Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patent parameters. By comparing the patient's current parameters to past parameters in response to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.

Patients who undergo hemodialysis or other procedures that remove fluid from blood often die of cardiac complications. Many factors may contribute to such death, including stress placed on the heart due to increased blood fluid volume in these patients. Increased fluid concentrations and inability to appropriately remove waste products from the blood can also contribute to electrolyte and pH imbalance that can affect cardiac contractility and efficiency. Further, rapid changes in fluid volume or pH or electrolyte concentration of the blood during hemodialysis or other fluid removal processes may place additional stress on the heart and may contribute to the high rate of morbidity for patients who undergo blood fluid removal procedures.
When a patient reaches a point where routine blood fluid removal procedures are prescribed, the patient undergoes periodic examinations that allow a healthcare provider to set various parameters of the blood fluid removal procedures, such as the profile of fluid removal, the composition of dialysate or replacement fluid employed, and the like. These examinations typically occur once a month in accordance with current standards of care.
While such monthly examinations somewhat provide for blood fluid removal sessions tailored according to the patient's needs, it may be desirable to provide a more systematic evaluation of the patient and the blood fluid removal session parameters to achieve a more patient-specific therapy.

Intersession monitoring for blood fluid removal therapy


A method for forming a silicon-based dielectric film on a substrate with a single deposition process operation using pulsed plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) wherein the high frequency radio frequency power of the plasma is pulsed, allows enhanced control, efficiency and product quality of the PECVD process. Pulsing the high frequency RF power of the plasma reduces the deposited film thickness per unit time the high frequency RF power of the plasma is on. This yields silicon-based dielectric films that are both thin and conformal.

Both thin and conformal silicon-based dielectric films are used in numerous integrated circuit applications, including spacer applications, liner applications, and double patterning applications. Current plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods for depositing these films using silane-based precursors often have deposition rates in excess of 120 nm/min. Such a deposition rate requires very short deposition times on the order of 1 second to achieve a thin film of nominal thickness 5 nm. Short deposition times can render reproducibility, both wafer-to-wafer and tool-to-tool, more challenging. Additionally, step coverage for conventionally deposited silane-based oxides is poor.

Method for improving process control and film conformality of PECVD film


Disclosed herein is a product inspection apparatus that may include an electronic device having a visual inspection software application. The visual inspection software application may activate a camera of the electronic device to capture images of a product, such as a vehicle. A display screen of the electronic device may present product images. The product images may be digitally processed, and augmented by the addition of computer-generated images associated with a status of inspection of each element of the vehicle in the product images. Each computer-generated image may include a graphical indicator associated with the status of inspection of a particular element. Each computer-generated image may be projected on top of a real world image of the particular element presented on the display screen.

Various product regulations require that each product (for example, a vehicle) comply with certain record keeping procedures, which may include maintenance of vehicle inspection reports and vehicle service information. To comply with these regulations, a driver of a vehicle must frequently inspect their vehicle for periodic scheduled maintenance and/or keep a record of repair and service information of the vehicle based on the inspection. Current inspection methods generally involve the inspection of the vehicle at a vehicle service center, which requires the vehicle to be physically present at the vehicle service center. Such an in-center inspection process typically takes several hours to complete. Accordingly, the in-center inspection process of taking the vehicle to the vehicle service center for the inspection is quite burdensome and time consuming for the user.
Transmitting images of the vehicle to be inspected to the vehicle service center has proven to be a less than desirable solution to the above-described problem. First, when receiving images of the vehicle from the user, a receiving server of the vehicle service center cannot identify whether the images are indeed captured from the vehicle, which has to be inspected. Therefore, authenticity of the images of the vehicle is not readily apparent, which is undesirable. Second, the vehicle service center uses a human-driven process where an administrator validates the images of the vehicle. Such validation process is heavily reliant upon the administrator's subjective understanding and skills, which is also undesirable.

Augmented reality system for remote product inspection

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set controlled respectively, by first and second needle valve members. The homogeneous charged nozzle outlet set is defined by a nozzle insert that is attached to an injector body, which defines the conventional nozzle outlet set. The nozzle insert is a one piece metallic component with a large diameter segment separated from a small diameter segment by an annular engagement surface. One of the needle valve members is guided on an outer surface of the nozzle insert, and the nozzle insert has an interference fit attachment to the injector body.

Over the years, engineers have been challenged to devise a number of different strategies toward the goal of a cleaner burning engine. Experience has taught that various injection timings, quantities and rates have a variety of different desirable results over the complete operating range of a given engine. Therefore, fuel injection systems with a variety of different capabilities can generally outperform fuel injection systems with narrower capability ranges, at least in their ability to reduce undesirable emissions. For instance, the leap from cam control to electronic control in fuel injection systems has permitted substantially lower emissions in several categories, including but not limited to NOx, hydrocarbons and smoke.
One area that appears to show promise in reducing undesirable emissions is often referred to as homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI). In an HCCI engine, fuel is injected early in the compression cycle to permit thorough mixing with cylinder air, to ideally form a lean homogeneously mixed charge before conditions in the cylinder cause auto-ignition. Engines operating in an HCCI mode have shown relatively low outputs of undesirable emissions. Although an HCCI strategy appears promising, it has its own problems. For instance, HCCI can cause extremely high cylinder pressure rise rates and force loads, rendering it most desirable at the lower half of the engine's operating range. Many are also seeking ways to address the difficulty in controlling ignition timing in engines operating with an HCCI strategy. Thus, at this time, a pure HCCI strategy is not viable for most commercial engine applications with conventional power density requirements.
This limitation of HCCI engines has been addressed in the art by equipping an engine with an HCCI fuel injection system and a conventional fuel injection system. For instance, such a dual system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,743 to Dickey. Although such a dual system strategy appears viable, the high expense and complexity brought by two complete injection systems renders it commercially challenged. A single fuel injector is generally not compatible with performing both HCCI and conventional injections because different spray patterns are often desirable and sometimes necessitated. Providing a structure in a single fuel injector that is capable of injecting fuel in two different spray patterns, while maintaining the ability to mass produce the fuel injector and retain consistent results, has been problematic and elusive.
The present invention is directed to one or more of the problems set forth above.

Nozzle insert for mixed mode fuel injector


A jewelry article includes an elongated support and a multiplicity of beads strung along the support. At least one of the beads constitutes a locking bead consisting of a substantially closed hollow shell with a pair of aligned holes sized to slideably receive the support. A heat-shrinkable plastic tube is positioned inside the shell with its opposite ends captured by portions of said shell around the holes. The tube has a heat-deformed inner wall which substantially conforms to the support so as to permanently anchor the bead to the support. A method of stringing the locking bead is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to jewelry. It relates more particularly to such jewelry consisting of hollow beads and similar ornaments strung on a support such as a chain or wire which can be engaged around a person's neck, wrist or ankle. In some cases the beads are spaced apart along the support; in other cases, they are arranged in groups which groups are spaced apart along the support. In either event, steps must be taken to provide stops for at least some of the beads to maintain the proper spacing of the individual beads or groups of beads along the support and to prevent them from sliding off the support in the event the support should break.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In conventional necklaces, bracelets, and the like the positions of some or all of the beads on the support are fixed by stops which may consist of drops of solder on the support that bracket each bead or group of beads. In the case where the support is a chain or wire, the chain or wire may be deformed to form a flat which cannot pass through the holes in the adjacent beads. In both cases, the stops, being located in the support outside the beads, may be visible and thus detract from the ornamental appearance of the necklace, bracelet or the like.
The conventional methods for locking beads are disadvantaged also in that the stops must be provided at the time the jewelry article is being assembled. This means that the arrangement of beads on the necklace, bracelet or the like is fixed by the time it is purchased by a customer. Thereafter there is no possibility of reconfiguring the beads on the jewelry article.
To address this problem, I have recently developed self locking beads which can be adjustably positioned on their supports; see U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,376. The self locking beads allow a purchaser of the jewelry article to reposition the beads on their supports to suit the desires of that purchaser. The self locking beads described in that patent consist of a shell having aligned holes for stringing the shell on a support. A plastic tube extends between the holes within the shell, the inner diameter of that tube being smaller than the diameter of the holes. When the bead is strung on a support such as a chain, the inner wall of the tube frictionally engages the links of the chain thereby holding the bead at a fixed location along the bead unless the bead is slid along the chain with sufficient force to overcome that frictional engagement.
While that self locking bead performs its function quite well, it is disadvantaged somewhat in that it is difficult to initially string the beads along a chain or other support because the inner wall of the included plastic tube is smaller than the bead holes so that the tube frictionally engages the chain or other support during the stringing process. Of course, increasing the inner diameter of the plastic tube in that patented bead would defeat the purpose of the invention there. In other words, the same feature which gives that prior bead its superior adjustable self locking function, also makes it more difficult to string that bead on its support in the first place. Bearing in mind that a given necklace may have a large number of my prior beads, the process of stringing a necklace with those beads can be a tedious and time consuming task.

