This application describes, in part, systems and methods that may be used to proactively deliver anticipated data to a mobile device while the mobile device is connected to a wireless network that will not result in a charge for transmitting the data. In one example, data that may be accessed by a user of the mobile device and a time of that likely access is determined. In addition, anticipated wireless network connection events are determined to identify times when the wireless device will likely be connected to a fixed fee wireless network. Based on the determined information, the anticipated data is scheduled for delivery during a fixed fee wireless network connection event that occurs prior to the time at which the anticipated data is requested by the user of the mobile device.

Generally described, computing devices and communication networks facilitate the collection and exchange of information. In a common application, computing devices, such as personal computing devices, can utilize a wide area communication network, generally referred to as the Internet, to access data, or other data, from other computing devices associated with data providing entities. The type of data exchanged between the computing devices can vary according to the specific design/function of the computing device and the type of data provided by the data providing entity.
In one application, users can request data from a data providing entity that is delivered to the computing device in a relatively "real time" basis. For example, users can request data from a network resource (e.g., a Web site) for immediate rendering on a computing device display screen or they can request the immediate transfer of data, such as a document or data file, from a network resource or Web service for storage on the computing device. In another example, users can transmit a request, or initiate a transaction, that results in the downloading or streaming of data to a computing device. Typically, the data providing entity would initiate such a transfer upon receipt of the request from the computing device.
In another application, the data transmission from the data providing entity to the computing device can be scheduled for delivery to the computing device at a specific time or upon satisfaction of a scheduling event. For example, users can specify a time, or other event, to receive software updates provided by a data providing entity. In another example, users can specify a specific time to receive data or updates to previously delivered data such as periodicals, data posted on a network resource such as web logs, bulletin boards, and the like. In still a further application, data providing entities can initiate data deliveries to the computing device without requiring a prior request from the receiving computing device. For example, a data providing entity may wish to schedule the delivery of advertisement data to a set of personal computing devices.
In one embodiment, wireless computing devices can access data from data providing entities via a communication network. In such an embodiment, the wireless computing device is generally a portable device that includes communication hardware and software components that establish a wireless network connection for exchanging data, such as a connection with a wide area wireless telecommunication network ("WAN"), like a long term evolution (LTE) based wireless network and/or a wireless local area network ("WLAN"), such as Wi-Fi based wireless network.
With the continued increase of data transmitted over wireless networks, operators of many networks now charge a fee, such as a subscription fee or data transmission fee, to deliver data over the network. For example, many WAN operators charge monthly fees for delivery of data over the network and limit the amount of data that can be transmitted without incurring additional fees. This may be in the form of a monthly fee allowing up to a certain amount of data transmission, with additional fees incurred if the monthly amount is exceeded, or in the form of a fee based on the amount data transmitted. For purposes of this disclosure, any wireless network in which a fee is incurred for the transmission of data that includes either a data limit or a fee per data transmitted will be referred to herein as a "variable fee wireless network." In comparison, any wireless network in which there is no fee for data transmitted over the network, or there is no limit on the amount of data that can be transmitted for a fixed fee, is referred to herein as a "fixed fee wireless network." Examples of fixed fee wireless networks include, but are not limited to a user's home WLAN, a fixed fee WLAN network (e.g., at a coffee shop or airport), or an unlimited data plan with a WAN operator in which there is no limit to the amount of data that can be transmitted each month without incurring additional fees or charges.
Because of the nature of wireless network connections, the quality and availability of the connection experienced by the wireless device can vary for both variable fee wireless networks and fixed fee wireless networks. Factors that can influence such quality and availability include the range of the antennas through which the wireless connection is established, physical obstructions (e.g., natural geographical obstructions/structures, manmade structures and impediments, etc.), legal or administrative limitations to the use of wireless networks (e.g., limited or no wireless communications in hospitals and airplanes), wireless network service provider limitations (e.g., wireless network coverage), user-initiated actions (e.g., shutting off the device or disabling the wireless network functionality), and the like.
While implementations are described herein by way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the implementations are not limited to the examples or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit implementations to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean including, but not limited to.

Anticipating data use in a wireless device


A constant-current source including a constant-current output circuit for supplying a constant current provided with one or more transistors with the bases biased with the same base potential, a first circuit which provides a first current signal for setting the strength of the constant current to be delivered from the constant-current output circuit, a second circuit which generates a second current signal and provides the same base potential in response to the second current signal, a third circuit which controls the second current signal to minimize any deviation of the second current signal from the first current signal, and a DC power supply for energizing at least the first, second and third circuits. The improvement is that the transconductance of the first circuit which represents the ratio of a change in the first current signal to a change in the output voltage of the DC power supply is equal to the transconductance of the second circuit which represents the ratio of a change in the second current signal to a change in the output voltage of the DC power supply.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a DC constant-current source, and in particular to a DC constant-current source capable of compensating for errors in the output current caused by changes in the output voltage of the DC power supply.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of circuits for constant-current source have been developed as needed. FIGS. 1 and 2 show circuits of first and second prior-art constant-current sources, respectively, which are of our present interest.
The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is provided with DC power supply 2, output-current setting circuit 13, current regulating circuit 14 made up of pnp transistor Q.sub.4 and resistor R.sub.4, a current-difference amplifier made up of pnp transistor Q.sub.8 and resistor R.sub.8, and constant-current output circuit 5.
Constant-current output circuit 5 (hereafter referred to as output circuit 5) is made up of a plurality of pnp transistors Q.sub.16, ---, Q.sub.n-1, Q.sub.n of the same characteristics with the bases interconnected through a base line and the emitters connected to the positive electrode of DC power supply 2 through emitter resistors R.sub.16, ---, R.sub.n-1, R.sub.n of the same resistance.
Output-current setting circuit 13, driven by DC power supply 2, generates a current signal I.sub.C2 (the collector current of transistor Q.sub.2). The current output of output circuit 5 is regulated to a value which corresponds to reference current I.sub.C2, as will be described below.
Circuit 13 includes a series circuit composed of resistor R.sub.3A, temperature-compensated npn transistor Q.sub.1 and constant-voltage source 1 connected in series between the positive and grounded negative electrodes of DC power supply 2. Constant-voltage source 1 supplies transistor Q.sub.1 with constant emitter potential V.sub.1 with respect to the ground potential. Transistor Q.sub.1 serves to provide base potential V.sub.B1 for biasing the base of transistor Q.sub.2, V.sub.B1 being V.sub.1 +V.sub.BE1 and V.sub.BE1 being the base-emitter voltage of transistor Q.sub.1. Resistor R.sub.3A is determined according to approximate equation R.sub.3A =(V.sub.2 -V.sub.1)/I.sub.3A, where V.sub.2 and I.sub.3A represent the output voltage of DC power supply 2 and a prescribed current which flows through Resistor R.sub.3A. Npn transistor Q.sub.9 supplies a fraction of its current output to transistor Q.sub.1 as base current I.sub.B1 so as to minimize any deviation of collector current I.sub.C1 of transistor Q.sub.1 from current I.sub.3A, i.e. to minimize base current I.sub.B9 =I.sub.3A -I.sub.C1 of transistor Q.sub.9. This allows the deviation to be regulated to I.sub.3A /(f.multidot.h.sub.FE1 .multidot.h.sub.FE9), an order of 10.sup.-4 .multidot.I.sub.3A, where h.sub.FE1 and h.sub.FE9 represent the current gains of transistor 1 and 9, respectively, and f denotes a fraction of the emitter current of transistor Q.sub.9 that is supplied to the base of transistor Q.sub.1.
Transistor Q.sub.2 has an emitter grounded through resistor R.sub.2 and is biased with the same base potential as that of transistor Q.sub.1. This causes the emitter potential of transistor Q.sub.2 to equal that of transistor Q.sub.1, provided that the difference in the base-emitter voltages of the two transistors, .DELTA.B.sub.BE, is ignored. As a result, the emitter current I.sub.E2 of transistor Q.sub.2, thus collector current I.sub.C2, becomes approximately V.sub.1 /R.sub.2. In this way, collector current I.sub.C2, which is an output of output-current setting current 13, is set to a desired value by adjusting resistor R.sub.2. Transistor Q.sub.2 is also temperature-compensated so that a change in collector current I.sub.C2 caused by a temperature change in transistor Q.sub.1 will be compensated for. The advantage of output-current setting circuit 13 is that it is capable of establishing a current of a given strength with a smallsized circuitry.
Transistor Q.sub.4 and emitter resistor R.sub.4 constitute an amplifier identical with each of the parallel amplifiers constituted by transistors Q.sub.16, Q.sub.17 ---, Q.sub.n and their emitter resistors R.sub.16, R.sub.17, ---, R.sub.n. The base of transistor Q.sub.4 is connected both to the bases of the group of transistors Q.sub.16, ---, Q.sub.n-1, Q.sub.n and to the collector of transistor Q.sub.4 by way of transistor Q.sub.8 to constitute a current-mirror circuit, wherein transistor Q.sub.4 is the input transistor and the group of transistors Q.sub.16, ---, Q.sub.n-1 and Q.sub.n are the output transistors. The collector of transistor Q.sub.4 is also connected to the collector of transistor Q.sub.2 through a branch point where difference current I.sub.B8 =I.sub.C2 -I.sub.C4, which corresponds to the deviation of collector current I.sub.C4 of transistor Q.sub.4 from collector current I.sub.C2, is branched off.
Transistor Q.sub.8, associated with resistor R.sub.8, provides a path of the base currents of the group of transistors Q.sub.16, ---, Q.sub.n-1, Q.sub.n and of transistor Q.sub.4. Transistor Q.sub.8 also acts to control emitter current I.sub.E4 of transistor Q.sub.4 so as to minimize difference current I.sub.B8 by the same operation as transistor 9.
When the output current of output circuit 5 decreases, base potential V.sub.BG of the group of transistors Q.sub.16, ---, Q.sub.n-1, Q.sub.n is raised. Since the base of transistor Q.sub.4 is voltage-biased by base potential V.sub.BG, the rise in base potential V.sub.BG causes a decrease in emitter current I.sub.E4 of transistor Q.sub.4, which results in an increase in base current I.sub.B8 of transistor Q.sub.8. Transistor Q.sub.8 acts to carry more collector current I.sub.C8, which causes base potential V.sub.BG to be lowered, whereby emitter current I.sub.E4 increases to minimize base current I.sub.B8, i.e. to minimize the deviation of I.sub.C4 from I.sub.C2. Since emitter current I.sub.E4 is an input of the currentmirror circuit, the increase in I.sub.E4 causes the output current of the current-mirror circuit, i.e. output current I.sub.o of output circuit 5. Thus, output current I.sub.o is regulated to the value corresponding to collector current I.sub.C2. In this way, collector current I.sub.C2 serves as a reference current to be referred to by collector current I.sub.C4.
Next, referring to FIG. 2, a second constant-current source of the prior art will be explained. The essential part of the constant-current source is identical with that of the first constant-current source shown in FIG. 1. The difference is in output-current setting circuit 10. In constant-current setting circuit 10, reference current I.sub.r is established by applying a constant voltage V.sub.1 across resistor R.sub.2 through negative feedback amplifier 11 of voltage gain 1 (a voltage follower) which serves as a buffer circuit. Reference current I.sub.r is determined from equation I.sub.r =V.sub.1 /R.sub.2, as is the case in the first constant-current source.
The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 2 to stabilize output current I.sub.o is similar to that shown in FIG. 1.
A problem in the first constant-current source above has been that it is susceptible to changes in the output voltage of DC power supply 2. Let .DELTA.V.sub.2 be the change, and g.sub.m1, g.sub.m2 the transconductances of transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, respectively, then change .DELTA.I.sub.C2 in collector current I.sub.C2 caused by .DELTA.V.sub.2 becomes (.DELTA.V.sub.2 /R.sub.3A) (g.sub.m2 /g.sub.ml), which entails a change in output current I.sub.o of the constant-current source. Further, another problem has been that, while transistor Q.sub.1 and Q.sub.2 are temperature-compensated, output-current setting circuit 13 as a whole is susceptible to temperature changes.
A problem in the second constant-current source above has been that the buffer amplifier, i.e. negative feedback amplifier 11, requires a large size.


