A method and appliance for the application of a continuous, low level force tending to oppose rotational movement of the hand about the carpus. This opposing force tends to relieve contractatures of the transverse carpal, volar carpal, and intra carpal ligaments over time, thus relieving the pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and correcting altered kinematics associated therewith. This opposing force tends to increase the carpal volume. According to the principles of the invention, a dynamic splint appliance is described which provides free movement of the patient""s wrist with minimal impediment during activities of daily living, both at home and at work, while simultaneously applying this opposing force. The appliance consists of a forearm component to maintain alignment and to provide support and stabilization for a biasing means positioned on the ulnar side of the forearm, the biasing means consisting of a double coil spring located at approximately the ulnar side of the carpus and connected to a palmar component fastened to the ulnar side of the hand. The biasing component provides resistive force to volar glide in a manner which accurately models the kinematics of the carpus and forearm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to medical therapeutic systems, and deals more particularly with methods and devices for treating and curing functional disorders of the human carpus. More particularly, the present invention provides a splint for providing dynamic pressure to the transverse carpal, volar carpal, and intra-carpal ligaments, in a manner tending to relieve contractures of these ligaments and thus relieve the pain caused thereby.
2. Description of the Related Art
A. General Description of the Condition
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a painful condition caused by compression of the median nerve of the forearm. The median nerve and the flexor tendons pass from the forearm to the hand through the wrist canal, or carpal tunnel. The median nerve in particular can be compressed by one or more factors such as a reduction in carpal tunnel volume or swelling of tissues passing through the carpal tunnel. Such compression of the median nerve causes intense pain to the patient, often necessitating extended therapy or surgery to alleviate the problem.
It is commonly believed that CTS is caused by prolonged repetitive activity, such as holding the hand, wrist, and forearm in an awkward position for extended lengths of time while exerting the associated muscles. Prolonged exertion at a keyboard or manual labor are common, but by no means the only, associations with CTS. The direct cause of CTS is believed to be a biomechanical ligament imbalance in the volar carpal ligaments, where the term xe2x80x9cvolarxe2x80x9d indicates a direction towards the palm of the hand as opposed to xe2x80x9cdorsalxe2x80x9d which indicates a direction towards the back of the hand. Specifically, this biomechanical imbalance of the ligaments is believed to comprise a thickening of the palmer transverse carpal ligament (PTCL, also known as the retinacular ligament), a thickening of the volar intracarpal ligaments, and contraction of an assortment of volar carpal ligaments.
B. Kinematics of the Carpal/Forearm Complex
The flexor muscle tendons of the forearm acting on the wrist, fingers, and thumb volarly exert a collective static force many times greater than the extensor muscle tendons acting dorsally to stabilize these same members. This interaction between the flexor muscles (antagonist) and the extensor muscles (agonist) is termed xe2x80x9ccocontractionxe2x80x9d. Cocontraction tends to hold the joint in a fixed and stable position. The flexor-to-extensor ratio of these opposing forces is normally four to one. However, work demands often increase this ratio through hypertrophy of the flexor muscle tendon units; this hypertrophy is caused by executing high intensity tasks involving extended duration and which dominantly involve finger, thumb, and wrist function.
The interaction between the carpal ligaments and the flexor and extensor muscles becomes more pronounced with time and intensity of activity. The effect of the volar flexor forces, acting upon the PTCL as a pulley, attenuate the PTCL and apply forces anteriorly and medially. This places traction forces to the ligament ends of the carpus. Each night, while the flexor/extensor muscles are at rest, the volar intracarpal ligaments restore their normal position grossly; however, some minute anteriomedial deformity remains, and slack of the PTCL is concurrently taken up by contractile forces of this and the other ligament(s). Numerous cycles of activity followed by rest develop an established deforming characteristic which is manifested by narrowing the horseshoe ends of the carpal tunnel, which are held in position by a thickening PTCL and other volar carpal ligaments, resulting in a transverse deformity. Simultaneously, the PTCL, acting as a pulley, concentrates the load of the finger and thumb function so that a volar glide is initiated, where volar glide is defined as movement of the carpal metacarpal complex as a unit in a volar direction. This volar glide of the carpal metacarpal complex attenuates the predisposed thin dorsal carpal ligaments (DCL) originating from the distal radial ulna (DRU). Since the volar carpal ligaments collectively become less stressed, they begin to contract, thus encouraging the anteriomedial collapse of the intercarpal spaces simultaneous to a longitudinal deformity.
The long moment arm of the carpal muscle tendon units are only capable of stabilization of the carpus when the muscle tone is within normal limits, i.e. flexor-to-extensor ration of approximately 4 to 1; these forces acting on the carpus in flexion are convergent toward the muscle origin and are regulated by an interplay of antagonists, pulleys, and joint alignment. A variation of one or more serves to simplify convergence towards a direct line to this point of origin and shorten the distance therebetween. This force results in a decreasing biomechanical advantage which is manifested by a volar shift of the axis of the proximal carpal row. This may account for the propensity of patients with CTS to develop odd compensatory behaviors as, for example, flexing the wrist during power grasping, conceivably to account for the change in position of the more volarly placed PTCL. Carpal tunnel volume is further reduced, and any other predisposition will hasten onset of the painful and crippling CTS condition. Thus, the resistance of the PTCL and related volar ligaments which is encountered when returning the carpal metacarpal complex to a neutral position, i.e. dorsal glide, should be indicative of the severity of the condition of carpal tunnel syndrome or the propensity of the subject to incur the condition.
C. Standard Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
To date, CTS has been treated with wrist rests, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, surgery, and static and dynamic wrist splints. Alone or combined, these treatments have met with varying degrees of minimal success. Symptom relief is short lived and compounded by surgical complications. Even after these treatments are applied, the patient""s biomechanical configuration remains unchanged or complicated. Reduced grasp strength has been well documented. The obvious solution, i.e. removing the cause of the injury by refraining from the manual labor believed to cause the problem, is not always practical since the cause of the injury is frequently the means by which the patient obtains his or her livelihood. The next best choice, prevention through proper intervention, can be achieved by enlarging the carpal tunnel to maintain adequate space for the median nerve and thus avoid compression. However, the mechanism for correcting this condition long term does not yet exist.
The carpal tunnel can be enlarged by osteopathic manipulation and stretching maneuvers, thereby alleviating compression on the median nerve and resolving CTS. While severe cases may require other treatment, manipulation is effective in the majority of cases and has the advantage of being prophylactic, i.e. a preventative. Optimum resolution of the symptoms requires frequent stretching and the assistance of another person, a physician or therapist to perform the manipulation. There is a need for an appliance which a patient can use to augment treatment by the physician or therapist. It is known from studies of rehabilitated knee joints and elbow joints that the longest period of low force stretching produces the greatest amount of permanent elongation of connective tissue. Ideally, the stretching would be accomplished by means of an appliance which is adjusted by the physician or therapist to provide the appropriate force for stretching, preferably continuously.
The prior art is replete with splint appliances which are designed to reduce CTS pain. One such appliance is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,645, issued to Lemmen, where a carpal splint is provided with an elongated, flexible member having a palmar portion configured to extend from the middle of the forearm, across the volar carpal area, and across the palm to bias the palm in a dorsal direction. It also functions as a reminder of the proper positioning to relieve pressure on the median nerve associated with CTS. It is designed to allow use of the fingers and thumb and to permit near normal hand function.
Another such appliance is described in a series of patents by Davini, i.e. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,966,137, Re. 34,627, and 5,385,527. Each of these appliances is based upon essentially the same premise, namely, each functions to enlarge the carpal tunnel by compressing the radius and ulna together using an external clamp and bandage configuration which encircles the carpus, so that free use of the hand and fingers is permitted. Stretching of the PTCL or other carpal ligaments is not addressed by these devices.
Still another such appliance is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,220, issued to Sucher. Like the ""137 and ""627 patents, it is also intended to relieve pressure on the median nerve by increasing the volume of the carpal tunnel. The appliance encircles the carpus and, using spring loaded pads, provides dorsal and volar pressure on the radius, ulna, and other carpal bones which tends to increase tunnel volume. It can be removed by the user if long term use causes irritation or sensitivity to the skin.