Jewelry bead and method of stringing same


In a digital mobile system, to avoid distortions and fadings due to multiple propagation and the doppler shift, adaptive gain of the amplifier of a demodulator must be controlled with information derived from the signal at a high frequency. This is accomplished without the use of intermediate frequency selection filters by first demodulating the signal to base band, filtering out the desired signal and remodulating the desired signal to a higher frequency. From this remodulated signal the adjustable gain is controlled.

In particular, in a digital mobile system, one user signal is digitally coded and data relevant to a given number of users, e.g. eight users, are multiplexed according to time division, to form a frame where a time slot containing a burst is assigned to each user.
The so-formed signal modulates the phase of a carrier wave, e.g. with constant width envelope phase modulation or GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) and each mobile receiver extracts from this flow only the data of which it is concerned.
By the term demodulation it is meant the baseband conversion of a radiofrequency signal multiplexed with other similar signals (channels).
The signal received by a mobile equipment shows distortions and fadings essentially due to the multiple propagation and to the Doppler shift. This phenomenon (fading) can be broken down in a slow variation of the local mean (slow fading) with statistic distribution of log-normal type, and in a faster variation (fast fading) with Raylaigh statistic distribution.
For these applications, demodulating circuits are known, with one or more conversions at intermediate frequencies according to the superhetherodyne principle, which allows the selection of the single multiplexed channels using fixed filters and different conversion oscillators. These circuits require the utilization of intermediate frequency selection filters (FI) to separate the different channels, which are manufactured according to technologies which cannot be integrated in semiconductor circuits, for instance quartz filters or surface acoustic wave (SAW). The integration of the whole demodulation circuit is not therefore possible, that is its implementation on a single integrated circuit. In a mobile system for instance, where each user set includes a demodulator, an integrated manufacturing reducing the cost of the set and improving its reliability is higly desiderable.
A receiver of this type is disclosed in the Journal of the Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (1988) May, No. 3, London, Gr. Britain "A UNI-DIRECTIONAL SATELLITE PAGING SYSTEM FOR LAND MOBILE USERS" - I. E. Casewell, I. C. Ferebee and Professor M. Tomlinson where the gain control signal is directly derived from the demodulated baseband signal. As a consequence the low frequency of the demodulated signal cause the use of a detector for deriving the gain control signal with higher time constant in comparison with the time constant suitable for baseband frequencies.
This results to a slower gain adaption at rapid variations of reception conditions.
Methods are known for direct conversion demodulation of these modulated signals (PSK) and frequency (FSK), however the relevant circuits for implementing the methods are inadequate for demodulation of signals with MSK and GMSK modulations which are employed in digital mobile systems, since the same involve an unacceptable signal degradation.
A purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned troubles of the previous technique, and more in particular to realize a receiver which could be easily integrated and be capable to compensate fading effects. The receiver can be part of a mobile set, or part of a base station.

Direct conversion receiver for digital signals and method for demodulation of said signals


A clip device to secure a container to a mounting location. In an example, the clip device has a base having a first and second side. The clip device also has an arm connected to the first side of the base. The clip device also has an attachment connected to the arm, the attachment configured to removably receive the container. The clip device also has a plurality of legs connected to the second side of the base, the legs configured for securement to the mounting location.

Lip balm is a popular item used to sooth and prevent chapped lips. Lip balm may be applied before or after being outside. A lip balm applicator commonly is cylindrical or tubular in shape and is generally small, being less than about two inches long and less than about a half inch in diameter, and therefore easily falls to the bottom of a storage compartment in a vehicle, making it hard to retrieve when needed.


A recliner chair which converts from a chair configuration to a bed configuration in a single motion. The chair includes a frame, a seat, a back, an intermediate member and a linkage which provides the conversion from chair configuration to bed configuration upon forward movement of the seat relative to the frame. The linkage is comprised of two crossed links, each pivotally attached to the frame, one of which is slideably connected to the underside of the seat, the other of which is pivotally attached to the intermediate member. The links are interconnected by a bushing which is slideably attached to one link and rotatably attached to the other link.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to reclining chairs and, more particularly, to chairs which recline to assume a bed configuration.
2. Background Art
Recliner chairs are chairs which provide for lowering the back-supporting surface thereof from a somewhat vertical position to a somewhat horizontal position, allowing the user to lie rather than sit. Generally, such chairs provide a foot rest to support the legs of the user while the back of the chair is reclined.
A form of recliner chair provides a substantially horizontal sleeping surface when reclined. Previous chairs of this type are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,634,551 (Moore); 2,164,438 (Woller); 2,328,411 (Bergstrom); 2,712,655 (Hatton); and 4,563,037 (Tiffany). These and other chair-beds such as the Brandrud Slumber.TM., Thonet Models 3801 and KR10C/F, and the Nemschoff SleepOver.TM. require multiple motions or steps to accomplish the conversion from chair to bed.
Convertible chair beds are often used for temporary accommodations in public facilities such as hospitals by people who may lack the mechanical aptitude or experience to convert previous chair-beds from a chair to a bed or who cannot, or prefer not, to perform multiple motions or steps to achieve the conversion. A recliner chair which converts easily to a bed configuration in a single motion is greatly desired.


Polymers are described which exhibit a resistive hysteresis effect. The polymers include a polymer backbone to which pentaarylcyclopentadienyl radicals are bonded as side groups. A resistive memory element is formed that includes the polymer as a storage medium. By applying a voltage, the memory element can be switched between a nonconductive and a conductive state.

Semiconductor chips are widely used in a variety of industrial applications. They are generally based on silicon as a semiconductor substrate into which semiconductor components are integrated in numerous operations. The production of semiconductor chips is therefore complicated and expensive. The discovery of electrically conductive organic compounds has opened the path to microelectronic components, which are no longer based on inorganic semiconductor materials but on synthetically obtainable organic polymers. Owing to the variability of their structure, these compounds permit the development of materials which are optimized especially for a specific application. Many microelectronic components, such as light emitting diodes or transistors, which demonstrate the suitability of these organic materials for the production of highly integrated circuits, have also already been developed. Some of these components, such as, for example, light emitting diodes, have already reached such a high level of development that industrial production appears possible. However, the material development for volatile or nonvolatile memories based on organic polymers and molecules is still substantially at the research stage. In A. Bune et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 67 (26) (1995) 3975, and A. Bune et al., Nature 391 (1998) 874, it was shown that materials based on PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), in particular a copolymer with trifluoroethylene (PVDF-PTrFE; 70:30), are suitable as materials for memory applications with medium to low density. The ferroelectricity of these materials is utilized for use as a storage medium.
To be able to achieve higher storage densities, the size of the individual memory elements has to be correspondingly reduced. In the case of a size of the structural elements of less than 100 nm, memories which are based on a change in the electrical resistance are preferred to memories based on ferroelectricity, since this can be more easily evaluated by means of an electrical technology. In Gao, H. J et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84 (2000) 1780-1783, a memory concept is described which is based on a donor-acceptor complex of 1,4-phenylenediamine and 3-nitrobenzalmalononitrile. For the storage information, the difference between the electrical conductivities of amorphous and crystalline phase is utilized. In Krieger H. Ju. et al., Syn. Met. 122 (2001) 199-202, a concept for the production of memories based on organic materials is described, in which the doping and dedoping of an organic π-conjugated semiconductor by salt additives is utilized in order to effect a change in the conductivity of layers. In Ma D. et al., Adv. Mater. 12(14) (2000) 1063-1066, a resistive memory element is described that includes (as a storage medium) a polymethacrylate derivative carrying anthracene side groups. The poly(methyl methacrylate-co-9-anthracenylmethyl methacrylate) exhibits a resistive hysteresis effect. On application of a voltage, the component exhibits electrical conductivity above a critical voltage (Vcrit.). If the applied voltage is then decreased again, the component remains electrically conductive until the voltage falls below a threshold voltage Vhold, below which the component returns to its nonconductive state.
At present, no memory elements based on organic materials are as yet available which make industrial production appear promising.

