In a packet transmission device and control method thereof which can improve the transmission rate of a packet without adding a high speed user data-conversion card, when packet data is inputted through a single arbitrary channel among a plurality of channels, from among a predetermined number of low speed user data-conversion cards provided common to the plurality of channels, the low speed user data-conversion cards by a number corresponding to a ratio between an output transmission rate of the low speed user data-conversion card and an input transmission rate of the packet data are extracted. The packet data is sequentially and cyclically distributed to the low speed user data-conversion cards extracted. Predetermined length user data outputted from the low speed user data-conversion cards are converted into a frame of HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) system and multiplexed into a single channel HS-DSCH (High Speed Downlink Shared Channel) to be outputted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a packet transmission device and control method thereof, and in particular to a packet transmission device for dividing packet data inputted into predetermined length user data to be outputted and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art examples [1] and [2] of a packet transmission technology as mentioned above will now be described referring to FIGS. 16-18.
A radio communication system 1 shown in FIG. 16 indicates an arrangement of a system to which the prior art examples [1] and [2] are applied and is composed of a core network 10, two radio network control devices 20_1 and 20_2 (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference numeral 20) connected to the core network 10, four base stations 30_1-30_4 (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference numeral 30) managed by the radio network control device 20, and a mobile equipment 40 connecting a call to the radio network control device 20_1 through the base station 30_1.
A downlink packet transmission (core network 10 mobile equipment 40) in the radio communication system 1 is performed, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 16, by the radio network control device 20_1 dividing packet data SDU (Service Data Unit) received from the core network 10 into user data PDU (Protocol Data Unit), with a size prescribed by an RLC (Radio Link Control) protocol, to be transmitted to the mobile equipment 40 through the base station 30.
Also, an uplink packet transmission (mobile equipment 40→core network 10) is performed, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 16, by the radio network control device 20_1 assembling the user data PDU received from the mobile equipment 40 through the base station 30 into the packet data SDU to be transmitted to the core network 10 (see e.g. patent document 1).
Recently, an introduction of an HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) system which enables a high speed downlink packet transmission has been considered as a packet transmission standard in such a radio communication system 1. The HSDPA system, where the packet transmission is performed by using a common channel called an HS-DSCH (High Speed Downlink Shared Channel), realizes communications at a maximum transmission rate "14.4 Mbps" exceeding a maximum transmission rate "2 Mbps" of the existing packet transmission standard.
Prior Art Example [1]: FIG. 17
FIG. 17 is a diagram where an arrangement of the radio network control device 20 is emphatically shown within the radio communication system 1 shown in FIG. 16.
The radio network control device 20 is composed of a core network interface 100 connected to the core network 10 through "i" units of channels CH1-CHi (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference character CH), a packet data transfer function 200 transferring the packet data SDU received through the core network 100 to the inside of the device 20 itself, a user data converter 300 dividing the packet data SDU transferred from the packet data transfer function 200 into predetermine length user data PDU to be outputted, an HSDPA frame converter 400 converting the user data PDU outputted from the user data converter 300 into a frame (hereinafter, referred to as HSDPA frame) FR with a format prescribed by the HSDPA system to be outputted by using the HS-DSCH, and a base station interface 500 transmitting the HSDPA frame outputted from the HSDPA frame converter 400 to the mobile equipment 40 through the base station 30.
Also, the user data converter 300 has low speed user data-conversion cards 310_1-310_i (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference numeral 310) provided corresponding to each of the channels CH1-CHi. It is to be noted that the low speed user data-conversion card 310 is generally used in the radio communication system 1 to which the above-mentioned existing packet transmission standard is applied, and has a resource amount (e.g. a capacity or the like of a memory (not shown) for temporarily storing the packet data SDU) in order to process the packet data SDU transmitted by a sufficient data amount within the maximum transmission rate "2 Mbps" of the packet transmission standard.
In operation, as shown in FIG. 17, when 3 pieces of packet data SDU1-SDU3 are inputted through the channel CH1 for example, the packet transfer function 200 transfers the packet data SDU1-SDU3 to the low speed user data-conversion card 310_1 provided corresponding to the channel CH1.
The low speed user data-conversion card 310_1 having received the packet data SDU1-SDU3 divides the packet data SDU1-SDU3 respectively into the predetermined length user data PDU1_1-PDU1_k, PDU2_1-PDU2_1, and PDU3_1-PDU3_m to be provided to the HSDPA frame converter 400.
The HSDPA frame converter 400 generates, upon every receipt of the user data PDU, the HSDPA frame FR having a predetermined header HD_FR added to a predetermined number of the user data PDUs, and transmits it to the mobile equipment 40 through the base station interface 500.
In such a prior art example [1], the processing of the low speed user data-conversion card 310 is congested with a speed-up of the transmission rate due to the introduction of the HSDPA system, so that a transmission delay of the user data PDU may occur.
In order to address this problem, a prior art example [2] which will be described hereinafter has already been proposed.
Prior Art Example [2]: FIG. 18
FIG. 18 shows a radio network control device 20 where the low speed user data-conversion cards 310_1-310_i shown in FIG. 17 are respectively replaced with high speed user data-conversion cards 320_1-320_i (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference numeral 320) which can output the user data PDU at the maximum transmission rate prescribed by the HSDPA system.
In this case, the high speed user data-conversion card 320 can output the user data PDU without an occurrence of the transmission delay, thereby enabling the radio network control device 20 to fast transmit the HSDPA frame FR to the mobile equipment 40.
[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-194064
In the above-mentioned prior art example [2], it is possible to enhance a speed of the transmission rate of a packet by newly using (adding) a high speed user data-conversion card. However, since such a high-performance conversion card is expensive, there has been a problem of development costs being increased. Also, it is preferable to use such a high speed user data-conversion card as few as possible in terms of an effective use of the existing resource such as the existing low speed user data-conversion card.

Packet transmission device and control method thereof


A system and method for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed form the manufacturing plant.

