An arrangement for resolving a hydrate plug (1) in a pipeline (2), such as tubing, drill pipe, casing etc., is described, said arrangement comprising a heating device (4) run on wire line. The heating device (4) is elongated and spear shaped and is mounted on a stroking device (3), the stroking device (3) being adapted to provide a pushing force of sufficient strength to force the heating device into the hydrate plug (1). The heating device then has a large surface towards the hydrate plug. When heat is applied to the heating device, the hydrate plug will melt. A hydrate inhibitor may be added to the liquid near the hydrate plug.

Hydrate plugs are sometimes formed in oil wells and pipelines transporting oil and gas. The plugs are apt to form in pipes where the pressure is high and the temperature low. This may in particular occur in offshore wells.
In order for hydrate plugs to form in wells, the following conditions must be present:                Access to free water (free water means water in liquid form as a separate phase or dispersed in the hydrocarbon phase).        Access to light gas molecules (C1, C2, C3, iC4, CO2, N2, H2S).        Relatively high pressure.        Relatively low temperature.
Hydrates are mixtures of water (as ice) and methane gas. The methane gas occurs in cavities in the ice and changes the physical properties of the ice. The presence of methane will, inter alia, lower the melting point, but the most important effect is the release of gaseous methane when the hydrate is melting. The melting of the ice will lower the volume, but the released methane gas will increase the pressure (1 m3 of ice can release up to 180 Sm3 of gas).
Several methods exist for inhibiting the formation of hydrate plugs, but nevertheless hydrate plugs sometimes form, as mentioned above. Hydrate can cause problems in wells, process systems and transportation pipelines. Massive hydrates which close the flow cross section can cause serious operating problems.
Small amounts of hydrate formation can put valves out of function or hinder well operations. These problems can have serious safety and economic consequences.
Hydrate plugs can be expected to form in many types of operations, such as cable operations, coiled tubing, hydraulic pipeline pressure operations, pump operations, leak testing, pumping of well fluids, input and/or output of equipment/tools, shut down of flow lines/gas lift lines, perforation of tubing, flow operations, well cleaning and change of christmas trees.
The standard method for removing a hydrate plug is to inject Methanol (MeOH), mono ethylene glycol (MEG), triethylene glycol (TEG) or brine (KCl, NaCl, CaCl2) and maintain relative high pressure at the top of the well. When injecting the hydrate inhibitor, it is important to note that it may be difficult (time consuming, days, weeks or even months) to get the inhibitor down to the hydrate plug, due to the long distance from the top of the well to where the hydrate plug is located.
In order to increase the efficiency of the chemicals and to reduce the fluid requirements, the chemicals may be delivered directly at the plug through coil tubing. However, it normally takes a long time to get coil tubing equipment mobilized and heavy coil tubing equipment must be lifted as "Heavy Lift" onto the rig. This means that critical weather limitations exist for heavy lift to be performed on platforms, especially onto semi-submersible rigs and Tension Leg Platforms (TLP). In addition to this, considerable time is needed to rig up the coil tubing equipment on the rig. A relatively large crew is also needed to operate the coil tubing equipment.
Another method is to drill through the plug by using coil tubing. But again, it normally also takes a long time to mobilize the coil tubing equipment and, again, the heavy coil tubing equipment is susceptible to the critical weather limitations for heavy lift onto similar platforms like semi-submersible rigs and (TLP) Platforms. Considerable time is also needed here to rig up the coil tubing equipment. A relatively large crew is also needed to operate the coil tubing equipment.
From U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,619,611 and 6,343,652 is known a method for unplugging pipes by lowering an electric heat device down to the plug. The heat device is mounted inside an encapsulation with a blunt end face. The heated end face will rest against the plug and melt it. Due to the small contact area between the tool and the plug, the heat transfer will be slow. The use of wire line tractors to transport the tool in deviated wells is also described. However, the tractors described are well known in the art but are too small to provide any appreciable force between the plug and the tool. There is also the danger of accidental release of the hydrate plug upwards due to high pressure from below. As far as we know, this method is currently not in commercial use.

Arrangement, device and method for resolving hydrate plugs


A method of displaying, on a screen of a mobile device, time on target information for an aircraft in flight. The method includes displaying a current location of the aircraft on a map, a waypoint between a departure point and a destination point, a symbol indicating the waypoint in a first area of the screen overlapping the map, and a first pop-up window in a second area of the screen overlapping the first area. The first pop-up window displays a current arrival time at the waypoint and an input area to receive an adjustment to the current arrival time.

Various governmental organizations throughout the world regulate flight planning. In the United States of America, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates flight planning. As used herein, such governmental organizations are referred to as "regulators."
In many cases, regulators require aircraft operators to submit a flight plan for each flight of an aircraft. The flight plan indicates, among possible other information, the point of departure, the point of destination, and waypoints along the route, together with planned times of arrival at each waypoint. To better control air traffic in a given region, the regulators may require an aircraft operator to arrive at certain waypoints along the flight plan at certain precise times. The required timing of aircraft arrival at a waypoint may require the aircraft operator to adjust the speed of the aircraft, the trajectory of the aircraft, or both.
In other cases, a pilot may wish to reach a reconnaissance target at a certain coordinated time, perform a stadium flyover for a sporting event, or possibly arrive at a target at a specific time for many other reasons. Thus, again, a user may wish to adjust the course or speed of an aircraft, or both, in order to arrive at a waypoint or a destination at a specific time.

Display of aircraft time on target on mobile devices


Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for supporting and negotiating multiple (e.g. static) application programming interface (API) versions across multiple products. Interoperable programs, such as different web browser applications, may provide simultaneous support for multiple versions of an API. An API and program-API adapters may be versioned to manage compatibility for asynchronously developed programs and APIs that may be asynchronously installed and updated in many computing environments. An adapter may comprise a versioned portion of program source code. In-development program code and APIs may be forked to create versioned snapshots of stable interfaces. An “in-development” version of an API and adapters may coexist with versioned APIs and adapters. Compatible version negotiation may occur, for example, during process launch. Negotiation may activate the highest API version supported by both programs.

Some older (legacy) websites may be compatible with older web browsers (e.g. Microsoft® Internet Explorer® web browser) while newer websites may be compatible with newer web browsers (e.g. Microsoft® Edge® web browser). A single enterprise may have a combination of older and newer websites, which may necessitate switching between multiple browser applications (e.g. Internet Explorer® and Edge®).

System and method for supporting and negotiating multiple API versions across multiple products


A disclosed image file generating apparatus includes an original document reader, a dividing preferences input, a name preferences input, and an image file generator. The original document reader converts an original document to original image data. The dividing preferences input inputs dividing preferences information, including divide number information specifying a number of originals to be included in each of a predetermined number of image files. The name preference input inputs name preferences information, including file name information specifying a file name to be assigned to each of the image files and file initial number information specifying an initial sequential number to be assigned to each of the image files. The image file generator generates the image files corresponding to the original image data according to the dividing preferences and the name preferences.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generating a predetermined number of image files from an original document or image data. The present invention further relates to an apparatus, system, method, computer product and medium, capable of converting an original document to image data and generating a predetermined number of image files from the image data.
2. Discussion of the Background
Today's image forming apparatuses are often capable of reading an original document, having a plurality of pages, as a single image file or a plurality of image files. When reading the original document as a plurality of image files, a user manually divides the original document into a predetermined number of document, sets, and feeds the original document, one set by one set, to generate an image file for each document set. The background image forming apparatus automatically assigns a file name or a sequential number to the generated image file. When a plurality of document sets are scanned sequentially in a single job, the background image forming apparatus automatically stores the document sets in a same folder.