Pentaarylcyclopentadienyl units as active units in resistive memory elements


An apparatus and method for enabling a device to notify a main server of a diagnosis result in a network system having a main server and the device connected to the main server is provided. The device stores diagnosis items and diagnosis execution information to diagnose with respect to the diagnosis items at an initial network configuration phase. Upon receiving a diagnosis execution item to be substantially diagnosed among the diagnosis items, the device delivers a diagnosis result of the diagnosis execution item to the main server using the diagnosis execution information. As the main server has only to send the diagnosis execution information to the device only once, so the load on the main server can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a diagnosis method for a device connected to a main server. More particularly, the present invention relates to a diagnosis method for a device by use of an electronic mail message.
2. Description of the Related Art
A network system consists of a main server and a plurality of devices. The main server controls and manages the plurality of the devices, as shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, a network system includes a plurality of devices 102 through 106. The devices may be a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine and the like. The following describes a method by which a main server 100 diagnoses the devices 102 through 106 in the network system, especially when a first device 102 operates abnormally.
The first device 102 having an abnormal operation notifies the main server 100 of the abnormality. The main server 100 selects one of diagnosis programs stored therein. The main server 100 selects a diagnosis program relating to the notified information among the diagnosis programs.
The main server 100 sends the selected diagnosis program to the first device 102 notifying the abnormal operation. The first device 102 diagnoses the abnormal operation by use of the received diagnosis program and acquires a diagnosis result. The first device 102 sends the diagnosis result to the main server 100.
As explained above, the main server 100 transfers a diagnosis program capable of removing the abnormal operation. The greater the number of devices in the network, the greater the number of messages delivered to the main server 100. In this situation, the main server 100 has to transfer diagnosis programs to all of the devices indicating the abnormal operation. Furthermore, the main server needs to select and transfer a suitable diagnosis program relating to the indicated abnormal operation.
Accordingly, as the number of the devices in the network increases, the load on the main server 100 also increases, which requires a solution to reduce the load on the main server 100.

Device and method for device using electronic mail


A terminal (10) has opposite front and rear ends and a receiving plate with lateral edges. Front and rear connecting pieces (17A, 17B) project up from the lateral edges and then curve inwardly. The front connecting piece (17A) is shorter in a front-to-rear direction than the rear connecting piece (17B). The connecting pieces (17A, 17B) extend beyond the widthwise center of the receiving plate (15). Thus, the curved connecting pieces (17A, 17B) overlap when viewed in forward and backward directions. The connecting pieces (17A, 17B) have window holes (19A, 19B) for weakening. The provision of front and rear connecting pieces (17A, 17B) causes inserting force peaks at the front and rear when a mating tab-shaped terminal is inserted. As a result, a peak value is lowered to reduce the inserting force.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a terminal and to a method of forming it.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H05-290898A discloses a terminal that has a flat receiving plate with two opposite lateral edges that extend along forward and backward directions. Connecting pieces extend up from the opposite lateral edges of the receiving plate and curve in towards one another to define a substantially heart-shaped space. A mating tab-shaped terminal can be inserted into this space and is squeezed resiliently between the receiving plate and leading ends of the connecting pieces to establish an electrical connection. Terminals of this type are used in automotive wiring harnesses and are available from many companies. For example, The Whitaker Co. sells terminals of this general type under the trademark FastOn.
Terminal fittings of the type shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H05-290898A can be miniaturized by reducing the radii of curvature of the inwardly curved connecting pieces. Thus, the connecting pieces are more rigid and exhibit a higher contact force with the mating tab-shaped terminal. However, this also causes a problem of an increased contact resistance upon inserting the tab-shaped terminal.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to provide a terminal requiring a reduced inserting force.


A method of automatically interpreting well log data indicative of physical attributes of a portion of a subterranean formation which include some portion of samples with known facies classification to be used as training data, dividing the training data into two subsets, a calibration set and a cross-validation set, using an automated supervised learning facies identification method to determine a preliminary identification of facies in the subterranean formation based on the calibration set, calculating a confusion matrix for the supervised learning facies identification method by comparing predicted and observed facies for the cross-validation set, calculating a facies transition matrix characterizing changes between contiguous facies, and using the preliminary identification, the facies transition matrix, and the confusion matrix, iteratively calculating updated facies identifications.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to facies classification and more particularly to facies classification based on pattern recognition.
2. Background
Borehole log data is collected via a number of techniques including resistivity/conductivity measurements, ultrasound, NMR, and radiation scattering, for example. Conventionally, borehole data is analyzed by human interpreters in order to characterize a subsurface geological formation to allow decisions to be made regarding the potential of a well or to determine information about the nature of the surrounding geologic area.
Systems have been proposed for automated interpretation of log data including supervised machine learning processes based on pre-classified training sets. These systems generally employ back-propagation neural nets and decision tree methods. An example of a rule-based machine learning classification approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,620,498 to Kowalik.

System and method for facies classification


A method for prescribing geometry of an imaging volume of a structure of interest positioned in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes (a) establishing a communication connection over a network between the MR imaging system and a remote facility to provide remote services to the MR imaging systems; (b) selecting a first boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the first boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (c) determining a first geometry information corresponding to the first imaging section of the structure of interest; (d) storing the first geometry information in the MR imaging system; (e) selecting a second boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the second boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (f) determining the second geometry information corresponding to the second imaging section of the structure of interest; (g) storing the second geometry information in the MR imaging system; and (h) applying the first and second geometry information of the first and second imaging sections, respectively, to prescribe a boundary geometry defining a subsequent imaging volume of the structure of interest. At least one of steps (b) through (h) is done remotely.