Manufacturers frequently employ independent transportation carriers to deliver raw materials from vendor cites to manufacturing sites on an as-needed basis. Traditionally, manufacturers themselves monitor on-site inventory levels and product usage rates, and, when material supplies become low, a phone call is placed from the plant site to an outside vendor to order another shipment of raw materials. Typically, a transportation carrier is separately contracted with to pick up the raw material order from the vendor site and deliver the shipment to the manufacturer.
Raw material inventories must-be continuously monitored and raw material orders and shipments must be carefully coordinated to ensure a sufficient amount of materials are always at hand. If material supplies are exhausted before new material shipments can be delivered, manufacturers may be forced to temporarily shut down manufacturing operations, resulting in lost production time and revenues.
When several raw materials are simultaneously used in product manufacturing, the task of monitoring material levels becomes increasingly difficult. An additional challenge is presented when the usage rate for each of these materials fluctuates over time.
In the case of dry bulk goods such as lime, coal and ash, for example, specially adapted trucks and trailers are often required for transporting the materials from a vendor to a plant site. In order to ensure the availability of a transport carrier when a material shipment is needed, it is desirable to schedule shipments as far in advance as possible. Thus, the ability to monitor existing material levels as well as to project future material requirements is critical. Likewise, the ability to quickly convey this information to a transport carrier is essential.
Several automated systems have been designed to facilitate the management of material inventories. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,164—Kaye et al. discloses an inventory management system wherein a centralized inventory database can be remotely accessed to retrieve information.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,362—Cowe et al. discloses an inventory monitoring system wherein electronic shelf units automatically monitor product inventory levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,198, issued to Mowery, et al., provides a system and method for using a fleet of vehicles to provide material to a plurality of tanks at various customer locations. An inventory indicator associated with each of the tanks provides a quantity signal to the central station indicating the quantity and temperature of each of the tanks. A processor at the central station monitors the quantity signals of each of the tanks to determine past usage rates of the contents of each of the tanks. The processor projects future tank quantities based on the past usage pattern and determines possible routes for each of the vehicles to each of the tanks. The processor optimizes the routes, delivery amounts, and delivery schedule to minimize total delivered cost for the products based on the projected future tank levels and the possible routes to dispatch each of the vehicles. Each of the foregoing systems allow some form of remote access to a centralized database to monitor inventory levels.
While these systems enable material stores to be remotely monitored, they are not useful for monitoring dry bulk goods nor do they provide means to interpret usage trends or project usage rates based on archived data.
What is needed is an automated system capable of continuously monitoring material levels for dry bulk goods as well as projecting future usage rates for materials based on archived data. Preferably, the system would provide for the automated transmittal of data to a remote site at predetermined time intervals.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Laminated test devices in which positive results are detected by the appearance of a symbol on the surface of the device due to a color change in an indicator in the device are improved by placing the indicator lamina on one side of a light-transmissive substrate sheet and a pigment lamina on the other side, the indicator lamina forming the icon and the pigment lamina forming the background, the pigment being the color of the indicator prior to the color change. This arrangement reduces false positive readings by obscuring the outlines of the symbol prior to the color change. False negative readings are reduced by further changes in the arrangement of the laminae.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention resides in the field of test devices for clinical use that provide visual readouts, and is particularly concerned with test devices that utilize a calorimetric indicator to display an icon or symbol indicating either the presence or absence of a particular substance in a sample, a high or low concentration of a substance, a high or low pH, or any such indication of either a desired or undesired condition of the sample.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Test devices that produce visually detectable plus signs to indicate the presence of bacterial vaginosis in a sample of vaginal fluid are disclosed in the following United States patents (inventors: Paul J. Lawrence et al.): U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,790, issued Aug. 26, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,834, issued Apr. 27, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,447, issued Jun. 8, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,801, issued Aug. 8, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,856, issued Sep. 5, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,817, issued Mar. 13, 2001. Two distinct tests are disclosed in these patents: a pH test of vaginal fluid in which a pH of 4.7 or greater serves as one indication of an infection, and an amine test in which the presence of volatilizable amines serves as another indication of an infection. The devices in these patents are laminated test cards and the tests are conducted by applying a specimen of vaginal fluid to the surface of a card with a swab and checking the card for the appearance of symbols on the card surface. In each of these two tests, a negative test result appears as a "minus" sign formed by a single horizontal bar and a positive result appears as a "plus" sign formed by two bars crossing at right angles. The plus sign is formed by two separately operable but intersecting bars: one horizontal (the positive control); and, the second vertical (the test response). The horizontal bar thus appears regardless of the outcome of the test, and thereby serves as a positive control indicating that the indicator that causes the color change in both bars is functioning properly. Thus, if no bar at all appears after application of a sample, the test device is deemed not usable and should be discarded; the appearance of a single bar (a "minus" sign) means that the device is functional and the test result is negative; and the appearance of both bars (to form the "plus" sign) indicates that the device is functional and the test result is positive.
Plus and minus signs are also produced by the test devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,056, issued Apr. 10, 1990, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,080, issued Apr. 16, 1991, both to inventors William E. Brown, III, et al. The tests in these patents involve immunological binding rather than pH changes, but like the Lawrence et al. patents, the tests results are displayed as a plus sign formed when two separately operable but intersecting bars become visible and a minus sign formed from when only one of the two bars becomes visible. All patents in this and the preceding paragraph are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Licensed physicians and laboratory technicians find products like these useful and efficient because of their compact nature and their simple visual readout. Since they are easy to use, the devices are also attractive for consumers and other individuals who are not clinically trained. This is particularly true of the Lawrence et al. devices where the test procedures consist of simply applying a swab of the sample to the surface of the device, and watching the device to see what symbols appear. In some cases, however, users, particularly untrained individuals, may read the devices incorrectly, reporting results that are either false negatives or false positives.
One source of an incorrect reading arises from the independent responses of the two independent, separable but intersecting bars and the fact that the response of each bar can vary to some degree with the amount of sample applied to the device or the amount or concentration of analyte in the sample. Slight differences in color intensity between the two intersecting bars can prompt the user to treat one bar as a color comparator for the other, and thereby wait for the color of the vertical bar to precisely match that of the horizontal bar before declaring a positive result. A positive result can thus be interpreted as negative (i.e., a false negative).
Another source of an incorrect reading occurs when the outlines of the intersecting horizontal and vertical bars are visible, even when only faintly so, before any color change has occurred. This problem can occur with any iconic readout, the terms "iconic" and "icon" referring herein to any graphical symbol whose form suggests its meaning. In the case of the Lawrence et al. and Brown et al. devices, the icon is either a minus sign indicating a negative result when only one bar appears or a plus sign indicating a positive result when both bars appear. The icon can also be a unitary plus sign that appears only as a whole and lacks the capability of allowing only the minus sign portion to appear. Icons of other forms or shapes will be readily apparent. With any of these icons, incorrect readings can arise from the construction of the device, which typically involves several laminae one or more of which forms the outlines of the icon. In some cases, for example, the icon is formed by a channeling lamina with an icon-shaped opening, overlying an indicator lamina that extends over the full lateral dimensions of the device, or at least beyond the boundaries of the opening. The channeling lamina permits the sample (and any analyte present) to contact only the portion of the indicator that is directly below the opening. Even if the channeling lamina is completely transparent, the edges of the opening can be visible to one who looks closely at the device, since the light reflectivity of the channeling lamina may differ from that of the indicator lamina. In other cases, the icon is formed by the indicator lamina itself which is in the shape of the icon and rests above any underlying layers. Although the filed behind the icon is the same color as the icon (prior to the test), the edges of the icon are faintly visible due to the difference in height, even though that difference may be very small. To the unskilled or untrained user, this visibility can suggest a positive test result when the result is actually negative (i.e., a false positive result). The thickness difference can be minimized or eliminated by depositing a material in the areas adjacent to the icon, using a material that does not change color upon contact with either the sample or the analyte. The icon and the surrounding material will then be of different chemical compositions, however. This by itself can produce enough of a color difference, however slight, to make the borders between the two visually distinguishable. Furthermore, if there is a risk of the indicator diffusing into the surrounding material and thereby obscuring the readout, precautions or structural features to prevent this from happening can also make the outline visible.

Iconic colorimetric test device with reduced susceptibility to false positive and false negative readings


Provided is an improved graphical user interface method and system to be utilized with voice input. The method and system remove a voice activated commands dialog box when a voice input system is not active. The method and system achieve the forgoing objects by (1) sensing whether a voice input system is active or inactive, which can be achieved by determining whether a voice input program is set to actively receive voice input in response to a change of state of a voice input device (such as a microphone); and (2) removing a voice activated commands dialog box from prominent display within a graphical user interface if the voice input system is sensed inactive.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates, in general, to an improved graphical user interface method and system. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved graphical user interface method and system to be utilized with voice input. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved graphical user interface method and system to be utilized with voice input, and which removes a voice activated commands dialog box when a voice input system is not active.
2. Background
A graphical user interface is a type of display format that enables a user to choose commands, start programs, and see lists of files and other options by pointing to pictorial representations and lists of menu items on a computer display screen. Graphical user interface environments rely on icons, which are small graphic images displayed on a computer display screen, to represent graphical objects that can be manipulated by a user.
For application program users, a graphical user interface offers an environment that can handle direct interaction with the computer. Such environments free the application program user to concentrate on a given application without becoming entangled in the details of a screen display or keyboard input. A graphical user interface also enables programmers to create programs to handle frequently performed tasks, such as saving a data file. The interface itself provides standard controlling mechanisms such as windows and dialog boxes.
Traditionally, these controlling mechanisms have been activated by either a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. A mouse is a commonly used pointing device, containing one or more buttons, that allows a user to interact with a product or operating environment such as a graphical user interface. The mouse is used to position a cursor within the graphical user interface, and then used to activate the control mechanisms by dragging or clicking on icons. Thus, the graphical user interface utilizes such dragging and clicking operations to effect program control and input that prior to such graphical user interfaces required a great deal of user keyboard input.
Relatively recently, advances in speech recognition technology have made it possible to perform many of the functions traditionally done via mouse and keyboard input by voice input. In order to provide such voice input control, a user typically speaks into a microphone and "trains" a computing system to recognize a list of commands. Once the computing system has been so trained, the user can then control the graphical user interface via voice input.
In order to assist a user utilizing voice input, it has become standard within the industry to display a dialog box within a graphical user interface to remind the user what commands his or her computer has been "trained" to recognize. This dialog box can be quite large and can consume a large amount of surface area within the graphical user interface display.
While such voice input has proven to be exceedingly useful for many applications (such as dictation), there are still instances where mouse/keyboard input is preferred (such as with a drawing program). Consequently, it is not unusual for a user to switch back and forth between voice input and mouse/keyboard input.
As has been stated, the dialog box showing the commands which the computing system has been trained to recognize can be quite large. It is common to set the default of a computing system such that the dialog box showing the available voice activated commands remains "on top" of the other objects within the graphical user interface (that is, the dialog box is always the foremost box displayed within the graphical user interface). This situation becomes problematic when the user desires to go from voice input to mouse/keyboard input in that the dialog box, which is no longer needed, continues to remain "on top" of all other objects within the graphical user interface.
In light of the foregoing, it is clear that a need exists for a method and system which removes the voice activated commands dialog box from the graphical user interface when the voice activated commands dialog box is not needed.

