A lid handle having vacuum and overflow prevention function is installed in a lid for a vacuum cooking pot, the lid being locked to a container using a locking member installed in a container handle. The lid handle may have a check valve having an open-close flange, a top unit, a central hole flange, a connecting section connecting the open-close flange with the central hold flange to form a relief path, and a flange formed in between the top unit and the open-close flange. The locking member may include a locking slider, a guide member for guiding the locking slider, and an elastic clip that determines the position of the locking slider.

A vacuum cooking pot of the prior art can be used as a regular pot by exhausting the air through the check valve (or the vacuum release valve) due to the internal expansion of the cooking chamber during boiling.
When it is cooled down after boiling, the inflow of the external air through the check valve (or the vacuum release valve) is blocked due to the internal contraction of the cooking chamber, and performs so called pumping-like function that pulls the lid to downwards direction and creates a vacuum inside such that the lid is stuck to the container thereby preventing separation thereof.
When the contents is stored as it is under a vacuum, spoiling of the food can be prevented as long as the vacuum is maintained thereby solving the inconvenience of continuous boiling thereof.
The vacuum can be released by re-boiling or holding and pushing up the check valve (or the vacuum release valve) (refer to patent literature 1 and 2).
However, the check valve (or the vacuum release valve) of the prior art is made separately from the lid handle, and the handle is holdably formed in the center of the lid therefore the lid cannot be erected.
Meanwhile, as a check valve of the prior art, for example, the one described in the patent literature 3 is disclosed.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, a check valve 120 which is inserted into a mounting hole 116 formed at the bottom surface of the circular pit 118 of the lid body 110, is made of a silicon material and mainly comprised of a body 122, a first flange 125, and a second flange 126.
First, a pressure-relief path 123 is formed inside of the body 122; and a release hole 124 releasing pressure in conjunction with the pressure-relief space 123 is formed in the circumference of the body. Then, a first flange is formed at the lower circumference of the release hole 124 of the body 122 such that the tight contact with the inner surface prevents an arbitrary separation of the body 122 from the mounting hole 116. Finally, a second flange 126 is formed at the upper circumference of the release hole 124 of the body 122 such that the tight contact with the outer surface of the mounting hole 116 and the through-hole 117 prevents downward slipping of the body 122.
However, when the overflow exceeds the release hole 124, the overflow cannot be prevented by the second flange 126 only.

Lid for vacuum cooking pot and cooking pot using same


The system enables a user to dispose information such as an icon to identify the article that the user posts from the client computer, on the display screen thereof, for example, at the position closer to an icon of an article that another user posted if the former user intends to express the opinion positively to the latter user's posted article. The server computer where many client computers can post articles and read the articles posted from other client computers, manages the coordinate data of the icons respectively disposed at the client computers according to the respective intentions of the articles and reproduces the icons on the display screen of a client computer, at the respective disposed positions so that a user at the client computer can instantly understand the intentions of the posted articles without reading the contents thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a multimedia architecture for providing interactive video programming to an individual subscriber, for example to a television set, and, more particularly, directed to a multimedia architecture that provides on demand programming interleaved with secondary programming, such as advertising, to a subscriber wherein the content of the secondary programming is dependent upon information gathered about the viewer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Current interactive applications are typically limited to the providing of on-demand movies, and games, via existing cable systems and telephone systems. For example, Bell Atlantic is currently testing an on-demand movie system wherein subscribers are able to, for a fee, select a movie, from a list of movies. The selected movie is then transmitted to the subscribers television set.
Currently, commercial messages, i.e. advertising, are delivered to a subscriber's TV from centralized broadcast facilities at either a national or local a level. The national and local providers simply fill-in designated, time-based, gaps in a primary video program with commercials. The commercials are, at best, picked based upon a demographic profile of a probable cross-section of viewers of the primary video programming. U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,098 to Carles, incorporated herein by reference, sets forth a device and method for distributing commercial messages to an individually addressable subscriber terminal on a network. In general, a database is generated using standard known poling techniques having data regarding each subscriber to the network. This database is generated by, for example, mail-in responses, telephone poling or in-person surveying. After the database has been generated, subscribers receive individualized commercial messages during the normal gaps provided in the primary video programming. Carles further sets forth a method for matching the commercial messages to the appropriate viewer based upon the information stored in the database.
However, to date, there has been no effective apparatus or method for providing interactive advertising or other multimedia services in conjunction with a primary video program. Further, there have been no provisions for utilizing the subscriber's television set to obtain statistical data regarding the subscribers. Additionally, there has been no effective apparatus or method for providing different commercials based upon the images being displayed in the primary video programming.

Multimedia architecture for interactive advertising in which secondary programming is varied based upon viewer demographics and content of primary programming


A screw extruder having a cylinder, an extrusion head, a screw in the cylinder and a motor for driving the screw in rotation has insert members which extend into the cylinder to effect plastification and homogenization of the material being extruded. The web of the screw is provided with annular recesses into which the insert members project. Some of the insert members are stationary, in the form of pins projecting radially into the cylinder, while others are movable so as to vary the extent of their projection into the cylinder. The movable insert members may be pins extending radially into the cylinder and movable radially, rotatable threaded pins extending tangentially into the cylinder, rotatable pins extending tangentially into the cylinder and having non-circular portions in the cylinder, or sector-shaped discs which are movable pivotally. Actuators for the movable insert members are controlled by a processor which compares measured output temperature of the extrudant in the extruder head with a preselected temperature.

For two decades pin cylinder screw extruders are known in the rubber and plastic industry (DE 31 50 719) in order to be able to plasticize and disintegrate better and more rapidly materials which are difficult to process. In-the course of the these decades, screw extruders have been ever more improved. Stationary inserted pins have a form which prevents pin breakage. Pin breakage warning devices (DE 32 21 472) and forewarning devices (DE 3 502 437) which respond to the elastic bending of the pins have been developed. In order to avoid the need of individually disassembling the pins when the extruder is to be cleaned and the screw is to be removed from the extruder, hydraulic (DE 35 03 911) and mechanical (DE 35 06 424) drives have been developed with which the pins can be shifted out of their working positions and into withdrawn positions. Through the introduction of additional per se known working means, as for example torpedo pieces inserted in the screw, shearing parts and through grooves cut in the cylinder, further improvement of the plasticizing of the extrudant is attained.
It is an old problem in the extruder technique to find optimal working conditions for the discharge rate, the discharge temperature, the degree of plastification and the discharge pressure. If a good degree of plastification for a certain desired discharge quantity per unit time has been found, and also the temperature of the extrudate has been brought to a value which is favorable for further working of the extrudate, these favorable values cannot be retained when, for example, the rate of rotation of the extruder screw is altered in order further to improve the degree of plastification. Also the discharge quantity per unit time cannot be altered without also altering the degree of plastification and the temperature of the extruded material. This has the result that with a favorable adjustment of the extruder, optimal adjustment of the following machines in the production line cannot be obtained, because, for example, the extrusion temperature is too high or the extrusion quantity per unit time cannot attain the desired optimum value.

Process and apparatus for holding the temperature of the extrudant of a screw extruder constant


A connector is provided of the type which has replaceable contact assemblies, including a contact assembly (14, FIG. 3) with a circuit component (70) thereon that has three terminals (72, 74, 76), one (72) connected to the body (54) of the contact assembly, a second (74) connected to a first clip (80) which engages a ground plane (50) of the connector, and a third terminal (76) which engages a second clip (82). A circuit board (52) is mounted in the connector in a plane normal to the axes (31) of the contact assemblies, the circuit board having holes (110) that each receive a different contact assembly. A hole that receives the component contact assembly, is plated and holds a spring clip device (120) that has fingers (124) that bear against the second clip.

One type of connector includes contact assemblies with diodes and/or filter components. Such contact assemblies divert to ground any high voltage pulses, and can filter out frequency signals of unwanted frequencies. If a diode is destroyed when diverting a high energy pulse to ground, the contact assembly can be removed and another installed by sliding it until a clip on the contact assembly wipes against a ground plane mounted in the insulator assembly. The replaceable contact assemblies connect to circuitry which may include circuit boards holding multi-terminal components such as transistors and integrated circuits. Due to the easy replaceability of contact assemblies, it would be desirable if components more complex than diodes could be readily replaced.


