A method for processing and preserving an acellular collagen-based tissue matrix for transplantation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of processing biological tissues with a stabilizing solution to reduce procurement damage, treatment with a processing solution to remove cells, treatment with a cryoprotectant solution followed by freezing, drying, storage and rehydration under conditions that preclude functionally significant damage and reconstitution with viable cells.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for procuring decellularizing and further processing and dry preserving collagen-based tissues derived from humans and animals for transplantation into humans or other animals. These methods produce a tissue product that consists of a selectively preserved extracellular protein matrix that is devoid of certain viable cells which normally express major histocompatibility complex antigenic determinants and other antigens which would be recognized as foreign by the recipient. This extracellular protein matrix is made up of collagen and other proteins and provides a structural template which may be repopulated with new viable cells that would not be rejected by the host. These viable cells may be derived from the host (autologous cells) before or after transplantation or from an alternative human source including foreskin, umbilical cord or aborted fetal tissues. More particularly, this invention relates to the procurement and processing of collagen-based tissues such that complications following implantation (including but not limited to immunorejection, contracture, calcification, occlusion, and infection) are significantly reduced relative to current implant procedures and materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tissue and organ transplantation is a rapidly growing therapeutic field as a result of improvements in surgical procedures, advancements in immunosuppressive drugs and increased knowledge of graft/host interaction. Despite major advancements in this field, modern tissue transplantation remains associated with complications including inflammation, degradation, scarring, contracture, calcification (hardening), occlusion and rejection. There are numerous investigations underway directed toward the engineering of improved transplantable tissue grafts, however, it is generally believed in the industry that ideal implants have yet to be produced.
Autologous or self-derived human tissue is often used for transplant procedures. These procedures include coronary and peripheral vascular bypass surgeries, where a blood vessel, usually a vein, is harvested from some other area of the body and transplanted to correct obstructed blood flow through one or more critical arteries. Another application of autologous tissue is in the treatment of third degree burns and other full-thickness skin injury. This treatment involves grafting of healthy skin from uninjured body sites to the site of the wound, a process called split-skin grafting. Additional applications of autologous tissue transplantation include bone, cartilage and fascia grafting, used for reconstructive procedures.
The motive for using autologous tissue for transplantation is based upon the concept that complications of immunorejection will be eliminated, resulting in enhanced conditions for graft survival. Unfortunately, however, other complications can ensue with autologous transplants. For example, significant damage can occur to several tissue components of transplanted veins during harvesting and prior to implantation. This damage can include mechanical contraction of the smooth muscle cells in the vein wall leading to loss of endothelium and smooth muscle cell hypoxia and death. Hypoxic damage can result in the release of cellular lysosomes, enzymes which can cause significant damage to the extracellular matrix. Following implantation, such damage can lead to increased platelet adhesion, leucocyte and macrophage infiltration and subsequently further damage to the vessel wall. The end result of such damage is thrombosis and occlusion in the early post implant period. Even in the absence of such damage, transplanted autologous veins typically undergo thickening of the vessel wall and advancing atherosclerosis leading to late occlusion. The exact cause of this phenomena is uncertain but may relate to compliance mismatch of the vein in an arterial position of high blood pressure and flow rate. This phenomena may be augmented and accelerated by any initial smooth muscle cell and matrix damage occurring during procurement. Occlusion of transplanted veins can necessitate repeat bypass procedures, with subsequent re-harvesting of additional autologous veins, or replacement with synthetic conduits or non-autologous vessels.
Another example of complications resulting from autologous tissue transplantation is the scarring and contracture that can occur with split-skin grafts for full-thickness wound repair. Split-skin grafts are typically mechanically expanded by the use of a meshing instrument, which introduces a pattern of small slits in the skin. The split-skin graft is then stretched to cover a larger wound area. Dividing epidermal cells will ultimately grow into and cover the areas of the slits, however, the underlying dermal support matrix does not readily expand into these areas. The dermal matrix, composed primarily of collagen, other extracellular protein matrix proteins, and basement membrane complex, is responsible for the tensile, flexible nature of skin. Absence of a dermal matrix results in scarring and contracture in the area of the slits. This contracture can be severe and in cases of massively burned patients that undergo extensive split-skin grafting, can necessitate subsequent release surgical procedures to restore joint movement.
When the supply of transplantable autologous tissues is depleted, or when there is no suitable autologous tissue available for transplant (e.g., heart valve replacement), then substitutes may be used, including man-made synthetic materials, animal-derived tissues and tissue products, or allogeneic human tissues donated from another individual (usually derived from cadavers). Man-made implant materials include synthetic polymers (e.g. (PTFE) polytetrafluroethylene, Dacron and Goretex) sometimes formed into a tubular shape and used as a blood flow conduit for some peripheral arterial bypass procedures. Additionally, man-made synthetics (polyurethanes) and hydrocolloids or gels may be used as temporary wound dressings prior to split-skin grafting.
Other man-made materials include plastics and carbonized metals, fashioned into a prosthetic heart valve, utilized for aortic heart valve replacement procedures. Synthetic materials can be made with low immunogenicity but are subject to other limitations. In the case of mechanical heart valves, their hemodynamic characteristics necessitate life-long anticoagulant therapy. Synthetic vascular conduits, often used in above-the-knee peripheral vascular bypass procedures, are subjected to an even higher incidence of occlusion than autologous grafts. In many cases, a preference is made for a biological implant which can be a processed animal tissue or a fresh or cryopreserved allogeneic human tissue.
Animal tissues (bovine or porcine) chemically treated are commonly used as replacements for defective human heart valves, and have been used in the past for vascular conduits. The concept in the chemical processing is to stabilize the structural protein and collagen matrix by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde or a similar cross-linking agent. This treatment also masks the antigenic determinants, such that the human host will not recognize the implant as foreign and precludes an immunorejection response. Glutaraldehyde-treated tissues, however, will not allow in-migration of host cells which are necessary for remodeling, and will gradually harden as a result of calcification. For this reason, glutaraldehyde-treated tissues generally require replacement in 5-7 years. Glutaraldehyde-treated bovine veins have been used in the past for vascular bypass bypass procedures, however, their use has been discontinued due to the unacceptable incidence of aneurysm formation and occlusion.
The use of allogeneic transplant tissues has been applied to heart valve replacement procedures, arterial bypass procedures, bone, cartilage, and ligament replacement procedures and to full-thickness wound treatment as a temporary dressing. The allogeneic tissue is used fresh, or may be cryopreserved with the use of DMSO and/or glycerol, to maintain viability of cellular components. It is thought that the cellular components contain histocompatibility antigens, and are capable of eliciting an immune response from the host. In many cases, the patient receiving the allogeneic transplant undergoes immunosuppressive therapy. Despite this therapy, many allogeneic transplants, including heart valves and blood vessels, undergo an inflammatory response, and fail within 5-10 years. Allogeneic skin is typically rejected within 1-5 weeks of application, and has never been demonstrated to be permanently accepted by the host, even with the use of immunosuppressive drugs.
Alternative processing methods have been developed by others that are intended to address the limitations of allogeneic and animal-derived transplant tissues. Freeze-drying is used routinely in the processing of allogeneic bone for transplantation. It has been found that the freeze drying process results in a graft which elicits no significant rejection response as compared to fresh or cryopreserved allogeneic bone. The freeze-dried bone following implant acts as a template, which is subsequently remodelled by the host. When the freeze-drying process has been applied to more complex tissues such as heart valves, the results have been mixed but overall unsatisfactory. A study was conducted in which 15 allogeneic heart valves were processed by freeze-drying prior to transplantation. Most of the freeze-dried valves failed due to mechanical causes in the early post-graft interval. Those freeze-dried valves which did not fail, however, demonstrated prolonged functionality (up to 15 years).
Enzymes and detergent processing has also been used to remove antigenic cells from collagen-based transplantable tissues. Organic solvents and detergent treatments have been used successfully with relatively simple tissues such as dura mater used in reconstructive surgical procedures. Chemical processing of more complex structures such as heart valves, vascular conduits and skin, however, has had only limited success in clinical applications.
The invention of this patent is a comprehensive processing technique that addresses potential damaging events in the preparation of complex collagen-based tissues for transplantation. The technology combines both biochemical and physical processing steps to achieve the ideal features of template function such that the tissue graft can be remodeled for long-term maintenance by the host.

Acellular dermal matrix and method of use thereof for grafting


A system for assisting a user in selecting a packet-based telephony service provider (“PBTSP”) from a group of PBTSPs, and in registering the user with the selected PBTSP for outbound and/or inbound calling. The selection of a particular PBTSP may be stored in a database, and this stored information may be used to enable the user to exchange telephone call data with one of the PBTSPs. One preferred system receives data from the user's computer device, determines whether the user is registered with one the PBTSPs and, if so, transmits data to the computer device which enables it to exchange telephone call data with one of the PBTSPs. The system also receives telephone call data from the computer device, accesses contact information for a PBTSP, and transmits the received telephone call data to the PBTSP using the accessed contact information.