However, there are a number of difficulties in the use of such appliances. First, simply prescribing the use of an appliance does not mean that the patient will use it properly. If a patient is expected to put on and remove an appliance, a properly adjusted appliance must not be able to be put on incorrectly or to inflict either too much or too little stretching. Proper use also refers to the compliance or self-discipline of the patient and how easy it is to use the appliance. In general, an appliance that is mechanically simple, easy to use, and comfortable to wear will more likely be used as directed.
Second, the skin is sensitive to long term pressure, which can cause a localized loss of circulation and lead to ulceration. Obviously, a patient will not be comfortable if an appliance causes such irritation. On the other hand, sufficient pressure must be applied in order to be effective. Such an appliance must be comfortable to wear and not cause undue irritation or pressure on the skin.
Third, an appliance must not interfere with the normal activities of living. It must be comfortable in the sense that it does not interfere with the function of the arm, wrist, and hand. Otherwise, a patient is unlikely to wear the appliance long enough to be fully effective, preferably overnight, or when performing routine tasks which may irritate the median nerve or promote the deformities. An appliance duplicating the manipulation by a physician or therapist would obviously interfere with the patient""s use of the hand. What is desired is an appliance which duplicates as much of the physician""s treatment as possible without interfering with the use of the arm, wrist, or hand.
Fourth, it is desirable to have an appliance which will not only promote the stretching of the carpal ligaments so as to relieve pressure on the nerve, but also to restore the proper ratio of cocontraction between the flexor and extensor muscles which tend to hold the carpal joint in the proper alignment while carpal ligament stretching is being effected. This encouragement of cocontraction is missing from all existing devices. In order to achieve proper joint stabilization, the device must allow the ligaments to re-engage and reestablish joint stability as well as increasing muscle tone of the flexor and extensor muscles around the perimeter of the joint.
Fifth, it has been observed in practice that the distance between the metacarpals and the distal ulna-radius changes during flexion and extension of the hand. This change of distance results in an elliptical path being followed by the hand during its range of motion from flexion to extension. Furthermore, a differential motion has been observed during supination and pronation between the distal and proximal areas of the forearm. It is desirable in any dynamic splint design to mirror these kinematics so that binding of the appliance is prevented and a proper dorsal force can be applied by the splint appliance to resist volar glide.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved appliance and method for resolving CTS. Such an appliance should desirably have the following characteristics:
1. The appliance must duplicate the stretching maneuver performed by a trained therapist to stretch the PTCL and collective volar carpal ligaments over time;
2. The appliance must be easily worn and removed by a patient with minimal or no training required for its use;
3. The appliance must not present pressure points to the patient or unduly irritate the skin;
4. The appliance must be easily worn during routine daily life with little or no interference with motion during supination and pronation or during manipulation of the fingers;
5. The appliance must both promote restoration of the carpal ligaments to their proper configuration as well as restore the proper cocontraction of the stabilizing flexor and extensor muscle groups against the carpal joint;
6. The appliance must be able to accommodate individuals having different forearm and wrist measurements; and,
7. The appliance must be not bind during supination and pronation of the forearm.
Other characteristics such as ease of manufacture and ease in cleaning the appliance are also desirable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and appliance for treating CTS.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method and appliance directed to the relief of pressure on the median nerve through the application of continuous, low intensity, volarly directed pressure to the hand in order to gradually lengthen the palmer transverse carpal ligament over time.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method and appliance which will restore the desired flexor-to-extensor ratio of force to the forearm of a person experiencing CTS.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and appliance which promotes restoration of the cocontractive forces of the flexor and extensor muscles on the carpal joint so as to allow the carpal ligaments to be properly stretched and/or contracted in order to achieve a normal carpal configuration.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance for the treatment of CTS which is comfortable to the person wearing the appliance.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance for the treatment of CTS which will not unduly interfere with the normal activities of daily living.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which can be worn, adjustment, and removed by a patient with ordinary skill without adversely affecting the function of the appliance.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which will not bind while the patient wearing the device performs supination or pronation movement and will continue to provide restorative force to the carpus during such movements.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which is simple in construction.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which can be easily adjusted to provide variable tension resisting dorsal movement of the hand.
Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which accurately models the kinematics of the carpal/metacarpal complex in order to provide continuous tension resisting dorsal movement of the hand.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description and in the drawings which follow and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as broadly described herein, the present invention provides methods and devices for a dynamic splint for relieving carpal tunnel syndrome. The method of the invention is implemented by means of a dynamic orthotic appliance designed to provide low level pressure on the PTCL over extended periods of time while at the same time allowing the user to execute the standard activities of daily living, as well as general activities particular to the user""s occupation, without interference from the orthotic. This is provided by a biasing component which models the movement of the carpal/metacarpal and distal forearm/carpal joints by employing a unique and innovative spring tensioning arrangement in the form of a plurality of coils to provide continuous, low pressure force opposing rotational movement of the hand about the carpus. The multiple coil arrangement mimics the lengthening and shortening of the distance between the metacarpals and the distal ulna-radius as the hand moves volarly and dorsally. By mimicking this lengthening and shortening which has been observed empirically, the biasing component accurately tracks hand movement. It can thus apply a continuous, low level force which accurately opposes rotational movement of the hand about the carpus to promote restoration of normal function to the carpus and forearm. The novel coils of the biasing component are positioned generally on the ulnar side of the carpus where they do not interfere with hand and arm movement during normal activities of daily living. They have a torquing end coupled to the hand and a supporting end which is coupled to the forearm. The biasing component has a rest, or zero force, position in which the hand is slightly and dorsally deviated at an angle from the plane formed by the ulna and radius of the forearm; any volar or dorsal movement from this angle is resisted by the biasing component.
In one embodiment of the invention, the dynamic orthotic appliance consists of three componentsxe2x80x94a biasing component, a forearm component, and a palmar component. The palmar component is positioned on the ulnar side of the hand and is designed to allow unobstructed flexion of the fingers and opposition of the thumb with the fingers; it couples the supporting end of the biasing component to the hand. The forearm component couples the supporting end of the biasing component to the forearm and maintains the biasing component in particular relationship and alignment with the ulnar aspect of the forearm and carpus during all normal movements. The forearm component allows supination and pronation of the forearm without binding of the appliance or obstructing free movement by creating two independently moving portions, which are generally associated with the distal and proximal aspects of the dorsal forearm to permit differential movement of portions of the forearm during supination and pronation. It places the biasing force on the ulnar side of the forearm and hand in order to avoid interference with normal movement. The three components are articulated in a novel manner which further avoids interference with the normal activities of daily living.
In an alternative embodiment, the device made according to the invention comprises a forearm component having two independently moving portions which are generally associated with the radial and ulnar aspects of the dorsal forearm to permit differential movement of portions of the forearm during supination and pronation. The force exerted by the biasing component can be controlled by a volar transverse strap.
In still another alternative embodiment, the device made according to the invention comprises a forearm component which has been reduced to a simple carpal cuff for stabilization of the biasing device and for providing a fulcrum about which the biasing component rotates. The level of force exerted by the biasing component can be controlled by a transverse strap connected to the supporting end of the biasing component and running volarly from the radial side to the ulnar side of the forearm to removably connect to the surface of the carpal cuff.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same element throughout.

