Method and apparatus for encoding moving pictures in which a bitstream of encoded moving pictures has a bit rate contained within a pre-set range. The bit rate of a unit domain, such as a GOP, of an encoded bitstream is compared to a reference value. If the bit rate exceeds the reference value, the unit domain is converted, typically by re-quantization, so that its bit rate will no longer exceed the reference value.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a moving picture encoding method and apparatus in which an input bitstream is decoded to picture signals which are then re-converted into and outputted as a bitstream.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the so-called MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) or MPEG2, which combines the encoding of picture signals for compression with redundancy reducing processing by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) with motion compensation MC, is in widespread use.
Non-compressed picture data is compressed by, for example, the above-mentioned MPEG technique, into coded pictures, such as intra-coded pictures (I-pictures), an inter-frame predictive coded pictures (P-pictures) or bi-directionally predictive coded pictures (B-pictures), for recording on a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disc or transmission over a telephone network.
The manner in which signals compressed in accordance with the MPEG system are reproduced is hereinafter explained.
On a recording medium, there is recorded encoded data of a data stream shown in FIG. 1A. This data stream, recorded as shown in FIG. 1A, is decoded and displayed in a picture sequence shown in FIG. 1B. It is noted that xe2x80x9cIxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cPxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cBxe2x80x9d annexed to the respective pictures as symbols stand for the distinction between the I-, P- and B-pictures, with suffix numerals specifying the so-called temporal reference denoting the display sequence of the pictures in a group-of-pictures (GOP).
For reproducing encoded data of the data stream, shown in FIG. 1A, the picture 10 is first reproduced. Since the I-picture is complete in one frame, the picture I0 can be decoded by itself without decoding other pictures. Based on the decoded picture I0, a picture P2, encoded by forward predictive coding, is decoded. Since the P-picture is predictive coded from a temporally previous I- or P-picture, the picture I0 needs to be decoded before decoding this picture P2 in the case of a conventional recording/reproducing apparatus. Then, based on the decoded pictures I0 and P2, a bidirectionally predictive coded picture B1 is decoded. Since the B-picture is bidirectionally predictive coded from the temporally previous and succeeding I- or P-pictures, the pictures I0 andP2 need to be decoded before decoding the picture B1. The encoded data of the data stream shown in FIG. 1A is decoded in the sequence of I0xe2x86x92P2xe2x86x92B1xe2x86x92P4xe2x86x92B3xe2x86x92P6xe2x86x92B5xe2x86x92I8xe2x86x92B7xe2x86x92P10xe2x86x92B9xe2x86x92 . . . .
For displaying the pictures, decoded in the above-mentioned sequence, the picture sequence is interchanged, as shown in FIG. 12B, to display the pictures in the sequence of I0xe2x86x92B1xe2x86x92P2xe2x86x92B3xe2x86x92P4xe2x86x92B5xe2x86x92P6xe2x86x92B7xe2x86x92I8xe2x86x92B9xe2x86x92P10xe2x86x92 . . . .
Incidentally, when a bitstream of encoded moving pictures is to be recorded on a recording medium, if the bit rate (hereafter, xe2x80x9cbitratexe2x80x9d) of the bitstream exceeds an upper limit of the recording rate of the recording medium, the bitstream occasionally cannot be recorded in a normal manner on the recording medium. Also, when decoding the bitstream of encoded moving pictures, if the bitrate of the bitstream deviates from a certain bitrate range as set by a buffer, failure in decoding is likely to occur.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a moving picture encoding method and apparatus in which the bitrate of the bitstream of encoded moving pictures can be brought into a pre-set bitrate range.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a moving picture encoding apparatus including comparator means for comparing the bitrate of a unit domain of a bitstream, pictures of which are previously encoded, to a reference value, and bitrate conversion means for converting the unit domain of the bitstream so that the bitrate will be not higher than the reference value if the comparator means verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value, the bitrate conversion means outputting the bitstream with the bitrate remaining unchanged if the comparator means verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is not in excess of the reference value.
In the present moving picture encoding apparatus, the bitrate of the bitstream is kept at all times below the reference value based on results of detection by the comparator means.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a moving picture encoding method including the steps of comparing the bitrate of a unit domain of a bitstream, pictures of which are previously encoded, to a reference value, and converting the unit domain of the bitstream so that the bitrate will be not higher than the reference value if the comparator step verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value, the bitrate conversion step outputting the bitstream with the bitrate remaining unchanged if the comparator step verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is not in excess of the reference value.
In the present moving picture encoding method, the bitrate of the bitstream is kept at all times below the reference value based on the results of comparison between the reference value and the bitrate.
In still another aspect, the present invention provides a moving picture encoding apparatus including comparator means for comparing the bitrate of a unit domain of a bitstream, pictures of which are previously encoded, to a reference value, re-encoding means for decoding a unit domain of an input bitstream into picture signals and re-encoding a unit domain of the input bitstream into picture signals if the comparator means verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value, the re-encoding means re-encoding the decoded picture signals into a unit domain of a bitstream having a bitrate not higher than the reference value, and substitution means for substituting the unit domain of the bitstream re-encoded by the re-encoding means for the unit domain of the input bitstream and outputting the resulting bitstream.
In the present encoding apparatus, the bitstream is decoded and re-encoded, if, based on the results of detection by the comparator means, the bitrate of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a moving picture encoding method including a comparator step for comparing the bitrate of a unit domain of a bitstream, pictures of which are previously encoded, to a reference value, a re-encoding step for decoding a unit domain of an input bitstream into picture signals and re-encoding a unit domain of the input bitstream into picture signals if the comparator step verifies that the bitrate of the unit domain of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value, the re-encoding step re-encoding the decoded picture signals into a unit domain of a bitstream having a bitrate not higher than the reference value, and a substitution step for substituting the unit domain of the bitstream re-encoded by the re-encoding step for the unit domain of the input bitstream and outputting the resulting bitstream.
In the present encoding method, the bitstream is decoded and re-encoded, if, based on the results of detection by the comparator step, the bitrate of the bitstream is in excess of the reference value.
With the moving picture encoding method and apparatus according to the present invention, if the bitrate of a unit domain is detected to be in excess of a reference value, the unit domain is converted so that the unit domain of the bitstream will have a bitrate not larger than the reference value. If conversely the bitrate of a unit domain is detected not to be in excess of a reference value, the bitstream is outputted with the bitrate remaining unchanged. Thus, the bitstream can be recorded as normally with the bitrate below the recording rate of the recording medium to evade the failure of the buffer memory due to the increased bitrate.
With the moving picture encoding method and apparatus according to the present invention, if the bitrate of a unit domain is detected to be in excess of a reference value, the unit domain of the bitstream is decoded into picture signals, and the decoded picture signals are re-encoded into a unit domain of a bitstream having a bitrate lower than the reference value. The re-encoded unit domain of the bitstream is substituted for the unit domain of the input bitstream. Thus, the bitrate of the bitstream, moving picture of which are previously encoded, can be comprised within a pre-set range.

Moving picture encoding method and apparatus


An instrument for making secure messages exchanged between each of the actors of a network having a plurality of actors, each being capable of acting as a sender or as an addressee of a message that is encoded or sealed, the instrument being characterized in that it comprises, for each actor, a respective device (E1) including an integrated circuit with memory zones (2, 3) and a microprocessor (1) capable of executing at least one algorithm and of controlling access to said zones (2, 3) as a function of the nature of the operation requested thereof by the operator holding the device (E1), the operations being selected from the following: encoding (6, 7); calculating a key to be communicated (8); and decoding (9, 10); the memory zones (2 and 3) containing two types of base key that are masked, including a base key (T1) of a first type which is specific to each device (E1), and at least one base key (U) of a second type which is common to all of the devices.