Many on-line service providers seek to provide users with a feature by which the users can place telephone calls from their computer devices, using the computer devices as the equivalent of telephone handsets. Rather than supporting this pc-to-phone functionality directly, an on-line service provider may instead rely on an outside vendor (i.e., a PBTSP) to support this service.
In one known implementation, all packet-based telephony calls initiated by users of an on-line service provider are automatically routed, by client software, directly to an outside PBTSP selected by the service provider. In essence, the on-line service provider represents a referral service for the outside vendor, referring all its users desiring packet-based telephony service to the outside vendor. This implementation suffers from certain disadvantages.
One disadvantage is that users are not provided input into the selection of their PBTSP. Thus, while other available PBTSPs may provide superior service, offer better pricing, etc., the users must nonetheless employ the outside vendor selected by the service provider, or forego the packet-based telephony service.
Another disadvantage relates to the relative inability of the on-line service provider to manage or control the telephony service provided to its users by the outside vendor. This can be particularly problematic where the outside vendor fails to provide users with an appropriate level of service, which may reflect poorly on the referring service provider, or where a contractual relationship between the service provider and the outside vendor terminates.
In view of the above, the inventors have recognized a need for a system which allows service providers to more effectively manage packet-based telephony services provided to their users by outside vendors, and a system which allows users to choose from among multiple PBTSPs.


Accuracy control of an automatic analysis device that mixes a sample and a reagent to measure temporal change of a mixed solution is realized. A plurality of measurement point data is acquired from a reaction process of the sample and the reagent. Parameters and test values of approximate equations for approximating the plurality of measurement point data are accumulated in a storage unit. A distribution map of reference data corresponding to the parameters or the test values is created based on predetermined numbers of the parameters or the test values accumulated in the storage unit. Next, a plurality of screens for individually superimposing, on the distribution map, curved lines corresponding to a plurality of regression function candidates obtained by applying a plurality of regression functions are arranged and presented on a display screen, so as to approximate the data to the distribution map of the reference data.

In an automatic analysis device for clinical test, certain amounts of sample and reagent are dispensed to induce reaction, and the absorbance of a reaction solution is measured for a certain time to obtain test values (concentrations or activity values) of a measurement target substance based on a measurement result. The test result plays an important role in various diagnoses by a doctor, such as figuring out medical conditions of a patient and determining effects of therapy. Therefore, accuracy control for ensuring correct measurement by the automatic analysis device is essential.
An example of a general accuracy management method includes a method of measuring an accuracy control sample with a known concentration and comparing the measurement result with a predetermined tolerance. The measurement and the comparison of the accuracy control sample are periodically executed between measurements of general (patient) specimens. If the measurement result of the accuracy control sample is within the tolerance, it can be determined that the measurement of the general specimens executed between the previous measurement of the accuracy control sample and the measurement this time is correctly executed.
An example of a method of ensuring the accuracy of the measurement of individual general specimens includes an accuracy management method using reaction process data (reaction process curve) (for example, see Patent Literature 1 and 2). The reaction process data denotes time-series data of the absorbance measured for a plurality of times after reaction of a reagent with a sample. The measurement method of clinical test is roughly divided into two types, an end-point method and a rate method, and the reaction process curve varies according to the methods.
The end-point method is used to measure concentrations of components, such as protein and fat mainly included in the sample. A substance generated by reaction of a component in the sample with a reagent becomes asymptotic to a certain amount with time, and the measurement value also becomes asymptotic to a certain value with time.
The rate method is mainly used to measure activities of enzyme components included in the sample, and instead of the concentration of an enzyme, an activity value of the enzyme is measured. A reagent and a certain amount of substrate are added to the sample to measure the activity value, and elements changed by consumption of the substrate by the enzyme are measured based on the reagent. The enzyme reaction rate is theoretically asymptotic to the upper limit if the substrate concentration is high on some level. A reagent for biochemical item measurement includes a sufficient amount of substrate. Therefore, if the reaction of the sample with the reagent is normal, the measurement value of the reaction in general linearly changes by certain amounts relative to the time change.
Patent Literature 1 and 2 illustrates methods of using an approximate equation derived based on a chemical reaction model to approximate a reaction process curve and comparing obtained approximate equation parameters and the like with a predetermined standard distribution of parameters (distribution of normal parameters or distribution of normal parameters and abnormal parameters). In the methods, if the approximate equation parameters and the like are included in a normal range, it is determined that the measurement is performed correctly. Patent Literature 1 describes an accuracy management method related to the end-point method, and Patent Literature 2 describes an accuracy management method related to the rate method.

Automatic analysis device and automatic analysis program


Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The antisense compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.

Lipoproteins are globular, micelle-like particles that consist of a non-polar core of acylglycerols and cholesteryl esters surrounded by an amphiphilic coating of protein, phospholipid and cholesterol. Lipoproteins have been classified into five broad categories on the basis of their functional and physical properties: chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Chylomicrons transport dietary lipids from intestine to tissues. VLDLs, IDLs and LDLs all transport triacylglycerols and cholesterol from the liver to tissues. HDLs transport endogenous cholesterol from tissues to the liver
Lipoprotein particles undergo continuous metabolic processing and have variable properties and compositions. Lipoprotein densities increase without increasing particle diameter because the density of their outer coatings is less than that of the inner core. The protein components of lipoproteins are known as apolipoproteins. At least nine apolipoproteins are distributed in significant amounts among the various human lipoproteins.
The lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] particle was identified nearly 50 years ago and is comprised of a highly unique LDL particle in which one apolipoprotein B (apoB) protein is linked via a disulfide bond to a single apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] protein. The apo(a) protein shares a high degree of homology with plasminogen particularly within the kringle IV type 2 repetitive domain. Levels of circulating Lp(a) are inversely proportional to the number of kringle IV type 2 variable repeats present in the molecule and, as both alleles are co-expressed within individuals, can display heterozygous plasma isoform profiles (Kraft et al., Eur J Hum Genet, 1996; 4(2): 74-87). It is thought that this kringle repeat domain in apo(a) may be responsible for its pro-thrombotic and anti-fibrinolytic properties, potentially enhancing atherosclerotic progression.
Apo(a) is transcriptionally regulated by IL-6 and in studies in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with an IL-6 inhibitor (tocilizumab), plasma levels were reduced by 30% after 3 month treatment (Schultz et al., PLoS One 2010; 5:e14328).
Apo(a) has been shown to preferentially bind oxidized phospholipids and potentiate vascular inflammation (Bergmark et al., J Lipid Res 2008; 49:2230-2239; Tsimikas et al., Circulation. 2009; 119(13):1711-1719).
Further, studies suggest that the Lp(a) particle may also stimulate endothelial permeability, induce plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 expression and activate macrophage interleukin-8 secretion (Koschinsky and Marcovina, Curr Opin Lipidol 2004; 15:167-174). Importantly, recent genetic association studies revealed that Lp(a) was an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm (Rifai et al., Clin Chem 2004; 50:1364-71; Erqou et al., JAMA 2009; 302:412-23; Kamstrup et al., Circulation 2008; 117:176-84). Further, in the recent Precocious Coronary Artery Disease (PROCARDIS) study, Clarke et al. (Clarke et al., NEJM (2009)361; 2518-2528) described robust and independent associations between coronary heart disease and plasma Lp(a) concentrations. Additionally, Solfrizzi et al., suggested that increased serum Lp(a) may be linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (Solfrizzi et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2002, 72:732-736. Currently, in the clinic setting, examples of indirect apo(a) inhibitors for treating cardiovascular disease include aspirin, Niaspan, Mipomersen, Anacetrapib, Epirotirome and Lomitapide which reduce plasma Lp(a) levels by 18%, 39%, 32%, 36%, 43% and 17%, respectively. Additionally, Lp(a) apheresis has been used in the clinic to reduce apo(a) containing Lp(a) particles.
To date, therapeutic strategies to treat cardiovascular disease by directly targeting apo(a) levels have been limited. Ribozyme oligonucleotides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,022) and antisense oligonucleotides (WO 2005/000201; WO 2003/014397; U.S. Pat. No. 8,138,328; Merki et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2011; 57:1611-1621) have been developed, but none of the compounds directly targeting apo(a) are currently used in the clinic.
Thus, there remains a clear unmet medical need for novel agents which can potently and selectively reduce apo(a) levels in patients at enhanced risk for cardiovascular events due to chronically elevated plasma Lp(a) levels.