A therapeutic apparatus comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system for treating a target region. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a display for displaying treatment planning data. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a memory containing machine executable instructions. The memory further contains a geometric model of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. Execution of the instructions causes a processor to receive the treatment planning data. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to render the geometric representation of the target region from the treatment planning data on the display. Execution of the instructions further causes the processor to calculate an achievable target region using the geometric model. Execution of the instructions further causes the processor to render the achievable target region on the display.

Ultrasound from a focused ultrasonic transducer can be used to selectively treat regions within the interior of the body. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted as high energy mechanical vibrations. These vibrations induce tissue heating as they are damped, and they can also lead to cavitation. Both tissue heating and cavitation can be used to destroy tissue in a clinical setting. However, heating tissue with ultrasound is easier to control than cavitation. Ultrasonic treatments can be used to ablate tissue and to kill regions of cancer cells selectively. This technique has been applied to the treatment of uterine fibroids, and has reduced the need for hysterectomy procedures.
To selectively treat tissue, a focused ultrasonic transducer can be used to focus the ultrasound on a particular treatment or target volume. The transducer is typically mounted within a medium, such as degassed water, that is able to transmit ultrasound. Actuators are then used to adjust the position of the ultrasonic transducer and thereby adjust the tissue region that is being treated.

Therapeutic apparatus, computer program product, and method for determining an achievable target region for high intensity focused ultrasound


Prompt and secure data communication paring concepts are described. In one example, a method for data communications includes a client device receiving an advertising packet from a peripheral device, comparing a signal strength indicator for the advertising packet to a threshold, generating a session key based on the comparing, and transmitting the session key to the peripheral device. The method also includes communicating and acknowledging one or more data chunks between the devices through a secure communications channel. The concepts are different that traditional pairing techniques for short-range, low-power wireless data communications in that secure communications channels can be achieved automatically, relatively more quickly, and repeatedly without the need for user intervention. The secure communications channels can be established and reestablished without the need for traditional pairing techniques.

Establishing a communications channel between two computing devices in a short-range, low-power wireless network is sometimes called "pairing" the devices. In some cases, one device acts as a master, controller, or main device and one or more other devices act as slave, client, or worker devices, but other network topologies are possible. The channels in these networks are typically maintained until they are broken, either by deliberately disconnecting the devices or because the devices become physically separated from each other and the radio link fails. Pairing processes can proceed in a number of different ways depending on various factors, including the types of devices establishing communications, the version or revision of the application, transport, and physical network layers of the devices, and control of the devices by users.

Prompt and secure data communication pairing


In a hose fitting fixing construction of the present invention, at least one of a hose fitting and a bracket has at least one stopper having a stopper surface brought into contact with the other part and being substantially parallel to a plane which contains a fixing point of a fixing device and the central axis of a sleeve of the hose fitting. The stopper prevents the hose fitting from moving on a surface of the bracket. Accordingly, the hose fitting fixing construction offers an excellent positioning accuracy when installing a hose assembly, and prevents the hose fitting from moving on the surface of the bracket even during service. In addition, it is possible to install the hose assembly to a mounting portion more easily than installing the hose assembly with the prior art hose fitting fixing construction, and obtain excellent work efficiency in a limited work space.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hose fitting fixing construction for piping. A hose fitting fixing construction of the present invention may be employed when installing a brake hose assembly to an automobile body. For example, the hose fitting fixing construction may be applied to prevent the brake hose assembly from loosening or contacting with other parts of the automobile.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A hose retainer using a pair of female threaded and male threaded fittings has been known as a hose intermediate retainer for holding an intermediate portion of a hose. However, the hose retainer requires a number of parts and results in a high cost.
Thereupon, another intermediate retainer comprising a flange, a securing portion and a tubular portion has been disclosed in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication (KOKOKU) No. 6310/1984. In this intermediate retainer, the tubular portion is inserted into a through hole of a mounting bracket extending from an automobile body, secured and positioned with the flange, and then the mounting bracket is held between the flange and a spring clip holding the securing portion. It is possible to solve the above problems with this intermediate retainer, however, it is hard in a limited work space to insert the intermediate retainer with a hose fixed into the through hole of the mounting bracket.
Therefore, as an actual fixing construction, a hose fitting fixing construction disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (KOKAI) No. 178690/1985 has been used often. As shown in FIG. 12, this hose fitting fixing construction comprises a hose fitting 100 having tubular sleeves 101, 101 into which hoses 400, 400 are inserted and a plate flange 102 extending from an outer peripheral surface of the hose fitting 100 in a radial direction, a plate bracket 200 extending from a mounting portion, a bolt 300 and a nut 301, thereby overlapping and fixing the bracket 200 and the flange 102 with the bolt 300 and nut 301. This hose fitting fixing construction is excellent in work efficiency in a limited work space.
However, in the hose fitting fixing construction disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (KOKAI) No. 178690/1985, the flange 102 is liable to rotate around the axis of the bolt 300 on the surface of the bracket 200 (namely, in a direction vertical to FIG. 12). Accordingly, it is hard to accurately position the hose assembly, comprising the hose fitting fixing 100 and two hoses 400, 400, with respect to a mounting position and the hose assembly is liable to come in contact with other parts. Further, the hose assembly is liable to move gradually due to vibration or the like during service. Furthermore, it takes longer to install the hose assembly to the automobile body because no guide for align the bolt holes of the bracket and flange is provided in this hole fitting fixing construction.
Moreover, another conventional hose fitting fixing construction is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This hose fitting fixing construction comprises a rubber tube 600 into which a hose 500 is inserted, a clip 700 for holding the rubber tube 600, and a bolt 900 which is inserted into holes 701, 702 of the clip 700 and is screwed in a threaded hole (not shown) of a mounting portion 800. The clip 700 is installed to the mounting portion 800 with the bolt 900 screwed in the threaded hole and is firmly joined to the rubber tube 600 and the hose 500.
However, in this conventional hose fitting fixing construction, similarly to the hose fitting fixing construction disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (KOKAI) No. 178690/1985, the hose 500 is liable to move when the fastening with the bolt 900 is insufficient, or the bolt 900 loosens due to vibration of the mounting portion 800 or the like. Further, it is not easy to accurately re-position the hose 500 at the appropriate position after disassembling the hose 500 from the mounting portion 800 by untightening the bolt 900.


A communication terminal that builds a wireless network includes a control-information transceiver that transmits and receives control information indicating number of times of forwarding required for a communication with the communication terminal, with respect to other communication terminals connected to the wireless network; a routing-information creating unit that creates, based on the control information received, routing information indicating an initial forward-destination terminal to which data is firstly transmitted when the communication terminal is a destination, for each of the other communication terminals; and a data transmitting unit that transmits the data based on the routing information.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication terminal that builds a wireless network and a communication method by which the communication terminal performs a communication, and more particularly, to a communication terminal and a communication method capable of efficiently optimizing a data transmission route even under a situation in which a communication terminal moves or a new communication terminal is connected to the wireless network.
2) Description of the Related Art
A technology for data transmission or data reception through an ad hock network is widely known. The ad hock network is one of wireless networks and is not dependent on infrastructure such as base stations. The ad hock network is built by communication terminals mutually connected wirelessly.
Each of the communication terminals connected to the ad hock network includes a function of relaying data for the other destination communication terminals. Therefore, even if a distance up to a communication terminal as a destination of data is such a long distance that radio waves do not reach and data is impossible to be directly transmitted, the data is relayed through some communication terminals, which makes it possible to transmit the data to the communication terminal as a destination.
In the technology, when a communication terminal is to transmit data, a communication route up to a destination communication terminal needs to be ensured. Therefore, the communication terminal that is to transmit data transmits control information to other unspecified communication terminals. A communication terminal receives the control information, enters information for a data transmission route between a source communication terminal and its own (local) communication terminal in the control information, and transmits the control information to other unspecified communication terminals.
When control information is transmitted one after another between communication terminals and the control information reaches a destination communication terminal, a data transmission route from a source communication terminal to a destination communication terminal is built, and data is transmitted based on transmission route information entered in the control information.
In the ad hock network, however, a communication terminal included in the data transmission route may be disconnected from the ad hock network because the communication terminal deviates from a range where radio communication is possible or the power is shut off, which may cause data communication to be impossible. In this case, in the conventional technology represented in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-252992, if it is detected that the data cannot be transmitted, the control information is transmitted again to ensure a new transmission route.
In the conventional technology, however, even if a destination communication terminal moves to allow data transmission to be possible through the less number of times of relay, the data transmission route cannot be updated if the transmission route having been once ensured can still be used. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-341323 discloses a wireless ad hock terminal that periodically transmits control information between a relay communication terminal that performs relay and a destination communication terminal, and that establishes a connection with a relay communication terminal near the location to which the destination communication terminal has moved.
However, in the conventional technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-341323, updating a communication route based on control information periodically transmitted is performed only between a destination communication terminal and a final relay communication terminal that relays data to the destination communication terminal, and therefore, another transmission route cannot be optimized.
More specifically, in the ad hock network, not only a destination communication terminal but also a relay communication terminal freely moves. Even if an effective transmission route with the less number of times of relay becomes available as a result of movement of the relay communication terminal, this transmission route cannot be used.
If a new communication terminal is connected to the ad hock network, a data transmission route with the less number of times of relay may be available, but such a transmission route cannot effectively be searched for.