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical diagnostic systems, such as imaging systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and technique for accurately and efficiently prescribing the geometry of a subsequent imaging volume of a structure of interest using at least two two-dimensional MR imaging sections as well as a system and technique for retrieving geometry information from a previously prescribed imaging volume and manipulating this geometry information.
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field Bo), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but process about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B1) which is the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, Mz, may be rotated, or xe2x80x9ctippedxe2x80x9d, into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment M. A signal is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B1, is terminated and this signal may be received and processed to form an image.
When utilizing these signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients (Gx, Gy and Gz) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques.
When attempting to define the volume of coverage of an MR imaging scan, the NMR system operator may desire to quickly view a preview MR image (such as a real-time MR image) of the anatomical section within this volume of coverage. This process can be particularly useful when prescribing a three dimensional imaging volume, in which the desired high spatial resolution requires the thinnest slab possible. It is desirable to position this thin slab such that the anatomical section within the volume of coverage is complete, i.e. for example, covers the entire desired vascular network. Thus, a quick view of each side of the slab prior to initiating the three dimensional acquisition is useful for insuring that the entire anatomical section desired is within the defined volume of coverage.
Typically, two dimensional axial, sagittal and/or coronal xe2x80x9cscoutxe2x80x9d images are first acquired. Such scout images are stored for later use. To use, the operator calls up the scout image and either graphically or explicitly (using geometry coordinates) prescribes the imaging volume directly on the scout images. The imaging volume may be either a two dimensional stack of slices or a three dimensional slab of the structure of interest. The drawback of this technique is that the operator does not actually see the results of the prescribed geometry until the subsequent imaging volume is acquired. Prescription errors cannot be detected nor corrected until the imaging volume acquisition is complete. Thus, when prescription errors exist, the operator is required to re-prescribe and re-acquire the imaging volume of the desired anatomical section.
Solutions to the problems described above have not heretofore included significant remote capabilities. In particular, communication networks, such as, the Internet or private networks, have not been used to provide remote services to such medical diagnostic systems. The advantages of remote services, such as, remote monitoring, remote system control, immediate file access from remote locations, remote file storage and archiving, remote resource pooling, remote recording, remote diagnostics, and remote high speed computations have not heretofore been employed to solve the problems discussed above.
Thus, there is a need for a medical diagnostic system which provides for the advantages of remote services and addresses the problems discussed above. In particular, there is a need for accurately and efficiently prescribing the geometry of a subsequent imaging volume of a structure of interest using at least two two-dimensional MR imaging sections over a network from a remote location. Further, there is a need for retrieving geometry information from a previously prescribed imaging volume and manipulating this geometry information over a network. Even further, there is a need for manipulation of MR imaging systems remotely via a network.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for prescribing geometry of an imaging volume of a structure of interest positioned in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes (a) establishing a communication connection over a network between the MR imaging system and a remote facility to provide remote services to the MR imaging system; (b) selecting a first boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the first boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (c) determining a first geometry information corresponding to the first imaging section of the structure of interest; (d) storing the first geometry information in the MR imaging system; (e) selecting a second boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the second boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (f) determining the second geometry information corresponding to the second imaging section of the structure of interest; (g) storing the second geometry information in the MR imaging system; and (h) applying the first and second geometry information of the first and second imaging sections, respectively, to prescribe a boundary geometry defining a subsequent imaging volume of the structure of interest. At least one of steps (b) through (h) is done remotely.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for retrieving geometry prescription of an imaging volume of a structure of interest positioned in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes (a) establishing a communication connection over a network between the MR imaging system and a remote facility to provide remote services to the MR imaging system; (b) selecting a previously prescribed imaging volume of the structure of interest; (c) determining a first and second geometry information representing a first and second boundary planes, respectively, of the previously prescribed imaging volume; (d) loading the first and second geometry information representing the first and second boundary planes, respectively, in at least one buffer; and (e) storing the first and second geometry information representing the first and second boundary planes of the previously prescribed imaging volume in the MR imaging system. At least one of steps (b) through (e) is done remotely.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system for prescribing geometry of an imaging volume of a structure of interest, including: (a) means for establishing a communication connection over a network between the MR imaging system and a remote facility to provide remote services to the MR imaging system; (b) means for selecting a first boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the first boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (c) means for determining a first geometry information corresponding to the first imaging section of the structure of interest; (d) means for storing the first geometry information in the MR imaging system; (e) means for selecting a second boundary plane of the structure of interest, wherein the second boundary plane is prescribed by a first imaging section of the structure of interest; (f) means for determining the second geometry information corresponding to the second imaging section of the structure of interest; (g) means for storing the second geometry information in the MR imaging system; and (h) means for applying the first and second geometry information of the first and second imaging sections, respectively, to prescribe a boundary geometry defining a subsequent imaging volume of the structure of interest. At least one of the means (b) through (h) is located remotely.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system capable of retrieving geometry prescription of an imaging volume of a structure of interest, including: (a) means for establishing a communication connection over a network between the MR imaging system and a remote facility to provide remote services to the MR imaging system; (b) means for selecting a previously prescribed imaging volume of the structure of interest; (c) means for determining a first and second geometry information representing a first and second boundary planes, respectively, of the previously prescribed imaging volume; (d) means for loading the first and second geometry information representing the first and second boundary planes, respectively, in at least one buffer; and (e) means for storing the first and second geometry information representing the first and second boundary planes of the previously prescribed imaging volume in the MR imaging system. At least one of the means (b) through (e) is located remotely.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system capable of retrieving geometry prescription of an imaging volume of a structure of interest. The system includes a computer system, a network coupling the computer system and a remote facility, an operator interface, and a system control. The computer system is configured to store at least one previously prescribed imaging volume of the structure of interest. The network provides remote services to the computer system. The operator interface is coupled to the computer system and is configured to transmit at least one selection signal in response to an operator selecting the at least one previously prescribed imaging volume of the structure of interest on the operator interface. The system control is coupled to the computer system, the network, and the operator interface, wherein, in response to the at least one selection signal from the operator interface, the computer system determines a first and second geometry information representing a first and second boundary planes, respectively, of the previously prescribed imaging volume, and stores the first and second geometry information representing the first and second boundary planes, respectively, in the system control, wherein the operator interface includes an electronic display configured to display the first and second geometry information.
Other principle features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

MR imaging system with interactive MR geometry prescription control over a network


This invention relates to carton opening features. Such structures of this type, generally, utilize a straight line sealing method and a lid having a specified corner radius, wherein the carton can be easily opened at the specified corner.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to carton opening features. Such structures of this type, generally, utilize a straight line sealing method and a lid/tray assembly having a specified corner radius wherein the carton can be easily opened at the specified corner.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known, in the paperboard carton industry, to make use of a paperboard package which requires that the lid be constructed in a manner which allows it to be heat sealed to the tray. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,087 ('087) to H. A. Rohdin, entitled "Easy Opening Blister Pack" and U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,832 ('832) to R. L. Gordon et al., entitled "Food Container". While the lids described in these references have a pre-applied adhesive which provides for "self-venting" and "easy opening", the lid requires a separate process beyond printing to manufacture. Consequently, a more advantageous carton opening feature would be presented if the lid could be more economically manufactured and sealed to pressed paper or plastic trays without modification of straight line sealing equipment.
It is also known, to employ a tray/lid assembly that requires the lid to be sealed to the tray via a hot melt or cold adhesive. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,530 ('530) to W. R. Rigby et al., entitled "Easy Opening Lid for Ovenable Cartons" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,035 ('035) to J. L. Stone, entitled "Tray-Lid Assembly". While these tray/lid assemblies adequately seal the lid to the tray, the opening feature of these tray/lid assemblies requires a 100% seal around the flange of the tray to function properly. Consequently, a still further advantageous carton opening feature would be presented if the opening feature eliminated the 100% seal around the flange of the tray.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a tray/lid assembly which has a carton opening feature and which can be economically applied to paper or plastic trays, but which at the same time avoids the use of a 100% seal around the flange of the tray while using conventional straight line sealing methods. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.


A jet level sensor used for controlling the liquid level in a tank such as a fuel tank. The sensor includes a nozzle and receiver supported within a bracket so that the nozzle and receiver and the associated conduits are freely rotatable with respect to the bracket. A manifold is coupled to the receiver for providing a plurality of output pressure signals indicative of the liquid level within the tank. The sensor is connected to a system which includes a main inlet valve and redundant relay valves which are fluid pressure responsive and which shut off responsive to the absence of a pressure signal from the sensor when the liquid within the tank reaches a predetermined desired level. Also provided are shut-off valves connected to be responsive to a tank and nozzle failure over-pressure condition at the inlet or within the tank.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to controlling the level of liquids particularly in fuel tanks and more specifically to a jet level sensor useful for detecting the liquid level in such fuel tanks.
2. Background of the Invention
It has long been desirable to control the level of liquid particularly in fuel tanks normally incorporated in aircraft. Such automatic level control systems normally will preclude overflow of the fuel tank with all of the attendant disadvantages thereof such as fire hazard, wasted fuel, bad odors and the like. Various types of systems have been developed to accomplish the desired level control such as traditional float operated mechanisms or jet level sensor systems or diaphragm operated valve systems. The present invention is directed specifically to jet level sensor systems and more particularly to the jet level sensor. Typical level control systems known to Applicant which employ jet level sensors are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,211,249; 3,269,404; 3,406,709; 4,312,373; 4,202,367; 4,161,188; 4,024,887; 3,817,246; 3,561,465; and 4,006,762. The present invention is an improvement over the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,762 and the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,762 is incorporated herein by reference.
Jet level sensor control systems utilized in the prior art as exemplified by the above-identified patents have generally been satisfactory. However, some difficulties have been encountered whether the system uses single or dual jets for liquid sensing. Some of the difficulties encountered are (1) that the fuel in the tank will splash as the level thereof is increased and will sometimes interrupt the liquid jet in the jet level sensor thereby causing a condition of on-off, on-off indicators, sometimes referred to as "milking" until the fuel in the tank has reached the desired level, (2) that the recovery of the pressure present in the liquid jet is, in some instances, quite low resulting in unreliable operation of the sensing, and (3) that many of the prior art jet level sensors are rather complex and thus are expensive to manufacture and to maintain.


The present invention provides a Group III nitride compound semiconductor device in which the amount of a current allowed to be applied on a p-type pad electrode can be increased.