Methods and compositions for modulating apolipoprotein (a) expression


The present invention provides a language, method and system to formulate and evaluate relational Bayesian networks in an e-commerce environment. The present invention employs a specific language for constructing synthetic variables used to predict events in the Bayesian networks. The present system and language allow for efficient and accurate representation, inference, and discovery of the synthetic variables used to model web visitor behavior.

Today's e-commerce applications do not provide the service expected by customers or the performance demanded by e-merchants. In brick-and-mortar establishments, attentive sales staff members assume the role of assistant and guide, enabling business transactions that optimize customer satisfaction and transaction value. In person-to-person interactions, merchants are able to respond quickly and flexibly to customer concerns and to provide information to the customer as appropriate. Simultaneously, the face-to-face interactions provide opportunities to sell customers the products that satisfy their requirements and Maximize profit for the merchant. Current e-commerce implementations are neither, dynamic nor responsive in the time frames necessary to assess a customer's needs and provide the products and terms that will close the sale.
In e-commerce, visitors to e-commerce web sites are always potential customers. The analysis of web visitor behavior is currently accomplished through the use of web site analytics and integrative systems that allow consolidation and access to large volumes of historical data. While these tools provide useful retrospective insights on customers and products, they cannot model web visitor behavior accurately in real-time. Therefore, the responsive relationship between a salesperson and a customer in a brick-and-mortar store, with all its demonstration, information and upsell opportunities, simply does not exist in e-commerce. Standard statistical approaches are a poor fit with online behavioral data. Effective real-time web visitor behavior modeling requires making increasingly customer-centric, accurate inferences, often with extremely sparse data, associated with individual web visitors over very short time periods.
True customer-centric interaction can only take place when the web site responds to each web visitor in an appropriate and personalized manner. Previous attempts at understanding customer intent and needs in real-time have failed, largely because the simple modeling paradigms employed were incapable of integrating the rich detail available about a web visit. For example, it is standard in web-visitor behavior modeling to pre-classify web pages into a handful of distinct types, and try to identify path profiles from transitions over page types. In fact, there are several classes of information that can be exploited in understanding customer behavior. These classes are Visitor demographics, if the visitor is known to the site (e.g., zip code, time since last visit); Session-level visitor information (e.g., time of day, etc); Page location information (e.g., with web-site overall structure); Page presentation information (e.g., ad content, side-bar information presented, etc); Content information (e.g., attributes of specific products presented in detail, if any); and Click-stream dynamics, including both inter and intra-click dynamic information (e.g., inter-click elapsed time, mouse-overs).
Integration of all this information into a comprehensive model of the real-time behavior of a web site visitor is difficult or impossible without a modeling approach that can account for the complex relationships among these various types of data. This is especially true when some of the parameters may be unobservable (e.g., visitor intent). Relational Bayesian modeling combines a relational data model with the probabilistic semantics needed to effectively model the stochastic elements of observable behavior. One challenge in understanding dependencies among relational data is one-to-many relationships among data elements.
A prior art paper by Getoor et al [Getoor et al, 1999] have suggested the use of aggregation operators (cardinality, max, min, mean, sum, etc. . . . ) to model dependence from many to one. For example, at the relational level one might model that session purpose is closely correlated with the number of page requests in a session (i.e., cardinality). Little work has been done on identifying a broadly applicable set of such operators, nor has the adequacy of this approach been evaluated. A complementary alternative is the notion of selection, as used in Inductive Logic Programming. For example, one might surmise that what is most informative isn't simply the number of page requests in a session, but rather the number of page requests where PageRequest.page.type=catalog_page. Others have suggested combining rules [Laskey, 2001], and default mechanisms for combining information from multiple, similar, sources.
As an example, consider the following simple dynamic model of web-site visitors. FIG. 1 is the schema for a simple relational database of web server page requests. FIG. 2 is a simple relational Bayesian model over this database.
FIG. 3 shows the instance-level map for a visitor with only one session, consisting of two page requests. Note that the part of the schema-level model for page-requests has been replicated for each actual page request.
Another model contains the subgraph consisting of Session.purpose and the two PageRequest.page.type nodes, as shown in FIG. 4. Suppose that, at the schema level, the arc from Session.purpose to PageRequest.page.type had been reversed. Then, at the instance level, this would form the subgraph shown in FIG. 4. The semantics of Bayesian networks require that, for such a subgraph, P(Session.purpose 1 PageRequest1.page.type, PageRequest2.page.type) must be known. The relational model provides, however, a generic P(Session.purpose1PageRequest.page.type), These prior art techniques do not contain a practical way to extend this distribution to handle multiple conditioning variables. Therefore presently there is no effective way to model and predict user behavior in an e-commerce environment using prior art techniques.

Relational Bayesian modeling for electronic commerce


A webbing retractor which, by causing relative rotation between a prime mover rotating body and a rotating disc, connects the prime mover rotating body and a driven shaft which is connected to a take-up shaft of a webbing belt. A planet gear is pivotally supported at a plate having a braking piece and meshes with a sun gear. The plate is supported so as to be swingable around the sun gear. When the sun gear is driven to rotate at greater than a predetermined speed, the planet gear begins to circle around the sun gear against urging force of a spring attached to the plate, and makes the plate rotate such that the braking piece slidingly contacts the friction ring. Due to this braking, the rotating disc connected to the friction ring rotates relative to the prime mover rotating body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a webbing retractor which structures a seat belt device for restraining, by an elongated, strip-shaped webbing belt, the body of a vehicle occupant who is seated in a seat of a vehicle or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A seat belt device which restrains, by an elongated, strip-shaped webbing belt, the body of a vehicle occupant who is seated in a seat of a vehicle, is equipped with a webbing retractor which is fixed to the vehicle body at the side of the seat. The webbing retractor has a spool (take-up shaft) whose axial direction runs, for example, substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The proximal end side, in the longitudinal direction, of the webbing belt is anchored at the spool. The spool can take the webbing belt up in the form of a roll around the outer peripheral portion of the spool. When the seat belt device is not being used, the webbing belt can be accommodated in a state of being taken-up on the outer peripheral portion of the spool.
An urging member, such as a spiral spring or the like which urges the spool in a take-up direction in which the spool takes up the webbing belt, is provided at the webbing retractor. Due to the urging force of this urging member, the webbing belt is taken up and accommodated. In the state in which the webbing belt is applied to the body of a vehicle occupant, slack or the like of the webbing belt is eliminated by the urging force of the urging member.
On the other hand, a mechanism has been conceived in which, by taking-up a predetermined amount of the webbing belt onto the take-up shaft in a state of rapid deceleration of the vehicle or the like, the slight looseness known as "slack" or the like can be eliminated, and the force for restraining the body of the vehicle occupant by the webbing belt is increased such that the body of the vehicle occupant is held even more reliably. In such a mechanism, generally, the state of a rapid deceleration of the vehicle is sensed by an acceleration sensor, and the take-up shaft is forcibly rotated in the take-up direction on the basis of an electric signal from the acceleration sensor.
In contrast, a structure has been thought of in which the distance to another vehicle or an obstacle which is ahead is detected by a distance sensor or the like. When the distance to the vehicle or the obstacle which is ahead is less than a given value, a motor is operated, and the take-up shaft is rotated in the take-up direction by the torque of the motor.
Even in such a structure in which the take-up shaft is rotated in the take-up direction by the torque of a motor when the distance to a vehicle or an obstacle which is ahead is less than a given value, usually, the spool is rotated in the take-up direction by the urging force of the aforementioned urging member such as a spiral spring or the like. When the webbing belt is pulled out, the spool is rotated against the urging force of the urging member such as a spiral spring or the like. Thus, a clutch is provided between the motor and the spool so that the rotation of the spool at the time of usual taking-up and pulling-out of the webbing belt is not transmitted to the output shaft of the motor. Only in cases in which the motor is operated is the output shaft of the motor mechanically connected to the spool.
As a clutch mechanism used in such a structure, there is a structure in which an inertial mass body called an inertial plate is provided so as to be freely rotatable around the axis of the spool. In such a clutch mechanism, the inertial plate is provided so as to be able to rotate relative to both a driven shaft which is integral with the spool and a rotating body of a prime mover which rotates by receiving the rotation of the output shaft of the motor.
However, the other end of an urging member, such as a compression coil spring or the like whose one end is directly or indirectly engaged with the rotating body of the prime mover, is engaged with the inertial plate. When the rotating body of the prime mover rotates due to the torque of the motor, and, accompanying this rotation, the compression coil spring attempts to rotate, the urging force of the compression coil spring rotates the inertial plate.
However, the inertial plate attempts to maintain a stopped state by the inertia thereof. Thus, for example, when the rotating body of the prime mover suddenly rotates, relative rotation arises between the rotating body of the prime mover and the inertial plate which is attempting to maintain the stopped state by inertia. Interlockingly with this relative rotation, a connecting member, such as a pawl or the like which rotates together with the rotating body of the prime mover, is moved, and the connecting member is made to engage with the driven shaft. The torque of the motor is transmitted to the driven shaft, and consequently, to the spool.
However, in a structure using such an inertial plate, there is the condition that the rotating body of the prime mover must be rotated suddenly by the torque of the motor.
In order to satisfy such a condition, the rotating body of the prime mover and the output shaft of the motor must be directly connected without the torque of the motor being decelerated by a reduction gear or the like.
However, in the case of such a structure, if the clutch mechanism does not have a reduction mechanism, the rotation of the rotating body of the prime mover is transmitted to the driven shaft as well without being decelerated. Thus, the taking-up and the like of the webbing belt are carried out excessively rapidly.