Dynamic splint for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment


A method and an apparatus for panoramic dental X-raying comprises an arm (7) rotating about an axis (6), a radiation source (9) at one end (8) of the arm for generating an X-ray beam (12), a shutter (13) for shaping the X-ray beam, and at the opposite end (10) of the arm, a recorder (11) for receiving the X-ray beam after it has passed through the dental arch for forming an image of the dental arch. The X-raying is performed with rotation of the arm (7) so as to image substantially the entire length of the dental arch. The shutter (13) narrows the X-ray beam (12) in the front area of the dental arch in order to increase the thickness of the sharply imaged layer compared to the two sides of the dental arch.

This invention relates to a method for panoramic dental X-raying, in which the beam of rays emitted from a radiation source mounted on a rotating arm is guided through the dental arch to a recorder located in the arm opposite the radiation source in order to form an image, and in which the arm is rotated so as to form an image of essentially the entire length of the dental arch. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.
Panoramic X-raying aims at forming images of the teeth in a projection that is as orthogonal, i.e. perpendicular as possible, thus avoiding having the teeth imaged in an overlapping manner. Since the dental arch differs in shape from a circular arch, the axis of rotation of the arm must be shifted in course of the imaging in order to achieve the purpose of orthogonal imaging. The radius of curvature of the dental arch being smallest in the front area of the arch, it is preferred to approach the axis of rotation to the teeth when this area is imaged in order to minimise the need for shifting the axis. During X-raying of the molar teeth, the distance between the axis and the spot of the teeth to be imaged is typically longer.
Due to the short distance between the axis of rotation of the arm and the spot of the teeth to be imaged in the front area of the dental arch, the sharply imaged teeth layer will be narrow in this area. In terms of imaging geometry, the spots located in a single plane through which the beam of rays penetrates each time will be projected as spots to the recorder. Beyond this plane, the spots covered by the beam of rays will be projected as elongated lines to the recorder, and the thickness of the xe2x80x9csharpxe2x80x9d layer on either side of the plane is determined by the degree of extension considered acceptable. Generally a 0.6 mm blur is used as the limit of the sharp layer, blur implying the spot extension divided by the ratio of enlargement.
A narrow sharp layer, i.e. a thin layer in the front area of the dental arch, involves a drawback, since the teeth position divergence is highest precisely in this area. If the teeth are not included in the sharp layer, but will be located more or less outside this, the X-raying has failed. There is thus a need to compensate for this drawback so as to achieve increased probability of successful images and to reduce the need for repeated X-raying sessions, which would expose the patient to additional radiation.
The object of the invention is thus to provide a solution for eliminating the drawback of current panoramic X-raying techniques mentioned above. The invention comprises limiting the X-ray beam by a shutter in the front area of the dental arch as compared to the two sides of the arch, in order to increase in said front area the thickness of the layer of which a sharp image is formed, and retarding the movement of the X-ray beam in said front area of the dental arch compared to the two sides of the arch.
The invention is based on imaging geometry, in which the thickness of a sharply imaged layer is inversely proportional to the width of the beam of rays on the recorder. Should the beam be infinitely narrow, it would form an infinitely thick image, in other words, all the objects located between the source of radiation and the recorder would be imaged with equal sharpness. Inversely, the broader the beam of rays, the narrower the sharply imaged layer between the source of radiation and the recorder. In the practice, the beam of rays obtained from the source of radiation has a finite width, and by adjusting this width under control with the shutter in accordance with the invention, the invention allows compensation for the decreased thickness of the sharp layer that would occur in the front area of the dental arch if no adjustment were performed.
In accordance with the invention, the increased thickness of the sharp layer in the front area of the dental arch facilitates the positioning of the patient, provides higher probability of successful images and reduces the exposure to radiation of the patients. It is particularly notable that the increased layer thickness provides enhanced visibility of the dental structures, such as the root tips, in the pictures.
An adjustable shutter of X-ray beams is not novel per se, but has been disclosed i.a. by FI lay-out print 64999 (Patent Application 802,988) and FI Patent Application 812,954. However, these references do not describe the use of a shutter with a view to decrease to thickness of the sharp layer in the front area of the teeth, as in the present invention.
As it has appeared above, there is a need for compensating for the narrowed sharp layer in the front area of the dental arch especially in such panoramic X-raying applications where the axis of rotation of the arm is shifted during the imaging session so that the distance between the axis and the imaged spot of the dental arch, i.e. the xe2x80x9cradius of imagingxe2x80x9d is shortest in the front area of the arch. In this area, the X-ray beam penetrates the dental arch substantially perpendicularly. The solution to this is to limit the X-ray beam as in the invention on either side of the central normal to the arch in a sector with a central angle of e.g. approx. 60-80xc2x0, preferably about 70xc2x0.
In accordance with the invention, the X-ray beam is narrowed in the front area of the dental arch preferably so as to obtain an at least 50% increase of the thickness of the sharp layer. The layer thickness of the sharp layer will preferably be about 1.5 cm or more in the front area of the arch. With current panoramic X-raying methods, involving a short imaging radius in the front area of the dental arch, the thickness of the sharp layer is typically of the order of magnitude of about 1 cm or even less, without the compensation of the invention.
Since a narrower X-ray beam decreases the radiation impinging on the recorder, in order to achieve adequate exposure, it is necessary to retard the movement of the X-ray beam in the front area of the dental arch relative to the two sides of the arch. In this connection, the movement of the beam refers to the speed. The beam is moved or scanned along the dental arch in a direction transverse to the radiation direction. In the practice, the retardation can be of the order of about 40%-60%, preferably about 50%. By these means, a substantially homogeneous dark tone of the image is available over the entire length of the dental arch.
Since, in the practice, it is desirable to X-ray the dental arch with one single continuous rotational movement, the X-ray beam is limited in accordance with the invention as the movement reaches the front area of the dental arch, and after this the beam is accordingly enlarged to its original width as it leaves this area. It is thus preferable to connect the adjustment of the shutter with the movement performed during the imaging, for instance by narrowing and widening the shutter aperture through which the X-ray beam passes under mechanical control of the movement of the axis of rotation of the arm. Retardation and subsequent acceleration of the movement of the X-ray beam would take place in tandem with the gradual narrowing and widening of the shutter to ensure a substantially constant exposure of the arch to X-rays through the entire length of the arch.
The apparatus of the invention for panoramic dental X-raying, which comprises an arm rotating about an axis, a radiation source at one end of the arm for emitting an X-ray beam, a shutter shaping the X-ray beam, and a recorder placed at the opposite end of the arm to receive the X-ray beam after it has passed through the dental arch for forming an image of the dental arch, is characterised by the shutter comprising an aperture through which the X-ray beam passes and which is disposed to decrease in width during the rotational movement of the arm and to subsequently resume its original width. The adjustment of this aperture is preferably performed under mechanical control by the arm rotating mechanism.

Method and apparatus for panoramic dental X-raying


The invention provides a semiconductor chip comprising an interconnecting structure over said passivation layer. The interconnecting structure comprises a first contact pad connected to a second contact pad exposed by an opening in a passivation layer. A metal bump is on the first contact pad and over multiple semiconductor devices, wherein the metal bump has more than 50 percent by weight of gold and has a height of between 8 and 50 microns.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor chip, and particularly to a semiconductor chip with a post-passivation scheme formed over a passivation layer.
2. Description of Related Arts
The Au bumps are used for the TCP (tape carrier packaging) and COG (chip on glass) assembly in the LCD driver ICs. Due to the finer pixel demand and ever-increasing panel size, the required number of I/O layouts is increasing. In the conventional design, referring to FIG. 1, the chip 101 includes a single row of IO contact pads 102 exposed by openings in a passivation layer. The IO contact pads 102 are at the periphery of the chip 101. Au bumps 103 are formed on the 10 contact pads 102. There are no semiconductor devices, such MOS devices or transistors, under the IO contact pads 102.
With the increasing of the number of the IOs, the size of the Au bumps 103 have to be shrunk to maintain the chip 101 in a small size. Then it becomes technically difficult and economically expensive in connecting the chip 101 to an external circuitry.
Some designers design the contact pads 202 of the chip 201 aligned in two rows, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the contact pads 202 exposed by openings in a passivation layer 204. There are no semiconductor devices 205, such MOS devices or transistors, under the contact pads 202 and Au bumps 203, neither. Then the chip 201 cannot be maintained in a small size since the underlying semiconductor substrate 206 vacates a peripheral region 207 having no semiconductor devices.

Semiconductor chip with post-passivation scheme formed over passivation layer


A full serial implementation of a M-level correlation based demodulator (100) includes a two""s complement, pass-through, zero-out complex conjugate multiplier element (102), a boxcar filter (104) coupled to the multiplier element, a complex magnitude approximater element (106) coupled to the boxcar filter and a maximum value and index holding element (108). The multiplier element reuses common products along an M-level of cross-correlation to reduce multiplication functions at a rate 2 times M faster than a sampling rate at an input of the demodulator.