Generating multiple image files from an original document or original image data


A dental training aid and method which assists a student in learning how to determine the position of a root canal apex, repair of dental decay, and how to perform crown and bridge procedures. In certain embodiments, modular inserts are utilized that include structure thereon for performing root canal procedures, repair of dental decay procedures, crown and bridge procedures or other procedures. The inserts can be assembled and configured to all provide practice on the same procedure or on different procedures and can be exchanged for other inserts once they are no longer reusable or because the user wants to train on a different procedure.

The present invention related to dental equipment, and more particularly, to teaching tools for the use of endodontic apical location equipment.
During certain dental procedures, the pulp of the tooth must be removed and other procedures must be performed on the root canal. Persons training to become dentists must learn how to properly remove such pulp and perform the other necessary procedures. Precise location of the root apex is vitally important for the correct endodontic treatment of a tooth. Pulp tissue is richly vascularized and innervated and is contained in the pulp cavity inside the tooth including in the pulp chamber and in pulp canals in tooth roots. The pulp canals are often referred to as root canals. If the endodontic procedure of extracting and cleaning the pulp tissue from a root pulp canal is performed at a length short of the apex, pulp tissue may remain in the canal. Failure to remove all pulp tissue may lead to infection and pain for the patient and necessitate additional surgery. If the endodontic procedure is performed beyond the length of the root apex, the reamer may penetrate into the periodontal ligament leading to pain and extreme sensitivity to the patient. Therefore, current endodontic procedures normally require the careful locating of the root apex at the base of the pulp canal before the reamer or other tools are used to enlarge the pulp canal.
Multiple methods are currently utilized to determine the location of the apex during an endodontic procedure on a live patient. One procedure is the use of x-ray radiographs of the tooth while a metal endodontic reamer is located in the root canal. This allows the dentist to visually compare the length of the metal reamer to the location of the end of the root to determine the location of the root apex. This method is often unreliable and not cost-effective.
A second method is to use an electrically aided apical position location. Certain electronic aids and methods of their use include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,159 to Masreliez, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,556 to Kobayashi et al, and U.S. Pat No. 6,059,569 to Otsuka, all incorporated herein by reference. These patents describe apical position locators utilizing impedance measurements to determine the location of the apex that use electrical conductance. In the electrical conductance approach, an electrically-conductive probe is inserted into the root pulp canal and a second electrode is attached to the patient's body, such as by hanging a hook-shaped electrode from the patient's mouth. As the probe is inserted into the root pulp canal and advanced through the root pulp canal to the root apex, the electrical impedance between the probe and the electrode is continuously measured. The electrical impedance is greater when there is little conductance between the probe and the electrode; such as when the probe is in the pulp canal, and lower when there is greater conductance between the probe and the electrode, such as when the probe touches the tissue at the bottom of the pulp canal that is much more conductive than the pulp canal itself. Once the impedance lowers and reaches a predetermined range or value, the location of the apex is indicated and the depth of the probe is noted for future use with other instruments. The electrical approach using impedance for determining apex location is currently the preferred and standard technique used in endodontic practice and taught in dental schools.
Instruction in the use of electrical apical position locators has generally required practice upon live patients in need of endodontic treatment. Performing endodontic procedures on healthy teeth is unethical and represents dental malpractice. Endodontic patients are often in pain prior to seeing the dentist, and are usually apprehensive about the endodontic procedure and less than enthusiastic about serving as subjects in dental instruction on the use of apical position locators. The additional pain which may be encountered, or the mere potential for such additional pain, results in few such patients volunteering to allow students to perform the procedure.
The number of endodontic procedures that a dental student or a doctoral student in general dentistry performs on live patients is severely limited by the number of willing participants in need of such procedures. Dental students and general dentists would benefit from additional training and instruction in the use of apical position locators in a realistic setting. In turn, the endodontic patient would benefit from the additional training received by the practitioner.
Prior to this invention, no adequate surrogate for the live patient has been developed for instruction in the use of electrical apical position locators. U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,562 described a transparent endodontic inspection block which allows the dental student to simulate the cleaning out the root pulp canal. The student utilizing the inspection block could look through the side of the inspection block and locate the root apex. This invention is not designed to train apex location techniques and does not represent realistic conditions of endodontic treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,633, issued in 1979, disclosed a resilient mass located at the apex of a block of transparent material to simulate the tactile sensation of the periodontal membrane located at the apex of a natural tooth. Thus, prior devices permitted students to visually locate a simulated apex through the addition of a resilient mass located at the apex. However, no known prior devices have disclosed providing a simulation of a live tooth and human tissue to practice using an electrical apical position locator.
Additionally, during training to do such procedures, it is important to have the procedure simulated on an actual patient, as much as possible, so that the student can learn how to overcome problems of working in the patient's mouth. Therefore, it is also desirable to provide a training device that can be utilized for at least some of the student endodontic procedures and which simulates a live patient, as much as possible.
In addition to the need for a training device for use in teaching root canal procedures, it is also desirable to have such a device that can be used to teach other types of procedures such as how to treat dental decay and how to do crown and bridge procedures. Because training devices may be expensive for the student, it is preferable that the device allow the student to practice different types of procedures which preferably require somewhat different structure. Root canal procedures require real or artificial teeth having a root and with structure allowing electrical conductance. Crown and bridge work require a section of teeth wherein one or more is missing and real or artificial teeth can be modified to accept a bridge with a skin like structure over the gum, as it is important for the student to correctly interface the bridge with the skin. Dental decay procedures do not require a root or electrical conductance, but preferably utilizes real or artificial teeth that are mounted in such a manner so as to simulate the interaction of the teeth with each other and with ligament tissue that normally holds such teeth in place. Each of these and other procedures are preferably performed on separate or different practice units to allow the student the best range of training.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the different sections be modular so that a student can preform one, two or all procedures within a single assembly. For example, when working on one procedure, all the individual modular inserts in an assembly may be designed for a single procedure to provide multiple locations to practice or such can be changed to provide modular inserts for multiple procedures for practice or testing. Because the individual modular inserts can be easily changed, when one is used and is not reusable, it can easily be replaced by another without requiring that the entire assembly be discarded.