Method and system for selective display of voice activated commands dialog box

International Business Machines Corporation


A system and method of diagnosing diseases from biological data is disclosed. A system for automated disease diagnostics prediction can be generated using a database of clinical test data. The diagnostics prediction can also be used to develop screening tests to screen for one or more inapparent diseases. The prediction method can be implemented with Bayesian probability estimation techniques. The system and method permit clinical test data to be analyzed and mined for improved disease diagnosis.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to bioinformatics and, more particularly, to formulating disease diagnoses from clinical test data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the area of disease diagnosis and detection, clinical tests are used to obtain data regarding a patient. The clinical tests yield a large volume of data, including patient symptoms and test results, as well as patient characteristics, such as age, gender, geographic location, and weight. The data can vary depending on the progression of a particular disease and when the clinical tests are conducted on a patient. The amount of clinical test data available is growing larger as additional tests are performed on an increasing number of patients.
The multitude of clinical test data that is available does not necessarily lead to an improvement in disease diagnosis for a patient. Indeed, the opposite can be true, as the volume of clinical test data and the high dimensionality of such data lead to a large quantity of possible diagnoses that can result from the data. A single patient can have multiple diagnoses that could result from the same data set. Additionally, the data can contain patterns that are not readily apparent or could contain information related to diseases that are not commonly diagnosed, difficult to diagnose, or for which a diagnostic test is not available or does not exist. This can lead to an inefficient use of clinical data wherein the analysis of the data leads to improper diagnoses or to missed diagnoses due to a failure to spot patterns or connections in the data.
In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there is a need for a method of mining and analyzing clinical test result data in connection with disease diagnosis. The present invention fulfills this need.

Diagnosing inapparent diseases from common clinical tests using Bayesian analysis

Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated


An all-round marine navigation light which generally limits the direction of light transmission to a selected angle above and a selected angle below a plane in which light transmission is to be generally directed. The navigation light generally includes a base defining a light limiting perimeter wall, a circumferential lens which allows light transmission in all directions of the selected plane, the lens being secured to the base, a cap defining a downwardly projecting light limiting perimeter wall, the cap being secured to the lens, and the upwardly and downwardly projecting perimeter walls blocking light transmission through lower and upper portions of the circumferential lens, respectively, to generally limit the direction of light transmission to a relatively narrow band generally within and/or adjacent to a selected plane. Also disclosed is an all-round marine navigation light having a light assembly, a connector configured for attachment to a pole, and the light assembly being attached to the connector through an articulated joint, whereby the orientation of the marine navigation light can be adjusted with respect to the connector to facilitate mounting of the light to a variety of sloped surfaces while generally limiting the direction of light transmission to a relatively narrow band generally within and/or adjacent to a selected plane.

From sunset to sunrise and during other times of reduced visibility, boaters are required to display navigation lights pursuant to U.S. Coast Guard regulations so that the operators of other marine craft can easily determine the position and direction of movement of such craft. In addition to requiring a red port side bow light and a green starboard side bow light, marine craft operators are required to display a white light either at the stern of the marine craft or at another position aft of the bow lights and at a certain elevation. The white light should project an uninterrupted beam of light in all directions in a horizontal plane, i.e. project light radially in all directions substantially perpendicular from a vertical axis to provide a continuous pattern of light which is visible to other boaters in the vicinity regardless of their position relative to the light. Hence, such lights are commonly referred to as "all-round lights" or "360 degree lights."
Although all-round lights, used in combination with the red and green bow lights, have increased boating safety by alerting operators of marine craft of the relative position and movement of other craft after sunset and during other times of reduced visibility, there have been many reported incidents of conventional all-round lights causing glare which can interfere with the ability of a boat operator to see clearly at night. Additionally, there have also been some reported incidents of accidents occurring because of a boat operator experiencing temporary night blindness after looking directly in the direction of the all-round light. Such problems have occurred with conventional all-round lights because the light has not been effectively focused or directionally limited to project light only outwardly in a relatively narrowly defined horizontal direction. To the contrary, conventional all-round lights generally have a relatively large cylindrical or drum-shaped lens which is designed to emit light in substantially all directions, except possibly in a straight upward and/or straight downward direction. Because of the relatively wide band of light emitted from conventional all-round lights, there is a significant possibility that a marine craft operator who glances rearwardly for only a moment can experience temporary night blindness on account of light from the all-round light shining directly into the operator's eyes. Further, glare from conventional all-round lights which emit a relatively wide band of light create relatively large brightly lighted areas on the water near the boat adjacent to areas which are in shadows cast by portions of the boat interposed between the water and the light. Such contrasting light and dark areas can make it difficult to see objects which are in the shadows, especially any such objects which are in the shadows near the brightly lighted areas. Accordingly, there is a perceived need for an all-round light which performs equivalently to conventional all-round lights with respect to adequately warning other boaters of the position and direction of movement of a marine craft to which it is appropriately mounted, while reducing or eliminating problems associated with glare and temporary night blindness. Further, it is desirable to fulfil the forgoing perceived needs with an all-round light which has a relatively traditional appearance which will be accepted by those who build and sell, as well as those who own and operate, marine craft. More specifically, it is desirable to provide an all-round light having a relatively large lens, but which emits light in a directed or limited pattern that reduces or eliminates problems associated with glare, while also providing a continuous pattern of light which is adequately visible to other boaters in the vicinity regardless of their position relative to the light.
Another disadvantage with conventional all-round lights, which generally comprise a lighting fixture connected to one end of a pole, is that they are designed to be properly mounted to a marine craft in only a single orientation, usually with the longitudinal axis of the pole being arranged vertically or at a slight angle with respect to a vertical line. More specifically, conventional all-round lights generally cannot be mounted to a variety of different surfaces which are sloped at an angle which is significantly different from that which the light is designed to be mounted (e.g. horizontal or at least substantially horizontal) while providing a continuous, uniform pattern of light which is equally visible to other boaters irrespective of their position relative to the light. For example, an all-round light having a base with a lower end connected to a pole and an upper end connected to a cylindrical or drum-shaped lens having a top or cap and a cylinder axis which is aligned with the length of the pole, must be mounted to the marine craft so that the pole is in an approximately vertical orientation, as any major deviations from the vertical orientation will cause the base and the top or cap of the light to block light emitted from the lens, creating a pattern of light on the horizon which is not uniform. As a specific example, if a typical all-round light is mounted to a surface which slopes downwardly and rearwardly at a 45 degree angle, then the cylindrical lens will also slope rearward at a 45 degree angle such that visibility of the light will be adequate for other boaters situated on the starboard or port side of the boat on which the all-round light is mounted, but visibility of the light will be relatively poor for any boaters situated on the fore and aft ends of the boat on which the all-round light is mounted, thus reducing safety. A possible solution to this problem is to manufacture a variety of different all-round lens which are adapted to be mounted to surfaces which are sloped at different angles. However, this is not an economically practical solution, as it would significantly increase manufacturing, packaging and inventory costs. Accordingly, there is a need for an all-round light which can be mounted to a variety of differently sloped surfaces, as well as horizontal surfaces, and which is adjustable to project a narrow band of light in all directions along only the horizon to alert other boaters in the vicinity of the position and heading of the boat to which the light is attached without shining light directly into the operators eyes or creating other problems with glare.