The present invention relates to an instrument for making messages secure, each message having a sender, a receiver, and a content, security being obtained by implementing means, on sending, that enable an encoded indication to be associated with the message to guarantee the authentic nature of the message relative to certain sensitive parameters thereof, and to guarantee the identities of its sender and of its addressee, and on reception, that verify or monitor said encoded indication of the message by using decoding means that match the encoding means used for generating the coded indication.
The coded indication may accompany the content of the message which is readable xe2x80x9cin the clearxe2x80x9d; in which case the indication can be called a xe2x80x9csealxe2x80x9d and the encoding involved is referred to below as xe2x80x9csealingxe2x80x9d. In other cases, it is the content of the message itself that is encoded, in which case the encoding is called xe2x80x9cencryptingxe2x80x9d, with the information content not being readable in the clear.
It is recalled that sealing or encrypting are known and that they use an algorithm to encode one or more sensitive data items of the message, or the entire message, by means of an encoding key which is personal to the sender.
The seal is checked or decrypted by using an appropriate algorithm and a key which may differ from the encoding key (in which case the algorithm is said to be xe2x80x9casymmetricalxe2x80x9d), or which may be the same (in which case the algorithm is said to be xe2x80x9csymmetricalxe2x80x9d).
When the key for checking or decrypting is different from the key for sealing or encrypting, security problems are smaller than in the second case. In this context, it is recalled that security in this field means that it is not possible to counterfeit a sealed transaction message or to read an encrypted message. The degree of security depends essentially on the ease of access to the encoding key. An asymmetrical or irreversible encoding algorithm is more reliable than a symmetrical or reversible algorithm since the encoding key is not disclosed to other actors acting to check or receive the message. Nevertheless, such an algorithm is very inconvenient to implement since it requires lengthy keys to be used and it requires lengthy cryptograms, thereby requiring large amounts of computer power. For a seal, it is generally the practice to add the seal to a message at the time the message is sent. When the message is on a paper medium, decoding requires the message to be keyed in for processing purposes and that is a major source of error and of wrong operation, even when using automatic reader devices.
That is why presently-preferred instruments for making data exchanges secure use symmetrical algorithms (e.g. the data encryption standard or xe2x80x9cDESxe2x80x9d) which require means that are less powerful and therefore less expensive, and which enable relatively short seals and relatively short sealing keys to be used. The drawback of such symmetrical algorithms lies in the same sealing key being possessed by at least two actors, which means that a seal cannot legally be deemed to be a signature since a plurality of actors share the secret and can therefore xe2x80x9csealxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9csignxe2x80x9d a message.
There are also risks of fraud when secret keys are transferred or transported, and these risks can be reduced only at the cost of technology that is expensive and complex. This is particularly unsuitable for use when exchanging data that corresponds, for example, to property that is not in material form, and this is a field that is expanding very quickly and where it is necessary to supply an increasing number of users with instruments for making exchanges secure.
The present invention seeks to decrease the risk of fraud as far as possible by proposing an instrument for making secure that is capable of generating encoding/decoding keys that are unknown to the operators who themselves exchange keys that are public, regardless of the role of the operator (sender, receiver, certifier, . . . ).
To this end, the invention thus provides an instrument for making secure by encoding/decoding messages exchanged between each of the actors of a network having a plurality of actors, each being capable of acting as a sender or as an addressee of a message that is encoded or sealed, which instrument comprises, for each actor, a respective device including an integrated circuit with memory zones and a microprocessor capable of executing at least one algorithm and of controlling access to said zones as a function of the nature of the operation requested thereof by the operator holding the device, the operations being selected from the following:
encoding;
calculating a key to be communicated; and
decoding;
the memory zones containing two types of base key that are masked, including a base key of a first type which is specific to each device, and at least one base key of a second type which is common to all of the devices.
The first advantage of the instrument of the invention results from this technological feature (i.e. base key values that are masked, with access thereto being via the microprocessor and being selective as a function of the operation allocated thereto). This disposition makes it possible for each microprocessor to implement algorithms that are symmetrical, and therefore fast, while nevertheless creating an overall encoding/decoding (sealing/checking or encrypting/decrypting) system that is asymmetrical, and therefore provides a very high degree of security.
In order to better understand the fundamental mechanisms for processing the various keys as implemented by the invention, the invention is explained with reference to the following application by way of example. The messages to be processed are messages addressed by a sender to receivers. A certain amount of security concerning the authenticity of the message on sending is usually provided by performing the sealing technique. The sender proceeds by encoding certain characteristic data items of the message using a cryptographic algorithm and a key that is specific to the sender. The result of this operation is known as the xe2x80x9csealxe2x80x9d. The receiver of the message (or the checker) proceeds with seal verification by means of the same key which is applied to the same data that is already known. Using the means of the invention, the sender and the addressees proceed with sealing or with seal verification in entirely conventional manner.
The sender has a device of the invention (e.g. an integrated circuit card) in which a microprocessor possesses two operating modes: a first mode known as xe2x80x9ccalculate public keyxe2x80x9d mode where the public key is the key to be communicated, and a second mode known as xe2x80x9ccalculate sealxe2x80x9d mode. The integrated circuit also has memory zones which contain two addresses each containing a masked value (known as a xe2x80x9cbasexe2x80x9d key) that is unknown not only to the bearer of the device but also to the manufacturer. These addresses are accessible by the microprocessor but only when performing particular functions that are to be executed. More precisely, one of the values (first base key T) is accessible by the microprocessor only when executing the xe2x80x9ccalculate sealxe2x80x9d function which is an encoding function, while the other value (second base key U) is accessible only when executing the xe2x80x9ccalculate public keyxe2x80x9d function which implements a decoding algorithm.
The actors constituting receivers or addressees of the sealed message also have their own copies of the same device (integrated circuit card) with a microprocessor and memory zones. In a version of the invention that is simplified for explanatory purposes, these memory zones contain, at one address to which access is controlled by the microprocessor, a value that is identical to the second base key U included in the card of the sender, and the microprocessor possesses only a xe2x80x9cseal verificationxe2x80x9d function which is a decoding function. The second base key is naturally unknown to the holder of the card and also to its manufacturer.
In conventional manner, the sender must initially send a key to the receivers to enable them to verify the seals that the sender will put on the messages. For this purpose, the sender selects a key of arbitrary value S which is specific to the sender and which becomes the sender""s signature. The sender supplies this signature to the device of the invention in its xe2x80x9ccalculate public keyxe2x80x9d mode. The function executed by the microprocessor then consists in encoding said key S by an algorithm A while using the first base key T, and in re-encoding the result obtained by the algorithm 1/A that is the inverse of the algorithm A while using the second base key U. The resulting value constitutes the public key V, which key is to be communicated to each of the receivers.
This can be written algebraically as follows:
V=[S(A)T](l/A)U
where:
(A)T means that the key S is encoded by the algorithm A while using the key T; and
(1/A)U means that the result is encoded by the inverse of the algorithm A while using the key U (which is a decoding operation).
The key V as calculated in this way is transmitted to the receivers.
To seal a message, the sender selects the xe2x80x9ccalculate sealxe2x80x9d function of the microprocessor. The sender inputs the message M that is to be sealed to the device together with the selected signature key S. The microprocessor proceeds to encode the key S by the algorithm A while using the first base key T to obtain the sealing key K. This is written:
K=S(A)T
which is not accessible to the sender and is used to calculate the seal associated with the message S (written below Sc(M/S)).
The receiver has the device of the invention available and in that device the microprocessor possesses a xe2x80x9cverify sealxe2x80x9d operating mode and a memory zone that is accessible by the microprocessor only while executing said function, which zone contains the same value U as the second base key of the sender""s device.
The receiver, possessing the key V, receives the message (in the clear) and proceeds with verification of the seal associated with the message by selecting the xe2x80x9cverify sealxe2x80x9d function which is a decoding function that can be executed by the microprocessor of the device held by the receiver. This decoding is performed using the key K which is calculated by the microprocessor while executing seal verification, and this is done on each verification operation without it being possible for the receiver to have any access thereto.
Thus, to obtain the key K, the microprocessor proceeds by encoding the key V by means of the second base key U and the algorithm A. Specifically:
K=V(A)U=[S(A)T] (1/A)U(A)U=S(A)T
The microprocessor of the receiver uses this key to calculate the seal and it gives the receiver the result of a comparison between the value of the seal that it has just calculated and the value of the seal that it has received from the sender.
The above explanation of the various means of the invention and how they are implemented in a basic application illustrate the degree of security obtained in the transaction between a sender and a receiver by means of two masked keys T and U which are accessible only to a microprocessor and even then only in a manner that is selective depending on the function that is being executed by the microprocessor. The masking and this selective accessibility are implemented specifically during manufacture of the memory card and of the integrated circuit so there is no possibility of access being gained by means of any dishonest operation, e.g. by applying software. The device of the invention gives an exchange security of the same degree as an asymmetrical encoding algorithm but with the advantages of a symmetrical algorithm.
In reality, this basic application described above for explanatory purposes gives no more than a glimpse of the possibilities offered by the device of the invention. Thus, other characteristics and advantages appear from the following description of implementations given by way of indication.

Instrument for making secure data exchanges


The present invention provides Pyrazolopyrimidine Compounds of Formula (I):

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation and plays a gatekeeper role in the control of cell cycle progression. The mTOR signaling pathway, which integrates both extracellular and intracellular signals, is activated in certain cellular processes such as tumor formation, angiogenesis, insulin resistance, adipogenesis, and T-lymphocyte activation. In addition, the mTOR signaling pathway is deregulated in diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes. See Laplante et al., J. Cell Science 122, pp 3589-3593 (2009).
mTOR mediates mitogenic signals from PI3K/AKT through to the downstream targets S6K1 (ribosomal S6 kinase 1), 4E-BP1 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein) and AKT. Recently, it has been shown that mTOR exists in two complexes. Raptor-mTOR complex (mTORC1) is a rapamycin-sensitive complex that phosphorylates S6K1 and 4E-BP1. Rictor-mTOR complex (mTORC2) is a rapamycin-insensitive complex that phosphorylates AKT at Ser473. Although the precise mechanism by which rapamycin inhibits mTOR function is not well understood, rapamycin partially inhibits mTOR function through mTORC1. Since mTORC2 is involved in the regulation of cell survival, metabolism, proliferation, and cytoskeletal organization in a rapamycin-independent manner, complete inhibition of mTOR function through inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 may lead to a broader spectrum antitumor activity in the treatment of cancer or better efficacy. In addition, inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 may lead to better efficacy in treating other diseases than through inhibition of mTORC1 alone.
There exists a need in the art for small-molecule compounds having desirable physicochemical properties that are useful for treating cancer and other disorders associated with deregulated mTOR activity. Specifically, there exists a need for small molecule inhibitors of mTOR kinase that block signaling through mTORC1 and mTORC2 for treating cancer and other disorders.

