Methods and apparatus relating to measuring time offsets between devices with independent silicon clocks are described. In some embodiments, logic is provided to synchronize a first clock of a first agent with a second clock of a second agent based on one or more messages exchanged between the first agent and the second agent and a platform time. The first agent and the second agent are coupled via a link. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

In modern computing systems, various devices may be interconnected via one or more links. These links allow for communication between the interconnected devices. However, when devices are interconnected, operational correctness may rely on clock synchronization between the devices. For example, if the interconnected devices are not synchronized accurately, data communication may be hindered. To maintain error free communication, the speed of a link between the devices may need to be decreased to allow for proper synchronization. This in turn lowers performance. Accordingly, accurateness of clock synchronization between interconnected devices may directly impact performance in a computing system.

Measuring time offsets between devices with independent silicon clocks


An optical measuring device for measuring a plurality of surfaces of an object to be measured using a system of optical elements. For example, the first surface to be measured can be the inner wall of a narrow guide bore, while the second surface to be measured is formed by a valve-seat section that is conical and positioned at one end of the guide bore. As optical elements of measuring device, at least one beam splitter and one lens system are disposed in such a way that a first portion of the light beams incident on the beam splitter is directed perpendicularly onto the first surface of the object to be measured, and a second portion of the light beams incident on the beam splitter strikes the lens system downstream of the beam splitter and is directed via the lens system perpendicularly onto the second surface.

Interferometric systems are suited, inter alia, for the contact-free examination of surfaces of various objects to be measured. To detect the surface contour of an object to be examined, an object beam from a light source of the interferometer strikes the surface at the area to be measured. The object beam reflected by the surface is supplied to a detector of the interferometer and, together with a reference beam, forms an interference pattern, from which it is possible to derive the difference in path length of the two beams. This measured difference in the path length of the two beams corresponds to the change in the surface topography.
Particularly with a white-light interferometer, in which the light source emits a short-coherent radiation, it is also possible to scan the object to be measured with the aid of depth scanning. As explained, for instance, in the non-prepublished German Patent Application No. DE 103 25 443.9, in that case, the short-coherent radiation is split by a beam splitter into an object beam and a reference beam. The object surface to be measured is imaged via an objective onto an image recorder, e.g., a CCD camera (charge-coupled device camera), and superposed by the reference wave formed by the reference beam. The depth scanning may be implemented by moving a reference mirror reflecting the reference beam, or moving the object relative to the measuring device. When the object is moved, the image plane of the object and the reference plane are in the same plane. During depth scanning, the object remains fixed in the field of view of the CCD camera, and the object is only moved along the depth axis relative to the reference plane. In this manner, measurements of industrial surfaces may be conducted with a depth resolution in the range of a few nanometers. Technical fundamentals concerning this measuring method are also found in the "Three-Dimensional Sensing of Rough Surfaces by Coherence Radar"(T. Dresel, G. Häusler, H. Venzke, Appl. Opt. 31 (7), p. 919-925, 1992).
If, in this context, the measurement-object surface to be measured is not a uniform, level plane, then a special-purpose objective is necessary for measuring the object to be measured, for in each measuring procedure, care must be taken that, during scanning, the beams strike as perpendicularly as possible on the surfaces to be measured. For example, German Patent Application No. DE 101 31 778 describes a system of optical elements by which it is also possible to measure curved surfaces. Thus, for example, FIG. 1c from the cited document, reproduced herein as FIG. 5, shows how surfaces to be measured which are not easily accessible such as the inner surface of a cylinder or a bore can also be measured using the panoramic optics presented there. With the aid of a deviating prism in the panoramic optics, the beams are directed perpendicularly onto the inner surface of the bore. In a further exemplary embodiment, as illustrated n FIG. 1d of the cited document, reproduced herein as FIG. 6,the panoramic optics may be designed for an inner conical surface in a transition region of the bore. With the aid of the special optics, the parallel beams striking the optics are converted on the object side into beams which are disposed perpendicularly to the conical surface, i.e., the beams are fanned out. In practice, however, it is advantageous if both surfaces, thus the inner surface of a bore and the inner conical surface produced by a further narrowing of the bore, can be measured simultaneously. Such demands arise, for instance, when the position of a guide bore leading to a conical valve seat is measured. According to the related art, two or more panoramic optics may be arranged and designed in such a way that, in addition to being able to generate a flattened image from one surface area, it is possible to generate a flattened image from at least one further surface area at the same time. Likewise, at least one further reference plane may then be disposed in the reference light path according to the number of further surface areas for generating different optical path lengths. It is thus possible to measure the position of the guide bore leading to a spatially separated valve seat.
Thus, it is not possible to measure the two surfaces using only one objective. A simple combination of the two exemplary embodiments having a deflection mirror (FIG. 5) and having a beam-fanning optics (FIG. 6) from the related art would not be successful, since the beams would either cover only the inner surface of the bore or only the inner conical surface, depending on the order of the installation of the two optical elements.

Optical measuring device for measuring a plurality of surfaces of an object to be measured


Chimeric proteins that comprise one or more amino acid sequences of an insect-specific flavivirus and one or more other immunogenic proteins are provided. The chimeric proteins are suitably capable of forming virus particles. The chimeric protein and/or virus particle may be suitable for delivery to a subject to elicit an immune response to a pathogen and/or for diagnosis or detection of a pathogen. Also provided are nucleic acids and vectors encoding the chimeric proteins, and isolated chimeric insect-specific flaviviruses comprising the chimeric proteins and/or nucleic acids.

The Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family encompasses a diverse array of viruses, which are responsible for a number of significant mosquito-transmitted diseases such as West Nile fever and encephalitis, dengue and Zika fever and Japanese encephalitis. These small enveloped viruses contain a ˜10-11 kb positive sense, single-stranded RNA genome with a single open reading frame (ORF) flanked by 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). The viral ORF is translated into a single polyprotein, and post-translationally cleaved into structural (C, prM and E) and non-structural proteins (NS1-NS5).
Many flaviviruses are transmitted between mosquitoes and vertebrates, relying on replication in both hosts for maintaining their natural transmission cycle. However, in recent years, a number of flaviviruses, referred to as insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs), which replicate exclusively in arthropods with no requirement for a vertebrate intermediate, have been discovered. The advent of improved genome sequencing methods such as deep sequencing, sensitive reverse transcription (RT) PCR assays using flavivirus generic primers and the development of broad-spectrum diagnostic tools, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to viral dsRNA intermediates, have seen the isolation of several other ISFs from various regions around the world.
Several vaccine types are currently in common use, including those for vaccination against flavivirus infection. These include inactivated and attenuated vaccines. However, current vaccines can be associated with certain disadvantages. For example, inactivated vaccines may induce only a moderate or partial immune response, and require multiple doses or 'boosters'. Inactivation may also modify the antigen or destroy epitopes. Additionally, inactivation treatment can be relatively technically demanding and/or expensive. There is also a risk that the inactivation may be incomplete. Furthermore, while attenuated vaccines typically induce a robust immune response, these can be at risk of 'reversion' to pathogenicity.
In addition to use in vaccines, proteins comprising immunogenic sequences can be used in a diagnostic setting, e.g. for detection of flaviviral antibodies in human or animal subjects. Inactivated and/or attenuated viruses have been used in this context, and can offer advantages over recombinant antigens generated from viral subunits in terms of reactivity, although subunit antigens such as domain III of the flavivirus envelope protein typically confer superior specificity. However, similar issues as described above in regard to vaccines can apply in this context.
As such, there is presently a need for new vaccination approaches, including for immunization against flaviviruses. Strategies offering simpler, more efficient, safer and/or more cost effective vaccine production are also highly desirable. Similarly, there is a need for new approaches for diagnostics for viral infection.


Provided is a method for mass spectrometry in which ions to be analyzed are made to come in contact with a cooling gas in a cooling section, such as an ion trap 2, configured to perform the cooling of ions, and kinetic energy is subsequently imparted to the ions so as to introduce the ions into a flight space of a multi-turn time-of-flight mass separator 30 or similar device for separating ions according to their mass-to-charge ratios. According to the present invention, when a known or estimated number of charges of an ion to be analyzed is high, the amount of supply of the cooling gas to the cooling section is set to a lower level than when the number of charges is low. This operation improves the detection sensitivity for ions having large molecular weights and high numbers of charges.

An ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes an ion trap and a time-of-flight mass separator, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 or other related documents. In the ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometer, various ions generated from a sample are temporarily captured within the ion trap. Subsequently, those various ions are simultaneously accelerated and ejected from the ion trap, to be introduced into the time-of-flight mass separator. The accelerated ions fly at different speeds according to their respective mass-to-charge ratios (strictly speaking, this should be referred to as m/z, although the term "mass-to-charge ratio" is used throughout the present description according to a common practice). Therefore, while travelling in the flight space in the time-of-flight mass separator, the ions are separated from each other according to their mass-to-charge ratios, to ultimately arrive at and be detected by a detector.
In a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (which may be hereinafter called the "TOFMS" according to a common practice), the longer the flight distance of the ions is, the higher the mass-resolving power becomes. Accordingly, in general, a reflectron TOFMS, which makes ions fly in a round-trip path, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, can more easily achieve a higher level of mass-resolving power than a linear TOFMS, which makes ions fly in a straight path.
Patent Literature 2 or 3 discloses a TOFMS employing a reflectron configured to reflect ions two or more times, thereby enabling a further elongation of the flight length. This type of reflectron configured to elongate the flight length of ions by two or more reflections is called a "multi-reflectron TOFMS".
Patent Literature 4 discloses a TOFMS which enables a further elongation of the flight length of the ions by making the ions turn a number of times along substantially identical orbital paths. Patent Literature 5 discloses a TOFMS in which the orbital path for one turn has a substantially circular shape, substantially elliptical shape, substantially letter-"8" shape or other appropriate shapes, in which the path is gradually shifted for every turn of the ions in the path so as to increase the number of turns while preventing the ions from flying along the same path, thereby allowing for a further elongation of the flight length. This type of TOFMS configured to elongate the flight length of the ions by making the ions fly in a loop orbit multiple times is called a "multi-turn TOFMS". In particular, the multi-turn TOFMS allows for a dramatic elongation of the flight length without significantly increasing the entire size of the device, so that it can be small in size yet can achieve a high level of mass-resolving power.
As for the ion trap, Patent Literature 1 discloses a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap which includes one ring-shaped electrode and a pair of end caps. Another commonly known type of ion trap is a linear ion trap which includes four rod electrodes arranged parallel to and around a central axis as well as a pair of end-cap electrodes arranged so that the rod electrodes are sandwiched in between.
For example, in the configuration of an ion trap disclosed in Patent Literature 6, a cooling gas is introduced into a linear ion trap formed by a plurality of electrode segments consecutively positioned along an axis, so as to efficiently capture ions within the ion trap as well as sufficiently lower the energy of the ions by the cooling process before ejecting the ions toward the time-of-flight mass separator.

Method for mass spectrometry and mass spectrometer


Implantable device or the treatment of hydrocephalus in a patient, comprising movement means designed to move the cerebrospinal fluid in the patient's skull to control the intracranial pressure; an assembly consisting of a rotary volumetric micropump; a catheter connected at one extremity to the micropump; and a bag fitted at the other extremity of the catheter and designed to contract and expand, wherein said assembly is filled with a given volume of a service fluid which remains constant over time, and wherein electronic monitoring and control means are designed to process the values (Pmis), as detected by a sensor of the instant pressure of cerebrospinal fluid and to generate a corresponding control signal which in turn drives the micropump and consequently controls the contraction and expansion of the bag so that the amplitude of the variable component of the intracranial pressure due to the cardiac cycle is minimized.

Hydrocephalus syndrome still represents a complex, difficult challenge, as regards not only understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying it, but also the identification and implementation of the best possible treatment method.
Numerous pathogenetic hypotheses of hydrocephalus have been proposed in the last few decades.
For the sake of completeness, the hypotheses which have been and are currently most widely accredited will be described briefly below.
The Cerebrospinal Fluid "Circulation" Hypothesis
The first hypothesis, which is also the most widely accepted, is based on the assumption that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) "circulates" from the choroidal plexuses of the cerebral ventricles, its final destination being the arachnoid granulations of the cerebral convexity.
According to this theory, an obstacle to this "circulation" at any level and by any means, caused, for example, by stenosis of the aqueduct, a tumour of the posterior cranial fossa, or reduced absorption following haemorrhagic or infectious events affecting the subarachnoid spaces, gives rise to "obstructive" or "non-communicating" hydrocephalus as well as "non-obstructive" or "communicating" hydrocephalus.
Leaving aside the theoretical arguments and the extensive set of indirect, clinical and experimental data contradicting the pathogenetic hypothesis of an obstacle to the outflow of CSF, what finally demolished this first hypothesis was "direct" evidence, in human and animal models, of the absence of "circulation" of cerebrospinal fluid, at least in the form it would need to take in order for a mechanism involving an "obstacle" to that circulation to produce significant ventricular dilation.
In other words, it has been extensively demonstrated firstly that there is a "diffusion", not a movement of volume (ie. "circulation") of CSF in the intracranial system, so that the sites where CSF is produced are also responsible for its absorption and vice versa, and secondly that the movement of CSF inside and outside the ventricular cavities is constituted by a periodic oscillation synchronous with the cardiac pulsation, but without a real "net flow" in either direction.
This last finding is based on extensive medical literature on the subject, bearing in mind that the fundamental variable to be considered is always the rate of flow, namely the "void signal".
In fact, the data obtained by experimental measurement must be suitably corrected to take account of the variation in the gauge of the structure in which the measurement is taken (usually the mesencephalic duct), which periodically narrows during systole, thus causing an increase in the speed (but not the flow), and widens during diastole, causing the opposite effect which exactly offsets the previous one, thus confirming the absence of a "net flow", and consequently of true "circulation" of CSF.
The "Ventricular Pulse Pressure" Hypothesis
The second hypothesis is based on the observation that hydrocephalus, whether clinical or experimental, is very often associated with an increase in the "CSF pulse pressure", namely the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the intracranial pressure during each cardiac cycle.
If this second hypothesis is analysed on the basis of an intracranial system model with a rigidly constant volume, a different explanation can be formulated for the onset of hydrocephalus syndrome, namely that the development of hydrocephalus of any type, regardless of its etiology, is produced by the association between the "intraventricular pulse pressure of the choroid plexuses" and an "asymmetrical response" by the cerebral parenchyma.
In particular, this second hypothesis takes account of a behavioural characteristic well known in the literature in relation to viscoelastic substances, with which the cerebral parenchyma has always been compared in anatomical and structural terms.
This means that the brain, as a result of the pulsating force acting on it, is more easily "compressible" (during systole) then "expandable" (during diastole) at the end of the compression phase.
The continual alternation between systole (compression) and diastole (expansion) leads to a progressive reduction in cerebral volume and consequently an increase in ventricular volume, until a new balance is reached between the forces acting in the two directions that will determine the actual dimensions of the cerebral ventricles, from normal or relatively normal volumes to the extreme degrees of hydrocephalus syndrome.
The factors illustrated above explain why the current systems used to treat hydrocephalus, mainly based on the use of "CSF shunts" which move part of the CSF volume from the intracranial system to other body cavities, can provide no more than a partial, indirect, imprecise solution to the pathogenetic alteration postulated here.
This incongruity clearly explains the limitations still involved in the conventional treatment of hydrocephalus syndrome.
A radical solution to the problem only seems to be possible if one or both of the two factors illustrated above can be modified, namely the "intraventricular pulse pressure" and the "asymmetrical response" of the cerebral parenchyma.

Implantable device for the treatment of hydrocephalus syndrome and the corresponding method


A search request input processing unit holds an input query word in a query word holding unit. An associative word unfolding processing unit acquires associative words in association with the query word held in the query word holding unit with reference to an associative word dictionary. An image content search processing unit using associative words makes a keyword search of image information on the basis of the obtained associative words and the query word. A sensory pattern unfolding processing unit obtains the query word and sensory patterns corresponding to associative words of the query word, and searches image information using feature amounts of the obtained sensory patterns. A search result integration processing unit integrates the search results obtained by the image content word search processing unit and sensory pattern search processing unit.