Method and apparatus for correctly predicting an outcome of a branch instruction in a system of the type that includes a Branch History Table (BHT) and branch instructions that implement non-explicit subroutine calls and returns. Entries in the BHT have two additional stage fields including a CALL field to indicate that the branch entry corresponds to a branch that may implement a subroutine call and a PSEUDO field. The PSEUDO field represents linkage information and creates a link between a subroutine entry and a subroutine return. A target address of a successful branch instruction is used to search the BHT. The branch is known to be a subroutine return if a target quadword contains an entry prior to a target halfword that has the CALL field set. The entry with the CALL bit set is thus known to be the corresponding subroutine call, and the entry point to the subroutine is given by the target address stored within the entry. A PSEUDO entry is inserted into the BHT at the location corresponding to the entry point of the subroutine, the PSEUDO entry being designated as such by having the PSEUDO field asserted. The PSEUDO entry contains the address of the returning branch instruction in place of the target address field.

Instruction flow in a digital data processor typically requires that instructions are fetched and decoded from sequential locations in a memory. A branch instruction is an instruction that causes a disruption in this flow, e.g., a taken branch causes decoding to be discontinued along the sequential path, and resumed starting at a new location in memory. The new location in memory may be referred to as a target address of the branch. Such an interruption in pipelined instruction flow results in a substantial degradation in pipeline performance.
One type of branch instruction is known as an unconditional branch in that it unconditionally transfers control from the branch instruction (BR) to the target instruction (TARG). That is, at the time that the branch instruction is decoded, it is known that the transfer of control to TARG will take place. A more costly, in terms of performance, branch instruction is known as a conditional branch (BC). This instruction specifies that control is to be transferred to TARG only if some condition, as determined by the outcome of a previous instruction, is met.
If it can be determined at instruction decode time that a conditional branch instruction will not be taken then there is no penalty associated with the execution of the conditional branch instruction. That is, the next sequential instruction may be decoded immediately following the decode of the branch instruction. If it is determined that the branch will be taken, a multi-cycle penalty associated with the branch is still incurred in that the target address must be generated and the target instruction must be fetched.
Several conditional branch prediction mechanisms are known in the art. Mechanisms that attempt to predict the outcomes of conditional branches at instruction decode time are known as decode-time prediction mechanisms. One particular type of decode-time predictor is referred to the "Decode History Table" (DHT) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,872 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,706.
The DHT is a table of entries where an entry is accessed based on a transformation, such as a hash or truncation transformation, on the bits that define the address of a branch instruction. The entry itself comprises a single bit and is set if the corresponding branch instruction was taken the last time that it was executed, otherwise the bit is not set. If the DHT entry is set for a particular branch then the target address is generated and the target instruction fetched and decoded. If the DHT entry is not set the next-sequential instruction is decoded on a cycle following the decode of the branch instruction.
Another type of mechanism, known as a prefetch-time prediction mechanism, attempts to anticipate taken branches and to fetch target instructions prior to the time that the branch instructions are decoded. The prefetch-time prediction mechanism is incorporated into an instruction prefetch engine and redirects instruction prefetching down a branch-target path immediately following the prefetch of a predicted taken branch. By so doing, the prefetch-time mechanism ensures that an instruction buffer contains the branch target instruction at the time that the branch instruction is decoded, thereby allowing the branch target instruction to be decoded immediately following the decode of the branch instruction. As a result, a prefetch-time mechanism eliminates all branch instruction related time penalties when it predicts correctly.
Prefetch-time prediction mechanisms typically are variations on the Branch History Table (BHT), as first described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,183. The BHT is the prefetch-time analog of the Decode History Table. That is, the BHT is a table of entries that is accessed based on a transformation, hash or truncation, on the bits that define the address of the block of instructions that is being prefetched. The entry itself is more complex than a DHT entry in that the BHT operates "blindly" at prefetch time. That is, the BHT fetches blocks of instructions without the benefit of examining the content of the blocks. Thus, a BHT entry must be able to identify that an associated block of instructions contains a taken branch, based on a taken branch having been previously encountered within the block of instructions. Furthermore, it must be able to identify where, within the block, the taken branch instructions reside, since the particular branch instruction may not be relevant to current instruction fetching, depending on where the block is entered. Finally, the entry must specify the branch target address, so that prefetching can be immediately redirected down the target path should the particular branch be relevant to the current prefetch activity.
When the processor encounters a branch instruction that is found to be taken, it creates a BHT entry based on the address of the branch, the entry itself containing the branch target address. If the particular section of instructions containing the branch is ever reencountered, the BHT entry causes prefetching to be redirected at the time the branch instruction is prefetched. When the BHT redirects prefetching, it also enqueues information regarding this action, such as the address at which it "believes" there is a taken branch and the target address of the branch. In the case where the BHT correctly anticipated the branch, there is no penalty associated with the branch.
Branch instructions within a program that cause control to be transferred to a subroutine are referred to as subroutine call instructions. The branch instruction within the subroutine that transfers control back to the calling procedure is referred to as a subroutine return instruction. A subroutine may call other subroutines, resulting in what is known as nested subroutine calling. In some instruction set architectures subroutine call and return instructions are explicit. That is, all subroutine calls are implemented with a CALL instruction and all subroutine returns are implemented with a RETURN instruction.
When CALL and RETURN are explicit instructions, subroutine returns are readily handled with a stack. A stack is employed to handle subroutine returns in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,127 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,721. The general technique taught by this prior art is as follows: for each call instruction, push the return address onto the stack, and for each return instruction, pop the stack and use the contents as the return address. However, there is no branch prediction involved. In fact, in many processor architectures in which CALL and RETURN are explicit, the instructions are defined to operate through a stack.
In other instruction set architectures subroutine call and return instructions are not explicit, but are instead implemented with general branch instructions. In this case there is significant difficulty in determining which of the branch instructions are calls, and which are returns. The following articles propose methods to infer which of the branch instructions may be calls and returns based on the types of instructions that surround the branch instructions.
J. Losq in an article entitled "Subroutine Return Address Stack", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 7a, December 1981 teaches a single stack that operates in conjunction with a Branch History Table. The return points of all potential calling instructions are pushed onto the stack, and the stack is popped in the event of every potential returning instruction. Losq recognizes and states that not every potential calling instruction is a subroutine call, and not every potential returning instruction is a subroutine return, resulting in irrelevant information being pushed onto the stack.
P. G. Emma et al. in an article entitled "Highly Accurate Subroutine Stack Prediction Mechanism" IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 10, March 1986 teach an increased accuracy of prediction achieved through a greater hesitancy to predict. This is accomplished by inhibiting the prediction based on intervening sequences of Load Multiple (LM) and Store Multiple (SM) instructions, and purging the stack in the event of a Load Program Status Word (LPSW) instruction.
In both of the foregoing articles a stack is maintained for all potential call instructions and is employed to predict a possible return instruction under a restrictive set of circumstances.
C. F. Webb, in an article entitled "Subroutine Call/Return Stack", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 30, No. 11, April 1988 also discusses the use of stacks in conjunction with a Branch History Table.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a Branch History Table that does not require external stacks, wherein linkage information is managed directly by the Branch History Table.

Subroutine return through branch history table


A printer control CPU of the image forming apparatus controls the normal toner replenishing rotation after rotating a toner bottle in the normal rotating direction by about ¾ turn and then immediately in the direction reverse to the normal rotating direction by about ¾ turn. These operations are performed twice as the process to separate residual toners adhered on the inner surface of a toner bottle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a toner replenishing method to replenish toner to a developing device from a toner container.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are some electro-photographic image forming apparatus using a toner bottle or a toner cartridge as a toner container. In such an image forming apparatus, when a toner in a toner container decreases largely, a toner replenishing amount per one replenishing motion decreases continuously. The state where a preset toner density could not be reached even when a toner was replenished for a given length of time is regarded as a toner empty state. At this toner empty state, the image forming apparatus reports a user to exchange the toner container such as a toner bottle, a toner cartridge, etc.
Based on this report, the user removes an empty toner container from the main body of the image forming apparatus and exchanges it with a new toner container filled with toner. At this time, the empty container removed from the main body is often discarded in many cases.
In the toner empty state described above, over ten grams of toner adhered to the inner surface of the toner container is left as residual toner. In spite of this, there was such a problem that a toner container containing some residual toner was discarded.
For this problem, a method to use a spare toner by counter rotating a toner bottle is proposed, for example, a method disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-139905.
This method, however, is merely to rotate a toner bottle in the reverse direction by several rotations in order to move spare toner. Further, there is also a conventional technology to give a mechanical vibration by providing a separate mechanism. For this technology, a mechanism must be provided to the main body of an image forming apparatus for this purpose and there were such problems as cost increase, securing of installing place, etc. Further, there are some users of image forming apparatus, who remove a toner container from an image forming apparatus and drop residual toners in containers by giving a shock to the toner container when a toner container was emptied. However, there were such troubles that during this period, the apparatus must be stopped and its efficiency drop, clothes or hands are made dirty when removing and hitting a toner container;

Image forming apparatus and toner replenishing method


A sensor apparatus includes at least one substrate layer of an elastically deformable material, the substrate layer extending longitudinally between spaced apart ends thereof. A conductive layer is attached to and extends longitudinally between the spaced apart ends of the at least one substrate layer. The conductive layer includes an electrically conductive material adapted to form a strain gauge having an electrical resistance that varies based on deformation of the conductive layer in at least one direction.