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds as mTOR inhibitors

Abstract: wherein L, T, Z, U, V, W, R3, R6, R7, R8, and m are as defined herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such Pyrazolopyrimidine Compounds. The Pyrazolopyrimidine Compounds are useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases or disorders wherein mTOR is deregulated.


A card reader, and a pressing element for a card reader, respectively, are provided for cards having different thicknesses, wherein pressing of the card over an extended surface area is achieved by oppositely disposed bearing points.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a card reading device for chip cards and/or SIM cards having different thicknesses. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pressing element for cards having different thicknesses resulting in pressing of the cards via an extended surface area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Card reading devices for chip cards are known as CCAD or chip card acceptor devices. These card reading devices can read either cards having a standard thickness or having a double thickness. A card reading device which is able to read cards of different thicknesses is known from German Patent application No. DE 195 16 987. Therein, cantilevered arms produce the pressure required for the contacts of the inserted card.
Particularly with higher temperatures, such cantilevered arms can produce deformations of the card due to the pressing power being concentrated in relatively small pressure points, which may lead to malfunctions of the card.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a card reader and a pressing element, respectively, which overcomes the problems of the prior art and which achieves pressing via an extended surface area even, and particularly, with cards having different thicknesses.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card reader having a housing, said housing comprising a card support surface and an end wall, said card reader comprising two bearing arms, each having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end of each bearing arm is mounted to said end wall and wherein a pressing plate is pivotably mounted to the free ends of said bearing arms.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressing element for a card reader, said card reader having a housing, said housing comprising a card support surface and an end wall, said pressing element comprising two bearing arms, each having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end of each bearing arm is mounted to said end wall and wherein a pressing plate is pivotably mounted to the free ends of said bearing arms.
Preferred embodiments of the invention may be gathered from the dependent claims.

Card reading device for chip cards and/or SIM cards having different thicknesses


A camera objective lens for an endoscope has an object-side first prism and an image-side second prism, a first lens system arranged on the object side of the first prism and a second lens system arranged on the image side of the first prism, and a sensor surface arranged at the image-side end of the camera objective lens parallel to the longitudinal axis of an endoscope shaft of the endoscope. The first prism and the second prism are designed to cause a first to third beam deflection as a three-fold beam deflection. The first lens system includes a biconcave first lens, a biconvex second lens, a third lens formed as a rod lens, a plane-concave fourth lens and a biconvex fifth lens in this order as viewed from the object side. The second lens system includes a convex-plane sixth lens, a seventh lens formed as a meniscus lens, a biconvex eighth lens and a biconcave ninth lens in this order as viewed from the object side.

The invention relates to a camera objective lens for an endoscope having an object-side first prism, an image-side second prism, a first lens system arranged on the object side of the first prism, a second lens system arranged on the image side of the first prism, and a sensor surface arranged at the image-side end of the camera objective lens parallel to the longitudinal axis of an endoscope shaft of the endoscope.
Endoscopes are in particular used in minimally invasive surgery to allow the operating surgeon insight into the body region in which the operating field is situated. Both monocular endoscopes and stereoscopic endoscopes are used, the latter providing a three-dimensional impression of the depth via two optical channels, which is not possible with monocular endoscopes.
At the distal end of an endoscope shaft, typically an objective lens is arranged, which collects the light originating from the object to be observed and generates a real intermediate image of the object. This intermediate image is transmitted by means of an optical relay system arranged downstream of the objective lens to the proximal end of the endoscope shaft. An eyepiece, which images the real intermediate image for the human eye, is arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope shaft. Instead of a mere optical eyepiece, the eyepiece may also include a camera adapter with a suitable image sensor which makes it possible to view the image on a screen and to store video information.
Typically, both monocular endoscopes and stereoscopic endoscopes that provide additional depth information are used to enable an accurate operation.
From document JP 6-160731, a stereoscopic endoscope is known, which has two identical relay optical systems which optically guide an image from an objective lens to an eyepiece. The eyepiece includes a prism system which images by means of two beam deflections and in a parallel offset manner the real intermediate images generated by the relay optical system onto two sensor surfaces arranged orthogonally to the optical axis O of the endoscope.
A similar arrangement with two adjustable prisms for beam deflection onto sensor surfaces arranged orthogonally to the optical axis is disclosed in document EP 0 667 547 A2.
In the prior art, further an eyepiece in combination with an adapter for an endoscope is disclosed, which by a one-time beam deflection with the aid of a mirror inclined by 45° images the intermediate image of the relay optical system onto a sensor surface arranged parallel to the optical axis.
In document DE 35 29 026 C2, a camera objective lens for an endoscope is disclosed, which images by a four-fold beam deflection by means of a prism system the intermediate image of the relay optical system onto a sensor surface arranged parallel to the optical axis. In document DE 35 29 026 C2, further a camera objective lens with a three-fold beam deflection is disclosed, in which optical component parts are arranged parallel to the optical axis between the second and the third beam deflection.
In endoscopy, the shaft, at the proximal end of which the objective lens is provided and which comprises the relay optical system, should have a diameter as small as possible. In contrast thereto, the sensor surface should have a certain size for technical reasons. The intermediate image of the relay optical system has to be magnified prior to the imaging onto the sensor surface. This magnification is typically accompanied by a loss of optical quality.


A negative current generator for an amplifier circuit including a shunt transistor, first and second mirror transistors, a current bias device, and an amplifier. The amplifier circuit includes a current source transistor having current terminals coupled between a supply terminal and an input node and a control terminal receiving a bias voltage. The shunt transistor is coupled in a shunt configuration with the current source transistor. Each mirror transistor has a control terminal, a first current terminal coupled to the supply terminal and a second terminal coupled to a voltage node. The control terminal of the first mirror transistor receives another bias voltage. The current bias device draws a constant current from the voltage node. The amplifier has a first input receiving a reference voltage, a second input coupled to the voltage node, and an output coupled to the control terminals of the shunt and second mirror transistors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power supply rejection, and more particularly to active power supply rejection using negative current generation loop feedback to reduce power supply noise injected into the signal path of amplifiers, filters, reference circuits and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The performance and function of many electronic circuits, including amplifiers (particularly open-loop amplifiers), filters, reference circuits, etc., are affected by the stability of the voltage of the power supply. The measure of performance is known as the power supply rejection (PSR). There is an increasing demand to have high rejection of power supply noise in analog and/or digital systems, particularly in communication applications.
Many analog and/or digital applications employ a P-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) common gate (CG) amplifier for buffering or amplifying a signal. In this configuration, PMOS current source transistors provide the primary paths for coupling power supply noise to the signal. When biased using a diode-connected mirror transistor and a current source with adequate output resistance, the gate voltage of the PMOS current source transistor tracks the power supply noise. Hence, the power supply noise coupling occurs predominantly through source/bulk voltage fluctuations. The current follows the output conductance "gds" and the bulk-to-drain capacitance (Cbd) and gate-to-drain capacitance (Cgd) paths.
It is desired to counteract power supply noise to improve power supply rejection.

Active power supply rejection using negative current generation loop feedback


A thermal printer for printing a continuous tone image includes an image signal source, a thermal printhead for printing one line of image pixels at a time, and an image signal converter that transforms each line of image signals into print pixels that are applied to the heat elements of the printhead. The image signal converter includes an image memory that stores the set of successive lines of image pixel signals for the entire image obtained from an image source and a memory for storing a subset of the successive lines. A control processor transfers the set of successive image signal lines to the image memory and then sequentially transfers one successive line at a time to the subset memory. The stored subset comprises the line of image pixel signals being converted, a plurality of lines of image pixel signals preceding the line of image pixel signals being converted and a plurality of lines of image pixel signals succeeding the line of image signals being converted. An image signal processor cooperates with the subset memory to modify the image pixel signals of the image signal line being converted in response to the image signals of the line of image signals being converted, the image signals of the plurality of image signal lines preceding the image signal line being converted and the plurality of image signal lines succeeding the line of image signals being converted.