The present invention relates to an information search apparatus and method for searching information on the basis of an input query word.
A conventional information search apparatus, which searches multimedia information, e.g., image information, makes a search using data (keywords) derived from subjective evaluation results of one or a plurality of persons for images to be searched, physical image features extracted from images, and the like.
Also, an image search apparatus that obtains a required image by matching a given keyword with that corresponding to an image has been realized. Furthermore, an information search apparatus, which obtains an image, that cannot be obtained by full-word matching with an input keyword, by matching not only the input keyword but also an associated keyword associated with the input keyword with a keyword corresponding to an image, has also been realized. Moreover, an information search apparatus which obtains an image with similar color information by detecting a correspondence between the input keyword and color information using, e.g., color information of images is proposed.
For example, in one scheme, an impression that a person receives upon watching an image, or key information linked with the impression is appended to image information and is used in search. As the key information, words that express impressions evoked by images such as xe2x80x9cwarmxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9ccoldxe2x80x9d, and the like, and words that represent objects in drawn images such as xe2x80x9ckittyxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cseaxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cmountainxe2x80x9d, and the like are appended as keywords. Also, local image feature components on drawn images are subjectively evaluated and are often appended as key information. For example, information that pertains to a color such as xe2x80x9credxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cbluexe2x80x9d, and the like, information that pertains to a shape such as xe2x80x9croundxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9ctriangular, xe2x80x9csharpxe2x80x9d, and the like, and information that pertains to a texture such as xe2x80x9csandyxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9csmoothxe2x80x9d, and the like are expressed using words and icons, are appended to images as key information, and are used in search.
In another system, physical image feature amounts are extracted from images, and are used in image search. Image features include local colors painted on images, overall color tones, and shapes, compositions, textures, and the like of objects on drawn images. An image feature amount is extracted from segmented regions or blocks obtained by segmenting the overall image into regions based on color information, or segmenting the image into blocks each having a given area, or is extracted from the entire image. Physical image features include, e.g., color information, density distribution, texture, edge, region, area, position, frequency distribution, and the like of an image.
However, in the prior art, when an image including a keyword that matches the input query word is searched for, images which do not match the search request of the searcher are often obtained. Especially, when an image search is made using an abstract query word such as a xe2x80x9crefreshingxe2x80x9d image, images found by the search are limited. To solve this problem, a search may be made by unfolding the query word xe2x80x9crefreshingxe2x80x9d to keywords which are associated with that query word. However, when such scheme is used, images which are not xe2x80x9crefreshingxe2x80x9d may be mixed in search results.
In place of query words, a query image may be input, and a search may be made using the feature amount of the input image. In this case, a query image that reflects the searcher""s will must be prepared, and it is difficult to select a query image, resulting in poor operability.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an image search method and apparatus which can extract desired information with high precision with respect to an input query word.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search apparatus for searching information based on an input query word, comprising:
first search means for determining a query keyword on the basis of the query word, and searching information on the basis of the query keyword;
second search means for determining a feature amount of a pattern corresponding to the query word, and searching information on the basis of the feature amount; and
integration means for integrating search results obtained by the first and second search means.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search method for searching information based on an input query word, comprising:
the first search step of determining a query keyword on the basis of the query word, and searching information on the basis of the query keyword;
the second search step of determining a feature amount of a pattern corresponding to the query word, and searching information on the basis of the feature amount; and
the integration step of integrating search results obtained in the first and second search steps.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search apparatus for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other;
an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other;
input means for inputting a query word;
first search means for acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input by the input means from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
extraction means for extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input by the input means;
second search means for searching multimedia information on the basis of the feature amount extracted by the extraction means; and
integration means for integrating search results obtained by the first and second search means.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search method for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
the storage step of storing on a storage medium a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other, and an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other;
the input step of inputting a query word;
the first search step of acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
the extraction step of extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input in the input step;
the second search step of searching multimedia information on the basis of the feature amount extracted in the extraction step; and
the integration step of integrating search results obtained in the first and second search steps.
In order to achieve the above object, a computer readable memory according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided a computer readable memory for storing a program code of an information search process for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
a program code of the storage step of storing on a storage medium a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other, and an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other;
a program code of the input step of inputting a query word;
a program code of the first search step of acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
a program code of the extraction step of extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input in the input step;
a program code of the second search step of searching multimedia information on the basis of the feature amount extracted in the extraction step; and
a program code of the integration step of integrating search results obtained in the first and second search steps.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search apparatus for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other;
an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other;
input means for inputting a query word;
a concept discrimination dictionary for storing index words corresponding to the query word and search perspectives pertaining to the index words in correspondence with each other;
display means for extracting search perspectives pertaining to an index word corresponding to the query word input by the input means from the concept discrimination dictionary, and displaying the extracted search perspectives;
designation means for designating a desired one of the search perspectives displayed by the display means;
first search means for acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input by the input means from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
second search means for extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input by the input means, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the extracted feature amount; and
integration means for integrating search results obtained by the first and second search means on the basis of the search perspective designated by the designation means.
In order to achieve the above object, an image search method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided an information search method for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
the input step of inputting a query word;
the storage step of storing on a storage medium a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other, an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other, and a concept discrimination dictionary for storing index words corresponding to the query word and search perspectives pertaining to the index words in correspondence with each other;
the display step of extracting search perspectives pertaining to an index word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the concept discrimination dictionary, and displaying the extracted search perspectives;
the designation step of designating a desired one of the search perspectives displayed in the display step;
the first search step of acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
the second search step of extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input in the input step, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the extracted feature amount; and
the integration step of integrating search results obtained in the first and second search steps on the basis of the search perspective designated in the designation step.
In order to achieve the above object, a computer readable memory according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, there is provided a computer readable memory for storing a program code of an information search process for managing a plurality of kinds of multimedia information, and searching the managed multimedia information for desired multimedia information, comprising:
a program code of the input step of inputting a query word;
a program code of the storage step of storing on a storage medium a content word holding unit for storing the multimedia information, and content words which verbalize concepts expressed in the multimedia information in correspondence with each other, an associative word dictionary for storing the content words and associative words which are associated with the content words in correspondence with each other, and a concept discrimination dictionary for storing index words corresponding to the query word and search perspectives pertaining to the index words in correspondence with each other;
a program code of the display step of extracting search perspectives pertaining to an index word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the concept discrimination dictionary, and displaying the extracted search perspectives;
a program code of the designation step of designating a desired one of the search perspectives displayed in the display step;
a program code of the first search step of acquiring an associative word corresponding to the query word input in the input step from the associative word dictionary, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the acquired associative word;
a program code of the second search step of extracting a feature amount corresponding to the query word input in the input step, and searching multimedia information on the basis of the extracted feature amount; and
a program code of the integration step of integrating search results obtained in the first and second search steps on the basis of the search perspective designated in the designation step.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

Information search apparatus and method, and computer readable memory


A system, electronic monitor and method are provided that utilize the communication capabilities and positioning capabilities of impulse radio technology to enable people (e.g., mechanics, fans, broadcasters, drivers) to track a position of a vehicle as it moves around a race track and/or to enable people to monitor an engine, transmission system, braking system and other vehicular parameters of the moving vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the automotive field and, in particular, to a system and method capable of using impulse radio technology to track and monitor one or more vehicles.
2. Description of Related Art
In a race track environment, it would be desirable to let people (e.g., mechanics, fans, broadcasters, drivers) track the position of each vehicle racing around a race track and at the same time monitor the engines, transmission systems, braking systems and other vehicular parameters of those vehicles. Unfortunately, to date there does not appear to be any vehicle tracking system that effectively enables people to track the current position of a vehicle racing around a race track. In addition, there does not appear to be any vehicle monitoring system that effectively enables people to monitor different vehicular parameters of a racing vehicle. As such, there does not appear to be any conventional system that enables people to track and monitor a racing vehicle at the same time. Accordingly, there is a need for a system, electronic monitor and method that enables people to track a moving vehicle and/or enables people to monitor different vehicular parameters of the moving vehicle.
The present invention includes a system, electronic monitor and method that utilize the communication capabilities and positioning capabilities of impulse radio technology to enable people (e.g., mechanics, fans, broadcasters, drivers) to track a position of a vehicle as it moves around a race track and/or to enable people to monitor an engine, transmission system, braking system and other vehicular parameters of the moving vehicle.

System and method for using impulse radio technology to track and monitor vehicles


Methods and systems for implementing personalized driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and forward collision warning. The methods and systems collect specific vehicle data and then calculate values that populate a histogram representing driver habits and tendencies regarding following and stopping distances in relation to objects ahead of the vehicle. The methods and systems utilize the histogram data to provide the driver with a personalized driver assistance features.