The present invention is directed to a communication device, such as a selective call receiver, and more particularly to an efficient communication device and method of correlation detection using a low cost and low power hardware architecture.
The Maximum Likelihood Detector which is also known as the Optimum Noncoherent Detector (or correlation detector) for detecting FSK signals in an additive white gaussian noise channel is well known. The performance of a correlation detector can also be achieved with other detector architectures such as a Matched Filter or a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). However, use of these detectors to achieve a significant sensitivity improvement (i.e., 4 dB) over that of discriminators for 4-level orthogonal signaling (i.e. FLEX(trademark)) and a significant sensitivity improvement (i.e., 3 dB) for 4-level quasi-orthogonal signaling (i.e. ReFLEX(trademark)) depends greatly on the hardware implementation to allow for the practical realization of the specific architecture. The reasons for this is that performing such functions in hardware can become quite complex, costly, and power consuming involving many multiplication and squaring functions. Thus, what is needed is a new correlation detector scheme that can achieve up to 4 dB of sensitivity improvement for 4-level orthogonal signaling for FLEX(trademark) (for example) and up to 3 dB of sensitivity improvement for quasi-orthogonal signaling for ReFLEX(copyright) (for example) over discriminator based detectors using low cost and low power solutions. Ideally, the new correlation detector scheme can also be applied to MSK signaling used in GSM.

Method and apparatus for efficient correlation detection


When the ignition switch of a vehicle is turned OFF, a purging process for increasing the flow of an off-gas fluidizing in each of the outlet side pipings of a fuel cell and discharging water remaining in a fuel cell system to an outside is started to be executed, and the amount of current conductance to the heater of the gas sensor is increased synchronously with the start of the execution of the purging process. With the completion of the purging process, the fluidization of the off-gas in each of the outlet side pipings stops, and the amount of current conductance to each of the units of the gas sensor (for example, an electrifying voltage) is gradually decreased depending on a predetermined current conductance reducing amount which is preset, thereby stopping the current conductance to each of the units and the amount of current conductance to the heater is gradually decreased, thereby stopping the current conductance to the heater.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device of a gas sensor, such as a contact combustion type hydrogen sensor, to be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, in the related arts, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a stack (hereinafter referred to as a fuel cell) which is constituted by laminating a plurality of cells on a cell formed by interposing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode from both sides. Hydrogen is supplied as a fuel to the fuel electrode and air is supplied as an oxidizing agent to the oxygen electrode, and a hydrogen ion generated by a catalytic reaction at the fuel electrode passes through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and moves to the oxygen electrode, and causes an electrochemical reaction to oxygen at the oxygen electrode, thereby generating a power.
Referring to a fuel cell, such as the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, there has conventionally been known a protecting device comprising a hydrogen detector (a gas sensor) in a discharge system on an oxygen electrode side of the fuel cell and serving to block the supply of a fuel when detecting that hydrogen on a fuel electrode side leaks toward the oxygen electrode side through a solid polymer electrolyte membrane by means of the hydrogen detector, such as disclosed in JP-A-6-223850.
Referring to the hydrogen detector, moreover, there has been known a hydrogen detector of a gas contact combustion type which comprises a pair of a gas detecting unit formed of a catalyst, such as platinum, and a temperature compensating unit and serves to detect the concentration of a hydrogen gas depending on a difference in an electrical resistance generated together with the temperature compensating unit set in a relatively low temperature state, such as an atmospheric temperature, when the gas detecting unit is brought into a relatively high temperature state by heat generated through a combustion in the contact of hydrogen with the catalyst, such as platinum.
In the hydrogen detector of a gas contact combustion type, for example, the temperature of each unit drops suddenly due to the stop of current conductance when the actuation stops, for example. In such a case, there is a possibility that a dew condensation might be generated on the surface of each unit in case of the temperature drop of the unit becoming equal to or lower than the dew-point temperature of an atmosphere.
Furthermore, in the fuel cell such as the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, described above, water (humidifying water) is mixed with a reaction gas supplied to the fuel cell (for example, hydrogen or air) by means of a humidifier in order to maintain the ion conductance of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and furthermore, reaction product water is generated by an electrochemical reaction during the operation of the fuel cell. For this reason, an exhaust gas of the fuel cell, particularly, an exhaust gas on an oxygen electrode side has a high wettability.
In the protecting device of the fuel cell according to an example of the conventional art, therefore, a dew condensation is generated on a hydrogen detector provided in the passage for an off-gas having a high wettability which is discharged from the fuel cell due to the off-gas in some cases. In these cases, there is a possibility that the hydrogen detector might be deteriorated or broken. In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell as described above, particularly, an ordinary operating temperature is lower than the vaporization temperature of water and the off-gas is changed into a gas having a large amount of moisture with a high humidity and is thus discharged. For this reason, there is a problem in that the moisture in the off-gas is apt to be condensed. In the case in which the hydrogen detector of a gas contact combustion type is particularly provided in a discharge system on the oxygen electrode side of the fuel cell, there is a possibility that a local temperature distribution might be unevenly generated over the surface of the unit, resulting in the breakage of the unit or a reduction in a sensitivity if the operation of a gas sensor stops and the current conductance is carried out in next starting in a state in which the humidifying water or the reaction product water is stuck onto a gas detecting unit.