Communication terminal and communication method


An electrical-tap connector has a blade-receiving portion and a wire-receiving portion for connecting a wire and a blade contact. The electrical-tap connector includes an integrally insulated housing which mounts a generally W-shaped metal sheet therein. The generally W-shaped metal sheet includes a pair of apexes and a pit therebetween. The respective one ends of the apexes are joined by a parallel leg portions with free ends at the end of the leg portions. A transverse slot is defined in the transverse direction of the generally parallel leg portions. A longitudinal slot is defined in the longitudinal direction of the free ends and an oblique face lead-in mouth is defined at the entrance of the longitudinal slot.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to the art of electrical-tap connectors and, particularly to a stamped electrical-tap connector assembly having a wire-receiving portion at one end and a blade-receiving portion at the other end.
2. Description of Related Art
In the modern digital era, for the system functioning well, the individual device or signal or electricity need to be connected together. Therefore, it needs many connectors to connect the above.
Many electrical connectors or terminals have been designed for receiving or mating with a male tab or blade contact. Such electrical connectors or terminals often are used in tap connectors for making a T-connection to an insulated electrical wire. In such connectors, one end of the terminal includes an insulation displacement terminal(i.e. IDT), wire-receiving portion, and the opposite end of the terminal includes a mating or blade-receiving portion.
Design considerations for these terminals must take into account the differing requirements for both sides of connections. On consideration of designing the insulation displacement end of the terminal, sufficient resistance is necessary against wire pulled-out, and sufficient integrity in the material thickness should be configured to displace the insulation without cutting the conductors and without allowing the insulation displacing slots to open. On consideration of designing the blade-receiving end of the terminal, the factors of a material thickness which does not take a set and which carries maximum current is necessary. General design-considerations, such as minimizing material waste and simplifying the design and manufacture of the terminals, also are important. According to the number of factors to be considered, most tap connectors often use stamped and formed terminals.
In a prior art, one type of stamped and formed terminal for connecting an insulated wire to a blade contact is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,089, referring to the FIG. 1, it includes an integrally formed insulated housing (20) which mounts a generally U-shaped metal sheet (22) therein for mating with a blade contact (14) which has a generally centrally located locking recess or aperture (30) therein. As seen in FIG. 2, the characteristic of the tap connectors is that the U-shape of the terminal (22) is defined by a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion. The bight portion has an offset portion (46, 46a, 46b) which has a locking projection (48) therein for tightly engaging the locking recess (30) of the blade contact. Although the configuration of the generally U-shaped terminal provides the maximum current-carrying capacity of the terminal, the design of the offset portion (46, 46a, 46b) provides an uneven contact while the blade contact (14) is in mating engagement with the offset portion (46) of the blade-receiving terminal (22), thus reducing the reliability of the U-shaped terminal.
The present invention directed to solve these problems of prior invention provides an improved tap connector assembly not only to maximize the current-carrying capacity but also to increase the reliability and lifetime of the terminal by solving the problem of uneven contact.


An apparatus for opening a crimped multifilament tow comprising: a source of crimped multifilament tow; at least one pair of opposed gripping rollers comprising a first roller which is a metal roller and a second roller which is a smooth-surfaced roller made of a material selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane or silicone rubber; where the multifilament tow passes between and in contact with both of the rollers and filaments of the tow are separated from one another and opened.

This application relates to an apparatus and process for opening filamentary tows with a total denier of less than 200,000 such tows being any synthetic polymer tow, for example polyolefin, polyester and cellulosics. The opened filamentary tows are generally employed in the manufacture of cigarette filters and absorbent cores.
The filamentary tow is delivered in highly compacted bales. For use, the tow must be opened, i.e., the maximum amount of fiber surfaces exposed. Tow opening involves the separation of the individual filaments one from another.
FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional tow opening apparatus. First, the tow band 15 is pulled by roller pair 5, 6 and 7, 8 from the bale 10 through an air spreader or banding jet 20 which serves to straighten the tow band, to remove any twist, and to perform a preliminary filament separation. Second, this pre-opened band 25 that still contains fully unseparated filaments is fed to an opening system which completes opening (i.e., the filament separation). Liquid plasticizer or bonding agent or other liquid materials 65 may be added to the tow as part of the opening process.
An opening system separates the filaments by the mechanical action that occurs between two pairs of rollers 5, 6 and 7, 8. The second pair of rollers 7, 8 is driven at a slightly faster speed than the first 5, 6. Roller pair 5, 6 may or may not be driven. One roller of each pair has a solid rubber surface, while the second roller of each pair has a metal surface that may be smooth or textured (i.e., grooved or threaded), preferably textured. Each solid rubber surface of this prior art is either a natural rubber or a nitrile rubber. The effect is that small groups of filaments are alternately tensioned and relaxed in a shuffling fashion between the roller pairs resulting in complete separation of the individual filaments. The opened or separated band 55 is then spread to its final width by another banding jet or a forming jet 60 and fed on to a subsequent forming apparatus.
Two end uses for opened tow, such as cellulose acetate, are cigarette filters and absorbent cores for personal hygiene garments (e.g., diapers, training pants, incontinent pads, sanitary napkins and the like).
More information on filter rodmaking can be found in the book entitled, THE DESIGN OF CIGARETTES by Colin L. Browne, copyright 1990. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,032,829 and 3,156,016 discuss a process and apparatus for opening filamentary tows.
The existing art and practice of opening ("blooming" or "de-registering") a cellulose acetate tow band utilizes one or more hard rubber rollers in the opening rolls. The rubber is a natural rubber or a rubber defined as a nitrile rubber.
These rubber rollers are subject to wear, resulting in variability in the opened tow and must be periodically changed. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the rubber rollers to reduce variability of the opened tow products.


A device for creating a fragment model from a crystal model is equipped with a division position identifying section adapted for identifying multiple division atom pairs for multiple atoms contained in the crystal model. The atoms in the division atom pairs are contained in different fragment models. The device is additionally equipped with a model creating section adapted for identifying each of multiple atom groups each composed of atoms bonded to each other in the crystal model and for creating fragment models respectively corresponding to the identified atom groups.

Calculation of an interaction energy by using a fragment molecular orbital method (FMO method) is used as one method for analyzing an interaction between a protein and a compound that acts as a ligand of the protein (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, and Non-Patent Document 3).

Device, system, method and program for producing fragment model


Embodiments include controlling a processor to perform operations for predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) in prostate cancer (PCa), including accessing a first digitized pathology slide having a first stain channel of a region of tissue demonstrating PCa; accessing a second digitized pathology slide having a second, different stain channel of the region of tissue; extracting morphology features from the first stain channel; extracting stain intensity features from the second stain channel, where a stain intensity feature quantifies an amount of a molecular biomarker present in a cellular nucleus; controlling a first machine learning classifier to generate a first probability of BCR based on the morphology features; controlling a second machine learning classifier to generate a second, different probability of BCR based on the stain intensity features; computing an aggregate probability of BCR based on the first probability and the second probability; and displaying the aggregate probability.