There are several types of driver assistance systems used in today's vehicles. These systems use forward sensors to control a vehicle and/or provide feedback or warnings based on objects in the vehicle's path. Passive driver assistance systems provide feedback or warnings to a driver but do not directly control the vehicle. An example of a passive driver assistance system is a forward collision warning system which warns a driver that an object is present in front of the vehicle, but requires that the driver, not the system, operate the vehicle so as to avoid a collision. The warning or feedback features of passive driver assistance systems may optionally be disabled, even while the passive driver assistance system continues to collect data regarding driving conditions. On the other hand, active driver assistance systems not only provide warnings but also actively control the vehicle. Examples of active driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control and adaptive cruise control with a stop and go feature.
Adaptive cruise control, sometimes referred to as active cruise control, automatically reduces the vehicle's speed when a slower vehicle appears in the lane ahead to ensure that the cruise controlled vehicle is at a safe following distance. The adaptive cruise control system will accelerate the vehicle back to its set cruise control speed when the lane becomes free or the distance between the two vehicles increases to the safe following distance. An adaptive cruise control system with a stop and go feature will apply the vehicle's brakes until the vehicle comes to a stop (if necessary) before allowing the vehicle to go off again when the traffic ahead moves.
A forward collision warning system is a safety system designed to reduce the severity of an accident. These systems use radar and sometimes laser sensors to detect an imminent crash. Depending on how the system is implemented, the system may warn the driver, precharge the brakes, inflate seats for extra support, move the passenger seat, position head rests to avoid whip lash, tension seat belts and/or automatically apply braking to minimize impact.
Current driver assistance systems use static tunings for the vehicle control thresholds and warnings. This means that the driver is locked-in to the vehicle's available tuning selections, which may be limited and may not satisfy all drivers. Accordingly, there is a need and desire for a driver assistance system and method that are tunable for a specific driver of the vehicle.

Adaptive cruise control system and method


A water supplying device of a hand-held power tool has a water-conveying line and a valve arrangement arranged in the line for controlling the water flow through the line. The valve arrangement has a control valve with a valve body adjustable across a positioning travel. The opening cross-section of the control valve, as a function of the positioning travel, has a progressive characteristic line. An arrangement for actuating the water supplying device has an actuator that is separate from additional control elements of the power tool.

The invention relates to a water supplying device of a hand-held power tool, in particular for supplying a cutting wheel of a cut-off machine with water. The water supplying device comprises a water-conveying line and a valve arrangement arranged in the line for controlling a water flow through the line. The valve arrangement comprises a control valve with a valve body adjustable across a positioning travel.
The invention also relates to an arrangement for actuating a water supplying device of a hand-held power tool for actuating a device for supplying water of the aforementioned kind, the arrangement comprising an actuator acting on the valve arrangement.
Hand-held power tools comprising a water supply through which, for example, cooling water is supplied to the tool of the power tool and/or to the workpiece are known. Particularly in the case of a hand-held cut-off machine, the cutting wheel can be supplied with water for binding dust produced when performing a cut.
The control or regulation of the supplied amount of water is not satisfactory in the known embodiments. By means of an external valve, the water flow can be released before beginning the work to be performed and can be interrupted after completion. After release of the water flow, the water flows to the location to be worked on even when the power tool is not in operation. Before and after the actual working steps as well as during short work interruptions, unwanted quantities of water escape that, in addition to increasing water usage, also compromise the location to be worked on with an unnecessary quantity of water.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,841 B1 discloses an arrangement with a device for supplying water to a hand-held power tool in which a shut-off valve for opening or closing a water line is provided. The shut-off valve is actuatable by means of a throttle trigger lock with which also the throttle trigger for adjusting the output of the drive motor can be released. By actuating the throttle trigger lock, a water supply is provided only when readiness to operate the power tool with power is indicated by releasing the throttle trigger.
A disadvantage of the disclosed arrangement is that, for example, when opening the throttle for warming up the drive motor during cold start, water can be released even when no working process is to be performed. Adjustment of the water flow rate is difficult as is the adjustment in regard to different water pressure available at the intake. Coupling the throttle trigger lock to the shut-off valve causes the basic function of the power tool, such as simple acceleration or performing a dry cut, to be made difficult when the valve is dirty, stiff and/or damaged.
It is an object of the present intention to provide a water supplying device of a hand-held power tool that enables improved adjustment of the conveyed amount of water to the actual water demand.
The invention further has the object to provide an arrangement for actuating the aforementioned device which arrangement enables an improved control of the water supply.


A photopolymerizable composition developable with an alkali aqueous solution which comprises a carboxyl group-containing high polymer binder, a photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator system and a compound of a specific structure is disclosed. The photopolymerizable composition shows a good keeping stability in a state of lamination on a metal board and thus is highly useful in the production of, for example, dry films for print basic boards, photoresists, photomasks, lithograph boards and resin relief boards.

In recent years, dry film resists have been widely used in many fields, for example, producing print boards.
It is well known to use a carboxyl group-containing high polymer binder as one of the materials for producing a dry film resist so as to enable-the treatment of said dry film resist with an alkali aqueous solution.
When a resist comprising a carboxyl group-containing high polymer binder is laminated on a copper-clad laminate, however, frequently it is observed with the lapse of time that the surface of the unexposed portion of the copper plate turns reddish brown (so-called red-change) after completion of development or under-development (or the formation of scum) occurs. The troubles tend to become serious during processing. It is sometimes observed in practice that a resist laminated on a copper-clad laminate is allowed to stand as such for several days. Thus, both the red-change and under-development, which might frequently cause under-etching or peeling of plating film, are serious problems.
There have been proposals to add certain additives to a photopolymerization system to prevent the aforesaid red-change or under-development. For example, JP-B-58-22486 and JP-A-61-194438 propose to use low molecular weight carboxylic acids such as citric acid or malonic acid therefor (The terms "JP-B" and "JP-A" as used herein respectively mean an "examined Japanese patent publication" and an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). While it is true that the addition of the carboxylic acids is effective in relieving the red-change or under-development, when the carboxylic acids are added in small amounts, sufficient effects cannot be achieved. On-the other hand, when the acids are added in such a large amount as to attain satisfactory effects, the sensitivity is lowered or the alkali-resistance of the resulting resist is reduced. Thus none of the carboxylic acids is satisfactory as a red-change inhibitor.


A system for labels that are positioned on a pharmaceutical container. The system can vary the choices for design and size of the labeling with respect to several types of container in which pharmaceuticals are positioned. The system increases the readability of information positioned on the pharmaceutical container by coordinating a label to the type and size of the container.