The present invention is related to a laser radar for a vehicle using a cylindrical reflector and a method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a laser radar for a vehicle that comprises a reflector comprising a plurality of reflection mirrors preferably with reflection accuracy of 0.5° unit.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is related to a laser radar for a vehicle. More particularly, preferred laser radars comprise using a cylindrical reflector. In particular aspects, a laser radar for a vehicle is provided comprising using a cylindrical reflector, wherein a cylindrical reflector provided with a structure having a plurality of reflection mirrors preferably with reflection accuracy of 0.5° unit attached on an internal surface of the caliber thereof is used, hence allowing the laser scanning operation of the radar for a vehicle to be more stably accomplished and long and short distance detections to be accomplished.
2. Background
As the demand for more luxurious vehicle increases, a radar capable of detecting a distance from a vehicle ahead and its speed has been attached to a front side (bumper, grille, etc.) of the vehicle's body.
The radar for a vehicle is for the purpose of controlling a cruise and has been used in a traveling speed adaptation control, in which a distance from a vehicle ahead and its speed are detected to automatically trigger off braking or alarming in close proximity. The conventional radar and the operating method thereof will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
The radar shown in FIG. 8 is the industrial radar and includes a laser diode (100) and a prism (200) which is rotatable by 0.5°, as the main components, and its laser scanning method includes the steps of: generating a laser beam from the laser diode (100); transmitting the laser beam to the object to be detected while reflecting the laser beam through the prism (200); receiving a laser beam reflected from the object to be detected; measuring the time difference between the transmitted laser beam and the received laser beam; and calculating the distance from the object to be detected using the time difference.
However, there is a disadvantage in that, since the conventional radar shown in FIG. 8 uses a prism, performance can be compromised as a result of vibration of the vehicle body in traveling so that precise transmission of a laser beam is not accomplished. Moreover since the prism rotates, an additional designing is required to reduce the rotation momentum. Furthermore, since a more mechanical driver for the prism is required, it is difficult to manufacture radar itself in small size.
The radar shown in FIG. 9 is radar for a vehicle and includes a lens module (500) having a transmitter (300) with a laser diode (100) and a receiver (400) for receiving a laser beam, as the main components, and its laser scanning method includes the steps of: generating a laser beam from the laser diode (100) installed in the transmitter (300); radiating the laser beam through a lens of the lens module (500) to transmit it to the object to be detected; receiving the laser beam reflected from the object to be detected; measuring the time difference between the transmitted laser beam and the received laser beam; and horizontally moving the lens module (500) to measure the size of the object to be detected.
However, the disadvantage for the conventional radar shown in FIG. 9 is that it cannot detect an object at various angles using a laser, while a laser beam detection angle is very narrow at about 4 to 6°. It also has the disadvantage of the need to further install laser distance detection devices for long and short distance detections, separately, in order to perform short or long distance detection.
As the conventional radar device for a vehicle, in Korean Patent Publication No. 1999-022667 has been disclosed an optical radar device including: a light emitting means; a horizontal scanning means having a spiral form in which the apex angle of a prism is continuously changed to scan light emitting from the light emitting means; an actuator for rotating the horizontal scanning means; and a light receiving means for receiving light reflected from an object. However, the disadvantage of the aforementioned radar device for a vehicle is the imprecise laser transmission due to the application of prism that is weak to the vibration of the vehicle body.
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 8-261753 (11 Oct., 1996) has been disclosed an optical radar device for controlling a laser beam emitted from a light emitting device at an arbitrary angle through a polygonal mirror rotated by a motor with a disadvantage of narrow range for the laser transmission due to similar structure of the polygonal mirror to a prism.
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 8-248131 (27 Sep., 1996) has been disclosed a laser radar device including a radiation optical system provided with a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam, a rotation mirror for reflecting the laser beam in a scanning direction while rotating at a constant velocity, in order to change a radiation angle of the laser beam nonlinearly with respect to time. Yet, it has a disadvantage of narrow range for the laser transmission and a detection range for an object, although a radiation angle can be changed using a rotating mirror.
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 7-140248 (2 Jun., 1996) has been disclosed a laser radar device wherein a laser beam radiated from a laser beam source is rotated by a motor; radiated onto an object while passing through a mirror formed in a multi reflection type in which its top and bottom are inclined in a beam source direction; and then received to measure the distance from the object. Yet, it still has a disadvantage of narrow range for the laser transmission and a detection range for an object, although a radiation angle can be changed using a rotating mirror.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known to a person skilled in the art.

Laser radar for vehicle using reflector and method for controlling the same


An insulated carrier for beverage bottles or cans composed of two pieces divided circumferentially. The pieces are held together by an elastic cord so that they can easily be removed from the container without being totally separated.

This invention pertains to insulating devices intended for carrying cans or bottles of a beverage to keep the beverage either hot or cold.
Many devices have been used to carry beverages and to keep that beverage at or near a certain temperature. Vacuum bottles are an example of such a device which requires a decanting of the beverage into the container.
With the advent of standard sized cans or bottles, the use of jacket type devices adapted to surround the container has become more popular. Usually such device are made of a foamed insulation material and may cover only the bottom part of a can or bottle to insulate the container from the warmth of the hand of the person holding the container. Full jackets to enclose the can or bottle completely have been proposed, but nearly all of them are divided on an axial plane and use a hinge mechanism to hold two halves together.
By the present invention a jacket-type insulation device is provided. The jacket is divided circumferentially and uses an elastic cord fixed to both parts of the divided jacket to hold the parts together so that one part will not be mislaid, lost or forgotten.


A color image processing system which reads or receives a color image and outputs corrected color image to a display or printer. The system estimates the brightness of the original image and executes correction on the basis of this estimation. The system uses histograms to determine correction.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a color image processing apparatus for processing an image signal obtained by reading a color image or a transmitted image signal and outputting the processed image signal to a printer or a display and, more particularly, to a color image processing apparatus having a function of correcting a color image signal obtained by reading a color image signal photographed by a camera using a silver halide film or a color image signal read by a reading apparatus, a brightness reference of which is unknown, by estimating the brightness of an original image.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, when an original color image is to be reproduced by an output apparatus such as a color printer or a color display from a color image signal obtained by reading a color image, photographed by a camera using a negative or positive color film, by using an image sensor or a color image signal obtained by photographing performed by an electronic camera, the reproducibility of the color image is significantly reduced if the brightness of a photographing state is inadequate. This is mainly because the dynamic range in gradation of an output apparatus is narrower than those of a photographing system and a reading system. For example, if an original image is dark, a dark color portion may not be reproduced because it becomes continuous. On the other hand, if an original image is too bright, a light color portion may not be reproduced because it is whitened.
Similarly, when an original color image is to be reproduced from a color image signal read by a reading apparatus having an unknown brightness reference or a transmitted color image signal, the reproducibility is reduced unless the white reference level of the reading apparatus coincides with that of an output apparatus.
To avoid the above inconvenience, the brightness of an original color image is estimated from an input color image signal, and the color image signal is corrected on the basis of the estimated brightness. As this correction method, a method called an averaging method or an equivalent neutral density method is known. This method is based on the statistical fact that the total sum of the color densities of an entire color image to be reproduced is close to neutral gray. In this method, therefore, an average value of the color densities of an entire image is calculated, and a brightness is estimated from this average value, thereby executing correction. In this method, however, if an original image is in a color deviated from gray, it is difficult to correctly estimate the brightness. In addition, since the total sum of the color densities of an entire image is calculated, a brightness cannot be estimated unless a color image signal of an entire image is input. Therefore, to correct color image signals transmitted at a predetermined rate, a large-capacity memory is required to temporarily store color image signals of an entire image, and response characteristics are degraded.
Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 63-131777 describes a method in which a maximum value of one (e.g., an R signal) of color image signals (generally, three primary color signals R, G, and B) or a signal corresponding to a luminance is calculated and compared with a predetermined reference value to obtain a difference, thereby generating brightness information on the basis of this difference. Also in this method, however, if a large amount of colors (e.g., a scene of lawn constituted by green) deviated from gray is included in an original color image, it is difficult to correctly estimate the brightness.

