An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats mental illness through application of stimulation pulses applied at a specified tissue location, including at least one of acupoints GV20 and EXHN3, or their underlying nerves. In one embodiment, the IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4 is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.

Depression is a chronic illness involving the mind and body. It is also called "major depression," "major depressive disorder," and "clinical depression."The American Psychiatric Association publishes a model for the classification of mental disorders. According to the model, "DSM-IV-TR," a person is suffering from a major depressive episode if he or she experiences items 1 or 2 from the list of symptoms below, along with any four others, continuously for more than two weeks:                1. Depressed mood with overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief.        2. Apathy—loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed.        3. Sleep problems—insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping nearly every day.        4. Decreased energy or fatigue.        5. Noticeable changes in appetite and weight (significant weight loss or gain).        6. Inability to concentrate or think, or indecisiveness.        7. Physical symptoms of restlessness or being physically slowed down.        8. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.        9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt.
The prevalence of depression in the United States is profound, with almost 8% of the adult population suffering from at least one episode of major depression in the year 2007. The problem is serious and medications are insufficient to resolve the chronic illness for many adults.
The most common treatment options for depression are medications and psychotherapy. Disadvantageously, only about thirty percent of patients reach full remission after a first medication. Moreover, the side effects of medications are serious, including but not limited to weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, drowsiness, and fatigue. It is important to start treatment for depression early because the illness becomes more difficult to treat after its initial onset. Further, patients respond to treatments differently. Hence, it becomes very important to try different medications and alternative treatments if the initial treatment(s) is not effective. Alternative treatments known in the art used to treat depression are discussed below.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (or "Anxiety" for short) is characterized by excessive, recurrent, and prolonged anxiety and worrying. See, Swartz, K L. The Johns Hopkins White Papers: Depression and Anxiety. 2011. Johns Hopkins Medicine. People with Anxiety typically agonize over everyday concerns like job responsibilities, finances, health, or family well-being. They may even agonize about minor matters like household chores, car repairs, being late for appointments, or personal appearances. The focus of such anxiety may shift from one concern to the next and the severity of sensations may range from mild tension and nervousness to feelings of dread.
Anxiety affects about three percent of adult Americans each year. While people with the disorder know that the intensity, duration and frequency of their anxiety are generally unreasonably high, long, or frequent, they still have difficulty controlling their emotions.
Continued anxiety may impair concentration, memory, decision-making, attention span, and confidence. While the effect of Anxiety on everyday activities is generally known, Anxiety may also produce physical symptoms including heart palpitations, restlessness, sweating, headaches, and nausea.
Tetracyclics and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first line of treatment for anxiety. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are also often used. While anti-depressants are generally the first medications given to treat Anxiety, a person with Anxiety may not be depressed.
Bipolar disorder affects about three percent of American men and women at some point in their lives. A person with the disorder typically has alternating periods of major depression and mania. In rare cases, mania can occur on its own. Episodes of mania are described as distinct periods of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. Such episodes are severe enough to cause trouble at work, home, or both. The episodes can cause impaired judgment and often, excessive involvement in high-risk behavior. The time between episodes can vary greatly and men with bipolar disorder seem to have more manic episodes while women have more depressive episodes.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (hereafter, "PTSD") is a form of chronic psychological stress that follows exposure to a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, a violent crime, an accident, terrorism, or warfare. See, Swartz 2011. The symptoms are many, including not exclusively: recurrent, intrusive, distressing dreams and memories of the trauma; a sudden sense that the event is recurring or the experience of flashbacks; extreme distress when confronted with events that remind a person of the trauma; attempting to avoid thoughts, feelings, and activities associated with the event; the inability to remember aspects of the trauma; an exaggerated startle response; and, depression like symptoms. The symptoms must last at least one month to be considered PTSD. Symptoms may begin within six months of the trauma, they may begin after six months, or they may persist for longer than six months. About 3.5 percent of adult Americans develop PTSD each year. See, Swartz 2011.
Schizophrenia is a group of brain disorders in which patients interpret reality abnormally. The group includes paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual schizophrenia. It distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses himself, interprets reality, and relates to others. While it is not known what causes schizophrenia, researchers believe it is a combination of genetics and environment. Neuroimaging studies support the notion that schizophrenia is a brain disorder; there are differences in the brain structure and central nervous system in people with schizophrenia. Additionally, problems with some naturally occurring brain chemicals like the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate are thought to contribute.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (hereafter, "OCD") is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead one to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). See, Swartz 2011. People with OCD recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable, unnecessary, intrusive, and sometimes even foolish, but they cannot resist them. Obsessions are defined as recurring and persistent thoughts, ideas, images, or impulses, sometimes of an aggressive nature, that seem to invade a person's consciousness. The patient will try to ignore these uncomfortable thoughts often recognizing that they are unrealistic. Common obsessions are fear of contamination from germs, thoughts of violent behavior such as killing a family member, fear of making a mistake or of harming oneself or others, and a constant need for reassurance. Compulsions are those ritualistic, repetitive, and purposeful behaviors that arise from one's obsessions. The behavior is excessive but seems to temporarily relieve the patient of stress regarding his or her obsessions.
About 1% of adult Americans have OCD each year. See, Swartz 2011. Some are able to keep their obsessions and compulsions more or less a secret while others may be incapacitated by their obsessive behavior. Depression is the most common complication of the disorder.
An alternative approach for treating depression, bipolar disorder, Anxiety, and a host of other physiological conditions, illnesses, deficiencies and disorders is acupuncture, which includes traditional acupuncture and acupressure. Acupuncture has been practiced in Eastern civilizations (principally China, but also other Asian countries) for at least 2500 years. It is still practiced today throughout many parts of the world, including the United States and Europe. A good summary of the history of acupuncture, and its potential applications may be found in Cheung, et al., "The Mechanism of Acupuncture Therapy and Clinical Case Studies", (Taylor & Francis, publisher) (2001) ISBN 0-415-27254-8, hereafter referred to as "Cheung, Mechanism of Acupuncture, 2001." The Forward, as well as Chapters 1-3, 5, 7, 8, 12 and 13 of Cheung, Mechanism of Acupuncture, 2001, are incorporated herein by reference.
Despite the practice in Eastern countries for over 2500 years, it was not until President Richard Nixon visited China (in 1972) that acupuncture began to be accepted in the West, such as the United States and Europe. One of the reporters who accompanied Nixon during his visit to China, James Reston, from the New York Times, received acupuncture in China for post-operative pain after undergoing an emergency appendectomy under standard anesthesia. Reston experienced pain relief from the acupuncture and wrote about it in The New York Times. In 1973 the American Internal Revenue Service allowed acupuncture to be deducted as a medical expense. Following Nixon's visit to China, and as immigrants began flowing from China to Western countries, the demand for acupuncture increased steadily. Today, acupuncture therapy is viewed by many as a viable alternative form of medical treatment, alongside Western therapies. Moreover, acupuncture treatment is now covered, at least in part, by most insurance carriers. Further, payment for acupuncture services consumes a not insignificant portion of healthcare expenditures in the U.S. and Europe. See, generally, Cheung, Mechanism of Acupuncture, 2001, vii.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body at selected points. See, Novak, Patricia D. et al (1995). Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary (25th ed.), Philadelphia: (W.B. Saunders Publisher), ISBN 0-7216-5738-9. The locations where the acupuncture needles are inserted are referred to herein as "acupuncture points" or simply just "acupoints". The location of acupoints in the human body has been developed over thousands of years of acupuncture practice, and maps showing the location of acupoints in the human body are readily available in acupuncture books or online. For example, see, "Acupuncture Points Map," found online at: http://www.acupuncturehealing.org/acupuncture-points-map.html. Acupoints are typically identified by various letter/number combinations, e.g., L6, S37. The maps that show the location of the acupoints may also identify what condition, illness or deficiency the particular acupoint affects when manipulation of needles inserted at the acupoint is undertaken.
References to the acupoints in the literature are not always consistent with respect to the format of the letter/number combination. Some acupoints are identified by a name only, e.g., Tongli. The same acupoint may be identified by others by the name followed with a letter/number combination placed in parenthesis, e.g., Tongli (HT5). Alternatively, the acupoint may be identified by its letter/number combination followed by its name, e.g., HT5 (Tongli). The first letter typically refers to a body organ, or other tissue location associated with, or affected by, that acupoint. However, usually only the letter is used in referring to the acupoint, but not always. Thus, for example, the acupoint GV20 is the same as acupoint Governing Vessel 20 which is the same as GV-20 which is the same as GV 20 which is the same as Baihui. For purposes of this patent application, unless specifically stated otherwise, all references to acupoints that use the same name, or the same first letter and the same number, and regardless of slight differences in second letters and formatting, are intended to refer to the same acupoint.
An excellent reference book that identifies all of the traditional acupoints within the human body is WHO STANDARD ACUPUNCTURE POINT LOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Western Pacific Region, 2008 (updated and reprinted 2009), ISBN 978 92 9061 248 7 (hereafter "WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations 2008"). The Table of Contents, Forward (page v-vi) and General Guidelines for Acupuncture Point Locations (pages 1-21), as well as pages 203 and 213 (which illustrate with particularity the location of acupoint GV20) of the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations 2008 are included herewith as Appendix D. Also included in Appendix D are three pages from the book: Quirico P E, Pedrali T. Teaching Atlas for Acupuncture. Volume 1: Channels and Points (2007), which pages show and have been annotated to show additional detail for acupoints GV20 and EXHN3 and their surround areas.