Following radical prostatectomy, there is a risk that a prostate cancer (PCa) patient may experience early biochemical recurrence (BCR). Determining which patients are likely to experience early BCR facilitates the direction of additional resources and treatments to those patients more likely to experience early BCR, while sparing lower risk patients unneeded treatment. Existing approaches to predicting early BCR rely on age, prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, and the results of a tissue evaluation performed by a human pathologist. The pathologist's diagnosis is ultimately based on a subjective examination and has limited accuracy and reproducibility. Existing approaches thus suffer from low accuracy, intra-observer variability, as well as inter-observer variability, and are sub-optimal.

Predicting prostate cancer biochemical recurrence using combined nuclear NF-KB/P65 localization and gland morphology


A water supply system which includes an adjustable bury pressure tank having an adjustable float pump control assembly. The water supply system may be adapted for use in a wide variety of climatic conditions.

Rural dwellings, and the like, not connected to a central or "city" water supply system utilize a water well and related system apparatus to provide water service. Such systems generally include a water well consisting of a vertical shaft extending from the service to some distance below the water line (generally into an underground aquifer or other water-bearing formation). This shaft is lined by a casing pipe having an annular space surrounding a water pipe. A pump is connected to the water pipe below the water level within the casing pipe.
In one prior art system, water is pumped through the water pipe into the plumbing system of the dwelling or the like. In another prior art system, the water pipe is connected to a pit within an insulated enclosure wherein the pit is utilized to feed the plumbing system. In still another prior art system, the water pipe is connected to a pitless unit which may or may not be housed within a pressure tank.
Systems employing pressure tanks may be housed in an insulated enclosure, or may be buried below the frost line. The depth of the frost line will vary depending on the climate in which the system is employed. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a pressure tank for a water system, that may be buried in the ground at various depths.
In order to pressurize a water system and supply a volume of water to a location, a water tank capable of being pressurized is needed. To pressurize water in a tank, some portion of the tank volume must be air, which stores the pressure energy. In a typical application, approximately one half of the tank may be filled with water and one half filled with air.
One drawback to such a system is that the air in the tank is absorbed by the water, thereby dissipating the potential energy stored by the pressurized air, and eventually allowing the tank to become full of water, thus preventing further pressurization.
One method to overcome this problem is to periodically pressurize the tank externally using pressurized air to get the water level back to its optimum level. This method is troublesome, time consuming. The period of time between external pressurization depends on water usage, however, periods of approximately once per month are typical.
Another method of overcoming the problems associated with the loss of air pressure due to absorption of air into the water is to use an internal rubber bladder to separate the air from the water. This method has the drawback of being costly to manufacture and purchase, and when the bladder wears out, it is costly to purchase and reinstall.
Yet another method is to use a float that opens a vent to allow air out of the tank for filling purposes and then, at a predetermined float level, shuts off the vent, leaving a portion of the tank full of air. Through continued filling of the tank, the remaining air trapped in the tank compresses, storing the energy for future use.
Systems using a pressure tank typically employ an air volume control valve within the tank to release excess air introduced into the system and maintain a proper volume of air within the tank. Prior art air volume control valves usually comprise a tube extending into the pressure tank to allow airflow into or out of the pressure tank. This tube includes a restricted orifice disposed in its lower end. A float assembly positioned beneath the orifice prevents airflow out of the tank through this orifice when the water level within the tank is sufficiently high to force the float against the orifice. Similarly, when the water level in the tank is sufficiently low, the force of gravity causes the float to fall to a lowered position away from the orifice permitting excess air to flow out of the tank.
One drawback to this method is that the float is not buoyant enough to completely seal off the valve. A problem experienced with prior art air volume control valves is that, due to submersion in water or other liquid, corrosion, mineral deposits, sediment, and other solids in the water may plug the orifice and prevent proper venting of air form the tank. Should this happen, air may be trapped within the tank. This trapped air may displace the water in the tank, lowering the water level and causing the system to function poorly. Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved air volume control valve wherein the valve orifice is not susceptible to being obstructed by sediment and other solids in the water.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a water system wherein the air valve is located outside the tank, and most preferably above the ground, to ensure that it is not plugged by debris or deposits. It would also be desirable to provide an improved float mechanism to ensure complete sealing of the air release port.


A fluid wash system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed, the gas turbine engine defining an axial direction and comprising a borescope port that provides access to a component within a core flow path of the gas turbine engine. In various embodiments, the fluid wash system includes a wash line fluidly connected to a pump configured to provide a pressurized flow of wash liquid; a spray nozzle connected to the wash line and configured for extending into the borescope port to provide the pressurized flow of wash liquid to the component within the core flow path; and an attachment mechanism configured to releasable mount the spray nozzle to the borescope port, the attachment mechanism including an alignment mechanism configured to orient the spray nozzle and direct the pressurized flow of wash liquid in a predetermined direction toward the component.

Deposits or debris formed on the various rotor blades or stator vanes within the compressor and the turbine sections in a gas turbine engine impair the aerodynamic condition and dynamics of the engine, thereby affecting efficiency. Similar buildups of deposits or debris on other components within a gas turbine engine, such as, for example, struts, flow path surfaces and combustor panels, may also impair the affect the efficiency of the engine during operation. Accordingly, at various maintenance intervals, it is desirable to wash the engine in order to reduce build-up on the blades or vanes or other components within a gas turbine engine. Accessing various blade or vane stages may prove difficult from the engine inlet or exhaust, thereby often requiring washing the engine either by removing other engine equipment, such as bleed valves, or by using dedicated borescope or wash ports to provide access to the engine interior. Conventional approaches may be time consuming or difficult to provide access for cleaning purposes, which results in poor cleaning.


A skin cleansing, sunprotecting composition comprising. a. an effective sun protecting amount of a sun protecting hydrophobic agent or mixture thereof, PA1 b. a polar organic solvent of lower polarity than water, PA1 c. an oil, and PA1 d. a cleansing effective amount of a surfactant or mixture thereof wherein the oil/polar solvent ratio on a weight basis is about 1:4 to about 1:0.8.

Proper protection from damage to the skin by the sun has been receiving increasing attention over the years. It is now known and understood that it does not require a significant amount of visible sun to bring about damage to the skin. People in the northern countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland have also received significant skin damage even though the temperatures are not overtly high and there is significant cloud cover. Such damage from acute or continuous exposure of the skin to solar radiation can result in sunburn, that is the cutaneous inflammation of the skin resulting in redness, pain or tenderness and in extreme cases, blistering and peeling. Additionally premature aging due to changes in the collagen and elastic fibers can occur. Perhaps the most disturbing effect of exposure to the sun can be the growth of skin cancer. Approximately 600,000 new cases of skin cancer are reported each year in the United States alone.
Consumers generally recognize the health benefits from a sun protecting agent. They generally find it inconvenient and cosmetically unpleasant to apply the present sunscreen products which are primarily "leave-on" products. The most common sunscreen products in the market place are oily compositions containing an organic molecule that absorbs the daylight in the UV spectrum. This UV filter is sometimes incorporated in a water in oil emulsion and the product generally appears as a white cream or lotion. Recently new sun protection products are based on the dispersion of sunlight by the high reflectability of micronized particles of metal oxides, for example, titanium dioxide.
It has now been discovered that significant sun protection, i.e. that approaching a level or even equal to or sometimes greater than a sun protection factor (SPF) of two can be achieved by utilizing a skin cleansing composition with an oily component which also contains a hydrophobic sun protection agent. This "2 in 1" composition can be used on a daily basis to cleanse the skin and while cleansing the skin, deposits the sun protecting agent on the skin in significant quantities. As aforestated, the quantities are such that they are essentially equivalent to the deposition of sun protection agents achieved with specific sun protecting compositions having a sun protection factor (SPF) of two according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration monograph.