Brightness referenced color image correcting apparatus


An annular tube (or other shape) of elastomeric cellular material comprising elastomeric closed cells having gas infused therein is supported by structures protruding from the bottom surface of a suction stabilizer's head and/or by structures within the interior volume of the annular body of the suction stabilizer, preferably with spacing between the outer diameter of the annular tube of the cellular material and the inner walls of the suction stabilizer body. The gas-infused closed cell material may thus be employed in new suction stabilizer or pulsation dampener or to retrofit existing suction stabilizers or pulsation dampeners designed for a gas-filled bladder.

Within closed fluid pumping systems, fluid pulsation or cavitation may occur in response to the sudden change of pressure associated with acceleration or deceleration of the fluid. Because fluid generally has very low compressibility, any applied force must be accounted for and variation in fluid movement can cause pulsations that, if not dampened, may become extreme and damage the pump or other portions of the piping system. Fluid pressure pulsations may result, for example, when fluid fails to maintain contact with the face of the pump's plunger as it retracts to pull fluid into the pump. When the plunger subsequently moves forward to discharge the fluid, the fluid may impact the plunger face to cause vibration or pulsation. Dramatic swings in fluid pressure during a pump cycle may have an analogous effect.
Suction stabilizers and discharge dampeners help keep the fluid in constant contact with a pump plunger and/or reduce pressure variation during the pump cycle. Typically using gas-filled bladders, especially for large pressure variations (due to the compressibility of gas), suction stabilizers and discharge dampeners act as a shock absorber to absorb the forces associated with flow variations and rapid fluid acceleration and deceleration during the pump stroke cycle. However, the gas-filled bladders require periodic maintenance to replenish the gas charge within the bladder. Failure to maintain the proper gas charge degrades the performance of the stabilizer and, in extreme cases, negates any benefit from installing the suction stabilizer or discharge dampener.

Cellular tube for replacement of traditional gas-charged cartridges in suction stabilizers


An injection device operable to deliver a dose of medicament from a syringe or cartridge includes a temperature-sensitive arrangement for inhibiting operation thereof under predetermined temperature conditions. This may include a thermally responsive element that adopts a position in which operation of the device is inhibited when a temperature level is passed.

This invention relates to injection devices and in particular but not exclusively to autoinjectors in which all or part of the injection cycle is automated. The invention also relates to syringes and other hand-operated injection devices.
It is generally desirable that an autoinjector performs consistently over a wide temperature range. Although this is achievable in some cases, in others, particularly where the fluid or material properties of the substance or substances to be injected vary significantly with temperature, it may not be possible to provide an autoinjector device that performs consistently at very low or very high temperatures or outside a given temperature range. For example the viscosity of a medicament may vary quite significantly with temperature.
Accordingly we have designed an injection device in which the user is alerted if the temperature of the autoinjector is not consistent with the operating range of temperatures. This alert may be active, by inhibiting operation of the device, or passive, by providing a visual indicator, or a combination of both.


The invention relates to a three-dimensional model data generating apparatus which can generate efficiently and accurately three-dimensional model data of a structural member constituting a machine tool. A three-dimensional model data generating apparatus 1 has: X-, Y-, and Z-axis imaging mechanisms 21, 22, 23 each of which has two CCD cameras that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and which image a structural member constituting a machine tool 10 in the respective directions of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes (three orthogonal axis directions), thereby generating two-dimensional image data; and a model data generating section 31 which generates three-dimensional model data including at least shape data which define a three-dimensional shape of the structural member on the basis of the generated two-dimensional image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional model data generating apparatus for generating three-dimensional model data of a structural member constituting a machine tool in which a slide is movable in directions of at least first and second axes that are perpendicular to each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A machine tool is composed of various structural members such as: a chuck which holds a workpiece; a main spindle which axially rotates the chuck; a tool rest to which a tool is attached; and a drive mechanism which moves the tool rest in at least two orthogonal axial directions. Such a machine tool is configured so that the workpiece and the tool are relatively moved to machine the workpiece.
The operation of the drive mechanism is controlled by a controller on the basis of an NC program which is adequately prepared. If the NC program has an error, there is the possibility that an accident in which the tool and the workpiece interfere with each other occurs.
When an NC program is newly prepared, therefore, a trial machining is conducted on the basis of the NC program to check whether the NC program has an error or not. Recently, with using three-dimensional model data of a machine tool, an interference simulation is performed on a computer to check whether such an NC program has an error or not.
Such three-dimensional model data of a machine tool are configured while three-dimensional model data of plural structural members constituting the machine tool are correlated with one another. Three-dimensional model data of each structural member include at least shape data which define the three-dimensional shape of the structural member.
Usually, three-dimensional model data of a machine tool and structural members are adequately generated with using a three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) system by a CAD operator.
However, an interference simulation using three-dimensional model data which are generated in this way has the following problem. When the shape of a workpiece and that of a chuck for holding the workpiece are changed, for example, three-dimensional model data of the workpiece and the chuck must be newly generated, and three-dimensional model data of the whole of a machine tool must be corrected and updated with using the generated three-dimensional model data. As a result, there arises a problem in that the interference simulation cannot be quickly performed.
In a recent machining of workpiece, flexible production is conducted, and the workpiece shape to be machined is frequently changed. When three-dimensional model data of a workpiece and a chuck are newly generated for each change as described above, therefore, the productivity is very lowered.
Three-dimensional model data of a machine tool and structural members are sometimes caused to be different from their actual shapes by, for example, an error produced by a CAD operator. In this case, there is a problem in that an interference simulation cannot be correctly performed.
The invention has been conducted under the aforementioned circumstances. It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for generating three-dimensional model data which can generate efficiently and correctly three-dimensional model data of a machine tool and a structural member thereof in accordance with the actual state of the machine tool.

Apparatus for generating three-dimensional model data

Intelligent Manufacturing Systems International


A bottle brush cleaning device includes a container cleaning element, a nipple cleaning element, and one or more additional cleaning elements. Each cleaning element extends from an ergonomically shaped base that is easy to grasp with one hand and manipulate use of each of the cleaning elements. In one embodiment, the ergonomically shaped base is configured to be placed upright on a supporting surface such that each of the cleaning elements is at least semi-vertically positioned away from the supporting surface in order to air dry without contamination from contact with other objects or surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, two additional cleaning elements extend from the base, wherein the additional cleaning elements each include brushes having dissimilarly sized diameters in order to allow for cleaning of varyingly sized articles, such as a straw or other tubular-shaped article.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to brushes for cleaning bottles and, more particularly, to a multi-element brushing device for cleaning each of the multiple components of a bottle.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The are a number of different, well known types of baby bottles; however, each bottle configuration typically includes a container component for storing infant formula, expressed breast milk or other liquid, and a nipple component that is sealable to the container component. Moreover, there are particular embodiments of baby bottles that include a straw component extending within the interior of the container component and being in communication with the nipple component. Baby bottles are generally reusable and must therefore be cleaned between uses. The process of cleaning the different components of a baby bottle can be cumbersome due to the relatively confined spaces included in each of the components.
There have been attempts to create a bottle and nipple brush in the past in an effort to provide a sufficient bottle cleaning device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,863 to Dunn discloses a combined bottle and nipple cleaning brush utensil. The Dunn nipple cleaning brush is storable within the handle portion of the brush, which can promote growth of bacteria and mold. Moreover, the Dunn utensil does not provide a cleaning brush suitable for cleaning a straw component of a bottle. While the Dunn brush utensil and other cleaning brushes are not without merit, there exists a need for a bottle brush cleaning device having a combination of at least three different types of brushes, including a container cleaning element, a nipple cleaning element, and one or more additional cleaning elements, and wherein each of the cleaning elements extend from an ergonomically shaped base that is easy to grasp with one hand and manipulate use of each of the cleaning elements without having to place down the device or reposition one's grip on the device.


An improved bedpan apparatus is disclosed, including a bedpan having a base and a wall defining a receptacle, and a lip which can support a person; and a bedpan cushion coupled to the bedpan on the lip. The apparatus also can include a layer of material which provides frictional resistance to movement of the cushion on the lip. The apparatus can be provided with a retainer, such as an elastic material, for retaining the cushion on the lip. The apparatus also can be provided with one or more tabs which are coupled to the cushion and engage the bedpan for retaining the cushion on the bedpan.