The present disclosure relates generally to a label that may be applied to a vial, bottle, or other container having a closure, which may be described as a cap or a top. The combination of the container and closure can be described as a closure container assembly or system and the closure and container assembly are designed to store and dispense materials, particularly pharmaceuticals. The label is specifically design to allow a user to have options as to the design of the label positioned on the container in such a manner as to relay information, such as information concerning the medicine or advertising, to a person that subsequently uses the container enclosure system. The label is also specifically design to facilitate minimization of the label and its substrate as the label and its substrate are produced while providing the label in a user friendly and at least partially automated format.
There are many types of closure systems described in the art. For example there are closures that are child resistant, closures that are non child resistant, and closures that are convertible from child resistant to non child resistant, from non child resistant to child resistant, or convertible between the two modes multiple times. Most of the technology in this field has been directed at improving the container and/or closure, or the interface between the container and closure.
Very little advancement has been directed towards the labeling or information provided with the pharmaceuticals or the labeling attached to the container. Typically the containers are cylindrical in nature and the labeling for those cylindrical containers is oriented such that the lines of alphanumeric characters are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the container. This can pose a problem for a user of the container in the reading of the information contained on the label.
Additionally, when a non-cylindrical container, for example a dropper bottles, tubes, ointment containers, pump bottles and others, is used to house the pharmaceutical, the traditional labeling typically fails to match those alternate shapes and results in an inefficient information transfer to the end user or patient. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C with label 2A.
Additionally, prior art labels are usually printed in a single size and single geometric design in order to simplify inventory and procedures at the pharmacies. As a result, the label sizes are designed for the typically cylindrically shaped containers and usually the smallest sized of those containers. This leaves a majority of the circumferential space unused on larger cylindrically containers to which the standard small labels are affixed. This can unnecessarily result in the use of a smaller sized font, which can result in an ineffective message to the patient through by decreasing the readability of the font. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B with label 2A.
For example, typically the smaller containers have small diameters such that words having anything but more than a few letters require the holder of the container to rotate the container about its axis in order to be able to read the information contained thereon. This is especially cumbersome given the multiple characters and/or letters that comprise most medicines, which can be upwards of 15-20 letters long. Additionally, since these smaller sized labels and fonts are generally used on the larger containers, the information contained thereon is still hard to read even given the larger diameters of the larger containers. Any warnings on the labels in the form of sentences or small paragraphs require multiple turns and/or rotations of the container in order for a user to be able to read that information or are in a smaller font than necessary. This can be annoying and troublesome to the user and does not facilitate an ease of information transfer from a label to the user of a container.
Some prior art attempts have tried to vary only the size of labels on a single sheet. For example, FIG. 1D shows a label sheet having two labels with the only difference being that label 2C is smaller the label 2B. These labels have the same basic information layout. This type of label configuration does not address a situation when containers with alternate shapes, such as non-cylindrical containers, are used to house the pharmaceuticals. These containers with alternate shapes include ointment jars, ointment tubes and boxes, opthalmic boxes, and small unit of use bottles.
When non-cylindrical containers are used with the single size and single geometric design prior art label, this issue is exacerbated. The non-cylindrical containers typically force a pharmacist to either 1) have multiple label stocks and potentially multiple label printers to produce the multiple label designs and sizes needed or 2) use the label (typically the smallest label) that operates with all of the container shapes and sizes. Both options increase costs, operation time, and difficulty in the prescription filling process.
Another factor in the application of the labeling to the containers is the need for an ergonomic label design with respect to the containers and an ergonomic process for the actual selection of the labels by the user, such as a pharmacist, and placement of those label by the same on the containers.
Up until this point the space on a pharmaceutical container, namely the label or labels positioned thereon, have been used to provide information concerning the pharmaceuticals contained therein including the dosage warnings and other pertinent information. Portions of this space have been unused or at least under utilized.
In light of the foregoing there is a need for revised labeling system used with a pharmaceutical container. The revised labeling system preferably maximizes the readability of the information, medical or otherwise, positioned on the pharmaceutical container such that a reader of that information can readily read, ascertain and comprehend the information. The revised labeling system is preferably a single printing operation and provides a pharmacist label options that vary in configuration and size so that the pharmacist can select labeling that corresponds to numerous containers. The revised labeling preferably system minimizes any procedures for the placement of that labeling on the containers. This needed labeling is lacking in the art.

Method for producing labels with multiple designs for prescription containers


A computer peripheral device includes a first housing, a second housing, a connecting member and a judging circuit. The connecting member is made of a conducting material and includes a rotating shaft. The second housing is rotatable relative to the first housing with rotation of the rotating shaft, so that the computer peripheral device is switched between a first configuration and a second configuration. The judging circuit includes a first conducting contact and a second conducting contact. The judging circuit activates a first function when the computer peripheral device is adjusted to the first configuration such that the first conducting contact is electrically connected to the second conducting contact through the connecting member. The judging circuit activates a second function when the computer peripheral device is adjusted to the second configuration such that the electrical connection between the first conducting contact and the second conducting contact is interrupted.

Nowadays, cursor control devices such as mice become essential input devices of computer systems. By using a mouse, a cursor is moved to a command option on a screen, so that the user can input instructions to control processing operations of the computer system. With increasing demands of using the mouse as the control device of the computer system, the functions, the appearances and the user-friendliness of the mouse are improved and associated technologies are well established. For example, the mechanism for sensing the moving direction and the displacement of the mouse is shifted from a trackball mechanism to an optical sensing mechanism. Furthermore, the method for transmitting signals is advanced from the wired signal transmission technology to the wireless transmission technology. For practicability, a scroll wheel assembly is arranged between two click buttons.
Conventionally, the scroll wheel assembly is roatable in either a forward direction or a backward direction to scroll the image upwardly or downwardly. For minimization, another type of mouse having a thin film switch array is commercially available. By touching the thin film switch array, such a mouse has the functions identical to those activated by rotating the scroll wheel assembly. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, schematic perspective views of two conventional mice are shown. The mouse 100 of FIG. 1 has a scroll wheel assembly 10. The mouse 101 of FIG. 2 has a thin film switch array 11 in replace of the scroll wheel assembly. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the level of the mouse 101 relatively to the desk plane is lower than that of the mouse 100 having the scroll wheel assembly 10, the mouse 101 is slimmer.
For minimization, a slim mouse was disclosed in a co-pending Taiwanese Patent Application No. 95107510, which was filed by the same assignee of the present application on Mar. 7, 2006, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Referring to FIG. 3(a), a schematic perspective view of the slim mouse disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 95107510 is illustrated. The slim mouse 200 as shown in FIG. 3(a) comprises a first housing 201, a second housing 202 and a connecting member 203. The first housing 201 includes a first slant 2021. The second housing 202 includes a second slant 2022. Via the connecting member 203, the first housing 201 is coupled with the second housing 202. The connecting member 203 has a rotating shaft 2031. By means of the rotating shaft 2031, the second housing 202 is rotatable relative to the first housing 201. Please also refer to FIG. 3(b), which is a schematic perspective view of the connecting member 203. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the connecting member 203 further includes a first connecting plate 2032 and a second connecting plate 2033. The first connecting plate 2032 and the second connecting plate 2033 are fixed onto the first slant 2021 and the second slant 2022, respectively. The first connecting plate 2032 is coupled to the second connecting plate 2033 via the rotating shaft 2031, such that the second connecting plate 2033 is rotatable relative to the first connecting plate 2032. As a consequence, the second housing 202 is rotatable relative to the first housing 201 via the rotating shaft 2031. The operating mechanism of the slim mouse 200 will be illustrated in more details with reference to FIGS. 4(a)˜4(c).
Referring to FIGS. 4(a)˜4(c), the operating mechanism of the slim mouse 200 is schematically illustrated. In a case that the slim mouse 200 is not acted as the cursor control device to be moved on the desk plane, the first slant 2021 of the first housing 201 is in contact with the second slant 2022 of the second housing 202. Under this circumstance, the slim mouse 200 has a flat configuration and the volume of the slim mouse 200 is reduced, as is shown in FIG. 4(a). If the user intends to move the mouse on the desk plane, the second housing 202 should be rotated, as is shown in FIG. 4(b). After the second housing 202 is rotated by 180 degrees, the first slant 2021 of the first housing 201 is in contact with the second slant 2022 of the second housing 202 again, as is shown in FIG. 4(c). Due to the contact between the first slant 2021 and the second slant 2022, the slim mouse has a cambered configuration as is indicated in the dashed circle. Under this circumstance, the slim mouse 200 can be used as a cursor control device to be moved on the desk plane when the user's hand is placed on the cambered surface. Therefore, the slim mouse 200 may function as either a cursor control device or a remote controller by switching the configuration between a flat configuration and a cambered configuration.
This slim mouse 200, however, still has some drawbacks. For example, when the slim mouse 200 functions as a remote controller by adjusting the configuration to be flat, the function of using as a cursor control device is still enabled. In other words, even though the functions involving the cursor control device are not needed, power is continuously supplied to the components associated with the mechanism of the cursor control device. Under this circumstance, the power consumption of the battery inside the slim mouse 200 is considerable.
In views of the above-described disadvantages resulted from the prior art, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop a computer peripheral device according to the present invention through wholehearted experience and research.


The present invention pertains to a method of determining a working voltage of an inverter, which utilizes a rectifying method to transform an alternating current into a pulse direct current, and then via a working frequency, divides a direct current cycle, which ranges in a lowest voltage–highest voltage–lowest voltage manner, into multiple continuous voltage pulses. The inverter receives each one of the multiple continuous voltage pulses and acts in response to each one of the multiple continuous voltage pulses and corresponding to the voltage cycle ranging between the lowest voltage and the highest voltage to output a variable voltage signal to a load. Thus, the working voltage of the inverter is analogous to the input voltage of the alternating current, and a power-factor regulating effect can be accomplished directly by the inverter.