An apparatus and method for simultaneously measuring at least two different bio signals without interference are provided. The apparatus includes a stimulus signal generating unit generating the stimulus signal to be applied to a human body, a sensing unit contacting the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied and from which at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals is detected, configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal or to detect each intermediate signal, and a signal acquisition unit separating and acquiring the first and second bio signals from each intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to bio signal measuring, and more particularly, to simultaneously measuring at least two different bio signals without interference.
2. Description of the Related Art
The health condition of a patient can be determined by measuring various bio signals to detect abnormal health symptoms. Commonly, a patient visits a doctor's office and the doctor utilizes medical instruments for measuring bio signals precisely. Recently, to reduce the inconvenience of visiting the doctor's office, research on remote medical treatment has been carried out. Various types of instruments for remotely measuring bio signals have been put on the market. However, if a patient is unskilled, the accuracy of the bio signal measurement is limited. Furthermore, since a plurality of measurement instruments should be purchased to measure many kinds of bio signals, the costs that a patient should pay are very high.
In a conventional bio signal measuring apparatus, sensors for sensing bio signals are connected in an octopus shape to a main body of the apparatus. A user connects by wire or wirelessly bio signal measurement modules, such as a sphygmomanometer, a weight meter, and/or a SpO2 meter, to the main body of the apparatus. After this, items to be measured are selected from a key panel by the user. However, a measurement item should be selected for every measurement, and a measurement mode should be changed for each item. This is troublesome, and the time required for the measurement is increased. Furthermore, since the measurement modules should be connected to the main body, the system is complicated, and thus the costs for implementing the entire system are increased.
Other examples of conventional technologies for bio signal measurement are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,296 and Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-0096186. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,296, various sensors are integrated into one sensor module for measuring more items, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), SpO2, and blood pressure signals. This architecture can increase the convenience of measurement in that various bio signals can be measured in one measurement operation. However, since sensors for each measurement item should be separately prepared, costs are still increased, and kinds of measurement items are limited due to spatial constraints of the sensor module. An integrated medical diagnosis apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-0096186 includes a sensor unit constituted by integrating a plurality of sensors for detecting bio signals of a patient and a module unit including changeable and pluggable medical instruments desired by the patient by modularizing a plurality of medical instruments for measuring information corresponding to the bio signals detected by the sensor unit. The apparatus further includes a rear case in which the sensor unit is formed with an external recess. By integrating the sensors for measuring bio signals and modularizing devices for collecting the bio signals measured by the sensors, the user can easily measure his/her bio signals. However, in this case, since the bio signals to be measured are sequentially measured using a selecting switch, the time required for measurement is longer, and it is difficult to simultaneously measure various bio signals at the same time.
Methods of measuring bio signals are largely divided into two categories. First, bio signals naturally generated inside a human body, such as ECG, body temperature, respiration, and pulse, can be directly measured using electrodes. The ECG can be measured using a potential difference between two electrodes contacting the human body, e.g., two electrodes contacting a right end and a left end centering the heart. Second, bio signals, such as body fat, skin resistance, and the amount of blood flow, can be measured by applying a stimulus signal from the outside and receiving a signal responding to the stimulus signal. For example, for the body fat, a stimulus signal is applied through the electrodes contacting both ends, and signals detected from the same electrode or different electrodes are measured, and for the skin resistance, a stimulus signal is applied through an electrode contacting the left end, and a signal detected from the same electrode contacting the left end in response to the stimulus is measured. For signals that can be applied as the stimulus signal, light of a wavelength sensitively responding to each bio signal or a constant alternative current of an optimized frequency for each bio signal can be used. For example, the body fat is optimized to a certain frequency of tens of kHz, and the skin resistance is optimized to a certain frequency between 20 Hz and 50 Hz.
Interference between first and second bio signals does not occur in a case where measurement paths are different when two bio signals having different physical mechanisms are simultaneously measured, e.g., in a case where the first bio signal naturally generated is measured while the second bio signal is measured by irradiating light. However, in a case where the measurement paths are all the same, e.g., in a case where the first bio signal is measured while the second bio signal is measured by applying a current, the measurement cannot be correctly achieved due to the interference between the first and second bio signals.

Apparatus and method for simultaneously measuring bio signals


A device and a method for producing a stereoscopic image with horizontal parallax including diffracting electromagnetic rays emitted by an object to provide a first dispersion of dispersed electromagnetic rays in which a lateral deviation of the rays emitted by the object is obtained in a first deviation direction; collecting at least part of the dispersed electromagnetic rays by shooting the object with at least one lens to provide an image; projecting the image through at least one screen facility; and diffracting electromagnetic rays emitted during projection to provide a second dispersion and scattering the second dispersion by the at least one screen facility to form a stereoscopic image of the object in which a lateral deviation of the rays emitted during projection is obtained in a second deviation direction.

The present invention relates to a method for producing stereoscopic images and a device for implementing this method, together with a screen and an image data storage medium to be used in such a method.
Many techniques have been developed to produce images in three dimensions. Methods requiring the wearing of spectacles make it possible to transmit to each eye of the observer the image intended for it. Mention may be made, for example, of anaglyphs, polarised spectacles and liquid crystal spectacles. In projection booths equipped for the use of such methods, all the viewers, whatever their position, see the object at the same angle. It is still impossible to see either side of the filmed object by moving in front of the screen.
A known system with a lens grating enables the viewer to perceive the stereoscopic effect without wearing spectacles or without using a stereoscopic device. Although the grating avoids the need to wear spectacles, it does not lack other disadvantages. Firstly, it must be perfectly adjusted as regards the images formed behind the lens faces, and the viewer must hardly move during observation or else the image and the stereoscopic effect may no longer be seen. The field of view is limited.
Holography makes it possible to reconstruct the view of a volume perfectly but requires the use of coherent light. Moreover, the volume of the objects being shot is limited. Another drawback of this method lies in the fact that it is impossible to project a hologram.
Other methods, such as the 3D Volumetric Display System (H-P PENEL, L""xc3xa8re de la nouvelle Dimension, Science et Vie, 928, 1995, pp. 68-72) and that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,313, enable animated stereoscopic images to be projected on to a screen but require the use of a coherent light source, and the cylindrical shape of the screen limits the size of the images obtained. Moreover, the deviation of the light rays is achieved by the movement of certain mechanical components, which requires a sophisticated electronic control system.
The aim of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the methods and devices of the prior art, and to devise an improved method enabling complete stereoscopic images to be obtained, with horizontal parallax, from objects of any dimensions, particularly in such a way that the viewer is able to move while perceiving the stereoscopic nature of the image produced.
To solve these problems, according to the invention, a method is used for producing stereoscopic images with horizontal parallax comprising:
a first dispersion by diffraction of electromagnetic rays emitted by an object,
the shooting of the object using at least one lens capable of collecting at least part of the said dispersed electromagnetic rays,
a projection of the shot through a screen facility, and
a second dispersion and a scattering, by the screen facility, of electromagnetic rays emitted during the projection, with the formation of stereoscopic images of the object,
the first and second dispersions producing a lateral deviation of corresponding emitted rays. The invention thus exploits the spectral composition of the sources of radiation and uses the unlimited number of wavelengths contained in a spectral range to obtain as many viewing angles of the same object as there are wavelengths. The method according to the invention makes it possible to produce complete stereoscopic images with horizontal parallax and images that may be coloured. It should be noted that the deviation of light rays through optical components is obtained without movement of the said components. It is unnecessary to use either a sophisticated electronic control system or a coherent light source. The invention allows the shooting of animated objects of unlimited size and under ordinary light. The projection on to a screen, even of large dimensions, makes it possible to change at will the size of the stereoscopic image to be produced.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second dispersion comprises a lateral deviation of the projected rays in the same direction as, or in the opposite direction to, the lateral deviation of the first dispersion. The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to produce an orthoscopic or pseudoscopic stereoscopic image.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid projection is carried out by the aforesaid lens. The method thus allows the direct projection, through a screen, of a stereoscopic image of the object to be viewed.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the reception of image data, obtained during the shooting, on at least one data storage medium, allowing the said projection to be performed later. This reception may, for example, be the sensitisation of a silver-based photosensitive medium permitting projection, or else a recording on a storage medium that may, for example, be electronic. In the latter case, it is generally possible to convert the data into digital form: the main advantage conferred by the digital form lies in the data processing, for example to create special effects or synthetic images.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises an adjustment of the spatial separation between the stereoscopic image and the screen facility by inserting in the various steps of the method at least one additional dispersion of rays by diffraction, with additional lateral deviation. The volume of the image may thus be displaced in the forward-backward direction with respect to the screen.
Details and special features of embodiments of the method according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims 1 to 15.
The invention also relates to a device for producing stereoscopic images.
According to one embodiment, this device comprises:
a first diffraction grating providing for a first dispersion of electromagnetic rays emitted by the object with lateral deviation of the said rays,
a lens capable of collecting at least a part of the dispersed electromagnetic rays, and
a screen facility through which the electromagnetic rays coming from the lens undergo a second dispersion with lateral deviation and scattering. Such a device enables the shooting and projection of the stereoscopic image to be performed simultaneously.
According to another embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises:
a first diffraction grating providing for a first dispersion of electromagnetic rays emitted by the object with lateral deviation of the said rays,
at least one lens capable of collecting at least a part of the dispersed electromagnetic rays,
at least one medium for storing image data capable of receiving the electromagnetic rays collected by the lens or lenses, and later of making possible a projection, through at least one projection lens, of image data transmitted by these collected electromagnetic rays, and
a screen facility through which the electromagnetic rays coming from the projection lens or lenses undergo a second dispersion with lateral deviation and scattering. Such a device makes possible the reception of image data on one or more storage media and the subsequent projection on to the screen of the stereoscopic image obtained by the method according to the invention.
Details and special features of embodiments of the device according to the invention are indicated in claims 16 to 27.
The invention also relates to a screen and a storage medium for image data to be used in the method according to the invention.

