R12) which are always present in series with the power supply (U1) then feed a data-dependent supply voltage (U2) to the digital to analog converter (DAC). This problem is overcome by the addition of the current compensation circuit (CMP) which is coupled for receiving the digital signal (DS). The current compensation circuit (CMP) is arranged in such a way that the sum of the data-dependent current drawn by the digital to analog converter (DAC) and the data-dependent current drawn by the compensation circuit (CMP) is substantially independent of the data.

The invention relates to an electronic circuit comprising a data processing circuit for processing a digital signal, which data processing circuit is coupled between a first supply connection terminal and a second supply connection terminal for receiving a supply voltage.
Such an electronic circuit is known from the general prior art. In general, the current consumed by the data processing circuit is dependent on the data content of the digital signal. A certain wiring impedance (ohmic resistance and self-inductance) is always present in series with the supply lines of the data processing circuit. Owing to the presence of this wiring impedance, and owing to the fact that the current consumed by the data processing circuit is dependent on the data content of the digital signal, the data processing circuit is supplied with a voltage which has a data-dependent component. The so-called Power Supply Rejection Ratio of an electronic circuit is always finite, so that distortion of signals will arise in the data processing circuit in dependence on the value of the Power Supply Rejection Ratio. In addition, an undesirable signal crosstalk may arise to other parts of the electronic circuit. Efforts are made in practice to limit this signal distortion and signal crosstalk by designing the data processing circuit such that the Power Supply Rejection Ratio is a maximum. Efforts are further made to minimize the wiring impedance present. These measures, however, are not always sufficient. Moreover, these measures may have the result that the implementation of the data processing circuit is very complicated. It is also possible that such an implementation, in which a high Power Supply Rejection Ratio is sought after, will have a negative impact on other quality aspects.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an electronic circuit with a data processing circuit which does not have the above disadvantages, or at least to a very low degree.
According to the invention, the electronic circuit mentioned in the opening paragraph is for this purpose characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a current compensation circuit which is coupled between the first supply connection terminal and the second supply connection terminal for receiving the supply voltage, which current compensation circuit in the operational state is controlled from the digital signal such that the sum of the current consumption of the data processing circuit and the current consumption of the current compensation circuit is substantially independent of the data content of the digital signal.
Both the data processing circuits and the current compensation circuit have a current consumption which is data-dependent. The data-dependent component of the current consumption of the current compensation circuit has the same magnitude as the data-dependent component of the current consumption of the data processing circuit. The two said current components, however, are in counter-phase. Since the supply connection points of the data processing circuit and of the current compensation circuit are interconnected by means of a very short wiring, there will be substantially no data-dependent current through the wiring impedances. This is because the data-dependent component of the data processing circuit and the data-dependent component of the current compensation circuit compensate one another. The result of this is that the data processing circuit is supplied with a supply voltage which is substantially independent of the data content of the digital signal. Signal distortion and signal crosstalk are thus avoided, even in the case of a low Power Supply Rejection Ratio of the data processing circuit.
An example of an electronic data processing circuit is a so-called DA converter which converts the digital signal into an analog signal.
Advantageous embodiments of current compensation circuits for use in the electronic circuit according to the invention are specified in claims 3 to 6. An advantageous embodiment of a DA converter for use in an electronic circuit according to the invention is specified in claim 7.

Means for compensating a data-dependent supply current in an electronic circuit


A slack adjuster for a vehicle drum brake includes a pinion that rotates about a worm axis whenever the slack adjuster pivots. Excess clearance is taken up upon commencement of the apply stroke, at an accelerated rate. This enables a larger amount of initial clearance to be built into the brake.