A method and apparatus for determining a venous oxygen saturation value (SvO2) of a subject is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) sensing a plurality of tissue regions on a subject using a NIRS oximeter adapted to determine a tissue oxygen saturation value (StO2) for each region, each region independent of the other regions and each region sensed using a NIRS oximeter sensor specific to that region, and determining a StO2 value for that region; b) assigning a coefficient to each region, each of which coefficients reflects a portion of the StO2 value for the region attributable to a composite venous blood return representative of the tissue regions measured; and c) determining a composite SvO2 value for the subject using the StO2 region values and the respective coefficients.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining oxygen saturation in blood in general, and to apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining oxygen saturation in venous blood in particular.
2. Background Information
Arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) can be determined by pulse oximetry or co-oximetry measurements of arterial blood. Pulse oximetry, for example, is a well established non-invasive technique for determining a SaO2 value. Most subjects have a SaO2 value in the range of 95-100%. Central venous blood oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and mixed venous blood oxygen saturation (SmvO2), both types of composite venous blood oxygen saturation (SvO2), are measurements of the relationship between oxygen consumption and oxygen delivery in the body. Normal values of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SmvO2) are 60-80% O2 saturation. Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) values represent regional venous saturations with a normal value of about 70% and historically have been measured invasively just outside the heart, usually in the superior vena cava (SVC). ScvO2 usually measures slightly higher than SmvO2 as it has not mixed with the venous blood from the coronary sinus draining into the right atrium. Although the values may differ, they trend together.
Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SmvO2) is far more difficult to determine than arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2). Pulmonary artery saturation is an accurate indicator of SmvO2. The pulmonary artery blood includes venous blood returning to the heart via the superior vena cava (SVC) and via the inferior vena cava (IVC). From there, blood enters the right atrium and into the right ventricle where it is mixed. Since the SVC and IVC oxygen saturations can be different, the resultant oxygen saturation in the right ventricle and into the pulmonary artery is a mixed value likely between SVC and IVC oxygen saturations. However, obtaining a pulmonary artery blood oxygen saturation value or right ventricle oxygen saturation value is difficult and must be done invasively; e.g., requires a catheter be placed to access these sites.
Accurately determining the adequacy of tissue oxygenation in critically ill patients can be vital to patient treatment. Tissue hypoxia or imbalances between whole-body oxygen supply and demand can occur even when the subject has normal blood pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, and blood gas values. It is desirable, therefore, to have more direct indicators of tissue oxygen saturation; e.g., mixed and central venous oxygen saturations.
A normal cardiovascular response of increasing oxygen consumption (VO2) is to increase O2 extraction from the blood and/or increase cardiac output (CO). Oxygen consumption is typically independent of oxygen delivery (DO2), since tissues can satisfy oxygen requirements by increasing O2 extraction when DO2 decreases. However, once a critical DO2 compensatory increase in O2 extraction is reached, the ability to satisfy oxygen consumption is dependent on DO2. If oxygen consumption requirements cannot be met, then tissue hypoxia can Occur.
A decrease in SmvO2 and ScvO2 can represent an increased metabolic stress. For example, metabolic stress can occur if DO2 does not increase in such a way to cover an increased VO2, or if DO2 drops because of decrease in either arterial O2 content, cardiac output, or both. The magnitude of the decrease indicates the extent to which the physiological reserves are stressed:
SmvO2 > 75%Normal Extraction: O2 supply > O2 demand75% > SmvO2 > 50%Compensatory Extraction: Increase in O2demand, or decrease in O2 supply50% > SmvO2 > 30%Exhaustion of Extraction; beginning of lacticacidosis; O2 supply < O2 demand30% > SmvO2 > 25%Severe lactic acidosisSmvO2 < 25%Cellular deathThe cardiocirculatory system may be challenged by a drop in DO2 that is induced by anemia, hypoxia, hypovolemia, or heart failure. Fever, pain, or stress can also decrease SmvO2 or ScvO2 by increasing whole-body VO2.
Historically, mixed venous oxygen saturation (SmvO2) values have been invasively obtained using a pulmonary artery catheter, and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) values have been invasively obtained using a central venous catheter. The ScvO2 value reflects the degree of oxygen extraction from the brain and the upper part of the body. The SmvO2 value reflects the relationship between whole-body O2 consumption and cardiac output.
A central venous blood sampling (e.g., from the superior vena cava) reflects the venous blood of the upper body but neglects venous blood from the lower body (i.e., intra-abdominal organs). Venous O2 saturation values can differ among several organ systems since the organs extract different amounts of O2. ScvO2 is usually less than SmvO2 by about 2-3% because the lower body extracts less O2 than the upper body, making inferior vena cava O2 saturation higher. The primary cause of the lower O2 extraction is that many of the vascular circuits that drain into the inferior vena cava use blood flow for nonoxidative phosphorylation needs (e.g., renal blood flow, portal flow, hepatic blood flow, etc.). However, SmvO2 and ScvO2 change similarly when the whole body ratio of O2 supply to demand is altered.
The difference between the absolute value of ScvO2 and SmvO2 can change, however, when the patient is in shock. In septic shock, ScvO2 often exceeds SmvO2 by about 8%. During cardiogenic or hypovolemic shock, mesenteric and renal blood flow decreases and an increase in O2 extraction in these organs typically follows. During septic shock, regional O2 consumption of the gastrointestinal tract (and therefore regional O2 extraction) increases despite elevated regional blood flows. On the other hand, cerebral blood flow is maintained over some period in shock. This characteristic can cause a delayed drop of ScvO2 in comparison to SmvO2, and the correlation between these two parameters could worsen as a result. It should be noted, however, that venous oximetry can provide accurate information on the adequacy of tissue oxygenation only if the tissue is still capable of extracting O2. In the case of arteriovenous shunting on the microcirculatory level or cell death, SmvO2 and ScvO2 may not decrease or may even show elevated values despite severe tissue hypoxia; e.g., patients with prolonged cardiac arrest have experienced venous hyperoxia, despite test results showing a ScvO2 higher than 80% which is indicative of impaired oxygen use.
The ability to determine a composite venous oxygen saturation value (SvO2) can facilitate the determination of other information, such as the cardiac output of a subject. The Fick Principle provides that blood flow to an organ can be calculated using a marker substance if the following information is known: a) the amount of marker substance taken up by the organ per unit time; b) the concentration of the marker substance in the arterial blood supplying the organ; and c) the concentration of the marker substance in venous blood leaving the organ. Using Fick's original method, the cardiac output ("CO") of a subject could be measured by determining the oxygen consumption ("VO2"), the oxygen content of the blood taken from the pulmonary artery ("Cv"; i.e., mixed venous blood), and the oxygen content of the blood from a peripheral artery ("Ca"; i.e., arterial blood). The VO2 could be determined using a spirometer within a closed rebreathing circuit incorporating a CO2 absorber. The Ca and Cv values could be determined by evaluating blood samples invasively taken from the subject. From these values, the VO2 can be expressed as:VO2=(CO×Ca)−(CO×Cv)  (Eqn. 1)The above relationship can be manipulated as follows:
                    CO        =                              VO            2                                              C              a                        -                          C              v                                                          (                  Eqn          .                                                    2                )            and the cardiac output calculated. In reality, however, this method is impractical and rarely used due to the difficulty of collecting and analyzing the O2 concentrations within the sample.
What is needed is an apparatus and method that can be used to determine the oxygen saturation of venous blood (SvO2) at any location within a subject's body, and one that can be specifically used to non-invasively determine a mixed venous oxygen saturation value (SmvO2) and a central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) value.

Apparatus and method for non-invasively determining oxygen saturation of venous blood and cardiac output using NIRS


A mechanical brake for a hoist and traction machine, which is provided with brake releasing force control layers at braking surfaces of a driving member opposite to lining plates. Each of the brake releasing force control layers comprising a heat-treated plating layer made of nickel phosphate, nickel chromium or chromium, so that the surface condition of each braking surface of the driving member can be controlled and the surface hardness can be controlled, whereby an initial force for the brake releasing during the lowering of a load or the releasing traction of a load is adapted to be lower.

The conventional hoist and traction machine, as disclosed in, for example, the Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Gazette No. Sho 63-142389, has been used in a lever type hoist and traction machine, a manual hoist and traction machine or a motor-driven hoist and traction machine. The mechanical brake comprises a driven member rotatable together with a driving shaft,a driving member forwardly screwable therewith, a braking ratchet wheel engageable with a braking pawl, and lining plates disposed to sandwich therebetween the braking ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel and lining plates being interposed between the driven member and the driving member. For example, in the manual hoist and traction machine, when a load is hoisted or haulded, the driving member is driven by a lever, a hand wheel or the like, so that the driving member, when driven, screws toward the driven member to bring the braking surface of the driving member into press-contact with one lining plate and further screws forward to bring one lining plate and the other into press-contact with the braking surfaces of the driven member and braking ratchet wheel respectively, thereby transmitting a braking force from the driven member to the driving shaft. Also, when the driving member is subjected to no driving input, the braking ratchet wheel engages with the braking pawl so as to be stationary and to restrain reverse rotation and the mechanical brake operates to brake the reverse rotation of the driving shaft caused by a load, thereby enabling the load to be held in the state of being hoisted or haulded.
In a case where such braking slate is released to lower the load or release traction thereof, the driving member is reversely rotated to screw brackwardly with respect to the lining plate, thereby releasing the braking force.
In a case where the load is lowered or the traction thereof is released during the operation of the mechanical brake, the driving member is reversely rotated to screw backwardly, thereby releasing the braking action of the mechanical brake as the above-mentioned, in which a predetermined releasing force corresponding to the load, but changeable therewith at the initial stage, is required. In other words, when the load acts on a load sheave in association with the driving shaft, a force by the load, which is intended to reversely rotate the load sheave, is transmitted to the driving member and allows it to screw toward the lining plate, the force being converted into a tightening force for the lining plate and becomes larger as the load is larger. Therefore,for lowering the load or the releasing the traction, the driving member braked by the tightening force screws backwardly to release the braking action and in the initial stage of screwing backwardly the driving member to release its braking action, a force overcoming the tightening force must be input into the lever or hand wheel for screwing backwardly the driving member. In other words, when the load is lowered by the lever or the like, a relatively smaller force than the tightening force set corresponding to the load, after the load lowering has started, can be used to lower the load, but in the initial stage of load-lowering operation a large releasing force corresponding to the tightening force is required.
In the state where cargos on a load carrying platform of a truck are tightened by traction operation of the machine, when the traction and cargo-tightening are released, in the initial stage, similarly, a large releasing force caused by backward screw of the driving member and corresponding to the tightening force of the mechanical brake is required.
However, in the conventional mechanical brake, the braking surfaces of the driving member, driven member and braking ratchet wheel, all are formed of the surface of raw material so as not to control the coefficient of friction, whereby the release of braking force at the initial stage of load lowering operation varies so that the releasing force larger than the tightening force corresponding to the load may be required. And, depending on the material of lining plates, the above-mentioned members may be attacked by the lining plate to vary in the surface condition, or an external condition, such as rusting, may be added to vary the surface condition, whereby the coefficient of friction increases so as to increase the required releasing force and occasionally the braking action cannot be released.