While many in the scientific and medical community are highly critical of the historical roots upon which acupuncture has developed, (e.g., claiming that the existence of meridians, qi, yin and yang, and the like have no scientific basis), see, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture, few can refute the vast amount of successful clinical and other data, accumulated over centuries of acupuncture practice, that shows needle manipulation applied at certain acupoints is quite effective.
The World Health Organization and the United States' National Institutes of Health (NIH) have stated that acupuncture can be effective in the treatment of neurological conditions and pain. Reports from the USA's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the American Medical Association (AMA) and various USA government reports have studied and commented on the efficacy of acupuncture. There is general agreement that acupuncture is safe when administered by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles, but not on its efficacy as a medical procedure.
An early critic of acupuncture, Felix Mann, who was the author of the first comprehensive English language acupuncture textbook Acupuncture: The Ancient Chinese Art of Healing, stated that "The traditional acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." Mann compared the meridians to the meridians of longitude used in geography—an imaginary human construct. Mann, Felix (2000). Reinventing acupuncture: a new concept of ancient medicine. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. pp. 14; 31. ISBN 0-7506-4857-0. Mann attempted to combine his medical knowledge with that of Chinese theory. In spite of his protestations about the theory, however, he apparently believed there must be something to it, because he was fascinated by it and trained many people in the West with the parts of it he borrowed. He also wrote many books on this subject. H is legacy is that there is now a college in London and a system of needling that is known as "Medical Acupuncture". Today this college trains doctors and Western medical professionals only.
For purposes of this patent application, the arguments for and against acupuncture are interesting, but not that relevant. What is important is that a body of literature exists that identifies several acupoints within the human body that, rightly or wrongly, have been identified as having an influence on, or are otherwise somehow related to, the treatment of various physiological conditions, deficiencies or illnesses, including mental illness. With respect to these acupoints, the facts speak for themselves. Either these points do or do not affect the conditions, deficiencies or illnesses with which they have been linked. The problem lies in trying to ascertain what is fact from what is fiction. This problem is made more difficult when conducting research on this topic because the insertion of needles, and the manipulation of the needles once inserted, is more of an art than a science, and results from such research become highly subjective. What is needed is a much more regimented approach for doing acupuncture research.
It should also be noted that other medical research, not associated with acupuncture research, has over the years identified nerves and other locations throughout a patient's body where the application of electrical stimulation produces a beneficial effect for the patient. Indeed, the entire field of neurostimulation deals with identifying locations in the body where electrical stimulation can be applied in order to provide a therapeutic effect for a patient. For purposes of this patent application, such known locations within the body are treated essentially the same as acupoints—they provide a "target" location where electrical stimulation may be applied to achieve a beneficial result, whether that beneficial result is to reduce pain, to treat cardiovascular disease, to treat mental illness, or to address some other issue associated with a disease or condition of the patient.
Returning to the discussion regarding acupuncture, some have proposed applying moderate electrical stimulation at selected acupuncture points through needles that have been inserted at those points. See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroacupuncture. Such electrical stimulation is known as electroacupuncture (EA). According to Acupuncture Today, a trade journal for acupuncturists: "Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at a time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time." "Acupuncture Today: Electroacupuncture". 2004 Feb. 1 (retrieved on-line 2006 Aug. 9 at http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/electroacupuncture.php).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,475, issued to Whitehurst et al., discloses use of an implantable miniature neurostimulator, referred to as a "microstimulator," that can be implanted into a desired tissue location and used as a therapy for headache and/or facial pain. The microstimulator has a tubular shape, with electrodes at each end. Stimulation of the Trigeminal nerve is mentioned in the patent, but not for purposes of treating depression.
Other patents of Whitehurst et al. teach the use of this small, microstimulator, placed in other body tissue locations, including within an opening extending through the skull into the brain, for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, disorders and diseases. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,707 (obesity and eating disorders); U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,352 (epilepsy by brain stimulation); U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,177 (pain by brain stimulation); U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,279 (movement disorders through stimulation of Vagus nerve with both electrical stimulation and drugs); U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,890 (Vagus nerve stimulation); U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,548 (cavernous nerve stimulation); U.S. Pat. No. 7,440,806 (diabetes by brain stimulation); U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,100 (osteoarthritis); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,316 (headache by stimulating motor cortex of brain).
Recently, some promising experimental neuromodulation approaches for the treatment of depression through stimulation of the Trigeminal nerve have appeared. See, e.g., "Non-Invasive Therapy Significantly Improves Depression, Researchers Say," ScienceDaily.com (Sep. 6, 2010); "Trigeminal nerve stimulation significantly improves depression", www.psypost.org, Friday, Sep. 3, 2010; Lewis, D. "Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Depression," www.helpforDpression.com (Sep. 15, 2011).
Further, there is at least one company, NeuroSigma, Inc., of Westwood, Calif., that is developing and commercializing neuromodulation treatments for a variety of disorders, including epilepsy, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obesity, and cachexia. The therapy platforms used by NeuroSigma at the present comprise Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). See, e.g., the web site of NeuroSigma, Inc., found at http://www.neurosigma.com/.
U.S. Patent Publications of DeGiorgio et al., US 2011/0106220, published May 5, 2011; US 2011/0112603 A1, published May 12, 2011; US 2011/0218859 A1, published Sep. 8, 2011; and US 2011/0218590 A1, published Sep. 8, 2011, describe and disclose, in some detail, the devices and methods used by NeuroSigma, Inc. in carrying out its TNS therapy platform for the treatment of depression and epilepsy, and other neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders. The four published patent applications referenced in this paragraph are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. These four published patent applications appear to be assigned to The Regents of the University of California. The Regents of the University of California, in turn, appear to have recently executed an exclusive worldwide license for Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) with NeuroSigma Inc., as reported in Science Daily (Sep. 6, 2010). See, e.g., the news release found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/110903092507.htm.
In general, two of the above four published US patent applications of DeGiorgio et al., US 2011/0112603 A1, published May 12, 2011 (hereafter the "'603 Publication") and US 2011/0218590 A1, published Sep. 8, 2011 (hereafter the "'590 Publication"), relate primarily to TNS stimulation for treatment of depression and other mood disorders using either cutaneous electrodes (590 Publication) or using at least one implantable electrode (603 Publication). The other two of the above four published US Patent applications, US 2011/0106220, published May 5, 2011 (hereafter the "'220 Publication") and US 2011/0218859 A1, published Sep. 8, 2011 (hereafter the "'859 Publication"), relate primarily to TNS stimulation for treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders and conditions using either cutaneous electrodes (589 Publication) or using at least one implantable electrode ('220 Publication).
In the two DeGiorgio et al. published patent applications where an implantable electrode is used, electrical connection with the implantable electrode occurs by either (i) connecting an implanted electrical cable between the implantable electrode contacts and an implanted neurostimulator, see, e.g., the '603 Publication at Paragraph [0060], or (ii) making a wireless electrical connection between an external, non-implanted neurostimulator and the implantable electrode assembly through the use of inductive coupling. Id. Either way, when implantable electrode contacts are employed, there must either be significant tunneling through the tissue to allow a connecting cable to make electrical connection between the implanted neurostimulator device and electrode contacts, or additional circuitry with its accompanying complexity (and associated increased power consumption) must be employed within the external neurostimulator and/or the implanted electrode contacts to facilitate an enhanced inductively coupled connection.
Insofar as Applicant is aware, the '603 Publication represents the current state of the art for treating depression using implantable devices and methods that stimulate the Trigeminal nerve. Similarly, the '220 Publication represents the current state of the art for treating epilepsy using implantable devices and methods that stimulate the Trigeminal nerve. However, while the advance in the art described and presented in the '603 and '220 Publications is significant over prior neuromodulation therapy techniques for treating depression or epilepsy, improvements are still needed. For example, when implantable electrode contacts are employed, an efficient and safe mechanism must still be employed to electrically (or optically, or magnetically) connect the electrode contacts to a suitable pulse generator. If the pulse generator is external (non-implanted), either (i) the leads must pass through the skin (not a good thing to do over time because of infections and other concerns), or (ii) some sort of signal coupling mechanism, such as inductive or rf coupling, must be employed to allow the pulses generated by the pulse generator to be efficiently transferred to the electrode array and to specific electrode contacts included within the electrode array. If the pulse generator is implanted, a cable or lead must be tunneled through the body tissue from the implant location of the pulse generator to the implant location of the electrode contacts. Tunneling through body tissue, especially over a long distance, suffers from all the same risks associated with major surgery, as well as creates problems for the patient in the event of lead malfunction or breakage. Thus, it is seen that despite the advances made in the art, improvements are still needed.
Techniques for using electrical devices, including external EA devices, for stimulating peripheral nerves and other body locations for treatment of various maladies are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,535,784; 4,566,064; 5,195,517; 5,250,068; 5,251,637; 5,891,181; 6,393,324; 6,006,134; 7,171,266; and 7,171,266. The two previously referenced patent application publications of DeGiorgio et al. that use implantable electrodes fall into this same category. Unfortunately, the methods and devices disclosed in these patents and applications typically utilize (i) large implantable stimulators having long leads that must be tunneled through tissue over an extended distance to reach the desired stimulation site, (ii) external devices that must interface with implanted electrodes via percutaneous leads or wires passing through the skin, or (iii) inefficient and power-consuming wireless transmission schemes. Such devices and methods are still far too invasive, or are ineffective, and thus subject to the same limitations and concerns, as are the previously described electrical stimulation devices. From the above, it is seen that there is a need in the art for a less invasive device and technique for electroacupuncture stimulation of acupoints that does not require the continual use of needles inserted through the skin, or long insulated wires implanted or inserted into blood vessels, for the purposes of treating mental illness.