In a Group III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device such as a blue light-emitting diode, especially, in a light-emitting device having a substrate disposed on a lower side, a thin translucent electrode is formed on an almost whole surface of a p-type contact layer having relatively large resistance in order to distribute a current into the p-type contact layer evenly to thereby obtain uniform light emission form the whole area of a light-emitting layer. Because wire-bonding cannot be applied directly to such a thin translucent electrode, a pad electrode is formed thereon (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-H09-320984, and so on).
The present inventors have made an examination of further reduction in thickness of the translucent electrode to enhance light transmittance of the translucent electrode. As a result, the following problem to be solved has been found.
That is, as described in the aforementioned patent publications, it is necessary to apply a heat treatment in order to secure ohmic contact between the translucent electrode and the p-type contact layer, secure translucency of the translucent electrode and further secure adhesion of the pad electrode to the translucent electrode and the p-type contact layer. It is conceived that when the heat treatment is carried out, the material of the pad electrode and the material of the translucent electrode are alloyed so that the pad electrode and the translucent electrode are substantially integrated with each other. Hence, a circumferential surface of the pad electrode becomes a surface connected to the translucent electrode.
Incidentally, the p-type contact layer made of a Group III nitride compound semiconductor is different in linear expansion coefficient of formation material from the translucent electrode/pad electrode (p-type electrode structure) integrated with each other by the heat treatment. Because the linear expansion coefficient of the latter made of metal is higher than that of the former, tensile stress occurs in the p-type electrode structure after the heat treatment. For this reason, there is a possibility that the interface between the circumferential surface of the pad electrode and the translucent electrode may crack because this portion is inferior in mechanical strength. Because it is conceived that the current allowed to be applied to the pad electrode (allowable current) is proportional to the area of contact between the pad electrode and the translucent electrode, the allowable current is reduced if there is such a crack. While both greater reduction in chip size and improvement in efficiency of light emission to the outside are required, reduction in size of the pad electrode is also required. On the other hand, maintenance of the status quo of the allowable current or increase of the allowable current is required. It is however impossible to satisfy these requirements if there is such a crack. This is because the area of contact between the pad electrode and the translucent electrode is not sufficient.
Moreover, because the area of contact between the translucent electrode and the circumferential surface of the pad electrode is reduced in the case were reduction in thickness of the translucent electrode advanced, this point is also a factor to cause limitation in the allowable current.
In order to examine the life and durability, a high current may need to be applied to the light-emitting device under a high-temperature environment. In this case, if there is a crack between the circumferential surface of the pad electrode and the translucent electrode, the allowable current is limited as described above. There is therefore a Possibility that originally required stringent examination cannot be executed because the current allowed to be applied at the time of examination is limited. In addition, there may be a disadvantage that burning or the like occurs in the cracking portion at the time of execution of examination so that durability of other members of the light-emitting device cannot be substantially examined any more. This means that long-term durability is poor in the case where a high current is applied under a high-temperature environment such as the outdoors.

Abstract: That is, in the Group III nitride compound semiconductor device according to the present invention, a portion of a translucent electrode coming in contact with a circumferential surface of the p-type pad electrode is formed as a thick port ion to thereby increase the area of contact between the circumferential surface and the translucent electrode to thereby increase the current allowed to be applied on the p-type pad electrode. In addition, the use of the thick portion prevents cracking from occuring between the translucent electrode and the circumferential surface of the pad electrode.


The present invention provides a system, method, and computer-readable medium for identifying and removing active malware from a computer. Aspects of the present invention are included in a cleaner tool that may be obtained automatically with an update service or may be downloaded manually from a Web site or similar distribution system. The cleaner tool includes a specialized scanning engine that searches a computer for active malware. Since the scanning engine only searches for active malware, the amount of data downloaded and resource requirements of the cleaner tool are less than traditional antivirus software. The scanning engine searches specific locations on a computer, such as data mapped in memory, configuration files, and file metadata for data characteristic of malware. If malware is detected, the cleaner tool removes the malware from the computer.

As more and more computers are interconnected through various networks, such as the Internet, computer security has become increasingly more important, particularly from invasions or attacks delivered over a network or over an information stream. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these attacks come in many different forms, including, but certainly not limited to, computer viruses, computer worms, system component replacements, denial of service attacks, even misuse/abuse of legitimate computer system features—all of which exploit one or more computer system vulnerabilities for illegitimate purposes. While those skilled in the art will realize that the various computer attacks are technically distinct from one another, for purposes of the present invention and for simplicity in description, all of these attacks will be generally referred to hereafter as computer malware, or more simply, malware.
When a computer system is attacked or "infected" by a computer malware, the adverse results are varied, including disabling system devices; erasing or corrupting firmware, applications, or data files; transmitting potentially sensitive data to another location on the network; shutting down the computer system; or causing the computer system to crash. Yet another pernicious aspect of many, though not all, computer malware is that an infected computer system is used to infect other computers.
FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating an exemplary networked environment 100 over which a computer malware is commonly distributed. As shown in FIG. 1, the typical exemplary networked environment 100 includes a plurality of computers 102-108, all interconnected via a communication network 110, such as an intranet, or via a larger communication network, including the global TCP/IP network commonly referred to as the Internet. For whatever reason, a malicious party on a computer connected to the network 110, such as computer 102, develops a computer malware 112 and releases it on the network. The released computer malware 112 is received by and infects one or more computers, such as computer 104, as indicated by arrow 114. As is typical with many computer malware, once infected, computer 104 is used to infect other computers, such as computer 106, as indicated by arrow 116, which, in turn, infects yet other computers, such as computer 108, as indicated by arrow 118. Clearly, due to the speed and reach of the modern computer networks, a computer malware 112 can "grow" at an exponential rate and quickly become a local epidemic that quickly escalates into a global computer pandemic.
A traditional defense against computer malware and, particularly computer viruses and worms, is antivirus software. Generally, antivirus software scans incoming data arriving over a network, looking for identifiable patterns associated with known computer malware. Frequently, this is done by matching patterns within the data to what is referred to as a "signature" of the malware. One of the core deficiencies in this malware detection model is that an unknown computer malware may propagate unchecked in a network until a computer's antivirus software is updated to identify and respond to the new computer malware.
As antivirus software has become more sophisticated and efficient at recognizing thousands of known computer malware, so too have the computer malware become more sophisticated. For example, many recent computer malware are polymorphic. These polymorphic malware are frequently difficult to identify by antivirus software because they modify themselves before propagating to another computer system. Thus under the present system, there is a period of time, referred to hereafter as a vulnerability window, that exists between when a new computer malware is released on the network 110 and when a computer system is updated to protect it from the computer malware. As the name suggests, it is during this vulnerability window that a computer system is vulnerable or exposed to the new computer malware. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary timeline illustrating this vulnerability window. In regard to the following discussion, significant times will be identified and referred to as events. FIG. 2 illustrates a vulnerability window 200 with regard to a timeline 202 under which a malware is released that exploits a previously unknown vulnerability. Thus, as shown on timeline 202, at event 204, a malicious party releases a new computer malware. As this is a computer malware that exploits a previously unknown vulnerability, antivirus software may not be able to protect vulnerable computer systems from the attack. Correspondingly, the vulnerability window 200 is opened.
At some point after the new computer malware is circulating on the network 110, an antivirus software provider or similar entity detects the new computer malware, as indicated by event 206. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, typically the presence of the new computer malware is detected within a matter of hours by antivirus software providers. Once the computer malware is detected, the antivirus software provider may begin the process of identifying a pattern or signature by which the antivirus software may recognize the computer malware. As a result of these efforts, at event 208, the antivirus software provider releases an antivirus update, which addresses the computer malware. Subsequently, at event 210, the update is installed on a user's computer system, thereby protecting the computer system and bringing the vulnerability window 200 to a close.
As may be seen from the example provided above, which is only one representative scenario in which computer malware poses a security threat to a computer system, a vulnerability window exists between the time that a computer malware 112 is released on a network 110 and when an antivirus update is installed on a user's computer system to detect the new malware and close the vulnerability window. As a result, antivirus software providers typically produce malware "cleaners," e.g., computer software designed to identify and remove malware that is infecting a computer. One known method of "cleaning" a computer that is infected with malware includes searching each file stored on the computer for data characteristic of malware. When the data characteristic of malware is identified, the software cleaner performs certain steps designed to remove or quarantine the malware. However, searching each file stored on a computer for data characteristic of malware is a resource-intensive and time-consuming process. A computer may functional at a degraded performance level for a significant period of time when the cleaner is searching file data. Frequently, computer users will be deterred from using a malware cleaner or will not receive the full benefit a malware cleaner because of the time and resources required to search files.