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for backing up data across a plurality of clients on a grid computing system. A sequence management apparatus includes a client request module, a sequence module, and packet storage module. The sequence module is configured to receive data to be backed up from a source client. The sequence module is configured to generate a non-transparent sequence key that identifies one or more target clients on the grid computing system. The packet storage module is configured to store a backup copy of the data from the source client on the plurality of target clients according to the non-transparent sequence key. The non-transparent sequence key may be generated by and known only to the sequence management apparatus in order to maintain a minimum security level for the data backed up on the plurality of target clients.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to grid computing and more particularly relates to backing up data across multiple clients on a grid computing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Grid computing is a relatively new technology in the computing industry. Many current grid computing systems are designed to allow multiple interconnected computers to work together on large grid applications, such as computational problems, that would be impossible to do on a single machine. In order to feasibly manage such overwhelming amounts of computational processing, the computational problem may be divided into several smaller, more manageable jobs. This type of shared processing of grid application(s) is possible in part because of the enforced or incidental idle processor time of many personal and business computers.
One aspect of grid computing that has not been sufficiently implemented is in the area of data backup applications. Conventional data backup facilities are implemented using large, standalone data backup devices. In fact, entire industries are devoted to creating data centers that are dedicated to storing information, backing up information, and making that information available. To increase the availability of this stored information, data centers often employ redundancy and error detection and correction codes or features. Such data centers are conventionally designed and operated using large banks of data storage devices dedicated solely to storing data. Unfortunately, these and other conventional data storage techniques and devices are typically very expensive, even cost-prohibitive, and in this way limit the widespread use of such technologies.
Another issue that is related to grid computing is the pervasiveness of large capacity storage devices on individual and networked computers. Many businesses and households, at least in the United States, currently have one or several computers that may be connected to the internet frequently, if not constantly, throughout the day. Many of these personal and business computers under-utilize their storage, possibly using between 2% and 20% of their overall capacity. With the size of storage devices available on these computers, this means, for example, that between 32 and 98 Gigabytes of storage space is not used or under-utilized on storage devices of between 40 and 100 Gigabytes. Even on lower capacity devices, several Gigabytes of storage may be left unused. In all, millions (probably billions) of dollars worth of storage may go unused every day.
A further issue related to the background of the present invention is the need for substantial storage capacity for data backup operations. Although the storage capacities for low cost removable media, such as compact and floppy disks, has grown significantly over time, the necessary storage space for a complete or partial backup many times exceeds that available on a single removable media device. Likewise, the time, effort, and financial costs involved in storing backup data on several removable media devices is typically prohibitive. This need for high capacity storage for backing up data, combined with the capabilities of grid computing and the substantial amount of existing unused and under-utilized storage space, suggest that a need exists to implement grid-based data backup.
Consequently, a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that facilitate favorable backup and restore functionality on a grid computing system. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would overcome the current dependence on dedicated data centers, as well as make use of the available, unused storage capacity and grid computing techniques.

Apparatus, system, and method for grid based data storage

International Business Machines Corporation


A multi-graphics processor system includes a CPU; a first GPU connected to the CPU via an input/output interface; and a second GPU connected to the first GPU via a second-GPU interface. The first GPU is provided with a second-GPU bus for communicating the CPU and the second GPU via the second-GPU interface. The CPU communicates with the second GPU via the second-GPU bus after receiving a signal indicating the timing of the data communication.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiprocessor system, and more particularly to a multi-graphics processor system, a graphics processor, and a data transfer method for computing rendering data.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-resolution graphics are widely utilized in personal computers and video game machines. There are, for example, various applications, such as games and simulations which use high-quality 3D-computer graphics, and play video content including a combination of live action and computer graphics.
The rendering quality relies on the performance of graphics chips which are provided in the personal computers or video game machines. Accordingly, graphics chip manufacturers focus on the development of next-generation graphics chips that have improved performance, and the competition between different graphics chips is becoming increasingly fierce. Such advanced graphics are implemented with a mix of hardware and software, rather than with hardware technology alone. It is important to make effective use of the high-performance rendering function of the graphics chip using software technology to increase the rendering quality.
In the fierce competition to develop graphics chips, graphics chips having advanced rendering functions are continually being developed to provide expandability and extendibility for prospective graphics systems. Furthermore, graphics chips need to have flexibility, including compatibility with legacy programming languages and support for various video output formats and protocols, while still ensuring the expandability of the graphics system.
A multi-graphics processor system equipped with multiple graphics chips, which is connected to a central processing unit (CPU), is sometimes used to provide flexibility and extendibility. The CPU in the multi-graphics processor system exchanges data with the multiple graphics chips, and it is therefore important to increase the efficiency of data communication between them in order to improve the processing performance of the system.
Many general-purpose processors allow out-of-order command execution. In other words, multiple commands that are independent from each other are not executed in the order of the given program codes but in a more efficient order. Conversely, some graphics processors are designed using in-order command architecture and have no support for out-of-order execution. If data are exchanged between a general-purpose processor and a graphics processor which are connected to each other via an I/O interface, the differences in command execution schemes must be accommodated without sacrificing data transfer efficiency.

Multi-graphics processor system, graphics processor and data transfer method


An image processing apparatus displays an input screen including a setting area in which setting items are selectably arranged, and detects an operation on the input screen. When a flick operation has been detected in the setting area, the image processing apparatus enlarges the setting area, and moves the setting items in the setting area based on the speed of the flick operation. Then, the image processing apparatus sets a setting item in a selection area among a plurality of the setting items arranged in the enlarged setting area to a selected state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display processing apparatus, a control method, and a computer program.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display processing apparatus that displays an input screen in which standard settings and arbitrary settings coexist is proposed. The input screen of such display processing apparatus will be described taking a magnification screen of an image processing apparatus as an example. On the magnification screen, a user can select a standard magnification setting provided with an enlargement rate or reduction rate in advance based on a predetermined paper size, or an arbitrary magnification setting by which any magnification can be set within a predetermined range. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-56564 discloses a fax machine that displays standard magnifications and arbitrary magnifications on the same screen at the same time.
For a conventional display processing apparatus, however, a user has to perform setting operations many times in order to, for example, select a desired magnification setting, and this is troublesome to a user. Specifically, a user has to make a display processing apparatus to display a magnification screen and depress a button corresponding to any standard magnification on the magnification screen in the case of setting a standard magnification, or has to input and determine an arbitrary magnification using a ten-key pad while a magnification screen is displayed in the case of setting an arbitrary magnification.

Display processing apparatus, control method, and computer program


A surface mounted planner antenna apparatus includes an antenna and a circuit board. The antenna includes a base, a radiation metal plate arranged on a top face of the base, and a ground metal plate arranged on a bottom face of the base. A through hole is defined from the radiation metal plate and passed through the base to the ground metal plate. A signal feeder is arranged in the through hole and electrically connected to the radiation metal plate but electrically insulated with the ground metal plate. The circuit board is attached on the bottom face of the base and includes an upper face and a lower face, the upper face includes an area for binding with the ground metal plate on the bottom face of the base, and the lower face includes a first pad and a signal feeding trace electrically connected with the signal feeder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna, in particular to a surface mounted planar.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless communication products have already become a part of our life, which can be installed in car, public communication equipment or a portable communication apparatus. An antenna installed in such communication products is used to receive and emit electromagnetic waves, which couples electromagnetic energy between free space and guiding device as a basic function. Many different kinds of antennas such like dipole antenna, planar antenna and micro stripe antenna are developed to meet requirements from different kinds of communication products.
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show a prior art pin through hole type planar antenna 10, which includes a ceramic base 101, a radiation metal plate 102 arranged on a top face of the ceramic base 101, and a ground metal plate 103 arranged on a bottom face of the ceramic base 101. Further, a through hole 104 is formed from the radiation metal plate 102 through the ceramic base 101 to the ground metal plate 103 and is used to accommodate a T-shaped signal feeder 105 to form a planar antenna structure which is able to mount on a mother board. But this kind of pin through hole type planner planar antenna 10 needs to be manually mounted onto the mother board instead of using automatic machine.
Moreover, a surface mounted patch antenna 30 as FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show, includes a ceramic base 301, a radiation metal plate 302 arranged on a top face of the ceramic base 301, a ground metal plate 303 arranged on a bottom face of the ceramic base 301, and at least one metal electrode 304 arranged on a lateral side face of the ceramic base 301. This kind of patch antenna 30 can be mounted onto the mother board by using automatic machine. However, uniform welding temperature is difficult to achieve for ceramic base 301 with considerable size due to temperature characteristics in surface mount process. This makes surface mounting process troublesome for the surface mounted patch antenna 30.