Sensors are used to monitor and measure a variety of biological conditions, such respiration, blood flow, and the like. As an example, an existing type of sensor may monitor a graft by placing the sensor at the graft in contact with the bloodstream. However, because use of such existing sensors contact with the bloodstream, such sensors may stimulate hypercellular processes to accelerate graft failure and/or or alter the graft mechanical structure. Accordingly, improved sensor designs are needed.

Sensor apparatus and method of making same

THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


A tie-down strap or chain anchor is described for use with a trailer or truck. The anchor includes a stem portion which is adapted to be secured to one side of the bed of the trailer or truck. A pair of spaced-apart plates are secured to the upper end of the stem portion and have a J-shaped receiver secured thereto and extending therebetween which includes an inclined portion and a generally U-shaped portion at the lower end thereof. The U-shaped portion has a slot or notch formed therein.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a selectively removable tie-down anchor for a tie-down strap or tie-down chain. More particularly, this invention relates to a selectively removable tie-down anchor for a flatbed trailer which may be selectively positioned at any place along substantially the entire length of a flatbed trailer or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tie-down devices have been used for many years for tying down cargo resting on the bed of flatbed trailers, stepdeck trailers and straight trucks. As used herein, the word "vehicle" will include all types of trailers and trucks wherein cargo is secured to the beds thereof. Prior to applicant's invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,621, the known tie-down devices included a plurality of winches which were each selectively longitudinally movable on a shaft positioned at one side of the trailer bed. One end of a strap was inserted into a winch and passed over the cargo with the other end of the strap normally being secured to the other side of the trailer. If the winch supporting shafts of the prior art extended the entire length of the trailer, they would serve their purpose. However, in some types of trailers, it was not possible to run the winch supporting shaft the entire length of the trailer beds due to wheels, toolboxes positioned between wheels, etc. Therefore, prior to applicant's invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,621, in certain trailer configurations, it was impossible to use a tie-down strap winch for several feet along the length of the trailer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,621 discloses a selectively removable tie-down strap winch assembly for a trailer or truck which is believed to represent a significant advance in the art. Even though the tie-down strap winch assembly of applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,621 works exceptionally well, it is still necessary to anchor or secure the other end of the strap to the other side of the trailer. Additionally, when tie-down chains are utilized, it is necessary to secure the opposite ends of the chains to opposite sides of the trailer. Heretofore, it is believed that the prior art has not provided a convenient way of securing the tie-down straps and tie-down anchors to the trailer.


A mask for delivery of oxygen to a patient is disclosed, including a body having a peripheral portion, a central portion, and bridge portions extending between the central portion and the peripheral portion. The central portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface to be oriented towards the patient's face when the mask is in position, the inner surface of the central portion being provided with a wall circumscribing a base. The wall and base circumscribe a centrally positioned oxygen delivery aperture or oxygen diffuser to direct the flow of oxygen generally towards the patient's nose and mouth when the mask is in use. An element associated with the aperture and the central portion releasably receives and secures in position an oxygen delivery tube.

Conventional oxygen masks comprise tent like structures which are strapped over the nose and mouth of the patient, often using an elastic band or bands behind the patient's ears or head. Oxygen is fed from a supply through a tube into the bottom portion of the mask at the front of the patient. Many problems exist with such masks, including the fact that many patients find them claustrophobic, the mask must be removed for the patient to speak or eat, thereby discontinuing therapy, and the face mask creates irregular and inefficient infusion of oxygen by the patient since exhaled air from the patient is mixed with oxygen in the mask. Oxygen masks can only be used for oxygen flows greater than 4 liters/minute because exhaled gas accumulates in the mask, and, at lower flow rates interferes with delivery of oxygen-enriched air to the patient.
Conventional nasal cannulae oxygen delivery systems employ an oxygen delivery tube with tubular, open ended nasal prongs at the delivery end of the tube for insertion into a patient's nasal passages. The oxygen delivery tube and nasal cannulae are supported in position by a tube wrapped about the patient's ears or head, making the system both difficult to handle and uncomfortable since it applies downward pressure on the patient's ears when the patient is in a seated position. As well, patients often get nose bleeds from the dryness of the oxygen supplied through the nasal cannulae. Patients also get sores on the ears, face and nose due to the direct contact of the oxygen tubing with the skin. Nasal cannulae can only deliver flows of 0.5 to 4 liters/minute.
Of background interest is Ketchedjian, U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,470 issued Jun. 19, 2001 which describes and illustrates an oxygen delivery apparatus comprising a headset to which is pivotally attached, for rotation in one plane, a flexible arm carrying tubular members for passing oxygen to a patient's mouth. The apparatus is also provided with a carbon dioxide monitoring system.
McCombs et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,473 issued May 23, 2000 describes a somewhat similar apparatus, for non-medical purposes, intended to dispense concentrated oxygen to users, the apparatus comprising an oxygen delivery nozzle attached by an arm extending from a flexible head band, to bathe the user's nose and mouth with oxygen, when in use. Laid-open German Application DE 43 07 754 A1, published Apr. 7, 1994, teaches a system for controlled supply or removal of respiratory air from a user, which system incorporates a mask body held by a rigid air tube over the mouth and/or nose of the user, the air tube being pivotally adjustable in one plane, to enable proper positioning of the mask.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,907 of Cotabish issued Aug. 15, 1972 describes and illustrates a fresh air respirator, for use for example by miners, which comprises a cup, supported by pivotable arms in front of the face of the user, a stream of air being conducted to the cup to provide fresh air around the user's nose and mouth.
The applicant has developed a number of lightweight oxygen delivery systems for patients, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,796 issued Jan. 13, 2004, U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,207 issued Jul. 22, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,166 issued Sep. 17, 2002. Also, applicant's U.S. Design Patent Nos. D449,376 issued Aug. 16, 2003 and D449,883 issued Oct. 30, 2001 illustrate designs for such devices. All of these references feature oxygen diffuser devices, designed to create a turbulent oxygen flow, to be situated during use in front of the nose and mouth of a patient, and being held in that area by means of a mount such as a head band, to which is secured a rigid, but bendable oxygen delivery tube. The subject matter of each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.
Other references of general background interest include U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,869 of Zidulka issued Aug. 11, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,221 of Rennie issued Apr. 19, 1977, U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,715 of Landis et al. issued Nov. 18, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,067 of Koch et al. issued Aug. 4, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,363 of Hart issued Dec. 16, 1977, all of which describe and illustrate different types of head mounted apparatus for delivering oxygen or other gases to a patient.
Most of these prior art devices intended for delivery of oxygen to a patient do not provide the ease of usage, both by health care workers and the patient, and reliability against unintended removal or dislodgement from position, as is required to permit widespread use by the health care profession.
It is desirable to provide an oxygen delivery mask system that provides a suitably high oxygen concentration over a wide range of O2 flow rates. This would permit the use of a single mask for a variety of applications, wherein different flow rates are desirable. It is particularly desirable to provide a mask capable of application as a high flow mask, for use with highly compromised patients. It is desirable to provide a range of flow rates in an open mask that does not trap the exhaled air. It is further desirable to provide a mask that may be readily collapsed into a more compact structure for storage and transport, but which easily snaps back into its use position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a more versatile, reliable and practical system for delivery of oxygen to patients.