Bedridden people often are incapable of using standard toilet facilities. Typically, such people use bedpans, which can be placed under the person when required. In the past, bedpans typically were made of metal. Although metal bedpans are still in use, many hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities use bedpans made from plastics. The plastic materials must be rigid in order to support the person and maintain a receptacle. However, the rigidity of the bedpans often leads to discomfort to the user. Many people remain on the bedpan for extended periods of time. In addition, since the people who use bedpans often have serious illnesses, or are elderly, many have little muscle support, which causes painful compression of bones on the rigid bedpan. In some instances, the person's discomfort leads to an effort to remove the bedpan without the assistance of a healthcare worker, which can cause spilling of the bedpan contents. In other instances, discomfort has lead to the person having the bedpan undesirably removed prematurely. It also has been found that some people develop gluteal sores due to the rigidity of the bedpan. Thus, there is need for an improved bedpan apparatus which will retain its essential functionality while alleviating the discomfort many people experience.


A mirror alignment and damping device (10) maintains orthogonality between the fixed mirror and the moving mirror in an interferometric spectrometer. The device (10) includes electromagnetic motion imparting units (32, 34, 36, and 38) which have electromagnetic coils (40) and threadedly adjustable pole pieces (44). The electromagnetic motion imparting units (32, 24, 26, and 38) are preferably arranged along perpendicular axes along a base (12) in order to enable independent orthogonal tilting of the mirror (26). Each voice coil consists of a wound wire coil (40) immersed in an annular magnetic field created by permanent magnets (42) which are mounted on a mirror support (44). A course tilt adjust is accomplished by adjusting the pole pieces (44) toward or away from the permament magnets (42) so as to increase or decrease the gap between the permanent magnets (42) and the pole pieces (44), thereby causing a corresponding increase or decrease in the magnetic forces acting between the magnets (42) and pole pieces ( 44). A fine adjust is then accomplished by inducing an appropriate current through the wire coils (40). Damping results from the use of a thermoplastic collar which is sandwiched between the base (12) and the mirror support (24).

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) interferometric spectrometers are widely used in the analysis of chemical compounds. By measuring the absorption of infrared radiation by an unknown sample at various wave lengths in the infrared spectrum and comparing the results with known standards, these instruments generate useful information with respect to the chemical makeup of the unknown sample. In a typical FTIR spectrometer, infrared radiation from an infrared emitting source is collected, passed through an interferometer, passed through the sample to be analyzed, and brought to focus on an infrared detector. The interferometer system, in combination with the sample, modulates the intensity of the infrared radiation that impinges on the detector, and thereby forms a time variant intensity signal. It is the function of the detector to convert this time variant intensity signal to a corresponding time varying current. The current, in turn, is converted to a time varying voltage, which is presented to an analog-to-digital converter and then stored as a sequence of digital numbers to be processed in a processor associated with the spectrometer.
One important feature of the FTIR spectrometer is the moving mirror element that modulates the analytical radiation used by the instrument to study samples. The moving mirror allows a time-domain interferogram to be generated which, when analyzed, allows high resolution frequency-domain spectra to be produced. The computer performs a Fourier transform on the data to produce a spectrum which shows spectral-energy versus frequency.
It is critical in the design of these instruments that the surface of the moving mirror be very accurately held in an orthogonal position, i.e., at a right angle, both to the fixed mirror and to the direction of the motion of the moving mirror. Mirror positional accuracy is crucial because deviations in the mirror alignment produce small errors in the time-domain interferogram which may translate into large errors in the frequency-domain spectrum. In a typical interferometer, mirror deviations larger than one wave length of the analytical radiation used are considered significant and can seriously degrade the quality of the entire instrument.
The alignment of the mirror is ordinarily accomplished by supporting the mirror in a high precision bearing, such as an air bearing, and by attempting to align the bearing to the desired degree of precision. Alignment is usually accomplished by means of differential screws which are manually adjusted to align the moving mirror as perfectly as possible. This is a time consuming procedure requiring significant skill. It also adds to manufacturing expense and to field service costs because realignment is often required. In addition, it mandates the use of extremely accurate bearings which may be very expensive.
Efforts have been made to eliminate the need to manually align the high precision bearings. Although still requiring the use of high precision bearings, automatic static alignment at least relieves the user from performing time consuming realignments. For instance, some devices which automatically align the moving mirror use stepper motors to accomplish substantially automatic simulation of the manual alignment procedure. These devices typically use a computer which aids in the alignment of the static mirror at periodic service intervals. Disadvantages of these devices include slow speed, large size, high cost, and continuing dependence on high precision bearings.
Attempts to eliminate the high precision bearings have heretofore been only marginally successful. To attempt to dynamically tilt either the moving or the fixed mirror to compensate for the tilting of the moving mirror as it moves on its air bearing requires more speed than can be readily obtained with a mechanism based on lead screws and stepper motors.
Dynamic adjustment of the mirror tilt to correct for imprecise bearings and achieve desired alignment has been difficult to accomplish in practice. Such prior adjustment devices tend to be very expensive, slow, bulky, and poor in performance. For example, one device uses piezoelectric positioners to dynamically adjust mirror tilt. However, the positioners are large, expensive, and require one thousand volt drive levels. In addition to being large and expensive, power supplies for such high voltages create undesirable operating hazards.


Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a method for integrating at least one Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) environment into a Service-oriented Architecture (SOA). The OSGi environment includes at least one OSGi object, and the SOA includes a SOA registry. The method includes publishing the at least one OSGi object to the SOA registry. The publishing includes creating an SOA object in the SOA registry corresponding to the at least one OSGi object. The SOA object includes information reflecting at least one relationship of the at least one OSGi object to at least one further OSGi object within the OSGi environment.