Surface mounted planar antenna apparatus


A method of removing a foot from a boot having an upper binding, the method employing a boot removal tool. The boot removal tool includes a heel gripping element carried by an operational end of an elongated shaft and a handle at an opposite, gripping end thereof. A calf boot shaft hook includes a boot shaft hook cantilevered elongated element, wherein the shaft hook is carried by a central region of the elongated shaft. In use, the cantilevered elongated element is inserted into a boot shaft between an interior rear surface and a wearer's calf. The heel gripping element is positioned contacting a heel section of the boot. The user draws the grip rearward, pivoting the tool against the heel, opening a boot shaft pivotal calf segment of the boot shaft. The tool introduces a downward retention force. The combination aids in removal of the wearer's foot from the boot.

Boots are a specific type of footwear that covers the foot and the ankle but extends up the leg, sometimes as far as the knees. These are normally made of leather, plastic, rubber as well as a variety of materials. Boots are worn for both their functionality, to protect the user from the weather and to support the ankle and for reason of esthetics and fashion. Specialty boots are made for sporting events such as riding, skiing, snowboarding and other conditions. Boots are normally very difficult to remove.
Ski Boots are tightly bound to an individual's foot. The design of the ski boot makes it very difficult to remove the wearer's foot from the boot.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a device and an associated method of use for aiding in removal of a wearer's foot from the boot.


Disclosed are a method and apparatus for generating a controlled spectrum of modulated energy. A single data stream is splintered into substreams. Each substream is used to modulate a portion of the modulated spectrum. Each substream is transformed into a numerical phase and amplitude representation of a portion of the spectrum to be modulated. The combined numerical representations are then converted to a time-domain representation and filtered to eliminate undesired side-lobes.

The ability of electronic systems to carry information is founded on the concept of modulation. Modulation is the act of varying a signal according to information. In the its simplest form, modulation may be the act of pulsing a signal on and off in accordance with digital data. For instance, continuous-wave (CW) radio transmission is literally decoded by sensing the presence or absence of a radio signal. Through the years, modulation techniques have evolved. Amplitude modulation (AM) is a modulation technique that varies the level of a signal according to an information stream. Radio waves can be amplitude modulated by an analog signal allowing them to carry time varying information such as audio or video.
Digital data is now being used to convey all sorts of information. Audio and video can be digitized and then communicated as digital data. Because of the recent trend toward the use of digital data, new modulation techniques have been developed to more effectively convey digital data. Many new modulation techniques are embodied in an apparatus called a "modem". The term modem is an abbreviated acronym for the two terms "modulation" and "demodulation". A modem can modulate a signal according to a stream of data and convey that modulated signal to a remote modem. The remote modem may then demodulate the signal in order to recover the original data stream that was used to modulate the signal.
Some modems now carry significant amounts of data by modulating more than one carrier signal. A digital data stream may be splintered into a plurality of sub-streams. Each sub-stream of data may then be used to modulate a particular carrier. At the receiving end, each carrier can be individually demodulated in order to recover a particular sub-stream of data. Once all of the sub-streams are recovered, a modem may then reconstruct the original data stream and deliver that to a particular destination.
Use of multiple carriers can lead to very complex hardware for either modulation or demodulation. A bank of signal generators would need to be cascaded with a bank of mixers. The resulting plurality of modulated carriers could then be combined and propagated to a remote modem. An equally complex filtering and demodulation circuit would need to be incorporated at the receiving end. The individual carriers would first need to be detected. Once they are detected, they can be demodulated in order to recover a sub-stream of data.
The availability of digital signal processing hardware has led to the refinement of digital modulation techniques. Using these techniques, a stream of digital data may be splintered into sub-streams. Each sub-stream of data may then be converted into a complex sample resulting in a frequency-domain, numerical representation of a modulated signal. By combining the complex samples derived from the individual sub-streams streams of data and then converting the samples into an analog signal, a plurality of individually modulated carriers may be generated. This is typically achieved by applying a numerical inverse-Fourier transformation of the samples into a time-domain numerical representation. The time-domain representation of the modulated carriers may then be converted into an analog signal using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).
One problem with using multiple digitally synthesized carriers lies in the modulation shaping of the represented signals. Traditionally, time-domain representations of a modulated carrier have been defined using square-shaped pulses. The numerical representations of these modulated carrier signals exhibit a sin x/x response. As a consequence of this, the primary carrier is normally enveloped by exponentially decaying aliases, or side-lobes.
In order to ensure that the side-lobes of one carrier do not interfere with another carrier, the carrier frequencies may be selected so as to cause the carrier center frequency to coincide with the nulls in the other carriers and their sin x/x side-lobes. This frequency selection technique is called orthogonal selection. The method of splintering a data stream into a plurality of modulated carriers is called frequency division multiplexing. When used with orthogonal frequency selection, this type of modulation technique is called orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
The orthogonal frequency selection used in OFDM modulation is not entirely effective in preventing cross-carrier interference. Some energy from adjacent carriers may corrupt data carried by any particular carrier. This is especially true where the sampling frequencies used to convert analog signals into digital representations are not properly matched with the sampling frequencies used to generate the analog signal from a digital representation. In order to avoid this type of data corruption, the data carrying bandwidth of any particular carrier may be reduced. This means that the amount of data that could otherwise be carried by a plurality of carriers may need to be reduced to promote reliable signal transmission.
One very attractive alternative to reducing data bandwidth would be to eliminate, or at least attenuate any side-lobe artifacts resulting from the square shaped modulating pulse and its resultant sin x/x frequency-domain response. To do so would require that each modulated carrier be band-pass filtered to attenuate the side-lobes prior to conveying the carriers to a communications medium. The problem with such an implementation is the complexity of the analog filters that must be introduced into the signal path of the plurality of carriers used in multi-tone modems. Additional advantage could also be realized if a receiving modem could selectively isolate each carrier by first filtering out any spurious energy from the carrier pass-band. This, too, requires complicated hardware that is not only costly, but also generally unstable over time and temperature.
The ability of communication systems to carry information is founded on the concept of modulation. Modulation is the act of varying a signal according to information. In its simplest form, modulation may be the act of pulsing a signal on and off in accordance with digital data. Through the years, modulation techniques have evolved. Amplitude modulation (AM) is a modulation technique that varies the level of a signal according to an information stream. Radio waves can be amplitude modulated by an analog signal allowing them to carry time varying information such as audio or video.
Digital data is now being used to convey all sorts of information. Audio and video can be digitized and then communicated as digital data. New modulation techniques have been developed to more effectively convey digital data. Many new modulation techniques are embodied in an apparatus called a "modem". The term modem is an abbreviated acronym for the two terms "modulation" and "demodulation". A modem can modulate a signal according to a stream of data and convey that modulated signal to a remote modem. The remote modem may then demodulate the signal in order to recover the original data stream that was used to modulate the signal.