System and method of efficiently identifying and removing active malware from a computer


Systems and methods for single-point to fixed-multipoint communication. The invention dynamically allocates bandwidth based on traffic demands, thus providing efficient bandwidth utilization, particularly with bursty or time sensitive data traffic. A system includes a Base Station and a plurality of Remote Stations. The Base Station transmits information to the Remote Stations via a Forward Channel and the Remote Stations transmit information via a Reverse Channel. Before transmitting on the Reverse Channel, each of the Remote Stations listens (monitors) the Reverse Channel to ascertain whether any other Remote Station is transmitting. Remote Stations transmit data only when a Remote Station determines that the channel is clear. The Remote Stations listen in sequential order, eliminating the probability of collisions caused by simultaneous transmissions from Remote Stations. The data traffic is accordingly aggregated, thus providing efficient bandwidth utilization.

In a conventional single-point to fixed-multipoint data communication system, a base station transmits to fixed remote stations and each of the fixed remote stations, in turn, transmits to the base station. Such systems typically use one or more predetermined and typically internationally adopted communication protocols. These protocols tend to be optimized for particular applications and industries. For example, protocols used for wireless communication tend to be developed and influenced by the telecommunication industry. However, since many of these conventional systems that have communication media interconnecting the base station to the fixed remote stations are terrestrial (e.g., copper or optical fiber medium) the data communication protocols tend to be developed and/or heavily influenced by the computer industry.
A fixed wireless system is generally characterized by a point to multipoint topology where remote stations are fixed at specific locations. Wireless in the Local Loop (WLL) is an example of a point to multipoint topology. Most WLL solutions use a variant one of the major wireless telecommunication protocols such as Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Systems using these protocols assign and reserve bandwidth for the communication between the remote stations and the base station.
A FDMA-based system assigns a separate channel in an available channel band to each remote station. For instance, in cellular systems these channels are assigned by the base station upon receiving a request for channel from a cellular phone (radio). There is a common channel used for control information that is passed back and forth between the base and remote. A TDMA-based system breaks a channel into time slots. Each remote station is assigned a time slot. If there is no data to be transmitted when the time slot becomes available, the bandwidth is wasted since it is not reallocated to another remote radio. In general, a CDMA-based system uses a non-correlating coding sequence to allow multiple radios to transmit and receive in the same frequency range. In cellular CDMA, a base station assigns a code based on a request from a cell phone. There is a practical limit to the number of codes in use in a sector, thus limiting the number of active channels.
Conventional wireless telecommunication protocols tend to be efficient where there is a continuous flow of information. However, Internet data traffic and modern voice digitizing technology is by its nature bursty in its use of bandwidth. Accordingly, systems using these conventional protocols do not make efficient use of the available channel bandwidth with the bursty data traffic, largely because the assigned channels remain idle whenever their assigned stations are not bursting.
Another drawback associated with existing wireless telecommunications protocols is that they require a base station to communicate and broker bandwidth among the remote stations which causes significant delays. Additionally, these conventional protocols fail to accommodate the various demands of different remote stations at different times because of their inability to dynamically allocate bandwidth based on traffic demand.
Conventional computer-based data communication protocols are typically designed and used for multipoint to multipoint communication. Such protocol are optimized to handle bursty data traffic. Examples of such protocols include Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) and Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) protocols. When optimized, these protocols can make efficient use of the bandwidth. The optimization, however, assumes the multipoint-to-multipoint underlying topology. In addition, because of the lack of channel reservations and due to the inconsistency of burstiness of data traffic, these protocols fail to adequately support time sensitive data traffic, such as digitized voice, at high utilization rate of their bandwidth.

System and method for single-point to fixed-multipoint data communication


Disclosed is a composition that can impart a drip preventing effect together with an excellent heat release suppressing effect to a resin, and that enables the resin to exhibit an excellent color tone, by being mixed with the resin. The composition includes a component (A) and/or a component (B), and a component (C). It is preferable that the composition contains the component (C) in an amount of 0.1 to 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of a total of the components (A) and (B). The component (A) is a (poly)phosphate compound represented by General Formula (1).

Synthetic resins have conventionally been used in a wide variety of applications such as construction materials, automobile parts, wrapping materials, agricultural materials, housing materials for household appliances, and toys due to their excellent chemical and mechanical properties. However, most synthetic resins are flammable substances, and thus they are required to be flame retardant depending on the application of the synthetic resins. As a method for imparting flame retardancy to a resin, a method is widely known in which a halogen-based flame retardant agent, an inorganic phosphorus-based flame retardant agent (as typified by red phosphorus or a polyphosphoric acid-based flame retardant agent such as ammonium polyphosphate), an organic phosphorus-based flame retardant agent (as typified by a triaryl phosphate ester compound), metal hydroxides, and antimony oxides and melamine compounds that are flame retardant aids are used alone or in combination.
In particular, an intumescent-based flame retardant agent is known that is composed mainly of salts of polyphosphoric acid or pyrophosphoric acid and nitrogen-containing compounds and forms a surface swelling layer (intumescent layer) during combustion to suppress diffusion of decomposition products and heat transfer and thereby exhibit flame retardancy. Such a flame retardant agent is disclosed in Patent Literature 1, for example.
Furthermore, Patent Literature 2 discloses a resin composition containing a (poly)phosphate and a layered silicate. The carbon monoxide concentration of this resin composition during combustion is suppressed, and thus the composition is suitable for use as a construction material and the like.

Composition and flame-retardant resin composition

Abstract: The component (B) is a (poly)phosphate compound represented by General Formula (3).

Abstract: The component (C) is a hydrous magnesium silicate.


An image forming unit removably mountable in an image forming apparatus is composed of a plurality of image forming elements including at least a photosensitive drum. The unit is assembled by providing a pair of side plates with the image forming elements between, and covering the outside of the side plates with a thermally shrinkable resin film to firmly connect the image forming elements with the side plates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming unit removably mountable in image forming apparatus such as electrophotographic copying machines and laser beam printers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In image forming apparatus, for example, in electrophotographic copying machines, a process unit is already known which comprises image forming elements, such as a photosensitive drum, developing device and cleaner, are supported in the form of an assembly by a common support body and which is removably mounted in the body of the machine. With the image forming apparatus of the type mentioned, the process unit is removed from the body of the apparatus and replaced by a new process unit when one of the image forming elements, i.e., the components of the unit, has run down.
When such a conventional process unit is assembled, the components of the unit are firmly connected to the support body in the form of an assemby, for example, with an adhesive or by ultrasonic bonding so as to permit the process unit to retain its own strength and to prevent spillage of toner from the unit.
With the conventional process unit, therefore, the components which have not served their life at the time of replacement are also replaced at the same time to result in economical losses.
Nevertheless, if it is attempted to disassemble the process unit for the reuse of the components which need not be replaced, the unit is difficult to disassemble since the components are inseparably connected or joined together firmly, while if the unit is forcibly disassembled, there arises the problem that the support body or some components are broken and become no longer reusable.

Removably mountable image forming unit held together by thermally shrinkable film