A thermal printhead generally comprises a row of closely spaced resistive heat generating elements which are selectively energized to record data in hard copy form. The data may comprise text, bar code or pictorial information. In operation, the thermal printhead heating elements selectively receive energy from a power supply through control circuits in response to the stored data information. The heat from each energized element may be applied directly to thermal sensitive material. Alternatively, the heat may be applied to a dye coated web to transfer the dye to paper or other receiver material.
In dye transfer printers, the density of the printed dye is a function of the temperature of the heat element and the time the dye coated web or carrier is heated. The quantity of dye transferred to an image pixel of the receiver is directly related to the amount of heat supplied to the carrier. By varying the heat applied by each heating element to the carrier, a variable dye density image pixel is formed in the receiver. In this way, a continuous tone image may be produced. Such continuous tone apparatus can be used to print both monochrome and color images. For monochrome images, a single image with a black dye is printed. For color images, a cyan, magenta and yellow or a blue, green and red system may be used. In one multiple pass arrangement, a cyan image is printed first. Magenta and yellow images are then superimposed on the cyan image to form the color print. Single pass systems may also be used.
Multiple gray scale images produced by thermal printers generally do not provide optimum sharpness and may include unwanted artifacts. Image signal alteration is usually needed to obtain satisfactory printed images. Some thermal image printers that support multiple gray levels contain a simple edge enhancement capability. By using a few neighboring pixels on a single line to perform enhancement, processing and memory requirements are kept to a minimum. These printers may also perform corrections for differences in the optical density produced by the head elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,528 (issued to Nobuhisa Kato on Sep. 27, 1988), for example, discloses thermal recording apparatus in which the black density of pixels to be recorded by thermal recording elements are compared to reference density levels. A value representing the number of pixels having density levels in certain ranges as a result of the comparison is accumulated. The density value range is used to adjust the pulse width of energizing pulses. In this way, compensation is provided for voltage fluctuations at the printhead heat elements due to the number of recording elements energized at one time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,931 (issued to Akira Okuda on May 24, 1988) discloses a thermal head temperature control device having a programmed processor with fixed data stored for bar code and ordinary character printing. The fixed data is selected as a function of the print type to control the power supplied to the heat elements of a thermal printhead. There is no arrangement, however, for altering image signals in response to the values of individual pixel image signals to control printing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,917 (issued to Edward A. Hauschild on Nov. 22, 1988) discloses a signal processing arrangement for a thermal printer which incorporates a programmed processor. The processor sets up lookup tables to correct contrast and color of image signals to be applied to a thermal printhead. The image signals are then modified in response to the difference between corresponding image signals for the present print line and the immediately preceding print line to provide edge enhancement.
The aforementioned patents describe techniques that improve thermal printing by modifying the image signals of the print line being applied to the thermal printhead. The modifications are made in response to the type of pixel image signals of the print line currently being applied to the thermal printhead or in response to the values of the pixel image signals of the current print line and immediately preceding print line. It is well known, however, that each pixel of an image is related to surrounding pixels of more remote print lines both preceding and succeeding the current print line. Consequently, improvement in the print image based on pixels of immediately successive pairs of print lines is limited. It is desirable, therefore, to further improve thermal printer images by modifying each pixel image signal in response to the values of the surrounding pixel image signals in a plurality of preceding and succeeding print lines.

Thermal printer with image signal processing


A data transmission unit having a clock generating circuit for generating a continuous transfer clock signal which is always output from the data transmission unit regardless of presence or absence of transmission and reception; a data converter for converting parallel data to serial data; and a data transfer circuit for transferring the serial data in synchronism with the transfer clock signal. It can achieve the transmission of the serial data at high speed and with high reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmission unit for transmitting data after converting parallel data into serial data.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional asynchronous data transmission unit 100 embedded in a 16-bit single chip microcomputer M310002, for example. In this figure, the reference numeral 101 designates a TXD transmitted data output port for transferring transmitted data to a receiver 120, and 102 designates a CTS (Clear To Send) handshake signal input port for inputting a ready to accept signal 107 (see, FIG. 13) from the receiver 120.
FIG. 13 is a timing diagram of the data transmission, in which the reference numeral 103 designates a start bit added to the head of transmitted data 104 output from the TXD transmitted data output port 101, 104 designates the transmitted data itself, 105 designates a parity bit bearing parity information of the transmitted data, and 106 designates a stop bit indicating the end of the transmitted data 104.
Next, the operation will be described.
The data transmission unit 100, receiving a LOW level signal, that is, the ready to accept signal 107 from the receiver 120 at the CTS handshake signal input port 102, recognizes that the receiver 120 is ready for receiving, receives parallel data from a CPU, and starts transfer of the transmitted data 104 from the TXD transmitted data output port 101.
The start bit 103 indicating the start of the data transmission is output in front of the transmitted data 104. Then, the transmitted data 104 is output, followed by the output of the parity bit 105 indicating the parity information of the transmitted data at its end. Finally, the stop bit 106 is output indicating the end of the data transmission after the parity bit 105, thereby informing the receiver 120 of the end of the transmission.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional synchronous data transmission unit 130 for transmitting data in synchronism with a transfer clock signal. In this figure, the reference numeral 108 designates a transfer clock output port from which a transfer clock signal is transmitted to the receiver 120. The transfer clock signal is supplied from a clock generator 109 activated by the ready to accept signal 107 received at the CTS handshake signal input port 102.
FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of the data transmission, in which the reference numeral 110 designates an enabling bit for setting both the transmitter/receiver to transmission/reception enabled states, 111 designates a detection signal indicating the presence/absence of the transmitted data to the data transmission unit 130, and 113 designates a transfer clock signal output from the transfer clock output port 108.
Next, the operation will be described.
When the enabling bit 110 changes to enable the transmission/reception, the data transmission unit 130 is supplied with parallel data from the CPU 112, and awaits the ready to accept signal 107 from the receiver 120, that is, awaits the CTS handshake signal input port 102 to be supplied with a LOW level signal. When the CTS handshake signal is input, the clock generator 109 is activated so that the transfer clock signal 113 is sent from the transfer clock output port 108 to the receiver 120. Thus, the start of transfer of the transmitted data 104 from the TXD transmitted data output port 101 is synchronized with the start of reception at the receiver by the CTS handshake signal and the transfer clock signal.
Related art to such a conventional synchronous data transmission unit as shown in FIG. 14 is disclosed in Japanese patent applications laid-open Nos. 61-95648 (1986), 1-245737 (1989), 62-287736 (1987), for example.
The conventional asynchronous data transmission unit as shown in FIG. 12 has a problem in that high-speed data transmission cannot be achieved because it is necessary for the receiver 120 to detect the center of each bit of the received signal by counting so that sampling of each bit of the received signal is adjusted to take place at the center of each bit, although the transmitted data is provided with the start bit 103, the parity bit 105 and the stop bit 106 to increase its reliability.
On the other hand, the conventional synchronous data transmission unit has a problem in that although its transmission rate is higher than that of the asynchronous data transmission unit as shown in FIG. 12, the synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver must be carried out, which is rather tedious.