Devices and their operations to use multiple adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements in various applications including tunable PMD emulators and compensators for producing different PMD profiles with an adjustable average DGD value.

This application relates to optical polarization of light and polarization-mode dispersion in optical media, and more specifically, to techniques and systems for emulating and compensating polarization-mode dispersion in optical media such as optical fibers.
Various optical media are birefringent by exhibiting different refractive indices for different polarizations of light. Fibers, for example, may be birefringent and the axis of birefringence of a fiber may change with time, often randomly with the fluctuations in the operating conditions such as stresses or temperatures. Accordingly, the polarization of an optical signal, which may be represented by two polarization components along two orthogonal principal polarization states, can vary and thus be significantly distorted after propagation. This effect is called polarization-mode dispersion ("PMD") and the first-order of PMD may be characterized by the average differential group delay ("DGD") between the two principal states of polarization.
In general, effects of this polarization-mode dispersion are undesirable in various applications including optical fiber communication systems. Hence, it is desirable to characterize PMD effects and provide means to mitigate the PMD effects. One way of characterizing PMD effects is to use a PMD emulator to emulate actual PMD in a system of interest, such as a fiber system. For example, such a PMD emulator may be used to test a PMD compensator prior to actual deployment of the compensator.

Importance sampling techniques based on adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements


The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition for use as a photoresist, and more particularly, to a photosensitive resin composition for a photoresist comprising an acrylate copolymer obtained by selectively using specific compounds or controlling the ratio of unreacted monomers, and a 1,2-quinonediazide compound, which is excellent in several performance factors such as dielectric characteristics, flatness, transparency, developing performance, residual film rate, chemical resistance, and heat resistance, as well as sensitivity and resolution, and in particular it facilitates easy pattern formation into interlayer dielectrics, and it can be used as a photoresist in an LCD manufacturing process due to its excellent transmissivity even when prepared as a thick film.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition for use as a photoresist in an LCD manufacturing process, and more particularly, to a photosensitive resin composition comprising an acrylate copolymer having ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, which is excellent in several performance factors such as dielectric characteristics, flatness, and chemical resistance, which facilitates easy pattern formation and superior transmissivity, and which is suitable for forming interlayer dielectrics in liquid crystal display elements, integrated circuit elements, and so on.
(b) Description of the Related Art
TFT liquid crystal display elements or integrated circuit elements use interlayer dielectrics to insulate the intervals of wiring disposed between layers. For the formation of such interlayer dielectrics, photosensitive materials which have excellent flatness and lower the number of processing steps necessary to obtain interlayer dielectrics with a required pattern configuration are used.
Also, as the display quality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) has been upgraded, the structure of TFT liquid crystal display elements has been changed, and there are increasing cases where a high degree of flatness is formed by increasing the film thickness of interlayer dielectrics.
However, when photosensitive resin compositions for interlayer dielectrics are used thickly as mentioned above, a decrease in transparency according to the increase of film thickness becomes problematic.

Photosensitive resin composition for photoresist


Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a piezoelectric device including a piezoelectric membrane and a plurality of conductive layers. The method includes forming the plurality of conductive layers in the piezoelectric membrane, the plurality of conductive layers are vertically offset one another. A masking layer is formed over the piezoelectric membrane. An etch process is performed according to the masking layer to concurrently expose an upper surface of each conductive layer in the plurality of conductive layers. A plurality of conductive vias are formed over the upper surface of the plurality of conductive layers.

Piezoelectric devices (e.g., piezoelectric actuators, piezoelectric sensors, etc.) are used in many modern day electronic devices (e.g., automotive sensors/actuators, aerospace sensors/actuators, speakers, micro-speakers, microphones, smart phones, hearing aids, etc.). The piezoelectric devices can be used to translate between movement of a physical part in a system and an electrical signal. The physical movement generated or observed by a piezoelectric device can be used to transmit or receive different kinds of signals for mechanical systems, audio systems, and/or optical systems.

Fully-wet via patterning method in piezoelectric sensor

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


In order to promote a gravity flow of bulk goods through a discharge opening of a container, a vibratable body is arranged to project into the container through the discharge opening and is vibrated. The vibratable body is sandwiched between a tubular flexible piece and a tubular connecting flange which together define a passage aligned with the discharge opening. A vibrator vibrates the connecting flange, and the vibrations are transmitted therefrom to the vibratable body. Vibration of the vibratable body is permitted by the flexibility of the flexible piece.

The invention pertains to an apparatus for facilitating the delivery of slow-flowing bulk goods which are to be unloaded from a container that is directly or indirectly coupled to a connecting flange.
When slow-flowing bulk goods are allowed to flow from receptacles with comparatively small openings, such as those formed by connecting socket pieces, the problem of bridging often arises in the bulk goods, a problem which makes it practically impossible to unload the bulk goods. This problem can be avoided by keeping the bulk goods in the container constantly flowing. Until now, assistance in this regard has been provided by placing the container itself into oscillation by means of a vibrator applied to it, or by putting the container stand on elastic feet and placing the stand into oscillation by means of an unbalance motor. This procedure is not satisfactory because it places an extraordinarily high stress on the container or stand and can possibly even lead to a further compaction of the bulk material.
In accordance with a different principle, a cone which also serves as the stopper for the connecting socket piece is placed into the container and is moved up and down mechanically. Before the mechanical movement can be initiated in this case, the discharge passage must be opened.
It is the task of the invention to make available a device to assist the delivery of slow-flowing bulk goods which can be operated even with a closed discharge passage.

Apparatus for assisting the discharge of slow-flowing bulk goods from containers


Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a scuff-resistant, soft cover formed from more than 90 wt. % of one or more acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins. The acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins preferably are terpolymers. The golf ball has good durability and a high spin rate. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.

The present invention relates to golf balls having ionomeric covers, and more particularly to golf balls having covers formed from acrylate ester-containing ionic copolymers.
Ionomeric resins are polymers containing interchain ionic bonding. As a result of their toughness, durability, and flight characteristics, various ionomeric resins sold by E.I. DuPont deNemours & Company under the trademark "Surlyn.RTM." and by the Exxon Corporation (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,451) under the trademark "Escor.RTM." and the tradename "lotek", have become the materials of choice for the construction of golf ball covers over the traditional "balata" (trans polyisoprene, natural or synthetic) rubbers. The softer balata covers, although exhibiting enhanced playability properties, lack the durability necessary for repetitive play.
Ionomeric resins are ionic copolymers of an olefin such as ethylene and a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or maleic acid. Metal ions, such as sodium or zinc, are used to neutralize some portion of the acidic groups in the copolymer resulting in a thermoplastic elastomer exhibiting enhanced properties, i.e. improved durability, etc., for golf ball cover construction over balata. However, the advantages gained in increased durability have been offset to some degree by the decreases produced in playability. This is because the durable ionomeric resins tend to be very hard when utilized for golf ball cover construction, and thus lack the degree of softness required to impart the spin necessary to control the ball in flight.
As a result, while there are currently more than fifty commercial grades of ionomers available from DuPont and Exxon with a wide range of properties which vary according to the type and amount of metal cations, molecular weight, composition of the base resin (i.e. relative content of ethylene and methacrylic and/or acrylic acid groups) and additive ingredients such as reinforcements, etc., a great deal of research continues in order to develop golf ball cover compositions exhibiting not only the improved impact resistance and carrying distance properties produced by the "hard" ionomeric resins, but also the playability (i.e. "spin") characteristics previously associated with the "soft" balata covers, properties which are still desired by the more skilled golfer.
In various attempts to produce a durable, high spin ionomeric golf ball, the golfing industry has blended the hard ionomeric resins with a number of softer ionomeric resins. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,884,814 and 5,120,791 are directed to cover compositions containing blends of hard and soft ionomeric resins. The hard copolymers typically are made from an olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid. The soft copolymers are generally made from an olefin, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an acrylate ester. It has been found that golf ball covers formed from hard-soft ionomer blends tend to become scuffed more readily than covers made of hard ionomer alone. It would be useful to develop a golf ball having a combination of softness and durability which is better than the softness-durability combination of a golf ball cover made from a hard-soft ionomer blend.