An organic light emitting display including a scan driver for supplying scan signals to odd scan lines in an ith frame and for supplying scan signals to even scan lines in an (i+1)th frame, a data driver for supplying data signals corresponding to the scan signals, and an image display unit including a plurality of pixels coupled with the scan lines and the data lines. Pixels coupled with the odd scan lines do not emit light when the scan signals are supplied to the odd scan lines, and pixels coupled with the even scan lines do not emit light when the scan signals are supplied to the even scan lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display and a method of driving the same, and more particularly, to an organic light emitting display having improved display quality.
2. Discussion of the Background
Various thin and lightweight flat panel displays (FPD) have been developed to replace cathode ray tubes (CRT). Such FPDs include liquid crystal displays (LCD), field emission displays (FED), plasma display panels (PDP), and organic light emitting displays.
Generally, organic light emitting displays display images using organic light emitting diodes (OLED), which generate light by re-combination of electrons and holes. Organic light emitting displays typically have high response speed and low power consumption.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional organic light emitting display.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional organic light emitting display includes an image display unit 30 including pixels 40 formed at crossings of scan lines S1 to Sn and data lines D1 to Dm, a scan driver 10 for driving the scan lines S1 to Sn, a data driver 20 for driving the data lines D1 to Dm, and a timing controller 50 for controlling the scan and data drivers 10 and 20.
The scan driver 10 generates scan signals in response to scan driving control signals SCS from the timing controller 50 and sequentially supplies the scan signals to the scan lines S1 to Sn. The scan driver 10 also generates emission control signals in response to the scan driving control signals SCS and sequentially supplies the emission control signals to emission control lines E1 to En.
The data driver 20 generates data signals in response to data driving control signals DCS from the timing controller 50 and supplies the data signals to the data lines D1 to Dm. The data driver 20 supplies the data signals for one horizontal line to the data lines D1 to Dm every one horizontal period.
The timing controller 50 generates the data driving control signals DCS and the scan driving control signals SCS in response to input synchronizing signals. The timing controller 50 supplies the data driving control signals DCS to the data driver 20 and the scan driving control signals SCS to the scan driver 10. The timing controller 50 re-aligns data Data supplied from the outside and supplies the data Data to the data driver 20.
The image display unit 30 is coupled with a first power source ELVDD and a second power source ELVSS, which are supplied to the pixels 40. The pixels 40 display images corresponding to the data signals supplied thereto. The emission time of the pixels 40 is controlled by the emission control signals.
Here, the emission control signals are sequentially supplied to the first to nth emission control lines E1 to En together with the scan signals. Therefore, all of the pixels 40 included in the image display unit 30 emit light except for the short time during which the emission control signals are supplied.
However, the voltage of the first power source ELVDD may change in accordance with whether the pixels 40 emit light, that is, in accordance with the pattern and brightness of the images displayed by the image display unit 30. To be specific, the load applied to the first power source ELVDD in one frame varies with whether the pixels 40 emit light. Hence, when a large number of pixels 40 emit light in one frame, a large load is applied to the first power source ELVDD. On the other hand, when a small number of pixels 40 emit light in one frame, a small load is applied to the first power source ELVDD. Therefore, the voltage of the first power source ELVDD may change to correspond to the load. In this case, it may not be possible to display images with uniform brightness.

Organic light emitting display and method of driving the same


A semiconductor package includes a chip including a conductive pattern thereon, a conductive network attached on a surface of the chip to absorb static electricity, at least one conductive rod attached to the conductive network, wherein the at least one conductive rod is formed substantially perpendicularly to the conductive network, and a grounding portion discharging the static electricity absorbed from the conductive network.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package substantially preventing generation of static electricity using a conductive rod.
2. Discussion of Related Art
To substantially prevent generation of static electricity in a semiconductor device, a cell for preventing the generation of the static electricity is inserted into an input/output pad unit of the semiconductor device. As semiconductor devices become smaller, a different cell structure has been used for substantially preventing the generation of the static electricity. However, potential reductions in the generation of the static electricity by changing the structure of the cell are limited.
Therefore, a need exists for a method of substantially preventing static electricity for a semiconductor device having a small size.

Semiconductor package preventing generation of static electricity therein


Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising introducing a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. And providing proppant aggregates themselves comprising proppant particles coated with a binding fluid and having foamed particulates adhered thereto that are suspended in gelled treatment fluid and placed into at least a portion of the fracture so as to form a proppant pack therein.

The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations with treatment fluids comprising proppant aggregate suspension aids.
Subterranean wells (e.g., hydrocarbon producing wells, water producing wells, and injection wells) are often stimulated by hydraulic fracturing treatments. In hydraulic fracturing treatments, a treatment fluid is pumped into a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure such that the subterranean formation breaks down and one or more fractures are formed. Typically, particulate solids, such as graded sand, bauxite, ceramics, or even nut hulls, are suspended in a treatment fluid and then deposited in the fractures. These particulate solids, or "proppant particulates," are generally deposited in the fracture in a concentration such that they form a tight pack of particulates, or "proppant packs," which serve to prevent the fractures from fully closing once the hydraulic pressure is removed. By keeping the fracture from fully closing, the proppant particulates aid in forming conductive paths through which fluids may flow.
Gelled treatment fluids, because of their increased viscosity, are useful in transporting and depositing proppant particulates into subterranean fractures. Additionally, crosslinking agents are often used to further increase the viscosity and stability of gelled treatment fluids to further enhance the fluid's utility in some downhole environments.
In traditional subterranean operations, the specific gravity of individual proppant particulates is high in relation to the gelled treatment fluid in which they are suspended for transport and deposit in a fracture. Therefore, the proppant particulates tend to settle to the bottom portion of a fracture. The settling nature of traditional proppant particulates can result in complete occlusion of a portion of the fracture where no proppant particulates have collected (e.g., at the top portion of the fracture) when the fracture closes, impairing fracture conductivity and production over the life of a subterranean well.
One way to compensate for proppant particulate settling and partial fracture closure is to transport and deposit the highest possible concentration of proppant particulates into a fracture in order to decrease the likelihood of void space in the fracture. However, increasing the proppant particulate concentration in a treatment fluid generally requires a higher concentration of gelling agents and/or crosslinker within the gelled treatment fluid. As many gelling and crosslinking agents are used in a variety of fluids outside the oil and gas industry, their demand is increasing while their supply is decreasing. Therefore, the cost of gelling and crosslinking agents is increasing, and consequently, the cost of subterranean operations requiring the highest possible concentration of proppant particulates is also increasing.
The degree of success of a fracturing operation depends, at least in part, upon fracture conductivity once the fracturing operation has ceased and production commenced. Therefore, a practical method of hindering the settling rate of proppant particulates suspended in a treatment fluid in order to prevent partial fracture closure while decreasing quantity and cost of gelling and crosslinking agent may be of value to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Methods for hindering settling of proppant aggregates in subterranean operations


The present invention provides surface-stabilized amorphous pharmaceuticals comprising an amorphous pharmaceutical substrate coated with a biocompatible immobilizing material. Amorphous pharmaceutical substrates that are prone to surface enhanced crystallization benefit from the present coatings. The coated amorphous pharmaceuticals of the present invention maintain their amorphous state and, therefore, their solubility over extended periods of time, relative to uncoated pharmaceuticals.

The full potential of many therapeutically important drugs is not realized due to poor solubility of the solid crystalline form of the drug. It is estimated that more than 40% of all drugs discovered have drug delivery limitations due to poor solubility or poor permeability. A variety of approaches have been developed in order to improve the delivery of insoluble drugs, including micronization of the drug, formation of drug nanocrystals, and dispersing the drug in polymers, lipids, or surfactants. Each has met with limited success.
Another way to deliver poorly soluble drugs is to use amorphous solids of the drugs (glasses) instead of the more commonly used crystalline solids. Amorphous solids have liquid-like molecular structures but crystal-like strength and hardness. They are generally more soluble and more bioavailable than their crystalline counterparts. Unfortunately, the amorphous phase for many amorphous substances is unstable and, as a result, many amorphous pharmaceuticals recrystallize over time, leading to a loss in aqueous solubility. Thus, a need exists for a method of preventing or inhibiting the crystallization of amorphous pharmaceuticals.

Inhibiting surface enhanced crystallization of amorphous pharmaceuticals with ultrathin coatings


An exemplary backlight module (1) includes a light guide plate (10) and at least one point illuminator (12). The light guide plate includes a first side surface (102), and a protrusion (14) outwardly extending from the first side surface. The protrusion includes at least one second side surface (144) oblique to the first side surface. The at least one point illuminator is adjacent to the least one second side surface.

Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, because they not only provide good quality images but are also very thin. Because liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal display do not emit any light themselves, the liquid crystal molecules have to be lit by a light source so as to clearly and sharply display text and images. Therefore, liquid crystal displays usually require a backlight module.
Referring to FIG. 9, a typical backlight module 9 includes a light guide plate (LGP) 90, and three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 92. The light guide plate 90 has a side surface 902 for receiving incident light, and a top surface 904 for emitting the light. The top surface 904 adjoins the side surface 902. The light emitting diodes 92 are disposed adjacent to the side surface 902 of the light guide plate 90.
In operation, light beams from the light emitting diodes 92 enter the light guide plate 90 via the side surface 902, and are converted by the light guide plate 90 to form a surface light source at the top surface 904. However, each of the light emitting diodes 92 has a certain limited angle of divergence of light beams emitted therefrom. Therefore areas of the light guide plate 90 beyond the angles of divergence of the light emitting diodes 92, such as areas A and B, may be relatively dark areas. That is, the surface light source of the backlight module 9 may be non-uniform, and the performance of an associated LCD may be visibly impaired.
What is needed, therefore, is a backlight module that can overcome the above-described deficiencies. What is also need is a liquid crystal display employing such a backlight module.