A milling apparatus for preparing concrete floor surfaces consists of rear wheel motorized cart connected in tandem to a traction milling machine having a frame mounted drum for milling engagement with the floor and forward and rearward means for vertically adjusting the frame attached forward wheel means and rearward wheel means with reference to the floor. The forward wheel means includes a ski element and the rearward wheel means includes a wheeled dolly arrangement. The tandem connection consists of a specialized horizontally articulated hitch which transfers a portion of the weight of the motorized cart to the rear axle of the traction milling machine. An operator sits on the motorized cart and operates and steers the traction milling machine which includes motor means for powering said cart and the traction machine and steering means.

In the agricultural industry, hoofed livestock are typically housed on smooth concrete floors. This has caused the problem of livestock not having a sure footing, as such floors do not provide sufficient traction. The livestock, as for example dairy cows, slip on these types of floors causing falls and injury. These injuries can be severe enough that the animal must be humanely put down. The slick flooring also causes undue stress on the livestock, thereby effectively reducing the animals feed intake, production, weight, and overall health. These disadvantages associated with smooth concrete flooring increase costs to the owner of the livestock because of lost production and increased veterinary and nutritional needs.
For many years the agricultural industry has attempted to address the problems set out above with marginal success. For example, a process of power toweling a new barn floor to make it smooth and flat and then saw cutting grooves in the concrete has been used for many years. There are several disadvantages associated with this method including its complexity involving several steps and difficulty in obtaining a consistent and uniform finish.
Sandblasting has also been used to roughen concrete floor surfaces. Sandblasting, however, only temporarily fixes the problem for a period of about a year because the texture tends to wear off. Yet another floor treatment involves using a demolition hammer to apply a texture to the concrete floor surface. This ad hoc method often results in damage to the floor and does not result in a consistent or uniform floor surface.
These prior art surface preparation applications have been used for slatted floors as well. However, when a slat has had, for example, the grooving method applied to it, the manufacturer of the slats voids the warranty claiming that the process of saw cutting grooves into slats reduces their structural integrity with the likelihood of making the slats unsafe for livestock traffic. As such, the farmer typically refuses this option and the livestock is no further ahead.
Accordingly, the need exists for an apparatus for preparing the surface of a concrete floor in such a way as to solve the problems outlined above. Moreover, the need exists for an apparatus which can be used to prepare both flat and slatted types of floors. Such preparation must be aggressive enough so as to supply excellent footing for the livestock, but not so aggressive as to cause discomfort to the animals or affect the structural integrity of the floor. A preparation process which removes approximately one-eighth (xe2x85x9) of an inch from the floor surface is believed to be preferable and not to affect the structural integrity thereof.
The present invention, which is a milling apparatus for preparing concrete surfaces, achieves all of the objectives described above. The floor surface prepared using the milling apparatus is not so rough as to cause undue hoof abrasion, while still providing traction to supply sure footing to the livestock. This prepared floor surface promotes livestock comfort, which in turn increases feed intake, herd health and production. As well, the prepared floor surface positively factors by reducing cull rates and foot and leg problems. Furthermore, because of the reductions in injuries and deaths, the insurance industry should take note of the advantages associated with the use of the milling apparatus. Its use may ultimately reduce insurance premiums for the farmer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a milling apparatus for preparing concrete floor surfaces to provide better traction and sure footing for livestock, in particular hoofed livestock. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a milling apparatus for preparing both flat and slatted floor surfaces.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a milling apparatus comprised of a rear wheeled motorized cart connected in tandem to a traction milling machine. More specifically, the motorized cart and traction milling machine are connected by means of a specialized articulated hitch. The present invention and its constituent elements are hereinafter described.
The traction milling machine comprises a frame on which a drum is mounted. The drum has attached to its periphery a plurality of teeth for milling engagement with a floor surface. For other applications, the drum may be comprised of a plurality of saw-blades in vertical alignment, for example, for use on a rubber matted floor. Attached to the front end of the frame are forward wheel means and attached to the rearward end of the frame are rearward wheel means on which the machine moves. The forward wheel means have attached thereto forward adjustment means to vertically adjust the forward wheel means with reference to the frame. Similarly, the rearward wheel means comprising an axle have attached thereto rearward adjustment means to vertically adjust the rearward wheel means with reference to the frame. The independent forward and rearward adjustment means are used to selectively control and adjust the depth of the engagement of the drum with the floor surface. Furthermore, an extension of the frame has attached thereto operator steering means, which in one embodiment extend outwardly and rearwardly from the frame extension in the form of handles.
For use on a slatted floor, the forward wheel means described above incorporate a ski element which may be lowered into engagement with the floor surface. As well, the rearward wheel means incorporate a dolly arrangement comprising at least two longitudinally aligned wheels within a rigid frame housing. The use of the ski and dolly arrangement ensures that the traction milling machine is able to operate in a level fashion over the spaces between slots both longitudinally and transversely, thereby helping to maintain consistent and uniform contact between the drum and the floor surface.
The motorized cart has a seat for the operator and motor means to provide power to the cart to propel the cart and the traction milling machine both forwardly and rearwardly over the floor surface. The seat is located such that the operator is able to easily access the steering means as well as the forward and rearward adjustment means.
The traction milling machine and motorized cart are attached in tandem by means of specialized articulated hitch. The first portion of the hitch is pivotally mounted onto the rear axle of the traction milling machine for the purpose of weight transfer later described. The complementary second portion of the hitch is attached to the front of the motorized cart. The first hitch portion and the complementary second hitch portion are connected by means of a pin to form an articulated hitch. During operation, the articulated hitch permits the milling apparatus to be steered in response the operator""s control of the steering means and movement of the motorized cart. In effect, the milling apparatus is steered by means of directing the traction milling machine in the desired direction of travel. Essentially, the rear wheels of the traction milling machine act as the front wheels of the cart.
Importantly, the articulated hitch is further adapted to transfer a portion of the weight of the motorized cart and operator to the traction milling machine hereinafter referred to as weight transfer. Weight transfer greatly assists in keeping the traction milling machine in continuous engagement with the floor surface to provide a consistent and uniform textured finish to the floor.