Implantable electroacupuncture system and method for treating depression and similar mental conditions


In one implementation a method for disambiguation of search phrases is provided, which may include identifying interpretation clusters using bidded search terms of content providers and influencing a position of a search result in a search results list based on the interpretation clusters. In one implementation a method is provided for interpretation clustering, which may include identifying terms and associated content providers and calculating a matrix from the identified terms and associated content providers. Similarity scores between content providers based on the matrix are calculated and interpretation clusters are assigned using the similarity scores. Bidded search terms and/or searcher clickthrough terms may be used. In one implementation, a method is provided for increasing the relevance of search results, which may include receiving a search query and identifying the search query as ambiguous.

In information searching, many search queries are ambiguous. Ambiguity in the context of search exists when a number of possible interpretations may exist for a given query. The search phrase "java" for example, may be related to coffee or to computer programming. In the context of Internet searching, the search term "java" may be used in connection with offering tips on learning the programming language, selling coffee, travel to Indonesia, or with Contractors who offer to do development in java for any willing clients.
Another type of ambiguity occurs when a phrase which is relatively unambiguous appears with too little context to know what the user is seeking. For example, a user who searches on Benjamin Franklin could be looking for his biography, picture, discoveries, sayings, etc.
Yet another type of ambiguity arises when a search query is matched to one or more shorter phrases. For example, if a search engine can produce result sets for "vintage hat" or for "hat pin" and a user searches on "vintage hat pin," what results or combination of results from the shorter phrases should be shown?
Interpretation clusters may be used to direct the presentation of the search results to the user. An interpretation cluster is a subset of search results, for an ambiguous search phrase, that share the same meaning. Search listings in a result set may be ordered so that the user may select a result that satisfies his intended meaning. This can maximize the relevance of the search results.
Improving the relevance of search results reduces the search time for the user. Further, once the intent of the user is captured, it can be used to provide the user with additional relevant results.
Clustering techniques as applied to web content providers have focused on text analysis and link analysis. Text analysis techniques utilize word frequency or usage within documents or web pages/sites to form clusters, but require that documents are sufficiently verbose so as to be recognizably distinct. Link analysis utilizes existing hyperlinks between web pages/sites for clustering. A useful technique for "Efficient Identification of Web Communities" is presented by Flake, et al., in Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (ACM SIGKDD-2000), pp. 150–160, August 2000, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. One limitation of link analysis in general is that it requires the existence of meaningful links between web pages.