Mechanical brake for a hoist and traction machine


An aircraft surface for use on composite structure. The detail surface includes a conductive foil, a conductive double pulled expanded screen, and an adhesive for joining the conductive foil and screen to a composite material. The conductive screen is layered between the conductive foil and composite structure, providing electrical contact between the foil and the composite structure.

As part of a continuing effort to develop aircraft having increased fuel efficiency and decreased weight, many aircraft manufacturers are replacing structures made of aluminum or steel with structure made of composite materials. Composite materials typically have strengths which equal or exceed the strength of a corresponding steel or aluminum structure while weighing significantly less. In addition, composite materials are not as susceptible to corrosion, thereby adding to the life expectancy of the aircraft.
Composite materials achieve their light weight and high strength by the nature of their construction. A composite material is made of graphite fibers that are woven together to form a sheet. Each sheet is then bonded to another sheet forming a layer of a desired thickness. Generally, the fibers of each sheet are oriented in different directions from the fibers of the sheet above and below it. This produces a cross-hatch effect that creates a material much stronger than an individual composite sheet. An epoxy resin is used to bond all the sheets together.
Most aircraft have numerous systems that need to be secured to the aircraft's structure. These systems include fuel pumps, avionics, and many others. The systems are secured to the aircraft structure at points called "details". For composite structures, the details are metallic pads having a shape that generally matches the "footprint" of the system to be secured to the composite structure. The detail must provide a flat, smooth, hard surface at the point where the detail is to be secured in order to ensure a good seal between the system and the structure. In addition, the detail must also provide a good electrical conductive path between the system and the composite structure in order to safely conduct electrical current received in the case of a lightning strike.
During a lightning strike, a large current (up to 200KAmps) enters the aircraft at some point and propagates throughout the aircraft in an attempt to dissipate the electrical energy. One of the most dangerous points for the lightning current to cross is at a junction of dissimilar materials. This is particularly true at the system details where currents flow from the system housings, which are often metal, into the composite aircraft structures. If the conductivity at this junction is low, the large current can vaporize the epoxy resin in the composite material, creating a superheated gas that is expelled with explosive force from under the detail.
In the past, the only way to achieve good conductivity between a detail and a composite structure was to electroplate the detail onto the composite structure. To do this, the composite structure needed to be primed with a conductive paint and then surrounded with a chemical bath. Electric current was then applied to the bath causing a layer of metal to gradually build up on the layer of conductive paint. While the resulting detail did have good conductivity to the underlying composite structure, the process is slow and labor intensive. In addition, the resulting detail was easily peeled away from the composite structure when the system secured to the detail was removed for maintenance or repair. Repair of the detail requires another electroplating process, which is extremely dangerous in aircraft that had previously been fueled unless all fuel vapors have been removed, thereby adding to the cost and delay of repairing a detail.
Therefore, there is a need for a method of creating a detail on a composite aircraft that ensures good conductivity between a composite structure and an aircraft system. In addition, the detail should be strong enough to withstand removal of the system without peeling. Finally, the detail should be able to be repaired in the presence of flammable materials.

Method and apparatus for creating detail surfaces on composite aircraft structures


Methods and apparatus for implementing a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network. A method for implementing a charging function in a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network in which the service function chain includes a plurality of service functions in which each service function is configured to apply one or more services associated with a user packet traversing the service function chain towards a destination, and is configured to provide charging data related to the service function. A receiver receives collective charging data provided by the plurality of service functions, the collective charging data includes charging data for a plurality of services associated with a user packet. A charging controller controls charging for the plurality of services associated with the user packet based on the collective charging data.

Service chaining is a technology that aims to simplify the management of Internet Protocol (IP) flow paths through a number of service functions, where each service function provides a service to either the network operator or the end user.
A service function chain comprises an ordered set of service functions. Ordering constraints are applied to packets and/or frames and/or flows as a result of user IP packet classification, in order to determine a flow path for a user IP packet through the service function chain. Therefore, a service function chain determines an abstracted view of the services that will be executed for a given flow. In order to provide a service, a service function may need to change or modify the IP stack layer 2 or layer 3 parameters of the IP packet data flow.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a service chain architecture 100 a User Equipment (UE) 102a-102b generates an IP packet in an uplink scenario that traverses one or more access networks 104, such as a Radio Access Network, fixed access network (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Fiber) and/or a Packet Core network. User IP packets generated by the UE 102a-102b are transmitted through a service function chain, as shown by the arrows 106a-106b.
A user IP packet is transmitted to an ingress classifier 108 via the access network 104. The ingress classifier 108 analyses the IP stack layer 2 and layer 3 parameters and classifies the user IP packet according to pre-configured policy rules. The result of the classification process determines the service function path (i.e. the services and service functions that the user IP packet should traverse en-route to the Internet 110).
The ingress classifier 108 transmits the user IP packet to a first Service Function Forwarder (SFF) 112a, which is configured to transmit traffic to one or more service functions and, once services have been executed, to receive the traffic from the one or more service functions. There may be other SFFs 112b in the service function chain. The SFFs 112a-112b forward the user IP packet to one or more service functions 114a-114c dictated by the route determined at the ingress classifier 108. At each service function 114a-114c, once the service is executed, the IP data packet is returned to the originating SFF 112a-112b. The originating SFF 112a-112b may also forward the user IP packet to other SFFs 112a-112b located in service function chain and in the same or different administrative domains.
When an SFF 112a-112b determines that all of the service functions 114a-114c in the service function chain have been visited, the SFF 112a-112b forwards the user IP packet to an egress classifier 116, which forwards the user IP packet to the Internet 110.
Two technologies are widely used to route user IP packets in service chaining:                1) The ingress classifier 108 and the first SFF 112a-112b are integrated in the same node. Every user IP packet received at the first SFF/ingress classifier node from one of a user, a service function or from the Internet is evaluated and matched for a possible policy rule that determines the next hop for this packet. Effectively, a user IP packet is classified multiple times, every time it is received at the classifier/SFF node.        2) The ingress classifier 108 evaluates a user IP packet once, when it is received from the UE 102a-102b. The user IP packet is matched against the policy rules and a service function path 106a-106b is determined. The ingress classifier 108 then constructs a new user IP packet, by inserting a Network Service Header (NSH) into the user IP packet, and transmits the new user IP packet to the first SFF 112a in the determined service function chain for routing. The NSH comprises a path indicator indicating the service functions involved in the service function path 106a-106b. The first SFF 112a, based on the value of the NSH, determines what the next hop is for the user IP packet. Once an SFF 112a-112b determines that all of the service functions 114a-114c in the service function chain have been visited, the user IP packet is forwarded to an egress classifier 116, which removes the NSH and forwards the user IP packet towards its destination (e.g. the Internet).
Further, there are two types of charging architecture provided by 3GPP specifications: offline charging and online charging.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary offline charging architecture 200, in which charging data associated with the use of services is collected concurrently with the use of the service. Specifically, a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) 218a-218c that forms part of each service function 114a-114c transmits charging data to a Charging Data Function (CDF) 220 after having provided the associated service at the service function 114a-114c. Once all services have been provided, the CDF 220 transmits the charging data to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF) 222, which then transmits the charging data on to a Billing Domain (BD) 224 for the purpose of subscriber billing and/or inter-operator accounting (or additional functions, e.g. statistics, at the operator's discretion). The BD typically comprises post-processing systems such as the operator's billing system or billing mediation device. The charging data may be generated by the network as Charging Detailed Records (CDR), which are then transferred to the network operator's Billing Domain (BD).
Each of the service functions 114a-114c that provide services to the user, implement and integrate a CTF 218a-218c (as defined in 3GPP TS 32.240) that is responsible for generating charging data and transmitting the charging data, over an Rf interface, towards the CDF 220.
The CDF 220 receives charging data from each CTF 218a-218c in the service chain, and constructs and sends CDRs, over a Ga interface, to the CGF 222, which in turn sends the CDRs to the BD 224. The BD 224 comprises all of the charging data associated with the services and needed for invoicing the user.
The transmissions over the Rf and Ga interfaces take place simultaneously with the user IP packet traversing the service chain. Therefore, there are no interruptions or delays in handling the IP packet to account for the offline charging architecture. However, the Rf interface, which runs between the CTF 218a-218c and the CDF 220, is configured to provide a large range of information to the CGF 222, including origin and destination IP addresses, types of events, user IDs, measurements. The use of the Rf interface for offline charging data means that it may be become clogged.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary online charging architecture 300, in which charging data associated with the use of services is collected concurrently with the use of the service in a similar manner to offline charging. However, authorisation for the use of the service must be obtained by the network prior to the use of the service. This authorisation is obtained from an Online Charging System (OCS) upon request from the network.
When a service function 114a-114c receives a user IP packet, a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) 326a-326c implemented within the service function 114a-114c determines the relevant charging information and generates a charging data which is transmitted to an Online Charging Function (OCF) 328 of the Online Charging System (OCS) in real-time over an Ro or CAP interface. The OCS then returns an appropriate authorisation by interaction with a Rating Function 330 and an Account balance Management Function (ABMF) 332. The authorisation may be limited in its scope (e.g. volume of data or duration), therefore the authorisation may have to be renewed multiple times during the use of the services.
In the online charging architecture, the CTF within each service function 114a-114c needs to temporarily stop the user IP packet (i.e., temporarily not provide the service) until authorisation from the OCS is obtained. Therefore, charging data from the CTF 326a-326c to the OCS does not run concurrently with the user plane traffic. This can negatively affect, in real-time, the service rendered and therefore a direct interaction of the charging mechanism with the control of network resource usage is required. The negative effect includes, for example, delays in the start of the execution of a service, jitter, time and bandwidth constraints.
It should be noted that the charging data utilised in online charging is not necessarily identical to the charging data utilised in offline charging. Additionally, the behaviour of the CTF 326a-326c in an online charging system differs to the behaviour of the CTF 218a-218c in an offline charging architecture. In an online charging architecture the CTF 326a-326c temporarily stops the user traffic until authorisation to deliver the service is granted, whereas in an offline charging architecture the CTF 218a-218c merely informs the CDF 220 of the charging event without impacting the processing of the data traffic.
Several problems arise when the 3GPP charging architecture is applied to service chaining.
For example, the current offline charging approach for service chaining creates a scalability problem for the CDF 220 and the service functions 114a-114c, as well as the network elements that lie in between them (e.g., switches and routers). This is problematic when implementing offline charging capabilities for non-telco service functions.
Additionally, the scalability of the CDF 220 (in offline charging) and the OCF 328 (in online charging) may be compromised in large deployments, due to the multiple sessions that are established over the Rf interface (in offline charging) and the Ro/CAP interfaces (in online charging).
Further, in an online charging architecture, each service function 114a-114c in a chain temporarily delays the user plane traffic until authorisation from the OCS is granted. This produces a cumulative delay of the user plane traffic that may be noticeable to the user. This delay may be particularly noticeable in conversational communications (e.g., voice over IP).
Additionally, service functions 114a-114c are required to implement both online charging architecture and offline charging architecture, since the CTF 218a-218c and 326a-326c within the service function 114a-114c is implemented differently depending on which charging architecture is applied. For example, the service function 114a-114c inserts different charging data depending on which architecture is implemented. Additionally, the CTF 218a-218c and 326a-326c is configured to operate concurrently in an offline charging architecture, but temporarily retain the user plane traffic until authorisation has been granted from an OCS in an online charging architecture. The CTF 218a-218c and 326a-326c therefore may comprise two different pieces of software, of which, one is selected based on the charging architecture to be implemented, during configuration. This complicates the integration of charging capabilities into non-telco service functions.