Apparatus for roughening concrete slat surfaces


A non-iterative and computationally efficient bit allocation technique for perceptual audio coders employing uniform quantization schemes. This is achieved by computing a target MNR for all critical bands in a frame using a target bit rate and associated SMRs. Associated SNRs are then computed for the critical bands using the computed target MNR and the associated SMRs. Bits are then allocated to the critical bands based on the computed associated SNRs.

In the present state of the art audio coders for use in coding signals representative of, for example, speech and music, for purposes of storage or transmission, perceptual models based on the characteristics of the human auditory system are typically employed to reduce the number of bits required to code a given signal. In particular, by taking such characteristics into account, "transparent" coding (i.e., coding having no perceptible loss of quality) can be achieved with significantly fewer bits than would otherwise be necessary. The coding process in perceptual audio coders is compute intensive and generally requires processors with high computation power to perform real-time coding. The quantization module of the encoder takes up a significant part of the encoding time.
In such coders, the signal to be coded is first partitioned into individual frames with each frame comprising a small time slice of the signal, such as, for example, a time slice of approximately twenty milliseconds. Then, the signal for the given frame is transformed into the frequency domain, typically with use of a filter bank. The resulting spectral lines may then be quantized and coded.
In particular, the quantizer which is used in a perceptual audio coder to quantize the spectral coefficients is advantageously controlled by a psychoacoustic model (i.e., a model based on the characteristics of the human auditory system) to determine masking thresholds (distortionless thresholds) for groups of neighboring spectral lines referred to as one critical factor band. The psychoacoustic model gives a set of thresholds that indicate the levels of Just Noticeable Distortion (JND); if the quantization noise introduced by the coder is above this level then it is audible. As long as the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the critical bands is higher than the Signal-to-Mask Ratio (SMR), the quantization noise cannot be perceived. The quantizer utilizes the SMRs to control bit allocation for the critical bands. The quantizer operates in such a way that, the difference between the SNR and the SMRs, which is the mask-to-noise ratio (MNR), is constant for all critical bands in the frame. Maintaining equal or near equal MNRs for all the critical bands ensures peak audio quality as the critical bands are equally distorted in a perceptual sense.
In MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Audio coders a major portion of the processing time is spent in the quantization module as the process is carried out iteratively. The MPEG-I/II Layer 1 and Layer 2 encoders use uniform quantization schemes. The Quantizer uses different values of step sizes for different critical bands depending on the distortion thresholds set by a psychoacoustic block.
In one conventional method employing the uniform quantization schemes, quantization is carried out in an iterative fashion to satisfy perceptual and bit rate criteria. The iterative procedure includes determining the band with the lowest MNR and increasing the precision of the band using the next highest number of bits. The SNR of the band increases typically by about 6 db in this process, as the quantizer is uniform in nature. This is followed by calculating the new MNR of that band and updating the number of bits consumed during this process. The above procedure is repeated until the bit rate criterion is met.
Irrespective of the target bit rate, the conventional method begins encoding by assigning a lowest possible quantization step size to the critical bands. Thus, the complexity of the conventional method increases as the bit rate increases. Therefore, the conventional methods are highly computation intensive and can take up significant part of an encoder's time.

Method, system and apparatus for allocating bits in perceptual audio coders


A method for a user equipment (UE) to perform random access to a radio network is provided. The method comprises: determining at least one message for random access indicating a cell where the UE initiates the random access and/or a purpose of the ransom access; and transmitting from the UE, the at least one message for random access to the radio network. A corresponding method for a base station, the corresponding devices, computer programs, and computer-readable storage are also provided.

This section is intended to provide a background to the various embodiments of the technology described in this disclosure. The description in this section may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and/or claims of this disclosure and is not admitted to be prior art by the mere inclusion in this section.
Next generation systems are expected to support a wide range of use cases with varying requirements ranging from fully mobile devices to stationary Internet of Things (IoT) or fixed wireless broadband devices. The traffic pattern associated with many use cases is expected to consist of short or long bursts of data traffic with varying length of waiting period in between (here called inactive state). In New Radio (NR), both license assisted access and standalone unlicensed operation are to be supported in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Hence the procedure of Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission and/or Scheduling Request (SR) transmission in unlicensed spectrum shall be investigated in 3GPP, where problems arise.


A novel cholesterol oxidase having stability in the presence of surfactant and a gene encoding the novel cholesterol oxidase.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel cholesterol oxidase having stability in the presence of surfactant and a gene encoding the novel cholesterol oxidase.
2. Brief Description of the Background Art
A cholesterol oxidase is an oxidase which catalyses the reaction between 3β-hydroxysteroid and oxygen to thereby form the corresponding 3-oxosteroid and hydrogen peroxide. Its research and development have so far been made for the purpose of applying it to the measurement of cholesterol concentration in body fluids (e.g., JP-A-6-169765), production of cholesterol derivatives (e.g., JP-A-6-113883), insecticides (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,862), detergents (e.g., WO 89/09813) and the like.
It is known that the enzyme is produced by many genera of microorganisms such as Streptomyces (e.g., JP-A-62-285789 (corresponding to EP-A-0560983)), Brevibacterium (e.g., JP-A4-218367 (corresponding to EP-A-0452112)), Rhodococcus (e.g., JP-T-3-503487 (corresponding to WO 90/05788)) and Pseudomonas (e.g., JP-A-6-189754).
The cholesterol oxidase isolated from Burkholderia cepacia ST-200 (Pseudonmnas sp. ST-200 according to the old classification, has been deposited on Feb. 4, 1998 in National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology (NIBH), Ministry of International Trade and Industry, (1-3, Higashi 1-chome, Tsukuba-shi, Ibarki, Japan), its deposit number is FERM MP-6661) (e.g., Japanese Patent No. 3,241,712 (corresponding to US-A-2003/153051)) is characterized in that its product when cholesterol is used as the substrate is different, its reaction mechanism is different and it has high organic solvent resistance and temperature stability, in comparison with other cholesterol oxidase so far known. Since a gene of the cholesterol oxidase derived from Burkholderia cepacia ST-200 has been cloned, high level production of a recombinant cholesterol oxidase can be carried out in various hosts through its secretion or intracellular accumulation (e.g., JP-A-2002-65271).
The characteristics required for an enzyme to be used in an agent for clinical diagnosis are, in most cases, high reactivity and specificity to the object and thermal stability which shows influence upon preservation stability of the product, but in the case of the measurement of cholesterol, a surfactant is frequently prescribed at a high concentration for the purpose of measuring the object at a high specificity, so that in addition to the above-described characteristics, a preservation stability in the coexistence of a surfactant is also strongly in demand for the enzyme to be used. Although the cholesterol oxidase derived from Burkholderia cepacia ST-200 has the above-described excellent properties, this enzyme is inferior in terms of the preservation stability in the coexistence of a surfactant, and therefore it is difficult to apply the enzyme to a cholesterol measuring reagent.
Regarding the surfactant to be used in the cholesterol measuring system, 1-pentanesulfonate, 1-hexanesulfonate, 1-heptanesulfonate, 1-octanesulfonate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, a cholic acid salt (sodium cholate), cholic acid, dehydrocholate, deoxycholic acid, sodium deoxycholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, N,N-bis(3-D-gluconamidopropyl)cholamide, N,N-bis-3-D-gluconamidopropylcholamide, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, lauroylsarcosine and the like are used as anionic surfactants (e.g., JP-A-8-116996, Japanese Patent No. 2,799,835 (corresponding to JP-A-7-13607), JP-A-11-56395, JP-A-2000-60600 (corresponding to EP-A-0964249), JP-A-2002-142799 (corresponding to EP-A-1342792), Japanese Patent No. 3,529,081 (corresponding to JP-A-10-232219), JP-A-10-84997 (corresponding to EP-A-0821239)). In addition, n-dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecylpyridinium chloride and the like are used as cationic surfactants (e.g., JP-A-10-84997 (corresponding to EP-A-0821239)).
As nonionic surfactants, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene condensate, acyl polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester, alkyl polyoxyethylene ether, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, sucrose monolaurate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylene phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylene tribenzyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene glycol p-t-octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene higher alcohol ether, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, glycerol fatty acid ester, n-octyl-β-D-thioglucoside, cetyl ether (C16), lauryl ether (C12), oleyl ether, behenyl ether (C20), polyoxyethylene monolaurate and the like are used (e.g., Japanese Patent No. 2,799,835 (corresponding to JP-A-7-13607), JP-A-11-56395, JP-A-2000-60600 (corresponding to EP-A-0964249), JP-A-2002-142799 (corresponding to EP-A-1342792), Japanese Patent No. 3,529,081 (corresponding to JP-A-10-232219), JP-A-10-84997 (corresponding to, EP-A-0821239), JP-A-2000-325097, JP-A-2001-124780, JP-A-2000-116400, JP-A-9-299, JP-A-2001-346598, JP-A-9-224697, Japanese Patent No. 3,193,634 (corresponding to JP-A-9-313200), JP-A-10-210999).
In addition, betaine derivatives, alkylbetaine derivatives, imidazoliumbetaine derivatives, sulfobetaine derivatives, aminocarboxylic acid derivatives, imidazoline derivatives, amine oxanoide derivatives, bile acid derivatives and the like are used as ampholytic surfactants (e.g., JP-A-2000-60600 (corresponding to EP-A-0964249), JP-A-10-84997 (corresponding to EP-A-0821239), JP-A-2000-325097, JP-A-2001-124780).