Disambiguation of search phrases using interpretation clusters


A system and method for layer-by-layer quantification of the remodeling of the human fovea comprises finding a fixed reference point in inner retina, measuring the thickness of the inner retina at the fixed reference point, for a range of finely sampled distances starting from the fixed reference point, measuring the thickness, comparing the measured thickness with a normative base and obtaining a plurality of curves, evaluating area for each curve and defining a distance from the fixed reference having highest sensitivity with respect to the fixed reference point compared to the normative base, displaying a 3D re-creation of foveal architecture-based color-coded picture in accordance with the measured thickness at each finely sampled distance, entering the measured thickness into a model having parameters, obtaining numerical solutions for each parameter, and defining percent change of the parameters for the patient versus the parameters for the control.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is worldwide the second most-common neurodegenerative disorder. Its diagnosis is based on clinically observable "cardinal" motor symptoms that are attributed to the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in one area of the brain. Dopamine is the critical neuropharmacological facilitator between nerve cells affected in PD. However, by the time cardinal motor symptoms appear, over 60% of the neurons are lost thus complicating interventional strategies as the disease process is rather advanced. Early markers or identification of at-risk patients would vastly improve therapeutic outcomes for neuroprotective types of therapy.
The eye is a window to the brain. Many processes which affect the brain also affect the back of the eye. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a commercially available diagnostic equipment that is widely used by ophthalmologists and optometrists. OCT is an optical signal acquisition and processing method that has been used in the study of ocular physiology and pathology since 1991. OCT allows imaging of the back of the eye and measuring with great precision changes in its nerve cells. The technique takes little time, typically five minutes, is non-invasive and the equipment is available in many doctors' offices. The test yields imaging and quantification of the thickness of the retina of the eye. The resolution of in-vivo retinal imaging using OCT is around five microns. This resolution is not sufficient to distinguish different cell types of the retina.
Over the last decades it has become apparent that non-motor systems, including vision, are affected by PD, with the retina being one site of pathology. PD apparently selectively affects certain retinal nerve layers and there is a remodeling of the retina in PD. The effects of PD in the human retina are consistent with results obtained in experimental models in monkeys and rodents. Impaired retinal processing in PD and in the monkey model of PD were originally shown by electroretinographic (ERG) recordings. The pattern ERG is determined by retinal ganglion cell activity and predominantly reflects foveal visual processing, which normally mediates optimum contrast and color vision. However, the ERG is not ideal to serve as a clinical large scale diagnostic tool.
The remodeling and pathology of PD can be quantified using OCT. For the differential diagnosis of PD and for potential follow-up of patients undergoing therapy with so-called neuroprotective drugs, the OCT may be a tool: non-invasive, widely available and relatively inexpensive. OCT has been used in neurology research to look at the thinning of the surface of the retina in Multiple Sclerosis and related demyelinating disorders. These layers can be seen on fundoscopy, a routine ophthalmological procedure. In recent years electroretinographic evidence of fovealdysfuncion of the retina in PD was supported by OCT. This can be used to form three-dimensional images from within any optical scattering medium. The currently used spectral-domain OCT (SD-CT) achieves micrometer-resolution and can be used to visualize different layers of the multilayered neural tissue of the retina. Thinning of the most superficial, inner layer, the so-called nerve fiber layer (NFL), was first reported in PD 2004. Several subsequent studies corroborated that the NFL is thinned in PD. These data raised some hopes that OCT may be useful as a biomarker for PD. However there are hurdles in the way of adopting OCT for multicenter large scale biomarker studies.
One problem is that there are differences in the quantification programs developed by the three major OCT equipment manufacturers. As a result, retinal thickness data are not simply transferable. The two most widely used equipments, RT-VUe and Zeiss Cirrus have different sampling rates and yield different thickness values for the same eye.
Another problem is that OCT, as almost every imaging technique, yields masses of data and it is unclear what measures and what thickness of the retina one should compare across equipments.
In addition, OCT thickness measurements are either based on the manufacturers' automated programs or manual measurements. Automated programs are geared to the diagnosis of glaucoma or maculopathy, neither of these programs are specifically suited to PD. Manual measurements not only require many repeats but also entail variability and vagaries due to reference line fitting and distortions introduced by the equipment's software for imaging.
Neurologists currently do not use OCT as a diagnostic tool for PD because there is no methodology to quantify the layers below the ganglion cells. Hence there is no technique to evaluate a patient for PD or other neurological disorders using data and/or information obtained from OCT.

Layer-by-layer quantification of the remodeling of the human fovea in neurodegenerative disease

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York


A CCD imaging system is provided, including a short focal length lens for accepting light from the scene to be imaged and a charge storage medium having a charge storage substrate that is curved in a selected nonplanar focal surface profile and located a selected distance from the lens with the focal surface facing the lens, the focal surface profile and the lens-to-substrate distance selected such that the light accepted by the lens is in focus at the position of the substrate. There is provided a support substrate on which the nonplanar charge storage substrate is supported to maintain the selected surface profile of the charge storage substrate. An array of pixels defined in the charge storage substrate by pixel interconnections is supported on the front side of the substrate, such that exposure of the substrate to light from the scene through the lens produces charge packets in the pixels, with the pixel interconnection providing selective electronic temporal control of transfer of charge packets from one pixel to another in the substrate. The invention provides a technique for suppressing dark current charge packet generation in the substrate pixels. An output circuit converts the charge packets in the pixels to an electrical pixel signal of output pixel values based on the light from the scene. A plurality of pixel values together form an image frame, the output pixel values being produced at a rate corresponding to the image frame rate, R.