A highly controllable way to light target areas includes a primary reflector which generates a defined primary beam in association with a light source. The primary beam, or at least a portion of the primary beam, is directed onto a secondary reflector which generates a secondary beam to the target space. Other options, enhancements, alternatives, and features are possibly utilized in the principles of the present invention whereby a primary light source is reflected off of a secondary reflector means. The secondary reflector can be configured in any number of contours, shapes, specularities, or other characteristics to alter and control the characteristics of the secondary beam.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lighting systems, and in particular, to concentrated light sources and reflectors.
A wide variety of lighting applications could benefit from precise control of light.
Following are several additional examples of situations where precise control of light would be advantageous.
B. Problems in the Art
Over the years a wide variety of different types of lighting fixtures have been developed for a variety of different lighting purposes. In the case of lighting relatively large areas, it is conventional to utilize concentrated lamps and to surround them with a reflective material to gather and direct light energy from the lamp in a desired direction. One or more of these combined light sources is then directly aimed towards the area to be lighted.
Light energy spreads over distance. The illumination of a remote area therefore varies inversely as the square of the distance from the light source. Additionally, light fixtures directing light to a relatively large target area are usually many times smaller than the area to be lighted. The beam of light energy produced by each fixture most times must therefore cover a substantial area.
These characteristics present certain lighting problems. First of all, to maintain a given light level at a distant target area, the light source must produce a much higher level of light energy at the source. This can contribute to glare problems for those viewing the fixtures. Secondly, the use of diverging or converging beams generally results in a significant amount of light falling outside the target area. This results in spill and glare light. Spill and glare light are inefficient use of the light and are frequently objectionable. Spill light is the illumination of non-targeted areas. Glare light is the relatively bright luminance viewed when looking towards the light source.
An example of these problems can be illustrated by referring to conventional sports field lighting. Sports fields such as football fields, softball fields, baseball fields, or the like, constitute large areas. Not only must the two dimensional area of the field be lighted to a sufficient level for playability, a third dimension, the substantial volume of space above the field, must also have a minimum amount of light for playability. One solution would be to basically place vertical walls of individual fixtures on opposite sides of the field so that light would fill up the space between the walls to create the necessary light values throughout the three dimensional volume. This, of course, is impractical and virtually impossible. Therefore, a conventional solution has been to place several large poles in spaced apart positions around the field. Clusters of a number of light fixtures are placed at the top of the pole. Fixtures are aimed in various directions to try to fill up the volume to be lighted, and fill it up in a way to maintain a suitable light intensity through the volume.
To accomplish this very high intensity lamps and very efficient reflectors are required. As discussed previously, this presents glare and spill problems as the lights, of necessity, are generally angled down towards the field, players, spectators, and surrounding areas. The light emitted from the face of conventional reflector systems for high intensity lamps forms generally an output of a constantly expanding hemisphere, generally of greater intensity at more central locations of the hemisphere and of decreasing intensity at outer edges. This output is of such a shape and size, however, that it can not be precisely limited at the edges of the volume defining the playing area, and therefore light spills outside the volume. In other words, light emanating from an elevated light fixture on a pole at a remote distance from the playing space generally will have higher light values at the center of the expanding hemisphere of light radiating from it. Thus, to create approximately the same light values at the edge of the playing space as in the center, requires the light energy from a number of the fixtures to be aimed so that the high intensity center portion of the radiating hemisphere is directed towards distance points of the space. Of necessity, this means that even if the more intense areas of the light energy are maintained in the target space, at least portions of some of the less intense areas away from the center of the radiating hemispheres will fall outside the playing space creating glare and spill light problems.
Another example is automobile racetracks. For cars traveling at very high speeds at night, a high level of light is needed at and immediately above the track for safety considerations as well as for viewing considerations. In today's world, also, the ability for television to produce a high quality picture at night for such events is also a prime consideration. Although only the track needs to be provided with this high level of light, economic considerations and conventional technology generally results in a lighting solution similar to that used for athletic fields. Individual lighting fixtures are clustered on as few light poles as possible, spaced around the track either on the infield side or outside the perimeter of the track or both. The fixtures are angled downwardly in different directions to try to direct enough light to the track to meet lighting requirements all the way along the track, some being a mile or more in length. Such lights, especially when installed on the infield side, cause glare to spectators positioned around the outside of the track, or conversely lights outside the track can cause glare for spectators in the infield or outside the opposite side of the track. Still further, spill light outside the track itself is substantial. Additionally, poles around the infield side of the track constitute visual obstructions to spectators and television cameras.
Many times lights are installed on the inside of a race track to better illuminate the track (many times banked inwardly), assist spectators' view, or illuminate the cars in the same direction as television cameras are viewing the cars. These lights are essentially aimed in the wrong direction at shallow angles with respect to the spectators, causing glare for the spectators outside or on the opposite side of the track from the infield.
Additionally, conventional grouping of lights on top of light poles causes large shadows. If lights for lighting the track could be spaced closely together it would eliminate or substantially diminish any shadows. Additionally, closely spaced lights could fill in lights between race cars as they are running on the track. This could be beneficial for spectators to more clearly see and differentiate between the cars, as well as help drivers as they draft other cars. Drafting involves driving directly behind a car, only inches away, even though traveling at great speeds. Such lighting would therefore be very beneficial. Such closely spaced lighting is simply not economically feasible when using lights elevated on poles.
The control of high intensity light sources by elevating them in clusters on poles or other structures, to allow the aiming and alignment of the fixture to reduce spill or glare is costly because structures become substantially more expensive as they become taller. Higher mounting heights on structures of lighting fixtures also creates additional maintenance problems and objectionable visual problems as the lights become visible from greater distances.
These are the types of problems (by no means inclusive) involved in this type of lighting. Again, the problems are primarily caused by the lack of ability to control light and glare because of the factors involved in lighting wide areas and volumes of space.
Problems also exist because of the inherent nature of conventional lighting fixtures. There is only so much light that can be generated from a single light source. Without a primary reflector such light is difficult to control at all. Even with a primary reflector, the inherent nature of light results in diminishment of intensity over distance and spreading of light with distance. There is only so much light that can be generated and applied to an area or a volume of space from one fixture at any given location. This also applies to utilizing plurality of individual lighting fixtures, especially when they are clustered on the top of poles. Also, the control of light from conventional fixtures can be difficult, including control of problems such as glare and spill light.
1. Highway Lighting
For example difficulty in controlling street and highway lighting results in wide-scale lighting of areas, which creates spill light outside of the roadway. This makes the actual roadway less distinct from surrounding areas. Additionally, lack of control also translates, in many applications, into the utilization of more light poles and lighting fixtures, which is expensive and consumes substantial resources.
Also, most existing light systems have the following problems. They broadcast or spread light over as much of the highway or roadway as possible. However, by doing so, some light is most times projected toward the driver rather than away from the driver in the driver's viewing direction for each lane of the highway. This can contribute to glare or vision problems for drivers on the roadway. Also, economy and efficiency are both considerations for roadway lighting. Cost for light poles and their erection can be a considerable and even primary expense. Therefore, it is generally most economical to use as few poles as possible. The shorter the pole, the less the ability to spread light. The higher the pole, light can be spread but it also disperses more readily. An ongoing struggle exists, therefore, between minimizing the number of poles but maximizing the efficient use of light; and providing enough light for safety purposes. The height-to-spacing ratio for poles is a critical consideration. The higher up the lights are placed, the farther they can be placed apart. Shorter poles would be advantageous, however, because they would be cheaper, easier to erect, but with conventional lights would require more fixtures with more potential for glare and their spacing would have to be closer.
Conventional lights for streets and highways cannot be controlled sufficiently to, for example, cut it off at the center line so that light from one fixture is going with the traffic in one lane but does not present glare problems or does not spill over significantly into the oncoming lane.
Additionally, present lighting systems tend to project their light, or at least a portion of their light, down onto the pavement. In many situations this causes substantially intense light to bounce off the pavement also creating glare problems. A significant safety issue with street and highway lighting is therefore to minimize the amount of light going directly into a driver's eyes or bouncing or otherwise glaring into driver's eyes.
2. Sign and Building Lighting
Another example is in the stationary lighting of objects such as signs and buildings. It is difficult to control light effectively so that the light is predominantly applied to the target; and to control light so that a desired lighting effect is achieved. For example, for a large or tall object, it is difficult to light the entire object at a relatively uniform level with a minimum number of fixtures. This is directly related to the fact that intensity of light diminishes over distance.
A specific example would be a tall building. Because light from traditional fixtures spreads and disperses over distance, generally the most intense center proportion of the light beam is aimed toward the top of the building. Substantial spill light then exists. That same light fixture, if aimed at a point much farther down the building, would appear much brighter because more light intensity would exist because of the shorter distance between fixture and the building. Uniformity of lighting is therefore difficult to achieve.
To light a significantly tall building requires a very narrow controlled beam, if one attempts to light the building only and not have a significant amount of spill or stray light that falls on either side of the building. Also, because it is not economically possible to elevate lights all along the height of the building, problems exist with getting sufficient intensity of light from a fixture placed near the ground up to the top of the building.
3. Up Lighting
Another aspect of lighting which presents difficulties involves sports field lighting. Conventional methods of lighting elevate lighting fixtures (usually on poles) around the perimeter of the field. The fixtures are aimed downwardly and planned so that cumulatively the field and area just above the field is lighted to, as uniform a level as possible. One problem exists, however, in that certain sports (such as baseball, football, tennis) require light not only at or directly above the field or playing surface, but the balls and therefore playability requires lighting substantially above the field. This allows both players and spectators to adequately see the ball and maintain a uniform light level throughout the volume above the field so there are not drastic light level differences which could cause difficulty in viewing the ball in flight.
4. Double-mirror Lighting
Another problem with conventional lighting fixtures involves the adaptability and flexibility of aiming or orienting the light energy itself to a given location. Because light does not bend in free space, once issued from the lighting fixture, it is difficult or impossible to further control it.
5. Inside/Outside Lighting
Another problem encountered in some situations is the difficulty in providing lighting which provides sufficient lighting levels and which does not produce difficult shadows. Still further, it is difficult to achieve large area lighting levels which are satisfactory for television coverage.
6. Construction Tower Lighting
Many times construction sites could advantageously utilize lighting to either allow continued construction when sunlight alone is not adequate, or to provide security for the construction site. Such lighting can either be portable or semi-permanent. If utilized in towers (either semi-permanent or portable) it reduces the ability to vandalize the lighting, and allows for more coverage by elevating the lights to a greater height. In such situations, however, more precise control of light could be advantageous not only from the standpoint of efficient lighting of an area but also reduction of glare or spill light which could present a safety problem.
7. Special Effects Lighting
Precise control of light is also very advantageous in situations relating to arenas, theaters, or similar spectator events. For example, precise lighting of portions of a theater stage or an area involved with a spectator event is difficult to achieve with the present lighting systems. As previously discussed, lighting from present systems that is needed to light an area to a sufficient substantial intensity where the light fixtures are a substantial distance away many times results in using high intensity lights to get enough intensity to the area but results in spill light out of the area to be lighted and glare to the participants and/or spectators. Still further, it would be advantageous to have highly controllable light that could also be turned fully or partially on or off or repositioned or rotated for special effects.
8. Adjustable Lighting
With respect to any of the above discussed potential uses for highly controllable lighting, another deficiency in the prior art is the ability to easily and flexibly adjust or modify the light issuing from the fixture. Some of the prior art utilizes focusing or beam width adjustment mechanisms, however, similar problems exist as discussed above because a relatively conventional fixture is utilized which still results in glare, spill, and otherwise in a light pattern which is not highly controllable over substantial distances. It would be advantageous to able with a fixture which initially allows high control of light and to be substantially easily adjusted as to its light pattern, for example, the vertical height and width of the light pattern from the total fixture or even parts of the fixture.
Therefore, there is a real need in the art for a system which can improve upon the deficiencies of conventional large area lighting or solve some of the problems involved in large area lighting.
It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to improve upon at least some of the deficiencies in conventional lighting systems and solve some of the problems involved with the same.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method for highly controllable lighting which provides flexible and precise control of light to a target area or three-dimensional space.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which allows light energy to be used much more efficiently and effectively.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which can allow increased light energy from a light source to be directed to a given space or area over that which is generally possible with a conventional single fixture. The invention also allows spreading of the light energy of a light source, or other manipulation and reconfiguration of the light energy.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which allows a wide variety of flexibility and options with regard to controlling light.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which is generally as economical or more economical than conventional systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which can produce very beneficial results regarding glare control and spill light control.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which can allow for significantly different placement of light sources than conventional systems with resulting benefits to lighting to the target space or area, spectators, television coverage, or persons outside the target area.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which provides improved and beneficial lighting for visual tasks for participants and events within a lighted target area, for example car drivers or players, as well as beneficial lighting for spectators, video requirements of television, film requirements for still photography, and motion picture film, and which minimizes spill and glare light for persons outside the target who are visually impacted by the lighting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method as above described which can produce lighting for a large target area which can be controlled as to adequate quantity, level, uniformity and smoothness across the entire area or volume, and predictably controls shadows or varying intensity areas for modeling effect, such as might be desired.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims.
Problems also sometimes exist with regard to the flexibility of conventional lighting systems. For example, if one or more fixtures needs to be elevated to any substantial distance, it is difficult to adjust it if placed on a permanently installed pole. If a crane or mechanical arm is used, it involves substantial expense regarding such equipment.
Another lack of flexibility is the fact that each fixture has a certain output of light. It can be directed to a certain location. The fixture can be modified to alter the beam pattern. Individual fixtures can also be combined to produce a composite beam. However, control of the composite beam for multiple fixtures is primarily a function of the structure and make up of each individual fixture. Therefore, glare control and cutoff solutions require equipment structured to be built into each individual lighting fixture. This can contribute to significant cost and maintenance.
Still further, conventional lighting systems with one or more lighting fixtures are somewhat difficult to transport. For example, some portable lighting for construction sites or highway repair utilize arrays of lighting fixtures on an extendable arm. The generator powers the lighting fixtures. The use and environment for this type of arrangement presents high risk that the fixtures will be damaged. It is also cumbersome to position and erect such lights. Still further, it is difficult to produce lighting which does not generate glare and spill light problems.
It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a means and method which allows substantial flexibility in generation of different lighting outputs in an economical and efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means and method which is flexible in the sense that it lends itself to easy portability while being durable and allowing high level control of light output with regard to glare and spill light.