Cholesterol oxidase stable in the presence of surfactant


A combination bicycle/ski carrier has a carrier frame attachable to an automobile, supports for one or more cycles, and ski carriers which are retractable when not in use to avoid damage to cycles on the carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of racks and carriers for attachment to the exterior of automobiles and more particularly is directed to a combination carrier rack useful for carrying either bicycles or snow skis on an automotive vehicle equipped with the combination carrier.
2. State of the Prior Art
Carriers for mounting to the exterior of an automotive vehicle have long been in use for the transport of both bicycles and skis. Combination carriers for these two items are also known. One known type of bicycle rack has a tubular frame which is mounted over the bumper and on the rear of the trunk lid an automotive vehicle and attached to the vehicle by straps with hook elements at their ends. One pair of straps hooks under the bumper of the car, and a second pair of straps hooks to the forward edge of the trunk lid, within the gap normally found along the edge of the trunk lid. The length of the straps is adjustable to provide a snug and wobble free anchoring for the carrier on the automotive vehicle. The carrier frame primarily consists of two U-shaped frame elements. A first frame element lies against the surface of the automotive vehicle to which the frame is attached. A second frame element extends transversely to the first frame element and has two parallel support arms which extend rearwardly away from the vehicle. Bicycles to be transported are placed with the top tube of the bicycle frame on the support arms of the carrier, so that the bicycle rests on these arms. The bicycle is normally secured in place by additional retaining straps. The first frame element of the carrier frame lies between the bicycle and the vehicle to protect the vehicle surface against scraping by the bicycle.
It is known to provide such a bicycle carrier with attachments for carrying snow skis. In presently known combination carriers of this type, the ski attachments are mounted on cross bars which extend between parallel arms of the first U-shaped frame element of the carrier frame. The ski attachments extend in the direction of the bicycle supporting arms of the second frame element. As a result, the ski attachments tend to interfere with any bicycles supported on the carrier frame, and may potentially scratch or otherwise damage the bicycles. While combination bicycle/ski carriers offer the convenience and economy of dual-purpose year-around use of the carrier, the inconvenience and potential damage to bicycles by the ski attachments remains a shortcoming in such combination carriers.
Existing bicycle carriers are available with a bolt-on ski-carrier attachment which must be mounted on the bicycle carrier by the user when needed. The ski-carrier is mounted either with bolts which pass through holes in the bicycle carrier frame, or by means of clamps which are tightened around the frame. The ski-carrier attachment must be removed if the carrier is to be used for transporting bicyles, since the ski-carrier would interfere with the cycles. This process is inconvenient, and if the ski-carrier is carelessly or improperly mounted to the frame it may disengage during road travel, causing loss of the equipment and possible accident and injury.
What is needed is a combination bicycle/ski carrier with factory mounted ski-attachments, constructed to avoid damage to or inteference with bicycles on the carrier, thereby to eliminate the need for detaching the ski-carrier when a bicycle is to be transported.

Combination bicycle/ski carrier for automobiles


A method is disclosed that enables the transmission of a digital message along with a corresponding information signal, such as audio or video. The supplemental information contained in digital messages can be used for a variety of purposes, such as enabling or enhancing packet authentication. In particular, a telecommunications device that is processing an information signal from its user, such as a speech signal, encrypts the information signal by performing a bitwise exclusive-or of an encryption key stream with the information signal stream. The device, such as a telecommunications endpoint, then intersperses the bits of the digital message throughout the encrypted signal in place of those bits overwritten, in a process referred to as “watermarking.” The endpoint then transmits the interspersed digital message bits as part of a composite signal that also comprises the encrypted information bits. No additional bits are appended to the packet to be transmitted, thereby addressing compatibility issues.

Modern telecommunications systems feature the routing of media information signals, such as audio or video, over one or more packet-based networks, such as the Internet. In Voice over Internet Protocol (or "VoIP"), for example, voice signals from the voice conversations to be routed are digitized and formatted into data packets, which are then transmitted through the network. A telecommunications network that is based on VoIP is able to transmit voice conversations between telecommunications endpoints that are able to access the network.
Each telecommunications endpoint, whether voice-capable or not, is a packet-based device that is capable of exchanging information with other devices; the endpoint exchanges information in a manner similar to how a personal computer is able to exchange information with other computers throughout the Internet. Consequently, the endpoint is vulnerable to many of the same or similar packet attacks as is a personal computer, such as "Denial-of-Service" (DoS) attacks. In fact, there are many sources of potential packet attacks that can be directed at an endpoint from within any of a variety of networks that are interconnected to the network used by the endpoint.
To improve the ability of the endpoint to withstand packet attacks, some type of authentication is necessary. Authentication enables the endpoint to decide which of the arriving packets are legitimate and which should be discarded. A standard protocol known as Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) describes the procedures for performing one method of authentication. However, there is a drawback to this protocol. In order to authenticate a packet, it is necessary to compute a message digest over the header and the payload of the packet. This computation requires a significant amount of processing at the endpoint and can possibly overload the endpoint's processor.
Simpler schemes for authenticating each packet are available that require fewer processing resources. However, because of restrictions specified by SRTP and firewall behavior in the networks, it is typically not possible to append the additional information needed by the simpler schemes. Additionally, other applications unrelated to authentication can require the transmission of supplemental information, such as bits to convey additional control information for a particular feature. The problem is that unused bit positions in existing messages often do not exist and appended bits often cannot be transmitted, in order to convey the supplemental information.
Furthermore, due to processing path complexity, knowing where in the processing path to consider introducing the supplemental information to be sent can be challenging. As depicted in FIG. 1, transmit processing path 100 comprises information compression, as performed by compressor 111; encryption of the compressed signal, as performed by encryptor 112; and channel coding of the encrypted signal, as performed by channel coder 113. With respect to the encryption processing, a block of data to be encrypted is typically sent through many stages of encryption operations that involve secret keys. In this case, every bit of the output data is affected by every bit of the input data. Care must be taken as to where supplemental information is added to the processed signal, as tampering with encrypted data can lead to disastrous results during the decryption of the processed signal at the receive node.
What is needed is a technique to free up additional bit positions in each packet in a packet stream, for sending digital messages that contain supplemental information related to authentication or other purposes, while maintaining the integrity of the processed signal and without some of the disadvantages in the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Signal watermarking in the presence of encryption


The subject application is directed to a system and method for image fog scene detection. Electronic image data is first received and divided into image regions, with each region consisting of a plurality of pixels. Next, a comparison matrix is generated corresponding to each image region based upon a comparison of minimum intensity values associated with corresponding pixels to a threshold value. An entry of at least one of the comparison matrices is then tested for a preselected value. The received electronic image data is then identified as inclusive of a fog scene based upon the output of the test on the entry of the comparison matrix. Based upon the identification, fog scene detection data representing an identified fog scene is then generated.