This invention relates to digital imaging and image processing techniques, and more particularly relates to digital imaging of low-light-level scenes at real time video image display speeds.
Imaging of low-light-level environments is an important capability for enabling military and law enforcement surveillance, aviation and automotive navigation, and for numerous industrial and consumer manufacturing and production processes, among other applications. For example, the conventional low-light-level imaging systems known as so-called night vision scopes are routinely employed as a principal means for enabling night time mobility and navigation by military personnel wearing helmet-mounted scopes while traveling on foot or navigating in a vehicle, e.g., a jeep, truck, helicopter or jet.
Historically, low-light-level imaging systems, including conventional night vision scopes, have been based on use of an electro-optic image sensor that provides a gain mechanism for amplifying ambient input light to produce an output image signal level that is adequate for visual display, e.g., either by a direct view display or, with the addition of an electronic imaging system, a remote view display. For example, in a typical electro-optic system such as a so-called intensifier tube imager, a lens is used to focus ambient light, such as moonlight or starlight reflected off of a scene, onto a photocathode in a vacuum tube, the photocathode being sensitive to, e.g., light from the yellow through near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Under application of a high voltage between the photocathode and a micro-channel plate also located in the vacuum tube, an input ambient photon incident on the photocathode causes emission of a single electron from the photocathode and acceleration of the electron toward the micro-channel plate. Upon striking the micro-channel plate, the single electron creates a cascade of many electrons, which together are accelerated toward a phosphor screen by a second applied voltage. The kinetic energy of the electrons striking the phosphor causes the phosphor to glow. This electron cascade mechanism results in amplification of the input ambient light, typically by about four orders of magnitude, to produce a visible image on the phosphor screen. The phosphor image exists only momentarily in the glow of the phosphor screen, and does not exist in a storable or readable form.
To produce a real-time electronic video image, which typically is set at a frame rate of about 30 frames/second, based on the optical images formed by an intensifier tube on a phosphor screen, it is common practice to optically couple the phosphor screen to a conventional charge-coupled-device (CCD) electronic imaging camera. Optical coupling is typically achieved using an intermediate coupling lens or an optical fiber taper bonded to the CCD and either bonded or integrally-connected to the intensifier tube phosphor screen. The resulting low-light video camera, or so-called intensified-CCD camera, relies entirely on the cascade gain mechanism of the intensifier tube to provide a phosphor image that is adequately amplified to be sensed by the conventional CCD imager.
Intensified-CCD cameras like the one described above, while capable of producing a real time low-light-level video sequence, have historically been severely restricted with regard to other performance criteria. In particular, the intra-scene dynamic range of an image produced by an intensified-CCD imaging system is severely limited by the image intensifier tube. Furthermore, image resolution is severely degraded at low light levels due to electronic noise associated with the intensifier tube cascading gain mechanism. This electronic noise adds background image intensity noise and can even xe2x80x9cswampxe2x80x9d low intensity images, resulting in an output image that is a poor rendition of the imaged scene. Intensifier tube imagers not including a CCD electronic camera are of course also subject to the resolution and intra-scene dynamic range limitations imposed by the intensifier tube gain mechanism.
These limitations are exacerbated in imaging low-light-level scenes because the same scene may contain very low brightness areas as well as dramatic intra-scene intensity fluctuations due, e.g., to man-made light. But because intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems intrinsically rely on the vacuum tube cascading gain mechanism for production of a viable phosphor image, the dynamic range limitation imposed by the gain mechanism must be accepted, resulting in either loss of darker areas in the scene or excessive blooming in the brighter areas of the scene. Blooming is here meant as a localized brightness saturation that spills over to other nearby areas. As a result, intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems are restricted to relatively small dynamic range imaging; typically no more than about 200 gray levels can be enabled by even the best vacuum tube-based systems, and generally, far fewer gray levels span the restricted intra-scene dynamic range.
Additional inherent limitations of intensifier vacuum tube technology limit the overall performance of intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD imaging systems. For example, the finite time required for a phosphor image produced by an intensifier tube to dissipate from the phosphor results in deleterious image artifacts in a temporal sequence of images when there is motion in the scene. In addition, vacuum tubes, being formed of glass, are fragile, and therefore require special handling considerations for the image system in which they are incorporated. The photocathode and micro-channel plate used in the intensifier tube have relatively short life cycles, requiring frequent replacement and repair. Furthermore, vacuum tubes are relatively large in size, limiting the minimum overall imaging system size. Vacuum tubes are also relatively expensive, adding significant cost to the overall cost of the imaging system. Many other performance, handling, and packaging limitations are additionally imposed by the intensifier vacuum tube technology.
Another class of low-light-level imaging systems, known as so-called slow-scan or frame-integrating cameras, do not rely on a gain mechanism to amplify ambient light for producing a viable electronic image. Instead, a slow-scan camera typically includes only a CCD imager that in operation is exposed to a low-light-level scene for an extended period of time, i.e., seconds or longer, during which time the device accumulates a large number of photoelectrons; after a time period sufficient to accumulate an adequate photoelectron count, a viable electronic image can be produced by the CCD camera. This technique overcomes some of the practical limitations of intensifier tube imagers and intensified-CCD image systems, but is inherently limited to extremely slow image capture speeds. Slow-scan cameras thus cannot accommodate real time imaging for production of video sequences at rates even close to about 25-30 frames per second. Indeed, slow-scan cameras are typically used in applications that are not primarily time-sensitive; for example, being used in astronomical applications as an electronic substitute for long-exposure film photography through telescopes.
Many critical low-light-level surveillance and mobility applications require real time digital video imaging of night time scenes, e.g., air-land scenes, characterized by a large intra-scene dynamic range. But like the systems described above, conventional low-light-level imaging systems developed heretofore have provided only suboptimal performance under such complex conditions and are further restricted by additional performance and practical limitations that impede or inhibit a high level of operational performance in applications for which real time low-light-level imaging is critical.
The invention overcomes limitations of past low-light-level imagers to provide an imaging system that attains superior performance at real time speeds. In a first aspect, the invention provides an imaging system for imaging a scene to produce a sequence of image frames of the scene at a frame rate, R. The imaging system includes an optical input port for accepting input light from the scene and a charge-coupled imaging device including pixels configured in a charge storage medium, the charge-coupled imaging device located in relation to the input port such that input light from the scene impinges device pixels. The charge-coupled imaging device produces an electrical pixel signal of analog pixel values based on the input light. In the invention, an analog signal processor is connected to the charge-coupled imaging device for amplifying the pixel signal, and an analog-to-digital processor is connected to the analog signal processor for digitizing the amplified pixel signal to produce a digital image signal formatted as a sequence of image frames each of a plurality of digital pixel values and having a dynamic range of digital pixel values represented by a number of digital bits, B. Finally, the imaging system includes a digital image processor connected to the analog-to-digital processor for processing digital pixel values in the sequence of image frames to remap the dynamic range of the frames to a compressed dynamic range of remapped pixel values represented by a number of digital bits, D, where D is less than the number, B. A sequence of output image frames of remapped pixel values representative of the imaged scene are thereby produced at the frame rate, R, with a latency time of no more than about 1/R.
In preferred embodiments, the imaging system includes a display connected to receive the output image frame sequence and to display the sequence at the frame rate, R. Preferably, the digital image processor of the imaging system consists of a center-surround-shunt processor for adaptively enhancing contrast of digital pixel values from the analog-to-digital processor based on values of neighboring pixels in an image frame, and for adaptively normalizing the enhanced pixel values such that the enhanced pixel values are within a compressed and normalized dynamic range. The digital image processor further preferably includes a statistics processor for acquiring pixel value statistics about the digital pixel values from the analog-to-digital processor and for acquiring pixel value statistics about the enhanced and normalized pixel values from the center-surround-shunt processor, and a remapping function processor for constructing a pixel value remapping function based on the pixel value statistics acquired by the statistics processor, the remapping function constituting a rule for remapping the enhanced and normalized pixel values from the center-surround-shunt processor to a selected output dynamic range represented by the number of digital bits D. The digital image processor further preferably includes a remap processor for applying the remapping function from the remapping function processor to the enhanced and normalized pixel values from the center-surround-shunt processor to produce a sequence of output image frames of remapped pixel values representative of the imaged scene. Preferably, the remapping function processor constructs a pixel value remapping function for a given image frame before pixel values in that frame are processed by the center-surround-shunt processor.
In other preferred embodiments, the number of digital bits, B, representing the dynamic range of digital pixel values produced by the analog-to-digital processor is greater than 8 and the number of digital bits, D, representing the compressed dynamic range of remapped pixel values is no larger than 8; preferably the frame rate, R, is at least about 25 frames per second.
In another aspect, the invention provides an imaging system for imaging a scene to produce a sequence of image frames of the scene at a frame rate, R, of at least about 25 image frames per second. The imaging system includes an optical input port for accepting input light from the scene and a charge-coupled imaging device having an array of pixels configured in a charge storage medium. The charge-coupled imaging device is located in relation to the input port such that input light from the scene impinges device pixels, such that the charge-coupled imaging device produces an electrical pixel signal of analog pixel values based on the input light. An analog signal processor is connected to the charge-coupled imaging device for amplifying the pixel signal, and an analog-to-digital processor is connected to the analog signal processor for digitizing the amplified pixel signal to produce a digital image signal formatted as a sequence of image frames each of a plurality of digital pixel values and having a dynamic range of digital pixel values represented by a number of digital bits, B, where B is greater than 8. A digital image processor is connected to the analog-to-digital processor for processing digital pixel values in the sequence of image frames to produce an output image frame sequence at the frame rate, R, representative of the imaged scene, with a latency of no more than about 1/R.