Golf ball with ionomeric cover and method of making same


A container for storing firearm cartridge reloading equipment and supplies. The container has a reinforced shelf that a reloading press can be attached to. The container also includes a mounting location for a powder dispenser and a case trimmer. The container can also have additional storage shelves and can have a door and lid that are openable to allow access and light into the interior of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to firearm ammunition loading equipment and, in particular, concerns a safety cabinet for storing hand loading and reloading equipment and supplies where the safety cabinet can be portable.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reloading, otherwise known as handloading, of firearm cartridges is a popular activity among people who recreationally shoot firearms. Typically, this involves placing powder, a primer and a slug or bullet or shot into a cartridge casing. Often, reloading casings results in a cartridge that is cheaper for a shooter to make than purchase a corresponding manufactured cartridge at a retailer. Moreover, reloading cartridges allows the shooter to vary a wide variety of parameters to optimize the performance of the bullet with the individual characteristics of the shooter's firearm. Parameters like the amount of powder, the depth to which the bullet is seated etc. can be altered or customized to a particular firearm so that the accuracy of the firearm can be improved.
Reloading does, however, require a fair amount of specialized equipment. One piece of equipment is a press that is used to resize a previously fired cartridge case into the desired shape and size. When a cartridge is fired, the heat a pressure causes the cartridge casing to deform. The press is used with a resizing die that reforms the cartridge casing into a desired size and shape. Typically, the press also removes the primer in this process. The press is also used to seat the slugs or bullets into a case that has been reprimed and loaded with powder using a bullet seating die instead of a resizing die. As a considerable amount of pressure is exerted on the cartridge casing during resizing and bullet seating, the press is typically securely mounted to a workbench and the like.
In addition to the press and dies, there is a considerable amount of additional equipment the reloader has to have. The reloader must also have a scale or powder measuring device to ensure that the correct amount of powder is being placed into the cartridge casing. The reloader must also have a tool for inserting new primers into the casing. The reloader must also have a trimming device that allows the reloading to trim cases that are too long as a result of the resizing process. Moreover, various cleaning and deburring tools as well as calipers, polishing tools and the like are part of a reloader's reloading kit.
Further, the reloading must have dies, bullets, casings, and primers for each caliber of bullet that the reloader intends to reload as well as gun powder. All of this equipment and supplies can take up a considerable amount of room and is difficult to move around. Further, many reloaders prefer to have the equipment and bullet components secured in a secure container due to the inherent dangers of the component parts and supplies.
However, there is a lack of adequate storage containers for reloading equipment. Further, most reloaders mount their press on a fixed workbench as the press has to be securely anchored to be able to exert sufficient pressure on the casings to resize the casing and seat the bullets. As such, most reloading kits owned by reloaders are not portable from one location to another which limits the place where the reloader can reload bullets to the location where the press is anchored.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there is a need for a reloading storage container that is capable of storing the reloading components in useable positions and further includes a mounting surface that the press can be anchored to. There is also a need for the container to be easily secured while still permitting access to allow for the reloading of cartridges.


The present invention relates to the use of a compound of Formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing cancer in a subject. Formula I

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer and related mortality in women in most countries causing 519,000 deaths worldwide in 2004 alone. Two main types of breast cancer are estrogen receptor (ER) positive cancers, wherein ER is over-expressed, and HER2 positive cancers, wherein human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed compared to normal breast tissue cells (M. Nadji, C. Gomez-Fernandez, P. Ganjei-Azar, A. R. Morales, Immunohistochemistry of estrogen and progesterone receptors reconsidered: experience with 5,993 breast cancers. Am J Clin Pathol 123 (2005) 21-27). The majority of breast cancers is ER-positive and requires estrogen for growth and progression. The binding of estrogen to ER changes its conformation and leads to the release of the receptor from heat shock proteins (HSPs), the release promoting dimer formation of the ER monomers. The dimerized ERs recruit their co-activators to stimulate target gene expression. Encoded proteins can promote cell division, resulting in fast proliferation and metastasis (K. A. Green, J. S. Carroll, Oestrogen-receptor-mediated transcription and the influence of co-factors and chromatin state. Nat Rev Cancer 7 (2007) 713-722) (FIG. 1).
Overexpression of the HER2 receptor in breast cancer cells is associated with increased disease recurrence and worse prognosis. HER2 is a cell membrane surface-bound receptor tyrosine kinase and is normally involved in the signal transduction pathways leading to cell growth and differentiation. It is encoded by HER2/neu, a known proto-oncogene. HER2 is thought to be an orphan receptor, with none of the EGF family of ligands able to activate it. However, other ErbB receptors dimerise on ligand binding, and HER2 is the preferential dimerization partner of other members of the ErbB family.
Currently, the most commonly used drug for treating ER-positive breast cancer is tamoxifen, which can bind to ER and inhibit its binding to the receptor's co-activators, therefore preventing target gene transcription. Although tamoxifen is very effective in treating ER-positive breast cancer, it has limitations. First, tamoxifen is not effective in about 30% of breast cancer patients. Second, tamoxifen resistance has been observed in 80% of patients after 15 months of treatment (A. Howell, D. DeFriend, J. Robertson, R. Blarney, P. Walton, Response to a specific antioestrogen (ICI-182780) in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. Lancet 345 (1995) 29-30). Third, clinical evidence suggests that cells overexpressing HER2 are more likely to become tamoxifen resistant. Although therapies that target HER2 have been developed, including trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, and lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the available therapies are very expensive and resistance to these drugs has been reported as well.
Thus, there is still need for alternative treatment regimens for breast cancer that overcome the known problems.

Acetyltanshinone IIA (ATA) as anticancer agent


A calibration method for calibrating a communication system includes: generating a test signal at a transmitter; configuring at least one calibration coefficient at the transmitter; configuring at least one calibration coefficient at the receiver; transmitting the test signal to a receiver via the calibration coefficient; performing a spectrum analysis upon the test signal received by the receiver to generate a spectrum analysis result; and adjusting the calibration coefficient according to the spectrum analysis result to calibrate the transmitter. In addition, a calibration method is also provided for calibrating a receiver of a communication system, and related calibration apparatuses are further provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosed embodiments of the present invention relate to calibration methods and associated apparatuses for a communication system, and more particularly, to calibration methods and associated apparatuses for a wireless transceiver based on a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Transmission rates for communication systems have become higher as the communication systems develop. As a signal modulated by a more complicated modulation technique contains more information than a signal modulated by a less complicated modulation technique, designers can raise the transmission rate by adopting high level complicated process, such as 64-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (64-QAM), or even 256-QAM. In order to optimize transmission of a high level Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, an Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) of a communication system has to be raised. One of the most significant factors that affect the EVM is In-phase Quadrature-phase imbalance (IQ imbalance), whose root cause is IQ mismatch of a Radio Frequency (RF) circuit, where even a slight mismatch can reduce overall performance of the communication system. Specifically, the imperfect Quadrature Amplitude Modulation/Demodulation introduced by mismatches leads to a poor Bit Error Rate (BER). Mismatches can be divided into amplitude mismatch and phase mismatch. Once these mismatches exist, an unwanted image signal will be generated at symmetric frequency.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a diagram illustrating a single tone signal received by a receiver and an image signal generated by the received signal. The difference between the amplitude of the received signal and the amplitude of the image signal is called Image Ratio (IMR). A serious IQ imbalance will lead to a small IMR, and vice versa.
In order to improve the above issues, a calibration process is usually performed before formal signal transmission and reception in a real circuit. The calibration process is called IQ calibration. A communication system may be affected in many ways under many different circumstances, such as different temperatures, different channels, a different low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a different power amplifier (PA). Thus, when and how to perform calibration for an IQ mismatch has become an important issue in this field.

Calibration method performing spectrum analysis upon test signal and associated apparatus for communication system


A device and method for minimizing noise particularly adjacent a source such as a highway. A plurality of transducers (10) are oriented in a specific alignment and driven in a sequence which sends corrective pressure waves so that the noise emanating from the source will be modified upon coaction with the corrective pressure waves emanating from each transducer (10). The transducers (10) themselves include at least one pair of diaphragms (60) that are adapted to move in a arc thereby sending a pulse out from the transducers (10).