The subject application is directed generally to enhancement of electronic images, and is particularly directed to detection of images inclusive of a fog scene component.
Many images that are captured, particularly photographic images, include some or all of an associated scene having fog associated with it. Such a fog tends to soften or obscure some or all of the underlying image. Fog may be attributed to natural occurring characteristics of a captured scene, such as when taken at dusk, during an overcast day, or while it is raining. Still other fog characteristics may be attributed to properties of photosensitive emulsions, positioning of illumination sources, or extraneous light. Fog in an image may also be introduced by media storage considerations, such as by chemical interaction, passage of time, exposure to heat, and the like.
Many captured images are either captured as digital images, such as with a digital camera. Others are captured in a more traditional manner, such as with photographic film. With film, digitization is frequently employed to facilitate long term storage to readily allow transmission or printing. In either situation, electronic images are obtained which have fog scene information encoded therein, and which fog scene information will ultimately work to obscure or degrade resultant images that are rendered or displayed.
Earlier systems sought to detect fog scenes, and solutions have been isolated which work on color images. Such systems detect disparities between averages of components, such as red, green, and blue color planes.

System and method for image fog scene detection


An accumulator piston for an automatic transmission. The piston comprises two components, the first and second being cup elements welded together with their closed ends in abutting relation. The lower cup includes a curled back portion with a radial flange having an axially extending bi-directional oil seal thereon, and spaced apart recesses in the curled back portion to permit oil to flow therein. The upper cup includes a radial flange of reduced diameter compared to the lower cup flange. The flange also has a lip seal thereon. The piston is spring-loaded and moves up and down in a bore and counterbore in response to fluid flow on either side of the piston to absorb shifting shocks.

The present invention relates generally to automatic transmissions, and more particularly, to an accumulator piston used therein. Specifically, the invention relates to an improved so-called 1-2 accumulator piston, which is made and assembled into one piece from two pieces, and which includes two seals bonded to the piston. This arrangement is advantageous from the standpoints of simplicity, reliability, and installation in the intended application.
As currently manufactured, one form of the 1-2 accumulator piston includes two O-rings as the seal. By switching to a welded component having two deep-drawn cups separately formed and then butt-welded together, with the seals being bonded on to the stampings or casings, an improved product is made.
Basically, the 1-2 accumulator piston in prior art transmissions has either been an aluminum casting or forging or a plastic piston. In the case of the aluminum casting or forging, two loose lip seals or O-rings were used. In the case of the plastic piston, two loose lip seals or O-rings were also provided. The aluminum casting approach had the disadvantage of being more expensive, because of the machining required on several surfaces. The aluminum casting, in addition, was heavier and in some cases less accurately machined. The loose lip seals were not as durable as bonded seals. In addition, the problem of a fit in the bore was presented. A machined aluminum casting or forging with loose O-ring seals had the further disadvantage of galling in the steel or aluminum bore formed in the housing.
In the case of plastic, the strength was questionable as regards the piston. This shortcoming was particularly apparent over the life of the product, which could easily exceed 100,000 miles or perhaps, even two or three times that amount. Prior art plastic cups simply did not have the potential life expectancy of a more substantial piston. The invention does away with the need of O-ring or other loose lip seals, replacing them with bonded seals having several advantages.
A one-step assembly process is possible with the design, which includes a major diameter flange on one cup and a smaller diameter flange on the other cup, with the two cups being deep drawn and welded together at the interface. The resulting metal piston is much stronger than prior art designs, it is lighter, more durable, and less expensive.
In view of the failure of the prior art to develop an accumulator piston of an advantageous type, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved accumulator piston.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece component in place of components having O-rings or other loose-fitting seals.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bonded accumulator piston and seal unit requiring no additional assembly operations by the end user, that is, the labor force at the automatic transmission assembly point.
Still another object of the invention is to make housekeeping easier for the user, in the sense of taking up less warehouse space with separate components requiring assembly and subsequent fitting.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an element which, in use, will avoid undue pinching of rubber elements. In this connection, a dual molded lip is more durable and less likely to be torn or otherwise damaged in use than are O-rings.
In particular, it is an object of the invention to locate the seals on the part where they will not engage the ports or openings in the bores during the assembly process.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a piston wherein scoring or galling of the running surfaces can be avoided, particularly those where there would be metal-to-metal contact in the event of misalignment in either aluminum or steel housings. By way of explanation, when a non-bonded O-ring moves in the groove in which it is located, it eventually becomes torn or breaks down. Metal-to-metal contact then occurs. This occurs with every non-bonded O-ring. When there is misalignment, wear is accelerated.
An additional object of the invention is to provide reduced stresses and strains and increased fatigue life over the expected life of the unit.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lower cost assembly compared with an aluminum forging or casting.
Still another object of the invention is to provide easier installation than is attainable with constructions containing O-rings.
More specifically, another object is to avoid the presence of O-rings, which, during installation, and thereafter, are more easily cut by the passages in the bores, creating questionable installation reliability.
A further object of the invention is to avoid scuffing and galling of the parts relative to each other.
A still further object of the invention is to do away with scuffing of the bore surface by reason of having rubber-to-metal contact rather than aluminum-to-steel contact in the area of the bores or, in the alternative, with aluminum-to-aluminum to contact in the bore.
The above advantages of the invention are achieved in practice by providing a bonded piston, preferably laser welded and made from two deep draws, with the open sides of the draws being directed oppositely and with each end portion of the piston having its own associated seal bonded thereto.
The exact manner in which the foregoing invention is achieved in practice will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention set forth by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.


A system and method for a cell switching optical network. A block of data is buffered at an edge node and sliced into data slices. Slice headers are pre-appended to each data slice. The data slices are then scheduled for transmission onto an optical switching network during fixed time slots defined on a per carrier wavelength basis.

Transmission bandwidth demands in telecommunication networks (e.g., the Internet) appear to be ever increasing and solutions are being sought to support this bandwidth demand. One solution to this problem is to use fiber-optic networks, where wavelength-division-multiplexing ("WDM") technology is used to support the ever-growing demand in optical networks for higher data rates.
Conventional optical switching networks typically use wavelength routing techniques, which require optical-to-electrical-to-optical ("O-E-O") conversions of optical signals at each optical switching node. O-E-O conversions at each switching node in the optical network is not only a very slow operation (typically about ten milliseconds), but it is very costly, and potentially creates a traffic bottleneck for the optical switched network. In addition, the current optical switching technologies cannot efficiently support "bursty" traffic that is often experienced in packet based communication applications (e.g., the Internet).
Recently, optical burst switching ("OBS") schemes have emerged as a promising solution to support high-speed bursty data traffic over WDM optical networks. The OBS scheme offers a practical opportunity between the current optical circuit-switching and the emerging all optical packet switching technologies. It has been shown that under certain conditions, the OBS scheme achieves high-bandwidth utilization and class-of-service ("CoS") by elimination of electronic bottlenecks as a result of O-E-O conversions occurring at switching nodes, and by using a one-way end-to-end bandwidth reservation scheme with variable time slot duration provisioning scheduled by the ingress nodes.
However, current signaling protocols, such as Just-In-Time ("JIT") signaling, Just-Enough-Time ("JET") signaling, or other one-way reservation protocols, employed to reserve network and device resources and to setup and teardown burst paths over OBS networks are complex and resource intensive. As such, expensive hardware, including powerful network processors and vast amounts of memory for tracking reservation protocol states, are required in each switching node of an OBS network. Despite the complexity of these signaling protocols, low loss of optical packets cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, JIT and JET signaling are intimately wrapped up with the task of scheduling data packets for transmission. As such, JIT and JET are inflexible solutions that prevent easy modification of the signaling protocol or scheduling algorithm used at a given time on an OBS network.

Hybrid optical burst switching with fixed time slot architecture


Low sulfur gasoline is produced from an olefinic, cracked, sulfur-containing naphtha by treatment over an acidic catalyst, preferably an intermediate pore size zeolite such as ZSM-5 to crack low octane paraffins and olefins under mild conditions with limited aromatization of olefins and naphthenes. A benzene-rich co-feed is co-processed with the naphtha to reduce the benzene levels in the co-feed by alkylation. This initial processing step is followed by hydrodesulfurization over a hydrotreating catalyst such as CoMo on alumina. In addition to reducing benzene levels in the combined feeds, the initial treatment over the acidic catalyst removes the olefins which would otherwise be saturated in the hydrodesulfurization, consuming hydrogen and lowering product octane, and converts them to compounds which make a positive contribution to octane. Overall liquid yield is high, typically at least 90 percent or higher. Product aromatics are typically increased by no more than 25 weight percent relative to the combined feeds and may be lower than the feed.