Stereoscopic image production method and device for implementing same


A technology is provided for timely reporting on vehicle positions to a control center without unnecessary spending on communication costs. The positions of a plurality of moving bodies which are being managed are detected. Determinations are made on whether or not the positions of these moving bodies are within specified multi-stage distance ranges. As a result of this determination, when the position of the moving body enters into a distance range for one of the stages, the position of this moving body is wirelessly reported to a control center.

This application is related to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-056548, filed Mar. 1, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to monitoring positions of moving objects and, more particularly, to methods and systems for reporting the positions of one or more moving bodies for managing the position data of the moving bodies.
In the field of transport, e.g., delivery vehicles, shipping trucks, taxis, and rail buses, there is a need to operate and manage a large number of vehicles efficiently and accurately. To determine the operation status of various types of moving bodies such as automobiles, various technologies for combining a measuring technology that uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a wireless communication technology to automatically collect and monitor the positions of the moving bodies at a control center have been developed. For example, in Japanese laid-open patent publication number 2000-285389, a technology is disclosed wherein when a vehicle equipped with a mobile terminal reaches a checkpoint, the current position of the vehicle is reported to the control center.
However, simply reporting the vehicle position only when a checkpoint is reached is inadequate for efficiently managing vehicles. For example, if a shipping truck is headed toward a loading site that is a checkpoint, the current position would be reported to the control center when the loading site is reached. Inventory operations and preparations for loading would begin after arrival, which may result in an unnecessarily long waiting period at the loading site for the shipping truck. The accumulation of these unnecessary waiting times results in a significant loss of efficiency per delivery truck per day. This loss of efficiency is extremely large when the overall operation of a large number of delivery trucks over a year is considered.
In order to overcome this problem, the vehicle position can be reported at fixed intervals, thus allowing the control center to inform the loading site ahead of time regarding the arrival of the shipping trucks. However, reporting vehicle positions at fixed intervals results in an extremely large number of reports. When a large number of shipping trucks are being operated, the communication costs become very high and render such an approach impractical.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a technology for reporting vehicle positions at appropriate times to a control center without unnecessarily increasing communication costs.
An aspect of the present invention is directed to a mobile system to be installed in a vehicle monitored by a vehicle position management system having a detection device configured to detect a position of the vehicle. The mobile system comprises a storage module configured to store a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle. An evaluation module is configured to evaluate whether or not a vehicle position obtained from the detection device of the vehicle position management system is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from the checkpoint. An output module is configured to generate and output a signal based on evaluation by the evaluation module to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to a control center of the vehicle position management system when the vehicle position enters the distance range of one of the stages.
In some embodiments, the output module is configured to generate and output a signal, if the evaluation module indicates that the vehicle position is outside the predetermined distance range, to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center of the vehicle position management system at predetermined time intervals. The storage module is configured to receive from the control center operations settings data containing the planned route and the checkpoints and to store the operations settings data, when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a mobile system to be installed in a vehicle monitored by a vehicle position management system having a detection device configured to detect a position of the vehicle. The mobile system comprises a storage module configured to store a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle. An evaluation module is configured to evaluate whether or not a vehicle position obtained from the detection device of the vehicle position management system is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from the checkpoint. An output module is configured to generate and output a signal, if the evaluation module indicates that the vehicle position is outside the predetermined distance range, to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center of the vehicle position management system at predetermined time intervals.
In some embodiments, the output module is configured to generate and output a signal based on evaluation by the evaluation module to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to a control center of the vehicle position management system when the vehicle position enters the distance range of one of the stages. The storage module is configured to receive from the control center operations settings data containing the planned route and the checkpoints and to store the operations settings data, when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vehicle position management system comprises a detection device configured to detect a position of the vehicle, a mobile system, and a vehicle position control system. The mobile system includes a mobile system storage module configured to store a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle; an evaluation module configured to evaluate whether or not a vehicle position obtained from the detection device of the vehicle position management system is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from the checkpoint; and a mobile system output module configured to generate and output a signal based on evaluation by the evaluation module to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position when the vehicle position enters the distance range of one of the stages. The vehicle position control system includes a control system storage module configured to store operations settings data including the planned route of the vehicle and the plurality of checkpoints associated with the planned route; a monitoring module configured to detect when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position; and a control system output module configured to read and wirelessly send the planned route and the operations settings data to the mobile system when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position as detected by the monitoring module.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for managing vehicles comprises detecting a position of a vehicle being managed, and evaluating whether or not the detected vehicle position of the vehicle is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from one of a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle. The vehicle position is wirelessly reported to a control center when the vehicle position enters the distance range of one of the stages.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises wirelessly reporting the vehicle position to a control center at predetermined time intervals, if the evaluated vehicle position is outside the predetermined distance range. The method may further comprise wirelessly receiving from the control center operations settings data containing the planned route and the checkpoints and storing the operations settings data, when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for managing vehicles comprises detecting a position of a vehicle being managed; evaluating whether or not the detected vehicle position of the vehicle is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from one of a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle; and wirelessly reporting the vehicle position to a control center at predetermined time intervals, if the evaluated vehicle position is outside the predetermined distance range.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for managing vehicles. The computer program product comprises code for detecting a position of a vehicle being managed; code for evaluating whether or not the detected vehicle position of the vehicle is within a predetermined distance range organized as a plurality of stages from one of a plurality of checkpoints associated with a planned route of the vehicle; and code for wirelessly reporting the vehicle position to a control center when the vehicle position enters the distance range of one of the stages.
In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprising code for wirelessly reporting the vehicle position to a control center at predetermined time intervals, if the evaluated vehicle position is outside the predetermined distance range. The computer program product may further comprise code for wirelessly receiving from the control center operations settings data containing the planned route and the checkpoints and storing the operations settings data, when the output module generates and outputs the signal to provide wireless reporting of the vehicle position to the control center.

Uploading and managing vehicle position information


According to an embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a first electrode, an second electrode, a first insulating film, a first interconnection and a second interconnection. The semiconductor layer includes a luminous portion and a non-luminous portion. The first electrode is provided on the luminous portion, and the second electrode is provided on the non-luminous portion. The first insulating film is provided on the semiconductor layer, the first electrode and the second electrode. The first interconnection having a first protrusion is provided on the first insulating film and electrically connected to the first electrode. The second interconnection having a second protrusion is provided on the first insulating film and electrically connected to the second electrode. A tip end of the first protrusion faces a tip end of a second protrusion, being apart therefrom with a minimum gap between the first interconnection and the second interconnection.

A semiconductor light emitting device, which combines a semiconductor light emitting element with a phosphor, is going to be widely used in many applications as a light source that emits visible light such as white light or emits light in other wavebands, since it may be easily downsized and easily handled. For example, accommodating a semiconductor light emitting layer separated from a substrate in a resin package may implement a chip-size and low profiled light emitting device. However, it is difficult to build an ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) protection element, for example, in the chip size packages.


An antenna array includes an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly includes a plurality of elements. The antenna assembly is configured to measure a reference combined parameter of a reference element of the plurality of elements, measure a first combined parameter of the reference element and a first neighbor element of the plurality of elements and being adjacent or diagonal with respect to the reference element, calculate a differential parameter according to the first combined parameter and the reference combined parameter, and adjust a parameter of the first neighbor element according to the differential parameter. The parameter of first neighbor element is a phase or a amplitude of first neighbor element. The first combined parameter includes a coupling contribution of the first neighbor element and the reference element, and contributions from a path of the first element and a path of the reference element.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,973,266 and U.S. Publ. No. 2019/0238216 show a system for assembling a large number of small satellite antennas in space to form a large array (which can form service beams for radio communications with designated "cells" on the Earth's surface). The entire content of those patents is incorporated herein by reference. Each small satellite in the array has of one or more digital beam-forming (DBF) processor(s), a corresponding number of transmit/receive (T/R) module and antenna elements.