The bandwidth required to carry a modulated signal is typically proportional to the rate at which information is transmitted via that signal. Most modulation techniques work best when the channel over which the signal is transmitted introduces the same amount of attenuation at all frequencies, and also when the delay introduced by the channel is the same for all frequencies. When this is not true, the modem receiver implementation may require an equalizing filter that reverses the effect of the channel, so that the composite of the equalizer and the channel have the same attenuation and delay at all frequencies. Often the channel characteristics are not known until the signal is applied to the channel, in which case an adaptive equalizer is required that automatically adjusts to the channel characteristics. Equalizers generally add substantial expense to a modem implementation and they typically do not perform ideally, so that modem performance is to some extent compromised.
An approach that has become commonplace in the past 20 years to simplify the requirements of the equalizer is to use multi-carrier modulation (MCM). The principle behind MCM is that, rather than using a single high-rate modem whose signal occupies a wide bandwidth, a communication system splinters a high-rate data stream into some number of lowerrate data streams, also known as "substreams". These lower-rate data substreams are used to modulate some number of corresponding carrier signals. In effect, each of these low-data-rate modulated carrier signals is a modem that occupies a much narrower bandwidth than a single, high-rate modem. The aggregate data rate of all these low-rate modems is made equal to that of the single high-rate modem. The advantage of using MCM is that the amount of variation in the attenuation and delay of the channel is typically much smaller over any narrow segment of bandwidth than it is over a broad section of bandwidth, so that if the rate of each of the low rate modems is low enough, an equalizer may not be needed at all.
If implemented in a brute force fashion, use of multiple carriers can lead to very complex hardware for either modulation or demodulation. A bank of signal generators would need to be cascaded with a bank of mixers. The resulting plurality of modulated carriers could then be combined and propagated to a remote modem. An equally complex filtering and demodulation circuit would need to be incorporated at the receiving end. The individual carriers would first need to be detected. Once they are detected, they can be demodulated in order to recover a substream of data.
It is well known in the art that the implementation of multi-carrier modems can be greatly simplified through the use of the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) at the transmitter and the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) at the receiver. A stream of digital data at rate R may be splintered into N substreams, potentially of differing rates but with an aggregate rate of R. The bits in each substream of data may then be converted into a stream of complex samples corresponding to the constellation point (which may include either phase or amplitude information or both) used to modulate the carrier for that stream. When enough data has been input to the transmitter to form a constellation point for every carrier to be used by the transmitter, an IFFT is used to convert the set of constellation points into a set of time domain samples. These samples are then passed one at a time to a digital to analog converter (DAC), producing an analog waveform for transmission.
In some applications, it may be necessary that a communication channel can be used by multiple pairs of modems operating at the same time but using different frequencies, a technique called Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). For FDM to make efficient use of the available spectrum, the modulation system must have two characteristics. The first of these characteristics is that the transmitter must confine its transmitted signal to the greatest extent possible to the minimum bandwidth that it needs for reliable communication. Any energy that the transmitter produces in the band that another modem pair is attempting to use will create interference to the communication between those modems.
The second characteristic is that the modem receiver must be able to reject signals that lie outside of the bandwidth occupied by the signal it is trying to receive. Any energy from a modem pair operating in a different frequency band that is not rejected by the receiver will interfere with the receiver's ability to reliably receive the data intended for it. Typically both the transmitter and the receiver issue are addressed by the application of filtering for spectral containment at the transmitter and filtering for selectivity at the receiver. For example, in single carrier systems such as satellite communications, it is common practice in the art to use a Root Raised Cosine digital filter at both the transmitter and the receiver. The RRC filter typically requires some amount of excess bandwidth—that is extra bandwidth beyond the minimum theoretically achievable bandwidth—but the filter can provide outstanding spectral containment and selectivity.
The performance requirements relative to these two characteristics become even more difficult when the system includes a "near/far" scenario. In the near far scenario, a receiving modem is attempting to recover data from a transmitter whose signal encounters substantial attenuation on its propagation path (which is sometimes, but not always, the result of the signal having to travel a long distance—hence the term "far") at the same time that a second transmitter is operating on a different frequency but whose propagation path to the receiving modem exhibits relatively small attenuation (possibly because it is physically near to the receiving modem). In this case, the required attenuation of the transmitter out of band emissions is increased by an amount equal to the path loss imbalance that exists between the two propagation paths. Similarly the requirement for receiver selectivity is also increased by the same amount. In systems where there can be 40 to 50 dB of path loss imbalance, supporting modulations that require SNR on the order of 30 to 40 dB requires out of band emissions that are 70 to 90 dB down, with similar requirements for receiver selectivity.
When used in an FDM application, a problem with using multiple digitally synthesized carriers has been that cost effective methods for application of the sorts of filter techniques used in single carrier modems have not been known. In a single carrier modem, the filter is most commonly placed prior to the mixer that converts the baseband sample stream to its carrier frequency. The analogous position in an IFFT based MCM transmitter is prior to the IFFT, but this does not work because to use filter requires an increase in the sample rate that is incompatible with the operation of the IFFT. The complementary problem exists on the receiver side. Thus in the prior art it has seemed that to implement MCM with filtering would require that the design use a brute force approach to implementing all the carriers and forego the simplification provided by use of the IFFT/FFT.
In the absence of filtering, each carrier is modulated by a train of rectangular time domain pulses. The resulting spectrum on each carrier exhibits a sin(x)/x response. Similarly, the receiver filter also has a sin(x)/x response. This shape is unacceptable in any system that requires good spectral containment in the transmitter and good selectivity in the receiver because its spectral skirts fall off only as the reciprocal of the frequency separation from the band edge.
MCM systems without filtering have still proved to be very useful because the carrier frequencies may be selected so as to cause the carrier center frequency to coincide with the nulls in the other carriers and their sin x/x side-lobes. This allows the receiver to recover the data used to modulate each carrier because at each exact carrier frequency all the interference from all the other carriers goes to zero. This frequency selection technique produces a version of MCM that is called often called Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, or OFDM
The orthogonal frequency selection used in OFDM modulation is not entirely effective in preventing cross-carrier interference. Some energy from adjacent carriers may corrupt data carried by any particular carrier. This is especially true when the delay of the channel is not the same at all frequencies across the band. In order to avoid this type of data corruption, the data carrying bandwidth of any particular carrier may be reduced. This means that the amount of data that could otherwise be carried by a plurality of carriers may need to be reduced to promote reliable signal transmission. Moreover, it is not possible to have an independent second transmitter operating on a different set of carriers and also using OFDM with rectangular pulse shaping, because any frequency and timing difference between the two transmitters will shift the carriers so that the property wherein all potentially interfering carriers have nulls at the desired carrier frequencies.