Catalytically cracked gasoline forms a major part of the gasoline product pool in the United States. When the cracking feed contains sulfur, the products of the cracking process usually contain sulfur impurities which normally require removal, usually by hydrotreating, in order to comply with the relevant product specifications. These specifications are expected to become more stringent in the future, possibly permitting no more than about 300 ppmw sulfur (or even less) in motor gasolines and other fuels. Although product sulfur can be reduced by hydrodesulfurization of cracking feeds, this is expensive both in terms of capital construction and in operating costs since large amounts of hydrogen are consumed.
As an alternative to desulfurization of the cracking feed, the products which are required to meet low sulfur specifications can be hydrotreated, usually using a catalyst comprising a Group VIII or a Group VI element, such as cobalt or molybdenum, either on their own or in combination with one another, on a suitable substrate, such as alumina. In the hydrotreating process, the molecules containing the sulfur atoms are mildly hydrocracked to convert the sulfur to inorganic form, hydrogen sulfide, which can be removed from the liquid hydrocarbon product in a separator. Although this is an effective process that has been practiced on gasolines and heavier petroleum fractions for many years to produce satisfactory products, it does have disadvantages.
Cracked naphtha, as it comes from the catalytic cracker and without any further treatments, such as purifying operations, has a relatively high octane number as a result of the presence of olefinic components and as such, cracked gasoline is an excellent contributor to the gasoline octane pool. It contributes a large quantity of product at a high blending octane number. In some cases, this fraction may contribute as much as up to half the gasoline in the refinery pool.
Other highly unsaturated fractions boiling in the gasoline boiling range, which are produced in some refineries or petrochemical plants, include pyrolysis gasoline produced as a by-product in the cracking of petroleum fractions to produce light olefins, mainly ethylene and propylene. Pyrolysis gasoline has a very high octane number but is quite unstable in the absence of hydrotreating because, in addition to the desirable olefins boiling in the gasoline boiling range, it also contains a substantial proportion of diolefins, which tend to form gums after storage or standing.
Hydrotreating these sulfur-containing cracked naphtha fractions normally causes a reduction in the olefin content, and consequently a reduction in the octane number; as the degree of desulfurization increases, the octane number of the gasoline boiling range product decreases. Some of the hydrogen may also cause some hydrocracking as well as olefin saturation, depending on the conditions of the hydrotreating operation.
Various proposals have been made for removing sulfur while retaining the olefins which make a positive contribution to octane. Sulfur impurities tend to concentrate in the heavy fraction of the gasoline, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,625 (Orkin) which proposes a method of removing the sulfur by hydrodesulfurization of the heavy fraction of the catalytically cracked gasoline so as to retain the octane contribution from the olefins which are found mainly in the lighter fraction. In one type of conventional, commercial operation, the heavy gasoline fraction is treated in this way. As an alternative, the selectivity for hydrodesulfurization relative to olefin saturation may be shifted by suitable catalyst selection, for example, by the use of a magnesium oxide support instead of the more conventional alumina. U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,542 (Gibson) discloses a process in which a copper catalyst is used to desulfurize an olefinic hydrocarbon feed such as catalytically cracked light naphtha.
In any case, regardless of the mechanism by which it happens, the decrease in octane which takes place as a consequence of sulfur removal by hydrotreating creates a tension between the growing need to produce gasoline fuels with higher octane number and the need to produce cleaner burning, less polluting, low sulfur fuels. This inherent tension is yet more marked in the current supply situation for low sulfur, sweet crudes.
Other processes for treating catalytically cracked gasolines have also been proposed in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,821 (Brennan) discloses a process for upgrading catalytically cracked gasoline by fractionating it into a heavier and a lighter fraction and treating the heavier fraction over a ZSM-5 catalyst, after which the treated fraction is blended back into the lighter fraction. Another process in which the cracked gasoline is fractionated prior to treatment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,762 (Howard) which discloses a process for desulfurizing naphtha by fractionating the naphtha into three fractions each of which is desulfurized by a different procedure, after which the fractions are recombined.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,596 (Maxwell) and EP 420 326 B1 describe processes for upgrading sulfur-containing feedstocks in the gasoline range by reforming with a sulfur-tolerant catalyst which is selective towards aromatization. Catalysts of this kind include metal-containing crystalline silicates including zeolites such as gallium-containing ZSM-5. The process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,596 hydrotreats the aromatic effluent from the reforming step. Conversion of naphthenes and olefins to aromatics is at least 50 percent under the severe conditions used, typically temperatures of at least 400.degree. C. (750.degree. F.) and usually higher, e.g. 500.degree. C. (about 930.degree. F.). Under similar conditions, conventional reforming is typically accompanied by significant and undesirable yield losses, typicallly as great as 25 percent and the same is true of the processes described in these publications: C.sub.5 + yields in the range of about 50 to 85 percent are reported in EP 420 326. This process therefore suffers the traditional drawback of reforming so that the problem of devising a process which is capable of reducing the sulfur level of cracked naphthas while minimizing yield losses as well as reducing hydrogen consumption has remained.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,609 describes a process for reducing the sulfur of cracked naphthas by first hydrotreating the naphtha to convert sulfur to inorganic form followed by treatment over a catalyst such as ZSM-5 to restore the octane lost during the hydrotreating step, mainly by shape-selective cracking of low octane paraffins. This process, which has been successfully operated commercially, produces a low-sulfur naphtha product in good yield which can be directly incorporated into the gasoline pool.
Another aspect of recent regulation is the need to reduce the levels of benzene, a suspected carcinogen, in motor gasolines. Benzene is found in many light refinery steams which are blended into the refinery gasoline pool, especially reformate which is desirable as a component of the gasoline pool because of its high octane number and low sulfur content. Its relatively high benzene content requires, however, that further treatment be carried out in order to comply with forthcoming regulations. Various processes for reducing the benzene content of refinery streams have been proposed, for example, the fluid bed processes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,827,069; 4,950,387 and 4,992,607 convert benzene to alkylaromatics by alkylation with light olefins. The benzene may be derived from cracked naphthas or benzene-rich streams such as reformates. Similar processes in which the removal of benzene is accompanied by reductions in sulfur are described in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/286,894 (Mobil Case 6994FC), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,617 and 08/322,466 (Mobil Case No. 6951FC), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,439 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,288. A process for reducing the benzene content of light refinery streams such as reformate and light FCC gasoline by alkylation and transalkylation with heavy alkylaromatics is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,061.

Benzene conversion in an improved gasoline upgrading process


Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a content item, receiving a first token that comprises an identification of a date and a time when a first portion of the content item is obtained, a location where the first portion of the content item is obtained, or a combination thereof, and transmitting the content item and the first token to a database. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Given the proliferation/availability of user devices (e.g., mobile devices), content is being generated at increasing rates. In some instances, it is desirable to authenticate such content in terms of, e.g., the originator of the content, a location where the content was created/captured, a date and/or time the location was created/captured, etc. Using conventional techniques, providing for such authentication requires coordination of legal requirements/permissions (e.g., authorization in view of privacy considerations) and service/operator engineering specifications (e.g., provisions for information retrieval), making the authentication of content difficult.

Method and apparatus for authenticating media based on tokens


A balloon anchor provides for the anchoring of a surgical instrument, such as conventional trocar sheath, within a puncture opening formed by a trocar. When used on a trocar sheath, the anchor is secured to the smooth outer surface of the sheath for extension through the puncture opening as the trocar within the sheath forms the opening. Adhesive or mechanical means are provided to secure the balloon the instrument. No modification to the structure of the instrument is required. Once in place within the opening, the balloon is inflated to the interior of the tissue to anchor the instrument in place. Certain embodiments also provide for inflation of the balloon within and/or to the exterior of the opening.

The present invention relates to an improved anchor for securing laparoscopic instruments within puncture opening during surgery. In its more specific aspects, the invention is concerned with a balloon anchor adapted to be secured to the outside surface of virtually any laparoscopic instrument, without the necessity of modifying the structure of the instrument.
Laparoscopic surgery provides a minimally invasive approach to a wide variety of surgical procedures in, for example, the abdominal and thoracic cavities. In a minimally invasive approach, small incisions are made to provide access for instruments needed to perform surgery. The instruments, such as trocars, endoscopes, clip appliers, cautery devices and other tools, are commonly inserted through these small incisions using cannulas which are adapted to provide a pressure seal when using pneumoperitoneum. It is desirable to secure or anchor these cannulas into position in the incision to allow easy insertion and withdrawal of instruments through the cannula without corresponding movement of the cannula. Likewise, it is sometimes desirable to secure or anchor an instrument itself in an incision and prevent unwanted distal or proximal movement of the instrument.
Prior anchors for laparoscopic instruments have employed threaded sleeves adapted to be secured to the instruments and screwed into a laparoscopic puncture opening to secure the instrument in place. An anchor of this type is found in U.S. Patent No. 5,217,441. Such anchors require a specific size for each size of instrument, since the sleeve must be of a configuration complemental to that of the instrument. The screw threads also must be twisted into place and are relatively traumatic.
The prior art also teaches adhesive anchors, sometimes called "grippers," for securing laparoscopic instruments in place within puncture openings. Such anchors employ a tubular boss configured to snugly engage the instrument and a flexible disk carried by the boss for adhesion to the outside surface of the punctured tissue. The boss must be specifically configured to match the configuration of the instrument being anchored. Blood emitting from the puncture opening often intrudes between the disk and the tissue so as to destroy the integrity of the anchor during surgery.
The prior art also teaches the provision of specially constructed laparoscopic cannula provided with inflatable balloons to anchor the cannula in place within a puncture opening. A cannula of this type may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,557. Such cannula are expensive to fabricate and must be especially configured to match the instrument with which they are used.
It is also old in the art to anchor drainage catheters with balloons incorporated into the catheter. One well-known catheter of this type used for urinary drainage is the "Foley" catheter. In such catheters, the balloon and the conduit provided for its inflation is integrally molded into the catheter.