In the invention, the output image frame sequence is characterized by noise-limited resolution of at least a minimum number, NM, of line pairs per millimeter, referred to the charge-coupled imaging device pixel array, in an imaged scene as a function of illuminance of the input light impinging the charge-coupled imaging device pixels. For a scene characterized by a contrast of about 0.3, for a human observation time of about 0.05 seconds, and for an image scene frame rate of about 30 frames per second, NM is given as NM=1900 L0.51, where L is the value of illuminance of the input light impinging the charge-coupled imaging device pixels, for at least one illuminance value between a range of illuminance values of about 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 LUX and 5xc3x9710xe2x88x927 LUX.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, L, the illuminance of the input light impinging the charge-coupled imaging device pixels, ranges between about 1xc3x9710xe2x88x923 LUX and 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 LUX. Preferably, the frame rate, R, is at least about 30 frames per second. In preferred embodiments, the optical input port comprises a lens, and a display is connected to receive the output image frame sequence and to display the sequence at the frame rate, R. In other embodiments, the digital image processor and the display are in communication with but located remote from the charge-coupled imaging device and the analog-to-digital processor; alternatively, the charge-coupled imaging device, the analog-to-digital processor, and the display are in communication with but located remote from the digital image processor and a power supply. In other embodiments, a communication link is connected to the digital image processor for transmitting to a remotely located receiver the sequence of output image frames; a user controller is preferably included for controlling the frame rate, R, and resolution of the imaging system, within operational limits of the imaging system.
In other embodiments, the charge-coupled imaging device pixels are configured in a charge storage substrate having a front side supporting pixel interconnections and a back side having no substantial topology, with buried channels in the substrate defining charge packet storage wells for the pixels. Preferably the charge-coupled imaging device is located in relation to the optical input port such that input light from the scene impinges the back side of the substrate. In other preferred embodiments, the substrate is a silicon substrate characterized by a resistivity of at least about 1000 xcexa9-cm.
Preferably, the electrical pixel signal of pixel values has a dynamic range of at least about 1000 distinct pixel value levels and most preferably a dynamic range of at least about 3000 distinct pixel value levels.
In other embodiments, the configuration of pixels in the charge storage substrate is configured as an imaging pixel array on which input light impinges to produce charge packets in the buried channels of the imaging array pixels and a frame storage pixel array shielded from impinging input light, charge packets in the imaging pixel array being transferred to the frame storage pixel array for producing an electrical pixel signal of analog pixel values based on the input light. Preferably, the imaging pixel array consists of an array of electronically-shuttered pixels, each pixel in the array being selectively electronically controllable by the pixel interconnections to inhibit storage of charge packets in the buried channel of that pixel while input light impinges the charge-coupled imaging device.
In other preferred embodiments, the pixel interconnections supported on the front side of the charge storage medium define a three-phase clocking configuration for transferring charge packets in the buried channels; and the pixel interconnections supported on the front side of the charge storage substrate provide interconnections for selective electronic transfer of a charge packet in a given pixel of the imaging pixel array to an adjacent pixel located in a different row of the imaging pixel array, and provide interconnections for selective electronic transfer of a charge packet in a given pixel in the imaging array to an adjacent pixel located in a different column of the imaging pixel array. In other embodiments, charge packets resident in a portion of the pixels in the frame storage pixel array are summed prior to production of an electrical pixel signal of analog pixel values.
In other preferred embodiments, the pixels of the charge-coupled imaging device are configured in a charge storage medium comprising a substrate that is curved in a selected nonplanar focal surface profile and located a selected distance from the lens with the focal surface facing the lens, the focal surface profile and lens-to-substrate distance selected such that the input light is in focus at the location of the substrate. Preferably, a cooling device is provided in contact with the charge storage substrate to suppress dark current charge packet generation in pixels of the charge-coupled imaging device. The cooling device preferably consists of a thermo-electric cooling device.
In another aspect, the invention provides an imaging system having optical input port for accepting input light from the scene, a first charge-coupled imaging device having pixels configured in a charge storage medium and located in relation to the input port such that at least a central field-of-view region of the input light impinges device pixels to produce an electrical central field-of-view pixel signal of analog pixel values based on the input light, and a second charge-coupled imaging device having pixels configured in a charge storage medium and located in relation to the input port such that at least a peripheral field-of-view region of the input light impinges device pixels to produce an electrical peripheral field-of-view pixel signal of analog pixel values based on the input light. An image processor is connected to receive the central field-of-view pixel values and peripheral field-of-view pixel values to amplify and digitize the pixel values and to blend the central field-of-view pixel values with the peripheral field-of-view pixel values to produce a sequence of composite image frames, each composite image frame having digital central field-of-view pixel values in a central region of the composite image frame and having digital peripheral field-of-view pixel values surrounding the central region to form a peripheral region of the composite image frame. The sequence of composite image frames is produced at the frame rate, R, with a latency time of no more than about 1/R.
In preferred embodiments, a display is connected to receive the sequence of composite image frames and display the sequence at the frame rate, R, with the central image region of each composite image frame displayed at unity magnification and the peripheral image region of each composite image frame displayed at a magnification less than unity. Preferably, the display subtends a field of view, with respect to a display viewer, that exceeds the field of view subtended by the central image region, and preferably, the central image region subtends an angle of at least about 30 degrees and the peripheral image region subtends an angle of at least about 80 degrees.
In preferred embodiments, the system includes a field-of-view separator aligned with the optical input port for directing the central field-of-view region of the input light to the first charge coupled imaging device and for directing the peripheral field-of-view region of the input light to the second charge coupled imaging device; the system also preferably includes a long focal length lens located between the field-of-view separator and the first charge-coupled imaging device to focus the central field-of-view region of the input light onto the first charge-coupled imaging device; and a short focal length lens located between the field-of-view separator and the second charge-coupled imaging device to focus the peripheral field-of-view region of the input light onto the second charge-coupled imaging device.
The invention provides, in another aspect, a charge-coupled imaging device for imaging a wide field-of-view scene to produce a sequence of image frames of the scene at an image frame rate, R, the imaging device consists of a short focal length lens for accepting light from the scene to be imaged and a charge storage medium consisting of a charge storage substrate having a front side and a back side, the charge storage substrate being curved in a selected nonplanar focal surface profile and located a selected distance from the lens with the focal surface facing the lens, the focal surface profile and lens-to-substrate distance selected such that the light accepted by the lens is in focus at the position of the substrate. A support substrate is provided on which the nonplanar charge storage substrate is supported to maintain the selected surface profile of the charge storage substrate. An array of pixels is defined in the charge storage substrate by pixel interconnections supported on the front side of the substrate, exposure of the substrate to light from the scene through the lens producing charge packets in the pixels, the pixel interconnections providing selective electronic temporal control of transfer of charge packets from one pixel to another in the substrate. Means for suppressing generation of dark current charge packet generation in the substrate pixels is provided, as well as an output circuit for converting the charge packets in the pixels to an electrical pixel signal of output pixel values based on the light from the scene, a plurality of pixel values together forming an image frame, the output pixel values being produced at a rate corresponding to the image frame rate, R.
The invention further provides a charge-coupled imaging device consisting of a charge storage medium comprising a substrate having a front side and a backside, pixels defined in an array of pixel rows and pixel columns in the charge storage substrate by a plurality of columns of buried channels in the substrate and by a plurality of rows of pixel gates on the substrate over the buried channel columns. A channel stop region is provided in the substrate between and at the periphery of the columns of buried channels, and a serial output register is defined by a row of register gates on the substrate over the buried channels and adjacent to the last pixel row in the pixel array. The output register includes an output stage defined by an output stage gate at the end of the register gate row and a corresponding output stage buried channel comprising an end column of the plurality of buried channel columns, the output stage buried channel extending to the output stage gate. A charge-collection junction is provided adjacent to the output stage gate and defined by a p/n junction in the substrate for collecting charge generated in the array of pixels and output at the output stage gate.
An output stage charge funnel is located between the output stage gate and the charge-collection junction for funneling charge in the output stage buried channel to the charge-collection junction. The output stage charge funnel is defined by a buried implant having a first width at the end of the buried channel and a second width at the charge-collection junction, the first width being larger than the second width.
Preferably, an output circuit is connected to the charge-collection junction for converting the collected charge to an electronic representation of a scene being imaged, the output circuit including a capacitor, an output transistor, and a reset transistor all located in the substrate. The capacitor is connected to the charge-collection junction for producing a voltage corresponding to a given amount of charge collected at the charge-collection junction. The reset transistor is defined by a reset gate and a reset buried channel in the substrate and extends between a reset transistor bias contact and the reset gate. A charge funnel is located between the reset gate and the charge-collection junction for draining charge from the output stage capacitor after the output circuit has produced an electronic representation for a given amount of charge collected at the charge-collection junction. The reset charge funnel is defined by a buried implant having a first width at the end of the reset buried channel and a second width at the charge-collection junction, the first width being larger than the second width. Preferably, the charge-collection junction consists of a dopant region in the substrate, dopant in the region provided by diffusion of dopant from a doped conducting layer deposited over the charge-collection junction location into the substrate under the conducting layer at the charge-collection junction location.