Means and method for highly controllable lighting of areas or objects


The present invention relates to a tray transfer system (TTS). This system is designed to automatically transfer trays of mail between dollies and conveyor belts. The TTS is an efficient method for shipping, moving, storing, loading, and unloading mail trays. It allows mail-processing centers to physically and temporally separate the process of sorting mail and the process of moving mail into automation compatible trays (ACT).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to, among other things, systems for handling mail (including, e.g., flats, envelopes, letters, postcards and/or other mail) and/or other objects, and certain preferred embodiments relate, more particularly, to a tray transfer system for automatically transferring trays of mail between dollies and conveyor belts.
2. Background Discussion
Currently, a variety of systems are used for the handling of objects, such as, e.g., thin objects like mail flats and/or other mail. For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) uses various systems to facilitate and enhance the handling of mail flats. An example of one system is an automated flats sorting machine (AFSM), such as the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine built by Northrop Grumman Corporation and Rapistan Systems and used by the USPS. The AFSM100™ flats sorting machine is a mail sorting system that can process, e.g., large pieces of flat mail, such as for example magazines, in large volumes.
The USPS AFSM100™ flats sorting machine has three high-speed feeders (6000 pieces per hour). This high-speed automation has increased the demand of mail on system feeders. Operational experience has shown that this demand is challenging for operators to meet. Operators are required to place approximately 10″ of mail onto a feeder per minute. Mail must be placed in proper orientation (binding down with the mailing label facing to the right) and 'groomed' to ensure proper system operation. In order to reduce the requirements on feeder operators, USPS pre-processes mail fed into this machinery. In the pre-processing step mail is converted from its current container to automation compatible trays (ACTs). This step requires additional floor space at the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine to perform the conversion. Sufficient floor space near the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine is often unavailable in many processing centers. This unavailability of sufficient floor space necessitates physically separating the pre-processing of mail and the sorting of mail. A method of transporting ACTs between the pre-processing location and the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine is needed.
Mail pre-processing times could either be faster or slower than the processing time of the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine. This depends in part on the type of mail that is pre-processed and the number of operators available to pre-process mail. The difference in the processing rates may cause periodic lag times where the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine has no mail to sort or times where the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine cannot sort the mail fast enough. Due to the varying processing rates it is therefore desirable to 'buffer' or store ACTs with mail. If the storage process is cheap and efficient then it is possible for the AFSM100™ flats sorting machine and mail pre-processing to operate at separate times.
There are a significant number of USPS mail processing centers in the country (˜200). The amount of storage required, as well as the amount of floor space available varies. Therefore, it is desirable to easily vary the amount of storage.
Therefore, a need exists for a system that can overcome, among other things, the above and/or other problems with the existing system.


An aftermarket modification for diesel engines that operate in cold environments particularly those using a liquid-to-air oil cooler. Engine oil can be routed to a bypass module having a thermostatic element that directs the oil to bypass the oil cooler and return to the engine if the engine oil is below the desired temperature. Once the desired oil temperature is reached, the thermostatic element moves toward a closed position to direct oil through the oil cooler. A pressure bypass element can be incorporated into the bypass module. If the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the cooler exceeds a set point, the bypass element moves toward an open position to direct a portion of the oil to bypass the oil cooler.

Compression ignition (diesel) engines experience various operational difficulties in cold temperatures. Difficult starting in cold weather can be attributed to various causes: Cold weather reduces the available battery current, decreasing the electrical power available to the engine self-starter. Injected fuel condenses on the cold cylinder surfaces leading to improper atomization, which inhibits formation of a combustible mixture inside the cylinder. The engine lubricating oil tends to thicken, leading to increased friction resisting the starter motor, further taxing a battery that may be operating at a reduced output. Hard starting problems can occur with mobile engines such as those in large trucks, buses and even smaller trucks such as the 6.0L and 6.4L POWER STROKE® diesel engines sold by Ford Motor Company. Engines for fixed installations often also encounter similar difficulties starting in cold weather.
Various systems and devices may be utilized to improve starting in cold weather, including battery heaters (to produce higher battery output), engine block heaters (to reduce oil viscosity and reduce fuel condensation), glow-plugs (installed in the cylinder to assist with combustion) and the like.
Proper lubrication can also be a problem in cold weather operation. The cold diesel fuel injected into the cold cylinders can condense and pass along the cylinder walls, diluting the lubricating oil. Engine lubrication in cold weather can also be a problem. The engine lubricating oil becomes more viscous in cold temperatures reducing its effectiveness in lubricating engine components during startup and initial operation. Consequently, some operators elect to use an very thin oil such as an exemplary 0W-20 to allow for easier cold weather starting. However, once the engine is warmed, the viscosity and therefore the oil film thickness in the bearings and elsewhere may drop below that recommended by manufacturers, allowing metal-to-metal contact at bearing surfaces leading to accelerated wear. Thus, another problem operators of diesel engines encounter during cold weather operation is selecting an oil that will adequately lubricate yet will not contribute unnecessarily to starting difficulties.
Since diesel engines operate in all seasons, hot weather operation is also a consideration. To aid hot weather operation, diesel engines are often equipped with engine oil coolers, which reduce oil temperature during hot driving conditions so as to keep the oil at a proper viscosity level. However, engine oil coolers do not aid engine operation in cold environments where it is often desirable to warm the oil rather than cooling it. If engines having an oil cooler could be fitted with a device to aid cold weather starting and operation then the useful temperature range of a diesel engine and its performance might be improved.