Method and apparatus for anchoring laparoscopic instruments


A system and method are provided for imaging multiple substances, such as contrast agents and metabolites in vivo, with selective excitation frequencies. A first substance is excited with a frequency selective pulse, then a second substance is excited with another frequency selective pulse. The signals resulting from these pulses are acquired in an order reversed from the order in which the pulses were applied. In some embodiments, more than two substances may be imaged. The system and method thus provide for quick and efficient utilization of the magnetization of multiple substances for spectral-spatial imaging.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and more particularly, to an MR system and pulse sequence which slice-selectively excites multiple frequencies for quick and efficient imaging. Spectral-spatial radio frequency (RF) pulses may be used to create magnetization in specific frequency profiles without significantly affecting neighboring slices or nearby frequency ranges. The signals resulting from such pulses are then read in an order reversed from the order in which the pulses were applied.
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B0), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B1) which is in the x-y plane and which has a frequency near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, or "longitudinal magnetization", Mz, may be rotated, or "tipped", into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment Mt. A signal is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B1 is terminated and this signal may be received and processed to form an image.
When utilizing these signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients (Gx, Gy, and Gz) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used. The set of received nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals resulting from a scan sequence are digitized and sent to a data processing unit for image reconstruction using one of many well known reconstruction techniques. It is desirable that the imaging process, from data acquisition to reconstruction, be performed as quickly as possible for improved patient comfort and throughput.
For some procedures and investigations, it is also desirable for MR images to display spectral information in addition to spatial information. The traditional method for creating such images is known as "chemical shift imaging" (CSI). CSI has been employed to monitor metabolic and other internal processes of patients, including imaging hyperpolarized substances such as 13-C labeled contrast agents and metabolites thereof. The hyperpolarization of contrast agents tends to have a very limited lifetime; typical T1 lifetimes are on the order of a few minutes in vivo.
However, CSI, as a sequence for imaging hyperpolarized substances, has some drawbacks which limit available signal-to-noise ratio and thus image quality. For example, CSI tends to acquire data slowly, considering the short lifetimes of the increased magnetization of hyperpolarized substances. In addition, CSI typically uses a large number of RF excitations. Each excitation irretrievably destroys the magnetization of hyperpolarized substances. Additionally, MR procedures which require very fast or periodic data acquisition (such as cardiac imaging, or metabolic imaging of the heart) are difficult to perform with CSI sequences. CSI typically takes about 15 seconds to complete, whereas cardiac and related metabolic imaging should be completed within a few heartbeats or a few seconds.
Non-CSI techniques for imaging hyperpolarized substances without acquiring spectral information include single-shot techniques (e.g. a strong RF pulse which destroys all magnetization and attempts to acquire all data for multiple metabolites at once) or imaging with a large number of small flip-angle RF pulses (e.g. multiple excitations with flip angles on the order of 1 or 2 degrees). These approaches excite all frequency ranges for metabolites of interest simultaneously, destroying hyperpolarization of all metabolites with each pulse. In addition, when pulses of lower flip angle are used, a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and hence a lower image resolution, is the result.
It would therefore be desirable to have a system and method which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of MR imaging with spectral information and hyperpolarization. Specifically, it would be desirable to excite and image hyperpolarized agents and metabolites thereof within a short time, while efficiently utilizing the full magnetization of each substance and acquiring spectral information.

System and method for fast MR imaging of metabolites at selective excitation frequencies


A method and apparatus for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell. Additional heat tends to improve the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell, and so unwanted heat produced by a powered device can be harnessed to increase the temperature of the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell. By doing so, the performance of the fuel cell can be enhanced and the temperature of the heat-generating portion of the device maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of fuel cells and, more specifically, to a thermal management system that integrates a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system and a device, in which the device is powered at least in part by the DMFC.
2. Background Information
Fuel cells are devices in which an electrochemical reaction is used to generate electricity. A variety of materials may be suited for use as a fuel depending upon the materials chosen for the components of the cell. Organic materials, such as methanol or natural gas, are attractive choices for fuel due to their high specific energy.
Direct oxidation fuel cell systems may be better suited for a number of applications in smaller mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, handheld and laptop computers), as well as in some larger applications. Typically, in direct oxidation fuel cells, a carbonaceous liquid fuel in an aqueous solution (typically aqueous methanol) is introduced to the anode face of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA contains a protonically-conductive, but electronically non-conductive membrane (PCM). Typically, a catalyst which enables direct oxidation of the fuel on the anode is disposed on the surface of the PCM (or is otherwise present in the anode chamber of the fuel cell). Diffusion layers are typically in contact with at least one of the catalyzed anode and cathode faces of the PCM to facilitate the introduction of reactants and removal of products of the reaction from the PCM, and also serve to conduct electrons. Protons (from hydrogen found in the fuel and water molecules involved in the anodic reaction) are separated from the electrons. The protons migrate through the PCM, which is impermeable to the electrons. The electrons thus seek a different path to reunite with the protons and oxygen molecules involved in the cathodic reaction and travel through a load, providing electrical power.
One example of a direct oxidation fuel cell system is a direct methanol fuel cell system or DMFC system. In a DMFC system, methanol in an aqueous solution is used as fuel (the "fuel mixture"), and oxygen, preferably from ambient air, is used as the oxidizing agent. There are two fundamental half reactions that occur in a DMFC which allow a DMFC system to provide electricity to power consuming devices: the anodic disassociation of the methanol and water fuel mixture into CO2, protons, and electrons; and the cathodic combination of protons, electrons and oxygen into water. The overall reaction may be limited by the failure of either of these reactions to proceed to completion at an acceptable rate (more specifically, failure to oxidize the fuel mixture will limit the cathodic generation of water, and vice versa).
Typical DMFC systems include a fuel source, fluid and effluent management systems, and a direct methanol fuel cell ("fuel cell"). The fuel cell typically consists of a housing, and a membrane electrode assembly ("MEA") disposed within the housing. A typical MEA includes a centrally disposed protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane ("PCM") such as Nafion®, a registered trademark of E. I. Dupont de Nours and Company, which is a cation exchange membrane comprised of perfluorosulfonic acid, in a variety of thicknesses and equivalent weights. The PCM is typically coated on each face with an electrocatalyst such as platinum, or platinum/ruthenium mixtures or alloy particles. On either face of the catalyst coated PCM, the MEA typically includes a diffusion layer. The diffusion layers function to evenly distribute the liquid and gaseous reactants to, and transport the liquid and gaseous products of the reactions from the catalyzed anode face of the PCM, or the gaseous oxygen from air or other source across the catalyzed cathode face of the PCM. The diffusion layers also facilitate the collection of electrons and conduction to the device being powered. In addition, flow field plates may be placed on the aspect of each diffusion layer that is not in contact with the catalyst-coated PCM to provide mass transport of the reactants and by products of the electrochemical reactions and also have a current collection functionality to collect and conduct electrons through the load.
One problem with electronic systems and components, including those which may be powered by DMFC systems, is that electronic components and subsystems can become overheated, and their performance compromised. This problem is especially difficult to effectively address in small mobile devices where electronic components are packed tightly together and space, weight, and volume are critical design criteria. In such devices, it is desirable to minimize the number of components dedicated to cooling the system. Also, as mobile devices become more powerful and require more power, mobile device components produce increasing amounts of heat. Accordingly, it is increasingly important to remove heat from the electronic components and systems.
DMFCs are efficient at dissipating heat that is generated within the system, due to the fact that there are several fluids present in the system, and due to the fact that air is exchanged within the fuel cell system, allowing for a more natural heat exchange. In addition, the direct oxidation fuel cell systems and DMFCs demonstrate increased current generation (at a given voltage) at higher temperatures due to the increased kinetics of the reactions. Thus, if additional heat is applied to the reaction, the DMFCs can become an even more suitable power source.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a thermal management system that provides temperature regulation of a device powered at least in part by a DMFC system, in which excess heat produced by the device is transferred to the DMFC. As a result of this heat transfer, the temperature of the device is kept within a desired range and the operation of the DMFC is improved.