Most of the loads, coupled to a general alternating current distribution system, comprise resistive and inductive components, except the purely resistive loads such as an incandescent lamp or an electric stove. Therefore, the current phase angle of electric lines will lag behind the voltage. Generally, The total current, supplied through power transmission lines and distribution lines by a power company's generator, can be resolved into an active current part and a reactive current part according to the rated voltage of each load. The kilowatt-hour meter in the user end only records the active power. However, the reactive power will incur a line drop and a line loss. It's the loss both for the power company and the user. Consequently, how to accomplish a power-factor regulation is to be a subject, which the manufacturers of the user end systems desire to develop.
The technology of the power-factor regulation can be categorized into an active type and a passive type. The advantages of utilizing the power-factor regulation include reducing power loss, increasing load life and saving power expenditure. The power-factor is usually improved via a capacitor. The current power supply industry usually adopts a power-factor regulator to achieve the effect of outputting a stabilized voltage. Referring to FIG. 1, after a modification, the waveform of the working voltage of an inverter tends to be a ripple wave. However, in some part of the industry, this mode will incur troubles, which will be described below.
The output power of an inverter of a piezoelectric-transformer type is determined according to an input voltage. For the current power supplies, the output voltage is usually a smaller one, such as a stable 24 V or 48 V; therefore the output power of the inverter of the piezoelectric-transformer type is reduced responsively. The inverter of the piezoelectric-transformer type utilizes a piezoelectric effect induced by the mechanical stress of the vibration of piezoelectric sheets.
In the conventional method, when a power is supplied, the piezoelectric sheets have to maintain to operate at the voltage of 48V. As the piezoelectric sheets operate under the vibration induced by a single highest voltage in the conventional method, the life of the inverter of the piezoelectric-transformer type is apt to be reduced.

Method of determining working voltage of inverter


A method of image-resolution enhancement employing partial-template matching, including storing at least a portion of an image, and selecting from the image a window comprising a plurality of adjacent line segments having pixels, the window including a target pixel. The method also includes comparing the pixels of the window with a template for a partial match, and responsive to a partial match being found, substituting an enhancement pixel for the target pixel. By allowing a partial match for enhancement instead of requiring a 100-percent match of the prior art, the method provides image-resolution enhancement for digital-image data having noise or other errors.

Systems for handling numerous document and data formats are moving towards becoming integrated computerized systems where different devices are tied to one another to provide solutions to customers' needs. A key factor in such integrated systems is enabling an original document, chart, or image to be scanned, and then presented so that a person viewing the scanned item does not perceive any difference in quality relative to the original. Unfortunately, the scanning process can introduce noise and errors into the data representing the scanned image, resulting in a perceptible diminution in the output. Technology is needed for enhancing image data having scanning introduced noise and errors without requiring significant, additional components be added to the system.
Many computerized systems already include some resolution-enhancement technology for improving the quality of scanned and printed documents. Existing resolution-enhancement technologies employ resolution enhancement in the form of templates implemented in logic operations or look-up tables. The references cited below describe various methods, devices, and systems of image or resolution enhancement to enhance printed images and displays using components already incorporated into present integrated computer systems. Image enhancement presently may be used for resolution enhancement, appearance tuning, appearance matching, conversion to gray-scale (e.g., halftone de-screening), image restoration, pattern detection and segmentation.
Existing image resolution-enhancement techniques perform a wide variety of digital document processing tasks using template-based image enhancement devices Enhancement is commonly performed on monochrome and color images, as well as binary and continuous tone images. A typical image enhancement device includes template operators to enhance the images, which may be characterized as an operator or device that transforms one image into another image. The image enhancement device is formed of a number of imaging template operators, often referred to as templates. The templates typically comprise a mask, a pattern, and an enhancement pixel. The number of templates in an image enhancement device may vary between a small number of templates to thousands of templates. These templates may be, for example, stored in a look-up table and implemented using a look-up table formalism. Other equivalent formalisms, such as Boolean logic may be employed.
A raster is a one-dimensional array of image data, reflecting a single line of data across a single dimension, i.e., the length or the width, of the image. Further, each location, or "picture element," in an image may be called a "pixel." In an array defining an image in which each item of data has a value, each value indicating the properties of a location may be called a pixel value. Each pixel value is a bit in a binary form of an image, a gray-scale value in a gray-scale form of an image, or a set of color-spaced coordinates in a color-coordinate form of an image. The binary form, gray-scale form, and color-coordinate form are each arranged typically in a two-dimensional array of lines and columns, which defines the image.
Tung, C., "Piece-Wise Print Image Enhancement for Dot Matrix Printers," U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,641, Jul. 11, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,139, Apr. 2, 1991, describe resolution-enhancement methods and devices. Tung describes several types of printing errors that occur in printing characters and graphs using pixels, such as stepped edges instead of smooth edges, and omitted detail in sharp tips and circles (Cols. 7 and 8 of '641). Tung describes resolution-enhancement methods and devices in the prior art operable to smooth printed lines and curves, and fill in display errors by enhancing the resolution of pixels. In the prior art, an image-resolution-enhancement device uses templates to transform certain pixel patterns in a binary image into a corresponding enhanced pixel patterns by matching a template to the pixel patterns. Template matching is a binary-matching process whereby a binary template is applied to a binary image. An image consisting of lines in a binary form is sent to a data-buffering module. A binary-pattern-matching operation is performed using binary templates that are typically defined as possessing ones and zeros. After combining the buffered image data and the templates in the binary-pattern-matching operation, an output step substitutes an enhancement pixel for the target pixel when a 100-percent match is found to create the enhanced image. The image-resolution-enhancement process may be implemented in various ways, such as a Boolean logic module or a look-up table. In the Boolean logic representation, pixel values are used as variables in the logic architecture, such as a logical sum of products.
Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image-enhancement device observes a pattern of pixels in a window defined by a selected template. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate certain aspects of the prior art for resolution-enhancement technology. FIG. 1 illustrates a 5×5 window comprising a plurality of bits representing pixels located about a target pixel, including pixels from the same line as the target pixel as well as pixels from at least one line above and at least one line below the target pixel (if available). A wide variety of types and sizes of windows are known. The window used in a particular application depends on the image to be analyzed and the particular process to be performed on the image. The 5×5 window illustrated in FIG. 1 includes five lines (1-5), and five columns (A-E), representing a 25-pixel block of binary-valued pixels of an image. One pixel in the window is the target pixel, which is typically the center pixel 3C, while the other pixels in the window are the neighboring pixels. The target pixel and the neighboring pixels form a neighborhood. The window is typically moved across the data representing an image, advancing from target pixel to target pixel.
FIGS. 2A-D illustrate conventional resolution-enhancement technology being applied to the target pixel 3C in a 5×5 window. FIG. 2A illustrates an example of the values and positions of pixels of a one-bit-per-pixel binary image in the 5×5 window. The "1"s represent pixels to be turned-on or displayed, and the "0"s represent pixels that are not to be turned-on. The image portion in the window of FIG. 2A could represent a two-pixel-wide line rising from left to right, such as a forward slash. The pixels in the window of FIG. 2A are inputted into a template-matching operation as discussed below.
FIG. 2B illustrates a mask portion of a template that establishes whether a particular pixel in a window is a pixel of interest. The mask illustrated in FIG. 2B may not include all the pixels in the window as pixels of interest. Rather the mask defines a pixel-bit subset of the window that may, but typically does not, include all the pixel bits in the window. FIG. 2C illustrates a pattern portion of a template that defines a "prediction-bit subset" that establishes the value each particular pixel of interest must have to be considered a match. That is, for a match to be found, all the pixels of FIG. 2A that are in the "1" positions of FIG. 2B must equal the respective pixels in FIG. 2C. FIG. 2D illustrates a match being found in the prior art when 100 percent of the pixels of interest (the pixel-bit subset of the window as defined by the mask of FIG. 2B) in FIG. 2A each have the required value as defined by the pattern (the prediction-bit subset) of FIG. 2C.
An image-enhancement device attempts to match the pixels of the window with one or more of templates. The template or another portion of the image-enhancement device includes an enhancement pixel to be substituted for the target pixel 3C when an exact match is found. If an exact match is found by comparing a pixel subset of the window with a prediction-bit subset, the image-enhancement device generates an appropriate output. The output may be an enhanced-pixel pattern for the target pixel that enhances the image. The image-enhancement device typically continues until all the templates have been applied to each target pixel, and all the target pixels have been enhanced (provided template matches have been found). In the example represented by FIGS. 2A-D, a match is found, and an enhancement pixel is substituted for the target pixel 3C to make the line look less jagged. Such an enhancement pixel may include a bit of toner added to target pixel 3C, or darkening only the upper left quadrant of target pixel 3C to smoothen the two-pixel wide line in the window of FIG. 2A. When a 100-percent match is not found, the conventional resolution-enhancement technology does not generate an enhancement and the value of the target pixel is not changed or enhanced.
The above described resolution-enhancement technology may not accurately provide resolution enhancement for scanned images because noise and errors in the scanned data often make the required 100-percent match unlikely. There is need for a method and apparatus using existing image-resolution-enhancement technologies to efficiently enhance digital-image data that may contain noise and errors, such as might be created in scanning a document. In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a new and improved apparatus and method for resolution enhancement of images having noise and errors in their data.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image enhancement employing partial template matching


A method for the manufacture of electrically conductive lead-throughs for metallized plastic housings. Elevations around the lead-through holes in the housing part are formed at the time of making the housing part (e.g. by injection molding). The entire surface of the housing part is then metallized and the metallization on the elevations around the lead-through holes is removed by mechanical processes that act in one plane and where the lower metallization areas remain unaffected on account of the difference in level. Finally, the metal pins are attached in the lead-through holes by soldering or glueing.