A close out retainer for a side air bag chute comprising at least two retainer pieces, a bar code wherein a portion of the bar code is printed on said at least two retainer pieces, and a strap connecting that retainer to the side air bag. This close out retainer increases the safety of side air bags by utilizing a retainer that ensures correct installation. Correct installation is only obtained when the bar code printed on each of at least two retainer pieces is aligned and complete.

Side air bags have become increasingly more popular in motor vehicles as the demand for safer vehicles increases. Side air bags are seen as a very effective way to protect occupants of a motor vehicle from severe injury due to a collision.
Current side air bag technology utilizes a retainer for attaching a side air bag to the vehicle. The retainer serves as an anchor for the air bag when it is deployed. The chute attaches the retainer and the side air bag. Typically, the only way the retainer is installed is by manual installation. At the point of manufacturing, the retainer is installed manually to the vehicle. The problem with installing the retainer in this manner is that there is no way to insure that it is properly installed. Manual installation leaves room for human error that can lead to serious consequences in the event that the side air bag is deployed and the retainer fails to function properly. This process is unreliable as there is no way to insure that the retainer will not break due to improper installation. If the retainer breaks, then the side air bag will not protect an occupant as it should. Consumers and manufacturers alike are not happy with the manner that the retainers are currently installed. As a result, there is a demand to further error-proof this installation.
This invention solves this problem by utilizes a bar code on the parts of the retainer. A portion of the bar code is imprinted on the parts of the retainer. When the retainer is engaged properly, the bar code is able to be scanned. A properly scanned bar code insures that the retainer is properly installed without having any worry that human error played a role in the correct or incorrect installation of the retainer. If the bar code cannot be read, then the retainer is not installed correctly. The worries of breaking or incorrect deployment are then removed from the manufacturing process.

Close out retainer for side air bag chute


An information processing apparatus which performs a process on the basis of an access control information, or ACT, for control of a use of a function of a peripheral device for each user acquires setting information about the use of the function of the peripheral device specified by the user, and the ACT corresponding to the user. If the user-specified setting information is permitted by the ACT and if the setting information permitted by the ACT is not set by the user-specified setting information, the apparatus displays a screen indicating that the user-specified setting information can be changed according to the ACT.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a print control system for performing flexible control of the functions that can be executed by a user using a peripheral device (printing apparatus) such as a copying machine, a printer, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a computer network (hereinafter referred to simply as a network) such as the Internet etc. in which computers are interconnected are widely used. These networks are built on the floor of a building, in an entire building, among buildings (LAN), in an area, or in a large area on a worldwide scale.
In addition to a computer, a computer peripheral device (printing apparatus) such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, etc. can be connected to a network in many cases, and can be used over the network. In a printing operation through a network (network printing), the printing operation can be performed from a remote location, which enables a large and high-speed printer and an expensive color printer to be shared among a plurality of computers, and the printing through a network has been commonly used.
Furthermore, the recent printing apparatus such as a copying machine etc. is not limited to an apparatus having the function of copying an original, but has the functions of printing a print job from an external client, a function of electronically transmitting a scanned original to an external device using e-mail and file transfer functions. The copying machine is called an MFP (multifunction peripheral).
On the other hand, there occurs a managemental problem of increasing the risk of a leakage of information by transmitting MFP-scanned information to an external device. There is a request as a conventional subject to restrict the printing function for each user and the possible number of printed copies because the number of consumed sheets and the cost of toner rise with an increasing number of printed copies. The problem is serious from the viewpoint of reducing the TCO (total cost of ownership).
With respect to these problems, several solving methods have already been proposed. For example, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-134136 proposes a method of managing each user by an ID and restricting the available functions, resources, and time of a copying machine and a printer for each ID.
Furthermore, while there are functions to be use-restricted among the functions of the above-mentioned multifunction peripheral device (MFP), there are many cases in which common users other than a system manager do not know what functions the MFP has. That is, although a system producer introduces a high-function MFP, the functions are not fully utilized, or it is not certain whether or not the functions are needed.
Relating to the problems, some solving means are proposed. For example, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-007477 discloses the technique of detecting the function of a peripheral device of a user, the use frequency of an option, etc. and offering a proposition such as changing an output device for each color or monochrome, etc. to a user from a service center.
In a system of a conventional technique, a system manager generally sets restriction information for each user relating to the function restrictions, manages and operates the information by holding data in table form in the system. In addition, it is assumed that a function, a capability, and an option as required can be identified by referring to a set value of a print job.
However, a system manager may intend to place use restrictions or may intend to promote a use relating to the functions of a currently available MFP. For example, the system manager may request to use a staple with the dedicated sheets shared among specific departments and divisions and the convenience taken into account.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and print control system


Process for treating a cocoa nib or liquor, in which a nib or a liquor is prepared from cocoa beans fermented for 1 to 15 days, it is mixed with at least one technical protease in an aqueous medium at pH 3-8, and the mixture is incubated for a time and at a temperature sufficient to obtain at least 10 .mu.mol of hydrophobic amino acids per gram of dry matter and at least 1.4 times more hydrolysis products, compared with those initially present in the cocoa beans. Composition comprising a nib or a liquor from cocoa beans fermented for about 1 to 15 days, and a technical protease and/or a technical invertase. Cocoa obtained by roasting the composition according to the invention.