A vehicle drum brake has an initial (designed in) clearance between the brake shoes and the drum. The drum brake typically has an automatic slack adjuster that expands the shoes to compensate, as this clearance increases with wear. A problem can occur if the drum expands substantially from heat, for example, when a heavily loaded vehicle traverses a long downhill stretch and repeated applications of the brakes are needed. In this case, the expansion of the drum increases substantially the clearance between the shoes and the drum, possibly leading to a decreased braking effect. The automatic slack adjuster can expand the shoes in an attempt to keep up with the expansion of the drum. When a drum that is hot later cools off, however, it can shrink back to original shoe to drum clearance, minus any automatic adjustment that occurred during braking on the hill. The drum can in some cases shrink enough to bind on expanded shoes, causing brake drag. Some manufacturers compensate for this possibility by limiting the amount of adjustment that is provided with each brake application, in other words, very small increments, to reduce the likelihood of dragging brakes.
Some known slack adjusters adjust on the apply stroke. These adjusters, however, do not start this adjustment at the beginning of the apply stroke. Also, they do not have an increased, designed in clearance.


The present disclosure encompasses novel anti-NGF antibodies, antigen binding proteins and polynucleotides encoding the same. The disclosure further provides use of the novel antibodies, antigen binding proteins and/or nucleotide of the invention for the treatment and/or prevention of NGF related disorders, particularly in for the management of pain.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was the first neurotrophin to be identified, and its role in the development and survival of both peripheral and central neurons has been well characterized. NGF has been shown to be a critical survival and maintenance factor in the development of peripheral sympathetic and embryonic sensory neurons and of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (Smeyne, et al., Nature 368:246-249 (1994) and Crowley, et al., Cell 76: 1001-101 I (1994)). NGF upregulates expression of neuropeptides in sensory neurons (Lindsay, et al, Nature 337:362-364 (1989)), and its activity is mediated through two different membrane-bound receptors, the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor and the p75 common neurotrophin receptor (sometimes termed "high affinity" and "low affinity" NGF receptors, respectively) which is structurally related to other members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family (Chao, et al., Science 232:518-521 (1986)).
In addition to its effects in the nervous system, NGF has been increasingly implicated in processes outside of the nervous system. For example, NGF has been shown to enhance vascular permeability (Otten, et al., Eur J Pharmacol. 106: 199-201 (1984)), enhance T- and B-cell immune responses (Otten, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:10059-10063 (1989)), induce lymphocyte differentiation and mast cell proliferation and cause the release of soluble biological signals from mast cells (Matsuda, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:6508-6512 (1988); Pearce, et al., J. Physiol. 372:379-393 (1986); Bischoff, et al., Blood 79:2662-2669 (1992); Horigome, et al., J. Bioi. Chem. 268:14881-14887 (1993)).
NGF is produced by several cell types including mast cells (Leon, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3739-3743 (1994)), B-lymphocytes (Torcia, et al., Cell 85:345-356 (1996), keratinocytes (Di Marco, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 22838-22846)), smooth muscle cells (Ueyama, et al., J. Hypertens. 11: 1061-1065 (1993)), fibroblasts (Lindholm, et al., Eur. J. Neurosci. 2:795-801 (1990)), bronchial epithelial cells (Kassel, et al., Clin, Exp. Allergy 31:1432-40 (2001)), renal mesangial cells (Steiner, et al., Am. J. Physiol. 261: F792-798 (1991)) and skeletal muscle myotubes (Schwartz, et al., J Photochem. Photobiol. B66: 195-200 (2002)). NGF receptors have been found on a variety of cell types outside of the nervous system. For example, TrkA has been found on human monocytes, T- and B-lymphocytes and mast cells.
An association between increased NGF levels and a variety of inflammatory conditions has been observed in human patients as well as in several animal models. These include systemic lupus erythematosus (Bracci-Laudiero, et al., Neuroreport 4:563-565 (1993)), multiple sclerosis (BracciLaudiero, et al, Neurosci. Lett. 147:9-12 (1992)), psoriasis (Raychaudhuri, et al., Acta Derm. I'enereol. 78:84-86 (1998)), arthritis (Falcim, et al., Ann. Rheum. Dis. 55:745-748 (1996)), interstitial cystitis (Okragly, et al., J. Urology 161: 438-441 (1999)) and asthma (Braun, et al., Eur. J Immunol. 28:3240-3251 (1998)). A consistently elevated level of NGF in peripheral tissues is associated with hyperalgesia and inflammation and has been observed in several forms of arthritis. The synovium of patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis expresses high levels of NGF while in non-inflamed synovium NGF has been reported to be undetectable (Aloe, et al., Arch. Rheum. 35:351-355 (1992)). Similar results were seen in rats with experimentally induced rheumatoid arthritis (Aloe, et al., Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 10:203-204 (1992)). Elevated levels of NGF have been reported in transgenic arthritic mice along with an increase in the number of mast cells (Aloe, et al., Int. J. Tissue Reactions-Exp. Clin. Aspects 15:139-143 (1993)).
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic musculoskeletal diseases in dogs, affecting 20% of the canine population over one year of age. The development of OA is mainly secondary to trauma, joint instability, and diseases such as hip dysplasia. Osteoarthritis is a disease condition of the entire joint, and both inflammatory and degenerative changes of all articular structures result in disability and clinical signs of lameness and pain. Pain is the most important clinical manifestation of canine OA and it is the result of a complex interplay between structural joint changes, biochemical and molecular alterations, as well as peripheral and central pain-processing mechanisms. Within this network, the activation and sensitization of peripheral nociceptors by inflammatory and hyperalgesic mediators (e.g. cytokines, prostaglandins and neuromediators) is one of the main peripheral mechanisms responsible for the joint pain. Treatment of canine pain by a non-pharmaceutical medicament that would provide relief for longer periods of time than would classic pain treatment in canines is clearly an unmet need.
Within the United States alone approximately 14.5 million dogs suffer from OA (2010 market research). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common drug category prescribed by veterinarians, but are limited by their efficacy and tolerability. Market research indicates that approximately 9 million dogs are treated with NSAIDs within the US. Corticosteroids are used rarely and typically for a short period of time and as a last resort. There clearly remains an unmet need for a convenient, safe product that effectively treats dogs with OA.
In felines, OA is a pathological change of a diarthrodial synovial articulation, characterized by the deterioration of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, bone remodeling, soft tissue changes and a low-grade non-purulent inflammation. Even though radiographic features of feline OA have been well described, clinical signs of disease are poorly documented and can go undiagnosed. The difficulty in assessing lameness in cats results for their small size and natural agility which allows them to compensate. It is believed, however, that clinical signs of feline OA include weight loss, anorexia, depression, abnormal elimination habits, poor grooming, aggressive behavior and a gradual reduction in the ability to jump to overt lameness. Based on misdiagnosis feline OA remains generally untreated and is an unmet veterinary medicine need.