Oil system for diesel engines that operate in cold environments


An extendible and retractable apparatus for displaying a flag or supporting an item such as an athletic net. The apparatus has a lower fixed tubular member and one or more telescopic sections which extend and are lockable in an extended position by keyed locking means. The telescopic members are extendible and retractable by means of a cable driven and guided through friction rollers.

The present invention relates to a retractable and extendable telescopic pole apparatus for displaying flags or supporting athletic equipment, patio umbrellas and the like.
Many items such as flags, tennis and volleyball nets, shade screens and the like are supported on poles. If the poles are permanent, they present a hazard as well as being aesthetically displeasing. Temporary poles require removal, storage and installation and a are not convenient for these reasons. Accordingly, there exists a need for a convenient, permanent apparatus which can be easily extended when used and retracted to an out-of-the-way position when not in use.
The present invention provides a retractable pole apparatus including a fixed supporting member having a longitudinal axis and which support includes a bottom end, a top end, and a first extension member support means. A first telescopic extension member is received in the support member. The first telescopic extension member includes a bottom end and a top end. A protective housing or casing may be provided in which the apparatus is mounted in an in-ground or other location.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a selected extension member support means includes an inner lock sleeve attached to an inner portion of a top member end of a telescopic extension member. The inner lock sleeve includes a key receiver, and an outer key sleeve is attached to an outer portion of a bottom member end of a telescopic extension member. The outer key sleeve includes a key received in a respective key receiver.
The key receiver includes a vertical key reception slot, a transverse key reception slot in communication with the vertical key reception slot, and a key end portion connected to the transverse key portion.
More specifically, the lower support member has only an inner lock sleeve, and the topmost telescopic extension member, that receives a flagpole or other item, has only an outer key sleeve. Each of the intermediate telescopic extension members have both an inner lock sleeve at a top portion of the respective telescopic extension member and an outer key sleeve at a bottom portion of the respective telescopic extension member.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the telescopic sections may be operated by a cable and motor drive friction wheel and cable assembly which will extend and retract the sections.


Ophthalmically therapeutic materials, such as liquid-containing compositions and polymeric drug delivery systems, include a therapeutic component that includes an Glucocorticoid Derivative which, upon delivery to the posterior segment of a mammalian eye, does not significantly diffuse to the anterior segment of said eye. Methods of making and using the present materials are also described.

The mammalian eye is a complex organ comprising an outer covering including the sclera (the tough white portion of the exterior of the eye) and the cornea, the clear outer portion covering the pupil and iris. In a medial cross section, from anterior to posterior, the eye comprises features including, without limitation: the cornea, the anterior chamber (a hollow feature filled with a watery clear fluid called the aqueous humor and bounded by the cornea in the front and the lens in the posterior direction), the iris (a curtain-like feature that can open and close in response to ambient light) the lens, the posterior chamber (filled with a viscous fluid called the vitreous humor), the retina (the innermost coating of the back of the eye comprised of light-sensitive neurons), the choroid (and intermediate layer providing blood vessels to the cells of the eye), and the sclera. The posterior chamber comprises approximately ⅔ of the inner volume of the eye, while the anterior chamber and its associated features (lens, iris etc.) comprise about ⅓ of the eye's volume.
The delivery of therapeutic agents to the anterior surface of the eye is relatively routinely accomplished by topical means such as eye drops. However, the delivery of such therapeutic agents to the interior or back of the eye, even the inner portions of the cornea, presents unique challenges. Drugs are available that may be of use in treating diseases of the posterior segment of the eye, including pathologies of the posterior sclera, the uveal tract, the vitreous, the choroid, retina and optic nerve head (ONH).
However, a major limiting factor in the effective use of such agents is actually getting the agent to the affected tissue. The urgency to develop such methods can be inferred from the fact that the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness are posterior segment-linked diseases. These diseases include, without limitation, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), diabetic macular edema (DME), and endophthalmitis. Glaucoma, which is often thought of as a condition of the anterior chamber affecting the flow (and thus the intraocular pressure (IOP)) of aqueous humor, also has a posterior segment component; indeed, certain forms of glaucoma are not characterized by high IOP, but mainly by retinal degeneration alone.
The present invention relates to the use of Glucocorticoid Derivatives (GDs) that are either selectively designed to possess the ability to be directed to tissue of the posterior segment of the eye, or which possess the ability, when administered to the posterior segment of the eye, to preferentially penetrate, be taken up by, and remain within the posterior segment of the eye, as compared to the anterior segment of the eye. More specifically, the invention is drawn to ophthalmic compositions and drug delivery systems that provide extended release of the Glucocorticoid Derivatives to the posterior segment (or tissue comprising within the posterior segment) of an eye to which the agents are administered, and to methods of making and using such compositions and systems, for example, to treat or reduce one or more symptoms of an ocular condition to improve or maintain vision of a patient.
Glucocorticoids are one of the three major classes of steroid hormones, the other two being the sex hormones and the mineralocorticoids. The naturally occurring glucocorticoids include cortisol (hydrocortisone), which is essential for the maintenance of life. Cortisol is a natural ligand to the glucocorticoid nuclear receptor, a member of the steroid superfamily of nuclear receptors, a very large family of receptors that also includes the retinoid receptors RAR and RXR, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), the thyroid receptor and the androgen receptor. Among other activities, cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis from amino acids and lipids, stimulates fat breakdown and inhibits glucose uptake from muscle and adipose tissue.
Glucocorticoids can therefore be distinguished by their activity, which is associated with glucose metabolism, and by their structure. All steroid hormones derive their core structure from cholesterol, which has the following structure and numbering scheme.