Method and apparatus for controlled spectrum multi-carrier modulation


A trailer hitch is disclosed having a spacer in the form of a fastener or stopper that limits the travel of a spring clip so as to allow complete removal of the safety pin from the associated weight distribution rod, but does not allow the clip to extend to a position where the pin's end passes the entrance of the hitch's outer surface. The fastener/stopper thus prevents the user or vibration/wear from allowing the clip to overextend to the point where the pin may become separated from the hitch.

The present invention is directed to weight distribution trailer hitches, and more particularly to a weight distribution trailer hitch with a novel safety clip that prevents dislodgement of the safety pin.
Weight distribution trailer hitches are well known in the art. The purpose of a weight distribution hitch is to prevent the weight of the trailer from causing the juncture of the tow vehicle and the trailer to drop, which can lead to the front of the tow vehicle raising up. This is an unsafe condition that can place undue stress on various elements of the trailer and the tow vehicle. The weight distribution hitch removes excess weight from the tow vehicle's rear axle and distributes the excess weight to the front wheels of the tow vehicle and the trailer wheels.
Reference to weight distribution trailer hitches can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,682 to Valliere et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,414 to McCoy et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,341 to Kass et al., the contents of each of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
Weight distribution hitches normally utilize a shank formed of a tubular shaft that is secured to the tow vehicle with a hitch pin. A shank bar is a rectangular member with spaced holes that mounts vertically to the shank and is used to set the height of the hitch. The hitch includes a U-shaped section that receives the shank bar, and includes bolt holes that align with holes on the shank bar so that the hitch may be bolted to the shank with an adjustable height to accommodate different size trailers and tow vehicles. The hitch includes a pair of weight distribution rods that have upturned proximal ends. The distal ends of the weight distribution rods are configured to secure a lift chain that connects the weight distribution rods to the trailer. The upturned proximal ends of the distribution rods are releasably received from below in two tubular cavities in the hitch. To prevent the distribution rods from falling out of the hitch's tubular cavities, a pin is used that passes through the wall of the tubular cavity and into an aperture in the distribution rods. The lift chains serve to establish a maximum distance that the weight distribution rods extend below the trailer, which in turn prevents the hitch from dropping much below its unhitched elevation. This system causes much more balanced towing and helps to prevent tipping or loss of control of the trailer.
It has been discovered that the pin used to maintain the weight distribution rods in the tubular cavities of the hitch can become inadvertently dislodged when subject to the routine vibrations of towing conditions, particularly on uneven roads and at higher speeds. Loss of the pin can result in separation of the trailer from the towing vehicle, loss of control of the trailer, or damage to the hitch. Therefore, it is also known in the art to provide a spring clip between the head of the pin and the outer surface of the tubular cavity on the hitch. The spring clip is riveted or otherwise mounted at a lower surface to the outer surface of the hitch's tubular cavity, and the spring clip includes a vertical slot that receives the shank of the pin. The spring clip's upper portion is biased to bear against (or generally against) the outer surface of the cylindrical cavity, while the bottom portion is mounted directly to the same surface. When it is desired to remove the weight distribution rods, the clip can be pulled back manually against its bias away from the surface of the hitch's tubular cylinder, allowing the pin to be removed from the proximal upturned end of the weight distribution rods. With the pin removed, the rods can be easily removed from the hitch and the hitch can then be disassembled, adjusted, or removed from the tow vehicle/trailer. When it is desired to reassemble the system, the clip is pulled away from the surface of the hitch so that the pin is extracted from the cavity. With the pin displaced, the weight distribution rods can be inserted into the cavity and the spring clip released to position the pin back in its designated position to once again retain the weight distribution rods in the hitch.
The present inventor has discovered that the above described system still has a shortcoming, namely the propensity for the pin to become separated or lost. The pin may become lost due to the clip's loss of resiliency after many repeated openings, to the point where the clip no longer bears against the surface of the hitch and gradually becomes more and more separated from this surface, until eventually the vibration of the towing operation can cause the pin to become dislodged. The pin can also become dislodged while the weight distribution rods are being inserted or removed from the hitch. That is, if the user does not open the spring clip far enough, the pin will not clear the cavity and the rods cannot be removed/inserted. However, if the clip is opened too far, the pin may become dislodged and fall into the dirt, roll away, or become lost. With repeated use, the spring clip can begin to lose its capacity to snap back into position and lose its spring action, leading to overextension of the clip. When trying to insert or remove the weight distribution rods, the loss of the pin can be particularly disconcerting and can present a dangerous situation. The present invention addresses these shortcoming and provides an economic solution to prevent dislodgement of the pin from the hitch.

Safety clip for weight distribution trailer hitch


The present invention is a charging apparatus capable of electrically tuning or altering, on a relatively local scale, the corona ion current passing between a corona producing device and a charge retentive surface. The charging apparatus, which may be either a corotron or a scorotron, is specifically adapted to apply a uniform charge to a charge retentive surface which characteristically exhibits non-uniform charging behavior. More specifically, the charging apparatus comprises corona producing devices, spaced apart from the charge retentive surface, for emitting a corona ion current, and device, responsive to a bias voltage, for locally altering the corona ion current passing between said corona producing device and the charge retentive surface. In the described embodiments, the ion current altering device includes segmented grids, segmented shields and segmented electrodes, all of which may be maintained at variable bias voltages to produce local variation in the ion current passing to the charge retentive surface.

The present invention controls the uniformity and magnitude of corona charging of a charge retentive, photoresponsive surface. A scorotron is similar to a corotron, but makes use of an open screen grid as a control electrode, to establish a reference potential, so that when the receiver surface reaches the grid's reference potential, the corona generated electric fields no longer drive ions to the receiver, but rather to the grid. Many factors can contribute to charge nonuniformity across the surface of a photoresponsive member. For example, nonuniformity in the thickness of the photoresponsive layers and edge effects both impact the charging characteristics of a photoresponsive member. Furthermore, nonuniformity in charging characteristics, particularly the charge density and the charge potential, can be exacerbated by the charging device utilized, as well as by aging of the photoresponsive member, where higher charge levels are needed to produce a desired potential on the photoresponsive surface.
As represented by the simplified corotron illustrated in FIG. 1, it is well known to surround corona wire 104, by a grounded shield, 106. Moreover, it is known that the resulting ion current flowing to the surface of photoreceptor 20, represented by I.sub.p, can be represented by the following equation: EQU I.sub.p =I.sub.c -I.sub.e, Eq. 1
where I.sub.c is the ion current emitted from corona wire 104, and I.sub.e is the current flowing through grounded shields 106. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the addition of shield bias voltage V.sub.B, and scorotron grid 108, having bias voltage V.sub.G applied thereto, will result in a modified ion current flowing to the photoreceptor surface. The modified photoreceptor ion current, I.sub.p ', is represented as follows: EQU I.sub.p '=I.sub.p -I.sub.g, Eq. 2
where I.sub.g is the ion current which is drained off by the biased scorotron grid. Further derivation of the equations for the specific currents as a function of the applied or bias voltage and geometry are described by R. M. Schaffert in Electrophotography, Focal Press, London (1971), the relevant portions of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Heretofore, numerous variations of corotron and scorotron charging systems have been developed employing the principles represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, of which the following disclosures may be relevant:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,957, Patentee: Walkup, Issued: Jan. 15, 1957.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,754, Patentee: Bickmore et al, Issued: Dec. 20, 1960.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,960, Patentee: Matsumoto et al., Issued: Feb. 10, 1976.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,299, Patentee: Davis, Issued: Sep. 5, 1978.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,365, Patentee: Yuasa, Issued: Jun. 26, 1984.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,397, Patentee: Foley, Issued: Jan. 20, 1987.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,155, Patentee: Hattori, Issued: Jun. 18, 1991.
Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 10, No. 3, May/June 1985.
Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 17, No. 4, July/August 1992.
The relevant portions of the foregoing patents may be briefly summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,957 discloses a corona discharge device for electrically charging an insulating layer. A conductive grille is interposed between the ion source, for example, the corona discharge electrode, and the insulating layer, preferably a photoconductive insulating layer. The grille is maintained at a potential below the voltage of the corona discharge electrode and produces a uniform charge potential across the insulating layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,754 describes a double screen corona device having a pair of corona screens to substantially eliminate charge nonuniformity, referred to as charge streaking. The screens, inserted between the corona element and an insulating layer, are arranged in a parallel fashion overlapping one another so as to diffuse the ions emitted by the corona element before they are deposited on an insulating layer. Both screens may be maintained at slightly different potentials, however, the screen closest to the insulating layer is maintained at a potential between four and ten times the maximum potential to which the insulating layer is to be raised.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,960 discloses a charging device for an electrophotographic apparatus having a movable control plate. The control plate, commonly referred to as a shield, is formed of a flexible conductive material. The control plate may be moved relative to a corona producing wire, such that the movement of the plate produces a corresponding variation in the ion flow from the wire.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,299 teaches a corona charging device having an elongated wire and a surrounding conductive shield which is segmented in a direction parallel to the wire. Each of the conductive shield segments may be biased at different potentials in order to produce a universal corona generating device which is adaptable to a variety of situations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,365 discloses a corona charging device for uniformly charging an image forming member which includes a corona wire and a conductive shield which partially surrounds the wire. The image forming member is uniformly charged by applying an AC voltage to the corona wire, along with an additional DC bias voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,397 describes a scorotron where the wire grid is connected to ground via a plurality of Zener diodes and a variable resistor. The control circuit employed effectively limits the charge potential which is deposited on a photoconductive layer by varying the voltage applied to a control grid as a fraction of the nominal voltage applied to the grid.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,155 teaches a corona charging device for charging the surface of a moving member which includes a plurality of corona generating electrodes and a grid electrode located between the moving member and the wire electrodes. Increased surface potential is achieved on the moving member utilizing a plurality of wire electrodes, where the distance between the grid electrode and the moving member is shortest beneath the downstream electrode.
Xerox Disclosure Journal (Vol. 10, No. 3; May/June 1985) teaches, at pp. 139-140, a charging scorotron employing a scorotron grid which is segmented on one end thereof in order to selectively avoid the creation of unused charged areas on an adjacent photoreceptor. The two disclosed segments at the end of the scorotron are switchably connected to a potential source so that in all cases the photoreceptor width corresponding to the image size of the smallest copy sheet is always charged.
Xerox Disclosure Journal (Vol. 17, No. 4; July/August 1992) describes, at pp. 239-240 a corrugated scorotron screen having corrugations which run orthogonal to the process direction of a charge receptor. As noted, the added strength and rigidity provided by the corrugations within the screen help to maintain flatness and rigidity of the screen.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a charging apparatus adapted to apply a uniform charge to a charge retentive surface. The scorotron apparatus comprises corona producing means, spaced apart from the charge retentive surface, for emitting a corona ion current and means, responsive to a bias voltage, for locally altering the corona ion current passing between said corona producing means and the charge retentive surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic imaging apparatus for producing a toned image, including a photoconductive member, means for charging a surface of said photoconductive member to produce a uniform charge density across a surface thereof, means for exposing the charged surface of said photoconductive member to record an electrostatic latent image thereon, and means for developing the electrostatic latent image recorded on said photoconductive member with toner to form a toned image thereon. The charging means includes corona producing means, spaced apart from the surface of said photoconductive member, for emitting a corona ion current and means for locally altering the corona ion current passing between said corona producing means and the surface of said photoconductive member.