Integrated heat management of electronics and fuel cell power system


A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, yellow flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant which originated from a controlled crossing between an unnamed seedling and xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 (non-patented). The two parents were crossed and the resulting seeds were planted in a controlled environment. The new variety is named xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99.
The new rose may be distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed seedling, by the following combination of characteristics:
1. The unnamed seed parent is yellow with pink intonations. xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 has no pink intonations.
The new variety may be distinguished from its pollen parent, xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 created by the same inventors, by the following combination of characteristics:
1. xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 is a bright red rose, where xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 is yellow.
2. xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 is taller and more vigorous in growth than xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99.
3. xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 has a habit to be grown in a 10.5 cm pot, where xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 has habit and size to be grown in a 6 cm pot.
The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety for commercial culture was to create a new and distinct variety with unique qualities, such as:
1. Uniform and abundant flowers;
2. Vigorous and compact growth;
3. Year-round flowering under glasshouse conditions;
4. Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;
5. Durable flowers and foliage which make a variety suitable for distribution in the floral industry.
The combination of qualities of this variety represents significant improvement over previously available commercial cultivars of this type and distinguishes xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 from all other varieties of which we are aware.
As part of their rose development program, L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens N. Olesen germinated the seeds from the aforementioned hybridization and conducted evaluations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Fredensborg, Denmark in May of 1995.
xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 was selected by the inventors as a single plant from the progeny of the hybridization in Fredensborg, Denmark, in May of 1996. Asexual reproduction of xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 by cuttings and traditional budding was first done by L. Pernille and Mogens N. Olesen in Fredensborg, Denmark in August, 1996. This initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments have demonstrated that the characteristics of xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99 are true to type and are transmitted from one generation to the next.

Miniature rose variety xe2x80x98POULgildoxe2x80x99


A vehicle driving assistance system capable of providing a driver of a vehicle with appropriate driving assistance when the vehicle is approaching an intersection. If a traffic signal includes multiple aspects that are in accord with the directions of traffic movement at an intersection, an identifier determines whether an intended direction of movement (an intention to turn right or left) at the intersection has been received from a driver through an identifying device. If the identifier has received an intended direction of movement, an aspect (a right-turn or left-turn arrow aspect) for which assistance is provided through communication by a reporter is identified. The reporter then assists the right or left turn of the vehicle for the intersection in step S7. If the identifier does not receive an intended direction of movement from the driver, the reporter assists only a straight-ahead movement of the vehicle in step S7.

The traffic signal prediction systems (TSPS) is a known system for assisting the driving of vehicles through signalized intersections by using traffic signal information acquired from optical beacons and so on.
Patent literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-244308) discloses a vehicle driving assistance system where a travelling vehicle receives information regarding a traffic signal at an intersection from outside the vehicle and uses this information to travel through the intersection.
Technology proposed in patent literature 1 is as follows. First, when a vehicle approaches an intersection with a traffic signal, the vehicle receives information regarding the traffic signal from outside the vehicle. The received information includes the current color light that is illuminated, the duration each color light is illuminated, and the remaining time in seconds for the current color light to change to the next color light (remaining time, wait time). From the received information and the vehicle's location and vehicular speed, the time taken for the vehicle to arrive at the intersection (hereinafter "approach time") is calculated. If the approach time is longer than the time the traffic signal takes to change the indicated color light from green to amber or red, a notification is given out advising the driver to start decelerating the vehicle.


An anti-rattle tongue plate is provided that includes two different materials for being operably connected to the body of the tongue plate. One of the materials is softer than the other to minimize noise when the tongue plate engages against interior components of the vehicle such as during rough ride conditions. One of the materials is made into a distinct component for being operably connected to the tongue plate body. In this manner, the tongue plate herein eliminates at least one of the insert molds needed for prior over molded latch plates, thus providing manufacturing and cost efficiencies thereover.

Tongue plates that latch into buckles for securing a seat belt about an occupant of a vehicle seat are usually made from a stamped metal plate having an elongate, laterally extending opening in a wide portion of a plate body for the seat belt webbing. There is also a narrower, centrally projecting portion of the tongue plate body that has an opening for being latched in the buckle. In many seat belt systems, the tongue plate typically is positioned between the side trim of the vehicle and the outboard side of the vehicle seat when in the unlatched or stowed condition. In some recent model vehicles there has been a gradual reduction in the amount of space between the side of the vehicle seat and the side trim of the vehicle interior. Accordingly, when the vehicle is undergoing rough ride conditions, the tongue plate is more likely to shake and vibrate on the belt webbing and engage against the hard side trim panel in the vehicle interior generating undesirable noise in the vehicle compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,519 to Moskalik et al. is directed to a construction for a tongue or latch plate for sound reduction. In the '519 patent, a latch plate has a coating of hard plastic material over molded onto the plate. Thereafter, while the hard plastic is warm, a soft plastic is over molded onto the warm, hard plastic material on the plate. While providing noise reduction, over molding two coatings of plastic material onto the latch plate undesirably increases manufacturing costs for the latch plate. In this regard, two insert molds need to be employed into which the operator has to manually load the part onto which the over mold is to be applied. So in the latch plate disclosed by the '519 patent, there is a first insert mold in which the operator places the plate body for having the hard plastic over molded thereon. Thereafter, with the hard plastic still warm, the operator removes the plate body with the warm over mold of hard plastic, and places it in the next insert mold. This insert mold is then cycled for over molding the soft plastic material onto the warm, hard plastic material. As is apparent, the two insert molds require significant operator intervention for generating the over molded latch plate of the '519 patent.
Accordingly, there is a need for an anti-rattle tongue plate with a more efficient construction. More particularly, an anti-rattle tongue plate that provides manufacturing and attendant cost efficiencies would be desirable.

Anti-rattle tongue plate and method of forming same


A dual arm caddy to be attached to the spindle of a wall mounted toilet paper holder for carrying disposable wet wipes. The upper portion of each arm is attached by hooking the spindle, and the lower, utility portion is attached to a container inclined from front to rear. A lid is rear-hinged. The hooking means can be a U-shaped slot open in the rear of the arm's upper portion, and inclined upward and elongated to assure the caddy makes wall contact before engaged spindle reaches slot's upper end. Embodiments include caddies suspendable from crossbars such as towel racks to provide consistently horizontal and stable utility platforms throughout a range of crossbar-to-wall distances. The hooking means of the arms can also be rounded to allow them to freely rest on top of the crossbar and the caddy configured to always occupy the space closest to the wall to which the crossbar is attached.

Disposable wet wipes have increasing use as a supplement to toilet paper. The objective of the primary embodiment of this invention is to make the wipes as conveniently available to the user as toilet paper now is. This objective is achievable by a caddy that shares the spindle of a wall mounted toilet paper holder, provided the caddy does not interfere with toilet paper use, occupies a minimal amount of space, and possesses good storage and accessibility features. These characteristics are attained by a low profile caddy that rests snugly and vertically against the wall for stability and space conservation regardless of spindle-to-wall distance.
Spindle-to-wall distances vary. Wall mounted holders are either recessed in the wall or attached to the surface of the wall. The spindle-to-wall distance of surface mounted holders is slightly more than 2.5 inches, the radius of a full roll of paper. With recessed holders the spindle itself can be nearly flush with the wall. Thus a commercially valuable caddy should rest vertically against the wall throughout approximately a 2.5 inch range of spindle-to-wall distances.
We believe caddies of our invention have the above characteristics and meet the stated objective.


A mole trap has a pair of spring-loaded jaws. A platform is pivotally connected to the jaws to limit the travel of the trap into the ground and to stabilize the trap on the ground when it is set. A lever assembly forces the jaws open and sets the trap. An adjustable trigger mechanism is positioned on the ground above a mole burrow. The disturbance of a mole traveling beneath the trigger causes the lever assembly to collapse, thereby permitting the jaws to close and destroy the animal.

The present invention relates to an animal trap that is particularly well-suited for destroying or otherwise trapping moles in their burrows.
Mole traps may include spring-loaded jaws and a trigger. Such traps may be set so that the jaws are positioned on either side of a mole burrow or tunnel. A trigger may be positioned on the ground above the burrow. When a mole travels between the jaws, vibration or other disturbance caused by the mole's movement may release the trigger so that the jaws close and destroy the mole. Various examples of traps may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 472,038; 1,296,407; 1,923,039; 2,525,383; and 4,765,087. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,087 is incorporated by reference herein.
Conventional spring-loaded traps may be unstable when placed in the ground. Particularly after a rain shower, a trap may settle and shift so that a jaw is exposed in the mole burrow, possibly minimizing the chance that a mole will pass between the jaws. Also, the trap may shift so that a mole can pass through the burrow without being caught by the trap. Sometimes, the ground elevation at a mole burrow may be rough and uneven.
Consequently, a need exists for improvements in mole traps. It may be desirable that a mole trap include an element to stabilize and prevent the trap from shifting after it has been set. It may also be desirable that a trap include a trigger which is adjustable for a variety of purposes.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.