Backlight module with light guide protrusion and liquid crystal display with same


A woven preform for a reinforces composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into a shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with fill fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. At least two legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs can be connected at a symmetrical or asymmetrical, distributed-column intersection, with an even or odd number of columns of warp fibers being located between the legs. The outer ends of the base and/or legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to woven preforms and particularly relates to woven preform used in a reinforced composite material, which can be woven flat and folded into its final shape without producing undesirable loops in the preform.
2. Incorporation by Reference
All patents, patent applications, documents, references, manufacturer's instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention.
3. Description of the Prior Art
The use of reinforced composite materials to produce structural components is now widespread, particularly in applications where their desirable characteristics are sought of being light in weight, strong, tough, thermally resistant, self-supporting and adaptable to being formed and shaped. Such components are used, for example, in aeronautical, aerospace, satellite, recreational (as in racing boats and autos), and other applications.
Typically such components consist of reinforcement materials embedded in matrix materials. The reinforcement component may be made from materials such as glass, carbon, ceramic, aramid, polyethylene, and/or other materials which exhibit desired physical, thermal, chemical and/or other properties, chief among which is great strength against stress failure. Through the use of such reinforcement materials, which ultimately become a constituent element of the completed component, the desired characteristics of the reinforcement materials, such as very high strength, are imparted to the completed composite component. The constituent reinforcement materials typically, may be woven, knitted or otherwise oriented into desired configurations and shapes for reinforcement preforms. Usually particular attention is paid to ensure the optimum utilization of the properties for which the constituent reinforcing materials have been selected. Usually such reinforcement preforms are combined with matrix material to form desired finished components or to produce working stock for the ultimate production of finished components.
After the desired reinforcement preform has been constructed, matrix material may be introduced to and into the preform, so that typically the reinforcement preform becomes encased in the matrix material and matrix material fills the intersticial areas between the constituent elements of the reinforcement preform. The matrix material may be any of a wide variety of materials, such as epoxy, polyester, vinyl-ester, ceramic, carbon and/or other materials, which also exhibit desired physical, thermal, chemical and/or other properties. The materials chosen for use as the matrix may or may not be the same as that of the reinforcement preform and may or may not have comparable physical, chemical thermal or other properties. Typically, however, they will not be of the same materials or have comparable physical, chemical thermal or other properties, since a usual objective sought in using composites in the first place is to achieve a combination of characteristics in the finished product that is not attainable through the use of one constituent material alone. So combined, the reinforcement preform and the matrix material may then be cured and stabilized in the same operation by thermosetting or other known methods, and then subjected to other operations toward producing the desired component. It is significant to note at this point that after being so cured, the then solidified masses of the matrix material normally are very strongly adhered to the reinforcing material (e.g., the reinforcement preform). As a result, stress on the finished component, particularly via its matrix material acting as an adhesive between fibers, may be effectively transferred to and borne by the constituent material of the reinforcement preform.
Frequently, it is desired to produce components in configurations that are other than such simple geometric shapes as (per se) plates, sheets, rectangular or square solids, etc. A way to do this is to combine such basic geometric shapes into the desired more complex forms. One such typical combination is made by joining reinforcement preforms made as described above at an angle (typically a right-angle) with respect to each, other. Usual purposes for such angular arrangements of joined reinforcement preforms are to create a desired shape to form a reinforcement preform that includes one or more end walls or "T" intersections for example, or to strengthen the resulting combination of reinforcement preforms and the composite structure which it produces against deflection or failure upon it being exposed to exterior forces, such as pressure or tension. In any case, a related consideration is to make each juncture between the constituent components as strong as possible. Given the desired very high strength of the reinforcement preform constituents per se, weakness of the juncture becomes, effectively, a "weak link" in a structural "chain".
An example of an intersecting configuration is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,337, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This reference sets forth an effective means of joining together two reinforcing plates into a T-form.
Various other proposals have been made in the past for making such junctures. It has been proposed to form and cure a panel element and an angled stiffening element separate from each other, with the latter having a single panel contact surface or being bifurcated at one end to form two divergent, co-planar panel contact surfaces. The two components are then joined by adhesively bonding the panel contact surface(s) of the stiffening element to a contact surface of the other component using thermosetting adhesive or other adhesive material. However, when tension is applied to the cured panel or the skin of the composite structure, loads at unacceptably low values resulted in "peel" forces which separate the stiffening element from the panel at their interface since the effective strength of the joint is that of the matrix material and not of the adhesive.
The use of metal bolts or rivets at the interface of such components is unacceptable because such additions at least partially destroy and weaken the integrity of composite structures themselves, add weight, and introduce differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion as between such elements and the surrounding material.
Other approaches to solving this problem have been based on the concept of introducing high strength fibers across the joint area through the use of such methods as stitching one of the components to the other and relying upon the stitching thread to introduce such strengthening fibers into and across the juncture site. One such approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,495 and its method divisional counterpart, U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,790. These patents disclose junctures having been made between a first and second composite panel made from adhesively bonded fiber plies. The first panel is bifurcated at one end to form two divergent, co-planar panel contact surfaces in the prior art manner, that have been joined to the second panel by stitches of uncured flexible composite thread through both panels. The panels and thread have then been "co-cured": i.e., cured simultaneously. Another method to improve upon junction strength is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,853.
While the prior art has sought to improve upon the structural integrity of the reinforced composite and has achieved success, particularly in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,337, there exists a desire to improve thereon or address the problem through an approach different from the use of adhesives or mechanical coupling. In this regard, one approach might be by creating a woven three dimensional ("3D") structure by specialized machines. However, the expense involved is considerable and rarely is it desirable to have a weaving machine directed to creating a simple structure. Despite this fact, 3D preforms which can be processed into fiber reinforced composite components are desirable because they provide increased strength relative to conventional two dimensional laminated composites. These preforms are particularly useful in applications that require the composite to carry out-of-plane loads. However, the prior-art preforms discussed above have been limited in their ability to withstand high out-of-plane loads, to be woven in an automated loom process, and to provide for varying thickness of portions of the preform. Weave construction and automation of preform weaving was in its infancy and provided only a small advantage over conventional laminated, fiber-wound, or braided composites, limiting the versatility of the preforms.
Another approach would be to weave a two dimensional ("2D") structure and fold it into 3D shape. However, this typically results in parts that distort when the preform is folded. The distortion occurs because the lengths of fiber as-woven are different than what they should be when the preform is folded. This causes dimples and ripples in areas where the as-woven fiber lengths are too short, and buckles in the areas where fiber lengths are too long. An example of a 3D preform weave architecture, which may lead to ripples or loops in areas where the preform is folded, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,543, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The weave architecture disclosed in the '543 patent is difficult to weave because of the use of so called "half-picks." A half-pick is a weft or fill fiber or yarn that runs less than half way across the width of the preform. When this pick is inserted by the shuttle, a length of fiber greater than half the width of the preform continues to be pulled off the bobbin. This excess fiber is not woven into the preform on this pick, and when the next pick is inserted, which is also a half-pick, there is too much fiber in excess, and a loop gets formed between the legs of the Pi. This effect is shown schematically in FIG. 2.
Preform 10 has a base 20, two edges 5, 15 and two legs 25, 35 extending from the base 20, each leg 25, 35 having an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 102. Each fill fiber 14 in the structure has a beginning at the first edge 5 of the base 20, then extends to the second edge 15 of the base 20, then extends back toward a central section of the base 20, then exits the layers of the base 20 and extends into the layers of one of the legs 25 before extending into the layers of the other of the leg 35. As it can be seen from the figure, excess fiber 14 is pulled from the bobbin as the shuttle passes across the preform 10, and the weft does not weave into this side of the preform 20 with the use of half-picks. Therefore, a loop 30 remains when the shuttle passes back across the preform 20. The fill fiber 14 after exiting the layers of the legs 25, 35, extends back into the layers of the base 20 for returning to the first edge 5 of the base 20. FIG. 3 depicts the use of these half-picks in more detail, where it can be seen that the design uses five shuttle motions for a complete pick sequence; four half picks and one full pick. This type of shuttle motion not only reduces the productivity on the loom, but also, causes loops and ripples in areas where the as-woven fiber lengths are too long, as discussed above. These distortions cause undesirable surface anomalies and reduce the strength and stiffness of the preform.
Accordingly, there is a need for a 3D preform which provides for an alternative approach and/or an improved method of creating 3D preforms and/or reinforced composite structures without forming loops or ripples in the structure.