The quality of a chocolate is directly influenced by the geographic and genetic origin, and the conditions for treating the cocoa beans, from their cultivation in the field up to their processing in the factory. Once harvested, cocoa beans are thus subjected, in their country of origin, to a fermentation and a natural drying which are intended to cause the appearance of the flavor precursors. Unfortunately, the harvesting at maturity of the beans and the conditions for their fermentation are not always adequately controlled. Furthermore, the three principal types of cocoa trees of the species Theobroma cacao, called Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario, each produce beans having a different composition. Finally, the dried beans can also be damaged during their transport to the countries specialized in the processing of the beans. Industry must therefore address a wide variability in the composition of a batch of cocoa beans (see for example Smaffer M., The Manufacturing Confectioner, 92-94, June 1994).
The fermented and dried cocoa beans are then traditionally crushed to a greater or lesser extent, the outer coats are separated, and then they are subjected to roasting, combined where appropriate with alkalization, which are intended to cause the cocoa flavor and colour to appear. The roasting step involves Maillard reactions between the reducing sugars and the products of the degradation of proteins, especially the amino acids and the hydrolysis products (Wood and Lass, Cocoa, Longman Scientific & Technical, Longman Group UK, England, 1985, ISBN 0-582-46352-1).
The flavor precursors appear only during the natural fermentation of the beans, as a result of hydrolysis reactions. Experiments involving in vitro incubation of unfermented cocoa beans or bean fragments have thus shown that these hydrolysis reactions are dependent on the pH, the temperature and the compartmentation of the enzymes and of the substrates in the bean. Furthermore, the hydrolysis reactions are also sensitive to the presence of polyphenols. It is thus advantageous to extract the polyphenols from the beans using acetone, and also to incubate the said beans in acetic acid in order to decompartmentalize the enzymes and the substrates (Biehl B. et al., J. Sci. Food. Agric., 33, 1280-1290, 1982).
Furthermore, other studies have shown that cocoa beans comprise at least three protolytic activities involved in the appearance of the cocoa flavor precursors, namely an endoprotease having an optimum activity at pH 3.5, a carboxypeptidase having an optimum activity at pH 5.8, and an aminopeptidase having an optimum activity at pH 7. Experiments involving hydrolysis of purified cocoa bean globulin (protein having two bands of 31 kD and 47 kD on an SDS-PAGE chromatography gel), from which the polyphenols have been extracted, with commercial proteases and/or purified cocoa endoprotease and carboxypeptidase have shown that it was preferable to hydrolyse the globulin successively with cocoa endoprotease at pH 3.5, then with cocoa carboxypeptidase or a commercial carboxypeptidase at pH 5-6. In this way, a hydrolysis product and amino acid composition is obtained which is suitable for obtaining a cocoa flavor during subsequent roasting of the mixture in the presence of reducing sugars (Voigt J. et al., Food Chemistry, 50, 177-184, 1994).
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,490 describes a process for the in vitro hydrolysis of unfermented cocoa beans (green cocoa beans), intended to replace the natural fermentation of the beans. To this end, the green cocoa bean proteins are hydrolysed with acid or enzymatically, the carbohydrates in the said beans are hydrolysed enzymatically to produce simple sugars, and both hydrolysates are allowed to react under anhydrous conditions at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce an aromatic factor. However, it should be stated that the polyphenols in the green seeds limit particularly the enzymatic hydrolysis of the storage proteins (see Comparative Example 1 below).
In the final analysis, the processes and studies described above are evidently intended to replace the natural fermentation of the cocoa beans with a controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of the green beans (problem caused by the polyphenols) or of their purified proteins (from which the polyphenols have been extracted). Furthermore, the quality and the quantity of flavor precursors necessary for the creation of a good cocoa flavor during roasting are not yet known.


The present invention relates to a device for physical exercise comprising a pair of skis (2) having a top side and a bottom side, a frame (5), two pendulate arms (19), each of the pendulate arms has an upper end rotatably connected to the frame about a rotational axis, and a lower end pivotably connected to one of the skis, and at least one resistance unit (13, 15) connected to the pendulate arms. The device comprises at least one support parts (1;29;30) located below the skis respectively, and two movable elements (20;26;28) connected to the bottom sides of the skis respectively, and each of the movable elements are arranged linearly movable along one of the support parts.

Skiing is a popular and gentle exercise method that provides a good workout for the whole body. The problem is that when there is no snow, there is, except for roller skis, no exercise equipment that sufficiently imitates the entire skiing movement. Skiing is based partly on poling, where one pushes him/herself forward with poles, and by so-called diagonal skiing and double poling, where one with help of the legs pushes away the ski, while at the same time pushing away the pole. Roller skiing is a training method that is regularly used by cross-country skiers and other athletes. However, roller skis have many shortcomings, it is depending on physical conditions, such as road conditions, weather, terrain, etc. In a large city, it can be difficult to find good roads for roller skiing and with all intersecting roads and road users, it can be dangerous to ride roller skis. In addition, poling on hard asphalt may give unwanted strain on back, shoulders and arms.
Over the years, a series of training equipment has been developed to imitate cross-country skiing. A typical construction includes a pair of footplates mounted on a pair of tracks extending along a base frame. The footplates connect to endless belts, which in turn drive a flywheel. There are a number of patents based on similar equipments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,443, discloses a device having four parallel gliding rails for feet and poles connected to one resistance unit. The feet of the practitioner are not attached to pendulate arms and therefore the leverage effect from skiing on snow is not simulated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,077, discloses a device having two parallel gliding rails for feet and poles true cords connected to a resistance unit. Also in this device, the feet of the practitioner are not attached to pendulate arms and therefore the leverage effect from skiing on snow is not simulated.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,645,201, 4,434,981, 4,023,795, 3,941,377, disclose similar kind of techniques, and the product, which is currently sold under the trademark Thorax Trainer. U.S. Pat. No. 8,986,167 discloses a device that simulates poling only.
US2007/0037667 discloses a device, whereby the feet of a practitioner are connected to a pendulate. The arms of the pendulate pass at the side of the practitioner, which prevents any natural movement with the arms during practice on this device.
US2004/0097340 discloses a device, whereby the feet of the practitioner are connected to a wheel. This construction prevents horizontal natural movement as in a skiing on snow.
Many exercise devices used today simulate poling more or less well. There is currently no training equipment on the market that imitates the entire skiing movement with poling, diagonal skiing and double poling. Some specialized training facilities have large treadmills that can be used for roller skiing, but they are so big and expensive that they are not suitable for private users or regular gyms. In addition, this equipment is powered by electricity, which is both expensive and can also be difficult to access in some places.
There are some products on the market that simulate poling for cross-country skiing. An example is "Concep2 SkiErg" (www.motion.se), which is built with fan resistors. This is primarily a strength training machine. The similarity to cross-country skiing is low.
Another example of poling equipment is "Thoraxtrainer" (www.thoraxtrainer.com), where the poles are attached to a rack that rolls on rails. The poles cannot be lifted from the rails and thus the correct motion pattern for skiing is not achieved.
Ercolina is a training equipment similar to SkiErg, but here the resistance is magnetic.
None of these poling machines simulate skiing on snow particularly well as they are very monotonous and rigid. The feet are fixed to the ground and it is impossible to get the same forward-leaning position of the body as in skiing on snow, where body and feet move forward. The forward movement makes the practitioner naturally lean forward even during poling compared to when the practitioner is standing still on a floor.
An equipment that provides both arm and leg training is Nordic Track Ski (www.nordictrack.com). One pulls a strap with the arms and moves the legs back and forth. This machine is best suited for diagonal skiing, and not for poling or double poling.
There are also some other similar ski training machines, but today there is no machine on the market, which all classic skiing techniques can be practiced on, and on which the leg and arm movements act against a resistance. There is no training machine, where the poling movement results in one forward movement of the whole body similar to that of skiing on snow. To connect the resistance of arm and leg is important for simulation of normal skiing on snow. During regular skiing, one usually poles, when the slope is easy (flat) and adds the pushing with the legs, when the slope is uphill.