The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of electrically conductive lead-throughs in metallized plastic housings for electronic applications.
Metallized plastic housings can be considered as an economical alternative to conventional metal housings for use in electronic and microelectronic applications. With the present state of the art, the manufacture of electrically conductive lead-throughs in metallized plastic housings is accomplished by various methods. One possibility is to press in simple metal pins or nailhead pins, or to insert the pins at the time of injection molding. A second possibility is to insert and solder or stick the pins in plastic housings already metallized. In both cases, however, it is necessary to insulate the pins with respect to the housing metallization in order to avoid electrical short-circuits. This is done by elaborate work operations such as masking at the time of applying metallization or by subsequent separation of the metallization layer around the lead-through holes or by sequential drilling or milling. In the case of pins that have been pressed in or integrally molded, there are problems in achieving the high degree of gas-tightness required for many applications. Another method provides for the soldering or sticking of relatively expensive glass-insulated metal pins in a manner similar to that for metal housings. Better gas-tightness is achieved in this way.
The object of the present invention is to specify a method for the manufacture of electrically conductive lead-throughs in metallized plastic housings in which the insulation of lead-through pins with respect to the housing metallization can be realized simply and at low cost. At the same time, gas-tightness and electromagnetic shielding is to be achieved.

Method for manufacturing electrically conductive lead-throughs in metallized plastic housings


A portable overlapping secured mat system with uniformly sized plastic mats joined together to form structural support surface for use by persons or equipment. The mats' edges have recessed upper and lower lips with finger projections extending from the upper lips sized to fit into holes of adjacent mats' lower lips securing the mats together when the front edge of the finger projections are moved into a recesses of the back wall of the hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable overlapping locking mats with uniformly sized plastic mats joined together to form structural support surface for use by persons or equipment. The edges of the mats have recessed upper and lower lips with finger projections extending from the upper lips that are sized to fit into openings of adjacent mats' lower lips securing the mats together. The mats can be placed into an overlapped and secured arrangement solely with machine equipment eliminating the need for manual handling of the mats.
2. Description of Related Art
Mats, utilized in a variety of embodiments, have long been used for the construction of temporary support surfaces. A few examples of patents that disclose various mat systems are as follows:    U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,428B1 (A laminated wooden support mat fitted with one or more wear mat or pad and are bolted together);    U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,420 (A wooden mat to form a roadway from interlocking mats, each mat being formed from a plurality of layers or boards, each layer being formed from boards parallel to each other and perpendicular to boards forming the adjacent layer, the layers being fastened together at points of intersection by screw shank nails or other fastening means.);
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,800 (A temporary support structure with a plurality of panels. Each panel includes a first row of boards arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship, and a second row of boards arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship. The second row of boards is superimposed on the first row of boards and oriented perpendicularly thereto. A first plurality of panels defines a lower layer in which the second row of boards extends upwardly to define lower locking boards. A second plurality of panels defines an upper layer resting upon the lower layer wherein the second row of boards thereof extends downwardly to define upper locking boards intermeshed with the lower locking boards. Individual panels of the upper layer are intermeshed with a plurality of lower panels to create an interlocking relationship therewith.);    U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,193 (A matting system includes interlocking mats of four differing configurations. Each mat configuration consists of wooden boards fastened together to create from one to three layers of boards at various areas of the individual mats. When interlockingly installed a desired area is uniformly covered with three layers of boards. The upper, working layer of boards bears the vehicular traffic or equipment placement. The middle, intermediate layer of boards, consists of interlock boards which fittingly interlock with corresponding spaces of adjacent mats, and, interspaced boards to reinforce the weight bearing characteristics of the mats. The lower, contact layer of boards rest upon the terrain. Within a layer the boards are parallel to one another, whereas the boards of each layer are perpendicular to the boards of any adjacent layer. When installed each mat interlockingly overlaps or underlaps approximately one-third of the width and one-half of the length of laterally adjacent mats. Both lateral and longitudinal relative movement of any installed mat is substantially precluded by a portion of each mat unit being in frictional engagement with the terrain, by a portion of each mat unit overlapping interlocking with adjacent mats and all three layers of each mat laterally and longitudinally abutting other mats which are also in frictional engagement with the ground.);    U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,712 (A flooring system for use at a construction site such as an oil well drilling site. The flooring system is formed by interlocking a plurality of flooring units. Each of the flooring units includes a rectangular base section and a surface section attached to and overlaying the base section. One end of the rectangular base section is aligned with one end of the surface section which has at least one open-ended locking slot along its length. Located on the opposing end of the surface section is at least one locking tab formed from the surface section and projecting beyond and above the edge of the base section. The locking tab is aligned with the locking slot of the flooring unit).
Additionally, fastening devices are known to interconnect and secure flat shaped components such as mats. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,962 discloses an interlocking assembly for modular loading dock units, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,527 discloses a reusable overlapping mat system.
Any successful interlocking mat system used for support surfaces must provide substantial holding strength to prevent lateral and vertical separation of the mats. Some known mats utilize overlapping edges holding the mats by material interferences of the surfaces. The material interferences of the overlapping mats often do not fully secure the mats. Individual manual labor is typically necessary to install these mats. Other types of mats utilize separate locking devices that must be separately installed by individual after the interlocking mats are arranged in the preferred configuration.
In its preferred embodiment, the present mat does not utilize an external locking device and can be installed without individual manual handling of the mats. The mats are secured laterally and horizontally by insertion of the finger projection fitting into and underneath an adjacent mat and these mats can be installed without manual labor with just machine handling equipment. Alternatively, the mat can also utilize external locking pins or fastening devices.


A method for the fabrication of patterned devices, in which a latent image is initially formed in a photosensitive material on a carrier, and the exposed material containing the latent image is physically transferred to a substrate before processing. Physical transfer is enhanced by the appropriate selection of coating surface properties and additional coating layers, and by processing steps, such as heating and UV exposure, to promote adhesion to the substrate and detachment from the carrier.