Nowadays, complex computations are typically executed by means of a plurality of distributed computer systems which communicate over networks, such as the Internet. In such a scenario, each computer is in charge of certain functionality and the computers invoke each other's functionalities to collectively accomplish the overall computation.
One methodology for realizing such a distributed processing is called service-oriented architecture (SOA). Generally speaking, SOA comprises principles and methodologies for the design, development and operation of software as interoperable services. That is, each application running on a certain computer system registers its provided functionality as a so-called service in a central SOA registry. Other services can then query the SOA registry, retrieve an interface definition of a suitable service and invoke that service. The concept of SOA is increasingly popular due to the loose coupling between the services, which leads to computer systems which are particularly flexible to adaptations and changes. Further, a SOA allows for the interworking of heterogeneous systems, i.e. systems that are based on different software, programming languages, hardware and/or operating systems, since such heterogeneous systems are enabled to interact with one another via the well-defined interfaces registered in the SOA registry.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that controlling the correct operation of a large SOA-based system is a complex and difficult task, while catastrophic impacts on the overall SOA system can arise already if one single service does not operate as expected. For example, consider a SOA-based system that operates an assembly line e.g. for the manufacturing of vehicles. If one service of the SOA does not operate as expected, this could lead to a complete halt of the assembly line or even to damages to the produced vehicles. Another example involves a SOA that operates an air traffic control system in an airport. If one service in the SOA does not operate as expected, this could have catastrophic consequences for the managed airport, possibly even involving plane crashes in the worst case.
Therefore, various approaches have been proposed in the prior art for controlling the correct operation of a SOA, i.e. to ensure that all participants (such as services) in the SOA operate as expected. These approaches for controlling the correct operation of a SOA are commonly referred to as "SOA governance" and include among others ensuring that all SOA components interact properly in terms of communication patterns, security rules, response times and/or other performance characteristics (quality of services), ensuring that changing a service does not impose unforeseen consequences on service consumers (change management) and/or ensuring that services evolve within the system only in a controlled manner (lifecycle management).
One way of implementing a certain subsystem of a SOA in the programming language Java is provided by a dynamic and modularized architecture model called OSGi (Open Services Gateway initiative. OSGi is a module system and service platform for the Java programming language implementing functional components (referred to as OSGi objects) in the form of bundles and services in an OSGi environment. OSGi services are Java object instances, registered into the OSGi framework. Any Java object can be registered as a service, but typically it implements a well-known interface. OSGi bundles can be used to group one or more OSGi services and are typically specified as jar components with extra manifest headers. The functional components (i.e. bundles and services) are typically managed using a service registry of the respective OSGi environment.
US patent application publication no. 2012/0036252 A1 discloses an OSGi-based heterogeneous service integrating system, which is used for publishing OSGi service endpoints to a remote registry for discovery purposes. Further, US patent application publication 2005/0154785 A1 provides a method and system of mapping at least one web service to at least one OSGi service and exposing at least one local service as at least one local web service. The document describes exposing an OSGi service as a web service to make the service consumable outside the OSGi environment.
However, while the above-discussed prior art approaches allow for making OSGi-based systems usable within a SOA, the proposed prior art systems lack the ability of efficiently and reliably controlling the correct operation of a SOA once the OSGi part has been integrated.
It is therefore the technical problem underlying certain exemplary embodiments to provide an approach for integrating at least one OSGi environment into a Service-oriented Architecture in such a manner that the correct operation of the SOA can be efficiently and reliably controlled, thereby at least partly overcoming the above explained disadvantages of the prior art.
This problem is according to one aspect of the invention solved by a method for integrating at least one Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) environment into a Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), wherein the OSGi environment comprises at least one OSGi object and wherein the SOA comprises a SOA registry. In the embodiment of claim 1, the method comprises the steps of:    a. publishing the at least one OSGi object to the SOA registry; wherein    b. the publishing comprises creating an SOA object in the SOA registry corresponding to the at least one OSGi object, wherein the SOA object comprises information reflecting at least one relationship of the at least one OSGi object to at least one further OSGi object within the OSGi environment.
Accordingly, the embodiment defines a method for enabling a proper exercise of control over at least one OSGi object in the OSGi environment using a SOA registry as central control component (SOA governance). To this end, the at least one OSGi environment is integrated in a SOA in that the at least one OSGi object is published to the SOA registry. Importantly, not only the OSGi object itself is published to the SOA registry, but also its relationships to other OSGi objects. Optionally, also other information, such as metadata, can be published with the OSGi object. Publishing of the OSGi object with its relationship(s) to other OSGi objects is an important prerequisite for the achievement of operational control, since it enables e.g. to perform impact analyses on the OSGi object and its relationships, i.e. analyses of how a change to the OSGi object affects the other objects.
The present method for enabling SOA governance further provides the essential capability to govern a multitude of OSGI objects in OSGi environments with one SOA registry. One central control component in huge software platforms is indispensable to reduce complexity and to keep the performance.
In one aspect of the present invention, the OSGi object comprises information indicating a lifecycle state and/or lifecycle stage of the OSGi object, and wherein the corresponding SOA object comprises information indicating a corresponding lifecycle state and/or lifecycle stage of the SOA object.
Accordingly, SOA governance in the SOA registry can be applied on the lifecycle of the OSGi object in one aspect of the invention. Examples of lifecycle states of the objects of an OSGi environment include a development state, a testing state, a preproduction state and/or a production state. The lifecycle state of the OSGi object is then mapped to the lifecycle state of the corresponding SOA object (as instance of the OSGi object) in the SOA registry. This way, the SOA registry can govern the transition of the OSGi object from one lifecycle state to another lifecycle state, i.e. a lifecycle state change of the OSGi object can be controlled e.g. by means of policies defined on transitions between lifecycles in the SOA registry. As an example of governance, installation and uninstallation of the OSGI object requires an approval in the SOA registry. Hence, one SOA registry is enabled to control the state of one or multiple OSGi objects.
In a further aspect, the OSGi object comprises information indicating a version of the OSGi object, and wherein the corresponding SOA object comprises information indicating the version of the OSGi object. Accordingly, the version of the OSGi object is mapped to the version of the corresponding SOA object in the SOA registry. For example, the uninstallation of the OSGi object with a specific version may lead to deleting the specific version of the corresponding SOA object (and only that version) in the SOA registry.
It will be appreciated that in certain exemplary embodiments only one, only a subset, or any combination of the above-explained information (relationships, lifecycle states, versions) is published into the SOA registry.
In another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the further steps of detecting that an OSGi object has been installed in the OSGi environment, and creating a corresponding SOA object in the SOA registry. Also, the method may comprise the further steps of detecting that an OSGi object has been updated in the OSGi environment, and updating the corresponding SOA object in the SOA registry. Lastly, the method may also comprise the further steps of detecting that an OSGi object has been uninstalled in the OSGi environment, and deleting the corresponding SOA object in the SOA registry.
Accordingly, further changes, besides lifecycle and version, of the OSGi object are noticed including installation, update and uninstallation. For example whenever a new object has been installed, it is of importance that the corresponding SOA object is created in the SOA registry. Likewise when an object has been uninstalled the corresponding SOA object is deleted in the SOA registry. The adjustment of the OSGi object with the SOA object in the SOA registry is essential to assure equal states of the objects and accurate governance in the SOA registry over currently changed OSGi objects. The fine tuning of adjustment may be handled e.g. with configuration settings.
In a preferred embodiment, the above detecting steps comprise receiving an event from the OSGi environment indicating that the corresponding OSGi object has been installed, updated and/or uninstalled in the OSGi environment. Accordingly, certain exemplary embodiments passively listen for changes in the OSGi environment and synchronize such changes to the SOA registry when a corresponding event is received, which has minimal impact on the operation of the OSGi environment (as compared to actively querying the OSGi environment e.g. in regular intervals).
In yet another aspect, the method comprises the further steps of detecting that an SOA object has been created, updated and/or deleted in the SOA registry, and installing, updating and/or uninstalling a corresponding OSGi object in the OSGi environment. Accordingly, the synchronization not only takes place in the direction from the OSGi environment to the SOA registry, but also in the inverse direction, leading to a fully synchronized integration of the OSGi environment into the SOA.
In one embodiment, the detecting comprises receiving a command from the SOA registry for installing, updating and/or uninstalling the corresponding OSGi object in the OSGi environment. Accordingly, certain exemplary embodiments again passively wait for being provided with a command from the SOA registry to perform the respective action on the OSGi environment, i.e. the SOA triggers the respective action (so-called push approach from the SOA registry). Alternatively, the detecting may comprise querying the SOA registry, preferably periodically, whether an SOA object has been created, updated and/or deleted in the to SOA registry (so-called pull approach from the OSGi environment).
Generally, the at least one OSGi object may be an OSGi bundle or an OSGi service. As already explained further above, OSGi is a module system organized in functional modules in the form of OSGi services and OSGi bundles grouping OSGi services. The present method can then be applied individually on the functional modules.
Furthermore, certain exemplary embodiments also provide a computer program comprising instructions for implementing any of the above-described methods.
Certain exemplary embodiments are also directed to an integration component for integrating at least one Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) environment into a Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), wherein the OSGi environment comprises at least one OSGi object and wherein the SOA comprises a SOA registry, wherein the integration component comprises:    a. means for publishing the at least one OSGi object to the SOA registry; wherein    b. the means for publishing is adapted for creating an SOA object in the SOA registry corresponding to the at least one OSGi object, wherein the SOA object comprises information reflecting at least one relationship of the at least one OSGi object with at least one further OSGi object within the OSGi environment.
Accordingly, the provided integration component (hereinafter also referred to as OSGi agent; which is preferably an OSGi bundle itself) can be understood as a gateway that integrates the OSGi world and the SOA world, as explained in connection with any of the above methods. Further advantageous modifications of embodiments of the integration component of certain exemplary embodiments are defined in further dependent claims.
Lastly, certain exemplary embodiments also relate to a Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) comprising a SOA registry, at least one Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) environment, and an integration component as disclosed above.

Method and integration component for integrating OSGi environments into a Service-oriented Architecture


A method for manufacturing an electrically programmable non-volatile memory cell comprises forming a first electrode on a substrate, forming an inter-electrode layer of material on the first electrode having a property which is characterized by progressive change in response to stress, and forming a second electrode over the inter-electrode layer of material. The inter-electrode layer comprises a dielectric layer, such as ultra-thin oxide, between the first and second electrodes. A programmable resistance, or other property, is established by stressing the dielectric layer, representing stored data. Embodiments of the memory cell are adapted to store multiple bits of data per cell and/or adapted for programming more than one time without an erase process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrically programmable, non-volatile memory and integrated circuits including such memory, and more particularly to a memory cell structure and method of operation based upon programmable resistance induced by progressive breakdown of ultra-thin dielectric layers and related structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrically programmable non-volatile memory technologies are being adapted to many applications. The various technologies vary in the number of times that the memory cells can be programmed, the voltages required to achieve programming, and the number of bits of data stored in each memory cell. Also, an important consideration in determining whether to apply a particular memory technology is the manufacturing steps required to form the memory cells and supporting circuitry.
Memory technologies based upon floating gates like standard EEPROM, or charge trapping layers like oxide-nitride-oxide memory cells, are typically programmable many times. However, these technologies require complex programming and erasing circuitry, and employ complex charge pump techniques to achieve the voltages required for programming and erasing. Also, when storing more than one bit of data per memory cell, complex programming and sensing technologies are required. Finally, with respect to these types of flash memory, manufacturing steps needed to form the memory cells often include expensive steps not normally required for forming standard logic circuitry, such as CMOS logic, on the same integrated circuit.
A simple electrically programmable memory cell structure has been described by de Graaf, et al., "A Novel High-Density Low-Cost Diode Programmable Read-only Memory," IEDM 1996, pages 7.6.1–7.6.4. According to de Graaf, et al., a one-time programmable high-density memory can be achieved using a diode-antifuse structure that consists of a first n-type polysilicon electrode, a second p-type diffusion electrode, and a layer of dielectric such as about 60 Angstroms of thermally grown silicon dioxide between the electrodes. In this structure, the memory cells are programmed by applying high-voltage, around 13 volts, to induce breakdown of the dielectric layer, and thereby forming a physical connection between electrodes of programmed cells. Although the de Graaf, et al., structure is compact and easy to manufacture, it allows only one-time programming, and requires high-voltage operation.
It is desirable to provide electrically programmable non-volatile memory cell technologies that can be operated at low voltages, and can be made using processes more compatible with standard CMOS logic manufacturing techniques. Also, is desirable that such non-volatile memory cell technologies provide for programming multiple times, and/or storing more than one bit per memory cell.