A locking device for a vehicle sliding door comprises a rail mounted on the vehicle sliding door; a central support structure coupled to the rail and mounted on the vehicle body and configured to connect the vehicle sliding door to the vehicle body and to allow the vehicle sliding door to pivot and slide; and a hook disposed on the central support structure and configured to lock the central support structure with respect to the rail according to a movement of the vehicle sliding door.

In general, a vehicle is provided with a passenger compartment of a predetermined size so a driver and accompanying passengers can board the vehicle. Doors for opening and closing the passenger compartment are installed on the vehicle body.
In a passenger vehicle, the doors for opening and closing the passenger compartment may have a front door disposed toward the front of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a rear door disposed toward the rear of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The front door and the rear door are installed on the vehicle body so as to be rotated conventionally via a hinge.
In a van which many people can board, the doors for opening and closing the passenger compartment open and close the passenger compartment with sliding movement forward and rearward along the longitudinal direction of the van.
The sliding-type doors for opening and closing the passenger compartment of the van open the passenger compartment by moving rearward along the longitudinal direction of the van and close the passenger compartment by moving forward along the longitudinal direction of the van. This has the advantage of needing less space to open and close the doors than a hinge-type door, and also one can fully open the door in smaller opening and closing spaces.
However, according to the prior art, in the sliding-type doors for opening and closing the passenger compartment, it was necessary that the structure that locked the sliding-type doors and the rails thereof be smoothly pivoted, so that the structure could release the sliding-type doors and the sliding-type doors could slide smoothly after the rotation movement thereof.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


This invention provides the method to overcome 4 backwards which limit the manufacturability or production yield rate of Magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM). The key points of this invention are: (1) providing method to improve the manufacturability through reducing bias variation, by using a compensation module to correct the bias point of extreme cells; (2) providing method to improve the manufacturability through removing outlier cells (called bad cells), by using “writing jump-over” and “reading exclusion” to exclude bad-cells; (3) providing method to reduce the bias point, amplitude and asymmetry variation, using shared fixed-magnetic-reference-layer and proper shape anisotropy; (4) providing method to improve the write-ability, using flipping-assistant-field to speed up STT flipping process by large current, and using heating resistance and heating cells by the same current (including global heating, row heating, column heating, or local cell heating, i.e. heating with conventional thermal nature or heating with thermagnonic spin-transfer torque).

Magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) is non-volatile random access memory technology that has been under development sine 1995 by Motorola (the division later became Freescale); in 2000, Spintec laboratory filed first Spin Torque Transfer (STT) patent, which utilizes a spin-polarized current through the tunneling magneto-resistance layer to write data, and consumes less power and is more scalable than conventional MRAM; in 2005, Renesas Technology and Grandis collaborated on development of 65 nm MRAM employing STT, and Sony announced the first lab-produced spin-torque-transfer MRAM, with further advances in materials, this process should allow densities higher than those possible in DRAM. However, now it has manufacturability problem, and so it is still far away from volume production and is extreme expensive (in term of $ per Gb) due to three main backwards: (1) large bias point variation, (2) reading performance variation - - - large amplitude (AMP) and asymmetry (ASYM) range variation, (3) writing performance variation - - - poor write-ability, means switching between states sometimes cannot be completed in given time, and (4) outlier cells (in bias and performance) are the main limitation for MRAM, even though it is not a limitation recording head of hard disk drive. Due to these backwards (1) and (2), it is difficulty to use coding, decoding and equalization methods which are currently used in hard disk drive.
patent/application No.timeinventors7,309,617December 2007Ruehrig et al.7,345,912March 2008Luo et al.7,453,747November 2008Abraham el al7,747,926June 2010Wise et al.7,933,137April 2011Dimitrov, et al.8,248,841August 2012Yang8,281,221October 2012Sakimura, et al.8,320,167November 2012Rao, et al.8,462,543Jun. 11, 2013Zheng; Yuankai et al2010/0177558July 2010Sakimura et al.

Method for improving the stability, write-ability and manufacturability of magneto-resistive random access memory


A container for use by a travelling sales person to transport goods, especially garments, from one retail outlet to another comprises a bag with a display stand secured therein and movable between a collapsed state within the bag for transportation purposes and an erect state projecting from the bag for display purposes.

The present invention relates to bags, suitcases or other similar containers for use by travelling sales persons in transporting goods from one retail outlet to another.
One particular difficulty which travelling sales persons experience when visiting retail outlets for the purpose of selling their goods, especially large items such as garments, textiles, carpets or shoes, is that at each retail outlet they must unpack the contents of the bag or suitcase, lay out the goods on a counter or other surface for display purposes, and subsequently repack the goods. Unpacking and repacking is time consuming and laborious. Furthermore, it is often inconvenient to occupy a counter or other surface, as the retailer may want to make use of the limited counter space to sell his goods to customers.

Container for use by travelling sales person


Tubular dry powder feed systems in communication with a hopper of dry powder are configured with an in-line actuator that applies a flow vibration signal axially. The flow vibration signal can be a harmonic or non-harmonic signal, such as a sinusoidal, saw tooth, square wave or other signal and may be frequency or amplitude modulated.

Known dry powder dose filling devices use injectors, pistons or sleeves, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,847,191, 4,116,247, 4,850,259, and 6,886,612. These systems typically use feed systems such as auger or vibratory table based replenishment systems. Despite the above, there remains a need for alternate feed systems for filling systems.

Tubular dry powder feeders with axially applied vibration for dry powder filling systems


A system for transporting a wind turbine blade includes a first support subsystem disposed on a first movable platform, which allows a first point on the wind turbine blade to pivot in response to the first movable platform traversing a curve. A second support subsystem is disposed on a second movable platform spaced, which allows a second point of the wind turbine blade to move laterally in response to the pivoting of the first point on the wind turbine blade on the first movable platform.

Wind turbines have become an important source of electrical power worldwide. Generally, wind turbines are supported by a tower and driven by multiple wind turbine blades, each of which is typically tens of meters in length. As efforts are made to increase the amount of electrical power generated per wind turbine, the length of the wind turbine blades has also correspondingly increased.
The significant length of currently available wind turbine blades, as well as the continuing efforts to design and manufacture even longer wind turbine blades, has presented substantial challenges for those tasked with transporting wind turbine blades along the entire route from the manufacturer, through any seaports, and across country to the wind turbine farms. One particular challenging scenario is the transportation of such significantly long objects by rail.
To prevent collisions with objects in the area surrounding a railroad track, the railroads and regulatory authorities have established clearance envelopes defining the maximum distance an object can extend laterally and vertically from a railcar. The clearance envelope is typically route dependent and commonly accounts for such variables as the degree of curvature in the curves, fixed obstructions along the right-of-way (e.g., waysides, signs, and signals), track irregularities, and the type of equipment being used.
In the case of wind turbine blades, which are normally transported on one or more standard flatcars, the clearance envelope dictates the maximum swing-out the tip and/or root of the blade can extend laterally beyond the side of the supporting flatcar when the train traverses a curve. As wind turbine blades become increasingly longer, the ability to keep swing-out within the clearance envelope during rail transport becomes correspondingly more difficult. In addition to having to take into account the curvature of the curves the train is expected to encounter, a number of other variables must be considered when attempting maintain swing-out within the clearance envelope, such as vertical differences between cars as they transverse vertical slopes, the action of the couplings, and the flexing of the blade due to wind. In addition to maintaining swing-out within the clearance envelope, the structures supporting the blade on the railcars must also minimize the chance of blade damage, such as gel cracking of the shell.