Electrically tunable charging device for depositing uniform charge potential


Apparatus for adjusting the amount of liquid dispensed through a liquid dispenser pump actuated by a bail. The pump includes a movable pump element and structure interconnecting the bail and the pump element including a rocker for imparting movement to the pump element and adjustment mechanism for selectively varying the pivotal movement imparted to the rocker by the bail.

It is well known in the art to actuate liquid soap and lotion dispensers by means of a manually-operated bail. It is also known to provide various arrangements in liquid soap and lotion dispensers for adjusting the amount of liquid dispensed therefrom.
Attempts to combine the aforesaid two features in a single dispenser construction have been less than satisfactory. Some prior art approaches employ a mechanism which provides for a reduction of normal output by obstructing or restricting movement of the bail so that it cannot be manually moved as great a distance by the operator as is the case when a full portion of the soap or other liquid is being dispensed. Also, many bail-operated dispensers incorporating means to adjust the outflow of liquid dispensed are characterized by their relative complexity and high cost of manufacture.


Authentication is widely used to protect consumer data and computing services, such as email, document storage, and online banking. Current authentication models, such as those employed by online identity providers, may have limited options and configurations for authentication schemes. Accordingly, as provided herein, a model based authentication scheme may be configured based upon a policy and/or an authentication mechanism list. The policy may define the target resource, a user, a group the user belongs to, devices used to connect to the target resource, a service owning the target resource, etc. The authentication mechanism list may comprise predefined authentication mechanisms and/or user plug-in authentication mechanisms (e.g., user created authentication mechanism). Once the authentication scheme is configured, it may be enforced upon authentication requests from a user. Feedback may be provided to the user based upon patterns of usage of the target resource.

Many computing services (e.g., email, document storage, social networking, online banking, company network access, blogging services, etc.) utilize authentication mechanisms for security. Online identity providers may provide authentication schemes consumed by computing services and users with diverse security needs. Unfortunately, users may not have the ability to configure the type of authentication mechanisms within an authentication scheme that is used to access these computing resources. For example, a social networking service may provide users with an authentication scheme comprising a username and password along with a challenge-response question. If, for example, an online identity provider has a set authentication scheme for the social networking service, then a user may not have the ability to customize the authentication scheme, such as adding and/or removing the authentication mechanisms (e.g., adding a device ID) used within the authentication scheme, which may provide a less satisfactory user experience, which may be exacerbated based upon the type of provider. That is, substantial disparity may exist between different types of providers regarding how authentication is accomplished. For example, a large scale online identification service provider may provide identity services that are consumed by services and consumers with diverse security needs, whereas a bank, for example, may have relatively fixed security requirements and a more homogeneous user base. Accordingly, a relatively static, inflexible authentication scheme may prove less than satisfactory given the diversity of authentication needs and/or applications.


A modular furniture wall system includes active telecommunications equipment and wire management in an open office architecture and effectively provides a telecommunications closet as part of the office furniture. Slip-fit styled U-shaped members are attached to vertical frame members which form a rectangular opening within the furniture frame. L-shaped members are adjustable connected to each other and between the U-shaped members for providing a channel for routing wire between extending legs of the L-shaped members and a spaced support for the mounting of standard electrical equipment. Opposing pairs of shelf elements are carried by opposing surfaces of the U-shaped member and the L-shaped member, respectively, with each of the opposing pair of shelf elements having a horizontal surface for supporting equipment such as active telecommunications switches, patch panels and cross-connects with their front surfaces facing upward. Wiring is routed from the electrical equipment through the channel, wire holders carried by the U-shaped members and through apertures within the L-shaped members. Thermally insulated cover panels having a recessed surface portion for providing a wire pathway between the cover panel and frame are supported by the frame, as is typical for such modular furniture, and enclose the wire, switch, panels, and other desired electronic equipment within the frame. Grounding wire is electrically connected between the frame, the U-shaped members, and the L-shaped members for providing a grounding connection therebetween, in addition to the grounding provided through the use of conductive elements used to construct the system.