Noise pollution exacts a toll on all in the society. This toll can include adverse effects that run the gamut and can include hearing impairment, stress, impediments to understanding a normal conversation and insomnia.
The existence of noise pollution in certain environments is well documented. For example, highways in densely populated areas are chronic sources of unwanted noise. As a result, one solution that has achieved extensive acceptance in communities involves building a wall along the highways. This wall serves a plurality of purposes. First, stray animals are kept from wandering onto the highway. Second, a wall of sufficient height will abate the noise from the highway immediately adjacent the road i.e. by creating a noise "shadow" adjacent the wall.
To a certain extent, it is true that there is a "shadow" on the side of the wall opposite from the highway where a sound wall is effective. However, it has been observed that a "plume" of noise will still breach the wall and instead affect an adjoining area, perhaps several blocks away from the highway. Thus, while one area immediately adjacent the wall has been protected somewhat, in effect the problem will have been diverted to an area some distance away which heretofore had been immune from the objectionable noise due to the noise having been dissipated closer to the highway by the defacto sound "baffles" that are present. Examples of such sound baffles would include shrubbery, buildings and topological variations of the terrain.
The following patents reflect the state of the art of which applicant is aware and has been included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these patents teach singly, nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination, the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
______________________________________ PAT. NO. ISSUE DATE INVENTOR ______________________________________ 3,812,931 May 28, 1974 Hauskins, Jr. 4,069,768 January 24, 1978 Matsumoto, et al. 4,226,299 October 7, 1980 Hansen 4,436,179 March 13, 1984 Yamamoto, et al. 4,583,615 April 22, 1986 Amram 4,899,846 February 13, 1990 Furuta, et al. ______________________________________
Each of these patents can be characterized as providing a "passive" form of sound abatement in which a physical impediment such as a wall impedes the migration of sound waves that emanate from the highway. The sound waves contact the wall and the wall merely opposes the sound wave transmission. In effect, the wall is a passive barrier. As mentioned above, while there is a noise abated "shadow" cast on the other side of the wall, the noise reflected from or spilling over such a passive barrier is redirected to other areas.


A programming interface for a computer platform can include various functionality. In certain embodiments, the programming interface includes one or more of the following groups of types or functions: those related to core file system concepts, those related to entities that a human being can contact, those related to documents, those common to multiple kinds of media, those specific to audio media, those specific to video media, those specific to image media, those specific to electronic mail messages, and those related to identifying particular locations.

Very early on, computer software came to be categorized as "operating system" software or "application" software. Broadly speaking, an application is software meant to perform a specific task for the computer user such as solving a mathematical equation or supporting word processing. The operating system is the software that manages and controls the computer hardware. The goal of the operating system is to make the computer resources available to the application programmer while at the same time, hiding the complexity necessary to actually control the hardware.
The operating system makes the resources available via functions that are collectively known as the Application Program Interface or API. The term API is also used in reference to a single one of these functions. The functions are often grouped in terms of what resource or service they provide to the application programmer. Application software requests resources by calling individual API functions. API functions also serve as the means by which messages and information provided by the operating system are relayed back to the application software.
In addition to changes in hardware, another factor driving the evolution of operating system software has been the desire to simplify and speed application software development. Application software development can be a daunting task, sometimes requiring years of developer time to create a sophisticated program with millions of lines of code. For a popular operating system such as various versions of the Microsoft Windows® operating system, application software developers write thousands of different applications each year that utilize the operating system. A coherent and usable operating system base is required to support so many diverse application developers.
Often, development of application software can be made simpler by making the operating system more complex. That is, if a function may be useful to several different application programs, it may be better to write it once for inclusion in the operating system, than requiring dozens of software developers to write it dozens of times for inclusion in dozens of different applications. In this manner, if the operating system supports a wide range of common functionality required by a number of applications, significant savings in applications software development costs and time can be achieved.
Regardless of where the line between operating system and application software is drawn, it is clear that for a useful operating system, the API between the operating system and the computer hardware and application software is as important as efficient internal operation of the operating system itself.
Furthermore, most applications make use of data. This data can oftentimes change during execution of and/or the life of the application, and is typically stored on a local device or on some remote device (e.g., a file server or other computing device on a network). Traditionally, applications have "owned" their own data, with each application being responsible for managing its own data (e.g., retrieving, saving, relocating, etc.) using its own formats. This traditional structure has problems, however, as it makes searching for related data across applications very difficult, if not impossible, and frequently results in similar information having to be entered in multiple places (for example, contact information may have to be entered separately into an email application, a messenger application, a phone application, a word processor, and so forth).
The inventors have developed a unique set of programming interface functions to assist in solving these problems.

Programming interface for a computer platform


An apparatus (10) for the location and removal of foreign objects from a difficult to access geometry utilizes a flexible lance (12) formed of individual hose bar segments (14) strung on cables (16) to give a structure that is flexible along its length and fairly rigid in a direction transverse to its length. Extending from working channels (18) of nozzle block (20) of the lance (12) are a pair of multi-prong retrievers (22). A miniaturized Videoprobe camera (24) is provided in the nozzle block (20) between the two retrievers (22). The retrievers are each connected to an actuating cable (26), which extends through the flexible lance (12) to a manual control (28). The camera (24) is connected by a cable (30) to suitable video processing circuits for generation of images on a video display (32). The cable (30) also houses a fiber optic bundle which conveys light to the area being serviced by the lance (12). The flexible lance (12 ) extends through a transporter (34), which positions the nozzle block end of the lance (12) opposite a portion of a steam generator or other difficult to access geometry. The transporter (34) moves along a transport rail (36) to move the nozzle block end of the lance (12) into position. The lance (12) is then advanced through the transporter (34) to move the nozzle block end into the difficult to access geometry and retracted to withdraw the nozzle block end from the difficult to access geometry.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a robotic system that is useful in nuclear power plants and other structures with a difficult to access geometry. More particularly, it relates to such a system which is capable of locating and removing foreign objects that have been accidentally introduced into such structures with a difficult to access geometry, such as in the tube bundles of a nuclear power plant s steam generators.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nuclear power generation equipment consists of two major parts, the reactor and the steam generator. The steam generator includes a heat exchanger, which, in simple terms, consists of a bundle of thin wall tubes, which are tightly spaced and arranged in a matrix-like fashion. The spacing between the tubes is less than 0.5 inches, and the tube height extends to several feet. Hot reactor coolant is pumped through the tubes, which in turn heats water under pressure above the boiling point to several hundred degrees, thus generating steam.
During reactor shut down for refueling or any other reason, repair and maintenance technicians enter various areas, one of which is the steam generator housing. During such entry, accidental dropping of such items as welding rods, washers, screws and the like is possible. Such items can cause damage to the thin wall tubes if they are not retrieved. Repairing, replacing or plugging such damaged tubes is very expensive, both in terms of the labor involved and required reactor shut down. To date, it has not been possible to retrieve such items, due to the physical constraints of the steam generator geometry and the presence of radiation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,667, issued Jan. 27, 1987 to Zimmer et al. discloses a remote probe positioning apparatus including a flexible tape which has an optical fiber cable running the length of the tape and a retractor tool at a distal end of the tape. However, no details are given on the construction and operation of the retractor tool. Further development is therefore required in order to provide a system for removing foreign objects which will meet the needs of nuclear power plant steam generator geometry and similar difficult to access geometries.

In bundle foreign object search and retrieval apparatus


In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising analyte testing on one or more types of samples.

Laboratory testing of blood samples from patients has traditionally been based on venipuncture performed at a laboratory facility or a patient service center. Typically, after waiting for their turn at that facility or center, a patient is then attended to by a phlebotomist who extracts blood from the patient. Before venipunture, the phlebotomist selects the correct number and type of vacuum blood collection tubes for the desired number and/or types of tests set forth in the laboratory test request. The phlebotomist ensures that blood from the venipunture fills the correct number and types of tubes. Unless the laboratory tests were ordered STAT or other expedited basis, the patient will wait days or weeks before being notified of the results of the laboratory test. Usually, the notification comes from the doctor or someone in the doctor's office, not from the laboratory that conducted the test.
This process of traditional testing protocol and traditional testing infrastructure, creates a legacy system that can be unnecessarily slow and burdened by various limitations.

Systems and methods for analyte testing and laboratory oversight