Systems and methods for transporting wind turbine blades


A baffleless, easily accessible, copy sheet transport apparatus without sheet baffles that enables viewing and accessing jammed sheets without opening any baffles. The transport includes a pulley driven narrow timing belt with biased idler rolls providing normal force on belt driven copy sheets. Unobstructive copy sheet side guides are included to enhance viewing and removal of copy sheets from the copy sheet transport.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to copy sheet transport systems, and more particularly, to an improved easily accessible transport for copy sheets transported in a copier/printer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In copier/printer machines, it is common to transport sheets from sheet feeders to a photoconductor by means of a multiple roll transport. A copy sheet transport is typically comprised of a series of roll nips such that single sheets are under the control of the roll nips at all times prior to exiting the copier/printer and constrained on both sides of the sheet by full width metal or plastic paper guides or baffles that physically surround the sheet and typically inhibits visual and/or physical access to the sheet in the event of an unplanned shutdown, such as, a sheet jam.
A typical copy sheet transport assembly that is used to transport copy sheets between a paper feeder and a photoreceptor of an electrophotographic apparatus is disclosed in Vol. 4, Number 4, July/August 1979, pg. 467 of the Xerox Disclosure Journal. The sheet transport assembly includes a baffle member adapted to an appropriate configuration generally curved or otherwise in combination with one or more fabric belts routed over the outside of the baffle with the substrate path being provided by the belt(s) and baffle. The belt is made with woven Nylon fabric material and rubber covered on the side which does not contact the substrate. A substrate is introduced between the belt and baffle and is reliably and economically transported without the use of vacuum or multiple pinch roller systems.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,832 a sheet transport apparatus is shown for a photocopier for reversing the direction of sheet travel and has only an outer curved guide surface, an input, intermediate and output drive rolls spaced apart less than the length of a sheet. The output drive rolls are disengagable and cooperate with an opposed guide surface and one or more retractable stops to achieve registration of the copy sheet with an image.
A jammed sheet removal aid in a reproduction machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,135. A display on the reproduction machine indicates to an operator when a jam occurs. In response to the occurrence of a jam, all of the sheets in the processor of the reproduction machine are automatically freed from their respective sheet transports. In this way, the operator may readily remove the jammed sheet from the respective transport.

Accessible copy sheet transport with side guides


A catheter for ablating tissue is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated generally-tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A non-retractable ablation assembly is attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The ablation assembly comprises proximal and distal non-conductive tubings, each having a lumen extending therethrough and a generally tubular electrode mounted between the proximal and distal non-conductive tubings. The tubular electrode is formed of a material having shape-memory and has at least one irrigation port through which fluid can pass from the inside to the outside of the electrode. The ablation assembly further comprises a non-conductive protective tubing extending generally parallel to and along the outside of the tubular electrode. The protective tubing has proximal and distal ends extending into the proximal and distal non-conductive tubings, respectively. The catheter further comprises at least one of an electrode lead wire and a temperature sensor wire, and preferably both, extending through the non-conductive protective tubing and catheter body, the electrode lead wire having a distal end mounted to a ring electrode mounted on the distal non-conductive tubing, and the temperature sensor wire having a distal end mounted on or under the distal non-conductive tubing. The catheter also comprises an infusion tube extending through the catheter body and having a distal end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the tubular electrode.

Atrial fibrillation is a common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a major cause of stroke. This condition is perpetuated by reentrant wavelets propagating in an abnormal atrial-tissue substrate. Various approaches have been developed to interrupt wavelets, including surgical or catheter-mediated atriotomy. It is believed that to treat atrial fibrillation by radio-frequency ablation using a catheter, continuous linear lesions must be formed to segment the heart tissue. By segmenting the heart tissue, no electrical activity can be transmitted from one segment to another. Preferably, the segments are made too small to be able to sustain the fibrillatory process. A preferred technique for treating atrial fibrillation by radio-frequency ablation would be a "branding iron" approach, where a relatively long electrode can be held stationary in good contact with the heart wall while ablation is completed. In this way, a continuous transmural burn may be effected.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,428 to Nelson et al. discloses a radio frequency ablation catheter system having a flexible, tubular electrode for creating a continuous linear lesion. The tubular electrode is selectively extendable from the distal end of the catheter. The catheter further comprises mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. However, having an extendable electrode house in the catheter provides less degrees of freedom with respect to the shape, size and length of the tubular electrode. Moreover, the physician has to deal with additional moving and manipulatable parts, adding complexity to the procedure. Further, a retractable electrode can cause contamination because blood or coagulate on the electrode can be pulled into and entrapped inside the catheter. The entrapped coagulate can also affect the ability of the electrode to be further extended and retracted. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a catheter design having an electrode for creating linear lesions that overcomes these drawbacks.

Atrial ablation catheter and method for treating atrial fibrillation


A phase shifting mask (PSM) and a trim mask can be used in a dual exposure to form circuits on an integrated circuit. The trim mask can include first structures that define non-critical features of a design (e.g. line ends), second structures that protect areas exposed by phase shifters, wherein such areas including critical features (e.g. transistor gates) of the design, and transitional areas located between the first and second structures. Notably, these transitional areas can include notches. This notched trim mask can advantageously minimize line end widening, thereby improving feature definition and device performance on the resulting integrated circuit. The notched trim mask can also advantageously simplify the optical proximity correction of its associated PSM, thereby minimizing fabrication costs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trim mask for use with a phase shifting mask (PSM) and in particular to a notched trim mask that can improve feature definition and device performance on the integrated circuit as well as simplify the optical proximity correction on the associated PSM layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified representation of an exemplary digital integrated circuit design flow 100. At a high level, the process starts with the product idea in step 101. In designing an integrated circuit (IC), engineers typically rely upon computer-implemented tools to help create a circuit schematic design consisting of individual devices coupled together to perform a certain function. In one embodiment, these computer-implemented tools include EDA software 102, which can translate the circuit into a physical representation, i.e. a layout. When the layout is finalized, it can be used during tape-out 103. After tape out, fabrication 104 as well as packaging and assembly 105 can proceed to produce the IC 106, also called a chip.
Note that EDA software 102 can perform a plurality of steps 110-119, which are shown in linear fashion for simplicity in FIG. 1. In an actual IC design process, various steps may be repeated until certain tests are passed. Moreover, these steps may occur in different orders and combinations. Therefore, these steps are described below for context and general explanation rather than as a specific, or recommended, design flow for a particular IC.
In step 110, engineers can describe the functionality that they want to implement in a system design, perform what-if planning to refine that functionality, and check the costs associated with the system design. Hardware-software architecture partitioning can occur in this step. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Model Architect, Saber, System Studio, and DesignWare® products.
In step 111, the VHDL or Verilog code for modules in the system design, i.e. the logic design, can be written and then verified for functional accuracy (e.g. checked to ensure that the logic design produces the correct outputs). Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 111 include VCS, VERA, DesignWare®, Magellan, Formality, ESP and LEDA products.
In synthesis and design for test step 112, the VHDL/Verilog code can be translated to a netlist. This netlist can then be optimized for the target technology. Additionally, tests for checking the finished IC can be designed and implemented. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Design Compiler®, Physical Compiler, Test Compiler, Power Compiler, FPGA Compiler, Tetramax, and DesignWare® products.
In netlist verification step 113, the netlist can be checked for compliance with timing constraints and for correspondence with the VHDL/Verilog code. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Formality, PrimeTime, and VCS products.
In design planning step 114, an overall floorplan for the chip is constructed and analyzed for timing and top-level routing. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Astro and IC Compiler products.
In physical implementation step 115, the circuit elements of the logic design can be positioned and connected (generally called "place and route"). Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 115 include the Astro and IC Compiler products.
In analysis and extraction step 116, the circuit function can be verified at a transistor level, thereby permitting what-if refinement. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 116 include AstroRail, PrimeRail, Primetime, and Star RC/XT products.
In physical verification step 117, various checking functions can be performed to ensure correctness for manufacturing, electrical issues, lithographic issues, and circuitry. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 117 include the Hercules product.
In resolution enhancement step 118, the layout can be manipulated to improve manufacturability of the design. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 118 include Proteus, ProteusAF, and PSMGen products.
In mask data preparation step 119, the "tape-out" data for production of masks for lithographic use can be generated. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used in step 119 include the CATS(R) family of products.
Due to the ever-increasing reduction in feature sizes on ICs, improvements to resolution enhancement are constantly being sought. Unfortunately, providing these improvements in a commercially viable manner is highly challenging. Such improvements in the context of a phase shift mask are now discussed.

Notched trim mask for phase shifting mask