It is well known that the complexity of voice and data telecommunications has increased and with it standard for insuring operation flexibility and manageability of supporting systems. Telecommunications include voice, data, and video transmission of information, fire and security matters, audio, environmental, and other intelligent building controls over media that typically includes fiber optics, specialized copper data cabling, as well as microwave and radio wave transmissions. Office design practices have introduced flexible layouts designed to support workgroups and small teams. As a result, spaces for such teams are frequently rearranged to meet the changing requirements of the work for an individual and that of the team, resulting in an open office work environment that often requires reconfiguration. Standards including those of the American National Standards Institute ("ANSI"), the Electronic Industries Association ("EIA"), and the Telecommunications Industry Association ("TIA") play an important role and, in fact, place stringent requirements on the construction and layout of such open office environments. By way of example, an interconnection in horizontal cabling that allows for open office spaces to be reconfigured frequently without disturbing horizontal cable runs must meet standards such as EIA/TIA 569, TIA/EIA 607, and TSB 75. Such standards provide for interconnection capability including multiuser outlet/connector and transition points, by way of example. In general, TIA standards allow for various connections in the horizontal cabling between horizontal cross connects and telecommunication outlets and connectors.
Typically, a wiring management system may be provided for use in furniture components and will include routing channels for routing wire throughout the system as illustrated by way of example with U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,431 to Olson et al, and the free standing modular furniture of U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,658 to Schreiner et al. As described, the use of wire management and modular furniture components in an office environment provides for the routing of power and other cabling to various electrical appliances in the office space to permit efficient use of that space. However, the installation and maintenance requirements of wire management systems have posed practical difficulties that include the interconnection of various active and routing electrical components for meeting the demands of the office space, while at the same time effectively concealing the wiring and electrical components from view. As is often the case, various wire management systems associated with office furniture will focus on the wire management needs for connection and interconnection with communications outlets provided to the office workstation, which outlets have horizontal interconnections to a remotely located telecommunications closet. As a result, various communications organizing methods and devices typically concentrate on the connection to appropriate connectors and the storage of excess links of cable within compartments formed within furniture modules such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,881 to Wilson et al. Further, although it is well known to rack mount electronics equipment on framing structures, and organize wire runs within wire management systems, as described by way of example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,819 to Hebel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,012 to Lerman; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,087 to Orlando, such systems have not addressed the needs of the open office and would not meet the needs identified while keeping to the standards of the industry.
Although many innovations have been directed to the open office for providing floor space division using furniture, movable partitions, and other means other than building permanent walls, none have focused on the important requirement that the workstation, having the multiuser telecommunications equipment and assemblies, is required to be within fixed and often long distances to the telecommunications closet, which will typically house vital active switching equipment. Usually, the telecommunications closet is based on each floor of a building and is the junction between a backbone and the horizontal pathways for such cabling routed to the various workstations. The telecommunications closet will typically include both voice and data telecommunications equipment, termination fields and cross connect wiring. Planning and layout of the open office must therefore be concerned about distances to this telecommunications closet and, as a result, configure the workstation environment and location of each workstation carefully in arranging an effective floor plan.

Modular furniture wall system and method for telecommunications equipment and wire management in an open office architecture


A mattress can include one or more layers of foam material, an adjustable air layer including an air bladder, and a valve. The valve can be fluidically connected to the air bladder and configured to regulate pressure of the air bladder in response to actuation. Some embodiments can include a foam material positioned inside the air bladder.

People have traditionally used beds that come in many shapes, sizes, and styles.
Such beds can range from extremely simple designs to rather complex designs that include a variety of features. Some beds commonly include a mattress, a box-spring, and a frame. Such bed items can be shipped from a factory to a store or home, but are relatively large and bulky.
For example, mattresses come in a variety of styles including those with innerspring systems or those with adjustable air bladders. Such mattresses are typically shipped in large delivery trucks, either lying flat or standing on an edge. In either case, such mattresses are rather large and bulky, often requiring specialized delivery service. This can add to the cost and complexity of delivering a mattress from a factory to a retail store and ultimately to a consumer.


The present invention provides means and methods for treating diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Specifically, a bispecific CD19×CD3 antibody which engages T cells via its CD3 binding portion and concomitantly binds to CD19 on the surface of in particular, lymphoma cells via its CD19 binding portion (i.e. a bispecific T cell engager, “BiTE”) is administered for use in the treatment of tumorous mass of lymophoreticular tissue and/or extranodal lymphoma caused by DLBCL in a patient.

Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of lymphoma. Although there are more than 30 types of NHL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type, making up about 30 percent of all lymphomas. In the United States, DLBCL affects about 7 out of 100,000 people each year.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive lymphoma, sometimes termed as a high or intermediate grade lymphoma. That means that the lymphoma grows quickly, and can spread fast to different parts of the body. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma mostly affects those above 50 years of age, though people of any age can get it. It is a bit more common in men than in women. About ⅔ of those who have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma have widespread disease at the time of diagnosis, extending to different parts of the body. In nearly half of the patients, the disease affects parts of the body outside the lymph nodes (called "extranodal" disease). The bone marrow is affected in about 10-20% of the patients. DLBCL is fatal if left untreated.
In DLBCL, the abnormal B-cell lymphocytes are larger than normal, and they have stopped responding to signals that usually limit the growth and reproduction of cells. DLBCL can either develop as a transformation from a less aggressive form of lymphoma or as a first occurrence of lymphoma (called de novo).
The first sign of DLBCL is often a quickly growing, non-painful mass in a lymph node in the neck, groin, or abdomen. Patients may also experience fever, weight loss, drenching night sweats, or other symptoms. In about 40 percent of cases, the cancer does not begin in the lymph nodes, but instead develops elsewhere. This is called extranodal disease. The most common site of extranodal involvement is the stomach or gastrointestinal tract, but the disease can arise in virtually any tissue. Most patients (about 60 percent) are not diagnosed with DLBCL until the disease is advanced (stage III or IV). In the remaining 40 percent of patients, the disease is confined to one side of the diaphragm (above or below the diaphragm). This is called localized disease.
Typically, the diagnosis of lymphoma is generally done with a lymph node biopsy. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, additional tests are performed to obtain more information about the extent to which the disease has spread in the body. This process is called staging. The results of these tests will help determine the most effective course of treatment.
The discussion of management of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can be conveniently divided into 3 groups: those presenting with localized disease, those presenting with disseminated disease, and those patients whose lymphoma recurs after an initial remission.
The standard treatment of advanced was and still is chemotherapy based on CHOP. CHOP consists of four chemotherapy drugs—Cyclophosphamide (also called Cytoxan/Neosar), Doxorubicin (also called Hydroxydaunorubicin) (or Adriamycin), Vincristine (Oncovin) and Prednisolone.However, though the CHOP treatment was and is usually applied, the development of new treatment regimens including M-BACOD (methotrexate, bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dexamethasone), MACOP-B (methotrexate with leucovorin rescue doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin) and ProMACE/CytaBOM (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide cytozar, bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate prednisone) were reported to achieve results that seemed much better than had been observed with CHOP. These so-called third-generation regimens appeared to represent an important advance in therapy until an intergroup trial carried out in the United States demonstrated no superiority over CHOP.
Nevertheless, the CHOP therapy was expanded to a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, i.e. R-CHOP. R-CHOP is a combination of drugs used in chemotherapy for aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL). It adds the drug Rituximab—a monoclonal antibody against CD20, to the standard combination called CHOP.
A commonly applied R-CHOP treatment regime is as follows: Rituximab is administered as an infusion over a few hours on the first day of treatment, while the drugs of the CHOP regimen may be started the next day. The entire course is usually repeated every three weeks for 6-8 cycles. The first three drugs of the CHOP chemotherapy regimen are usually given as injections or infusions in veins on a single day, while prednisolone is taken as pills for five days. Each cycle is repeated every 3 weeks for 6-8 cycles. CHOP chemotherapy is used for many of the common types of aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas including Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Nowadays, R-CHOP can be considered the standard first line treatment for patients with DLBCL.
DHAP is a further combination of chemotherapeutic agents that is sometimes applied for the treatment of DLBCL. The DHAP chemotherapeutics include: Dexamethasone, cytarabine, which is sometimes called Ara-C and cisplatin, which contains platinum. DHAP can also be combined with Rituximab (tradename Rituxan®), i.e., R-DHAP.
ICE is another combination of chemotherapeutic agents that is sometimes applied for the treatment of DLBCL and named after the initials of the chemotherapy drugs used, which are: Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide. R-ICE also includes the monoclonal antibody drug Rituximab.
However, despite this major therapeutic advance, a significant proportion of patients will relapse or remain refractory to initial chemoimmunotherapy. Accordingly, there is a need for alternative and/or adjuvant therapies for the treatment of the aggressive and fast growing bulky tumor mass caused by DLBCL. Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is to comply with this need.