Method for manufacturing a programmable eraseless memory


A seat valve in a motor vehicle wheel slip control system includes a valve tappet acting as a valve closure member, where the valve tappet is movably guided and aligned with a valve seat member by a centering sleeve that guides the valve tappet. The centering sleeve is articulated at the valve seat member.

DE 101 00 744 A1 discloses a seat valve of the generic type in the shape of a solenoid valve having a valve tappet arranged between the magnetic armature and the valve seat member that is guided in a centering sleeve, which is press fitted to a hollow cylinder stepped in its outside diameter and, as a component of the valve seat member, facing the valve tappet.
The smallest radial clearance necessary between the valve tappet and the centering sleeve is influenced by the eccentricity of the sealing edge at the valve tappet in relation to the outside diameter of the hollow cylinder and by the eccentricity of the centering bore in the centering sleeve in relation to the attachment of the centering sleeve at the outside diameter of the hollow cylinder. The result is the necessity and the disadvantage that the minimum radial clearance required for the self-centering of the valve tappet generally must be selected to be large. With an increasing radial clearance in the centering sleeve, however, the valve noise increases, which is based on the transverse force active at the magnet armature and causing an undesirable armature offset during electromagnetic energization and, thus, an undesirable structure-borne noise.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to improve a seat valve of the generic type in such a way that the above-mentioned shortcomings are avoided, while maintaining a design as simple as possible. To this end it is required to diminish the minimum radial clearance in the centering sleeve.


A method implemented on a computing device including at least one processor and a storage for synchronizing video transmission with physical layer. The method includes determining a first time point corresponding to a frame header of a video frame, determining a second time point corresponding to a frame header of a physical layer frame based at least in part on the first time point, and starting transmitting the video frame at the second time point.

Unmanned movable platform (UMP) such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been widely used in various fields such as aerial photography, surveillance, scientific research, geological survey, and remote sensing. The maneuvering of a UAV may be controlled by a user via a ground terminal. The UAV may record video data during flight and transmit the video data to the ground terminal. The ground terminal may display the video data synchronously with the recording.
In order to display the video data at the ground terminal without causing lags, it is important for the UAV to reduce time delay of transmitting the video data from the UAV to the ground terminal.

Systems and methods for synchronizing frame timing between physical layer frame and video frame


A gripper assembly for gripping a workpiece having removable and replaceable mountings. A gripper assembly is substantially square-shaped and has a corresponding square-shaped mounting spacer. The mounting spacer may be positioned about any side of the gripper assembly. This allows an operator to locate the assembly in any orientation to a workpiece assembly unit. The mounting is also removable and replaceable with other mounting configurations as desired. Several mounting couplings may be provided on the gripper to restrict or enlarge movement of the gripper about a workpiece holder assembly.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gripper assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gripper assembly for gripping a workpiece for use with a workpiece holder wherein the gripper assembly comprises a multi-directional mounting member readily removable from the gripper assembly.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, a gripper assembly for use with a workpiece holding device comprises a fluid operating portion and a workpiece gripper portion. The gripper assembly is mounted to the workpiece holder by means such as a ball and socket coupling. A gripper assembly of the general type with which the present invention is concerned is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/563,253. The device disclosed in that patent includes a gripper assembly having a ball permanently mounted to the gripper for mounting the gripper assembly to the workpiece holder device.
A disadvantage of this type of assembly is that the mount is permanently affixed to the gripper assembly. Therefore, if the gripper assembly needs to be limited in movement and, as such, mounted to the workpiece holder by a different coupling, the gripper assembly must be removed and replaced by a whole new gripper assembly.
Further, if a different workpiece gripper is called for, the workpiece gripper portion of the gripper assembly may not be removed and replaced. Instead, a whole new gripper assembly with its corresponding mount and gripper portion must be provided. This can be costly and time-consuming as replacement of the gripper assembly requires a temporary shutdown of a conveyor system in which it is being used.


A system for monitoring ingestion of medicine (21) comprises forming a digestible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (10). The RFID tag is attached to the medicine. The RFID tag and medicine are ingested. A signal from the RFID tag is monitored.

It is desirable to monitor internal bodily events, sometimes over a period of time, without immediate access to medical facilities. For example, the ability to track medicine ingestion and absorption into the body is useful for verifying proper usage, monitoring drug interactions, controlling dosage and maintaining inventory control.
Traditional methods of obtaining internal physiological information include: physically probing the body via an orifice or incision with tools such as endoscopes or laparoscopes; imaging the body with modalities such as x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; or collecting biological samples such as blood, saliva, bodily secretions, or biopsy tissue. It would be appealing to probe the living body without the effort, expense, inconvenience and risk of injury or infection involved with the above methods.
An improvement on these traditional means is the use of ingestible cameras, such as the Pillcam™ produced by Given Imaging (see www.pillcam.com). These swallowable cameras in pill format collect images and basic physical measurements such as pH and temperature as they travel through the digestive tract. Pillcam's™ main use is to collect internal images to help with diagnosis of conditions inside the digestive tract. These devices have been proven to provide useful information about the state of a subject without additional invasive medical procedures. However, such cameras are relatively complex, expensive, unpleasant to swallow, and are limited in their ability to collect physiological information.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are a class of device that can also be applied to the problem of tracking internal physiological activities. An RFID tag includes an antenna made of a material that can be caused to sympathetically resonate by a field attuned to a particular frequency (typically in the radio range). The resonance of the antenna in the field in turn becomes a source of information by broadcasting at the resonant frequency. These devices are more flexible in their range of applications, less expensive, simpler and therefore more robust than the solutions discussed above. As shown in FIG. 1, the standard components of an RFID tag 10 include a circuit 12, a resonant cavity 14, and an antenna 16 assembled on a substrate 18 or other means of providing support to the components just stated. Current RFID technology offers many solutions that take advantage of a remote querying capability combined with decreasing cost.
RFID tags have a long history. During World War II the British used RFID tags to remotely distinguish between friendly and hostile approaching aircraft. The World War II VT Fuze manufactured by the Eastman Kodak Company and others emitted a radio signal that responded to the proximity of a metal target by becoming increasingly in phase until the combined strength of the emitted and reflected signals was sufficient to activate the fuze.
Further evolution of the RFID tag occurred when Thermin pioneered the use of passive RF to spy upon the American Embassy in Moscow. The precursor to modern passive RFID tags, an external radio transmission provided power to a resonant circuit at certain frequencies. Certain conditions, such as people speaking in a room, would modify the modulation of the resonance, which would then be received and demodulated, creating an extremely simple and robust wireless means for listening to remote conversations.
More recently, RFID technology has been applied to the medical field in inventions such as affixing RFID tags 10, to containers for medicine 20, shown in FIG. 1, patients, and medicine dispensers, such as IV bottles. These RFID tags can be remotely queried in order to track the medicine usage. (See U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0088306 A1 (Andreasson et al.) and 2004/0008123 A1 (Carrender et al.). One major shortcoming of this approach is that the RFID tag is on the container and not in the medicine that is ingested. Although usage can be tracked, a method that verifies ingestion and digestion of medicine by a specific person cannot be implemented.
Although potentially useful, another approach is to provide RFID tags that can be implanted in a living body without fear of breakdown or interaction. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0058110 A1 (Rich) refers to an RFID system that can be embedded under the patient's skin. However, RFID tags that require implantation in the human body for monitoring biological activity and medicine delivery will also require removal when no longer needed, a near certainty for most conditions needing medicinal treatment. Permanently implanted devices and tags require engineering and construction to attempt to preclude damage and failure as is taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,083,523, 5,874,099 (both to Dionne et al.), and others by Dionne et al. and may be cost prohibitive for the majority of the patient population. Simple systems of permanent RFID tags embedded under the skin have been developed for tracking and identifying pets such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,196 (Mowers)
Finally, in cases where the RFID tag is meant to pass through the body, as the Pillcam™ does, engineering is required to ensure that the RFID tag circuit is not damaged in the process of ingestion and elimination, again potentially increasing the cost and size of the device.
Therefore a need exists for a system to accurately monitor a patient's ingestion and digestion of medicine, without the use of permanently embedded equipment or cost prohibitive RFID solutions.

System to monitor the ingestion of medicines