A device may process a call, receive a request to forward the call at a call extension point, obtain information about parked calls from a queue that stores information associated with the parked calls, determine whether the call may be parked or forwarded to a terminating device based on the information, park the call at the call extension point when it is determined that the call may not be forwarded, and forward the call to the terminating device when it is determined that the call may be forwarded.

When a user calls a service (e.g., a toll-free number), an interactive/intelligent voice response (IVR) system may help the user navigate a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signal activated or voice-activated menu system. If a particular termination (e.g., a call handler) is unavailable, the call may be parked (e.g., put on hold) until the termination is able to handle the call.

Parking and routing network calls and sessions


A digital signal recording disc has a first area and a second area. The second area differs from the first area. The first area stores a first-channel digital audio signal and a second-channel digital audio signal. The first-channel digital audio signal results from quantizing a first-channel analog audio signal with a first quantization bit number. The second-channel digital audio signal results from quantizing a second-channel analog audio signal with a second quantization bit number. The second area stores information of the first and second quantization bit numbers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a recording medium such as a digital video disc, or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Also, this invention relates to an apparatus for encoding an audio signal. Furthermore, this invention relates to an apparatus for decoding an audio signal. In addition, this invention relates to an optical disc player such as a DVD (digital video disc) player.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical discs for storing information include digital video discs (DVD's). A standard DVD stores a combination of an audio signal and a video signal. The audio-signal recording capacity of the standard DVD is significantly smaller than the video-signal recording capacity thereof. It is difficult to manage time-related information of the audio signal recorded on the standard DVD. It is difficult to read out information of the titles of tunes represented by the audio signal recorded on the standard DVD.

Recording medium and audio-signal processing apparatus