Charging for services in telecommunications networks


A security device includes a plurality of security detectors intercommunicating with each other. Each of the security detectors includes a first device for verifying a single zone verification time of the respective security detector and a second device for verifying a multiple zone verification time with another security detector corresponding to a distance between two security detectors at two different detecting areas. When one of the security detectors detects at least two triggered signals in the respective detecting area within the single zone verification time, the respective security detector activates the local warning system to produce a local warning signal. When two security detectors are intercommunicated with each other to detect two triggered signals in the detecting areas respectively within the multiple zone verification time, at least one of the security detectors activates the local warning system to produce the local warning signal.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an alarm system, and more particularly to a security device with built-in intercommunicated false alarm reduction control, which can optimize both the false alarm reduction performance and the security protection performance.
2. Description of Related Arts
It is reported that less than 5% of the triggered alarms are caused by actual illegal events. More than 90% of the triggered alarms are false alarms caused by the motion sensors and humans mis-operations. False alarms are the unsolved troubles to both the alarm companies and the police resources. Most alarm owners have the unpleasant experience of being awaken in mid-night by the alarm company due to false alarms. Moreover, unaccountable waste of time and police force have been suffered by most of the policemen. Before the policemen arrive at the scene, no one knows whether it is a false alarm or an actual alarm. Therefore, the local police resource charges the alarm owner a pretty high amount for a false alarm operation fee for each false alarm which causes a lot of complaints from users also. It creates a great burden to the limited police force in every city. In fact, millions of expenses have been wasted for the police resources in responding to the false alarms, that greatly degrades the efficiency and performance of the police. Accordingly, some of the police stations in this country consider abandoning such alarm response service. It will only be good news to all burglars. Therefore, how to effectively minimize the possibility of false alarm becomes an urgent topic to both the alarm users and the police resources.
As shown in FIG. 16, a verification process seems to be the only solution today wherein the alarm system provides a verification condition to delay the activation of the control plane so as to reduce the false alarm possibility. The verification process is performed when one of the motion sensors detects a trigger motion within a respective motion detecting area, a motion signal is delayed for a preset time period as a single zone delaying period to send to the control panel. Therefore, the control panel is activated to normally respond by activating the local warning system to produce warning signals when the same motion sensor that detected the trigger motion detects another motion in the same motion detecting area within the single zone delaying period. In other words, the motion sensor can only detect the trigger motion and sent the signal to the control panel such that the motion sensor is a one-way communication device that the motion sensors cannot intercommunicate with each other. Statistically, between year 2000 and 2002 when the alarm system incorporates with the verification process, the total false alarm reports were significantly reduced to 2% in comparison with the alarm system without the verification process.
However, since each building has its own interior structure, the single zone delaying period for each motion sensor must be preset correspondingly. When the motion sensor has a longer single zone delaying period, the false alarm possibility will be reduced. However, the security protection of the alarm system will also be reduced. In other words, when the motion sensor has a shorter single zone delaying period to enhance the security protection of the alarm system, the false alarm possibility will be highly increased.
In addition, when multiple zones are involved in the alarm system, another motion sensor is preset as a cross zone delaying period. However, the time frame of the cross zone delaying period is an unknown to optimize both the false alarm reduction and the security protection.
The conventional time zone setting for the multiple zone alarm system is that the cross zone delaying period is set as same as the single zone delaying period. However, such time zone setting not only highly increases the false alarm possibility but also reduces the security protection performance. In other words, the settings of the single zone delaying period and the cross zone delaying period are relied on the experienced technician.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Security device with built-in intercommunicated false alarm reduction control


A coextruded label material is provided which comprises a styrenic unfoamed layer and a styrenic foam layer wherein the styrenic unfoamed layer is the predominant portion as contrasted to the styrenic foam layer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an additional clear or translucent unfoamed plastic layer is adhered to the unfoamed layer with printing interposed between the unfoamed layers. Printing is provided on the unfoamed layer of the coextruded material or other side of the additional clear or translucent unfoamed layer. A container package is provided wherein a label is cut from the label material and wrapped about a hollow container.