Many kinds of photosensitive imaging systems have been developed and found commercial application. The most common is photographic film, manufactured using a thin emulsion containing silver halide crystals coated onto a plastic or paper support material. Here, photoexposure creates microscopic changes in the silver halide crystal structure. These then serve as nucleation points for the transformation of silver halides into metallic silver during subsequent chemical processing, which develops this "latent image" into an image with far greater contrast and visibility.
Likewise, for integrated device fabrication, photosensitive polymers called photoresists are in common use. These materials are designed to change molecular weight with photoexposure, either by photo-induced crosslinking or photoinduced scission. For the processing of integrated devices, a substrate (often a silicon wafer, and often comprising partially fabricated devices as well) is coated with this polymer, and photoexposure to define a pattern for processing occurs. The regions of photoexposure can be defined using lenses and a photomask or reticle, but can also be done by contact printing with a mask placed directly against the photoresist. The "latent" image after exposure in this case is the polymer film with a variation in density, or molecular weight. The polymers of different molecular weight have different solubilities, and so development occurs when the photoresist is treated with a suitable solvent, and the more soluble material dissolves, leaving the less soluble material behind.
Although many other photosensitive imaging systems have been created, a common feature of all of them is that they place the photosensitive material on the substrate where it is ultimately to be exposed, developed and used.
This can lead to problems, especially for integrated circuit manufacturing. Integrated circuits are fabricated layer by layer, with the circuit elements in each layer defined by a separate lithographic process. After several layers have been manufactured, the circuit is no longer flat, but can have considerable topography. Although common photoresist coating techniques, such as spin coating, can work extremely well for flat, planar surfaces, it can be much more difficult to produce a uniform layer of photoresist on a surface with topography.
There are several reasons that a uniform photoresist layer is desired for lithography. First, it is commonly known that reflections from the front and rear surface of the photoresist layer optically interfere, and the overall reflectivity of the film can range from nearly 0% to almost 90%, depending on the exposure wavelength, coherence, and the layer thickness. Films of different thickness in areas of different topography will have different reflectivity, which means that different exposure doses are required to achieve identical results in the different areas. Furthermore, for the formation of microstructures, the depth of focus is often as small as the typical resist thickness. Focus conditions will therefore be different in areas of different topography.
In addition to this, residues of previous processing steps can contaminate subsequent photolithographic coatings. Chemically amplified resists, for example, are extremely sensitive to amines. A trace amount of amines on the surface can change the lithographic sensitivity by an order of magnitude. Other lithographic applications, such as the formation of amino acid sequences using lithographically defined patterns, may be even more sensitive to this contamination problem.
There have been several innovations to correct this in photolithography. One approach to the problem is to introduce space filling "dummy" features to the design layout, which have no electrical function but serve to make the layer more uniform in profile. This has been used with some success, as described, for example, in "New Data Processing of Dummy Pattern Generation Adaptive for CMP Process" by Shinichi Ueki et al., Proc. SPIE 3748, pp 265–272 (1999). These features are, however, fabricated at the same time as the electrically active features, and must therefore be of the same material as the layer itself (e.g. polysilicon or aluminum). These dummy features are therefore not always electrically inert, but can add unwanted capacitance and inductance to the neighboring circuit.
Other approaches have attempted to increase the depth of focus of the imaging system, using for example interference effects from phase-shifting masks. This has been described in Chapter 5 and the references therein of the book Resolution Enhancement Techniques in Optical Lithography, by Alfred K. K. Wong. This has also proven to be very useful in some circumstances. However, phase shifting masks are not inexpensive, and their use also introduces other problems in the IC design process.
Recently, there has been a new investigation into the limits of contact printing lithography, adapting techniques for stamping mass manufactured compact audio and video disks for stamping microdevices. Some of these have been described, for example, in "Step and Flash Imprint Lithography: A New Approach to High-Resolution Patterning," by C. G. Willson et al., Proc. SPIE 3676, pp 379–389, (1999) and "Imprint Lithography with 25-Nanometer Resolution" by Stephen Chou et al., Science 272, pp 85–87 (April 1996). These techniques have even been applied to novel curved surfaces in "Patterning curved surfaces: Template generation by ion beam proximity lithography and relief transfer by step and flash imprint lithography," by C. G. Willson et al, in J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 17(6), pp 2965–2969, (1999).
Although these reflect a great degree of innovation and creativity, all have in common that a master pattern, such as a photomask or an imprint master, is created, and the pattern then directly transferred by some process into the final material

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


An apparatus for measuring blood flow in which an optical system guides a coherent light beam to impinge on a stationary measurement spot of a measurement plane of an in vivo tissue. A light-receiving optical system focuses a light image of the measurement plane in the vicinity of an image point conjugate with the stationary measurement spot. The light-receiving optical system shares at least part of the optical components of the guiding optical system. Photodetectors are disposed at prescribed positions perpendicular to the optical axis of the light-receiving optical system, and in the vicinity of the image point, for measuring light scattered from the in vivo tissue to provide blood flow information. The blood flow information is related to blood flowing at a depth within the in vivo tissue. A visible image of the measurement plane is converted into a video image. The blood flow information corresponding to the position of the stationary measurement spot is superimposed on the video image and displayed to obtain a composite visible image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for measuring blood flow, and more particularly to an apparatus for noninvasively obtaining blood flow information within in vivo tissue while providing the capability to superimpose the blood flow information on a video image of the tissue to obtain a composite visible image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Laser Doppler apparatuses or laser speckle apparatuses have ben marketed as apparatuses for noninvasively obtaining information on blood flow. These apparatuses measure blood flow factors by directing a laser beam into the blood steam, picking up light scattered by erythrocytes moving in the blood, and analyzing the frequency spectrum of the received light for determining the frequency gradient. An apparatus based on this method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Public Disclosure Sho 60(1985)-203235.
Such conventional apparatuses use a laser beam projecting probe and a light receiving probe, both constituted of optical fibers, and the measurement depths within the in vivo tissue is regulated by adjusting the distance between the probes (See Fujii et al., Measurement of blood flow in skin using laser beam phenomenon (V) (Japan Laser Medical Magazine), Vol. 6, No. 3 (January 1986)).
An example of the arrangement used is shown in FIG. 4. A laser beam is directed into in vivo tissue P from an optical fiber F1 and the scattered light is received by an optical fiber F2. The intensity of the light received by the light receiving fiber F2 is governed by its distance from the beam projecting fiber F1.
Assuming the tissue to be a perfect light scattering body, Fujii et al. approximated the intensity of the light received by the light receiving fiber F2 as shown below (Fujii et al., Evaluation of skin blood flow using laser speckle phenomena (VII) (The Journal of Japan Society for Laser Medicine), Vol. 7, No. 3 (January 187)). EQU Im=I.sub.0 Exp {-.gamma.(R1+r2)} (1)
where
Im: intensity of received light PA1 I.sub.0 : intensity of irradiating beam PA1 .gamma.: coefficient of attenuation owing to absorption and scattering PA1 r1: distance between end surface P1 of beam projecting fiber and light scattering particles (erythrocytes) PA1 r2: distance between end surface P2 of light receiving fiber and light scattering particles (erythrocytes)
This equation being that of an ellipse having its foci at the points P1 and P2 where the light enters and leaves the tissue, it can be seen that the length of the light path for which scattered light can be received increases with increasing distance between the points P1 and P2. In other words, scattered light from deeper parts of the tissue can be received by increasing the distance between the optical fibers F1 and F2.
As this conventional arrangement requires the optical fiber probes to be brought in contact with the tissue with respect to which measurement is being conducted, it is apt to have undesirable effects on the patient, such as making him or her feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
Scanning a large measurement region using the conventional arrangement involves the troublesome work of repeatedly repositioning the measurement probes and, moreover, requires the position information to be recorded after each repositioning. The measurement work is thus complicated and laborious.


A measurement unit for measuring a bio-impedance of a body, the measurement unit comprising a current generator circuit, a readout circuit, and a baseline cancellation current circuit,                wherein the current generator circuit is configured to amplify a reference current to form a measurement current to be driven through a body to generate a measurement voltage representing the bio-impedance;        wherein the readout circuit comprises a Instrumentation amplifier (IA) which has a transconductance stage and a transimpedance stage, wherein the IA is configured to:                    produce a first current in the transconductance stage, the first current being proportional to the measurement voltage,            receive a second current from the baseline cancellation current circuit,            produce an output voltage in the transimpedance stage, the output voltage being proportional to a difference between the first current and the second current and representative of the measured bio-impedance;                        wherein the baseline cancellation current circuit is configured to amplify the reference current by a factor to form the second current and deliver it to the IA,                    wherein the factor is such that that the absolute value of the difference between the first and the second current is below a threshold such that a baseline of the first current is cancelled by the second current.

Bio-impedance measurements are commonly used to measure the composition of body tissue as well as the movement of the body tissue or the movement of fluids or gases within the body tissue. An electrode pair is typically attached to the skin of the body and a known current is driven through the body from one electrode to the other. Due to the impedance of the body, the bio-impedance, a measurable voltage is created as the current runs through the body. The bio-impedance can thus be derived from the measured voltage and the known current.
The measured bio-impedance has a time invariant part, corresponding to the impedance of the body tissue when it is still. The measured bio-impedance may furthermore have a time varying part superimposed on the time invariant part, wherein the time varying part corresponds to the movement of the body tissue and/or the movement of fluids or gases within the body tissue.
The bio-impedance measurement may be conducted using the same electrode pair for driving the current through the body as for measuring the voltage, i.e. a 2-electrode setup. However, to improve the accuracy a 4-electrode setup is often used. Herein one pair of electrodes is used to drive the current and a second pair of electrodes is used to measure the voltage. As no current runs through the second pair of electrodes no voltage drop is generated at the electrode-tissue interface which improves the accuracy of the voltage measurement.

Measurement unit for measuring a bio-impedance