Glucocorticoids are large multiringed derivatives of cholesterol; the characteristics comprising a hydroxyl group at C11, and/or a double bond between C4 and C5. The double bond between carbons 5 & 6 is not an essential part of a glucocorticoid, nor is the identity of any particular R group at C17.
Corticosteroids are steroid hormones released by the adrenal cortex; they comprise the mineralocorticoids (the only naturally occurring mineralocorticoid is aldosterone) and the glucocorticoids. The term "corticosteroid" is sometimes used to mean glucocorticoid, and unless specifically indicated otherwise, this will be the meaning in this patent application. Exemplary glucocorticoids include, without limitation, dexamethasone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone diacetate, triamcinolone hexacetonide, beclomethasone, dipropionate, beclomethasone dipropionate monohydrate, flumethasone pivalate, diflorasone diacetate, fluocinolone acetonide, fluorometholone, fluorometholone acetate, clobetasol propionate, desoximethasone, fluoxymesterone, fluprednisolone, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate, hydrocortisone butyrate, hydrocortisone sodium phosphate, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, hydrocortisone cypionate, hydrocortisone probutate, hydrocortisone valerate, cortisone acetate, paramethasone acetate, methylprednisolone, methylprednisolone acetate, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, prednisolone, prednisolone acetate, prednisolone sodium phosphate, prednisolone tebutate, clocortolone pivalate, fluocinolone, dexamethasone 21-acetate, betamethasone 17-valerate, isoflupredone, 9-fluorocortisone, 6-hydroxydexamethasone, dichlorisone, meclorisone, fluprednidene, doxibetasol, halopredone, halometasone, clobetasone, diflucortolone, isoflupredone acetate, fluorohydroxyandrostenedione, beclomethasone, flumethasone, diflorasone, clobetasol, cortisone, paramethasone, clocortolone, prednisolone 21-hemisuccinate free acid, prednisolone metasulphobenzoate, prednisolone terbutate, triamcinolone acetonide 21-palmitate, prednisolone, fluorometholone, medrysone, loteprednol, fluazacort, betamethasone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone hexacetonide, paramethasone acetate, diflorasone, fluocinolone and fluocinonide, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. Some of these compounds are GDs, as defined in this patent application, and others are prospective parents of such GDs.
In 1950 the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Hench, Kendall and Richenstein for their work concerning adrenal (naturally occurring) and synthetic glucocorticoids. Since that time these compounds including, without limitation, hydrocortisone and the synthetic glucocorticoids dexamethasone and prednisolone have been a valuable part of the physician's arsenal of weapons to fight inflammation, inflammatory diseases and conditions such as acute asthma.
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is found in almost all tissues of the mammalian body. The nuclear receptors, including the glucocorticoid receptor, are ligand-dependent transcription factors that, when activated, bind to chromosomal DNA and initiate or inhibit the transcription of particular genes. As a result, steroids have myriad effects on various systems of the body.
Historically, the short-term systemic or topical use of glucocorticoids has been largely free of serious side effects, and the therapeutic effects of such use are sometimes quite miraculous, particularly in treating diseases related to inflammation, such as arthritis and the like. However, because of the diverse and somewhat poorly characterized effects these compounds have, prolonged use of glucocorticoids, particularly prolonged systemic exposure to these agents, can give rise to a variety of sometimes serious side effects such as glucose intolerance, diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis, and fat redistribution, as well as frailty and skin thinning.
The topical use of steroids in the treatment of ophthalmic conditions (particularly ocular inflammation) is also well known. Clinicians have found topical administration of steroids to be safe and effective for short-term use in the treatment of conditions of the anterior chamber of the eye. For moderate to severe inflammation loteprednol etabonate 0.5% (Lotemax®), prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte), prednisolone sodium phosphate (Inflamase Forte®) and rimexolone (Vexol®) have been used with success, while the fluorometholones are prescribed for mild to moderate inflammation—additionally, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone are also used for topical ocular use. Triamcinolone (Kenalog 50®—approved for dermatological use) has been successfully used as an off-label medication for intravitreal injection for the treatment of macular edema. All of the above-mentioned topical steroid preparations are designed and/or used mainly for superficial or anterior segment inflammation. However, topical application of steroid drugs does not result in significant concentrations of the drug entering the posterior segment. Indeed, only a minute fraction of the drug topically applied to the surface of the eye ends up within the eye, with the majority of what drug does enter the eye remaining contained within the anterior segment. Retisert®, is a non-biodegradable implant for delivery to the posterior segment. It comprises fluocinolone acetonide, and has been approved for the treatment of chronic noninfective posterior uveitis. Retisert® has also been associated with 90.3% of study eyes developing cataracts, necessitating surgical removal. See Hudson, Henry L., Retinal Physician July 2005 (www.retinalphysician.com/article.aspx?article=100098), incorporated herein by reference. Some ophthalmologists have recently made use of the triamcinolone acetonide suspension Kenalog® 40 by injecting into the vitreous of patients suffering from conditions including, without limitation, cystic macular edema, diabetic macular edema, and wet macular degeneration. The few steroids, such as dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide that have been reported to be used intravitreally tend to migrate by diffusion to anterior segment tissues, which can cause serious and unwanted side effects.
Additionally, in May 2003 Oculex Pharmaceuticals announced that preliminary findings from a clinical trial testing a biodegradable intravitreal implant containing 700 μg of the corticosteroid dexamethasone showed that the implant, having the trade name Posurdex®, was highly effective in improving vision in patients suffering from persistent macular edema.
When treating conditions of the posterior segment with steroids it is particularly preferable to reduce the exposure of anterior segment tissues to steroids—long term use of steroids can lead to extremely high incidence of lens cataracts, ocular hypertension, and steroid-induced glaucoma. In part, the present invention is drawn to methods of treating a variety of conditions of the posterior segment including (without limitation): cystic macular edema, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and wet macular degeneration, by the administration of GDs, including C17- and/or C21-substituted GDs, to specifically target the tissue of the posterior segment of the eye, and to resist migration to the anterior segment. In other embodiments the invention is drawn to compositions comprising such glucocorticoid components and to methods of administrating such glucocorticoids.
In a particularly preferred embodiment a composition comprising one or more GD is administered directly to the posterior segment by, for example, injection or surgical incision. In a further embodiment the composition is injected directly into the vitreous humor in a fluid solution or suspension of crystals or amorphous particles comprising a GD compound. In another embodiment the composition is comprised within an intravitreal implant. The GD may, without limitation, be comprised in a reservoir of such implant, may be joined to a biodegradable implant matrix in such a manner that it is released as the matrix is degraded, or may be physically blended with the biodegradable polymeric matrix.
Additionally, while less preferred, a GD of the present invention may be administered to the posterior segment indirectly, such as (without limitation) by topical ocular administration, by subconjunctival or subscleral injection.
The GDs of the present invention all possess certain properties in accord with the present invention. First, the GD should possess a relatively slow dissolution rate. By "relatively low dissolution rate" is mean a dissolution rate from the solid to the vitreous liquid phase, which is less than that of triamcinolone acetonide preferably 50% or less of the dissolution rate of triamcinolone acetonide, even more preferably 25% or less than the dissolution rate of triamcinolone acetonide, 10% or less than that of triamcinolone acetonide.
Secondly, the GD should possess a relatively low solubility in the vitreous humor. By "relatively low solubility" is mean a solubility which is less than that of triamcinolone acetonide, preferably 50% or less of the dissolution rate of triamcinolone acetonide, even more preferably 25% or less than the dissolution rate of triamcinolone acetonide, or 10% or less than that of triamcinolone acetonide.
In another measurement of solubility, the GD used in the present invention has an aqueous solubility less than about 21 mg/ml, preferably less than about 10 mg/ml, even more preferably less than about 5 mg/ml, or less than about 2 mg/ml, or less than about 1 mg/ml, or less than about 0.5 mg/ml or less than about 0.2 mg/ml or less than about 0.14 mg/ml at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (sea level).
Finally, the GD should be highly lipophilic so as to partition well into the membranes of retinal tissue and quickly achieve a high local concentration of GD in retinal tissue. This means that a GD has a lipophilicity (log P, where P is the octanol/water partition coefficient) of greater than 2.53, or greater than 3.00, or greater than about 3.5 or greater than about 4.00, or greater than about 4.20 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (sea level).
While a most preferred GD possesses all of these properties, a GD may possess less than all such properties so long as it possesses the property of remaining therapeutically active in the posterior chamber when delivered intravitreally, while not being present in therapeutically effective concentrations in the anterior chamber.
The vitreous chamber bathes the posterior surface of the lens and is connected to the anterior chamber via a fluid channel that encircles the lens and continues through the pupil. Solutes (including solubilized glucocorticoids) in the vitreous may diffuse anteriorly to the lens, or around the lens to the anterior chamber outflow apparatus (the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal), thereby causing steroid-induced cataracts, ocular hypertension or glaucoma.
The present inventors have found that steroids that are only sparingly soluble in vitreal fluid and that have a slow dissolution rate from the solid to the soluble form do not migrate well to the anterior segment. While not wishing to limit the scope of the invention by theory, and only as an illustration, the Applicants believe that the GDs of the present invention lack sufficient diffusional force due to their lack of solubility in the vitreous to move the soluble steroid through the indicated path to the anterior chamber. The lipophilicity of the GDs of the present invention, at the same time, encourages their partition from the aqueous vitreous fluid to the lipid bilayer of the retinal cell membranes. This is thought to create a low-level intravitreal flow of the GD from vitreous to retina, at a concentration sufficient to provide therapeutic benefit to the retinal tissue, but at a low enough level to confer substantially reduced exposure to the lens and anterior segment tissues.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ocular therapy using glucocorticoid derivatives selectively penetrating posterior segment tissues


An apparatus includes a ring oscillator, a carry chain circuit, and a detector circuit. The ring oscillator produces a clock signal. The carry chain circuit includes a plurality of stages. Each stage of the plurality of stages includes a plurality of lookup table elements coupled in sequence. The carry chain circuit propagates the clock signal through the plurality of lookup table elements of the plurality of stages. The detector circuit determines, based on a value of the clock signal stored by a final lookup table element of each stage of the plurality of stages, which stage of the plurality stages contains an edge of the clock signal. The detector circuit then outputs a zero if the determined stage is assigned to a first group of the plurality of stages and a one if the determined stage is assigned to a second group of the plurality of stages.

Random number generators are useful in several applications, such as, cryptography and encryption. These random number generators are evaluated based on the level of randomness in the numbers they generate. A random number generator with good performance generates a more unpredictable sequence of numbers than a random number generator with poorer performance. Stated differently, the poorer a random number generator performs; the easier it is to predict the next number generated by the random number generator. The level of unpredictability of a random number generator may be described as the entropy in the random number generator.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially used in other embodiments without specific recitation.


Embodiments of this disclosure may include a nursing pillow system with a plurality of pillows. A first of the plurality of pillows may be configured to be positioned on a mother's lap while nursing an infant, the second of the plurality of pillows may be configured to be placed between the mother's legs while nursing the infant, and the first pillow may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the second pillow.

1. Field of the Disclosure
Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for a nursing pillow. More particularly, embodiments relate to a nursing pillow system that does not slip or move while a mother is nursing an infant.
2. Background
A nursing pillow is a pillow that a mother may use to position her infant during breast feeding. The nursing pillow helps prevent problems with nursing, and makes nursing a more comfortable experience for both the mother and the infant.
Conventionally, nursing pillows are crescent shaped and are configured to be placed on a mother's lap while the mother is nursing an infant. However, conventional nursing pillows do not have any means to secure the crescent shaped pillow to the mother's waist during nursing. Accordingly, while using conventional nursing pillows, the nursing pillow may move, which requires the mother to constantly and continuously reposition the nursing pillow.
To alleviate this issue, conventional nursing pillows may include an adjustable strap. The adjustable strap is configured to be strapped over the mother's waist and secure the nursing pillow in place. However, the adjustable strap requires two hands to secure the nursing pillow to the mother's waist. Thus, the mother is required to put down the infant in order to secure the adjustable strap over the mother's waist.
Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient methods and systems for nursing pillows that may be secured to a mother via force applied by the mother's legs, and that may also be secured by the mother using only one hand.