Coextrusion of a two-layer polystyrene structure having a foam layer and a solid unfoamed layer has been a common commercial operation for many years. These processes employ an annular die where the extrudate is drawn as a sleeve or tube out over a mandrel on which the material is cooled, sized in width and formed into a sheet. However, in all such cases, the unfoamed layer has to be kept relatively thin (0.5-0.75 mils) and the foam layer kept relatively thick (general minimum around 4.0 mils). In other words, the foam layer has been the predominate portion of the total thickness and the unfoamed layer the minor portion of the total thickness. This type of structure lacks in durability due to the predominate portion being foam, and is sensitive to tearing and chipping especially when conveying, accumulating and boxing filled labeled containers for commercial use. Accordingly, it has been used as labels in environments where the label does not require durability.
Attempts have been made to make the unfoamed layer thicker while maintaining the foamed layer at the same thickness but this has resulted in an unsuitable structure due to brittleness and roughness.
Attempts have been made to add resin additives to the unfoamed layer in order to toughen the structure but this has proved of little benefit because the foamed layer, being the thicker, results in the structure lacking the durability as described above.
Attempts have been made to use thin unfoamed polystyrene films of 5 mils or less for label material. Such material has a density of 64-65 PCF and is unsuitable for use in the recycling of the PET plastic bottles. In addition, rolls of thin film material less than 5 mils have gauge bands and are uneven in hardness across the width of the roll which creates problems in subsequent processing such as printing and cutting into labels.
Attempts have been made to use a single thin unfoamed plastic film such as polypropylene or polyethylene. However, such a label material has disadvantages among which is the tendency of the thin film, having a thickness of less than 5 mils, to have gauge bands. When such a material is extruded and wound in a roll, the rolls tend to deviate from a cylinder and are uneven in hardness across the width of the roll. In addition, the thin film lacks stiffness and cannot be readily handled in the subsequent processing such as printing and cutting into labels.
Thin films (3.0 mils or less) made from polystyrene with any functional utility for label stock with a density less than 64 PCF (the natural density of polystyrene) have previously not been possible to make; again due to the brittle nature of blown expanded polystyrene.
Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a label material which can be printed and decorated which has greater durability and is less sensitive to tearing and chipping during handling. Among the further objectives are to provide a plastic substrate which can be used as a label material or as a substrate by laminating another unfoamed plastic layer thereon by adhesive or by extrusion coating; wherein the presence of gauge bands is minimized; wherein the label material can be wound in rolls that can be readily handled without the adverse effects of gauge bands due to the unfoamed plastic layer or due to ink printing thereon; wherein the labels have a thin layer of foam material which provides cells that define an irregular surface which is receptive to adhesive for adhering the label to a container such as a glass bottle, plastic bottle or can; wherein a minimal amount of adhesive is required to adhere the label; wherein if the label is not applied correctly, the label can be readily removed from the container and a minimal portion of the label is left on the container such that the container can be re-labeled; wherein when the container with the label is recycled, the density of the label is below that of water such that the label can be readily reclaimed separate from the container; wherein the label has greater stiffness than a thin unfoamed layer; and wherein when the label material is to be used as a pressure sensitive layer and is applied to a carrier web for handling, the label and carrier web provide sufficient insulation to withstand the heat of laser printing as is sometimes used in the field as, for example, in labeling pressure sensitive labels used on store shelves.
In accordance with the invention, an extruded thermoplastic thin sheet material is produced that is suitable for use as labeling stock to be applied to glass or plastic containers. Requirements of such labeling stock are surface smoothness to provide a high quality printing surface, toughness to resist chipping and tearing in commercial high speed conveying and packaging of filled bottles, and waterproofness for durability in consumer use. An additional preferred attribute of the label stock is that of a thin overall thickness or caliper (1.5-3.0 mils) whereby the number of labels on a roll can be greater than with a thicker caliper so that in use the number of roll changes necessary in a high speed labeling operation are reduced.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a coextruded label material is provided in a substrate which comprises a styrenic unfoamed layer and a styrenic foam layer wherein the styrenic unfoamed layer is the predominant portion as contrasted to the styrenic foam layer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an additional clear or translucent unfoamed plastic layer is adhered to the unfoamed layer with printing interposed between the unfoamed layers. Printing is provided on the unfoamed layer of the coextruded material or other side of the additional clear or transparent unfoamed layer if applied by lamination.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, labels from a coextruded substrate are provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the thin foam layer and the labels are, in turn, adhered by the pressure sensitive adhesive onto a carrier for handling the label.


A peak hold circuit includes an operational amplifier in a continually closed feedback loop and a peak hold capacitor with a discharge path. An input signal is received at a first input of the amplifier, and the output of the amplifier is fed to a first transistor then fed back therefrom to a second input of the amplifier. A current sink is coupled to the first transistor for drawing a current therefrom so that the feedback signal is continually provided to the second amplifier input, ensuring that the amplifier is in a continually closed feedback loop. The output of the amplifier is supplied to the peak hold capacitor through a second transistor.

This invention relates to an electrical circuit for detecting and holding peak values in a signal supplied thereto. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a peak hold circuit with improved linearity and reduced noise sensitivity.
A conventional peak hold circuit is shown in FIG. 1. An input signal Vinput is supplied to an input terminal 100, and from there to the base of transistor 110. A voltage source 105 is coupled to the collector of transistor 110, and a peak hold capacitor 115 is coupled to the emitter of this transistor. The voltage at the emitter of transistor 110 generally follows the voltage applied to its base. A reset switch 120 and an output terminal 125 are also coupled to the emitter of transistor 110.
Initially, after the reset switch has been opened, the peak hold capacitor 115 stores no charge. So, as the amplitude of Vinput increases, capacitor 115 accumulates charge, and the voltage Vpeak at the emitter of transistor 110 also increases. When the amplitude of Vinput falls below the emitter voltage of transistor 110, the transistor 110 turns off, and, as capacitor 115 lacks a discharge path, the voltage thereacross Vpeak remains unchanged. If the amplitude of Vinput rises above the amplitude Vpeak, transistor 110 turns on and Vpeak increases until a new maximum amplitude is reached. This description excludes the offset caused by the base to emitter voltage Vbe of transistor 110.
The circuit shown in FIG. 1 exhibits two notable problems, high noise sensitivity and poor linearity.
The noise sensitivity problem is illustrated in FIG. 2. As can be seen, if the amplitude of Vinput increases due to a noise burst, then the voltage Vpeak across capacitor 115 reflects this increased amplitude, giving a false impression of the true peak amplitude of Vinput.
The linearity problem is due to the nature of transistor 110, which requires a larger base to emitter voltage Vbe as its collector current increases. To overcome this problem, it is conventional to make the signal swing of Vinput, that is, the magnitude of the change in amplitude, be large so that when Vinput is at a small amplitude, such as 10% of its maximum amplitude, the percent error due to the nonlinear relationship between current and Vbe is within a specified target. However, the requirement for a large signal swing prevents reduction in the voltage source Vcc, and thus impedes cost and size reduction of the peak hold circuit.
A peak hold circuit with improved linearity is shown in FIG. 3, and comprises an input terminal 500 coupled to a positive input of an operational amplifier 510, which has an output coupled to a diode 520; the output of the diode is fed back to a negative input of the amplifier 510, and also is supplied to a peak hold capacitor capacitor 530 and to an output terminal 540.
When a peak value of the input signal is being acquired, that is, as Vinput increases, the output of the amplifier 510 also increases, diode 520 conducts and charge is stored in peak hold capacitor 530. During acquisition, amplifier 510 is in a closed feedback loop so changes in current density of transistor 520 are automatically compensated.
However, the circuit of FIG. 3 has an open loop overshoot problem. Specifically, after a peak value has been acquired, diode 520 stops conducting current so that amplifier 510 operates in an open loop and overshoots, causing a transient error comparable to the error due to noise experienced in the circuit of FIG. 1. To overcome the open loop overshoot problem, it is conventional to provide the amplifier 510 with a fast slew rate, that is, a rapid change in its output in response to large changes in its input, and also a small propagation delay with respect to Vinput, so that the error is not dependent on previous values of Vinput.
Although the circuit of FIG. 3 exhibits improved linearity, it requires a high performance operational amplifier which impedes cost reduction. Furthermore, this circuit has a noise sensitivity problem similar to that of FIG. 1.

Peak hold circuit with improved linearity